Minutes — Azusa City Council, October 6, 2025

City Council Minutes
October 6, 2025
Page | 1

CITY OF AZUSA

MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY

TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,

THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY

REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025

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.

REGULAR SESSION

Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.

PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE

ALSO PRESENT

Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo, City Treasurer Vasquez

Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, Interim City Attorney Casso, Deputy City Manager DeAnda -Scaia, Chief of Police Wenrick, City Clerk Services Manager Juarez, Director of Economic and Community Development Jimenez, Community Improvement Manager Edson, Senior Community Improvement Inspector Hale, Director of Community Resources Carpenter, City Librarian Hassen, Director of I.T. Guadagnino, General Manager of Utilities Singh

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Adrian Martinez.

The Invocation was led by Reverend John LeRoy, First Assembly of God Church.

CEREMONIAL

1. City Council presented a letter of adjournment to the Martinez Family.

2. Mayor Pro Tem presented a Proclamation proclaiming the month of October Cybersecurity Awareness month in the City of Azusa.

3. City Clerk Cornejo, Chairman of the Azusa Golden Days Committee, presented the 2025 Golden Days Events which take place October 11–19, 2025, and presented the theme, “Día de Los Golden Days: A Community Celebration of Life and Heritage”; acknowledged the Golden Days Committee and all individuals who collaborated in planning the event; presented Councilmember Sabrina Bow with a gold badge; presented Robert Vargas as the Grand Marshal, George Galvez as the Civic Grand Marshal, and Joe Perez as the Honored Citizen for the 2025 Golden Days; and further announced the Honored Organizations and upcoming events.

City Council Minutes
October 6, 2025
Page | 2

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Theresa Conley thanked Staff and the City Council for their support and direction in resolving an ongoing issue with a business in the City.

Jenny Bolivar and Lupita Ramirez, members of the Azusa Chamber of Commerce, invited the City Council and the community to attend the upcoming Taste of the Town event, held in celebration of Golden Days, on October 12, 2025; and reported that a community “Clicker App” is available where discounts will be posted in honor of Golden Days 2025 using the code 286.

REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
City Manager Communications

City Manager Gonzalez reported on the very successful Azusa Night Market; noted that the only complaint received was that the event space was too small for the number of attendees; stated that the City will continue to build upon the event; and thanked all departments for their collaboration in hosting the event in the downtown area.

Economic and Community Development Update

Director of Economic and Community Development Jimenez reported on recent ribbon cuttings in the City; stated that efforts are underway to further populate the Edgewood Shopping Center with the upcoming opening of Vallarta Supermarket on December 10, 2025; discussed several City enhancements, including holiday decorations in the downtown area; highlighted the upcoming Classic Car Show scheduled for November 9 th;
mentioned the increasing interest in recreational activities and the potential for adding new facilities; and announced that the City is a finalist at the Eddy Awards, being recognized as an innovative, economic-development–centric community.

Community Improvement Manager Edson provided an update on the Community Improvement Division’s efforts to maintain and preserve neighborhoods within the City; discussed various programs administered through the division; and highlighted special programs including the annual rental inspections, Real Property Records Report, vacant and foreclosed property registration, and daily proactive monitoring of City graffiti, bulky items, and shopping carts.

The Council made inquiries regarding bulky items and noted that items are still being left on front easements; and requested that this matter be brought back to a future meeting for further discussion.

Staff reported that yellow tags are now being used on items left on easements and properties, providing instructions on how to schedule bulky item pick- ups; stated that they are working with property managers and owners to identify better locations for bulky item placement and to address the time frame in which items remain out for pick -up; and reported that Community Improvement is working with Athens to obtain a list of residents who have scheduled bulky item pick-ups.

Councilmember Announcements

Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez congratulated Jorge Galvez and Joe Perez on being announced as the Civic Grand Marshal and Honored Citizen for this year’s Golden Days; commented on the success of the Night Market and expressed interest in expanding the event to a larger area.

Councilmember Avila congratulated José Jimenez and staff for placing the City on the Eddy Award nomination list; and expressed condolences to the family of Eddie Martinez and to Charlie Wilson and the Wilson/Carillo family for their loss.

Councilmember Mendez noted that the Night Market received positive compliments, but it was also considered too small and expressed support for increasing the event size; and requested that the City Manager formally reach out to Metro to discuss a resolution regarding the exit turnstile at the Azusa Station.

Councilmember Bow reported that she attended several community events, including the 25th Anniversary Kick-Off Party for the Azusa Renaissance Community Theater; and noted that she also attended the 70th Anniversary Celebration for Totten Tubes, a local steel tube manufacturer.

City Council Minutes
October 6, 2025
Page | 3
Mayor Gonzales reported that he attended the JPIA Conference and provided a brief overview of the homelessness-related sessions presented during the conference.

SCHEDULED ITEMS

CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATION TO THE SAN GABRIEL BASIN WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY (WQA) BOARD FOR THE REPRESENTION OF CITIES WITH PRESCRIPTIVE WATER PUMPING RIGHTS AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2025-C44

City Clerk Services Manager Juarez presented a resolution for consideration to nominate Mayor Gonzales to the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Board as the representative for cities with water pumping rights; noted that the nomination must be made by resolution and submitted to the Water Quality Authority no later than October 18, 2025; and reported that Mayor Gonzales is the current member serving on the Board and that his term is scheduled to expire on January 1, 2026.

Moved by Councilmember Bow and seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by the following vote of the Council, to adopt Resolution No. 2025- C44 nominating Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent cities with prescriptive water pumping rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.

AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE

Total Cost: N/A Is the Cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A

UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 1383 COMPLIANCE AND COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ON PROPOSED

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT CHANGES BY ATHENS SERVICES
Environmental Program Specialist Sagun presented an update on Senate Bill 1383; and proposed a commercial and multi -family three -stream program transition, which includes expanding recycling participation in the commercial sector, meeting Azusa’s procurement target, and implementing recycling programs for City special events.

Director of Government Affairs for Athens Services Amaya, further explained the proposed commercial and multi-family three-stream program; presented information on the previously adopted amendment and outlined additional program elements to be implemented, including data reporting and food recovery support; described the three-stream program noting that commercial and multi- purpose properties will receive a blue trash barrel, similar to Azusa residents, as CalRecycle will begin requiring cities and haulers in January to divert 75% of organic material from landfills; and stated that the proposed program is intended to help meet this requirement.

Amaya also described the “Pay -As-You-Throw” program versus “Bundled Service” options, reviewed the proposed bundle options and rates, and mentioned that support will be provided to commercial customers during the transition; and concluded by explaining the next steps for the City, which include a contract amendment, municipal code update, and a Proposition 218 hearing.

The Council ensued questions regarding the proposed contract amendment, including whether there will be any changes to residential rates; whether different bin options will be provided under the new program; whether residents will have the option to downsize or upsize bins; and what challenges commercial customers may face if they are unable to enclose their bins.

Staff responded that no residential rate changes will be made at this time and that different bin options will be available for customers as needed; noted that they will work with customers to provide appropriate sizing and material bin options; and mentioned that discussions with Code Enforcement and Building officials will be necessary to determine how accommodations can be made for enclosed bins.

City Manager Gonzalez stated that this item will be brought back at a future meeting with a proposed amendment for the Council’s consideration and approval.

Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
City Council Minutes
October 6, 2025
Page | 4

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 16, 2025, were approved as written.