CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 6:30 PM
Video Recording is Archived on the City Website
https://www.claremontca.gov/Government/City-Council/Watch-a-Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Calaycay called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Lief David Frederick and Reverend Miriam Mercado.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, MEDINA, REECE, STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER: LEANO
ALSO PRESENT Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; Mike Ciszek, Chief of Police; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk; Jamie Costanza, Deputy City Clerk
City Manager Pirrie announced Item No. 10 was incorrectly listed on the agenda as an Administrative Item instead of a Public Hearing. Item No. 10 will be heard as a Public Hearing on tonight's agenda and will also be heard before Public Hearing Item No. 9.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT — None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council recognized the Claremont Stars Girls 2012 Team for their State Championship win and Daniel Tran for his Project Adopt Program Service.
The City Council received a presentation from Habib Balian, Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority CEO, on the Foothill Gold Line Project.
The City Council received an update from Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, on upcoming Library events.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS
Memorial Day, May 26, 2025
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 27:19 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported that he went to Washington DC to represent the Foothill Gold Line at a conference and to meet with congressional members.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 27:57 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie provided information about the City's Storefront Vandalism Prevention Business Grant Program. He invited all to a neighborhood meeting on June 17 to discuss coyotes, the City's 4th of July celebration, and the special needs bingo and ice cream event on May 30.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 33:10 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no general written public comments had been received.
Bryan Trunik asked the City Council to address the plaza fountain and the speeding that takes place on American Avenue.
David Meilem, Claremont resident, provided a picture of a sign at Mallows Park and stated that the park hours are missing from the sign. He expressed concern that his human rights are being violated.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of speed enforcement on American Avenue and shared there is an increase in traffic around the times of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
Unidentified speaker spoke about traffic conditions on Mills in the morning time and suggested the City Council prioritize hiring workers who reside in and around Claremont.
Wendy Ramallo, Claremont resident, spoke about speeding that takes place on Mills Avenue and suggested the City Council speak to the storage business regarding parked cars on the street blocking visibility on Mills Avenue.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, expressed concern that park restrooms are being closed before their scheduled closure time of 9:00 PM.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke in support of keeping the park restrooms open throughout the night.
Unidentified speaker spoke about an increase in prostitution in and around Claremont Lodge and asked that the Hotel/Motel Ordinance be enforced.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
City Manager Pirrie confirmed that as requested by the City Council, City staff will hold a meeting with surrounding cities to discuss the Mills and American Avenue intersection, directed the Chief of Police to address speeding issues in the area, and confirmed staff will meet with Claremont Lodge to inform new management of the City's Hotel/Motel Ordinance.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 55:36 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay noted he will be voting against Consent Calendar Item No. 8.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received on the Consent Calendar Items No. 1-8.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece moved to approve the Consent Calendar, with Mayor Calaycay voting against Consent Calendar Item No. 8, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember- None
ABSENT: Councilmember — Leano
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Recister Adopted Resolution No. 2025-22, 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 May 22, 2025.
2. City Council Minutes of May 13, 2025 (Special and Recular) Approved the special and regular City Council meeting minutes of May 13, 2025.
3. Adoption of a Resolution Determining and Establishing the 2025-26 Appropriations Limit in the Amount of S55,762,360
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-23, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING AND ESTABLISHING AN APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26.
4. Authorization to Amend the Professional Services Agreement with BPR Consultinc Group for Professional Building Division Services (Fundinc Source: General Fund) Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with BPR Consulting Group extending the term to June 30, 2026, and increasing compensation by $350,000.
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
5. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with All City Management Services for Crossinc Guard Services (Funding Source: General Fund)
A. Authorized the City Manager to enter into a one-year agreement with All City Management Services for crossing guard services, effective July 1, 2025, in an amount not -to -exceed $119,880; and
B. Appropriated $4,644 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the agreement.
6. Authorization to Amend the Existing Agreement with Pineda General Construction, Inc. to Increase Compensation for the Blaisdell Community Center Kitchen Remodel Project (Fundinc Source: General Capital Pro'ects Fund)
A. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing agreement with Pineda General Construction, Inc. for the Blaisdell Community Center Kitchen Remodel Project, increasing compensation by $9,422, for a total not -to -exceed contract amount of $129,976; and
B. Appropriated $9,422 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the cost of the project.
7. Award of Contract to Global Power Group, Inc. for Emergency Power Generator Services (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to execute a three-year contract with two optional one-year extensions with Global Power Group, Inc. for emergency power generator services, in an amount not to exceed $15,000 per year, or $75,000 over the maximum term of the contract.
8. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 8.35 to the Claremont Municipal Code Prohibiting Harassment in Rental Housinc Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-05, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 8.35 ("PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT IN RENTAL HOUSING") TO TITLE 8 ("HEALTH AND SAFETY") OF THE CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing Item No. 10 was heard next.
10. Tentative Tract Map No. 84564 for the Proposed Subdivision of 3 Acres of Land (2.67 Net Acres After Dedications) for a 70 -Unit Townhome Condominium Development Proposed on Vacant Land and A Decommissioned Tennis Club Located at 840 South Indian Hill Boulevard. Applicant: City Ventures Claremont 2 INV, LLC) This item starts at 58:25 in the archived video.
Chris Veirs, Principal Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Veirs; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; and Maria Tipping, City Engineer, Vince Ramos, Associate Engineer, and various representatives from City Ventures, responded to questions from the City Council regarding height reductions, concessions and waivers claimed, Housing Accountability Act (HAA) specific and adverse impacts, traffic analysis and traffic impacts, traffic impact reports, cost of traffic improvements recommended, subdivision improvement agreement, health and safety litigation, density bonus requirements, potential litigation, removal of side yards to allow for additional green space, in -lieu fees, perimeter block wall, sale of property, parking, Home Owners Associations,
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
insurance, fire safety requirements, private open space versus common open space, nearest park to the development, requirement for soil samples, and ingress and egress approval from Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The City Council recessed at 9:01 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 9:07 PM.
Patrick Chien, City Ventures, gave a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions from the City Council regarding existing trees, and height of the existing powerlines.
Mayor Calaycay opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced 32 written public comments had been received.
Unidentified speaker spoke against the proposed project and expressed concern regarding fire safety and vehicular access.
Vickie Noble, Claremont resident, expressed concern regarding vehicular ingress and egress, lack of common open space, proposed inclusionary units that face American Avenue and Motel 6, and handicap requirements.
Gabriela, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed project due to the lack of space and highlighted the current traffic congestion and safety of the neighborhood.
Joe Ramallo, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed development and believes that the area of south Claremont has suffered for years.
Jose Morales, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed development and expressed concern that an Environmental Impact Report is not a requirement.
Felicia, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed project and believes the proposed 70 units are too many units for the area.
Unidentified speaker questioned the proposed traffic study, specific adverse impacts, safety, Indian HiII Boulevard underpass, and risk mitigations.
Gene Boutillier, Housing Claremont, spoke in support of the proposed project which will provide much needed housing.
Unidentified speaker highlighted negative traffic conditions along Indian Hill Boulevard and believes the addition of housing in Village South as well as the proposed development will only increase the existing traffic conditions.
Wendy Ramallo, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed development as there is a lack of adequate parking, lack of a safe ingress and egress, and a limited traffic study.
John Reeder spoke in support of housing that attracts young people to the area so they may invest in the community.
Unidentified speaker expressed disappointment in the City's action to support a project after hearing residents' concerns.
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
Unidentified speaker expressed concern regarding traffic and safety issues around the proposed development as well as the proposed electric vehicle charging station being placed in each unit.
Unidentified speaker asked the City Council to reject the proposal as is, direct the developer to work with the surrounding neighborhood, lobby the State to amend its current housing laws, and not exempt the project from CEQA.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
After responding to questions and concerns raised during the public comment period it was suggested the item be continued due to Councilmember Leano's absence. No additional public comment will be taken at the June 10 meeting; however, written public comment will be accepted.
Councilmember Stark moved to continue the item to the June 10, 2025, City Council meeting, noting the public comment portion was completed and the public hearing will resume with City Council deliberations.
Mr. Chien, City Ventures, confirmed that City Ventures does not have any objection to the motion to continue the item to the June 10, 2025 City Council meeting.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— None
ABSENT: Councilmember— Leano
9. Public Hearing on City Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts as Required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 4:28:53 in the archived video.
Christi Giannone, Personnel Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation and responded to a question from the City Council regarding metric goals.
Mayor Calaycay opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, stated that affordable housing affects recruitment issues in the workforce.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of affordable housing in and around a person's workplace.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
Councilmember Reece moved to:
A. Adopt the "Procedures for the Public Hearing on City Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts," as outlined in the Attachment to the staff report, in accordance with Assembly Bill 2561; and
B. Receive and file the staff report on the City's workforce vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts, in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561; Seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember- None
ABSENT: Councilmember - Leano
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Calaycay adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 11:13 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:30 PM, in the Claremont Council Chamber.
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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uty City Clerk