MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Racquel Vasquez called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Liana LeBaron, Councilmember Alysson Snow, Councilmember George Gastil Staff Members Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Fire Chief Bent Koch, Deputy Chief of Operations Todd Nelson, Division Chief of Logistics Chris Case, Lt. Joseph Barry with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo stated there are no changes to the agenda.
Councilmember LeBaron requested to pull Consent Calendar Item No. 1.B for separate discussion and vote. Request failed due to lack of a second.
Councilmember LeBaron, supported by Councilmember Snow, requested to pull Consent Calendar Item No. 1.D for separate discussion and vote.
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth
Ken King
John L. Wood
Matt Kostrinski, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Brenda Hammond
Shane O'Garro
Jason Sundberg
Written: Rich Hammett
Page |2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting October 15, 2024 Barbara Gordon
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth, (commented on Item No. 1.C and 1.G)
John L. Wood, (commented on Item No. 1.G)
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember Snow to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding Item No. 1.D, and with one editorial change to Item No. I.C | Attachment A: City Council Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2024.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, LeBaron, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES:
ABSENT: None
1.A Waive the Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda Action: Waived the full text reading of all ordinances included in this agenda.
Ordinances shall be introduced and adopted by title only.
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified Demands covering September 4, 2024 to September 17, 2024.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on June 18, 2024 and October 1, 2024.
1.D Authorization to Submit a Grant Application to the Department of Justice for the Justice Assistance Grant
Action: Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar via Changes to the Agenda.
1.E Acceptance of Central Zone Radio Grant Award and Cost Share Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024 - 4057 accepting the Central Zone Radio Grant, approving the 10% cost share, and authorizing the City Manager, or designated appointee, to execute appropriate agreements and/or grant documents.
1.F Local Agency Investment Fund Authorization
Action: Rescinded Resolution 2022-3905 and adopted Resolution No. 2024 - 4058 authorizing participation in the California State's Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) and designating the City Manager, Finance Director, and Accounting Analyst to serve as authorized staff agents.
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting October 15, 2024
1.G Authorize an Agreement with the Lemon Grove Little League for the Restoration of a Baseball Outfield
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024 - 4059 to authorize an appropriation of $60,000 rom the General Fund Reserve to the Public Works Administration Division's Fisca ear 2024-25 budget, authorize an agreement between the Lemon Grove Little Leagu and City, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any necessary Public Hearing: - None
The City Council recessed the meeting at 6:34 p.m due to technical issues. The Council reconvened at 6:40 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Item Pulled from Consent Calendar
1.D Authorization to Submit a Grant Application to the Department of Justice for the Justice Assistance Grant
City Manager Lydia Romero provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember LeBaron, second by Councilmember Snow to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4056 authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the Department of Justice (DOJ for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, and direct the City Manager or her designee to execute any The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, LeBaron, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Reports to Council:
2. Authorize a Change Order to Contract No. 2023-21 with Blue Pacific Engineering and Construction for Storm Drain Improvements at Burnell Avenue and Main Street Mayor Vasquez introduced Public Works Director Izzy Murguia. Murguia presented the report.
Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting October 15, 2024 Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff! Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Councilmember LeBaron to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4060 authorizing a change order to Contract No. 2023-21 Wit Blue Pacific Engineering and Construction for storm drain improvements at Burnel! Avenue and Main Street in the amount not-to-exceed $45,849, and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents. Motion carries unanimously.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, LeBaron, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: •None
ABSENT: None
California Office of Emergency Services Type I Fire Engine Mayor Vasquez introduced Fire Chief Bent Koch to provide the presentation. Chief Bent Koch, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Todd Nelson and Division Chief Chris Case presented the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened public comment period.
In-Person: Truth
Mayor Vasquez closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4061 authorizing the City Manager or designee to accept temporary assignment of vehicular equipment for the purpose of responding to incidents in furtherance of the California Fire Service and Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid Plan, and to execute any documents and agreements necessary for this.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, LeBaron, Gastil, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting October 15, 2024 City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Alysson Snow
• October 3, 2024: Attended the Lemon Grove Farmers Market • October 3, 2024: Attended the Lemon Grove Historical Society • October 7, 2024: Toured the Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center • October 12, 2024: Attended Community Conversations
• October 15, 2024: Attended the Lemon Grove Historical Society meeting • October 15, 2024: Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee meeting
Councilmember Liana LeBaron
• Shared community concerns regarding the Troy Street Homeless Sleeping Cabins and requested support from her Council colleagues to place the matter on a future agenda.
Councilmember George Gastil
• Announced two upcoming meetings: East County Economic Development Council and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza
• October 9 thru October 11, 2024: Attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority
• October 10, 2024: Attended the Heartland Fire Training Meeting • October 12, 2024: Attended Community Conversations
Mayor Racquel Vasquez
• Attended a meeting with San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) CEO Mario Orso.
• Participated in the SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting. • Attended the African American Caucus Meeting with the League of California Cities. • Announced her appointment as President of the League of California Cities' African American Caucus.
City Manager's Report
City Manager Lydia Romero reported her attendance at the CA Joint Powers Insurance Authority conference. She announced that the City of Lemon Grove has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the third consecutive year. Romero also highlighted two upcoming community events: Trunk or Treat on October 25, 2024, and a Pancake Breakfast on October 26, 2024. Lastly, she noted the city's exceptional Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, describing it as a significant and rare achievement, and commended the fire team's hard work and dedication in attaining this high standard.
Closed Session(s): - None
Adjournment
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting October 15, 2024 Mayor Vasquez adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. She announced that the City Council's regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, has been cancelled due to the upcoming election. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Joel G Pablo, City Clerk
Approved by City Council on November 19, 2024