CITY OF DUARTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
THE DUARTE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND THE DUARTE COMMUNITY
FACILITIES FINANCING AUTHORITY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
6:00 PM - Closed Session
7:00 PM - Regular Session
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Truong called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers Present: Finlay (arrived at 6:30 p.m.), Kang, Lewis, Truong, Garcia, Martin Del Campo
Councilmembers Absent: Schulz
Staff Present: rian Villalobos, City Manage
raig Hensley, Director of Community Developmet
Larry Breceda, Director of Public Safety
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Kang, seconded by Councilmember Martin Del Campo, and carried by the following vote of the Council to adopt the agenda.
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, SCHULZ
3. PUBLIC COMMENT - CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None.
4. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed into closed session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the following:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(a) and (d)(2): One potential case.
REGULAR SESSION
- 5. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Truong called the open session to order at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Lewis, Truong, Garcia, Martin Del Campo Councilmembers Absent: Schulz
Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Thai Viet Phan, City Attorney
Kristen Petersen, Assistant City Manager / Director of
Craig Hensley, Director of Community Development
Manuel Enriquez, Director of Parks and Recreation
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Larry Breceda, Director of Public Safety Services
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
Christine Soo, Deputy City Clerk/ Administrative Secretary
6. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Doris Andrews.
7. CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Phan announced reportable action taken regarding Closed Session Item 2.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Martin Del Campo, and carried by the following vote of the Council to authorize initiation of litigation to join a lawsuit filed by the City of Whittier and other cities against the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Case Number: 23STCP03579.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SCHULZ
8. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. District Attorney's Office Update by Deputy District Attorney John McKinney City Manager Villalobos reported that the Deputy District Attorney was unable to attend the meeting due to a time conflict.
Mayor Pro Tem Truong pulled Consent Calendar Item 111 and read the proclamation denouncing antisemitism and affirming Duarte's commitment to a safe and welcoming place.
B. Community Development Department Update
Community Development Director Hensley provided a department update. He shared details about upcoming the annual striping and marking project, the Evergreen Pedestrian Project for sidewalk and lighting improvements that is currently out for bid, and landscaping work performed by the new contractor, Mariposa Landscapes.
C. Parks and Recreation Department Update
Parks and Recreation Department Director Enriquez provided a department update. He reported that the City is working with Santa Anita Family YMCA to provide swim amenities for residents and other community members while the Duarte pool is closed. He shared details on the upcoming community yard sale, fall activities, and Halloween festivities. He also shared details regarding the park renaming event in honor of former Mayor and Councilmember Tzeitel Paras-Caracci.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
Deputy City Clerk Soo announced upcoming city events.
10. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Gina Quay shared information about a youth program, Young Life, to help students connect with mentors.
The following individuals expressed their opinion on the closure of the City's pool: Margaret Pappas, Claudia Trefzger, Melinda Trefzger, Norine Sanchez, Janis Pedroche, Michael Healey, Michael Peterson, Debbie Woerner, Roberta Schwartz, Brandon Quinn, John Fasana, Doris Andrews, Thomas Beachman, and Barret Basham.
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11. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Motion to read all Resolutions and ordinances presented for consideration by Title only and waive further reading. (CC/HA/FA)
B. Approval of absence(s) of City Councilmembers) from the City Council meeting.
C. Approval of Minutes - September 26, 2023. (CC/HA/FA) D. Approval of Warrants - October 10, 2023. (CC/HA/FA)
E. Receive and file the Community Development Department Update for October 2023.
F. Receive and file the Parks and Recreation Department Update for October 2023.
G. Approval of Award of Contract for FY 23-24 Citywide Concrete Repair Project to Ruiz Concrete and Paving, Inc.
H. Approval of Red Ribbon Week Proclamation.
I. Approval of Proclamation Denouncing Antisemitism.
J. Pulled from consent calendar.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Martin Del Campo, and carried by the following vote of the Council to approve Items 11A-11I of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SCHULZ
12. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
J. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 920 to Increase City Council Salaries Public Comment:
John Fasana commented on the percentage of the raise to city council salaries and suggested that the increase be more aligned with CPI.
Councilmember Finlay suggested a salary increase of 4.5% instead of 5%.
City Attorney Phan clarified that since the item is for a second reading, any changes to the ordinance would require bringing the item back to council for another first reading.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote of the Council to amend the ordinance and bring it back for a first reading.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: SCHULZ
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Discussion Regarding Nomination for a San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Board Member and Alternate to Represent Cities without Pumping Rights 10/10/2023 - PAGE 3
City Manager Villalobos reported that there was an opportunity for the City Council to nominate someone to be elected to sit on the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Board effective anuary 1, 2024. He stated that the City Council can choose to nominate someone amongs hemselves, nominate another councilmember from another City that does not have pumping rights, or take no action.
The City Council took no action regarding item 14A.
15. CONTINUATION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lino Paras commented on the City Manager vacancy in the City of Santa Ana and the donation from Panda Express founders to City of Hope for cancer research; thanked the City Council for the renaming of Royal Oaks Park Extension to Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park; and commented or citizens' responsibility to read memos
16. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/HOUSING AUTHORITY/
FINANCING AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
City Manager Villalobos reported that he attended the ICMA conference last week to be recognized for the City's D.A.R.T. program.
Councilmember Martin Del Campo shared excitement to dress up in pink to honor former Mayor and Councilmember Tzeitel Paras-Caracci at the park renaming event.
Councilmember Finlay thanked the public for commenting on issues that matter to them.
Councilmember Garcia stated that he attended the Mayor's Youth Council mock council meeting and that he will be participating in Duarte Family Feud event.
Councilmember Kang reported that he attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference and shared topics that were discussed. Stated that he attended the Foothill Unity Golden Plates Awards and reported that the SGVCOG Foothill Transportation Committee will be having a ride- along on the Gold Line on October 11th.
Councilmember Lewis shared a few words on Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Mayor Pro Tem Truong shared a few words on making the City pool safer for everyone to utilize.
He shared that the SGVCOG Energy, Environmental, Natural Resources Committee will be having the Arroyo Fest Street event where the pedestrians can walk, bike, or even roller skate along the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
17. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:39 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting.
- Jody Schulz, Mayor
Alts
Annette Juarez, City Clerl
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