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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - October 05, 2020 - CCCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2020 – 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. This meeting was held via teleconference only. Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 6:30 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 Hull, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 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 Talika Johnson, Director of Administrative Services Organizations: AMMA (Azusa Middle Management Association), CAPP (Civilian Association of Police Personnel) and APMA (Azusa Police Middle Management Association) 2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS – Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8. City Negotiators: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager City Property Address: 600-622 N. San Gabriel Ave. (APNs 8611-004-902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 912, 913) Successor Agency: 624-630 N. San Gabriel Ave. (APNs 8611-004-914) Negotiating Parties: MW Investment Group, LLC Under Negotiation: Price and Terms REGULAR SESSION Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Avila. CITY COUNCIL 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/Secretary Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Chief of Police Bertelsen, Director of Economic and Community Development Marquez, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Director of Utilities Robledo, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Director of Information Technology and Library Services Graf, Planning Manager Munoz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. 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 the City negotiating team regarding the status of the negotiations, no reportable action; Item 2 – City Council heard a presentation from agency negotiators, the Council provided direction. PUBLIC COMMENT Arturo Ortega, Azusa Unified School District Superintendent, shared highlights and information from the school district stating that Mrs. Maria Sims was named as one of Los Angeles County top ten teachers of the year; track and field, and bleacher updates at Azusa and Gladstone High Schools are nearly completed; the District is now able to serve grab and go meals to any child under 18 years of age and adults with disabilities; the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has not allowed any Los Angeles County School to open with the exception of Think Together, sports conditioning, specialized learning services, and a waiver program; and thanked the City for their support and partnership. REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL COVID-19 STATUS UPDATE (Oral Report) City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on Covid-19 stating that there are 1581 positive cases and 23 lives lost in the City of Azusa; 1,329 Covid-19 tests have been administered at the Memorial Park testing location to date; and 31% of the tests were administered to City of Azusa residents, 52% were considered essential workers, and the positivity rate is 12%; 140 grant applications for the Small Business Assistance Program were received and 17 small business were selected based on a lottery system; 50 applications for the Emergency Utilities Assistance Program have been received, and 40 of those applications were found to be eligible; $5,620 has been allocated to the program; Library, Recreation, application assistance, and inspection services have been made virtual; and residents are encouraged to take advantage of the City’s virtual offerings. He responded to questions posed by the Council stating that the City’s positivity rate may be higher due to the number of essential workers in the City; and the Small Business Assistance Program grants will be finalized in the next few weeks and information regarding who was awarded grants will be made available at that time. Mayor Pro-Tem Macias requested that the City Manager continue to provide Covid-19 updates to the public; and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Mr. Johnny Garcia, lifelong Azusa resident and requested a certificate for his family. Councilmember Alvarez congratulated Mrs. Sims on being named as one of the top ten teachers of the year; and commended the Azusa Unified School District for the construction of the field at Azusa High School. He provided an update from the Foothill Transit meeting that he attended on September 25 stating that Foothill Transit has a savings of $5.3M for the 2020 fiscal year; ridership was reduced 25%; revenues decreased 38.98%; Apple wallet can now be used in place of the TAP card; weekday ridership is increasing; enhanced cleaning is being conducted; fare collection will resume October 18; and El Monte and West Covina Transit Stores are now open to the public. Councilmember Avila reminded everyone to vote in the November 3 election; announced that a ballot drop off box is located in front of the Library; encouraged everyone to report graffiti either on the City’s website or by phone; thanked all of the commission applicants for wanting to get involved in the City; and offered his condolences to the family of Mr. Johnny Garcia and also requested that the meeting be adjourned in his memory. Councilmember Mendez thanked the Azusa Unified School District Superintendent for his update; and congratulated Mrs. Sims for being named a top ten teacher in Los Angeles County. Mayor Gonzales thanked everyone that participated in the Shred-a-Thon; inquired about the security of the ballot boxes and how often they are being picked up; requested information regarding the number of smoke shops in the City and requested that the item be discussed at a future City Council meeting; and stated that he and Councilmember Alvarez attended the first ad-hoc committee meeting with the Cities of Duarte and Irwindale and they will be meeting with local legislators as well. City Clerk Cornejo responded to the inquiry regarding the ballot box stating that ballots will be collected every 72 hours and then every 24 hours once it gets closer to the election; the County selected the site due to its security and convenience; and no issues have been reported at this time. He also announced that October 10 will be the 10 year anniversary of Target opening in the City. PAGE TWO – 10/5/2020 SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING ASSEMBLY BILL 571 (AB 571) MANDATORY LOCAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia presented the Staff Report stating that AB 571 amends a portion of the Political Reform Act and establishes campaign contribution limits for candidates of county and city offices at the same level as candidates for Senate and Assembly office and only for those counties and cities that have not established its own campaign contribution limits; the current default contribution limit is $4,700 per contributor, per election; the City of Azusa does not have contribution limits; according to City records, candidates have not received more than $5,000 from on contributor; AB 571 requires that the City declare its own contribution limit or adopt the default contribution limit set by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) before January 1, 2021. In response to questions posed by the Council; Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia stated that at this time, he does not have information regarding how the FPPC decided on the limit of $4,700; and CPI increases occur on odd years up to $5,000. City Attorney Martinez added that should the City accept the default amount, the FPPC has the enforcement responsibility; should the City set its own amount, the City will have enforcement responsibility; and the City’s administrative fine process can be used for enforcement unless the Council wishes to set criminal fines. Discussion ensued regarding the three options presented to the Council. Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Macias, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the unanimous vote of the Council to approve Option 3 declaring that it will accept the default mandatory local campaign contribution limits set by the Federal Political Practices Commission (FPPC) as a result of the passage of Assembly Bill 571. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING UTILITY BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE Director of Utilities Robledo presented the Staff Report stating that Staff reviewed the establishment of the Utility Board and the purpose of holding a separate meeting; holding a separate meeting allows Board Members the time to focus on important issues; and three options conserving the separate meeting and increasing transparency to the public were provided. In response to questions posed by the Council, Director of Utilities Robledo stated that the cost associated with option 1, recorded video of the Utility Board meeting held at Light & Water, and option 2, live broadcast of the Utility Board meeting in the Civic Auditorium are minimal. Discussion ensued regarding the three options presented to the Council. Moved by Councilmember Avila, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez and carried by the unanimous vote of the Council to approve Option 1 continuing the current time and place of the Utility Board meeting on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Light & Water administration building and add transparency by recording the meetings and promptly posting the video on the City website for public review. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE The Council directed Staff to hold the October Utility Board meeting jointly with the City Council due to Covid-19. CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Macias, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-10, with the exception of Item E-9 which was held under the Special Call portion of the agenda. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 21, 2020 and Special Meetings of September 23, 2020 and September 28, 2020 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2020-C54 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. Staff was authorized to submit an Annual Funding Plan for 2020/2021 to Los Angeles County Flood Control District in order to receive Measure W funds through the Safe, Clean Water Program. PAGE THREE – 10/5/2020 4. The Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Azusa and the Azusa Mid- Management Association for the term of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024 was approved. 5. The grant award from California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) was accepted; necessary budget amendments were approved; and the current fiscal year will be adjusted accordingly. 6. The grant award from California State Library for Family Literacy was accepted; necessary budget amendments were approved; and the current fiscal year budget will be adjusted accordingly. 7. The grant award from Canyon City Foundation was accepted; necessary budget amendments were approved; and the current fiscal year budget will be adjusted accordingly. 8. Resolution No. 2020-C55 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA APPOINTING BRITTANY MARTINEZ TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION Resolution No. 2020-C56 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA RE- APPOINTING LITA ABELLA TO THE LIBRARY COMMISSION Resolution No. 2020-C57 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA RE- APPOINTING DENA SIMPSON TO THE LIBRARY COMMISSION Resolution No. 2020-C58 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA RE- APPOINTING MITCHELL G. LOERA TO THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Resolution No. 2020-C59 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA RE- APPOINTING JOSE TORRES TO THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Resolution No. 2020-C60 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA APPOINTING JAMES GRIFFITH TO THE CULTURAL & HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION Resolution No. 2020-C61 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA APPOINTING CARMEN GARCIA TO THE CULTURAL & HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION 9. Special Call. 10. Resolution No. 2020-C63 was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AMENDING AND ADOPTING LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE §§ 21000 ET SEQ.) 11. The 2nd Contract Amendment to 2A Construction of Santa Ana, California for Consumer Services Project WWBR- 2020-01 was approved in a new total not-to-exceed amount of $246,618.00, of which a total $37,118.00 is for the additional scope of work, plus an existing allowance of $20,950.00 for potential change orders; the Mayor was authorized to execute the document on behalf of the City in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and the 2nd Purchase Order Amendment to Catalyst in a new total amount not-to-exceed $178,000.00, of which $84,213.49 is for the new furniture, plus an existing allowance of $9,717.87. PAGE FOUR – 10/5/2020 SPECIAL CALL A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA EXTENDING AND UPDATING THE PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) City Manager Gonzalez responded to questions posed by the Council stating that the City is required to extend the emergency every 60 days in order to allow for the City to apply for reimbursements due to the emergency; at this point the local emergency is not extended past the end of the year. City Attorney Martinez added that the declaration of local emergency also gives the City Manager the authority to issue any Covid-19 related proclamations and gives additional immunity under the Tort Claims Act to any employee taking actions related to Covid-19. Director of Administrative Services Johnson responded to questions posed by the Council stating that some businesses have reached out to the City regarding cash flow issues due to Covid-19; and the towing companies that the City has an exclusive franchise agreement with, have reached out to the City regarding cash flow issues and has requested an extension to the time period of when they pay the City in light of the pandemic. Chief of Police Bertelsen stated that the City has a franchise agreement with three tow companies which are used on a rotational basis; this extension will be available to all three tow companies, however one tow company did reach out to the City regarding cash flow issues; this action will provide a 90 day extension as to when the tow company must pay the City; the tow companies are regularly audited by Staff and as of one month ago, each company’s payments were current; and the tow companies have ensured that they can meet the minimum staffing requirements. Mayor Gonzales stated that he would be abstaining from the item as he conducts business with one of the tow companies. Mayor Pro-Tem Macias offered Resolution No. 2020-C62 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA EXTENDING AND UPDATING THE PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Macias, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the following vote of the Council to adopt Resolution No. 2020-C62 extending and updating the proclamation of local emergency regarding Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2020 Agencymember Alvarez offered Resolution No. 2020-R14 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 Agencymember Alvarez, seconded by Agencymember Avila and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency to adopt Resolution No. 2020-R14. AYES: AGENCY MEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: AGENCY MEMBERS: NONE It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Mr. Johnny Garcia, Lifelong Azusa Resident. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:43 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-C64 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-07 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-R15 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: October 19, 2020 and November 2, 2020. PAGE FIVE – 10/5/2020