CITY OF DUARTE
Minutes of the REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/DUARTE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
FINANCING AUTHORITY
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
7:00 PM - Regular Session
7:00 PM OPEN SESSION - REGULAR MEETING - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Truong called the open session to order at 7:10 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Kang, Lewis, Martin Del Campo, Garcia Councilmembers Absent: Finlay, Schulz, Truong
Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Thai Viet Phan, City Attorney
Kristen Petersen, Assistant City Manager / Director of
Administrative Services
Craig Hensley, Director of Community Development
Larry Breceda, Director of Public Safety Services
Manuel Enriquez, Director of Parks and Recreation
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
Frances Jimenez, Deputy City Clerk
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Kang seconded by Councilmember Lewis and carried by the following vote of the City Council to adopt the agenda.
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, SCHULZ, TRUONG
3. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by City of La Puente Councilmember Valerie Munoz.
4. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. Mayor's Youth Council Update
President Hope Peoples gave an update on recent and upcoming Mayor's Youth Council events.
B. Public Safety Department Update
Director of Public Safety Services Breceda reported a 6.1% decline in Part 1 crimes; discussed methods o mitigate crimes of opportunity; provided details about the neighborhood watch program; reported lecrease in homeless individuals; and announced that a drone was purchased using grant funds Council commended the Public Safety Department for being proactive.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
• Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
City Clerk Juarez announced upcoming city events. Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
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6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Valerie Munoz, San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority member, congratulated incoming Duarte Unified School Board members and introduced herself.
Doris Anderson commended the city council and staff for their work on the beautification of the electrical boxes; praised the renovations set to begin at the Duarte Library; and expressed hope for improvements to be made to the flower beds beneath the Duarte sign.
Alton Preston inquired about the process of renaming a street in honor of Dorothy Smith, president of the Duarte Service Community Council.
Neil Furukawa discussed the RCR in Duarte Mesa Tract 2815 and 22159.
Tom Reyes expressed concerns about the financial status of the Duarte Unified School District and the closure of Andres Duarte Elementary School.
Steve Hernandez stated his opinion on respecting the recent election results.
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. Approve absence(s) of City Councilmember(s) from the City Council meeting C. Approval of Minutes - November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting (CC/HA/FA) D. Approval of Warrants - November 26, 2024 (CC/HA/FA)
E. The Monthly Financial Report was received and filed.
F. The Public Safety Department Update was received and filed.
G. Approval of City Council Expenses.
H. Approval of Award of Contract for Professional Design Services with Elie Farah Inc. for the Completion of the Plans, Specifications and Cost Estimate for the FY 24-25 Street Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $33,800.00.
I. Acceptance of the Notice of Completion: Fiscal Year 2023-24 Citywide Asphalt Repair Project No. 24-13 for Gentry General Engineering in the amount of $108, 046 Moved by Councilmember Martin Del Campo seconded by Councilmember Kang and carried by the following vote of the City Council to approve items 7.A-7.I of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, SCHULZ, TRUONG
8. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Authorizing the Change in Service Order with Southern California Edison for 1850 Highland Avenue - City Yard
Director of Parks and Recreation Enriquez provided background information on the City Yard Electrical Upgrades Project and detailed the preliminary work that needs to be done by Southern California Edison. Director Enriquez responded to questions stating that an exact timeline cannot be provided by City Council November 26, 2024 Page | 2
Edison until payment has been completed; Edison will coordinate with Metro on the City's behalf to aval that commuters are accommodated; and more detals will be announced as they become Moved by Councilmember Kang seconded by Councilmember Martin Del Campo and carried by the following vote of the City Council to authorize the City Manager to execute the purchase with Southern California Edison for the service change at 1850 Highland Avenue (City Yard), in the amount of $67,232, as part of the City Yard Electrical Upgrades Project.
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, SCHULZ, TRUONG
B. Ordinance No. 928 amending the Duarte Municipal Code to comply with State law regarding tobacco, improve City enforcement of tobacco-related Municipal Code violations, and to enhance public safety, health and welfare
Director of Public Safety Breceda presented a staff report detailing updates that can be made to the Duarte Municipal Code as a result of recent changes in State law that ban flavored tobacco products and sales, increase penalties for violations, and otherwise enhance the City's ability to regulate and enforce tobacco-related commercial and public activities.
Moved by Councilmember Martin Del Campo seconded by Councilmember Kang and carried by the following vote of the City Council to approve the first reading Ordinance No. 928 amending the Duarte Municipal Code to comply with changes in State law, and improve regulation and enforcement regarding tobacco sales, consumption in public, and flavored tobacco.
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, SCHULZ, TRUONG
11. CONTINUATION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
12. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/FINANCING AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND CITY
MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3
Director of Public Safety Breceda reported he attended the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Annual Code Conference.
Assistant City Manager Petersen reported she attended the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association Conference.
City Manager Villalobos reported that he attended the Municipal Management Association of Southern California Conference; assisted with interviews for other organizations, attended the Liability Trust Fund opening workshop with the CEO office and the Sheriff's department Contract Law; and commended the Public Safety and Parks and Recreation department for their recent community events. ouncilmember Martin Del Campo reported that she attended the Foothill Metro Extension meetin nd the Duarte Community Coordinating Council Meeting; announced that Foothill Unity is acceptin donations for the holiday season; and shared she attended the Duarte High School football celebratory Thanks at HoP along with the ribon cuting of the pickeal ours; and wished everyone a Happy Councilmember Lewis requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Firefighter James Taylor; expressed his appreciation of city staff; shared memories of spending Thanksgiving with his mom; invited everyone to join him at the Fred Jordan mission to volunteer; and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
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Councilmember Kang shared he attended the Wild Stylez Dance competition; shared excitement over the progress Duarte has made in terms of Public Safety services and revitalization projects; and announced he would be riding in the Hollywood Christmas parade.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia expressed his gratitude for his family starting roots in Duarte; shared appreciation for the recent beautification projects; stated he attended Assemblymember Rubio's Turkey Giveaway event; announced the opening of Los Albetos restaurant; thanked local businesses for supporting the community; thanked the Parks and Recreation department for coordinating the grand opening of the pickleball courts; and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Sandra Collier Carter and Rosa Garcia Aquino.
13. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:16 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of James Taylor, Sandra Collier Carter, and Rosa Garcia Aquino.
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
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