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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
February 18, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Walter Allen, III Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Councilmember Hector Delgado
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair Victor Linares
Mayor/Chair John C. King
Staff Present: City Clerk Drew Aleman(Elected Member) City Treasurer Neil Polzin(Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Candice K. Lee
Police Chief Ric Walczak
Community Development Director Brian Lee
Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Lisa Evans Public Works Director Rafael Fajardo
Deputy City Manager Angel Carrillo
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
Interim Finance Director Theresa Franke
1 CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor King called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. with all Councilmembers except Councilmember Allen present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Trump commented on housing displacement and issues regarding labor pay and safety amongst different communities.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Covina Housing Authority adjourned to closed session for the following:
A. Government Code § 54957.6 — CONFERENCE WITH LABOR
NEGOTIATORS
Agency Designated Representative:
Chris Marcarello, City Manager
Update on negotiations with Police Association of Covina(PAC) RECESS
Mayor King recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:38 p.m.
JOINT MEETING—OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
RECONVENE AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor King called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Allen.
INVOCATION
Was not held.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee announced that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken. 2 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Philip Hawkey, Consultant for National CORE, informed the City Council of a proposed affordable senior housing project that is approximately one mile from the City border at 21344 E.
Arrow Hwy., and requested to set a meeting to receive additional input.
Mistress Sassy Duran Bandido commented regarding the City Council Meeting agenda formatting, basketball courts in City parks, deportation issues, and the desire for the City Council to work towards more housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
Neil Polzin commented on the City's invocation policy.
Fredrick Douglas commented on the outcome of Snyder v. Phelps and Brandenburg v. Ohio cases and the first amendment.
Belinda Campos Bresnaha, Project Manager for the LAC USC Medical Foundation and Founder of Breathe Clean Covina Coalition, along with coalition members Anahy Alcantara, Cristina Navarro, and Terry Llorens, each commented on their outreach in the community and support of increased regulations to address second-hand smoke city wide.
Yaneth Rodriguez of the USC Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and the Latino Coordinating Center for a Tobacco-Free California provided more information on the dangers of second-hand smoke.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen complimented the Public Works Department for their work with the street paving projects and prioritizing funding to complete the projects.
Councilmember Cortez commended the Community Development Department for the FRIC & FRAC program and being able to think outside the box to improve the City.
Councilmember Delgado thanked everyone for being in attendance and thanked City Manager Marcarello and City staff for the much needed street paving work.
Mayor King highlighted Consent Calendar items CC4, beginning structural engineering plans for the Covina Recreation Village Project; CC 7 and CC 10,both awarding contracts to continue road improvements; CC 11,planting trees along Cienega Ave.between Grand Ave. and Barranca Ave.; and CC 8,piloting a new hiring incentive program for the Police Department. He also encouraged the community to check out the FRIC&FRAC program operating in the Downtown area Thursday to Sunday in the afternoon and evenings.
Mayor Pro Tem Linares had no comments.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello had no comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC COMMENTS
Trump commented on gentrification, idle funds in the investment report, the increased cost of the hiring incentive program, and the resurfacing project being considered.
Mistress Sassy Duran Bandido commented in support of the hiring incentive program for the Police Department and issues faced when applying to become a peace officer. 3 CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the Minutes of the February 4, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 2. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$3,210,281.45.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 3. City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended January 31,2025 Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Receive and File.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 4. Covina Recreation Village Project — Phase II — Award of a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) for Structural Engineering Services to EC + Associates Engineering,Inc. for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $69,850 Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Award a Professional Services Agreement(PSA)for the Covina Recreation Village Project — Phase II for structural engineering services to EC + Associates Engineering, Inc. as the responsive and responsible bidder for a not-to-exceed amount of $69,850 and authorize the City Manager to execute the PSA; and
2. Establish a contingency allowance of $10,000 with EC + Associates Engineering, Inc. for additional engineering services, if needed.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 5. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Update and Adjustments Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-12 & SA 2025-01 authorizing Fiscal Year 2024-2025 mid-year budget adjustments; and
2. Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Update. 4 Approved (5 to 0)
CC 6. Seventh Amendment to the Agreement between MRH & Associates and the City of Covina
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the Seventh Amendment to the agreement between MRH & Associates LLC and the City of Covina and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 7. Badillo Street Resurfacing Project — Project No. P2506 — Award of Contract to Gentry Brothers,Inc. in the Amount of$649,950
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve plans and specifications for the Badillo Street Resurfacing Project —Project No. P2506;
2. Award a contract for the Badillo Street Resurfacing Project — Project No.
P2506 to Gentry Brothers, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of$649,950 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract;
3. Award a Professional Services Agreement(PSA)to CEJ Engineers,Inc. for Construction Management and Inspection Services for an amount not-to- exceed$135,200 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement;
4. Award a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Willdan Engineering for Pavement Analysis&Testing for an amount not-to-exceed$25,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; and
5. Authorize a contingency amount of $120,000 for any unforeseen construction expenses.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 8. Covina Police Department Hiring Incentive Program Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the creation of a hiring incentive program for the police department.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 9. One Year Extension of the Agreement with Professional Account Management LLC
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the Fourth Amendment to the agreement with Professional Account Management LLC for a one (1) year extension to provide parking citation 5 processing and collections services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 10. Street Residential Resurfacing Project — Project No. P2505 — Award of Contract to Gentry Brothers,Inc. in the Amount of$524,095 Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve plans and specifications for the Street Residential Resurfacing Project—Project No. P2505;
2. Award a contract for the Street Residential Resurfacing Project to Gentry Brothers,Inc.as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of$524,095 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
3. Authorize a contingency amount of$52,410 (approximately 10%) for any unforeseen construction expenses.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 11. Additional Funding Allocation from the Street Trees and Landscape District Fund and Approval of Change Order for Gentry Brothers,Inc in the Amount of $74,525 for the Cienega Avenue Street Resurfacing Project — Project No.
P2508
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve Change Order from Gentry Brothers, Inc in the amount of $74,525; and
2. Approve Resolution CC 2025-11 appropriating $74,525 from available Street Trees and Landscape District Fund — Fund Balance to account number 2720-2250-55030-P2508.
Approved (5 to 0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH 1. Public Hearing Considering the Adoption of Resolution CC 2025-10, Approving Participation in the Fifth Year of the Los Angeles County Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program, and Considering the Funding- Related Allocation
Mayor King opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Management Analyst Alice Leung.
Trump commented on the issue of the affordable housing shortage with no clear answer.
Mistress Sassy Duran Bandido commented in support of the item but noted concerns with previous homelessness programs success from Los Angeles County.
Mayor King closed the public hearing.
6 In response to an inquiry from Councilmember Cortez, City Manager Marcarello informed that the $25,000 provided to the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust (SGVRHT) was a one-time seed funding and no further money has been committed. Community Development Director Lee also confirmed the City would be able to create its own housing programs outside of the SGVRHT but would not be eligible for grants through the SGVRHT.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
1. City Council to open the public hearing and consider public testimony and close the public hearing; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-10, approving participation in the fifth year of the Los Angeles County Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program, specifying the use of PLHA funds, & amending the FY 24-25 Community Development Budget; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Participation Agreement and other related documents as necessary.
Approved (5 to 0)
CONTINUED BUSINESS
CB 1. Issuance of Notices to Proceed in the City's Commercial Cannabis Permit Program RFP Process
Staff Recommendation:
That the City Council consider the remaining applicants in the City's Commercial Cannabis RFP process and authorize up to two (2) applicants to proceed in the preapplication and permitting process.
Mayor Po Tem Linares recused himself from the item due to a conflict of interest and left the dias at 8:29 p.m.
The agenda report and background information were provided by City Manager Marcarello.
Councilmember Allen informed the applicants that he will be voting no on the item as a matter of principle.
Councilmember Cortez received clarification on the consequences of not submitting a preapplication for a Conditional Use Permit within 60 days. City Manager Marcarello also informed the Council that applicants are not allowed to sell licenses but provisions have been included in the case of new management or an acquisition.
Trump and Mistress Sassy Duran Bandido spoke regarding their concerns with the legalization of recreational marijuana.
JP Sazon,Michele Durfee,Sonnie Swenston,Samantha Saenz on behalf of Kenneth Almeida, Andrea Arrendondo, Bri Rizo on behalf of Debbie Quan, Danielle Rivas on behalf of Debra M. Ward, and Mark Ramos commented in support of Embarc Covina, LLC.
7 Charley Bell commented in support of Rilano Covina, Inc.
Charles Boldwin commented in support of Haven Covina, LLC.
Lisa Reina, Peggy Macias, and Sal Flores Chatfield elected to yield their time.
In response to an inquiry from Councilmember Cortez, City Manager Marcarello stated that all applicants include a community benefit component which may be administered through the City Council. He also informed of the development agreement process once a Notice to Proceed has been issued with City Attorney Lee clarifying that all development agreements must be approved by ordinance and, as such,will need to be reviewed twice by the City Council and include the 30-day review period before taking effect.
Councilmember Delgado also asked what the process could look like if one of the selected parties were to drop out and City Manager Marcarello stated that the item would return to the City Council for review at that time. City Attorney Lee added that the City Council has the option to award three Notice to Proceeds but is not obligated.
Mayor King, Councilmember Cortez, and Councilmember Delgado thanked the applicants for their work in the RFP process and expressed their satisfaction with all options before them.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
Award a Notice to Proceed to Rilano Covina,Inc., and Zen GW Cali Partners,LLC.
Approved (3 to 1); Allen No; Linares Absent
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:23 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, March 4, 2025, 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 Ve , hief Deputy ity Clerk
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J . ' ing, Mayor/Chair
8