CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 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 6:40 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE
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
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 1:26:30 in the archived video.
The City Council recognized the Our Lady of Assumption Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball Teams for their historic seasons.
Priscilla Espinoza, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Librarian, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
Ontson Placide, Tri-City Mental Health Executive Director, provided a presentation on the Tri-City Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response Team program.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — None
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Council Assicnment Reports
This item starts at 1:56:36 in the archived video.
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
Councilmember Leano reported that the LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency will award funding for affordable housing production in April.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 1:57:42 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to the City's Spring Celebration event on April 4 and the Earth Day event on April 19. He also provided information on purchasing a 4th of July banner and provided information related to the incident involving Diego Rios.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 2:00:51 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels announced three general written public comments had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
David Sawhill, Claremont resident, spoke in support of rent control by creating a policy that rent increases can only be increased by the current CPI and encouraged alternatives to street sweeping.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke in support of stronger care for its rental community and reminded the City Council they adopted a resolution affirming their support of the entire City as a whole, not their individual district. Lastly, she read a letter from Marianne Murinka.
Nancy Niner, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the petition circulated by Claremont Tenants United to strengthen renters' rights and protections.
Joe Harden, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to enact a 3% cap on rent increases in the City.
Miriam, Claremont resident, urged the City Council to take action that addresses the loss of trust from the community as well as how to prevent another incident from occurring like the one involving Mr. Rios.
Victor Rios highlighted the incident involving Diego Rios and questioned why the services of Tri-City Mental Health were not requested during this incident.
Isabelle spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and questioned if the Police Officers involved were disciplined.
Oshura, Claremont resident, spoke in support of rent stabilization and asked the City Council to agendize an item to implement rent stabilization.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, expressed concerns of the City's handling of the incident involving Diego Rios.
Unidentified speaker spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios.
Victor Rios Sr., spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios.
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, expressed concerns regarding rent increases and provided a petition to the City Council urging the City Council to enact rent stabilization and tenant protections.
Jose, National Counsel on Druc Dependence, spoke about DUI increases and highlighted information available regarding prevention and education.
As it had been over 30 minutes, the time set aside for general public comment, Mayor Stark announced public comment would be continued following the agendized business of the meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 2:33:11 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 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
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2026-12, 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 February 26, 2026.
2. City Council Minutes of February 10, 2026 (Special) and February 24, 2026 (Regular) Approved the special City Council meeting minutes of February 10, 2026 and the regular City Council meeting minutes of February 24, 2026.
3. 2025 Homeless Services Update
Received and filed the 2025 Homeless Services Update.
4. Claremont Dial -A -Ride Short -Range Transit Plan (Funding Source: Transportation Fund) Approved the 2025-27 Short -Range Transit Plan.
5. Authorization to Amend the Existinc Agreement with First Class Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. to Increase Compensation for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Maintenance Services (Funding Source: General Fund)
A. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing agreement with First Class Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. increasing compensation by $60,000, for a total not -to -exceed contract amount of $160,700; and
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
B. Appropriated $60,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the agreement.
6. Purchase of Office and Conference Room Chairs for City Facilities (Fundinc Source:
General Fund)
A. Approved the purchase of Aeron desk chairs, and Acclaim and Strata conference chairs for all identified City facilities, as detailed in this report; B. Authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary purchase orders and agreements with G/M Business Interiors in the amount of $197,880.86 and Tangram in the amount of $45,447.23, under their respective cooperative purchasing contracts, in a total amount not to exceed $243,328.09; and
C. Appropriated $243,328.09 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fund the purchase.
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Operating Covenant Acreement for the Operation of a 120 -Room Residence Inn by Marriott by Sushil Capital LLC, and the Payment of a Transient Occupancy Tax Rebate to Sushil Capital LLC. (Fundinc Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 2:34:41 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report and responded to questions from the City Council regarding determinations made of similarly branded hotels and the maximum subsidy amount.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont resident, questioned if language in the agreement could be modified to require eight to ten full-time positions.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment and the public hearing.
City Manager Pirrie responded to Ms. Hernandez that the hotel operation would require 20-25 full-time positions.
Mr. Patel, hotel owner, provided further information regarding full-time versus part-time positions that are needed to operate a hotel.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of staffs recommendation.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of Mr. Patel and looks forward to the new hotel.
Councilmember Medina moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed Operating Covenant Agreement, subject to minor, non -substantive modifications as may be necessary or appropriate to implement the purposes of the Agreement, seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
ORDINANCES - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
8. Consider Placing a Local Sales and Use Tax Measure on the November 2026 Ballot (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 2:50:10 in the archived video.
Jeremy Starkey, Finance Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Finance Director Starkey, City Manager Pirrie, and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding the use of revenues, unrestricted use of funds, and the potential passage of other proposed measures.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Douclas Lyon, Claremont resident, spoke against a local sales and use tax measure as he believes California is overburdened by taxes as is.
There were no further requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay does not support pursuing a local sales and use tax measure at this time based off of his prior experiences.
Councilmember Medina stated that he would be supportive of authorizing an agreement for research and polling services and then use that information to determine the feasibility of moving forward with a local sales and use tax measure.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the comments made previously and would be more comfortable in making a decision regarding a sales and use tax measure after research and polling services have been performed.
Councilmember Reece expressed concerns in placing a sales and use tax measure on the ballot in this current economic environment.
City Manager Pirrie responded to an additional question from the City Council regarding the maximum available tax percentage.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of authorizing an agreement for research and polling services in order to make a data driven decision.
Councilmember Medina moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) in an amount not - to -exceed $37,750 to conduct research and polling consulting services and receive
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
results from FM3 prior to June to determine feasibility of moving forward; seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Leano, Medina, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Reece
The City Council recessed at 8:52 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 9:00 PM.
9. Approval of the 2026-28 City Council Priorities and Objectives (Funding Sources: Various) This item starts at 3:45:01 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced two written public comments had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Jennifer Jaffe, Claremont resident, highlighted her written public comment and asked that draft items not be omitted in order to promote transparency and public engagement.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of the item addressing the Guthrie Skate Park.
Heather, Claremont resident, spoke in support of an active transportation plan and rental assistance.
There were no further requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Leano asked that an item allowing for the sale of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in accordance with AB 1033 be added to the 2026-28 Priorities and Objectives.
City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding prioritization of street maintenance, examples of small-scale parking solutions, number of parking enforcement officers, and maintenance of City buildings.
Councilmember Reece asked that a priority item be added directing staff to create an outline that highlights deferred maintenance items to be addressed at City buildings.
City Attorney Patterson and City Manager Pirrie responded to additional questions from the City Council regarding parking in the Village and the Guthrie Skate Park.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of the comments made by Ms. Jaffe.
City Manager Pirrie clarified that when the 2026-28 budget is presented to the City Council in July, staff will identify which objectives have been completed in 2024-26 and incorporate those that are still in progress into the 2026-28 priorities and objectives.
Councilmember Medina asked that the item proposed by Councilmember Reece regarding deferred maintenance include the buildings at Wheeler Park.
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
Councilmember Calaycay spoke about AB 1033 and believes the implementation seems to be a large undertaking. He expressed concerns regarding the addition of AB 1033 to the priorities and objectives without allowing for public input.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of adding an item regarding the possibility of implementing AB 1033 as diversifying housing stock is critical. She asked that the priority "Invest in the Maintenance and Improvement Of Our Infrastructure" be changed to include "Built and Green Infrastructure".
City Manager Pirrie suggested staff research AB 1033 and bring an item back to the City Council so the City Council could then provide direction.
Councilmember Reece moved to:
A. Approve the 2026-28 City Council Priorities and Objectives with the following amendments:
a. Addition of a priority item directing staff to create an outline that highlights deferred maintenance items to be addressed at all City buildings; and b. Amend the Priority "Invest in the Maintenance and Improvement Of Our Infrastructure" to "Invest in the Maintenance and Improvement Of Our Built and Green Infrastructure"; and
B. Direct staff to bring an item back to the City Council review regarding AB 1033; Seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 4:24:11 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.
Dr. Cabrillo, Public Relations Manager for Toastmasters International District 12, provided information on Toastmasters International.
Kevin Melchor, Division L Toastmasters Director, invited all to their open house on March 21.
John spoke about the Diego Rios incident and demanded justice.
Jason spoke in support of the Diego Rios family and questioned why Tri City Mental Health Services was not involved during the incident involving Mr. Rios. He suggested dispatchers ask if mental heath care is needed during their initial emergency call.
Zoe, Claremont resident, questioned why Claremont Police Officers did not request the services of Tri-City Mental Health during the Diego Rios incident.
Olivia, Claremont resident, spoke about the Diego Rios incident and asked for clear policies on how Claremont officers deal with behavioral and mental health crisis.
Miranda Elder, Claremont resident, spoke about the issue of missing middle -priced housing in Claremont.
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
Zara, Claremont resident, spoke in support of capping annual rent increases at a maximum of three percent and urged the City Council to review the petition provided during public comment.
Unidentified speaker asked the City Council to agendize the topics listed in the petition in order to enact rent protections.
Felipe Hernandez, Claremont resident, spoke in support of the circulated petition to support those that rent in the City.
Georcia spoke in support of the Diego Rios family and believes the death of Diego Rios was preventable if the Tri-City Mental Health Mobile Unit provided assistance.
Frances, Claremont resident, spoke in support of capping rent increases and spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios.
Claire expressed concerns as she believes the City has failed its residents by not using the Tri-City Mental Health Mobile Unit during the Diego Rios incident.
Chloe, Claremont resident, spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios and questioned if Police Officers are prepared to call Tri-City during a mental health crisis.
Kate, Claremont resident, expressed concerns regarding the Diego Rios incident as the Police Officers failed to call the Tri-City Mental Health Crisis Team for support during this incident.
Unidentified speaker invited all to Active Claremont's discussion on SB 79 on March 19.
Maddie Johnson spoke in support of rent stabilization and tenant protections.
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 10:17 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on March 24, 2026.
Mayor
ATTEST:
1 iLL
Dep ty City Clerk