La Mesa City Council

Minutes of a Regular Meeting

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
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.


1.

  

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

  

1.2

  

2.

  

City Attorney Sabine announced there were no reportable actions.

3.

  

City Manager Humora reported on the point-in-time count for people experiencing homelessness.

4.

  

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

5.

  

This presentation was deleted from the agenda.

Finance Director Royales reported on the national, state and local economic outlook, state budget issues, the performance of the City’s General Fund, and Proposition L benchmarks for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Chief Sweeney presented the crime statistics for the quarter ending March 31, 2022, explained the statistics in the various crime categories and highlighted recently solved cases. Chief Sweeney briefly discussed the Department’s proactive operations and strategic enforcement to help reduce crime and also reviewed various community outreach activities that took place. Chief Sweeney announced the recent graduations and recognitions of service of Police Department team members.

Following Council questions and comments, no action was taken.

The presentation of the School Safety Patrol Awards was deleted from the agenda.

Michael Matteucci spoke regarding adding traffic calming measures to Eastridge Drive.

Luis Valdivia, San Diego County Fair representative, spoke regarding the various activities and events that would be happening at the San Diego County Fair and invited all to attend.

William Best spoke regarding the permit review and approval process.

8.

  

There were no conflict of interest disclosures.

9.

  

(Items 9.1 through 9.8)

Jean-Guillaume Lonjaret spoke on Item 9.7 regarding the appropriate allocation of funds for Climate Action Plan related programs and projects.

Councilmember Baber requested Item 9.7 be pulled for separate consideration.

  • Moved ByMayor Arapostathis
    Seconded ByCouncilmember Baber

    Approve Consent Calendar Items 9.1 through 9.8, except for Item 9.7

    For (5)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (5 to 0)

9.7

This item has attachments.  

 

RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AWARD AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM AS PRESENTED, SUBJECT TO THE FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 22-13 FOR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2 CONSULTING SERVICES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ENERGY POLICY INITIATIVES CENTER FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $100,000

Councilmember Baber requested the Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Subcommittee meet with the University of San Diego Energy Policy Initiative Center ("EPIC") to review the City's priorities for the project. 

Council questions and comments ensued.

Wendy Mihalic submitted a comment regarding the Climate Action Plan amendment meeting the scope and scale of the climate crisis.

Councilmember Lothian stated she would be voting no on the motion because she felt the City should focus on local issues more than global issues.

  • Resolution No. 2022-045
    Moved ByVice Mayor Shu
    Seconded ByCouncilmember Baber

    Adopt Resolution.

    For (4)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, and Councilmember Parent
    Against (1)Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (4 to 1)

10.

  

Notice of the hearing was given in accordance with legal requirements, and the hearing was held on the date and at the time specified in the notice.

Mayor Arapostathis opened the hearing for Item 10.1.

Director of Public Works Throne presented the City’s Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), discussed the transportation projects to be funded with RTIP and TransNet funds, and reviewed the projects that would be receiving state and federal funds. Director of Public Works Throne said staff recommends the Council adopt the resolution approving the Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan and TransNet program of projects for local street improvements.

The following members of the public spoke regarding adding traffic calming measures to Eastridge Drive:

Drake Garvin

Janet Castanos

David Messina

Gary Kiser

Council questions and comments ensued.

  • Moved ByMayor Arapostathis
    Seconded ByCouncilmember Parent

    Close the hearing.

    For (5)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (5 to 0)
  • Resolution No. 2022-046
    Moved ByVice Mayor Shu
    Seconded ByMayor Arapostathis

    Adopt Resolution adopting the TransNet Local Street Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027.

    For (5)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (5 to 0)

11.

  

Notice of the hearing was given in accordance with legal requirements, and the hearing was held on the date and at the time specified in the notice.

Mayor Arapostathis opened the hearing for Item 11.1.

Director of Public Works Throne provided background information about the City’s sewer system and the Wastewater Fund expenditures and revenues and discussed the key factors used to determine the proposed rates. Director of Public Works Throne reviewed the Proposition 218 process and explained how the proposed rates compared to other San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater System participating agencies.  Director of Public Works Throne said staff recommended the Council approve the proposed sewer rate increase of 3.4 percent in Fiscal Year 2023, 3.5 percent in Fiscal Year 2024, and 4.9 percent in Fiscal Year 2025 and approve the introduction and first reading of the Ordinance amending Chapter 17.12 of the La Mesa Municipal Code to adjust sewer service rates for Fiscal Years 2023 through 2025.

Nina Babiarz spoke regarding the transparency of the adjustment process for sewer service.

Jean-Guillaume Lonjaret spoke on implementing incentives for residents to reduce their water usage.

Council questions and comments ensued.

City Attorney Sabine read the title of the Ordinance.

  • Moved ByMayor Arapostathis
    Seconded ByCouncilmember Parent

    Close the hearing.

    For (5)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (5 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncilmember Parent
    Seconded ByMayor Arapostathis

    Approve the proposed sewer rate increase of 3.4 percent in Fiscal Year 2023, 3.5 percent in Fiscal Year 2024, and 4.9 percent in Fiscal Year 2025 and approve the introduction and first reading of the Ordinance.

    For (5)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, Councilmember Parent, and Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (5 to 0)

12.

  

 

RESOLUTION URGING THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT STOP AAPI HATE'S NO PLACE FOR HATE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO ADDRESS STREET HARASSMENT FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH AND CIVIL RIGHTS FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 2549, INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLY MEMBERS MIA BONTA, AL MURATSUCHI, AND AKILAH WEBER TO PREVENT STREET HARASSMENT, AND ITS CORRESPONDING BUDGET REQUEST; CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE BILL NO. 1161, INTRODUCED BY SENATOR DAVE MIN TO PREVENT STREET HARASSMENT ON PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND ITS CORRESPONDING BUDGET REQUEST; AND CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 2448, INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER PHIL TING TO PREVENT HARASSMENT IN PRIVATE BUSINESSES - VICE MAYOR SHU AND COUNCILMEMBER PARENT

Vice Mayor Shu read the proposed Resolution and explained the purpose and intent of the Resolution.

Council questions and comments ensued.

The following members of the public spoke in support of adopting the proposed Resolution:

Mejgan Afshan

Janet Castanos

Bohdan Kniahynyckyj spoke regarding the rise in hate crimes.

Council questions and comments continued.

Councilmember Lothian stated she would be voting no on the motion because she felt that although the legislative package was in the study stage, there would be a lot wrong with it down the road since it seemed to focus on government censoring speech. 

  • Resolution No. 2022-047
    Moved ByVice Mayor Shu
    Seconded ByCouncilmember Baber

    Adopt Resolution.

    For (4)Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Shu, Councilmember Baber, and Councilmember Parent
    Against (1)Councilmember Lothian
    Approved (4 to 1)

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

14.

  

There were no reports.

15.

  

There were no remarks.

16.

  

At 7:30 p.m., Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting in honor and memory of the victims of the Uvalde, Texas school shooting.

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