HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-1 Minutes Regular Meeting February 18, 2025
City Council February 18, 2025 Page | 1
CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025 – 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: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Tabares, Interim City Clerk Services Manager
Demirjian, and Economic & Community Development Director Jimenez.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:31 P.M. to discuss the following:
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code,
Section 54956.8
City Negotiator: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager
Property Address: 622-624 North San Gabriel Avenue; APN: 8611-004-912 to 914
Negotiating Parties: Luis Nieblas
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms for Purchase
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Robert Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo, City Treasurer Vasquez.
CONSENT ITEM
E-1
City Council February 18, 2025 Page | 2
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Tabares, Interim City Clerk Services Manager
Demirjian, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of IT
Guadagnino, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, General Manager of Utilities Singh,
Captain Landeros, Library Services Manager Hassen, Community Improvement Manager Edson, Principal Civil
Engineer Cabanas, and Management Analyst Nazarian.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Kim Antol.
Invocation was led by Deacon Mike Flores of Saint Frances Roman Church.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Martinez reported the following regarding Closed Session: All members were present; Item 1 -
Council heard an update and no reportable action was taken.
CEREMONIAL
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The City Clerk advised that there were no public comments this evening, however, there was one email
received which was forwarded to the council from Mr. Bruce Monroe.
REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
‘Pet of the Month’ Presentation by Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control.
There was none this evening. The Mayor requested staff to look at other resources. He felt it was extremely
important that the city push for adoption for pets in and around the area.
City Manager Communications.
City Manager Gonzalez announced that Saturday, March 1st at 2:00 pm is the ribbon cutting ceremony of Great
Park. He addressed the grant of over $9.5 million the city received from the California State Library to
remodel and modernize the library. The City secured a lease to temporarily relocate the library to the vacant
CVS building located at the corner of Azusa Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.
City Manager Gonzalez presented an update on the City’s Scholarship Program provided with proceeds through
the City’s Fireworks sales and the Public Benefit Program which is an endowment provided by Vulcan.
Taleen Nazarian, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, provided a PowerPoint presentation on
the Special Assistance and Academic Scholarship Program. Thereafter, a discussion ensued between the City
Council and the City Manager regarding these programs, the funding, and what organizations would be eligible
to participate.
City Manager Gonzalez introduced the new Community Improvement Manager, Justin Edson, who was
previously employed the Cities of Monrovia, Commerce and Hermosa Beach. Mr. Edson addressed the City
Counsel expressing his gratitude for being afforded this opportunity.
Councilmember Announcements.
Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez announced a free Tire Recycling Event on Saturday, February 22, from 9:00 A.M. to
3:00 P.M. at 14747 E. Ramona Blvd., Baldwin Park. It is open to L.A. County residents. He provided a number
to contact to request a tire transport form. He also asked for continued prayers for the victims of the Eaton and
Palisades fires.
Councilmember Avila announced the 19th Annual Casino Night Fundraiser, hosted by the Mayor and himself
along with the Azusa Connects Foundation will be held at the Azusa Eagles Lodge on February 28, 2025. All
proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Azusa Youth non-profit sports programs, Azusa Little League, Azusa
Raiders, Junior All American Football and Girls Softball. Councilmember Avila thanked Miki Carpenter and
the Azusa Community Resource Department, Family Services Division, for the 2nd Annual Lunar New Year’s
celebration.
Councilmember Mendez congratulated Miki Carpenter and Community Resources staff who were part of the
Lunar New Year’s celebration. It was a lot of fun and a great event.
City Council February 18, 2025 Page | 3
Councilmember Bow reported that last week she served as an alternate at the Foothill Gold Line JPA meeting
and will be able to share a video of the Gold Line’s progress. She also participated in a Zoom call with the
California League of Cities Veteran’s Round Table. She was looking forward to collaborating with other cities
on ways we can advance veterans’ affairs throughout the state. She echoed her colleagues in congratulations to
Miki Carpenter and her staff for an amazing event and stated that the event even made it into the Chinese
Language newspaper.
Mayor Gonzales acknowledged Miki Carpenter and her staff for an amazing job. He mentioned the Casino
Night Fundraiser and that 100% of the proceeds will go to non-profit organizations that desperately need these
finances. He noted on Friday the City Council was invited to the Eagles Grand Worthy celebration again and
they asked for certificates, while he knew several of the Council will be in a conference and asked City Clerk
Cornejo if he would present the certificates on behalf of the City Council. He updated the Council on his
conversation with Congressman Cisneros who received confirmation from the Army Corps that they are about
two weeks away from finishing up EPA Phase I at Lario Park. He confirmed that there is no Phase II that will
be brought to that site and as they are wrapping up Phase I it will be another 30 to 45 days of clean up and
ensured that the site is the way that they found it.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN OFFER OF DEDICATION
AND FEE SIMPLE TITLE OWNERSHIP OF PARKLAND SHOWN AS LOT 24 OF TRACT MAP NO.
083344 GENERALLY LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE INTERSECTION OF ROSEDALE AVENUE
AND MONROVIA PLACE
Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act occurred with the Certification of an Environmental
Impact Report on February 3, 2003 (SCH#2002071046) as part of the original approval of the Monrovia Nursery
Specific Plan.
Miguel Cabanas, Principal Civil Engineer, presented the staff report advising that this is for the acceptance of
Great Park. City Manager Gonzalez responded to questions from the Council. The Mayor thanked the City
Manager and staff for getting this project completed. The City Manager added that a close-out report in terms
of the costs will be brought to the council shortly, and if approved this evening, the park will become part of the
city’s park inventory, it will be maintained by the City and will be programmed by the City through the
Community Resources Department.
Moved by Councilmember Avila, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the following vote of the
Council to adopt Resolution No. 2025-C07, authorizing the City Clerk to execute the Certificate of Acceptance
of Offer of Dedication and Acceptance of Fee Simple Title Ownership of Parkland, as included in the
resolution, and record the necessary documents to evidence the acceptance of the Offer of Dedication of Lot 24;
and Authorize the Mayor and City Manager to approve, accept, and execute on behalf of the city such
documents and instruments necessary to effectuate the acceptance of the Offer of Dedication of Lot 24.
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Bill Holman, Rosedale Land Partners, thanked the Council for their collaboration throughout the years; the
Council gave words of appreciation to Mr. Holman.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Gonzales confirmed that Councilmember Bow wished to pull Items 1 and 11.
1. Item pulled for Special Call.
2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-C08 authorizing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out
of which the same are to be paid dated January 30, 2025 through February 12, 2025.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
3. Approval of personnel action requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Rules of the Civil Service
System, Azusa Municipal Code, and/or applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s).
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
City Council February 18, 2025 Page | 4
4. The City Treasurer’s Statement of Cash and Investment Balances for the month of October 2024 was
received, reviewed, and filed.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
5. A Request to increase Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Blanket Purchase Order #41800 for Environmental Systems
Research Institution (ESRI) to a not-to-exceed amount of $65,000 was approved.
Total Cost: $45,000 increase to original BPO Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Fund/Account No: 48-49-942-000-6415
6. Acceptance of a Lunch at the Library Grant from the California State Library in the amount of $16,677 was
approved.
Total Cost: $16,677 Grant Award Is the cost of this item budgeted? n/a
Fund/Account No: 28-30-513-158-6625
7. Resolution No. 2025-09 directing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents needed to purchase
the property located at 609 N. Azusa Avenue and finding that such action is not a “project” as defined in
Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), was adopted.
Total Cost: $790,500 Is the cost of this item budgeted? n/a
Fund/Account No: General Fund Undesignated Reserve 10-90-000-000-7105
8. An Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (“ENA”) with Congregation Alehouse, LLC, which allows for a
period of exclusive negotiations between the City and Congregation Alehouse, LLC was approved; and the
Mayor was authorized to, on behalf of the City, to execute the ENA in a form acceptable to the City
Attorney, including any additional non-substantive changes; and it was determined that the adoption of this
Resolution does not qualify as a “project” as defined in Section 15378 of the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”).
Total Cost: none Is the cost of this item budgeted? n/a
Fund/Account No: n/a
9. Staff was authorized to solicit a Request for Proposals to provide shopping cart retrieval services for the
Economic and Community Development Department – Community Improvement Division.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
10. Resolution No. 2025-C10, approving the general form of and authorizing the execution and delivery of a
Lease Agreement with CVS, LLC, and authorizing the execution and delivery of other related documents in
connection therewith was adopted; the City Manager was authorized to execute the Lease Agreement, in a
form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City, subject to any additional changes necessary to
carry out the intent of this action and subject to approval by the City Attorney; and a budget approval for
sublease-related base rent payments in the amount of $3,000 per month for the term of the sublease was
authorized.
Total Cost: $30,000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? No
Fund/Account No: GF-Library Account 10-30-511-000
Moved by Councilmember Bow, seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the following vote of the
Council to approve Consent Calendar Items E-2 to E-9.
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Council February 18, 2025 Page | 5
CONSENT CALENDAR – SPECIAL CALL ITEMS
1. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING DATED DECEMBER 2, 2024, SPECIAL MEETING DATED
DECEMBER 11, 2024, SPECIAL MEETING DATED JANUARY 15, 2025, AND REGULAR MEETING
DATED JANUARY 21, 2025
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
There was discussion regarding some typographical errors in the December 2, 2024 minutes on page 3 as well
as the January 21, 2025 Minutes on page 2.
Moved by Councilmember Bow, seconded by Councilmember Mendez, and carried by unanimous vote of the
Council to approve the Minutes as corrected.
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
11. AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TRANSTECH ENGINEERING,
INC. TO PROVIDE PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE
AZUSA LIBRARY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND MODERNIZATION PROJECT
Total Cost: Total Cost: $429,200 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Fund/Account No: 2830511086-7125/51024A-7125
It was requested that the City Manager provide the Council with contacts regarding the proposal evaluation
process that resulted in the selection of the vendor proposed. City Manager Gonzalez introduced Deputy City
Manager De Anda-Scaia who explained that Transtech is a pre-approved vendor as listed on the City’s on-call
list and explained the pre-approval process to the City Council.
Moved by Councilmember Bow, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez and carried by unanimous vote of the
Council to award a Professional Services Agreement with Transtech Engineering, Inc. for Project/Construction
Management consultation services, including pre-construction, construction management, and post-construction
phase coordination services through project close-out, in an amount not to exceed $429,200.00; Authorize staff
to administratively approve up to a 10% or $42,920 contingency for unanticipated project change orders; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Transtech Engineering, Inc., in a form acceptable to
the City Attorney, on behalf of the City, subject to non-substantive changes made by the City Manager and City
Attorney, including any contingency amendments.
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
G. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gonzales adjourned the meeting in memory of Frank A Duran.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:08 P.M.
__________________________________________
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-C11 (City)
NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2025-01
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-R02 (Former Redevelopment Agency)
NEXT MEETINGS:
March 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting