Gerardo Cerpa

The regular Spark meeting commenced, establishing a quorum among committee members present, with Vice Chair Carlton excused. Key discussions focused on the upcoming Bruisen Bites 2026 event. The committee reviewed the 2025 event's financial performance, noting a net revenue of $16,693, primarily from ticket sales, and acknowledged a deficit relative to funding goals for the revolving fund supporting voucher incentives, youth programming, and special events. Recommendations for the 2026 event included maintaining the Halloween theme, scheduled for October 17th, and implementing a tiered ticket pricing structure ($50 for early bird in June/July, $65 for Tier 1 in August/September, and $75 for Tier 2). Other revenue enhancement strategies discussed included increasing sponsorship focus, charging vendors for equipment rentals, and expanding silent auction/opportunity drawing items. Conversely, cost reduction measures proposed included reducing the food vendor stipend from $250 to $200, aiming to save over $5,000, and scrutinizing existing contracts. Discussions also addressed customer feedback regarding ticket fees and the need for more non-alcoholic beverage options for designated drivers.

The agenda for the meeting included several key actions. Under the Consent Calendar, approvals were sought for reading ordinances by title only, payment of demands, and approval of minutes from the January 28, February 11, and February 25, 2026 meetings. New Business featured a resolution to authorize the City Manager to approve the Sixth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with COAR Design Group for Interim Fire Station 24 design services, as well as a resolution awarding the construction contract for the Citywide Pavement Repair and Rehabilitation Program Phase 2 2025 to Hazard Construction Engr LLC. The agenda also allotted time for Non-Agenda Public Comment.

The proposed City of Santee Land Use Element Update is a policy document designed to update the City's 2003 General Plan to reflect changing conditions, legislative updates, and an evolving vision for the City's future. Its primary objectives include promoting vertical mixed-use development, enhancing mobility and reducing vehicle miles traveled, fostering fair housing, and expanding access to services and public spaces. The update introduces Community Hub and Community Corridor overlays to increase land use intensity and mixed-use development, and includes a re-designation of a parcel for medium-high residential use, accommodating future development and redevelopment.

The Land Use Element Update for the City of Santee provides a coordinated vision for the city's development over the next 20 years, with a horizon year of 2045. The plan emphasizes supporting a vibrant local economy, enhancing multimodal corridor access, and promoting housing affordability and livability. Key strategic areas include encouraging mixed-use and diverse housing options near the city's core and transit amenities, improving transportation choices and accessibility, preserving and enhancing parks and open spaces, and fostering local businesses and job opportunities. It aims to achieve a well-balanced mix of residential, commercial, industrial, open space, recreation, and civic uses, while also ensuring health and safety within airport influence areas.

The key discussion topics for the City Council included a Republic Services update regarding the Sycamore Landfill. The Consent Calendar featured routine items such as waiving the reading in full of ordinances and resolutions, approval of payment of demands, adoption of a resolution for the Community Development Commission Successor Agency's Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 26-27), approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Spicer Consulting Group, LLC for assessment engineering, second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending municipal code regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, adoption of a resolution revising the date for a Public Hearing to vacate excess right-of-way, adoption of a resolution proclaiming the termination of a local emergency related to extreme fire risk, and adoption of resolutions authorizing services agreements for homeless outreach and accessibility modifications using PLHA Grant Funds. Continued Business involved a staff update and recommendation regarding the feasibility study for constructing a fourth fire station in Northeast Santee. New Business centered on considering a resolution to cancel a summer 2026 regular meeting and reschedule the November 11, 2026, regular meeting.