CITY OF LEMON GROVE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 502026 AT 6:00 P.M.
LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
3146 SCHOOL LANE, LEMON GROVE, CA9l945
CalI to Order
Mayor Alysson Snow convened the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Pr"r"ttt'Jvlayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Seth Smith, Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, and Councilmember Yadira Altamirano'
Absent: None.
Staff Present
f"t"ft- CitV tfrt anagjer Tony Winney, Public Works Director lzzy Murgtia, City Clerk Joel G' Pablo, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, San Diego Sheriff s Office Lt. Patrick Fox, Public Works Operations and Administrative Manager Tom Martin, Senior Management Analyst Portland Bates, Heartland Fire & Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch.
Pledee of Allesiance
Mayor Pro Tem Heredia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
Presentations
r Public Works Week
Mayor Snow recognized Public Works staff and presented the proclamation for National Public Works Week. Public Works Operations and Administrative Manager Tom Martin provided remarks.
Municipal Clerks Week
Mayor Sno* read the proclamation recognizing Municipal Clerks Week into the record. City Clerk Joel G. Pablo provided remarks.
a
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: John L. Woods
Brenda Hammond
Keith Baxter
Ken King
Brianna Bearce
Truth
Written:
May 5,2026 CiE Council Regular Meeting - Minutes Page 2 Interim City Manager Winney and Lt. Patrick Fox responded to comments regarding the breezeway on Broadway, Washington Street Park and related public safety issues. City Attorney Steinke and Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza also provided information regarding existing and upgraded communication towers and the noticing process for new tower installations.
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: None
Written: Truth (Item No. 1.C and I 'G)
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period
Action: Moved by Councilmember Mendoza, second by Councilmember Smith to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through I'G.
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 the agenda. Ordinances shall be introduced and adopted by title only'
1.B City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified demands covering April 3, 2026 to Apil16,2026
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
ection: Approvld the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on April28, 2026.
1.D
1.E
Note and File Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Action: Noted and filed the approved Planning Commission minutes for October 27,2025 and March 23,2026.
Award of Agreement No. 2026-07 to Aztec Landscape, Inc. for Pressurs Washing Services Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4169 awarding Agreement No. 2026-07 for pressure washrng services to Aztec Landscape, Inc., for an annual amount not to exceed $65,000, and authorized the City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
Continuation of Emergency Procurement Actions for Emergency Storm Drain Repairs Near 3281 College Place - Update 2
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4170 by the required four-fifths vote, continuing emergency repairs to the storm drain system neat 3281College Place. l.F
May 5,2026 City Council Regular Meeting - Minutes Page 3
1.G Approval of an Agreement with eScribe Software Ltd. for Agenda Management Software Services
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4l7l approving a three-year agreement with eScribe Software Ltd. for agenda management software services and authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute all agreements and documents necessary to secure the subject services, in an amount not to exceed $112,913.
Reports to Council
@eementNo'041525-FNRtoFonrocheLightingAmerica,Inc.forthePurchase and Installation of Solar Streetlight Equipment
Public Works Director lzzy Murgaia presented the staff report Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Jennifer Morrissey
Brenda Hammond.
Written: None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Smith to adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 4172 approving an appropriation in the amount of $141,362 from the Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District General Benefit Fund Balance; approving an agreement with Fonroche Lighting America, Inc. for the purchase and installation of solar streetlight equipment; and authorizingthe Interim City Manager to execute any necessary documents.
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith,Altamirano,Mendoza,Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Award of Agreement No. 2026-0lLto Western Audio Visual & Security for Audio Visual and Technology System Upgrades
Senior Management Analyst Portland Bates presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In-Person: Brenda Hammond
J
Written Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period
4 May 5,2026 City Council Regular Meeting - Minutes Page 4 Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia, seconded by Mayor Snow to adopt Resolution No. 2026 - 4173 awarding Agreement No. 2026-0l|to Western Audio Visual & Security for the Audio Visual and Technology System Upgrade Project in an amount not to exceed 5240,450.79, and authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute the agreement and any related documents necessary to complete the project, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Discuss and Provide Direction on the City Council Fiscal Year 2026-27 Sttategic Goals and Work Plan
Interim City Manager Winney presented the staff report regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Strategic Goals and Work Plan.
Staff recommended eight strategic goals based on Council priorities, resident input, staffing capacity,resource availability, and alignment with the City's existing strategic goal areas. The reiommended goals included addressing homelessness, a lighting initiative for public spaces, recreation and senior center services, an economic development study, sidewalk improvements, planning and permitting process improvements, a local business support revolving loan program, and redesign of Broadway.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Minola Clark Manson
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Council discussed carryover goals, vacant commercial and office properties, code enforcement and enforcement staffing, recreation and senior center programming, economic development, Broadway redesign, business loan support, staffing needs, potential community development staffing, itr" COppS program, Measure T funding and the upcoming budget process. Council g.n"ruily supported the eight staff-recommended priorities and directed staff to also explore the addition of a Community Services and Community Development Director-level position as part of the budget discussion. No formal vote was taken.
City Council Reports on Meetinss Attended at the Expense of the Citv Councilmember Smith
Councilmember Smith reported that he did not have any committee meetings scheduled during the reporting period and had no report.
May 5,2026 City Council Regular Meeting - Minutes Page 5 Councilmember Altamirano
. April 28,2026: Attended the Budget and Capital Improvement Program Workshop at the Lemon Grove Community center with the city council and city staff. o April 30,2026: Attended a meeting with Alliance Building Solutions. o May 4,2026: Attended a Downtown Specific Plan meeting with Mayor Snow.
Mendoza
Api|24,2026: Attended the District Attorney's Citizens of Courage luncheon with the Soroptimist Club.
Apn|27,2026: Attended a250th Celebration Planning meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Heredia and Interim City Manager WinneY.
Api|28,2026: Attended the Special City Council Capital Improvement Program and Budget workshop.
May 2026: Attended the Lions Annual Convention for San Diego and Imperial County in Yuma, where former Councilmember Steve Faiai was honored.
Mayor Pro Tem Heredia
. April 23,2026: Attended Taste of La Mesa.
. April 24,2026: Attended the San Diego Association of Govemments (SANDAG) Board of Directors meeting and reported on regional transportation matters, including bike lane connectivity and the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry'
. April 21,2026: Attended the memorial service for Margie Dambarger with Councilmember Mendoza.
Apn|27,2026: Attended a2l}thBirthday Celebration planning meeting with Councilmember o
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Mendoza.
. April 29,2026: Attended the Lemon Grove Business Group meeting as a guest speaker. o May 1,2026: Met with Councilmember Altamirano and retired Councilmember Jerry Jones regarding the 2018 Downtown Specific Plan update.
. May 2,2026: Attended the Spring Market in La Mesa.
Mayor Snow
. April 22-24,2026: Attended the2026 City Leaders Summit hosted by the League of California Cities and reported on advocacy related to affordability, homelessness funding, rent-related financing products, payday lending, and other legislative matters. . April 23,2026: Attended the County webinar regarding the Troy Street project. . April 24,2026; Attended the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) meeting. o April 25,2026: Attended an Ocean Discovery Institute event. o April 25,2026: Attended the Lemon Grove Skate Park Anniversary event. . April 26,2026: Attended the Fancy Detours program'
o April 28,2026: Attended the Las Maflanitas/La Causa event o April 28,2026: Attended the capital lmprovement Progtam workshop. . April 29, 2026: Served as the featured speaker at the San Diego Rescue Mission huddle . April 29,2026; Attended the Lemon Grove business group meeting and Clean California City ribbon cutting.
o May 2,2026: Attended the Trayvon Harris Three-on-Three tournament, Lemon Grove Little League, Lemon Grove Historical Society sale, and Lemon Grove Community Garden presentation.
May 5,2026 City Council Regular Meeting - Minutes Page 6 a May 4,2026: Attended a Downtown Specific Plan meeting with Councilmember Altamirano and met regarding Lemon Grove Recreation programming.
Citv Manager's Report
Int".i- City Vf*ug"r Wintt"y provided updates regarding Paws in the Park scheduled for May 30, 2026 ftom 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. atTreganzaPark; the Regional Task Force on Homelessness Pointin-Time Count, which reflected a decrease in counted homeless individuals in Lemon Grove from approximately 110 to 55; and the Downtown Specific Plan public engagement process' Interim City Manager Winney stated that the Downtown Specific Plan public engagement process would include an online survey expected to launch around May 13, 2026, a pop-up event at the Farmers Market on May 14,2026, a community workshop on May 2I,2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center, and a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council in June 2026.
Councilmember Mendoza also announced that Bike Anywhere Day was scheduled for May 21,2026 with the City hosting a pit stop near the trolley station/promenade area.
Closed Session
CttV Att"*"y frsten Steinke announced that the City Council would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the following item:
a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Government Code Section54956.9(dX1) Project for Open Government v. City of Lemon Grove Case No. 37-2022-00010862-CU-MCCTL The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at8z32 p.m. and later reconvened in open session with all Councilmembers present. City Attorney Steinke reported that there was no reportable action on the Closed Session Item.
Adiournment
ff*.r trirg "" fuither business, Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The next regularly scheduled -ity Co.nt"il meeting was announced for May 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center.
City Clerk
A by the City Council on May 19,2026