CITY OF DUARTE
Minutes of the REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/DUARTE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
FINANCING AUTHORITY
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
6:30 PM - Closed Session
7:00 PM - Regular Session
6:00 PM CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Garcia called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Lewis, Truong, Calderon, Garcia Councilmembers Absent: Martin Del Campo
Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Thai Viet Phan, City Attorney
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Finlay seconded by Councilmember Truong and carried by the following vote of the City Council to adopt the agenda.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
ino Paras wished everyone a Happy New Year; expressed his opinion on City Manager Villalobos hared his experience working with the City Manager; and voiced concerns over the notice of th meeting time on the online agenda.
4. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed into closed session at 6:10 p.m. to discuss the following:
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) - Title: City Manager
7:00 PM OPEN SESSION
5. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Garcia called the open session to order at 7:12 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Lewis, Truong, Calderon, Garcia Councilmembers Absent: Martin Del Campo
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
Albert Nuñez, Management Analyst
Frances Jimenez, Deputy City Clerk
Stephanie Sandoval, Public Works Manager
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6. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Mayor's Youth Council member Elisa Ramos.
7. CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Phan announced that no reportable action was taken.
8. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. Mayor's Youth Council Update
President Hope Peoples and member Elisa Ramos gave an update on recent and upcoming Mayor's Youth Council events.
B. Recognition of Denny's Restaurant and City of Duarte Resident Toni Martinez for Their Support of First Responders During the January 2025 Windstorm
The City Council presented certificates of recognition to Denny's Restaurant and City of Duarte resident Toni Martinez for their support of First Responders during the January 2025 windstorm. Denny's restaurant and Toni Martinez were commended for their generosity and kindness in providing meals to the National Guard.
Denny's District Manager Ramis Urribarri thanked the City Council and expressed that Denny's is committed to supporting the community.
Toni Martinez shared why she volunteered her time to serve and give back to First Responders.
C. Public Safety Department Update
City Attorney Phan reminded attendees about Brown Act regulations with regard to the City Council being unable to respond to public comments that address items that are not on the agenda and clarified that City Council Meetings are limited public forums.
Public Comment
Mistress Duarte shared his concerns regarding the wording of the agenda item and in regard to public safety within the City.
Trump 45/47 expressed concern with the enforcement rules regarding public comment.
Director of Public Safety Services Breceda reported as of year to date a 45% decline in part 1 crimes; highlighted that 6 of the city's 13 license plate readers have been installed and actively used; shared that the 2025 Homeless Count resulted in a raw number of 6; gave an update on the Pathway Home Program; and detailed the status of the EPA's hazardous materials processing site at Lario Park.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Joanna Gee, Duarte Library gave a status update on the library's upcoming reopening.
Deputy City Clerk Jimenez announced upcoming city events.
10. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Tom Reyes expressed strong opposition for the development at the Andres Duarte School site and advocated for it to remain a public space.
David Van De Wetering voiced his opinion that the Andres Duarte School site should remain open.
Sylvia Chavez expressed concern for the development project at the Andres Duarte School site and the lack of information on the base rates of the units.
Susan Bolt echoed sentiments that the Andres Duarte School site should not be closed.
Travis Patterson also voiced strong opposition for the development project and the rezoning of the City Council February 25, 2025 Page | 2
property.
Mistress Duarte stated his opinion on the legality of marijuana and its use by the public; suggested ideas to protect air quality; expressed concern with the EPA's hazardous waste processing site at Lario Park; and communicated his worries regarding crime in the City.
Tonette Reyes expressed concern regarding the rezoning of Andres Duarte School and Otis Park and stated the need for schools to accommodate the influx of students that relocate to the city.
Trump 45/47 stated his opinion regarding the development at the Andres Duarte School site; voiced his opinion on homelessness; discussed Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 1969); and expressed concern over corruption within government.
City Attorney Phan reminded attendees about the intended use of the public comment portion of the -
meeting and reiterated that only topics that are within the City's jurisdiction may be discussed.
Steve Hernandez welcomed the residents of the Royal Oaks Retirement Community into the City per the approval made by Local Agency Formation Commission for the County of Los Angeles (LAFCO) and shared the impact the Duarte Rotary Club made by opening its doors to women.
Councilmember Finlay shared that the annexation of the Royal Oaks Retirement Community will be recorded on March 17, 2025.
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. Approve absence(s) of City Councilmember(s) from the City Council meeting.
Public Comment
Trump waived his public comment request.
C. Approval of Minutes - February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting (CC/HA/FA).
D. Approval of Warrants - February 25, 2025 (CC/HA/FA).
E. The Monthly Financial Report was received and filed.
Public Comment
Mistress Duarte expressed worries regarding the homeless count number and the lack of homeless services; additionally expressed financial concern about transportation options that have been discontinued by Metro.
F. The Public Safety Department Update was received and filed.
Public Comment
Trump discussed Watts v. United States and shared concerns over safety in the City.
Mistress Duarte pointed out the need to increase the amount of license plate readers in the city and communicated his concerns regarding public transportation safety due to potential DUl's.
G. Resolution No. 25-05 was adopted to Set a Public Hearing for the Establishment of Underground Utility District No. 11 on March 25, 2025.
H. Removed from Consent Calendar for Discussion.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay seconded by Councilmember Lewis and carried by the following vote of the City Council to approve items 11A-11G of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
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12. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
H. Amendment to City Councilmember Intergovernmental Organization Appointment for the California Contract Cities
Councilmember Lewis provided additional information as to his interest in being reinstated as the California Contract Cities Association delegate.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay seconded by Councilmember Calderon and carried by the following vote of the City Council to appoint Councilmember Lewis as the California Contract Cities Delegate for the current year.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Fiscal Year 2024/25 Mid-Year Budget Report
Director of Administrative Services Petersen presented the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Mid-Year Budget Report which detailed projected general fund revenues, projected general fund expenses, and projected special funds.
Discussion ensued regarding the decline of sales tax revenue.
Public Comment
Trump stated his opinion on the mid-year budget report and the City's finances.
Mistress Duarte shared his support for the funds spent on the Sheriff's contract; expressed his opinior on surrounding local sheriff departments; and stated ideas he'd like to hear discussed.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay seconded by Councilmember Truong and carried by the following vote of the City Council to receive and file the mid-year budget report and approve the corresponding budget amendments.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
B. Emergency Repairs Related to 2025 Windstorm, Award of Contract for the 2025 Windstorm Concrete Emergency Repairs Project and Related Budget Amendment for Concrete Repair and Tree and Debris Removal
Public Works Manager Stephanie Sandoval presented a staff report that highlighted the City-wide damages that resulted from the January 7, 2025, windstorms and stated the high priority areas that require immediate work.
Conversation was had regarding the FEMA reimbursement request process.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay seconded by Councilmember Lewis and carried by the following vote of the City Council to authorize emergency purchases pursuant to DMC Section 2.36.050(e); approve the award of contract for the 2025 Windstorm Concrete Emergency Repairs Project to FS Contractors Inc. in the amount of $151,000, plus a 10% contingency; and approve a $256,000 budget amendment to account 100-1205-7655 to fund Windstorm related cleanup and repairs.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
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ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
15. CONTINUATION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
16. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/FINANCING AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND CITY
MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3
City Manager Villalobos reported that he, along with Mayor Garcia, attended a meeting with Congressman Cisneros and he also attended the Duarte Community Coordinating Council.
Councilmember Calderon shared he attended Congressman Cisnero's swearing-in and thanked City staff for their work.
Councilmember Finlay shared excitement over the Royal Oaks Retirement Community annexation; and addressed concerns regarding the development at the Duarte Andres School site Director of Community Development Hensley gave a brief status update on the development project.
Councilmember Lewis asked for mutual respect in Council Chambers and expressed his commitment to serving the City.
Councilmember Kang shared his opinion on the EPA's hazardous waste processing site at Lario Park and thanked residents for expressing their concerns on the site location.
Mayor Garcia shared he attended Foothill Transit's Annual Bus Rodeo; stated that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve his community; thanked everyone who attended the Breakfast with the Mayor event; highlighted D.A.R.T President Brandon for his success; expressed excitement over the upcoming strategic planning process; and wished his wife a Happy Birthday.
17. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:21 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting.
trances Jimeney
tor Annette Juarez, City
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