Staff Present
trt.rf"r CttV rra anaga.l_ Tony Winney, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G' Pablo, Public Works Director lzzy Murguia, Special Projects Administrator Bill Chopyk, Special Counsel Nazanin Salehi, Lt. patricklto* *ith the San DiegoSheriff s Office and Heartland Fire & Rescue's Fire Chief Bent Koch
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
3146 SCHOOL LANE, LEMON GROVE, CA9l945
TUESDAY, JULY 7,2026 AT 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
M"y"r At)rr*n Snow convened the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call
F-r.r*r. tutayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Seth Smith, Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano.
Absent: None
Pledee of Alleeiance
The Assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Changes to the Agenda
@atattherequestofCityAttomeyKristenStienke;ConsentCalendarItem No. t.B would be pulled from the Consent Calendar and heard following Reports to Council.
Councilmember Smith requested that Report to Council Item No. 5 be moved to immediately following the Consent Calendar. Mayor Sno* announced that Report to Council ltem No. 5 would be heard before Item No. 4.
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: John L. Wood
Melinda Tuminteng
Mat Kostrinsky, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local127
Steven Gerard Sidlovsky
Richard Hammett
Brenda Hammond
Joe Smith
Jackie Clark
Barbna Gordon
YiaZoom:
July 7,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Paee l2 Judy Strang
Truth
Becky Rapp
Paula Dalcour
Written Ken King
Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period
Ms. Pfister indicated that her comment pertained to Item No. 2 and Mayor Snow directed that the comment be reserved until that item was called.
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia, second by Councilmember Mendoza to approve Co*"trt Calendar Item Nos. 1.A through 1.D and 1.F through 1.G with Item No. 1.E 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.
In Person:
YraZoom
Written:
1.B
1.C
Allison Pfister
None
None
City of Lemon Grove Payment Demands
Action: Ratified demands covering May 29,2026 to June 18, 2026.
Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
,q.ciion: Approved the minutes of the Lemon Grove City Council meetings held on June2, ZOX G.gu ar Meeting), June 16,2026 (Regular Meeting), Jrtne22,2026 (Joint Special Meeting of tn" Planning Commission and City Council) and July l, 2026 (Special Meeting) Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Receipt of a Report Made by the Fire Chief Regarding Compliance with the Annual Inspection of Certain Identified Occupancies Pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4196 acknowledging receipt of the report made by th" F * Chief regarding compliance with the annual inspection of certain identified
1.D
July 7 ,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Paee I 3 l.E
l.F
occupancies pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the Califomia Health and Safety Code.
Notice and Call for the November 2026 General Election
Action: This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar via Changes to the Agenda. The City C*tt.il continued the matter to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting (see page 9).
Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a City Owned Parks and Facility Naming Policy Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4197 establishing aCrty Owned Parks and Facilities Naming Policy.
1.G Resolution Temporarily Relocating City Council Meetings Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4198 relocating meetings of the City Council to the t"".r* Grove Library - Community Room located at 3001 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA glg45 for the duration of the renovation of the Community Center located at 3146 School Lane.
Public Hearins
L Ordinance No. 36 Establishing the Sewer Service Charges for Fiscal Yeat 2026-27 Mayor Snow introduced the item by title.
City Clerk Pablo confirmed that all notices required by law had been given and that the complete file of exhibits, correspondence and other documents had been provided.
City Attorney Steinke asked whether any member of the City Council had a conflict of interest or ex parte communication to disclose. No disclosures wero made.
The City Council acted in its capacity as the Lemon Grove Sanitation District Board of Directors.
Public Works Director Murguia presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person:
YiaZoom
Written:
None
Truth
None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round l: Board Members directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Board Members directed questions/comments to staff.
Action: Moved by Board Member Mendoza, second by Board Member Heredia to close the public hearing.
Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 4
July 7 ,2026
The motion passed by the following vote' to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia' Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Moved by Chair Snow, second by Board Member Smith to introduce and conduct 6ffilr.uding, by title only, of Ordinance No. 36 establishing sewer service charges for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Reports to Council
Note: Item No. 5 was heard before Item No. 4
3. Discuss and Provide Direction to City Staff on Tenant Protections Policy Mayor Snow introduced the item by title.
Interim City Manager Winney provided introductory remarks and an overview of the process timeline, the City's housing profile and remodel activity.
Special Counsel Nazanin Salehi presented an overview of the California Tenant Protection Act.
City Attorney Steinke presented an overview of the City's urgency ordinance, adopted February 3,2026 and its expiration on August 2,2026.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Allison Pfister, Southern califomia Rental Housing Association Guillermo A. Gonzalez
Crystal Hall
Ken King
Gil Vera, Director of the Housing Justice Collaborative with Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Richard Hammett
George Ching, Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors John Monte, iHeart Radio
Jackie Clark
Molly Kirkland, Southern California Rental Housing Association Yasmin Mendoza
Truth
Paula Dalcour
Matt
YiaZoom:
Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 5
July 7,2026
Written: Brianna Bearce
Melissa De Marco, Vice President with FBS Property Management Anthony Cassolato
Richard Hammett
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Prior to deliberation, the City Council provided the following disclosures:
Mayor Snow disclosed that she is a tenant protection attorney and directs the housing rights clinic at the University of San Diego School of Law, stated that she has no pecuniary interest in the adoption ofan ordinance, and stated that she did not see a basis to recuse herself.
Councilmember Altamirano disclosed that she was a renter for the first26 years of her life, has experienced homelessness, is a homeowner and a landlord, and owns a company that purchases and rehabilitates properties. In response to a question regarding her Form 700, she stated that she does not own rental property in Lemon Grove' Councilmember Smith disclosed that he is a renter and owns a business that provides building design services.
Councilmember Mendoza disclosed that she is a homeowner in Lemon Grove with a small unit on her property that she rents.
Mayor Pro Tem Heredia disclosed that she is a renter, previously owned a condominium in Lakeside and owns a social media and media company.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Council provided general direction to:
Return with a draft permanent tenant protections ordinance for City Council consideration at the July 21,2026 regdar meeting.
Include in the draft ordinance a requirement that landlords provide tenants with notice of the California Tenant Protection Act including any additional requirements adopted by the City of Lemon Grove, at the cofirmencement of each new tenancy and with any notice of termination of tenancy.
Tighten the definition of substantial remodel so that cosmetic work does not qualiff, including interior and exterior painting, wall and floor finishes, wallpapering, minor drywall fatching, floor sanding, carpeting, tiling and linoleum replacement; appliance ani fixture replacement; and minor electrical and plumbing repairs that do not involve replacement of the core infrastructure of the building.
Develop public education and outreach for both tenants and landlords regarding rights and responsibilities under state law.
Retum with the urgency ordinance for consideration of renewal at the July 21,2026 regular meeting, noting that the existing urgency ordinance expires August 2,2026 and thit apermanent ordinance introduced on July 21, 2026 would not take effect until 30 days after a second reading at the second regular meeting in August. a
o
a
a
July 7,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 6 Action: No formal action was taken on this item. Staff will return with a draft permanent ordinance and with the urgency ordinance for consideration of renewal at the July 21,2026 regular meeting.
The Council recessed at 8:56 p.m. for a break. The Council reconvened at 9:03 p.m. into open session with all Councilmembers present.
5. Consideration of Renaming the Recreation Center in Honor of Former City Councilmember Sitivi "Steve" Faiai
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title. Interim City Manager Winney presented the staff report.
Mayor pro Tem Heredia mentioned former Councilmember Faiai's service and contributions to tire youth of Lemon Grove and the greater San Diego region and recommended that the Lemon Grove Recreation Center be renamed in his honor.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Halene LeBaron
Chris Williams
Ben Toth
Liana LeBaron
Becky Toth
Rolando Abagat
Ray Toilolo
David Veal
Kingstun Niumata
Joe Smith
Cameron Faiai
Yia Zoom: Truth
Yasmin Mendoza
Jackie Clark
Jim Stout
Lindsey Jo Holmes
Written: None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed questions/comments to staff.
Council provided general direction to:
IuIy 7,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Paee | 7 4 o Rename the entire recreation facility in honor of former City Councilmember Sitivi o'Steve" Faiai retaining Lemon Grove Recreation Center as the primary name of the facility.
o Display the name using individual raised letters on the exterior of the building, placed above the existing Lemon Grove Recreation Center lettering, rather than a plaque. o Remove the existing overgrown vegetation obscuring the building signage and coordinate with Chelsea Gastelum and the Busy Bees regarding replacement landscaping. o Reserve interior space, including consideration of a hall of fame display in the gymnasium...ogniritrg individuals who have made significant contributions to youth sports in Lemon Grove.
o Follow through on the City's prior commitment to install a plaque in the gymnasium in memory of Trayvon Harris.
Interim City Manager Winney confirmed the City's commitment to install the plaque in memory of Trayvon Harris as part of the recreation center improvements.
Action: Moved by Chair Snow, second by Board Member Smith to nename the Recreation C.ttt"r itt honor of former City Councilmember Sitivi "Steve" Faiai retaining Lemon Grove Recreation Center fSitivi "Steve" Faiai Lemon Grove Recreation Center]' The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia' Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Ordinance Identifying Exempt Sites from Senate B1ll79, Finding the Ordinance Exempt from CEQA, and AuthorizingSubmittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for Review
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title. Special Projects Administrator Bill Chopyk and Brooke Peterson, Principal with Rick Engineering presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person: Richard Hammett
YiaZoom: Jackie Clark
Truth
Yasmin Mendoza
Written: None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
In response to public comment, Special Projects Administrator Chopyk stated that the historic resources exclusion requires listing on a local register as of January I,2025 and that the City does not maintain a local register; that any plan, including a Downtown Specific Plan or a TOD altemative plan, would be presented to the Planning Commission prior to the City Council; and that the proposed ordinance is limited to exempting parcels in Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page I 8
July 7 ,2026
6. neighborhoods without sidewalks. Ms. Peterson responded regarding infrastructure obli-gations and stated that the Downtown Specific Plan provides a more comprehensive and enfoiceable regulatory mechanism for supporting infrastructure than Senate Bill 79' Action: Moved by Councilmember Mendoza, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia to i.rtrodu"" for first reading an Ordinance as authorized under Senate Bill 79 to exclude and exempt eligible sites, as authorized under Government Code Section 65912'160(e)(1).
The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
SB 707 Implementation - Technology Disruption Policy
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title. City Clerk Pablo presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person:
YiaZoom:
Written:
None
Truth
None
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia and seconded to introduce for first reading an Oodi*n"" as authorized under Senate B1ll79 to exclude and exempt eligible sites, as authorized under Govemment Code Section 659 I 2. 1 60(e)( I )' The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Reports Pulled From Consent Calendar via Changes to the Asenda
1.E Notice and Call for the November 2026 General Election Mayor Snow introduced Item No. LE. City Attorney Steinke recommended that the item be continued to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting in order to correct an effor identified prior to the meeting.
Action: The City Council continued Item No. 1.E to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting of July 21,2026 by unanimous voice vote.
Citv Council Reports on Meetings Attended at the Expense of the Citv D"" t" th" t"t" h""., M"y"r Snow requested that Councilmembers submit reports of meetings attended at the expense of the City to the City Clerk in writing.
CiW Manager's Report - None
July 7,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 9 Closed Session
-tynno*"ysteinkereadtheCounci1intoClosedSession.TheCounciladjournedtoC1osed Session.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Govt. Code $ 54957.6): Agency Representative:
Tony Winney, Interim City Manager; Employee Organization(s): AFSCME Local127 Mayor Snow reconvened the meeting to open session. City Attorney Steinke reported out from Closed Session and announced that no action was taken, however staff was provided with general direction.
Adiournment
Hrr-w* Sr"* rdjourned the meeting atIL:45 p.m. and announced that the next regularly scheduled City Council mieting is set for Tuesday, luly 21,2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Llbtary - Community Room, 3001 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA91945.
City Clerk
ty of Grove
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