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Home My WebLink About04-01-2024 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, APRIL 1, 2024 – 7:30 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: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, AVILA Jr., MAYOR PRO-TEM ALVAREZ, MAYOR GONZALES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Marco Martinez, Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of IT Guadagnino, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, Director of Public Works Delgadillo, Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Library Services Manager Hassen. SCHEDULED ITEMS 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.9(d)(1) Case Name: Banuelos v. Superior Court Los Angeles County et al. CA Supreme Court – S283279 2nd Appellate District – B333189 Trial Court – KA124752 2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS – Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8 City Negotiator: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager Property Address: 609 North Azusa Avenue; APN: 8611-004-023 Negotiating Parties: Henry Bouchot Under Negotiation: Price and Terms for Purchase 3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.9(d)(1) Case Name: City of Azusa v. Victor Olmedo; Maria Olmedo; and California Business Bureau Inc. Case Number: 22PSCPOO344; Superior Court of Los Angeles (Pomona). 4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.95 Case Name: Joseph Stewart v. City of Azusa; WC Claim No. 4A21120AKPA0001 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY Mayor Robert Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. City Council April 1, 2024 Page | 2 CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo. PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, AVILA Jr., MAYOR PRO-TEM ALVAREZ, MAYOR GONZALES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Marco Martinez, Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of IT Guadagnino, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, Director of Public Works Delgadillo, Chief Deputy City Clerk Garcia, Library Services Manager Hassen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Denaee Amaya The Invocation was led by Pastor Rick Clark The Rising Movement Church CLOSED SESSION REPORT City Attorney Marco Martinez reported City Council met in closed session for four items and reported there were no reportable actions for any of the four items. CEREMONIAL 1. Certificate of Recognition to Maria & Frank Delgadillo Founders of the Azusa Pacers. Councilmember Mendez presented the Certificate of Recognition to Maria & Frank Delgadillo Founders of the Azusa Pacers, acknowledging their dedication and leadership in promoting health and fitness. 2. Presentation of Proclamation proclaiming April 2024 as Autism Awareness Month in the City of Azusa. Councilmember Beckwith read the proclamation aloud, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with autism. 3. Presentation of Proclamation proclaiming April 2024 as Donate Life Month in the City of Azusa. Councilmember Avila Jr. read the proclamation aloud, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donations. 4. Presentation of Proclamation proclaiming April 14-20, 2024 as California Mosquito Awareness Week in the City of Azusa. Mayor Gonzales read the proclamation aloud, emphasizing the need for vigilance in preventing mosquito-borne illnesses. 5. Presentation of Proclamation proclaiming April 13, 2024 as Arbor Day in the City of Azusa. Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez read the proclamation aloud, highlighting the significance of Arbor Day in promoting tree planting and environmental stewardship. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Antonio expressed concern about issues in his community and hoped to find some solutions. One problem was the presence of construction debris in the alley where he lives, which sometimes makes it difficult for him to access his house. Additionally, there are dogs in the alley that are not on leashes, and their owners do not clean up after them. Finally, there are mini motorcycles that ride around the streets from Fifth Street to Second Street and create a nuisance by making donuts on the streets. Mr. Antonio requested that the City Council come up with a solution to address these issues. Christine Ramirez, co-founder of Azusa Connects, has extended an invitation to the community to attend the second Annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Walk. The event is scheduled to take place on April 7, 2024, at Azusa High School. The event will run from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and check-in will begin at 11 a.m. Admission is free, and guests can expect to find resource booths, speakers, carnival games, and giveaways. For more information, please contact info@azusaconnects.org. City Council April 1, 2024 Page | 3 Denaee Amaya, Athens Services, commented that April 1, 2024, is officially Earth Month. Athens Services has an event in collaboration with the City of Azusa scheduled for April 6, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Memorial Park parking lot. Residents are encouraged to arrive on time to ensure they receive their free compost and mulch. Ms. Amaya can be contacted by email at damaya@athensservices.com. Dianne Dodson expressed a safety concern in the community of Azusa Heritage. In the early morning hours of March 30, 2024, at around 12:25 a.m., the Azusa Police Department responded to the community after several shots were fired in the immediate neighborhood. She stated that her neighbor shared a video of at least two individuals who jumped into their backyard and were subsequently arrested. This was not the first time such an incident had occurred in the neighborhood. Ms. Dodson also mentioned that on the same day, at around 10:15 a.m., she heard a rapid succession of six or seven gunshots followed by another eight or nine while she was on the phone. She and a few of her neighbors called 911 to report the incident. The proximity of Lee Elementary School to the area added to her worry about the safety of the children in the community. She expressed her concern that if such shooting incidents occurred during school hours, it could have catastrophic consequences. She stated that she has been living in Azusa for 28 years and has always felt safe. However, the recent shooting incidents have made her feel unsafe. She commended the Azusa Police Department for responding to the incidents but stated that it was not enough. She believes that as law-abiding, tax-paying citizens, they deserved more. The Azusa Heritage Community would like to partner with the City and Azusa Police Department to take corrective action and ensure the safety of its residents. City Manager Gonzalez advised that an update on the Atlantis Gardens Apartments would be included on the future agenda. REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL 1. City Manager Communications City Manager Gonzalez announced that the City’s Community Improvement team continues to work proactively to educate residents on the importance of clearing brush for mosquitos and fire danger. Caltrans will hold a meeting regarding the San Gabriel Canyon Road Reopening Project in the auditorium on April 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. He also announced that the City website has been updated and redesigned. Deputy City Manager Nico DeAnda-Scaia highlighted updates to the City website. 2. Economic Development Update Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez presented the Economic Development Update. In Q1 2024, a total of twenty-five business licenses were issued. This compares to twenty-six business licenses issued in Q4 of the previous year. He highlighted ribbon cutting ceremonies, upgrades to the Azusa Downtown streetscape, the Orchard Leasable Space, and Economic Gardening. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez noted that he had been informed about a limit on the frequency of bulk item pickups by Athens. He questioned who would be contacted if Athens imposed such a restriction. Additionally, he announced an upcoming Athens compost mulch giveaway. He also expressed concern about the insufficient parking related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Councilmember Avila Jr. congratulated Mayor Gonzales on a wonderful Prayer’s Breakfast event. He also celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of the golf course. He commended the Community Resource Department for relocating the Easter egg hunt to Memorial Park, inside the gymnasium, instead of canceling the event. Councilmember Mendez thought the Prayer’s Breakfast event was the best attended Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast he had ever seen. Congratulations to the staff for their efforts in organizing the successful Easter egg hunt. The Azusa Women’s Club is hosting two events: an Earth Day Art Contest and a rummage sale, both scheduled for April 6, 2024. Councilmember Beckwith highlighted some of the great work that staff is doing, including the Downtown Streetscape, helping to get the Azusa Greens Golf Course up and running, the Azusa Resource Center, Library Center, Alosta and Foothill Street Improvement Project, Lumia Project, and many more. Thanks to the staff and all those who contributed to moving these projects forward. The Azusa City Library’s 65th Birthday Celebration is scheduled for April 11, 2024, at 4 p.m. Thoughts and prayers to Rick MacDonald, longtime head of the City’s Ministerial Association, who recently underwent a lung transplant. Mayor Gonzales restated that the upcoming Athens compost-mulch event and advised that he is still looking for volunteers to help out. The free yard sale weekend is April 6th and April 7th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Outdoor Recreation Eco-Fair is scheduled for April 13, 2024, at Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a City Council April 1, 2024 Page | 4 free tire collection for the entire month of April for Azusa residents only. The Household Hazardous E-Waste Collection event is scheduled for April 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ghostbusters Trivia Night is April 23, 2024. He thanked his colleagues for attending the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. He thanked the APU Gospel Choir, President Morris, and Superintendent Arturo Ortega of the Unified School District. He challenged his colleagues to continue the tradition of a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. SCHEDULED ITEMS CONSENT CALENDAR – CITY COUNCIL Mayor Gonzales called for items to be pulled from the Consent Calendar. 1. Minutes of the City Council meeting dated March 4, 2024 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. 2024-C19 allowing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out of which the same are to be paid for March 14, 2024 – March 27, 2024 was approved. Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A 3. Personnel Action Requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s) were approved. Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A 4. Fiscal Year 2023/24 Blanket Purchase Order 39580 with ClientFirst Consulting to a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000 was approved. Total Cost: $56,000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: #4849930000-6499 ($12,000) and #4849942000-6499 ($44,000) 5. Authorize the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for specialized legal services was approved. Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: 10-20-310-000-6301 6. Receive and file the list of purchase orders issued with contract agreements was approved. Total Cost: $64,674 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: Various Accounts 7. Second Amendment to the City-Wide Janitorial Services Agreement between the City of Azusa and Ultimate Maintenance Services, Inc; and execute an amendment to the contract, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City were approved. Total Cost: $162,300 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: 1055666000-6430 8. Waive the competitive bidding process as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section. 2-517(a) (14) – Attorney Services; and the Blanket Purchase Order 039931 with Best Best & Kreiger, LLC. in the amount not to exceed $125,000 for Legal Services were approved. Total Cost: $125,000 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: 10-35-643-000-6301 9. JL Group, LLC Blanket Purchase Order No. 040388, for Fiscal Year 2023/24 to a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000 was approved Total Cost: $25,000 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: General Fund/10-50-921-000-6399 10. Receive, review, and file the FY 2022/23 fourth quarter financial report ending June 30, 2023 was approved. Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A City Council April 1, 2024 Page | 5 Fund/Account No: N/A 11. First Amendment to the City-Wide Tree Maintenance Services Agreement between the City of Azusa and West Coast Arborists, Inc., and execute an amendment to the contract, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City were approved Total Cost: $977,211 Is the Cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: General Fund (acct #1055420000-6493), Gas Tax (acct #12554200006493), Community Funded District, Account Number (acct #37-25-420-055-6493), Public Benefit Fund (acct #244073908266/RSTREE-6625), Distribution Maintenance–Overhead Lines, Account Number (acct #33-40- 735-930-6493) Motion: by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Councilmember Avila Jr., to Adopt the Consent Calendar. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Motion passed 5-0-0 SECOND READING ORDINANCES None. CONSENT CALENDAR - SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS. 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED MARCH 14, 2024 THROUGH MARCH 27, 2024. RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-R06 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds. Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A Motion: by Councilmember Beckwith, seconded by Councilmember Mendez, to Adopt Resolution No. 2024- R06 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Motion passed 5-0-0 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Gonzales adjourned the meeting. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:38 P.M. ** Items heard out of order ___________________________________________________ CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-C20 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2024-02 NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-R07 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS: City Council April 1, 2024 Page | 6 April 15, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting May 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting