CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 28, 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-cou ncil-meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Reece called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
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; 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
The City Council recognized the Claremont American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 3 Division U-12 Girls Soccer Team and Juan and Rosie De Lira, Founders of Sherwood Florist.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Council Assignment Re arts — None
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 13:59 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie provided an update on AB 2449 and announced that the public will still be allowed to participate in the City's Brown Act meetings via Zoom, that the draft motel/hotel ordinance will be heard before the City Council on March 14, and invited all to participate in the City's Tip A Cop event on March 2 as well as the Heart of the Foothills event on April 23.
City Council Minutes
February 28, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 16:13 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of bicycle and pedestrian safety, and encouraged the City Council to create a bicycle master plan.
Buff Brown, Claremont resident, shared information from articles and books that provide a history of transportation practices.
Yvette Hart Claremont business owner, spoke against the new business to be located in the Village called the Rave Box.
Marodeen, Claremont business owner, expressed disappointment in the City's decision to approve a business license for the Rave Box.
Juliana Robinson spoke in support of the Rave Box.
Priscilla Espinoza, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Mananer shared upcoming events taking place at the Library.
James Barrett spoke in support of high standards for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Isabel Ebiner Claremont resident, spoke in support of bicycle safety and advocated for safe cycling.
Tandy Robinson spoke in support of the Laemmle Theatre's involvement in the Art Walk on Saturday, March 4.
Lydia Hernandez spoke in support of complete and protected streets for pedestrians and bicyclists, and encouraged the City to continue to work with its renters for renter protections.
Russ Binder encouraged all to listen to his podcast, Claremont Speaks.
There were no other requests to speak.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 52:30 in the archived video.
Councilmember Leano removed Item No. 5 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 1-4, 6, and 7.
There were no requests to speak.
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approvin the Cit Warrant Re ister Adopted Resolution No. 2023-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND
City Council Minutes
February 28, 2023
SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID, dated February 16, 2023.
2. City Council Minutes of February 14, 2023 (Regular)
Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of February 14, 2023.
3. Resolutions Terminatinq Local States of Emergency Declared as a Result of (1) the Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in March 2020 and (2) the January 2022.
Windstorm
A. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-14, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2.48 OF THE
CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE PROCLAIMING THE TERMINATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY (COVID-19); and
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-15, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2.48 OF THE
CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE PROCLAIMING TERMINATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY (JANUARY 2022 WINDSTORM).
4. Ado tion of a Resolution Authorizin Willdan Financial Services to Prepare the 2023-24 Landscape and Lighting District Annual Report (Funding Source: Landscape and Lighting District Fund)
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-16, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, DIRECTING WILLDAN FINANCIAL SERVICES, AS ENGINEER OF RECORD, TO PREPARE AND FILE THE 2023-24 ANNUAL REPORT PERTAINING TO LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. LL001 (PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972).
5, Award of Contract for the Towne Avenue Complete Streets Improvements Protect to Gentry Brothers Inc. Funding Sources: State Gas Tax, STPL Exchange, and Measure W Funds) This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
6. Request to Appropriate Funds and Authorize the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement for the Design and Preparation of Plans and Specifications for Transit and Americans with Disabilities Act Improvements (Funding Sources: Proposition A and P_.�osition C Funds
A. Authorized the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Michael Baker International in the amount of $161,000 and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of $16,100 fora total not to exceed $177,100; B. Appropriated $136,980 from the Proposition A Fund and $40,120 from the Proposition C Fund to fully fund the cost of the agreement; and
C. Found this item exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
7 Reallocation of the American Rescue Plan Act Funding From 2023-24 to 2022-23 for the Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund) Approved the reallocation of $200,000 from the adopted 2023-24 budget to the 2022-23 budget for the ADU Grant Program to fund an additional ten ADU grants in 2022-23.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1-4, 6, and 7, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
February 28, 2023
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Item Removed from Consent Calendar
This item starts at 54:23 in the archived video,
5. Award of Contract for the Towne Avenue Complete Streets Improvements Project to Gentry Brothers, Inc. (Funding Sources: State Gas Tax, STPL Exchange, and Measure W Funds) Councilmember Leano 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 Streets for People summarized the written public comment submitted and urged the City Council to vote against staff's recommendation.
Paul Steinberg encouraged the City Council to vote against staffs recommendation.
Lydia Hernandez raised concern regarding the high price in the contract for median landscaping.
Cevi B asked the City Council to vote against staff's recommendation as class 4 bike lanes should be required and turning radii should be evaluated further.
Ross Pringle spoke against staff's recommendation as the current design does not adequately address the goal of complete streets..
Hannah Lu expressed concern of the Towne Avenue design as well as the amount of money proposed on the median landscaping.
Philip asked the City Council to delay any decision on this project to make sure it is designed appropriately.
Angela Oakley expressed concern related to the proposed design and added that there is opportunity to improve access to surrounding neighborhoods and schools through this project.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Engineer Maria Tipping highlighted the staff report and responded to questions from the City Council regarding the project process, landscape and median expense, possibility of a bicycle master plan, City of Pomona's position on protected bicycle lanes, CalTrans role in the project, and State law.
Councilmember Calaycay expressed frustration with processes and State law; however, spoke in support of staffs recommendation.
City Engineer Tipping continued to respond to questions regarding potential project delays and street impacts.
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February 28, 2023
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of staffs recommendation and looks forward to working with community groups to help lobby for legislation to address safer streets.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Award a contract and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Gentry Brothers, Inc., in the amount of $5,025,132 for the Towne Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project, and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of $502,513, fora total contract amount of $5,527,645; B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with H.R. Green Pacific, in an amount not to exceed $495,035 for construction management and inspection services;
C. Appropriate $3,796,302 from State Gas Tax Fund and $402,000 from Measure W Fund to fully fund the project; and
D. Find the item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay.
City Engineer Tipping continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding class 4 protected bike lanes, possible delay of the project and a new timeline for completion, definition of a complete streets project, elements of the project, and project cost.
Mayor Reece stated he looks forward to community involvement in future complete streets projects and will continue to support pedestrian and bicycle safety.
The motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— None
ABSENT: Councilmember— Leano
Councilmember Leano returned to the meeting.
The City Council recessed at 8:22 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
8. Community Development Block Grant Job Creation & Business Incentive Program for Grafted Cellars Restaurant and. Tasting Room Fundin Source: Communit Develo meat Block Grant Fund)
This item starts at 1:58:52 in the archived video.
Alex Cousins, Management Analyst, provided an overview of the staff report.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
City Council Minutes
February 28, 2023
''+ hitnev Hale, Owner of Grafted Cellars Restaurant and Tasting Room, looks forward to the opening of the business and is grateful the City offers a grant program that helps businesses.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to approve the funding request in the amount of $50,000, and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Grafted Cellars Restaurant and Tasting Room for $50,000 allocated from the Community Development Block Grant Job Creation and Business Incentive program, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
9. Provide Direction Regarding a Permanent Parklet Program (Funding Source: General Fund) This item starts at 2:02:28 in the archived video.
Katie Wand, Assistant to the City Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Ms. Wand; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; and Maria Tipping, City Engineer, responded to questions from the City Council regarding parking in the Village, safety procedures, cost of safety procedures, cost of parking spaces, fees for the Claremont Al Fresco program, total number of restaurants that offer outdoor dining, restaurants that have parklets and patios, standard design of parklets, Commission review, number of parklets in question, amendment of the Municipal Code for outdoor dining, deadline to return to original condition, cost of a parklet, State regulations, proposed lease fee of a private parking space, and required square footage of a parking space.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Russ Binder suggested the use of mezzanine dining as well as the ability to stack cars to help address the lack of parking.
Unidentified speaker clarified that Viva Madrid has never offered outdoor dining and does not have the opportunity to seat people outside.
Valerie Aruffo, Aruffa"s Italian Cuisine, shared that pre-Covid, Aruffo's had outdoor dining approving through the SOUP process that went unused by patrons. She spoke in support of parklets and raised concern regarding the cost of building a new parklet and the possibility of leasing public land.
Nang Brower Claremont resident spoke in support of parklets as she enjoys dining outside.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of staff's recommendation Scenario A which would allow for the opportunity to create a permanent outdoor dining parklet program that will include design standards.
City Council Minutes
February 28, 2023
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of terminating the Claremont Al Fresco temporary outdoor dining program as the program was initiated as a temporary aid for restaurants during Covid. He stated the parking spaces should be returned to help aid parking constraints in the Village.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of staffs recommendation Scenario A so that requirements and design standards can be set. He also spoke in support of a parking management system to help parking in the Village.
Ms. Wand continued to respond to additional questions from the City Council regarding a parklet program for new businesses, evaluation of new and existing parklets, and pre-Covid outdoor dining options.
Councilmember Medina shared that the parklets were always meant to be a temporary program as indoor dining was prohibited during the height of Covid and restaurants are allowed to provide outdoor dining through the City's current Special Outdoor Use Permit (SOUP).
Councilmember Stark added that in Scenario A staff would be able to address how many parking spaces are used for parklets.
Ms. Wand and Mr. Johnson continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding the current use of parking spaces being used for parklets, possible reduction of parking spaces used in a permanent program, Yale Avenue handicap spaces, maximum number of parking spaces to be used in a permanent program, possibility of a parking management study, and confirmed that current parklets will need to be torn down to comply with standards and building specifications.
Mayor Reece stated that if parklets remain that may hinder opportunities for new businesses as a new business may not be allowed to construct a parklet, providing inequity.
Councilmember Stark moved to implement staff's recommended Scenario C, which entails ending the Claremont Al Fresco program effective February 28, 2023, directing staff and the Planning Commission to create and review a new permanent parklet program as time allows including the maximum number of parking spaces to be used in the program, and directing staff to amend its current SOUP and CUP processes to allow for additional outdoor dining opportunities.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of Councilmember Stark's motion for Scenario C if the portion that directs staff and the Planning Commission to create and review a permanent parklet program was deleted from the motion.
City Manager Pirrie confirmed that a permanent parklet program, as suggested by Councilmember Stark, may not be able to be evaluated until July 2024 due to staff's current workload.
Councilmember Leano added that additional parking information would be helpful in the creation of a new parklet program.
Mayor Reece raised concern regarding the maximum number of spaces to be allowed in a permanent parklet program.
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February 28, 2023
Councilmember Stark's motion failed for lack of a second.
Councilmember Medina directed staff to add the permanent parklet program as an item to be discussed at a future City Council priority setting meeting.
Councilmember Medina moved to implement staff's recommended Scenario C which entails that the Claremont Al Fresco program ends February 28, 2023 as planned, all temporary parklets must be removed and the spaces be returned to their original condition within 14 days, no permanent parklet program will be implemented, directs staff to amend the SOUP and CUP process to allow for additional outdoor dining opportunities and bring those amendments to the Planning Commission for review, and if a restaurant currently has an approved additional outdoor dining/outdoor seating and does not submit an application for a SOUP or CUP, the space must be returned to its original condition on or before May 30, 2023; seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
The City Council recessed at 11:05 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 11:11 p.m.
10. 2022 Homeless Services Update
This item starts at 4:41:30 in the archived video.
Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Earl and Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development, responded to questions from the City Council regarding individuals placed in permanent supportive housing, the location of the housing, local permanent supportive housing, staff review of Larkin Place, and data collection.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Linda Mawbet stated that she would like to see the City supporting its own homeless first and supporting programs that have local control.
John Scott asked the City Council to help the local homeless community and added that as presented Larkin Place will not be specific to Claremont instead it will be available for use by the region.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Leano shared that a number of the unsheltered individuals are being moved into permanent supportive housing; however, sees there is a shortfall of interim resources.
The City Council received and filed the 2022 Homeless Services Update.
City Council Minutes
February 28, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Reece adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 11:54 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Claremont Council C arnl er.
Mayor
ATTEST:
D puty City Clerk