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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 19, 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 19, 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 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 Economic and Community Development, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. PUBLIC COMMENT None. CLOSED SESSION The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:33 P.M. to discuss the following: 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.9 (d)(1). Case Name: City of Azusa v. 534 E. Foothill, LLC; LASC Case No. 19PSCP00162 2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS – Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8. City Negotiators: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager and Matt Marquez, Director of Economic & Community Development Property Address: 975 W. Foothill, APNs 8605-019-906 and 907. Negotiating Parties: Al Cabraloff, Spectrum Under Negotiation: Price and Terms REGULAR SESSION Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:33 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bob Donnelson. Invocation was given by Pastor Felix Garcia, Centro Esperanza Church. CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo. PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE PLANNING COMMISSION ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo. PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: DONNELSON, RAMIREZ, ALLEN, CASTRO, MARTINEZ ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk 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 Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Director of Information Technology and Library Services Graf, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Planning Manager Munoz, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia. CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Council reconvened at 7:33 P.M.; City Attorney Martinez announced the following regarding Closed Session: Item 1 – All members were present with the exception of Councilmember Macias who didn’t participate due to the fact that he owns real property within 500 feet of the site, the Council provided direction to the attorney; and Item 2 – All Councilmembers were present, the Council provided direction to its negotiating team. PUBLIC COMMENT None. Mayor Pro-Tem Avila: Request for Proclamation declaring April 2021 as “Donate Life Month” in the City of Azusa Gavin Sweeny, OneLegacy Community Programs Supervisor, and Jacob Payne, OneLegacy Ambassador, thanked the Council for proclaiming April 2021 as “Donate Life Month,” shared a personal experience related to organ donation, and provided information about OneLegacy. JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT STUDY SESSION #1 FOR THE CITY’S HOUSING ELEMENT 6TH CYCLE 2021-2029 UPDATE Planning Manager Munoz introduced the Item stating that the City’s Housing Element will add 2,651 residential units over the next eight years; and the project will be overseen by MIG. Genevieve Sharrow, MIG, provided an overview of input received from the advisory committing, community workshops, and community housing survey; described the Housing Element and its contents; discussed the Regional Housing Needs Allocation for Azusa of 2,651 housing units; and provided a timeline of the Housing Element process. Planning Manager Munoz concluded the study session stating that public outreach will continue; invited anyone wishing to participate in the housing discussion to visit the City’s website at www.azusaca.gov/azusahousingforall; Planning Commissioner Castro services as the Chair and Councilmember Mendez serves as the vice-chair of the Advisory Committee; and the Advisory Committee will meet on June 15 and all members of the community are welcome to participate. ADJOURNMENT OF JOINT STUDY SESSION The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:13 p.m. REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL City Manager Communications City Manager Gonzalez provided a COVID-19 update stating that in collaboration with the East Valley Community Health Center, the City has secured a weekly vaccination clinic through the month of May; the testing site will continue to be evaluated due to the decrease in cases and increase in vaccinations; Staff will also be evaluating the programs related to COVID response, such as the Shared Space Program which allows businesses to operate in outdoor areas, and city services; and Staff will be working on bringing back the City’s special events such as the Memorial Day event, Summer Programs, September 11 Memorial Event, and Golden Days. Council Comments Mayor Pro-Tem Avila announced that the high schools reopened and wished the best of luck to the students and faculty; requested a discussion regarding in-person City Council meetings; thanked Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo and Police Captain Landeros for their work in handling the recent increase in graffiti; thanked the Azusa Library for allowing him to participate in the Leaders for Readers program; thanked Azusa Beautiful and CalTrans for the trash clean-up event on the 210 freeway; congratulated the Community Garden on its ten year anniversary; thanked his colleagues for approving the Proclamation recognizing Donate Life Month; and thanked OneLegacy for participating in the meeting and expressed condolences to Jacob, who spoke regarding donate life month. PAGE TWO – 4/19/2021 Councilmember Macias thanked the Planning Commission for joining the Council for the study session; and commended Director of Community Resources Carpenter and her staff for their great work in facilitating the vaccination clinic. Councilmember Mendez congratulated the VANS store on their grand opening; thanked the Planning Commission for their participation in the study session; thanked Staff for securing the vaccines and facilitating the vaccination event; commended the Chief of Police and his Staff for their work during a multiple location search warrant and man-hunt; and requested an update regarding the Edgewood Shopping Center. City Manager Gonzalez provided an update on the Edgewood Shopping Center stating that Staff will be preparing an information packet for the Council regarding land-use; and Staff will be working to present a plan to the Planning Commission and ultimately to the City Council for its approval. Councilmember Alvarez thanked everyone that participated in the trash clean-up on the 210 freeway; reminded everyone that although the City of Azusa owns the entrance to the Garcia Trail, multiple entities own the various portions of the trail, and it doesn’t appear to be repairable; and the City of Azusa is not in charge of the bike trail, however Staff has been in contact with Los Angeles County regarding the maintenance of the bike trail. Mayor Gonzales congratulated the VANS store for their recent opening and wished them success; thanked Azusa Beautiful for organizing the clean-up of the freeway on-ramp; thanked Light & Water staff for the successful Shred-a- Thon event; thanked the Director of Community Resources for the Arbor Day event; announced the Stop Asian Hate Rally on April 24 to show support for the Asian community; requested a discussion regarding a reward program for identifying individuals lighting illegal fireworks and repeat offenders; and thanked Assemblywoman Rubio and City Manager Gonzalez for the roundtable discussion regarding help and support for the Azusa Community. SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL None. CONSENT CALENDAR: Moved by Councilmember Mendez seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila and carried by the following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-12. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 5, 2021 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2021-C16 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: T. Avila, R. Wenrick, J. Sandoval, R. Chivas, A. Conwell, E. Arreola New Appointment: M. Cabanas New Class Specification: Emergency Services Coordinator 4. The City Treasurer’s Report of cash and investment balances for the month of January 2021 was received, reviewed, and filed. 5. The “Dia de los Nino’s” grant award from the California State Library was accepted; and the necessary budget amendments and adjustment of the current fiscal year budget was approved. 6. The grant award from California State Library for the California Libraries Cultivating Racial Equity and Inclusion Initiative was accepted. 7. The “Level up with the Library” grant award from the California State Library was accepted; and the necessary budget amendments and adjustment of the current fiscal year budget were approved. 8. The grant award from the Southern California Library Cooperative and the California State Library for resources to bridge the digital divide were accepted; and the necessary budget amendments and adjustment to the current fiscal year budget were approved. PAGE THREE – 4/19/2021 9. It was found that the declaration of surplus property was exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act; Resolution No. 2021-C17 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DECLARING THAT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 622 AND 624 NORTH SAN GABRIEL AVENUE (APNs: 8611-004-912 & 913, and 8611-004-914) IS NON-EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND AND IS NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR THE CITY’S USE AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THE SURPLUS LAND ACT, CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54220, ET SEQ., AS AMENDED BY AB 1486, FOR THE SALE OF SURPLUS LAND 10. The competitive bidding process was waived as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code section 2-517(38) Solicitation and Bidding exceptions; Computers, Computer components and services; a Professional Services Agreement with Client First in a not to exceed amount of $40,000 for VOIP Implementation Services was approved; and the Mayor was authorized to sign and execute the Professional Services Agreement and Scope of Work, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney on behalf of the City. 11. The competitive bid process was waived as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2.521(a); and the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Veterans Freedom Park by Miracle Playground Sales and subcontractor Ortco, Inc., was approved in the amount of $164,800.25, which includes a 10% contingency. 12. Project improvements for the Traffic Management System Project No. 66117C, 66117I, 66118C, 66117J, and 66121C were accepted; and Staff was authorized to file a Notice of Completion for the Project. It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Francisca Atilano, Lifelong Azusa Resident and in solemn honor of those Azusans lost to Covid-19. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:39 P.M. __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C18 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2020-02 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: May 3, 2021 and May 17, 2021 PAGE FOUR – 4/19/2021