City of La Cañada Flintridge
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
City Hall
One Civic Center Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Special City Council Meeting
Call to Order: Mayor Bowman called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.
Roll Call: Councilmember Michael T. Davitt, Councilman Keith Eich, Councilmember Stephanie 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 Finance Kim, Director of Public Works/City Engineer El-Rabaa, Director of Community Development Koleda, City Clerk Garcia, and City Clerk Specialist Yesayan.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Mayor Bowman.
Comments from the Public:
Public comments were received from Pam Woncik and David Haxton.
Reordering of and Additions to the Agenda;
The City Council agreed to consider Consent Calendar Item 12 prior to considering the rest of the Consent Calendar.
Consent Calendar:
Councilman Eich pulled Consent Calendar Item 5 for discussion at a future meeting in connection with related Capital Improvement Program budget items.
City Attorney Guerra noted that Consent Calendar Item 11 is a consent adoption item updating the City salary schedule to reflect the already-approved City Manager salary of $270,000 annually.
A MOTION was made by Councilmember Davitt, seconded by Councilman Eich, and carried (5 – 0) to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 11, except Items 5 and 6. 1) Approval of Warrant Resolution No. 26-09 Dated May 19, 2026, for $760,875.17 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
2) Receive and File Monthly Report of Investments for the month ending April 2026 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
3) Approval and Delegation of Authority to City Manager to Execute a Task Order, in the amount of $68,700, to NV5 for the Preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) for the Inverness Drive Storm Drain and Resurfacing Project (CIP 31-2609) and any Change Orders up to $6,300, Provided such Change Orders do not Exceed the Total Amount of $75,000
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
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4) Approval and Delegation of Authority to City Manager to Execute a Task Order, in the amount of $70,986, to Willdan Engineering for the Update of the Feasibility Study for the Hay Canyon Stormwater Project and any Change Orders up to $7,014, Provided such Change Orders do not Exceed the Total Amount of $78,000 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
5) Approval and Delegation of Authority to City Manager to Execute a Task Order, in the amount of $116,792, to TAIT and Associates, Inc. for the Preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) for the Hillard Avenue Street Improvements Project (CIP 31-2208) and any Change Orders up to $25,000 Each, Provided such Change Orders do not Exceed the Total Amount of $149,450
(Item 5 was pulled for discussion at a future meeting)
6) Approval of Amendment No. 5 to the Memoranda of Understanding with Solid Waste Service Haulers Allied Waste Services of North America, LLC, Arakelian Enterprises, Inc. DBA Athens Services, and NASA Services, Inc., Extending the Respective Terms of the Residential and Commercial Solid Waste Service Agreements on a Month-to-Month Basis Through June 30, 2027
(Approved 5 – 0, as amended)
Councilman Eich requested an amendment to change Saturday post-holiday collection start times from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
A MOTION was made by Councilman Eich, seconded by Councilmember Fossan, and carried (5–0) to amend the three Waste Hauler Memoranda of Understanding to change the residential waste collection start time on Saturdays following holiday weeks from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. The City Attorney was directed to incorporate the change into the appropriate recital language in the agreement.
7) Direct Staff to Review the City’s Conflict of Interest Code for Amendments and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the 2026 Local Agency Biennial Notice, Indicating Whether Amendments are Required, no Later Than October 1, 2026
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
8) Receive and File the Revised “2025-2026 Mayor’s Assignments” List (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
9) Receive and File the City Manager’s Annual Report of City Activities for Fiscal Year 2025- 26 (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
10) Approval of the Contract Renewal with Outlook Newspapers for FY 2026-27 Receive (Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
11) Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Salary Ranges for Fiscal Year 2025-26, effective May 16, 2026
(Approved 5 – 0, as recommended)
Other Business:
12) Review of Fiscal Year 2026-27 Preliminary Budget; and the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Council Docusign Envelope ID: 44A82FDD-F2AA-8F97-81C4-92FFCD137257 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 4 May 19, 2026
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Consideration Items
Discussion Topics, including but not limited to: Requests from Community Groups City Manager Jordan began the second budget presentation by outlining the hearing schedule, focusing on budget overviews and summaries. He highlighted key changes from the previous year, including revisions to revenues, expenditures, staffing levels, and capital improvement projects.
Representatives from community organizations presented Fiscal Year 2026–27 funding requests and described their programs, services, and community benefits. Presentations were received from the LCF Coordinating Council, One City, One Book, LCHS Music Parents Association, La Cañada Playhouse, Action League of the Foothills, LCF Sister Cities Association, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Community Resource Center for Aging, La Cañada Valley Beautiful, YMCA of the Foothills, LCF Tournament of Roses Association, LCF Trails Council, La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge.
The City Council deliberated on Fiscal Year 2026–27 community funding requests and considered adjustments to align total funding with available budget capacity. Several organizations offered voluntary reductions to help balance overall allocations. The City Council directed staff to obtain written authorization from the property owner prior to considering the LCF Trails Council's request to update the 2006 La Cañada Flintridge Trails Master Plan. They agreed to allocate funding subject to those conditions and directed the City Manager’s Office to coordinate.
Mayor Bowman opened the public comment period at 5:00 p.m.
Public comment was received from Cydney Motia.
Mayor Bowman closed the public comment period at 5:03 p.m.
After discussion and deliberation, the City Council agreed to revisit the possibility of filling a sergeant position after receiving additional input from the Sheriff’s Department. They also identified several future agenda items, including review of sewer fund balances, review of the lighting cost reimbursement program (referred to Parks and Recreation Commission), and future consideration of the LCF Trails Council request.
Concluding Business
Councilmembers’ comments
Councilmember Fossan suggested updating the community groups policy funding request language.
Mayor Bowman stated that the funding decisions comply with the California Constitution’s prohibition on gifts of public funds, finding that each item serves a valid public purpose. He noted support for continuing the budget process and acknowledged that while the outcomes are legally sound, the policy framework may need procedural improvements in the future.
Mayor Pro Tem Hobson noted that City Manager Jordan and staff attended the Contract Cities conference.
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Councilman Eich reported that he attended the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) conference.
Councilmember Fossan reported attending the California Community Choice Association conference in Sacramento and the Descanso groundbreaking event.
City Manager closing comments: None
Adjournment
Mayor Bowman adjourned the Special City Council meeting at 5:06 p.m. ___________________________________
Arpi Yesayan, City Clerk Specialist
Minutes approved by the City Council on July 21, 2026.
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