CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 24, 2023—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 Reece called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In memory of those who passed as a result of the recent shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay.
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; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no ceremonial matters, presentations, or announcements.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
Holidays This Month and Upcoming:
Presidents' Day, February 20th
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items— None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 03:22 in the archived video.
Councilmember Stark announced that she was recently appointed to the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Senate Rules Committee.
Councilmember Leano announced that Tri City Mental Health Association Legal Counsel, Darryl Piper, will be retiring and encouraged all to apply for the upcoming vacant position.
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
Mayor Reece announced that he was re-elected as Chair of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 05:31 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to attend the joint Planning Commission and Police Commission meeting on January 28 to discuss possible amendments to the City's hotel/motel ordinance, listening sessions for possible tenant protections on February 8 and February 15, and on January 31 an information meeting for the Heart of the Foothills event.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 07:33 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Ross Pringle, Claremont resident, introduced a new civic organization, Claremont Streets for People, and shared that their goal is to help Claremont be a leader in safe, inclusive, and sustainable transportation.
Priscilla Espinoza, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, shared upcoming events taking place at the Library.
Denise Spooner, Claremont resident, raised concern regarding Accessory Dwelling Units being used for short term rentals.
Charlotte Chang, Claremont resident, spoke in support of greater mobility and access for non-motorized transit in Claremont and urged the City Council to consider bicycles and pedestrians.
Richard Haskell spoke in support of reviewing the City's Complete Streets Policy and urged the City Council to give more consideration to bicyclists, pedestrians, and active transportation.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to questions raised during the public comment period. He shared that short term rental regulations are being reviewed by City staff and will be brought to the City Council. He also shared that City staff is working towards satisfying the City's Complete Streets Policy which addresses mobility and access for non-motorized transit in Claremont.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 27:37 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina pulled Item No. 7 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 1-6.
Phillip Ebener spoke in support of Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and raised concern regarding the speed limit on Mountain Avenue.
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
Buff Brown, Claremont resident, spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5. He raised concern regarding the speed limit of Mountain Avenue and questioned if a speed survey was available for Mountain Avenue.
Paul Steinberg spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and raised concern regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Ross Pringle spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and asked that infrastructure be placed on Mountain Avenue to reduce speed and protect bicyclists and pedestrians.
Heather Campbell, Claremont resident, spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and expressed frustration when trying to cross Mountain Avenue during school pick up and drop off times.
Hannah Lu spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and spoke in support of the comments previously made. She asked the City Council to prioritize people over cars.
Unidentified speaker spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and asked that traffic calming measures be placed on Mountain Avenue.
Nic Lucio, Claremont resident, spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and asked for more to be done to Mountain Avenue including protected bike lanes.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay pulled Item No. 5 from the Consent Calendar.
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2023-06, 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 19, 2023.
2. City Council Minutes of January 10, 2023 (Regular) Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of January 10, 2023.
3. Resolution Reconfirming the Existence of a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-07, 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. Investment Report— Quarter Ending December 31, 2022
Received and accepted the Investment Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2022.
5. Mountain Avenue Corridor (Base Line Road to Bonita Avenue) Complete Streets Improvements Project (Funding Source: State Gas Tax)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
6. Automated License Plate Reader Service Renewal and Camera Purchase (Funding Source:
General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Vigilant Solutions in the amount of $27,272.10 for the purchase of Vigilant Solutions ILP Package with three Automated License Plate Reader cameras.
7. Authorization to Award the Construction Contract to Garcon Construction for the College Avenue at Green Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project, CIP 2022-24 (Funding Sources: MSP Grant and Measure M Fund)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1-4 and 6, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
5. Mountain Avenue Corridor (Base Line Road to Bonita Avenue) Complete Streets Improvements Project (Funding Source: State Gas Tax)
This item starts at 46:05 in the archived video.
City Engineer Tipping shared that this is the beginning of the process and all information and suggestions received will be evaluated throughout the process. She further explained that the Traffic and Transportation Commission will review the project at 30% of design, 60% of design, and finally 90% of design to allow for public participation and feedback.
Ms. Tipping responded to questions from the City Council regarding public comment included in the recommendation to the Traffic and Transportation Commission, grant funding availability, Mountain Avenue speed survey, and project timeline.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the process and looks forward to the design.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with KOA Corporation for the design of the Mountain Avenue Corridor(Base Line Road to Bonita Avenue) Complete Streets Project in the amount of$392,089 and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of$39,209, for a total contract amount not to exceed $431,298; and
B. Find this item is exempt from 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
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
7. Authorization to Award the Construction Contract to Garcon Construction for the College Avenue at Green Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project, CIP 2022-24 (Fundinq Sources: MSP Grant and Measure M Fund)
This item starts at 56:30 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina recused himself from the discussion and left the meeting as he has a conflict of interest due to the proximity of his residence.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Buff Brown, Claremont resident, raised safety concerns as he believes there should be a four-way stop at College Avenue and Green Street instead of a traffic signal.
Ross Pringle suggested the City use quick and inexpensive ways to improve streets.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Engineer Tipping responded to questions from the City Council related to the use of a four way stop versus a traffic signal, moving the current traffic signal, use of protected bike lanes, evidence for speeding through traffic signals, crossing guards, enforcement, evaluations and studies for traffic signal requests, and setting speed limits.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Award a contract and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Garcon Construction in the amount of$679,140 for the College Avenue at Green Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project, and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of$67,914, for a total contract amount of$747,054; B. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with LAE Associates in the amount of$97,325, and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of $9,733 for a total contract amount of $107,058 to provide construction management and inspection services for the project; C. Appropriate $246,607 from the Measure M fund to fully fund the project; and D. Find this item is exempt from 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, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember- None
ABSENT: Councilmember- Medina
Councilmember Medina returned to the dais.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Community Development Block Grant Program—Approval of the 2023-24 Budget (Funding Source: Community Development Block Grant Fund)
This item starts at 1:23:15 in the archived video.
Alex Cousins, Community Development Management Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to questions from the City Council regarding the use of the
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
Housing Rehabilitation Loan program, Job Creation and Business Incentive program current funding level, and possible use of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Reece invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to approve the program budget for the 2023-24 Community Development Block Grant programs as proposed, and authorize staff to proportionately increase or decrease each program budget based on the final Community Development Block Grant allocation, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
9. Update on City Council Priorities and 2022-24 Objectives (Funding Sources: Various) This item starts at 1:29:00 in the archived video.
Katie Wand, Assistant to the City Manager, highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Buff Brown asked the City Council to create a bike and pedestrian network plan and add that plan to the priorities list.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to a question from the City Council regarding the possibility of adding a bike and pedestrian network plan and added that if that priority item is added an item would need to be removed as the Engineering Division is at their work load capacity.
Councilmember Stark suggested the use of an internship project for completing a bike and pedestrian network plan.
Councilmember Calaycay suggested that when traffic studies are being completed, staff is mindful of how the traffic study would relate to a bike and pedestrian network plan.
City Manager Pirrie confirmed that prior to the next budget cycle, the City will host a priority setting meeting, where the addition of a bike and pedestrian network plan can be discussed.
Councilmember Calaycay asked City staff to keep an upcoming list of items to be discussed as opportunities arise. For example, the creation of a bike and pedestrian network plan, the restriction of dogs in City parks, and the current Blaisdell Park easement.
Councilmember Leano added that there is the opportunity for new project capacity when new revenue sources are found.
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
Councilmember Stark directed staff to include the name of County and non-profit partners when the City is working with those agencies to accomplish a priority item.
Mayor Reece suggested the priority items be numbered for future updates.
City Manager Pirrie continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding how quality of life issues are being addressed in the priority items, and revenue opportunities and revenue losses.
Councilmember Stark would like to incorporate the City's commitment to fighting climate change in the priority items for"Preserve our Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources".
City Manager Pirrie suggested language about fighting climate change be included in the objective to focus on environmental, fiscal, and organizational sustainability. He confirmed the new language will be included in the next City Council Priorities update.
The City Council received and filed an update on City Council Priorities and 2022-24 Objectives.
10. Establishment of a Cannabis Business Tax (Funding Source: General Fund) This item starts at 2:03:37 in the archived video.
Alex Cousins, Community Development Management Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Cousins and Mark Lovelace, HdL Companies, responded to questions from the City Council regarding development agreements, retail tax rate setting of 6%, ability to change the tax rates proposed, sales volumes in various tax rates, and the correlation of retail tax rate and size of retailer.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of additional revenue sources and looks forward to seeing revenue data from collection of taxable transactions.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of increasing tax revenue; however, would like to make sure the tax rates set are competitive to surrounding cities.
Mr. Cousins and Mr. Lovelace continued to respond to a question from the City Council regarding possible audits of delivery businesses.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE INITIAL RATES OF
CANNABIS BUSINESS TAXES WITHIN THE RANGES APPROVED BY THE
CLAREMONT ELECTORATE THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF MEASURE CT, CANNABIS TAX MEASURE (NOVEMBER 2022), AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 4.20 OF THE CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE; and
City Council Minutes
January 24, 2023
B. Direct staff to pursue taxes from cannabis businesses currently conducting deliveries within the City;
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 Reece adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 8:59 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Claremont Co cil_Cha ber.
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Mayor
ATTEST:
Duty City Clerk