La Mesa City Council

Minutes of a Regular Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Location:

City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue

La Mesa, California

Present:

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

Staff:

• City Manager Humora
• 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.

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.

REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION

City Clerk Wiegelman on behalf of City Attorney Sabine, announced there were no reportable actions.

3.

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

There were no comments.

4.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN REPORTS

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

5.

ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

6.

PRESENTATION

6.1

CITY OF LA MESA CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTATION

Environmental Program Manager Ego provided a PowerPoint presentation on the progress of the City's Climate Action Plan ("CAP"), highlighting the CAP resolutions and implementation, projects in the areas of energy, transportation, solid waste, green infrastructure, and water, and the 2023 priority projects.

Council questions and comments ensued. 

7.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)

Dianne Osterling spoke regarding solar energy and affordable housing.

Aaron Amerling spoke regarding the appointment to fill the unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission. 

8.

CONFLICT DISCLOSURES

There were no conflict of interest disclosures.

9.

BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS

9.1

INTERVIEW OF APPLICANTS FOR UNSCHEDULED VACANCIES ON THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION

City Clerk Wiegelman briefly explained the interview process.

The following applicants spoke regarding their qualifications and interest in being appointed to the Youth Advisory Commission:

Jackson Banthrum

Adriana Flores

City Clerk Wiegelman said the appointments would be made at the next City Council meeting.

Following the interviews, no action was taken.

10.

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

10.1

RESOLUTION APPOINTING A MEMBER TO FILL THE UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION

Mayor Arapostathis nominated Renee Bareno for appointment to the Arts and Culture Commission.

• Resolution No. 2023-005
  Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Vice Mayor Parent

  Approve the appointment of Renee Bareno to the Arts and Culture Commission and adopt Resolution confirming the appointment.

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

10.2

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

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

Gregg Ward, Police Beat 1 Resident representative

Janet Castanos, Helix Charter High School representative

Caitlin Tiffany, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District representative

Christian DeMent, La Mesa Faith Based Community representative

Lauren M. Cazares, Young Adult representative

Robert Duff, Older Adult representative

• Resolution No. 2023-006
  Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Vice Mayor Parent

  Approve the appointment of Gregg Ward and Lauren Cazares and the reappointment of Janet Castanos, Christian DeMent, Caitlin Tiffany, and Robert Duff to the Community Police Oversight Board and adopt the Resolution confirming the appointments and reappointments.

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

10.3

RESOLUTION APPOINTING A MEMBER TO FILL THE UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION

City Clerk Wiegelman explained the nomination process for the Planning Commission.

The Council began the open nomination process for the unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission.

City Clerk Wiegelman announced the nominations as follows:

Round 1:

Mayor Arapostathis nominated Kathleen Brand.

Vice Mayor Parent nominated Jonathan Frankel.

Councilmember Dillard nominated Jonathan Frankel.

Councilmember Lothian nominated Blake Baylin.

Councilmember Shu nominated Jonathan Frankel.

City Clerk Wiegelman announced that Jonathan Frankel had received a majority nomination.

• Resolution No. 2023-007
  Moved By Vice Mayor Parent
  Seconded By Councilmember Shu

  Approve the appointment of Jonathan Frankel to the Planning Commission and adopt the Resolution confirming the appointment.

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

  Approved (4 to 1)

11.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Bonnie Baranoff submitted a comment on Item 12.6.

Dianne Osterling spoke on Items 12.2 and 12.7.

City Treasurer Strabone spoke on Item 12.3.

12.

CONSENT CALENDAR

(Items 12.1 through 12.7)

Vice Mayor Parent requested Item 12.3 be pulled for separate consideration.

• Moved By Vice Mayor Parent
  Seconded By Mayor Arapostathis

  Approve Consent Calendar Items 12.1 through 12.7, except for Item 12.3.

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

12.1

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

• Approve.

12.2

RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953, AS AMENDED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 361, AND RE-AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED USE OF VIRTUAL AND/OR HYBRID MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2023

• Resolution No. 2023-008

  Adopt Resolution.

12.4

APPROVAL OF UPDATING THE BANK CONTRACTING OFFICER AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE NEW CITY TREASURER

• Approve.

12.5

INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

• Receive and file.

12.6

HOMELESS OUTREACH AND MOBILE ENGAGEMENT (HOME) PROGRAM QUARTERLY REPORT (OCTOBER 2022 - DECEMBER 2022)

Bonnie Baranoff

Dear Honorable Mayor, City Councilmembers, Chief Sweeney, and City Staff -- Thank you for sharing the Oct–Dec 2022 Quarterly HOME Program report. Seeing continual service and housing progress for our poor and unhoused neighbors is encouraging. Matthew and Earl continue to do an outstanding job with limited time and resources. With the HOME Program's success amid a challenging rental market, I look forward to seeing how La Mesa continues to expand the City's ability to connect homeless residents to transitional and permanent housing opportunities, an initiative in the 2021-2026 Homeless Action Plan. Also, La Mesa lacks emergency or recuperative housing, and the East Region lacks enough shelter beds to fulfill the need. As you may recall, La Mesa City Council approved the MOU for Homelessness Services on May 10, 2022. The MOU brings together all four East County cities and the County to collaboratively address shared emergency and longer-term housing solutions in the East Region. Let's see some action with the action plan and the MOU. Thank you.

• Receive and file.

12.7

RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ERRATA TO RESOLUTION NO. 2023-004 CORRECTING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $270,195 TO $362,460 TO CHEN RYAN ASSOCIATES FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING OF LA MESA BOULEVARD COMPLETE STREET DESIGN SEGMENT 2 PROJECT

• Resolution No. 2023-009

  Adopt Resolution.

12.3

APPROVAL OF THE POLICY AND CHECKLIST FOR NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS ORIENTATION AND THE CHECKLIST FOR OUTGOING ELECTED OFFICIALS 

Vice Mayor Parent requested the following items be added to the La Mesa Newly Elected Official Incoming Office Checklist:

• Introduction with vendors, including the brokers with whom the City Treasurer conducts business with;
• Orientation appointment with appropriate staff, including the City Manager and Director of Finance, to explain the City Treasurer's quarterly report, the City's investment committee and audit committee, and the necessary delegation of authority; 
• An eScribe orientation with the City Clerk; and
• Provide a City lapel pin.

Councilmember Dillard requested the following item be added to the La Mesa Newly Elected Official Incoming Office Checklist:

• Provide written instructions on how to set up the voicemail on the City provided cell phone.

• Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Vice Mayor Parent

  Approve, as amended, to add the following items to the La Mesa Newly Elected Official Incoming Office Checklist: (1) introduction with vendors, including the brokers with whom the City Treasurer conducts business with; (2) orientation appointment with appropriate staff, including the City Manager and Director of Finance, to explain the City Treasurer's quarterly report, the City's investment committee and audit committee, and the necessary delegation of authority; (3) an eScribe orientation with the City Clerk; (4) provide a City lapel pin; (5) provide written instructions on how to set up the voicemail on the City provided cell phone.

   

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

13.

STAFF REPORT

13.1

WAITE PARK PRESENTATION

PRESENTATION OF WAITE PARK DRAFT MASTER PLAN AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $70,000 FOR THE WAITE PARK MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FROM GENERAL FUND UNALLOCATED RESERVES AND AWARDING A TASK ORDER TO HELIX ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, INC. TO PREPARE TECHNICAL STUDIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)

Director of Community Services Richardson gave a brief background on Waite Park and introduced Glen Schmidt, Principal at Schmidt Design Group, who provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Waite Park Draft Master Plan, highlighting the site and its history, the community outreach efforts, the community feedback, and the Master Plan design features.

Council questions and comments ensued.

Matt Bohan, Chair of the Community Services Commission, spoke in support of the item.

Parker Ross, Vice Chair Community Services Commission, spoke in support of the item.

• Resolution No. 2023-010
  Moved By Councilmember Shu
  Seconded By Mayor Arapostathis

  Adopt Resolution.

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

14.

HEARING

14.1

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ORDERING THE SUMMARY VACATION OF AN EASEMENT ON TERRY LANE FOR PUBLIC UTILITY PURPOSES ENCUMBERING LOTS 68 THROUGH 87 PER MAP NO. 2608 FOR DENNSTEDT TERRACE

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 14.1.

Director of Public Works/City Engineer Throne explained the purpose and process of the vacation and described the location of the property.

Council questions and comments ensued.

• Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Vice Mayor Parent

  Close the hearing.

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)
• Resolution No. 2023-011
  Moved By Mayor Arapostathis
  Seconded By Vice Mayor Parent

  Adopt Resolution.

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

15.

COUNCIL INITIATED

15.1

CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FREE AND FAIR UNION ELECTIONS FOR SHARP GROSSMONT EMPLOYEES - VICE MAYOR PARENT AND COUNCILMEMBER SHU

Vice Mayor Parent and Councilmember Shu explained the intent and purpose for adopting a resolution in support of free and fair union elections for Sharp Grossmont employees.

The following members of the public spoke in support of adopting a resolution in support of free and fair union elections for Sharp Grossmont employees:

Kellen Latimer

Teresa Mariano

Joni Vargas

Fatima

Habacuc Serrano

Robert Yeider

Dianne Osterling spoke in opposition of adopting a resolution in support of free and fair union elections for Sharp Grossmont employees.

Council questions and comments ensued.

• Resolution No. 2023-012
  Moved By Councilmember Shu
  Seconded By Councilmember Dillard

  Adopt Resolution in support of free and fair union elections for Sharp Grossmont employees.

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

  Approved (4 to 1)

15.2

CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSAL TO CANCEL THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 14, 2023 - MAYOR ARAPOSTATHIS AND VICE MAYOR PARENT

Mayor Arapostathis and Vice Mayor Parent explained the purpose for cancelling the Regular meeting of the City Council scheduled for February 14, 2023 (Valentine's Day). 

Council questions and comments ensued.

• Moved By Vice Mayor Parent
  Seconded By Councilmember Shu

  Approve the cancellation of the Regular meeting of the City Council scheduled for February 14, 2023. 

  For (5)

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

  Approved (5 to 0)

16.

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.

17.

AB 1234 REPORTS (GC 53232.3 (d))

There were no reports.

18.

CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS

There were no remarks.

19.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.