Minutes for the City Council Regular Meeting
1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, California 92821
May 5,2026
Roll Call: (The following members were in ottendance)
. Cecilia Hupp, Mayor
. Marty Simonoff, Mayor Pro Tem
o Christine Marick, Council Member
o Blair Stewart. Council Member
o Steven Vargas, Council Member
1. CLOSED SESSION - EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 3RD FLOOR - TIME 5:30 P.M.
1.A. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hupp called the Closed Session to order at 5:30 p.m. All members were present.
1.B. Public Comment
None.
1.C. Conference with City's Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Regarding the Brea Management Association (BMA), Brea City Employees'Association (BCEA), Administrative and Professional Employees'Association (APEA), Brea Police Management Association (BPMA), Brea Fire Association (BFA) and the Brea Fire Management Association (BFMA) - Kristin Griffith, Negotiator, Laura Drottz Kalty, LCW Attorney and Alexander Volberding, LCW Attorney
Mayor Hupp adjourned the Closed Session at 6'.27 p.m.
2. STUDY SESSION - EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 3RD FLOOR - TIME 6:00 P.M.
2.A. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hupp called the Study Session to order at 6:29 p.m. All members were present.
2.B. Public Comment
None.
2.C. Clarity Regular Meeting Topics
None.
2.D. Continued Review of Existing General Municipal Tax in the City of Brea Administrative Services Director Lo continued the review of the existing general municipal tax and provided a presentation to the City Council on the Business License Tax modernization effort and requested direction regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax.
Administrative Services Director Lo informed the City Council that staff met with the Brea Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors to review the proposed Business License Tax modernization. She noted that while the Chamber does not take formal positions on ballot measures, the proposal was generally viewed as reasonable and no opposition was expressed during the discussion. She also stated that a business owner expressed support for modernization efforts, but preferred an approach that included increasing the cap combined with a 3% annual Consumer Price lndex adjustment.
Staff clarified that the meeting with the Brea Chamber of Commerce reflected the perspectives of those present and was not intended to represent the entire business community.
The City Council discussed modernization of the City's Business License Tax structure, revenue generation considerations, and the timing of potential ballot measures. Council Members discussed rising operational costs, inflationary impacts, and public perception related to tax increases and cost recovery measures. Council expressed concerns regarding placing both a Business License Tax measure and a Transient Occupancy Tax measure before voters at the same time, as well as the importance of additional public outreach and community education regarding the proposed modernization effort.
Council Member Vargas inquired about the City's budget and financial outlook and requested clarification from staff. City Manager Griffith clarified that the City currently maintains a balanced budget and noted that multiple variables contribute to future budget forecasts.
There was consensus from all members of the City Council directing staff to not proceed with Transient Occupancy Tax modernization at this time and directed staff to return with the Business License Tax as an Administrative ltem at the next City Council Meeting for further discussion.
2.E. Cou ncil Member Reports/Requests
None.
2.F. Study Session Adjournment
Mayor Hupp adjourned the Study Session at 6:50 p.m.
3. GENERAL SESSION - COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLAZA LEVEL - 7:00 P.M. 2 3.A. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor Hupp called the General Session to order at 7:01 p.m. All members were present.
3.B. Pledge of Allegiance: Boy Scout Troop 707
Boy Scout TroopTOT led the Pledge of Allegiance
3.C. lnvocation
Police Chaplain Mercado led the invocation.
3.D. Presentation: Carbon lncident Update
Fire Chief Mielke and Deputy Fire Chief Flores provided an update on the Carbon Fire incident, including an overview of the incident, emergency response efforts, community protection measures, post-fire operations, and partner agency assistance.
3.E. Report - Prior Study Session
City Manager Griffith provided a report on the prior Study Session.
3.F. Community Announcements
Council Member Marick announced the Plunge Open House event will take place on Friday, May 15, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. She indicated that Brea residents may begin registering online for swim classes beginning Monday, May 18, and that additional information is available on the City's website.
Council Member Stewart announced the City of Brea will be hosting a free Business Emergency Resiliency Training on Wednesday, May 6, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. He indicated that the training will include information on civilian responses to active threats and emergency disaster relief to assist businesses in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from potential incidents and disasters. He added that additional information is available through the City's Economic Development Division.
3.G. Matters from the Audience
Lachlan Shon, Brea Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the proposed business license modernization plan and thanked the City Council for their partnership.
Linda Criner spoke about the Costco development and expressed concerns with the quality of life, traffic, and tax sharing agreement.
3 Mark Strom spoke about a recent meeting with city staff, Economic Development Agreement, Costco development, city financials, and accountability.
3.H. Response to Public lnquiries
Community Development Director/Assistant City Manager Killebrew responded to public inquiries regarding the Economic Development Agreement and provided clarification regarding the parties involved in negotiations and the timeline of those discussions. He also commented on environmental impacts associated with the proposed Costco development, noting that such impacts will be evaluated and addressed through the environmental review process and that opportunities for community engagement will be provided.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Counci! Member Stewart and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Simonoff to approve Consent Calendar items 4A - 4E. Motion passed 5-0-0-0. (Ayes: Hupp. Simonoff, Marick, Stewart. Vargas)
4.A. April 21, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes The City Council approved the April 21, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as written.
4.8. Sourcewell Maintenance Agreement with TK Elevator Corporation
4.C. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 1273 to Amend Chapter 1.04: "Penalties, Administrative and Civil Remedies, and General Provisions" The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1273 titled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Brea Revising Penalties and Remedies for Violations of the Brea City Code, and Amending Title 1 (General Provisions) of the Brea City Code".
4.D. Professional Services Agreement for City's Housing Rehabilitation Program The City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Brea and GRC Associates (included as Attachment A) to implement the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program in an amount not-to exceed $34,000 per year, for up to five years ($170,000 total over five years), authorized the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement with GRC Associates; and authorized the City Manager to approve non-substantive changes, as well as amend and extend the term of the Professional Services Agreement, for up to four additional one-year terms. 4 Michael Burns spoke in support of the Costco development.
The City Council approved a Cooperative Purchase Agreement with TK Elevator Corporation for citywide elevator preventative maintenance service for a three (3) year term for $33,600 per year, for a total of $100,800.
4.E. City Disbursement Register for April 24,2026
The City Council received and filed the City Disbursement Register for April 24,2026
5. PUBLIC HEARING
5.A. Annual Public Hearing to Review Full-Time Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561
The City Council opened the Public Hearing item. Seeing no members of the public wishing to address the Council, the City Council continued it to the June 16,2026 meeting.
6.4. Budget Adjustments to the City Operating and Capital lmprovement Program Eudgets for FY 2025-27
Budget Manager Brenner provided a presentation on the item and reviewed the background of the adopted Fiscal Year 2025-27 budget, the mid-cycle budget overview, General Fund revenue and expenditure adjustments, proposed amendments, and items not currently included in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Council Member Vargas requested clarification regarding transfers to and from reserve accounts ln response to Council Member Vargas questions, Budget Manager Brenner provided additional clarification.
A motion was made by Council Member Stewart and seconded by Council Member Vargas to approve Administrative ltem 6A. Motion passed 5-0-0-0. (Ayes: Hupp. Simonoff, Marick, Stewart, Vargas)
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS
7.A. City Manager
She also recognized Public Service Recognition Week and thanked City employees across all departments for their commitment to serving the community, solving problems, and maintaining a high level of service throughout the City of Brea. She additionally thanked City Council for their continued support.
5 7.B. City Attorney
6. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
City Manager Griffith recognized Professional Municipal Clerks Week and thanked the City Clerk's Office for their hard work in supporting meetings, maintaining records and processes, and helping ensure transparency and accountability to the public.
None.
7.C. Council Req uests
Council Member Vargas discussed an audit he conducted of RWG legal fees and referenced potential reimbursement related to travel time charges. He requested information regarding the process for seeking reimbursement of those funds.
City Attorney Boga responded that a letter regarding the requested reimbursement had previously been provided to the City and noted that RWG could provide the City Council with a copy of the letter.
8. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
8.A. Council Announcements
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
9.A. Meeting Adjournment
Mayor Hupp adjourned the General Session at 7AB p.m.
Respectfully submitted,The foregoing minutes are hereby app roved this 19th da y of May,2026,
Cecilia Hupp, Mayororopescu, City Clerk
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