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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
December 2, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
125 E. College Street, Covina, California
Council Chamber of City Hall
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Walter Allen, III Councilmember John C. King
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair Hector Delgado
Mayor/Chair Victor Linares
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Patricia Cortez
Staff Present:
City Clerk Drew Aleman (Elected Member)
City Treasurer Neil Polzin (Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
City Attorney Kevin G. Ennis
Assistant City Manager Angel Carrillo
Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager Brian Lee Public Works Director Rafael M. Fajardo
Finance Director Theresa Franke
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
Staff Absent: Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Lisa Evans
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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 7:32 p.m. with al! Councilmembers present except Councilmember Cortez.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Allen.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Mike Lee.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
PRESENTATIONS
A. Charter Oak Advanced Choir Ensemble "ACE"
Rebecca Portnoy, Choir Director for Charter Oak Unified School District, and the Charter Oak Advanced Choral Ensemble "ACE" performed several songs.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Neil Polzin noted the absence of recognition for World AIDS Day and expressed enthusiasm with the reappointment of Suzee Della Donna to the Library Board of Trustees. Concerns were also raised regarding the proposed increase to the salary of the City Manager and the campaign photos used by Mayor Linares.
Melinda Forbes highlighted the upcoming Wine Walk event put on by the Covina Chamber of Commerce.
Robert Owen expressed his opposition to the proposed salary increase for the City Manager and comments previously shared by Mayor Linares.
Dr. Bri also noted the absence of recognition for World AIDS Day and Trans Day of Remembrance and commented on the Pride Proclamation presented during Pride Month.
Dr. Bri also expressed opposition to the construction of data centers and requested that the City Council commit to a prohibition of their construction. 2 1
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COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen commented on the City Manager's performance, the amount of work completed by him and the City staff, and stated the importance of leadership.
Councilmember Allen also encouraged those with opposing views to work with the City to fix anything they feel is wrong.
Councilmember King expressed his excitement for the Wine Walk, taking place on Saturday December 13, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and the upcoming Covina Christmas Parade. He then highlighted some of the positive contributions made to the City and the financial stability provided by the City Manager and City staff.
Councilmember King thanked Parks and Recreation/ Library Services Director Evans, her team, the Public Works Department, and Police Department for a wonderful Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stated his support for Consent Calendar item CC 9, which he considered a deserved salary adjustment, and provided his rational on the item and need to retain strong employees in a competitive career sector. He also hoped the community had a great Thanksgiving and invited the community to attend the upcoming Covina Christmas Parade.
Mayor Linares thanked City Manager Marcarello for the work completed under his leadership including: overseeing the City budget, the awarding of several grants, construction of the City skate park, repairing of streets, improvements made to water and sewer systems, hiring of a new Chief of Police, attracting new businesses, and retaining key tax basins as well as high level staff already eligible for retirement. He also informed the community of the upcoming 74th Annual Covina Christmas Parade, taking place on December 6, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m., and holiday concert taking place on December 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage Plaza. Mayor Linares then commented on the remarks made regarding his campaign photos and noted differences in situations regarding the Covina City Manager and other cities.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello thanked the City Council for their kind remarks and stated his pride in the organization. City Manager Marcarello recused himself from Consent Calendar item CC 9.
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Attorney Ennis clarified that Consent Calendar item CC 9 will not be required to be removed from the Consent Calendar unless the City Council wishes to engage in separate discussion. He also provided an oral summary of the changes being proposed to the City Manager's compensation, pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(c)(3), which included an adjustment to a monthly salary of $25,000 and a one-time allotment of 100 vacation leave awarded in the 2025-26 Fiscal Year.
CC 1. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of $5,963,207.84 Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
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1 CC 2. Resolution CC 2025-123, Casting Votes for 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: Councilmember Allen
Adopt Resolution CC 2025-123, casting votes for Azusa Mayor Robert Gonzales to represent Cities with Prescriptive Water Pumping Rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 3. First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Robert Half Talent Solutions, Inc.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Robert Half Talent Solutions, Inc.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 4. Barranca Avenue and Covina Boulevard Resurfacing Project— Project No. P2608 — Award of Contract to Gentry Brothers, Inc. in the Amount of $1,784,972
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve plans and specifications for the Barranca Avenue and Covina Boulevard Resurfacing Project — Project No. P2608;
2. Award a contract for the Barranca Avenue and Covina Boulevard Resurfacing Project — Project No. P2608 to Gentry Brothers, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $1,784,972 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract;
3. Authorize a contingency amount of $178,497 (approximately 10% of construction costs) for any 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 $194,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; and
5. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-120 appropriating an additional $421,872 from available RMRA Fund — Fund Balance for use towards the project.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
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CC 5. Grand Avenue and Glendora Avenue Bus Shelter Installation Project — Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Accept the work performed by FS Contractors, Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Grand Avenue and Glendora Avenue Bus Shelter Installation Project.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 6.
Confirm and Approve City Council's Appointment to the Library Board of Trustees
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the City Council's appointment to the Library Board of Trustees.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 7. Traffic Signal Installation Project — 4th Avenue and Badillo Street — Project No. T2501 — Final Acceptance and Filing Notice of Completion Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Accept the work performed by PTM General Engineering Services, Inc.,
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Traffic Signal Installation Project — 4th Avenue and Badillo Street — Project No. T2501; and
3. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-121 appropriating $78,360.30 from available Proposition C Fund — Fund Balance for use towards project completion.
CC 8.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
Citrus Avenue Rail Crossing Safety Enhancements Project - Award of Professional Services Agreement for Engineering/Design Services to Infrastructure Architects, Inc. in an Amount not -to -exceed $78,120 Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Award a contract for the Citrus Avenue Quiet Zone Installation Project — Engineering Services to Infrastructure Engineers, Inc. in an amount not -to -exceed $73,120 and authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement; and
2. Authorize a contingency amount of $5,000 for unforeseen expenses.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
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CC 9. Approval of Fourth Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of Covina and Christopher Marcarello Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve the Fourth Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of Covina and Christopher Marcarello; and
2. Adopt Resolution CC 2025-122 Amending the Salary Schedule Regarding the Position of City Manager.
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 10. Adoption of Ordinance 25-14, Allowing the Option for Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
That the City Council adopt Ordinance 25-14, entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, Allowing an Option for Electronic Filing of Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Campaign Disclosure Statements".
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
CC 11. Adoption of Ordinance 25-15, Amending Chapter 17.69 of the Covina Municipal Code to Align with Standard Set Forth Under California State Laws
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Waive full reading and adopt Ordinance 25-15, entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, Amending Chapter 17.69 ("Accessory Dwelling Units") of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Covina Municipal Code to Align the Code with Standards Set Forth Under California State Laws (Government Code Sections 66310-66342) Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units; and, Making A Determination of Exemption Under the California Environmental Quality Act ("C EQA")"
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH 1. Adoption of Ordinance 25-13, Amending Title 14, Building and Construction, of the Covina Municipal Code
Mayor Linares opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Deputy Community Development Director and City Building Official Robert Fisher.
6 Questions from the City Council included the possibility of being able to disseminate information regarding fire zones to residents and whether there was an increased administrative burden due to the mandates.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Linares closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Allen gave kudos to staff for their work on the Building Code updates.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Waive full reading and adopt Ordinance 25-13 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina adopting by reference codes comprising the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code (California Code Of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 1 - 12), including the 2025 Editions of the California Administrative Code, California Building Code Volumes 1 and 2 including Appendices A B, D, F, I, J, N, O and P, California Residential Code including Appendices AA, BB, BF, BG, BH, BI, BJ, BK, BL, BM, BN, BO, CI, and CJ, California Green Building Standards Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California.Electrical Code, California Fire Code, California Existing Building Code, California Energy Code, California Historical Building Code, California Referenced Standards Code, and the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, together with certain additions, insertions, deletions and changes, amending Title 14 of the Covina Municipal Code, and approving a CEQA exemption determination"
Approved (4 to 0); Cortez Absent
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:18 p.m., the Covina City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Covina Housing Authority adjourned in memory of Fred Feldheim to its next regular meeting of the Council/Agency/Authority scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 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.
Fabia-�'�ez, Chicf D_,•uty City Clerk
1 Victor Linares,
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