MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Racquel Vasquez called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Liana LeBaron, Councilmember Alysson Snow, Councilmember George Gastil.
Absent: None
Staff Members Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Finance Director Stacey Tang, Fire Chief Bent Koch and Lt.
Joseph Barry with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Gastil led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reports to Council
Certification of the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election Results, Induction and Administration of Oath of Office
Mayor Vasquez introduced the item by title.
City Clerk Pablo presented the staff report.
Mayor Vasquez opened the public comment period.
In-Person: Truth
Suzanna Hales, PACT Chair for Heartland Firefighters of Lemon Grove - Local 2728
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 Snow, second by Councilmember LeBaron to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4075 of City Council of the City of Lemon Grove, California, Page | 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting December 17, 2024 Reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election Conducted on November 5, 2024, and Declaring the Result for the Mayoral Seat.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: LeBaron, Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Motion by Councilmember LeBaron, second by Councilmember Snow to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4076 of City Council of the City of Lemon Grove, California, Reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election Conducted on November 5, 2024, and Declaring the Result for the two Councilmember Seats.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: LeBaron, Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Motion by Councilmember Gastil, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4077 of City Council of the City of Lemon Grove, California, Reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election Conducted on November 5, 2024, and Declaring the Result for Ballot Measure T.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: LeBaron, Gastil, Snow, Mendoza, Vasquez
NOES:
ABSENT: None
Mayor Vasquez handed over the meeting to Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza to preside.
Comments by Outgoing Councilmember LeBaron and Councilmember Gastil Comments by outgoing Councilmember LeBaron and Councilmember Gastil.
Comments by Outgoing Mayor Vasquez
Comments by outgoing Mayor Vasquez.
Mayor Swearing in Ceremony and Comments by Newly Elected Mayor Administration of Oath of Office by Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins (Assembly District 79) to Alysson Snow.
Comments by Mayor Alysson Snow.
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza handed over the meeting to Mayor Alysson Snow to preside.
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting December 17, 2024 City Council Swearing in Ceremony and Comments by Newly Elected City Councilmembers
Administration of Oath of Office by Allan Durden, Executive Director of La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation, Inc. to Jessyka Heredia.
Comments by City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia.
Administration of Oath of Office by Cameron Faiai and Riley Faiai to Steve Faiai.
Comments by Councilmember Steve Faiai.
Councilmember Faiai's niece, Karen N., performed a traditional Samoan dance in honor of the occasion..
Recess for Reception for the New Mayor and Councilmembers Mayor Alysson Snow recessed the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Reconvene the Regular City Council Meeting
Mayor Alysson Snow reconvened the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Jessyka Heredia, Steve Faiai.
Absent: None
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo stated there are no changes to the agenda.
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened up the public comment period.
In-Person: Truth
Donna Lynn Clabby
Ken King
John L. Wood
Brenda Hammono
Stephanie Becker
Mathew Kostrinksy, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Emplovees Local 127
Michelle Krug
Suzanna Hales, PACT Chair for Heartland Firefighters of Lemon Grove - Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting December 17, 2024 Local 2728
Joy Bates
Liana LeBaron
Written: Barbara Gordon
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In-Person: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Heredia to approve the Consent Calendar Item Nos. 2.A and 2.B.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
2.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.
2.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified demands covering November 20, 2024 to December 3, 2024.
Reports to Council
Authorize the City Manager to Execute Agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for Implementation of a Local Transactions and Use Tax, and Authorize Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Tax Records Mayor Snow introduced the item by title.
Finance Director Stacey Tang presented the report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period. There was no public comments on this item.
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting December 17, 2024 Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Heredia to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-4078 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for Implementation of a Local Transactions and Use Tax.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Motion by Mayor Snow, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4079 Authorizing Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Tax Records.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Mayor Snow to:
Authorize the necessary budget amendment of $175,000 to temporary cover preparatory costs to administer the Ordinance until such a time when the transactions and use taxes are received to reimburse the General Fund
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Pro Tem Rotation for Calendar
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title.
City Manager Lydia Romero presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Brenda Hammond
Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting December 17, 2024 Action: Motion by Councilmember Heredia, second by Councilmember Faiai to: Adopt Resolution No. 2024 - 4080 confirming retaining Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza to serve as Mayor Pro Tem until December 16, 2025.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Consideration of Options to Fill Council Vacancy
Mayor Snow introduced by the item by title.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke and City Manager Lydia Romero presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Brenda Hammond
Truth
Michelle Krug
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
The City Council directed staff to present a report for their consideration to consider theproposed process for appointment to fill the vacant City Council member seat at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Mendoza
• December 6, 2024: Attended the 27 Annual Community Bonfire • December 9, 2024: Attended the League of California Cities - San Diego Region Luncheon
Mayor Snow
• December 6, 2024: Attended the 27' Annual Community Bonfire • December 9, 2024: Attended the League of California Cities - San Diego Region Luncheon
City Manager's Report
City Manager Romero announced that City Hall will be closed from Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025. She also expressed gratitude to City Staff for organizing and participating in the 27th Annual Community Bonfire.
Page |7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting December 17, 2024 Closed Session - None
Adjournment
Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m., noting that the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Joel G. Pablo
City Clerk
Approved by City Council on January 7, 2025