CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 28, 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 Daryl McCance and Evelyn Gault.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBER: CALAYCAY, LEANO (TELECONFERENCE),
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 Swan, Director of Community Services; Brad Johnson, Director of Community Development; Melissa Vollaro, Director of Recreation and Human Services; Shelley Desautels, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This item starts at 05:55 in the archived video.
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Librarian, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
Ava Alkhaldi, Administrative Assistant, and Tony Tang, Information Technology Technician, were introduced.
Karla Martinez, Program Coordinator, and Gabreilla Villegas, Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator, presented the Fire Safe Foothills CORE Program.
UPCOMING FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — Labor Day, September 7
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Items
1. Appointment of Members to City Commissions and City Council Appointed Committees This item starts at 25:22 in the archived video.
Mayor Stark and Councilmember Reece highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to make the following appointments:
Architectural and Preservation Commission
Jesse Emmert for a term to expire August 31, 2029
John Neiuber for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Community and Human Services Commission
Nancy Brower for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Deborah Scott Toux for a term to expire August 31, 2030 Julie Williams for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Planning Commission
Nicole Love for a term to expire August 31, 2030
David Medak for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Richard Rosenbluth for a term to expire August 31, 2030 Police Commission
Joel Gonzales for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Nona Tirre for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Traffic and Transportation Commission
Paul Wheeler for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Public Art Committee
Opoku Acheampong for a term to expire August 31, 2030
Sustainability Committee
Ryan Gilmore for a term to expire January 31, 2030
Seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember- None
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
2. Desicnation of Voting Delegate for the General Assembly to be held at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo
This item starts at 31:05 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Reece moved to appoint Mayor Stark as voting delegate and Mayor Stark moved to appoint Councilmember Reece as alternate voting delegate for the League of California Cities 2026 Conference and Expo General Assembly meeting to be held on September 25, 2026, seconded by Councilmember Medina, 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 34:29 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece announced he was appointed Vice Chair of the 2026 Annual Conference Resolutions Committee.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 35:35 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie invited all to the City's community painting day on August 3, announced the Alexander Hughes Community Center will be a cooling center for the upcoming weekend, and invited all to National Night Out on August 4.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 37:17 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels announced no general written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Unidentified speaker spoke about the incident involving Diego Rios.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of rent stabilization and asked the City Council to review its recent decisions on rent stabilization in Claremont.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, expressed their disappointment in the City Council's decision to take no action and only receive and file the recent staff presentation on rent stabilization.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
Unidentified speaker spoke about negative issues occurring in and around Larkin Place on Harrison Avenue.
Unidentified speaker spoke in support of wildfire protection.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 54:47 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 Reece moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
3. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the City Warrant Register Adopted Resolution No. 2026-39, 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 July 16, 2026.
4. City Council Minutes of July 14, 2026 (Regular)
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of July 14, 2026.
5. Authorization to Enter Into a Lease Agreement with Claremont After -School Programs, Inc. (Funding Source: General Fund)
Authorized the Recreation and Human Services Director to execute a three-year lease agreement with Claremont After -School Programs, Inc., with one optional two-year extension and authorize the execution of any future non -substantive administrative amendments related thereto.
6. Investment Report — Quarter Endinc June 30, 2026
Received and accepted the Investment Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026.
7. Adoption of a Resolution Approvinc Participation in the Los Angeles Urban County Program (Fundinc Source: Community Development Block Grant Fund) Adopted Resolution No. 2026-40, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS ANGELES URBAN COUNTY PROGRAM.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
8. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Systems International, Inc. for Holiday Decoration Installation and Removal Services (Funding Sources: General Fund and Proposition C Fund)
Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Systems International, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $26,900 annually, for an initial term of three years with two optional one-year extensions, for a total authorized agreement amount over five years of $134,500.
9. Award of Contract to Compressor Design Services, Inc. for Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station Maintenance and Repair Services (Funding Source: Motor Fleet Fund) A. Awarded a contract to Compressor Design Services, Inc. for CNG station maintenance and repair services and authorized the City Manager to enter into a three-year contract with two optional one-year extensions in an amount not to exceed $190,000 per contract year, for a total contract amount of $950,000 over the five-year term; and B. Appropriated $90,000 from the Motor Fleet Fund to cover the cost of one-time repairs.
10. Award of Contract to MCE Corporation for Weed Abatement and Brush Clearance Services (Funding Sources: Wilderness Park Parkinc Lot Fund and Cemetery Fund) Awarded a contract to MCE Corporation for weed abatement and brush clearance services and authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement not to exceed $118,218.54 annually, for an initial contract term of three years with two optional one-year extensions, for a total contract amount of $591,092.70.
11. Award of Contract to Specialized Pavement Markings for the Citywide Speed Survey Implementation Pro.ect'Various Locations), C.I.P. 2026-01 (Funding Source: State Gas Tax Fund)
A. Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Specialized Pavement Marking in the amount of $143,120, and authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $14,312, for a total amount not to exceed $157,432; and B. Appropriated $157,432 in State Gas Tax funds to complete the project.
12. Authorization to Amend a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Between the City of Claremont and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) for the East San Gabriel Valley Sustainable Multimodal Improvements Pro.ect — Arrow Hichway and Cambridce Avenue (Funding Sources: Measure M Fund, Proposition A Fund), Proposition C Fund, and State Gas Tax Fund'
A. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the MOA with the SGVCOG authorizing payment in the amount of $427,993;
B. Appropriated $427,993 from the State Gas Tax Fund; and C. Found this item is exempt from environmental review under the California environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
ORDINANCES — None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
13. Sewer and Sanitation Rate Study Findings and Authorization of the Proposition 218 Process to Ad'ust Fees for Sewer and Sanitation Services (Funding Source: Sewer Fund and Sanitation Fund)
This item starts at 56:01 in the archived video.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
Kristin Mikula, Community Services Manager, and Chris Fisher, Willdan Financial Services Vice President, gave a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to questions from the City Council related to previous rate increases, January 2027 rates, comparison of other cities, replacement cycles, organic waste program, State mandates, capping increases, and process for changing rates after the Proposition 218 process.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Unidentified speaker questioned the Proposition 218 process.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
City Manager Pirrie and City Attorney Patterson clarified that Proposition 218 allows for a ballot to be sent to each account holder.
Councilmember Reece believes that while the proposed increases are not large, the percentages, are significant. He hopes that moving forward the City will not increase its fees by double digits the next cycle.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Reece; however, believes there are a lot of factors that have led to rate increases.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of stabilizing the funds; however, noted that rates were set lower in years past as that is what was needed to operate the enterprise fund at that time.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers and asked that in year three the rates be reviewed in case rates could be reduced at that time.
Mayor Stark believes it is the Council's duty to make sure its operation of assets is maintained for the future.
Councilmember Reece moved to:
A. Accept the Sewer and Sanitation Rate Studies as the basis for the proposed sewer and sanitation fee adjustments; and
B. Set the public hearing date for September 22, 2026 and authorize staff to initiate the Proposition 218 noticing process;
Seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
The City Council recessed at 8:31 PM.
The City Council reconvened at 8:36 PM.
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
14. Fourth Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement with Oral Report Required by Government Code Section 54956(d)(3'(A' (Fundinc Source: General Fund) This item starts at 2:06:29 in the archived video.
City Attorney Patterson highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comments had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Reece spoke in support of staffs recommendation.
Councilmember Calaycay expressed concerns regarding the optics of the City's recent actions to increase sanitation and sewer rates while also increasing the City Manager's salary. He asked that the items in the agreement that will be amended be voted on separately.
City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding City Manager employment agreements, capping the cost of living adjustments, merit awards, PERS benefits,
Mayor Stark spoke in support of the proposed amendments to the City Manager employment agreement as it shows investment in staff.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of City Manager Pirrie and his positive actions.
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of staffs recommendation.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to accept the proposed contract amendments as follows:
A. Extend the Term of the City Manager Employment Agreement from February 23, 2028 to June 30, 2029; and
B. Allow Mr. Pirrie to continue his employment for a thirty -day (30) day period after the Term ends or after Mr. Pirrie retires or resigns to allow Mr. Pirrie to assist in transitioning his responsibilities to a new or interim City Manager; Seconded by Councilmember Reece, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Councilmember Reece moved to accept the proposed contract amendments as follows:
A. Increase the City Manager's salary by eight percent (8%). This would be an increase from $277,548 to $299, 752 per year (with associated benefits, an increase of $31,944 in 2026) instead of a one-time merit award (which Mr. Pirrie has received the past three years);
City Council Minutes
July 28, 2026
B. Decouple Mr. Pirrie's annual cost of living adjustments ("COLAs") from the COLAs Department Head employees who are part of the CMA receive and, instead, provide annual COLAs based on the consumer price index ("CPI"); Seconded by Councilmember Leano, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember- Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— Calaycay
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stark adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 9:01 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on September 8, 2026.
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