CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, October 10, 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 honor of those effected by the events taking place in Israel.
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; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council recognized the Claremont Foxes Rugby Team for their 2023 National Championship win.
Matthew Guerrero, Community Improvement Coordinator, and Janet Leal, Accounting Assistant, were introduced.
The City Council received the 2023 San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments update from Marisa Creter, Executive Director.
John Davis, Planning Commissioner, was introduced.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
October 9, Columbus Day
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items - None
City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 30:13 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina reported that Police Chief Fate, City Manager Pirrie and he met with District Attorney Gascon regarding community concerns.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 31:27 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to attend the upcoming Dia de los Muertos event Saturday, October 14, Halloween Spooktacular on October 21, and shared the Tree Policies and Guidelines Manual community meeting has been rescheduled from October 18 to November 8. Lastly, he shared the City will host its fall vaccine clinic on October 19.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 34:22 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Bill Kaufman shared potential locations in Claremont for a cannabis dispensary and asked that an ordinance be adopted to allow cannabis retail.
Beatrice Casagran invited all to attend Ophelia Jump's newest production, NEVERMORE, and asked the City of Claremont to invest in a performing arts center.
April Ferguson spoke about the negative conditions of the City parking structure on First Street and urged the City Council to address the issues.
Randy Lopez, Claremont Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, reminded all that Village Venture will take place October 28.
Hal Litla provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Rudy Hess provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Jim Conley provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
William McGonagle provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Joseph Dinowitz provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Ray Sizgoy provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
As it has been over 30 minutes, the time set aside for general public comment, additional public comment was taken later in the meeting.
The City Council recessed at 7:30 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:38 p.m. -
City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1:07:59 in the archived video.
Councilmember Leano pulled Item No. 3 from the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Reece pulled Item No. 5 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 1, 2, and 4.
There were no requests to speak.
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2023-58, 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 September 28, 2023.
2. City Council Minutes of September 26, 2023 (Special and Regular) Approved and filed the special and regular City Council meeting minutes of September 26, 2023.
3. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City of Claremont to Enter Into an Agreement with the California Department of Cannabis Control for a Local Jurisdiction Cannabis Retail Access Grant for Development and Implementation of a Commercial Cannabis Licensing Program (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
4. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with A-Ztech Elevator Company for the Parking Structure Elevators — Interior Remodel Proiect and Appropriate Proposition A Funds (Funding Source: Proposition A)
A. Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with A-Ztech Elevator Company in the amount of $88,850 for the Parking Structure Elevators - Interior Remodel Project and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of $8,885, for a total amount not to exceed $97,735; and
B. Appropriated $97,735 in Proposition A funds to fund the full cost of the project, including the contingency.
5. Ordinance Permitting a Density Bonus Greater Than What is Required by State Density Bonus Law and Authorizing a Density Bonus Housing Agreement for the 56 -Unit Townhome and Live/Work Development Located at 1030 West Foothill Boulevard — Applicant: Olson Urban Housing, LLC
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Leano moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1, 2, and 4, 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
October 10, 2023
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
3. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City of Claremont to Enter Into an Agreement with the California Department of Cannabis Control for a Local Jurisdiction Cannabis Retail Access Grant for Development and Implementation of a Commercial Cannabis Licensing Program (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 1:11:34 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina suggested if retail cannabis will be allowed in the future to take time and find the right location.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of authorizing the agreement for the grant; however, reserves the right to make a different decision when a future discussion is had regarding the allowance of retail cannabis locations.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Jim Keith asked that any cannabis retail locations be fully studied and shared his experiences of a cannabis retail in the City of Pomona.
Unidentified speaker spoke against cannabis retail and urged the City Council take a conservative stance on the issue.
Beatrice Casagran shared her positive experiences at a cannabis retail store in the City of Pomona and spoke in support of opening a small cannabis boutique.
Jim Belna, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis retail in Claremont as it poses significant health and safety issues.
Darrvl McCance, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis retail as it is still Federally illegal and shared that surrounding cannabis retail locations have destroyed existing shopping centers.
There were no other requests to speak.
Alex Cousins, Community Development Management Analyst, and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding tax collection and revenue on cannabis deliveries, terms of the grant, possible risks, and possible ballot measure to allow cannabis retail.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the grant as it is a tool to help retain and implement local control over cannabis retail.
Councilmember Stark moved to adopt Resolution No. 2023-59, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING STATE OF CALIFORNIA LOCAL JURISDICTION CANNABIS RETAIL. ACCESS GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING, 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
October 10, 2023
5. Ordinance Permitting a Density Bonus Greater Than What is Required by State Density Bonus Law and Authorizing a Density Bonus Housing Agreement for the 56 -Unit Townhome and Live/Work Development Located at 1030 West Foothill Boulevard — Applicant: Olson Urban Housing, LLC
This item starts at 1:38:15 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece recused himself and left the meeting as he owns real property within the boundary area of the subject property at 1030 West Foothill Boulevard.
Mayor Pro Tem Medina invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-05, AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, PERMITTING A DENSITY
BONUS GREATER THAN WHAT IS REQUIRED BY STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW
AND AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO
PREPARE AND EXECUTE A DENSITY BONUS HOUSING AGREEMENT FOR THE 56 -UNIT TOWNHOME AND LIVE/WORK DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 1030 WEST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD (TTM #83751, #22-A06) BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, AND OLSON URBAN HOUSING, LLC; and
B. Found that the ordinance is within the scope of the Final IS/MND prepared for the project (State Clearinghouse No. 20230406662), adopted September 13, 2023 by the Architectural Commission, and 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;
Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— None
ABSENT: Councilmember— Reece
Mayor Reece returned to the dais.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
6. 2022-23 General Fund Financial Update (Unaudited) and Proposed Revisions to the City's Reserve Police
This item starts at 1:41:57 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie gave a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions from staff regarding the Section 115 Trust returns versus CaIPERS returns, CaIPERS debt, flexibility of the Section 115 Trust, and Transit Occupancy Tax.
City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Jim Belna raised concern regarding the City's optimistic financial view and provided information on the City's unfunded pension liability.
Sue Keith suggested funding be allocated to address the conditions of the Plaza, the City parking structure, and the area of the 10 Freeway.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie continued to respond to a question from the City Council regarding the ability to power wash throughout the City.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of staff recommendations except for the recommendation to allocate funding to the City's Section 115 Pension Trust.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of staffs recommendations and shared that she supports the City's Section 115 Pension Trust as it is controlled by the City.
Councilmember Leano asked the City to provide the Trust's investments versus CaIPERS investments and spoke in support of staffs recommendations.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of a conservative budget and reinvesting in areas that yield high sales tax in the City.
Mayor Reece spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers and staffs recommendations.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Direct staff to agendize a discussion at the next City Council Priorities Workshop on the allocation of the $3,413,471 in proceeds from the sale of the 451 West Arrow Highway property;
B. Allocate and appropriate $1,000,000 of the 2022-23 General Fund surplus for an additional discretionary payment to CaIPERS to pay down the unfunded liability on the City's employee pension plans;
C. Allocate $1,810,698 of the 2022-23 General Fund surplus to the City's Operating and Environmental Emergency Reserve, bringing the reserve balance to $9,337,719 or 30 percent of General Fund operating expenditures and transfers out;
D. Approve the proposed amendment to the City's Reserve Policy (Policy 10-25), increasing the Operating and Environmental Emergency Reserve minimum balance from 25 percent to 30 percent of General Fund operating expenditures and transfers out; and
E. Allocate $290,395 or any remaining 2022-23 General Fund surplus after completion of the annual audit to the City's Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve;
Seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
Councilmember Leano moved to allocate $1,000,000 of the 2022-23 General Fund surplus for a contribution to fund the City's Section 115 Pension Trust, 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 9:01 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 9:07 p.m.
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 2:36:15 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited continued public comment from those who were not able to speak earlier due to the 30 -minute time limit.
Judy Louser provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Mary Phagan provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Lev Tronstein provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
Andew Zarro provided comments utilizing their First Amendment right.
There were no other requests to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Reece adjourned the meeting of the Claremont City Council at 9:17 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Clrnaorrt-eaurr ' �;� ber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
yeputy City Clerk