MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF
APRIL 9, 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 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, April 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
6:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Mendoza.
Members absent: Munoz.
Staff members present: City Attorney Susie Altamirano, City Clerk Martha Torres, Director of Development Services John Di Mario, 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 6:06 p.m. to discuss the item as posted on the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 subdivision (d)(1) (City of La Puente v. EML, LLC, LASC Case No. 21PSCV00609)
2. 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)
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RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to open session at 7:14 p.m.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Altamirano stated that in regard to Item No. 1, an update was provided, direction was given, and there was no reportable action. In regard to Item No. 2, an update was provided, direction was provided, and there was no reportable action. City Attorney Altamirano noted for the record that Council Member Argudo joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m. 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza.
Members absent: Munoz.
Staff members present: City Attorney Susie Altamirano, City Clerk Martha Torres, Director of Administrative Services Troy Grunklee, Director of Development Services John Di Mario, Chief/Director of Public Safety Jeffrey Buckwell, Director of Community Services Alexander Bauman, and Office Specialist Jackie Cortez
PRESENTATIONS
The City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to Hurley Elementary School crossing guards Venita Robinson and Mercedes Nolasco. Rowland Unified School District Superintendent Julie Mitchell, Principal Yesenia Alvarez of Hurley Elementary School, Board Member Cary Chen, and Association of Rowland Educators President Derek Hollingsworth were present in recognizing the crossing guards.
The City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the La Puente High School LP Runs LA participants and teachers.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals made statements regarding the ceasefire resolution: Daisy H. Sim, Gabriel Gomez, Samuel B. Vazquez, Nayellie Diaz, Elly Levy, Inspector Javert, Elissa, Edgar Reyes, Joshua Martinez, Brother Basem Garbancito Abdul Allah-Jandro Hamida, Ricardo Martinez, Avraham Stern, Huda, Zain, Easah, Phylis Rotolo, Katie Rotolo, Caelyn Oei, Jaime CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 2 OF 7 APRIL 9, 2024
Gutierrez, Raina Ramirez, Yasmin Cardona, Phillip Gomez, Christian Sanchez, Esma Ali, Mirvette Judeh, Aly Ceja, and Brian Calderon Tabatabai.
The following individuals made statements regarding the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board and its meetings: Erica Estrada, Sandra Martinez, and Lupita J.
The following individuals submitted written comments regarding the ceasefire resolution:
Berenice De Anda, Jack Elkhalayleh, Chen Gu, Jason Moss, Diana Herrera, Guadalupe Salcedo, Alex Parker, Katie Rotolo, J Rotolo, Phylis Rotolo, and Tzemach Achsav.
Derek Hollingsworth submitted a written comment regarding the recognition of the Hurley Elementary School Crossing Guards.
At 9:14 p.m., the City Council recessed and reconvened at 9:25 p.m.
Mayor Quinones stated that there would not be a presentation from the Sheriff's Department or P.R.O.S. Team.
Mayor Quinones recommended that Item E-1 be moved up for discussion.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, seconded by Council Member Mendoza to move up Item E-1 for discussion. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
E. NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E-1 DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE
ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST (COUNCIL MEMBER
ARGUDO/MAYOR QUINONES)
Council Member Argudo thanked the speakers for attending and thanked Jaime Gutierrez, Avraham, Phillip Gomez, Sam, and Mayor Quinones.
Council Member Argudo recommended the resolution title wording be changed from "Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East" to "Establishing an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire" and recommended changing the language in the fourth paragraph of the resolution from "the conflict" to "these atrocities".
Mayor Quinones stated that he supported the recommendations, as well as the prior changes made to the resolution by Council Member Argudo to include Palestinian and CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 3 OF 7 APRIL 9, 2024
Council Member Argudo clarified that the resolution had been redlined by him prior to the meeting and the edited resolution was provided to the City Council at the time of the meeting.
Council Member Mendoza thanked everyone for attending and further recommended that the resolution title wording be changed to "Demanding an Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire".
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked the speakers for the professional dialogue and noted that he would continue educating himself and gathering information.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Mendoza to approve the edited Resolution No. 24-5864, with the following changes to the resolution:
the title of the resolution shall read "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of La Pure co Cait wita Mese ading in in ide four argraph. The mere and replacing following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
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 MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2024
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 of March 26, 2024. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL - None
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
C-1 DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE FLOOR PLAN OF THE
PROPOSED ACTIVITY CENTER BUILDING AT LA PUENTE PARK
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Director Di Mario provided a report regarding the floor plan of the proposed activity center building at La Puente Park.
The City Council discussed this item and provided further direction to further increase the size of the open space inside the building by expanding the building area and minimizing the inside rooms and bring the item back at a future City Council meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Mendoza, to extend the City Council Meeting past 10:30 p.m. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
D. CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Argudo pulled Item D-4 for further discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, to approve Consent Calendar Items D-1 through D-3. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
D-1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT REGISTER NOS. 1569 AND 70
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 24-5863 approving Warrant Register No. 1569 and Resolution No. SA 24-103 approving Warrant Register No. 70.
D-2 SECOND READING AND CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3.28 (BINGO) OF TITLE 3 (PUBLIC SAFETY AND
MORALS) OF THE LA PUENTE MUNICIPAL CODE
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) adopted Ordinance No. 24-985, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Puente, California, Amending Chapter 3.28 (Bingo) of Title 3 (Public Safety and Morals) of the La Puente Municipal Code.
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D-3 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DRAKE TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES INC. FOR SPECIAL EVENT TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,086.25.
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) approved Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Drake Traffic Control Services Inc, in the amount of $30,086.25; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
D-4 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE EXISTING LEGAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH DAPEER, ROSENBLIT & LITVAK, LLP FOR CODE
ENFORCEMENT AND SPECIAL COUNSEL SERVICES
This item was pulled by Council Member Argudo for further discussion.
Brandon Sanchez., a Partner with Dapeer, Rosenblit & Litvak, LLP, provided a brief report on the item.
Discussion ensued regarding agreement termination, cost of living increase, and amendments to Section 6 of the agreement.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, to (1) approve amendment No. 1 to the existing Agreement with Dapeer, Rosenblit & Litvak, LLP for Code Enforcement and Special Counsel Services with the amendment to Section 6 to reflect the new date to July 1, 2025; and (2) authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment on behalf of the City. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
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: Nothing to report.
LPQT Action Committee: Nothing to report.
Rowland, Bassett, and Hacienda La Puente Unified School Districts Liaison Committee: Nothing to report.
Grant Writing Committee: Nothing to report.
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AB 1234 REPORTS - None
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Quinones and Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked Director of Community Services Bauman and the Community Services Staff for their hard work at the Spring Egg Hunt, which included an egg hunt area for children with special needs.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Quinones adjourned the meeting at 10:42 p.m.
Approved this 23d day of April 2024.
mot
Martha Torrés, MPA Gabriel Quiñones
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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