Dear La Mesa, 

If you’ve passed by Collier Park recently, you’ve likely noticed the significant changes underway. Below is a summary of the progress made in recent weeks:

• The picnic shade structure was constructed and the multi-use tennis/pickleball courts were surfaced and striped.
• Pasadena Avenue was repaved.
• The “Collier Park” monument sign was erected.
• The installation of our nature-themed playground is underway using the salvaged timbers from trees previously on site. 
• The overflow parking area at the corner of 4th Street and Pasadena Avenue is being compacted with decomposed granite. 
• Tree and shrub planting is in progress, contributing to a greener and more vibrant park for the community to enjoy. 

Though the park looks ready for play, there are still a number of tasks to complete including installation of site furnishings and interpretive signs, grading of the east slope (History Hill) trail, and tree trimming. In January 2024, we plan on hosting a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration, with a "soft" opening anticipated by the end of 2023. Stay tuned for further details on this announcement.

Your City Manager,

Greg Humora

Did you know we have a resource known as the La Mesa GIS Hub? Here, you can access a variety of interactive maps, one of which is a story map showcasing ongoing development projects within the City. This map not only presents a visual representation of these projects but also offers brief project descriptions and status updates within the planning process.

The City's Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) Team has released their third-quarter report, summarizing their efforts and achievements from July to Sept. 2023. During this period, HOME outreach specialists contacted 71 individuals experiencing homelessness, enrolling 42 adults and one child in the HOME program, with several receiving short-term services. Additionally, eight people were connected to temporary or permanent housing. The HOME Team also responded to 447 service calls, historically managed by emergency services and law enforcement. This quarter, the HOME Team focused on the most vulnerable individuals in La Mesa, such as those with chronic physical and mental health conditions, households with children, and those facing chronic homelessness.

We'd like to extend an invitation for you to join us at our annual Park Appreciation Day on Saturday, Nov. 4. This event welcomes volunteers from our community to come together and help make our cherished La Mesa parks even better. We look forward to seeing you here!

The City of La Mesa is updating the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and is looking for your input! By taking a brief online survey, your feedback will help develop effective actions to address climate change in the La Mesa community. 

The La Mesa Municipal Pool will transition to winter hours starting Nov. 4, with adult lap swim hours available until Nov. 22. The pool will then close for winter maintenance and reopen in January 2024.

Join Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. for the 79th Assembly District Annual Turkey Giveaway & Health Fair! The event will be held at the La Mesa Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

We anticipate a large crowd with limited parking, therefore we encourage you to use public transportation.

City Council Meeting Overview: Oct. 24, 2023

The City Council appointed six members to the Youth Advisory Board. Join us in welcoming:

• Aydan Carey
• Zaida Donnelly 
• Shannon Elwin
• Lamek Eyasu
• Sonija Lam
• Sophia Marin

Do you know someone who would make a great addition to the Youth Advisory Commission? We currently have five vacancies! Members should be between 13 and 20 years of age. Appointees must either live in La Mesa or attend school within the city.

Improvements include EV charging stations, a new trash enclosure, additional handicap accessible parking spots, increased green infrastructure, new light poles, and a new bike repair station. In August of 2023, the City received $250,000 in grant funding courtesy of Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. to assist with the installation of new EV charging stations, of which $234,562 will be applied to this project. Construction will begin in January 2024.

The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, located at 8130 Allison Ave.

Sign up for Notify Me to stay informed on when the latest City Council meeting agenda is available for viewing.

Planning Commission Meeting 

Nov. 1

6 p.m.

Ready to make a positive impact on your community?

Become a part of a Board or Commission! 

• La Mesa Community Parking Commission - one vacancy

• Community Services Commission - one vacancy

• Arts and Culture Commission - one vacancy

• Design Review Board - one vacancy

• Youth Advisory Commission - five vacancies

Mayor Arapostathis recently paid a visit to Helix Charter High School students participating in CASA Neighborhoods' after-school program, "Be the Change: Community Action 101." As part of this program, the students must conduct an interview with an elected official, and their choice was the Mayor himself. This opportunity allowed them to hone their professional communication skills and gain firsthand experience in civic engagement.

Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 7. This special run-off election is to fill the vacant seat in the County’s Fourth Supervisorial District for the remainder of the current term ending in Jan. 2027.

Mark your calendars for an on-site paper shredding event! Swing by the La Mesa Public Works yard, 8152 Commercial Street, on Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon – no need to schedule an appointment!

Native Landscaping Workshop 

A big thanks to everyone who joined us at MacArthur Park Community Garden for a Native Landscaping workshop last weekend!

Shout out to all the volunteers who pitched in for our monthly Litter Free La Mesa cleanup on Riviera Drive in collaboration with I Love A Clean San Diego!



• 212 pounds of trash collected
• 27 pounds of recyclables collected
• 3 jars worth of bottle caps collected
• Total pounds of litter removed from the environment: 239

Would you like to volunteer at the next Litter Free La Mesa? Join us on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Boulevard Drive clean up event. 

Registration is now open for a diverse range of Winter classes offered by the City of La Mesa Community Services department. Sign up today!

The La Mesa Police Department, in collaboration with the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, is hosting its 11th annual Holiday Toy Drive until Nov. 30th. Drop off new toys at the La Mesa Police Department, 8085 University Ave., to support local military families.

News Desk | City Manager's Office

619-667-1191 news@cityoflamesa.us