MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
3146 SCHOOL LANE, LEMON GROVE, CL9l945
TUESDAY, APRIL 7,2026 AT 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Mayor Snow convened the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 P.m.
Roll Call
Fffir-VfayorAlysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano, Councilmember Seth Smith.
Absent:None
Staff Present
I"t".i- Clty fr,f anager Tony Winney, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Community Development Manager Michael Fellows, Assistant Planner Justin Nakhonthap, public Works Direcior Izzy Murguia, Public Works Operations and Administrative Manager Tom Martin, Finance Director Stu""y Tang, Heartland Fire & Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch, San Diego Sheriff's Office Lt. Patrick Fox.
Pledee ofAlleeiance
Councilmember Smith led the Pledge ofAllegiance.
Changes to the Asenda
Ctty Ct"rk P"bt" *p".t"d no changes to the agenda. Interim City Manager Tony Winney requested that Item 1.E be pulled from the agenda, explaining that the two Planning Commissioners whose terms were expiring had expressed interest in continuing in their roles.
Action 1: Motion by Councilmember Mendoza, second by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia to remove ft"- t-g ftom the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously by the following vote, to wit: 5-Ayes (Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow), 0-Noes and 0-Absent.
Councilmember Smith requested that Item 1.G be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Action 2: Motion by Councilmember Smith, second by CouncilmemberAltamirano to pull Co.tr"orculendar Item No. 1.G and to be heard following Reports to Council. The motion carried unanimously by the following vote, to wit: 5-Ayes (Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow), 0-Noes and 0-Absent.
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
AprllT,2026 Resular City Council Page 2
In Person: Chelsea Gastelum
John L. Wood
Jay Bass
Brenda Hammond
Joe Smith
Written: Truth (written comments provided for Consent Calendar Item No. 1.8, 1.D and General Public Comment)
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
A"tiom Uoved by Councilmember Mendoza, second Mayor Snow to approve the Consent Calendar Item No. 1.A, 1.B, 1.C, 1.D, 1.F. and 1.H.
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, 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 February 20,2026 to March 5,2026
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
ection: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on April 29,z}zs,February 10,2026, February 17,2026 and March 17,2026.
1.D
1.8 1.F
Receive Tenant Protections Community Workshop Meeting Minutes Action: Received minutes of the Tenant Protections Community Workshop meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Call forApplications and Setting Interview Date to Fill Two Planning Commissioner Vacancies
Action: Removed via Changes to the Agenda.
2025 General PlanAnnual Progress Report
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4158 accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staffto submit the Report to the California Governor's Ofiice of iand Use and Climate Innovation (LCD and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Apr117,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page 3
1.G
1.H
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Hoch Consulting Agreement for Construction Management and Inspection Services (No. 2026-08)
Action: Pulled via Changes to theAgenda
Written Councilmember Reports of Meetings, Events, and Activities Attended at City Expense
Action: Received and filed the written Councilmember reports of meetings, events, and activities attended at City expense for the period of January 2I,2026 through March 3 l, 2026.
Public Hearins
Z Cotrtitt ted Public Hearing to Consider anAppeal (A42-500-0001) of the Community Development Manager's Decision to Deny Minor Use Permit (MUP-250-0001), a Request for Early Separation Findings for a Cannabis Dispensary at 8280 Broadway in the Heavy CommercialZone.APN 499-200-22-00. [Continued from the March 17' 2026 CitV Council Meetingl
Mayor Snow announced the continued public hearing.
City Clerk Pablo indicated that all notices, documents, exhibits and correspondence have been provided as required by law
City Attorney Steinke requested that each Councilmember disclose any conflicts of interest or ex parte communications.
. CouncilmemberAltamirano disclosed that she had met with Mr. Williams approximately six to eight months earlier, but stated that no new information was discussed beyond what was already before the City Council. o Councilmember Mendoza stated that she had spoken with Mr. Williams years earlier, but not regarding the subject appeal.
o Mayor Pro Tem Heredia stated that she had no ex parte communications regarding the appeal.
o Mayor Snow and Councilmember Smith stated that they had no conflicts of interest or ex parte communications.
Community Development Manager Michael Fellows presented the staffreport.
Round I Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Chris Williams, Appellant/Applicant presented. He addressed the City Council and objected to the process, requested recusals from Mayor Snow, Councilmember Mendoza and City Attorney Kristen Steinke and raised allegations relating to prior cannabis permitting decisions, public records requests and claimed unfair treatment.
Apr117,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Paee 4
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to appellant / applicant.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to appellant / applicant.
City Clerk Pablo confirmed with the City Council that Mr. Chris Williams had been provided l5 minutes for his presentation and that his allotted time had expired.
Mayor Snow recessed the Council at7z09 p.m. The Council reconvened with all Councilmembers present at 7:L3 p.m.
Following the recess, City Attomey Steinke stated for the record that she had no conflict of interest and denied the allegations made against her.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Written: Barbara Gordon
Chris Williams
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Chris Williams, Applicant / Appellant provided a rebuttal.
Action 1: Moved by Councilmember Mendoza, second by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia to close the Public Hearing at7z29 p.m.
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mendoza, Smith, Altamirano, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
During deliberation, Councilmember Smith stated that the current appeal must be evaluated based on the 2025 ly'rUP application and the 1,000-foot separation requirement approved by the community. CouncilmemberAltamirano stated that no substantial ..t id".r"" of fraud had been presented and that some confusion appeared related to prior 2023 proceedings. Mayor Pro-Tem Heredia stated that although she empathized with Mr.
Williams, the current MUP application did not meet the separation findings.
Action 2: Motion by Councilmember Mendoza, second by Mayor Snow to: (1) Conduct the Public Hearing; (2) Receive Public Comment; and (3) Adopt Resolution No- 2026 - 2026 -4159 denying an Appeal of the Community Development Manager's decision to deny Minor Use Permit MUP-250-0001 for early separation findings for a proposed cannabis dispensary (CD) at 8280 Broadway in the Heavy Commercial (HC) zone.
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith,Altamirano,Mendoza,Heredia, Snow
April7,2026 Regular City Council Page 5
NOES:
ABSENT:
None
None
Reports to Council
3-C"*id*ation of a ResolutionAuthorizing Emergency Storm Drain Repairs Near 3281 College Place (4liths Vote Needed)
Mayor Snow introduced Public Works Director Izzy Murguia to present the report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Written: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Action: Moved by Councilmember Heredia, second Councilmember Smith to adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 4l60Authorizing Emergency Repairs at328l College Pl. and finding: (1) The public interest and necessity demand immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health or property, and the City Council and/or the City Manager -uy "^p"nd
any sum required in the emergency for the construction or completion of any Uuliaing structure or improvement without submitting the expenditure to bid; and (2) The "*.rg"tr"y 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 QualityAct pursuant to Section 15301(a) (existing facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
The motion carried by the following voteo to wit:
AYES: Mendoza, Smith, Altamirano, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ConsiderAdoption of an Ordinance Adopting by Reference the2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24)
Mayor Snow introduced City Attorney Kristen Steinke to present the report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period. No comments were directed to the Council. Mayor Snow Closed the public comment period.
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by CouncilmemberAltamirano to conduct the 4 April7,2026 Regular City Council Meeting Page 6
second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 473 adopting by referencethe2}25 California Building Standards Code (Title 24).
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mendoza, Smith, Altamirano, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year BudgetAdjustments
Mayor Snow introduced Finance Director Stacey Tang to present the staffreport' Measure T Oversight Committee Chair Karina Kravalis presented the committee's recommendation and concerns.
Mayor Snow noted that this was Ms. Tang's final Council meeting prior to retirement and presented her with an orchid. Ms. Tang thanked the City Council and stafffor the opportunity to serve the City of Lemon Grove
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period'
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by CouncilmemberAltamirano to adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 416l to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 City of Lemon Grove Budget adjustments.
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mendoza, Smith, Altamirano, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Pulled Consent Calendar
f C approve Amendment No. 1 to the Hoch Consulting Agreement for Construction Management and Inspection Services (No. 2026-08)
Councilmember Smith explained that he had pulled the item to allow staffto clariff the increase in the amendment amount for the public record. Public Works Ditectot lzzy Murguia explained that the agleement related to construction management and inspection services for the ongoing Fiscal Year 2019-20 sewer rehabilitation project, including sewer main replacement and pump station work, and also addressed prior related change orders Action: Moved by Councilmember Smith, second by Councilmember Mendoza to:Adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 02 to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Agteement (No. 2026-08) April7,2026 Resular City Council Paee 7
with Hoch Consulting and authorizethe General Manager to execute any necessary documents
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mendoza, Smith, Altamirano, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Citv Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the Citv The \rl"y"r dt."ct.d the public's attention to the written Councilmember reports previously submitted. Additional oral reports were provided as follows:
Smith
Reported on Metropolitan Transit System matters, including a projected deficit, possible fare increases, route optimization efforts, and that the North Avenue and Broadway grade separation project remained in future capital planning' Reported on a visit to the Heartland dispatch facility and attendance at the Heartland Fire cadet graduation.
Councilmember Altamirano
o March 27,2026: Attended a presentation regarding artificial intelligence in construction. . April 4,2026: Hosted a question-and-answer session with Molly Kirkland of the Southem California Rental Housing Association.
Councilmember Mendoza
o Submitted a written report and had nothing further to add' Mayor Pro Tem Heredia
o Reported on a meeting with Kevin Bemal regarding creative financing and fleet electrifi cation concePts.
o Reported on a possible future Helix Water rate increase. o Reported attendance at the Lemon Grove Extravaganza, Friends of the Library book sale' Lemon Grove social club gathering, and the Caltrans memorial event.
Citv Manager's Report
@rTonyWinneyprovidedthreeupdates.HereportedthattheCityandits partners had been nominated by the San Diego Housing Federation for a supportive housing ituby Award related to the City's encampment resolution gtant work. He also reported the results of the March 28 Bulky ltem drop-off event conducted with EDCO, including attendance and collected materials totals. Finally, he advised that the Sheriff's Department would be changing its non-emergency phone number to 858-868-3200 in the coming weeks.
Closed Session
Crt), Atto"tey Steinke read the Council into closed session. The Council recessed into Closed Session at 9:31 p.m.
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April7,2026
Conference with Legal Counsel -Anticipated Litigation (Government Code $549s6.9(d)(4)) 1 case
The City Council reconvened into open session at9.44 p.m., with all Councilmembers present' Adiournment
Mayor Snow adjourned the City Council meeting at9.45 p.m. and announced that the next regular City Council meeting on TuesdaY, APi.l 2I, 2026.
J ty Clerk
Approved by the City Council onApril 21,2026
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