MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY OF LEMON GROVE
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Mayor Alysson Snow convened the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Steve Faiai, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano
Absent: None
Staff Members Present
City Manager Lydia Romero, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Finance Director Stacey Tang, Community Development Manager Michael Fellows, Public Works Director Izzy Murguia, Human Resources Manager Roberto Hildago, San Diego County Sheriff's Office Lt. Barry and Heartland Fire and Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Heredia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
City Clerk Pablo announced that revised Attachments A and C were submitted for Item No. 6.
Mayor Snow reordered the agenda to move Item No. 4: Planning Commission Vacancy Interviews and Appointment to immediately follow General Public Comment.
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In-Person: John L. Wood
Minola Clark Manson
Brenda Hammond
Ellen Stone
Shane Harris
Melinda Tumenting
Christina Doyle
Written: Barbara Gordon
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Shane Harris
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza, second by Councilmember Heredia to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.F.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, Mendoza, Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1.A Waive the Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda Action: Waived the Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on the Agenda
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified demands covering May 28, 2025 to June 10, 2025.
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the City Council meetings held on June 3, 2025, and June 10, 2025.
1.D Position Updates for the Agreement for Local Government Fire and Emergency Assistance to the State of California and Federal Fire Agencies Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025 - 4110 identifying and updating the terms and conditions for Fire Department response away from their official duty station and assigned to an emergency incident and verifying the Fire Department's compensation practices for the purpose of qualifying for Portal-to-Portal reimbursement for all fire suppression job classifications and positions participating under the California State Office of Emergency Services (OES) mutual aid framework
1.E Approval to Display Commemorative Flags
Action: Approved the display of the Juneteenth Flag (June 18-22, 2025) and the Pride Flag (June 23-30, 2025).
1.F Adopt 2025-2026 City Council Priorities and Work Plan Action: Adopted the 2025-26 City Council Priorities and Work Plan.
Reports to Council
4. Planning Commission Vacancy Interviews and Appointment Mayor Snow introduced the item by title and provided brief remarks. City Manager Romero provided an overview of the staff report and interview process.
Mayor Snow opened the floor for interviews and were conducted in alphabetical order by last name.
1. Tajhay Banks
2. Brianna Bearce
3. Amelia Broadnax
4. Daniel House
5. Jennifer Morrissey
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Cynthia Jurado
Chelsea Gastelum
Written: George Gastil
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
The City Council deliberated.
Council Voting Results
Round 1: Initial Vote Tally
Each Councilmember identified one or two preferred candidates.
Councilmember Altamirano: Jennifer Morrissey, Briana Bearce Councilmember Faiai: Amelia Broadnax, Briana Bearce
Councilmember Heredia: Tajhay Banks, Amelia Broadnax
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza: Jennifer Morrissey, Tajhay Banks Mayor Snow: Jennifer Morrissey
The results were as follows:
Tajhay Banks - 2 votes
Briana Bearce - 2 votes
Amelia Broadnax - 2 votes
Jennifer Morrissey - 2 votes
Daniel House - 0 votes
Round 2: Second Vote Tally
Following additional discussion, Councilmembers expressed their final preferences.
Councilmember Altamirano: Briana Bearce
Councilmember Faiai: Briana Bearce
Councilmember Heredia: Briana Bearce
Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza: Jennifer Morrissey
Mayor Snow: Jennifer Morrissey
The results were as follows:
Briana Bearce - 3 votes
Jennifer Morrissey - 2 votes
Tajhay Banks, Amelida Broadnax, Daniel House - O votes
Action: Moved by Councilmember Altamirano, second by Councilmember Faiai to appoint Breanna Bearce to the Planning Commission for a four-year term commencing on July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2029.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, Mendoza, Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Snow recessed the Council to a break at 8:03 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:16 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Reports to Council
6. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget City Manager Romero recommended continuing the item to the July 1, 2025, City Council meeting. The Council deliberated.
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Faiai to continue the matter to the Regular City Council meeting on July 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, Mendoza, Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Public Hearings
2. Public Hearing and Resolution Authorizing Annual Charges for the Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District to be Collected on the San Diego County Property Tax Roll for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Chair Snow introduced the item by title.
City Clerk Pablo indicated that all notices as required by law and that all documents, exhibits and correspondence have been provided.
City Attorney Steinke requested Councilmembers to disclose any conflicts of interest or ex-parte communications. Councilmembers Altamirano, Councilmember Faiai, Councilmember Heredia, Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza and Mayor Snow each indicated they had no conflicts or ex-parte communications.
Public Works Director Izzy Murguia to present the staff report.
Chair Snow opened the public hearing at 8:30 p.m. and opened the public comment period. No comments were received.
Chair Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Board members directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Board members directed questions/comments to staff.
Action 1: Moved by Chair Snow, second by Board Member Altamirano to close the public hearing at 8:55 p.m.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, Mendoza, Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Action 2: Moved by Vice Chair Mendoza, second by Board Member Heredia to adopt Lemon Grove Lighting District Resolution No. 2025-186 confirming the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Engineer's Report and ordering the transmission of charges to the San Diego County Auditor.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Snow, Mendoza, Heredia, Faiai, Altamirano
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Public Hearing and Resolution Authorizing Sewer Service Charges for the Lemon Grove Sanitation District to be Collected on the San Diego County Property Tax Roll for Fiscal Year 2025-26 [ITEM CONTINUED TO TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025] Mayor Snow announced that this item will be continued to the Regular City Council meeting on July 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Reports to Council
5. Introduction of Ordinance No. 35 Establishing the Sewer Service Charges for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Chair Snow introduced Public Works Director Izzy Murguia to present the staff report.
Chair Snow opened the public comment period. No comments were directed to the Council.
Chair Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Board Members directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Board Members directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Motion by Board Member Altamirano, second by Board Member Faiai to District Ordinance No. 3 establishing ye it series ares for Fiscal yea 2025-26.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Faiai, Altamirano, Snow
NOES: Heredia, Mendoza
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the City - Continued to the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
City Manager's Report - None
Closed Session - None
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 9:19 p.m. and announced the next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Approved by the City Council on
Joel G. Pablo, City Clerk Tuesday, July 15, 2025