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Home My WebLink AboutE-1 - Minutes Regular Meeting, December 16, 2019CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 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 Bertelsen, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Quiroz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. PUBLIC COMMENT None given. CLOSED SESSION The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:31 P.M. to discuss the following: 1.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.9(d)(1). Case Name: Jose Jesus Juarez v. City of Azusa; United States District Court Case No. 2:16-cv-07498-VAP-GJS REGULAR SESSION Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 Bertelsen, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Director of Economic and Community Development Marquez, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Utilities Robledo, Interim Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Quiroz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Daniel Lee. The invocation was given by Mr. Marco Martinez. CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Council reconvened at 7:30 P.M.; City Attorney Martinez announced the following regarding Closed Session: Item 1 – City Council heard a presentation from legal counsel regarding the status of the case, no reportable action. CONSENT ITEM E-1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 1/21/2020 PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Jorge V. Rosales wished everyone a Merry Christmas; and commented on Item D-3 stating that Staff should consider paying off the Enterprise unfunded liability and only issue Pension Bonds in order to reduce the amount of interest paid. REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL 1. 2020 US Census Presentation by Daniel Lee, Partnership Specialist U.S. Census Bureau, LA Regional Census Center. Mr. Daniel Lee, U.S. Census Partnership Specialist, provided information about the U.S. Census and the importance of having an accurate count. April 1 is the designated Census Day. 2. Water Supply Update. Director of Utilities Robledo provided a water supply update stating that the Water Table is up nearly 43 feet from its low; the rain season has produced 6” of rain; and water for drought recovery is still being imported. Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Councilmember Macias thanked the Police Department for all of their efforts in keeping the community safe; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Councilmember Carrillo extended his appreciation to Staff for all of the work that was completed in 2019; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Councilmember Gonzales thanked Neighborhood Services Coordinator Quiroz for organizing the City’s Census Team; he emphasized the importance of the Census in regards to obtaining funding; thanked everyone that attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mayor Rocha thanked all of the individuals that donated items for the military care packages; thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the toy and food drive; acknowledged Francisco Vargas and Alfred Zamora for earning their Masters Degrees; announced the following events: December 21 - private toy drive sponsored by Pathfinder Ministries, and December 20 – Milton Family Toy Drive; he asked that everyone keep the service men and women in their daily prayers. SCHEDULED ITEMS PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM YEAR 2020/2021 – ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CDBG PROGRAM YEAR 2020/2021 Director of Economic and Community Development Marquez presented the Item stating that the City has participated in the CDBG program since 1974; the federal funds are utilized for various housing and community development projects which benefit Azusa; Staff is anticipated to receive $398k for fiscal year 2020/21; and a brief overview of projects was provided. Ms. Tina Gall, CDBG Consultant, further described the CDBG Program; the allocation of funds would cover three public service projects and three housing related and infrastructure projects. In response to questions posed by the Council, Director of Economic and Community Development Marquez stated that once the City’s population hits 50,000, different rules would be applicable and the City would have the ability to do more with the funding. Mayor Rocha declared the hearing open. City Clerk Cornejo read the affidavit of proof of publication published on December 2, 2019, in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Public Comment Ms. Jennifer Hicks, Neighborhood Homework House Executive Director, expressed the program’s interest in continuing to work with the City of Azusa. Ms. Ivonne Garcia (City Manager Gonzalez translated speaker’s comments from Spanish to English) addressed the Council as a mother of two children that participate in the Neighborhood Homework House and expressed how important the program is to the success of the children. Ms. Jennifer Edic Bryant advocated for the Neighborhood Homework House and described service provided by the program. Ms. Rae Kearney expressed support of the Neighborhood Homework House on behalf of the Azusa Rotary Club. PAGE TWO – 12/16/2019 Ms. Kimberly Taylor expressed support of the Neighborhood Homework House and discussed the importance of the program. Mr. Xavier Torres expressed support of the Neighborhood Homework House and discussed the importance of providing funding to the program. Moved by Councilmember Gonzales, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to close the Public Hearing. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Councilmember Gonzales offered Resolution No. 2019-C63 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ADOPTING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FOR YEAR 2020-2021 Moved by Councilmember Carrillo, seconded by Councilmember Gonzales, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to adopt Resolution No. 2019-C63 approving the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and authorize the City Manager to execute all contracts and agreements with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN DATED DECEMBER 16, 2019. Director of Utilities Robledo presented the Azusa Wildfire Mitigation Plan which is in compliance with Senate Bill 901 requirements; the Plan provides a roadmap for Azusa to safely operate and maintain electric facilities within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; the Plan also includes an annual tree trimming program, annual inspection and infrared testing, non-expulsion fusing, insulated overhead lines near chaparral, no automatic re-energization after power outages, and an independent evaluation of the Plan. In response to questions posed by the Council, he stated that it is not recommended to underground any of the overhead electric lines at this time due to the cost and the overhead lines are safe; the City has a policy where all lines for new construction are required to be underground; if brush is near the electric line during inspection, it is trimmed at that time; issues found during pole and line inspections is fixed shortly after; the City pays for tree trimming during inspection; and a description of insulation was provided. Moved by Councilmember Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to approve the City of Azusa Wildfire Mitigation Plan dated December 16, 2019. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE AUTHORIZATION TO FILE VALIDATION ACTION AND AUTHORIZATION OF ISSUANCE OF PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS – “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO REFUND CERTAIN PENSION OBLIGATIONS OF THE CITY, APPROVING THE FORM AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A TRUST AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE CONTRACT, AUTHORIZING JUDICIAL VALIDATION PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS AND APPROVING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS RELATED THERETO.” Director of Administrative Services Johnson presented the Item stating that Staff is requesting Council approval to start validation proceedings for up to $82 million which includes the entire unfunded liability and cost of issuance; in order to start the process, the City needs an “up to” amount; prior to the actual issuance of bonds, Staff will present a full plan to the Council for approval; Staff is currently working on the best plan in terms of how bonds will be issued. She addressed the public comment made stating that at the last Council Meeting, a report from Urban Futures was attached to the Staff Report which included the Enterprise Fund liability amount; Staff is conducting a thorough analysis regarding CIP obligations, cash flows, and debt service covenants; and there is an expectation that the City can pay down the Electric side of the pension obligation using cash reserves. Councilmember Gonzales offered Resolution No. 2019-C64 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ONE OR MORE SERIES OF CITY OF AZUSA TAXABLE PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS, AND APPROVING THE FORMS OF AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN INDENTURE RELATING THERETO, AND AUTHORIZING A VALIDATION ACTION AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH PAGE THREE – 12/16/2019 Moved by Councilmember Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to adopt Resolution No. 2019-C65 authorizing the City to issue Pension Obligation Bonds to refund its CalPERS Unfunded Accrued Liability in an amount not-to-exceed $82 million and to pay associated costs of issuance, and authorizing the City to file judicial validation proceedings related to the issuance of such Pension Obligation Bonds. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo and carried by unanimous vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-7. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2019-C5 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: A. Garcia, R. Arevalo, M. A. Tohmeh, F. Zarate, A. Devezin, R. Chivas, M. Ruiz, Z. Chadwick, Y. Cardenas New Appointments: J. Stewart, S. Sanchez, A. Martinez Promotions: T. Avila, M. V. Vega, J. Soberanis Class Specification Revision: Police Records Supervisor 4. The contract with Silver & Wright, LLP for code enforcement legal services was amended until completion of the two open litigation cases. 5. The January 6, 2020 regular City Council Meeting scheduled for January 6, 2020 was cancelled. 6. The Performance Bond in the amount of $428,970.74, the Labor and Materials Bond in the amount of $428,970.74 and the Monument Bond in the amount of $15,000 for Tract 54057-4 were released; and the Performance Bond in the amount of $161,598.71, the Labor and Materials Bond in the amount of $161,598.71, and the Monument Bond in the amount of $5,000 for Tract 54057-6 were released. 7. The City Treasurer’s Statement of Cash and Investment Balances for the month of October 2019 was received, reviewed, and filed. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the City Council. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:46 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2019-66 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2019-05 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2019-R18 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: January 6, 2020 (cancelled) and January 21, 2020. PAGE FOUR – 12/16/2019