4-01-2026 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
April 1, 2026, 7:00 PM
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Daniel Damian
Jean M. Ayala
Alejandra Avila
Emmanuel J. Estrada
Manuel Lozano
These minutes are presented in Agenda order.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Damian.
INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Pastor Flores.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Treasurer Joanna Valenzuela.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Saenz performed roll call:
MEMBERS:
Councilmember Alejandra Avila (present)
Councilmember Emmanuel Estrada (present)
Councilmember Manuel Lozano (present)
Mayor Pro Tem Jean M. Ayala (present)
Mayor Daniel Damian (present)
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Bettenhausen announced that the City Council met in closed session on the items listed on the Special Meeting Agenda, all Councilmembers were present. He reported that on Item #1 a motion was made by Daniel Damian and seconded by Alejandra Avila to file a complaint. The motion passed 5-0. On the remaining items there is no reportable action.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Ed Reece, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) President presented the 2026 President’s Introduction.
The Mayor and the City Council proclaimed April 2026 as Donate Life Month, proclamation presented to Jolene Vargas, OneLegacy Ambassador
The Mayor and the City Council presented to Cecelia Bernal with a Certificate of Recognition for receiving the Woman of the Year in the 48th District from Assemblywoman Blanco E. Rubio
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Damian opened Public Communications at approximately 7:39 p.m., the following spoke:
1) Irma Morales 2) John Rios
Seeing no one else wishing to speak, public communications was closed.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
1. City of Baldwin Park’s Warrants and Demands
Motion to ratify the attached Warrants and Demands Register.
MOTION: It was moved by Daniel Damian, seconded by Manuel Lozano to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN
2. Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2026
Motion to approve the following meeting minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting, Finance Authority Meeting and Housing Authority Meeting held on March 18, 2026.
MOTION: It was moved by Daniel Damian, seconded by Manuel Lozano to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN
3. Authorization to Publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Citywide Tree Trimming Services Motion to authorize the Public Works Department to publish a Request for Proposals for Citywide Tree Trimming Maintenance Services to commence July 1st, 2026. The current contract with West Coast Arborists is set to expire in July 2026.
Item # 3 was pulled for further discussion.
MOTION: It was moved by Emmanuel Estrada, seconded by Jean M Ayala to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN
4. Resolution No. 2026-005, Initiating the Proceedings and Ordering the preparation of the Engineer's Report for the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-005 entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park, California, authorizing the initiation of the proceedings and ordering the preparation of the Engineer’s Report for the FY2026-2027 levy of annual assessments for the City of Baldwin Park Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District pursuant to the provisions of Division 15, Part 2 of the State of California Streets and Highway Code.” MOTION: It was moved by Daniel Damian, seconded by Manuel Lozano to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN
5. Resolution No. 2026–004 Initiating the Proceedings and Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer's Report for the Parks Maintenance Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-004 entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park, California, authorizing the initiation of the proceedings and ordering the preparation of the Engineer’s Report for the FY 2026-2027 levy of annual assessments for the City of Baldwin Park Parks Maintenance District pursuant to the provisions of Division 15, Part 2 of the State of California Streets and Highways Code.”
MOTION: It was moved by Daniel Damian, seconded by Manuel Lozano to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN Docusign Envelope ID: D98E328C-45E4-4B56-909B-2837EC254824 4-01-2026 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
6. Waive Formal Bidding and Authorize the Cooperative Purchasing of Hyperconverged Infrastructure from Portola Systems.
Motion to:
1. Waive Formal Bidding and Authorize Cooperative Purchasing to purchase Nutanix hyperconverged infrastructure system pursuant to Baldwin Park Municipal Code Section
34.23; and
2. Authorize the Director of Finance to make appropriation from Federal Asset Forfeiture (Fund #205), State Asset Forfeiture (Fund 206), and General Fund 100) to and budget adjustments related to this acquisition;
3. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all required documentation for the purchase and installation of Nutanix hyperconverged infrastructure.
MOTION: It was moved by Daniel Damian, seconded by Manuel Lozano to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN
7. Review of the Fiscal Year 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and Review Period
Motion to:
1. Review the attached FY 2025 JAG Grant application and project budget documentation; and
2. Provide any comments or feedback to the grant manager within the 30-day review period; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to execute the "Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government" form upon conclusion of the required 30-day governing body review period.
4. Authorize the Director of Finance to make the appropriation and necessary budget adjustments.
MOTION: It was moved by Jean M Ayala, seconded by Emmanuel Estrada to adopt.
Motion Passed [5–0]. AYES: AVILA, ESTRADA, LOZANO, AYALA, DAMIAN
PUBLIC HEARING
REPORTS OF OFFICERS
CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE DISSOLVED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL / CITY CLERK / CITY TREASURER / STAFF REQUESTS & COMMUNICATION Councilmember Avila sought consensus from the City Council to direct staff to flag the Donate for Life Flag and light up the Baldwin Park Transit Bridge with blue and green lights, and reach out to Royal Coaches regarding the clean-up of accidents. Also, reach out to the owners of Francisquito & Ramona Blvd. Plaza to clean up their location.
Councilmember Estrada sought consensus from the City Council to direct staff to look into CA Art Council for a possible Grant for Public Arts in Baldwin Park.
Councilmember Lozano sought consensus from the City Council to direct staff to reach out to the business owners to clean-up locations at Ramona & Syracuse.
Mayor Pro Tem Ayala thanked the Recreation and Community Services Staff for the BPUSD Showcase. Also, in reference to City Clerk Saenz comment, have staff look into the freight trucks that are parking on Baldwin Docusign Envelope ID: D98E328C-45E4-4B56-909B-2837EC254824 4-01-2026 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Park Blvd for hours, they are obstructing the view of our community drivers.
Mayor Damian sought consensus from the City Council to direct staff to reach out to the business owners to clean up the location at Olive and Maine (Okina informed the Council that the location will be making improvements). Announced that the City will be hosting a Spring Fest on Saturday.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Damian adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:14 p.m.
APPROVED: April 15, 2026
Daniel Damian, Mayor
ATTEST:
Christopher Saenz, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: D98E328C-45E4-4B56-909B-2837EC254824