MINUTES OFTHE REGULAR MEETING
OFTHE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
3146 SCHOOL LANE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17,2026,{T 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
MayorAlysson Snow called the Regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Roll CalI
Present: MayorAlysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano, Councilmember Seth Smith Staff Present
Interim City Manager Tony Winney, CityAttorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Sr ManagementAnalyst Portland Bates, Heartland Fire & Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch, San Diego Sheriffs Office Lt. Joseph Barry, Public Works Director IzzyMurgaia, Public Works Operations and Administrative Manager Tom Martin, Community Development Manager Michael Fellows.
Pledse ofAlleeiance
Councilmember Smith led the Pledge ofAllegiance.
Moment of Silence
Mayor Snow recognized the passing of retired Lemon Grove Fire Chief Dale Chamberlain and led a moment of silence in his honor.
Changes to the Asenda
City Clerk Pablo stated there are no changes to the agenda.
Substitute Motion
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mendoza to keep item no. 3 on the agenda. The motion failed on a vote ofAYES (Snow, Mendoza), NOES (Smith, Altamirano, Heredia).
Main Motion
Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia, second by CouncilmemberAltamirano to continue Item No. 3 to the next Regular City Council meeting. The motion passed on a vote ofAYES (Smith, Altamirano, Heredia), NOES (Mendoza, Snow).
Presentations
Regional Task Force on Homelessness - Encampment Resolution Funding Grant Phase Two Update
Portland Bates, Sr. ManagementAnalyst provided introductory remarks February 17,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page I
February 17,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page2
Merlynn Watanabe, Director of Regional Initiatives for the Regional Task Force on Homelessness and Magz Lemaster the Director of Programs and Operations for Crisis House provided the presentation.
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person:
Written:
John L. Wood
Bob Stanley
Ken King
John Enright
Laura Hook
Barbara Gordon
Ken King
Crystal Hall
Gilberto Vera
Ilka Weston
Joe Smith
Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment comment.
In Person: Joe Smith
Written: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period
Action: Moved by Councilmember Mendoza, second by Mayor Snow to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. l.Athrough l.E.
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1.A Waive the Full Text Reading of All Ordinances on theAgenda Action: Waived the full text reading of all ordinances included in this agenda. Ordinances shall be introduced and adopted by title only.
1.8 City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified demands covering January 9,2026 to January 22,2026. l.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Action:Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on February 17,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page 3
December 16,2025, January 6,2026, January 20,2026 and February 10,2026 l.D Acceptance and Notice of Completion - Westview Place Storm Drain Improvement Project (No.2026-03)
Action:Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4152 accepting the Westview Place Storm Drain Improvement Project (No. 2026-03) by Narrow Path Engineering Inc. as complete and authorize staffto file a Notice of Completion (NOC) with the County of San Diego.
1.E Agreement for Professional Consultant Services - Recruitment for Permanent City Manager
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4153 approving the professional consultant services agreement with Bob Murray and Associates to provide recruiting services for the permanent city manager position.
Reports to Council
2 Planning Commission Interviews and Appointment to Fill Two Partial Terms Mayor Snow introduced City Clerk Joel G. Pablo to present the report. The City Council conducted interviews in open session for two Planning Commission vacancies.
Interviews were conducted in last-name alphabetical order.
Tajhay Banks
Vicente Camacho
David Eckler
Darrel Exline
Krystle Johnson
David Larkin
Jasmin Mendoza
Jennifer Morrissey
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Liana LeBaron
Ilka Weston
Written: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period
The City Councilmembers deliberated.
Prior to formal action, the City Council conducted a preliminary preference round for the longer partial term ending June 30,2027 ,
followed by a separate preliminary preference
round for the shorter partial term ending June 30,2026.
For the Lonser Term (Partial Term Endins June 30.2027)
o Councilmember Smith identified Tajhay Banks and Jasmin Mendoza o Councilmember Mendoza identified David Eckler and David Larkin . CouncilmemberAltamirano identified Jasmin Mendoza and David Eckler February 17,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page 4
o Mayor Pro Tem Heredia identified David Eckler and Jasmin Mendoza o Mayor Snow identified David Larkin and David Eckler
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Mendoza to appoint David Eckler as Planning Commissioner with a torm ending on June 30,2027.
The motion passed by the following voteo to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
For the Shorter Term Term Endins June 30. 20261
o Councilmember Smith identified Jennifer Morrissey and Jasmin Mendoza o CouncilmemberAltamirano identified Jasmin Mendoza and Jennifer Morrissey o Councilmember Mendoza identified Jennifer Morrissey and Krystle Johnson o Mayor Pro Tem Heredia identified Jasmin Mendoza and Darrel Exline o Mayor Snow identified Jennifer Morrissey and David Larkin Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Mendoza to appoint Jennifer Morrissey as Planning Commissioner with a term ending on June 30,2026.
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith,Altamirano,Mendoza,Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3. Tenant Protections Ordinance - Stakeholder Committee and Public Outreach Item was continued to the next Regular City Council meeting during Changes to the Agenda.
4. Council Discussion - Spanish Translation of Public Outreach Materials (Continued from February 3,2026 City Council Meeting)
Mayor Snow introduced Interim City Manager Tony Winney to present the report.
The City Council discussed ways to expand Spanish-language access to City communications and public-facing materials. Discussion included the City's current translation tools, meeting translation services, bilingual staff, the need for accurate translation rather than sole reliance on automated tools, possible translation of social media posts, newsletters, forms, business license materials, agendas and official communications, and the possible use of translation devices and other accessibility tools.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period
February 17,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page 5
In Person: None
Written: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Action: By consensus, staffwas directed to return with options, cost estimates, staffrng implications, and related budget considerations for expanded translation and accessibility measures, including lower-effort materials that may be implemented more immediately.
5. Council Discussion - Process for Council Initiated Items (Continued from February 3,2026 City Council Meeting)
Mayor Snow introduced Interim City Manager Tony Winney to present the report.
The City Council discussed the current process for bringing council-initiated items forward, including the existing requirement that at least two councilmembers agree before an item is agendized, the relationship of such items to the City's strategic planning process, Brown Act considerations, staffworkload and alternative procedures used in other cities. Councilmembers discussed interest in a more formal written request process that would provide staffand legal counsel with sufficient detail before an item is scheduled for discussion.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Written: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Action: By Council consensus, staffwas directed to return with a proposed request form and a potential amendment to the City Council manual to formalize the process for future council-initiated items.
City Council Reports on Meetinss Attended at the Exnense of the Citv Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia, second by Mayor Snow to continue meeting reports to the next Regular City Council meeting.
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
February 17,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page 6
City Manager's Report - None
Closed Session
CityAttorney Steinke read the Council into closed session. The Council recessed into Closed Session.
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated,Litigation (Government Code $s49s6.9(d)(4)) I case
B. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code $s4956.e(d)(2)) 1 case
C. Performance Evaluation (Government Code $54957): CityAttorney The City Council reconvened into open session, with all Councilmembers present.
CityAttorney Steinke reported that there was no reportable action on Closed Session Items A and B.
Interim City Manager Tony Winney reported that there was no reportable action on Closed Session Item C.
Adiournment
There being no further business, Mayor Snow adjoumed the meeting at approximately 9:13 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting was announced for Tuesday, March 3,2026, at 6: p.m
Approved by the City Council on Tiresday, April 7,2026
Joel G
City