HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Febrary 04, 2019 - CCCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019 – 6:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Azusa met in regular session at the above date and time in the Azusa Auditorium located
at 213 E. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, CA 91702.
Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Chief of Police Hunt, Director of Human Resources &
Risk Management Bragg, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Quiroz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None given.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:32 P.M. to discuss the following:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section
54957.6.
City Negotiator: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager and Tanya Bragg, Director of Human Resources & Risk
Management
Organizations: SEIU (Service Employees International Union- Local 721), ACEA (Azusa City Employees
Association), AMMA (Azusa Middle Management Association), APOA (Azusa Police Officers
Association), CAPP (Civilian Association of Police Personnel), and APMA (Azusa Police Middle
Management Association)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government
Code, Section 54956.9 (d)(1).
Case Name: Pierson v. City of Azusa; Los Angeles Superior Court Case Nos. BC545310 & 14K06457
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Hull, Chief of Police Hunt, Director of Finance Johnson, Director
of Human Resources and Risk Management Bragg, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Bobadilla, Director of
Recreation and Family Services Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, Director of
Information Technology and Library Services Graf, Police Captain Bertelsen, Economic Development Specialist Campos,
Senior Management Analyst Ledet, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Quiroz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Pastor Greg Benton.
The invocation was given by Pastor Adrian Greer, Foothill Community Church.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Council reconvened at 7:31 P.M.; City Attorney Hull announced the following regarding Closed Session: There
was no reportable action; Mayor Pro-Tem Gonzales abstained from Item No. 2.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Jorge Marquez, City of Covina Councilmember and Water Quality Authority Representative, addressed the Council
to provide information about the Water Quality Authority.
Ms. Linda Escalera requested that additional police officers be hired; and suggested that the City participate in the Crime
Free Multi Housing Program.
Ms. Judith Morris inquired about the City’s plans for dealing with the homeless issue.
Ms. Lori Chisnell expressed her concerns about recent violence and requested additional lighting in the Atlantis Gardens
apartment complex.
REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
Public Safety Report (Oral Report)
Chief of Police Hunt provided an update on the recent increase in violent crimes stating that the recent violence is directly
related to two rival gangs targeting each other; the Police Department is actively working to address the violence; the
following neighboring agencies are assisting the Police Department: Baldwin Park, Claremont, Covina, El Monte,
Irwindale, Pomona, Upland, West Covina, United States Marshall Service, Los Angeles County District Attorney
Investigators Office, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; over the past 3 weeks, violent crimes have been
reduced, there have been multiple arrests, and 2 guns have been recovered; the Police Department used a drone to identify
which areas need an increase in lighting and Staff has made the appropriate lighting changes; a multi-location search
warrant was obtained and searches were conducted in 9 locations and resulted in the recovery of evidence and 3 additional
arrests; Parent Meetings have been held at Azusa and Gladstone High Schools; and additional crime reporting resources
were provided.
Chief of Police Hunt also responded to concerns about the homeless stating that the Police Department has a Homeless
Assistance Liaison Officer (HALO) Program; The Cities of Azusa, Glendora, Covina, and West Covina share resources;
Los Angeles County Chiefs received funds to provide outreach to the homeless, the funds cannot be used for enforcement;
and the City’s Neighborhood Connections Program is available to provide resources to those in need.
In response to the public comment regarding the hiring of additional police officers, Chief of Police Hunt stated that the
Police Department has hired 23 officers over the past year but due to the recent and upcoming retirements, it has been
difficult to keep positions filled; and the Police Department is maximizing resources and looking for ways to police
smarter.
In response to questions posed by the Council, Chief of Police Hunt stated that when dealing with the loitering of
homeless individuals, officers must determine whether or not criminal behavior exists; not much action can be taken if
there is no criminal behavior, but officers will still provide service outreach; if there is criminal behavior, action will be
taken and arrests will be made; the Police Department will continue with outreach efforts; liability exists when laws
specifically targeting the homeless are enacted; the City has a graffiti removal program which removes graffiti within 24
hours; and an overview of the graffiti removal was provided.
City Manager Gonzalez stated that he will meet with the Chief of Police and Neighborhood Watch Program to further
explore the Crime Free Multi Housing Program, which was mentioned during Public Participation; he also thanked the
Chief and the Police Department for their hard work; and introduced Mr. Matt Marquez, the newly hired Director of
Economic and Community Development.
Mayor Pro-Tem Gonzales expressed his appreciation of Chief Hunt and the entire Police Department; provided
information about the Independent Cities Association Conference in Santa Barbara, that he recently attended, which
focused on emergency preparedness, the importance of a good EOC, and properly maintaining streets; announced the 14th
Annual Casino Night on February 15, 2019 at the American Legion Post 180.
Councilmember Carrillo also attended the Independent Cities Association Conference in Santa Barbara; discussed the
importance of law enforcement/emergency services mutual aid; expressed his appreciation of the Police Department and
other support departments which assist as well; and announced tryouts for Azusa Softball Little League on February 9,
2019.
Councilmember Macias thanked Chief Hunt for his update and for the hard work; expressed his appreciation for those
individuals that make a difference in the community and encouraged mentoring the youth in our community; welcomed
Director of Economic and Community Development Director Marquez; and encouraged everyone to support local
business as the sales tax revenue makes a difference.
PAGE TWO – 2/4/2019
Councilmember Alvarez thanked Chief Hunt for his public safety update; encouraged parents to get their kids involved in
some type of extracurricular activity; and wished everyone safe travels during the President’s Day weekend.
Mayor Rocha announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Mr. Luis “Cheto” Gomez and Ms. Dena
Nevarette Jimenez, Lifelong Azusa Residents. He stated that many families joined Azusa Beautiful to plant trees during
the past weekend, which provided an opportunity for families to spend quality time together, and encouraged everyone to
participate in other activities; announced the following events: February 9 – Be-A-Walker Program at Gladstone Park,
February 9 – Foothill Vista Park Community Meeting, February 12 – Small Group Discussion with families at 777 E.
Alosta, and February 19 – Water Update by Utilities Director Robledo; and asked that everyone keep the service men and
women and first responders in their daily prayers.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Macias, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo and carried by the
following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-6.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS (Item E-1 only)
1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 22, 2019 were approved as written.
2. Resolution No. 2019-C04 was adopted and entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID.
3. The Human Resources Action Items, in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules Section 5.75 and
applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), were approved as follows:
Merit Increase and/or Regular Appointment: Y. Cardenas, C. Davis, S. Huval, C. Paredes III
New Appointment: K. Rosenfelt, E. Sandoval, A. Baines
Promotion: B. Hale
Separation: R. Montes, T. Bailey-Hudson.
4. The City Manager was authorized to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with California Joint Powers Insurance
Authority for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Assistance Program.
5. A Professional Services Agreement with Project Dimensions, Inc. to serve as the City’s Owner’s Representative for
the Promenade at Citrus (890 The Promenade) was approved in an amount not to exceed $76,000; and the City
Manager was authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
6. The plans and specifications for the ED2018-Bus Charger Project for the relocation of the Foothill Transit main
switchgear, were approved; and Staff was authorized to advertise and solicit bids for the Project.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED JANUARY
17, 2019 THROUGH JANUARY 30, 2019
Agency Member Gonzales offered Resolution No. 2019-R04 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY
OF AZUSA ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS TO BE PAID OUT OF SUCCESSOR AGENCY
FUNDS
Moved by Agency Member Gonzales, seconded by Agency Member Alvarez, and carried by unanimous vote of the
Agency to adopt Resolution No. 2019-R04.
AYES: AGENCY MEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA
NOES: AGENCY MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: AGENCY MEMBERS: NONE
PAGE THREE – 2/4/2019
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the City Council in memory of Mr. Luis “Cheto” Gomez and Ms. Dena
Nevarette Jimenez, Lifelong Azusa Residents.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:34 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2019-5 (City)
NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2019-01
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2019-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency)
NEXT MEETINGS: February 19, 2019 and March 4, 2019.
PAGE FOUR – 2/4/2019