IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 22, 2026
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE WEDNESDAY
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 6:01 P.M.
The Irwindale CITY COUNCIL met in a regular 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
None.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Manager Miranda noted that Exhibit A to Item No. 19G was not included in the initial report, though a copy is now at the dais for the Councilmembers’ reference.
COUNCILMEMBER TRAVEL REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz requested that Item No. 19G be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion. He also commended Mayor Ortiz and all staff that assisted in the recent State of the City address, noting that it was a great success. He also suggested possibly discussing the use of e-bikes at the parks, especially considering the upcoming Music in the Park concerts which result in higher attendance levels.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Ortiz wished Councilmember Burrola a happy birthday.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES / PROMOTIONS
ITEM NO. 17A
INTRODUCTION OF IRWINDALE POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER MIRANDA The introduction was made.
PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS / COMMENDATIONS
ITEM NO. 18A
PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING APRIL AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH The proclamation was made.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 22, 2026
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 2
ITEM NO. 18B
RECOGNITION TO OPTIONS FOR LEARNING IN HONOR OF THEIR 25-YEAR
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The recognition was made.
ITEM NO. 18C
PROCLAMATION ON RECYCLING AND ORGANICS SEPARATION IN HONOR OF EARTH DAY 2026
The proclamation was made.
ITEM NO. 18D
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH – KEARNY REAL ESTATE (JANUARY); REALTY ONE (FEBRUARY); ANDY LU PHOTOGRAPHY (MARCH) The presentations were made.
ITEM NO. 18E
IRWINDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE QUARTERLY UPDATE
The presentation was made.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz, seconded by Councilmember Breceda, to approve the Consent Calendar, except for Item No. 19G, which was removed for separate consideration. The motion was unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 19A
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 11, 2026
The minutes of the meeting held February 11, 2026, were approved as presented.
ITEM NO. 19B
WARRANTS / DEMANDS / PAYROLL
The warrants / demands / payroll were approved.
ITEM NO. 19C
INVESTMENT QUARTERLY REPORT FOR FISCAL QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 2026 The City Council received and filed the Investment Quarterly Report for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2026.
ITEM NO. 19D
WARD OF CONTRACT TO HELIX ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, INC.
The City Council approved the contract with HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc., for the preparation of an environmental assessment for property located at 1600 Arrow Highway,
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 22, 2026
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 3
Irwindale, CA 91706, and the City Manager was authorized to execute the agreement subject to City Attorney approval as to form.
ITEM NO. 19E
APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL TO THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF
SHOPPING CENTERS CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, FOR TWO CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS AND ONE STAFF MEMBER
Resolution No. 2026-30-3841, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL TO THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL
COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, FOR TWO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND ONE STAFF MEMBER,” was adopted.
ITEM NO. 19F
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION FINDING THAT A PUBLIC PURPOSE WOULD BE SERVED
FOR USE OF CITY FACILITIES AS FOUR-DAY VOTE CENTERS AND RATIFICATION OF THE CITY MANAGER’S EXECUTION OF THE VOTE CENTER FACILITY USE AGREEMENT AND
ELECTION PLAN
Resolution No. 2026-27-3838, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE (1) WAIVING CITY FACILITY RENTAL FEES FOR USE OF CITY FACILITIES AS 4-DAY VOTE CENTERS FOR THE JUNE 2, 2026, PRIMARY ELECTION AND THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND RATIFYING AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE VOTE CENTER FACILITY USE AGREEMENT; (2) RATIFYING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE VOTE CENTER ELECTION PLAN FOR THE JUNE 2, 2026, PRIMARY ELECTION,” was adopted.
ITEM NO. 19H
ADMINISTRATION AND COST SHARING MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COORDINATED INTEGRATED
MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE UPPER SAN GABRIEL RIVER WATERSHED The City Council approved the City-County Memorandum of Agreement for administration and cost sharing for implementing the coordinated integrated monitoring program for the Upper San Gabriel River Watershed and authorized the City Manager to execute a City-County Memorandum of Agreement for this program.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
ITEM NO. 19G
ADOPTION OF RESOUTION UPDATING THE CITY’S COMPENSATION RESOLUTION TO
RECLASSIFY PERMANENT PART-TIME POSITIONS TO FULL-TIME AND ELIMINIATE THE
PERMANENT PART-TIME CLASSIFICATION
Councilmember Ambriz spoke on his excitement in approving this item since the four affected employees work very hard for the City.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 22, 2026
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 4
Resolution No. 2026-28-3839, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE REPEALING AND REPLACING RESOLUTIONS NO. 2025-54-3642, AND
ESTABLISHING THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS, SCHEDULE OF CLASSES, AND COMPENSATION FOR CITY EMPLOYEES,” was adopted on the motion of Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and unanimously approved.
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no speakers.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO. 21A
RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE; AND
INTRODUCTION (FIRST READING) OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT
TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM Benefits Administrator Leon presented the report.
Resolution No. 2026-29-3840, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO APPROVE AN
AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE,” was adopted, and
Ordinance No. 818, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
IRWINDALE AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRWINDALE AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM,” was introduced for first reading, reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof, on the motion of Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz, seconded by Councilmember Breceda, and unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 21B
AWARD OF CONSULTING CONTRACT WITH RSG, INC. AND GRUEN ASSOCIATES FOR
RETAIL CORRIDOR STUDY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN OF
ARROW HIGHWAY
City Attorney Guerra noted that an analysis has been conducted since certain councilmembers own residential properties within 500 feet of the Arrow Highway corridor and explained how it was determined that all councilmembers may participate in discussing this item.
Assistant to the City Manager Espino presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz noted that the Council has discussed this matter on numerous occasions throughout the years where reports are prepared and ultimately shelved with no action having been taken and stated that he would want to avoid that occurring again. He also discussed his
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 22, 2026
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 5
reservations about working with RSG again, recommended hiring a different firm, and suggested completing another market study.
Assistant to the City Manager Espino noted that RSG and Green & Associates were rated the highest by the interview panel as being the most capable of delivering the results that align with the wishes of the Council.
Councilmember Breceda noted that, although the Council has a vision for certain businesses along the corridor, these do not always materialize since Irwindale has a small population. He also stated his belief that RSG has done a good job in the past and would not mind working with them again.
Councilmember Burrola stated that retail businesses may decide to move to Irwindale depending on the surrounding buildings and noted that RSG has years of experience with Irwindale and that it would take another firm years to acquire this same level of knowledge.
Mayor Ortiz stated that he also has reservations about hiring RSG, though at this stage, it may be in the City’s best interest to proceed with them. He then asked City Manager Miranda for his opinion, to which he stated that staff have done an exceptional job going through the vetting process for potential firms and felt that RSG and Gruen performed phenomenally when discussing how best to implement the City’s vision and what it would take to draw more commercial and retail development to the City. He also noted that the firm’s principal Jim Simon would take the lead on the project and stated he is confident in staff’s vetting of the firm and its capability of delivering on the Council’s vision.
Resolution No. 2026-31-3842, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IRWINDALE APPROVING A CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH RSG, INC. AND GRUEN ASSOCIATES COMPANIES
TO CONDUCT A RETAIL CORRIDOR STUDY OF ARROW HIGHWAY, AND APPROPRIATING $87,110 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES,” was adopted on the motion of Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 21C
VERBAL UPDATE ON DUST MITIGATION MEASURES AT UNITED ROCK PRODUCTS PIT #2
Director Chan presented the update.
Councilmember Burrola noted that he has complained about dust issues for years and that, though the measures taken to mitigate the problem have helped, it usually devolves into a bigger problem than before. He also requested that misters be used at the site before the trucks head onto the street.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz added that the street sweepers sometimes do not use water while sweeping and suggested that the operators take the concern seriously and that city staff must enforce the requirements of the agreements with the mining companies.
Councilmember Breceda agreed with Councilmember Burrola and said that, on occasions, the street sweeper uses too much water while sweeping and creating mud. He agreed that the dust should be controlled at the mining company property, prior to heading onto the street.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 22, 2026
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 6
Mayor Ortiz concurred and noted that complaints have been received from Irwindale residents as well as from residents of surrounding cities. He agreed that the City should enforce agreement requirements, to which Director Chan advised that he would follow up with the mining operator to ensure they fulfill their requirements.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ITEM NO. 22A
PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF AN ENERGY SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SYSERCO ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR CITY FACILITIES ENERGY EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS
City Manager Miranda presented the report and recommendation.
Councilmember Garcia asked when a payment schedule and a work schedule would be finalized for this project, to which City Manager Miranda advised that staff are currently working on these, which is why staff are proposing to continue this matter to the May 13 meeting.
At 7:29 p.m., Mayor Ortiz opened the public hearing.
There being no speakers, Mayor Ortiz closed the public hearing at 7:29 p.m.
As requested by Councilmember Burrola, Maintenance Worker Gary Strobehn explained that there are two meters that service both the Police Department and City Hall, with one handling loads from computers and related equipment and the second handling HVAC systems. He then discussed Syserco’s service design.
Councilmember Burrola asked about the condition of the City Hall roof, to which Mr. Strobehn advised that staff is performing tests on the roof to determine its stability and sustainability for the possible addition of panels. Mr. Strobehn recommended potentially installing a new roof before adding solar panels to have warranties for both items.
Wesley with Syserco suggested allowing Syserco to perform the roof work to avoid having the City go through the RFP process to select a contractor to do the work and to avoid losing credits for the rooftop solar.
Responding to an additional question from Councilmember Burrola, Wesley indicated that the roof work was not included in the original project and, as such, would cost more, though it would be eligible for ITC credits. He added that the City would have until July 4 to begin 5% of the construction for the project, which would allow the City to receive credits.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz, seconded by Councilmember Breceda, to continue the public hearing to the meeting of May 13, 2026. The motion was unanimously approved.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 22, 2026
REGULAR MEETING PAGE 7
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Miranda presented the following report:
1) St. Cyril of Alexandria Coptic Orthodox Church is hosting a festival on April 26 and all are welcome to attend.
2) A “Dia de los Ninos” book day has been scheduled by the Library for April 25. 3) Free drive-thru household hazardous and electronic waste collection events have been scheduled for May 2 and May 16.
4) He also provided details on upcoming Recreation and Senior Center events. 5) The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast event has been scheduled for April 30.
REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Burrola requested for funding to be moved from the General Fund to Housing to help determine the type of housing project that could be developed at the 10-acre site.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz requested that the report also include how the project would be financed.
Consensus was reached to add the item to the agenda for the next Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. ________________________________
Laura M. Nieto, MMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk