MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL
LEMON GROVE LIBRARY - COMMUNITY ROOM
3001 scHool, LANE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18,2026 AT 6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Mayor Alysson Snow convened the Regular city council meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. held in person and via Zoom (Telephonic / Electronic Means)
RoIl Call
pr*fLvtayor Alysson Snow, Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Seth Smith, Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano.
Absent: None
Staff Present
ttrt.^* CttV Vtanager Tony Winney, City Attorney Kristen Steinke, City Clerk Joel G. Pablo, Heartland Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Bent Koch, Public Works Director lzzyM:utgtia and Special Counsel Nazanin Salehi.
Pledse of Alleeiance
councilmember Smith led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chanses to the Agenda
tvtuyor Stto* urrounced that Consent Calendar Item No. 1.F would be pulled from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Altamirano.
city clerk Pablo stated there were no further changes to the agenda.
Presentations - None
Public Comment
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period'
In Person: Marco Espinoza
Brenda Hammond
John L. Wood
YiaZoom Yasmin Mendoza
Becky Rapp
Written: Ken King
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Chelsea Gastelum
Roberta Bolling
Madison
Truth
August 18,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 2 Consent Calendar
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
In Person:
YiaZoom:
Written:
None
None
None
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 1.E, with Item No. 1.F 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 July 3, 2026 to August 6,2026. l.C Acceptance and Notice of Completion - Edding Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project (No. 2025-08)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4209 accepting the Edding Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project (No. 2025-08) by Montano Pipeline, Inc. as complete and authorizing staff to file a Notice of Completion (NOC) with the County of San Diego.
1.D Continuation of Emergency Procurement Actions for Emergency Storm Drain Repairs Near 328L College Place - Update 7 (4/5th Vote Required) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4208 by the required four-fifths vote for the continuance of emergency repairs to the storm drain system near 3281 College Place. l.E Designation of Voting Delegates to the 2026League of California Cities Annual Conference
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026 - 4207 designating Mayor Alysson Snow as the City's voting delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia as the first alternate for the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting.
1.F Approval of Agreement with South Coast Fire Equipment for the Purchase of a Fire Engine
Pulled from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Altamirano and considered separately (see below).
August 18,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 3 Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar
f f npp-nul of Agreement with South Coast Fire Equipment for the Purchase of a Fire Engine
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title'
Fire Chief Koch presented the staff report.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
YiaZoom: Truth
Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
City Attorney Steinke reported that the City is monitoring pending federal class action litigation involving fire apparatus manufacturers, that class certification has not yet occurred, and that purchasers from the manufacturer may fall within the class' Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 2026 JZhO approving the appropriation of funds for the purchase of a fire engine in an amount not-to-eiceed $t,t+Z,O)48.84, to be paid in annual installments over a three-year period, and authorizing the Interim City Manager, in accordance with Lemon Grove Municipal Code Section Z.ZqfiO @) and (C), to execute the necessary documents with South Coast Fire Equipment on a sole source basis for the capital expenditure' The motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Smith, Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia, Snow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Public Hearing - None
Reports to Council
2. Discuss, Provide Direction to Staff, and Conduct the First Reading of the City of Lemon Grove's Tenant Protections Ordinance
Mayor Snow introduced the item by title.
City Attorney Steinke introduced the item and Special Counsel Salehi presented the staff report remotely.
Mayor Snow opened the public comment period.
YiaZoom: Molly Kirkland, Southern California Rental Housing Association Truth
Paula Dalcour
Yasmin Mendoza
August 18,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Pase | 4 Minola Clark Manson
Written Anonymous
Molly Kirkland, Southern Califomia Rental Housing Association Mayor Snow closed the public comment period.
In response to questions from the City Council, City Attorney Steinke explained that an affirmative defense is available to a defendant in an unlawful detainer action, is not automatic and must be raised by the defendant; that state law already allows failure to comply with the TPA to serve as an affirmative defense and the draft ordinance extends that defense to the local provisions; and that'Just cause" includes both at-fault (e.9., failure to pay rent) and no-fault (e.g., substantial remodel, demolition, or owner move-in) terminations.
Special Counsel Salehi advised that the reporting requirement should remain with landlords regardless of the type of termination.
Interim City Manager Winney stated that aform on the City website could collect and organizethe information and that approximately 30 days would be needed to prepare the web page and conduct outreach.
Round 1: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Round 2: Councilmembers directed comments/questions to staff.
Action: Moved by Mayor Snow, second by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt the ordinance ur a*ru{ with data collection Option 2, requiring collection of the notice, the summons and complaint, and any judgment; establishing an effective date for the reporting requirements 30 days from the effective date of the ordinance; amending Section 18.52.060 to provide that the City Manager may exercise discretion, rather than sole discretion, regarding the provision of services; and including a City-prepared summary page on the web page summaizingthe ordinance for landlords.
Prior to the vote, Councilmember Altamirano offered a substitute motion to direct staff to return with a draft ordinance with a January 1 effective date, limited to no-fault just cause and substantial remodel only, without a summary page. The substitute motion failed for lack ofa second.
The motion failed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mendoza, Snow
NOES: Smith, Altamirano, Heredia
ABSENT: None
Following the vote, Councilmember Smith explained that his vote related to the proposed additions regarding the City Attorney and outside experts crafting the web page language.
Mayor Snow then made the same motion, excluding the proposed changes to Section
18.52.060 (Provision of Services), seconded by Councilmember Mendoza.
Mayor Pro Tem Heredia offered a substitute motion
August 18,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 5 Action: Substitute motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Heredia, second by Councilmember Rttu*i*no to approve data collection Option 1, limited to no-fault just cause evictions, with landlords reporting within five (5) days of a termination as provided in the draft ordinance; to establish a January I,2027 effective date; to approve the ordinance as otherwise written; and to conduct the first reading of the Tenant Protections Ordinance.
The substitute motion passed by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Altamirano, Mendoza, Heredia
NOES: Smith, Snow
ABSENT: None
Citv Council Renorts on Meetinss ttended at the E of the Citv Mayor Pro Tem Heredia
. August 6,2026: Attended Metro Wastewater JPA meeting.
Councilmember Smith
. July 23,2026: Meeting including dispatch performance measures and recognition of employees for outstanding service.
Councilmember Altamirano
. August 5,2026: Met with Mayor Morrison of National City, with Mayor Pro Tem Heredia and toured the National City Recreation Center and Senior Center. . August 7,2026: Telephone meeting with a resident regarding concems about hoarding, unsafe living conditions and illegal parking in his neighborhood. . August 17,2026: Meeting with staff.
Councilmember Mendoza
. July 28,2026: Attended the Special City Council and Lemon Grove School Board Collaboration meeting.
. July 30,2026: Attended YES Board Meeting.
. July 31,2026: SANDAG Transportation Committee meeting and Ironworkers Grand Opening on Broadway.
. August 4,2026: Attended National Night Out hosted by the Sheriff s Department. . August 14-15,2026: Attended the Lemon Grove Community Distribution event. . August 17,2026: Meeting with Elder Help and Traveler's Aid regarding transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities and the distribution of SANDAG grant funding.
Mayor Snow
. July 23,2026: Attended Event at the Park.
. July 24,2026: Attended the SANDAG Board and Borders Committee meetings. . July 27 ,2026: Attended the East County Chamber of Commerce presentation on artificial intelligence.
. July 2k,2026: Attended the Special City Council and Lemon Grove School Board Collaboration meeting.
. July 29,2026: Meeting with Interim City Manager Tony Winney . July 30,2026: Meeting with Interim City Manager Tony Winney and the East County Economic Development Council regarding a program similar to La Mesa's LEAD program to identifu grant funding for local businesses.
August 18,2026 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes Page | 6 . July 3I,2026: Mayor's backpack giveaway at the Recreation Center; ribbon cutting with the Ironworkers at the former l3 Point Brewery site'
. August 1,2026: Attended the National Electrical Contractors Association event. . August 3,2026: Attended the Mayors' Summit and symposium on homelessness solutions.
. August 4,2026: Attended the National Night Out hosted by the Sheriff s Department. . August 6,2026: Attended Concerts in the Park.
. August 7,2026: Attended Movies in the Park.
' August 8,2026: Attended a Local fashion show.
Mayor Snow also recognized George Ching and the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors for their support of the homebuyer's workshop held with the Urban League of San Diego, and highlighted the down payment assistance and grant funding opportunities presented at the workshop City Manager's Report
Interim City Manager Winney reported on the following:
o New Restroom Facility: The facility has been installed, notices have been posted at the site and on the City's website, and it is anticipated to be available to the public by Labor Day, with staff training and additional site work to follow. o Sheriff s Department Youth Program: A free program for children ages 9 to 12, with parent participation included; information is available through the city.
Closed Session
Ctt)r Att"*"y Steinke read the Council into Closed Session. The Council recessed to Closed Session at 8:30 p.m.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator (Govt. Code $ 54957.6): Agency Representative:
Tony Winney, Interim City Manager, and Gena Burns, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP; Employee Organization(s): AFSCME Local 127 .
b. Public Employment (Govt. Code $ 54957): City Manager.
Mayor Snow reconvened the meeting to open session at9:44 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
City Attorney Steinke reported out from Closed Session and announced that there was no reportable action on Item (a), Conference with Labor Negotiator, and that direction was provided to staff; and that there was no reportable action on Item (b), Public Employment - City Manager, and that direction was provided to staff.
Adiournment
M"y"r St *
"djoumed
the Regular meeting at9z45 p.m. and announced that the next regularly scheduled ty Council will be held on Tuesday, September 1,2026 at 6:00 p.m. , city
Grove
A
J
Ci
the City Council on Tuesday, October 6,2026