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Home My WebLink About10-18-2021, 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, OCTOBER 18, 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, AVILA, GONZALES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C46: Ratify the Appointment of Dennis Beckwith to fill the City Council Vacancy. Motioned by Councilmember Mendez and seconded by Councilmember Alvarez to appoint Dennis Beckwith to fill the City Council Vacancy, carried by a unanimous vote. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH 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 REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS – Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8. City Negotiators: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager Property Address: 213 E. Foothill Blvd, Azusa Negotiating Parties: Azusa Unified School District Under Negotiation: Price and Terms for moving Old School House and Lease of City Property. 2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54957.6. City Negotiator: 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: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Joe Guerrera. Invocation was delivered by Pastor Rick McDonald, Azusa House of Prayer, 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 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, however the Closed Session on Item 2: Conference with Labor Negotiations, there is an open session item related to that matter as Consent Calendar Item #6. CEREMONIAL - None PUBLIC COMMENT - Joe Guerrara thanked City Council and staff for their support and participation of the Golden Days Event. REPORTS, UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL City Manager Communications City Manager Gonzales reported he had no updates for the meeting, however wanted to welcome Councilmember Beckwith and stated he is looking forward to working with him in the future. Council Comments Mayor Pro-Tem Avila reported November 13th, from noon to 4 pm, Azusa American Legion Post 180 will be hosting their annual chili cookoff. He was able to attend the Golden Days Kick-off Chambers dinner and thanked them hosting the event. In addition, he attended the Woman’s Club Bingo and Open House event for the Golden days on October 7th and it was a good event. On October 9th the Selena Tribute Band performed at Northside Park and Mayor Pro-Tem Avila thanked Mickey and her staff for the event, and to Joe Guerrara for all he does for the Golden Days Event, asking him to please continue what he does, it’s a great event. Mayor Pro-Tem Avila congratulated Azusa Aztecs for beating Gladstone on Friday. In closing, Mayor Pro-Tem Avila thanked the Councilmembers and staff for the process to appoint Councilmember Bechwith to the vacant seat. There were a lot of emotions involved, but he feels it went well, with a thank you to the other seven candidates who submitted for the position. Councilmember Alvarez reported the Azusa City Library will be hosting their Fall Festival on October 27, 2021 from 3 PM – 6 PM. The costume contest will be at 5 PM. There will be snacks, games, trick or treating stations and pumpkin decorations, with a special appearance by the Evil Queen and Cruella Deville. Councilmember also thanked staff for selecting, appointing and filling the vacancy and welcomed Councilmember Beckwith and stated he is looking forward to working with him in the future; and thanked the additional candidates for submitting for the position. Councilmember Mendez congratulated Councilmember Beckwith for the appointment to City Council, and stated while there is no replacing Councilmember Macias, Council is very excited to have Councilmember Beckwith. Additionally, he congratulated the seven other candidates as the process can be very intimidating and grueling, and asked them to please try again in the future as there were several well qualified candidates. Councilmember Mendez spoke about working with Mr. Guerrara for the Golden Days event, he appreciates that Mr. Guerrara gets the job done as the event Chairman and congratulated everyone involved. Councilmember Beckwith thanked the Council and staff for the opportunity and the incredible support he has found in the staff. He is excited about the opportunity to serve, and mindful of the circumstances by which it came about. He knows Councilmember Macias leaves a huge hole in the City, and in the hearts of many. Although he sits in his seat, he cannot fill his shoes. His only hope is that he can honor Councilmember Macias’ legacy to the City, and to our Country by doing his best to listen well, ask good questions, give helpful input where he can, and to vote in a way that seems the best for all the wonderful citizens of the City. Mayor Gonzales extended a welcome and congratulations to Councilmember Beckwith and thanked his colleagues for staying true to the process, which was good and transparent. Mayor Gonzales thanked all the individuals who helped and supported the Golden Days event, it was a fantastic event that was well attended by the community. It was unfortunate City Council could not attend every event, however, reminded everyone that Covid-19 is still present and we still need to remain mindful during social event gatherings. Encouragement Community Church will be doing their drive-thru give-away again this year for Thanksgiving meals at Memorial Park on Saturday November 20, 2021 between 10 AM and 12 Noon. Their goal is to serve one-hundred-thirty families. Each Councilmember has been challenged to find 10 families; Mayor Gonzales challenged the School Board members to do the same. Please be cautious and remember to drive through the communities on Halloween slowly as children will be out and in costume. In addition, we will be changing the clocks back on that weekend. SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL - None CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Beckwith abstained from Item 1, Minutes for the regular meeting of August 2, 2021, as he was not in attendance of the meeting, and Item 4, Contract for the Alosta Avenue street improvements citing the street runs in front of his place of employment. 1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 2, 2021 were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 2021-C47 was adopted allowing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out of which the same are to be paid. 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). A. MERIT INCREASE(S) AND/OR REGULAR APPOINTMENT(S): B. SEPARATION(S)/RETIREMENT(S) DEPARTMENT NAME CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE DATE Utilities Sam Soria Electric Troubleshooter 10/21/2021 Utilities Nicole Hisey Customer Service Representative I 10/14/2021 DEPT NAME CLASSIFICATION TYPE OF ACTION / EFFECTIVE DATE RANGE/STEP BASE MO. A Police Thomas Avila Police Lieutenant Merit Increase 06/29/2021 3423/05 $12,946.03 B Police Kimberly Romo Police Records Specialist I Merit Increase 07/26/2021 9140/04 $3,886.31 C Police Joseph Stewart Police Officer Regular Appointment 07/03/2021 6101/02 $7,063.54 D Utilities Jason Kroner Welder/Water Distribution Worker I Merit Increase 09/26/2021 5190/05 $6,876.56 E Utilities Julio Picazo Water Production Operator II Regular Appointment 09/08/2021 5185/05 $6,614.62 F Utilities Anthony Solis Customer Service Representative III Merit Increase 09/20/2021 5174/05 $5,888.49 G Library Jennifer Agnew Librarian Merit Increase 10/04/2021 4175/02 $5,488.63 H Economic and Community Development Elijio Sandoval Planning Technician Merit Increase 08/25/2021 4165/04 $4,813.68 I Community Resources Brian Zuniga Transportation Dispatcher Merit Increase 09/11/2021 4163/04 $4,724.20 J Community Resources Raquel Gamero- Camacho Transportation Dispatcher Merit Increase 04/22/2021 4163/04 $4,724.20 4. A CONTRACT FOR THE ALOSTA AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. STPL-5112(020) was approved in the amount of $730,818, which includes a 10% contingency for potential change orders as needed, to Sequel Contractors, Inc.; and Authorize the City Manager to execute contracts, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City. 5. Resolution No. 2021-C48 was approved adopting Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual Chapter 10: Consultant Selection 6. The amended and restated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Azusa and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 18 was approved. Motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items E-1 to E-6 by Councilmember Beckwith (with abstain from items 1 and 4), seconded by Councilmember Mendez, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BECKWITH (Items 2, 3, 5 & 6) NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH (Consent Calendar Items E-1 and E-4) ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE SECOND READING ORDINANCES Read by title only, second reading and adoption, Ordinance No. 2021-06: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA REPEALING SECTION 18-1003 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO LONG TERM OCCUPANCIES Motion to drop the Ordinance by Councilmember Beckwith, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila, and carried by unanimous vote of the Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, 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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 THROUGH OCTOBER 13, 2021. Mayor Gonzalez offered Resolution No. 2021-R14 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 Mendez, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Avila, and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency to adopt Resolution No. 2021-R14. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, 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 as we move into November and Veterans day, keeping all our service men and women in prayer. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:51 P.M. * Items heard out of order __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C49 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2021-07 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-R15 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: November 1, 2021 and November 15, 2021