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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
May 6, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Walter Allen, Ill Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Councilmember John C. King
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair Hector Delgado
Mayor/Chair Victor Linares
Staff Present: City Clerk Drew Aleman(Elected Member) City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Candice K. Lee
Deputy City Manager/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
Police Chief Ric Walczak
Staff Absent: City Treasurer Neil Polzin (Elected Member) 1 JOINT MEETING- CLOSED SESSION 6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linares called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with Councilmember Allen, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Linares present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - CLOSED SESSION
There were no public comments.
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 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION
Title: City Manager& City Attorney
RECESS
Mayor Linares recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:32 p.m.
JOINT MEETING—OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
RECONVENE AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linares called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Councilmember King who arrived at 8:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Cortez.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Steve Martinez.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (4 to 0); King Absent
2 PRESENTATIONS
A. Municipal Clerk's Week
A proclamation declaring May 4 through May 10, 2025, as Municipal Clerk's Week, was read into the record by Mayor Linares and presented to City Clerk Aleman on behalf of the City Clerk's Office.
City Clerk Aleman gave a shout out to the staff of the City Clerk's Department for their hard work.
B. National Public Works Week
A proclamation declaring May 18 through May 24, 2025, as Public Works Week, was read into the record by Mayor Linares and presented to Public Works Director Fajardo, Public Works Manager Michael Flores, and Water Utility Superintendent Mike Melinte.
C. National Police Week
Mayor Linares presented a proclamation declaring May 11 through May 17, 2025, as National Police Week to Police Chief Walczak.
Police Chief Walczak provided information on Police Week. invited the community to peace officer Memorial Day on May 15`h, and thanked the City Council for the acknowledgement and support received from City.
D. Small Business Week
Mayor Linares noted the importance of supporting small businesses, read a proclamation declaring May 4 through May 10 as Small Business Week, and presented the proclamation to members of the Covina Chamber of Commerce.
Covina Chamber of Commerce Boardmember Donna Harstine provided information on the Chamber's transition to new leadership, Covina Chamber of Commerce Incoming Chairperson Charley Bell shared what it means to run a small business,and Covina Chamber of Commerce Boardmember Rene Martinez invited the community to their Taste of Covina event taking place on June 12, 2025.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lee announced that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Grace Ibanez thanked the City Council and Public Works Department for their recent work with the repaving of Cienega St. and requested further assistance to address a misaligned curb at the emergency exit of the street. She also proposed a collaboration with the City for ideas on addressing homelessness.
Delfina Russell invited the community to the Covina Senior Club's Bingo nights on Friday and asked for assistance from the City with being able to promote the Club.
Maya Alvarez-Galvan, from the Mt. San Antonio College Faculty Association,addressed concerns with the potential misuse of bond funds by the college. 3 Wilfred Velasquez requested to work with the City regarding the removal of his recycling facility center located at 1023 N. Grand Ave.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen congratulated the City Clerk, Public Works, and Police Department teams, as well as the small businesses in the City. He emphasized that the City and Police Department will never forget their fallen officers.
Councilmember King echoed the remarks made by Councilmember Allen and noted the wristbands he wears in memory of fallen officers Scott Hanson and Jordan Corder and the opportunity he gets to share their stories.
Councilmember Cortez also congratulated the City Clerk, Public Works, and Police Departments and the small businesses in the community. She also invited the community to the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast taking place at Heritage Park on Saturday May 17th, which will include a musical performance and coincide with the City's Spring into Summer Citrus 1.5k Walk.
Mayor Pro Tern Delgado dittoed words congratulating the City Clerk, Public Works, and Police Departments and small businesses. Mayor Pro Tem Delgado gave extra thanks to the Public Works Department's lighting installation work on West Chester Road.
Mayor Linares also expressed his appreciation to the small businesses, City Clerks, Public Works, and Police Departments for making Covina a great City. He then notified the community of the upcoming registration for summer programs offered by the Parks & Recreation Department and encouraged everyone to sign up soon.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello informed the community that the City was made aware of parking issues relating to the Zest development and notified them that the City is examining solutions to the problems.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve the Minutes of the April 15, 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: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$5,356,607.81.
Approved (5 to 0)
4 CC 3. Bus Shelter Installation Project— Award of Contract to FS Contractors, Inc. for an Amount not to Exceed $154,500
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Award a contract for the Bus Shelter Installation Project to FS Contractors, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in an amount not-to- exceed $154,500 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No 1. to the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Covina and San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) for the East San Gabriel Valley Sustainable Multimodal Improvements Project to include the FY25 Bus Shelter Installation Project and establish funding in the amount of $150,000 for project expenses from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority; and
3. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-34 to reflect a decrease of $95,500 in the Proposition A Budget and an appropriation of $150,000 to the Transportation CIP Budget and the reimbursement of$150,000 to the City by the SGVCOG upon completion of the project.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 4. Adopting the Barranca Ave. & Covina Blvd. Resurfacing Project from Workman Ave. to Cypress St. along Barranca Ave. and from Fairvale Ave. to Barranca Ave. along Covina Blvd. as the City of Covina's Fiscal Year 2026 Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) Projects
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-32 adopting the Barranca Avenue&Covina Boulevard Resurfacing Project from Workman Avenue to Cypress Street along Barranca Avenue and from Fairvalc Avenue to Barranca Avenue along Covina Boulevard as the City of Covina's Fiscal Year 2026 Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) Projects and reserving all FY 2025-2026 RMRA funds for project construction costs.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 5. Request to Cancel the Regular City Council Meeting of May 20,2025 Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
That the City Council consider cancelling the regular scheduled City Council Meeting of May 20, 2025.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 6. Investment Policies for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the City of Covina and Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
5 Adopt Resolution CC 2025-31 adopting an investment policy for the City's investment portfolio for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and adopt Successor Agency Resolution SA 2025-02 adopting an investment policy for the Agency's investment portfolio for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 7. Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Norman A.
Traub Associates, LLC for Workplace Investigation Services Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Norman A. Traub & Associates, LLP to provide Professional Services for workplace investigations.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC S. Agreement between All City Management Services Inc., and the City of Covina for Crossing Guard Service
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Approve the agreement between All City Management Services, Inc. and the City of Covina for school crossing guard services for fiscal year 2025- 26; and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the agreement; and
2. Approve the crossing guard cost sharing agreements between the City of Covina and Covina Valley Unified School District and Charter Oak Unified School District and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute agreements.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 9. Resolution CC 2025-35, Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget and Approving an Appropriation of $50,000 as per a Development Agreement with PKL Investments, LLC
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-35.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 10. Core Switch Replacements and Services—Police Department and City Hall Motion made by: Mayor Pro 'fern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Intern-Tech and Acorn Solutions Group to Purchase Fortinet Switches and Services to Install and Maintain.
Approved (5 to 0)
6 CC 11. Annual Maintenance Agreement for the City's 9-1-1 Dispatch Center Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve the purchase of the Annual Maintenance contract from AT&T in the amount of$63,647.48 and adopt Resolution CC 2025-33 increasing the FY 2024- 25 police department budget by the same amount.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 12. Sewer Main Replacement Project-Project No. 52502-Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Accept the work performed by GRBCON, Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Sewer Main Replacement Project-Project No. 52502.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 13. Traffic Signal Upgrade Project - Citrus Avenue and Puente Street - Project No. T2502-Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
I. Accept the work performed by California Professional Engineering, Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Traffic Signal Upgrade Project - Citrus Avenue and Puente Street- Project No.
T2502.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 14. Water Master Plan Update and Water Rate Study - Proposed Professional Services Agreements with Civiltec Engineering, Inc. and Raftelis Financial Consultants,Inc.
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Civiltec Engineering, Inc. for the preparation of a Water Master Plan Update for an amount not-to-exceed $166,800;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants,Inc. for the preparation of a Water Rate Study for an amount not-to-exceed $98,187; and
3. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-36 to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program Budget to increase funding by $134,901.44 for the Water Master Plan and Water Rate Study and appropriate the necessary funds from the available Water Utility Fund balance.
Approved (5 to 0)
7 CC 15. First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Property Located at NEC E. Front Street & N. 1st Avenue, Covina, CA 91723 (APN: 8430-018- 004)
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve the First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute said First Amendment, substantially in the form attached, and any documents related to the extension of the title due diligence period and related agreement termination period.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 16. 2024 Annual Housing Element Progress Report
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Receive and file.
Approved(5 to 0)
CC 17. Agreement between the City of Covina and Dunwright Painting and Coatings for Interior Painting as Tenant Improvements at 401 N. Citrus Avenue Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Minor Construction Agreement with Dunwright Painting and Coating, in substantial form, and execute all related documents.
Approved (5 to 0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH 1. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget, Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Fiscal Year 2025-26 CIP Budget Mayor Linares opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Interim Finance Director Franke and Senior Management Analyst Charles Russom.
Questions and responses included the confirmation that the outsourcing of the aquatics center staff will not result in additional revenue but is better suited for the Parks & Recreation Department; informing the City Council that Measure CC did not include a sunset; the estimated revenue of Measure CC; the use of the General Fund to bridge funding of the fire services contract with Los Angeles County and noting that recent funding measures from the County of Los Angeles have not offset City costs or provided revenue for the City; average increase of the fire services contract; and the consideration of bringing plan checking services in-house.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Linares closed the public hearing.
8 Councilmember Cortez noted the absence of the City Treasurer for the item.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
1. Conduct the public hearing and consider all testimony that may be forthcoming;
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-37 adopting the City of Covina budget for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026;
3. Adopt Resolution SA 2025-03 adopting the operating budget for the City of Covina Successor Agency for July I. 2025 through June 30, 2026; and
4. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-38 adopting the Fiscal year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program and the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
Approved (5 to 0)
PH 2. The Establishment and Adjustment of Certain Service and Development- Related and Other User Fees
Mayor Linares opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Senior Management Analyst Russom.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Linares closed the public hearing.
Compliments were given to the Finance Department and Finance Advisory Committee for their work on the item.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Open and conduct the Public Hearing and adopt Resolution CC 2025-39 Adopting a City-wide Comprehensive User Fee Study, Adopting a comprehensive fee schedule establishing and amending certain service and development-related fees for City services, and Authorizing the payment of such fees by credit card, debit card or electronic funds transfer.
Approved (5 to 0)
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Adoption of Urgency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
The agenda report and PowerPoint presentation were provided by Deputy City Manager/Community Development Director Lee.
Curtis Kebler, Director of AWE Clean Energy, a current applicant for a battery energy storage project, provided additional background on the applicant's history with the project and stated his willingness to move forward and work together on the topic.
9 In response to an inquiry form Councilmember King, Deputy City Manager/Community Development Director Lee informed the City Council that updates to the Municipal Code are currently in process and one more extension may be needed. Councilmember Allen stated his excitement for the project but noted the safety concerns.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Request the City Council adopt Ordinance 25-01,entitled`An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, enacted pursuant to Government Code Section 65858 establishing a moratorium on accepting and processing any new entitlement applications and/or issuing any permits for new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within the City limits; declaring the urgency thereof and making a determination of exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act".
Approved (5 to 0)
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:58 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, June 3, 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 Vet- ' ief Deputy City Clerk
Victor Linares, ayo Chair
10