CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 — 6:30 PM
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 Medina called the meeting to order at 6:41 PM.
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; Aaron Fate, Chief of Police; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk; Jamie Costanza, Deputy City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council received an update from Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
Juneteenth, June 19, 2024
MAYOR AND COUNCI
Council Items — None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 1:44:43 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported that June is Pride month.
Councilmember Calaycay reminded all to be mindful of standing water which leads to an increase in mosquitos.
City Council Minutes
June 11, 2024
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:48.29 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to an upcoming workshop on June 26 to discuss playground equipment to be installed at Lewis Park, reported on the construction process of Towne Avenue, and invited all to attend the annual 4th of July festivities. Lastly, he reported that in observance of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, City offices will be closed and trash collection will be delayed one day.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 1:51:51 in the archived video.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced one written public comment had been received.
Helena Embrocio shared with the City Council how she will be spreading awareness about abortion.
Lydia Hernandez shared tenant protections recently discussed by the Burbank City Council.
There were no other requests to speak.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1.58:17 in the archived video.
Councilmember Calaycay pulled Item No. 6 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Medina invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 1-5, and 7.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received on the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests to speak.
Resignation of Sustainability Committee Member Ethan Reznik Accepted with regret the resignation of Ethan Reznik from the Sustainability Committee effective June 19, 2024.
2. Adoption of a Resolution Approving City Warrant Registers Adopted Resolution No. 2024-22, 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 June 6, 2024.
3. City Council Minutes of May 28, 2024 (Regular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of May 28, 2024.
City Council Minutes
June 11, 2024
4. Resolution Adogtina a List of Proiects for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Funded by S131_: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-23, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.
5. Community Development Block Grant Program — Budget Amendment for 2024-25 (Funding Source: Community Development Block Grant Fund)
A. Approved the 2024-25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget amendment to reallocate $79,465 to the Housing Rehabilitation Program and $10,000 to the Job Creation and Business Incentive Program; and B. Appropriated $79,465 in CDBG unallocated balance to the Housing Rehabilitation Program and $10,000 to the Job Creation and Business Incentive Program.
6. Authorization to Enter Into a Professional Services Agreement with PlaceWorks to Prepare Revisions and Potential Recirculation of Environmental Impact Report for the La Puerta School Site Specific Plan (Funding Source: Developer Deposits) This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
7. Cancellation of the August 13 and August 27, 2024 Regular City Council Meetings Cancelled the regular City Council meetings of August 13 and August 27, 2024.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1-5, and 7, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Item Removed from the Consent Calendar
6. Authorization to Enter Into a Professional Services Agreement with PlaceWorks to Prepare Revisions and Potential Recirculation of Environmental Impact Report for the La Puerta School Site Specific Plan (Funding Source: Developer Deposits) City Attorney Patterson and Director of Community Development Johnson responded to questions from the City Council regarding review of traffic and the existing sewer system, public involvement process and proposed timeline, and clarification if a developer could chose their own consultant to complete the report if the proposed agreement with PlaceWorks is not approved by the City Council.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with PlaceWorks to prepare revisions and potential recirculation of the Environmental Impact Report for the proposed La Puerta project in the amount of $112,007, and authorize a ten percent contingency of $11,200, for a total contract amount of $123,207, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
June 11, 2024
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Approval of the District Engineer's Report and Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the 2024-25 Landscape and Lighting District Annual Assessment of $219.31 Per Assessment Unit (Funding Source: Landscape and Lighting District Fund) This item starts at 2.03:32 in the archived video.
Cari Dillman, Community Services Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
City Manager Pirrie and Community Services Manager Dillman responded to questions from the City Council regarding the general fund contribution, graffiti removal and remediation, potential for changing assessment to cover the operation costs, and past general fund contributions.
Mayor Medina invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
Lydia Hernandez questioned if there was a maximum levy increase.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to Ms. Hernandez there is a 10% limit.
Councilmember Calaycay will be voting against staff's recommendation as he has done previously regarding approval of the Landscape and Lighting District assessment.
Councilmember Leano moved to:
A. Accept the Engineer's Report prepared by Willdan Financial Services; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-24, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING A DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT, AND LEVYING THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE 2024125 FISCAL YEAR IN CONNECTION WITH LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. LL001 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF PART 2 OF DIVISION 15 OF THE CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE;
Seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
9. Adoption of the 2024-26 Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget This item starts at 2:18:06 in the archived video.
City Council Minutes
June 11, 2024
City Manager Pirrie and Finance Director Starkey provided an overview of the 2024-26 Budget and responded to questions from the City Council regarding debt services, street and sidewalk repair, unfunded projects, discretionary CalPERS payments, and electric vehicle purchases.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
Russ Binder, Claremont resident, questioned the term balanced budget, if a rental registry program is created how that program would be funded, and who is in charge of economic development.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, raised concern regarding staff dedicated to housing not being listed in the budget as that was requested by tenants throughout the City as well as homeless services.
Ludd Trozpek questioned the amount of sales tax collected on cannabis after the passage of Measure CT and how the City was able to recover after reporting a deficit in years past.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie responded to questions raised during the public comment period and explained the General Fund budget is balanced, new programs such as a rental registry would be funded by making General Fund reductions or impose fees to property owners, economic development is managed by the City Manager's office, confirmed dedicated staff for housing has not been included in the budget, there is no specific item related to homeless services as that is handled through community partners, confirmed the City has collected less than projected sales tax on cannabis due to compliance and lastly, responded the projected numbers of City revenue has increased which helped the City during its budget deficit.
Councilmember Stark directed staff to gather information regarding a potential measure to increase Claremont's sales tax.
The City Council spoke in support of the proposed 2024-26 Budget.
After further discussion amongst the City Council, Councilmember Stark withdrew her request for information on a potential sales tax measure. She hopes this is something that may be discussed in the upcoming year.
Councilmember Stark moved to adopt Resolution No. 2024-25, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2024-2026 BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES AND APPROPRIATIONS RELATED THERETO, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
City Council Minutes
June 11, 2024
10. Adoption of Resolutions Initiating the November 5 2024 General Municipal Election for the Purpose of Electing Two Members of the City Council — District 1 and 5 Representatives; Adopting Regulations for Candidates: and Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide Election (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 3.31.32 in the archived video.
Shelley Desautels, City Clerk, highlighted the staff report and responded to a question from the City Council regarding the nomination process and district map.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-26, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR THE HOLDING OF A
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 5, 2024, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS AS REQUIRED
BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO GENERAL LAW CITIES;
B. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-27, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR
CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO CANDIDATE
STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024; and
C. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-28, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA REQUESTING THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO ORDER THE
CONSOLIDATION OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024 WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ON THE SAME DAY; AUTHORIZE THE
REGISTRAR -RECORDER COUNTY CLERK OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO CANVASS THE RETURNS OF SAID GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION; AND
PERMIT THE REGISTRAR-RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK OF SAID COUNTY TO
RENDER FULL SERVICES TO THE CITY OF CLAREMONT RELATING TO THE
CONDUCT OF SAID GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10403;
Seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Medina adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 8:40 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:30 PM, in the Claremont Council Chamber.
City Council Minutes
June 11, 2024
Mayor
ATTEST:
` eputy City Clerk