CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 - 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 Stark called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Alfonso "Al" Villanueva and Jens Robert Lerback.
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; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Recreation and Human Services; Jeremy Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk; Jamie Costanza, Deputy City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This item starts at 05:54 in the archived video.
The City Council recognized the Claremont Village Marketing Group for their sponsorship of the 2025 Holiday Promenade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Manny Mora, Senior Program Manager of Homeless Services Department, Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, was introduced and gave a presentation on the program.
Councilmember Calaycay introduced his exchange student Matias Manacean from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
Unidentified speaker, representing MetroLink, reported on training opportunities, enforcement, and education in responding to homelessness issues in and around the tracks of MetroLink.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., January 19
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Item
1. Announcement and Confirmation of Local and Recional Councilmember Appointments and Adoption of a Resolution Designating a Governing Board Member and Votinc Alternate to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Joint Powers Authority This item starts at 27:29 in the archived video.
Mayor Stark highlighted the staff report.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Confirm the various Councilmember appointments to local and regional committees, board, and organizations; and
B. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-01, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING VICE MAYOR REECE AS
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER AND MAYOR STARK AS VOTING ALTERNATE TO
THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY;
Seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Council Assicnment Reports
This item starts at 30:19 in the archived video.
Councilmember Leano reported the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency issued its first notice of funding availability for affordable housing production and that the first renter protection and homeless prevention funding was awarded to nine service providers.
Councilmember Reece reported that he attended two conferences, the Victory Institute and the California Contract Cities.
Councilmember Calaycay reminded all to be aware of standing water which leads to an increase in mosquitoes.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 34:06 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to participate in LA County's Planning Community Workshop to discuss the Airport Land Use Plan on January 15, encouraged all to complete the survey regarding the 2026-28 City Council priorities, and invited all to attend the Badge and Patch show on January
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
17 as well as the City's special needs and inclusion movie night on January 30. Lastly, he provided an update on records relating to Diego Rios.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 40:15 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels announced one general written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Unidentified speaker encouraged the City to release information regarding the incident involving Diego Rios and spoke in support of transparency.
Patricia Miller spoke about Diego Rios and asked that the City release information regarding the incident.
Adam Walchman questioned information has not been released to the family regarding the incident involving Diego Rios.
Victor Rios asked the City to release the names of the Police Officers involved in the Diego Rios incident as he believes transparency is not optional.
Denise, Claremont resident, expressed concern regarding the lack of information as well as transparency in the Diego Rios incident.
James Roberson, Claremont resident, questioned what responsibilities the community has as well as the City Council to ensure truth and justice.
Duane Trettin asked the City Council to review the placement of the new sign at the Thompson Creek Trail entrance at Forbes Avenue and Miramar.
Russ Binder, Claremont resident, invited all to Active Claremont's next speaker series regarding homelessness on January 15.
Doulas Lyon, Claremont resident, spoke about the City's Active Transportation Plan and expressed disappointment that the survey could only be completed by using a smart phone.
Unidentified speaker spoke about Diego Rios and expressed disappointment in the City's lack of transparency.
Lanae O'Shields, SoCal Gas, provided an update on efforts to help those impacted by the Eaton Fire.
Andrew Alonzo, Claremont Courier, asked for information regarding the Diego Rios incident.
John Gyoza spoke about Diego Rios and encouraged the City to release information, investigative materials, and Mr. Rios' personal effects.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
Mayor Stark directed City staff to work with the City's Police Commission to provide an overview of the City's policies when dealing with use of force incidents.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 1:24:53 in the archived video.
Mayor Stark invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on the Consent Calendar.
Andrew Alonzo, Claremont Courier, spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and questioned the need for a fence around the Wilderness Park.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
2. Adoption of a Resolution the Approving City Warrant Register A. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-02, 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 December 18, 2025; and
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-03, 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 December 23, 2025; and
3. City Council Minutes of December 9, 2025 (Recular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of December 9, 2025.
4. Authorization to Enter Into a Revised Lease Agreement with ABC's For Me Preschool and Tiny Tots Program, LLC (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to execute a five-year lease agreement with ABC'S For Me Preschool and Tiny Tots Program, LLC, and authorized the execution of any future non - substantive administrative amendments related thereto.
5. Award of Contract to J&A Engineerinc Corp. for the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Fencing Pro.ect (Funding Sources: RMC Grant and Wilderness Park Parking Lot Fund) Awarded a contract to J&A Engineering Corp. in the amount of $134,700, authorized a ten percent contingency in the amount of $13,470 for a total amount not -to -exceed $148,170, and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement.
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
6. Authorization to Amend the Agreement with RJM Design Group to Increase Compensation for the Oak Park Cemetery Phase 3 Expansion Design Services and Construction Administration (Funding Source: Cemetery Fund)
A. Approved the updated conceptual design; and
B. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing agreement with RJM Design Group for Oak Park Cemetery Phase 3 Expansion Design Services, increasing compensation by $47,450 and adding construction administration to the scope of services.
PUBLIC HEARING
7. City Council Review of the Planning Commission's Decision to Amend the Existing Conditional Use Permit (File #22-004AMD) Allowing Music Entertainment in Conjunction with an Existing Bona -Fide Eating Establishment for the La Popular Restaurant, Located in the Claremont Village, 235 North Yale Avenue
This item starts at 1:28:51 in the archived video.
Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions from the City Council regarding complaints received, monitoring of DJ events, rental units near the restaurant, decibel readings and monitoring, specified location of music and/or speakers, and other restaurants with an approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for music and any complaints received for those restaurants.
Councilmember Calaycay explained that he asked for the item to be reviewed by the City Council as he has received concerns from local business owners who expressed that the music is loud and interfering with their businesses. He also expressed concern that the business continued to operate without the proper City approvals.
Mr. Johnson and City Manager Pirrie continued to respond to questions from the City Council regarding discussions with the restaurant manager, enforcement of violations, and standardizing CUPs.
Isaac Rahmim, Planning Commission Chair, highlighted the Commission's decision and responded to a question from the City Council regarding the addition of a DJ.
Mr. Johnson continued to respond to a question from the City Council regarding staffs ability to make changes to an approved CUP.
Mayor Stark opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Jason Wong, Claremont resident, shared that as he was walking in the Village before tonight's meeting and heard loud music coming from La Popular. As he believes the business is acting in bad faith, he encouraged the City Council to revoke the CUP.
Laura Caley, Claremont business owner, expressed frustration in dealing with La Popular and highlighted the negative impacts of allowing music at La Popular.
Daniel Noels, Manager of La Popular, shared his experience in dealing with noise complaints and provided information on the CUP process.
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
The City Council recessed at 8:42 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 8:48 PM.
Councilmember Leano suggested the City Council create policy and give staff enforcement tools. He believes the CUP resolution adopted by the Planning Commission is appropriate and reasonable and suggested the City Council create a uniform standard for enforceability ofaCUP.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of a policy that would apply to all CUPs.
Director Johnson suggested the City Council create a uniform policy that would include enforcement up to and including revocation of a CUP if a Police Officer responds twice to the same noise complaint, a noise complaint is received twice within a 24 -hour period, and/or there are more than two violations within a 30 -day period.
City Attorney Patterson suggested that the City Council direct staff to create a policy to address violations of a CUP.
Councilmember Calaycay expressed concerns about being retroactive in decisions and would like the existing issues of La Popular be addressed. He asked that direction and consequences be very clear and direct.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of uniformity, standards, and enforceability with clear guidelines and processes.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of the comments made by her fellow Councilmembers as well as the suggestions made by Director Johnson regarding policy details.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Continue the public hearing of this item to the January 27 City Council meeting; and
B. Direct staff to create a policy addressing violations of an approved Conditional Use Permit and bring that item back to the City Council for review at its January 27 meeting; and
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 ITEM
8. Adoption of a City Emergency Operations Plan (Fundinc Source: General Fund' This item starts at 2:59:40 in the archived video.
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
Katie Wand, Assistant to the City Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to a question from the City Council regarding dissemination of information regarding the Emergency Operations Plan.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece moved to:
A. Adopt the proposed Emergency Operations Plan; and
B. Authorize the City Manager to make non -substantive changes to the document, with the understanding that any future substantive changes must be approved by the City Council;
Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay.
Councilmember Calaycay suggested the City Council review the Emergency Operations Plan in the future.
City Manager Pirrie suggested the City Council review the Emergency Operations Plan when the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is reviewed as mandated every five years. He further clarified the next review of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan will take place in the next few years and then after that, both plans will be reviewed on a five-year basis.
Councilmember Reece amended his motion to:
A. Adopt the proposed Emergency Operations Plan; and
B. Authorize the City Manager to make non -substantive changes to the document, with the understanding that any future substantive changes must be approved by the City Council; and
C. Direct staff to bring the Emergency Operations Plan for City Council review every five years starting in 2031 during its review of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; The amended motion was seconded by Councilmember Calaycay; and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember — None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stark adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 9:47 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on January 27, 2026.
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2026
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