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MINUTES
Special Meeting
ALHAMBRA CITY COUNCIL
May 26, 2026
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Lee, Maza, Wang, Andrade-Stadler, Maloney
CITY CLERK REPORT - NOTICE NO. N2M26-68
The City Clerk reported that she duly gave notice of the special meeting of the City Council being held this evening pursuant to the order of the Mayor and in accordance with Section 54956 of the Government Code of the State of California.
PRESENTATION
1. TOWN HALL ON 710 MOBILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND NEXT STEPS – F2M19-32, F2M20-67
Assistant City Manager GARCIA delivered a staff report. Consultants Eugene WONG and Brandon FRIEDMAN from Kimley-Horn delivered the presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk’s office. On February 9, 2026, the City Council received an update to the City’s 710 Mobility Improvement Projects. Specifically, Kimley-Horn provided an overview of how past studies and agency coordination have resulted in today’s phased approach; recapped the latest project updates including the status of the City’s Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) for the Fremont Improvements; and reviewed the Measure R funding allocations for each of the City’s 710 projects. KimleyHorn summarized the City’s early corridor-wide study efforts involving the 710 Stub, Fremont Avenue, Atlantic Boulevard, and Garfield Avenue interchanges. The City’s study goals were to reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic, improve traffic safety and operations, and support future bicycle and pedestrian connectivity throughout the corridor. From the February 9th meeting, the Council requested more clarification and follow up including a meeting with Cal State University, Los Angeles to receive their interests or land use preferences for the Stub; construction updates for both the Fremont Improvements and the Stub Arterial Conversion Project; and clarification on the sequencing of the City’s four main projects (Fremont, 710 Stub, Garfield, Atlantic) and the Caltrans review process. Staff will present 710 Project Updates on the Fremont Avenue Improvements and the 710 Arterial Conversion (Stub) including costing, funding, and additional information obtained from meetings with Cal State University, Los Angeles, Kimley-Horn and Associates, and Caltrans.
Public Comment:
1. Ron Sahu discussed the item at length with members of the City Council, consultants and staff. He felt the money allocated should be used to benefit Alhambra and that the value of this money has decreased over time. He noted his belief that the City was faced with only bad options now due to the decrease in the value of the money allocated. He felt a new team was needed to move forward – consultants and managers. He requested documentation of 2 5-26-26
communications between City staff and Cal State Los Angeles representatives and requested a stand-alone study of the traffic impacts on the main I-10 to get clarity on the effects of the Stub project.
2. Yvonne Guerra expressed concern regarding the possibility that her property would be taken via eminent domain. Responding, Mayor MALONEY noted that her property would not be taken as there were not any residential right-of-way acquisitions related to this project.
3. Mark Nisall, Alhambra Transportation Commissioner, spoke on his own behalf and noted he felt that the cost of construction materials was higher than the rate of inflation; therefore, the City would run out of money by 2034. He felt if the City sped up the timeline, it would make the money available more viable. He noted the focus should be on the most important issue – getting traffic moving.
4. Michael Legnahcra spoke about his concerns with Alhambra Police Department and his recently filed claim for damage.
5. Tom Ferguson felt the 710 should be extended to Mission Road to alleviate the bottleneck effect on Valley Boulevard. Mayor MALONEY noted that this was not an option per the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mr.
Ferguson also submitted his public comments via email, a copy of which is email is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
6. Lewis McCammon made various comments about the item, including his belief that the biggest traffic problem coming north on the 710 freeway was the I-10 onramp and that this was not really Alhambra’s problem to solve with the money it had been allocated. He preferred for the City to move forward on the Stub, the Bike/Ped Plan and the Signal Synchronization projects. He provided the City Council with a handout, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
7. Val Marquez favored shutting down the Stub and felt that Alhambra should not pay for state highway traffic issues.
8. Raymond Quan took issue with the confusing technical jargon used to describe the mobility improvement projects and noted it made it difficult for people to understand the issues and the big picture. He also felt the report by Kimley-Horn was incomplete because it only addressed 1 out of 4 issues – the northbound cut-through traffic during evening rush-hour – but not the other 3 issues such as the southbound cut-through traffic during the evening rush hour. He noted his frustration with how long the process was taking and the lack of forward progress.
9. Omar Galicia expressed his desire for the City to move forward with implementation of the Bike/Ped Plan.
10. Alborz Mohtasham representing Alhambra Urbanists, noted a preference for the City to redesign the Stub as a community neighborhood using the Main Street CBD as a template. Mr. Mohtashami also submitted his public comments via email, a copy of which email is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
11. Walter Okitsu advocated for more bike-friendly infrastructure work in the City. 3 5-26-26
12. Shirley Tatsuno noted that with respect to the money allocated for the 710 Mobility Improvements, the City should concentrate on what Alhambra wants first and focus on helping the Fifth District.
13. Ros Escobar, representing the Fremont Elementary School PTA, discussed the concerns of families at Fremont Elementary and the need for greater community engagement.
14. Jim Roman spoke in support of the public speakers and urged review of the traffic issues with the transition to the 10 freeway.
15. Marisol Grier discussed the importance of community engagement, discussed the town hall being held as a Special Meeting of the City Council, and questioned the cost and timeline of the project.
16. Abaz Ismael, representing his father who owns a building at 2401 W. Hellman Ave. and the business Fidelity Copier Solutions, noted that the property appears to be identified for acquisition or under direct impact by the Fremont configuration exhibit. He requested the City provide written direction as to the exact impact on the property after options have been narrowed down. He also requested greater outreach to businesses affected by construction before options have been narrowed down.
17. Sawyer Brooks spoke against Options A and B and requested Council reject both. He provided several reasons and arguments against. He spoke in support of Alhambra’s Transportation Plan – “Walk, Bike, Move Alhambra.”
18. David Bond, via Zoom, requested more options to use available funding in better service to Alhambra residents.
19. Mimi Knock, via Zoom, spoke regarding the city of Pasadena’s design of the 710 stub and the effects of SB79.
20. Olga, via Zoom, stated given the number of public comments, the Council should not take a vote or action.
21. Melissa Michelson, via Zoom, agreed with the other speakers, questioned the Town Hall format, and urged Council to not vote on an option.
22. Je-Show Yang, via Zoom, spoke against the Fremont Ramp and any projects that would impact the school.
23. Randy K, via Zoom, expressed concerns with freeway entrances at Atlantic and Garfield and the traffic issues. 4.18.50
Discussion: City Council, City staff, members of the public, Kimley-Horn staff and representatives from CalTrans had a lengthy discussion of the 710 Mobility Improvement Projects and potential next steps.
Action Taken: City Council conducted a Town Hall on the 710 Mobility Improvement Projects (MIPS); received and filed the 710 Project Updates on the 4 5-26-26
Fremont Avenue Improvements and the 710 Arterial Conversion (Stub) including costing, funding, and additional information obtained from meetings with Cal State University, Los Angeles, Kimley-Horn and Associates, and Caltrans; and provided direction regarding the City’s next steps.
ADJOURNMENT: At 11:33 p.m., there being no further business for the Council to transact, the Mayor, with the consent of the City Council, adjourned the meeting.
LAUREN MYLES, CMC
CITY CLERK