CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 24, 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 Jose Caetano Medeiros.
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; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This item starts at 03:25 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina presented the City of Guanajuato flag to his fellow Councilmembers.
Dylan Hundley, Sanitation Maintenance Craftsworker I, was introduced.
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Librarian, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
UPCOMING FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — None
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items — None
Council Assicnment Reports — None
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 10:38 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie reported on the bi-annual Pooch Park closure, invited all to the City's Spring Celebration event on April 4 as well as the Committee on Human Relations community panel discussion on April 16. He also reported on the newly launched citizens RIMS web portal, the Tri City Mental Health Services MOU, and provided information related to the Diego Rios incident.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 16:02 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desauteis announced two general written public comments had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Lawrence Morales, Claremont resident, expressed concerns regarding excessive speeding and reckless driving on Briarcroft Road. He urged the City Council to install speed bumps.
Unidentified speaker spoke about rent prices in Claremont and highlighted a handout she provided to the City Council.
Isabel spoke about the Diego Rios incident and believes the Police Officers involved used illegal tactics that violate California police protocols.
Jason questioned why 911 dispatchers do not offer mental health services as an option and when will the Tri-City Mental Health Authority Mental Health Crisis team be operational.
John spoke about the Diego Rios incident and questioned why Tri City Mental Health Services was not called to assist in the situation.
Chloe, Claremont resident, spoke about the Diego Rios incident and expressed concern that the City Council has not taken accountability for the incident.
Joyce Southern spoke in support of tenant assistance programs and encouraged the City Council to enact rent stabilization.
Claire spoke about the Diego Rios incident and questioned what the City Council will do to make the community feel safe and comfortable.
Unidentified speaker, Claremont resident, spoke about the Diego Rios incident and questioned why tax payer dollars are still being used to fund the Police Officers involved.
Kate, Claremont resident, spoke about police violence and the incident involving Diego Rios.
Miriam, Claremont resident, expressed safety concerns in the City of Claremont after the incident involving Diego Rios.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 47:51 in the archived video.
Councilmember Medina pulled Item No. 3 from the Consent Calendar for additional discussion.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on Consent Calendar Items No. 1, 2 and 4-6.
Mayor Stark invited public comment on Consent Calendar Items No. 1, 2, and 4-6.
Unidentified speaker spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and asked the City Council to take no action or reduce the amount of funds used until the investigation regarding Diego Rios is available.
Unidentified speaker spoke to Consent Calendar Item No. 5 and believes that the upfitting of Police vehicles will not make the City safer and that the item should be suspended until the investigation of Diego Rios' death is completed.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
City Manager Pirrie responded to questions from the City Council regarding the motor fleet fund, and the City's vehicle replacement schedule.
Councilmember Reece moved to approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1, 2, and 4-6, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
1. Adoption of a Resolution Approvinc the City Warrant Recister Adopted Resolution No. 2026-13, 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 March 12, 2026.
2. City Council Minutes of March 10, 2026 (Special and Regular) Approved the special and regular City Council meeting minutes of March 10, 2026.
3. Authorization to Enter Into a Professional Services Agreement with TKE for the Desicn and Preparation of Plans and Specifications for the American Avenue Roadway Improvements Pro'ect (Funding Source: Proposition C Fund)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
4. Housing Element — 2025 Annual Procress Report (Funding Source: General Fund' Approved the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI).
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
5. Authorization to Enter Into a Contract with Black and White Emergency Vehicles, LLC. to Upfit Patrol Vehicles (Fundinc Source: Motor Fleet'
Authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with Black and White Emergency Vehicles in the amount of $191,605.30 for the upfit of two Ford Police Interceptor Utility (PIU) vehicles and four Chevrolet Tahoes.
6. Garner House Sublease Agreement Between Claremont Heritage and the Claremont Courier
Reviewed and approved the three-year sublease agreement between Claremont Heritage and the Claremont Courier and authorized the City Manager to sign in consent of the agreement.
Item Pulled from the Consent Calendar
3. Authorization to Enter Into a Professional Services Agreement with TKE for the Desicn and Preparation of Plans and Specifications for the American Avenue Roadway Improvements Project (Fundinc Source: Proposition C Fund)
This item starts at 55:54 in the archived video.
Vince Ramos, Associate Engineer, responded to questions from the City Council regarding the project timeline, potential traffic congestion, and intersection safety.
City Clerk Desautels announced one written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with TKE in the amount of $65,665, and authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of $6,567, for an amount not to exceed $72,232, for the design and preparation of plans for the American Avenue Roadway Improvements Project;
B. Appropriate Proposition C funds in the amount of $72,232; and C. Find this item is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act;
Seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 Hearing to Approve the Issuance Of Up To $16 Million in Revenue Bonds By The California Municipal Finance Authority for the Benefit of NCRC Claremont LP.
This item starts at 1:01:48 in the archived video.
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
Jeremy Starkey, Finance Director, highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment and the public hearing.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-14, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
THE ISSUANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY EXEMPT
FACILITY BONDS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $16,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING OR REFINANCING THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, AND EQUIPPING OF ST.
AMBROSE SENIOR HOUSING AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO, 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 ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
— None
Mayor Stark adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 7:40 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on April 14, 2026. ay•r
ATT; ST:
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De.uty City Clerk