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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COVINA REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY/COVINA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY/COVINA HOUSING
AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
March 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 TemNice-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
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 7:32 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Mayor Pro Tern Delgado who arrived at 7:52 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Allen.
INVOCATION
Given by Covina Police Chaplain Jim Allgaier.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Allen
Approve the agenda as presented.
Approved (4 to 0); Delgado Absent
PRESENTATIONS
A. Donate Life Month
Mayor Linares presented the proclamation designating April 2026 as "Donate Life Month" in the City of Covina, to Susan Lesniak, representing One Legacy.
Ms. Lesniak provided information on the need for organ donations, how to support the organization, and invited the community to the organization's Donate Life Run/Walk taking place on April 25.
B. Women's History Month
Mayor Linares read a proclamation into the record which declared March 2026 as Women's History Month in the City of Covina.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jessie Phoenix S. spoke about Proposition 64 grant funding and the assistance his company, Kort, would be able to provide in the application process.
Neil Polzin commented on campaign contributions made by Athens Services, as well as the current Athens services contract and rates.
2 Mario S., Boardmember of the Historical Society of West Covina, invited the City Council and community to their Town Hall 1922 event, taking place Thursday March 26, where high school students will reenact a town hall style debate.
Public Speaker No. 1 highlighted the recognition of the women of the Stonewall Uprising and frustration in submitting reports to the Police Department.
COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
Councilmember Allen wished everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day and provided background on the holiday.
Councilmember King commended the West Covina Historical Society for the upcoming Town Hall 1922 event. In honor of Women's History Month, he also highlighted local women in leadership including former Covina Mayor Elaine Donaldson, who served as the first woman school board member, councilmember, and mayor within the San Gabriel Valley.
Councilmember Cortez thanked the City for recognizing Women's History Month and women of City staff who showed up to be recognized. Councilmember Cortez also noted her attendance at Assemblymember Blanca Rubio's Woman of the Year event and gave a shout out to Rising Leader award winner Student Natalie Guillen. She also wished everyone a happy St. Paddy's Day.
Mayor Pro Tern Delgado had no comments aside from explaining the delay that led to his late arrival.
Mayor Linares also noted his attendance at Assemblymember Rubio's Woman of the Year event and the praise the City received from guests in neighboring cities. He also invited the community to the Breakfast with the Bunny event co-hosted with the Covina Kiwanis Club at Heritage Plaza on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and the Fiesta Covina event co-hosted with the Downtown Merchants' Association on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Marcarello informed the City Council that revised amendments for Consent Calendar items CC 5 and CC 6 have been provided for consideration. He also shared news of a new grant contribution in the amount of $460,000 received by the Community Development Department for additional work on the Covina Recreation Village pedestrian bridge into the F.A.I.R. District.
Councilmember Allen also mentioned his attendance at the opening day ceremonies for Covina baseball.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC 1. Minutes
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Approve the Minutes of the January 20, 2026, Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Covina Redevelopment Agency/Covina Public Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
3 Approved (5 to 0)
CC 2. Payment of Demands
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Approve Payment of Demands in the amount of $3,373,941.28.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 3. City of Covina Investment Report for Month Ended February 28, 2026 Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Receive and File.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 4. SB 341 Compliance Report on the Housing Successor Agency Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Receive and file the report.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 5. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Premier Aquatics Services LLC to Provide Aquatics Programs and Services
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Authorize City Manager to Execute the First Amendment to Agreement with Premier Aquatics Services LLC to Provide Aquatics Programs and Services.
Approved (5 to 0)
CC 6. Approval of First Amendment to the Agreement with ClientFirst Technology Consulting
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
Authorize the City Manager to execute the attached First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with ClientFirst Technology Consulting Group, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $99,860.
Approved (5 to 0)
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
4 CPH 1. Introducing Ordinance 26-02, Approving Zone Change (ZCH) 25-3, Amending the City's Official Zoning Map, and Making a Finding of Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) The agenda report was provided by Planning Manager Mercy Lugo.
Public Speaker No. 1 questioned the outreach done to the public regarding the item and spoke of the misconception regarding affordable or high- density housing increasing crime rates.
Mayor Linares closed the public hearing.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance 26-02 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, approving Zone Change (ZCH) 25-3, and amending the City's Official Zoning Map 2558 parcels from the existing RD Residential Zone (Multifamily RD 2000 through RD 3000 and RD 3400 through RD 5000) to High Density Residential Zone (HDR) and Medium Density Residential (MDR), respectively, and the list of Assessor's Parcel Numbers are attached hereto as Exhibit A, and making a finding of exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)".
Approved (5 to 0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH 1. Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 26-1
Mayor Linares opened the public hearing.
The agenda report was provided by Planning Consultant Nancy Fong.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Linares closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Allen thanked staff for their work in updating the City's zoning code and meeting state required population growth.
Motion made by: Councilmember King
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tern Delgado
Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce first reading Ordinance 26-03 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Covina, California, approving Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 26-1 amending Chapter 17.72 Off-Street Parking and Loading of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Covina Municipal Code regarding Joint Use and Shared Parking Regulations, and Making a Finding of Exemption Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)".
Approved (5 to 0)
NEW BUSINESS
5 NB 1. City of Covina Economic Development Initiative 2026 The agenda report and PowerPoint presentation were provided by Planning Manager Lugo.
Questions and discussion from the City Council included the definition of an open-air market, where interest currently lies for open air markets, how often open-air markets may be held, concerns with non-local interests hosting open-air markets, explanation of the recommended fee reductions, and how City fees compare to that of neighboring communities.
Motion made by: Councilmember Allen
Seconded by: Councilmember Cortez
That the City Council consider:
1. Approving Resolution CC 2026-19, Modifying the Covina Comprehensive Fee Schedule to Reduce Certain Planning Application Fees;
2. Approving Resolution CC 2026-20 Amending the FY 2025-2026 Budget to Appropriate an Additional $75,000 from General Fund for the City of Covina Business Assistance Job Creation Program; and
3. Directing City Staff to proceed with the proposed Economic Development Initiative Actions outlined within the report.
Approved (5 to 0)
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:41 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, April 7, 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. ian V , ief Deputy City Clerk
Victor Linares,ITN:. /Chair
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