La Mesa City Council

Minutes of a Regular Meeting

Meeting #:

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 6:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Location:

City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue

La Mesa, California

Present:

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

Staff:

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

This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with Government Code Section 54953, as amended by Assembly Bill 361, in relation to the COVID-19 State of Emergency and recommended social distancing measures.

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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 - COUNCILMEMBER 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.

PRESENTATIONS

4.1

SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER RESIDENTIAL ENROLLMENT UPDATE PRESENTATION

Councilmember Baber provided opening comments and introduced San Diego Community Power ("SDCP") Chief Operations Officer ("COO") Cody Hooven and Director of External Affairs Rita De la Fuente.

SDCP COO Cody Hooven and Director of External Affairs Rita De la Fuente provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding SDCP and the upcoming enrollment of La Mesa residents, highlighting SDCP's values and successes in 2021, the enrollment schedule, SDCP's renewable energy options, how SDCP compares to San Diego Gas & Electric ("SDG&E"), how to read  the SDCP's customer bill, and SDCP's marketing and community outreach efforts.

Council questions and comments ensued.

David Harris, SDCP Community Advisory Committee, spoke in support of SDCP and encouraged residents to opt up to one hundred percent clean energy.

Dianne Osterling inquired about the impact SDCP will have on residents with solar power.

Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken. 

4.2

2022 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WORK PLANS

• COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND VETERANS COMMISSION
• HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
• YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION
• COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
• COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD
• MOBILITY COMMISSION

Community Relations and Veterans Commission Chair Dennis Sharp presented the Commission's 2022 Work Plan.

Historic Preservation Commission Chair Carmen Pauli presented the Commission's 2022 Work Plan.

Youth Advisory Commission Chair Maya Sellers presented the Commission's 2022 Work Plan.

Community Services Commission Chair Matt Bohan presented the Commission's 2022 Work Plan.

Community Police Oversight Board Chair Janet Castanos presented the Board's 2022 Work Plan.

Mobility Commission Chair Mike Calandra presented the Commission's 2022 Work Plan.

Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.

4.3

POLICE CHIEF'S QUARTERLY OPERATIONS REPORT

Chief Sweeney presented the crime statistics for quarter ending December 31, 2021, explained the statistics in the various crime categories, and highlighted recently solved cases. Chief Sweeney also spoke regarding the number of calls for service received this year, the Department’s proactive operations and strategic enforcement, and the many community outreach programs in which the Department was involved.

5.

ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

6.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)

Will Senn spoke on Consent Calendar Item 9.6 and requested the Council reverse the decision to deny Project 2017-31 (CUP 17-18; Senn).

Ryan spoke regarding the homeless issue near Highway 94 and Massachusetts Avenue.

Mary Davis spoke on returning to in-person meetings.

Megan spoke regarding the homeless issue near Highway 94 and Massachusetts Avenue.

Whitney Hodges spoke on Consent Calendar Item 9.6 and requested the Council reverse the decision to deny Project 2017-31 (CUP 17-18; Senn).

7.

CONFLICT DISCLOSURES

There were no conflict of interest disclosures.

8.

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

8.1

RESOLUTION APPOINTING A MEMBER TO FILL AN UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

Mayor Arapostathis nominated Jose "Tony" Garcia for appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission.

• Resolution No. 2022-012
  Moved by Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded by Councilmember Baber

  Approve the appointment of Jose "Tony" Garcia to the Historic Preservation Commission and adopt the Resolution confirming the appointment.

  Yes (4)	Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, and Councilmember Parent
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Lothian

  Approved (4 to 0)

8.2

RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND/OR REAPPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE CITY'S COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD

Mayor Arapostathis nominated the following individuals for appointment and/or reappointment to the City’s Community Police Oversight Board:

Patricia Dillard, Police Beat 1 Resident Representative

Leroy Johnson, Police Beat 2 Resident Representative

Caitlin Tiffany, Police Beat 3 Resident Representative

Daniel Walkup, Police Beat 4 Resident Representative

Michaela Blackmon, Advocate for People Experiencing Homelessness, Substance Abuse, Mental Health or Other Social Issues Representative

• Resolution No. 2022-013
  Moved by Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded by Councilmember Baber

  Approve the appointment of Daniel Walkup and Michaela Blackmon and the reappointment of Patricia Dillard, Leroy Johnson, and Caitlin Tiffany to the Community Police Oversight Board and adopt the Resolution confirming the appointments. 

  Yes (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

9.

CONSENT CALENDAR

(Items 9.1 through 9.6)

• Moved by Councilmember Baber
  Seconded by Mayor Arapostathis

  Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.1 through 9.5.

  Yes (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

9.1

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

• Approve.

9.2

RECEIVE AND FILE THE COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD ANNUAL REPORT

• Receive and file.

9.3

RESOLUTION APPOINTING THE HELIX CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION

• Resolution No. 2022-014

  Adopt Resolution.

9.4

RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE UNAPPROPRIATED PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL (PEG) FUNDS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 BUDGET FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY ROOM AUDIO-VISUAL UPGRADE PROJECT

• Resolution No. 2022-015

  Adopt Resolution.

9.5

RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE  EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT OF THE LA MESA MUNICIPAL POOL HEATER FROM GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND RATIFY THE CITY MANAGER'S APPROVAL OF AN EMERGENCY PURCHASE ORDER

• Resolution No. 2022-016

  Adopt Resolution.

9.6

RESOLUTION DENYING PROJECT 2017-31 (CUP 17-88; SENN)

 

RESOLUTION DENYING PROJECT 2017-31 (CUP 17-88; SENN), A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A CANNABIS USE AT 7901 HILLSIDE DRIVE, APN 470-200-27-00 IN THE C-D-MU (GENERAL COMMERCIAL - URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY - MIXED USE OVERLAY) ZONE, THUS UPHOLDING THE APPEAL FILED BY CASA

Councilmember Baber and Councilmember Parent stated they would be voting against the motion to adopt the Resolution denying Project 2017-31 (CUP 17-88; Senn), thus upholding the appeal filed by CASA because it was inconsistent with La Mesa Municipal Code Chapter 24.23 (Measure U).

• Resolution No. 2022-017
  Moved by Vice Mayor Shu
  Seconded by Councilmember Lothian

  Adopt Resolution.

  Yes (3)	Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, and Councilmember Lothian
  No (2)	Councilmember Baber, and Councilmember Parent

  Approved (3 to 2)

10.

STAFF REPORT

10.1

DISCUSSION REGARDING RETURNING TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS; AND 

Susan Wayne

Dear Mayor and City Council Members, Please continue to hold City Council meeting virtually through Zoom so community members who do not wish to meet in person or can not make the meeting can still participate. If you want to have meetings in person, please make the Zoom participation an option. I feel this mode of communication has been very helpful to many, especially those who do not want to participate in a close environment to many other people, and want to decrease their exposure to Covid or any other communicable diseases. Respectfully, Susan Wayne

POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953, AS AMENDED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 361, AND RE-AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED USE OF VIRTUAL MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF THE CITY OF LA MESA FOR THE 30-DAY PERIOD BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2022 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2022

City Clerk Wiegelman provided an update on the state and county requirements for holding in-person meetings and reviewed the protocols implemented by neighboring cities in San Diego County for in-person meetings. City Clerk Wiegelman explained what was required to ensure a smooth transition to in-person or hybrid meetings and stated staff anticipated the changes would be implemented by the April 12, 2022, City Council meeting.

Council questions and comments ensued.

Dianne Osterling spoke in support of holding hybrid meetings of the legislative bodies.

Susan Wayne submitted a comment in support of continuing to permit virtual public comment after returning to in-person meetings.

• Resolution No. 2022-018
  Moved by Councilmember Parent
  Seconded by Mayor Arapostathis

  (1)  Adopt the Resolution making findings pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, as amended by Assembly Bill 361, and re-authorizing the continued use of virtual meetings of the legislative bodies of the City of La Mesa for the 30-day period beginning March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022; (2) Return to in-person/hybrid meetings of the legislative bodies beginning Tuesday, April 12, 2022; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to return the meetings of the legislative bodies to fully virtual if and when there is an indoor mask mandate in place.

  Yes (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

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

Councilmember Baber announced he would not be running for re-election in 2022.

Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.