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Home My WebLink About09-20-2021, Minutes Regular MeetingCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 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: GONZALES, AVILA, ALVAREZ, MENDEZ ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ONE VACANT POSITION 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 The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:31 P.M. to discuss the following: 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code,Section 54957.6. City Negotiators: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager; Nico De Anda-Scaia, Deputy City Manager; and Talika M. Johnson, Director of Administrative Services Organization: IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 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: GONZALES, AVILA, ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, MACIAS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Denaee Amaya. Invocation was delivered by Pastor Griffin Harrel, Sandals Church in Azusa. 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. CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Council reconvened at 7:30 P.M.; City Attorney Martinez announced there was no reportable action in tonight’s closed session. CEREMONIAL 1. Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to all who contributed to the 2021 Kathy’s Cool Cuts for Kids Event. Mayor Gonzales presented certificates of appreciation and recognition to the individuals who helped with the 13th annual event which helps children returning to school with haircuts, school supplies and pillows. Over two-hundred-ten families were serviced. Certificates were handed out to ten stylists, and sixteen individual and business donors who made this event successful. A special thanks was given to City Manager Sergio Gonzales, Senator Susan Rubio, Mayor Pro-Tem Avila, and School Board member Yolanda Rodriguez-Pena and all those who donated their time and support. 2. Presentation of Certificate of Recognition to Sandals Church. Mayor Pro-Tem Avila presented a Certificate of Recognition to Pastor Griffin Harrel of Sandals Church in Azusa for coordinating over one-thousand people for the Clean Up Azusa event. This was Pastor Harrel’s vision, and the City thanked him for all the work Sandals Church put into making this event a success. Your dedicated commitment to this City is appreciated. PUBLIC COMMENT Denaee Amaya, District Representative for the Office of Blanca Rubio shared information regarding the career and resource fair they will be holding on October 2, 2021 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Ryan Serrano, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Representative, provided information regarding vaccinations, vaccination rates and information about available resources to get vaccinated. Arturo Ortega, Azusa Unified School District Superintendent, provided highlights and updates about the School District. REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL City Manager Communications City Manager Gonzales gave an update on Covid testing in the City of Azusa. The positivity rate has gone from 8.7% positive on Labor Day to 5.4% from Labor Day until now. The goal is to lower the County’s rate to 1%. Council Comments Mayor Pro-Tem Avila began his report by expressing his condolences to the Macias family; reported his attendance at the California Contract Cities Association conference in September and the Independent Cities Association Conference in August; thanked the graffiti abatement department and Director of Public Works/City Engineer Robert Delgadillo for the exceptional job they do with removing the graffiti throughout the City; requested Staff research the possibility of replacing the school warning light at N. Cerritos Avenue and Hanks Street with a Crosswalk Stop light. Councilmember Alvarez expressed his condolences for the Macias family and requested everyone keep his family in prayer; requested staff look into also replacing the warning light at 4th Street and San Gabriel Ave which is used by Slauson Middle School and has the same problem. At the Foothills Transit most recent meeting, Councilmember Alvarez found out there are grants for bus stop benches, trash cans, and weather coverings that can be applied for between September 1st and December 1st, with an availability of up to $40,000 per city and requested City staff look into utilizing those funds. Ridership is decreasing due to Covid; passes are available at half priced through September. Councilmember Alvarez gave a slide presentation on information pertaining to Azusa Golden Days 2021 events; thanked City Clerk Cornejo for gaining access to the library for the week of the events. Councilmember Mendez expressed his condolences for the Macias family; thanked the community for the show of support for the City Council and the family of Councilmember Macias; the Azusa Police Department in coordination with Jiffy Lube did a catalytic converter etching event; thanked Director of Utilities Manny Robledo for handing the fire and power outage that transpired due to the last severe thunderstorm; expressed his disappointment in those colleagues who have already begun campaigning for Councilmember Macias’ seat and requested he be laid to rest peacefully, prior to the political campaigning. Chief of Police Bertelsen gave a brief synopsis of the catalytic converter etching event. Over 200 vehicles participated in getting the vehicle license plate numbers etched into the catalytic converters due to the rise in catalytic converter thefts through the city. Mayor Gonzales echoed his colleagues and expressed his condolences to his family and requested he be laid to rest prior to the campaigning begins, as a show of sensitivity and respect to Councilmembers Macias’ family and friends; thanked the City Councils who have reached out in show of their support; thanked the Rotary for the Field of Glory event; thanked the Police Department for their 9-11 observance for the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001; gave a report on the information he received at the conferences regarding Senate Bills 9 and 10; thanked Sherriff Alex Villanueva for his efforts in handling the problems in the river bed in Arroyo Park; September 25th will be a shred-a-thon at Light and Water; September 30th there will be a coyote safety meeting; thanked Chief of Police Bertelsen and Rachel Camacho with the LA County Sheriff’s department for their participation in the catalytic converter etching event. PAGE TWO– 9/20/2021 Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia reported the LA County Elections office sent a mailer out to all residents regarding the change in election municipal code by Azusa City Council. The change effects City Elections only, it does not include State or County elections. City Manager Gonzales introduced a tribute presentation for Councilmember Macias. A Moment of Silence was given for Councilmember Macias. SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION NOMINATION TO THE SAN GABRIEN BASIN WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY REPRESENTING CITIES WITH PRESCRIPTIVE WATER PUMPING RIGHT. Resolution No. 2021-C40 was adopted for the Nomination of Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent cities with prescriptive water pumping rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority. Moved by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Mendez, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to adopt Resolution No. 2021-C40 Nomination of Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent cities with prescriptive water pumping rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: ONE VACANT POSITION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 20, 2021 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2021-C41 was adopted authorizing payments of warrants by the City dated August 12, 2021 through September 15, 2021. 3. Human Resource Actions – A. MERIT INCREASE(S) AND/OR REGULAR APPOINTMENT(S): PAGE THREE – 9/20/2021 DEPT NAME CLASSIFICATION TYPE OF ACTION / EFFECTIVE DATE RANGE/STEP BASE MO. A Economic and Community Development Robert Flores Jr. Assistant Planner Merit Increase 04/23/2021 4190/04 $6,096.43 B Economic and Community Development Brent Hale Senior Community Improvement Inspector Merit Increase 08/11/2021 4172/05 $6,545.56 C Police Robert Landeros Police Captain Merit Increase 04/20/2021 3482/04 $14,634.50 D Police Kathleen Soliven Court Liaison Officer Merit Increase 08/08/2021 9192/02 $5,819.00 E Public Works Daniel Del Rosario Street Maintenance Worker I Merit Increase 08/10/2021 8153/03 $4,212.77 F Public Works Joseph Alvarenga- Rodriguez Street Maintenance Worker I Merit Increase 08/10/2021 8153/03 $4,212.77 G Public Works Joel Baza Street Maintenance Worker I Merit Increase 07/29/2021 8153/05 $4,644.58 H Public Works Jose Baza Park Maintenance Worker I Merit Increase 08/24/2021 8207/03 $4,097.64 I Utilities Emanuel Cardoso Water Production Operator Lead Reg Appt/Merit Increase 09/08/2021 5200/05 $7,974.94 J Administrative Services Gilberto Juarez Payroll Specialist Reg Appt/Merit Increase 09/08/2021 4174/02 $4,752.07 B. FLEX STAFFING PROMOTION – C. RECLASSIFICATION(S) – DEPARTMENT NAME CLASSIFICATION FROM/TO EFFECTIVE DATE RANGE/STEP BASE MO. SALARY Public Works Michelle Feghali From: Administrative Technician To: Senior Administrative Technician 07/01/2021 From: 4174/05 $5,289.53 To: 4179/04 $5,763.06 Utilities Tomas Rivera From: Customer Care Lead To: Customer Care Operations Supervisor 07/01/2021 From: 5180/05 $6,217.32 To: 5203/02 $6,660.13 Utilities Clayton Helvey From: Customer Service Representative I To: Customer Service Representative II 07/01/2021 From: 5154/03 $4,404.07 To: 5164/03 $4,849.22 Utilities Brittany Palagonia From: Office Specialist I To: Administrative Technician 10/04/2021 From: 4133/02 $3,242.76 To: 4174/01 $4,525.78 Utilities Alexandra Baines From: Office Specialist I To: Senior Administrative Technician 10/04/2021 From: 4133/03 $3,404.90 To: 4179/01 $4,978.36 Utilities Gabriela Enriquez From: Senior Office Specialist To: Senior Administrative Technician 10/04/2021 From: 4158/04 $4,508.09 To: 4179/01 $4,978.36 D. PROMOTION – E. NEW APPOINTMENT(S) – PAGE FOUR– 9/20/2021 DEPARTMENT NAME CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE DATE RANGE/STEP BASE MO. Utilities Joel Padilla From: Water Distribution Worker I To: Water Distribution Worker II 08/27/2021 5178/04 $5,829.48 Utilities Gabriela Enriquez From: Office Specialist II To: Senior Office Specialist 09/10/2021 4158/04 $4,508.09 DEPARTMENT NAME CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE DATE RANGE/STEP BASE MO. Police Jennifer Wu From: Community Resources Officer - Field To: Emergency Services Coordinator 10/04/2021 3306/01 $5,668.64 DEPARTMENT NAME CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE DATE RANGE/STEP BASE MO. Police Brandon Espinoza Police Officer Trainee TBD – Pending Background 6184/01 $5,490.84 Police George Hellas Police Officer TBD – Pending Background 6101/02 $7,063.54 Police Angelica Pena Police Dispatcher 10/04/2021 9166/01 $4,747.72 Utilities Andrew Korneff Water Distribution Worker I 10/04/2021 5167/01 $4,527.51 Economic and Community Development Melissa Arevalo Administrative Technician 10/04/2021 4174/01 $4,525.78 Library Lissete Ocampo Library Assistant III 10/04/2021 4150/01 $3,614.31 Library Alyssa Congdon Library Assistant III 10/04/2021 4150/01 $3,614.31 Library Aryanna Cabrera Library Assistant III 10/04/2021 4150/01 $3,614.31 F. SEPARATION(S)/RETIREMENT(S) – DEPARTMENT NAME CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE DATE Police Carlos Plascencia Police Officer 08/17/2021 Police Erin Coulter Police Sergeant 09/13/2021 Utilities Vincent Benavidez Line Mechanic 09/02/2021 4. Waive purchasing procedures as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2-520 and approve the purchase of 17 Air Guardian UV-C air filtration units in the amount not to exceed $61,000 from Alliance Electrical Systems; and Authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Alliance Electrical Systems for the purchase of the 17 Air Guardian UV-C air filtration units, was approved. 5. Resolution No. 2021-C42 was adopted approving the City of Azusa's Quality Assurance Program for Street and Highway Construction. 6. The City Treasurer's Report was received, reviewed, and filed for the month of June 2021. 7. The City Treasurer's Report was received, reviewed, and filed for the month of July 2021. 8. The project improvements were accepted by Council with authorization approved for Staff to file a Notice of Completion for the Citywide Concrete Improvements Project. 9. Resolution No. 2021-C43 was adopted to find that the declaration of surplus property is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act; and declared the property identified as APN: 8684-013- 909 is surplus land and is no longer necessary for the City's use, that the property identified as APN: 8684-013-923 is not surplus land, approving the form of Notice of Availability attached to the resolution, 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 lease of surplus land, was approved 10. Staff is authorized to finalize and execute a professional services Agreement Regarding Azusa Chamber of Commerce Funding and Support between the City of Azusa and the Azusa Chamber of Commerce for a three-year term at a funding level of $44,493 for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, which is the same funding level as Fiscal Year 2020- 2021; and the City Manager is authorized to execute the contract, in a format acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City. 11. Waive purchasing procedures as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2-539 and approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 and proposed attachments in the amount not to exceed $130,135.94 from National Auto Fleet Group; and Authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase/service agreement with National Auto Fleet Group for the purchase of the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 and proposed attachments, was approved. 12. Staff authorization to solicit Request for Proposals for the development of a Sewer Master Plan, was approved. 13. The purchase of four (4) 2022 Ford Police Interceptor SUV vehicles from National Auto Fleet Group, 490 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076 in an amount not to exceed $154,671.65; and the purchase of this vehicle based on the competitive bid process completed by the County of Los Angeles as authorized under AMC Section 2-521, from which they ordered Ford Police Interceptor Vehicles under NJPA contract #120716-NAF, was approved. 14. The purchase of thirty-five (35) Mobile Digital Computers from Airwave Communications, was approved. 15. The Professional Services Agreement with Scientia Consulting Group in a not to exceed annual amount to $85,550, was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to execute a contract, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City; and waive the competitive bidding process as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2-517(38) — Computers, Computer Components and Services; and any necessary budget amendments and adjustments to the current fiscal year budget as accordingly, was approved. Motion to move the Consent Calendar by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-15. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: ONE VACANT POSITION PAGE FIVE – 9/20/2021 SECOND READING ORDINANCES SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDED AND RESTATED ORDINANCE REVISING CHAPTER 2. SECTIONS 2-529, 2-530. 2-532(i) and 2-537(d)(e)(f) AND RELATED TO BIDDING THRESHOLDS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS. Moved by Agency Member Avila seconded by Agency Member Mendez and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency to adopt Ordinance No. 2021-05. Ordinance No. 2021-05: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AMENDING AND RESTATING ARTICLE Vll, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2-529 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO BIDDING PROCEDURES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC PROJECT AMOUNTS. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: ONE VACANT POSITION CONSENT CALENDAR - SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED AUGUST 12, 2021 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2021. Mayor Gonzalez offered Resolution No. 2021-R12 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 Agency Member Avila seconded by Agency Member Mendez and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency to adopt Resolution No. 2021-R12. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: ONE VACANT POSITION ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in solemn honor of Uriel E. Macias, lifelong Azusa resident & former Councilmember; Henry Ibarra, Helen R. Barrios, Vivian Alderete, and Pastor Rory Montoya, lifelong Azusa residents. In addition, we adjourn in solemn honor of those Azusans who we’ve lost to Covid-19. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:41 P.M. ___________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C40 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-06 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-R12 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: October 4, 2021 and October 18, 2021 PAGE SIX – 9/20/2021