IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE TUESDAY
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 5:15 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; Marilyn Simpson, Community Development Director; Elizabeth Rodriguez, Public Services Director; Eddie Chan, Director of Engineering / Building Official; Mary Hull, Human Resources Manager, and Armando Hegdahl, Management Analyst GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953 DISCLOSURES
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz disclosed that he is attending the meeting virtually under Government Code Section 54953 due to a health issue.
SPONTANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS
There were no speakers.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
At 5:24 p.m., the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the following:
ITEM NO. 7A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager
ACTION: Information provided by City Manager Miranda to the Council; no direction given nor any action taken.
ITEM NO. 7B
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 16202-16214 Arrow Highway and 16216-16300 Arrow Highway Agency Negotiator: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Lee Arce, LLC
Under negotiation: Acquisition of Property
ACTION: Update provided; no reportable action taken nor direction provided Property: 14905 Los Angeles Street, Irwindale, CA
Agency Negotiator: Julian Miranda, Executive Director
Negotiating Parties: Marianna Diaz
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
ACTION: Direction provided; no reportable action taken.
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Property: 16080 Arrow Highway
Agency Negotiator: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Bateman Braden D II et al
Under Negotiation: Property Acquisition
ACTION: Councilmember Breceda and City Manager Miranda recused themselves due to real estate conflicts of interest. Update and information provided, direction provided to staff; no reportable action taken.
ITEM NO. 7C
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54954.5(c), 54956.9(d)(1) Case Name: Jane A. V. Doe v. Irwindale Police Department, the City of Irwindale, and DOES 1-100
Case Number: Los Angeles County Superior Court Case Number: 25PSCV02909 ACTION: Update provided to the Council; no direction provided nor action taken.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
At 6:23 p.m., the City Council Authority reconvened in Open Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Manager Miranda reported that Section 3 of the Resolution attached to Item No. 12E should be corrected to reflect that the federal grant award is $73,000, not $246,613.
COUNCILMEMBER TRAVEL REPORTS
None.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Burrola recognized IDS for its donation to the Irwindale Community Foundation and noted that it matches donations made by other businesses. He also inquired about installing traffic signals near the 605 WB offramp along Arrow Highway, as well as having additional officers patrolling the area for speeding motorists. He also requested additional traffic enforcement along Irwindale Avenue near Cypress and Calle de Paseo. He also asked when the thermal plastic lane markers would be installed on Calle Barbosa.
City Manager Miranda advised that CalTrans would need to be included in any plans to add a traffic signal at the 605 offramp and noted that staff have already reached out to them. He added that police officers will work on more enforcement on Arrow Highway and Irwindale Avenue and indicated that a project is in place to add the thermal plastic lane markers within one to two months.
Councilmember Burrola asked that buttons be installed in the center lanes, to which City Manager Miranda indicated that staff would look into it.
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Mayor Ortiz and Councilmember Breceda concurred with Councilmember Burrola, with Councilmember Breceda further commenting that there are too few street sweepers operating in the area and that all the dust from the nearby pit makes it difficult to see the lane markings.
He also requested additional police enforcement to deter speeding, particularly near the civic center.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Breceda, seconded by Councilmember Burrola, to approve the Consent Calendar, except for Item No. 12H, which was removed for separate consideration. The motion was unanimously approved.
ITEM NO. 12A
MINTUES OF THE MEETINGS HELD SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
The minutes of the meetings held September 9, 2026, were approved.
ITEM NO. 12B
WARRANTS / DEMANDS / PAYROLL
The warrants / demands / payroll were approved.
ITEM NO. 12C
AUTHORIZE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE HVAC PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND
REPAIR CONTRACT WITH ACCO ENGINEERED SYSTEMS
Resolution No. 2026-79-3889, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IRWINDALE APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT SERVICES
AGREEMENT FOR HVAC PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR CITY OWNED BUILDINGS WITH ACCO ENGINEERED SYSTEMS,” was adopted, and the City Manager was authorized to execute the First Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for HVAC Preventative Maintenance and Repairs for City-Owned Buildings with ACCO Engineered Systems, subject to City Attorney approval as to form.
ITEM NO. 12D
APPROVAL OF SOPHOS MANAGED DETECTION AND RESPOSE (MDR) COMPLETE
SERVICES
Resolution No. 2026-85-3895, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IRWINDALE WAIVING FORMAL BIDDING PROCEDURES PURSUANT TO IRWINDALE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 3.44.080(E), AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH BLUEALLY TECHNOLOGY
SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR SOPHOS MANAGED DETECTION AND RESPONSE AND
RELATED CYBERSECURITY SERVICES UTILIZING THE OMNIA PARTNERS / NATIONAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ALLIANCE (NCPA) CONTRACT,” was adopted.
ITEM NO. 12E
ACCEPTANCE OF CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (OTS) FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,000 FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION AND
IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT
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Resolution No. 2026-84-3894 entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IRWINDALE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE 2026-2027 SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (STEP)
SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC
SAFETY(OTS) AND THE CITY OF IRWINDALE AND APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE
AND APPROPRIATION OF THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,000 FOR THE SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS (“STEP”), was adopted.
ITEM NO. 12F
ACCEPTANCE OF THE CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM (CTFGP) IN THE AMOUNT OF $246,613 TO REDUCE AND MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF IMPAIRED
DRIVING IN THE COMMUNITY
Resolution No. 2026-83-3893, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IRWIDNALE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE 2026-2027 CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM (CTFGP) SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL (CHP) AND THE CITY OF IRWINDALE; AND
APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF THE CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM (CTFGP) IN THE AMOUNT OF $246,613,” was adopted.
ITEM NO. 12G
REQUEST TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PLACEWORKS, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED IRWINDALE BREW YARD
SPECIFIC PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION CENTER / INDUSTRIAL PARK TOTALING UP TO ±3,000,000 SQUARE FEET AND ±12,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL / RETAIL SPACE, BOTH WITH
ASSOCIATED PARKING, AND ON-SITE GRADING ACTIVITIES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 15801 FIRST STREET (APNS 8533-009-025, 8533-009-026, 8533-009-027, 8533-009-028 & 8533-009-029
Contract Amendment No. 2 with PlaceWorks, Inc., was approved for the continued preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and applicable studies to be prepared in association with land use entitlement applications for property located at 15801 First Street, Irwindale, CA 91706.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
ITEM NO. 12H
APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR SHARED DISPATCH SERVICES
WITH THE CITIES OF AZUSA, COVINA, AND LAVERNE
Mayor Ortiz asked whether the dispatchers would render their services at the Irwindale Police Department, to which Chief Hofford said that services would be rendered in both directions; dispatchers may arrive at Irwindale and dispatchers may be sent to the other participating cities. He also noted that this agreement would be in effect for two years.
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A motion was made by Mayor Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Burrola, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-87-3897, entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IRWINDALE APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR SHARED POLICE DISPATCH SERVICES WITH THE CITIES OF AZUSA, COVINA, AND LA VERNE.” The motion was unanimously approved.
SPONTANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS
Dena Zepeda noted unsanitary restrooms at the park, suggested that areas at the park that have been reserved include a notice with the name of the individual that rented it, and requested police enforcement of speed laws.
Teresa Ortiz submitted an emailed statement wherein she spoke in favor of hiring additional Police Dispatchers.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO. 14A
CONSIDERATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CONTEMPORARY ARMORED VEHICLE Chief Hofford presented the staff report and made a PowerPoint presentation.
Dena Zepeda and Carmen Roman spoke against the purchase of the armored vehicle, stating that Irwindale does not have a need for such a vehicle and, if a need ever comes up, one could be borrowed from a surrounding city. Carmen Roman further suggested that the City instead build an emergency shelter and purchase emergency supplies for residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz spoke in support of purchasing any tools necessary to keep the community and officers safe and expressed support for the purchase of the vehicle. He then asked Chief Hofford about the price of the vehicle and how much of the expenditure would be derived from the General Fund, to which Chief Hofford advised that the cost of the vehicle could be offset by $100,000 in insurance proceeds received due to the totaling of a police vehicle, another $50,000 derived from the asset forfeiture fund, and postponing the purchase of optional equipment for the vehicle, which would reduce the cost of the purchase by another $44,000.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz then asked Chief Hofford whether the Police Department could increase traffic enforcement and assist dispatchers, to which Chief Hofford stated that he has already directed extra patrol to the areas of concern, and is focusing on hiring a second traffic officer to assist.
Chief Hofford then noted that many spoke against officers having patrol rifles since they did not consider them necessary until the North Hollywood shootout, after which rifles were considered necessary. He spoke on the need to equip officers and prepare them for the worst.
Councilmember Burrola stated that, while he supports every City department, it is the Police Department that keeps the City safe. He noted the City’s growth and stated that he is in favor of equipping officers to keep them safe and protected. He requested that staff be directed to prepare a staff report with additional details and to preferably keep the cost down.
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Mayor Ortiz noted that the Council has previously agreed on the need for this type of vehicle.
However, considering the recent vehicular accident near Calle Barbosa and other issues raised, he suggested instead utilizing available funding to hire another motor officer and dispatcher. He acknowledged the cost-saving suggestions mentioned by Chief Hofford and stated that he hopes that lowering the cost of the vehicle would make its purchase more feasible.
Councilmember Breceda expressed his longstanding support for the Police Department but stated that funding could instead be better spent on preparing the City for the expected Super El Nino rains.
Councilmember Garcia also expressed his support of all departments but also voiced concern over what it would take to train officers to use the proposed vehicle, and whether it would result in higher overtime costs.
Carmen Roman reiterated her opposition to the purchase of the proposed armored vehicle.
Mayor Ortiz thanked Chief Hofford for the presentation but suggested holding off on the purchase at this time and potentially consider the matter in the future. Rather, he suggested that staff focus on hiring an extra officer and dispatcher.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz noted that Chief Hofford has agreed to look into hiring additional officers and dispatchers and stated that the armored vehicle is needed to protect officers and to keep the community safe, and that the cost of the purchase is much lower than what was originally proposed.
Councilmember Burrola expressed his disappointment that the Council is not in favor of the purchase of the armored vehicle at this time.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz, seconded by Councilmember Burrola, to direct staff to prepare a resolution and work to acquire the armored vehicle. The motion failed with Councilmembers Breceda, Garcia, and Mayor Ortiz opposed.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Miranda presented the following report:
1) He provided information regarding upcoming Aquatics, Recreation, and Senior Center events.
2) He also noted that Senator Rubio has secured $500,000 toward the purchase of an inclusive playground at Irwindale Park.
REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Ortiz asked to discuss the striping on Calle Barbosa between Arrow Highway and Buena Vista, to which City Manager Miranda advised that an update would be provided by October 14.
Mayor Pro Tem Ambriz requested that staff address geese droppings at the park and ensure that park facilities remain clean and stocked, to which City Manager Miranda advised that staff would work on the noted items.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m. ________________________________
Laura M. Nieto, MMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk