CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 8, 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 Freeman Allen and Ellen Burke.
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 Swan, Director of Community Services; Jeremy Starkey, Director of Finance; 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 06:31 in the archived video.
Katherine Loeser, Claremont Helen Renwick Library Librarian, provided an update on upcoming Library events.
The City Council recognized the Claremont Senior Foundation for its 20 years of financial assistance and support of the Claremont Senior Programs, and the Claremont -Mudd -Scripps Men's Gold Team for winning the 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship.
The Claremont Police Foundation presented its Scholastic Scholarship to Joel Moreno, Police Aide.
Joel M. Gonzales, Police Commission; Nicole Love, Planning Commission; and David Medak, Planning Commission; were introduced.
Councilmember Calaycay introduced the international student and hockey players staying at his residence during their homestay.
UPCOMING FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — None
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council Item
1. Appointment of A Member to the Claremont Sustainability Committee This item starts at 40:21 in the archived video.
Mayor Stark 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 Leano moved to appoint Rochelle Rose to the Sustainability Committee for a term to expire January 31, 2030, seconded by Councilmember Calaycay, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
Council Assignment Reports
This item starts at 42:09 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece reported on the California Contract Cities Fall Summit.
Councilmember Calaycay reminded all to be aware of standing water which is often a breeding ground for mosquitos.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This item starts at 45:31 in the archived video.
City Manager Pirrie provided information related to the City's new on-line sanitation bill payment portal, and invited all to the City's document shredding event on September 24 and the City's special needs Fall Ball on September 18. Lastly, he responded to recent concerns that were raised regarding the Larkin Park development and provided additional information regarding the City's license plate readers and Flock cameras.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This item starts at 50:20 in the archived video.
City Clerk Desautels announced one general written public comment had been received.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Sheri Shaw, candidate for Three Valleys Municipal Water District Board, Division 3, introduced herself and provided information related to her candidacy.
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
This item starts at 56:25 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 Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Reece, Stark NOES: Councilmember— None
2. Adoption of Resolutions Approving City Warrant Registers A. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-41, 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 30, 2026;
B. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-42, 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 August 13, 2026;
C. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-43, 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 August 27, 2026.
3. City Council Minutes of July 28, 2026 (Recular'
Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes of July 28, 2026.
4. Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Angeles Contractor, Inc. for Park Basketball Court Replacement Projects (Fundinc Source: Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve) A. Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Angeles Contractor, Inc. in the amount of $260,050.20 for Park Basketball Court Replacement Projects at Joat and Griffith Parks and authorized a ten percent project contingency in the amount of $26,005.02; and
B. Appropriated $286,055.22 from the Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve to fully fund the projects.
5. Historical Property (Mills Act) Agreement #26-MA03, Between the City of Claremont and Dolen Perkins -Valdez and David Valdez, Property Owners of 472 West Tenth Street A. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the Historical Property (Mills Act) Agreement between the City of Claremont and Dolen Perkins -Valdez and David Valdez, property owners of 472 West Tenth Street; and
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
B. Found this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
6. California Highway Patrol (CHP Grant (Funding Source: California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant)
Adopted Resolution No. 2026-44, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) GRANT PROGRAM.
7. Community Development Block Grant Job Creation and Business Incentive Program for Common Thread Claremont (Funding Source: Community Development Block Grant Fund) Approved the funding request in the amount of $25,000 and authorized the City Manager to enter into a forgivable loan agreement with Common Thread Claremont.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 Hearing to Approve the Issuance of Up To $25 Million in Revenue Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority for the Benefit of the Claremont Colleges Inc.
This item starts at 57:45 in the archived video.
Councilmember Reece announced that he will be recusing himself and be absent from the discussion as the Claremont Colleges is a client of his business.
Jeremy Starkey, Finance Director, highlighted the staff report.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
There were no requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment as well as the public hearing.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-45, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
THE ISSUANCE BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY OF
REVENUE BONDS IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $25,000,000 TO FINANCE AND REFINANCE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION,
REPLACEMENT, RENOVATION, REFURBISHMENT, IMPROVEMENT, FURNISHING
AND/OR EQUIPPING OF EDUCATIONAL -RELATED FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES, INC.; AND APPROVING CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO, seconded by Councilmember Medina, and carried on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmember— Calaycay, Leano, Medina, Stark
NOES: Councilmember— None
ABSENCES: Councilmember— Reece
Councilmember Reece returned to the dais.
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
9. Amendment to Claremont Municipal Code Section 16.093.040 Pertaininc to Existing Drive-Throuch Restaurant Facilities
This item starts at 1:03:40 in the archived video.
Jordan Goose, Associate Planner, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Ms. Goose and City Attorney Patterson responded to questions from the City Council regarding existing drive throughs located next to future housing developments, operating hours of the McDonald's drive through, the potential to restrict operating hours, requirements to allow a drive -through outside of the Commercial Freeway Zone, and Conditional Use Permit revocation process.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark invited public comment and opened the public hearing.
Elizabeth Tulac questioned if McDonald's were to construct a new drive through, would it be less than 300 feet from surrounding development.
Darvin Gomez expressed concerns related to the expansion of the McDonald's drive through in relation to the new proposed townhomes in the area.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of staffs recommendation; however, does not wish to disregard the concerns expressed by Mr. Gomez.
Councilmember Medina reminded all that if a business wishes to have a drive -through in an area not currently zoned for one, that business may apply for a zone change if they wish.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmember Medina.
Councilmember Calaycay moved to:
A. Introduce for first reading and that reading be by title only, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CLAREMONT MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 16.093 - DRIVE -THROUGH RESTAURANT FACILITIES, SECTION 16.093.040 (PERFORMANCE STANDARDS)
TO ALLOW MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING DRIVE -THROUGH RESTAURANT
FACILITIES THAT BECAME LEGAL NONCONFORMING USES AFTER A ZONE CHANGE OR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN 300 FEET OF THE PRE- EXISTING DRIVE -THROUGH FACILITY (#26-CA01); and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
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
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM
10. Inclusionary Housinc Procram Update and Policy Discussion (Funding Source: General Fund)
This item starts at 1:31:23 in the archived video.
Alex Cousins, Senior Management Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Mr. Cousins, City Attorney Patterson, City Manager Pirrie, Kathy Head, Keyser Marston, and Chris Veris, City Planner, responded to questions from the City Council regarding very low income housing projects, units that have sold before the 30 year time frame, access to equity, down payment assistance program, funds generated through investments, amended fee schedule, State density bonus law, affordability gap, State mandate to review the City's inclusionary housing ordinance, example of reduced fees, next Housing Element review, upcoming housing projects, and potential for a fee to be discretionary.
City Clerk Desautels announced no written public comment had been received on this item.
Mayor Stark invited public comment.
Lydia Hernandez, Claremont Tenants United, spoke in support of maintaining the current structure due to the lack of action related to local rent stabilization.
Anna Jacobsen spoke in support of a new in -lieu fee structure as it creates an opportunity for affordable housing and allows the City to be flexible in pursuing additional affordable housing.
Andrew Alonzo, Claremont Courier, questioned the use of fees generated through the in -lieu fee structure.
Elizabeth Tulac spoke in support of creative problem solving.
Darvin Gomez spoke in support of in -lieu fees and asked that in -lieu fees be incentivized.
There were no other requests to speak.
Mayor Stark closed public comment.
Mr. Cousins responded to a question raised during the public comment period that there is no prohibition on the use of funds.
Councilmember Reece suggested a fee study be conducted in order to determine where the in -lieu fees should be set.
Councilmember Calaycay spoke in support of Councilmember Reece's suggestion in order to incentivize the developers to pay the in -lieu fees.
Councilmember Medina spoke in support of the comments made by his fellow Councilmembers and looks forward to seeing the results of the fee study.
City Council Minutes
September 8, 2026
Councilmember Leano spoke in support of the comments made by Councilmembers Reece and Calaycay. He looks forward to the City Council addressing the City's Housing Element in order to increase housing.
Mayor Stark spoke in support of the comments made by her fellow Councilmembers and would like to further analyze how the in -lieu fees could be used for both tenants and landlords.
The City Council directed staff to conduct a fee study to create an in -lieu fee that would incentivize developers to choose the in -lieu fee rather than land dedication, and that in -lieu fees would apply to all projects by -right, no matter the project size, as well as projects that are currently in the Planning process.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stark adjourned the regular meeting of the Claremont City Council at 9:15 PM. The next regular meeting of the Claremont City Council will be held on September 22, 2026.
Ma\or
ATTEST:
D puty City Clerk
-/AAX