City of La Mesa City Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2026

The City of La Mesa City Council held its regular meeting on October 13, 2026. The main fiscal action was a first-reading ordinance, approved 4–1, to increase the retail cannabis business tax from 4% to 5% of gross receipts, effective January 1, 2027. Staff said the increase followed council direction and would bring La Mesa closer to regional rates; one council member opposed it, citing the tax burden on cannabis businesses. A second-reading ordinance revising membership requirements for certain boards and commissions passed unanimously. The council also approved the consent calendar, whose items were not detailed in the transcript, and appointed nine members to the Youth Advisory Commission, with the vice mayor abstaining.

Public comments raised concerns about speeding on Laird Street and requested speed humps and additional traffic study; no action was taken on those requests. A pedestrian safety concern was also raised about railing height and sidewalk conditions near Grossmont Center Drive. The speaker referenced a planned bridge expansion project that could be delayed by lack of funding. No contract awards, vendor selections, bids, or other procurement actions were identified.