La Mesa City Council

Minutes of a Regular Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Location:

City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue

La Mesa, California

Present:

• Mayor Arapostathis
• Vice Mayor Lothian
• Councilmember Dillard
• Councilmember Parent
• Councilmember Shu

Staff:

• City Manager Humora
• Assistant City Manager Lee
• City Attorney Sabine
• City Clerk Wiegelman

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The City Council minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the City Council Agenda. Agenda Items can be taken out of order during the meeting.

The Agenda Items were considered in the order presented.

Mayor Arapostathis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

1.1

INVOCATION - VICE MAYOR LOTHIAN

1.2

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

There were no comments.

3.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN REPORTS

The Mayor, Council and staff made announcements and reported on various events taking place in the City. No action was taken.

4.

ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

5.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)

Michael Brando spoke on the impact Council decisions have on the community.

Truth spoke on political parties and comments made by Councilmembers at previous meetings.

6.

CONFLICT DISCLOSURES

There were no conflict of interest disclosures.

7.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Truth spoke on Consent Calendar Items 8.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, and 8.8.

8.

CONSENT CALENDAR

(Items 8.1 through 8.8)

• Moved By Councilmember Shu
  Seconded By Councilmember Parent

  Approve Consent Calendar Items 8.1 through 8.8.

  For (5)

  Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian

  Approved (5 to 0)

8.1

APPROVAL OF MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AT THIS MEETING

• Approve.

8.2

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023

• Approve.

8.3

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023

• Approve.

8.4

APPROVAL OF MOTION TO CANCEL THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 26, 2023

• Approve.

8.5

INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

• Receive and file.

8.6

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF GENERAL FUND RESERVES TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 OPERATING BUDGET TO FUND THE EMPOWER EAST COUNTY BUSINESS FUND PROJECT

• Resolution No. 2023-136

  Adopt Resolution.

8.7

RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 12.52.050 OF THE LA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE LIMITING THE GROSS WEIGHT TO THREE TONS OF A PORTION OF JACKSON DRIVE AND LEMON AVENUE BETWEEN LA MESA BOULEVARD AND STATE ROUTE 125 SOUTHBOUND ENTRANCE RAMP

• Resolution No. 2023-137

  Adopt Resolution.

8.8

RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER 2 TO PARSONS TO PROVIDE STAFF AUGMENTATION FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING RELATED SERVICES

• Resolution No. 2023-138

  Adopt Resolution.

9.

ORDINANCE: SECOND READING

9.1

CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA MESA AMENDING SECTION 2.04.010 OF THE LA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADJUST MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND TREASURER COMPENSATION

City Attorney Sabine read the title of the Ordinance.

Truth spoke in opposition to the Ordinance adjusting the compensation of the Mayor, City Council, and Treasurer.

• Ordinance No. 2023-2905
  Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Councilmember Dillard

  Approve the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance.

  For (5)

  Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, Councilmember Dillard, and Vice Mayor Lothian

  Approved (5 to 0)

10.

STAFF REPORT

10.1

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS

Chief Sweeney introduced Kristen MacLeod, Community Engagement Manager, Flock Safety, who provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Flock Safety automated license plate readers (Flock cameras), highlighting the mission and purpose of Flock Safety, how the Flock cameras operate, eliminate crime, and provide transparency and insight, how privacy would be protected, California cities that utilize Flock cameras, and Flock camera success stories.

Chief Sweeney explained how the Flock cameras would be utilized in the City of La Mesa and the number of cameras that would be installed throughout the City.

Council questions and comments ensued.

The following members of the public spoke in opposition to the purchase and installation of Flock cameras:

John Enright

Michael Brando

Truth

Mary Davis expressed concerns with the installation of Flock cameras and recommended certain policies and procedures be adopted before moving forward with the purchase and installation of Flock cameras.

Council questions and comments continued.

• Resolution No. 2023-139
  Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Councilmember Parent

  (1) Approve execution of an agreement for the purchase and installation of twenty license plate reader cameras to Flock Group, Inc. in substantial form, subject to the final review and approval of the City Manager and City Attorney; and (2) Adopt Resolution awarding the purchase and installation of twenty automated license plate reader cameras to Flock Group, Inc.

  For (4)	Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Shu, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Dillard
  Against (1)	Vice Mayor Lothian

  Approved (4 to 1)

11.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 MINUTE LIMIT)

The Mayor and Council reported on various outside boards, commissions and committee meetings they attended. No action was taken.

12.

AB 1234 REPORTS (GC 53232.3 (d))

There were no reports.

13.

CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS

There were no remarks.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.