Lemon Grove Development News
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Regular City Council Meeting 6/19/2026
Published: Jun 19, 2026
Lemon Grove Council Votes to Put Bird Sale Ban Initiative on November Ballot
The city council received and filed a certification of sufficiency for a citizen initiative measure aimed at restricting the sale of birds in pet stores within Lemon Grove. The initiative, titled 'An Initiative Measure Restricting the Sale of Birds in the City of Lemon Grove,' requires that birds sold in pet stores must be obtained exclusively from animal shelters, humane societies, or nonprofit rescue organizations, with pet stores receiving no financial benefit from these adoptions. The city clerk verified that over 2,135 valid signatures were collected, surpassing the required threshold. The council was presented with three options: direct adoption of the ordinance, submission to voters in the November 2026 general election, or ordering an impact report. Staff recommended submitting the measure to voters. Following extensive public comment from proponents and opponents, and after discussion regarding potential legal risks and the desire for voter input, the council voted 3-2 to submit the initiative to the voters in November 2026, rather than adopting it directly or commissioning an impact report.
Lemon Grove Council Reviews Draft FY2026-2027 Budget, Debates Staffing and Community Priorities
The city council discussed the draft operating budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, projecting a balanced budget with revenues and expenditures around $22 million. The budget includes proposed increases for city clerk software, community services, fire department EMS and dispatch, law enforcement contract increases, public works facilities maintenance, a new community development services director, election costs, and a compensation study. Several council members raised concerns about specific line items, particularly regarding the community development director position and the need for increased code enforcement, while others supported the proposed budget as presented, highlighting the substantial allocation to public safety. A public comment raised concerns about the city manager search funding and using Measure T funds for the COPS program instead of the general fund. The council engaged in extensive discussion regarding the staffing needs in community development and code enforcement, the cost of the community development director position, and the possibility of hiring a community service officer. They ultimately decided to hold the funding for the director position pending a compensation study and further discussion, while acknowledging the ongoing recruitment for a community service officer. Additionally, a proposal for a $50,000 grant program for local nonprofits was discussed, with a need for program guidelines before disbursement.
Lemon Grove Council Delays Decision on Tenant Protection Ordinance Amidst Community Feedback
The city council discussed potential tenant protection policies, reviewing state law (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) and options for local enhancements. The Tenant Protection Act (TPA) establishes rent caps and just cause eviction protections, which local governments can strengthen. Public outreach included workshops and feedback from tenants, landlords, and the planning commission. Tenants expressed concerns about rent increases, unjust evictions, displacement due to rising costs or redevelopment, and housing instability, particularly for vulnerable populations. Landlords raised concerns about increased operational costs, administrative burdens, and difficulties in addressing non-payment of rent, property damage, or disruptive behavior under stricter eviction rules. The council reviewed policy options including applying protections from day one of tenancy, narrowing the definition of 'substantial remodel' for evictions, requiring permits for remodel-based evictions, offering a right to return or right of first refusal for displaced tenants, increasing relocation assistance beyond state minimums, applying protections to a broader range of housing units by removing exemptions (e.g., single-family homes), strengthening protections against landlord harassment and retaliation, and implementing civil penalties and enhanced enforcement mechanisms. The urgency ordinance, set to expire in August, provided enhanced relocation assistance for certain tenant categories. The council decided to postpone further deliberation and discussion until the second meeting in June to allow more time for digestion of information and potential direction to staff for drafting an ordinance.
Measure T Committee Proposes $4.7M Spending Plan; Council Debates Fire Truck Purchase and COPS Funding
The Measure T Oversight Committee presented its spending plan recommendations for fiscal year 2026-2027, proposing $4.719 million in expenditures. Key recommendations included replacing an aging fire engine, funding the COPS program, establishing a revolving loan fund for small businesses ($200,000), economic development consulting ($80,000), a summer camp for homeless kids, bulk item waste collection events, building maintenance and repairs ($100,000), recreation center restrooms, street and park lighting improvements (increased funding for Ver Street Park), Madera Street traffic improvements, street maintenance, traffic signal improvements ($100,000), storm drain maintenance ($140,000), dump trucks, and utility trucks. The committee also debated the funding source for the COPS program, questioning why it was proposed to be funded by Measure T again instead of the general fund. Council members expressed concerns about the proposed fire engine purchase due to ongoing antitrust lawsuits against manufacturers, the inclusion of the COPS program in Measure T, the potential financial impact of additional recommendations from staff totaling $1.2 million, and the need for more conservative spending given revenue projections. The council ultimately decided to send the additional $1.2 million in project recommendations back to the Measure T committee for re-evaluation and further input, and to review the COPS program's funding source. They also discussed potentially joining antitrust lawsuits related to fire truck manufacturing. Several council members emphasized respecting the committee's recommendations and using Measure T for its intended purposes as outlined in the voter-approved measure.
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The Lemon Grove News archive
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