CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 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/govern ment/city-council/watch-city-council-meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Reece called the meeting to order at 6:30 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; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Patterson reported the City Council met in closed session and unanimously authorized initiation of litigation. The Defendants will be informed via filing of the litigation.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robin Heydman, Administrative Assistant, and Shawn Nguyen, Sanitation Maintenance Craftsworker I, were 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
November 23, Thanksgiving Day
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items
1. Reappointment of a Community Member to the Tri-City Mental Health Governing Board This item starts at 1:22:24 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece highlighted the staff report.
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of Mr. Vera.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to reappoint Ron Vera to the Tri-City Mental Health Governing Board for a one-year term that will expire December 31, 2024, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Ron Vera thanked the City Council for his reappointment and shared information regarding Tri-City Mental Health Association.
Rimmi Hundal, Tri-Citv Mental Health Executive Director, spoke in support of Mr. Vera and provided information about Proposition 1. She invited all to participate in upcoming Tri-City Mental Health Association stakeholder meetings.
2. Appointment to the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Board of Trustees
This item starts at 1:28:15 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to appoint Councilmember Calaycay to serve on the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees for a four-year term commencing January 1, 2024, seconded by Mayor Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Council Assignment Reports — None
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:30:55 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to participate in the City Council priority setting process, and invited all to attend Claremont's holiday promenade and tree lighting event on December 1 as well as the Claremont Police Department Toy Drive on December 2. Lastly, City Manager Pirrie responded to
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
a question from the City Council regarding the progress of the Motel 6 construction/landscaping project.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 1:34:48 in the archived video.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced one written public comment had been received.
Buff Brown, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and bicycles not vehicles when making transportation decisions.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, asked the City Council to update its renovation ordinance to include tenant protections for those residing in two -to -nine -unit rental properties.
Gerald Collier, Claremont resident, spoke about the construction on Towne Avenue and raised concern regarding the pedestrian protrusion at Briarcroft. He asked the City Council to review the safety of Towne Avenue as currently designed.
There were no other requests to speak.
Maria Tipping, City Engineer, shared the review process for the Towne Avenue Complete Streets project in response to Mr. Collier's concerns.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1:47:41 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina pulled Consent Calendar Items No. 9 and 12.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Reece invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 3-8, 10, and 11.
There were no requests to speak.
3. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Citv Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2023-67, 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 November 22, 2023.
4. City Council Minutes of November 14, 2023 (Regular)
Approved and filed the regular City Council meeting minutes of November 14, 2023.
5. Cancellation of the December 26, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Cancelled the regular City Council meeting of December 26, 2023.
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
6. Authorization to Enter Into a Memorandum of Agreement Between the City of Claremont and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for the East San Gabriel Valley Sustainable Multimodal Improvements Protect — Arrow Highway and Cambridge Avenue (Funding Source: Measure M)
Authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Claremont and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for the Arrow Highway and Cambridge Avenue First/Last Mile Improvements project.
7. Authorization to Amend the Existing Professional Services Agreement with Wilidan Engineering to Extend the Term and Increase Compensation for Public Works Inspection Services (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing professional services agreement for public works inspection services with Wilidan Engineering, extending the term to June 30, 2024, and increasing compensation by $132,000, for a total not -to -exceed contract amount of $425,000.
8. Authorization to Amend the Existing Agreement with Tunnelworks Services, Inc. for the Sewer Rehabilitation Project — Phase 5 (Funding Source: Sewer Fund) A. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Sewer Rehabilitation Project - Phase 5 agreement with Tunnelworks Services, Inc. to increase the contract not -to -exceed amount from $327,789 to $334,007;
B. Appropriated $6,218 from the Sewer Fund to cover the additional cost of Change Order 3; and
C. Found this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
9. Award of Contract to Epsilon Engineering, Inc. for the Police Department Dispatch. and Detective Bureau Remodel Project and Appropriation of Funds (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
10. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Stanley Steemer of Los Angeles and Appropriation of Funds for the Youth Activity Center Improvements Proiect (Funding Sources: American Rescue Plan Act Fund)
A. Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Stanley Steemer of Los Angeles in an amount not to exceed $27,240 for new flooring in the game room and entryway; and
B. Appropriated $55,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act Fund to fully fund the installation of flooring and other elements of the Youth Activity Center Improvement Project.
11. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Pomona Valley Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning for On -Call Plumbing Services (Funding Sources: General Fund, Proposition C Fund, and Landscape and Lighting District Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to enter into a three-year agreement, with two optional one-year extensions with Pomona Valley Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, for on -call plumbing services in an amount not to exceed $9,600 annually, or $48,000 over the maximum term of the agreement.
12. Automated License Plate Reader Service Renewal and Camera Purchases (Funding Sources: General Fund and Statement Homeland Security Grant Program) This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
Councilmember Calaycay moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 3-8, 10, and 11, seconded by Councilmember Medina, 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
9. Award of Contract to Epsilon Engineering, Inc. for the Police Department Dispatch and Detective Bureau Remodel Protect and Appropriation of Funds (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund)
This item starts at 1:50:04 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie responded to a question from the City Council regarding prioritization of project areas at the Police Station.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Award a contract to Epsilon Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $79,245 for the Police Department Dispatch Center and Detective Bureau Remodel Project; authorized a ten percent contingency in the amount of $7,925, for a total amount not to exceed $87,170; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; B. Appropriate $87,170 from the American Rescue Plan Act Fund to fund the full cost of the remodel project; and
C. Appropriate $15,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act Fund to fund the cost of the flooring for the project;
Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
12. Automated License Plate Reader Service Renewal and Camera Purchases (Funding Sources: General Fund and Statement Homeland Security Grant Program) This item starts at 1:54:55 in the archived video.
Aaron Fate, Police Chief, and City Manager Pirrie, responded to questions from the City Council regarding installation and location of the new cameras, location of the existing cameras, and use of the cameras.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
Councilmember Medina moved to:
A. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Vigilant Solutions in the amount of $191,945.43 for the purchase of Vigilant Solutions ILP Package with two three -camera Mobile Automated License Plate Reader Systems, seven Fixed Automated License Plate Reader Systems, and four Quick Deploy Automated License Plate Reader Systems; and
B. Appropriate $121,776.28 from the unassigned General Fund balance and $70,169.15 in available State Homeland Security Grant funding to fully fund the purchase;
Seconded by Mayor Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember — None
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ORDINANCE
13. Amendment to Claremont Municipal Code Title 10 Amending Sections in Chapter 10.69 — Claremont Hillsides Wilderness Park and Thompson Creek Trail Regulated Parking Lots (Funding Source: Wilderness Park Parking Lot Fund)
This item starts at 1:59:29 in the archived video.
Eric Ey, Human Services Manager, highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to introduce for first reading AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 10 OF THE CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND EXISTING SECTIONS IN CHAPTER 10.69 (CLAREMONT HILLSIDES WILDERNESS PARK AND THOMPSON CREEK TRAIL REGULATED PARKING LOTS), seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember — None
The City Council recessed at 7:18 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:23 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
14. Consideration of a School Resource Officer Program Framework and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Claremont and the Claremont Unified School District for a School Resource Officer Position (Funding Source: General Fund) This item starts at 2:08:45 in the archived video.
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
Katie Wand, Assistant to the City Manager, highlighted the staff report.
Ms. Wand; Chief Fate; City Manager Pirrie; and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council related to Claremont Unified School District (CUSD) fully funding the School Resource Officer (SRO), requirement for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), commencement of the SRO program, SRO funding mechanisms, if the SRO is a member of the School Resource Officer Association, if the SRO conducts traffic enforcement, crime data, funding of crossing guards, funding of the YAC and TAC programs, City's contribution to CLASP, SRO training, surrounding cities' SRO program and partnership with their school districts, cost of the SRO program, and ramifications for not having an MOU in place.
City Clerk Desautels announced six written public comments had been received on this item.
Mayor Reece invited public comment.
Wendy Ramallo, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to not approve the item as presented due to the cost of the program and use the funding for an increase in police presence in the southern part of the City.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of directing staff to draft an MOU between the City and the Claremont Unified School District where the SRO program is fully funded by the School District.
Councilmember Calaycay suggested the School District fund the SRO program at the actual cost of service. He spoke in support of pursuing grants that will help fund the SRO program.
City Manager Pirrie clarified that if the School District were to fund the full cost of the SRO program,, the School District would be able to determine the activities of the SRO to an extent as the SRO is a member of the City's Claremont Police Officers' Employee Association. Furthermore, the Police Department's policies and procedures would also govern the SRO.
Councilmember Medina expressed concern that if the SRO is fully funded by the School District, their focus and workload would be on the School District.
Kevin Ward, Claremont Unified School District Assistant Superintendent, responded to a question from the City Council that he is unaware of any requirement in the Education Code that a school district must have an SRO but will research the topic.
Mayor Reece suggested the City Council direct the City Manager to enter into an MOU with an expiration date of June 30, 2025, to allow for the School District to budget for the cost of the SRO program commencing July 1, 2025.
Councilmember Leano suggested amending the expiration date to June 30, 2026, to align with the City's budget.
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2023
Mayor Reece originally thought the expiration date of the MOU should align with the City's budget cycle; however, due to comments received regarding funding, suggested the term of the MOU end June 30, 2025.
Councilmember Leano reminded all that tonight the City Council is reviewing two separate items, the proposed framework and funding of the SRO program.
Councilmember Stark suggested the City Council continue the shared cost of the SRO program through June 30, 2024, and then for the next two years the funding for the SRO program be the responsibility of the School District.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of Councilmember Stark's suggestion as that would allow for City staff and School District staff to negotiate funding of the SRO program for two additional years of the MOU.
City Manager Pirrie confirmed that when the City Council discusses its 2024-2026 budget that would allow for an opportunity to review the funding mechanism of the SRO program at that time based on staff negotiations.
Mayor Reece moved to:
A. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Claremont and the Claremont Unified School District maintaining current shared funding of the School Resource Officer Program through June 30, 2024, with two optional one-year extensions where the School Resource Officer Program will be funded 100% by the Claremont Unified School District, not to exceed $200,000 per year; and
B. Direct staff to make any changes to the School Resource Officer Program Framework deemed necessary;
Seconded by Councilmember Medina, 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 8:34 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Claremont C Diu -il Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
uty City Clerk