MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF
JANUARY 23, 2024
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 Special 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, January 23, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 P.M. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Munoz.
Members absent: Mendoza.
Staff members present: City Attorney Susie Altamirano, City Clerk Martha Torres, and Office Specialist Jackie Cortez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Quinones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed into closed session at 6:36 p.m. to discuss items as posted on the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 subdivision (d)(1) (Lewis v. City of La Puente, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 21STCV18841)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to open session at 7:03 p.m.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
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City Attorney Altamirano reported out of closed session. In regard to Item No. 1, a report was provided, feedback was provided, and no reportable action was taken. 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Munoz.
Members absent: Mendoza.
Staff members present: City Manager Bob Lindsey, City Attorney Susie Altamirano, 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, City Engineer Rey Alfonso, Associate Planner Juan Galvan, and Office Specialist Jackie Cortez.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Quinones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
Sergeant Hugo Barajas from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spoke regarding recent activity within the City and thanked Community Outreach Program Coordinator Brian Torres and the La Puente Programs, Re-Employment, Outreach Services (P.R.O.S.) Team for their work.
Sergeant Barajas shared that the Sheriff's Department provided a Career Day presentation for the Boys & Girls Club.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis asked Sergeant Barajas to reach out to a resident regarding a noise concern.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
BOARDS/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS - None
A. MINUTES PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MEETINGS
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A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, to waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the City Council and Successor Agency meeting January 9, 2024. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Munoz
ABSENT: Mendoza
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 Munoz, to approve Consent Calendar Items D-1 through D-5. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Mendoza
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT RESOLUTION NO. 24-5846
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 24-5846 approving Warrant Register No. 1564.
D-2 PRESENTATION OF OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2023 REQUISITION
SUMMARY REPORTS
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed the report.
PRESENTATION OF OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2023 INVESTMENT
REPORTS
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-4 RECEIVE AND FILE THE CITY'S ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Independent Accountant's report on the Appropriations Limit Worksheet, the CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 3 OF 7 JANUARY 23, 2024
Independent Auditor's Report on Internal Control and Compliance, and the Statement on Auditing Standard No. 114 Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
D-5 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FILING OF
APPLICATION(S) FOR THE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS AND RECREATION
Action Taken: The City Council approved Resolution No. 24-5847, approving the application(s) for the Specified Grant Funds with the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
E. NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E-1 PRESENTATION OF OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2023 BUDGET
REPORTS
Finance Manager Merkel Medina provided a report regarding the October, November, and December 2023 budgets.
E-2 INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PUENTE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 50022.2, TITLE 32
FIRE CODE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 2022 EDITION, AND ADOPTING
LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND MAKING FINDINGS FOR SAME
Associate Planner Galvan provided a report regarding the fire code updates, which included the sale of safe and sane fireworks, and stated that a public hearing would need to be set for the February 27, 2024, City Council meeting. He then read Ordinance 24-984 by title only.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis regarding the fire code updates, Director Di Mario clarified that there were no substantive changes to the code, as the mapping requirements in the updated fire code do not apply to the City.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, seconded by Council Member Argudo, to (1) waive reading of Ordinance No. 24-984 and read by title only; and (2) introduce Ordinance No. 24-984, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Puente Adopting By Reference, Pursuant to Government Code Section 50022.2, Title 32 - Fire Code of the Los Angeles County Code, Incorporating by Reference the California Fire Code 2022 Edition and Adopting Local Amendments Thereto, and Making Findings For Same; (3) set the date of February 27, 2024 to conduct a public hearing for the adoption of Ordinance No. 24-984; and (4) approve and adopt the Notice of Exemption. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
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AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Mendoza
E-3 DISCUSSION REGARDING ASSEMBLY BILL 734 - YOUTH TACKLE FOOTBALL (MAYOR PRO TEM KLINAKIS/COUNCIL MEMBER MUNOZ)
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis provided an update that Assembly Bill 734 had been pulled by the California Governor.
E-4 UPDATE AND DISCUSSION REGARDING COMMUNITY SERVICES
PROGRAMMING
Director Bauman provided an outline of the upcoming Community Services programming, including the youth basketball league, sports fundamentals classes, Special Olympics, 365 Athletix fitness classes, Tiny Tots, pickleball drop-in play, and skate park nights. He further stated that the LEADership Conference will take place on January 30, 2024, at the Community Center, and Breakfast with the Bunny will take place on March 30, 2024, to be followed by an egg hunt, which will include a special needs area.
Mayor Quinones and Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked Director Bauman for including the special needs area for the egg hunt.
E-5 DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM Director Grunklee provided an update and statistics regarding the City's Business Grant Program.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Argudo regarding grant funding, Director Grunklee confirmed that grant funding had been exhausted In response to an inquiry from Council Member Argudo regarding grant applicants, City Manager Lindsey clarified applications are no longer being accepted and that there is one last application that needs to be fulfilled.
Council Member Argudo requested to allocate $5,000 of his American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) discretionary funds for the program.
Council Member Munoz stated that because grant funding would be exhausted on the State and Federal level, the City would need to re-evaluate funding for City programs.
Mayor Quinones also requested to allocate $5,000 of his ARPA discretionary funds for the grant.
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Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis also requested to allocate $5,000 of his ARPA discretionary funds for the grant.
City Manager Lindsey stated for the record that per his communication with Council Member Mendoza, she would also like to allocate $5,000 of her ARPA discretionary funds for the grant.
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
Code Enforcement and Public Safety Committee: Nothing to report.
La Puente Park Fees, Ordinance and Program Oversight Committee: Nothing to report.
Project LEAD Committee: Mayor Quinones stated that the LEADership Conference would take place on January 30, 2024.
LPQT Action Committee: Mayor Quinones stated that the San Gabriel Valley Tour that the City had participated in would be growing and would meet again with other cities.
Rowland, Bassett, and Hacienda La Puente Unified School Districts Liaison Committee: Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis stated that the committee would be meeting with the President of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District to discuss joint projects.
Grant Writing Committee: Council Member Munoz stated that the committee had an introductory meeting for the first time on January 23, 2024, where Global Urban Strategies provided an update on grant funding. Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis stated that the meeting was very informative and would be continued at a future date.
AB 1234 REPORTS
Mayor Quinones stated that he attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors and met with other mayors and the President of the United States.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked the Planning Department including Director Di Mario, Associate Planner Galvan, and Senior Planner Tellez for their insight, hard work, and dedication to serving the residents of the City.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
City Manager Lindsey provided an outline of the upcoming La Puente Community Foundation events, beginning with the Lunar New Year Celebration on January 27, 2023, and thanked Jack Zhao and the Foundation for their hard work. He also spoke regarding the Valentine's Day Paint and Sip on February 14, 2024, St. Patty's Day event on March 16, 2024, Golf Tournament on April 12, 2024, and the La Puente Car Show and Carnival on April 18-20, 2024.
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Director Di Mario introduced Rey Alfonso, who introduced himself as the new City Engineer.
Director Di Mario provided an update on the status of the CDBG applications.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis regarding emergency applicants, Director Di Mario confirmed if there are severe or unsafe living conditions, these emergency applicants would be moved up the waiting list and addressed immediately.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Argudo regarding program income allocation, Director Di Mario confirmed that $95,000 was allocated for Code Enforcement.
Director Di Mario provided an update on the Rapid Reflective Flashing Beacon Crosswalk project on Old Valley and First Street and would report out again at a future City Council meeting.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Argudo regarding the flashing crosswalk on Glendora Avenue, Director Di Mario confirmed that City Staff identified that the grade drops to the right and City Staff is waiting for a metal plate to bring the contractor back to reconfigure and finish the work on the project.
In response to an inquiry by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis regarding the amount granted to each CDBG applicant, Director Di Mario stated that City Staff can discuss the amount and look into raising the total amount per applicant.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Quinones adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
Approved this 13"h day of February, 2024.
VAT
Martha Torrés, MPA Gabriel Quiñones
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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