Seth Smith appointed to fill vacant Lemon Grove City Council seat

Lemon Grove now has a full City Council, nearly five months after the sudden death of Councilmember Steve Faiai in July.

Seth Smith was appointed to serve the remaining year of Faiai’s term during Tuesday’s meeting. This was the City Council’s second attempt to select an appointee.

The 14-year Lemon Grove resident and architectural designer currently serves as chair of the Lemon Grove Planning Commission. Smith unsuccessfully ran for a City Council seat in 2024.

Council members interviewed Smith, 37, and seven other candidates during Tuesday’s meeting. Each candidate was asked the same six questions, two of which were submitted by the public and one each by the four council members.

The City Council opted to use a system where each member’s top pick received eight points, the second-highest got seven, decreasing by one point for each lower ranking. The total points showed which candidate had the most support.

Smith came out on top by just one point, garnering 22 total points. Trailing close behind was Minola Clark Manson with 21 points and Joseph Smith with 20 points.

In somewhat of a shake-up, Seth Smith was not the top pick for any of the four council members. He was ranked second by Mayor Alysson Snow and third by Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza.

After the points were calculated, the City Council unanimously voted to appoint him.

Each applicant was allowed a two-minute opening statement, one minute to answer each question and one minute to close.

During his opening statement, Smith said he has been on the Planning Commission for nearly eight years and once interned with the city planning department.

“That has allowed me to really experience what city planning policy can do, things that we can change in city planning policy that can really help generate economic activity, and what those policies can do to help beautify our city and bring communities together,” he said.

By increasing staffing, particularly in the engineering sector, the city could complete repairs to infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks more efficiently, he said.

City leaders asked each candidate what their vision would be for public safety in the community, and how the Sheriff’s Office would play a role.

Increased police presence would benefit the community, Smith said, adding that the city’s recently launched community oriented policing program will likely improve public safety.

Each candidate was asked how they would approach controversial and complicated issues that divide the community.

“When we have an issue that we need feedback on, we go to the community,” Smith said.

While answering a question about financial audits, he reiterated that increased staffing would help the city address issues in a more timely manner.

For instance, a portion of the revenue generated by the city’s recently passed sales tax increase could be spent on expanding staffing, he continued, adding that “we are asking very few staff to do a lot of things.”

The other candidates interviewed Tuesday who were not among the council’s top three choices were Brianna Bearce, Sophia Felix, Stephen Brown, Victor Vega and Yasmin Mendoza. Amanda Martin and Jennifer Hopper had originally applied, but dropped out.

Ten community members spoke in favor of Joseph Smith, three spoke in favor of Manson and one spoke in favor of Stephen Brown.

“My condolences to our council member who has passed,” Seth Smith said, in closing out his statements to the City Council. “We really need to take this moment to come together as a community.”

He will be sworn in during the council’s next regular meeting on Dec. 16. The remainder of his term lasts through December 2026.