MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING OF
APRIL 26, 2022
Per Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised 11" Edition, minutes are a record of the actions taken by the body. These minutes do not include a summary of the discussion but only reflect the action taken by the body. A complete audio recording of this meeting is available on the City's website www.lapuente.org.
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of La Puente was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 15900 East Main Street, La Puente, California, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klinakis called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Klinakis, Munoz (via teleconference), Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones.
Members absent: None.
Staff members present: City Manager Bob Lindsey, Assistant City Attorney Jesse Jauregui, City Clerk Sheryl Garcia, Director of Administrative Services Troy Grunklee, Director of Development Services John Di Mario, Director of Community Services Alexander Bauman, Management Assistant Cece Dunlap, and Office Specialist Christine Soo.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Argudo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS - None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jacob Hennen spoke regarding his recent experience with vandalism and gang activity within the area of Rama Drive.
Juan Garcia expressed concern for the accumulation of trash on the streets of his neighborhood.
He further spoke regarding the increase of graffiti and gang activity within Valinda and La Puente areas.
Marty Paz thanked everyone involved with the organization of the Veteran's Dinner event held on April 14, 2022. He shared that all attendees had a great time and thanked Mayor Klinakis for giving out gift certificates.
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BOARDS/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Quinones reported his attendance of the San Gabriel Valley COG meeting and spoke regarding the success of the Montebello Community Assistance Program (MCAP) at the City of Montebello. He commended the City's development of the Programs Rehabilitation Outreach Services (PROS) team and thanked them for their great work.
Mayor Klinakis reported his attendance of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District meeting. He noted that a representative would be providing an update at the next City Council meeting regarding the increase of mosquitoes.
A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MEETINGS
A-1 READ AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETINGS OF MARCH 22, 2022
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the City Council and Successor Agency meetings of March 22, 2022. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL - None
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL - None
D. CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to approve Consent Calendar Items D-1 through D-5. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
D-1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT REGISTER NO. 1528
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 22-5708 approving Warrant Register No. 1528.
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D-2 PRESENTATION OF MARCH 2022 REQUISITION SUMMARY REPORT Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-3 PRESENTATION OF MARCH 2022 INVESTMENT REPORT
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-4 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE
CALIFORNIANSFORALL YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) adopted Resolution No. 22-5709 approving participation in the CaliforniansForAll Youth Workforce Development Program; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this Program.
D-S CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 21-5670
AND AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PERSONNEL SYSTEM AND
ESTABLISHING THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED FULL-TIME POSITIONS AND
MONTHLY SALARY RANGES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND CONSIDERATION
OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WILLDAN FOR CODE
ENFORCEMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) approved Resolution No. 22-5710 rescinding Resolution No. 21-5670 and amending the comprehensive personnel system and establishing the number of authorized full-time positions and monthly ranges for City employees; and (2) approved a professional services agreement with Willdan for Code Enforcement consulting services.
E. NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E-1 PRESENTATION OF MARCH 2022 BUDGET REPORT
Finance Manager Merkel-Medina provide an update regarding expenditures and revenues.
Council Member Quinones inquired regarding the lag of invoices from the Sheriff's Department. Finance Manager Merkel-Medina clarified that the Sheriff's Department provides the invoices once the services are provided and noted that the invoices are the same amount every month.
Council Member Argudo commented that the lag is a normal cycle to experience when approaching the year-end.
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
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E-2 UPDATE, DISCUSSION, AND DIRECTION ON UPCOMING PROGRAMMING
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Director of Community Services Bauman provided a report regarding recommended programming within the Community Services Department. Director Bauman proposed implementing City organized recreational leagues for soccer, tee-ball, baseball, softball, and basketball. He noted that the sports leagues would be available to youth from ages 4 to
13. To establish a group of participants and gather community interest, he recommended offering fundamental sports classes to equip participants with sports knowledge and skills.
Director Bauman also recommended implementing the following programs: food growing and horticulture, astronomy, fitness, walking, skating Friday night events with music and food trucks, and instructional classes to teach skate and biking techniques.
Mayor Klinakis requested that the City Council be provided with a list of all recommended programming and that they be notified of any updates or changes.
Mayor Pro Tem Munoz expressed excitement about the programming and future use of the renovated facilities. She recommended partnering with the La Puente Community Foundation and local school districts to host a Special Olympics at the park. She added that it would promote inclusivity within the community and provide residents with additional opportunities. Director Bauman reported contacting the Special Olympics Southern California to obtain more information and stated that upon receiving it, he would provide an update at a future City Council meeting.
Council Member Quinones recommended implementing after-school art programs once the park fully opens.
Council Member Mendoza inquired if there would be free-time available for various facilities and if there would be a formal process for reserving specific areas. Director Bauman responded that Staff is in the process of evaluating rental fees for various facilities.
Discussion ensued between Mayor Klinakis and Council Member Argudo regarding which facilities should be fee-based.
Mayor Klinakis pointed out community interest for the soccer league and further recommended launching the soccer programs sooner than Fall.
E-3 UPDATE, DISCUSSION, AND DIRECTION REGARDING CURRENT AND FUTURE
PROGRAMMING OF THE LA PUENTE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Community Engagement Supervisor Hernandez provided a report regarding the current and future programming of the La Puente Community Foundation. He recounted the success of previous fundraising and community events including the Día De Los Muertos event, Arboleda Senior Apartments grand opening, free-baseball clinic, Arbor Day tree planting celebration, Easter Egg Hunt food vending, and the City street signage online auction event. He noted various donations from Meta Housing Corporation, California CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 4 OF 7 APRIL 26, 2022
Coastal Conservancy, Spohn Ranch, and La Puente Live. Regarding the snack bar renovation, he reported that all equipment had been purchased and that the foundation is in the process of a plan check from the LA County Department of Public Health.
Mayor Klinakis requested that a snack bar update be posted on the facility to inform the community of the ongoing renovations.
Council Member Argudo inquired about the holdup with the plan check process and the amount of funds the foundation raised to date. Supervisor Hernandez clarified that the L.A.
County Department of Public Health requested corrections to the plans submitted and further stated that the foundation raised $78,000 to date, including the discretionary monies allocated.
Mayor Klinakis inquired if the foundation would be utilizing food vendors until the snack bar is fully operational. Supervisor Hernandez confirmed that was correct.
City Manager Lindsey noted that the CaliforniansForAll Youth Program would be an asset to the La Puente Community Foundation through funding the development of a food services program at the park.
E-4 DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING FUNDING FOR A LGBTQ+
RESOURCE FAIR (LPQT ACTION COMMITTEE AD HOC)
Council Member Mendoza announced that the City would be hosting a resource fair and its first ever pride event in June to highlight the LGBTQ+ services available to all residents within the community. She further initiated discussion regarding the needed funding to ensure the event's success and requested that $7,500 of her discretionary funds be allocated to both events.
Council Member Argudo inquired regarding the approval process of utilizing discretionary funds and requested clarification with the voting process. Assistant City Attorney Jesse Jauregui confirmed that a vote for utilizing discretionary funds would not be required.
Mayor Pro Tem Munoz inquired about the date of the LGBTQ + resource fair, to which Council Member Quinones specified that the event would be held on June 12, 2022, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.
City Manager Lindsey confirmed the allocation of the $7,500 to the LGBTQ+ resource fair and requested that invoices of expenditures be sent to the finance department. He noted that the unused portion of monies would return to Council Member Mendoza's discretionary funds.
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E-5 DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE FEASIBILITY OF UTILIZING
THE STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING AT LA PUENTE HIGH SCHOOL FOR
SENIOR SERVICES (MAYOR KLINAKIS)
Mayor Klinakis introduced discussion to acquire La Puente High School's student services building through a lease from the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. He noted that the intended use of the facility would be to establish outdoor senior programming at the park.
Discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of acquiring the facility and rehabilitating the building for its intended use.
The City Council reached a consensus to engage the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District with an agreement to move forward with the process.
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
Code Enforcement: Nothing to report.
La Puente Park Master Plan and Youth Program Oversight: Nothing to report.
Comprehensive Fee Schedule: Nothing to report.
Park Ordinance Oversight: Nothing to report.
Project LEAD: Nothing to report.
Community Safety and Welfare: Nothing to report.
Homeless Oversight: Nothing to report.
LPQT Action Committee: Nothing to report.
AB 1234 REPORTS - None
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Klinakis spoke of ongoing discussion with Mayor Pro Tem Munoz, Bassett Unified School District board members and the superintendent regarding joint use agreements for specific school properties.
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Mayor Pro Tem Munoz stated that the City's goal is to identify joint use opportunities to develop underutilized school properties into accessible community areas such as pocket parks, green and outdoor spaces, and other activity areas. She mentioned meeting with Supervisor Hilda Solis's office on several occasions to identify funding opportunities through county parks and Measure A. She further thanked City Manager Lindsey and Staff for coming up with opportunities and innovative ways to fund projects.
Council Member Quinones spoke of his and Council Member Mendoza's efforts to develop Project LEAD at Nelson Elementary, Sparks Middle School, and La Puente High School with the help of their respective principals. In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, he thanked teachers within the City for inspiring their students to be more involved in the community.
Council Member Argudo recognized the success of the street improvements and the traffic calming techniques used to reduce speeding throughout residential areas. He further expressed his support for providing the community with LGBTQ+ resources and thanked Council Member Quinones for educating him regarding LGBTQ+ community needs, as well as working to address them.
Council Member Mendoza thanked Staff for working tirelessly for the City.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
City Manager Lindsey thanked Director of Community Services Bauman and Community Engagement Supervisor Hernandez for their presentations. He further requested that the mural artist send an invoice for his services and appoint a mural ad hoc committee to identify mural mentioning discussion with the Bassett Unified School District; and further noted that Staff, along with Superintendent Dr. Alvarez, are in the process of developing an agreement to be considered at a future meeting.
ADJOURMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Klinakis adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Approved this 10" day of May, 2022.
Chests Whel
Sheryl Garcia Charlie Klinakis
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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