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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2022, 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, MARCH 21, 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, AVILA, GONZALES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: 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, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, Economic Development Specialist Campos, Director of Administrative services Johnson. PUBLIC COMMENT None CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – THREAT OF LITIGATION – Pursuant to California Government Code, Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (d)(4). Threat of Litigation Received at February 7, 2022 Council Meeting Re California Voting Rights Act. 2. 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: APNs: 8617-001-013, 8617-013-001, 8617-011-001, 8684-043-002, 8684-013-014, and 8684- 013-030. Property located along West Sierra Madre Avenue, immediately north of North Vernon Avenue. Property located south of Point O Woods Drive and north of Northside Park, along with property north of Montecito Way and West of North Sunset Avenue Negotiating Parties: Timur Tecimer, Overton Moore Properties Under Negotiation: Price and Terms for Acquisition of Property 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 Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor. Invocation was delivered by Reverend Kristina Collins from the Sanctuary for Spiritual Living. City Council Meeting March 21, 2022 - Page | 2 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, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Marquez, Economic Development Specialist Campos, Director of Administrative services Johnson. CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Council convened at 6:30 P.M.; City Attorney Martinez reported there was a Closed Session, with no reportable actions on Item number 1, with all Councilmembers present. Item number 2 was heard without Councilmembers Beckwith and Mendez due to a potential of a conflict of interest as a result of properties owned in the area, the remaining Councilmembers provided direction and there was no further reportable action at this time. CEREMONIAL None PUBLIC PARTICIPATION City Clerk Cornejo commented one letter was received and forwarded to all Councilmembers by Phillip Gompta regarding the Great Park and the New Homes Plan for Rosedale. REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL 1. City Manager Gonzalez reported the timing of the road project from Citrus to Orange will intertwine with the project on Arrow Highway. Staff is requesting residents in the community to please exercise caution and patience as public works makes improvements for the City. April 20, 2022 will be City Council’s Goals and Priorities Session for review to prioritize and approve City Infrastructure improvements for City facilities. 2. Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor gave a presentation on the background of the County Assessor’s office and Proposition 19 and how it effects property owners and answered Council questions. City Council Communications Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. reported on Casino night and thanked all the sponsors and everyone who participated. This year made the most money in the past 16-years. Yesterday Azusa Little League hosted their opening day, this is their 66th year. The 48th Assembly District announced their women of the year awards. Six awards were given in total, with two awards received by Azusa residents, one for Advocacy to Mayra Rico and one for Community Service given to Mary Ricetta Ramirez. Mayor Pro-Tem thanked both ladies and requested they be awarded a Certificate of Recognition. Councilmember Alvarez announced Saturday March 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. there will be a collection for Ukrainian refugees at the VFW at 250 E. First Street. Councilmember Mendez over the weekend there was a Fire and Rescue crash in the mountains over the City. Fortunately, there were no fatalities; he thanked the first responders to answered the call and wished them all well. Councilmember Mendez congratulated the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem for the incredible Casino Night. Covid is not yet over, however he felt with this being the largest public event since Covid, everything went very well. Congratulations to all the youth programs that will benefit from that. Azusa American Little League had their opening day, it was an awesome day, if you’re every having a bad day, go out and watch them play, it’s a lot of fun. In final, Councilmember Mendez congratulated Mayra Rico and Mary Ricetta Ramirez and thanked them for their outstanding work in the community. Councilmember Beckwith thanked Chief Bertelsen for the invitation for lunch and is looking forward to honoring him at his retirement, congratulated the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem for the successful Casino Night and thanked them for the invitation, as well as the Little League for the invitation to their opening day, he enjoyed being a part of that. The Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Azusa Pacific University APU financial center, they offer free tax help and assistance. This weekend will be Azusa Pacific University’s Homecoming, there will be events planned throughout the week. Mayor Gonzales thanked his colleagues for participating and supporting Casino Night, and requested Staff put the ceremony for the check presentations to the leagues on the April 4th City Council Agenda. The money has already been handed to the organizations however, he would like to see the community to see where the money went. Mayor Gonzales congratulated Mary Ricetta Ramirez, she was his nominee for the 48th District Woman of the Year, and congratulations to Mayra Rico. City Council Meeting March 21, 2022 - Page | 3 April is a Clean and Green month, stay tuned to the website for all the activities. The compost and mulch give-a-way will be April 9th. There will also be a number of proclamations and Autism awareness month is also in April, Mayor Gonzales requested the courtyard be draped in all blue. Becky Shevlon, A Blue-Ribbon Homeless Committee Board member invited City Manager and Mayor Gonzales to sit in the meeting and he found it very interesting and quite eye opening. City Manager Gonzalez will provide the numbers of what taxpayers have been putting into Measure H and what they’ve gained in return. The end result is LASA is overrun. The Measure H funds have been going to LASA to manage and they have not been able to do so. A large number of cities in the San Gabriel Valley area pointed out that the second rounds of Measure H funds need to be distributed locally. City Manager Gonzalez reported that the Blue-Ribbon Committee was formed to study the inefficiencies that are plaguing the efforts in fighting homelessness in the county. The lack of coordination, lack of access into the system, lack of service providers, and the lack of funds being released into local cities were the biggest challenges. San Gabriel Valley has generated $375 million dollars towards Measure H and after operating costs, $260 million remained and less than 5% have been returned to San Gabriel Valley cities. The bulk of the money has been funneled into the Central LA area. City Council has ear-marked almost $2 million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which will be on the discussed at the April 20th Goals and Priorities Session so that Azusa can battle this problem on their own. Mayor Gonzales continued and reported out that this Sunday will be Vet at the Park at the gazebo. Reservations are full however they are requesting walk ups come anyway as a lot of folks who make reservations tend to not show up. It’s free vet exams for your pets, free vaccines, free de-worming, free flea meds, free flea meds and free food. They will be there from 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. SCHEDULED ITEMS 1. SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO-TEM Approve the selection of Council Member Andrew N. Mendez., as Mayor Pro-Tem for a one-year term, expiring March, 2023. Mayor Pro-Tem Avila Jr. commented he was honored this last year to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem. Motion by Councilmember Avila Jr. to approve Council Member Andrew N. Mendez as Mayor Pro-Tem, Councilmember Beckwith and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 2. ASSIGNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO OUTSIDE AGENCY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, AND APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS TO EXISTING AND NEW COUNCIL AD-HOC & SUB-COMMITTEES. 1) Assignments of outside Board and Committees for two-year period from March 2022 to March 2024; 2) Approve Resolution No. 2022-C21, Designating Councilmember Avila Jr. as Director and Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez as Alternate of the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities. Motion by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith to approve Resolution No. 2022-C21, and carried by a unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 3) Approve Resolution No. 2022-C22, Appointing Mayor Gonzales as City of Azusa Member to the City Selection Committee. Motion by Councilmember Beckwith, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez to approve Resolution No. 2022-C21, and carried by a unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE City Council Meeting March 21, 2022 - Page | 4 4) Approve Resolution No. 2022-C23, Designating Mayor Gonzales as Representative and Councilmember Alvarez an Alternate Member to the Governing Board of the County Sanitation District No. 22 of Los Angeles County; Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith to approve Resolution No. 2022-C21, and carried by a unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 5) Approve Resolution No. 2022-C24, Appointing Mayor Gonzales as Representative and Councilmember Beckwith as Alternate Representative to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. Motion by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez to approve Resolution No. 2022-C21, and carried by a unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE 6) Affirm or modify the existing Sub-Committee and Ad-Hoc Committee appointments (as listed below); 7) Appoint 2 members of the City Council to the Ad-Hoc Veterans Resources Committee (as listed below). Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez, seconded by Mayor Gonzales to appoint Councilmember Alvarez as Representative and Councilmember Beckwith as Alternate Representative for the Foothill Transit Authority. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez to ratify the appointments of Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez as Representative and Councilmember Avila Jr. as Alternate Representative for the Gold Line II Joint Powers Authority; and Representative Mayor Gonzales and Alternate Representative Councilmember Alvarez for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District; and Representative Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez and Councilmember Beckwith as Alternate Representative for Azusa-RMC Joint Powers Authority; and Mayor Gonzales as Director and the City Manager and Administrative Services Director as Alternates for the California JPIA-Board of Directors; and Mayor Gonzales and Councilmember Alvarez as Representatives for the Sub-Committee for the City Council and Azusa Unified School Board; and Councilmember Avila Jr. and Mayor Pro-Tem Mendez as Representatives for the AD- HOC Committee for the Azusa Scholarship Program; and Mayor Gonzales and Councilmember Alvarez as Representatives for the AD-HOC San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments; and Councilmember Alvarez and Councilmember Avila Jr. as Appointees to the Veterans Resources Committee; seconded by Councilmember Avila Jr., and carried by a unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES 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 Regular Meeting on November 15, 2021 and Special Meeting on December 13, 2021 was approved as written. 2. Personnel Action Requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s) was approved. 3. Receive, review, and file the City Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2021 was approved. 4. Resolution No. 2022-C25, 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. City Council Meeting March 21, 2022 - Page | 5 5. The Notice of inviting bids and allow staff to solicit bids for citywide landscape and irrigation maintenance services was approved. 6. The purchase of the Foster+Freeman Crime-Lite Auto was approved. 7. An increase to the Robert P. Sanderson Blanket Purchase Order for Fiscal Year 2021/22 to a not-to-exceed amount of $46,000.00 was approved. 8. Amendment to the two-year lease of twenty-one (21) Automated License Plate Reader Cameras from Flock Group Inc, 1170 Howell Mill Rd NW Ste 210, Atlanta, GA 30318 to add Four (4) additional Automated License Plate Reader Cameras for a total of twenty-five (25) Automated License Plate Reader Cameras was approved. 9. Acceptance of the project improvements; and Authorization for Staff to file a Notice of Completion for the Alosta Avenue Street Improvements Project No. STPL-5112(020) was approved. 10. Approve the purchase a body worn camera system from LensLock Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $199,096.48; and the purchase of this product as authorized under AMC Section 2-520(b), which allows us to make the purchase based on unique commodities or services that can be obtained from only one vendor, or one distributor authorized to sell in this area, with singular characteristics or performance capabilities or which have specific compatibility components with existing city products are exempt from the competitive bidding requirements and are deemed sole source purchases was approved. Motion by Councilmember Avila Jr. to approve the Consent Calendar Items E1-E10, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith, and carried by unanimous vote of City Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, AVILA, GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Thomas A Daleo and in solemn honor of those Azusans who lost their lives to Covid-19. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:22 P.M. * Items heard out of order __________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-C26 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2022-08 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: April 4, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting April 18, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting