CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 10, 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 6:31 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE — In honor of Joan Weston Presecan and Cher Ofstedahl.
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
Mayor Stark stated there was no reportable action from the 5:15 PM closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This item starts at 1:21:35 in the archived video.
Christopher Ewing, Building Inspector, and Carlos Orozco, Community Improvement Coordinator, were introduced.
Kristin Mikula, Community Services Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation on Senate Bill 1383 Organic and Edible Food Recycling Program.
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
Steve Cabrera, Assistant Fire Chief, announced the County's annual defensible space clearance notices were mailed and invited anyone with concerns regarding those inspections to attend the February 18 Referee Hearing.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — Presidents Day, February 16, 2026
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items - None
Council Assicnment Reports
This item starts at 1:45:26 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece provided an update on his recent trip to Washington DC representing the City and region as President of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:47:23 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to participate in the February 19 Larkin Park Improvement Project meeting and the spring document shredding event on March 19. He announced that 4th of July celebration banners are available for purchase and reminded all the City offices will be closed February 19 in observation of Presidents Day.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 1:49:56 in the archived video.
City Attorney Patterson provided an update on the incident involving Diego Rios.
City Clerk Desautels announced no general written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Unidentified speaker questioned if the officer involved in the Diego Rios incident was fit to serve and stated that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has now listed the manner of death for Diego Rios as homicide.
Unidentified speaker spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios.
John Villagoso spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and asked the City Council to hold the officer accountable for his actions.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and questioned why the Tri City Mobile Health Crisis Care Team was not called to assist.
James Roberson, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to direct staff to share the City's investigative and remediation process to ensure an incident like the one with Mr. Rios does not occur again.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of the City's adopted anti -harassment ordinance.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and questioned what the City Council is doing to make citizens feel safe.
Unidentified speaker believes the killing of Diego Rios is part of a larger white supremacist system.
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, reminded all about the legacy the City has in regard to police violence.
Frances Curry spoke in support of the comments made regarding Diego Rios and questioned why the February 5 Police Commission meeting was cancelled due to lack of business.
Claire, Claremont resident, spoke about the Diego Rios incident and believes the City of Claremont is obstructing her ability to express concern and ask questions about police processes.
Zoe spoke in support of the Diego Rios family and asked that the Police Commission meeting be held earlier than April.
Jason spoke about the Diego Rios incident. He expressed concern that his written public comment was not made public and the cancellation of the February 5 Police Commission meeting.
Kate, Claremont resident, asked for transparency in the Diego Rios incident and questioned why a mental health team was not dispatched.
As it has been over 30 minutes, the time set aside for general public comment, Mayor Stark announced public comment would be continued to later in the meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 2:29:15 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Stark invited public comment on the Consent Calendar.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to approve 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
1. Adoption of a Resolution the Approvinc City Warrant Recister Adopted Resolution No. 2026-04, 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 January 29, 2026.
2. City Council Minutes of January 27, 2026 (Regular) and January 31, 2026 (Special) Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of January 27, 2026 and the special City Council meeting minutes of January 31, 2026.
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
3. Claremont Dial -A -Ride Safety Plan (Funding Source: Transportation Fund) A. Adopted the Claremont Dial -a -Ride Agency Safety Plan; B. Directed staff to notify Caltrans that the City of Claremont has adopted its own safety plan and is opting out of the Caltrans-developed plan; and C. Directed staff to submit the Claremont Dial -a -Ride Agency Safety Plan to the Federal Transit Administration.
4. Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with Angeles Contractor, Inc. and Appropriation from the Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve for the ABC's For Me Preschool Blacktop Replacement Project (Funding Source: General Fund) A. Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Angeles Contractor, Inc. in the amount of $121,247.21 for the ABC's For Me Blacktop Replacement Project, and authorized a ten percent contingency in the amount of $12,124.72; and B. Appropriated $133,371.93 from the Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve to fully fund the project
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Amendment to the Claremont Municipal Code Pertaining to Prohibited Forms of Signs to Permit Rotating Auto Display Platforms in the Commercial Freeway (CF) Zone (File #25- CA02) — City Initiated (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 2:31:18 in the archived video.
Daniel Kim, Associate Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Kim, Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development, City Attorney Patterson, and City Manager Pirrie, responded to questions from the City Council regarding the maximum number of signs across the freeway corridor, freeway grade, average height of a car carousel, past requests, maximum number of signs per property, examples of existing car carousels, definition of "business", number of current business licenses in the Commercial Freeway Zone, Special Use and Development Permit (SUDP) process, CEQA analysis, revocation of a SUDP, growth of existing dealerships, and analysis of the use of car carousels.
Isaac Rahmim, Planning Commission Chair, responded to a question from the City Council regarding participation from current dealerships and/or businesses.
Councilmember Calaycay explained that this item was brought to him during his meetings with local businesses as the Mayor. One car dealership expressed a possible interest in having a car carousel for additional advertisement.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
Unidentified speaker questioned the weight of a car carousel and if traffic mitigation would be evaluated if additional cars would be traveling to and from the auto dealerships.
Vickie Noble, Claremont resident, expressed concern that the car carousels would be visible from her home.
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
Russ Binder, Claremont resident, questioned the successful businesses' need for a rotating car carousel.
Unidentified speaker questioned if the car carousel would cause distraction on the freeway.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment and the public hearing City Manager Pirrie and City Attorney Patterson responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding limiting the number of car carousels allowed and their approximate weight.
Councilmember Calaycay suggested the City Council return the item to the Planning Commission to review the maximum number of car carousels allowable.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of Councilmember Calaycay's suggestion and would like to see what a car carousel would potentially look like in the Commercial Freeway zone.
Mayor Stark reminded all the City Council is reviewing a Claremont Municipal Code amendment and not a project proposal.
City Manager Pirrie added the Municipal Code as written allows flexibility and the design specifics and aesthetics would be subject to a Special Use and Development Permit (SUDP).
Councilmember Calaycay suggested the City Council direct the Planning Commission to review the proposed ordinance to allow for a maximum of 6 car carousels at one time in the Commercial Freeway zone.
Councilmember Medina questioned the need for 6 car carousels amongst three car dealerships and suggested the number be limited to 3.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of the action for Planning Commission review.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Refer the item back to the Planning Commission to determine the maximum number of car carousel displays to be allowed per property in the Commercial Freeway Zone and suggested a maximum number of car carousels be between 3 and 6 in the Commercial Freeway Zone; and
B. Direct staff to inform all auto dealerships regarding this item and allow them to present data to support the need for a car carousel.
Mayor Stark stated that additional information such as return on investment data would be helpful.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of Councilmember Calaycay's recommendation, but asked that the Planning Commission determine the maximum number of car carousels based on dealership interest.
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
Councilmember Reece asked that return on investment information be presented when this item is discussed.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
The City Council recessed at 8:36 PM.
The City Council convened at 8:42 PM.
ORDINANCES — None
Mayor Stark announced Administrative Item No. 7 would be heard next.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
7. Claraboya Pine Tree Proactive Removal and Replacement Program (Fundinc Source:
Landscape and Lighting District Fund;
This item starts at 3:30:33 in the archived video.
Cari Dillman, Community Services Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Ms. Dillman, City Manager Pirrie, and Steve Cabrera LA County Fire Assistant Chief, responded to questions from the City Council regarding the 2003 Claraboya Pine Tree Mitigation Plan, egress and ingress concerns from the Claraboya neighborhood, 2022 windstorm response, mutual aid, access to the Claraboya neighborhood, fire equipment, alternative vendors for on -call services, existing contract with West Coast Arborists, and history of the removal and replacement program.
City Clerk Desautels announced six written public comments had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Fred Roth spoke in support of the retention of the trees; however, expressed concern regarding excessive trimming.
Barnabus Path spoke in support of the comments made by Mr. Roth and asked if an increased trimming policy would positively affect the trees.
Malin Allen, Claremont resident, provided details on property damage and expressed safety concerns related to the pine trees that surround his residence.
Russ Binder, Community and Human Services Commissioner and Tree Committee Member, provided information on the decisions made by the Commission and Committee.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of the retention of the trees and would be okay with additional trimming if needed.
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, asked the City Council to support the 60% of residents who completed the survey who believe the pine trees negatively outweigh the positive effects.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of the comments made by the previous speaker and asked the City Council to highlight the letter from Harold Gault, HOA President, in support of tree removal.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of tree retention and shared there are three ways to access the Claraboya neighborhood.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Assistant Fire Chief Cabrera, Ms. Dillman, Richard Hecker, Landscape Maintenance Supervisor, responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding trees contributing to the Eaton Fire, defensible space requirements, downed power lines, distance an ember can travel, when the pines were originally planted, other tree species that failed during the 2022 windstorm, basis for the recommendation to increase the trimming cycle to three years, effects of an increased trimming cycle on the trees stability, structural integrity, viability and strength of a tree trimmed every three years, benefits of a three-year trim cycle, inspection frequency, and increased inspections.
Mayor Stark questioned why the trimming cycle should be increased if a three-year trim cycle does not necessarily create healthy trees.
Councilmember Reece stated that as it has been clearly demonstrated that ingress and egress is not an issue during an emergency situation and the pines in this area are considered to be healthy, he would be supportive of option 1, keep with standard.
Councilmember Medina stated he believes the City's trees contribute to the quality of life that makes Claremont the community that it is. As such, he would be supportive of option 1, keep with standard.
Councilmember Calaycay stated that due to the benefits of trees and the testimony that ingress and egress is not an issue, he would be in support of an increased trimming schedule that would allow an arborist to inspect the trees more frequently.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of a more aggressive and proactive approach for inspections of trees in targeted places with the highest risks to residents.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of directing staff to increase inspections and assessments of trees.
Mr. Hecker, Mr. Cabrera, and City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding tree inspections on a frequent and deliberate basis, forestry division inspections, funding required for additional inspections, and a 4 -year trim cycle budget.
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
Councilmember Reece moved to select Option 1 — Keep with Standard, no removal of trees, and direct staff to incorporate in the 2026-28 budget, selective trimming in order to better inspect and assess City trees, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
6. Claremont Dial -A -Ride Budcet Appropriation and Cost -Containment Stratecy (Fundinc Source: Transportation Fund'
This item starts at 5:26:43 in the archived video.
Kristin Mikula, Community Services Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Ms. Mikula and Derrick Frye, Agape Mobility, responded to questions from the City Council regarding the proposed cost -containment strategies, increase in ridership, age range for riders using Uber through the Dial -A -Ride program, increase in ridership, trips out of City boundaries, Foothill Transit, and removal of cost containment strategy number 4.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of eliminating containment strategy number 4, increasing the Senior/Disabled fare, as most individuals in this category are on a fixed income.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont resident, spoke in support of eliminating containment strategy number 4, increasing the Senior/Disabled fare, and asked the City Council to be cautions when adjusting the hours of operation as some medical appointments are occurring in early morning hours.
Unidentified speaker suggested the City Council use a geofence or a regular route for the College students and use their fees to help subsidize the Dial -A -Ride program.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece moved to:
A. Direct staff to immediately implement cost containment strategies to adjust the service area to reduce high -volume, high cost trips by not crossing County lines, and establish a monthly trip cap for General Public riders of 16 one-way trips; B. Direct staff to conduct a public input process to consider fare and service changes aimed at bringing expenses back in line with historic levels by increasing the General Public fare from $2.50-$4.50 to $7-9 per trip and adjusting the hours of operation; and
C. Increase the Dial -A -Ride budget from $314,000 to $1,033,000 in 2025-26; Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
7. Claraboya Pine Tree Proactive Removal and Replacement Program (Fundinc Source:
Landscape and Lichtinq District Fund)
This item was heard earlier on the agenda.
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 5:54:15 in the archived video.
Mayor Stark invited continued public comment from those who were not able to speak earlier due to the 30 -minute time limit.
Chloe, Claremont resident, spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and questioned why the February 5 Police Commission meeting was cancelled.
Miriam spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and expressed disappointment in the Police Commission meeting being cancelled as well as her missing public comment for tonight's meeting.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and provided personal information and testimony related to mental health.
Macy Peckett spoke about Diego Rios and asked the City Council immediately reschedule the Police Commission meeting and provide transparency as to why a mental health unit was not called to assist.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the comments made previously regarding Diego Rios.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stark adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 11:23 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on February 24, 2026.
Mayor
A TEST:
De$iuty City Clerk