CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 — 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Conducted Via Zoom and Video Recording is Archived on the City Website https://www.ci.claremont.ca . us/government/city-council/watch-city-council-meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Leano called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Lee Cameron McDonald and Jay Newton Pocock.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT VIA ZOOM, COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, LEANO, MEDINA, REECE, STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER:NONE
ALSO PRESENT VIA ZOOM Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Aaron Fate, Police Chief; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting to report on.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no ceremonial matters, presentations, or announcements.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items
1. Appointment of Member to the Sustainability Committee This item starts at 00:06:42 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to appoint Alan N/edak to the Sustainability Committee for'a four-year term commencing February 1, 2022, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
January 11, 2022
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
2. Announcement and Confirmation of Local and Regional Councilmember Appointments and Adoption of a Resolution Designating a Governing Board Member and Voting Alternate to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Joint Powers Authority This item starts at 00:10:04 in the archived video.
Mayor Leano highlighted Councilmember Stark being appointed to the League of California Cities and the newly created Commission Appointment Process Ad Hoc Committee.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the Commission Appointment Process Ad Hoc Committee.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
Joseph Lyons spoke in support of Mayor Leano's proactive approach in bridging community differences.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Confirm various appointments to local and regional committees, boards, and organizations; and
B. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-01, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING A GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER AND
A VOTING ALTERNATE TO THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY;
Seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 00:15:02 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Transportation Committee's upcoming feasibility study.
Mayor Leano announced that Tri City Mental Health is searching for a new Executive Director.
Councilmember Reece announced that the smash. and grab burglary that took place on Yale Avenue is still under investigation.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 00:17:44 in the archived video.
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January 11, 2022
City Manager Pirrie announced that all public meetings will return to'virtual only due to the surge in COVID-19 cases and invited all to virtually attend the upcoming City Council Priorities Planning Workshop on January 22, and a redistricting community workshop on January 29.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 00:20:29 in the archived video.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
Noah Winnick asked that Police Commission representation be prioritized to those who are most impacted by public safety decisions and suggested that City Departments be made aware of priority items discussed at the City's Focus Group meetings.
Sandra Croxton Supervisor Katherine Barger's Senior Field Deputy, introduced herself and is looking forward to working with the Claremont community.
Russ Binder encouraged all to listen to the new episodes of Claremont Speaks featuring Anne Thorward, Vice President of the Newcomers Access Center, and Mayor Jed Leano.
Josue Barnes spoke in support of the comments made by Noah Winnick and questioned if the upcoming budget will reflect items suggested at the Council Priorities Focus Group meetings.
Due to noticing requirements, Public Hearing Item No. 7 will be heard next: Public comment will continue after the completion of Item No. 7.
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Overview of 2020 Census Data and Public Hearing to Receive Community Input on the Redistrictinq Process for the City of Claremont (Funding Source: General Fund) This item starts at 00:29:07 in the archived video.
Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager, highlighted the staff report.
Robert McEntire, National Demographics Corporation, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. McEntire and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding the consideration of future housing developments when drawing districts, demographic breakdown of draft maps, the ability to return to at large elections, preserving the core of existing districts, definition of communities of interest, maximum deviation between district populations, and voter disenfranchisement.
Mayor Leano opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
Jennifer Jaffe spoke against splitting the City into districts and if the City must be split into districts suggested the area of Foothill and Mills be placed in District 3 or 5.
Russ Binder questioned if the new district map should be re -drawn slightly or re -drawn not taking into account current districts. He also questioned if the mapping tool allows for current district lines to be adjusted slightly in order to balance the districts.
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January 11, 2022
Larry Schroeder suggested the Claremont Village be placed into one district, not spread into all districts as it is currently represented.
Karen Rosenthal spoke in support of the comments made by Mr. Schroeder and added that splitting the Village does not follow the guidelines of keeping communities of interest together.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark stated she looks forward to the process.
Councilmember Calaycay stated that he prefers Claremont Councilmembers to be elected at large and hopes to return to that method one day.
Mr. McEntire responded to questions raised during the public comment period and explained that the mapping tool considers Census information and districts can be moved however the Council chooses.
The public hearing was closed.
The next meeting on redistricting will take place at a Community Workshop on January 29, 2022.
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
Joseph Lyons suggested the City Council postpone the Priories Workshop so everyone can assess the priorities further.
Louise Kestenbaum spoke against the proposed Clara Oaks development.
Nancy Williams asked that consideration be given to Police Commission applicants knowledgeable in civic life.
Christine Margiotta spoke in support of those who made comments about the Police Commission and asked that the priorities workshop survey be distributed to as many as possible.
Angelita Favela raised concern regarding the noise at Wheeler Park due to those playing pickleball.
Nona Tirre Miranda asked that funding from the American Rescue Act be used for traffic calming measures.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded that the City is working on addressing issues raised at Wheeler Park.
Councilmember Medina directed staff to monitor and enforce the hours of use at Wheeler Park.
City Manager Pirrie continued to respond to questions raised during the public comment period and shared that implementation of the Complete Streets Policy is costly and staff will be looking at the
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January 11, 2022
possibility of using American Rescue Act funds if the use is eligible. He also shared that information collected during the Council Priorities Focus Group meetings will be presented to the City Council at its workshop on January 22.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 01:46:43 in the archived video.
Mayor Leano invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests to speak.
3. Resignation of Police Commissioner Jonathan Huang
Accepted with regret the resignation of Jonathan Huang from the Police Commission.
4. Adoption of Resolutions Approving City Warrant Register A. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-02, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID, dated December 23, 2021; and
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID, dated January 6, 2022.
5. City Council Minutes of December 14, 2021
Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of December 14, 2021.
6. Resolution Reconfirming the Existence of a State of Emergency Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Adopted Resolution No. 2022-04, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, RECONFIRMING THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Overview of 2020 Census Data and Public Hearing to Receive Community Input on the Redistricting Process for the City of Claremont (Funding Source: General Fund) This item was heard earlier in the agenda.
City Council Minutes
January 11, 2022
ORDINANCE
8. Amendment to Claremont Municipal Code Chapter 8.28 (Stormwater and Runoff Control) Implementing Updates to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (Funding Sources: General Fund and Measure W)
This item starts at 01:48:23 in the archived video.
Maria Tipping, City Engineer, and Vince Ramos, Associate Engineer, gave a PowerPoint Presentation.
Ms. Tipping, Mr. Ramos, and Kimberly Colbert, Colbert Environmental Group, responded to questions from the City Council regarding provisions to prevent standing water which leads to mosquito breeding, and scoring metrics for competitive grants.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
Jim Keith stated that water collection is very expensive and asked that collected storm water be measured and that information be made accessible to the public.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mr. Ramos and Ms. Colbert responded to Mr. Keith that storm water infiltration is to provide a natural means to clean storm water and Claremont only has one funded water infiltration project. The City does not track the cost for private development projects.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke against State mandated requirements with such high standards and raised concern about the high cost of this infrastructure on development projects which are supposed to be meeting the needs of affordable housing.
Councilmember Stark noted that Claremont is the only surrounding City to be compliant with the Regional Phase I Municipal Separate Storm Water System (MS4) Permit Requirements.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of the proposed ordinance as it creatively addresses State mandates.
Mr. Ramos responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding funding and the total costs to the City.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the use of grant funding to meet this requirement.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to introduce for first reading and that reading by title only, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8.28 OF TITLE 8 (STORMWATER AND RUNOFF POLLUTION CONTROL) UPDATING THE LOW
IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW AND REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS AND INCORPORATING THE REGIONAL PHASE I MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) PERMIT REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH
DISCHARGE AND CONNECTION TO THE STORM DRAIN SYSTEM, AND CONTROL
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rl--- 7
OF STORM WATER AND NON-STORMWATER RUNOFF, seconded by
Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
The City Council recessed at 9:02 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 9:12 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
9. 2021 Homeless Services Update (Funding Sources: General Fund and Multiple Grant and Regional Funding Sources)
This item starts at 02:40:31 in the archived video.
Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager, and Rimmi Hundal, Tri City Mental Health Director of Mental Health and Ethnic Services, gave a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions from the City Council regarding available funding sources from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, expansion of the City's nutrition program, Harrison Avenue affordable housing project, percentage of those who reject services, conservatorship, gaps in services, large families and their ability to attain housing, homeless navigator schedule and response times, number of individuals assisted by the PACT program, and Measure H funding.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
Larry Schroeder suggested that mental issues be addressed and questioned what the City Council will do to help reduce the number of homeless individuals in the community.
Russ Binder suggested City staff and Tri City Mental Health participate in his podcast, Claremont Speaks.
Jennifer Jaffe spoke in support of permanent affordable housing and suggested the City provide community education on how to address and help homeless individuals.
Joseph Lyons spoke in support of community engagement and suggested the City speak with Supervisor Barger about local control and implementation of Measure H.
Lee Kane San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness Program Manager, spoke in support of affordable housing and encouraged the development of more affordable housing.
There were no other requests to speak.
Ms. Earl and Ms. Hundal suggested that if members of the public wish to help those that are homeless, that they refer those persons to the City's homeless navigator and engage in dialogue with Tri City Mental Health.
Isela Moreno, Tri City Mental Health Navigator, Ms. Earl, and Mary Monzon, Tri City Mental Health Housing Manager, continued to respond to additional questions from the City Council regarding program and services available to aid those who are recently released from prison, number of housing units available for unhoused individuals, housing units available
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January 11, 2022
to those in Claremont, and opportunities 10 place housing at local churches for homeless individuals.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the services provided and hopes the City can create more affordable housing in Claremont.
Ms. Earl, Ms. Hundal, and Ms. Moreno, responded to an additional question from the City Council regarding engagement with the business community on how they may assist in local homeless issues.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Stark and asked all to remember this is a regional issue.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of additional outreach and community training. He suggested a flyer be produced and given to the business community outlining how they can help those that are unhoused.
Mayor Leano stated there are a number of assets and partnerships available to the City and directed City staff to bring back to the City Council ways to incorporate local interim housing.
The City Council received and filed the 2021 Homeless Services Update.
10. Update and Overview of the American Rescue Plan Act Funding (ARPA) (Funding Source:
American Rescue Plant Act Fund)
This item starts at 04:34:33 in the archived video.
David Cain, Interim Finance Director, and Ken Duran, HdL, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Cain, Mr. Durn, Barry Foster, HdL, and City Manager Pirrie, responded to questions from the City Council regarding funds used for essential worker pay, use of funds to provide additional outreach on ARPA Funding, questions about broadband in the proposed surveys, audit for equity and diversity inclusion, business assistance grants and loans, available funds for affordable housing, and one-time payment to essential workers.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
Nick Martinez Sr President of the Claremont Police Officers Association, asked the City Council to keep in mind that the City has already fallen behind in comparative salaries and that some of the ARPA funds should go towards essential workers.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark would like to explore the option of essential worker pay.
Councilmember Calaycay asked all to keep in mind the City's priorities process and be mindful of what the citizens would like to see the ARPA funds used for.
Councilmember Reece would like to look into using the ARPA funds for business assistance programs, Community Based Organizations, accessory dwelling units, expansion of the PACT program, mental health outreach, and essential worker pay.
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Councilmember Medina hopes that the community gets engaged in this process and asked that all take the upcoming survey. He suggested ARPA funding be used for Community Based Organizations, expansion of the PACT program, and expansion of the Complete Streets Policy to improve the area of Indian Hill Boulevard at the 10 Freeway.
Mayor Leano spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers and suggested that ARPA funds be used for interim housing and bicycle safety.
The City Council provided feedback to staff on potential uses of the ARPA funding and the community engagement process.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Leano adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 11:52 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., via Zoom.
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