The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutE.1 - Minutes Regular Meeting March 3, 2025City Council March 3, 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 MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2025 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 Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Interim City Clerk Services Manager Demirjian, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia PUBLIC COMMENT None. CLOSED SESSION The City Council recessed to closed session at 6:33 P.M. to discuss the following: CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54957.6 City Negotiator: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager, Talika M. Johnson, Director of Administrative Services and Nico DeAnda-Scaia, Deputy City Manager. Organizations: IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 18), APMA (Azusa Police Management Association), and APOA (Azusa Police Officers Association). 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. Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Interim City Clerk Services Manager Demirjian, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Deputy City Manager DeAnda-Scaia, Director of IT Guadagnino, General Manager of Utilities Singh, Chief of Police Wenrick, Director of Public Works Delgadillo, Economic & Community Development Director Jimenez, Library Services Manager Hassen, Planning Manager Vizcarra, Sr. Planner Alvarado. CONSENT ITEM E-1 City Council March 3, 2025 Page | 2 Pledge of Allegiance was led by David Feldman. Invocation was led by Pastor James Mendoza, Alter Foursquare Church. CLOSED SESSION REPORT The City Attorney reported that at 6:30 p.m. the Council went into Closed Session: All members were present. There was one item on the agenda which was to conference with labor negotiators concerning the groups listed. With respect to that item, the City Council heard a presentation from its negotiating team and there is no reportable action. CEREMONIAL 1. Proclamation Declaring March as Women's History Month. Councilmember Bow read a portion of the proclamation into the record. PUBLIC COMMENT Arturo Ortega, Superintendent of the Azusa Unified School District shared highlights and information about activities and achievements in the district. Kim Antol spoke on Item D.2 to inquire whether the homes being built would be affordable to the lower- and middle-class families. Chandler Weber, Public Information Officer with the Small Business Administration, shared information on what the Administration has to offer to homeowners and renters as well as businesses. Marcell Hillard who works for an L.A. based AI robotics company stated that his company is offering two Los Angeles area cities a $280,000 grant to assist with law enforcement technology which he believes would be a good fit in solving parking and traffic-related issues, or gang and graffiti crime; and expressed interest in collaborating with the City Council and Police Chief. REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL City Manager Communications. City Manager Gonzalez responded to Ms. Antol’s public comment regarding Discussion Item D.2 stating that he was unsure whether the developer is that far along, the agenda item tonight is a request for approval to move the project forward; commented on the grand opening of the new park, which was the first park in nearly 60 years and has been in the making for over 23 years; and gave a description of the park’s amenities was provided, as well as some of the events associated with the ribbon cutting ceremony. Councilmember Announcements. Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez addressed inquiries regarding the opening of the dog park; reported that he attended the Foothill Transit Planning Day meeting for current and future planning and the uncertainty about future grants for transportation projects; and spoke about the convenient and affordable public transportation in Southern California compared to other locations encouraging people to use it. Councilmember Avila reported that he attended the ICA seminar in Santa Barbara from February 21st - 23rd where there was discussion regarding the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and the need for cities to take advantage of the tourism associated with the event; thanked all the Casino Night sponsors and attendees, noting that the proceeds will benefit the youth sports programs in Azusa; and thanked everyone involved in the Great Park Ribbon Cutting. Councilmember Mendez reported that he also attended the ICA conference in Santa Barbara from February 21st – 23rd stating that his favorite session focused on community development and zoning; acknowledged Councilmember Avila and Mayor Gonzales for a successful Casino night; recognized everyone involved in the Great Park Ribbon cutting ceremony; and applauded Mayor Gonzales for his quick action after cutting the ribbon when the kids ran out. Councilmember Bow stated that she attended two fundraisers last week both for the Azusa Police Foundation and the Azusa Police Cadets Program; acknowledged the cadets who are in school and attending the cadet program; and congratulated everyone on the opening of the Great Park. City Council March 3, 2025 Page | 3 Mayor Gonzales announced the City Council has been invited to Citrus College’s Gala on March 22nd and requested a certificate to celebrate their 110th year; reported that he also attended the ICA conference where he attended the AB 1234 class; commented that the 19th annual Casino Night is a labor of love emphasizing that the proceeds support sponsorships, scholarships, and donations benefiting children and families in Azusa who need financial assistance for sports; and requested that the checks be presented to the organizations benefiting from the proceeds at the March 17th meeting. SCHEDULED ITEMS – CITY COUNCIL 1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS ANGELES URBAN COUNTY PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? No Fund/Account No: 2810110008-XXXX A report was presented by Senior Project Manager Lucy Demirjian stating that this is year five allocation of the permanent local housing program that was established by the State when several bills were adopted in 2017 to support affordable housing and to assist those who are at risk of homelessness; advised that the City is receiving $169,507 and Staff is proposing to apply those funds toward the current Azusa Resource Center (ARC) operations to avert some funds from the General Fund; and stated that for the past few years the City Council has approved these funds to go towards the ARC and other housing programs within the city. Moved by Councilmember Mendez and seconded by Councilmember Bow to adopt Resolution No. 2025-C11 Approving participation in the Los Angeles Urban County Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program by Authorizing the Mayor or his/her designee to sign a reimbursable contract with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) acting on behalf of the County. The City Clerk certified proof of publication in the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper on January 31, 2025. AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE 2. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE THE PROCESSING OF A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA) AND A ZONE CHANGE (ZC) TO ALLOW FOR A 153 RESIDENTIAL UNIT DEVELOPMENT COMPRISED OF SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS, TWO-STORY TOWNHOMES, AND THREE-STORY TOWNHOMES AT 1035 EAST MAUNA LOA AVENUE Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A Anthony Alvarado, Senior Planner, presented the conceptual site plan which showed a mix of residential products that included 52 attached three-story townhomes, 56 attached two-story townhomes, and 45 single- family detached cluster homes; informed the Council of Staff’s initial feedback and the entitlement requirements; and discussed the effect this project would have on the City’s regional housing needs assessment (RHNA). Matt Mahara, Director of Land Acquisitions for Taylor Morrison SoCal, expressed his gratitude to the City. Mr. Mahara and the City Attorney responded to questions posed by the Council stating that the proposed parking ratio is .37 which is greater than the typical ratio of developments of this size; a parking management plan is required to be submitted to the City. Further discussion regarding density ensued. Moved by Councilmember Avila and seconded by Councilmember Mendez to direct staff to process proposed General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and related Design Review Project as presented. AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE City Council March 3, 2025 Page | 4 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Gonzales advised that Councilmember Bow would like to speak on Item E.1 1. Item pulled for Special Call. 2. The City Treasurer’s Statement of Cash and Investment Balances for the Month of November 2024 was received and filed. 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 4. The List of Purchase Orders Issued with Contract Agreements Executed by City Manager was received and filed. Total Cost: $0 Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A 5. Purchasing procedures as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2.539 were waived and the purchase of a JOHN DEERE 210 P-tier Tractor Loader and attachments in the amount not to exceed $152,203.52 from COASTLINE Equipment Company was approved; and the City Manager was authorized to execute a purchase agreement with COASTLINE Equipment Company for the purchase of the JOHN DEERE 210 P-tier Tractor Loader and proposed attachments. Total Cost: $152,203.52 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: Capital Outlay account 46-55-651-000-7140 6. A Special Event Permit Application from Onelegacy to conduct 1K/5K Run-Walk Family Festival On And Around The Azusa Pacific University West Campus And Through The Rosedale Community In The City Of Azusa Was Approved; the City Manager was authorized to execute the Special Event Permit Agreement, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City; the City Manager was authorized to execute the Reimbursement Agreement, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City; and Resolution No. 2025-C13 authorizing the closure of certain City of Azusa streets as discussed herein for a limited time, to allow for the event to take place was adopted. This item is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act under Article 19, Section 15304: Minor Alterations to Land, Class 4(e) consists of Minor Temporary Uses of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment, such as a Temporary Event. Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A Moved by Councilmember Bow and seconded by Councilmember Avila to approve Consent Calendar Items 2 through 6. AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE CONSENT CALENDAR – SPECIAL CALL ITEMS 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS OF WARRANTS BY THE CITY DATED FEBRUARY 13,2025 THROUGH FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A In response to questions posed by the Council regarding aging invoices, the current invoice process, efficiency improvements, and impacts to vendor relationships, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, detailed the invoice payment process and the need to improve the timeliness of invoices being received by the Finance Department. She further described the challenges faced when invoices are paid late and discussed the methods taken to mitigate these challenges. City Council March 3, 2025 Page | 5 Moved by Councilmember Bow and seconded by Councilmember Mendez to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-C12 allowing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out of which the same are to be paid. AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE CONSENT CALENDAR- SUCCESSOR AGENCY 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED JANUARY 29, 2025 THROUGH FEBRUARY 26, 2025. Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: Fund 87 Successor Agency Moved by Councilmember Mendez and seconded by Councilmember Bow to adopt Resolution No. 2025-R24 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds. AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ADJOURNMENT Mayor Gonzales adjourned the meeting. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:24 P.M. _______________________________ CITY CLERK UPCOMING MEETINGS: March 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting April 7, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting