CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 8, 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 6:34 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Colin Wright and Peggy Baker Nall.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, LEANO, MEDINA, STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER: NONE
LATE ARRIVAL COUNCILMEMBER: REECE (Arrived at 6:47 PM)
ALSO PRESENT Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Mike Ciszek, Chief of Police; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Human Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk; Jamie Costanza, Deputy City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT — None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council received an update from Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, on upcoming Library events.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — None
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 10:07 in the archived video.
Councilmember Leano reported on Tri City Mental Health Authority's new 24 -hour crisis program.
City Council Minutes
July 8, 2025
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 11:39 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie reported on the upcoming City Council review of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone on July 22, announced applications for short-term rentals are now available, and invited all to the City's Monday Night Concerts. Lastly, he provided an update on coyote activity.
Councilmember Reece arrived.
Councilmember Medina invited all to attend the Special City Council meeting on July 31, at 3:00 PM with Assemblyman John Harabedian.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 16:05 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no general written public comment had been received.
Unidentified speaker spoke about the City Ventures project located at the Motel 6 tennis courts. He asked that the June 10 City Council decision be vacated due to many issues including issues regarding conflicts of interest.
Jenna Trexler-Sousa, League of Women Voters Mt. Baldy Area President, shared information about the League and asked the City Council to condemn the federal use of force during protests and affirm the right of all who exercise their constitutional rights.
Unidentified speaker expressed concern regarding a City staff member being dedicated as a homeless liaison and asked if beds are available for Claremont unhoused at Hope for Home, located in Pomona.
Unidentified speaker expressed concern reading the density of the City Ventures project to be constructed at the Motel 6 tennis courts.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Attorney Patterson responded to the speaker's concern regarding conflicts of interest regarding the City Ventures project.
City Manager Pirrie responded to the speaker's concern regarding available beds at Hope for Home and shared the City has six dedicated beds for Claremont's unhoused at this location.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 35:11 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on the Consent Calendar.
City Council Minutes
July 8, 2025
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Councilmember Medina announced he would abstain from voting on Consent Calendar Item No. 3 as he was absent from the June 24, 2025 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Reece moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
Councilmember - Calaycay, Leano, Medina (noting his abstention on Item No. 3), Reece, Stark
Councilmember— None
1. Resicnation of Architectural and Preservation Commissioner Juan Cervera Accepted with regret the resignation of Juan Cervera from the Architectural and Preservation Commission, effective immediately.
2. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Recister Adopted Resolution No. 2025-34, 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, 2025.
3. City Council Minutes of June 24, 2025 (Recular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of June 24, 2025.
4. Adoption of a Resolution Establishing the 2025-26 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. 2025-35, 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.
5. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizinc Submittal of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Transportation Development Act — Article 4; State Transit Assistance; Senate Bill 1 State Transit Assistance; and Senate Bil 1 State of Good Repair Claim Forms to Receive and Reserve Transit Funds for the Claremont Dial -A -Ride Service (Funding Source: Transportation Fund) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-36, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE 2024-25 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT - ARTICLE 4, STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE, SENATE BILL 1 STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE, AND SENATE BILL 1 STATE OF GOOD REPAIR CLAIMS FORMS TO RECEIVE CAPITAL AND OPERATING FUNDS.
City Council Minutes
July 8, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
6. Appeal of Architectural and Preservation Commission Approval of Architectural and Site Plan Review #25-A03 for a 62 -Foot Tall Monoeucalyptus Wireless Telecommunications Facility for Eukon Group, LLC., on Behalf of AT&T Located at 1700 North Towne Avenue — Appellant: James Quinn
This item starts at 36:52 in the archived video.
Daniel Kim, Assistant Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Kim and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding placement of the facility, setbacks, other possible collocations, definition of permanent structures, possibility of using 36 -inch box trees, future projects, other wireless telecommunication facilities, and staffs discretion for denying a request for collocations.
Nicki Heskin, on behalf of the Appellant, highlighted the appeal submitted and responded to a question from the City Council regarding opposition to the originally proposed steeple.
The City Council recessed at 7:57 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 8:09 PM.
Miles Bennett, Architectural and Preservation Commissioner, highlighted the Commission's process and decision. He responded to questions from the City Council regarding the Commission's recommendation and original steeple design.
Sonal Thakur, Project Applicant, highlighted the project submitted and responded to questions from the City Council regarding alternative sites, engineering determination, search range and coverage objectives, moving the location of the telecommunications facility, gap area, identification of other locations, optimal coverage location, potential modification to original steeple design, 6409 legislation, and maximum allowable height.
City Attorney Patterson and Mr. Kim responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding specifics in the 6409 legislation, the date the application was submitted, reasonable efforts made by the applicant to find a location to collocate, proof of other locations viability, and importance of property owners' willingness.
Mayor Calaycay opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced two written public comments had been received.
Brian Yanc, Claremont resident, expressed frustration that he did not receive a meeting notice and spoke against the proposed wireless telecommunications facility.
Unidentified speaker, on behalf of a Claremont resident, spoke in support of the appeal and expressed concern related to the tower's proximity to their residence.
Reverend Tom Johnson, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the proposed wireless telecommunications facility as it will provide additional coverage.
City Council Minutes
July 8, 2025
Natalie Quinn, Claremont resident, spoke against the proposed wireless telecommunications facility as it would be viewable from the main windows of her property, would dominate the area, and decrease property value.
Jim Ranz, Claremont resident, stated the telecommunications tower will cast shadows on his residence, block his views, and suggested AT&T consider other locations.
James Quinn, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to support the appeal due to serious impacts the tower will cause if constructed.
Carina Ranger, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to support the appeal and urged the City Council to select alternative sites that are better suited and less obtrusive to the neighborhood.
Russel Heskin, Claremont resident, expressed concern regarding the City's notification process and the design of the telecommunications facility as well as its placement.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed the public hearing.
Mr. Kim, Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney Patterson, Chris Veirs, Principal Planner, responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding staffs decision to allow faux trees for wireless telecommunications facilities, new ADUs or additions that are less than 100 feet from the already constructed telecommunications tower, collocation request at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, denial process, findings the City Council shall evaluate, definition of a pool, pool setbacks, and process of other cities for reviewing of wireless telecommunications facilities.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of the appeal as the applicant (Eukon Group LLC., on behalf of AT&T) has not provided acceptable proof that a collocation is not viable in accordance with Claremont Municipal Code 16.100.040H(1)(2).
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Reece as acceptable proof was not received that reasonable efforts to collocate have been unsuccessful.
Councilmember Stark believes in providing adequate phone coverage; however, spoke in support of the comments made by her fellow Councilmembers regarding a lack of acceptable proof.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers regarding acceptable proof; however, expressed disappointment that phone coverage is lacking at the nearby assisted living facility, Access Village.
Mayor Calaycay spoke in support of Councilmember Reece's comments regarding acceptable proof.
Based on City Council discussion, City Attorney Patterson suggested a resolution granting the appeal and reversing the Architectural and Preservation Commissions' decision be reviewed for possible adoption.
City Council Minutes
July 8, 2025
The City Council and members of the public were presented with a copy of the draft resolution upholding the appeal and denying Architectural and Site Plan Review #25-A03.
Councilmember Stark asked that the draft denial resolution be amended to eliminate Section 4A and Section 4B.
Councilmember Leano asked that the draft denial resolution be amended to eliminate Section 3 in its entirety as well as Section 4D.
Councilmember Reece moved to adopt Resolution No. 2025-37, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING THE
APPEAL OF AND REVERSING THE ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW #25-A03 FOR A 62 -FOOT -TALL MONOEUCALYPTUS WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY FOR EUKON GROUP, LLC ON BEHALF OF AT&T LOCATED AT 1700 NORTH TOWNE AVENUE: APPELLANT - JAMES QUINN, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Calaycay adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 10:24 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM, in the Claremont Council Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk