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, MARCH 12, 2024
7:00 PM - Regular Session
1. CALL TO ORDER
•
Mayor Truong called the open session to order at 7:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
ouncilmembers Presen Lewis, Schulz, Martin Del Campo, Garcia, Truong ouncilmembers Absen Finlay, Kang
Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Shawna McKee, City Attorney
Kristen Petersen, Assistant City Manager / Director of
Craig Hensley, Director of Community Development
Salina Bautista, Permit Technician
2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Kalpna Shah.
3. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
loved by Councilmember Schulz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and carried by th ollowing vote of the Council to adopt the agenda
AYES: LEWIS, SCHULZ, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA, TRUONG
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, KANG
4. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. Community Development Department Update
Director of Community Development Hensley presented the Community Developmen Department Update
B. Fish Canyon Trail Update
Director of Parks and Recreation Enriquez introduced Project Manager, Nature for All Bryan Matsumoto; he gave an update on the fish canyon trail restoration and access improvements project.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
City Clerk Juarez announced upcoming city events.
Kalpna Shah, Duarte Chamber Vice President of Finance announced the upcoming Women's Summit 2024.
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6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Rene Parsons expressed concern about the lack of a crosswalk and stop sign at the intersection of Bradbourne Ave and Royal Oaks Drive, where Foothill Oaks Academy is located, for students walking to and from school.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of absence(s) of City Councilmember(s) from the City Council meeting.
B. Motion to read all Resolutions and ordinances presented for consideration by Title only and waive further reading. (CC/HA/FA)
C. Approval of Minutes - February 27, 2024. (CC/HA/FA)
D. Approval of Warrants - March 2, 2024. (CC/HA/FA)
E. Receive and file the Community Development Department Update.
F. Receive and file the Parks and Recreation Department Update.
G. Approval of City Council Conference Attendance.
Moved by Councilmember Schulz, seconded by Councilmember Martin Del Campo, and carried by the following vote of the Council to approve Items 7A-7G of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: LEWIS, SCHULZ, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA, TRUONG
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, KANG
8. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Conceptual Site Design Plan for Duarte Park Revitalization Project Director of Parks and Recreation Enriquez provided background on the final concept design created by MIG through the 2023 professional services agreement. The goals of this project are to improve infrastructure that meet the communities needs and promote health and wellness. He introduced Donna Gutierrez, Deputy Project Manager and Steve Lang, Principal. The final design concept has evolved to include commissioner suggestions, public input, community meetings and other feedback provided to staff.
Steve Lang explained that focus was placed on meeting the neighborhood's needs of providing safer play areas visible from the street, including a dog park, building closer restrooms, establishing picnic areas, adding more parking spots, and extending the teen center for the boxing program. He responded to questions posed by the Council stating that the tennis court will stop at the right hand corner and the dog park will be located at the back of the park, further away from the neighborhood and streets; and while the idea of a community garden was considered, there was not enough space to accommodate all of the ideas presented.
Director of Parks and Recreation Enriquez responded to questions posed by City Council and clarified that the City has applied for garden grant funding and staff will later present to Council next steps and proposals for a community garden in the coming month; and clarified that two flash vote surveys were taken, residents near that area were notified and their input was solicited. The item was also on the agenda of three separate parks and recreation commission meetings. 3/12/2024 - PAGE 2
Steve Lang responded to further questions, explaining that because of the specific dimensions of the parking lot, there was limited room to create a dual usage facility in addition to expanding the teen center. Director of Parks and Recreation Enriquez added that upgrading the existing teen center in addition to the expansion would require additional ADA compliance and budgeting to take into account. He also noted that the boxing equipment in the presentation was not included in the estimate of the project, it is a visual rendering of the proposed amenities.
There was concern over the park building and dog park taking space from what could be a larger extension of the teen center.
Director of Parks and Recreation Enriquez explained that the park building would not be storage sitting empty, rather it is used on a daily basis for recreation classes and day camps. Currently they are maxed out at the number of students that can be accommodated; and stated that the boxing program does have a waitlist, but no youth is turned away from the teen center and the use of its facilities.
It was suggested that the area of other amenities be diminished in favor of increasing teen center space and supporting the boxing program as well as mixing park amenities for different age groups in one location.
City Manager Villalobos mentioned that depending on the City Council's direction to Staff, it may require bringing the item back with an amended contract and budget for the park project.
Public Comment
Michelle Silence voiced her displeasure with the idea of incorporating a dog park, lack of parking regulations and the removal of green space for community use.
Alex Streff expressed support of all aspects of the Duarte Park Revitalization Project.
Rene Parsons expressed support regarding the Duarte Park renovations; suggested increasing staff to address the issue of the boxing program wait list; and suggested the use of temperature friendly composite material for the dog park.
Lindsey Blodgett spoke in support of the dog park addition.
Lee Edwards advocated for the addition of a dog park.
Celia Faliti supported the expansion of the teen center; suggested moving the parking lot to another area; and suggested decreasing the dog park area so as to keep larger green space.
Joe Faliti suggested researching the current utilization of the existing parking lot; suggested a small Robert Baron disagreed with the creation of a dog park; voiced his support of the expansion of the teen center; and suggested creating a dog park on Buena Vista and Royal Oaks instead. erez Khavarian voiced his support for the dog park and suggested adding transportation to at om City of Hope station to Huntington Driv
David Sosa spoke in favor of the dog park included in the Duarte Park Revitalization project.
Neil Furukawa suggested building a dog park along the riverbed. 3/12/2024 - PAGE 3
Moved by Councilmember Schulz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and carried by the by the Council; and present the survey results and FlashVote results to the Council at a future meeting.
AYES: LEWIS, SCHULZ, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA, TRUONG
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, KANG
11. CONTINUATION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
12. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/FINANCING
AUTHORITY MEMBERS MANAGER/EXECUTIVE
SECTION 53232.3
City Marie Wid aros reparted bar he tended to Contract i premina, a plain d that has improved from last year.
Councilmember Schulz reported that she attended the Homelessness Committee and San Gabrie alley COG meeting which discussed ways to find housing for the homeles:
Councilmember Lewis thanked all the volunteers who attended the Duarte Road Clean Up Day including DART, Mayor Truong, Assistant City Manager / Director of Administrative Services Petersen, and City Staff; reported that after contacting Metro and CalTrans they will clean up their property; and inquired about having Public Safety attend future clean up events to monitor traffic.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia commended DART, Duarte Interact, Key Club, Duarte Rotary, Kiwanis, City Staff, and everyone who participated in Duarte Road Clean Up Day; and wished Kristen Petersen a Happy Birthday.
Mayor Truong inquired about repairing ADA sidewalks that appeared to be tampered with from Duarte Park to City of Hope; reported that he attended the San Gabriel Valley COG Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources meeting; and informed retailers to be on the lookout for possible water rate changes in the future.
13. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:02 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting.
Vich more
Vinh Truong, Mayor
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
3/12/2024 - PAGE 4