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Unofficial until approved by the
Alhambra City Council
MINUTES
ALHAMBRA CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
March 26 , 202 6
9 :00 a.m.
R O LL C A L L : A t 9:15 a . m . , on Thursday, March 26, 2 0 26, 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, City Attorney Montes, Assistant City Clerk Lamb McCarthy, 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- 33
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 Kelly, President/CEO of Kelly Associates Management Group, held a strategic planning session on March 3, 2026 to review and update the City ’s Strategic Plan adopted in 2025. The Draft Strategic Plan contain ed six Goals, defined as follows: Goal 1: Enhance Public Safety; Goal 2: Improve Infrastructure and Mobility; Goal 3: Create a Strong Financial Base and Strong Economic Base (Economic Development); Goal 4: Enhance Transparency and Open Governance; Goal 5: Promote Sustainability; and, Goal 6: Improve Housing Opportunities, and an Implementation Plan to provide details and metrics to monitor the Plan.
Public Comment:
1) Mara KELEDEI , 355 S. Arroyo Dr., San Gabriel, spoke against the installation of security cameras in Almansor park. She also suggested devoting more funding towards public transportation.
2) Lewis McCAMMON , 105 N. Cordova St., discussed various items including the 710 freeway stub, building heights, the project at 110 S. Chapel Ave., and housing issues. 3) Nicole JOHNSON spoke against the installation of security cameras in Almansor Park. She stated that this was a safe city and discussed surveillance and privacy issues. 2 3- 26 -26
4) Jeremiah spoke against the installation of security cameras in Almansor Park. He further discussed surveillance issues and the construction of data centers. He supported Council ’s recently adopted Resolution regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement in the City. 5) Shirley TATSUNO, 1408 S. Fifth St., discussed crime in Almansor Park and spoke against the installation of cameras in the park. She went on to discuss issues of trash collection and the organic waste program. She spoke about the need for further public education and suggested programs in schools.
6) Monique RANDLE, of SGV Village, spoke against the installation of cameras in Almansor Park and discussed issues of surveillance and privacy. She suggesting using City funds to hire more staff to patrol the parks.
7) Siobhan D., via Zoom, spoke against the installation of cameras in Almansor Park and discussed issues of surveillance and privacy.
The City Council review ed , clarif ied, and discuss ed the updates to finalize the 2026 Strategic Plan. Council first discussed objectives listed under Goal 1: Enhance Public Safety. Council discussed Objective 1.5 pertaining to the installation of cameras in Almansor Park.
Councilmember LEE suggested combining the Objective with Objective 1.6 for staff to research areas that had higher crime rates, suggested private citizens continue to install their own cameras, and suggested the City find other ways of deterring crime. Council discussed crime in Alhambra and the parks specifically with City Manager BINNQUIST. Councilmember WANG, Vice Mayor ANDRADE-STADLER, Councilmember MAZA, and Mayor MALONEY did not support the installation of cameras in the parks. Council continued to discuss crime in and around the parks. Mr. MAZA suggested removing the Objective from the Strategic Plan. Mr.
MALONEY supported the suggestion and discussed Objective 1.6 pertaining to Infrastructure Improvements as Crime Deterrents. He suggested expanding the scope.
Council discussed Objective 1.1 pertaining to Public Education programs and staff provided attendance information as requested by Council. Ms. WANG and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed the Neighborhood Watch meetings and Community Academy meetings. Council continued to discuss the various programs and meetings. Ms. BINNQUIST and Police Chief KENNEDY provided clarification.
Ms. WANG discussed Objective 1.6 to Research Infrastructure Improvements to deter crime and made suggestions for areas of research such as walkability in downtown area and changes to speed limits close to the freeway. Ms. WANG and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed funding for Objective 1.2 pertaining to the Street Light Master Plan. Mr. MAZA and Mr.
MALONEY also discussed Objective 1.2.
Council discussed Objective 1.3 pertaining to Immigration Concerns and Ms. BINNQUIST provided an update. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Mr. MALONEY discussed the potential role of the Human Relations Commission and the Council Sub-Committee to continue monitoring immigration issues.
Council discussed Objective 1.4 pertaining to communication with Southern California Edison (SCE). Council discussed SCE planned and unplanned outages, notification and communication to residents, a presentation from SCE ’s representative to the City , concerns regarding fire risks, and the City ’s relationship with Clean Power Alliance (CPA).
Ms. BINNQUIST provided an update regarding Objective 2.1 and the 710 project. She stated that a meeting with CalTrans was scheduled. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER spoke in support of Objective 2.2. Mayor MALONEY, Ms. WANG, and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed Objective 2.3 3 3- 26 -26
related to expanding greenspace through the City . Mr. MALONEY nominated Ms. WANG to lead a subcommittee to explore more options for greenspace and Ms. WANG accepted. Ms.
BINNQUIST stated that Objectives 2.3 and 2.9 would be joined on the Strategic Plan. Mr.
MALONEY and Mr. MAZA discussed Objective 2.5 pertaining to Open Streets events and Ms.
BINNQUIST provided clarifications and updates. Ms. WANG and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed updates to Objective 2.7 related to the Traffic Calming Policy. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed updates to Objective 2.8 pertaining to the improvement of City Bridges and Objective 2.10 pertaining to the Development of City Branding. Mr. MALONEY and Ms. WANG also discussed 2.10. Ms. BINNQUIST provided updates on Objective 2.11 pertaining to the Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of City Facilities.
Council discussed Goal 3: Create a Strong Financial Base and Strong Economic Base. Council discussed Objective 3.3 pertaining to the exploration of the Downtown Alhambra Business Association boundaries. After a discussion between Ms. Wang and Ms. Binnquist, Mr.
MALONEY suggested a Council sub-committee to explore the development of certain sections of Valley Blvd. Ms. WANG and Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER agreed to be a part of the sub- committee. Staff agreed to bring back a discussion item to Council regarding economic development of Valley Blvd.
Council determined that Objectives 3.4 and 3.5 would be combined to Strategize the City ’s pension liability and to Increase City reserves to 30%. The remaining objectives under Goal 3 would be renumbered accordingly. Council also agreed that staff would review the reserve policies of other cities.
Mr. MALONEY discussed Objective 3.7 pertaining to 2028 Olympic opportunities and reported on recent meeting with other mayors. Ms. LEE also discussed the Objective. This objective was also changed to “funded ” after clarification from staff.
Council discussed Objective 3.8 pertaining to the Industrial Zone. Council discussed suggestions to change the industrial zones to be more walkable, outreach to other businesses, and existing businesses in the industrial zone. Ms. BINNQUIST and John BWARIE, representing the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce provided clarification regarding the existing industrial businesses. Council continued to discuss the industrial zones and Director of Community Development HO provided clarification regarding the use of the industrial zone, the condition of the current buildings, the types of businesses interested in industrial zones such as biomedical technology, and how other neighboring cities have done with their industrial zones. Staff agreed to continue to research and report to Council. Ms. WANG and Ms. LEE discussed the decline in Alhambra Unified School District enrollment and changes to the industrial zone which could help attract families such as housing or family activities.
Council discussed Objective 3.8 with Ms. BINNQUIST who provided clarification about creating a staff position to provide concierge services to new businesses. Ms. WANG requested clarification regarding the impact of creating a new position and the possible services offered to businesses. Ms. BINNQUIST stated that staff would review and report back to Council.
Council discussed objectives under Goal 4: Enhance Transparency and Open Governance.
Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Mr. MALONEY praised the “GoAlhambra ” app. Ms.
BINNQUIST reported that staff contacted Eagle Scout candidates who would help install exterior bulletin boards at Almansor and Granada Park to satisfy Objective 4.4. Council agreed to remove the objective as it was complete. Council also agreed to remove Objective 4.5 as complete and funded. Council discussed Objective 4.6 pertaining to Technological Upgrades at Joslyn Center. Ms. BINNQUIST and Director of Parks and Recreation MACIAS provided 4 3- 26 -26
clarification regarding the current technology at the Joslyn Center as well as budget requirements to obtain upgrades.
Ms. BINNQUIST and Mr. MALONEY discussed Objective 4.7 and stated that Council has not yet provided reports regarding their involvement on other meetings attended.
Council next discussed objectives under Goal 5: Promote Sustainability. Ms. BINNQUIST provided an update regarding Objective 5.1 regarding the Sustainability Plan and Mr.
MALONEY discussed it with her. Mr. MALONEY suggested changing the Strategic Plan Objective to “Develop Plan to Incorporate Elements into other Goals. ” Council agreed that they would continue to review the plan, implement it, and utilize the goals in other aspects. Ms.
ANDRADE-STADLER and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed Objective 5.3 pertaining to Gateway Plaza. Ms. BINNQUIST also reported that staff would bring back a report pertaining to Objective 5.4 to Revisit the Tree Ordinance.
Council discussed Goal 6: Improve Housing Opportunities. Council briefly discussed Objective
6.3 and the Cesar Chavez Foundation. Ms. BINNQUIST reported that there would be an agendized staff report and discussion at the April 13, 2026 City Council meeting for Objective
6.5 related to Tenant Relocation Assistance. Ms. BINNQUIST also provided an update regarding Objective 6.6 regarding the consultant for the next Housing Element preparation.
Council discussed Objective 6.7 to Review Zoning at Main and Chapel as a case study for a possible transition zone. Council discussed the zoning of the area, the existing buildings in the area, and how the transition zone would relate to the East Main Corridor. Ms. BINNQUIST and Mr. HO provided clarification. Ms. LEE expressed concerns with the Objective and Mr.
MALONEY, Ms. WANG, and Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER supported further review and discussion.
Council discussed Objective 6.8 to Purchase Apartment Buildings for low-income housing. Ms.
ANDRADE-STADLER suggested looking at hotels and motels for purchase as well and also suggested the City speak to the San Gabriel Valley Housing Trust. Ms. WANG discussed the RHNA allocation for Alhambra.
Recess & Reconvene : Mayor Maloney called for a brief recess at 12:2 5 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 12: 38 p.m. with all members present.
2. MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING – F2M26-16
Mr. Paul Omodt of Omodt and Associates present ed information and provid e training for City Council Members on the topic of navigating media communications. The presentation is on file in the City Clerk ’s office. Council made comments and Mr. OMODT provided clarification.
Ms. WANG and Mr. OMODT discussed how to address media coverage of an incident that could be incorrect or misrepresents the incident.
ADJOURNMENT: At 1: 18 p.m., Mayor Maloney adjourned the meeting .
LAUREN MYLES, CMC
CITY CLERK
by
BRIANNA LAMB MCCARTHY
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK