MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
3146 SCHOOL LANE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945
TUESDAY, JUNE 2,2026 AT 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Muyo. Alysson Snow convened the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Roll Call
pr6".rt'. Vfayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Seth Smith' Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano.
Absent: None
Staff Present
nt"""rctty tttanager Tony Winney, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Interim Finance Director Darlene Morrow-Truver, Public Works Director lzzy Mutglia, Heartland Fire & Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch and County of San Diego Sheriff s Office Lt' Patrick Fox.
Pledee of Allesiance
The Assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chanses to the Asenda
tnt"ritrrcity Hrtuttug"r Tony Winney stated that Consent Calendar Item No. 1.E would be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Snow also stated that Report to Council ltem No. 3 would be heard before Item No. 2 Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period'
In Person Bob Deburn
Grant Affleck
Pat Skidmore
Richard Hammett
Maria Cardenas
Yasmin Mendoza
Written: Truth
Yasmin Mendoza
Ken King
John L. Wood
Brenda Hammond
Chelsea Gastelum
Brianna Bearce
John Sepulveda
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
June 2,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page 2 At the request of the Mayor and in response to public comment, Public Works Director Murguia provided an update onZemco Drive, stating that a storm drain improvement project is currently in design and slaied for construction next fiscal year, with paving to follow upon its completion.
Interim City Manager Winney stated that staff had contacted the Sheriff s Department regarding the Whips and Wings event and that deputies could provide visibility through drive-by presence during the event, although officers could not be dedicated directly to the event.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Jennifer Morrissey (Item 1.G)
Richard Hammett for Yasmin Mendoza (Item 1.G)
Written: Yasmin Mendoza
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period'
Action: Moved by Councilmember Mendoza, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia to approve Co*"trt Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.D and 1.F through 1.I, with Item No. 1.8 pulled via Changes to the Agenda.
The motion passed 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 May 1, 2026 toMay 14,2026
1.C Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
,q.ciion: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meeting held on May 19, 2026.
1.D Engineer's Report and Resolution Declaring the Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments within Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and Set Date for Public Hearing
Action: Adopted Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District Resolution No.2026-01 approving the Engineer's Report and directing the District Clerk to cause notice of the filing olttt" Engineer's Report and schedule a public hearing for considering adoption of the report and authorizing submittal of Lighting District assessments to the San Diego County Auditor and Controller for inclusion on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 ptopetty tax roll.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Calendar
Action: This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar via Changes to the Agenda
1.E
Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Pase 3
June 2,2026
1.F
1.G
1 H
1.I
The City Council continued the matter to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting by unanimous voice vote (see page 6).
Note and File Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Action: Noted and filed approved Planning Commission Minutes for Monday, Apnl27 , 2026.
Approval of a Purchase Order to Aztec Landscaping, Inc. for Vegetation Clearing at Bakersfield Channel
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4181 approving a Purchase Order fot $23,790.00 to Aztec Landscaping, Inc. for vegetation clearing services.
Continuation of Emergency Procurement Actions for Emergency Storm Drain Repairs Near 3281 College Place - Update 4 (4l5th Vote Required)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-4182 by the required four-fifths vote for the "ontin*n"" of .-rtgency repairs to the storm drain system near 3281 College Place.
Approval of the 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar
,q.ciion: Received and adoptedthe2026 City Council Meeting Calendar as established in accordance with Lemon Grove Municipal Code (LGMC) $ 2.14.40.
Reports to Council
***Note: Item No. 3 was heard before Item No. 2.
3 Fiscal Year 2026-27 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget and Measure T Spending Plan
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title. Interim City Manager Winney provided introductory remarks.
Interim Finance Director Morrow-Truver presented the staff report' Measure T Oversight Committee Chair Karina Kravalis presented the Measure T Oversight Committee recommendations.
Public Works Director Murguia presented the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Krystal Johnson
Brenda Hammond
Joe Smith
Victoria
Crystal Hall
Written: Brianna Bearce, President with the Lemon Grove Community Activities Truth
Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page 4
June 2,2026
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 Mayor Snow, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt Resolution lqo. ZOZO - 4183 approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 City of Lemon Grove Operating and Capital Budget, wiih an additional $200,000 to be allocated for repairs at the Lemon Grove Reireation Center and an additional $200,000 to be allocated on top of the $50,000 already approved by the Measure T Oversight Committee for repairs at Berry Street Park.
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt Resolution frqo. ZOZO - 4185 approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Appropriations Limit' The motion passed by the following voteo to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: The City Council acted in its capacity as the Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting Oi.t.i"t goard of Directors. Moved by Chair Snow, seconded by Vice Chair Heredia to adopt Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District Resolution No. 2026 -02 apptoving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Lemon Grove Roadway Lighting District Budget' The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AyES: Board Members smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: The City Council acted in its capacity as the Lemon Grove Sanitation District Board of Dir""tors. Moved by Chair Snow, seconded by Board Member Altamirano to adopt Lemon Grove Sanitation District Resolution No. 2026 - 04 approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Lemon Grove Sanitation District Budget'
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Board Members Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Mayor Snow initially moved to postpone adoption of the resolution approving the Fiscal year 2026-27 Salary Plan and Classification Summary until the second regularly scheduled meeting in June.
June 2,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page 5 Mayor Pro Tem Heredia made a substitute motion, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to approve the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) portion of the Fiscal Yeat 2026-27 Salary Plan and Classification Summary.
The substitute motion was heard first and passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia
NOES: Snow
ABSENT: None
Following approval of the COLA portion, Mayor Snow moved to continue the remainder of the resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Salary Plan and Classification Summary, excluding the approvedcolA increase, to the second regularly scheduled meeting in June, or to a special mleting if needed. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Mendoza.
City Attorney Kristen Steinke clarified that the substitute motion approved only the COLA portion of the Salary Plan and Classification Summary and that the pending motion would_ continue the remaining portions of the proposed Salary Plan and Classification Summary for further consideration.
The remaining items identified for further review and discussion included:
(l) The proposed Community Development Director position including clarification regarding the job description and role
(2) The Senfur Mlnagemeni Analyst position including whether the position should be filled, removed or further reviewed in connection with possible consideration of an Assistant City Manager position
(3) Other staffrng and classification items listed in the Salary Plan and Classification Summary, including code enforcement-related staffing
(4) Additional informaiional analysis requested by Council regarding the cost impacts of 4o/o, 5o/o, and 6oh COLA salary increases, separated between rank-and-file staff and management, for discussion purposes.
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Mendoza, Heredia' Snow
NOES: Altamirano
ABSENT: None
[The Council recessed at9:57 p.m. for a break. The Council reconvened at 10:07 p.m. into open session with all Councilmembers present.l
2. Annual Sanitation District Rate Analysis
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title.
public Works Director Murguia presented the staff report regarding the Annual Sanitation District Rate AnalYsis.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page 6
June 2,2026
In Person:
Written:
None
None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period
Round Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff' Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Councilmember Mendoza requested clarification on the transfer in and transfer out mechanism between the operating fund and Pure Water Reserve and expressed concem about the cumulative impact of rate increasss on residents given current economic conditions, indicating support for an increase below 2o/o.
Councilmember Heredia expressed support for scenario three (analysis hve), a2o/o inctease through Fiscal Year 2027-28 rising to 3o/o thereafter, citing solvency and reserve preservation.
Mayor Snow expressed support for maintaining a 3o/o increase with delayed Pure Water Reserve contributions in order to preserve reserve fund interest earnings.
Councilmember Smith characteize the recommendation as a reasonable compromise between rate relief and fiscal solvency.
Councilmember Altamirano requested clarification on reserve fund balances for Fund 15 and Fund 17, then moved to adopt analysis five, a 2o/o sewer service chatge increase through Fiscal Year 2027-28, increasing to 3ohthereafter'
Action: No formal action was taken. The Sanitation District Board provided general direction to staff to proceed with Dexter Wilson Engineering Analysis No. 5 / Scenario No' 3, assumin g a2o/o..*". service charge increase through Fiscal Year 2027 -28,3oh beyond, funding capital, and delaying use of the Pure water Reserve.
Citv Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the Citv MayorSnowp,opo,ortsonMeetingsAttendedattheExpenseofthe
City to the next rigula.ly scieduled City Council meeting. Councilmembers were encouraged to provide reports to the City Clerk before the next meeting' Action: Motion to approve rescheduling Consent Calendar ltem No. lE to the next regularly ,"fr"a.l.a City Council meeting, made by Mayor Snow, seconded, carried unanimously via voice vote.
Citv Manager's RePort - None
Closed Session
Ctty Att"m.y Steinke read the Council into Closed Session. The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 10:48 p.m.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Govt. Code $ 54957.6): Agency Representative: Tony winney, Interim city Manager; Employee organization(s): AFSCME Local127 June 2,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page 7 b Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Govt. Code $ 54956.9(d)(2)): One case.
Mayor Snow reconvened the meeting to open session at llz34 p.m. City Attorney Steinke reported out from Closed Session and stated that general direction was provided to staff on Closed ltem Nos. (a) and (b).
Adiournment
M"y". Srr*
"djourned
the meeting at approximately 11:35 p.m. and announced that the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk
Grove