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Council approves $70,000 for Civic Spark fellows to support Climate Action Plan work; one councilmember objects
Summary
La Mesa approved $70,000 to hire two Civic Spark fellows through a Public Health Institute contract to support Climate Action Plan implementation; the measure passed 4–1 after public criticism about climate spending and program cost-effectiveness.
The City Council on Sept. 9 approved a $70,000 agreement with the Public Health Institute to bring Civic Spark fellows to La Mesa to support Climate Action Plan implementation, voting 4–1.
A public commenter raised objections to the item, questioning the amount spent on climate work and asking whether residents see value from prior Climate Action Plan spending. The commenter said the city had already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on climate planning and criticized continued allocations for CAP implementation, adding that the city’s priorities should include road repairs, homeless encampments, and other local services.
Hillary Ego, who the mayor invited to speak, described the Civic Spark Fellowship program as a hands‑on training opportunity for recent college graduates. “The Civic Spark Fellowship grama is a program that it provides a hands on direct experience for recent college graduates,” she said, explaining fellows work full time on climate action plan projects and have helped the city implement programs in prior years.
City staff confirmed the $70,000 contract covers two fellows who serve as contractors through a statewide program administered by the Public Health Institute, rather than as city full‑time employees. A councilmember who supports the program said prior fellows have gone on to careers in nearby cities and called the fellowship “money well spent.”
After discussion, Councilmember Dillard, Councilmember Suzuki, Vice Mayor Casares and Mayor Mark Rapastathis voted yes; Councilmember Lothian voted no. The motion carried and the city will contract with the Public Health Institute for the Civic Spark fellowship positions to support Climate Action Plan work.
