IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 14, 2026
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE WEDNESDAY
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 6:11 P.M.
The Irwindale CITY COUNCIL met in a special meeting at the above time and place.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Mark A. Breceda, Larry G. Burrola, Manuel R. Garcia; Mayor Pro Tem Albert F. Ambriz; Mayor H. Manuel Ortiz
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
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz requested to be allowed to participate remotely due to an illness, per AB 2449. He also noted that there was no one else over 18 years of age in the room with him.
A motion was made by Councilmember Burrola, seconded by Councilmember Breceda, to acknowledge Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz’s remote participation in the meeting via Zoom pursuant to AB 2449, due to illness. The motion was unanimously approved.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Ortiz requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Magalee Miranda (Carlson) and Albert Sarinana (Caballo).
Councilmember Burrola thanked Director Rodriguez and Supervisor Rodriguez for overseeing the project to beautify the landscaping at City Hall.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES / PROMOTIONS
ITEM NO. 17A
INTRODUCTION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER JORGE CARDENAS The introduction was made by Director Simpson.
ITEM NO. 17B
INTRODUCTION OF IRWINDALE POLICE OFFICER GERARDO OLAGUE The introduction was made by Chief Hofford.
ITEM NO. 17C
INTRODUCTION OF IRWINDALE POLICE DISPATCHER AYANNA VAN NOSTRAN The introduction was made by Chief Hofford.
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PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS / COMMENDATIONS
ITEM NO. 18A
ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS OF OFFICE TO CITY COMMISSIONERS The oaths of office were administered to Commissioners Caldera, Roman, Kelly, Miranda, and Amador.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 19A
MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD AUGUST 27, SEPTEMBER 10, SEPTEMBER 24, OCTOBER 6, AND OCTOBER 22, 2025
The minutes of the meetings held August 27, September 10, September 24, October 6, and October 22, were approved as presented.
ITEM NO. 19B
WARRANTS / DEMANDS / PAYROLL
The warrants / demands / payroll were approved.
ITEM NO. 19C
CLAIM REJECTION – MARTIN HERRERA VS. CITY OF IRWINDALE
The claim of Martin Herrera vs. City of Irwindale was rejected and staff was directed to send a letter of rejection.
ITEM NO. 19D
SENIOR CENTER WELLNESS PROGRAM SURVEY
The Senior Center Wellness Program Survey for distribution to adults 50+ was approved.
ITEM NO. 19E
APPROVAL OF FAMILY NAMES FOR THE IRWINDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY FAMILY NAME
WALL ARTWORK
The list of past and present Irwindale resident names for the Irwindale Public Library Family Name Wall was approved.
ITEM NO. 19F
AWARD OF THREE CONTRACTS FOR ON-CALL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES The City Manager was authorized to enter into a professional services agreement with Iteris, General Technologies and Solutions (GTS), and Mark Thomas for on-call traffic engineering services in the amount of $100,000 per contract, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
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ITEM NO. 19G
APPROVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO APPROPRIATE $73,355.63 FROM THE GENERAL
FUND RESERVES AND AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR AT&T TO SERVICE
EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT CALL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT IN THE POLICE DEPT.
Resolution No. 2026-02-3713, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE AUTHORIZING: 1) A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ADOPTED BUDGET APPROPRIATING $73,355.63 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES, 2) THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO RENEW AN EXISTING
MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH AT&T TO SERVICE EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY
ANSWERING POINT CALL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT IN THE IRWINDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS CENTER,” was adopted.
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no speakers.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO. 21A
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE
Director Simpson introduced Raini Ott with Principal Planning & Science, who presented the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and discussed the update process.
In response to a question from Mayor Ortiz, City Manager Miranda advised that not all City facilities are equipped with backup power. Staff is looking into grants and other funding options to accomplish this. Staff and representatives from Principal Planning & Science conducted walk through inspections of facilities to gauge energy efficiencies and staff will continue working to make the needed upgrades.
Mayor Ortiz asked about additional input by members of the community, to which Ms. Ott indicated that a few more public events and working meetings have been planned. She added that her staff is working on adding all they have learned about the City into a document that outlines the City’s goals and realistic actions, such as obtaining power redundancy for the City’s critical facilities.
Director Simpson added that staff has also reached out to the business community to seek their input as well.
ITEM NO. 21B
ARROW HIGHWAY CENTER MEDIAN ISLAND PROJECT (Verbal Update) Director Chan presented the update.
In response to several questions by Councilmember Burrola, Director Chan advised that 12 palm trees are scheduled to be planted, though he does not have the information about the distance between each one. Councilmember Burrola expressed concern that the trees would be planted too close together, to which Director Chan indicated that he would look into the concern and
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ensure that they are all spaced appropriately. He further noted that the City has hired a landscape architect to work on the design, and that staff would work with them on the matter.
Councilmember Breceda suggested that work to beautify and repair all city median island continue. He also reported median island lighting at various locations that are not operating properly.
City Manager Miranda advised that staff would take inventory of all median islands as well as all needed repairs and upgrades.
Director Rodriguez advised that staff is waiting for this project to finalize so that the same design could be implemented at all city median islands.
Councilmember Garcia asked to ensure that all median islands include the needed infrastructure, such as irrigation cabinets and electrical components, to which Director Chan confirmed that the needed infrastructure is part of the plans.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz expressed his preference for planting colorful trees.
Councilmember Burrola asked about the expected diameter of the trees once full grown, to which Director Chan stated that he would discuss the question with the landscape architect. He noted that these trees were selected due to their small, non-invasive root system, and as such, they are not expected to damage the curb and gutter concrete.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ITEM NO. 22A
APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED USE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ALLOCATION FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026-2027, ALONG WITH REALLOCATION OF FY 2025-2026 FUNDING, WHICH WAS APPROVED ON JANUARY 8, 2025, INCLUDING AN IMPLEMENTATION DEFERMENT OF FY 2024-2025 AMOUNT, WHICH WAS ALSO APPROVED ON OCTOBER 9, 2024
Finance Analyst Carlos presented the staff report.
At 7:15 p.m., Mayor Ortiz opened the public hearing.
Pat Gonzales spoke on her experience with CDBG and stated that the minimal amount that Irwindale would receive should be spent however they choose.
Fred Barbosa requested that speakers speak into the microphone.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Ortiz closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
Resolution No. 2026-01-3712, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE APPROVING THE PROPOSED USE OF THE CITY’S FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 LOS ANGELES URBAN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ALLOCATION AND REALLOCATE FISCAL YEARS 2024-2025 AND 2025-2026 FUNDING AS
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PREVIOUSLY APPROVED”, was adopted, on the motion of Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Burrola, and unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 22B
ZONE CHANGE NO. 10-2025 – 5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE AND ZONE CHANGE NO. 11- 2025 – 16102 & 16116 ARROW HIGHWAY
Councilmembers Breceda and Garcia and City Manager Miranda declared potential conflicts of interest with this item as it relates to 5050 N. Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, and exited the Council Chambers at 7:18 p.m.
Director Simpson introduced Assistant Planner Palmer who presented the report.
At 7:23 p.m., Mayor Ortiz opened the public hearing.
Fred Barbosa asked whether City Hall was built on R1 zoning, to which Assistant Planner Palmer advised that City Hall’s current zoning designation is R1 residential low density.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Ortiz closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
Resolution No. 2025-111-3699, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE ADOPTING ZONE CHANGE NO. 10-2025 AND MODIFYING THE CITY OF IRWINDALE ZONING MAP TO 1) REZONE TWO (2) PARCELS FROM R-1 (RESDIENTIAL LOW DENSITY) ZONE TO P/SP (PUBLIC / SEMI-PUBLIC) ZONE LOCATED AT 5050 N.
IRWINDALE AVENUE (APNS: 8417-030-901, 8417-031-900); AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061 (B)(3),” was adopted on the motion of Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz, seconded by Councilmember Burrola, and unanimously approved; Councilmembers Breceda and Garcia absent.
At 7:26 p.m., Councilmember Garcia returned to the Council Chambers.
Assistant Planner Palmer presented the report.
Councilmember Burrola asked clarifying questions regarding zoning near Las Casitas senior apartments and the Senior Center.
At 7:35 p.m., Mayor Ortiz opened the public hearing.
There being no speakers, Mayor Ortiz closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
Resolution No. 2025-112-3700, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE ADOPTING ZONE CHANGE NO. 11-2025 AND MODIFYING THE CITY OF IRWINDALE ZONING MAP TO 1) REZONE TWO (2) PARCELS FROM C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL) ZONE (APNS: 8417-029-910, 8417-029-911) AND TWO (2) PARCELS FROM C-3 (COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL) ZONE (APNS: 8417-029-912, 8417-029-913) TO P/SP (PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC) ZONE LOCATED AT 16102 AND 16116 ARROW HIGHWAY (APNS:
8417-029-910, 8417-029-911, 8417-029-912, AND 8417-029-913); AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA”) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3),” was approved on the motion of
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Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Burrola, and unanimously approved; Councilmember Breceda absent.
At 7:35 p.m., Councilmember Breceda and City Manager Julian Miranda returned to the Council Chambers.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Miranda presented the following report:
1) City offices will be closed on January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 2) Applications for an unscheduled vacancy on the Parks & Recreation Commission will be accepted through January 21.
3) Staff is working on updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan and is seeking community input. 4) He provided an update on the work progress on the new Irwindale Public Library. 5) Construction for the Los Angeles County Sanitation District’s trunk sewer rehabilitation project along Irwindale Avenue is scheduled to begin on January 15. 6) A blood drive will be hosted at the Community Center on January 27.
REQEUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL
A motion was made by Councilmember Burrola, seconded by Councilmember Breceda, to discuss the refurbishment of the Irwindale Mission at the next meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.
Councilmember Burrola also asked that a housing update be provided at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m., in memory of Magalee Miranda Carlson and Albert “Horse” Sarinana. ________________________________
Laura M. Nieto, MMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk