CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 22, 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 6:31 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Janet P. Wright, Barbara Sue Moreno, and Dennis Smith.
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; 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
Mayor Calaycay announced Item No. 12 will be heard before Item No. 11.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT — None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Luis Vaquera, Recreation and Human Services Supervisor, was introduced.
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
Richard Franco, Tri City Mental Health Community Navigator, provided background information on the role of the community navigator.
Steven Cabrera, Assistant Fire Chief, provided background information on the process for identifying the fire hazard severity zones.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — None
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Item
1. Appointment of Members to City Commissions
This item starts at 17:44 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay and Vice Mayor Stark highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Reece moved to make the following appointments:
Architectural and Preservation Commission
Jennifer Deal for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Georgeann Spivack for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Laurel Tucker for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Community and Human Services Commission
Nancy Brower for a term to expire August 31, 2026
Kathryn Mora for a term to expire August 31, 2027
Lauren Roselle for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Brisa Sifuentes for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Planning Commission
Megan Callaway for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Police Commission
Frank DeLeo for a term to expire August 31, 2027
Traffic and Transportation Commission
Richard Weiner for a term to expire August 31, 2029
Seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Council Assignment Reports — None
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 24:34 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to the Claremont Police Department's National Night out on August 5, announced Community Based Organization grant funding applications are now available,
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
and the Olson Company (Descano Walk) has opened up its lottery process for four affordable units reserved for those who currently work and/or reside in Claremont.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 28:34 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced one general written public comment had been received.
Judith Tanenbaum, League of Women Voters, introduced Jenna Trexler-Sousa, League of Women Voters City Council observer.
Vincent Turner spoke about the City's Public Art Committee and asked the Strategic Art Plan not be referenced in order to provide additional clarity.
Unidentified speaker expressed concerns regarding the Hope for Home shelter as well as signs that currently exist in City parks that do not address park hours.
Kathryn Mora spoke about improvements regarding pedestrian safety.
There were no other requests to speak.
Councilmember Stark asked that a presentation be given to the City Council on the coordinated entry system in the fall.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 45:10 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.
Unidentified speaker spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and expressed concern that the priorities and objectives do not include success metrics and do not seem to benefit the community as a whole.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Mayor Calaycay pulled Consent Calendar Item No. 5.
Councilmember Stark moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 2-4, and 6-10, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark
Councilmember- None
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
2. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2025-38, 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 17, 2025.
City Council Minutes of July 8, 2025 (Regular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of July 8, 2025.
Investment Report — Quarter Ending June 30, 2025
Received and accepted the Investment Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2025.
Update on City Council Priorities and 2024-26 Ob.ectives (Funding Sources: Various', This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
3. 4.
5. 6.
Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Risha Encineering for Seismic Retrofit and Structural Engineerinc Services Related to the Claremont Police Department Facility — Phase 2B (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund) Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Risha Engineering for Phase 2B seismic retrofit and structural engineering services for $195,800, and authorized a five percent contingency of $9,790, for a total contract amount of $205,590.
7. Sewer System Manacement Plan Update Fundinc Source: Sewer Fund) Reviewed and approved the Sewer System Management Plan.
8. Authorization to Amend the Existing Agreements with MK Smith Chevrolet and Fritts Ford for City Vehicle Replacements (Fundinc Source: Motor Fleet Fund A. Authorized the City Manager to amend the agreement with MK Smith Chevrolet for vehicle purchases, increasing the not -to -exceed contract amount by $21,328.58 to a total of $381,288.17; and
B. Authorized the City Manager to amend the agreement with Fritts Ford to purchase two additional Ford Interceptor PPV units at an added cost of $120,971.64.
9. California Highway Patrol Grant (Funding Source: California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-39, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA - CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL (CHP) CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM (CTFGP).
10. Authorization to Purchase and Install a Bidirectional Amplifier for the Claremont Police Department to Enhance Radio Communications and Support Integration with the LA -RIGS Network 'Fundinc Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Bear Communications Inc. for the purchase and installation of a bidirectional amplifier and associated radio infrastructure, in the amount of $74,779.22, and authorized a five percent contingency of $3,738.96, for a total amount of $78,518.18.
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
Item Removed from the Consent Calendar
5. Update on City Council Priorities and 2024-26 Objectives (Funding Sources: Various) This item starts at 49:28 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie provided background information regarding the City Council priority setting process and spoke in support of incorporating metrics. He noted the next priority setting meeting will take place in March or April 2026.
Councilmember Medina moved to receive and file the update on the 2024-26 City Council Priorities and Objectives, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
At the request of Mayor Calaycay, Item No. 12 was heard next.
ORDINANCE
12. Adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178 and the California Fire Code (Fundinc Source: General Fund) This item starts at 55:28 in the archived video.
Alex Cousins, Senior Management Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Cousins, Steve Cabrera, Assistant Fire Chief, and Alisha Patterson, City Attorney, responded to questions from the City Council regarding CEQA, parcel designation, State responsibility areas vs. local responsibility areas, and vegetation management and enforcement.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
There were no requests to speak.
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, ADOPTING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES WITHIN THE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
The City Council recessed at 7:46 PM
The City Council reconvened at 7:54 PM.
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Cannabis Zoning and Regulatory Ordinances and Direction on Implementation Framework (Funding Source: DCC Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant) This item starts at 1:24:44 in the archived video.
Alex Cousins, Senior Management Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Jason Wong, Planning Commissioner, summarized the June Planning Commission meeting.
Mr. Wong, Mr. Cousins, and City Attorney Patterson, responded to questions from the City Council regarding exclusion of shopping centers that include grocery stores, the number of shopping centers that include grocery stores in the City, removal of certain zones, businesses not currently allowed in the Village, and Packing House businesses and the buffer zone.
Mayor Calaycay opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced 30 written public comments had been received.
Jeffrey Olson, Claremont resident, spoke in opposition of a cannabis dispensary close to his neighborhood.
Billy expressed concern of a possible cannabis dispensary on Arrow Highway.
Vanessa Viaterres, Claremont resident, expressed concern that she could possibly share a fence with a cannabis dispensary.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis dispensaries located next to the Virigina and Cinderella neighborhoods.
Monica Yu, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis dispensaries next to residential parcels and encouraged the City Council to keep the current ban on dispensaries.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke against a possible cannabis dispensary located at the corner of Arrow Highway and Virginia.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to not allow cannabis dispensaries in the City of Claremont.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis dispensaries in and around the Virginia and Cinderella neighborhoods.
Frank DeLeo, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the legal use of cannabis; however, believes cannabis storefronts should not be allowed in the City.
Al Villanueva, Claremont resident, believes the City does not need a cannabis dispensary, especially in the south part of the City.
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis storefronts in Claremont as he believes there is not a need, nor will storefronts result in large tax revenue.
Kristine Robinson, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to not allow cannabis storefronts throughout the City. She submitted a letter in support of the existing ban signed by 28 residents of Claremont.
Charles Hepperle, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the comments made previously.
Patricia Linburq, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to not allow cannabis dispensaries in Claremont.
Unidentified speaker expressed concerns regarding the proposed ordinance allowing Cannabis storefront retailers and urged the City Council to maintain the existing ban.
Sam Pedroza, Claremont resident, stated that if the proposed ordinance allowing cannabis storefronts was adopted, it would destroy neighborhoods.
Jack Curly, Claremont resident, shared his negative experiences of working with cannabis businesses.
Kevin Jones, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the existing ban on cannabis as alowing it would make Claremont less prestigious.
Dustin Do, Director of Government Affairs for Stiiizy, spoke in support of cannabis storefronts as Stiiizy considers themselves good neighborhood partners.
Cory, UFCW, urged the City Council to support, adopt, and implement cannabis retail in the City of Claremont.
Cynthia Yaron, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the efforts made by the Safe and Healthy Housing Committee and opposed cannabis storefront retailers in Claremont.
Murray Monroe spoke in support of legal cannabis due to its socioeconomic benefits.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis storefronts as he believes they would negatively impact the community.
Jim Keith spoke in support of medical marijuana; however, does not support cannabis storefronts in the City.
Darryl McCance, Claremont resident, highlighted the recent Planning Commission discussion on cannabis and questioned why cannabis storefronts are even being considered at this time.
Linda Mawbv, Claremont resident, expressed concerns related to cannabis storefronts and asked the City Council to maintain Claremont family atmosphere and positive reputation.
Unidentified speaker highlighted the use of pesticides in cannabis cultivation and urged all to use caution when purchasing cannabis.
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
Sue Keith, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to take notice of new families in south Claremont and pay attention to their concerns.
Eric Strongmen, Claremont resident, spoke against cannabis in Claremont and urged the City Council to be mindful of the Virigina neighborhood.
Bob Kern, Claremont resident, believes cannabis storefronts should not be located in the south part of Claremont
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of keeping the existing ban on cannabis storefronts in the City.
Unidentified speaker spoke against cannabis storefront retailers in Claremont as it would damage the City's reputation and image.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed the public hearing.
The City Council recessed at 9:55 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 10:03 PM.
Mr. Cousins and City Attorney Patterson responded to an additional question from the City Council regarding reimbursement requirements for unused grant money.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the current ban on cannabis dispensaries as he does not agree with the proposed locations selected by the Planning Commission and believes the potential tax revenue could be very minimal.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of allowing cannabis dispensary storefronts in the City due to their potential financial benefit to the City.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the Cinderella and Virginia neighborhoods as she would not want to share a wall with a cannabis dispensary even if the economic opportunities would benefit the City.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of the current ban on cannabis businesses in the City.
Mayor Calaycay spoke in support of the current ban on cannabis businesses in the City and if the will of the community changes, he would be open to having another discussion at that time.
Councilmember Medina moved to take no action and continue the prohibition on cannabis businesses in the City, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Leano
City Council Minutes
July 22, 2025
ORDINANCE
12. Adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178 and the California Fire Code (Funding Source: General Fund) This item was heard earlier.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Calaycay adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 10:35 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM, in the Claremont Council Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
eputy City Clerk
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