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Home My WebLink AboutE-1 - Minutes Regular Meeting, February 16, 2021CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 – 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 zoom 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, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Priest, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. PUBLIC COMMENT None. CLOSED SESSION The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:31 P.M. to discuss the following: 1.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.9(d)(2)/(e)(1). One Potential Case 2.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: PMA (Police Management Association) and Unrepresented Employees. 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, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk/Secretary Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Priest, 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, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. CONSENT ITEM E-1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 3/1/2021 CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Council reconvened at 7:30 P.M.; City Attorney Priest announced the following regarding Closed Session: Mayor Pro Tem Macias was absent; Item 1 –No reportable action; Item 2 – No reportable action. CEREMONIAL None PUBLIC COMMENT None REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL Presentation by Senator Susan Rubio. Senator Rubio – Provided City Council with a PowerPoint Presentation stating the following; - Passed Bill to create the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust made up of 21 cities working together to bring affordable housing and homelessness resources to the San Gabriel Valley; Directed state funding to help local governments and educators $5.625 million in state funding to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to support affordable housing and homeless needs; $1.2 million in state funding for local public safety in the San Gabriel Valley; $10 million to support teachers and school administrators to effectively implement the English Language Learners Roadmap Initiative; COVID-19 Relief for Tenants, Landlords, and Small Businesses, working closely with Governor Newsom’s Team and other legislators to pass SB 91 – the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act provides $2.6 billion in funding assistance to help landlords and tenants pay off unpaid rental debt. City Manager Communications. City Manager Gonzalez – Provided a Covid-19 update; stating in the next month or two staff is working on a plan to reopen City Hall safely following the state and CDC guidelines and as we move forward to recovery mode the City will work with all departments that have face to face interface function tailored to modify and make it safer for the residents and City employees to reopen parks and recreation, pool, competitive leagues, special events, Library, etc. That’s where the city is taking precaution in reopening City events. City Clerk: Request to designate voting delegate and alternate to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly scheduled for Thursday, May 6, 2021. City Clerk Cornejo requested a voting delegate and alternate to attend the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 6, 2021. It was Consensus of the City Council to designate Councilmember Avila as delegate and Councilmember Alvarez as alternate. Council Comments Councilmember Alvarez, stated would like to add to adjourn in memory of lifelong Azusa residents Mary Valenzuela and Javier Monsanto. Mr. Alvarez requested an update on our Citizenship Classes. Director of Information Technology and Library Services Graf provided an update on Citizenship Classes, stated they are doing zoom classes two days a week for citizenship, all that is required is public to email the library so they can provide a link and set up for a class, they are also providing one on one tutor for those who are ready to take the test. There is information listed on the website, for dates and time on classes. Councilmember Avila, Welcomed Mayor Gonzales back, shared his condolences to the family of Javier Monsanto. Mr. Avila requested an update on the Zoom meeting with the residents of Sierra Madre Park Area. City Manager Gonzalez- Stated the meeting was successful with Sierra Madre residents, he thanked Chief Bertelsen and Director of Public Works Delgadillo for organizing the meeting. One of the most important things they did is to listen to what the resident’s concerns, which help them turn to potential solutions, like lighting in the park, extra patrol throughout the park. They are also looking at long term solutions. He asked Chief Bertelsen to update. Chief Bertelsen – Stated that the meeting was a success, that they partnered with public works to address some of the quality of life issues that were resident’s concerns, they provided extra patrolling, they have also been looking at some long term solution that they are exploring. Director of Public Work Delgadillo-stated resident had very good input on their concerns. They will be doing some additional trash pickups, walking the park, giving attention to graffiti removal. They are installing a concrete pad where a new trash can will be placed. Councilmember Mendez, Welcomed the Mayor Gonzales back, Mr Mendez requested status from Chief Bertelsen on the Edgewood Shipping Center as well as update on cars racing up and down Azusa Avenue and San Gabriel. PAGE TWO – 2/16/2021 Chief Bertelsen- responded to the question posed by councilmember Mendez, stating there has been some safety concerns in that area, activity has fluctuated from time to time. As of January he requested the number of calls to the center. Between 2019-2020 there was a total of 488 to 734 calls for service, which is an increase of 246 calls. The good thing is that 241 of the 246 are logged by the patrol officers, which means the patrol officers are driving through the complex, walking, making contact, meeting with management and security. At the end of 2020 Police Staff, and City staff from Economic Development has met with Edgewood Management to see about resolving some issues. The positive impact is that there is more unit patrols services 7 times a week, there is improvement the numbers and complaints have gone down. Chief Bertelsen- gave status on the traffic condition on highway 39, stated north of the city limit is CHP jurisdiction. On our jurisdiction our officers are continuing their ongoing patrol efforts, in addition to extra patrols there is directive enforcement through (OTS) Officer Traffic Safety patrols, which is a grant that includes extra patrol and extra directive enforcement action of highway 39 along San Gabriel and Sierra Madre for those cars also going east and west. Mayor Gonzales- He thanked his colleagues for filling in while he was out. He stated it is good to be back, recovery is a slow process. He thanked the residents for letters and messages during his illness. He thanked the other electives and other communities that sent their well wishes. SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL None CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Avila and carried by the following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2021 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2021-C08 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 Appointment(s): V. Mojica, G. Hernandez Merit Increases/Regular Appointments: J. Lyda, R. Jaramillo, I. Segura, E. Castaneda, A. Robles, J. Wold, Z. Romero, S. Spahr II, L. Ferreri, K. Romo, J. Stewart, S. Chapman, P. Brock. Promotions: M. Ruiz. 4. Expenditure Plan – 2019 Reprogramming of Homeland Security Grant. The Mayor was authorized to execute State Homeland Security Grant Program Subrecipient Agreement Grant Year 2019 Between the County of Los Angeles and the City of Azusa; and approve the purchase of Motorola radio equipment offered through the reimbursable State of California FY2019 Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) in an amount not to exceed $51,789 was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to execute any future amendments to the Agreement. 5. Resolution No. 2021-C09 was adopted and 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) 6. City Treasurer’s Statement of Cash and Investment balances for the Month of November 2020 was received and Filed. SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGLATED BUSINESS 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED JANUARY 14, 2021 THROUGH FEBRUARY 10, 2021. 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 Councilmember Mendez seconded by Councilmember Avila and carried by the following vote of the Council to adopt Resolution No. 2021-R04 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS PAGE THREE – 2/16/2021 ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by consensus of the City Council in memory of Richard Escobedo, Erika De La Fuente Herrera, Edward William Hooper, Dolores Ayon Sainz, Jimmy Sainz, Virginia “Ginny” Alva Cornejo, Mary Valenzuela and Javier Monsanto, Lifelong Azusa Residents. We also adjourn in solemn honor of those Azusans who we’ve lost to Covid-19 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:13 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C10 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-01 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: March 1, 2021 and March 15, 2021 PAGE FOUR – 2/16/2021