Minutes
Santee City Council
Council Chamber - Building 2
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California
December 13, 2023
This Regular Meeting of the Santee City Council was called to order by Mayor John W.
Minto at 6:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor John W. Minto, Vice Mayor Laura Koval and Council Members Ronn Hall, Rob McNelis and Dustin Trotter - 5
Officers present: City Manager Marlene Best, City Attorney Shawn Hagerty, and City Clerk Annette Ortiz
INVOCATION was given by Reverend Andres Walker Thode, Carlton Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Sheriff Captain Michael McNeill.
PRESENTATION: Introduction of 2023 Miss Santee, Miss Teen Santee, and Junior Miss Santee.
Mayor Minto and Vice Mayor Koval introduced Junior Miss Santee Dakota Hurtado, Miss Teen Santee Autumn Sly and Miss Santee Samantha Harper; Mayor Minto presented each with a rose and certificate.
PRESENTATION: Santee City Cup Presentation: Varsity Football Game Between Santana and West Hills High Schools.
Council Member Trotter and Council Member McNelis presented the trophy to Coach Casey Ash and players from West Hills High School.
PRESENTATION: Certificate of Commendation: 13U Santee Ravens Pop Warner Football Champions.
Mayor Minto and Council Member Hall presented the Certificate of Commendation to the Santee Ravens Pop Warner 13U for winning the 2023 Regional Championships.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
The City Clerk requested Items 1, 2, 3, and 10 be pulled for discussion. (1) Item Pulled for Discussion.
(2) Item Pulled for Discussion.
(3) Item Pulled for Discussion.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 2 of 8 (4) Approval of the Expenditure of $110,031.21 for November 2023 Legal Services. (Finance - Jennings)
(5) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Installation of All-Way Stop Control on Mission Greens Road at the Intersection with Mission Vega Road and Finding the Action is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 Exemption. (Engineering - Schmitz) (Reso 124-2023)
(6) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Installation of a Loading Zone (Yellow Zone) on Kenney Street for Commercial Loading and Finding the Action Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") per Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. (Engineering - Schmitz) (Reso 125-2023)
(7) Adoption of a Resolution Waiving an Immaterial Bid Irregularity, Awarding the Construction Contract for the Weston Park EV Charge Station (CIP 2023-31) Project to Advanced Railway Innovations DBA Advanced Electrical Innovations, and Determining the Project is Categorically Exempt from Environmental Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") per State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301(c) and 15303. (Engineering - Schmitz) (Reso 126-2023) (8) Adoption of a Resolution Accepting the Citywide Pavement Repair and Rehabilitation Program 2023 (CIP 2023-05) Project as Complete and Finding the Action is not a Project Subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. (Engineering - Schmitz) (Reso 127-2023)
(9) Adoption of a Resolution Extending the Deadline to Establish an Online Permitting System for Post-Entitlement Phase Permits Under California Government Code Section 65913.3.5 (AB 2234). (Planning and Building - Sawa) (Reso 128-2023)
(10) Item Pulled for Discussion.
(11) Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Title 13 ("Zoning Ordinance") of the City of Santee Municipal Code Modifying "Vehicle Storage Yard" from a Use that is Currently Prohibited to a Use that is Permitted with a Minor Conditional Use Permit in the Light Industrial (IL) Zone and Approving an Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") in Accordance with Section 15305 of the CEQA Guidelines. (City Clerk - Ortiz) (Ord 613)
ACTION: Council Member McNelis moved approval of the Consent Calendar and Agenda as Amended.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 3 of 8 Council Member Hall seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
Items removed from the Consent Calendar:
Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda. (City Clerk - Ortiz) PUBLIC SPEAKER:
• Truth
ACTION: Council Member McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto:
Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter:
Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
Approval of Meeting Minutes of the Santee City Council for the November 8, 2023, Regular Meeting. (City Clerk - Ortiz)
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
Truth
ACTION: Council Member McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto:
Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter:
Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
(3) Approval of Payment of Demands as Presented. (Finance - Jennings) PUBLIC SPEAKER:
Truth
ACTION: Council Member McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto:
Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter:
Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
(10) Rejection of Claims Against the City by Terry Russell, Paula Dwyer, and Garrett Gertler. (Human Resources - Freeman)
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
Truth
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 4 of 8 ACTION: Council Member McNelis moved approval of staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto:
Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter:
Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT (15 minutes):
(A) Robert Oathout spoke about the previous Public Hearing on April 12, 2023, for the Major Revision to Conditional Use Permit; he requested staff address the issues with the project.
(B) Emily Reed spoke about the construction of a retaining wall at her residence that needed an encroachment and grading permit from the City of Santee, Emily is requesting that the City of Santee work with her to meet the City's requirements.
(C) Reverend Andreas Walker Thode, Carlton Hills Lutheran Church, spoke about the new Ukrainian Catholic Church that is coming to Santee, and commended the Council for approving the project.
(D) Truth spoke about the order of the City's Agenda items; current events in the middle east; public comment at County of San Diego meetings; SANDAG appointing a new CEO; and provided feedback on previous Council Meetings.
PUBLIC HEARING:
(12) Public Hearing and a Resolution Approving Tentative Parcel Map TPM- 2023-0001 to Divide a 10.1-Acre Vacant Parcel of Land into Two Parcels, Located on the Northeast Corner of Town Center Parkway and Cuyamaca Street in the Town Center (TC) Zone (APN 381-050-64) and Finding the Project Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). (Planning and Building - Sawa) (Reso 129-2023)
The Public Hearing | was opened at 7:14 p.m. The Principal Planner provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions, with the assistance of the City Attorney and Matt Rattner, President of Karl Strauss Brewing Company.
ACTION: Council Member Hall moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member McNelis seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:21 p.m.
(13) Public Hearing and Resolution Amending the Consolidated Fee Schedule to Add Credit Card and E-Check Processing Fees and to Add Certain Planning and Building Deposit Amounts. (Finance/Planning and Building - Jennings/Sawa) (Reso 130-2023)
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 5 of 8 The Public Hearing was opened at 7:21 p.m. The Finance Director provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions, with the assistance of the Building Official.
ACTION: Council Member Hall moved approval of staff recommendation.
Vice Mayor Koval seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto:
Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter:
Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:32 p.m.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
(14) Report on the Status of Interwest Services and a Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement ("PSA") with Interwest Consulting Group Inc. (a SafeBuilt Company) for Specialized Professional Building Services to Increase the Not-To-Exceed Amount. (Planning and Building - Sawa) (Reso 131-2023)
The Building Official provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions.
ACTION: Council Member Hall moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member Trotter seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
(15) Cannabis Retail Application Process Update. (Planning and Building - Sawa)
The Planning and Building Director provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions, with the assistance of the City Manager, City Attorney, and Sheriff Captain.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS:
Luis Ituarte, Wellgreens Dispensary
• Truth
• Andrea Aranda, Culture Cannabis Club
• Arkan Somo
• Cameron Pittman
The Council received the report and provided feedback and direction to staff.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 6 of 8 NEW BUSINESS:
(16) American Rescue Plan Act Expenditure Plan Update and Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating Budget by Appropriating Funds to the FY 2023-24 General Fund Public Services Department anc Authorizing the Transfer of ARPA Funds to the General Fund to Fund the Human Services & Open Space Coordinator through December 31, 2024. (Finance - Jennings) (Reso 132-2023)
The Finance Director provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions, with the assistance of the Fire Chief and the Public Services Manager.
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
• Truth
ACTION: Council Member Trotter moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member McNelis seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
(17) Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with COAR Design Group for Architectural, Engineering, Landscape Architectural and Environmental Design Services for the Phase 1A - New Fire Station at the City Operations Center (CIP 2024-34) Project. (Fire/Engineering - Matsushita/Schmitz) (Reso 133-2023) The Fire Chief provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions, with the assistance of the Principal Civil Engineer and the City Manager.
ACTION: Council Member Trotter moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member McNelis seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
(18) Proposed New Service Rates for the Waste Management Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste Services. (Community Services - Chavez) The Senior Management Analyst introduced Kristine Costa, Waste Management Senior Account Manager, who provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
Truth
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 7 of 8 ACTION: Vice Mayor Koval moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member Trotter seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: No; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 4. Noes: 1.
(19) Resolution Approving an Amended Salary Schedule to Reflect a Minimum Wage Increase, a Market Adjustment Increase for the Position of Deputy Fire Chief, the Addition of a Part-Time Limited Term Benefited Human Services and Open Space Coordinator and the Addition of a Part-Time, Information Technology/GIS Technician Position, and Authorizing the Appropriation of $8,100.00 to the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Operating Budget. (Human Resources - Freeman) (Reso 134-2023)
The Human Resources Director provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions.
ACTION: Council Member Trotter moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member McNelis seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
(20) Selection of Mayor Pro Tempore (Vice Mayor). (Mayor - Minto) Mayor Minto provided information on the Item and responded to Council questions.
PUBLIC SPEAKER:
• Truth
ACTION: Mayor Minto moved approval of staff recommendation.
Council Member McNelis seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: Mayor Minto: Aye; Vice Mayor Koval: Aye; and Council Members Hall: Aye; McNelis: Aye; and Trotter: Aye. Ayes: 5. Noes: 0.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued)
None.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Vice Mayor Trotter wished a Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearto the community.
Council Member McNelis congratulated Captain McNeill on his promotion and service to the City.
Santee City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2023 Page 8 of 8 Council Member Koval thanked Captain McNeill for the leadership that he has provided to the City of Santee.
Captain McNeill stated he is honored to have been able to serve the City of Santee.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
The City Manager thanked Captain McNeill.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
(21) Update on the Status of City of Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson. (City Attorney - Hagerty)
The City Attorney provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council questions.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
Date Approved: February 14, 2024
Anhelte Fagan Ortiz, CMC, City Clerk