City Council Minutes
November 3, 2025
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CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,
THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 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.
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 6:30 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
Staff Members: City Manager Gonzalez, Interim City Attorney Casso, Administrative Services Director Johnson, City Clerk Services Manager Juarez
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Casso recused himself from the discussion of Closed Session Item No. 2 due to a conflict of interest.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the following items.
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54956.8.
City Negotiator: Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager
Property Address: 201 N Vernon Avenue; APN: 8615-018-901 Negotiating Parties: Azusa Unified School District
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 54957(b)(1).
Title: City Attorney
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Gonzales called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Cornejo.
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PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Cornejo
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, Director of Public Works Delgadillo, Public Works Superintendent - Parks and Facilities Chavez, Facilities Supervisor Thompson, City Librarian Hassen
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City of Claremont Councilmember, Ed Reece.
The Invocation was led by Pastor James Mendoza, Altar Foursquare Church.
CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Casso announced that, for Closed Session Item No. 1, direction was provided to the City Negotiator and there was no reportable action.
CEREMONIAL
Presentation of Certificate of Recognition to Michael “Shan” Thompson, Facilities Supervisor, for 43 years of service to the City of Azusa
Mayor Gonzales presented a Certificate of Recognition to Facilities Supervisor Thompson.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Venerable Nicholas Thanissaro, from the Dhammakaya Meditation Center, invited the community to attend an outdoor Full Moon Meditation event scheduled for November 5, 2025.
Yasmin Eastwood shared concerns regarding her property and expressed her appreciation for first responders.
REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
SGVCOG President Introduction
SGVCOG President and City of Claremont Councilmember, Ed Reece, provided a brief presentation highlighting the significance of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and its relationships with member cities; shared recent achievements, highlighted partnerships with the City of Azusa including project management, compliance support, and regional planning efforts; and introduced the launch of the “I Heart SGV” program.
City Manager Communications
City Manager Gonzalez reported on Closed Session Item No. 2, stating that Staff provided information to the City Council, there was no reportable action, and Staff was given direction.
Councilmember Announcements
Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez announced that Community Resources will host a “Fall Into Wellness Fair” on November 6 at Memorial Park; shared that he recently toured the Flyer manufacturing plant in Alabama, which produces CNG and hydrogen fuel buses; and invited the community to attend the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 at 11:00 a.m., in front of City Hall.
Councilmember Avila announced that the Cruising Back to Route 66 Car Show will take place on November 9 in Downtown Azusa; noted that the Azusa City Library will host “Family Picnic Bingo” on November 13; and congratulated Community Resources Staff on their successful Day of the Dead event.
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Councilmember Mendez announced that Fadi’s Flowers will host a workshop on November 12; shared that E.S.L. tutoring will be offered at Azusa High School on December 10; congratulated Staff on the Día de los Muertos event; and congratulated the Los Angeles community on the Los Angeles Dodgers 2 nd World Series Championship.
Councilmember Bow announced that E.S.L. tutoring will be held at the Neighborhood Homework House, located at the former Center Middle School, beginning October 28 through December 9; announced the K -Pop Demon Hunter “Family Craft Hour” at the Azusa City Library on November 20; and highlighted local food pantries and food banks that are available for the community in need.
Mayor Gonzales announced that a significant sewer rate adjustment will impact the community and stated that a rate adjustment vote will be made available to the community in 2026; requested that the previously tabled fireworks item from a prior meeting be brought back for consideration and placed on the agenda for the next meeting for an official vote to which there was no support from the Council.
City Clerk Cornejo announced that there are two vacancies on the Arts, Cultural & Historic Preservation Commission; explained that both are partial terms, with one term expiring on September 30, 2026, and the other expiring on September 30, 2029; stated that the City Clerk’s Office will be reaching out to previous applicants who had expressed interest ; and noted that applications for these positions will be accepted at the City Clerk’s Office through November 13.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARING
- SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025 -06 AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF 2025
CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24), INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE; THE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE; THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE; THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE; THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE; TOGETHER WITH
CERTAIN ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS, DELETIONS AND CHANGES THERETO
Director of Economic and Community Development Jimenez requested that the City Council conduct a Public Hearing to consider the second reading and adoption by reference of the 2025 California Building Standards Code.; stated that the first reading was held on October 20, 2025, and requested that the Council open the Public Hearing, receive public testimony if any, and adopt Ordinance No. 2025- 06, along with the Notice of Exemption.
Mayor Gonzales opened the Public Hearing.
City Clerk Cornejo certified the publication of the Public Hearing in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on October 24, 2025. There being no one wishing to address the council on this issue, Mayor Gonzales asked for a motion to close the public hearing.
Moved by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote of the Council to close the Public Hearing,
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez and seconded by Councilmember Mendez and carried by unanimous vote of the Council to: Open the Public Hearing, take testimony; and Adopt Ordinance No. 2025- 06, and Notice of Exemption regarding same.
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
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Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Clerk Cornejo addressed corrections that needed to be made to Item E-1. Copies of the corrections were distributed to the Council.
1. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 18, 2025, 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. 2025- C51 allowing certain claims and demands and specifying the funds out of which the same are to be paid was adopted.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
3. The following personnel action requests in accordance with the City of Azusa Rules of the Civil Service System, Azusa Municipal Code, and/or applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s) were approved.
Promotions: F. Vasconcelos, S. Chapman, V. Valenzuela
Merit Increase/Regular Appointments: A. Conwell, S. Garcia Classification Specification Revision: Police Captain
Separations/Retirements: A. Mercado
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
4. The City Treasurer’s statement of cash and investment balances for the month of July 2025 was received and filed.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
5. A Grant in the amount of $95,000.00 (for hourly wages at an overtime rate) from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program to conduct DUI Saturation Patrols to apprehend drunk drivers, traffic enforcement operations, warrant service operations, traffic safety education and other related programs was approved and accepted; and staff was authorized to execute the Grant Agreement.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Fund/Account No: 28-20 310-118-4540 (revenue) 28-20 310-118-6625 (expenditures)
6. The California Collaborative Connectivity grant award from the California State Library and Imperial County Office of Education in the amount of $47,500.00 was approved; and Staff was authorized to execute the Grant Agreement.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Grant Fund/Account No: $2,500 Project Match charged to General Fund Account No.10-30-511-000-6399; Grant award amount: 28-30-511-165-4540 (revenue) and 28-30-511-165-6625 (expenditure)
Moved by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez and carried by the following vote od the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items E1-E6.
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
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November 3, 2025
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CONSENT CALENDAR – SUCCESSOR AGENCY RELATED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-R12 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 THROUGH NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Resolution No. 2025-R12 allowing certain claims and demands to be paid out of Successor Agency Funds was adopted.
Moved by Councilmember Mendez, seconded by Councilmember Avila, and carried by the following vote of the Council to approve Items F.1 of the Successor Agency Consent Calendar.
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: Fund 87 Successor Agency
ADJOURNMENT
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:14 P.M.
CITY CLERK
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
November 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting December 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting