CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 — 6:30 PM
Video Recording is Archived on the City Website
https://www.ci.claremont.ca . us/government/city-council/watch-city-cou ncil-meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Medina called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Jim Elsasser, Claremont Unified School District Superintendent.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, LEANO, MEDINA, REECE,
STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER: NONE
ALSO PRESENT
Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; Aaron Fate, Chief of Police; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk; Jamie Costanza, Deputy City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council recognized San Antonio High School, for its Designation as an Apple Distinguished School; and Andy Dale and Karen McMillen, Owners of Last Name Brewing, for their contributions to and active support of the Claremont community.
The City Council received a presentation from Ricky Choi, Director of Government and Community Relations, related to the 2024 San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
The City Council received an update from Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS/OBSERVANCES
Veterans Day, November 11, 2024
Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Mayor Medina announced he will be reordering the agenda. Administrative Item No. 7 will be heard before Public Hearing Item No. 6.
City Council Minutes
November 12, 2024
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 30:06 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece shared the Foothill Gold Line Glendora to Pomona project is now 92% complete and funding has been secured for the Pomona to Montclair segment.
Councilmember Leano announced Tri City Mental Health Services has updated its customer service portfolio and shared that Measure A appears to have passed.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 33:36 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie reported on local election results, announced City offices will be closed at noon on November 27 and all day on November 28, resulting in trash being delayed one day. He also announced that overnight parking will not be enforced on November 28. Lastly, he invited all to attend the upcoming Holiday Promenade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6, the special needs meet and greet with Santa on December 7, and reported the Claremont Pooch Park is currently closed for its yearly maintenance and will reopen December 2.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 36:31 in the archived video.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced one written public comment had been received.
Kinqoro Onami congratulated the successful City Council Candidates and shared his experience as a Council Candidate in District 5.
Sam Sousa, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the City's current ban on short term rentals as the ban is an investment in the rental community.
Linda Mawby, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to mandate that Larkin Place be for seniors not for those in the chronically homeless category.
Darryl McCance spoke in support of the recent Veterans Day event.
Lisa Schuster spoke in support of the City's ban on short term rentals as rental housing is needed for local community members and families.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, spoke in support of the passage of Measure A and urged the City Council to create a rental registry and adopt an anti -harassment ordinance.
Buff Brown, Claremont resident, shared that past land use planning, zoning, and transportation planning promoted separation and hierarchy that promoted cars first. He believes this thinking must be changed.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Council Minutes
November 12, 2024
Mayor Medina closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 58:54 in the archived video.
Mayor Medina invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on Consent Calendar Items No. 1-5.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Medina closed public comment.
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
1. Adoption of Resolutions Approving the City Warrant Register A. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-54, 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 October 24, 2024; and
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-55, 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 7, 2024.
2. City Council Minutes of October 22, 2024 (Regular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of October 22, 2024.
3. Cancellation of the December 24, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Cancelled the regular City Council meeting of December 24, 2024.
4. Authorization to Amend the Existing Contract with Robert Half International Inc., Extending the Term for Professional Temporary Employment Services for the Information Technology Division (Funding Source: Technology Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to amend the existing contract with Robert Half International Inc. for temporary employment services, extending the term through June 30, 2025, or until the total contract amount of $276,190 is expended.
5. Award of Contract to MK Smith Chevrolet for the Purchase of Seven Fleet Vehicles (Funding Source: Motor Fleet Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with MK Smith Chevrolet in the amount of $359,959.59 for vehicle replacements.
Mayor Medina announced he will be reordering the agenda. Administrative Item No. 7 will be heard before Public Hearing Item No. 6.
City Council Minutes
November 12, 2024
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
7. Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 84585 Subdividing a Parcel (APN: 8307-003-066) to Create Two Parcels Located at 735 East Foothill Boulevard. Applicant — Andreasen Engineering, Inc., for Claremont Properties, LLC., and Authorization to Enter Into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Clare Properties, LLC for the Purchase by the City of Parcel 2 Resulting from the Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 84585 (Funding Source:
General Fund)
This item starts at 1:00:22 in the archived video.
Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development, and City Manager Pirrie, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Pirrie, and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding the opportunity presented to the City with a short timeline, Upland parcel, development of an airport master plan and possible timeline, possible City adoption of the Cable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, dedicated webpage for this property, Surplus Land Act, Los Angeles County determination of allowed uses, and land use restrictions.
The City Council directed City staff to create a webpage dedicated to this property so the community can access pertinent information and suggested the property (Parcel 2) be held until an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan is adopted.
Mayor Medina invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced two written public comments had been received on this item.
Parker Emerson, Planning Commission Chair, provided an overview of the Commission's decision and added the Planning Commission did not discuss or comment on the sale of the property.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Medina closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to adopt Resolution No. 2024-57, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING FINAL PARCEL MAP NO. 84585 AND APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND COVENANTS, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement with Clare Properties, LLC., for the purchase by the City of Claremont of Parcel 2 resulting from the approval of Final Parcel Map No. 84585;
B. Appropriate $40,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fund the purchase of the subject property;
City Council Minutes
November 12, 2024
C. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
D. Direct staff to hold the property (Parcel 2) until the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan is adopted;
Seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
PUBLIC HEARING
6. La Puerta School Site Specific Plan (#24-SP01), Tenatative Tract Map No. 83121 (#20- TTM01), Certification of the Project EIR (SCH #2022020137), and Approval of Payment of Discretionary Fee In -Lieu of Providing On -Site Inclusionary Housing Units for the Development of 55 Single -Family Detached Homes on a 9.58 Acre Site at 2475 Forbes Avenue (APN: 8670-003-900) Applicant — Trumark Homes
This item starts at 1:36:53 in the archived video.
Chris Veirs, Principal Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation The City Council recessed at 8:40 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 8:51 PM.
Mr. Veirs, City Attorney Patterson, City Manager Pirrie, and Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development, responded to questions from the City Council regarding home owners association (HOA) responsibility of the proposed pocket park, overnight parking restriction on private streets, proposed sewer lateral, impacts to water usage and water pressure, grading of the proposed park, elevations, construction noise and monitoring of construction noise, Planning Commission conditions of approvals, La Puerta Sports Park lease agreement, identification of the Metropolitan Water District easement, assigning APN numbers, proposed fencing, line of sight from residents on Coalinga, and in -lieu fee eligible uses.
Eric Nelson, Trumark Homes, responded to questions from the City Council regarding the addition of amenities in the pocket park, grade of the proposed homes, gate controlled by the HOA to limit access to the park, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) addressing short term rentals, possible dedication of funds to be used for a gate or wall if needed, best available control measures, vector control, and street naming process.
Mayor Medina opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced 22 written public comments had been received on this item.
Nancy Tressor Osgood, former Claremont Unified School District Board Member, urged the City Council to approve the proposed development.
Parker Emerson, Planning Commission Chair, shared the Planning Commission's discussion and added at its meeting suggested the HOA prohibit overnight parking and spoke in support of the pocket park remaining accessible to the public.
City Council Minutes
November 12, 2024
Eric Johnson, Claremont resident, spoke against Trumark Homes and believes their threat to use a Builder's Remedy was merely a scare tactic.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont resident, spoke against the applicant's request to pay a discretionary fee in -lieu of providing the required number of inclusionary units.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, asked that the land remain open for public use rather than a residential development and expressed his concern that the proposed development only has one exit out of the development that is inadequate.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Medina closed the public hearing.
Principal Planner Veirs in response to a question raised during the public comment period shared the proposed plan has been received and approved by the Fire Department.
Megan Mecias, EPD Solutions, shared she is the Traffic Engineer for the project and evaluated all intersections in the area which resulted in none of the intersections being deemed insufficient or unsatisfactory.
Councilmember Reece stated while he is not fully supportive of the proposed development, he does appreciate the process and the developer's decision to not use the State's Builder's Remedy process.
Councilmember Stark wished the Claremont Unified School District and the City could have worked together in the past years to address the need for entry level housing; however, spoke in support of Trumark addressing staff and neighbor concerns.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the use of the State's Builder's Remedy process as it would have mandated affordable housing; however, a solution has been met to build much needed housing on vacant land and will support staffs recommendation.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of the proposed development as the alternative could have been more housing on the same size lot. He suggested the City Council direct staff to include a statement in the CC&R's that short term rentals are prohibited and allow the HOA to decide if the pocket park is to remain private or open to the public.
Mayor Medina spoke in support of the proposed development as it is the best viable option and hopes the developer builds the project to the highest quality and fits the neighborhood.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to direct staff to include a statement in the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that short term rentals are prohibited, 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
November 12, 2024
City Attorney Patterson suggested the Planning/Building Division Condition C14 in the proposed resolution be amended to remove the requirement that it be ungated or specify a wall and/or gate be allowed as determined by the developer and City staff.
Councilmember Calaycay stated he would like to be cautious about the City's control over the pocket park as it is not being funded or maintained by the City.
City Attorney Patterson then suggested Condition C14 be amended to allow the HOA the option to make the pocket park accessible to the public or not accessible to the public.
Councilmember Reece suggested a perimeter wall be constructed around the pocket park and allow the HOA to add a locked gate if necessary.
Mr. Nelson confirmed that the developer would be willing to construct a wall or decorative fence with City staff approval that would allow for the ability to add a locked gate to restrict pedestrian access if the HOA deemed it necessary in the future.
City Attorney Patterson suggested Condition C14 be deleted from the proposed resolution and leave it to the applicant and City staff to address at a later time.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to delete Planning/Building Division Condition C14 from the proposed resolution regarding public access and use of the pocket park, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember — None
Councilmember Calaycay moved to adopt Resolution No. 2024-56, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT APPROVING THE LA PUERTA SCHOOL SITE SPECIFIC PLAN (FILE #24-SP01), ASSOCIATED TENTATIVE TRACT MAP (NO. 83121) FOR A 55 SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME DEVELOPMENT,
ADOPTING THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PLAN AND FINDINGS
OF FACT AND CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH #2022020137) FOR THE PROJECT, AND APPROVING A REQUEST TO PAY A
DISCRETIONARY FEE IN -LIEU OF PROVIDING THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF INCLUSIONARY UNITS WITHIN THE PROJECT LOCATED AT 2475 FORBES AVENUE, AS AMENDED, APPLICANT - TRUMARK HOMES, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Councilmember Calaycay directed staff to require a representative from the Fire Department be present during these types of discussions to address any concerns or questions that may arise.
ORDINANCES — None
City Council Minutes
November 12, 2024
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
7. Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 84585 Subdividing a Parcel (APN: 8307-003-066) to Create Two Parcels Located at 735 East Foothill Boulevard. Applicant — Andreasen Engineering, Inc., for Claremont Properties, LLC., and Authorization to Enter Into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Clare Properties, LLC for the Purchase by the City of Parcel 2 Resulting from the Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 84585 (Funding Source:
General Fund)
This item was heard earlier in the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Medina adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 11:07 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM, in the Clarm Council Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk