HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1 - Minutes Regular Meeting November 15, 2021CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 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.
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, MAYOR PRO-TEM AVILA Jr.,
MAYOR GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Deputy City Manager De Anda-Scaia, Director of
Administrative Services Talika M. Johnson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CLOSED SESSION
1.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POSSIBLE INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to
California Government Code, Section 54956.9 (d}(4). 1 Potential Case
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, MAYOR PRO-TEM AVILA Jr.,
MAYOR GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ann Moritz.
Invocation was delivered by Pastor Rick Clark, of the Rising Church, in Azusa California.
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk 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, Deputy City
Manager DeAnda-Scaia, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Miki Carpenter, Director of Community Resources, Matt
Marquez Director of Economic & Community Development, Economic Development Specialist Carina Campos
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Council convened at 6:30 P.M.; City Attorney Martinez reported there was a Closed Session, with one reportable
action, by a vote of 5-0, with the motion made by Councilmember Avila and seconded by Councilmember Alvarez, the
City Council declined to initiate a claim or litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors, and instead decided to
participate in the national opioid litigation settlement against pharmaceutical distributors McKesson, Cardinal,
CONSENT ITEM
E-1
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
3/21/2022
Amerisource and Johnson & Johnson. The City’s participation will result in the city potentially receiving approximately
$409,000 dollars for opioid abatement programs.
CEREMONIAL
1. Councilmember Beckwith presented and read the Proclamation for Local and Small Businesses proclaiming that the
Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 27, 2021, will be considered Small Business Saturday.
2. Mayor Gonzales presented and read the Proclamation United Against Hate Week, proclaiming that November 14-20,
2021 will be LA Against Hate Week, which is dedicated to preventing hate, intolerance and bullying throughout the
City of Azusa and to promote safe, inclusive, and equitable neighborhoods. This is an important step in bridging
divisions and strengthening our communities.
PUBLIC COMMENT -
Mr. Arturo Ortega, Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendent, shared information about the school districts,
and that Paramount Elementary School was named by the US News and World Report as being in the top thirty percent of
all elementary schools in the State of California. The Azusa High School Football team finished first in league play. The
Gladstone High School Band placed third in the Southwest Field Tournament. Special School Board meetings will be held
on December 7, 2021 and December 21, 2021 to discuss the options for school reorganizations for our districts. These
meetings can be accessed in person and online via zoom, or online via YouTube. The community is invited and
encouraged to attend as a decision will be made on December 21st. The AUSD will be hosting a community vaccination
clinic on Saturday November 27th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Center Middle School, will be open to adults and children,
and will be offering the Covid Pediatric Vaccine. The vaccines are free, and insurance is not needed. All walk-ins are
welcome.
REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
City Manager Communications
City Manager Gonzales reported he had no updates for the meeting.
Economic Update
Matt Marquez, Director of Economic & Community Development, provided an economic update starting with the retail
sector and the changes that have occurred since the start of Covid-19. There are signs of recovery, as store openings are at
a five-year high, and the amount of space leased in the first three quarters of 2021 is greater than all of the leased space
during year 2020.
Jason Tolleson, Serrano Development Group and developer of The Orchard and Lumia, provided project updates stating
the Orchard is near completion and presented renderings of the anticipated completion. The pool has been poured and a
dog park is being added to the rooftop of the project. There will be a business center and a game room for the residential
tenants. The first retail lease was signed by Dog Haus. In addition, the signage has been attached to the building and a
leasing webpage is currently being worked on. Leasing the retail space has been challenging due to Covid, however, they
have received three letters of intent. There will be outdoor seating provided in several locations on the property. In
response to Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr, Mr. Tolleson indicated that a façade remodel was part of the agreement with the
Bank of America parking lot acquisition. There will be painting and new lighting and this should happen in the next 30 to
45 days. Lumia is more transit oriented; the architectural style is Spanish and meant to fit in with other current structures
in the city. There will be enhanced outdoor seating for the retail spaces and the indoor spaces have been scaled down as
that has become a trend since Covid-19. The retail space will be complimentary to the metro station and will capture the
pedestrian traffic, in addition short-term parking for pick up will be added. They are in the third round of plan checks with
the city and utilities for permit approvals. The current project start date is scheduled for January in 2022, and they are
looking at a 24-month buildout. Lumia are leased apartments.
Carina Campos, Azusa Economic Development Specialist reported on the recovery of the commercial sector and the
development happening on Soldano Avenue, Foothill Boulevard and Arrow Highway. Place.ai is an advanced foot traffic
platform that provides data on retail pedestrian traffic. They are at a 105% increase at national pandemic levels. There are
upticks in shopping, groceries, and visit variants with specific shopping centers. The downtown district has seen increased
foot traffic through 2021. Some of the businesses which opened in 2021 have been Summer Solace, Nekter Juice Bar,
Pressed-Flower Coffee Boutique, Azucanela, blufish Sushi and Grill, 781 Hair Studio and Café Cultura. The department
is focused on providing a safe, attractive, and welcoming downtown and are involved in projects such as Revamped
Streetscape Design Plan, replacement of downtown benches, trash receptacles and shade structures, increased cleaning of
downtown bus shelters, streets and sidewalks and the launch of a Business Enhancement Services Team (BEST), which
will be a collaborative effort with the local Police Department and Code Enforcement team. All of these are in progress
with the replacement of the benches in the planning phase. The land management online system should be launched soon
for processing permits. The first phase has been completed and currently being tested before moving into phase two.
Azusa Walks is the City’s pedestrian Plan. The top three improvements the community has requested are pedestrian
lighting, shade and tree canopy, and high visibility crosswalks, which the City’s engineering team is already working on.
The next step is to complete the first draft plan which is scheduled for November 2021 and do a Community Draft Plan
review which is scheduled for December of 2021. The Business Retention & Expansion Survey is in progress and divided
into three parts. Businesses must participate in all three parts to be eligible in the opportunity raffle City Council
approved. The International Council of Shopping Centers is scheduled to meet in Las Vegas starting December 7, 2021
and they are expecting over 10,000 attendees. It is an international convention that promotes business opportunities and
provides helpful information. The City of Azusa is scheduled to attend.
Council Comments
Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. reported Dean Flores is leaving and will be going to Rolling Hills Estates and thanked him for
his time with the City of Azusa. On November 20, 2021, Hearts for the Hungry will be taking place at Foothill
Community Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Thanksgiving meal will be served. Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr.
congratulated the Sons of American Legion for hosting an excellent chili cook off to raise funds for veterans. The festival
of lights will be Saturday December 11, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. December 11, 2021 there will be the Azusa Light and
Water LED exchange, and in closing wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Alvarez commented there are proposed fare changes for Foothills Transit. They have scheduled zoom
meetings for November 16, and November 18, 2021. More information can be found at foothilltransit.org. The UCLA
game will have a Rose Bowl shuttle available. November 11, 2021 was the Veteran’s Day Ceremony. There was a
certificate awarded to a World War II (WWII) Veteran. There are Veterans out there who are not known, and the City
relies on the families and friends to let them know so they won’t be overlooked and can be recognized. Mayor Gonzales
added he believes the tickets to the UCLA games are now free.
Councilmember Mendez congratulated the Azusa Veterans Committee for the fantastic event that occurred on November
11, 2021. Movies in the Park will be showing the movie Elf on Friday December 10, 2021. December 17, 2021 they will
be showing How the Grinch Stole Christmas. On December 18, 2021 Santa Claus will be doing a tour from 4:30 p.m. to
7:30 p.m. More information can be found on Azusa Police Department’s social media page. In closing, Councilmember
Mendez wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Beckwith congratulated Dr. Andrew Barton who was named the interim president of Azusa Pacific
University. As he gets to know the back-end side of the City’s business he is thankful for the work that staff does day to
day.
Mayor Gonzales relayed that former Councilman David Hardison was not able to attend the Veteran’s event on November
11th and sent his regrets. As representative of Azusa Council of Governments (COG), Mayor Gonzales reported that one
of the supervisors gave a presentation and informed the committee that the County is in the process of closing the Men’s
Central Jail. There is not currently an alternative site or plan. It was suggested that each city submit a letter of opposition
to the County Supervisors. There will be 4,800 individuals who will be put into the streets, having committed crimes, and
many with mental issues. Mayor Gonzales would like to submit a letter. City Attorney Martinez stated he will get a letter
together for the Council to review on the next Council Agenda.
The Yard Sale Ordinance is fourteen years old, and residents are requesting an update to include estate sales. Mayor
Gonzales would like that added to a future agenda. Azusa Beautiful will be doing a litter and graffiti clean up on
November 20th for Azusa Canyon park starting at 8 a.m. and requests people who want to participate meet at the bike trail.
On Tuesday November 23, 2021 Blanca Rubio will be hosting her 5th annual Operation Gobble which is a turkey give-
away at Gladstone High School between 10 a.m. and noon. It will be first come first serve while turkeys last. The Parks
and Recreation will be doing the Holiday Home Decorating contest. More information can be found at Azusa.gov/civicrec
or call 626-812-5280. You must register by November 30th to participate, and the winner will be announced at the Festival
of Lights event. In closing Mayor Gonzalez wished everyone at the meeting, and staff, a very Happy Thanksgiving and
thanked Mayor Pro-Tem for holding down the fort while he was out for several meetings after last Thanksgiving. As he
continues to recover, Mayor stated he has a lot to be thankful for, including his wife.
SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL
1. CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF FORMAL CITY COUNCIL GOVERNANCE PROTOCOLS
AND PROCEDURES.
Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia opened City Council discussion and requested direction on the possible
establishment of formal City Council governance protocols and procedures. Every city is held accountable to State
regulations, but it is suggested that each city establish their own set of protocols and guidelines for procedures. Staff has
attached to the agenda similar formalized policy documents for reference. Should the City decide to move forward with
establishing similar procedures, pending Council direction, staff would return with a document for review and possible
adoption at a future meeting.
Mayor Gonzales stated he brought this forward from the League of Cities conference because he saw a broad template of
what Council members should be doing and how to act. Azusa doesn’t have guidelines in place, and doesn’t have a
problem with misconduct; however, he is seeing other cities having problems with not having protocols and guidelines in
place and are challenged with holding Councilmembers accountable.
City Attorney Martinez clarified that procedures explain how a meeting is run. Code of Conduct ethical rules are how to
conduct yourself while in the meetings. There are Resolutions in the Municipal Code for the City of Azusa, but there is
not a formal manual of procedure.
Council consensus is that seeing an abridged version for procedures would be helpful and a Code of Conduct would also
be useful; Whittier and Covina’s examples are good references, however, keep it simple and make it universal.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Beckwith abstained from Item 1, Minutes for the regular meeting of August 16, 2021, as he was not in
attendance of the meeting.
1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 16, 2021 were approved as written.
2. Resolution No. 2021-C50 was adopted authorizing payments of warrants by the City dated October 28, 2021 through
November 9, 2021.
3. Human Resources Action Items: Approve the following Personnel Action Requests in accordance with the City of
Azusa Civil Service Rules and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s).
4. FINDING OF PUBLIC BENEFIT AND APPROVAL OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION
AND FUND DISBURSEMENT ON BEHALF OF GLADSTONE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM
was approved in the amount of $200, for associated expenses related to student field trips and equipment used for
conducting color guards and other service activities; and Make a finding that the community at large will receive a
public benefit from the expenditure of funds for the recommended items.
5. Resolution No. 2021-C51 was approved adopting appointment of Selisa Loeza to the Library Commission; and
Resolution No. 2021-C52 was approved appointing Jeremiah Riley to the Personnel Board.
6. Resolution No. 2021-C53, was approved Casting its Vote(s) for Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent cities with
prescriptive pumping rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.
7. The amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Azusa and San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments (SGVCOG) was approved for the implementation of a Regional Edible Food Recovery Program.
8. The Amendment to Agreement with Recycled Wood Products for organic waste processing and diversion services
from January I, 2022 to October 31, 2023 was approved.
9. The Grant Award from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals was accepted; and the authorization of the City Manager to
execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney was approved; and the necessary budget amendments
and adjustments of the appropriate fiscal year budgets was approved.
10. FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 was received,
reviewed, and filed.
11. Resolution No. 2021-C54 was approved authorizing the submission of an application to HCD for funding under the
CalHome Program.
12. THE PURCHASE FURNITURE FOR THE FINANCE DIVISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
DEPARTMENT was approved, in the amount of $29,945.27 from D&R Office Works, Inc.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-12 by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem
Avila Jr., and carried by unanimous vote of the Council, with Councilmember Beckwith abstaining from Item 1.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, BECKWITH (Items 2, 3, 5 & 6)
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH (Consent Calendar Items E-1)
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ADJOURNMENT
It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in solemn honor of those Azusans who lost their lives to
Covid-19. Everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:55 P.M.
* Items heard out of order
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C55 (City)
NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-07
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-R15 (Former Redevelopment Agency)
NEXT MEETINGS:
December 6, 2021, 6:30 p.m. has been cancelled.
December 13, 2021, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Special Meeting.
December 20, 2021, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting has been Cancelled.
January 3, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting has been Cancelled.
January 18, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting