CITY OF DUARTE
Minutes of the REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/DUARTE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
FINANCING AUTHORITY
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
6:30 PM — Study Session
7:00 PM — Regular Session
6:00 PM STUDY SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Garcia called the open session to order at 6:05 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Lewis, Truong, Calderon, Garcia Councilmembers Absent: Martin Del Campo
Staff Present: Frances Jimenez, 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. MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL INTERVIEWS
A. Interview of Candidates for Vacant Mayor's Youth Council Positions The City Council interviewed 22 candidates to fill vacant Mayor's Youth Council positions.
B. Discussion of Interviews and Candidates
The City Council discussed the interviews and deliberated over candidates to fill Mayor's Youth Council vacancies.
7:00 PM OPEN SESSION
4. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Garcia called the open session to order at 7:14 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 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, City Clerk
5. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Vice Mayor Eric Chan of San Gabriel.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - SPECIAL ITEMS
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None.
7. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. Community Development Department Update
Director Hensley shared that the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Andres Duarte School Site Development is available for review; gave an update on the ongoing Highland Promenade project; and provided the timeline on the Donald and Bernice Watson Recreation Trail project.
The City Council praised the work being done on Highland Avenue.
In response to questions posed by Council, Director Hensley shared the ways the public can access information regarding the Draft EIR for Andres Duarte School Site development project and provided a status update on the Wyndham Hotel project.
B. Parks and Recreation Department Update
Director Enriquez highlighted that July is Parks Make Life Better Month and recognized the department staff for their continual hard work and efforts serving the community and also shared upcoming community events.
The City Council thanked the Parks and Recreation staff and all the volunteers who worked the recent third of July event.
Discussion ensued regarding the success of the recently passed third of July event, the history of how the event came to be, and suggestions for future improvements.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
Assistant to the City Manager Rangel announced upcoming city events.
Joanna Gee shared that the Kiwanis Club of Duarte is excited to announce that they will be honoring Mr.
Vicente Figueroa with the 2025 Community Angel award and recognizing Kevin Morris and Gerald Decker with the Community Service Award on Friday, August 1, 2025.
9. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Kendra, representative from Crestfield Townhomes shared information on the development project aimed at attracting families and revitalizing Otis Gordon Sports Community Public Park.
10. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
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.
C. Approval of Minutes - June 24, 2025 Regular Meeting (CC/HA/FA).
D. Approval of Warrants - July 8, 2025 (CC/HA/FA).
E. Receive and File the Community Development Department Update.
F. Receive and File the Parks and Recreation Department Update.
G. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-03 amending DMC Section 15.04.010 and
15.09.020 to ensure compliance with State law relating to fire hazard severity zones and adding DMC Chapter 15.10 to provide additional tools to ensure fire safety including regulating activity near critical infrastructure and wildfire risk areas.
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H. Approval of One Night Hotel Accommodations in Anaheim, California for Duarte Dance.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Calderon, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to adopt items 11A-11G of the Consent Calendar AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
12. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
14. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - BUSINESS ITEMS
None.
15. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Appointments to the 2025/26 Mayor's Youth Council
Director Enriquez opened the discussion regarding candidate appointments to the Mayor's Youth Council.
The City Council spoke highly of all candidates and shared several ideas and suggestions the students brought forward on what they would like to see improved in the city.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Truong, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to appoint all twenty-two (22) candidates that applied to serve on the 2025/26 Mayor's Youth Council.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
B. Resolution opposing Senate Bill 634 (Perez) prohibiting a local iurisdiction from adopting a local ordinance, or enforcing an existing ordinance, that prohibits a person or organization from providing support services, as specified, to a person who is homeless or assisting a person who is homeless with any act related to basic survival
City Attorney Phan provided a staff report detailing the background information on SB 634; shared the bill's provisions; and stated her recommendation regarding the city's need to maintain local expertise and control to determine the policies and procedures that best fit the needs of the Duarte community.
City Manager Villalobos provided clarification regarding the city's current policies on homelessness and shared the unpredictability of future problems that can arise that require local control.
Clarification was provided regarding the various versions of the bill in comparison to the current proposed amended bill.
Discussion ensued regarding the ability in the future to adopt policies and procedures that fit the needs of the city and situation.
Moved by Councilmember Finlay, seconded by Councilmember Kang, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to Discuss and adopt Resolution No. 25-18 opposing Senate Bill 634 to protect local control and the public health, safety, and welfare of Duarte residents, visitors, and businesses.
AYES: FINLAY, KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, GARCIA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MARTIN DEL CAMPO
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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
Director Breceda shared he was in Sacramento on behalf of the Duarte Rotary Club to accept a Resolution from Senator Rubio recognizing the organization and attended Councilmember Finlay's recognition as one of the longest-standing female councilmembers in the San Gabriel Valley.
Director Enriquez shared that applications for the Community Garden have closed; reminded residents that the ribbon cutting will be taking place July 26th; and shared logistics on the shared gardening process.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services Petersen detailed the completed budget book and highlighted the images used from the recent utility box art program.
City Manager Villalobos thanked the Parks and Recreation and Public Safety departments for putting on a great third of July celebration.
Councilmember Calderon shared his experience at the Community Garden Volunteer Day event with Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo and Councilmember Finlay and encouraged residents to reach out to the Mexican Consulate for any questions or resource information.
Councilmember Finlay shared her experience in Sacramento accepting the award from Senator Rubio and stated that former Representative Grace Napolitano is in support of making Lario Park an official park.
Councilmember Lewis asked staff to come back with an update on SB 79 and its possible effects on the City and also commented on the third of July celebration.
Councilmember Truong reported he attended the SGVCOG meeting that celebrated outgoing President Councilmember Tim Hepburn and incoming President Ed Reece and thanked city staff on behalf of his family for the Third of July celebration.
Mayor Garcia thanked Assemblymember Rubio and Representative Vicky Paul from Supervisor Barger's office for attending the third of July event; invited residents to attend upcoming concerts in the park; encouraged support of the Route 66 committee parade in their raffle efforts; expressed his condolences to the family of his neighbor, Josefina Medina; and asked the meeting be adjourned in her memory.
17. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:24 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Duarte resident, Josefina Medina.
Cesar A. Garcia, Mayor
France. Manorey
Frances Jimenez, Citycelerk
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