CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024 – 6:30 P.M.
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: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, AVILA Jr., MAYOR PRO -TEM
ALVAREZ, MAYOR GONZALES
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Interim City Clerk Services Manager Demirjian, Deputy City Clerk Hernandez, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Chief of Police Wenrick, Police Captain Landeros.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.95.
Case Name: Grant Wells v. City of Azusa WC Claim No. AZUA-0194
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES- Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54957.
Consultation with: City of Azusa Chief of Police and Police Captain
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8.
City Negotiator: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager Property Address: 609 North Azusa Avenue; APN: 8611- 004-023 Negotiating Parties: Henry Bouchot Under Negotiation: Price and Terms for Purchase
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Henry Bouchot commented on the potential sale of 609 North Azusa Avenue and explained the history of his intentions of building high density affordable mixed -use housing on the property , expressing concerns that the project would be greatly affected by the City’s findings that the rear easement on property had not expired. The environmental assessment has taken longer than expected due to the level of risks listed in the report. He’s been working with the City to find a resolution.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY, THE PUBLIC
FINANCING AUTHORITY & SPECIAL UTILITY BOARD MEETING
Mayor Robert Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECKWITH, MENDEZ, AVILA Jr., MAYOR PRO -TEM
ALVAREZ, MAYOR GONZALES
City Council December 2, 2024 Page | 2
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo.
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, City Attorney Martinez, Interim City Clerk Services Manager Demirjian, Deputy City Clerk Hernandez, Deputy City Manager De-Anda, Director of Administrative Services Johnson, Chief of Police Wenrick , Director of Community Resources Carpenter, Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez, Director of Public Works Delgadillo.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by retired Congresswoman Grace Napolitano.
The Invocation was led by Pastor Felix Garcia of Centro Esperanza.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Martinez reported City Council met in closed session for three items and reported there were no reportable action s for items one and two. City Council provided direction to staff regarding the sale of the property listed at 609 North Azusa Avenue and there were no other reportable actions.
CEREMONIAL
1. Presentation from and commemoration for the retirement of Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano, 31 st
Congressional District of California.
Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano spoke regarding the work that her office continues to do and thanked everyone for their support and hard work through the years. City Council presented her with farewell gifts.
** Mayor Gonzales moved the second presentation to the end of the meeting.
2. Presentation of Certificate(s) of Recognition to Councilmember Dennis Beckwith.
Mayor Gonzales introduced a representative from Senator Rubio’s office who spoke on behalf of Senator Rubio in recognition and appreciation for the work Councilmember Beckwith has done throughout his years of serving the community and presented Councilmember Beckwith a Certificate of Recognition.
A representative from Assemblywoman Blanco Rubio’s office also presented Councilmember Beckwith with a Certificate of Recognition for his dedication and service to the community and city.
Each Councilmember spoke regarding their memories and experiences working with Councilmember Beckwith and expressed their heartfelt appreciation for his friendship, grace, and integrity, and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Councilmember Beckwith expressed his gratitude for his family, his colleagues, staff and the community and for supporting his desire to serve with and for them the last three years. He stated it was his honor and his privilege to work with such great people in such an amazing community. Councilmember Beckwith made comments on the recent passing of Nancy Gail Gimlich.
Mayor Gonzales presented Dennis Beckwith with a plaque from the City.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Antonio Tapia provided public comment about his concerns regarding an unprofessional confrontation with a police officer when he called complaining about illegal parking in the alley behind his home.
Mayor Gonzales requested Chief of Police meet with Mr. Tapia to look into the matter.
REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
1. City Manager Communications.
City Manager Gonzalez announced December 11 as the date for the Special Council meeting to certify election results and swear in newly elected Councilmembers.
City Manager introduced Director of Economic & Community Development Jimenez who presented City Council with a plaque for The SGV Best Reader’s Choice award in the LA Journal for the most family friend ly city. Azusa made the cover of the e-journal for the October edition Business Journal.
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COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Alvarez announced the Azusa City Library Balsanoma Christmas on December 4 at the Central Library on N. Dalton. The Festival of Light s will be December 7 th and will include Santa, food, entertainment and tree lighting in front of City Hall.
Councilmember Avila Jr. announced that at the Festival of Lights will include a light exchange for LED lights on December 7. The last yard sale da te for 2024 will be December 7 and 8, Saturday and Sunday. Encouragement Church passed out over 400 meals on Thanksgiving Day and Hearts for the Hungry and the VFW also provided meals. He thanked Louie’s Liquor, Dog House Running Club, and Congregation El for donating over 200 Christmas trees to members in the community.
Councilmember Mendez praised Louie’s Liquor who hosted a showcase with Dog House Running Club and Congregation El that produced hundreds of visitors throughout the day in and around the patio and breezeway around Congregation, which spoke about the progress they are making towards getting that area back to where they all want to see it. December 15 will be the Azusa Santa tour. The route will be posted a couple days prior to the event. He congratulated staff on the work they’ve been doing on bringing back the downtown area.
Councilmember Beckwith announced the e-waste event continued. December 3 will be the Holiday Craft hour at the library. He expressed the joy in honoring Congresswoman Napolitano and him being able to take part in that.
Mayor Gonzales announced December 15 Sheers and Cheers will take place at the Senior Center, it is much like the Cool Cuts program for kids, only for the seniors in the community and thanked Community Resource Director Carpenter for adopting the event. The first fifty seniors will be served. Downtown looks amazing. He thanked Councilmember Avila for the poinsettia event, Together We Fly event and others. He asked City Clerk for certificates of appreciation for all groups that came together to make Azusa the place to spend the holidays.
He commended City Clerk and staff for decorating the dais. There will be a prize for the ugly sweater contest.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
1. ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024- C66 approving and adopting the amended Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
Interim City Clerk Services Manager Demirjian provided the staff presentation regarding amending the Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974 and responded to Council questions.
Motion: by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Councilmember Beckwith , to adopt the amendments presented for the Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
Motion passed 5-0-0
2. APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AZUSA AND
THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR RAPID HOUSING DEVELOPMENT (RHOD) PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE AZUSA RESOURCE CENTER.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Approval to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the SGVCOG; 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the SGVCOG , in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
3) Authorize $374,667 from undesignated General Fund reserves to fund the Azusa Resource Center operational contract as other grant funding is being pursued.
Total Cost: $374,667 Is the cost of this item budgeted? No Fund/Account No: appropriation from undesignated General Fund reserves
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Senior Project Manager Demirjian provided the staff presentation for the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government ( SGVCOG) for Rapi d Housing Development (RHOD) program funding for the Azusa Resource Center and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion: by Councilmember Beckwith , seconded by Councilmember Avila Jr. , to approve all staff recommendations for the Memorandum of Agreement with the SGVCOG.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
Motion passed 5-0-0
CONSENT CALENDAR – CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Gonzales called for items to be pulled from the Consent Calendar. There were none.
1. Minutes of the City Council meeting dated November 4, 2024 were approved as written.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
2. Resolution No. 2024-C67 allowing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out of which the same are to be paid was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
3. Personnel Action Requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s) were approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
4. Receive, review, and file the City Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2023 was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
5. Resolution No. 2024-C68: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA
EXTENDING THE PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY CAUSED BY THE HOMELESS CRISI S was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
6. Purchase of four 2024 Ford Utility Police Interceptor vehicles was approved.
Total Cost: $255,033 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: 46-20-310-000-7135
7. A contract amendment and to American Heavy Moving and Rigging, Inc, for an additional $27,000, for the final stage of the Old Schoolhouse Relocation Project to a total contract amount of $107,250, plus maintain the original contingency of $8,225 was approved.
Total Cost: $257,000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: 28-10-615-000-7125/61524A-7125.
Motion: by Councilmember Beckwith, seconded by Councilmember Avila Jr., to Adopt the Consent Calenda r items E-1–7.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
Motion passed 5-0-0
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SECOND READING ORDINANCES
1. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AZUSA CITY COUNCIL AMENDING SECTION 88.42.190 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY WITH RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW; AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER SECTION 21080.17 OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Read by title only, second reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-08.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AZUSA CITY COUNCIL AMENDING SECTION 88.42.190
OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY WITH RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW; AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER SECTION 21080.17 OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budg eted? N/A Fund/Account No: N/A
Motion: by Councilmember Beckwith, seconded by Councilmember Mendez to Adopt the 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 2024-08.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
Motion passed 5-0-0
CONSENT CALENDAR - SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS.
1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED OCTOBER 17, 2024 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2024.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024- R14 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds.
Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
Motion: by Councilmember Beckwith, seconded by Councilmember Avila Jr. to approve the Successor Agency Consent Calendar Items G-1 to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-R14 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA JR., ALVAREZ, MENDEZ, BECKWITH, MAYOR GONZALES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
Motion passed 5-0-0
**Mayor Gonzales returned to Ceremonial Item No. 2.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gonzales adjourned the meeting in memory of Nancy Gail Gimlich, Harry Padilla, and Edith Russek, all long time Azusa residents.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:29 P.M.
** Items heard out of order
City Council December 2, 2024 Page | 6
_______________________________________________________
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-C15 (City)
NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2024-09
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-R15 (Former Redevelopment Agency) NEXT MEETINGS:
December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Special Meeting
December 16, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting January 6, 2025 Canceled