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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1 - Minutes Regular Meeting, April 6, 2020 and Special Meeting, April 9, 2020CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 – 7:30 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. CLOSED SESSION None. REGULAR SESSION Mayor Pro-tem Alvarez 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 ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ROCHA ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Quiroz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Jesse Avila. PUBLIC COMMENT Due to Covid-19, public comments were submitted via email and read onto the record by City Clerk Cornejo. Ms. Diana Reyes Williams requested that the City consider extending the state moratorium regarding evictions of renters and business tenants through the end of September due to the impact of Covid-19. Mr. Daniel Lee, U.S. Census Bureau representative, thanked the Council for their dedication to the City and to the 2020 Census; inquired about possible locations to allow the public access to the Census once things return to normal; virtual townhalls, conference calls, or social media are other options to provide directions on how to complete the Census; and Census responses have been extended until April 14, 2020. Senator Susan Rubio congratulated Mayor Robert Gonzales, Councilmember Uriel Edward Macias, and Councilmember Jesse Avila on the election; extended her gratitude to Mayor Joseph Romero Rocha for 22 years of service and Councilmember Angel Carrillo for 15 years of service; she expressed her support of the City of Azusa, Council, Staff, and residents during this time and stated that her office is available to assist. Mr. Jorge V. Rosales stated that he is a member of the Citizens in Support of Measure Z Committee and thanked all of the Committee members for their work in providing factual information to the public; he thanked the voters that voted in favor of Measure Z, which will allow an estimated $4.52 Million to remain in Azusa; he stated that earlier that morning he expressed concerns to the Deputy City Clerk regarding the difference in total ballots cast versus the total number of votes for Mayor, Measure Z, and possibly the City Council; and the stated that he will await a response from the Deputy City Clerk. CONSENT ITEM E-1 REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL Councilmember Carrillo thanked his colleagues, staff, and residents for their support throughout the years; expressed his optimism that the world will get past the current situation and things will get better; he expressed his thankfulness for the opportunity to serve the community for the past 15 years; thanked Mayor Rocha for his 22 years of service on the dais; congratulated Councilmember Macias on his re-election; congratulated Councilmember Gonzales on his election as Mayor; congratulated Councilmember Elect Jesse Avila; and expressed his excitement to see the community move forward. Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez congratulated all of the electees; and thanked Mayor Rocha and Councilmember Carrillo for their many years of service. SCHEDULED ITEMS RESOLUTION DECLARING ELECTION RESULTS Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia presented the Item stating that the Resolution declaring the election results for March 3, 2020 outlines the total votes cast. City Manager Gonzalez responded to the concerns expressed by Mr. Rosales regarding the number of ballots cast stating that people may choose not to vote for particular items on the ballot which would result in the number of votes being different from the number of ballots cast. Councilmember Carrillo offered Resolution No. 2020-C12 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA CALIFORNIA RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON MARCH 3, 2020, DECLARING THE RESULT AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW Moved by Councilmember Carrillo, seconded by Councilmember Gonzales, and carried by the following vote of the Council to approve Resolution No. 2020-C12 to declare the result of the March 3, 2020 Municipal Election. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ROCHA OATHS OF OFFICE, PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION AND SEATING OF OFFICIALS City Clerk Cornejo administered Oaths of Office to newly elected Councilmember Jesse Avila, newly elected Councilmember Uriel Edward Macias, and newly elected Mayor Robert Gonzales. SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO-TEM City Clerk Cornejo presented the Item stating that according to past practice, Councilmember Macias is to be the next Mayor Pro-Tem. Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Avila and carried by the following vote of the Council to appoint Councilmember Macias as Mayor Pro-Tem for a one-year term expiring March 2021. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE DISCUSSION AND PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING FILLING THE SEAT VACATED BY NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR GONZALES City Clerk Cornejo presented the Item stating that Staff is recommending that the Council either set up an ad-hoc committee of two, appoint from Candidates that ran for Council, call a Special Election, or provide other direction to Staff. Discussion ensued regarding the options available; it was the consensus of the Council to appoint the candidate that received the third highest votes which was Mr. Andrew Mendez. Moved by Councilmember Avila, seconded by Councilmember Macias and carried by the following vote of the Council to appoint Mr. Andrew Mendez to the City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE PAGE TWO – 4/6/2020 CITY RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND STATUS UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS, SERVICES TO RESIDENTS AND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY City Manager Gonzalez presented the Staff Report stating that the State and County declared a local emergency on March 4, the City of Azusa declared a local emergency on March 16, the County issued the first Safer at Home order on March 16, the County order on evictions was implemented on March 19 for unincorporated areas and exists through May 31, the State ordered an eviction moratorium on residential only which expires on May 31; the City’s biggest challenge is maintaining essential services to residents and businesses while keeping employees safe; the City began modifying operations on March 16 which included the closing of the Senior Center and Library to the public and restrictions to Planning and Light & Water; and Emergency operations staffing and restricted recreation amenities commenced on March 23. In order to support residents, the City is pushing out Health & Safety information via multiple social media platforms, patrol shifts have been modified to increase presence, no Light & Water services will not be shut off during Safer at Home, meals are being delivered to senior’s homes, Intensive Case Management is continuing via phone, Recreation Services will be launched online to keep youth active, and the Library is providing virtual services. In order to support local businesses, Light & Water services will not be shut off during Safer at Home, 123 business were contacted by City Staff via a phone bank to offer support, over 3,600 businesses were emailed information regarding resources available to them, Staff to conduct a canvassing of businesses in the near future, plan checks are encouraged electronically, permits will continue to be issued for essential and emergency work, business licenses can be renewed online with an extended deadline of June 1. The Fiscal Impact is currently unknown; the declaration of a local emergency makes the City eligible for reimbursement from FEMA, Staff is exploring insurance for lost revenues due to business interruption; the impacts to revenues are in the form of Sales Tax, Utility Users Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, and special funds received such as Gas Tax, SB1, Measure R, and Measure M; bargaining groups were informed that labor negotiations will be paused due to the unknown extent of financial impacts; Staff is beginning to work on next year’s budget and a hiring freeze will be implemented; and outside of labor, much of the expenses will be due to personal protective equipment. The City does not track active Covid-19 and do not have information regarding the individuals. In response to question posed by the Council, City Manager Gonzalez stated that Staff will place testing location information on the website and social media once it becomes available. City Attorney Martinez responded to questions posed by the Council and provided information regarding the Statewide order on rental evictions stating that the first Executive Order gave local governments the authority to impose their own restrictions; and the second Executive Order banned the enforcement of eviction orders for renters affected by Covid-19 through May 31, 2020. Extensive discussion ensued regarding the Governor’s Executive Order on rental evictions, a local moratorium on rental evictions, whether small business should be included, and the length of the repayment period. The Council directed Staff to prepare an Urgency Ordinance prohibiting evictions of residential and small businesses; a Special Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2020 to take action on the Urgency Ordinance. CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Avila, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez and carried by the following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-8. Councilmember Avila abstained from Item E-1 only. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA (Item E -1 only) 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 16, 2020 and Special Meeting of March 16, 2020 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2020-C13 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: New Appointments: J. Buchholz, B. Palagonia Promotions: D. Smith, J. Lyda, A. Qadeer Separation/Retirements: M. Honis. PAGE THREE – 4/6/2020 4. The First Amendment to the Maintenance Services Agreement between the City of Azusa and Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc., formerly Computer Services Company, for City-wide traffic signal maintenance services was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to execute the contract amendment on behalf of the City. 5. The existing Fiscal Year 2019-20 blanket purchase order with Inner-Tite Coporation was amended to increase the authorized amount from $250,000 to $320,000 for the acquisition of 3,500 additional electric meter locking rings for the Advanced Meter Infrastructure Project. 6. Resolution No. 2020-C14 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AUTHORIZING DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND FEE ADMINISTRATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A LOCAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX. and Resolution No. 2020-C15 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AUTHORIZING THE EXAMINATION OF TRANSACTIONS (SALES) AND USE TAX RECORDS the City Manager and Director of Administrative Services were authorized to execute an agreement with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) Authority to administrate the City’s transactions and use taxes; and certain City Employees and Hinderliter, de Llama & Associates were granted authority to examine the transaction and use tax records of the CDTFA.. 7. The City Treasurer’s Reports of Receipts, Disbursements and Fund Balances for the months of June 2019 through December 2019 were received, reviewed, and filed. 8. Resolution No. 2020-C16 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING AN AGENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING FINANCIAL ASSITANCE FOR DISASTER RELIEF. SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2020 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2020. Moved by Agencymember Alvarez, seconded by Agencymember Avila and carried by the following vote of the Council to adopt Resolution No. 2020-R06 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds. AYES: AGENCYMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA NOES: AGANCYMEMBERS: NONE ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the City Council. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:54 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-C17 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-04 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-R07 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020. PAGE FOUR – 4/6/2020 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. 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