CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 9, 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 6:32 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Samantha Bosco.
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In memory of William M. "Bill" Wilson.
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; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Recreation and Human Services; 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 and recognized the Claremont Helen Renwick Library Youth Quilting Bee for their accomplishments at the 2024 Los Angeles County Fair Youth Home Arts Competition.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
July 4, 2024, Independence Day
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 10:45 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported that funding has been allocated to complete the Gold Line from Pomona to Montclair.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
Councilmember Leano announced Rimmi Hundal, Tri City Mental Health Services Executive Director, will be leaving Tri City Mental Health as she has accepted a position with the Los Angeles County Mental Health Division. The Tri City Mental Health Services Governing Board will be working to appoint an Interim Executive Director with her departure.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 14:00 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to attend the City's Concerts in the Park and Movies in the Park. He encouraged residents to complete the parks and playgrounds survey, announced the Wilderness Park is currently closed due to the fire in Lytle Creek, and shared the City's cooling center at the Alexander Hughes Community Center will be open this weekend due to the extreme weather temperatures.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 16:03 in the archived video.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced two written public comments had been received.
Douglas Lyon, Claremont resident, raised concern regarding the upcoming Architectural Commission review of 253 East Green Street (#22-A09), and asked the City Manager to comment on the 4th of July fireworks show.
Buff Brown, Claremont resident, highlighted an article written by Tool Design that focuses on compete streets, active transportation, and safety action plans.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, asked the City Council to not allow short term rentals in the City.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of the 4th of July festivities and shared a discussion he had with a member of Pilgrim Place regarding the Larkin Place affordable housing project and issues regarding homeless in and around Pilgrim Place.
Sarah Rodriquez, Tri City Mental Health Project Manager, shared workshops and upcoming events taking place at Tri City Mental Health.
Darryl McCance, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the comments made regarding Pilgrim Place and the Larkin Place affordable housing. He asked that seniors and women be given priority to reside at Larkin Place.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Manager Pirrie spoke in support of the 4th of July events and shared that staff is looking into the technical difficulties that occurred at the end of the fireworks shows. He thanked City staff and volunteers for their time spent on a successful event.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 36:06 in the archived video.
Councilmember Calaycay pulled Consent Calendar Items No. 4 and 8.
Mayor Medina invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 1-3 and 5-7.
City Clerk Desautels announced one written public comment had been received on the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1-3 and 5-7, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
1. Resignation of Planning Commissioner Melinda Gonzalez Accepted with regret the resignation of Melinda Gonzalez from the Planning Commission, effective immediately.
2. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2024-36, 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 July 3, 2024.
3. City Council Minutes of June 25, 2024 (Regular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of June 25, 2024.
4. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Claremont, California, Adopting a Code Amendment and Zone Change (#21-Z01) to Implement the Revised 2021-2029 Housing Element Update and Finding that the Code Amendment and Zone Change are Consistent with the Previously Certified Final Environmental Impact Report for the Housing Element Update (State Clearinghouse #2021090340) (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
5. Adoption of a Resolution Establishing the 2024-25 General Obligation Bond Tax Rate for the Levy of an Ad Valorem Tax to be Collected to Make Debt Service Payments on Outstanding General Obligation Bonds Issued to Finance the Acquisition of Johnson's Pasture
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-37, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF
LOS ANGELES TO LEVY A TAX ON ALL REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF
CLAREMONT AS A VOTER APPROVED LEVY WITH RESPECT TO THE CITY'S
GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND APPROVED BY THE VOTERS AT THE
NOVEMBER 7, 2006 STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO FUND THE ACQUISITION OF JOHNSON'S PASTURE.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
6. Award of Contract to Sunset Audio Visual for the City Council Chamber and City Hall Meeting Spaces Audio -Visual Upgrades (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund) Awarded a contract to Sunset Audio Visual for audio-visual upgrade(s) of the City Council Chamber and City Hall meeting spaces and authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Sunset AV for $159,916.42.
7. Consideration of Phasing the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance In -Lieu Fee (Funding Source:
General Fund)
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-38, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023- 33 UPDATING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING IN -LIEU FEE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 16.036 OF THE CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE.
8. Authorization to Amend the Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for Environmental Review of the Clara Oaks Development and Specific Plan (Funding Source: Developer Fees)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Claremont, California, Adopting a Code Amendment and Zone Change (#21-Z01) to Implement the Revised 2021-2029 Housing Element Update and Finding that the Code Amendment and Zone Change are Consistent with the Previously Certified Final Environmental Impact Report for the Housing Element Update (State Clearinghouse #2021090340) (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 38:20 in the archived video.
Councilmember Calaycay pulled Consent Calendar Item No. 4 so he may vote against the proposed ordinance.
Councilmember Reece announced he will also be voting against the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-03, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A CODE AMENDMENT AND ZONE CHANGE (#21-Z01) TO IMPLEMENT THE REVISED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE AND FINDING THAT THE CODE
AMENDMENT AND ZONE CHANGE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUSLY
CERTIFIED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (STATE CLEARINGHOUSE #2021090340), seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Leano, Medina, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Reece
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
8. Authorization to Amend the Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for Environmental Review of the Clara Oaks Development and Specific Plan (Funding Source: Developer Fees)
This item starts at 42:53 in the archived video.
Councilmember Calaycay stated he is not comfortable continuing to advance the project and will be voting no on staffs recommendation.
City Attorney Patterson responded to a question from the City Council regarding the legal ramifications of not approving staffs recommendation.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of staffs recommendation as it allows for the environmental review to be controlled by the City.
Mayor Medina spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Reece.
Councilmember Leano moved to authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the agreement with Dudek for environmental review services on the proposed Clara Oaks development in the amount of $49,844, for a total contract amount not to exceed $456,014, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ORDINANCE
9. Consideration of an Ordinance that, If Adopted, Would Increase the Monthly Salary Received by Members of the City Council to the Amount Authorized by Senate Bill 329 (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 54:05 in the archived video.
Katie Wand, Deputy City Manager, highlighted the staff report.
Ms. Wand, City Attorney Patterson, and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding compensation for neighboring cities, PERS for City Councilmembers, "salary" vs. "stipend", and medical benefits.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to approve the increase in compensation as the increase would help promote diversity and inclusion.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of the comments made by Ms. Hernandez as an increase in compensation may increase the interest in running for City Council.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of increasing the City Council compensation to allow for equity and diversity amongst the City Council.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers and hopes this is a first step in making the Council Chamber more accessible to all.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke against increasing City Council compensation as he believes serving as a member of the City Council is a form of civic duty.
Mayor Medina spoke in support of increasing the City Council compensation as he hopes the increase will allow more to participate.
Councilmember Leano 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, APPROVING A STATUTORY INCREASE IN COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE EFFECT AFTER THE NOVEMBER 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Medina adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 7:51 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6:30 PM, in the Claremont o ncil Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
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Drputy City Clerk