MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY OF LEMON GROVE
3146 School ane, Communiye, CA 91945
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Alysson Snow convened the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Mayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano, Councilmember Steve Faiai, Councilmember Jessyka Heredia
Absent: None
Staff Members Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Finance Director Stacey Tang, Community Development Director Michael Fellows, Development Services Technician II Justin Nakhonthap, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Special Projects Manager Bill Chopyk, Heartland Fire and Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch, San Diego County Sheriff's Office Lt. Joseph Barry.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Altamirano led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo reported receiving Councilmember Altamirano's request to pull Item No. 1.B - City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands from the Consent Calendar.
No other changes to the agenda were made.
Mayor Snow stated that Item 1.B would be discussed following Reports to Council.
Presentations
Lemon Grove Incident Day
Mayor Snow introduced Pastor Stapleton who presented on Lemon Grove Incident Day.
Dr. Roberto Alvarez Jr. and mural artist Mario Chacón were present to accept the proclamation read by Mayor Snow.
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: John L. Wood
Brenda Hammond
Truth
Larry Bonamo
Written: Barbara Gordon
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Heredia to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.E excluding Item 1.B.
The motion passed on a vote of:
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: Item pulled via Changes to the Agenda.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on February 18, 2025.
1.D Note and File Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Action: Noted and filed approved Planning Commission minutes for July 22, 2024.
1.E Award of Contract (No. 2025-23) for the Golden Avenue Storm Drain Improvement Project
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025 - 4089 to: (1) Authorize an appropriation of $381,000 from the TransNet Local Street Improvement (LSI) carry-over balance to the TransNet Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget line item "CIP-LG 16 (CR) Storm Drain"; and (2) Award a contract (No. 2025-23) to Jimenez Inc., DBA MJC Construction for $240,481 for storm drain improvements near 8243 Golden Avenue and authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
Reports to Council
2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Mayor Snow introduced Community Development Manager Michael Fellows to deliver introductory remarks and then introduced Development Services Technician II Justin Nakhonthap to present the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In-Person: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Altamirano to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2025 - 4090 accepting the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the Report to the California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), formerly known as the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
The motion passed on a vote of:
AYES: Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. Amendment to Lemon Grove Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 12.10 - Increasing the Valuation Threshold for Public Street Dedications and Public Street Improvements Mayor Snow introduced Special Projects Manager Bill Chopyk to present the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period. No comments were directed to the Council.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Mayor Snow to introduce an ordinance amending Lemon Grove Municipal Code (LGMC) Sections 12.10.050 and
12.10.060 increasing the valuation threshold amount and establishing additional exemptions for public street dedications and public street improvements including the addition of "solar" to the list of exceptions.
The motion passed on a vote of:
AYES: Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Snow called for a recess of the City Council at 7:43 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:52 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Adjustments
Mayor Snow introduced Finance Director Stacey Tang to present the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In-Person: Truth
Brenda Hammond
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Motion by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Faiai to adopt Resolution No. 2025 - 4091 to: (1) Approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 City of Lemon Grove Budget adjustments, and (2) Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute any necessary documents to upgrade and migrate Springbrook Software to Springbrook's Cirrus.
The motion passed on a vote of:
AYES: Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Item Pulled from Consent Calendar
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified demands covering February 11, 2025 through March 10, 2025.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Truth
Following the comment, Mayor Snow closed the public comment period and invited Councilmember Altamirano to share her questions and comments with staff.
Action: Motion by Councilmember Heredia, second Councilmember Altamirano to ratify demands covering February 11, 2025 through March 10, 2025.
The motion passed on a vote of:
AYES: Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano, Mendoza, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City Councilmember Altamirano
March 5, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce meeting • March 15, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Multicultural Fair • Attended the Lion's Club Speech and Debate Contest
• March 18, 2025: East County Chamber of Commerce Meeting Councilmember Faiai
• March 15, 2025: Lemon Grove Food Distribution
Attended the Lion's Club Speech and Debate Contest
March 15, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Multicultural Fair Councilmember Heredia
• March 5, 2025: Attended the La Mesa Business Expo
• March 6, 2025: Attended the Joint Powers Authority Metro Wastewater Board • March 18, 2025: Attended luncheon with Summer Stephans Mayor Pro-Tem Mendoza
• February 21, 2025: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Joint Session Transportation Committee with Borders and Regional Planning • March 10, 2025: League of California luncheon
• March 13, 2025: Metropolitan Transit System meeting
• March 14, 2025: San Miguel Elementary School Leadership Day • March 17, 2025: Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo Railroad Corridor Board Meeting
Mayor Snow
• February 20, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Farmer's Market • February 21, 2025: Attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Early Childhood Education Center in Lemon Grove
• February 22, 2025: Attended Lemon Grove Black History Month Celebration • February 27, 2025: Attended the San Diego Chamber of Commerce 154'h Anniversary Celebration
• February 28, 2025: Attended SANDAG meeting
• March 1, 2025: Provided food to the Interfaith Shelter Network
• March 5, 2025: Took a Trip with Meals on Wheels
• March 3, 2025: Attended the City's press conference with the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness
• March 6, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Historical Societies honoring the History of the Lemon Grove Little League
• March 6, 2025: Attended the NBC7: Meet the Mayor with Politically Speaking • March 7, 2025: Attended MOGO Governance Gala
March 8, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Little League Opening Day • March 10, 2025: Attended the City Selection Committee meeting March 10, 2025: Attended the League of California Cities • March 11, 2025: Attended and accepted an invite from the House of Metamorphosis • March 14, 2025: Attended San Miguel Elementary Leadership Day March 14, 2025: Attended a SANDAG meeting
• March 15, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Food Distribution March 15, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Lions Club Speech Contest • March 15, 2025: Attended the Lemon Grove Multicultural Festival City Manager's Report
City Manager Romero welcomed Lt. Barry back from FBI Training Academy. Romero provided an update on the repaving project. She advised residents to use the Olive St. entrance to City Hall due to parking restrictions on Main Street and encouraged residents to check the city's website for project updates. Romero announced the Measure T Oversight Committee's inaugural meeting on March 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center.
Closed Session
City Attorney Kristen Steinke read the Council into closed session. The Council then recessed into Closed Session at 9:12 p.m.
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Govt Code §54956.9(d)(4)) One potential case
The Council reconvened from closed session at 10:35 p.m., with all Councilmembers present.
City Manager Romero delivered the closed session report noting that the Council provided staff with general direction. She also mentioned that Special Counsel Mona Ebrahimi attended the meeting in place of City Attorney Steinke who had to recuse herself from closed session.
Adjournment
Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m. and announced that the next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk
Approved by City Council on April 1, 2025