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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
March 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Walter Allen, III Councilmember Hector Delgado
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair Victor Linares
Mayor/Chair John C. King
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Staff Present: City Clerk Drew Aleman(Elected Member) City Treasurer Neil Polzin(Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
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
Staff Absent: City Attorney Candice K. Lee
I
CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION-WAS NOT HELD
JOINT MEETING—OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor King called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. with all Councilmembers present, except Councilmember Cortez.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Pro Tem Linares.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Steve Martinez.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tern Linares
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
PRESENTATIONS
A. Covina Viking Cheer Athletes
Mayor King recognized the Covina Viking Cheer group for their placement in the 2024 JAMZ Cheer Nationals and presented certificates to all of the groups members and coaches.
B. National Nutrition Month
Christian Guerrero, Cal Poly Pomona Student, provided information on the importance of nutrition.
Mayor King presented a proclamation designating March as Nutrition Month and presented the proclamation to Mr. Guerrero.
C. American Red Cross Month Proclamation
Annette O'Neal,a member of the American Red Cross Board of Directors,provided a brief history of the American Red Cross Month. Police Chief Walczak expressed his gratitude for the American Red Cross.
Mayor King read a proclamation declaring March as American Red Cross Month and presented the proclamation to Ms. O'Neal.
2 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Eloy Florez,David McIntosh,Trump,Virginia Lane,Donna Cooper,and Kirk Howie commented in support of New Business item NB 1 opposing the proposed Saffron Project.
Natalie Longwell, Public Information Officer with the US Small Business Administration (USSBA), Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, provided information on federal disaster loans for small businesses offered through the USSBA.
Neil Polzin commented on the no-bid awarding of contracts on Consent Calendar items CC 4 and CC 8 as well as encouraged the City to begin looking to annex other unincorporated islands in the City. At the request of Mayor King, City Manager Marcarello provided more information on Consent Calendar items CC 4 and CC 8.
Transgender Queen commented in opposition to New Business item NB 1 and stated support for the Saffron Project and homeless services.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Delgado thanked those in attendance for voicing their thoughts and opinions on the matters before the City Council. He also reiterated opposition to the proposed Saffron Project and encouraged those who spoke to also contact the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Councilmember Delgado also gave a shout out to the Covina Vikings Cheer team.
Councilmember Allen expressed his opposition to the proposed Saffron Project.
Mayor Pro Tern Linares stated his opposition to the proposed Saffron Project and suggested the possibility of incorporating the unincorporated islands in the City again. At his request, City Manager Marcarello provided information on the City's last update regarding annexation and the process that would be required.
Mayor King commented on the recording of a video for the upcoming State of the City event and expressed his gratitude for his Council colleagues and City staff for all the work that has been completed in the last year. He also highlighted Consent Calendar items: CC 3, accepting grant funding for the construction of a pedestrian bridge near the future site of the Covina Recreation Village and displayed the check received from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District; CC 7, allocating CDBG funds for residential rehabilitation projects; and CC 8, the purchase of solar street lights for a pilot program.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello requested that the City Council remove Consent Calendar item CC 5 from consideration and have it brought back at a future meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the Minutes of the February 18, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
3 CC 2. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$5,288,928.79.
Approved(4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 3. Accept Regional Park and Open Space District Grant Monies and Approve Re-allocation of Measure W and General Funds to Purchase Property at 319 E. Front Street
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-13 amending the FY 24-25 Capital Improvement Budget to accept and appropriate $840,145.36 in grant monies and allocate those funds, along with previously appropriated $260,000 in Measure W funds and $25,000 in General Funds, to purchase the property located at 319 E. Front Street for a future park access facility.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 4. Repairs for Police Department HVAC System
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve repair proposal from Control Air Enterprises;
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-18 appropriating $71,127 from the general fund for the repairs to the police station HVAC system; and
3. Waive all bid requirements.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 6. Resolution CC 2025-14 Approval and Recordation of Tract No. 84311 —Zest
2.0 Located at 747 N. Barranca Avenue
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-14 approving the recordation of Tract No. 84311 -Zest 2.O located at 747 N. Barranca Avenue; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Subdivision Improvement agreement between the City of Covina and TH Barranca, LLC (Trill-nark Homes) for the Public Improvements for Tract No. 84311.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
111 CC 7. Allocating Unallocated FY 24-25 Community Development Block Grant Funds to the "Residential Rehabilitation Program" Project D96164-24, and "Downtown Neighborhood Business Workforce Augmentation Program" Project 602621-24
4 Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-17, Authorizing an Increase to the FY 2024- 25 Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)for Projects D96164-24 and 602621-24, and Amending the FY 2024-2025 Community Development Budget to reflect these changes; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute documents related to the FY 2024-25 CDBG funds.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 8. City-Wide Solar Street Light Pilot Program— Project No. P2514 — Award of Contract in the Amount of$53,496 to Green Giant Landscape,Inc.
Motion made by: Councilmember Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Amend the FY 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program to include the City- Wide Solar Street Light Pilot Program—Project No. P2514;
2. Award a contract for the City-Wide Solar Street Light Pilot Program — Project No. P2514 to Green Giant Landscape, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $53,496 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract;
3. Authorize a project contingency amount of$5,350 (approximately 10%)to cover the cost of unforeseen construction expenses;
4. Award a Professional Services Agreement(PSA)to CEJ Engineers,Inc. for Construction Management and Inspection Services for an amount not-to- exceed $10,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; and
5. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-15 appropriating$70,000 from available Street Trees and Landscape District Fund — Fund Balance to account number 2720-2300-55310-P2514 for use towards the completion of this project.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION
CC 5. Professional Design Services Related to Front Street (FAIR Segment) and Future Park Access Facility at 319 E. Front Street
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-16 to amend the 2024-2025 FY Operating Budget appropriating $74,000 in general fund monies and approve professional services agreements for Elie Farah (Civil Engineering) and Five Point Design (Landscape Architecture)for professional design services related to the Front Street(FAIR)and Future Park Access Facility.
5 NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Updates on State Housing Legislation and Adoption of a Resolution Opposing the Proposed Saffron Covina Housing Project in Unincorporated Los Angeles County
The agenda report and PowerPoint presentation were provided by City Manager Marcarello.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor King,Community Development Director Lee provided information on how affordable housing projects are typically funded but noted there are no specifics for the proposed Saffron Project yet.
Discussion included opposition of the Project due to safety concerns, location, and the neighborhood design-fit, the potential for legal action, the openness to additional homeless programs that more closely align with City goals, and the regional nature of the homelessness issue.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado
1. Receive and file this report; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-19, expressing the Council's opposition to the proposed Saffron Covina Housing Project in Unincorporated Los Angeles County.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:51 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 18,2025, 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.
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