CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 —6:30 p.m.
Meeting Conducted In Person and Via Zoom. 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 6:41 p.m.
As Mayor Leano is participating via Zoom, Mayor Pro Tem Reece led the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, LEANO, MEDINA, REECE, STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER: NONE
ALSO PRESENT Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Aaron Fate, Police Chief; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Pro Tern Reece stated there was no,reportable action from the 5:15 p.m. closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nick Ariotti, Mechanic, and Briana Spikes, Accountant, were introduced.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
Holidays This Month and Upcoming:
Thanksgiving, November 24th
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 1:31:31 in the archived video.
Councilmember Stark provided clarifying information regarding the School Resource Officer position and the discussion about the position at the Claremont Unified School District Board meeting. She added that members of the School District met with City staff to strategize an
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2022
approach. At this meeting it was clear that the School District and the City could not coordinate its efforts.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:35:59 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie reported on preliminary election results, invited all to attend the Holiday Promenade on December 2, shared the Police Department will be partnering with Keeping the Good in the Neighborhood for a toy drive, and invited all to participate in the hotel/motel ordinance listening session on November 29.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 1:40:08 in the archived video.
Mayor Pro Tem Reece invited public comment.
Noah Winnick inquired about the process and why City staff presented two different frameworks to the City Council regarding the School Resource Officer Working Group, one recommendation from City staff, one recommendation from the School Resource Officer Working Group.
Russ Binder encouraged all to participate and listen to his podcast, Claremont Speaks.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, urged the City Council to continue to work towards tenant protection ordinances that specially address rent control, just cause evictions due to a substantial remodel, and creation of a housing rental board.
Priscilla Espinoza, Claremont Helen Renwick Library, shared upcoming events taking place at the Library.
Josue Barnes spoke in support of the comments made .by Mr. Winnick and the Claremont processes.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to questions raised during public comment regarding the School Resource Officer (SRO) Working Group frameworks. He explained that the SRO is a partnership between the City and the School District and an additional framework was presented to the City Council that included recommendations from the School District.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 2:01:57 in the archived video.
Mayor Pro Tern Reece invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
Josue Barnes spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 4, and questioned how CPS HR Consulting was selected and what will CPS HR Consulting be evaluating.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2022
City Manager Pirrie responded to Mr. Barnes that CPS HR Consulting was selected after a request for proposals was solicited. They will be evaluating policies, programs, and practices that directly or indirectly impact City staff and residents in regard to their race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, color, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or other socio-culturally significant factors.
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2022-70, 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 November 10, 2022.
2. City Council Minutes of November 8, 2022 (Regular) Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of November 8, 2022.
3. Resolution Reconfirming the Existence of a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Adopted Resolution No. 2022-71, 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.
4. Authorization to Enter Into a Professional Services Agreement with CPS HR Consulting for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Evaluation and Consulting Services (Funding Source:
General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with CPS HR Consulting for a diversity, equity, and inclusion evaluation and consulting services in the amount of$42,150.
5. Purchase of Equipment to Replace Virtual Server Infrastructure (Funding Sources:
American Rescue Plan Act Fund and General Fund)
Approved the purchase of the VXRails Virtual Infrastructure Equipment from Abtech Technologies in the amount of$167,962.16.
6. Award of Contract to DM Contracting, Inc. for the 2022-23 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Proiect to Provide Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Services (Funding Source: Measure R Fund) A. Awarded a contract to DM Contracting, Inc. and authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with DM Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $369,400 with a project contingency of ten percent ($36,940), for a total of$406,340, to provide sidewalk repair and replacement services at identified locations throughout the City; and B. Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with RKA Consulting Group in the amount of$25,000 for monument preservation.
7. Authorization to Amend the Existing Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates to Increase Compensation for Grant Research and Management Services (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing Professional Services Agreement with Blais&Associates adding $25,000 in compensation and increasing the total agreement not-to-exceed amount to $100,000.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2022
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Appeal of Architectural Commission Approval of Architectural and Site Plan Review #22-A07 for a Proposed Landscape Plan at 840 South Indian Hill Boulevard — Appellant:
Bhuvneshwari Corporation DBA Motel 6, Sapnesh Amin
This item starts at 2:07:38 in the archived video.
Alisha Patterson, City Attorney, gave a PowerPoint presentation and responded to a question from the City Council regarding a timeframe that staff has been working with Motel 6.
John Neiuber, Architectural Commission Chair, shared the determining factors made by the Architectural Commission to approve the project with the added conditions.
Mr. Neiuber and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding attendance of legal counsel at City meetings, noticing requirements, health and safety of standing water in the swimming pool, and attendance at the Architectural Commission.
Frank Weiser and Anju Multani, Appellant's Legal Counsel, provided their reasonings for filing an appeal.
City Attorney Patterson continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding the appeal process, the code enforcement appeal process, notification process, and court process versus a City process.
Mr. Weiser, Mr. Amin, and Ms. Mutani, responded to questions from the City Council regarding landscape and site plan submittal and approval, appellants appeal of additional conditions, awareness of Claremont Municipal Code landscaping requirements, and reduction of parking spaces.
Chris Veirs, Principal Planner, responded to questions from the City Council regarding parking spaces and proposed planting locations and size of trees.
Mr. Amin, Ms. Mutani, and Mr. Weiser continued to express their concern of planting trees along the eastern property line as well as the large size of box trees proposed to be planted; therefore, reducing the number of parking spaces.
The City Council recessed at 9:01 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 9:11 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Reece opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
Joe Ramallo, Claremont resident, stated that the property has fallen into disrepair and urged the City Council to pursue and enforce nuisance and code enforcement issues.
Brian Trunick, Claremont resident, shared that the hotel does not want to work with the neighborhood and urged the City Council to deny the appeal.
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2022
Vicky Knoebel, Claremont resident, spoke in support of being a good neighbor and expressed disappointment in Motel 6.
Virginia Ramirez, Claremont resident,stated that as of now, Motel 6 does not fit in Claremont and is rapidly declining.
Darvin asked the City Council to take action and clean up the neighborhood.
H. Gomez, Claremont resident, shared negative experiences residing near Motel 6 and spoke in support of the Architectural Commission's decision and urged the City Council to deny the appeal.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Attorney Patterson responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding tree removal, lighting and landscape issues raised with prior property owners, due process, and water reduction ordinance.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of upholding the Architectural Commission's action as they acted in good faith and followed all requirements and guidelines.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Calaycay and added that the City Council should stand by the Commission's recommendations to ameliorate the situation.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers as the Architectural Commission's actions were appropriate and followed the required processes.
Mayor Leano spoke in support of upholding the Architectural Commission's decision and denying the appeal.
Mayor Pro Tem Reece spoke in support of staffs recommendation as the appellant should be held to the conditions of the approved plan from the 1970's and deny the appeal as an appropriate due process was provided to the appellant.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-72, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL OF AND AFFIRMING
THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW #22-A07 FOR A PROPOSED LANDSCAPE PLAN AT 840 SOUTH INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD; and
B. Find this item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA);
Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2022
9. Public Hearing and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Claremont Municipal Code Title 15, Incorporating the 2022 California Building Codes by Reference and Continuation of Local Amendments (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 4:36:51 in the archived video.
Brad Fliehmann, Building Official, highlighted the staff report and explained that the 2023 Los Angeles County Fire Code has not yet been adopted. Los Angeles County Fire Management suggests that Claremont adopt the 2022 California Fire Code at this time.
Mayor Pro Tem Reece opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Adopt Ordinance No. 2022-08, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2022
EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24); INCLUDING THE 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, (INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE); THE 2022 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, (INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE); THE 2022 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE (INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2020 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE); THE 2022 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE (INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2021 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE); THE 2022 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE (INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2021 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE); THE 2022 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE: AND THE 2022 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE: TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS, DELETIONS AND CHANGES THERETO; AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2022 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE CODE, (LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, TITLE 32) INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (INCORPORATING AND AMENDING THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE); and
B. Find this item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA);
Seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
ORDINANCES - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
10. 2023 Community Based Organization General Services and Homeless Services Program Funding (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund) This item starts at 4:42:21 in the archived video.
Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services, highlighted the staff report.
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2022
Mayor Pro Tern Reece opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Review and approve the 2023 Community Based Organization (CBO) funding recommendations made by the Community and Human Services Commission, consisting of$86,650 for General Services programs and $36,500 for Homeless Services programs, listed in the attachment to the staff report; and B. Approve the Community and Human Services recommendation for$23,500 to be allocated to the City's Family and Senior Emergency Services Funds; Seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tern Reece adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 10:07 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., in the glaremo Council Chamber.
Mayor
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