CITY OF DUARTE
Minutes of the REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/DUARTE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
FINANCING AUTHORITY
Tuesday, August 26, 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 7:05 p.m.
Councilmembers Present: Kang (arrived at 7:06 p.m.), Lewis, Truong, Calderon, Martin Del Campo, Garcia
Councilmembers Absent: Finlay
Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Thai Viet Phan, City Attorney
Kristen Petersen, Assistant City Manager / Director of Administrative Services
Larry Breceda, Director of Public Safety Services
Manuel Enriquez, Director of Parks and Recreation
Stephanie Sandoval, Public Works Manager
Andres Rangel, Assistant to the City Manager
Frances Jimenez, City Clerk
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Lewis, seconded by Councilmember Calderon, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to adopt the agenda.
AYES: LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY, KANG
3. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The flag salute was led by Samuel Lemus.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - SPECIAL ITEMS
None.
5. SPECIAL ITEMS
A. Recess to Celebrate the City's 68th Anniversary
The City Council briefly recessed for a reception in celebration of the City's 68th Anniversary.
The City Council meeting resumed at 7:28 p.m.
B. National Suicide Prevention Week Proclamation
The City Council presented a proclamation proclaiming September 7-13, 2025 as Suicide Prevention Week to Adriana Avila, Board Member/education committee chair and volunteer with the Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Adriana Avila thanked the City Council and shared awareness and resources on suicide prevention.
Kelly Manning, Fundraising Manager for the Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), invited the community to the upcoming 2025 City Council August 26, 2025 Page | 1
Pasadena Out of the Darkness Walk.
In response to questions asked by the City Council, Kelly Manning provided additional information on the resources provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
D. Foothill Unity Center Annual Report
Foothill Unity Center's Executive Director, Jhoana Hirasuna, provided an Annual Report on the organization's impact on the surrounding communities; shared their future goals; detailed the services provided; and highlighted volunteer opportunities.
The City Council thanked Executive Director Hirasuna for providing a report; encouraged residents to volunteer; and shared appreciation for the continued partnership.
E. Public Safety Department Update
The Public Safety department reported a year to date 8.9% decline in part 1 crimes; provided information on recent incidents; highlighted the success of the Flock Camera System; and attributed Retail Theft Operations and both the Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch programs to the decline of part 1 crimes.
The City Council shared appreciation for the work of the Public Safety department and commended the continual decline of crime rates. The City Council also shared concerns regarding recent incidents in the city and provided suggestions on additional security measures that could be taken around the Town C. Introduction of SGVCOG's newly elected Board President, Ed Reece Mayor Garcia took Special Item 5.C. out of order after Special Item 5.E.
The City Council welcomed the team representing The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
SGVCOG's newly elected Board President, Claremont Councilmember Ed Reece, introduced himself; highlighted the partnership between the organization and the surrounding cities; encouraged elected officials to become involved on boards and committees; shared recent achievements; outlined high- level priorities for the coming year that involve the City of Duarte; and provided information on recently initiated programs.
Per questions made by the City Council, Board President Reece provided information on board meeting dates.
The City Council congratulated Board President Reece on his new role; thanked him along with the SGVCOG staff for their service; shared appreciation for their commitment to the San Gabriel Valley communities; commended the City of Claremont for its thriving downtown; expressed excitement over working together in the future; and offered assistance in any way.
F. City Attorney Update on Immigration Activities
City Attorney Phan provided an update on Immigration Activities.
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Joanna Gee, Duarte Library, announced upcoming library events.
Assistant to the City Manager Rangel announced upcoming city events.
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
ity Clerk Jimenez reported that the City received written public comment from Clifford Ball regardin concerns about a Spectrum outage which occurred on Sunday, August 24, 2025 Rory James McNair expressed concerns over Councilmember Finlay's conduct as CA JPIA, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority President.
Tristan Hallum, Director of Scientific Programs for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control, provided an informational update on black fly presence in the area; shared prevention tips for residents; and provided additional details on available resources.
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Lino Paras shared recent news regarding pop culture; shared his experience dealing with black flies; anc commended City Attorny Phan for the professional presentation on immigration activity.
Steve Hernandez thanked City Attorney Phan for the presentation; shared his thoughts on the recent immigration incidents; and stated his opinion regarding recent public comment made against staff.
Mayor Garcia requested that a presentation from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control be agendized for a future meeting.
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 - July 22, 2025 Regular Meeting (CC/HA/FA).
D. Approval of Warrants - August 12, 2025 and August 26, 2025 (CC/HA/FA).
E. Receive and File the Monthly Financial Report for the month of June 2025.
F. Receive and File the Public Safety Department Update.
G. Receive and File the Community Development Department Update.
H. Receive and File the Parks and Recreation Department Update.
I. Approval and execution of a Third Amendment to the funding Agreement between the City of Duarte and Foothill Unity Center, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $14,500 for FY 2025-26.
J. Proclamation proclaiming September 2025 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Duarte.
K. Approval of Notice of Completion: Fiscal Year 24-25 Citywide Asphalt Repair Project Hardy and Harper Inc. in the amount of $84,364.80.
Moved by Councilmember Kang, seconded by Councilmember Truong, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to adopt items 9A - 9K of the Consent Calendar..
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY
10. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - BUSINESS ITEMS
None.
13. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo
City Clerk Jimenez provided background information on the city's history of participating as a voting member at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo General Assembly, where members will convene, discuss, and vote on resolutions that could become Cal Cities Policy.
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Participation in the General assembly will allow for the City of Duarte to advocate for local control and ensure the community's interests are heard when it comes to policymaking. City clerk Jimenez stated that per CalCities bylaws, the City Council would need to designate a Voting Delegate and Alternate.
After discussion, the City Council nominated Councilmember Lewis as a voting delegate and also nominated Councilmember Truong and Councilmember Calderon as the two alternate voting delegates for the General Assembly.
Moved by Councilmember Kang, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo, and carried by the following vote of the City Council to designate Councilmember Lewis as a voting delegate and Councilmember Truong and Councilmember Calderon as the two alternate voting delegates for the General Assembly taking place at 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo.
AYES: KANG, LEWIS, TRUONG, CALDERON, MARTIN DEL CAMPO, GARCIA NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: FINLAY
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
City Manager Villalobos reported he attended National Night Out and commended both the Public Safety and Parks and Recreation department; reported he attended the Duarte Library reopening; and praised the recent renovations.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo shared appreciation for the city summer programs.
Councilmember Calderon thanked the Public Safety department for addressing his constituents' concerns and increasing patrolling in certain areas.
Councilmember Lewis complimented the Public Safety department for the low crime statistics and spoke on the integrity of his councilmember colleague.
Councilmember Truong welcomed the students back to school; thanked Public Safety department and Animal Control for their recent work addressing bear sightings; and shared excitement for the upcoming holiday season activities.
Mayor Garcia thanked everyone who has supported the efforts for the upcoming Route 66 parade; congratulated the Public Safety department on a successful National Night Out; thanked staff for great summer programming; and reported he attended the SGVCOG meeting regarding the Olympics and World Cup. Mayor Garcia also announced the meeting be adjourned in memory of Steve Lewis and Carlos Roberto Montoya.
Councilmember Kang thanked Mayor Garcia for adjourning in memory of his high school friend, Steve Lewis, and shared fond memories together.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:03 p.m., the City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of Steve Lewis and Carlos Roberto Montoya.
Frances. menez
Frances Jimenez, City
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