CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 23, 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 6:30 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Marilyn Jones Dale, Jack Schuster, and Colleen Joyce Farley.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, MEDINA, REECE, STARK
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBER: NONE
LATE ARRIVAL COUNCILMEMBER: LEANO (Arrived at 6:32 PM)
ALSO PRESENT
Adam Pirrie, City Manager; Jamie Earl, Assistant City Manager; Alisha Patterson, City Attorney; Mike Ciszek, Chief of Police; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Recreation and Human Services; 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 Sunrise Rotary Club was recognized for its sponsorship of the 2025 Monday Night Concert Series.
Jennifer Deal, Architectural and Preservation Commissioner; Laurel Tucker, Architectural and Preservation Commissioner; Kathryn Mora, Community and Human Services Commissioner; Megan Callaway, Planning Commissioner; and Frank DeLeo, Police Commissioner, were introduced.
Lucci Troendle, Teen Committee Chair, and Pablo Guevara, Teen Committee Vice Chair, were introduced.
The City Council received a presentation on San Antonio Regional Hospital healthcare updates, by Brenda Nuno Gutierrez, Government Affairs Coordinator.
The City Council received a presentation on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Coordinated Entry System by Nathaniel VerGow, Deputy Chief Program Officer.
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
Katherine Farris, Claremont Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and Josh Merry, Claremont Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board, provided information and invited all to attend the Chamber's Annual Art and Crafts Festival, Village Venture.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — None
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Item
1. Appointment of a Member to the Planning Commission
This item starts at 1:01:02 in the archived video.
Mayor Calaycay and Vice Mayor Stark highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece moved to appoint Jesse Emmert to the Planning Commission for a term to expire August 31, 2029, seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 1:03:00 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported on the opening of the Metro A Line stations, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona.
Mayor Calaycay reported on the Library Commission and announced there was a formal dedication ceremony for the renaming of the Claremont Helen Renwick Library.
Councilmember Reece added the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority is committed to supporting and working with the San Bernardino County Transit Authority on extending the Metro A line to Montclair.
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:07:00 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to the City's annual Halloween Spooktacular event on October 11, announced the Blaisdell Community Center has now officially reopened, and reminded all there will be a Special City Council meeting on November 12 instead of November 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.
Mayor Calaycay reported on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Committee discussing future events, such as the Olympics.
Councilmember Reece added the Olympics is an exciting opportunity and looks forward to working on how local cities can offer support.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 1:11:38 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels announced one general written public comment had been received.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
Deborah Robinson, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to request that Southern California Edison underground powerlines along Forbes Avenue.
Sunny Gobershkin, Co -Chair of the Board of Mission and Social Action at the Claremont United Church of Christ, shared information regarding the possibility of hosting a non-profit social service agency to provide an overnight transitional safe parking program in the 6th Street parking lot of the Church.
Gene Boutillier, Claremont United Church of Christ and Housing Claremont, spoke about the proposed overnight transitional safe parking program at the Church.
Randy Lopez, Claremont resident and Executive Director of Uncommon Good, announced that October is dyslexia awareness month and invited everyone to attend Uncommon Good's dyslexia awareness event on October 22.
Steve Marroquin, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the comments made by Ms. Robinson as the area of Forbes Avenue has now been classified as a very high fire risk.
Noah Polish, Member of Inclusive Claremont, spoke in support of the proposed safe parking program at the Claremont United Church of Christ.
Anna Parrot, Member of Inclusive Claremont, read a comment by Lucy Reed that stated her support of the proposed safe parking program at the Claremont United Church of Christ.
Mike Eschelman, Claremont resident, spoke in support of requesting that overhead powerlines be relocated underground due to the safety risks.
There were no other requests to speak.
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
City Engineer Maria Tipping shared the City currently has funding dedicated to undergrounding utility lines on Arrow Highway; however, at this time there is no dedicated funding to underground utility lines on Forbes Avenue.
City Manager Pirrie confirmed City staff will reach out to Southern California Edison regarding the request to underground utility lines on Forbes Avenue.
The City Council recessed at 8:06 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 8:13 PM.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1:43:15 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina pulled Item No. 6 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 2-5, 7, and 8.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on Consent Calendar Items No. 2-5, 7, and 8.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 2-5, 7, and 8, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
2. Resignation of Traffic and Transportation Commissioner Charles Edwards Accepted with regret the resignation of Charles Edwards from the Traffic and Transportation Commission.
3. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2025-44, 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 September 11, 2025.
4. City Council Minutes of September 9, 2025 (Regular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of September 9, 2025.
5. Amendment to the Lease Aqreement with Tri-City Mental Health Authority to Extend the Term (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager or his designee to execute an amendment to the lease agreement with Tri-City Mental Health Authority, extending the lease term to end on September 30, 2026.
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
6. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Michael Baker International for Design and Preparation of Plans and Specifications for the San Jose Avenue Street Improvements Pro'ect (Funding Source: State Gas Tax)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
7. Claremont Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Services Annual Report 2024-25 (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Fund)
Received and filed the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Services Annual Report for 2024-25.
8. Authorization to Amend the Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to Increase Compensation for Special Legal Services (Funding Source: General Fund) A. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for special legal services pertaining to employment relations matters, increasing compensation by $50,000 for not -to -exceed amount of $100,000; and
B. Appropriated $65,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the agreement.
Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar
6. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Michael Baker International for Desicn and Preparation of Plans and Specifications for the San Jose Avenue Street Improvements Pro'ect (Funding Source: State Gas Tax)
This item starts at 1:44:43 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the infrastructure improvements dedicated to the southern part of Claremont.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced one written public comment had been received.
Lydia Hernandez questioned if accessibility and connection access along Indian Hill and the 10 Freeway will be addressed during this project.
Vickie Noble, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the proposed project; however, raised concern regarding the overall pavement condition index on San Jose Avenue between Mountain and Mills.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Vince Ramos, Associate Engineer, and Maria Tipping, City Engineer, responded to questions from the City Council regarding grant acquisitions, and the pavement condition index.
Councilmember Medina moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Michael Baker International for design and preparation of plans and specifications for the San Jose Avenue Street Improvements Project in an amount
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
not to exceed $311,742, seconded by Councilmember Stark, and carried on a vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
9. Resolution Affirming the Sister City Relationship Between the City of Claremont and the City, of Guanajuato, Mexico (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 2:07:35 in the archived video.
Bevin Handel, Public Information Officer, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
Eleanora spoke in support of the proposed resolution reaffirming the Sister City Relationship with Guanajuato, Mexico.
Vickie Noble, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the proposed resolution and announced that she would be happy to host delegates, if needed.
Alex shared that he was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, and spoke in support of the proposed resolution as it is a step forward to a positive relationship between the two countries.
Joel Gonzalez, President of Nosotros, invited all to the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Celebration "Tale of Two Cities", on September 25.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the proposed resolution as creating more personal relationships will help to enhance the current environment.
Councilmember Reece stated he is excited for this opportunity and looks forward to being better neighbors.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the proposed resolution and looks forward to being better international neighbors.
Mayor Calaycay spoke in support of the proposed resolution reaffirming the Sister City relationship with Guanajuato, Mexico.
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
Councilmember Medina moved to adopt Resolution No. 2025-45, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, REAFFIRMING THE
SELECTION OF THE CITY OF GUANAJUATO, MEXICO AS CLAREMONT'S SISTER CITY, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
10. Proposed Staffing Adjustments in the Police and Community Development Departments (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 2:27:15 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report.
City Manager Pirrie and Chief Ciszek responded to a question from the City Council regarding current staffing of the Police Department.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Mayor Calaycay invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Calaycay closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of the proposed changes as there is a need to increase longevity within the Departments.
Councilmember Stark spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Reece and believes investments must continually be made into the organization.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of staffs recommendations and highlighted the need for institutional knowledge.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers.
Mayor Calaycay spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers.
Councilmember Stark moved to:
A. Authorize one new Police Captain position and eliminate one Police Sergeant position in the Police Department;
B. Authorize one new Senior Planner position and one new Building Inspector position and authorize the reclassification of one Principal Planner position to a City Planner position in the Community Development Department; and C. Appropriate $194,000 in building permit, building plan check, and development review fees to support the staffing adjustments proposed for the Community Development Department;
Seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
September 23, 2025
AYES: Councilmember- Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Calaycay adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 9:18 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 6:30 PM, in the Claremont Council Chamber.
Mayor
ATTEST:
D,puty City Clerk