CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
November 7, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Councilmember Hector Delgado
Councilmember Victor Linares
Mayor/Chair Walter Allen, III
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair John C. King Staff Present:
City Clerk Drew Aleman (Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Candice K. Lee
Police Chief David Povero
Community Development Director Brian Lee
Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Lisa Evans Public Works Director Andy Bullington
Deputy City Manager Angel Carrillo
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
Staff Absent: City Treasurer Neil Polzin (Elected Member) Administrative Services Director Anita Agramonte
1 CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Allen called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tem King, who had an excused absence.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.a Government Code § 54957.6 — CONFERENCE WITH LABOR
NEGOTIATORS
3.b Government Code § 54957 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION
Title: City Manager & City Attorney
4. RECESS
Mayor Allen recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:35 p.m.
JOINT MEETING —OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
5. RECONVENE AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Allen called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tem King, who had an excused absence.
6. ROLL CALL
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Delgado.
8. INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Ron Butler.
9. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee announced that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken.
10. PRESENTATIONS
10.b Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Day
Police Chief Povero introduced Community Service Officer Kayla Varela from the Community Engagement Team, and Police Records Clerks Jessica Rodas, Kati 2 Yniguez, and Allison Griffitts of the Police Records Division and gave a brief background on the roles the members play in the Police Department.
Mayor Allen commended the team for helping to keep the Department running.
10.a Pink Patch Presentation
Police Chief Povero provided a recap of this year's Pink Patch Project Program and thanked the Pink Patch Team, consisting of Police Captain Dan Regan, Management Analyst Eunicee Sierra, Community Service Officer Varela, and Police Records Clerks Rodas, Yniguez, and Griffitts. He also recognized local high schoolers Isabelle Casas and Isabella Renteria for winning the Pink Patch Project's essay challenge. Police Chief Povero announced that the Program managed to raise $8,000 to donate to the fight against Breast Cancer and thanked the City Council and City staff for their support.
Ms. Casas thanked the Covina Police Department and community for the opportunity to share her and her mother's story.
Mayor Allen noted how important the Pink Patch Project is and thanked everyone for being present and honoring the Program.
10.c Family Court Awareness Month Proclamation
Mayor Allen read a proclamation into record declaring November 2023 as Family Court Awareness Month and presented the proclamation to Rebecca Farrell from the Family Court Awareness Month Committee (FCAMC).
Ms. Farrell thanked the City Council for the opportunity to share their message, provided more facts regarding issues in the Family Court system that the FCAMC is working to bring awareness to, and highlighted positive recent changes that have been made.
10.d San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Update
Mayor of the City of Azusa and Board Member of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Robert Gonzales and Executive Director of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (SGBWQA) Randy Schoellerman provided background and updates from the SGBWQA.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Misty Richardson commented on the issue of homelessness within the City and issues with homeless prevention programs provided by the City.
12. COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Delgado commended Police Chief Povero and Police Department staff for their efforts with the Pink Patch Project.
3 RECESS
At 8:15 p.m., Mayor Allen recessed the City Council meeting and reconvened at 8:19 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tem King, who was absent.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Linares congratulated Councilmember Cortez for her upcoming Champion of Change award.
Mayor Allen thanked the Parks and Recreation Staff for doing a wonderful job with the recent Halloween festivities and reminded the community that the Field of Valor is underway and will be having a community lunch on November 8, 2023, at Sierra Vista Middle School as well as a ceremony to honor veterans on November 11, 2023, at the same location. He also mentioned that the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be taking place on November 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., and commended the Covina Christmas Parade Committee and Park and Recreation staff for their efforts with the event noting that support was also provided by the H. H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum. Mayor Allen called attention to the improvements being proposed on the Consent Calendar including the Downtown trash enclosure replacement, installation of new storm water improvements, and Police Department locker room renovation project. Lastly, Mayor Allen requested to adjourn in memory of Former City Treasurer Jacqueline (Jackie) Miller.
RECESS
At 8:23 p.m., Mayor Allen recessed the City Council meeting and reconvened at 8:25 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tem King, who was absent.
13. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
None.
14. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Allen pulled Item #14.m for separate discussion.
14.a Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Approve the Minutes of the October 17, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public.
Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.b Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of $3,695,059.55 Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
4 14.c Downtown Trash Enclosure Project — Phase IV — Project No. P2407 — Award of Contract to FS Contractors, Inc in the Amount of $123,344 Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Approve plans and specifications for the Downtown Trash Enclosure Project — Phase IV — Project No. P2407;
2. Award a contract for the Downtown Trash Enclosure Project — Phase IV — Project No. P2407 to FS Contractors, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $123,344 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
3. Authorize an amount of $12,000 in project contingency funds to cover the cost of unforeseen construction expenses.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.d Speed Hump Installation Project — Armel Drive between Badillo Street and San Bernardino Road
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Approve Recommendation from the Traffic and Mobility Advisory Commission for the installation of speed humps on Armel Drive between Badillo Street and San Bernardino Road; and
2. Award the Minor Construction and Maintenance Agreement to WS Pave, Inc. as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder in an amount not -to -exceed $12,850 and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreement.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.e Badillo Street and Banna Avenue Bioswale Installation Project — Project No.
P2406 - Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Accept the work performed by FS Contractors, Inc., and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Badillo Street and Banna Avenue Bioswale Installation Project.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
5 14.f PD Locker Room Renovation Project — Award of Contract for Asbestos and Lead Base Paint Abatement Services to Danny Ryan Precision Contracting, Inc. in the Amount of $74,500
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Award a contract for the PD Locker Room Renovation Project Asbestos and Lead Base Paint Abatement Services to Danny Ryan Precision Contracting, Inc. as the responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $74,500 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
2. Establish a contingency allowance of $10,000 for additional abatement services, if needed.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.g Approve the Annual Report and Establish the Date, Time, and Place for the Public Hearing for the Calendar Year 2024 Annual Assessment of the Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District (BAED) Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Approve the Annual Report of the Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District (BAED); and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2023-103, declaring its intent to levy an annual assessment for the calendar year 2024 in the Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District, and establish the date, time and place for the public hearing.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.h Approve the Annual Report and Establish the Date, Time, and Place for the Public Hearing for the Calendar Year 2024 Annual Assessment of the Prospero Park Business Area Enhancement District (BAED) Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Approve the Annual Report of the Prospero Park Owners Association Business Area Enhancement District (BAED); and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2023-104 declaring its intent to levy an annual assessment for the calendar year 2024 in the Prospero Park Area Enhancement District and establish the date, time and place for the public hearing.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
6 14.i Authorization to Underfill a Vacant Safety Coordinator Classification with a Management Analyst Trainee Classification
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Authorize underfilling a vacant Safety Coordinator Position with a Management Analyst Trainee Position to assist in administering the City's Safety program.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.j Resolution Accepting Grant Funding from the Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Fiscal Year 2023-24 Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2023-106 accepting grant funding from the Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 2023 in the amount of $14,068 and increasing the Police Department Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget by the same amount for the City of Covina Police Department Youth Accountability Board Program; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the grant documents on behalf of the City of Covina.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.k Confirmation of Mayor's Appointments to Intergovernmental Agencies and Covina Board and Commissions
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Approve the Mayor's appointments of delegates and alternates to Intergovernmental Agencies.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
14.1 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and the City of Covina for the East San Gabriel Valley Sustainable Multimodal Improvements Project
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and the City of Covina for the East San Gabriel Valley Sustainable Multimodal Improvements Project and authorize the City Manager and/or their designee to execute said Agreement.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
7 14.m Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health for the Enforcement of Unpermitted Food Vending Activities
Mayor Allen noted the improvement that this agreement would be able to provide the City in terms of improving food safety and enforcement against illegal street vending and mentioned steps the City has already taken to address the issue.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Mayor Allen
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to make any non -substantive changes to the draft Memorandum of Understanding and execute it with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health for mobile/sidewalk food vending enforcement services; and
2. Approve Resolution CC 2023-105, appropriating $75,000 for the purposes of food safety enforcement services.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a Ordinance 23-09, Approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 23-03 and to Find the Proposed Zoning Code Amendment to be Exempt from the Requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Planning Consultant Nancy Fong.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance 23-09 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 23-03 to amend Site Plan Review, Chapter 17.64 of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Covina Municipal Code in its entirety and replace with new Chapter
17.64, Sections 17.64.010 through 17.64.160, and to fmd the proposed Zoning Code Amendment to be Exempt from the Requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)."
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
8 15.b Ordinance 23-10 approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 23-4 and to Find the Proposed Zoning Code Amendment to be Exempt from the Requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Planning Consultant Nancy Fong.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance 23-10 entitled "Approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 23-4 by Amending Various Sections of Chapter 17.04 Definitions and Standards, Chapter 17.06 Zones and Map, Chapter 17.08 E-5 Estate Residential Zone (Single -Family Estate), Chapter 17.28 Rd Residential Zone (Multi -Family), Chapter 17.38 C-2 Commercial Zone (Neighborhood Shopping Center), Chapter 17.42 C -3a Commercial Zone (Regional or Community Shopping Center), Chapter 17.44 C-4 Commercial Zone (Highway), Chapter 17.46 C-5 Commercial Zone (Specified Highway), Chapter 17.54 M-1 Light Manufacturing Zone, Chapter 17.62 Conditional Use Permits, Chapter 17.72 Off -Street Parking and Loading, and Chapter 17.81 Historic Preservation, of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Covina Municipal Code, and Making a Determination of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act".
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
16. NEW BUSINESS
16.a Covina Recreation Village Project Update
A brief background was provided by City Manager Marcarello and a presentation was made by Community Development Director Lee.
Discussion included kudos to staff for their work in the design and securing funding, the positive reception of design updates.
Councilmember Cortez expressed her appreciation for engaging the building trades union and involving them in the project.
City Council approved staff recommendation to receive and file the update by consensus.
Receive and File.
9 17. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:12 p.m., the Covina City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing. Authority/Covina Housing Authority adjourned in memory of Former City Treasurer Jackie Miller to its next regular meeting of the Council/Agency/Authority scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., for closed session and 7:30 p.m., for open session in the Council Chamber located inside of City Hall, 125 East College Street, Covina, California, 91723.
Fabian Velez Chief Deputy City Clerk
Walter Allen, III, Mayor/Chair
10