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Lemon Grove discusses strategic priorities: homelessness, lighting, rec/senior center and economic development among top items
Summary
Council reviewed staff’s recommendation of eight priorities derived from an April workshop — including homelessness outreach, a lighting initiative, recreation and senior center opening, an economic development study, sidewalk improvements, and a regional revolving loan program — and gave staff direction to carry the list forward into the budget process.
City staff presented recommended strategic goals on May 5 based on an April workshop and resident input; the staff list condensed council and community priorities into eight proposed goals the city would pursue over the coming year.
Interim City Manager Tony Weddy said staff used the workshop results and resident rankings to propose eight priorities: (1) homelessness response (coordinating with service providers and pursuing grants for outreach), (2) a lighting initiative for downtown and public spaces, (3) reopening or establishing recreation and senior center services, (4) an economic development study to target businesses and improve sales tax revenue, (5) sidewalk improvements with at least one project in the fiscal year, (6) planning and permitting process improvements, (7) a local business revolving loan program in partnership with the East County EDC, and (8) a phased redesign of Broadway to improve walkability and gathering spaces.
Staff noted trade‑offs and resource constraints and said the city’s role will vary by goal; some items would require grant funding or consultant work. Weddy pointed to the East County revolving loan program as an example of regional collaboration: the council discussed a $20,000 Lemon Grove contribution to a larger ~$400,000 federal grant and partner contributions that would create about an $800,000 fund to provide low‑dollar loans (up to $50,000) and advising to start‑ups and entrepreneurs.
Public comment from Manola Clark urged better accessibility and raised concern about using Measure T funding for ongoing programs such as the COPS public‑safety work; Clark said Measure T should not become a permanent funding source for recurring obligations. Councilmembers echoed that point and said operating costs should be prioritized from recurring revenue rather than one‑time funds.
Councilmembers discussed staffing needs, enforcement of existing ordinances, and the feasibility of a vacant commercial property ordinance vs. outreach to property owners. On homelessness, staff reported that the regional point‑in‑time count for Lemon Grove fell from about 110 to 55 in the most recent count, a decrease staff attributed to regional outreach and a grant‑funded encampment resolution program.
Council provided general support for staff’s eight recommended goals and asked staff to return with budget and implementation detail at the May 19 meeting; members also requested additional clarity on COPS program costs, potential new positions and whether some ongoing services should be transitioned off Measure T funds.
No final formal vote to adopt the priorities occurred tonight; staff will follow up in the budget process.
