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1 CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
September 16, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Ha11
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Walter Allen, III 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 Treasurer Neil Polzin (Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Kevin Ennis
Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager Brian Lee Public Works Director Rafael M. Fajardo
Assistant City Manager Angel Carrillo
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
Finance Director Theresa Franke
Staff Absent: Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Lisa Evans 1 JOINT MEETING -CLOSED SESSION 6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with Councilmember Cortez, Councilmember King, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - CLOSED SESSION
Neil Polzin commented regarding perceived conflicts of interest regarding approved cannabis retail distributors.
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. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Covina Responsible and Compliant Retail, LLC v. City of Covina, et al.
RECESS
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:35 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 7:33 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Cortez.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Chuck Cannizzaro.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (5 to 0)
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1 PRESENTATIONS
A. DAR Constitution Week
Mayor Linares presented a proclamation declaring September 17 to September 23, 2025, as Constitution Week in the City of Covina to Colleen Dragovich, Regent of the Covina Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Ms. Dragovich provided background on the organization and invited members of the community to join.
B. National Night Out Pres ntation
Covina Police Captain Ryan Davis provided information on the event, thanked groups and organizations who partnered with the Police Department for the event, and invited the communi to join the Police Department for National Night Out on October 7, 2025, from 5:0 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Heritage Park.
C. Pink Patch Project
Police Captain Mike Robison provided background on the Pink Patch Project and informed the community on how to get involved.
D. Hispanic Heritage Mont
Proclamation
Mayor Linares presented a proclamation honoring Hispanic Heritage Month to Covina Library Board of Trustees President Danaee Amaya. President Amaya provided words on Hispanic heritage.
E. Recognition of Local Youth Artist Sylar Segovia
Mayor Linares presented a
recognition received from
have helped her in her art j
certificate recognizing local artist Sylar Segovia on the er artwork. Ms. Segovia thanked the City and those who
gurney.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Ennis announced that no re ortable action was taken.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mike (No Last Name) expressed his supp rt for Ordinance 25-12, increased stance on crime, and continued support for public safety.
Dr. Johnson provided ideas to improve tie Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in upcoming years, requested information regarding t e role of the Elected City Treasurer, and stated issues with past tax filings of Project 29:11.
Susan Zermeno commented on Consent C lendar item CC 11, suggested increased communication from the City regarding public events, an also provided suggestions for future Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations.
Dr. Bri provided opinions on Consent Calendar item CC 11 and the increasing of the public comment timer to five (5) minutes, and requested further elaboration on New Business item NB 1 in regards to treatment of unhoused individuals.
3 Neil Polzin recommended items be separated from the Consent Calendar for additional discussion including item CC 11, revisiting City Council policies approved in June of 2025; CC 7, cancelling the regular City Council meeting of October 7, 2025; CC 10, allocating funds for a proposed mural and recommending alternative use of funds; and items CC 13 and 16, relating to issues regarding water issues and a perceived conflict of interest.
Sarah Williams requested further information on New Business item NB 1, spoke on the need for alternative forms of enforcement for unhoused individuals, and the impact of increased rents for small businesses.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen called the Porsche Club of America San Gabriel Valley Region members in the audience to the podium, who introduced the club and provided background on the club and events and presented an award to the City as a thank you for hosting a recent event.
Councilmember King stated his excitement for National Night Out and Rocktober.
Councilmember Cortez gave a shout out to the Library Board of Trustees and its President Denaee Amaya for bringing back multi -cultural celebration events. She also clarified her position in a water agency and the lack of a conflict of interest with items on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado gave a shout out to Police Chief Walczak, Police Captain Ryan Davis and Mike Robison, and the Pink Patch Team for their work on the Pink Patch Project.
Mayor Linares highlighted Consent Calendar item CC 9, a grant funded partnership with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to provided mental health and case management services to homeless individuals in response to calls for service. He also informed the community of local events including: Rocktoberfest, hosted by the Downtown Merchants Association on October 4, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot; National Night Out, hosted by the Covina Police Department on October 7, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park; and the Cover -to - Cover reading program managed by the Covina Library.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello had no comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Approve the Minutes of the August 5, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
CC 2. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Approved (5 to 0)
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Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of $2,557,962.26.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 3. Approval and Adoption of the City of Covina's 2025 Cross -Connection Control Plan
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Approve Resolution CC 2025-104 adopting the City of Covina's 2025 Cross - Connection Control Plan as required by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 4. Adoption of Ordinance 25-09
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Adopt Ordinance 25-09 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, approving a zone change (ZCH) 25-001, to change the zoning classification for a duel -zoned parcel from C-2 Commercial Zone (Neighborhood Shopping Center) to C-4 Commercial Zone (Highway), consistent with the General Plan and Land Use Designation of General Commercial, and making a determination of exception under CEQA, for the property located at 1261 N. Azusa Avenue — APN: 8409-019-030."
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 5. Adoption of Ordinance 25-10
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Adopt Ordinance 25-10 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 25-2 amending Chapter 17.04 Definitions and Chapter 17.54 M-1 Light Manufacturing Zone of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Covina Municipal Code, to add a Definition of Battery Energy Storage System Facility and as a Conditionally Permitted Use in M-1 Zone, Repealing Ordinance 25-04 a Moratorium on Battery Energy Storage System Facility, and Making a Determination of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)".
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 6. Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Covina and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Legal Services
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Approve Amendment No. 4 to the agreement between Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and the City of Covina for legal services and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
Approved (5 to 0)
5 CC 7. Request to Cancel the Regular City Council Meeting of October 7, 2025 Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
That the City Council consider cancelling the regular scheduled City Council Meeting of October 7, 2025.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 8. Extension to Maintenance Agreement between the City of Covina and Aclara Technologies LLC for Automated Water Reading (AMR) Software Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Extension to the Maintenance Agreement between the City of Covina and Aclara Technologies LLC for one (1) additional year in the amount of $33,384.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 9. Authorize the Execution of the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Covina and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for Participation in the San Gabriel Valley Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (SGV CARE) Program
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
1. Approve participation in the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments San Gabriel Valley Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (SGV CARE) Program through March 31, 2028 with the option to extend upon mutual agreement of both parties;
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Memorandum of Agreement or related documents.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 10. Agreement between the City of Covina and AQMNI LLC for Creation of a Mural at 123 N. Citrus Avenue
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
1. Authorize the execution of an Agreement between the City of Covina and AQMNI LLC in an amount not -to -exceed $60,000 for the creation of a mural on the northern external wall of 123 N. Citrus Avenue, and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement and other pertinent documents, and take such actions as are necessary to administer the Agreement; and
2. Authorize the execution of a License Agreement for the use of the building facade for the purpose of installing a public art mural installation at 123 N.
Citrus Avenue, which faces a public alley.
Approved (5 to 0)
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CC 12. Carryover of Encumbrances and Continuing Appropriations from Fiscal Year 2024-25 to Fiscal Year 2025-26 & Amending FY 24-25 Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) Budget
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-107 approving the Carryover of Encumbrances and Continuing Appropriations from Fiscal Year 2024-25 to Fiscal Year 2025-26; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-108 Amending the FY24-25 SLESA Budget.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 13. Covina Valley Water Company — Board of Directors Nominee Selection Process
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
1. Nominate the current Covina Valley Water Company Board of Directors to Represent the City of Covina; and
2. Designate the City Manager or his appointee to represent the City at the Annual Shareholder's meeting on October 23, 2025.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 14. City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended August 31, 2025 Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Receive and File.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 15. Amendment to the 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: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Approve the First Amendment between the City of Covina and Dunwright Painting and Coating and Authorize the City Manager or his designee to and execute all related documents.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 16. Resolution CC 2025-105, Nominating Azusa Mayor Robert Gonzales to Represent Cities with Prescriptive Water Pumping Rights as a Member on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
7 Adopt Resolution CC 2025-105, nominating Azusa Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent Cities with Prescriptive Water Pumping Rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 17. Budget Amendment Resolution for the Purchase of Window Coverings for the Covina Senior and Community Center
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-106 for the purchase of window coverings for the Covina Senior and Community Center.
Approved (5 to 0)
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CC 11. Review of Updated City Council Policies
Staff Recommendation:
That the City Council receive/file this report and provide further direction, as needed.
Councilmember King stated his support for returning the public comment time limit to five (5) minutes.
Councilmember Allen, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Councilmember Cortez expressed their support for remaining at the 3 -minute time limit citing the streamlining of conducting business, similar practices in other agencies, and availability and encouragement to meet individually outside of City Council meetings.
Mayor Linares noted he can see both sides of the argument, noted previous productive meetings with members of the community outside of City Council meetings, and proposed an alternative of a 4 -minute public comment time limit.
Councilmember King moved to increase the public comment time limit to four (4) minutes, the motion died due to a lack of a second.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
That the City Council receive and file this report with no changes to the current policies.
Approved (4 to 1); King No
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Introduction of Ordinance 25-12 Amending Chapters 9.54 and 9.48 of Title 9 of the City of Covina Municipal Code
The agenda report was provided by Police Chief Walczak. 1 1
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1 Questions and discussion included the different options for social services that will be exhausted before removal, compliments to the Covina Police Department for their partnerships on various organizations to provide social services, the need for additional resources above the local level to social service providers, the process the Covina Police Department uses to determine the need for enforcement, and concerns over the impact of large regional events in the near future.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance 25-12 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, Amending Chapters 9.54 and 9.48 of Title 9 of the City of Covina Municipal Code to Prohibit Unlawful Camping and Storage of Private Property in Public Areas, Making Related Updates to the Code, and Making Finding of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act."
Approved (5 to 0)
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:55 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, October 21, 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 Vele ief Deputy City Clerk
V.:"°
Victor Linares, Ma
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