City Council Minutes
November 17, 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 17, 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, Chief of Police Wenrick.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the following items.
Interim City Attorney Casso announced that he was recusing himself from Closed Session due to a conflict of interest.
1. 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 7:31 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 Council Minutes
November 17, 2025
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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, Public Works Superintendent Chavez, 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 AUSD Superintendent, Arturo Ortega.
The Invocation was led by Pastor Daniel Simonson, Christbridge Immanuel Church.
CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Gonzalez announced the following regarding closed session: The City Council heard a report and provided direction to Staff; and no formal action was taken.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Tony Martinez, Northstar Land Care Founder and President, addressed Item D -1 to express the Company’s desire to be awarded the tree maintenance contract and stated the ways that the company would provide service to the community.
Ernesto Macias, Tree Service Kings Vice President, addressed Item D-1 to express the Company’s desire to be awarded the tree maintenance contract and provided information about rates and services.
Arturo Ortega, AUSD Superintendent, shared District highlights on behalf of the Board of Education.
John Pineda, West Coast Arborist Area Manager, provided information about the Company’s involvement with the community.
Pat Mahoney, West Coast Arborist President and Owner, stated that the Company has provided service to the City for the past 25 years; and highlighted the value brought to the City.
Diana Reyes Williams and Jeanette Fruta, members of the Azusa Woman’s Club, shared information about the Azusa Woman’s Club and its history with the Azusa Library; asked that the Council and community save the date of January 18, 2026 to mark the 125th anniversary; and announced upcoming events.
Jesus Soto discussed Ordinance 1- 12 related to involuntary labor in relation to imprisoned individuals and requested that the Council amend or strike the Ordinance from the record.
REPORTS, UPDATES, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF/COUNCIL
“Pet of the Month” Presentation
Los Angeles County Animal Control Officer Rivas introduced an unnamed Shepard-Husky mixed 5-month old puppy who was recently surrendered and is ready for adoption.
City Manager Communications
City Manager Gonzalez gave kudos to City Staff for the number of events being held by the City; and announced the grand opening of Vallarta Supermarket on December 10 at 7:00 a.m.
He responded to questions posed by the Council in relation to the number of attendees at the Cruising Back 2 Route 66 car show, stating that Staff extimated 836 participant vehicles and 4,000 attendees.
City Clerk
City Clerk Cornejo stated that there were 11 applications received for the Commission vacancy; and inquired about a possible date for the interviews.
It was the consensus of the Council to hold interviews on December 8 at 6:00 pm, at the Azusa Light & Water Department.
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November 17, 2025
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Councilmember Announcements
Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez commented on the successful car show; mentioned the ribbon cutting for the Old School House, noting the amazing job that was done on the project; and shared the passing of Azusa community member Nuno Romero and asked for prayers for the Romero family.
Councilmember Avila thanked staff for the successful events that have been taking place, including the Veterans Day Ceremony and Banner Ceremony held over the weekend; and extended his condolences to the Romero family.
Councilmember Mendez announced the Household and E -Waste Cleanup Collection held on November 29, 2025; noted the success of the Car Show; and expressed his gratitude for the preservation of the Old Schoolhouse.
Councilmember Bow congratulated City staff on the plethora of events; highlighted City Clerk Cornejo’s speech at the Old Schoolhouse ribbon- cutting ceremony; and announced Assemblymember Rubio’s annual Operation Gobble, held on November 23.
Mayor Gonzales gave kudos to staff for the number of events put on; expressed his appreciation for City Clerk Cornejo and the work he did on the Old Schoolhouse project; and requested an update on the Dog Park ribbon cutting.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
CONSIDERATION TO AWARD A THREE -YEAR CITYWIDE TREE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR
PARK, PARKWAYS, MEDIAN ISLANDS AND UTILITY RIGHT OF WAY TREES IN RESPONSE TO THE CITY’S REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Mayor Gonzales announced that he is recusing himself from the discussion of the Item due to the perception of a conflict of interest.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delgadillo provided a history of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process; gave an analysis of the proposals received; and discussed the proposed contract schedule.
At the request of the Council, Interim City Attorney Casso described the difference between a Request for Proposals and a Request for Qualifications.
In response to questions posed by the Council, Director Delgadillo stated that the reason Staff did not include a recommendation for the Council was to allow the Council to have an open discussion about the proposals received; discussed qualifications needed; and explained that the discrepancy in the number of trees was an oversight.
Roy Chavez, Public Works Superintendent, stated that there is currently one truck being utilized for the trimming of palm trees; and detailed the types of special equipment described in the RFQ.
There was discussion regarding the desire to remain within budget when awarding the contract, the large gap in the bid price of two of the bidders, the process for terminating a contract, the RFQ process, bids received, and the various contractors.
There was further discussion regarding the selection of either West Coast Arborists, Inc. or Northstar Land Care.
It was the consensus of the Council to continue the item to the December 1, 2025 meeting to allow the Council the opportunity to further examine the proposals received.
Total Cost: TBD Is the cost of this item budgeted?: Yes Fund/Account Number:
• Parks Division General Fund (account #10-55-420-000-6493) - $475,000 • Public Benefit Fund (account #24-40-7390-8266-25/RSTREE-6625) - $30,000 • Electric Line Maintenance Fund (account #33-40-735-930-6493) - $515,00 City Council Minutes
November 17, 2025
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CONSENT CALENDAR
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- C52 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.
New Appointments: A. Contreras
Promotions: A. Bernal – Zamora, M. Jimenez
Merit Increase/Regular Appointments: J. Cardenas, A. Avalos, R. Marquez Classification Specification Revision: Police Captain, Police Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, Police Corporal, Police Officer
New Class Specifications: Library Assistant I, Library Assistant II Separations/Retirements: F. Lucarelli, E. Garcia, C. Grant
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
4. Resolution No. 2025-C53, Casting its Votes for Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent cities with prescriptive pumping rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority was approved.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
5. The City Treasurer’s Report of Receipts, Disbursement and Fund Balances for the month of April and May 2025 was received, reviewed and filed.
Total Cost: N/A Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Fund/Account No: N/A
6. The Purchase Orders issued with contract agreements executed by the City Manager, were received and filed.
Total Cost: $14,482.46 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: 10-General Fund and 48-Information Technology
7. A Professional Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP to provide general and special legal services beginning December 1, 2025 and until terminated by the City or the Firm in accordance with the terms of the agreement; and the issuance of a Blanket Purchase Order in the amount of $179,550 to Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP to cover the monthly retainer for general legal services for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025- 26 was approved; and Staff was authorized to administratively transfer remaining blanket purchase order balances from Best, Best, & Krieger as approved by the City Council on June 16, 2025 to Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP for the following:
A. Administrative Services Department – Personnel Matters (no-to-exceed $75,000); B. Administrative Services Department – Risk Management/Legal Services for Claims not Covered by Insurance (no-to-exceed $250,000);
C. Economic and Community Development Department – Code Enforcement Matters (no-to-exceed $75,000);
D. Light & Water Department – General Legal Services (no-to-exceed $267,500); E. Police Department – Special Matters (no-to-exceed $25,000).
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November 17, 2025
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Total Cost: $179,550 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Fund/Account No: General Fund-10-09-000-000-6301
Moved by Councilmember Avila, seconded by Councilmember Bow and carried by the following vote of the Council, to approve Consent Calendar Items
AYES: GONZALES, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ, BOW
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gonzales thanked Interim City Attorney Casso and his firm for their service to the City.
Mr. Casso expressed his appreciation for the Council.
Mayor Gonzales adjourned the meeting in memory of Nuno Romero and Theresa Torres.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:07 P.M.
CITY CLERK
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
December 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting December 15, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Closed Session, 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting