MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL MEETING OF
FEBRUARY 22, 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 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 February 27, 2024, at 8:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 8:16 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz.
Members absent: None.
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, and Management Assistant Cece Dunlap.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Quinones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None.
WELCOME AND MEETING OBJECTIVES
City Manager Lindsey introduced the meeting objectives and provided an outline of key issues, both complete and incomplete.
REVIEW, UPDATE, AND DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES, PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES, AND
UNMENT NEEDS/SPECIAL PROJECT REQUESTS TO CITY MANAGER
City Personnel Policy Manual Updates
Director of Administrative Services Grunklee reported that a Human Resources consultant was hired to update the City personnel policies along with Staff and would be submitted to the City Attorney's office for review prior to the Union's review and subsequently for City Council consideration in July 2024.
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In response to an inquiry from Council Member Mendoza regarding review time, Director Grunklee and City Manager Lindsey clarified that edits would be brought back to the City Council for consideration before and in between negotiations with the Union.
Street Revitalization Maintenance and Project Plan Proposal and Overview Director Di Mario stated that all the bond proceeds from Measure M and Measure R funds have been spent for street improvements, and the current grind and overlay project is nearing completion. He further provided an update on the status of curb painting, speed bumps, sidewalk street numbering repainting project, sidewalk abatement project/tree uproot issues, and sign removals.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis regarding speed bumps, Director Di Mario stated that current City policy states that a certain percentage of residents would need to petition for signatures to conduct a speed bump study.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Mendoza regarding the timing of street improvement projects, Director Di Mario stated that Staff takes into consideration surrounding school schedules and high traffic hours around the street improvement areas.
City Manager Lindsey stated that there are certain street improvement projects that still need funding and Staff is working on prioritizing projects.
Preliminary La Puente Park Street Parking Evaluation and Needs Assessment Director Di Mario stated that additional street parking spaces had been added on Hacienda Boulevard. between Nelson Avenue and Temple Avenue and reminded the City Council that the construction of the HAWK beacon on Prichard Street and Hacienda Boulevard, which was previously approved by the City Council, should begin soon.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Munoz regarding La Puente Park parking, Director Di Mario stated that no additional on-site parking is being considered at the moment, and Director Bauman noted that the City has been working with the Hacienda La Puente School District to utilize the parking lot at La Puente High School for overflow parking during Sundays and event days. Council Member Mendoza noted that collaboration with the La Puente High School would be especially appreciated on busy event days to facilitate activities while also promoting pedestrian safety.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Argudo regarding street parking on Glendora Avenue, Director Di Mario stated that bike lanes as part of the Active Transportation Plan Cycle 6 grant would be added on Glendora Avenue. City Manager Lindsey stated that there may be restrictions on possible options for street parking expansion on Glendora Avenue. City Manager Lindsey stated that Staff would review and gather additional information, and the item would be brought back at a future City Council meeting.
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Needs Assessment and Discussion of Park Ordinances
City Manager Lindsey stated that there are several items that would be taken to the La Puente Park Fees, Ordinance and Program Oversight ad hoc committee.
City Manager Lindsey expressed a concern regarding speed safety at the La Puente Park and recommended installing flashing speed limit signs at the La Puente Park. He presented a video of the speed limit signs.
Discussion ensued regarding installing speed limit signs at the La Puente Park.
Council Member Mendoza suggested occasionally having a staff member stationed at the La Puente Park to welcome visitors and remind them of the Park rules.
Council Member Munoz suggested installing bike racks at the front of the park so that visitors can park their bike and enjoy the park on foot.
City Manager Lindsey stated that the speed signs would be brought back for demonstration and for City Council consideration at the next City Council meeting.
Review of Youth Sports, Community Programming, Projects, and Special Events Director Bauman stated that the City is currently running four sport seasons a year, instructional sport classes, the year-round Special Olympics program, and additional recreational programing, including collaborations with outside organizations. He also spoke regarding upcoming projects that Staff is working on.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis suggested having a singular event for the Dia de los Muertos event and also suggested the possibility of having City Departments create their own floats during parades.
Council Member Mendoza suggested additional outreach for student participation in City events and programs.
City Manager Lindsey spoke regarding the City putting together a volunteer program.
Council Member Munoz suggested that the City host a Mommy & Me event at the playground on the weekends.
Director of Community Services Bauman reported that the National Little League Parade and the Little League and Softball opening day ceremonies would be held on March 9, 2024.
Director of Community Services Bauman spoke regarding the Tiny Tots program. In response to an inquiry by Council Member Argudo regarding the capacity of the Tiny Tots program, Director Bauman confirmed that there is currently no waiting list; however, the program is continuing to grow, and Staff has been able to accommodate the growth.
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Review of LGBTQ+ Community Partnerships
City Manager Lindsey reported that Mayor Quinones and Staff met with Penny Lane Centers and are currently working together to provide services, resources, and support to those in need.
Mayor Quinones spoke regarding the Embracing Identities program that the City and Penny Lane Centers have collaborated on.
Establishment of Street Art/Mural Program to Beautify the City Council Member Argudo suggested that a potential area for additional murals is down Temple Avenue from Sunset Avenue and Unruh Avenue and suggested keeping the same type of art style in the murals placed within the City.
Mayor Quinones stated that the City is working with the schools in La Puente to come up with new mural ideas.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Munoz regarding painting the street exposed walls in a uniform color, Director of Development Services Di Mario stated that Staff is applying the recommended color.
City Manager Lindsey clarified that the Temple corridor and the area in front of Bassett High School would be potential mural project areas.
Mayor Quinones recessed the meeting at 9:48 am and reconvened at 9:58 am.
Council Member Mendoza left the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
Activity Center Project
Director of Development Services Di Mario introduced Frisco White and Martin Silva, Architects from Westberg + White, Inc., and provided a presentation on the design concept of the Activity Center at La Puente Park.
Discussion ensued regarding the design concept of the Activity Center and potential changes to increase the size of the activity room.
Council Member Munoz requested that pricing to paint the Community Center to match the new activity center building be added to the total cost of the project.
Direction was provided to Staff and the Architects to adjust the internal rooms design, storage area, and expand the building by utilizing the maximum space available that does not interfere with the sewer and water lines and bring back the updated design at a future City Council meeting.
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Upgrade and Enhance Council Chambers Infrastructure and Technology City Manager Lindsey provided an update on the Council Chambers renovation and proposed that technology upgrades and minor cosmetic renovations be made to the Chambers. He noted that the City Council had previously approved for funds to be set aside for a large-scale Council Chambers renovation, however, with the IT upgrades and minor renovations, the funds not utilized can be used for other City projects.
Communications/IT Analyst Overstreet provided an overview of proposed technology upgrades to the Chambers to ensure transparency for residents and ease of use for Staff.
Direction was provided to Staff to proceed with the minor cosmetic renovations in the Council Chambers that are within the City Manager's spending authority and to bring back the technology upgrades for consideration and approval at a future City Council meeting.
Dog Park/Kennel
Chief/Director of Public Safety Buckwell provided a design concept of the dog park/animal kennel.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Munoz regarding costs and the timeline of the project, City Manager Lindsey stated that the project would likely need to go out to bid and at this time, Staff only have projected costs. He noted that a multitude of funding sources are involved in the project, including Measure A TAP funds that have been used for architectural services and would also be utilized to fund the dog park. City Manager Lindsey stated that the timeframe would depend on the architect, the underground work needed, and the building and installation of the kennels.
Discussion ensued regarding staffing the animal kennel, the location of the City's animal control office, and the involvement of the H.E.A.R.T. organization with the City.
City Manager Lindsey clarified that the funds not used as part of the City Council renovation project can be used to cover the cost of the animal kennels.
Discussion ensued regarding the placement, layout, and design details of the animal kennel and the dog park.
City Manager Lindsey clarified that the animal kennel would be a no-kill shelter and stated that the item would be brought back at a future City Council meeting when additional information regarding funding, bid procedures, and timeline is received.
Veteran's Memorial
Director of Development Services Di Mario provided a presentation regarding the Veteran's Memorial conceptual site plan and noted that the project architect is currently working on a cost proposal for Phase II, which would include costs for construction. He further reported that the City submitted a grant application for funding from the National Park Service and the application was qualified at the State level CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 5 OF 6 FEBRUARY 22, 2024
and is now competing at the Federal level. Director Di Mario noted that the grant requires a 50% local match from the City.
Fee Study
Director of Administrative Services Grunklee stated that the draft fee study has been sent to the La Puente Park Fees, Ordinance and Program Oversight ad hoc committee and Code Enforcement and Public Safety ad hoc committee for review. Once the committees review the fees and meet with Staff, the fee study would be brought to a future City Council meeting for a public hearing and City Council consideration.
Discussion ensued regarding the timeline and process of bringing the fee study item to a future meeting for City Council consideration.
Direction was provided to Staff to provide the draft fee study to each Council Member and set up individual meetings with each Council Member to review and discuss the proposed fees. City Manager Lindsey noted that any answers provided by Staff in response to Council Member inquires would be provided to the entire City Council.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Ordinance
Planning Manager Tellez provided a PowerPoint presentation on the ADU ordinance that Staff is currently working on amending to comply with State law and reported that the proposed ordinance would be brought at a future City Council meeting.
Mayor Quinones noted that the remaining items not discussed would be brought back at a future City Council meeting
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked City Staff for their participation and hard work.
Mayor Quinones thanked everyone for their participation and input.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF - None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Quinones adjourned the meeting at 12:03 p.m.
Approved this 26" day of March, 2024.
Martha Torres, MPA
City Clerk
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