HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1 - Minutes Special Meeting, April 25, 2022CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 – 7:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Azusa met in Special session at the above date following the Utility Board Meeting at
Azusa Light & Water located at 729 N. Azusa Ave, Azusa, CA 91702.
SPECIAL SESSION
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, AVILA Jr., ALVAREZ, MAYOR PRO-TEM MENDEZ, MAYOR
GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Marco, Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Administrative
Services Johnson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Director of
Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, IT and Library Services
Director Graf, General Manager Singh, Assistant Director Power Resources Torres, Acting Assistant Director of Water
Operations Barbosa, Assistant Director of Customer Service Holmes, Assistant Director of Electric Operations Vuong,
Environmental Programs Manager Reid, Administration and Finance Manager Smith and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
SCHEDULED ITEMS
1.DISCUSSION OF ALLOCATION OF GENERAL FUND EXCESS RESERVES
1)Provide direction on allocation of General Fund excess reserves:
City Manager Gonzalez reported out to City Council a summary of the fiscal year General Fund excess reserves for
Council direction on how to allocate the projected $16 million dollars, and answered Council questions.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez expressed concerns about project cost inflation over the anticipated two to three years expected
for some of the projects to be completed and would like to see as many of the projects completed sooner than later and
was interested in future generated revenues to maintain the upkeep of some of the projects/improvements. The current
area planned for the dog park is in an awkward area and suggested possibly using part of the area for an event space to
create more of a destination type of feel, which would also potentially increase future revenues that could help offset the
cost of maintenance. The list of projects is lengthy and thanked staff for the work put into it and providing the private tour
of some of the facilities which provided a broader perspective of the needs of some of these projects.
Councilmember Alvarez commented on the importance of maintaining standing trees to prevent further loss during any
future windstorms and noted there are still tree stumps that need to be removed from trees that were lost in the last
windstorm. Several city sidewalks are also a concern. Potentially two small dog parks could be created in separate areas
of town for the cost to build one large dog park. It is important to define the use of funds on the Scout House. The Senior
Center and Library should be made priority.
Councilmember Beckwith confirmed suggestions from Azusa Walks will be incorporated into the upgrade of city
sidewalks and expressed an interest in seeing more information on the soft cost of projects. The tour was very helpful and
CONSENT ITEM
E-1
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
8/15/2022
thanked staff setting that up and feels it will be encouraging for the City to see some of the improvements as they are
completed.
Councilmember Avila Jr. agrees spreading the funds to multiple projects is important and believes taking care of the city
infrastructure needs to be a priority, to include city sidewalks by City Hall. Narrowing in on the soft cost of projects
would help better guide future decisions that may arise for each project.
Mayor Gonzales would like to see an analysis done of diseased trees which could pose future problems. The Senior
Center and Women’s club are priorities due to the number of citizens they serve and potential future revenues they both
could generate. Memorial Park is important due to the construction already being done, some of the work could be
concurrent. The Scout House is easier to work on because it isn’t currently being used however less of a priority for the
places that are currently being used. The dog park would be a quick project if the project were kept basic. Touching as
many projects as possible is a good path to take, however prioritizing as many projects as possible to be completed within
18 months is important in an attempt to keep future inflation excess costs lower. Mayor thanked staff and commented he’s
excited to see these projects get started.
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.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:47 P.M.
* Items heard out of order
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CITY CLERK