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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
April 15, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Walter Allen, III Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Councilmember John C. King
Mayor/Chair Victor Linares
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair Hector Delgado 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
Deputy City Manager Angel Carrillo
Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager Brian Lee Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Lisa Evans Public Works Director Rafael Fajardo
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
Staff Absent: City Treasurer Neil Polzin(Elected Member) Interim Finance Director Theresa Franke
1 JOINT MEETING—CLOSED SESSION 6:30 PM
CLOSED SESSION-WAS NOT HELD
JOINT MEETING—OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linares called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tem Delgado.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Allen.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Ron Butler.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
PRESENTATIONS
A. Charter Oak Lady Chargers Cheer Athletes
Mayor Linares provided certificates to the Charter Oak Lady Chargers Cheer Athletes for a successful season. Coaches of the cheer athletes stated how proud they were for the team's accomplishments.
B. Donate Life Month
Mayor Linares presented the proclamation designating April as "Donate Life Month" in the City of Covina, to Susan Lesniak, representing One Legacy.
Ms. Lesniak provided information on the organization's Donate Life Run/Walk taking place on April 26, told her story as a recipient of an organ donation, and provided information on how to support the cause.
C. Recognition of Covina Police Department Baker to Vegas Relay Participants Mayor Linares invited Police Chief Walczak and the Covina Police Department Baker 2 Vegas team members which included Sergeant Manuel Esquivel, Sergeant Mike Colburn, Captain Ryan Davis, Youth Accountability Coordinator Jenica Morin-Pascual, Police Chief Walczak, and former Police Chief Mike Hillman.
Police Chief Walczak provided background on the event and spoke on the team's performance. Sergeant Esquivel thanked the team and Council for their support of the event.
2 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Denae Amaya, Director of Government Affairs for Athens Services, informed the community of a joint compost giveaway and shredding event taking place at the City Yard on April 26,from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Ms. Amaya also noted upcoming events from Athens Services including local presentations for nonprofit organizations focusing on recycling and sorting, an Earth Month presentation at the Senior Center, and tour of the Irwindale materials recovery facility. Lastly, she wished everyone a happy Earth Month.
Melinda Forbes spoke of the need to address issues in the City with respect.
Joan Kucharski from the Covina Senior Citizens Club requested assistance from the City in being able to advertise membership for the Club.
Delphina Russell also requested additional assistance for the senior citizen community within the City and shared some of her experiences as a senior citizen.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen thanked the speakers of tonight's meeting for their comments and gave kudos to the Baker 2 Vegas team for their placement in the tough competition. He also noted his attendance at the Easter Bunny event and gave compliments to the Parks & Recreation team for their work.
Councilmember King wished everyone a wonderful Easter and great weekend ahead.
Councilmember Cortez thanked those who spoke for public comments and congratulated the Baker 2 Vegas team. Councilmember Cortez also requested that staff bring an item forward to the City Council to receive an update on the City's membership within the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and was joined by Mayor Linares in the request.
Mayor Linares thanked the speakers for coming out, Director of Government Affairs Amaya for speaking on behalf of Athens Services, Former Police Chief Mike Hillman for his attendance, and the Baker 2 Vegas team. He also highlighted the good news in the Consent Calendar including ongoing street pavement projects, the recognition of Earth Day on April 22, and the start of youth sports. Mayor Linares then invited the community to the Spring into Summer 1.5k Walk hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department at Heritage Plaza on May 17 at 9:00 am.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello had no comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve the Minutes of the April 1, 2025, 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
3 CC 2. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$3,769,274.99.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 3. City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended March 31,2025 Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Receive and File.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 4. Covina Park Improvements Project — Project No. P2005 — Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Accept the work performed by Gentry Brothers, Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Covina Park Improvements Project—Project No. P2005.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 5. Approval of Fiscal Year 2026 Water Supply Strategy and Authorization to Execute All Requisite Documents
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Approve the Fiscal Year 2026 water supply strategy outlined in this report;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Temporary Assignment or Lease of Water Right Form to assign up to 383.66 acre feet of Water Production Rights from the City to an Alternate Water Agency for FY 2026;
3. Authorize the City to solicit and lease up to 400 shares of Covina Valley Water Company stock for Fiscal Year 2026, and execute a Lease Agreement and an Order for Delivery with interested shareholders; and
4. Authorize the City to participate in the Fiscal Year 2026 Covina Valley Water Company lease pool.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 6. Escheatment of Unclaimed Funds to the City of Covina in Accordance with the Escheat of Unclaimed Property Policy
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Authorize staff to pursue the escheatment of unclaimed funds to the City in the amount of$97,489.27 and approve the transfer of any available funds remaining 4 unclaimed to be recognized as revenue in the General Fund in accordance with the Escheat of Unclaimed Property Policy.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 7. Amend Finance Advisory Commission Regular/Special Meeting Bylaws Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-27 Amending the Bylaws of the Finance Advisory Commission Pertaining to the Establishment of a Meeting Quorum and to Allow Bylaw Amendments at All Meetings.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 8. Adoption of Resolutions Relating to the Annexation of Territory to Community Facilities District No. 2007-1, declaring intention to Authorize Annexation, Adopting Boundary Map, and Setting the Public Hearing Date for June 3,2025
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Adopt City Resolution CC 2025-28, declaring intention to authorize the annexation of territory(270 West Dexter Street,Covina//Annexation 37)to Community Facilities District No. 2007-1 (Public Services); and
2. Adopt City Resolution CC 2025-29, adopting boundary map showing territory proposed to be annexed in the future to Community Facilities District No. 2007-1 (Public Services).
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
CC 9. Adopt Resolution Proclaiming April 22, 2025 as Earth Day in the City of Covina
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-30 proclaiming April 22, 2025, as Earth Day in the City of Covina.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH 1. Public Hearing on City Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts (Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3)
Mayor Linares opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Human Resources Manager Joanna Espinosa.
There were no public comments.
In response to an inquiry regarding the Bill, City Attorney Lee informed the City Council that the Bill was authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor. 5 Mayor Linares closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
1. City Council to open the public hearing and consider public testimony at which the City will report on workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts and the City's recognized employee organizations will be provided an opportunity to make a presentation on such subjects (Procedures for the Public Hearing on City Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts are attached hereto as Attachment"A."); and
2. Receive and File a staff report on the City's workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill ("AB") 2561. (Gov. Code § 3502.3.).
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. FY 2025-26 Capital Improvement Project Presentation The agenda report and PowerPoint presentation were provided by Public Works Manager Michael Flores.
Questions and discussion topics included who has been writing the City grants,how updates to Wingate park will affect youth sports, costs and complication of implementation of Metrolink crossing quiet zones, the High-Intensity Activates Crosswalk (HAWK) project, investments in water infrastructure, issues with the crossing light at the Metrolink Station, and kudos to staff.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
To receive and file the presentation.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
NB 2. Creation of City Council Ad-Hoc Committee to Review City Council Procedural Guidelines and Policies
Staff Recommendation:
That the City Council authorize the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee to review City Council Procedural Guidelines and Policies and appoint two Council Members to serve on the committee.
Mayor Linares opened the floor for Council members wishing to join the ad-hoc committee. Councilmember Allen and Councilmember King volunteered to join the ad-hoc committee.
That the City Council authorize the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee to review City Council Procedural Guidelines and Policies and appoint two Council Members to serve on the committee.
6 Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Mayor Linares
That the City Council authorize the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee to review City Council Procedural Guidelines and Policies and appoint Councilmember Allen and Councilmember King to serve on the committee.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:45 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, May 6, 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 Vel , ief Deputy City Clerk
V ,
Victor Linares, Mai • Chair
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