2022-054
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF CHINO HILLS
MARCH 8, 2022
REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE MEETING AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Marquez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and requested City Clerk Balz to call roll.
PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: RAY MARQUEZ
PETER ROGERS
ART BENNETT
BRIAN JOHSZ
CYNTHIA MORAN
ALSO PRESENT: BENJAMIN MONTGOMERY, CITY MANAGER
MARK HENSLEY, CITY ATTORNEY
CHERYL BALZ, CITY CLERK
DANIEL BOBADILLA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CHRISTA BUHAGIAR, FINANCE DIRECTOR
NATHAN COOKE, DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF, CHINO VALLEY FIRE
DEPARTMENT
BRANDON FONACIER, COMMUNITY RELATIONS ANALYST I
NICOLE FREEMAN, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
GARTH GOODELL, CHIEF OF POLICE, CHINO HILLS
ROD HILL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
JOANN LOMBARDO, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
JONATHAN MARSHALL, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
LYNNAE SISEMORE, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Led by resident, Sharon Wilkins.
INVOCATION
Led by Father Joseph Pilotin, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
PRESENTATIONS
INTRODUCTION - NEW EMPLOYEES
Mayor Marquez introduced the following new City employees:
Jacob Velasco, Community Services Coordinator I, Community. Services Department Leticia Medina, Senior Account Technician, Finance Department Tristen Cruz, Engineering Technician, Public Works Department
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Richard Rodriguez, Maintenance Worker I, Public Works Department Christopher Zavala, Maintenance Worker I, Public Works Department
PRESENTATION - COVID RECOVERY OVERVIEW OF COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES Eric Westedt, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) IP, Inc. Managing Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation to Council regarding an overview of COVID recovery of Chino Hills retail chains foot traffic, domestic tourism, visits by local and national tourists (statistics based off tourists), and by regions (zip codes).
Council discussion ensued with Mr. Westedt about four Chino Hills shopping centers, vacancies, and potential uses of sites.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ronnie Guyer, resident, expressed his opinions regarding teleconferenced meetings and spoke about the Vietnam War and the world today.
Suzette Dang, representing Supervisor Hagman's office, announced that the "Coffee with Curt" event will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chino Police Department, and the launch of a New Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to help offset impacts from the pandemic. For more information to visit the County's website at: www.selectsbcounty.com.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENTS
There was no conflict of interest announcements to record.
CITY DEPARTMENT BUSINESS
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Marquez announced the Consent Calendar items and asked Council if there were any items to pull.
Hearing none, a motion was made by Council Member Bennett and seconded by Vice Mayor Rogers to approve the following Consent Calendar items:
MINUTES
The City Council approved the February 22, 2022, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes, as presented.
CITY OFFICIAL REPORT
The City Council received and filed the City's Official Reports pursuant to City's Travel, Training, and Meetings Reimbursement Policy for the period of November 9, 2021 through March 7, 2022, as presented.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
The City Council received and filed the Monthly Financial Report for month ended January 31, 2022, as presented.
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AGREEMENT- TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR GENERAL. PLAN UPDATE The City Council authorized the execution of Agreement No. A2022-058 with LG2WB Engineers, Inc. (LLG), in an amount not -to -exceed $65,862.50 for the preparation of a traffic impact analysis for the General Plan Update to identify potential traffic impacts from the additional state mandated units and City build -out.
AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - CONTRACT BUILDING INSPECTOR
The City Council authorized the execution of Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. A2.021-195 with Willdan Engineering, increasing the total not -to -exceed amount from $85,000 to $115,520 for a contract building inspector for the remainder of the Fiscal Year.
ANNUAL REPORT - 2021 GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The City Council (1) received and filed the Annual Report on General Plan Implementation for Calendar Year 2021; and (2) directed staff to file a copy of the report with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
GRANT AWARD - CALIFORNIA WATER AND WASTEWATER ARREARAGE
PAYMENT PROGRAM - RESOLUTION ADOPTED
The City Council (1) accepted the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program grant award for water arrearages in the amount of $443,495.77; and (2) adopted Resolution No. 2022R-019 of the City of Chino Hills, Adopting a Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2021-22 Increasing the Budget in the Water Utility Fund by $443,495.77 for the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program Grant.
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022R-020 of the City of Chino Hills, Adopting the Statement of Investment Policy, Adopting the Investment Policy Guidelines for the City's Public Agencies Post -Employment Benefit Trust, and Delegating Investment Authority for the City's Investment Portfolio for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Motion carried by electronic vote as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, JOHSZ, MORAN
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
DISCUSSION CALENDAR ITEM
CONTINUE EXISTENCE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY - ADOPT RESOLUTION City Manager Montgomery briefed the Council on the report, which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. He said the sinee.the initial declaration of the Governor's proclaimed State of Emergency the City has been pivoting based upon the available inforrhation related to the pandemic. He said that the City has made attempts to improve the business environment for local businesses as they have coped with the challenges of COVID. He said that staff recommends that Council continue the existence of the local emergency,
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which has nothing to do with masks or some other issue, because the Council has not taken any actions other than what the State required us to do. However, we did take actions that lessened code requirements so that businesses could adapt to COVID. concerns through an Administrative Order as outlined in the PowerPoint on file in the City Clerk's office. City Manager Montgomery stated that at the last meeting Council approved extending permits and Planning related items for another six months, which will continue on its own authority.
A lengthy discussion ensued with staff and Council regarding the administrative order which relaxed yard sales, fees, temporary banners, and other related special events.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Bennett and seconded by Council Member Johsz to (1) adopt Resolution No. 202211-021 of the City of Chino Hills, Continuing the Existence of a Local Emergency; (2) find that the Resolution is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act; and (3) direct staff to continue the provisions of Administrative Order No. 1 with the exception of temporary banners which should be excluded from the order.
Motion carried by electronic vote as follows:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUEZ, ROGERS, BENNETT, JOHSZ, MORAN
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER REPORT
Public Information Officer (PIO) Freeman announced the following information:
COVID-19 VACCINE & TESTING
• County Pfizer vaccine events continue every Tuesday in March at the McCoy Equestrian & Recreation Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Free COVID-19 testing is being conducted at the McCoy Equestrian & Recreation Center on Wednesdays, March 9th and March 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
® Appointments are recommended and can be made online at www.sbcovidl9.com/testing, walk-ins will be allowed until orie hour before closing
® Free COVID-19 rapid test kits are available for pick-up at San Bernardino County testing .locations and libraries, including our Chino Hills Branch Library
BLOOD DRIVES
Blood drives are continuing every Tuesday, through the end of March from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Appointments are recommended and , can be made online; walk-ins are accepted if space allows
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GENERAL PLAN SURVEYS
The City is in the process of updating its General Plan and is seeking input to determine the community's vision for the future of Chino Hills Over the next few months, there will be several community surveys the public will be encourages to take and provide feedback
The first survey on the City's current General Plan vision statements is available online now at www.chinohiIIs.orq/GeneralPlan
RECREATION & CITY NEWS
Pop -Up City Hall will be taking information to the community and visiting Lowe's on Saturday, March 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
o City staff and officials from the City, Police Department, and Fire District will be in attendance to provide information and answer questions
o Residents can learn more about neighborhood watch programs and emergency preparedness tips including using emergency backup generators and how to prepare your home for a wildfire
Water Conservation Design -A -Sign Contest entries due Friday, March 18th o The theme this year is "How We Save Water During A Drought" o Young artists from kindergarten through 12th grade who live or attend school in Chino Hills are invited to submit an art entry o Prizes will be awarded, winners in each age category and winning posters from each grade level will be made into signs and displayed at the roundabout in front of City Hall
Council Member Bennett asked that staff post the physical location of the Lowe's Home Improvement Store for the Pop -Up City Hall since there are two Lowe's within the City.
PIO Freeman replied that staff would post the location and that it is the north Lowe's next to Costco on Peyton Drive.
SAFETY UPDATES - Police and Fire
Police: Police Chief Goodell stated that deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Chino Hills and found the driver to be in possession of narcotics for sale. He said that the driver had over thirty ecstasy pills, half an ounce of cocaine, a pound of marijuana, and an assault rifle. Police Chief Goodell said the station's detectives followed up and authorized a search warrant to the subject's house, not in Chino Hills but in Eastvale, and the subject was arrested and booked on multiple narcotic charges. He said that on Sunday, March 6th, the Sheriff's conducted a tobacco by operation in the City, which resulted in three citations. He stated that a citizen reached out to the station expressing traffic concerns at Bayberry and Pipeline, so the area was patrolled and ended with 69 stop sign citations within four days. Lastly, he said that the Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) helped the Sheriff's to recover five stolen vehicles and :arrest seven suspects in possession in those, vehicles.
Fire: Deputy Fire Chief Cooke said that the Chino Valley Independent Fire District continues to staff paramedic ambulances 24 hours a day, and in the month of February,
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they responded to a hundred medical aids and transported a total of 44 patients to the hospital. He also stated since July 3, 2021, they responded to 4,781 medical aids and transported a total of 2,008 patients to the hospital with those ambulances. He said the Fire Department participated in the Chino Hills Student Government Day and was thankful for the work done by City staff and the support from City Council.
Mayor Marquez inquired about when the new fire station construction will commence.
Deputy Fire Chief Cooke stated most likely in the next eighteen to twenty-four months due to lack of supplies and workers.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mavor Marquez
• LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (CALCITIES) - BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mayor Marquez attended League of California Cities (CalCities) Board of Directors meeting and stated the Board had lengthy discussions on state housing laws and the next steps to retain local authority. He said there was going to be a ballot measure, but due to lack of signatures and money it did not go through. He said that the state budget has over $1.2 billion for the next two years for wildfires and forest resilience. He said that CalCities strongly opposes the California Roundtable Ballot Measure, and if this measure passes it will jeopardize cities to provide services and critical infrastructure to residents. He said that the Board took a strong position of support on AB 1599 (Kiley) to repeal Proposition 47 except Cannabis. Lastly, he announced that the next Board meeting will be on May 13th and 14th, and the annual conference will be held on September 7th through the 9th in Long Beach.
• SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY OF TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD Mayor Marquez attended the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Board meeting via teleconference and said the Board received an update on the Redlands Passenger Rail Project, discussed the local transportation fund appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022-23, and received a San Bernardino Trust Framework presentation.
• SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS - REGIONAL
COUNCIL
Mayor Marquez attended the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council meeting via teleconference and said the Council discussed State and Federal legislative updates.
Vice Mayor Rogers
• CHINO BASIN DESALTER AUTHORITY BOARD
Vice Mayor -Rogers attended the Chino Basin Desalter Authority Board meeting via teleconference -and said the Board extended their local emergency proclamation .and received updates from the General Manager.
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Council Member Moran
CHINO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD
Council Member Moran attended the Chino Valley Unified School District Board meeting via teleconference and said the indoor mask mandates for Kindergarten through 12th grade ends on March 11th at 11:59 p.m. When students return to school on Monday, March 14th, masks for indoor settings will be optional. . ® OMNITRANS
Council Member Moran attended the Omnitrans meeting via teleconference and said that they launched an Uber Ride Program, which will provide half -fare subsidies up to $15 per for Uber ride for seniors and people with disabilities.
Omnitrans will launch the trips beginning and ending in Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rancho Cucamonga, or Redlands. She said if the program is successful, they will provide a full -service area rollout later in the year. ® SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS - ENERGY AND
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Council Member Moran attended the Southern California Association of Governments Energy and Environment Committee meeting via teleconference and said the committee was presented with two presentations from the gas company and Southern California Edison (SCE) regarding subsidies for housing developments and infrastructure for electrical vehicle charging stations.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bennett: Council Member Bennett mentioned that daylight savings will occur next weekend and mentioned to everyone to be aware of their surroundings since children will be out longer. He expressed his opinions on what is happening in the world today, the rise in gas prices, and offered prayers for Ukraine refugees and spoke of programs that might help them.
Moran: Council Member Moran commended staff for putting together another great Student Government Day. She attended the Chino's State of the City and was looking forward to unmasking at work the following week.
Johsz: Council Member Johsz thanked staff for lengthening the left turn lane on Grand Avenue to Boys Republic Drive. He congratulated the Sheriff's Department for receiving a new ATV to patrol events and said that he was glad the mask mandate was lifted for schools. He echoed Council Member Bennett's comments about Ukraine refugees and to pray for the country.
Rogers: Vice Mayor Rogers stated that he had a wonderful time at Student Government Day and said that the children who participated have great skill sets. He said that he a-ttended the Hidden Trails Elementary School, Literacy Days and stated it was a stellar program: He announced a few Chino Hills Community Foundation events: Chino. Hills - Concert Series, R&B singer Lynne Fiddmont on April 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Chino Hills Community Center; and the Kids Art Exploration Day on Saturday, March 26th from 10-00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Shoppes at Chino Hills. For more information visit the
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Foundation's website at www.chinohillsfoundation.com. He stated that the Foundation was discussing a donation toward a Recreation van. Lastly, Vice Mayor Rogers said that budget season is forthcoming and inquired about some care to City facilities.
Marquez: Mayor Marquez thanked the Police Chief for responding to a resident's concerns about traffic safety. He said that he met via zoom with Assemblyman Seyarto, Community Development Director Lombardo regarding AB 1398 (Bloom) and felt they listened to our issues and that Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is supposed to have a special hearing at the State level to discuss Assembly Bill 1398 (Bloom) Planning and zoning: housing element: rezoning of sites: pro -housing local policies, because the City's Housing Element needed to be certified by February 22nd. He said that only seven cities have been reviewed by the State of California and Chino Hills is not aware of their standing just yet. Lastly, he said that he attended the Pony League's Opening Day.
ADJOURN IN MEMORIAM
Mayor Marquez adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. in memory of Richard Wilkins who passed away on February 28, 2022, at the age of 82.
Mayor Marquez invited Sharon Wilkins to the podium to share a few words about her husband. Mrs. Wilkins thanked the Chino Valley Fire Independent Services for coming to the aid of her husband on several occasions, and to her church, the Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints for all their support.
Respectfully submitted,
APPROVED: March 22, 2022