CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, December 13, 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-cou ncil-meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Leano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Joseph M. Lyons, former Claremont Mayor.
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
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Krystle Murillo, Personnel Services Manager, and Joslyn Villegas, Human Services Program Coordinator, were introduced.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
Holidays This Month and Upcoming:
Christmas, December 25th
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items
1. Declaration of Results of the City of Claremont November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 11:52 in the archived video.
Shelley Desautels, City Clerk, highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
Connie Weir, Claremont resident, shared negative experiences with her neighbor and the City's Code Enforcement Division. She asked that the City Council reach out to her to address these issues.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to adopt Resolution No. 2022-72, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022;
DECLARING THE RESULT AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
2. Administration of Oath of Office to Newly Election City Councilmembers: Ed Reece, District 2; Jennifer Stark, District 3; and Jed Leano, District 4 This item starts at 20:19 in the archived video.
Gabriel Raphael administered the oath of office to Councilmember Reece.
Bob Russi administered the oath of office to Councilmember Stark.
Anne Turner administered the oath of office to Councilmember Leano.
Mayor Leano invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
3. Appointment of a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore for the Upcoming Year This item starts at 28:40 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels called for nominations for the office of Mayor.
Councilmember Calaycay nominated Councilmember Reece for the office of Mayor.
Nominations were closed, and City Clerk Desautels invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to appoint Councilmember Reece to the office of Mayor for a one-year term, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
Mayor Reece called for nominations for the office of Mayor Pro Tempore.
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
Councilmember Stark nominated Councilmember Medina for the office of Mayor Pro Tempore.
Nominations were closed, and Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to appoint Councilmember Medina to the office of Mayor Pro Tempore for a one-year term, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Mayor Reece moved to adopt Resolution No. 2022-74, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING
COUNCILMEMBER REECE AS MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER SAL MEDINA AS MAYOR PRO TEMPORE, EACH TO A ONE-YEAR TERM, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
The Muriel 0' Brien Estate was thanked for her financial gift to the City to be used for public art at the Alexander Hughes Community Center.
The City Council recessed at 7:33 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:40 p.m.
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 1:10:00 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported on a conference he recently attended where they discussed diversity equity and inclusion and town and gown relations.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:11:32 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirre reported on the upcoming Police Department Toy Drive, Architectural Commission review of the Village South Specific Plan, Planning Commission review of the Knights Inn Specific Plan Amendment, reminded all that City offices will be closed starting December 26 and will reopen January 2, and recognized Councilmember Stark for her 5-years of service.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 1:14:29 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants Union, stated that the Union is looking forward to working with the City on its draft rental ordinance.
Priscilla Espinoza, Claremont Helen Renwick Library, shared upcoming events taking place at the Library.
Nicholas Lucio, Claremont resident, raised concern regarding cars parked in and around the bike lane on Claremont Boulevard near Pitzer College.
Natalie Couch, Claremont resident, spoke in support of improving bicycle infrastructure in the City.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to Mr. Lucio that staff will review the area of Claremont Boulevard to address his concerns.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1:22:01 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina pulled Item No. 12 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 4-11.
There were no requests to speak.
4. Adoption of Resolutions Approving the City Warrant Register A. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-75, 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 23, 2022; and
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-76, 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 8, 2022.
5. City Council Minutes of November 22, 2022 (Special and Regular) Approved and filed the special and regular City Council meeting minutes of November 22, 2022.
6. Resolution Reconfirming the Existence of a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Adopted Resolution No. 2022-77, 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.
7. Authorization to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Cities of Claremont, La Verne, Pomona, San Dimas, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to Host the Golden Streets — Heart of the Foothills Event to be Held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 (Funding Sources: Metro Grand and General Fund) A. Authorized the City Manager to execute the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the cities of La Verne, San Dimas, Pomona, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
Governments for event planning, public safety, traffic control, and other support services for the Golden Streets- Heart of the Foothills event to be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023; and
B. Appropriated $40,000 in grant funding from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to fund the City's costs to support the event.
8. Lot Line Adjustment(File#22-LL01) Affecting Two Parcels at the Western Terminus of Auto Center Drive, Parcel 1 (APN: 8318-020-010) and Parcel 2 (APN: 8318-020-031, 667 Auto Center Drive). Applicant— Claremont Holding Company, LLC.
A. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-78, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT (FILE 22-LL01) AFFECTING TWO PARCELS AT THE WESTERN TERMINUS OF AUTO CENTER DRIVE: PARCEL 1 (APN: 8318-020-010) AND PARCEL 2 (APN: 8318-020- 031, 667 AUTO CENTER DRIVE), PROPOSED BY CLAREMONT HOLDING COMPANY, LLC, APPLICANT approving the proposed lot line adjustment, as the findings required in Section 17.256.020 of the Claremont Municipal Code can be made; and
B. Made the finding this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
9. Award of Contract to Comet Electric Inc. for the Mountain Avenue and Thompson Creek Trail Crossing Improvements Project, CIP No. 2022-03 (Funding Source: Measure M) A. Awarded a contract and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Comet Electric Inc. in the amount of $80,090 for the Mountain Avenue and Thompson Creek Trail Improvements Project, CIP No. 2022-03, and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of$8,009, for a total contract amount of$88,099; and B. Made the finding this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
10. Federal Transportation Title VI Plan (Funding Source: Federal Transit Administration Funds) Adopted the updated Title VI Plan to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
11. Approval of the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) of the Dissolved Claremont Redevelopment Agency for the Period July 1, 2023 Through June 30, 2024 and the Administrative Budget for the Period of July 1, 2023 Through June 30, 2024 (Funding Source: Successor Agency Fund)
Adopted Resolution No. SA 2022-01, A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
OF THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO THE CITY OF CLAREMONT
APPROVING THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024 AND APPROVING THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024.
12. Authorization to Enter Into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Village Partners Ventures, LLC for the Purchase of City-Owned Property, Located at 451 West Arrow Highway (Funding Source: General Fund)
Item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 4-11, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Item Removed from the Consent Calendar
12. Authorization to Enter Into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Village Partners Ventures, LLC for the Purchase of City-Owned Property, Located at 451 West Arrow Highway (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 1:24:09 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina recused himself from the discussion and left the meeting as he has a conflict of interest.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Juan Olmedo, Southwest Carpenters, asked the City Council to require the use of a local workforce and impose training requirements to prevent community spread of COVID.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Attorney Patterson and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding the Surplus Land Act, development of affordable housing, and proceeds of sale.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of using the proceeds of the sale to help address local housing/rental issues.
City Manager Pirrie responded to an additional question from the City Council regarding its priority workshop meeting. He shared that the next priority meeting will be held in January 2024 to help create the next City budget.
Councilmember Calaycay asked that the City Council discuss the use of the proceeds from the sale be discussed at its next priority meeting and suggested holding a priority setting meeting annually.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into the attached purchase and sale agreement with Village Partners Ventures, LLC for the purchase of City-owned property located at 451 West Arrow Highway in the amount of$3,425,000; B. Find that this purchase and sale,agreement is within the scope of the Village South Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report (State Clearing House No. 2019080072) (EIR), and find that under Section 21166 of the California Public Resources Code and Section 15162 of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), there is no basis for subsequent or supplemental environmental review; and
C. Find that, per Section 54234(b)(1) of the California Government Code, this purchase and sale agreement is subject to the Surplus Land Act (Government Code Section 54221, et seq.) (SLA) as it existed on December 31, 2019, without regard to the changes made to the SLA by Chapter 664 of the Statutes of 2019, and all subsequent amendments to the SLA, which took effect on January 1, 2020 because the purchase and sale agreement is for land that has been designated in
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
the City's long-range property management plan (LRPMP) pursuant to Section 34191.5 of the Health and Safety Code, the City entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Village Partners Ventures, LLC before December 31, 2020, and the sale of the land will be complete before December 31, 2022; Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember- None
ABSENT: Councilmember- Medina
Councilmember Medina returned to the dais.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ORDINANCES - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
13. 2023 July Fourth Evening Program (Funding Source: General Fund) This item starts at 1:36:53 in the archived video.
Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services, highlighted the staff report.
Ms. Vollaro and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding consideration of a low-level fireworks show, how much water is utilized for a low-level fireworks show, clarification of the Independence Day Committee actions, regional drone shows, use of reclaimed or non-potable water, possible impacts and risks to holding a fireworks show, watering of turf versus non-functional turf, air quality, and watering needs of other fireworks shows.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Greg Glass, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to support the recommendation of the Independence Day Committee and hold an aerial fireworks show.
Nancy Brower, Community and Human Services Commissioner, spoke in support of the Independence Day Committee's recommendation to hold an aerial fireworks show.
Jess Swick, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the Independence Day Committee's recommendation to hold an aerial fireworks show and asked that the parade be moved to 4:00 p.m.
Teena Collins, member of the Independent Day Committee, asked the City Council to direct staff to move forward with a fireworks show.
Charlie Gale, Chair of the Independence Day Committee, shared the Committee's reasoning for selecting a fireworks show.
Steve Collins, Associate Chair of the Independence Day Committee, spoke in support of holding a fireworks show.
City Council Minutes
December 13, 2022
There were no other requests to speak.
Ms. Vollaro continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding alternative locations for a fireworks show, and potential use of Claremont High School for a fireworks show.
Councilmember Stark expressed concerns related to water conservation, the current drought conditions, and environmental concerns.
Councilmember Calaycay suggested the City Council consider a low-level fireworks show and speak with regional resources to use reclaimed water.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to select an aerial fireworks show and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Pyro Spectaculars for $30,000 to provide a 17-minute low-level aerial fireworks show with the use of reclaimed water.
Ms. Vollaro and Mr. Collins continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding the last time a low-level fireworks show was performed in the City, community response from the low-level fireworks show, and sound of low-level fireworks.
Councilmember Stark stated that while she appreciates Councilmember Calaycay's motion, she reminded all that the City is dedicated to sustainability and progress.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Medina.
Mayor Reece stated that he spoke in support of Councilmember Calaycay's motion for a low-level fireworks and the use of reclaimed water for preparation of the fireworks show.
The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece
NOES: Councilmember— Stark
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Reece adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 9:00 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Clarem ber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
D4�put ty Clerk