La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board

Minutes of a Regular Meeting

Meeting #:
Date:
-
Location:
La Mesa Police Department Community Room, 8085 University Avenue
La Mesa, California
Present:
  • Chair John Fonseca
  • Vice Chair Leroy Johnson
  • Board Member Denise Carlson
  • Board Member Brianna Coston
  • Board Member Christian DeMent
  • Board Member Aaron Landau
  • Board Member Susan Wayne
  • Board Member Sophia Wright
Absent:
  • Board Member Clifton Ewbank
  • Board Member Dave Hardenburger
  • Board Member Jeffrey Scott McIllwain
Staff:
  • Assistant City Manager Amanda Lee
  • Chief Ray Sweeney
  • Assistant to the City Manager Lyn Dedmon
  • General Counsel Julia Michel
  • Independent Police Auditor ("IPA") Rick Rasmussen
  • Deputy City Clerk Stacy Ready

1.
CALL TO ORDER

  

Chair Fonseca called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 

1.1
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  

Chair Fonseca led the Pledge of Allegiance.

2.
ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

  

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

3.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)

  

There were no public comments.

4.
CONFLICT DISCLOSURES

  

There were no conflict of interest disclosures.

5.
CURRENT BUSINESS

  

5.1
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD MARCH 19, 2025

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved byVice Chair Johnson
    Seconded byBoard Member DeMent

    Approve minutes, as amended, to edit the language in Item 7 from "Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement ("HOME") team" to "La Mesa Police Department".

    Yes (7)Vice Chair Johnson, Board Member DeMent, Chair Fonseca, Board Member Wayne, Board Member Landau, Board Member Carlson, and Board Member Wright
    Abstain (1)Board Member Coston
    Absent (3)Board Member McIllwain, Board Member Ewbank, and Board Member Hardenburger
    Motion Approved (7 to 0)

5.2
LA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES

  
  • STAFFING & RECRUITMENT
  • UPCOMING EVENTS

Chief Sweeney provided an update on staffing, recruitments, and vacant positions within the La Mesa Police Department ("LMPD").  He also commented on community events and activities that took place in March and April.

Following Board questions and comments, no action was taken.

5.3
INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR UPDATES

  

IPA Rasmussen provided an update on the review of a pending use of force case.

Assistant to the City Manager Dedmon stated that the Independent Police Auditor 2025 First Quarter Report had been submitted for review.

Following Board questions and comments, no action was taken.

5.4
FORMATION OF AN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE TO CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SUCCESSOR LEGAL COUNSEL

  

Assistant City Manager Lee announced that the City Attorney had received notification from legal counsel Strumwasser & Woocher regarding their intention to withdraw from representation.  She explained that an ad hoc subcommittee would consider and make recommendations for successor legal counsel.

Vice Chair Johnson, Board Member Coston, Board Member DeMent, and Board Member Wayne were nominated to the ad hoc subcommittee to consider and make recommendations for successor legal counsel.

  • Moved byBoard Member DeMent
    Seconded byBoard Member Wayne

    To formulate an ad hoc subcommittee consisting of Vice Chair Johnson, Board Member Coston, Board Member DeMent, and Board Member Wayne to consider and make recommendations for successor legal counsel.

    Yes (8)Vice Chair Johnson, Board Member DeMent, Chair Fonseca, Board Member Coston, Board Member Wayne, Board Member Landau, Board Member Carlson, and Board Member Wright
    Absent (3)Board Member McIllwain, Board Member Ewbank, and Board Member Hardenburger
    Motion Approved (8 to 0)

5.5
REVIEW OF THE CITY'S MEDIATION POLICY AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF MEDIATION OPTIONS

This item has attachments.  

General Counsel Michel shared that Strumwasser & Woocher would continue to support the CPOB with legal counsel until a successor legal counsel was appointed.

Assistant City Manager Lee introduced Mr. Jeffrey B. Love, Esq., and his firm, the JL Group, LLC, which serves as the mediator for the LMPD.

Mr. Love provided an overview of the "Community Mediation Program" outlined in the LMPD Policy Manual, as well as best practices for the mediation process.  He highlighted different types of mediations, approaches to dispute resolution, and additional recommendations.

Following Board questions and comments, no action was taken.

6.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (3-MINUTE LIMIT)

  

Assistant to the City Manager Dedmon noted that emails would be sent to board members to schedule ad hoc subcommittee meetings. 

7.
STAFF AND BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

  

Assistant City Manager Lee announced that a celebration event for Earth Day would be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MacArthur Park.  

Assistant to the City Manager Dedmon announced that the San Diego Made Spring Market would be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Chair Fonseca encourages board members to schedule a ride-along with the LMPD.

Board Member DeMent shared that the San Diego Association of Governments ("SANDAG") would be hosting their Bike Anywhere Day 2025 Pit Stop on Thursday, May 15, 2025.  He also mentioned that La Mesa First United Methodist Church would be having a celebration for its 130th year in the La Mesa community in June.

Chief Sweeney announced that the Police Officers Memorial Ceremony would be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 12:00 p.m. at the County Administration Building in Downtown San Diego.

8.
ADJOURNMENT

  

Chair Fonseca adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m. 

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