IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706
APRIL 24, 2024
WEDNESDAY
5: 30 P. M.
The Irwindale CITY COUNCIL and SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE IRWINDALE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY met in special joint meeting at the above time and place.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Mark A. Breceda, Manuel R. Garcia, H. Manuel Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Larry G. Burrola;
Mayor Albert F. Ambriz
Also Present: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager, Adrian Guerra, City Attorney; and Laura Nieto, Chief Deputy City Clerk
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES None.
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS None.
RECESS TO At 5. 33 p. m., the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the CLOSED SESSION following:
Conference with tabor Negotiator
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957. 6 Agency Designated Representatives: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager; Adrian Guerra, Legal Counsel; Kambiz Borhani, Finance Director; Mary Hull, Human Resources Manager
Employee Organizations: IMEA, ICEA, IPOA, and unrepresented employees
ACTION: Update and information provided, direction provided to staff; no reportable action.
Conference with Real Property Negotiator
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956. 8 Property: Portion of 198 S. Peckham Road ( APN 8533- 011- 039) Agency Negotiator: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Martins Trucking
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Successor Agency Item
ACTION: Information provided, direction provided to staff; no reportable action.
CITY COUNCIL I SUCCESSOR AGENCY MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 2
Property: 16249 Arrrow Highway
Negotiating Parties: Marta McBride and Julian A. Miranda, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
ACTION: Information provided to Board, no action taken
Councilmember Breceda did not participate due to a potential conflict of interest).
Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation
Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54954. 5( c), 54956. 9( d)( 1) Name of Case: Five Points, LP, vs. City of Irwindale
Case Number: 22STCV01394
ACTION: Update provided, no direction provided; no action taken Councilmember Breceda did not participate due to a potential conflict of interest).
Conference with Legal Counsel -- Existing Litigation
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956. 9 Name of Case: Mariela Isabel Avila vs. City of Irwindale Case Number: 22STCV0093
Name of Case: Robert Avila vs. City of Irwindale
Case Number: 23STCV05559
ACTION: Information provided, update provided to Council; direction provided to staff, no reportable action ( Mayor Pro Tern Burrola recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest).
RECONVENE IN At 6: 44 p. m., the City Council reconvened in Open Session.
OPEN SESSION
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business t conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p. m.
dot_
Wf M. Nieto, MMC
Deputy City Clerk
Approved as submitted at the meeting held May 8, 2024.
IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706
APRIL 24, 2024
WEDNESDAY
6: 45 P. M.
The Irwindale CITY COUNCIL met in regular session at the above time and place.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Mark A. Breceda, Manuel R. Garcia, H. Manuel Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Larry G. Burrola;
Mayor Albert F. Ambriz
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Also Present: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager; Adrian Guerra, City Attorney; Theresa Olivares, Assistant City Manager; Christopher Hofford, Chief of Police; Kambiz Borhani, Director of Finance / City Treasurer; Eddie Chan, Director of Engineering / Building Official; Elizabeth Rodriguez, Public Services Director; Mary Hull, Human Resources Manager, and Laura Nieto, Chief Deputy City Clerk The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES None.
CHANGES TO THE
AGENDA None.
COUNCILMEMBER
TRAVEL REPORTS None.
COUNCILMEMBER
COMMENTS
MAYOR PRO TEM
BURROLA
MAYOR AMBRIZ
INTRODUCTION OF
NEW EMPLOYEES 1
PROMOTIONS
PROCLAMATIONS 1
PRESENTATIONS I
COMMENDATIONS
Mayor Pro Tern Burrola commended the Police Officers that received awards at a recent awards ceremony held by the Police Department.
Mayor Ambriz echoed Mayor Pro Tern Burrola' s statement.
None.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SAN GABRIEL VALEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
COUNCIL OF PRESENTATION ON COYOTES
GOVERNMENTS
PRESENTATION ON Nicholas Ryu with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments COYOTES made the PowerPoint presentation.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
IRWINDALE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
QUARTERLY UPDATE
PROCLAMATION -
AUTISM AWARENESS
MONTH
PROCLAMATION -
DMV / DONATE LIFE
MONTH
PROCLAMATION -
NATIONAL LIBRARY
WEEK
PROCLAMATION -
NATIONAL PUBLIC
TELECOMMUNICATORS
WEEK
PROCLAMATION -
DENIM DAY
CONSENT CALENDAR
FRED BARBOSA
APRIL 24, 2024
PAGE 2
IRWINDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE QUARTERLY UPDATE
Lily Phan of the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce presented the update.
PROCLAMATION — AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
The proclamation was made.
PROCLAMATION — DMV I DONATE LIFE MONTH
The proclamation was made.
PROCLAMATION — NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
The proclamation was made.
PROCLAMATION — NATIONAL PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATORS
WEEK
The proclamation was made.
PROCLAMATION — DENIM DAY
The proclamation was made.
Fred Barbosa asked questions regarding Item No. 19C and the city' s claims processing procedures.
MOTION A motion was made by Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 19C, which was removed for separate consideration. The motion was unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 19A SPECIAL AND REGULAR MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD SPECIAL AND APRIL 10, 2024
REGULAR MINUTES
OF THE MEETING The minutes of the special and regular meetings held April 10, 2024, HELD APRIL 10, 2024 were approved.
ITEM NO. 19B WARRANTS 1 DEMANDS / PAYROLL
WARRANTS/
DEMANDS 1 PAYROLL The warrants 1 demands 1 payroll were approved.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 3
ITEM NO. 19D INVESTMENT QUARTERLY REPORT FOR FISCAL QUARTER INVESTMENT ENDING MARCH 31, 2024
QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR FISCAL QUARTER The City Council, Successor Agency Board, and Housing Authority ENDING MARCH 31, Board received and filed the Investment Quarterly Report for the fiscal 2024 quarter ending March 31, 2024.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
ITEM NO. 19C REJECTION OF CLAIM -- JENNY CHAVEZ VS. CITY OF
REJECTION OF CLAIM - IRWINDALE
JENNY CHAVEZ VS.
CITY OF IRWINDALE
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY Chief Deputy City Clerk Nieto advised that the City's third -party claims CLERK NIETO adjuster, Carl Warren, reviews claims against the City and recommended that this specific claim be rejected. If the recommendation is accepted by the City Council, the City Clerk' s Office would send the notice of rejection to the claimant.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa questioned why the claims adjuster does not send the notice of rejection to claimants, to which City Attorney Guerra advised that many cities follow the same procedure where their claims adjusters make recommendations regarding whether claims should be accepted, though it is ultimately up to the Council bodies to make the final determination.
MOTION A motion was made by Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Burrola, to reject the claim of Jenny Chavez vs. City of Irwindale and direct staff to send a letter of rejection. The motion was unanimously approved.
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa wished to clarify comments he made at the previous meeting and stated that when he spoke about residential housing in commercial zones, he was referring to warehousing and commercial buildings being used for housing and did not mean mixed uses. He also cautioned that insect -infested eucalyptus trees along Arrow Highway may dry and explode since they are filled with eucalyptus oil.
ROBERT ESCOVEDO Robert Escovedo reported that an industrial diesel generator and a wrecked vehicle are being stored improperly at the recently built parking lot near Morada Street.
TERESA ORTIZ Teresa Ortiz' s emailed comment was read into the record. In it, she thanked Senior Center, Public Works, and Recreation staff for their CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 4
hospitable service to residents and for always making the parks look impeccable.
DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda congratulated the members of the Police Department for their awards and wished that the department Dispatchers had been at the function.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO. 21A VERBAL UPDATE ON IRWINDALE PARK IMPROVEMENTS
VERBAL UPDATE ON PROJECTS, PHASES IV AND V
IRWINDALE PARK
IMPROEMENTS
PROJECTS, PHASES
IV AND V
CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Guerra recommended that Councilmembers Breceda GUERRA and Garcia recuse themselves from this item due to potential conflicts of interest.
COUNCILMEMBERS At 7: 30 p. m., Councilmembers Breceda and Garcia and City Manager BRECEDA AND GARCIA Miranda recused themselves from discussing this item and exited the AND CITY MANAGER Council Chambers.
MIRANDA
DIRECTOR CHAN Director Chan made a PowerPoint presentation where he advised that, on the north side of the project, the contractor has: 1) completed the exterior of the restrooms and is now working on the interior, 2) the horseshoe pit has been completed; 3) fencing, gate, and benches have been installed; and 4) the site is nearly ready to receive sod. At the south end: 1) the structure of the picnic shelter has been completed; 2) the metal fence has also been installed; 3) the contractor has started roofing of the picnic shelter; 4) the remaining concrete hardscape will be poured this week, followed by the placement of sod; 5) the exterior of the restroom is substantially completed; and 6) the installation of LED lighting has been completed. Staff will continue working with the contractor to complete the project as soon as possible and have the park open by June 17.
MAYOR PRO TEM In response to questions from Mayor Pro Tern Burrola, Director Chan BURROLA indicated that sod will be installed at the park and advised that trees at the park have already been trimmed.
DIRECTOR RODRIGUEZ Director Rodriguez clarified that staff is working with West Coast Arborists to schedule tree trimming.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa thanked the crew that trimmed the palm tree near his house.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 5
COUNCILMEMBERS At 7: 38 p. m., Councilmembers Breceda and Garcia and City Manager BRECEDA AND GARCIA Miranda returned to the Council Chambers.
AND CITY MANAGER
MIRANDA
PUBLIC HEARINGS None.
CITY MANAGER' S
REPORT
CITY MANAGER City Manager Miranda reported the following:
MIRANDA
1) The Police Department is selling Pink Patch shirts.
2) The Public Works Services Department has finalized the Facility and Open Space Rental Policy and has mailed information to all residents.
3) He also provided information regarding upcoming Library, Recreation, and Senior Center events.
FUTURE AGENDA
ITEMS REQUESTED
WAS1*111 to] IaJJ14J, 1- 14ZR
ITEM NO. 24A REQUEST BY MAYOR AMBRIZ REGARDING THE PLANS AND
REQUEST BY MAYOR VISIONS FOR THE ARROW HIGHWAY CORRIDOR FROM AZUSA
AMBRIZ REGARDING CANYON ROAD, EAST TO VINCENT AVENUE
THE PLANS AND
VISIONS FOR THE
ARROW HIGHWAY
CORRIDOR
CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Guerra stated that he would hold off on recommending GUERRA whether Councilmember Breceda should recuse himself from participating in discussing this matter since he was unsure what will be discussed and added that he may make a recommendation once the subject matter is clarified.
MAYOR AMBRIZ Mayor Ambriz requested discussion regarding the Arrow Highway corridor from Azusa Canyon Road to Vincent Avenue. He wondered whether the corridor should be zoned for commercial uses and mentioned the possibility of applying a moratorium on the area to postpone developments until the Council makes a determination as to what to allow in that area.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 24, 2024
PAGE 6
DIRECTOR SIMPSON Director Simpson noted that one aspect of the proposed housing element contains the possibility of designating a specific plan for the Arrow Highway commercial corridor in order to maintain consistency with state law and potentially allowing for housing. She noted that the state Department of Housing and Community Development is still reviewing Irwindale' s housing element and has not certified it yet. She also suggested considering the exact project location and requested that the Council detail its vision for inclusion in the specific plan, which potentially could include a retail area and/ or restaurant area. She also mentioned the possibility of creating a development code and any improvements desired for the area, and the authorization of an economic feasibility study, which would involve the hiring of a consultant to prepare the specific plan and prepare any environmental analyses that may be required, which in turn would require extensive outreach to all affected parties as well as rezoning and a general plan amendment. She also mentioned the possibility of establishing an overlay. She then stated that a potential first step would be to hold a study session to discuss the topics she mentioned and noted that the entire process could take between 15 to 20 years to fully materialize.
MAYOR AMBRIZ Mayor Ambriz stated that it is time to bring this subject forward and gain public input to plan out a vision.
COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Ortiz concurred with Mayor Ambriz and suggested ORTIZ potentially holding a study session with the Planning Commission. He added that the moratorium is also important.
ROBERT DIAZ Robert Diaz wondered whether rezoning the area would accomplish the same as a specialized plan. He also expressed concern over lack of available space for potential Fire Department expansion.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa stated that he has spoken to the Fire Department who indicated that they would not be able to establish a Quint in Irwindale.
COUNCILMEMBER Responding to a question by Councilmember Breceda, City Attorney BRECEDA Guerra recommended that he recuse himself from voting on this matter while staff explores further into whether he should participate in discussions.
MOTION A motion was made by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Burrola, to direct staff to look further into potential options as soon as possible for Council consideration. The motion was unanimously approved; Councilmember Breceda abstaining.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 7
ITEM NO. 24B REQUEST BY MAYOR PRO TEM BURROLA ON THE ZONING
REQUEST BY MAYOR STATUS FOR THE TEN -ACRE SITE
PRO TEM BURROLA
ON THE ZONING
STATUS FOR THE
TEN -ACRE SITE
CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Guerra recommended that Councilmember Breceda GUERRA recuse himself from discussing this item.
COUNCILMEMBER At 7: 54 p. m., Councilmember Breceda and City Manager Miranda BRECEDA AND CITY declared potential conflicts of interest with this item and exited the MANAGER MIRANDA Council Chambers.
MAYOR PRO TEM Mayor Pro Tern Burrola requested that staff look into zoning ten acres BURROLA for housing, to which Director Simpson advised that six acres of the 10- acre site on Allen Drive have already been proposed in the housing element as inventory for housing sites, with three acres designated as having eight units per acre, and three acres designated as having 14 units per acre. She reminded that the housing element is under review by the state Department of Housing and Community Development, which will likely provide comments by May 6. She further recommended against rezoning the site at this time since the housing element has not been adopted nor certified. However, if the Council were to consider rezoning the site, she reminded the Council that one of the ten acres is probably unusable since it had experienced a slope failure in the past. With the remaining nine acres, the Council would need to consider housing density as well as a subdivision map and whether the site should include a public facility.
Mayor Pro Tern Burrola also asked whether staff has informed the County regarding the Surplus Land Act and the identification of the Allen Drive site for housing, to which Director Simpson confirmed that they have, though the specifics, such as housing density, is still under review. Director Simpson also indicated that staff had also identified other areas in the City that could be used for housing, such as areas on Ramona and the northern part of the city. Staff is also waiting for comments on these sites.
Mayor Pro Tem Burrola expressed his desire to zone the site for housing, to which Director Simpson stated that, until the housing element is adopted, it is not considered a valid document. She added that the city has already designated the site for residential and would face an uphill battle if the city attempted to change it to another use.
Mayor Pro Tern Burrola questioned the need to wait for comments by the Department of Housing and Community Development, to which City Attorney Guerra advised that, under state law, zoning would have to comply with the housing element in order to be adopted. Currently, the housing element is essentially in limbo until it is certified by the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 24, 2424
REGULAR MEETING PAGE S
Department of Housing and Community Development. He added that staff cannot provide a definite timeline as to when the city can further discuss zoning for the Allen Drive site.
MAYOR AMBRIZ Mayor Ambriz stated that the Council is adamantly against high density housing, to which Assistant City Manager Olivares noted that HCD has previously requested as many as 21 housing units per acre, after which staff spoke to HCD representatives regarding concerns o the city, which resulted in the HCD lowering density requirements to 14 units per acre.
COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Ortiz concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Burrola and ORTIZ stated that the Council has made its stance clear with regard to housing density and the acreage of the site that should be used for housing.
MAYOR AMBRIZ Responding to a question by Mayor Ambriz, City Attorney Guerra advised that it would probably be best for the City to wait until the HCD responds to the housing element, after which staff could present an update to the Council, potentially by the first meeting of June.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa alleged that the Council is rushing this matter since it is an election year.
ANTHONY NARANJO Anthony Naranjo pointed out that the Council has previously instructed staff on the content and submittal of the housing element to the HCD, but that it now appears that the Council wishes to backtrack and make changes.
LINDA MAREZ Linda Marez asked about the type of housing to be developed, to which Director Simpson advised that tonight' s discussion pertains to zoning for the site, to remain consistent with what was submitted to the HCD, and not any specific type of housing; that discussion will be held at future workshops.
CITY ATTORNEY
GUERRA
ITEM NO. 24C
REQUEST BY
COUNCILMEMBER
ORTIZ RELATED TO
THE CURRENT
SITUATION WITH
UNHOUSED
INDIVIDUALS
City Attorney Guerra concurred and advised that the process has not yet reached the point where types of housing would be discussed.
REQUEST BY COUNCILMEMBER ORTIZ RELATED TO THE
CURRENT SITUATION WITH UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 24, 2024
PAGE 9
COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Ortiz stated that he requested this item so that a ORTIZ report could be provided regarding unhoused individuals in the city.
He noted that Irwindale is working with the cities of Duarte and Azusa regarding the matter and indicated that Azusa is building a shelter and that Duarte is providing temporary housing vouchers, and inquired which steps Irwindale has taken to help the unhoused.
CITY MANAGER City Manager Miranda advised that staff has worked with the Council MIRANDA of Governments and that an assessment of four potential shelter sites was performed. One site was very favorable for the development of low barrier housing, though that site fell through. Staff is now looking at three other sites for the potential development of low -barrier housing. Staff can present updates at a future meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Ortiz then requested that June be proclaimed as ORTIZ Pride Month, to which City Manager Miranda noted that the Council has previously approved a list of yearly proclamations, which included proclaiming June as Pride Month.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further busines to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 21 p. m. ! '
r,
r
a a M. Nieto, MMC
ref Deputy City Clerk
Approved as submitted at the meeting held May 8, 2024.
IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706
APRIL 24, 2024
WEDNESDAY
8: 21 P. M.
The Irwindale SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE IRWINDALE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY met in regular session at the above time and place.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Mark A. Breceda, Manuel R. Garcia, H. Manuel Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tern Larry G. Burrola;
Mayor Albert F. Ambriz
Also Present: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager; Adrian Guerra, City Attorney; Theresa Olivares, Assistant City Manager; Christopher Hofford, Chief of Police; Kambiz Borhani, Director of Finance 1 City Treasurer; Marilyn Simpson, Community Development Director; Eddie Chan, Director of Engineering 1 Building Official; Elizabeth Rodriguez, Public Services Director; Mary Hull, Human Resources Manager, and Laura Nieto, Chief Deputy City Clerk
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION A motion was made by Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 27A REGULAR MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD APRIL 10, 2024
REGULAR MINUTES OF
THE MEETING HELD The minutes of the regular meeting held April 10, 2024, were APRIL 10, 2024 approved.
ITEM NO. 27B WARRANTS 1 DEMANDS 1 PAYROLL
WARRANTS
The warrants 1 demands 1 payroll were approved.
ITEM NO. 27C INVESTMENT QUARTERLY REPORT FOR FISCAL QUARTER INVESTMENT ENDING MARCH 31, 2024
QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR FISCAL QUARTER The City Council, Successor Agency Board, and Housing Authority ENDING MARCH 31, Board received and filed the Investment Quarterly Report for the 2024 fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024,
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS There were no speakers.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APR IL 24, 2024
PAGE 2
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 22 p. m.
L/ aurh M. Nieto, MMC
f Deputy City Clerk
Approved as submitted at the meeting held May 8, 2024.
IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 24, 2024
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE WEDNESDAY
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 8: 23 P. M.
The Irwindale HOUSING AUTHORITY met in regular session at the above time and place.
ROLL CALL: Present: Board Members Mark A. Breceda; Manuel R. Garcia, H. Manuel Ortiz; Vice Chair Larry G. Burrola; Chair Albert F. Ambriz Also present: Julian A. Miranda, Executive Director; Adrian Guerra, General Counsel; Theresa Olivares, Assistant Executive Director; Christopher Hofford, Chief of Police; Kambiz Borhani, Director of Finance I City Treasurer; Marilyn Simpson, Community Development Director; Elizabeth Rodriguez, Public Services Director; Eddie Chan, Director of Engineering 1 Building Official; Mary Hull, Human Resources Manager, and Laura Nieto, Chief Assistant Authority Secretary
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION A motion was made by Board Member Breceda, seconded by Board Member Ortiz, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was unanimously approved.
ITEM NO, 33A
REGULAR MINUTES
OF THE MEETING
HELD APRIL 10, 2024
ITEM NO. 33B
INVESTMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR FISCAL QUARTER
ENDING MARCH 31,
2024
REGULAR MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD APRIL 10, 2024
The minutes of the regular meeting held April 10, 2024, were approved.
INVESTMENT QUARTERLY REPORT FOR FISCAL QUARTER
ENDING MARCH 31, 2024
The City Council, Successor Agency, and Housing Authority Board received and filed the Investment Quarterly Report for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS There were no speakers.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO. 35A ACQUISITION OF LAS CASITAS SENIOR APARTMENT
ACQUISITION OF LEASEHOLD INTEREST
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 2
LAS CASITAS SENIOR
APARTMENT
LEASEHOLD INTEREST
BOARD MEMBER At 8: 24 p. m., Board Member Breceda declared a potential conflict of BRECEDA interest and exited the Council Chambers.
HOUSING Housing Coordinator Lopez presented the staff report.
COORDINATOR
LOPEZ
BOARD MEMBER Responding to a question by Board Member Ortiz, Coordinator ORTIZ Lopez advised that the apartment complex would be inspected prior to entering escrow.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa asked why the Board would be willing to purchase the leasehold interest for more than it' s worth, to which General Counsel Guerra corrected him by stating that, under this agreement, the Board would pay less than what the complex appraised for.
CASEY MIRANDA Casey Miranda asked why the Housing Authority did not own the leasehold in the first place, to which Coordinator Lopez indicated that the Housing Authority owns the land, but that Northridge Management owns the structure, in accordance with the contract.
CHAIR AMBRIZ Chair Ambriz thanked staff and the applicant for moving this matter forward.
RESOLUTION NO. Resolution No. HA 2024- 03- 141, entitled:
HA 2024- 03- 141
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE IRWINDALE HOUSING AUTHORITY
APPROVING THE ACQUISITION OF THE LEASEHOLD INTEREST
OF LAS CASITAS SENIOR APARTMENTS LOCATED AT 5164
AYON AVENUE AND AUTHORIZING THE TERMINATION OF THE
ATTENDANT DISPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
AND REGULATORY AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF
COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS WITH THE NORTHRIDGE
GROUP, INC., AND FINDING THE ACTIONS EXEMPT FROM
CEQA," was adopted on the motion of Chair Ambriz, seconded by Vice Chair Burrola, and unanimously approved; Board Member Breceda absent.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director Miranda thanked the Jahn family for their years of MIRANDA contributions to the City.
BOARD MEMBER At 8: 36 p. m., Board Member Breceda returned to the Council BRECEDA Chambers.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 3
ITEM NO. 35B PRESENTATION ON POLICY CHANGE REGARDING THE
PRESENTATION ON REGULATORY AGREEMENT FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL HOME
POLICY CHANGE REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
REGARDING THE
REGULATORY
AGREEMENT FOR
THE SUBSTANTIAL
HOME
REHABILITATION
LOAN PROGRAM
GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Guerra advised that this report involves a general GUERRA policy discussion involving the housing rehabilitation program and does not address any specific property and indicated that the Board may request specific changes which would be discussed at future meetings.
HOUSING Housing Coordinator Lopez presented the staff report.
COORDINATOR
LOPEZ
RUTH QUEJIA Ruth Quejia presented herself as the realtor representing the Aquayo family, which has participated in the agency' s loan program in the past to rehabilitate their home and stated that her clients have not been able to sell their property since it is tied down with the program' s 45-year covenant. She argued her viewpoint that this covenant should not apply to the Aguayo property.
CHAIR AMBRIZ Chair Ambriz asked Mrs. Quejia whether the Aguayos received a grant or a loan to rehabilitate their home, to which Mrs. Quejia stated that staff represented to the Aguayos that the funds were a grant.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa blamed the Housing Authority for what he called substandard" work performed at his house under the rehabilitation loan program by a contractor.
CASEY MIRANDA Casey Miranda stated that the Aguayos are willing to repay the loan amount that they received from the Housing Authority as part of the rehabilitation loan and suggested that the Board hire a different consultant to help find a way to enable the Aguayos to do so. He also requested the same for his parents who are in a similar situation.
ROBERT DIAZ Robert Diaz suggested that the Aguayos be allowed to repay the amount of the rehabilitation loan that they received and suggested that the Board consider changing the program guidelines to avoid tying program participants to covenants.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 4
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa mentioned he had to obtain a high interest loan to rehabilitate his home.
BOARD MEMBER Responding to a question by Board Member Ortiz, Coordinator ORTIZ Lopez confirmed that RSG was the consultant that has worked with Housing Authority staff on these types of loans in the past.
Board Member Ortiz stated that the consultant has made errors in the past and that the Board has previously indicated that it does not wish to work with this consultant in the future, to which Coordinator Lopez stated that staff has requested the consultant's assistance in formulating a loan repayment formula, and briefly discussed the program requirements which creates the need to determine a way to release program participants from covenants while still making the Housing Authority whole and comply with all laws.
Board Member Ortiz requested that staff resolve this matter as soon as possible and, in the future, find a different consultant to work with when considering changes to the program guidelines.
RUTH QUEJIA Ruth Quejia reiterated her prior comments and requested that the Aguayo property be excluded from the covenant' s requirements.
CASEY MIRANDA Casey Miranda concurred and stated that the Aguayo' s will be unable to benefit from their property' s equity under the program' s current restrictions.
COORDINATOR Coordinator Lopez stated that Housing Authority staff has worked LOPEZ with RSG since the firm is very knowledgeable regarding state law and requirements for these types of programs. Staff will present additional information to the Board as soon as it is received from RSG.
GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Guerra added that a third -party consultant was GUERRA sought so that an independent body can ensure that the program is formed to make the agency whole. He noted that a document provided by Mrs. Quejia states several times that the funding that the Aguayos received were a loan.
BOARD MEMBER Board Member Breceda concurred and added that the program BRECEDA requirements were initially drafted by the Housing Authority' s legal counsel with input from RSG. He acknowledged that the program requirements are stringent and stated that, though the program needs to make the agency whole, participants should not be held hostage". He also noted that any options presented to the Aguayo family would also need to be extended to all other program participants.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 5
BOARD MEMBER In response Board Member Ortiz' s request to avoid using RSG in the ORTIZ future, Coordinator Lopez recommended waiting until input from the firm is received so that the Board can contemplate whether the recommendations should be utilized, though staff will keep the Board' s request in mind for the future.
CHAIR AMBRIZ Chair Ambriz suggested that the Board and staff take into consideration the comments made at tonight' s meeting and work diligently to find a quick resolution to the concerns raised.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 16 p. m.
our M. Vto, MMC
Chi Assistant Authority Secretary
Approved as submitted at the meeting held May 8, 2024.