CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
December 5, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Councilmember Victor Linares
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair John C. King
Mayor/Chair Walter Allen, III
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Hector Delgado
Staff Present:
City Clerk Drew Aleman (Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Candice K. Lee
Police Chief David Povero
Administrative Services Director Anita Agramonte
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) 1 CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Allen called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. with Councilmember Cortez, Mayor Pro Tem King, and Mayor Allen present.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.a Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) - CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL
COUNCIL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: David Foster v. City of Covina, et al; WCAB Case No.
ADJ12505624
4. RECESS
Mayor Allen recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:38 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 7:35 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Councilmember Delgado, who had an excused absence.
6. ROLL CALL
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Cortez.
8. INVOCATION
Given by Police Chaplain Chuck Cannizzaro.
9. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee announced that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken.
10. PRESENTATIONS
10.a High School Voter Registration Raffle
City Clerk Aleman provided information on the High School Voter Registration Program and the City Council drew the winning names. City Clerk Aleman announced the winners of the raffle.
10.b Covina Christmas Parade Committee Recognition
Mayor Allen called forward the Covina Christmas Parade Committee (Committee) to recognize their hard work on the 33rd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the 2 72nd annual Christmas Parade. Committee Chair Joelle Peelgren thanked the City Council, City staff, and the members of the Committee and provided more information on what it takes to put these events on. Committee Chair Peelgren also encouraged the community to get involved.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Steve Cabrera introduced himself to the City Council and community and expressed his excitement to serve the community.
Dora Gomez was not present at the time her name was called to speak.
Ralph Rocha provided public comments regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and requested that the City Council adopt a resolution of peace. He also provided background on his relation to Dr. Mohammad Hattee.
Mohammad Hattee also commented on his feelings regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Glen Barnes commented on overnight parking along Los Angeles County jurisdiction border. Mr. Barnes requested that the City Council look into having the enforcement of parking standards apply consistently to the streets that share jurisdictional boundaries between the City of Covina and County of Los Angeles.
12. COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Cortez thanked the Covina Christmas Parade Committee for their work and stated she was very pleased with the event.
Councilmember Linares echoed the praise to the Covina Christmas Parade Committee and noted that this time of the year has been improving every year. He also thanked City staff for their work with the parade.
Mayor Pro Tem King also thanked City staff and the Covina Christmas Parade Committee for their work and acknowledged the team effort needed to carry out the event.
Mayor Allen thanked the Covina Christmas Parade Committee, Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Police Departments for their efforts with the Covina Christmas Parade and tree lighting ceremony. He highlighted good news from items on the Consent Calendar including: Item #14.c. for providing grants to local businesses, Item #14.d for initiating water main improvements, Item #14.e for securing grant funding from the Department of Justice, and Item #14.g for finalizing sidewalk improvements. Mayor Allen invited the community to support the Covina Police Foundation Photos with Santa Fundraiser taking place at Heritage Park on Saturday, December 9th from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. He also invited the community to participate in the Candy Cane Citrus 1.5k Walk located at Heritage Park on Saturday, December 16th beginning at 5:00 p.m.
13. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
None.
3 14. CONSENT CALENDAR
14.a Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Approve the Minutes of the November 21, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.b Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of $3,433,760.15 Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.c City of Covina Business Assistance Job Creation Program Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Approve the City of Covina Business Assistance Job Creation Program Guidelines and Resolution CC 2023-112 to appropriate funding through General Funds.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.d Water Main Upgrade - Covina Heights Water Improvement Project— Award of Contract to Gentry Brothers, Inc. for an Amount Not -to -Exceed $2,177,140 In response to a request by Councilmember Cortez, City Manager Marcarello informed the City Council that this item will focus on improvements to the Covina Heights neighborhood and is the first phase which will include 4500 linear feet of water main improvements followed by a second phase of street improvements. City Manager Marcarello gave kudos to City Engineer Rafael Fajardo, Public Works Director Buffington, and the Public Works Department staff for their work on the project. Councilmember Cortez expressed her delight with the impressive funding use.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Mayor Allen
1. Approve plans and specifications for the Water Main Upgrade — Covina Heights Water Improvement Project;
2. Award a contract for the Water Main Upgrade — Covina Heights Water Improvement Project to Gentry Brothers, Inc. as the lowest responsive 4 bidder in an amount not -to -exceed $2,177,140 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
3. Authorize a 10% contingency amount of $217,714 for any unforeseen construction expenses.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.e 2023 COPS Hiring Program
Councilmember Linares stated that the item was pulled due to its importance in the community. At the request of Councilmember Linares, Police Chief Povero explained that the item would approve the receiving of a grant of just over half a million dollars to help the City hire more officers to address gaps found in the strategic plan of the Police Department command staff due to the growth of the community. Police Chief Povero also gave kudos to Lieutenant Ryan Davis and his team for helping to secure the grant to help offset the cost of hiring the officers.
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2023-118 accepting grant funding from the Department of Justice Cops Hiring Program for the hiring of four full time police officers;
2. Increase to the Police Department FY 2023-24 budget in the amount of $550,000; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the grant documents on behalf of the City of Covina.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.f Request to Amend the Classification Plan to Reclassify the Equipment Maintenance Supervisor Position to an Equipment Maintenance Superintendent Job Classification
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
That the City Council adopt Resolution CC 2023-117 to amend the City's Classification Plan to reclassify the Equipment Maintenance Supervisor position to establish an Equipment Mechanic Superintendent job classification and salary range within the Mid -Management, Supervisory and Professional, and Confidential and Technical Employees (Unaffiliated) Compensation Rules.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.g City -Wide Sidewalk Repair Project — Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
5 1. Accept the work performed by FS Contractors, Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion for the City -Wide Sidewalk Repair Project
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.h Amendment Number Three (3) to the Professional Services Agreement with MasterCorp Services LLC for Janitorial Services
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Authorize the City Manager or his designee to sign Amendment Number Three (3) to the Professional Services Agreement with MasterCorp Services LLC for Janitorial Services regarding a service rate increase.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.i Repeal and Rescind Resolution CC 2023-54 and Authorize a Revised Side Letter Agreement with PAC
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
That the City Council adopt Resolution CC 2023-116 to repeal and rescind Resolution CC 2023-54 and authorize the City Manager to execute a revised side letter agreement between the City and the Police Association of Covina (PAC) Bargaining Unit, establishing Special Assignment Pay for Police Liaison Premium - Community Impact Team (CIT) Patrol Officer assignment, retroactive to July 1, 2023.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
14.j An Amendment to the Ground Lease between the City of Covina and the Covina Housing Authority for Property Owned by the City Located at the Southeast Corner of the Combined Parcels of 601 E. San Bernardino Road and 534 North Barranca Avenue
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Authorize the City Manager/Executive Director to execute an amendment to the Ground Lease ("Lease") between the City of Covina ("City"), as landlord, and the Covina Housing Authority ("Authority"), as tenant, in substantially the form attached as Attachment "B" with such changes therein as the City Manager/Executive Director may approve, and all related documents, and to take such actions as they deem necessary or proper to effectuate the purpose of the Lease.
.1 11111
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
6 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a Introduction of Ordinance 23-11 Approving ZCA 23-008 to Amend Chapter
17.59 and 17.31 of Title 17 of the Covina Municipal Code and the Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration with the Mitigation Reporting and Monitoring Program
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Associate Planner Claudia Vargas.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance 23-11, entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, Approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 23-008 by Amending Chapter 17.59 ("Mixed -Use Overlay District (MUOD)") and Chapter 17.31 ("Affordable Housing and Mixed -Use Overlay District (AHMUOD)") of Title 17 ("Zoning") of the Covina Municipal Code, Regarding Minimum Parcel Size and Density Requirements, and the Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) with the Mitigation Reporting and Monitoring Program (MMRP) Provides Environmental Clearance for the Proposed Changes and That No Further Environmental Review is Needed Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines".
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
15.b Covina Town Center Specific Plan Amendment No. 5
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Planning Intern Eduardo Lomeli.
In response to questions from the City Council, Community Development Director Lee informed that the proposed changes are recommendations from the State and only changes the allowable range for transit oriented density zoned parcels within the Covina Town Center Specific Plan.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Approve Covina Town Center Specific Plan Amendment No. 5 to amend various tables within Chapter 3 and 7 of the adopted 2019 Covina Town Center Specific Plan (CTCSP).
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
7 15.c Final REIR Certification and Entitlement Applications for a Proposed Mixed - Use Development Project at 1000 N. Azusa Avenue
Staff Recommendation:
1. Approve Resolution CC 2023-XX, to certify the Final Revised EIR, Findings of Facts, and the adoption of the Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting Program (MMRP); and
2. Approval of the following entitlement applications:
a. Resolution CC 2023-XX — General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-1 b. Resolution CC 2023-XX— Covina Village Specific Plan (SP) 22-1 c. Ordinance 23-XX — Zone Change (ZCH) 22-7
d. Ordinance 23-XX — Development Agreement
e. Resolution CC 2023-XX— Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) 82315
f. Resolution CC 2023-XX— Vesting Tentative Parcel Map (VTPM) 84018
g. Resolution CC 2023-XX— Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-7 h. Resolution CC 2023-XX— Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-8 i. Resolution CC 2023-XX - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-9 j. Resolution CC 2023-XX— Site Plan Review (SPR) 22-226 City Manager Marcarello informed the City Council that the developer of the proposed project has requested that the public hearing be opened for public comment and that the item be continued to the next City Council meeting.
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
Melinda Forbes expressed her support for the item and her concern with the safety of the open areas of the development.
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
To keep the public hearing open and continue the item to the December 19, 2023, City Council Meeting.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
8 15.d Public Hearing of 2023 Annual Report for the Prospero Park Owners Association (PPOA) and Proposed 2024 Assessment
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Deputy Director of Administrative Services Theresa Franke.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
1. Conduct the public hearing of the 2023 Annual Report for the Prospero Park Owners Association and Proposed 2024 Assessment; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2023-114 confirming the 2023 Annual Report for the Prospero Park Owners Association, and levying the 2024 assessment described therein.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
15.e Public Hearing of 2024 Annual Report for Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District (BAED)
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Deputy Director of Administrative Services Franke.
There were no public comments.
Councilmember Cortez requested that the City communicate with the Down Town Merchants Association regarding the Light Pole Banner Program.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Mayor Allen
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
1. Conduct the public hearing of the 2024 Annual Report for the Covina Downtown Business Area Enhancement District and Proposed Assessment; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2023-115, confirming the 2024 Annual Report for the Downtown Covina Business Area Enhancement District, and levying the 2024 assessment described therein.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
9 16. NEW BUSINESS
16.a Discussion of Project Aspects of Potential Regionalization of Police Communications
The agenda report and presentation were provided by Police Chief Povero.
Question and discussion included potential locations, connections between the regional dispatch center and other agencies, current capabilities of teamwork between agencies, future goals relating to real time watch centers, benefits programs for employees of the joint powers agreement, and funding opportunities.
The City Council received and filed the report.
17. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:20 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 Emanate Health CEO Robert Curry to its next regular meeting of the Council/Agency/Authority scheduled for Tuesday, December 19, 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 Cle
Walter Allen III, Mayor/Chair
10