HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 05, 2021 - CCCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 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 Martinez, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Chief of Police
Bertelsen, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Director of Utilities Robledo, 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. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54957.
Consultation with: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager and Mike Bertelsen, Chief of Police Azusa Police Department.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL –LIABILITY CLAIM Pursuant to California Government Code,
Section 54956.9 (d)(2)/(e)(3).
Case Number/Claimant Name: Claim No. 2021-16, Erin Kay Coulter
Agency Claimed Against: City of Azusa
4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section
54957.6.
Agency Designated Representative: Talika M. Johnson, Director of Administrative Services and Manny
Robledo, Director of Utilities
Employee Organization: IBEW
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief of Police Bertelsen.
Invocation was given by Pastor Rick MacDonald, Azusa House of Prayer.
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 Administrative
Services Johnson, Director of Utilities Robledo, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Director of
Information Technology and Library Services Graf, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, 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:
The City Council heard presentations from staff and legal counsel, no further reportable action.
CEREMONIAL
Public Comment
Fong Fong Chu thanked the Council for the Resolution denouncing anti-Asian hate crimes; and described an
incident of hate that took place recently and the impact that these incidents have had on her.
1. ADOPT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DENOUNCING HATE CRIMES
AND RHETORIC AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS, AND REAFFIRMING OUR
COMMITMENT TO ENSURE API AMERICANS FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME
Discussion ensued regarding hate crimes taking place against Asian Americans; Mayor Gonzales announced a “Stop
Asian Hate” march in solidarity with the Asian community, from Azusa Pacific University to City Hall on April 24.
Councilmember Mendez offered Resolution No. 2021-C13 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL DENOUNCING HATE CRIMES AND RHETORIC AGAINST ASIAN
AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS, AND REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURE API
AMERICANS FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME
Moved by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to
adopt Resolution No. 2021-C13.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
2. A Proclamation proclaiming April 17, 2021 as Arbor Day in the City of Azusa was presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Adrian Chavez announced the opening of the Azusa Community Garden on April 17; and provided information about the
garden.
REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
City Manager Communications
City Manager Gonzalez provided a COVID update stating that Los Angeles County has moved to the Orange Tier and
provided information about the facilities and capacities affected; announced that the hours of operation of the testing site
will be reevaluated due to a decline in need; provided information about vaccination clinics in the City; Library services
are available by appointment only; and recreation services are beginning to reopen.
Council Comments
Mayor Pro-Tem Avila thanked staff for their work in facilitating the vaccination clinic; expressed his condolences to the
family of Mr. Dave Lewis; thanked Congresswoman Napolitano for meeting with him regarding the Garcia and Fish
Canyon Trails; requested that Staff reach out to the County regarding the clean-up of the bike trail; and welcomed the
newly sworn in Police Officer to Azusa.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo stated that he reached out to the County regarding the maintenance of
the trails and staff will continue to be in contact with their representative.
PAGE TWO – 4/5/2021
Councilmember Macias commended staff for the operation of the vaccination clinic; requested a formal update on the
homeless in the riverbed.
Councilmember Alvarez provided information from the Foothill Transit meeting he attended stating that everyone must
wear a mask while riding public transportation and provided information about service levels; and expressed hope that
others get involved in the clean-up of the riverbed.
Councilmember Mendez thanked staff for their work in securing vaccines for Azusa residents; congratulated the Chamber
of Commerce and sponsors for the Easter Egg Hunt event; inquired about the maintenance schedule for downtown Azusa;
requested that the light poles in downtown Azusa be painted; inquired about the methods for ensuring that commercial
property owners maintain their landscaping; inquired about the possibility of a farmer’s market in Azusa; and thanked
Congresswoman Napolitano for meeting with him regarding the Garcia trail and support for the riverbed.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo provided information about the scheduled maintenance and cleaning
of downtown Azusa. City Manager Gonzalez added that he will be working with Staff on updating the downtown area
during the upcoming budget process and discussed the process for ensuring that private properties in the downtown area
are maintained; and stated that the issue of unkept private properties is complaint based.
Mayor Gonzales provided an update on the riverbed working group stating that the next meeting is scheduled for April 21
and significant progress has been made in communication with Congresswoman Napolitano’s office; thanked the
Gladstone High School baseball team for volunteering at the vaccination clinic; thanked Proyecto del Barrio for securing
vaccinations; announced the annual Shred-a-Thon on April 17; recognized the good Samaritan that assisted with the
evacuation of occupants of a burning building; and announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of his
father-in-law, Mr. Richard Betancourt.
SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL
INTRODUCE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL SECTION 78-40 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATED TO THE RATE STABILIZATION RESERVE FOR STRANDED INVESTMENT AND ADOPT A
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE ELECTRIC FUND UNRESTRICTED RESERVE
Director of Utilities Robledo presented the Staff Report, recommending that the Council repeal a 1997 Ordinance related
to set aside funds for power resources as a result of California deregulation; the electric market is now regulated and
stable; the City no longer has a risk of stranded investment; and Staff is recommending that the $10.8 Million in the
restricted account be transferred to the General Reserves of the Light & Water Electric Fund.
In response to questions posed by the Council, Director of Utilities Robledo stated that, according to the Ordinance, the
City Council is required to disperse the funds and also repeal the Ordinance; Staff is requesting that the funds be
transferred prior to the budget adoption; the funds will be used to replenish the electric fund reserves which were used to
fund the Pension Obligation Bonds.
Discussion ensued regarding concerns about the transferring of funds, the purpose of the fund, rate stabilization, stranded
investment, frequency of account use, and continuing the discussion at the next Utility Board meeting.
Moved by Councilmember Macias, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the following vote of the Council
to continue the Item to the April 26 Regular Utility Board Meeting/Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALEZ, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Macias seconded by Councilmember Alvarez and carried by the
following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-8, with the exception of Item E-6 which was
pulled from the agenda, and Item E-7 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 March 15, 2021 were approved as written.
2. Resolution No. 2021-C15 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.
PAGE THREE – 4/5/2021
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: S. A. Rodriguez, M. Rodriguez
Flex Staffing Promotion: V. Villagomez Jr.
Class Specification Revision: Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Reclassifications: M. Garcia, M. A. Tohmeh, S. Urich.
4. A Professional Services Agreement with Scientia Consulting Group was approved in a not to exceed annual amount
to $123,124; the City Manager was authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the City; the competitive bidding
process was waived as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2-517(38) Computers, Computer Components
and Services; and necessary budget amendments and adjustments were approved.
5. The project plans and specifications for the Residential Resurfacing Project 2021 Project NO. 66121A was approved;
and staff was authorized to solicit a Notice of Inviting Bids for the project.
6. Item pulled from the agenda.
7. Special Call
8. The issuance of not to exceed $6 Million aggregate principal amount City of Azusa Community Facilities District
2002-1 Special Tax Bonds, Series 2021 (Mountain Cove) was authorized; and the City Manager or his designee as
authorized to initiate a Term Sheet for sale of the bonds through a private placement structure to lock in interest rates
to the benefit of impacted residents.
SPECIAL CALL
CONSIDERATION TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ARROW HIGHWAY RAISED
MEDIAN ISLANDS PROJECT NO. HSIPL-5112(019)
Director of Public Works/City Engineer responded to an inquiry from the Council regarding where the funds for the
maintenance of the medians would be obtained stating that the subcontractor that will install the landscaping will be
responsible for the first year of maintenance; after that time, maintenance will likely be provided by the company
providing landscaping for city medians; staff will work with finance to identify funding to improve the maintenance of the
medians and incorporate Arrow Highway medians into the maintenance contract; and maintenance is scheduled to be
included until the end of calendar year 2022 with the addition of the maintenance to the landscaping contract beginning
January 2023.
Moved by Councilmember Macias, seconded by Councilmember Mendez, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council
to authorize the Mayor to execute a Cooperative Agreement with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
for a not to exceed amount of $235,000, for the construction of the Arrow Highway Raised Median Islands Project.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED
FEBRUARY 11, 2021 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2021.
Agencymember Mendez offered Resolution No. 2021-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 Alvarez, seconded by Agencymember Mendez and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency
to adopt Resolution No. 2021-R05.
AYES: AGENCY MEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
NOES: AGENCY MEMBERS: NONE
PAGE FOUR – 4/5/2021
It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Lillian Acosta Garcia, Dave Lewis, and Richard
Betancourt, Lifelong Azusa Residents. The meeting was also adjourned in solemn honor of those Azusans lost to Covid-
19.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:57 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C16 (City)
NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-02
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency)
NEXT MEETINGS: April 19, 2021 and May 2, 2021
PAGE FIVE – 4/5/2021