CITY OF DUARTE
Minutes of the REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/DUARTE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
FINANCING AUTHORITY
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
7:00 PM - Regular Session
7:00 PM OPEN SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Garcia called the open session to order at 7:03 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Truong, Calderon, Martin Del Campo, Garcia Councilmembers Absent: Lewis
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
Andres Rangel, Assistant to the City Manager
Frances Jimenez, Interim City Clerk
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Calderon, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to adopt the agenda.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, TRUONG, CALDERON, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: LEWIS
3. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Hope Peoples.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - SPECIAL ITEMS
None.
5. 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 year-to-date 27% decline in part 1 crimes; highlighted recent work done by the special assignment team; thanked Captain Meza of Temple Station for his support of the department; and introduced our new Sergeant assigned to Duarte, Lamont Sergeant Lamont Dobbins shared his work experience and expressed excitement over his new role.
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
Interim City Clerk Jimenez announced upcoming city events.
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Vincent Basobas, Programs Manager for the NAPAFASA, National Asian Pacific American Families Allied for Substance Awareness and Harm Reduction, invited the community to an upcoming Secondhand Smoke-Free Breathe Easy Duarte Town Hall.
Emily Castellano-Millares advocated for students with disabilities in the Duarte Unified School District.
Lilibeth Peñafurte shared her opinion on the lack of transparency and communication regarding special education needs within the school district and asked the City to create inclusive and adaptive parks.
Maritza Moreno stated her opinion regarding the future of special education and asked for consideration from the city of Duarte and the Duarte Unified School District.
8. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
9. 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 - April 8, 2025 Regular Meeting (CC/HA/FA).
D. Approval of Warrants - April 22, 2025 (CC/HA/FA).
E. Receive and File the Monthly Financial Report for the month of February 2025.
F. Receive and File the Public Safety Department Update.
G. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-02.
H. Authorization of the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr & Peers for the preparation of a parking and circulation assessment for the City of Hope Campus, as required by the City of Hope Specific Plan, in the amount of $99,000.
I. Award of Contract for the Fiscal Year 24-25 Citywide Asphalt Repair Project No. 25-1 to Hardy & Harper Inc. in the amount of $86,480.
J. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-08 certifying the completion of the Fish Canyon Trail Restoration and Access Planning Project (RMC21010).
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Calderon, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to approve items 9A - 9J of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, TRUONG, CALDERON, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: LEWIS
10. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - BUSINESS ITEMS
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None.
13. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Discussion of the Local Area Fire Hazard Zone Maps
City Manager Villalobos gave a presentation on CalFire's release of the updated LRA Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Map for Southern California. He explained that within 120 days of official notice from CalFire, the City must adopt the maps as presented or with alterations. He noted that the city cannot decrease the severity in any fire zones, only increase; and shared that the maps are available to view on the website where public comment will be accepted.
City Manager Villalovos also detailed the timeline for the next steps in bringing back an ordinance to council for approval and clarified that the fire hazard maps will not impact insurance rates and are solely used for the purpose of emergency planning.
In response to questions made by the City Council, City Manager Villalobos shared that the maps are used as a tool for fire and emergency management, evacuation planning, brush clearance, building codes, and more.
Discussion ensued regarding future funding sources for hardening homes and other needs for residents in high-severity zones.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Kang, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to Receive and File the information regarding the Local Responsibility Area Hazard Severity Zones Map.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, TRUONG, CALDERON, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: LEWIS
14. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/FINANCING AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND CITY
MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 53232.3
Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services Petersen thanked the City Council for participating in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Project Workshop and reminded them about the upcoming Budget workshop.
City Manager Villalobos reported he attended recent community events and thanked the department heads, staff, and Director Petersen for putting together the CIP workshop.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo reported she attended the Foothill Metro extension meeting and thanked the mothers who shared during public comment.
Councilmember Calderon shared that he attended an Earth Day celebration hosted by the LA County Sanitation District and reminded residents to take care of the earth.
Councilmember Finlay commended city staff for another successful Eggfest; reported she attended the City Selection Committee Meeting; thanked Mayor Corey Calaycay for suggesting satellite stations for the City Selection Committee meetings; and expressed excitement over the upcoming State of the City event.
In response to a question posed by Councilmember Kang, City Manager Villalobos confirmed that renderings have been provided to the city council and explained that a proposal would need to come back for council approval if anything further would like to be done. Councilmember Kang requested a quote be brought back to council for discussion and direction.
Councilmember Truong reported he attended the SGVCOG Governing Board meeting; stated his opinion on the city's work addressing homelessness; reported he attended the SGVCOG EENR meeting; and discussed AQMD's mandate to meet a threshold of pollution emissions.
Mayor Garcia recognized Duarte educators Ms. Tracy McCullough, Ms. Lisa Smith, and Ms. Hannah Rodriguez for the work they do; shared pride in the work done by the Parks and Recreation department in creating an inclusive environment through events; shared recent community events he attended; City Council April 22, 2025 Page | 3
announced he was a panelist for Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio's Young Legislator's program; and invited residents to the upcoming State of the City event.
Councilmember Kang shared fond memories of Mary Sommerlot.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:52 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Mary Sommerlot, active community member and Pope Francis.
Cesar A. Garcia, Mayor
France (Jimenea
Frances Jimenez, Inter
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