Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1 - Minutes Regular Meeting, February 22, 2022CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 – 7:30 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 Blvd., Azusa, CA 91702. Mayor Gonzales called the Regular 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: ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Interim Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Interim Utilities Director Torres, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, Economic Development Specialist Carina Campos PUBLIC COMMENT None CLOSED SESSION 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 7:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo. PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA Jr., GONZALES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Patrick Padilla. Invocation was delivered by Dr. Daniel Simonson, Pastor at Christbridge Emanual Church. ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Interim Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Interim Utilities Director Torres, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, Economic Development Specialist Carina Campos CONSENT ITEM E-1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 6/6/2022 CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Council convened at 6:33 P.M.; City Attorney Martinez reported there was a Closed Session, with no reportable actions. CEREMONIAL Mayor Gonzales recognized and thanked retiree Rich Gomez for 32 years of service with the Department of Parks and Recreation and provided a Certificate of Recognition by City Manager Gonzalez. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Antonio Chapa commented in favor of Agenda Item D4 Ad Hoc City Council Committee to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding veterans’ resources. Tommy Sing commented in favor of Agenda Item D4 Ad Hoc City Council Committee to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding veterans’ resources. Patrick Padilla commented in favor of Agenda Item D4 Ad Hoc City Council Committee to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding veterans’ resources. Steven Castro, Azusa Chamber of Commerce, commented on Federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds. City Clerk Cornejo commented a letter was received by Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano regarding Agenda Item D4 Ad Hoc City Council Committee to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding veterans’ resources. REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL 1. City Manager Gonzalez provided an update regarding Covid-19 and the Omicron Variant. As numbers continue to lower the community will see more activity at the Memorial Park and the Library. The City will lessen restrictions based upon County and State regulations concerning the pandemic. The Chief of Police Bertelsen was put on Medical Leave by his physician for an undetermined amount of time, and he had already planned to retire the end of May 2022. The interim Chief of Police will be Rocky Wenrick. The audio issues from prior meetings have been addressed and the updated services with the internet provider has been completed. Interim Chief of Police Wenrick thanked City Council for the opportunity to fill in during Chief Bertelsen’s absence and provided an update to City Council on the status of the office that was injured in the line of duty last week, adding he is progressing well and has begun rehabilitative therapy. Mayor Gonzales commented the Chief of Police and Mayor from the City of Pomona were amazing during the situation in which the Azusa officer was hit and requested Chief Wenrick extend City Council’s gratitude. 2. City Clerk: Request to designate voting delegate and alternate to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2022. (Oral Report) Motion to designate voting delegate Mayor Gonzales to attend, and alternate Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr., the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2022 by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr., and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA Jr., BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE City Council Communications Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. extended his best wishes to Chief Bertelsen and congratulated Interim Police Chief Wenrick and requested he give a summary of the LA County Sheriff’s news conference he attended. Interim Chief Wenrick explained the California Department of Justice invited Azusa to participate in the Adult Protestive Services (APS) program which is designed for people who are barred from owning firearms due to domestic violence, a felony or misdemeanor conviction, or mental illness. An offender list is run and compared with the firearms list and then they are collected from restricted individuals who are in possessions of them. Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. congratulated Mr. Gomez and his family on his retirement and extended well wishes to the officer who was hurt. In addition, he thanked Elijio Sandoval from the Planning Department who transferred to the City of Torrance, and thanked Richard Harder from the Eagle’s Club for the invitation to City Council to welcome the City’s Grand Worthy President and Grand Madam President from Canada; and wished his daughter a Happy Birthday. March 11th will be Casino night at the VFW, all the proceeds raised will go to the Azusa Youth Programs. Councilmember Alvarez congratulated Mr. Gomez on his retirement, announced that Saturday the Flag Exchange will be held in front of City Hall from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for anyone who needs to turn in old or tattered American Flags for proper retirement, and congratulated Interim Chief Wenrick and thanked him for stepping in. Councilmember Mendez wished the injured officer a speedy recovery and thanked the departments within Pomona who brought out a command post during the situation; thanked staff and Light and Water for replacing the light bulbs in the Dias; and congratulated Mr. Richard Gomez for his retirement. Councilmember Beckwith congratulated and thanked Interim Chief Wenrick for stepping up and serving in that role. Wished Chief Bertelsen the best on his retirement when that time comes in May, and congratulated Mr. Gomez on his retirement after 32 years of service with the City. Please join us tomorrow for the groundbreaking for the Lumia Development at 2:00 p.m. across from Target. Mayor Gonzales thanked the Council for addressing all of the announcements and further commented on the Casino Night and the proceeds being donated to Azusa Youth Programs. He is looking forward to being involved in the Flag Exchange, and the groundbreaking celebration for the Lumia Development. The Vector Control Board is concerned about a mosquito infestation this summer if not sooner, and requested staff work with the Vector Board on a presentation they can present to City Council and the community on how to fight a mosquito problem with the Bite Back Program. During the COG meeting there was an emphasis from LA County regarding broadband and how cities can utilize programs for free broadband, Mayor Gonzales requested staff look further into those programs for Azusa residents. SCHEDULED ITEMS 1. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE CITY OF AZUSA AND THE AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE BUILDING. As noted, the AUSD certified the Final EIR on February 15, 2022. The City, as a responsible agency, will rely on the analysis, mitigation monitoring and reporting program in accordance with CEQA for the relocation to Veteran’s Park. 1) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Azusa and the Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) concerning the transfer of ownership of the Old Schoolhouse building, subject to additional changes determined appropriate by the City Manager and City Attorney as a result of any comments from AUSD was approved. Mr. Marquez gave a summary on the memorandum and answered Councilmember questions. City Attorney Martinez commented that preliminary feedback from the District has indicated they are concerned with the current twelve months (with 6-months of extensions) term of the agreement, he will be working with the City Manager to keep the term as close as possible to what the City needs to complete studies that might be needed, acquire contractors to move the building, and issue the District with a notice to proceed. Motion by Councilmember Mendez to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Azusa and the Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) concerning the transfer of ownership of the Old Schoolhouse building, subject to additional changes determined appropriate by the City Manager and City Attorney as a result of any comments from AUSD, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr., and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 2. DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON AZUSA WALKS PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN. 1) Receive a presentation on the Azusa Walks Pedestrian Master Plan; and 2) Provide Staff direction to schedule a public hearing on March 7, 2022. Carina Campos, Economic Development Specialist and Karen Tai, with Tool Design gave a presentation on Azusa Walks Pedestrian Master Plan and answered Councilmember questions. Mayor Pro-Tem commented this was a great effort and just in time with some of the projects in Azusa breaking ground. Councilmember Beckwith commented agreed this was great timing on this project and although the area of Sierra Madre and Vernon was not included, he is sure the City will be looking into that area based on all the comments received at the prior City Council meeting and appreciates the work that was done. Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. for Staff to schedule a Public Hearing on March 7, 2022 for the Azusa Walks Pedestrian Master Plan, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 4. REQUEST TO FORM AN AD HOC CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ RESOURCES. 1) Consider and provide direction on the formation of an Ad Hoc City Council Committee to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding veterans’ resources. Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia gave a summary of this item and answered Councilmember questions. Available resources need to be established first, from there find the gaps so to determine which direction needs to be followed to ensure Azusa Veterans are being routed to all the available services and benefits they are qualified for and deserve to receive from various sources. Appointments to the Ad Hoc committee will be done in conjunction with the City Council’s annual Board and Committee appointment process scheduled in March. 3. DISCUSS AND APPROVE ALLOCATION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS AND PROJECTED EXCESS RESERVES. 1) Resolution No. 2022-C16 approving the use of $10 million of the estimated $12 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover costs related to Government Services was approved. 2) Approve using $1,954,843 of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to address impacts related to local unsheltered individuals. City Manager Gonzalez gave a staff report on Agenda Item D(3) and answered Councilmember questions. Mayor Gonzales requested staff to research what a Hero’s Pay program might look like and bring it back before City Council. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-C16 approving the use of $10 million of the estimated $12 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover costs related to Government Services by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Mayor Gonzales, and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Motion to Approve using $1,954,843 of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to address impacts related to local unsheltered individuals by Mayor Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith, and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE CONSENT CALENDAR – CITY COUNCIL Field Service Representative under Item E3(d) will be pulled to be voted on a future date yet to be determined. 1. Minutes of the City Council Meeting on October 18, 2021 was approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2022-C12 was adopted allowing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out of which the same are to be paid. 3. Personnel Action Requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s); and a Side Letter of Agreement with the Service Employees International Union relating to acting assignment was approved. 4. Professional Services Agreement with Coachman Moore & Associates for All in for Azusa Project Management Services, in an amount not to exceed $86,658; and Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Coachman Moore & Associates, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City was approved. 5. Acceptance of English as a Second Language (ESL) grant from California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) was approved; and upon acceptance of the grant, Finance staff is authorized to amend the FY 21-22 budget consistent with the grant award amount of $12,500. 6. Acceptance of the Zip Book Grant award from the California State Library was approved; and the necessary budget amendments to the current fiscal year budget accordingly was approved. 7. Authorize the City Manager to append the Microsoft Volume Licensing Agreement with Dell for the addition of data center windows server and SQL licensing in the amount of $39,300 was approved. 8. First Amendment to the Maintenance Services Agreement between the City of Azusa and Brightview Landscape Services for landscape and irrigation maintenance services; and Authorize the City Manager to execute the Contract Amendment, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City was approved. 9. City Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2021 was received, reviewed and filed. 10. Resolution No. 2022-C13 granting consent and jurisdiction to the County of Los Angeles for the inclusion of the properties located at 483-495 S Citrus Ave for sewer maintenance purposes only was approved. 11. Resolution No. 2022-C14, ratifying the proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Newsom (March 4, 2020), and authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the Legislative Bodies of the City of Azusa pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 was approved. 12. Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-C15, opposing Initiative No. 21-0042A1 was approved. Motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items E1-E12, with the removal of the Field Service Representative under Item E3(d), by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith, and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE CONSENT CALENDAR - SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED JANUARY 12, 2022 THROUGH FEBRUARY 22, 2022. Mayor Gonzalez offered Resolution No. 2022-R04 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ALLOWING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS TO BE PAID OUT OF SUCCESSOR AGENCY FUNDS. Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr., seconded by Agency Member Alvarez, carried by unanimous vote of the Agency to adopt Resolution No. 2021-R04. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr., MENDEZ, GONZALES, ALVAREZ, BECKWITH NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 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, and in memory of Alexia “Lexi” Romero. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:14 P.M. * Items heard out of order __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-C17 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2022-10 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: March 7, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting