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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
February 3, 2026, 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 Treasurer Neil Polzin (Elected Member)
City Manager Chris Marcarello
Assistant City Attorney Zach Heinselman
Police Chief Ric Walczak
Assistant City Manager Angel Carrillo
Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager Brian Lee Interim Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Krystal Smith Public Works Director Rafael M. Fajardo
Finance Director Theresa Franke
Chief Deputy City Clerk Fabian Velez
1 JOINT MEETING—CLOSED SESSION 6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tern Delgado called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. with Councilmember Cortez, Councilmember King, and Mayor Pro Tern Delgado 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 § 54956.9(d)(1) – CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
Case Name: Aquiles Quevado Villanueva v. City of Covina, et al.
LASC Case No.: 24PSCV01579
B. Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) – CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
Covina Responsible and Compliant Retail, LLC v. City of Covina, et al.
C. Government Code § 54957.6 – CONFERENCE WITH LABOR
NEGOTIATORS
Agency Designated Representative:
Christopher Marcarello, City Manager; Joanna Espinosa, Human Resources Manager
Update on ongoing negotiations with the various Employee Organizations:
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Police Association of Covina (PAC); Police Management Group (PMG); and Police Supervisors of Covina (PSC), and discussions with Unrepresented Employees: Mid-Management, Supervisory and Professional, and Confidential and Technical Employees
D. Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of Litigation: One (1) potential case.
RECESS
Mayor Pro Tern Delgado recessed the Council to Closed Session at 6:39 p.m. 2 JOINT MEETING—OPEN SESSION 7:30 PM
RECONVENE AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linares called the Council/Agency/Authority meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember King.
INVOCATION
Given by Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (5 to 0)
PRESENTATIONS
A. Covina Chamber Update
The presentation was not held.
B. Black History Month Proclamation
Councilmember Allen provided a brief history on the establishment of Black History Month and presented a Proclamation declaring February as Black History Month in the City of Covina to Library Board of Trustees President Denaee Amaya, Library Board of Trustees member Diana Mullens, Interim Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Smith, and Library Manager Petra Morris.
Library Board of Trustees President Amaya thanked the City Council for the proclamation and invited the community to events hosted by the Library to commemorate Black History month.
Interim Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Smith introduced newly-hired Library Manager Morris.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Heinselman announced that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken.
3 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Neil Polzin thanked the City Council for the Black History Month Proclamation, raised concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest involving the Mayor and a previously- awarded lease agreement, and called on the City Clerk to conduct a fraud investigation.
Dora Gomez thanked the City Council for their support in working with Project 29:11 and provided a recap on the organization's Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaways.
Virginia Hayes expressed dissatisfaction with the cannabis dispensary located on Rowland Ave., Better Daze, and highlighted concerns with the business.
Ralph Beltran followed up on public comments he previously provided regarding the Quantum Financial System and his experiences after the presentation.
COUNCIUAGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen thanked Ms. Gomez and the volunteers of Project 29:11 for their work in providing for the community, welcomed Library Manager Morris, and thanked the Covina Police Department for inviting Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to speak and highlighted his support for the Police Department.
Councilmember King took the opportunity to provide kind words and honor recently deceased Bob lhsen, former teacher and member of the Covina Historical Society.
Councilmember Cortez requested that staff examine any possible measures to address the concerns received regarding speeding cars near school sites.
Mayor Linares informed Ms. Hayes that City staff will contact her regarding her comments and invited the community to participate in the Parks & Recreation's The Big Game 5k run/walk taking place Saturday February 7, 2026.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado had no comments.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello informed the City Council of a newly proposed half-cent sales tax measure from the County of Los Angeles to appear on the June 2, 2026, ballot and provided brief information on the item.
Mayor Linares called forward Alexa Sanchez, Field Representative for Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, who introduced herself to the community.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the Minutes of the December 16, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
Approved (5 to 0)
4 CC 2. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$2,282,693.10.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 3. City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended December 31, 2025 Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Receive and File.
Approved (5 to 0)
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:12 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, February 17, 2026, 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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