HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-2021, Minutes Special MeetingCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2021 – 6:30 P.M.
(Following the Utility Board Meeting)
The City Council of the City of Azusa met in special session at the above date and time at the Azusa Light & Water
located at 729 N. Azusa Ave., Azusa, CA 91702.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Gonzales called the Special meeting to order at 6:51 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Beckwith led the Flag Salute
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo, Jr.
Staff Members: City Attorney Ferre, Director of Utilities Robledo, City Manager Gonzalez, Deputy City Manager
DeAnda-Scaia, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Chief of Police Bertelsen, Director of Community Resources
Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia
PUBLIC COMMENT
No speakers and one email from Rosedale Land Partners on file in the City Clerk’s office.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
COUNCIL PRIORITIES FOR ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 EXCESS RESERVES.
1) Authorize Staff to set aside $2.0 million of the projected $6.7 million excess reserves to continue to address the
City’s long-term pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities, including directing Staff to
return to Council with recommended actions for establishing a long-term financial liability policy, including
establishing related trust account(s); and
2) Provided Staff direction on how to utilize the remaining $4.7 million of the projected $6.7 million reserves by
establishing priorities for capital infrastructure investments and/or enhancing community programs, services, and
events.
Mayor Gonzales commented he would like to see some of the projects earmarked in years past included, such as
shelters/bedding for the homeless, upgrading the senior center, expanding programs at the library, the old Boy Scout
house into a youth/program center, building a dog park, increased traffic safety in high traffic areas, fields for the National
Little League facility and completion of the bike trail.
Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. commented he is alright with building a dog park, but he would like to see costs associated with
all the projects prior to City Council taking actions on any of the projects mentioned. The Memorial Park is in dire need of
upgrades and renovating the Boy Scout House could be a potential source of income for the City. Due to the American
Rescue Plan Act providing funding for the homeless, he would prefer to utilize those allocated funds for bedding rather
than the surplus of City reserves. Mayor Pro-Tem favored making traffic safety a priority, purchasing the land for the
National Little League field for the youth, and updating the senior center. Downtown improvements are important;
however, he does not feel this should be a priority put before community services, and he would like to see the current
library building updated prior to taking on the cost of a new building.
Councilmember Mendez believes upgrades to the Women’s club and Senior Center are paramount and could be a
potential source of income. The library is a project that has needed some love, and a satellite library would be a great idea
for reaching areas that aren’t easily accessible to the current library.
Councilmember Beckwith expressed he is in favor of the dog park, and as a new member of City Council he is looking
forward to hearing more information on the other projects so he can make a better assessment of which projects would
create positive impacts for the residents of the City.
Councilmember Alvarez commented his personal preference would be to put more money towards OPEB, however,
services such as the dog park are important to residents, as well as updating the senior center and women’s club which is
something that is utilized every day; acquiring the National Little League with a reconfigured field would be good for the
youth. Asphalt roads need to be improved.
Mayor Gonzales ended the meeting by requesting the cost analysis of the projects mentioned be included with Staff’s list
of recommended priorities, when they return to City Council for action.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
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.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:28 P.M.
* Items heard out of order
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CITY CLERK