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Unofficial until approved by the
Alhambra City Council
MINUTES
ALHAMBRA CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
March 3 , 202 6
9 :00 a.m.
R O LL C A L L : A t 9:13 a . m . , on Tuesday , March 3 , 2 0 2 6 , t h e A lh a m bra C it y C o u nc il m et in R uth R e e se H a ll of t he A lh a m b r a C iv ic C e n ter L ibr a r y , 1 0 1 So u t h F irst S t r e e t , A lh a m br a , C a lif orn ia.
CITY COUNCIL: P R E S E N T : LEE, MAZA , WANG , ANDRADE-STADLER, MALONEY A B S E N T : NONE
O ff i c i als P rese n t: City Manager Binnquist, Assistant City Manager Garcia, Deputy City Manager Hembree , City Attorney Montes, City Clerk Myles, Director of Parks & Recreation Macias, Director of Library Services LohGuan, Director of Public Works/Utilities Ray, Director of Finance Lieu, Director of Human Resources Ko, Director of Community Development Ho, Fire Chief Ragusa, Chief of Police Kennedy, Deputy Director of Public Works/Utilities Ahlen , Management Analyst Alvarez, Grants Specialist Taber, Management Analyst – Sustainability Martel, Economic Development Specialist MacCarley
A lso present w a s F a c ilita to r W illia m R . K e lly , P re s id e n t/C E O o f K e lly A s s o c ia te s M a n a g e m e n t G ro u p CITY CLERK REPORT - NOTICE NO. N2M 2 6- 22
The City Clerk hereby report ed that she duly gave notice of the Special Meeting of the City Council being held this morning pursuant to the order of the Mayor and in accordance with Section 54956 of the Government Code of the State of California.
1 . CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION – F2M2 6- 27 The City Council, City Manager, Department Heads and Facilitator William R. Kelly, President/CEO of Kelly Associates Management Group , held a strategic planning session . The strategic planning session included , but was not limited to , a discussion of the Councilmembers ’ 2025 Strategic Plan progress ; and, updating and alignment of 2026 goal s and priorities.
Public Comment:
1) Ron SAHU, 311 N. Story Pl., discussed several concerns regarding the Strategic Planning process, the 710 Project, and the Pumpkin Run. He presented several suggestions for improvement such as unfunded liability and increasing reserves, the Regional Housing Needs Assessment cycle, economic development, cleaning groundwater, declining sales taxes, lowering city fees for Accessory Dwelling Unit permits, strengthening Boards and Commissions, outreach to trade schools for Alhambra Unified School District, and other topics pertaining to Goals listed as Strategic Plan goals. 2) Lewis McCAMMON , 105 N. Cordova St., submitted documents to Council, which are on file in the City Clerk ’s office. He discussed the opinion survey from True North, housing issues, the development at 110 S. Chapel Ave., and regulations regarding the Inclusionary 2 3- 3 -26
Housing In-Lieu Fund. He suggested adding funding for no-fault evictions, a mid-term review of the Housing Element, and the creation of a Housing Board. 3) Sawyer BROOKS, 118 E. McLean St., submitted documents to Council, which are on file in the City Clerk ’s office. He made recommendations regarding public safety and Council ’s subcommittee for federal immigration activity , the 710 project, a focus study for East Main St., tenant protection policies and assistance, and that Goal 6 be renamed. 4) Shirley TATSUNO, 1408 S. Fifth St., discussed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, the cleanliness of Valley Blvd., the need to attract new businesses such as Trader Joe ’s and Daiso, and the need to attract more jobs with livable wages.
Mr. KELLY began by summarizing the 6 goals prioritized by Council in the previous year and as outlined in the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk ’s office. He further provided updates as to which goals were completed or ongoing.
Council discussed Goal 1: Enhance Public Safety. Vice mayor ANDRADE-STADLER agreed with suggestions made by Mr. Brooks and further suggested a new objective regarding the City Council subcommittee for Federal Immigration Activity. Mayor MALONEY agreed with her and echoed her comments. Councilmember LEE and City Manager BINNQUIST discussed objective 1.1 and the County Emergency coordinators presentations at Hazard Mitigation Plan Town Hall meetings. Mr. KELLY made suggestions regarding gathering metrics at meetings.
Councilmember WANG further commented on the programs listed under Objective 1.1 and the benefits of increased communication and participation with the community. She also emphasized the nee d to gather metrics to gauge public participation at the meetings, measure success, and gather feedback from the public. She went on to make further suggestions for opportunities for public outreach from Southern California Edison (SCE) regarding power outages . Ms. BINNQUIST provided clarification and stated that staff would provide participation numbers from the most recent events.
Vice Mayor ANDRADE-STADLER made further suggestions to provide video links from the meetings on the City website. Ms. WANG discussed the connection between infrastructure improvements and public safety. She went on to discuss Objective 1.2 , the Street Light Master P lan , and enhancing communication with the public regarding power outages . Council continued to discuss the Street Light Master Plan and infrastructure improvements to enhance public safety with Ms. BINNQUIST. Staff would continue to research infrastructure improvements.
Ms. LEE suggested the installation of security cameras at certain areas of Almansor Park due to a recent incident and requested information regarding cameras as crime deterrents in other areas.
Regarding Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure and Mobility, Council removed Objectives 2.1, 2.3, and 2.8 as nearly complete. Regarding Objective 2.2, Ms. BINNQUIST provided updates and Council discussed the item. Mr. MALONEY directed staff to agendize a discussion for Council to create a team to represent Alhambra ’s position on 710 issues throughout the development process with CalTrans and State elected officials . Council discussed Mr. Maloney ’s suggestion.
Recess & Reconvene : Mayor Maloney called for a brief recess at 10:59 a.m. and resumed the meeting at 11:14 a.m. with all members present.
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Council discussed Goal 3 : Create a Strong Financial Base and Strong Economic Base (Economic Development). Ms. WANG and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed the Council sub- committee for Economic Development. Mr. MAZA suggested speaking to the trade programs Pasadena City College regarding outreach to Alhambra high schools. Mr. MALONEY and Ms.
BINNQUIST discussed exploring the Downtown Business Association boundaries. Ms. WANG also discussed other opportunities for high school students to enter trade programs and supported Mr. Maloney ’s suggestion for a subcommittee to explore economic development.
Ms. WANG also discussed the economic development of Valley Blvd. and went on to discuss the San Gabriel Council of Governments plans to attract visitors during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as it could involve collaboration with Alhambra. Council discussed the 2028 Olympics and the opportunities for Alhambra to bring new visitors to the City .
Ms. LEE also discussed career training opportunities for high school students.
Ms. WANG suggested staff review the industrial zones for technology manufacturing to increase financial base. Council continued to discuss the industrial zones in Alhambra and Ms. BINNQUIST provided clarification. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER suggested speaking with John Bwarie from the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.
Council then discussed Goal 4: Enhance Transparency and Open Governance. Ms. LEE discussed Objective 4.1 and suggested technological upgrades at the Joslyn Center to meet the needs for those using the facility. Council discussed this suggestion. Ms. ANDRADE- STADLER discussed providing the Around Alhambra to senior citizens. Ms. WANG and Ms.
BINNQUIST discussed Unfunded Goal 4 to research options for indoor and outdoor digital or traditional bulletin board signage for City buildings to share City related information and announcements. Council continued to discuss providing informational flyers for the public. Ms.
ANDRADE-STADLER and City Clerk MYLES discussed the number of Zoom participants for City Council meetings and ways to provide information for public participation. Mr. MALONEY discussed the need for Council to provide reports to the public regarding Council ’s participation in outside public agencies. He also requested staff continue to provide information to Council and to the public as to their work with outside public agencies during Council Communications at the City Council meetings. Ms. BINNQUIST provided clarification.
Regarding Goal 6: Improve Housing Opportunities, Council discussed Tenant Relocation Assistance. Council suggested staff review the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to use the fund established through developers paying in-lieu fees instead of supplying inclusionary housing units. Council discussed using this fund for Tenant Relocation Assistance. Council discussed housing development in Alhambra, Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, RHNA goals, partnership with other agencies to procure funding for projects, density bonus laws, and increasing housing opportunities through zoning changes . Ms. BINNQUIST provided clarification.
Recess & Reconvene : Mayor Maloney called for a brief recess at 12:26 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 12:47 p.m. with all members present.
Council also discussed Unfunded Items from 2025. Mr. MALONEY, Director of Public Works AHLEN, and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed Goal 2 pertaining to the improvement of City Bridges.
Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed Goal 2 pertaining to the acquisition of the International Extrusion site. Mr. MALONEY also commented on the acquisition of the site and potential funding sources. Council also discussed Goal 2 pertaining to Development of City Branding and Ms. BINNQUIST provided clarification. 4 3- 3 -26
Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed Fremont Plaza and the removal of the rosebushes in favor of planting trees. Councilmembers MAZA and WANG suggested staff revisit the Tree Ordinance. Ms. WANG also discussed Goal 2 pertaining to Seismic retrofitting City facilities and the need for a Seismic Vulnerability Study. Ms. LEE discussed Goal 3 - the reducing the pension liability and suggested using $2million from reserves to pay down the principle. Council continued to discuss the item as well as increasing reserves. Council decided to move the items under Goal 3 pertaining to continued Downtown Business Association programs to Goal 6. Ms. WANG discussed Goal 4 pertaining to indoor/outdoor bulletin boards and suggested an informational bulletin board located at Granada park . Ms.
LEE further discussed Goal 3 to streamline permitting process and A frame fees for small businesses. Ms. WANG suggested staff concierge services to assist the public and business owners go through the permitting and licensing process.
Ms. BINNQUIST reported that the next Strategic Planning session would be on March 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. and that staff would update the Strategic Plan goals based on Council ’s input from today. She also reported that Council was required to complete media training which would take place as a brief presentation after the Strategic Planning session on the same day.
Council then discussed the 2025 Completed Items. Mr. MALONEY, Ms. WANG, and Ms.
ANDRADE-STADLER discussed the “GoAlhambra ” app and the need for gathering metrics to measure success.
MAZA : Councilmember MAZA left the meeting at 1:38 p.m.
Ms. LEE discussed Goal 4 and the “GoAlhambra ” app and suggested a similar app for small business owners. Mr. MALONEY suggested a social media campaign to refer people to the app and a new feature to give feedback. Ms. WANG , Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER, and City Manager BINNQUIST discussed Goal 2 pertaining to Traffic Calming policy and the funding.
Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed trash service in Alhambra and public education on sustainability issues. Ms. WANG discussed Goal 3 pertaining to the ADU informational flow chat.
ADJOURNMENT: At 1: 48 p.m., Mayor Maloney adjourned the meeting.
LAUREN MYLES, CMC
CITY CLERK
by
BRIANNA LAMB MCCARTHY
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK