HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 09, 2020 - CC, Special Meeting
CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 – 6:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Azusa, met in Special Session at the above date and time in the Azusa Auditorium located
at 213 E. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, CA 91702. Please note this meeting was done via Teleconference only.
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Jesse Avila.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA,
TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING EVICTIONS OF RESIDENTIAL AND CERTAIN COMMERCIAL TENANTS
ARISING OUT OF FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MAKING URGENCY FINDINGS
THEREOF
City Manager Gonzalez presented the Staff Report stating that the Urgency Ordinance implements a moratorium on
evictions as a result of the impacts of Covid-19; many residents and business establishments are facing economic
shortfalls; several local municipalities have enacted these moratoriums beginning with the State of California; at the
direction of the Council, this Urgency Ordinance will establish a moratorium on evictions for both residential and
commercial to allow residents and businesses time to recover; it will be required that they show proof that their inability
to pay is due to Covid-19; the moratorium will be in place while the local emergency declaration is in place and will be
extended as needed; residential properties will be able to make installment payments on the back rent through December
31; commercial properties will have until October 31.
In response to questions posed by the Council, City Manager Gonzalez stated that Staff followed local ordinances
regarding the 14 day time period to notify the landlord of the inability to pay rent and the Council can amend that should
they wish. City Attorney Martinez added to the response stating that a tenant can defend an unlawful detainer action based
on the timeline established by the Ordinance; and the Governor’s order allows evictions to be filed however they cannot
be processed in court.
Councilmember Alvarez offered Urgency Ordinance No. 2020-04 entitled:
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA,
TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING EVICTIONS OF RESIDENTIAL AND CERTAIN COMMERCIAL TENANTS
ARISING OUT OF FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MAKING URGENCY FINDINGS
THEREOF
Moved by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by unanimous vote of the Council
to find that the recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3): the General Rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect
on the environment; and adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 2020-04, temporarily prohibiting evictions of residential and
certain commercial tenants arising out of financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and making urgency findings
thereof.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Avila inquired about how the information regarding the eviction moratorium will be disseminated to the
public.
City Manager Gonzales and City Attorney Martinez responded to the question stating that Staff will work with the
Chamber of Commerce, issue a Press Release, and use social media platforms to disseminate information; the attorney’s
office is drafting guidelines that can be used by landlords to solicit information needed to document coverage under the
Ordinance which can be posted on the City’s website; once the information is developed, it can be emailed to all known
businesses and rental properties; and Staff will work on translating the information to Spanish.
Councilmember Mendez thanked the Council for his recent appointment to the City Council and stated that he was
grateful for the opportunity.
Mayor Gonzales wished his colleagues well and encouraged everyone to continue social distancing.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the City Council.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 6:47 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK
PAGE TWO – 4/9/2020