CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 12, 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/govern ment/city-council/watch-city-cou ncil-meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Reece called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of those who passed on September 11, 2001.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, LEANO, MEDINA, REECE,
STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER: NONE
ALSO PRESENT Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Aaron Fate, Police Chief; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; 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 received a presentation from Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, on upcoming events taking place at the Claremont Helen Renwick Library.
The following Commissioners were introduced:
Lauren Roselle, Community and Human Services Commission Jason Wong, Planning Commission
Ken Zimmerman, Planning Commission
Allison Fung, Police Commission
Mario Hernandez, Police Commission
The following City Staff were introduced:
Daylene Alliman, Personnel Services Manager
Ashley Dembiczak, Human Services Supervisor
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
September 4, Labor Day
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items
This item starts at 17:47 in the archived video.
1. Appointment of Members to the Traffic and Transportation Commission Mayor Reece and Councilmember Leano highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Appoint Esau Ramos to the Traffic and Transportation Commission for a term to expire August 31, 2027; and
B. Accept the resignation of Charles Edwards from the Planning Commission and appoint Mr. Edwards to the Traffic and Transportation Commission for a term to expire August 31, 2027;
Seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
2. Designation of Voting Delegate for the Business Meeting to be held at the League of California Cities Annual Conference
This item starts at 19:50 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to designate Councilmember Stark as voting delegate and Mayor Reece as alternate voting delegate for the League of California Cities 2023 Conference Annual Business Meeting to be held during the Conference Annual Business Meeting to be held during the Conference's General Assembly on September 22, 2023, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 23:09 in the archived video.
Councilmember Calaycay provided an update from the Mosquito Vector Control and asked all to be mindful of standing water.
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
Mayor Reece reported that he attended the California LGBTQ Leadership Conference.
Councilmember Stark reported that she and Mayor Reece attended the Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) Conference.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 26:14 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie reported on the Towne Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project, announced that the -sidewalk on Yale Avenue in front of the new restaurant La Popular will be temporarily closed for construction activity, and invited all to attend the City's Halloween Spooktacular event on October 21.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 28:25 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Ignacio Castuera, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to amend the current parking restrictions on Oxford east of Cahuilla Park to accommodate those who use the tennis courts. He also spoke about excessive car noise in Claremont and suggested the Police Department enforce the existing noise ordinance.
Joyce Sauter, Claremont resident, spoke about the Police Department facility upgrade and urged the City Council to move forward with addressing seismic and retrofitting issues at the facility.
Pete Sluis spoke in support of the Metro Gold Line coming to Claremont and spoke against the Larkin Park Housing project due to the amount of money being spent on the project.
Brent Hernandez spoke about a liability claim that was rejected by the City and asked the City Council to move forward with settlement of his claim.
Paul Steinberg spoke about Mountain Avenue and asked the City Council to invest in and protect those who ride bicycles.
Ross Pringle expressed concern about the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists in the City and highlighted a letter provided by Claremont Streets for People.
Phoebe Ellis spoke about bicycle safety on Mountain Avenue and shared that if there were more people who rode bicycles instead of driving the carbon footprint would be reduced.
Lucio spoke about Mountain Avenue and suggested protected bike lanes be added and the speed limit on Mountain Avenue be reduced.
Bill Kaufman urged the City Council to allow cannabis dispensaries in the City.
Chris Dellosa expressed concern regarding the complaint he filed against a Claremont Police Officer for violating his First Amendment rights.
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
Doug Lyon suggested the City cancel the Mountain Avenue project, leave four lanes of traffic, and keep on -street parking.
There were no other requests to speak.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1:06:59 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests to speak.
3. Adoption of Resolutions Approving the City Warrant Register A. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-50, 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 August 3, 2023;
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-51, 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 August 17, 2023; and
C. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-52, 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 August 31, 2023.
4. City Council Minutes of July 25, 2023 (Regular)
Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of July 25, 2023.
5. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Resumption of the City's Collection of Utility Users' Tax from the Southern California Gas Company for Residential and Commercial Customers in Claremont (Funding Source: General Fund)
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-53, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE RESUMPTION OF THE CITY'S
COLLECTION OF UTILITY USERS' TAX FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS IN CLAREMONT.
6. Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Encroachment Agreement with The Claremont Colleges/Claremont McKenna College for Underground Electrical Facilities Under Mills Avenue and Sixth Street (Funding Source: General Fund)
A. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-54, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN ENCROACHMENT
AGREEMENT WITH THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES/CLAREMONT MCKENNA
COLLEGE FOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRICIAL FACILITIES UNDER MILLS AVENUE AND SIXTH STREET; and
B. Found this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
7. Claremont Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Services Annual Report 2022-23 (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund)
Received and filed the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Visitor Services Annual Report 2022-23.
8. Award of Contract to FS Contractors, Inc. for Minor Concrete Repair Services (Funding Source: General Fund)
Awarded a contract to FS Contractors, Inc. for minor concrete repair services and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement in an amount not to exceed $65,000 annually, for an initial contract term of three years with two optional one-year extensions, for a total contract amount of $325,000.
9. Award of Contract to Superior Pavement Markings, Inc. for the Street Striping Improvement Project (Funding Source: State Gas Tax Fund) -
A. Awarded a contract to Superior Pavement Markings, Inc. for the 2023-24 Street Striping Improvement Project;
B. Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Superior Pavement Markings, Inc. in the amount of $217,165 for the 2023-24 Street Striping Improvement Project; and
C. Authorized the City Manager, if needed, to amend the contract with Superior Pavement Markings, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $82,835 for extra work as determined by the City, for a total contract amount of $300,000.
10. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with SERVPRO of North Pomona/La Verne for Emergency Clean -Up (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with SERVPRO of North Pomona/La Verne in the amount of $63,464.55 for emergency remediation and repair services.
11. Blaisdell Preserve Maintenance Agreement Annual Payment (Funding Source: Landscape and Lighting District Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to approve payment in the amount of $31,104.40 to Crown Property Management on behalf of the Blaisdell Ranch Homeowners Association for Blaisdell Preserve maintenance costs for 2022-23.
12. Reject All Bids — Police Department Dispatch and Detective Bureau Remodel (Funding Source: General Fund)
Rejected all bids for the Design -Build Project: Police Department Dispatch and Detective Bureau Remodel and directed staff to rebid the project.
13. Award of Contract to ANGI Energy Systems, LLC. For the Purchase of Two CNG Station Compressors (Funding Source: Motor Fleet and Sanitation Funds) A. Authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with ANGI Energy Systems, LLC. in the amount of $63,000 to purchase two new CNG station compressors; and B. Appropriated $45,468 from the Motor Fleet Fund balance and $45,468 from the Sanitation Fund balance to finance the compressor purchase and installation.
14. Request to Appropriate Federal Transit Administration and Transportation Development Act Funds for the Electric Charging Station Infrastructure Installation Project at the City Yard (Funding Source:_ Transportation Fund)
A. Appropriated $237,320 in Federal Transit Administration 5307 funds for the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure Installation Project; and
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
B. Appropriated $59,330 in Transportation Development Act Article 4 funds for the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure Installation Project.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve the Consent Calendar, 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 7:40 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:44 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
15. Amendment to Claremont Municipal Code Title 16 That, If Adopted, Will Amend Section
16.090.040 to Allow for Additional Outdoor Restaurant Seating for Sidewalk Dining (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 1:13:21 in the archived video.
Katie Wand, Assistant to the City Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to questions from the City Council regarding the procedural steps for outdoor seating, ability to streamline the process, and application process and timing.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of staffs recommendation and suggested the process be monitored for any necessary improvements.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Calaycay.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of staffs recommendation.
Mayor Reece spoke in support of staffs recommendation and looks forward to restaurants being able to move forward through the process.
Councilmember Stark moved to introduce for first reading, and that reading be by title only, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 16 OF THE CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND SECTION 16.090.040 TITLED ADDITIONAL
STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR SEATING TO ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR RESTAURANT SEATING FOR SIDEWALK DINING, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
ORDINANCES - None
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
16. Discussion of Public Comment Time Allotment (Funding Source: General Fund) This item starts at 1:36:12 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Parker Emerson, Claremont resident, spoke against reducing the public comment time allotment and suggested the public comment time allotment at Commission meetings be increased.
Douglas Lyon, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the comments made by Mr. Emerson as public comment is needed at City meetings.
Sue spoke in support of staffs recommendation and asked the City Council to evaluate how they may be more effective in their decision making to allow the public the opportunity to hear deliberations at an appropriate hour.
Linda Mawby spoke against reducing the public comment time allotment and suggested the City Council compare time spent during public comment versus time spent for Council discussions.
Russ Binder suggested continuing the meeting to another day to avoid the late hour and encouraged all to participate in his podcast, Claremont Speaks.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Attorney Patterson and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions raised during the public comment period and shared that the process to continue a meeting would require 24 - hour notice and the order of the meeting is set by the Council/Commissioner handbook.
Mayor Reece spoke in support of shortening the public comment time limit which allows for more members of the community to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay shared that the public comment time limit has always been set by the Mayor and he is happy to support whatever time limit Mayor Reece chooses.
City Attorney Patterson responded to a question from the City Council regarding the process for setting the public comment time limit for Commissions and Committees.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of reducing the public comment time limit and asked her fellow Councilmembers to be mindful of the amount of time taken for their questions and comments.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Calaycay and added that reducing the public comment time limit allows for more people to participate in the process.
City Council Minutes
September 12, 2023
Mayor Reece implemented a time limit of three minutes per speaker for public comment during all future Brown Act meetings hosted by the City of Claremont.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Reece adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 8:37 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Claremont Council Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
O1,11fILL
t City Clerk
D}bpu y