LA MESA CITY COUNCIL ROUNDUP

Free parking extended, key appointments made

By Kristin Kjaero

January 14, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council held their first full meeting since being sworn into office in December.  

The annual State of the City address, outside Board council assignments, village parking meters, a marketing and communications plan, and the appointment of two students to the Youth Advisory Commission were the topics of the day.

Incoming Mayor, Mark Arapostathis, presented his first annual State of the City address, summing up developments of the previous year, which can be viewed in full here.

Outside board representation was divvied up among Councilmembers, most continuing from previous assignments. Kristine Alessio continues as the City’s SANDAG representative, with Ruth Sterling and Bill Baber as alternates. Guy McWhirter will attend Metropolitan Transit, replacing former Councilman Ernie Ewin. Ruth Sterling will continue with Heartland Communications and Heartland Fire Training. Bill Baber took on the Metro Wastewater JPA/Commission. In all, Arapostathis took 1 assignment as principle and one as alternate, Sterling two as principle and one as alternate, Alessio three as principle and one as alternate, Baber one as principle and two as alternate, and McWhirter two as principle and two as alternate.

The Council voted unanimously to continue free parking in the Village in 2015 because of the ongoing revitalization project construction. “It is difficult to determine whether [free parking] has been successful in attracting shoppers to the village,” the staff report said. Written public feedback was received from only nine people.

Staff presented the concept for a marketing and communications plan, previously requested by Ewin and Alessio. A $50,000 placeholder in the City Fiscal Year 2014-15 mid-year budget was recommended, and five goals suggested: to engage communities; utilize marketing to support economic development; highlight programs and services; ensure citywide adherence to branding; and evaluate and measure marketing outcomes. The Council approved these, and staff was requested to come back with detailed specifics regarding objectives and implementation, bidding process, and budgeting for a new City website update in the next budget cycle.

Savanah Baird of Parkway Middle School and Michael Plummer of Grossmont High School were appointed to the City’s Youth Advisory Commission.

In council reports McWhirter said he toured EDCO’s facilities. Baber reported that attending a League of California Cities meeting at which legislative lobbying priorities were charted for 2015-2016. Sterling reported that the Heartland Training building is antiquated and the liner is leaking, so they will be researching the possibilities and costs for replacement equipment.

Carol Lockwood spoke on behalf of the Flag Day Parade Committee, saying the parade will be help May 30 and is exploring a Wounded Warrior Rescue Dog theme for the Grand Marshall. The parade costs $15,000 funded by donations, for which they have collected $4,000 so far.

The full agenda Council packet with staff reports can be viewed here.