ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cheng called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 8:06 a.m.
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT: Cao, Kwan, Wang, Verlato, and Cheng
ABSENT: None
ROLL CALL OF RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION MEMBERS
PRESENT: Cheung, Chu, Vanni, and Mediana
ABSENT: Swinney
PUBLIC COMMENTS – No one appeared.
OPEN SESSION TO THE PUBLIC
a. Wilderness Park Tour.
The City Council, members of the Recreation and Parks Commission, and City staff attended the Wilderness Park tour. Staff responded to various questions, comments, and suggestions.
No action was taken on the above matter.
The Special Joint Meeting ended at 8:44 a.m.
Linda Rodriguez
Assistant City Clerk
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ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cheng called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
2. INVOCATION – Rabbi Sholom Stiefel, Chabad of Arcadia
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – City Clerk Glasco
4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT: Cao, Kwan, Wang, Verlato, and Cheng
ABSENT: None
5. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING CLOSED/STUDY SESSION ITEMS
City Attorney Maurer reported that the one item listed on the posted Agenda under Closed Session was not heard by the City Council and would be rescheduled to a future meeting.
6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report and thanked Mayor Cheng for his service.
7. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
a. Presentations to outgoing Mayor Paul P. Cheng
Presentation by Assembly Member Mike Fong
Presentation by Gigi Lee on behalf of U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu Presentation by Marco Lundgren on behalf of Senator Anthony J. Portantino Presentation by Vicky Paul on behalf of Supervisor Kathryn Barger Presentation by Francine Chiu, Karen McNair, and Jennifer Stone on behalf of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
Presentation by Shirley Yee and Dr. David Vannasdall on behalf of the Arcadia Unified School District
Presentation by Donna Choi on behalf of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association
Presentation by Susan Guo and Sho Tay on behalf of the Arcadia Chinese Association Presentation by Mike Driebe on behalf of USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation Presentation by Pastor Andre Bribiesca on behalf of Vessel Calvary Chapel Arcadia Presentation by Miguel Hernandez on behalf of the City of Sierra Madre Presentation by Linda Sells, Terrence Williams, and Michelle Wright on behalf of MAD Town Council
Presentation by Tashera Taylor on behalf of Foothill Unity Center, Inc.
2 09-19-2023 Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem April A. Verlato on behalf of Senator Dianne Feinstein Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem April A. Verlato on behalf of Pete Siberell, Santa Anita Park
Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem April A. Verlato on behalf of City of Monrovia Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem April A. Verlato on behalf of the City of San Gabriel Presentation by Mayor Pro Tem April A. Verlato on behalf of the City of Arcadia Remarks by outgoing Mayor Paul P. Cheng
b. Administration of the oath of office to Mayor April A. Verlato
Presentation by Donna Choi on behalf of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association to incoming Mayor April A. Verlato
Remarks by Mayor April A. Verlato
c. Administration of the oath of office to Mayor Pro Tem Michael Cao
Remarks by Mayor Pro Tem Michael Cao
d. Remarks by members of the City Council and City Clerk
8. PRESENTATIONS
a. Introduction of Tainan City Fire Bureau Firefighters
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Brian Greene, Vice President of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, appeared and thanked the City Council for their support; he announced that Dine Arcadia is September 17-30; he provided a flyer of the event and a calendar of events for the month of October; and encouraged everyone to participate.
Adrian Chao, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association, appeared and thanked Mayor Verlato for supporting City businesses and residents; he shared an essay expressing his gratitude for the positive impact she made on him during her first term as Mayor; and thanked her for being an example for the community.
Rabbi Stiefel appeared on behalf of the Jewish Community and thanked outgoing Mayor Cheng for his service to their community; he thanked the Arcadia Police Officers for their service during the conclusion of their Rosh Hashanah event; he announced that Yom Kippur Services will be held next week at the Embassy Suites and encouraged those interested to attend; and he thanked the City Council for serving the community.
Kevin Mak appeared and recounted his experience attending a football game at Arcadia High School; he encouraged the City Council to support the football team by attending the final two games of the season.
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10. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]).
City Clerk Glasco congratulated Mayor Verlato, outgoing Mayor Cheng, and incoming Mayor Pro Tem Cao; and thanked the City Council for their support.
Council Member Cheng thanked everyone in attendance for supporting Mayor Verlato and Mayor Pro Tem Cao; he thanked Arcadia first responders, City staff, the Arcadia Unified School Board, and the community for allowing him to serve them.
Council Member Wang thanked everyone in attendance for their support; she expressed her appreciation to Council Member Cheng for his service during his tenure; and congratulated Mayor Verlato and Mayor Pro Tem Cao on their new appointment.
Council Member Kwan expressed her gratitude to Council Member Cheng for his service during his tenure as Mayor; she congratulated Mayor Verlato and expressed her enthusiasm about working under Mayor Verlato’s leadership and guidance.
Mayor Pro Tem Cao expressed his appreciation to the community; he thanked Council Member Cheng for his service and expressed his excitement about working under Mayor Verlato’s leadership. He announced that he attended a private ceremony hosted by the Arcadia Fire Department honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks; and stated that September 15 is National Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day.
Mayor Verlato thanked everyone for their support; she expressed her passion for serving the community; thanked Council Member Cheng for his service; and stated that she looks forward to working with the City Council and the community.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2023.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
b. Resolution No. 7522 acknowledging receipt of a report made by the Fire Chief of the Arcadia Fire Department regarding inspections of certain occupancies required by Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
c. Design-Build Contract with Clean Energy for Design and Construction Services for a new compressed natural gas facility at the Public Works Services Yard in the amount of $2,843,487, plus a 10% contingency.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Approve
d. Professional Services Agreement with UniFirst Corporation for Uniform Rental Services for the Public Works Services Department in an amount not to exceed $72,500.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
4 09-19-2023 e. Purchase Order with Emergency Vehicle Group (“EVG”) for the purchase of one new Road Rescue Ultamedic Type I ambulance and one new Basic Life Support (“BLS”) Type II ambulance in the amount of $701,801.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
f. Purchase Order with Mountain View Chevrolet for the purchase of one 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty Utility Service Body pickup truck in the amount of $64,851.11.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Approve
g. Grant award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – State Homeland Security Program (“SHSP”) for reimbursement of portable handheld radio costs in the amount of $61,230; reject low bid from Foothill Communications and award bid to Day Wireless.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Accept and Approve
h. Allocate American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds for the 2023 Merry & Bright Holiday Shopping Program in the amount of $200,000.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
It was moved by Council Member Cheng, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 11.a through 11.h.
AYES: Cheng, Coa, Kwan, Wang, and Verlato
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
12. ADJOURNMENT
Prior to the adjournment, Council Member Wang reminded everyone that it is Hispanic Heritage Month; and City Manager Lazzaretto announced that the 2023 Merry & Bright Holiday Shopping Program was approved under Consent Calendar and encouraged residents to participate in the program.
The City Council adjourned at 8:58 p.m. to Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room.
Linda Rodriguez
Assistant City Clerk