HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-2023, Minutes Regular MeetingCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023 – 6:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Azusa met in Closed and Regular session at Azusa Auditorium at 213 E. Foothill
Blvd., Azusa, CA 91702.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, MAYOR PRO-TEM BECKWITH, MAYOR
GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr.
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Public
Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Deputy City Manager DeAnda -Scaia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter,
Interim Director of IT Guadagnino, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, Chief Deputy City
Clerk Garcia, and Project Manager Demirjian.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE – Pursuant to California Government
Code Section 54957.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
REGULAR MEETING
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: MENDEZ, ALVAREZ, MAYOR PRO-TEM BECKWITH, MAYOR
GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr.
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Public
Works/City Engineer Delgadillo, Deputy City Manager DeAnda -Scaia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter,
Interim Director of IT Guadagnino, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, Chief Deputy City
Clerk Garcia, and Project Manager Demirjian.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ernesto Dueñas Jr.
Mayor Gonzales recognized and honored Mr. Dueñas Jr. as athlete of the week Cal High for California and by San
Gabriel Valley for pitching a no hitter came with 18 strikeouts against Sierra Vista High School. He is the second
High School pitcher in California with 18 strikeouts.
City Council May 1, 2023 Page | 2
The Invocation was led by Pastor Bonnie Powell of Redeem Life Church.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Martinez reported there was a Closed Session, there were no reportable actions, as the item was moved
to a date uncertain.
CEREMONIAL
1. Proclamation proclaiming May 2023 as Older Americans Month in the City of Azusa.
Mayor Pro Tem Beckwith read the proclamation for May 2023 as Older Americans Month.
2. Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 1 -6, 2023 as National Small Business Week in the City of Azusa.
Councilmember Mendez read the proclamation for the week of May 1 -6, 2023 as national Small Business week.
3. Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 1 -6, 2023 as the 54th Annual Municipal Clerks Week in the City
of Azusa.
City Clerk Cornejo read the proclamation for the week of May 1 -6 as the 54th Annual Municipal Clerks Week.
4. Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 7 -13, 2023 as Public Services Employee Recognition Week in the
City of Azusa.
Councilmember Alvarez read the proclamation for the week of May 7 -13, 2023 as Public Services Employees
Recognition Week.
5. Certificate of Recognition to Azusa Connects, Redeemed Life Church, Athens Services, and Azusa Beautiful
for their participation in April Clean & Green Month and Clean California Community Day.
Mayor Gonzales honored Azusa Connects, Redeemed Life Church, Athens S ervices, and Azusa Beautiful with
Certificates for their participation in April Clean & Green Month and Clean California Community Day.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Eric Ortiz, Healing Justice Center, provided public comment regarding the non-profit Healing Justice Center whose
mission is to support Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities and organizations by facilitating
processes through workshops, training and advocacy for creating safe, healing and connected spaces. Mr. Ortiz
talked about the classes and services they provide and requested advocacy by City Council for internet access for
BIPOC communities by challenging the discriminatory practices of internet service providers.
Andrew Rietta, Azusa Connects, provided public comment regarding the Dog House is now open and invited
everyone to visit them this week as they will be donating 20% of this week’s pre-tax revenue to Azusa Connects.
Azusa Connects will have a Trivia Night on May 4, and on Sunday there will be raffles.
Maricela Cueva , President of Azusa Beautiful, provided public comment regarding the one-mile stretch on Highway
39 for the Cal Trans Adopt a highway program and invited the community to join them for their bi-monthly
cleanups. They meet at the bike trail at 9:00 a.m. and supplies are provided. It counts towards High School
Community service hours. The age minimum is 16 years old.
Mayor Gonzalez requested the City Manager to bring the internet service advocacy request to City Council after
they’ve worked through the annual end of FY budget.
REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
1. City Manager Communications.
City Manager Gonzalez read a statement by Councilmember Jesse Avila Jr which read:
My family deeply appreciates all your kind expressions of sympathy during our time of sorrow. With our faith in
God and your continued support we know we can get through this. We would appreciate your continued thoughts
and prayers as we navigate through these next steps. Gratefully, Avila Family
City Council May 1, 2023 Page | 3
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Beckwith expressed his support to Councilmember Avila and the Avila family. This past Saturday
was the One Legacy Walk. There were over 3,000 participants. It was an amazing event. City staff did a great job
with helping that event. Arbor Day All-In Community festival was a great event for the replanting of a tree in honor
of Ray Sanchez. He visited Northrop Grumman and was reminded of the incredible organization they are. Much of
their work is Top Security but it’s an amazing organization. He participated in the Leaders are Readers event with the
library. The Senior Center is hosting a prom dinner/dance on May 18 from 5 – 8 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 and there
will be music by Bobby Z and the cost is $15 dollars. He encourages folks to participate in the great events that are
starting to open back up post pandemic.
Councilmember Alvarez announced the Azusa Senior Center is having a volunteer recruitment event on May 31
from 9 -11 a.m. at the Azusa Senior Center lobby located at 740 N. Dalton Avenue. There will be light refreshments.
There are many services needing to be filled. For more information you can call 626-812-5204. The Azusa City
Library - Creating Connections Tuesday May 16 at 5 p.m. will be hosting a safe space for children with ASD to
participate in interactive play and practice social skills. For more information call 626-812-5279 or email
Alhassen@azusaca.gov.
Please keep the Avila family in your prayers. Additionally, when Covid hit, everyone became aware of just how
many people could not afford internet services. The Healing and Justice Center is a fantastic organization, and the
need is there in helping communities who can not afford internet access, he will remain neutral on the claim of
discriminatory practices without more information provided. He received a complaint about the lights on 5th and San
Gabriel going both east and west. Sometimes the light is green long enough for only one car to proceed through the
intersection. His rec ollection was a company was hired to sync the traffic signals; that should be looked at further.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo commented that the light at 5th and San Gabriel was involved in a
vehicle accident, and it is currently running on a temporary controller while the new equipment is ordered and
programmed. He will have staff take a look at and adjust the programming. A new company, Unix, has been hired to
sync the traffic signals and maintenance.
Councilmember Mendez reported about the Viva de los Niño’s celebration Tuesday May 2 from 5 – 6 p.m. at the
Azusa City Hall, with many activities, refreshments, and music. The Parks and Recreation Department and Family
and Services hosted the Azusa Film Academy Up Above, it was a great event, and he hopes they will continue it in
the future. City Clerk Cornejo has added historical photos in the Dias in honor of the Anniversary year celebration.
Saturday at San Dimas High School the AUSD and City of Azusa will host a track meet. The One Legacy event was
a great event. The Community event by Parks and Rec was a great event. North Grumman was very interesting, he is
looking forward to more tours in the future. Many condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Avila family.
Mayor Gonzales extended his prayers and wishes to the Avila family during this time. Congratulations to Parks and
Rec for the community event. The Easter Egg Hunt was also a great event. State of the City was a tremendous event
many thanks to Nico and staff for putting tha t together. It was very well received. Citrus College is a great partner for
the City of Azusa, many thanks. Many thanks to Arthur Vasquez, the City’s Treasurer, for all his hard work. This
meeting will be adjourned in Memory of Jesse Avila, III as well as Mr. Harry Holk.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT OF DISSOLUTION FOR THE AZUSA-RMC JPA AND
APPROVAL OF CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY TO THE WATERSHED CONSERVATION
AUTHORITY (WCA).
Recommended Action:
1) Accept the grant deed for the subject property; and
2) Approve the Azusa-RMC JPA dissolution agreement; and
3) Approve the conveyance of the subject property to the WCA for conservation purposes and authorize the City
Manager to prepare and execute all agreement(s) and deed(s) in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of
the City.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
Lucy Demirjian presented the item and responded to City Council questions.
Motion: by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Pro T em Mayor Beckwith to Approve the Azusa-RMC JPA
dissolution agreement; and approve the conveyance of the subject property to the WCA for conservation purposes
and authorize the City Manager to prepare and execute all agreement(s) and deed(s) in a form accep table to the City
Attorney, on behalf of the City.
City Council May 1, 2023 Page | 4
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, MAYOR GONZALES
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr.
Motion passed 4-0-1 (Avila Jr. Absent)
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING 2023 SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE.
Recommended Action:
1) Discuss and provide direction to Staff.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
City Clerk Cornejo introduced the item of the summer sch edule for City Council meetings .
City Council provided direction for the first meetings in July, August, and September to be canceled.
CONSENT CALENDAR – CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Alvarez made a spelling correction on Item E-7. St. Frances of Rome is spelled with an -es, not an -
is.
1. Minutes of the Regular meeting March 6 , 2023 was approved as written.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
2. Resolution No. 2023-C16 authorizing payments of warrants by the City dated APRIL 13, 2023 THROUGH
APRIL 26, 2023 was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
3. Approve the following Personnel Action Requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules
and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s) was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
4. First Amendment to the City-Wide Janitorial Services Agreement between the City of Azusa and Ultimate
Maintenance Services, Inc; and Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the contract, in a form
acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City was approved.
Total Cost: $162,300 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Fund/Account No: PW acct: Genera l Fund- Facilities / Acct. No. 1055666000-6430; L&W acct: Water Maintenance
Plant / Acct. No. 3140702935-6430; L&W acct: Electrical Distribution / Acct. No. 3340735880-6430; L&W acct:
Water Distribution / Acct. No. 3240723751-6430; L&W acct: Water Production / Acct. No. 3240722701-6430
5. Rejected of all bids for the City parking lots paving rehabilitation project was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
6. An increase to the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Blanket Purchase Order #037453 for On-Call Consulting Services with
ClientFirst Consulting Group in the amount of $25,000 was approved.
Total Cost: $25,000 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Fund/Account No: Information Technology Account #484930000-6499
7. Resolution No. 2023-C23 setting the number of transitional fireworks sales permits available for 2023 at two
(2) was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
City Council May 1, 2023 Page | 5
8. Waive the competitive bidding process as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section. 2-517(a) (14) –
Attorney Services; and Approve the increase of Blanket Purchase Order for Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore in the
amount not-to-exceed $60,000 for Legal Services was approved.
Total Cost: $35,000 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? No
Fund/Account No: Police Department Account 1020310000-6301
9. Receive, review, and file the City Treasurer’s Reports of Receipts, Disbursements and Fund Balances for the
months of July 2022 through October 2022 was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A.
10. Authorize extensions to the audit agreements to January 18, 2024 at amounts not to exceed $25,000 per year
per agreement; and Authorize the City Manager to approve two (2) additional one-year extensions for each
agreement, upon satisfactory performance in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per audit service was approved.
Total Cost: Various depending on what revenues are recovered. Is the Cost of this item budgeted? No, it is paid
through the discovery revenues the City receives via the revenue sharing agreements.
Fund/Account No: N/A
11. The extension of term for the Letter of Agreement (Agreement) with the Azusa Unified School District,
through the summer of 2023, which supports recreational and youth programming for AUSD students was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
12. Receive and file the list of purchase orders from the City Manager was approved.
Motion: by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Beckwith to approve the Consent Calendar Items
E-1-12.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, MAYOR GONZALES
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA Jr.
Motion passed 4-0-1 (Avila Jr. Absent).
SPECIAL CALL
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gonzales adjourned the meeting in solemn honor of Jesse Avila, III and Mr. Harry Holk.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:09 P.M.
* Items heard out of order
________________________________________
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-C24 (City)
NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2023-03
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-R05 (Former Redevelopment Agency)
NEXT MEETINGS:
May 15 2023, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
June 5, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting