MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF
JANUARY 28, 2025
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 28, 2025, at 9:15 a.m.
9:15 A.M. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Munoz called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo (arrived at 9:17 a.m.), Mendoza.
Members absent: Quinones.
Staff members present: Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Alex Bauman, 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, Management Assistant Cece Dunlap, and Office Specialist Karissa Rivas Bustillo.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None.
RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed into closed session at 9:17 a.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) (LIN BAI, ET AL. VS THANH HON GIANG, ET AL. Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23PSCV03536) CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 1 OF 7 JANUARY 28, 2025
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to open session at 9:25 a.m.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Altamirano reported out of closed session. In regard to Item No. 1, a report was provided, feedback was given, and no reportable action at this time. 9:30 A.M. REGULAR SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Munoz called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza.
Members absent: Quinones.
Staff members present: Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Alex Bauman, ty Attorney Susie Altamirano, City Clerk Martha Torres, Director o dministrative Services Trov Grunklee. Director of Developmer Services John Di Mario, Chief/Director of Public Safety Jeffrey Buckwell, Management Assistant Cece Dunlap, and Office Specialist Karissa Rivas Bustillo.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
Sergeant Hugo Barajas from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that the department was assisting in the recent Palisades and Eaton fires, spoke regarding recent activity within the City, and introduced Deputy Peter Gomez as a new member of the Special Assignment Officer team.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
La Puente Library Manager Jeanette Freels spoke regarding tutoring at the La Puente Library and additional vaccine clinics hosted at the Library on February 12, 2025, and March 12, 2025.
Richard Berdin spoke regarding tennis courts on Nelson Avenue.
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Alberto Mora provided suggestions regarding the food served at the Senior Center, implementing trips for seniors, and thanked the City Council for their support.
Frank Sanchez thanked the City Council for the morning City Council meetings and for installing the crosswalk flashing beacon at Old Valley and requested an extension of the sidewalk on Old Valley due to safety concerns.
BOARDS COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS - None.
A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MEETINGS
READ AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2025.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Klinakis, seconded by Council Member Argudo, to waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the City Council and Successor Agency meeting of January 14, 2025. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Quinones
PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
B-1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING PARTICPATION IN THE LOS
ANGELES URBAN COUNTY PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION
PROGRAM
Director of Development Services Di Mario provided a report on the Los Angeles Urban County Permanent Local Housing Allocation program.
Mayor Munoz opened the public hearing at 9:59 a.m. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Munoz closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Munoz, to: (1) adopt Resolution No. 25-5916 approving the City's participation in the Los Angeles Urban County Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program; and (2) authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this Program. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Quinones
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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 Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, to approve Consent Calendar Items D-1 through D-5. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Quinones
D-1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT RESOLUTION NO. 25-5917
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 24-5917 approving Warrant Register No. 1585.
D-2 PRESENTATION OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2024 REQUISITION
SUMMARY REPORT
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-3 PRESENTATION OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2024 INVESTMENT REPORT 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, 2024
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Independent Accountant's report on the Appropriations Limit Worksheet, the 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, 2024.
D-5 CONSIDERATION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
CITY OF LA PUENTE AND THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM - CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT, EQUITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (SCP-CEEEJ FOR
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR UNDERUTILIZED COMMERCIAL ZONES IN
LA PUENTE
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern California Association of Governments; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
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E. NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E-1 PRESENTATION OF DECEMBER 2024 BUDGET REPORT
Director of Administrative Services Grunklee provided a report regarding the December 2024 budget.
Mayor Pro Klinakis thanked Director Grunklee for the monthly budget updates.
E-2 UPDATE AND DISCUSSION REGARDING 365 CATHLETIX FITNESS
PROGRAMMING
Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Bauman provided statistics regarding participation of the 365 Athletix Fitness Program and proposed a new schedule of classes and fees on weekday evenings for two consecutive 8-week sessions.
Discussion ensued regarding participant registration fees.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Argudo regarding participation in morning sessions versus evening session, Acting City Manager/Director Bauman stated that the instructor's availability does not allow for morning sessions.
Discussion ensued regarding morning and evening classes and participation.
In response to an inquiry by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis regarding the recommendation by the La Puente Park Fees, Ordinance and Program Oversight ad hoc committee, Mayor Munoz responded that the ad hoc committee looked at the program's statistics and found that there was consistency in the evening classes.
Council Member Mendoza thanked the ad hoc committee for looking at the participation numbers and stated she is glad to see active participation in the program.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Mendoza, to: (1) approve a professional services agreement for fitness class services with Christopher Arias in the amount of $8,320; and (2) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Quinones
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E-3 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN THE ANIMAL CONTROL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Chief/Director of Public Safety Buckwell provided a video presentation and report regarding the La Puente Affordable Pet Care Clinics. He further provided statistics and savings for the Community.
In response to a request by Mayor Munoz regarding providing information of the Affordable Pet Care Clinics, Chief/Director Buckwell provided an overview of the services offered at the clinics.
In response to an inquiry by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis regarding outreach flyers for the pet clinics to senior residents, Chief/Director Buckwell stated that the department will begin to distribute flyers to senior residents.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Argudo regarding the costs of the clinics, Chief/Director Buckwell stated that the clinics were reduced to once a month for cost savings and to continue the program.
Council Member Argudo clarified that the program would now be funded through the general fund due to the exhausted American Rescue Plan Act funding.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis, to adopt Resolution No. 25-5918 amending the Animal Control Services Department Budget (100-2130) for fiscal year 2024-25. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Munoz, Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Quinones
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.
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Senior Citizen Advisory Committee: Nothing to report.
AB 1234 REPORTS - None.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked Community Services and the Community Foundation Staff for hosting the Martin Luther King Jr. Story Time & Crafts event. He also thanked Chief/Director of Public Safety Buckwell for animal control services that have contributed to Community savings.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Bauman provided an update on upcoming events including: the Northgate Gonzalez Market Grand Reopening Ceremony on January 29, 2025; the La Puente Community Foundation's Lunar New Year Celebration sponsored by Volvo on February 1, 2025; and Project LEAD's Annual LEADership conference on February 4, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Munoz adjourned the meeting at 10:21 a.m.
Approved this 11" day of February, 2025.
M-FR
Martha Torres, MPA Valerie Muñoz
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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