IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 29, 2026
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE WEDNESDAY
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 10:00 A.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; Kambiz Borhani, Director of Finance / City Treasurer; and Laura Nieto, Chief Deputy City Clerk
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES
None.
SPONTANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS
There were no speakers.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ITEM NO. 7A
ADOPT RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS ORDINANCE NO. 822 AMENDING TITLE 5 OF THE IRWINDALE MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODERNIZE THE CITY’S BUSINESS LICENSE TAX FRAMEWORK FOR EXISTING AND EMERGING BUSINESSES;
ESTABLISHING THAT BUSINESSES SHALL PAY EITEHR A MODIFIED FLAT FEE
STRUCTURED BY BUSINESS RATE GROUP CLASSIFICATION ON A GROSS RECEIPTS
SLIDING SCALE OR A GROSS RECEIPTS TAX, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER, UTILIZING
OPERATING COSTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE BASIS IF GROSS RECEIPTS FALL BELOW THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD; PROVIDING FOR A THREE-YEAR TRANSITIONAL PHASED INCREASE OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX RATE TO $0.55 IN 2027, $0.75 IN 2028, AND $0.95 IN 2029; AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL TO FILE WRITTEN ARGUMENTS FOR OR AGAINST SAID MEASURE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS THEREOF
City Manager Miranda noted two corrections: 1) since this item was the continuation of the public hearing previously scheduled on July 22, 2026, the agenda report name should have stated “Consider the Proposed Amendment to Title 5 of the Irwindale Municipal Code to Modernize the City’s Business License Tax for Existing and Emerging Businesses,” and the recommendation should have read: “That the Irwindale City Council hear the staff report, open the public hearing, hear public comments, and continue to date certain,” thereby continuing the public hearing to today’s date: July 29, 2026, after which it should be continued to a date certain.
Director Borhani presented the staff report and made a PowerPoint presentation.
At 10:22 a.m., Mayor Ortiz opened the public hearing.
The following individuals spoke against the proposed tax measure since it would place an incredible burden on their respective businesses, spoke against placing the proposed measure on the ballot for the November election, and asked that local businesses be given time to
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participate in a stakeholder process with the City so that they may voice their concerns and have time for a full and detailed analysis to be prepared:
Mihran Toumajan with the NAIOP
Lily Phan with the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Hendrick of Sierra Alloys
Emily Kowey Roth of Bonduelle
Anita Hernandez with Irwindale City Brewing
Clint Hammond of Breeder’s Choice
Pearl Virgin, Irwindale resident
Gabe Noriega from a local wrecking yard
Craig Furniss of 7th Street Development, and
Rick Rockhill of Breeder’s Choice
Suzanne Gomez suggested the potential for a special election so that the City and the business community could come up with an amicable solution and suggested the possibility for the businesses to cover the costs of the special election.
There being no additional speakers, Mayor Ortiz closed the public hearing at 11:02 a.m.
Councilmember Burrola asked that the business community recognize that the City’s business license tax code has not been adjusted in 25 years.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz acknowledged that the tax has not been adjusted in many years and stated his opinion that staff have duly researched the matter in order to derive the proposed tax. He noted that the new proposal is greatly reduced compared to staff’s previous recommendation, spoke on the need to have a tax that will adequately sustain City operations, and suggested that the proposed tax be placed on the ballot for the November election.
Councilmember Garcia suggested possibly considering the matter at a future date to allow time to work through the concerns, though he added that the matter should be put to a vote of the residents.
Mayor Ortiz agreed that the tax code needs to be modernized; however, after listening to the concerns of the members of the business community, he preferred fully discussing the matter with local businesses instead of rushing to place it on the ballot for voter consideration.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz to: adopt Resolution No. 2026-59-3869, ordering the submission to the qualified electors of the City of a certain measure relating to a transactions and use (sales) tax at the consolidated General Municipal Election; adopt Resolution No. 2026-60-3870, setting priorities for filing written argument(s) and directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis regarding the proposed Measure; and adopt Resolution No. 2026-61-3871, providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for a Measure; and conduct the First Reading, by Title only, of Ordinance No. 822, amending Title 5 of the Irwindale Municipal Code to modernize the proposed City's business license tax measure.
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Councilmember Burrola objected to conducting a special election due to its cost.
City Attorney Guerra suggested that the motion be revised to direct staff to finalize the resolutions and ordinance. He also noted that, in order to place a tax-related item on the ballot for a special election, the City would first need to make a finding of fiscal emergency.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz amended his motion to include City Attorney Guerra’s recommendations. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Burrola. On roll call, the motion failed, with Councilmembers Breceda and Garcia opposed, Councilmember Burrola and Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz in favor, and Mayor Ortiz abstaining.
A motion was made by Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Mayor Ortiz, to direct staff to explore the business license tax for consideration, possibly at a special election and to obtain input from community businesses.
City Attorney Guerra stated that staff would explore the request and noted that, should the City be unable to find that a fiscal emergency exists, it would not move forward with a special election. He noted the option to wait until the next general election to add this measure to the ballot.
Responding to a question from Councilmember Burrola, City Attorney Guerra stated that any tax imposed would need to be approved by the voters.
Mayor Ortiz recommended that staff to set up workshops for the business community to voice their concerns, and for the City to voice its perspective, after which an appropriate tax rate could be placed on the election ballot.
In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz, Director Borhani advised that the City would not disclose any confidential proprietary information of any business.
City Manager Miranda stated that staff will work with the direction given by the Council.
On roll call vote, the motion was approved with all members in favor except for Councilmember Burrola, who opposed.
City Manager Miranda advised that an update will be provided to the Council once staff begin working with the business community.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m. ______________________________
Laura M. Nieto, MMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk