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 24, 2023
7:00 PM - Regular Session
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Schulz called the open session to order at 7:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Lewis, Truong, Garcia, Martin Del Campo, Schulz Councilmembers Absent: None
- Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Thai Viet Phan, City Attorney
Kristen Petersen, Assistant City Manager / Director of
Administrative Services
Manuel Enriquez, Director of Parks and Recreation
Larry Breceda, Director of Public Safety Services
Christine Soo, Deputy City Clerk/ Administrative Secretary
2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Rick Crosby.
3. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Truong, and carried by the following vote of the Council to adopt the agenda
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, SCHULZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
4. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. Mayor's Youth Council Update
Members of the Mayor's Youth Council reported on their recent voter registration event, their participation in the Duarte Family Feud, and the upcoming Unity March they will be hosting.
Special Recognition of 2024 California Teacher of the Year Mayor Schulz presented a certificate of recognition to Hannah Rodriguez. aura Brantley, on behalf of California State Senator Susan Rubio's office, Vicki Paul, on behal f Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office, and Veronica Lopez, on behalf of Assemblymember Blanc Rubio's office, all congratulated and presented certificates to Hannah Rodriguez.
Rick Crosby, from Duarte Unified School District, commended Hannah Rodriguez on he complishment and dedication to her students
Hannah Rodriguez thanked everyone for the recognition and expressed a few words of appreciation.
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The City Council expressed their appreciation for Hannah Rodriguez and congratulated her on her achievement.
C. Public Safety Department Update
Sergeant Fiedler introduced the new Special Assignment Officer, Deputy Fraijo. various purposes of the camera systems. He also reported on the department working with local Public Comment:
Dr. Andrew Raubitschek expressed his opinion on the camera systems for license plate recognition and vehicle identification methods.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
Deputy City Clerk Soo announced upcoming city events.
John Fasana and Rosa Holguin, from Rotary Club, announced an upcoming park clean up event for Moor Park and Duarte Road
Rosa Holguin, Duarte Unified School Board, announced the upcoming homecoming game at the Duarte High School.
Academember Garcia announced upcoming anual Dia De Los Muetos event at Beardslee
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Dr. Andrew Raubitschek spoke on the care of the Duarte Wilderness Preserve.
7. 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 Councilmember(s) from the City Council meeting.
C. Approval of Minutes - October 10, 2023. (CC/HA/FA)
D. Approval of Warrants - October 24, 2023. (CC/HA/FA)
E. Receive and file the Monthly Financial Update.
F. Receive and file the Public Safety Department Update for October 2023.
G. Approval of Resolutions Fixing the City's 2024 Medical Insurance Contribution.
H. Approval of a Letter of Authorization, Allowing the City Manager to Authorize the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) to Submit a Regional Application on Behalf of the City for SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program.
I. Approval of Notice of Completion: Traffic & Street Improvement Project - Huntington Drive and Highland Avenue; Project No. 22-2.
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Move by courtin comber fo ap, seconds to Cornie Conser Cane, and caried by the AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, SCHULZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
8. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. City Council Salary Adjustment
- ty Attorney Phan briefly reported that the item was brought back due to an amendment to t rcentage of the salary increase, prompting another first reading and public hearin Mayor Schulz opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m.
Public Comment
Steve Hernandez spoke in support of the ordinance for city council salary increase.
John Fasana spoke in support of the ordinance for city council salary increase.
City Attorney Phan reported that two words were left off of the language of the ordinance; she manitied that the amoun listed on the Ordinance is paid to each city council member "per Mayor Schulz closed the public hearing at 8:09 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Garcia and carried by the following vote of the Council to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 920 to increase City Council salaries beginning December 10, 2024, pursuant to Government Code section 36516.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, SCHULZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
10. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Appointment of Public Works and Traffic Safety Commissioner Mayor Schulz announced the following appointment to fill the existing vacancy on the Public Works and Traffic Safety Commission:
Armond Morad
-
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Kang, and carried by the ollowing vote of the Council to appoint Armond Morad to fill an existing vacancy on the Public Works and Traffic Safety Commission for the remaining of the term ending on December 31, AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, GARCIA, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, SCHULZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
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11. CONTINUATION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
12. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/HOUSING AUTHORITY/
FINANCING AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
City Manager Villalobos reported that he attended the San Gabriel Valley City Managers' Association meeting where they discussed the injunction and the bail schedule. He briefly reported that annual reports are filed with the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the Duarte Wilderness Preserve and that the City collaborates with LA County Fire for brush clearance in the mesa area.
Mayor Pro Tem Truong reported on attending the Red Ribbon Week decorating event and thanked the Public Safety Department for coordinating the event. - Councilmember Finlay reported on Mosquito and Vector Control meeting and reminded everyone to emptying out leftover water to prevent mosquitos from breeding.
Councilmember Garcia shared an upcoming Kiwanis event at Rancho Duarte Golf Course. He requested that the council meeting be adjourned in honor of Irma Zavala Castañeda, Duarte Alumni Jesus Ismael Arellano, and former California State Senator Bob Margett. He reported on attending Duarte Family Feud over the weekend.
Councilmember Kang reported on attending an event held by the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce and the Red Ribbon Week decorating event. He shared the importance of Red Ribbon week, protecting youth from drugs, and educating them.
Councilmember Lewis requested the meeting also be adjourned in honor of Ethel Terrell.
Councilmember Finlay requested the meeting also be adjourned in memory of former Duarte resident and firefighter, Craig Stogner.
Mayor Schulz reported that she attended a SGVCOG Governing Board meeting and inquired staff to look into the state grant writing resources and funds available for affordable housing. She also reported on attending the City Selection meeting, the Red Ribbon Week decorating event, and the Duarte Family Feud event.
13. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:27 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in honor of Irma Zavala Castañeda, Duarte Alumni Jesus Ismael Arellano, former California State Senator Bob Margett, Ethel Terrell, former Duarte resident and firefighter, Craig Stogner.
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Atte
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
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