MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
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 Closed Session and 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, September 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
6:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klinakis called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Mendoza, and Quinones (arrived at 6:04 p.m.).
Members absent: None.
Staff members present: City Manager Bob Lindsey, City Attorney Jesse Jauregui, City Clerk Martha Torres, Management Assistant Cece Dunlap.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Klinakis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Christopher Martinez spoke regarding the La Puente Park and La Puente Junior All-American Football and Cheer Conference.
Mayor Klinakis thanked Christopher for his comments while also providing notice that only items on the Closed Session agenda may be discussed at the time. Mayor Klinakis recused himself from Closed Session due to a conflict of interest.
RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed into closed session at 6:10 p.m. to discuss the item as posted on the agenda.
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PENDING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). Calderon et al v Southland Transit et al L.A.S.C.
No. 21STCV02558
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(e)(1) (one potential case)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to open session at 7:02 p.m.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Jauregui reported out of closed session and stated that pursuant to closed session Item No. 1, the City Council was briefed on the status of the matter. With respect to closed session Item No. 2, the City Council was briefed on the status of the matter and no further direction was provided.
7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klinakis called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones.
Members absent: None.
Staff members present: City Manager Bob Lindsey, City Attorney Jesse Jauregui, City Clerk Martha Torres, Director of Administrative Services Troy Grunklee, Director of Development Services John Di Mario, Director of Community Services Alexander Bauman, Finance Manager Alexander Merkel Medina, Management Assistant Cece Dunlap, Office Specialist Jackie Cortez.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Quinones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
San Gabriel Valley Council of Government Management Analysts Meredith Sharkey and Levonn Gardner provided a presentation and update regarding SGVCOG programs.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Del Valle spoke regarding an upcoming presentation on the dangers of fentanyl at the La Puente Community Center on Friday, September 15, 2023, and further stated that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department will be hosting a CPR class, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the La Puente Senior Center.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals expressed their concerns regarding Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference, La Puente Park usage, and resources: Cecilia Diaz, Josette Flores, Evelyn Rodriguez, Christopher Martinez, Robert Ramirez, Esther Gasca, Maricela Martinez, Yamel Castro, Marco Delgadillo, Lisette Hoyos, Joe, and Daniel Zabala.
Maria R. submitted a written comment regarding the Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference and AYSO Soccer.
Diana Herrera submitted a written comment regarding signage at La Puente Park.
Desiree Orozco submitted a written comment regarding community members.
Martel Cabadas submitted a written comment regarding Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference and La Puente Park usage.
The City Council reached a consensus to set a Special City Council Meeting at the Community Center for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
Discussion ensued regarding various topics related to the La Puente Park and the La Puente Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference.
BOARDS/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS - None
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 AUGUST 22, 2023
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 August 22, 2023. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz., Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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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 Item D-1. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Munoz
ABSENT: None
D-1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT RESOLUTION NO. 23-5823
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 23-5823 approving Warrant Register No. 1559.
E. NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL - None.
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
Code Enforcement Committee: Nothing to report.
La Puente Park Fees, Ordinance and Program Oversight Committee: Nothing to report.
Project LEAD Committee: Council Member Quinones reported that the ad hoc committee would be meeting with the La Puente High School teachers and administration on Monday, September 18, 2023, and reported that the California School Boards Association will be awarding Hacienda La Puente Unified School District with the Golden Bell Award for their involvement in Project LEAD.
LPQT Action Committee: Nothing to report.
Adaptive Sports League and Enrichment Programs Oversight Committee: Nothing to report.
Rowland, Bassett, and Hacienda La Puente Unified School Districts Liaison Committee: Nothing to report.
AB 1234 REPORTS
Council Member Quinones reported that he, along with other City Staff, attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority's Annual Risk Management Educational Forum.
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ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Munoz reported that she attended the Healthcare & Emergency Animal Rescue Team's first Spay and Neuter program and reported that the next vaccination clinic would be held on September 14, 2023.
Discussion ensued regarding the various concerns related to the La Puente Park and the La Puente Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference that were mentioned during oral comments.
Council Member Argudo inquired about walking an item on the agenda.
City Attorney Jauregui informed the City Council that the appropriate motion would be to move to make a finding that there is a need for immediate action, and to take that action because the information, facts, and circumstances came to the attention of the Council after the posting of the agenda pursuant to California Government Code 54954.2, 54956.5.
A motion was made by Mayor Klinakis, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to consider: (1) a resolution approving the application for grant funds through the Community Resilience Centers planning grant administered by the California Strategic Growth Council for the development of plans for a Community Resilience Center; and (2) authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement if selected for funding. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
A finding was made that the resolution would be numbered next in order.
A motion was made by Mayor Klinakis, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to adopt: (1) a resolution approving the application for grant funds through the Community Resilience Centers planning grant administered by the California Strategic Growth Council for the development of plans for a Community Resilience Center; and (2) authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement it selected for funding. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Klinakis recognized Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputy Vanessa Guzman and thanked her for her service to the City of La Puente.
Mayor Klinakis reported that he attended the monthly meeting of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District and thanked the City Council and Staff for collaborating to schedule the Special City Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
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ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
City Manager Lindsey spoke regarding the various concerns related to the La Puente Park and the La Puente Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference that were mentioned during oral comments.
Director of Development Services Di Mario reported that the Grace F. Napolitano Nature Education Center will be closed from September 20, 2023, through October 18, 2023 to tend to the newly placed turf, and stated that the closure will be advertised to the public.
City Manager Lindsey spoke regarding the City's program to plant trees throughout the City.
Director of Development Services Di Mario noted that residents that may be interested in receiving a tree may contact Administrative Assistant Norma Ramirez.
Mayor Pro Tem Munoz requested that Staff provide information related to the La Puente Park and the La Puente Junior All American Football and Cheer Conference prior to the Special City Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
Director of Community Services Bauman spoke regarding the 365 Athletix Fitness Program, the City's soccer program, monthly astronomy nights hosted by Dr. Shope, the City's golf program, and an upcoming Senior dance at the Senior Center.
Mayor Klinakis commented on the success of the La Puente Snack Bar and the La Puente Coffee Shop.
Community Engagement Supervisor Cardona spoke regarding the hours and positive feedback received of the La Puente Snack Bar and the La Puente Coffee Shop.
City Manager Lindsey thanked the La Puente Foundation Board of Directors for their work.
Council Member Argudo requested that the City Council meeting be adjourned in memory of the people impacted by the flooding in Libya.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Klinakis adjourned the meeting in honor and memory of those impacted by the flooding in Libya at 8:52 p.m.
Approved this 24" day of October, 2023.
miorre. Chask Wilk
Martha Torres, MPA Charlie Klinakis
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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