MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Call to Order
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Liana LeBaron, Councilmember George Gastil and Councilmember Alysson Snow
Absent: Mayor Racquel Vasquez
Staff Members Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Community Development Manager Michael Fellows, Fire Chief Bent Koch and Lt. Joseph Barry, San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Snow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo announced the following changes to the Council Agenda:
Replaced "National Fire Prevention Week" with "National Preparedness Month." Removed Consent Item No. 1.D from the agenda and rescheduled the matter to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Presentations
Proclamation - National Preparedness Month
Fire Chief Bent Koch provided introductory remarks. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andy McKellar then delivered a presentation on National Preparedness Month. Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza presented the Resolution to Fire Chief Bent Koch.
Public Comment
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza opened the public comment period.
In Person: Susan Kennedy, United Sovereign Americans
Debbie Veronick
Ken King
John L. Wood
Jason Sundberg
Page |2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting September 17, 2024 Brenda Hammond
Karina Kravalis
Written: Barbara Gordon
Susan Kennedy
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza closed the public comment period.
Councilmember LeBaron requested support to add a discussion item about the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins project to a future City Council agenda. Following the request, the Council discussed the matter and staff indicated to the Council that County staff will schedule a presentation with the City Council once project details are finalized.
Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember Snow to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through Item No. 1.I absent Item No. I.D.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Gastil, LeBaron, Mendoza
Noes: None
Absent: Vasquez
1.A Waive Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda Action: Waived the full text reading of all ordinances on the published meeting agenda.
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified Demands covering July 10, 2024 through August 13, 2024
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the Special Joint Meeting of the Lemon Grove School District and City Council on August 20, 2024.
1.D Ratification of Contracted Emergency Work for the Skyline Drive Sewer Repair [Item Carried from the August 6, 2024 City Council Meeting]
Action: Item Continued to the City Council meeting on October 1, 2024.
1.E Acquisition of Temporary Construction Easement Agreement for 6794 Central Avenue (APN 478-171-08-00)
Action: Adopted Lemon Grove Sanitation District Resolution No. 2024-326 authorizing the acquisition of a Temporary Construction Easement with the owner of 6794 Central Avenue [Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 478-171-08-00] and authorizing the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
1.F Acquisition of Sewer and Access Easement Agreement for 6808 Central Avenue, Lemon Grove, CA (APN 479-100-14-00)
Action: Adopted Lemon Grove Sanitation District Resolution No. 2024-327 authorizing the acquisition of a Sewer and Access Easement with the owner of 6808 Central Avenue, Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting September 17, 2024 Lemon Grove, CA Assessor Parcel Number 479-100-14-00 and authorizing the General Manager to execute any necessary documents to complete the transaction.
1.G Accept the Canton Drive Emergency Storm Drain Project (Contract No. 2024-05) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4051 to: (1) Authorize an appropriation of $552,715.43 from the General Fund Reserve for the Public Works, Streets Division Fiscal Year 2023-24 final budget; and (2) Authorize an appropriation of $674,132.86 from the General Fund Reserve for the Public Works, Streets Division Fiscal Year 2024- 25 budget; and (3) Accept the Canton Drive Emergency Storm Drain Project (Contract No. 2024-05).
1.G Accept the Fire Station Trench Drain Replacement Project (Contract No. 2024-06) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4052 accepting the Fire Station Trench Drain Replacement Project by C.E. Wilson Corporation (Contract No. 2024-06).
1.I Designation of Voting Delegate to the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Conference
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-4053 designating Mayor Racquel Vasquez as the City's voting delegate, Council Member Jennifer Mendoza as first alternate and Council Member Alysson Snow as second alternate for the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting.
Public Hearing(s):
2. Public Hearing to Consider Appeal No. AA2-200-0010 Regarding the Planning Commission Approval of Conditional Use Permit No. CUP-220-0001. Under Consideration is a Wireless Communications Facility that would Include a 70-foot Mono- broadleaf Tower and Associated Equipment at the Property Located at 6970 San Miguel Avenue (APN: 479-240-06-00) in the Residential Low Medium (RLM) Zone.
City Manager Lydia Romero requested Council to continue to the Item to next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Written Public Comment Received: Jason Sundberg
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Councilmember Gastil to open the Public Hearing and continue the matter to Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Gastil, LeBaron, Mendoza
Noes: None
Absent: Vasquez
Public Hearing to Consider Conditional Use Permit No. CUP-240-0002, to renew a Conditional Use Permit for an existing Cannabis Retail Dispensary at 6859 Federal Boulevard in the General Commercial (GC) Zone. (APN 478-143-14-00)
City Manager Lydia Romero introduced Community Development Manager Michael Fellows. Fellows presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m.
City Clerk Joel G. Pablo stated all notices as requested by law have been given and all documents and corresponding exhibits have been provided.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke requested Councilmembers to disclose any conflicts of interest or ex-parte communications. Councilmember LeBaron, Councilmember Snow, Councilmember Gastil and Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza each stated they had no conflicts.
Jessica McElfresh, Esq. fielded questions/comments from the Council.
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to statt.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza opened the Public Comment period.
In-Person: John L. Wood
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza closed the Public Comment Period.
Round 1: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers provided questions/comments to staff.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Councilmember Gastil to close the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Gastil, LeBaron, Mendoza
Noes: None
Absent: Vasquez
The Council deliberated and provided final remarks.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Snow, second by Councilmember Gastil: (1) Conduct the Public Hearing; (2) Receive Public Comment; and (3) Adopt a Resolution No. 2024-4054, as amended [Paragraph 8. Section 2: Section D to be read as:
"Occupancy on the second floor shall consist of offices only, no cannabis or cannabis products shall be present on the second floor, and the offices shall not be open to the public.] of the City Council of the City of Lemon Grove, California, approving conditional use permit (CUP) No. CUP-240-0002 a renewal of CUP-180-0002 for a cannabis dispensary located at 6859 Federal Boulevard
The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Snow, Gastil, LeBaron, Mendoza
Noes: None
Absent: Vasquez
Page |5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting September 17, 2024 Reports to Council - None
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember LeBaron
Provided commentary on the closed session agenda, the proposed Troy Street Sleeing Cabins project and requested Council support to add the matter to a future Council meeting agenda.
Lydia Romero. City Manager indicated to LeBaron that County staff will schedule a presentation with the City Council once project details are finalized.
Councilmember Snow
• September 17, 2024 - Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee
• September 13, 2024 - Attended and Participated in the Lemon Grove Bristro:
Community Update
• September 12, 2024 - Attended the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market • September 9, 2024 - Attended the University of California San Diego's Homelessness Hub Group
• September 5, 2024 - Attended the Lemon Grove Historical Society: History Alive • September 2, 2024 - Volunteered with Teresa Rosiak, Adrian and Councilmember Mendoza and provided Homelessness Outreach
• August 29, 2024 - Attended the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market • August 24, 2024 - Attended the Community Conversations at the Sun Garden Terrace • August 23, 2024 - Attended the California Jobs First Coalition • Attended the Southern Border Coalition Update for the San Diego County Subregion • August 22, 2024 - Met with Department Sheriff's Association to discuss Measure T • August 20, 2024 - Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce Councilmember Gastil
• September 2024 - Attended the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System • Attended the SD MTS Accessibility Services Advisory Committee • Attended the San Diego Association of Government as an Alternate • August 2024 - Attended the East County Economic Development Council • August/September 2024 - Attended the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza
• August 12, 2024 - Attended the League of California Cities meeting • September 2, 2024 - Volunteered with Teresa Rosiak, Adrian and Councilmember Mendoza and provided Homelessness Outreach
• Mentioned that she is still active and participating in the Monthly Food Distributions.
City Manager Report
City Manager Romero stated work is currently underway as it relates to the Connect Main Street project and anticipates work to be completed in several weeks. She announced that on Saturday, Page |6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting September 17, 2024 September 28, 2024 the Bulk Item Disposal Event to take place at Treganza Park from 9 a.m. to noon.
Closed Session
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza opened the public comment period:
In-Person: Mat Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza closed the public comment period.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke read the Council into Closed Session. The Council adjourned into Closed Session at 8:35 p.m.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code §54957.6) Agency Representative: Lydia Romero, City Manager
Employee Organization: AFSCME Local 127, General and Supervisorial Bargaining Units
b. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1)) Daniel Owens and Erlaine Ah Lan Owens v. City of Lemon Grove (San Diego Superior Court, Case No.: 37-2023-00013477-CU-EI-CTL)
The Council reconvened from Closed Session at 9:41 p.m.
City Attorney Steinke reported out from Closed Session:
Closed Session Item No. 1(a): No reportable action.
Closed Session Item No. 1(b): No reportable action.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m. She announced that the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk
Adopted by the City Council on October 1, 2024