MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY OF LEMON GROVE
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91943
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Ayson Snow convened the regular City Council meeting at 6:02 p.m.
Mayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Steve Faiai, Councilmember Jessyka Heredia
Absent: None
Staff Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, and Public Works Operations and Administrative Manager Lom Martin; Heartland Fire and Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch and Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Todd Nelson; and San Diego County Sheriff's Office Sergeants Ken Seel and William Price.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Heredia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
hay Atachment A to item No. hes echaises need and is made to the agenda, but mentioned City Clerk to Administer the Oath of Office to Appointed City Councilmember Yadira Altamirano
Administration of the Oath of Office to Yadira Altamirano by Johnny Altamirano.
Remarks by Councilmember Yadira Altamirano.
Roll Call
Mayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Steve Faiai, Councilmember Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano.
Absent: None
Presentations
• Lemon Grove Fire Department Annual Update
Mayor Snow introduced Fire Chief Bent Koch who provided the annual update along with Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Todd Nelson. Koch and Nelson addressed questions and comments from Councilmembers.
Sheriff's Department Annual Report
Mayor Snow introduced Sergeant Kenneth Seel who presented the annual report and responded to Councilmember questions and comments.
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: John L. Wood
Brenda Hammond
Ken King
Larry Bonomow
Mike Burnett
Liana LeBaron
Written: Ken King
Barbara Gordon
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza left the dais at 7:36 p.m. and returned at 7:40 p.m.
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Mayor Snow requested an update on the Tiny Homes Project. City Manager Romero provided an update noting that after securing a commitment from county staff, a presentation on the County' Tiny Home Project will take place at the March 4, 2025 City Council meeting. The meeting wil be a special meeting held at the Alvarez Auditorium at 6:00 PM.
In response to comments made by John L. Woods, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia provided an update on the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Sewer Rehabilitation Project which includes the rehabilitation of a pump station. This project is scheduled to go out for bid in March with advertisements expected to be released within the first two weeks of the month.
Mayor Snow issued two verbal warnings to Liana LeBaron and Ken King, and one verbal warning to Brenda Hammond to maintain meeting decorum.
Mayor Snow called for a brief recess at 7:45 p.m. The meeting resumed at 7:50 p.m., with all Councilmembers present.
Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Faiai to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A to 1.F.
Motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Altamirano, Faiai, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
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 January 29, 2025 through February 10, 2025.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on February 4, 2025.
1.D Award of Agreement (No. 2025-24) to Ardurra Group, Inc., for Construction Management and Inspection Services for the Fiscal Year 2022-24 Street Rehabilitation Project
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-4085 to award an agreement (No. 2025-24) to Ardurra Group, Inc., in the amount not-to-exceed $108,030.00 for Construction Management and Inspection Services for the Fiscal Year 2022-24 Street Rehabilitation Project and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
1.E Accept the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Improvement Project - Corona Street, Davidson Avenue, and Nida Place (No. 2024-12) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-4087 accepting the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Community Development Block Grant Street Improvement Project - Corona Street, Davidson Avenue, and Nida Place (No. 2024-12).
1.F Acceptance of Offer of Dedication from Map 5476 for Drainage Easement Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-4086 accepting the offer of dedication on Map 5476 for a drainage easement and authorize the City Clerk to record the acceptance.
Reports to Council
Award of Contract (No. 2025-08) for the Edding Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title. Public Works Director Izzy Murguia and presented the report.
At 7:50 p.m., Mayor Snow recessed the meeting, reconvening at 7:55 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Public Works Director Izzy Murguia then continued the report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Craig Morris
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comment to staff.
Action: Motion by Mayor Snow, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 2025-4088: (1) Authorizing an appropriation of $200,000 from the TransNet Local Street Improvement (LSI) carry-over balance to the TransNet FY 2024- 25 budget line item "CIP-LG 16 (CR) Storm Drain"; and (2) Awarding a contract (No. 2025-08) to Montano Pipeline, Inc., for $318,295 for storm drain improvements between Glebe Road and Edding Drive and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Altamirano, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing Emergency Repairs at Englewood Drive and Dayton Drive (4/5th Vote Needed)
Chair Snow introduced the item by title.
Public Works Director Izzy Murguia and presented the report.
Chair Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Chair Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Board Members directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Board Members directed questions/comment to staff.
Action: Motion by Chair Snow, second by Board Member Heredia to adopt Sanitation District Resolution No. 2025 - 01: That the District Board adopt by a four-fifths vote a
Resolution authorizing Emergency Repairs at Englewood Drive at Dayton Drive and finding: (1) The public interest and necessity demand the immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health, or property, and the District Board and/or the General Manager may expend any sum required in the emergency for the construction or completion of any building structure or improvement without submitting the expenditure to bid; and (2) The emergency will not permit a delay resulting from a competitive solicitation for bids, which is necessary to respond to the emergency; and (3) Finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301(a) (existing facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Altamirano, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Updated to the Appointment of City Council Members to Committees, Commissions and Boards
Mayor Snow presented the staff report and the Council discussed.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Faiai to: Ratify the Mayor Snow's updated assignments to committees, commissions and board's assignments for City Council Members.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Altamirano, Heredia, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Altamirano
• February 15, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Food Distribution Councilmember Faia
• February 12, 2025: Attended a Monterey Heights Elementary School: Science event • February 15, 2025: Attended LG Food Distribution
Councilmember Heredia
• February 5, 2025: Attended the Helix Water Board District meeting • February 6, 2025: Attended the Metro Joint Powers Authority Wastewater • Attended the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Meeting Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza
• February 6, 2025: Lemon Grove Historical Society: History Alive series featuring Rusty Burkett
• February 7, 2025: SANDAG Transportation Committee Meeting • February 13, 2025: Attended San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Board Meeting February 14 & 15, 2025: Lemon Grove Food Distribution
• February 18, 2025: Attended the Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Board Meeting
Mayor Snow
• February 7, 2025: Attended award ceremony at Helix High School. • February 12, 2025: Met with Maurice Lyles California Regional Director - External Affairs with the Office of the California Governor Gavin Newsom • February 13, 2025: Attended a SANDAG Briefing
February 14, 2025: Attended the SANDAG Executive Committee meeting • February 14, 2025: Attended the SANDAG Board of Director's meeting • February 18, 2025: East County Chamber of Commerce: Government Affair's Committee
City Manager's Report
City Manager Romero reported that the City is accepting applications for the Measure T Oversight Committee until Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., with only two applications received so far. She also announced that a new bottle-fillable water fountain, funded through a grant from CalRecycle, has been installed at the Community Center. Additionally, she highlighted the upcoming Date Night Kid Drop-Off Glow Party on Valentine's Day, february 14, 2025 which will provide parents with an opportunity to enjoy the evening while their children engage in fun activities. Lastly, she shared insights from her attendance at the City Manager's Conference.
Closed Session
City Attorney Kristen Steinke read the Council into Closed Session, noting that Agency Representative Jerry Jones and Adriana Ochoa and Dexter Willson from the JPA would be present for Item (a) listed on the Closed Session agenda. The Council then recessed into Closed Session at 9:05 p.m.
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Significant Exposure to Litigation (Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2)) - One potential matter
Significant Exposure to Litigation Involving a Joint Powers Agency (Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority) Agency representative on joint powers agency board: Jerry Jones b. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))) Lewis Mendenhall (State of California, Civil Rights Dept., Case No.:
202401-23154004)
City Attorney Kristen Steinke reported out from Closed Session at 10:40 p.m.
The Council reconvened from Closed Session at 10:40 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Steinke stated that there was no reportable action from Closed Session.
Adjournment
Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 10:41 p.m. and stated a special meeting will occur on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 and the next City Council meeting will be March 4, 2025 to discuss the county project.
G. Pablo, City Clerk
Approved by City Council on March 18, 2025