City of La Cañada Flintridge
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
City Council Chambers
One Civic Center Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bowman called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:11 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Councilmember Michael T. Davitt, Councilman Keith Eich, Councilmember Fossan, Mayor Pro Tem Jeanne K. Hobson, and Mayor Kim Bowman.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jordan, City Attorney Guerra, Assistant City Manager Parseghian, Director of Administrative Services Cook, Director of Community Development Koleda, Director of Finance Kim, Director of Public Works/City Engineer El-Rabaa, Assistant Director of Administrative Services Cho, Senior Management Analyst Dederick, and City Clerk Garcia.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Pro Tem Jeanne K. Hobson.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Public comments were received from Pat, Tanya Nielsen, and Jenny Hall.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Presentation of the LCF50 Anniversary Committee Logo Design Contest The City Council recognized the LCF50 Anniversary design contest winners: Elementary Student:
Ray Liang; Middle School Student: Andrew Eich; Adult (18+) Winner: Julie Chow; and Overall Logo Design Contest Winner: High School Student Tyler Tasanont. They presented certificates of recognition, and a photograph was taken.
• Presentation Honoring Carolyn Dundee for her Achievement of Receiving the AARP California Andrus Award for Community Service
The City Council recognized Ms. Dundee, presented a certificate of recognition, and a photograph was taken.
• Presentation of Recognition of the Age-Friendly Committee members for their service The City Council recognized Age-Friendly members Chair Gary Stibal, Vice Chair Adam Franko, Dr. Adria Navarro, Jane Mead, Lauren Fox MacMillan, Leonard Tavera, Mark Hunter, Mary Gant, Mary Pinola, and Pam Raymer-Lea. They presented certificates of recognition, and a photograph was taken.
• City Treasurer’s Report
City Treasurer LeBlanc presented the report for the period covering January to March.
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• Public Safety Update
Chief Sprengel provided the fire activity update for the months of February and March and answered questions from the City Council.
Captain Vienna provided the crime report update for the months of February and March. • Staff update on pending projects
Director of Public Works/City Engineer El-Rabaa provided an update on capital improvement projects and addressed questions from the City Council.
City Manager Jordan and Assistant City Manager Parseghian addressed questions from the City Council. He noted that Southern California Edison is finalizing the town hall meeting dates in June.
City Clerk Garcia provided an update on the voting centers for the June 2 election.
REORDERING OF AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Senior Management Analyst Dederick answered questions from the City Council regarding Consent Calendar Item Ten.
City Attorney Guerra made a statement concerning Consent Calendar Item Eleven in relation to Senate Bill 1436.
A MOTION was made by Councilmember Fossan, seconded by Councilmember Davitt, and carried (5 – 0) to approve Consent Calendar Items One through Twelve. 1) Waive the Full Reading of All Ordinances Considered on this Agenda and Direct the City Attorney that they be Read by Title Only
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
2) Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meetings:
a. Special and Regular City Council Meetings of April 7, 2026 b. Special Joint City Council Meeting of April 16, 2026 c. Regular City Council Meeting of April 21, 2026
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
3) Approval of Warrant Resolution No. 26-08 Dated May 5, 2026, for $1,146,008.68 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
4) Receive and File Commission Meeting Action Minutes:
a. Design Commission Action Minutes for March 19, 2026
b. Public Works and Traffic Commission Action Minutes for March 25, 2026 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
5) Receive and File the Public Safety Reports for February and March (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
6) Receive and File Monthly Report of Investments for the month ending March 2026 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
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7) Receive and File the Capital Improvement Project Status Update (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
8) Receive and File the 2025-2026 Annual Report for the Lanterman House Museum (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
9) Authorization for Out-of-State Training – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Captain
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
10) Approval of the Five-Year Contract Renewal with Pasadena Humane for Animal Shelter and Animal Control Services (FY2026–31)
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
11) Adoption of a Resolution Approving the First Amendment to the City Manager’s Employment Agreement, Subject to City Attorney Approval as to form (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
12) Confirm and Approve the LCF50 Anniversary Committee's Logo Design Contest Results and Official LCF50 Anniversary Logo Design
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
ORDINANCES: None
OTHER BUSINESS:
13) Receive and File City Council Proclamations for May 2026: Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month; and Older Americans Month
A MOTION was made by Councilmember Davitt, seconded by Councilmember Fossan, and carried (4 – 0 - 1, Councilman Eich abstained) to receive and file proclamations for May 2026:
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month; and Older Americans Month.
14) Consideration of Options to Amend or Withdraw from Wildfire Prevention Grant Award ID 5GG23207
Senior Management Analyst Dederick presented the staff report and answered questions from the City Council.
Assistant City Manager Parseghian and Director of Community Development Koleda addressed questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bowman opened the public comment period at 7:29 p.m. Seeing no comments, he closed the public comment period.
After further discussion and deliberation, the City Council directed staff to: (1) consult with the grant administrator to confirm whether the City may withdraw from the grant without penalty if the City Council Minutes Page 4 of 5 May 5, 2026
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request for proposals (RFP) results show the California Environmental Quality Act’s environmental impact report (EIR) cost exceeds the additional $80,000 and the City cannot fund the difference; (2) ask whether the grant administrator will allow the City to complete the RFP and obtain actual cost information before executing a contract amendment for the additional $80,000, in order to avoid unnecessary administrative work; and (3) determine what happens to the $80,000 in grant funds if the City completes the EIR but is ultimately unable to proceed with the project as presented to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). 15) Discussion of Implementation of Age Friendly Items
Director of Administrative Services Cook presented the staff report.
Mayor Bowman opened the public comment period at 7:40 p.m. Seeing no comments, he closed the public comment period.
After further discussion and deliberation, the City Council directed staff to treat this as guidance to factor into the Age-Friendly matrix in the upcoming budget process, and that more specific actions and funding decisions would be taken up during budget hearings. 16) Discussion and Improvements to the City’s Notification Standards Assistant City Manager Parseghian presented the staff report and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bowman opened the public comment period at 8:07 p.m.
Public comment was received from David Haxton.
Mayor Bowman closed the public comment period at 8:13 p.m.
Director of Community Development Koleda answered questions from the City Council.
After discussion and deliberation, the City Council decided to establish a subcommittee comprised of two Councilmembers and staff that will focus on refining and formalizing improvements to the City’s notification standards. The subcommittee will be added to the Mayor’s Assignment list and presented at the next City Council meeting. Staff was asked to consider the following: (1) developing a centralized, public-facing project tracking page on the City’s website; (2) enhancing the visibility and clarity of mailed courtesy notices; (3) exploring longer notice periods where feasible; (4) standardizing courtesy-notice practices across departments; and (5) providing for concurrent resident courtesy notices when projects trigger tribal notification, all to be returned to the Council as legally compliant recommendations at a future meeting. 17) Consideration of the Potential Development of a Draft Request for Proposals for City Attorney Services
City Attorney Guerra recused himself from the discussion and left the Council Chambers due to a financial conflict of interest involving his law firm.
City Manager Jordan presented the staff report.
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Mayor Bowman opened the public comment period at 8:30 p.m. Seeing no comments, he closed the public comment period.
After discussion and deliberation, the City Council agreed to move forward with developing a draft request for proposals (RFP) for City Attorney services but to time any final decisions after the upcoming election and seating of the new City Council. They decided to establish a subcommittee comprised of two Councilmembers and staff that will work on the structure and content of a draft RFP (including evaluation criteria such as total cost, responsiveness, and service levels) and to bring that draft back to the full Council at a future meeting.
CONCLUDING BUSINESS:
Meetings attended at the expense of the local agency – None Regional and local representation
Mayor Pro Tem Hobson and Councilmember Fossan reported attending the Annual Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Gala. They also reported attending the Annual La Cañada Spring Home Tour.
Councilmember Davitt reported that the City Council attended the Arbor Day event. He also reported that he attended an Advancing Healthcare Symposium hosted by the Adventist Health Glendale.
Councilman Eich reported he attended a Girls Scout Troop award ceremony, the Les Tupper Community Service Awards Ceremony, a joint meeting with the School District Board, the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority meeting, and the Kiwanis State of the City Address.
Subcommittee updates
Mayor Bowman reaffirmed that the City Council has decided to establish two new subcommittees that will be added to the Mayor’s Assignment list and presented at the next City Council meeting.
Request for future agenda items
The City Council directed staff to make the public safety report available on the City’s website in advance of the meetings.
Councilmembers’ comments – None
City Manager closing comments
The City Council confirmed their availability for the budget hearings scheduled on May 18, 19, and 21 at 2:30 p.m., with the Community Groups on the 19th.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bowman adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:49 p.m. _________________________________
Tania Garcia, City Clerk
Minutes approved by the City Council on June 16, 2026.