CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 14, 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 6:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In memory of those who passed in the Syrian and Turkey earthquake, as well as those in the recent shootings at Michigan State University.
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; Nishil Bali, Finance Director; 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 02:26 in the archived video,
Councilmember Calaycay reported on the Laemmle Theater choosing to remain open at this time and encouraged all to support the theater.
City Council Minutes
February 14, 2023
Councilmember Leano announced that Tri City Mental Health released a request for qualifications for an attorney, and congratulated Southern California Association of Governments Director of Planning Jenna Hornstock on being appointed Deputy Mayor of Housing for Karen Bass.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 04:58 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to attend the City's listening session on February 15 to discuss possible tenant protections, and reminded all that City offices will be closed February 20 in observation of Presidents' Day, which will delay trash pickup by one day. Lastly, he announced that the Planning Commission will consider a draft hotel/motel ordinance at its meeting on February 22, and the City Council will discuss the City's outdoor dining program (Claremont Al Fresco) at its next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 06:50 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Joyce Sauter, Claremont resident, expressed safety concerns of the Police Department facility and encouraged the City Council to take the necessary steps to rectify the safety issues.
Linda. Mawbv, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed Larkin Place Permanent Supportive Housing Project.
Douglas Lyon, Claremont resident, spoke about the increase residents are seeing in their SoCal Gas invoices and asked the City Council to help its residents with the substantial increase.
Unidentified speaker spoke against the proposed Larkin Place Permanent Supportive Housing Project.
Rachel Forester, Claremont resident, expressed frustration with the notification process taken for the tenant protection listening sessions and shared a negative experience with a property manager and the Claremont Police Department while trying to disseminate information.
Priscilla Espinoza, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, shared upcoming events taking place at the Library.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, reported that volunteers passed out over 500 flyers regarding the tenant protection listening sessions and reported on the first listening session for possible tenant protections.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to Ms. Sauter that the primary issue of focus at the Police Department at this time is the women's restroom and staff is working on the construction of a new women's locker room.
The City Council directed the City Manager to draft a letter to State legislators regarding the increase in SoCal Gas invoices.
City Council Minutes
February 14, 2023
Councilmember Calaycay suggested the City invite a SoCaI Gas representative to provide a presentation to the City Council.
City Manager Pirrie continued to respond to questions raised during the public comment period.
He added that the City advertised the upcoming tenant protection listening sessions on its social media and also mailed letters to addresses in the City's utility billing system that listed they were rental properties.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 52:59 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on the Consent Calendar, There were no requests to speak.
1 .. Ado tion of a Resolution A proving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2023-09, 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 February 2, 2023.
2. City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023 (Regular)
Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of January 24, 2023.
3. Resolution Reconfirming the Existence of a State of Emergency due to the, COVID-19 Pandemic
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-10, 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. City of Claremont Annual Audited Financial Reports for the Year Ended June 30, 2022 Received and filed the following letters and financial reports for the year ended June 30, 2022:
A. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR);
B. Transportation Fund Financial Statements;
C. Housing Successor Agency Fund Statements;
D. Area Agency on Aging (Senior Nutrition Program) Financial Statements; and E. Letters: GANN Limit Calculation, Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 114 Letter, and Internal Controls Letter.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
City Council Minutes
February 14, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Proposed Amendment to the Southwest San Jose Specific Plan (SP12) to Reduce the Front Setback Requirement in Planning Area 1 From 60 Feet to an Average of 15 Feet and Related Text Changes to Ensure Consistency Throughout the Plan, File #16-SPO2AMD1 to Accommodate a New 120 Room Residence Inn by Marriott on the Site of an Existing 56 Room Motel Located at 721 South Indian Hill Boulevard (Formerly Knights Inn). Applicant:
Ashok Patel, of Saqemont Hotels and Sushil Capital
This item starts at 55:40 in the archived video.
Chris Veirs, Principal Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Veirs and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding findings used by the Planning Commissioners to vote against the project, ability to set a standard on hotel development, and setback setting requirements.
Mayor Reece invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
Michael Skapik, Claremont resident, questioned the narrow width of the internal street, requested that staff be mindful of planting materials used, and suggested the property owner be required to include additional lighting and surveillance cameras.
VickyNoble, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the proposed project and asked that the proposed trees be planted as soon as possible to allow for maximum growth.
Jim Keith spoke in support of the proposed project and added that the property owner guaranteed the use of gated parking to promote safety.
Paul OIvera spoke in support of the current property owner as'well as the proposed project.
He believes the project will be a great addition to the area.
Charles Hebberle spoke in support of the comments made by Mr. Keith and Ms. Noble and suggested the trees be planted as soon as possible.
Mason Smith, Unite Here Local 11 Hotel Workers Union, shared that the Union opposes the Specific Plan Amendment as the amendment is quasi legislative, would set a dangerous precedent, is improper to piecemeal the project approval, and disagrees with the CEQA exemption.
Angel Esparza, Southwest Mountain States Carpenters, asked the City mandate that the project will be built using local contractors who pay prevailing wage and use State apprenticeships.
There were no other requests to speak.
Principal Planner Veirs and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions raised during the public comment period and explained that the Fire Department has approved the proposed width of the internal route, confirmed that City staff is working towards planting of the proposed City trees, and confirmed the project is a legislative approval and there is no additional CEQA review necessary as it has already underwent a full CEQA review.
City Council Minutes
February 14, 2023
Principal Planner Veirs continued to respond to an additional question from the City Council confirming City light standards will be used.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of reducing the setback requirement as the proposed setbacks are consistent with the City's General Plan.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke against 4 -story developments; therefore, as the proposed hotel is 4 -stories tall, will not be supporting staffs recommendation.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of staff's recommendation but asked all to be mindful that a successful business increases traffic and congestion to an area that is already highly impacted.
Mayor Reece spoke in support staff's recommendation as the proposed project will improve the neighborhood and community
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-11, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SOUTHWEST SAN JOSE SPECIFIC PLAN (SP12) TO REDUCE THE FRONT SETBACK REQUIREMENT IN PLANNING AREA 1 FROM 60 FEET TO AN AVERAGE OF 15 FEET AND RELATED TEXT CHANGES TO ENSURE
CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE SPECIFIC PLAN, FILE #16-SPO2AMD1, TO ACCOMMODATE A NEW 120 ROOM HOTEL. TO REPLACE AN EXISTING 56 ROOM MOTEL LOCATED AT 721 SOUTH INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD (FORMERLY KNIGHTS INN). APPLICANT: ASHOK PATEL OF SAGEMONT HOTELS AND SUSHIL CAPITAL LLC; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
Seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay
The City Council recessed at 8:40 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 8:47 p.m.
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
6. Resolution Condemning Hate Crimes and Any Othar Form of Racism, Religious or Ethnic Bias Discrimination Incitement of Violence, or Targeting a Minority (Funding Source:
General Fund)
This item starts at 2:15:57 in the archived video.
Bevin Handel, Public Information Officer, highlighted the staff report.
City Attorney Patterson responded to a question from the City Council regarding a possible change to the resolution by adding the term socioeconomic positions.
City Council Minutes
February 14, 2023
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the proposed resolution as it aligns with the values of the City.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of the proposed resolution at it shows we are a community that stands together.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the proposed resolution as it is consistent with City documents and the City's value statement.
Councilmember Medina stated that the proposed resolution is a step in the right direction and is proud to work and live in a diverse community.
Mayor Reece spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers, Councilmember Stark moved to adopt Resolution No. 2022-12, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, CONDEMNING
HATE CRIMES AND ANY OTHER FORM OF RACISM, RELIGIOUS OR ETHNIC BIAS,
DISCRIMINATION, INCITEMENT OF VIOLENCE, OR TARGETING A MINORITY, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
7 2022-23 Mid -Year Budget Report
This item starts at 2:28:50 in the archived video.
Nishil Bali, Finance Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to questions from the City Council regarding a possible rebate program for utilities, and the possibility of a temporary relief program for utility user taxes.
Mayor Reece invited public comment,
Lydia Hernandez asked the City Council to appropriate funding for an enforcement officer position to enforce the rental protection ordinance if adopted.
Jim Keith spoke in support of staffs recommendation to add an additional Police Officer position.
Octavio Hernandez spoke in support of staffs recommendation to add an additional Police Officer position to help address issues taking place in the southern portion of Claremont.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay asked if there is a possibility to create a relief program to help aid in rising utility costs.
City Council Minutes
February 14, 2023
City Manager Pirrie shared that it is possible for staff to create a program with a low administrative burden and will work towards creation of a program as suggested by Councilmember Calaycay.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of staff's recommendation and the City Manager's suggestion. She asked all to be mindful that the addition of a new program means staff time will be taken away from something else due to staffs bandwidth.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the additional Police Officer position and looks forward to this additional step in helping the south area of the City.
Mayor Reece spoke in support of the addition of one Police Officer position as it helps address his commitment to the quality of life of the community as well as City Council priorities.
The City Council received and filed the 2022-23 Mid -Year Budget Report.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to authorize one additional Police Officer position and appropriate $43,000 in 2022-23 and $184,000 in 2023-24 from anticipated additional General Fund revenues to fully fund the additional position through the end of the 2022-24 budget cycle; seconded by Councilmember Stark, 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 9:37 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Claremont Council Chamber.
Mayor