CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
December 19, 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 Pro Tem/Vice-Chair John C. King
Mayor/Chair Walter Allen, III
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 6:45 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
3. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Allen recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:46 p.m.
3.a Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) — CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of case: Adam Chacon v. City of Covina, LA County, et al.; Case No:
21STCV00245
3.b Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) — CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL
COUNSEL - POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation: One potential case regarding BKK Corporation Landfill in West Covina, California"
JOINT MEETING —OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
4. RECONVENE AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Allen called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
5. ROLL CALL
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Allen.
7. INVOCATION
Given by Police Chaplain Chuck Cannizzaro.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee announced that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken for Closed Session Item #3.a and the City Council unanimously authorized entering into a sixth tolling agreement with BKK West and authorized City Manager to execute the tolling agreement on behalf of the City for Closed Session Item #3.b.
9. PRESENTATIONS
9.a Charter Oak Advanced Choir Ensemble "ACE"
Rebecca Portnoy, Choir Director for Charter Oak Unified School District, and the Charter Oak Advanced Choral Ensemble "ACE" performed several songs. 2 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dora Gomez of God Provides Ministry — Pomona Valley Food Bank and Project 29:11 Covina thanked the City Council, Police Department, and Los Angeles County Fire Department for their continued support and provided a recap on the programs provided by Project 29:11 including the food bank, children's Christmas play production, and Toys for Tots drive.
11. COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem King wished the community happy holidays and a wonderful, warm, and merry Christmas.
Councilmember Delgado welcomed everyone and wanted to recognize Commissioner Eloy Flores and thank him and every resident for the get well wishes. He also wished everyone happy holidays and a happy new year.
Councilmember Cortez spoke about her recent experience helping Luminate Church pass out toys and thanked Ms. Gomez for inviting her to the event. She also noted that this event, along with the work of other nonprofits and community groups show how Covina comes together and thanked Covina residents for stepping up. Councilmember Cortez wished everyone happy holidays, Christmas, and new year.
Councilmember Linares thank Mayor Pro Tem King and Councilmember Delgado for being present. He also stated that it was a great honor to be a part of the City Council. He noted that the holidays in the City get better every year and he hopes to continue to see this in the future. Councilmember Linares wished everyone happy holidays and reminded the community to stay safe.
Mayor Allen expressed his appreciation for the Parks & Recreation staff for the recently held Candy Cane Citrus 1.5k Walk and the Covina Concert Band for bringing the right spirit to the season. He wished everyone a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and happy Kwanzaa. Mayor Allen gave a shout out to Public Works Director Buffington and his team for wrapping up sidewalk improvements along Azusa Avenue. He also expressed his excitement regarding the item authorizing the publication to solicit bids for the construction of the Covina Recreation Village and noted what an accomplishment it was to work with the Los Angeles Building Trades Association to hire locally for the project. He then stated that the City Council is the best he has worked with in 26 years of service due to the prioritizing of interests of the people of Covina. He also thanked City staff for a remarkable job of helping move the City forward.
12. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello stated that it is a pleasure to work under the City Council's leadership. He also announced that City Hall will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year's but emergency services will still be available and trash services will be delayed by one day. City Manager Marcarello then noted that Consent Calendar Item #13.i includes updates to staff compensation to bring them closer to market rates and grant funding and special revenues will be utilized to cover some of these costs. These changes include three Executive classifications, the Community Development Director, Deputy City Manager, and Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director, with a salary range from 3 $12,458 - $17,058. City Manager Marcarello also requested to be recused from Consent Calendar Item #13.k.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
City Attorney Lee, pursuant to the Brown Act, noted that Consent Calendar Item #13.k contains a recommendation to approve the third amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement from an Ad Hoc Committee with changes being made to compensation, leave accruals, and severance.
13.a Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of $2,260,431.83 Approved (5 to 0)
13.b City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended November 30, 2023 Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
Receive and File.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.c Azusa Avenue Sidewalk Renovation Project from Arrow Highway to Badillo Street — Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
1. Accept the work performed by FS Contractors, Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion for the Azusa Avenue Sidewalk Renovation Project
Approved (5 to 0)
13.d Confirm and Approve City Council's Appointments to Various City of Covina Boards and Commissions
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
Approve the City Council's appointments to various City of Covina Boards and Commissions.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.e Community Workforce Agreement and Authorization to Solicit Bids for the Covina Recreation Village located at 640-680 N Citrus Avenue Councilmember Delgado thanked the City Manager and staff for working with the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council to put together the Community Workforce Agreement. He noted that this is the first time 4 the City will be able to prioritize the skilled labor of its own residents to work on a City Project.
Mayor Allen echoed Councilmember Delgado's sentiments.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Mayor Allen
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all related documents between the City of Covina and Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and the Signatory Craft Councils and Local Unions for a "Community Workforce Agreement" for the Covina Recreation Village Project; and
2. Authorize the City Engineer to Advertise and Release a Request for Bids for the Covina Recreation Village Project, Located at 640 — 680 N. Citrus Avenue.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.f Request to Cancel the Regular City Council Meeting of January 2, 2024 Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
That the City Council consider cancelling the regular scheduled City Council Meeting of January 2, 2024.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.g Adoption of Ordinance 23-11
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
That the City Council adopt 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 Chapter17.31 ("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 (5 to 0)
13.h Resolution CC 2023-128, Authorizing the Covina Police Department to Obtain Summary Criminal History Information Related to the Commercial Cannabis Application Process
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
5 That the City Council adopt Resolution CC 2023-128 and authorize the City Manager to make non -substantive modifications as may be required by the Department of Justice.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.i Amendments to City Classification Plan
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
That the City Council adopt Resolution CC 2023-134 to:
1. Amend the Citywide Staffing Position Control;
2. Establish job descriptions and salary ranges for specified positions; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Side Letter of Agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Bargaining Unit.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.j Appropriate Information Technology Internal Service Funds for Migration Services for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Servers and Other Technology Platforms
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
Adopt Resolution CC 2023-133, appropriating funds for information technology software upgrades and migration services and authorizing the use of the City's information technology consultant, Acorn Technology Services, to assist with migration activities.
Approved (5 to 0)
13.k Approval of Third Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of Covina and Christopher Marcarello
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
Approve the Third Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement between the City of Covina and Christopher Marcarello
Approved (5 to 0)
14. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
14.a Final REIR Certification and Entitlement Applications for a Proposed Mixed - Use Development Project at 1000 N. Azusa Avenue
The agenda report was provided by Planning Manager Mercy Lugo, Community Development Director Lee, CEQA Consultant Frankie Tong from Michael Baker International, and Project Applicant Chad Brown from Melia Homes. 6 Questions and discussion included setbacks, visual encroachments, negative feedback received, the development of the third commercial pad, the development agreement, and the progress of the Project. Councilmembers stressed the importance of the developer completing the commercial portion of the project in tandem with the residential components. They further discussed the structure of the development agreement, noting that the developer must move through construction according to an expedited timeline and the potential consequences and financial penalties should delays occur.
Project Applicant Representative Allan Liu from PKL was present to answer questions. He indicated that PKL intends to move forward on the commercial development according to the identified timeline outlined in the development agreement.
Eloy Flores commented regarding traffic concerns, electric vehicle charging stations, and solar panel capabilities. Project Applicant Brown responded to the comments and informed the City Council that, per California Building Code Standards, solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations will be included in the Project.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember Linares
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem King
1. Approve Resolution CC 2023-119, 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 2023-120 — General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-1 b. Resolution CC 2023-121— Covina Village Specific Plan (SP) 22-1 c. Ordinance 23-12 — Zone Change (ZCH) 22-7
d. Ordinance 23-13 — Development Agreement
e. Resolution CC 2023-122 — Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) 82315
f. Resolution CC 2023-123 — Vesting Tentative Parcel Map (VTPM) 84018
g. Resolution CC 2023-124 — Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-7 h. Resolution CC 2023-125 — Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-8 i. Resolution CC 2023-126 — Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 22-9 j. Resolution CC 2023-127 — Site Plan Review (SPR) 22-226 Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
7 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.a Ordinance 23-14, Amending Regulations Regarding Peddlers, Sidewalk Vendors and Mobile Food Facilities and Making a Determination of Exemption Under CEQA
Mayor Allen opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by James Eckart, City Prosecutor.
Questions and discussion included how fines will be applied, what enforcement can look like, what assistance will be provided through the Los Angeles County Department of Health, staffing resources, the safety of the workers, and what additional legislation may arrive later.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Allen closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem King
Seconded by: Councilmember Linares
That the City Council:
1. Introduce Ordinance 23-14, amending Section Chapter 5.90 of the Covina Municipal Code Regarding Regulations of Peddlers, Sidewalk Vendors and Mobile Food Facilities; and
2. Determine that these actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
16. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:39 p.m., the Covina City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Covina Housing Authority adjourned to its next regular meeting of the Council/Agency/Authority scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 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 Vele , Chief Deputy City Clerk
Walter Allen III, Mayor/Chair
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