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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
February 17, 2026, 7:30 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
City Attorney Kevin G. Ennis
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
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 7:30 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Pro Tern Delgado.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Jim Allgaier.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (5 to 0)
PRESENTATIONS
A. Covina Chamber Update
Sandra Benavides, President of the Covina Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), provided updates to the City Council including the opening of a new Chamber office, newly installed board members and recipients of awards presented at the Chamber gala, and past and upcoming events for the community.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Keith Waggener requested that the City Council reconsider the funding for local business grants.
Neil Polzin commented on the financial disclosures, business practices, and campaign contributions of Mayor Linares.
Nicole (No Last Name) raised concerns regarding City Treasurer Polzin's social media conduct.
Mike (No Last Name) spoke about the use of cameras used to assist the Covina Police Department in a recent incident, restated support for the recently approved installation of cameras within the City, suggested increased cooperation with federal immigration 2 enforcement, noted the infrastructure improvements from Public Works, and thanked the City Council for their work.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen thanked Chamber President Benavides for her presentation and noted what a good event the Chamber Gala was. He also affirmed the continuing conduct of City business during campaign season.
Councilmember King also stated how much he enjoyed the Chamber Gala and thank Chamber President Benavides for her hard work with the Chamber and community.
Councilmember Cortez thanked Chamber President Benavides for her presentation and work in guiding the Chamber, and noted the City is still working on providing a plaque to the Chamber. Councilmember Cortez also requested an examination into the conduct of City Treasurer Polzin.
Mayor Pro Tern Delgado also thanked Chamber President Benavides for her report, noted his time at the Chamber Gala, and congratulated the business who received awards at the Chamber gala. He then thanked the City Manager and City staff for their work on the project located at the former Albertson's site and informed the community of the newly available amenities.
Mayor Linares highlighted the recent grand opening event for Bravado, the work in building the establishment, and the continued appreciation for business willing to invest in the City. Mayor Linares also spoke of his attendance at a meeting with Congressman Gil Cisneros and other mayors of the 31st Congressional District and emphasized the Congressman's continued support for the City, including securing funding for Computer Aided Dispatch system upgrades and grant support for other City projects. Lastly, he thanked Interim Parks & Recreation/Library Services Director Smith and the Parks & Recreation staff for their work on the Big Game 5k run/walk event.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello had no comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember King thanked City Manager Marcarello, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Fajardo, and the Public Works staff for the work proposed in Consent Calendar item CC 2. He noted the numerous complaints received regarding the condition of alleyways and how the item is an example of the great work being completed by the City.
CC 1. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of$3,451,470.48 Approved (5 to 0)
3 CC 2. City-Wide Alleyway Resurfacing Project— Project No. P2605 — Award of Contract to G.M. Sager Construction Co., Inc. in the Amount of $66,795
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Approve plans and specifications for the City-Wide Alleyway Resurfacing Project— Project No. P2605;
2. Award a contract for the City-Wide Alleyway Resurfacing Project — Project No. P2605 to G.M. Sager Construction Co., Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $66,795 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
3. Authorize a contingency amount of $6,680 (approximately 10%) to cover any unforeseen construction expenses.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 3. City-Wide Sewer Relief Line Project — Project No. S2601 — Award of Contract in the Amount of$130,900 to GRBCON, Inc.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Award a contract for the City-Wide Sewer Relief Line Project — Project No. S2601 to GRBCON, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of$130,900 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
2. Authorize a project contingency amount of $13,090 (approximately 10% of construction costs) to cover the costs of unforeseen construction expenses.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 4. Consideration of a Managed Print Services Contract Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Xerox to Provide Managed Print Services.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 5. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Update and Adjustments Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2026-15 & SA 2026-01 authorizing Fiscal Year 2025-2026 mid-year budget adjustments; and
2. Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Update.
Approved (5 to 0)
4 CC 6. Funding Award for 2024 State Homeland Security Grant 111 Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
1. Adopt Resolution CC 2026-14 to increase the Police Department's 2025-26 budget by $60,000 resulting from the 2024 State Homeland Security Award;
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to sign the 2024 State Homeland Security (SHSP) sub-recipient award agreement and ali related documents;
3. Approve the purchase of Motorola radio equipment for $60,000.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 7. One Year Extension of the Agreement with Professional Account Management LLC
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the Fifth Amendment to the agreement with Professional Account Management LLC for a one (1) year extension to provide parking citation processing and collections services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
Approved (5 to 0)
NEW BUSINESS
NB 1. Ordinance 26-01 Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products
The agenda report was provided by Police Captain Mike Robison In response to an inquiry by Councilmember King on the legality of Kratom products, Police Captain Robison informed the City Council that the product is not illegal but the City is taking a proactive approach.
Councilmember Allen provided additional information on the attempt to reclassify the product as a Schedule 1 drug and expressed his appreciation for the item being brought to the City Council.
Police Captain Robison also responded to inquiries from Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, informing the City Council that the synthetic drug is currently available for purchase, found in extract or pill form, and is affordable.
Councilmember Allen added information regarding the complications of effects from Kratom depending on its dosage.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember King
Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance 26-01 into the City of Covina Municipal Code to Regulate the Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products, 5 Making Related Updates to the Code, and Making Finding of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Approved (5 to 0)
NB 2. Discussion Regarding the Statewide Statutory Cap on County/Local Transaction and Use Taxes and the Proposed County of Los Angeles General Half-Cent Sales Tax Ballot Measure in June 2026 Staff recommendation:
That the City Council review/discuss the Statewide County/Local Statutory Cap on sales taxes, the County of Los Angeles' proposed half-cent sales tax measure for the June 2026 Ballot and provide direction related to future efforts that may maintain local control of tax resources for the direct benefit of residents and businesses within the City of Covina.
The agenda report and PowerPoint presentation were provided by City Manager Marcarello.
Topics of discussion from the City Council included the preference of local control for funds generated through taxes, management of the Los Angeles County budget, providing information of the situation to voters, the need for more information on the proposed tax ballot measure from Los Angeles County, the deadline and possible elections to consider a local tax ballot measure, and providing local voters the opportunity to vote on the matter.
Answers to questions provided by the City Council included that the City is uncertain of any polling information gathered regarding the Los Angeles County ballot measure, that any proposed ballot measure must be submitted to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk by March 6, and that one case involving a City and County simultaneously passing tax measures which cumulatively surpassed State Sales Tax limit does exist.
Motion made by: Councilmember Cortez
Seconded by: Councilmember King
That the City Council direct staff to:
1. Pursue preparation of a June 2026 local ballot measure to protect the remaining 0.25% in sales tax capacity; and
2. Provide more information regarding any preliminary polling and status of pending legislation.
Approved (5 to 0)
6 ADJOURNMENT
At 8:31 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, March 3, 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. abian hief Deputy City Clerk
Victor Linares, Ma;or/ . - .it
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