MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF
NOVEMBER 12, 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, November 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 P.M. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.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, and Management Assistant Cece Dunlap.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Argudo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None.
RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed into closed session at 6:32 p.m. to discuss the item as posted on the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOV. CODE SECTION 54957.6
City Representative: Susie Altamirano, City Attorney
Unrepresented Employee: Bob Lindsey, City Manager
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RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to open session at 7:01 p.m. -
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Lily An as Ala, in rept i or lose es on or our en ror vas provided,. 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Quinones called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.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, Planning Manager Abraham Tellez, Management - Analyst Natalie Romo, and Management Assistant Cece Dunlap.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Argudo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
Paulina Mejia and Caitlin Sims from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments provided a PowerPoint presentation on 2024 updates.
Management Analyst Romo presented Employee Service Awards to Code Enforcement Officer Richard Montano for his 10-year milestone with the City, Maintenance Superintendent Ricardo Carrillo for his 20-year milestone with the City, and Director of Development Services John Di Mario for his 10-year milestone with the City.
Sergeant Barajas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provided a briefing regarding recent activity within the City.
Community Outreach Program Coordinator Brian Torres of the La Puente Programs, Re- Employment, Outreach Services (P.R.O.S.) Team introduced new team member Edward Maldonado and provided a briefing regarding recent activity in the City. - CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 2 OF 10 NOVEMBER 12, 2024
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
- Vishal Malhi submitted a written comment regarding the City's budget, affordable housing, and ongoing and future projects.
La Puente Library Manager Jeanette Freels spoke regarding upcoming library events.
BOARDS/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS - None.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MEETINGS
READ AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETINGS OF OCTOBER 22, 2024
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Munoz, to waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the City Council and Successor Agency meeting of October 22, 2024. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
- B. PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH FINDINGS AND APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 23-01 TO ADOPT THE LA PUENTE 2024 COMMUNITY SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
Planning Manager Tellez provided a report and PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Quinones opened the public hearing at 8:08 p.m. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Quinones closed the public hearing at 8:08 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Munoz, to (1) adopt Resolution No. 24-5903 setting forth findings and approving General Plan Amendment No. 23-01 adopting the updated 2024 Community Safety Element, keeping in effect the Noise Element within the 2004 Community Safety Element, and adopting a Notice of Exemption regarding same; and (2) find that approval of General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 23-01 is exempt from environmental review, and direct Staff to file a Notice of Exemption, pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15061(b)(3). The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
- NOES: None
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ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
B-2 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH FINDINGS AND - APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 23-02 TO ADOPT THE LA PUENTE 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Planning Manager Tellez provided a report and PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Quinones opened the public hearing at 8:18 p.m. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Quinones closed the public hearing at 8:18 p.m.
Discussion ensued regarding the adoption of the Environmental Justice Element.
A motion was made by Council Member Munoz, seconded by Council Member Argudo, to (1) adopt Resolution No. 24-5904 setting forth findings and approving General Plan Amendment No. 23-02 adopting the 2024 Environmental Justice Element and adopting a Notice of Exemption regarding same; and (2) find that approval of General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 23-02 is exempt from environmental review, and direct Staff to file a Notice of Exemption, pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15061(b)(3). The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None -
ABSENT: None
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
C-1 CONSIDERATION OF AN UPDATE TO EXHIBIT A AND EXHIBIT B OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-5902 WITH THE AGREED UPON CHANGES BETWEEN THE
CITY OF LA PUENTE AND THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES' INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL 721 IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PERSONNEL POLICY FOR
REGULAR EMPLOYEES AND A COMPREHENSIVE PERSONNEL POLICY FOR
AT-WILL EMPLOYEES
At the October 22, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-5902 approving a Comprehensive Personnel Policy "CPP" for Regular Employees and a CPP for At-Will Employees, with the exceptions of Section 10.9 and Section 8.3 of the Regular Employee CPP to be brought back a future City Council meeting.
Director of Administrative Services Grunklee stated that the City and the Union agreed on language for Section 8.3 and noted that Section 10.9 remained unchanged.
A motion was made by Mayor Quinones, seconded by Council Member Argudo, to pprove and update Exhibit A and Exhibit B of Resolution No. 24-5902 with the agree pon changes in the Comprehensive Personnel Policy for Regular Employees and th - CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 4 OF 10 NOVEMBER 12, 2024
Comprehensive Personnel Policy for At-Will Employees for the City of La Puente. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
-
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY CONSENT CALENDAR
City Attorney Altamirano noted that Item D-6 is subject to an agreement approved by the City Attorney's Office.
Council Member Argudo pulled Items D-5 and D-6 for further discussion.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Munoz, o approve Consent Calendar Items D-1 through D-4, D-7 and D-8. The motion carried by he following roll call vote
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
- CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT RESOLUTION NO. 24-5905
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 24-5905 approving Warrant Register No. 1582
D-2 PRESENTATION OF OCTOBER 2024 REQUISITION SUMMARY REPORT Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-3 PRESENTATION OF OCTOBER 2024 INVESTMENT REPORT
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
CONSIDERATION OF AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO AMERICAN ASPHALT SOUTH, INC. FOR THE CITY WIDE SLURRY SEAL FY 2024-25 IN THE AMOUNT OF $335,376.05
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) awarded the contract to American Asphalt South, Inc. in the amount of $335,376.05; (2) authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement and approve change orders up to 7% of the original bid amount; and (3) adopted Resolution No. 24-5906 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement -
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D-5 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH NATIONWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, A DIVISION OF JOE'S SWEEPING, INC., FOR CATCH BASIN CLEANING IN THE AMOUNT OF $106,482.00 -
This item was pulled by Council Member Argudo for further discussion.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Argudo regarding grants for screen covers for catch basins, Director Di Mario noted that Measure W funds can be used for retrofitting the basins. He further noted that Staff could look into other grant funds that could cover the retrofitting costs.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Argudo regarding cleaning schedules for catch basin cleaning, Director Di Mario noted that the cleaning takes place in January, May, July, and November.
Discussion ensued regarding catch basin screens.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, Nato de Enviromenal Services in the amount or 10648300, as a sectorize tie 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, Munoz -
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
D-6 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE ORDER CONTRACT WITH INNOVATIVE PLAYGROUNDS CO. TO THOROUGHLY CLEAN AND RESEAL
EXISTING POUR IN PLACE SURFACING FOR THE PLAYGROUNDS AT LA PUENTE PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,741.23
This item was pulled by Council Member Argudo for further discussion.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Argudo regarding the warranty of the playground surfacing, City Manager Lindsey responded that due to the extreme use of the playground, the sealant of the playground is wearing out, and it is recommended to reseal every 2 to 3 years so that the binding is not broken.
Council Member Argudo requested that the City Attorney review the warranty.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Munoz, -
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authorize the City Manager to execute, on behalf of the City, all documents necessary to effectuate this action.
-
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
D-7 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Action Taken: The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-5907 amending the adopted Fiscal Year 2024-2024 Budget and Capital Improvement Program in an amount not-to- exceed $100,000.
D-8 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE CALIFORNIA
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, STATE LEGISLATURE, AND THE GOVERNOR
DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND TAKE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY
REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZE
CALIFORNIA'S MARKETPLACE FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE AND
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE (MAYOR PRO TEM KLINAKIS/MAYOR QUIÑONES)
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Action Taken: The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-5908 requesting the California Insurance Commissioner, State Legislature, and the Governor take emergency action to strengthen and stabilize California's marketplace for homeowners and commercial property insurance.
E. NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E-1 PRESENTATION OF OCTOBER 2024 BUDGET REPORT
Finance Manager Merkel Medina provided a report regarding the October 2024 budget.
E-2 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINDINGS AND DISPENSING
WITH THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVAL OF A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BOB MURRAY & ASSOCIATES,
FOR EXECUTIVE RECRUITING SERVICES RELATED TO HIRING A NEW
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERIVCES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $25,000.00
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, seconded by Council Member Argudo, to: (1) adopt Resolution 24-5909 making findings and dispensing with the competitive bidding process; and (2) approve the Agreement with Bob Murray & Associates for -
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executive recruiting services related to hiring a new Director of Development Services and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote: -
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
E-3 CONSIDERATION OF THE FINAL CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN FOR THE
PROPOSED DOG PARK AT VALLEY BOULEVARD AND OLD VALLEY
BOULEVARD
Director of Development Services Di Mario presented the conceptual site plan for the proposed dog park.
Discussion ensued regarding the play area, the use of the plaza, and trash receptacle placement.
A motion was made by Council Member Munoz, seconded by Council Member Argudo, to: (1) approve the final conceptual site plan for the proposed dog park; and (2) direct Staff to file a Notice of Exemption regarding the same. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
-
AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CONSIDERATION OF FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT
4GREEMENT WITH ROBERT C. LINDSEY FOR CITY MANAGER SERVICES City Attorney Altamirano stated that there are three main terms included in the fourth amendment: 3% income increase to $261,483.43, term from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, and severance.
Council Member Argudo thanked City Manager Lindsey for his leadership.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Munoz, o approve the fourth amendment to the employment agreement with Robert C. Lindse or City Manager services. The motion carried by the following roll call vote AYES: Quinones, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Munoz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None -
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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 reported that he and Director of Community Services Bauman are visiting schools to talk to students about Project LEAD, and noted that Workman, Nelson, and Hurley elementary schools will be participating in a Mock City Council Meeting on November 19, 2024. He further noted that the second annual LEADership conference will be taking place in February 2025.
Council Member Mendoza thanked Mayor Quinones and Director Bauman for visiting the students and noted that she is looking forward to the Mock City Council meeting.
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.
AB 1234 REPORTS - None.
- ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Klinakis thanked City Staff for the Veterans Day Ceremony and spoke regarding the annual "Land of the Free Veterans Day Golf Classic" fundraising event that he participated in. He also thanked La Puente High School football and ASB students for helping the Rotary Club Industry Hills in setting up over 200 flags on the corner of Hacienda Blvd. and Mayor Dave Way. He further spoke regarding the City's Veterans Dinner on November 13, 2024, and wished everyone a Happy Mayor Quinones thanked City Staff for the Veterans Day Ceremony.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
City Manager Lindsey provided an update on the new grass being installed at the La Puente Park football field.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Quinones adjourned the meeting in memory of Orlan Grunklee at 9:17 p.m.
Approved this 14' day of January, 2025.
MoT
Martha Torres, MPA Valerie Muñoz
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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