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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1 - Minutes Regular Meeting, November 16, 2020CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 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. CLOSED SESSION None. REGULAR SESSION Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Clerk Cornejo. 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 Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Director of Information Technology and Library Services Graf, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Planning Manager Munoz and Chief Deputy, and City Clerk Garcia. PUBLIC COMMENT Lita Abella commented on the Great Park Project to express her support of the 23 homes proposed and stated her preferences for the Great Park. Fong Fong Chu provided background information on the Great Park Project and inquired whether developers will provide funds toward the Park aspect of the project and whether funds can be used to build a dog park in a different area. Baseemah Penna expressed concerns about storefronts in Downtown Azusa and difficulty in finding a location for her small business; and provided information about small business incentive programs being used by the City of Upland. Philip Campa expressed concerns regarding the Great Park Project and proposed locations of the dog parks; requested that Rosedale Land Partners contribute to the building of the Great Park; and suggested features for the design of the Project. Bruce Monroe, Rosedale Great Park Committee Chairman, expressed support of the Great Park Project proposal; expressed concerns regarding the processing of the Park and Housing aspects of the Project separately. The following comments were submitted via email and were not read onto the record at the meeting: Ani Holloway provided input on the Great Park amenities requesting additional recreational facilities. Chris Holloway provided input on the Great Park amenities requesting additional recreational facilities. City Manager Gonzalez responded Ms. Penna’s comments stating that he will have Economic Development Specialist Campos and Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia follow-up with her to assist with the opening of her small business in Azusa. CONSENT ITEM E-1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 12/7/2020 REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL City Manager Update and Announcements (Oral Report) City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on Covid-19 stating that City Council meetings will be held via Zoom for the remaining of the calendar year, stated that there are currently 1,946 positive cases of Covid-19 in the City of Azusa which is a 200 case increase over the previous two weeks, and encouraged everyone to slow the spread; thanked Director of Administrative Services Johnson and Finance Staff for their work in earning an award recognizing the City for its transparency and accuracy in the City’s Annual Reports. Ranch 2 Fire Update (Oral Report) Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo provided an update stating that a contractor to install the mitigation measures has been selected; work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the week; and site inspections will take place following project completion. Councilmember Alvarez thanked the VFW for the small Veteran’s Day Ceremony that took place; congratulated the Finance Department for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting; and welcomed two new Police Officers to the City. Councilmember Avila welcomed and congratulated the two recent police academy graduates that were sworn in to the Police Department; and requested an update from the Chief of Police regarding staffing levels. Chief of Police Bertelsen provided a staffing update stating that two Officers were sworn in earlier that day, 5 Officers are in field training, there is a possibility of a lateral officer being hired, and several candidates are currently in the background process to fill the 5 remaining vacancies. Councilmember Avila thanked the VFW for the small ceremony; thanked Staff for their work in arranging for a Covid-19 testing site to be present in Azusa; thanked Director of Utilities Robledo for his tour of the Light and Water facilities; and thanked Finance Staff for their work in earning the Financial Reporting Award. Mayor Pro-Tem Macias congratulated the Finance Staff on their Award; encouraged everyone to get their flu shots; inquired about a flu shot clinic for seniors; and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Councilmember Mendez inquired about a further discussion regarding the Smoke Shop Ordinance that was discussed at the previous meeting. City Attorney Martinez added that the zoning portion of the Ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission shortly and upon approval will be presented to the Council for additional comment. Councilmember Mendez thanked the Veterans for their service and the VFW for their ceremony; congratulated the two recently sworn in Police Officers; and inquired about the beards worn by Azusa Police Officers. Chief of Police Bertelsen provided information about “No Shave November” and Cancer Awareness. Councilmember Mendez requested an update regarding the small business grant program. Economic and Community Development Marquez stated that grants and awards are being finalized and an update will provided when more information is received. Mayor Gonzales thanked Finance Staff for their achievements; thanked the VFW for their observance of Veteran’s Day; reminded everyone of the winter watering schedule and requested that a reminder be posted on social media; and inquired about a tree lighting ceremony. City Manager Gonzalez stated that Staff is working on a virtual tree lighting ceremony and Staff will be in contact with the Council regarding the event. Mayor Gonzales reminded everyone to be mindful of how they gather for Thanksgiving; and requested a Letter of Recognition for outgoing School Board Member Jerri Bibles-Vogel. SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND PRESENTATION REGARDING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL TWENTY- THREE (23) HOUSING UNITS AND THE GREAT PARK GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF EAST PROMENADE BETWEEN AZUSA VETERANS WAY AND ROSEDALE AVENUE IN THE ROSEDALE COMMUNITY Economic and Community Development Director Marquez provided background information on the Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan and the proposed Great Park Project which includes 23 detached condominiums and Great Park; and proposed features of the Great Park were described. PAGE TWO – 11/16/2020 The proposed Project would require either a minor modification or Specific Plan amendment, requirements for both options were presented; an overview of the development process and CEQA were also provided. The design of the Great Park and amenities would include community engagement led by the Community Resources Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission. In response to questions posed by the Council, Economic and Community Development Director stated that the Specific Plan calls for a maximum of 1250 dwelling units and there are currently 1227, the applicant is proposing 23 additional dwelling units which will meet but not exceed the maximum; the Specific Plan allows for 21 units per acre, this property is 6 acres with a proposed 23 units; ball fields, lights, and shade structures would all be developed through community engagement then the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and ultimately the City Council; the Specific Plan calls for an area for the community to gather; explained the difference between condominium ownership and home ownership in terms of the proposed project; the building typology appears to be consistent with the design guidelines and are two story. City Manager Gonzalez responded to questions posed by the Council stating that the General Fund would be utilized for park maintenance and the park would be available for all residents. Mr. Bill Hollman, Vice-President of Land Development for Rosedale Land Partners, provided background information regarding the settlement between Rosedale Land Partners and the Azusa Unified School District; and provided information about the Great Park Project. City Manager Gonzalez stated that Staff will be seeking community input for park amenities within the Specific Plan and allotted budget, the Planning Commission will then review the recommendations followed by City Council review; and the budget was established by the Developer. Discussion ensued regarding the Great Park Project Site; the process for the establishment of the $7.0 million budget for the Great Park Project; zoning, land use, and environmental impacts; site plan; community outreach; and the timing of the project. Staff will evaluate the proposed improvements and conduct community outreach regarding park amenities. CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Avila, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by unanimous vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-9. A correction was made to the title of Item E-7. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 2, 2020 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2020-C68 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 Increases/Regular Appointments: J. Palacios, G. Espinoza, A. Baines, B. Palagonia, S. Sears, S. Huval Class Specification Revision: Human Resources Manager Separation Retirements: S. Willison. 4. An off-campus federal work study program agreement with Azusa Pacific University for Azusa Reads, Writes, Counts was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to execute the amendments on behalf of the City. 5. The First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with MIG to provide environmental consultant services for the Dhammakaya International Mediation Center (DIMC) located at 865 E. Monrovia Place, that would extend the contract to June 3, 2021, was approved; the City Manager was authorized to execute the agreements on behalf of the City. 6. The Mayor was authorized to execute an Agreement with Southern California Fleet Services, Inc. for fleet maintenance services. 7. The City Treasurer’s Statement of Cash and Investment Balances for the Month of September 2020 were received, reviewed, and filed. 8. The City Treasurer’s Reports of Receipts, Disbursements and Fund Balances for the months of May 2020 and June 2020 were received, reviewed, and filed. PAGE THREE – 11/16/2020 9. A Professional Services Agreement with MIG to conduct the Housing Element Update – 6th Cycle – 2021-2029 in the amount of $150,000 plus an allowance of $15,000 (10%) for contingencies, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $165,000 was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to prepare and execute the agreements on behalf of the City. SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED OCTOBER 2, 2020 THROUGH NOVEMBER 10, 2020. Agencymember Mendez offered Resolution No. 2020-R15 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 Mendez, seconded by Agencymember Macias and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency to adopt Resolution No. 2020-R15. AYES: AGENCY MEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: AGENCY MEMBERS: NONE It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:15 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-C69 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-09 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-R16 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: December 7, 2020 and December 21, 2020. PAGE FOUR – 11/16/2020