MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING OF
APRIL 22, 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 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 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Klinakis, Argudo (arrived at 9:37 a.m.), Mendoza, Quinones.
Members absent: Munoz.
Staff members present: Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Alexander Bauman, City Attorney Susie Altamirano, City Clerk Martha Torres Director of Administrative Services Troy Grunklee, Director ot Development Services John Di Mario, Planning Manager Abraham Tellez, Chief/Director of Public Safety Jeffrey Buckwell, and Office Specialist Karissa Rivas Bustillos.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Quinones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
Project LEAD students Mateo Morales and Shalom Valenzuela provided an update regarding recent events and activities at Sierra Vista Middle School.
Project LEAD students Pamela Herrera and Pedro Gonzalez provided an update regarding recent and upcoming events and activities at Sparks Middle School.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jeanette Freels announced that the La Puente Library is recruiting four youth workers for the summer tutoring and lunch programs.
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Chandler Weber, Public Information Officer from the Small Business Administration, provided a summary of services the organization offers.
May thanked the City for sharing Taiwanese culture during the Rum Wong Dance Event that took place on April 20, 2025.
Maura O'Neill, Policy Analyst and Advocate for Better Neighbors LA, submitted a written comment regarding Item B-2, in support of the City Council adopting the extended Interim Urgency Ordinance.
Cesar Gutierrez submitted a written comment inquiring about initiatives to increase community involvement in the City's long-term development plans.
BOARDS/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS - None.
A. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY A-1 READ AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2025
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the City Council and Successor Agency meeting April 8, 2025. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
B-1 CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED INCREASED RATES TO COMMERCIAL AND
RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE RATES BY VALLEY
VISTA SERVICES AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING WASTE
COLLECTION SERVICE RATES
Council Member Argudo recused himself from this item and left the Council Chambers at 9:53 a.m. due to a potential conflict of interest under SB 1439 Levine Act.
Director of Administrative Services Grunklee provided a report regarding the proposed rate increase in commercial and residential solid waste collection services by Valley Vista Services (VVS). He noted that on February 17, 2025, the City mailed Proposition 218 public hearing notices to all record owners or paying tenants of each identified parcel to comply with the 45-day notification requirement.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis opened the public hearing at 9:56 a.m.
Graciela Espinoza expressed her opposition to the increased service rates by VVS.
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Brenda Baldeon expressed her opposition to the increased service rates by VVS.
David Perez, owner of VVS, responded that the closures of surrounding landfills is limiting landfill space and has led to higher landfill fees.
Discussion ensued between Council Member Mendoza and Mr. Perez regarding the comparison of service rates among surrounding cities.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis spoke regarding the financial impact on waste management services due to state-mandated regulations.
City Clerk Torres announced that the City received 8 protests, which is less than 50% of the 8,259 eligible parcel owners and/or paying tenants who would have needed to submit written protests on the item.
Council Member Mendoza requested that City Staff work with VVS to assist those that are financially struggling with rising costs.
There being no further members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis closed the public hearing at 10:11 a.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Quinones, seconded by Council Member Mendoza, to adopt Resolution No. 25-5928 approving Valley Vista Services' request for a rate increase for solid waste collection services to residential and commercial clients based on the documented increases in the cost to provide solid waste services to the City. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz, Argudo
Council Member Argudo returned to the dais at 10:13 a.m.
B-2 CONSIDERATION OF AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PUENTE MAKING FINDINGS AND EXTENDING BY TEN (10) MONTHS AND FIFTEEN (15) DAYS THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF ORDINANCE NO. 25-989, ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
THE ADVERTISING AND OPERATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITHIN THE
CITY OF LA PUENTE
Planning Manager Tellez provided a staff report and briefing on establishing a temporary moratorium on the advertising and operation of short-term rentals within the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis opened the public hearing at 10:21 a.m. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Klinakis closed the public hearing at 10:22 a.m.
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Council Member Argudo requested clarification on the benefit of the transient occupancy tax.
Discussion ensued between Director of Administrative Services Grunklee, Director of Development Services Di Mario, Senior Planner Tellez, City Attorney Altamirano, and Council Member Argudo regarding the transient occupancy tax on short-term rentals, the timeline of the urgency ordinance extension, and the implementation of a permanent ordinance on short-term rentals.
In response to an inquiry by Council Member Mendoza regarding how Staff would achieve public outreach on the moratorium, Planning Manager Tellez stated that the City would use the City website, social media, and future community meetings to inform the public.
Discussion ensued between Council Member Argudo, Director Di Mario, and Director Grunklee regarding generating revenue on long-term rentals.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked Staff for their work on the moratorium and inquired regarding additional public hearings on this matter. Planning Manager Tellez clarified that the public would have several opportunities for the public to speak during public hearings on this item at future Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
Council Member Mendoza stated that the short-term rental ordinance stemmed from safety concerns.
City Clerk Torres clarified for the record that Maura O'Neill, Policy Analyst and Advocate for Better Neighbors LA, submitted a written comment regarding this item, in support of the City Council adopting the extended Interim Urgency Ordinance.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Mendoza to: (1) read the ordinance by title only and waive further reading; and (2) adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 25-990 - An Interim Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Puente extending by an additional 10 Month and 15 Days the terms and provisions of Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 25-989, establishing a temporary moratorium on the advertising and operation of short-term rentals within the City of La Puente.
AYES: Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL - None.
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D. CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to approve Consent Calendar Items D-1 through D-7. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Munoz
D-1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT RESOLUTION NO. 25-5929
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 25-5929 approving Warrant Register No. 1591.
D-2 PRESENTATION OF MARCH 2025 REQUISITION SUMMARY REPORT Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-3 PRESENTATION OF MARCH 2025 INVESTMENT REPORT
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D-4 CONSIDERATION AND RECEIVE AND FILE OF THE 2024 HOUSING ELEMENT
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) received and filed the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report; and (2) directed Staff to submit the report to HCD and OPR.
D-5 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY WORKS DESIGN GROUP FOR ADDITIONAL
SERVICES RELATED TO THE DOG PARK AND NATURE TRAILS IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,959.00
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) approved Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with Community Works Design Group in the amount of $9,959.00; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute the Amendment on behalf of the City.
D-6 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PERMIT FOR THE PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS AT THE 2025 BASSETT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY ON JUNE 5, 2025
Action Taken: The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-5930 approving a permit for the public display of fireworks for Bassett High School's 2025 Graduation Ceremony on June 5, 2025, pursuant to all applicable code requirements.
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D-7 CONSIDERATION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH EVENT
SOUND PROFESSIONALS (ESP) TO PROVIDE AUDIO SERVICES FOR CITY
SPECIAL EVENTS
Action Taken: The City Council: (1) approved the Professional Services Agreement for audio services provided by Event Sound Professionals; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E-1 PRESENTATION OF FEBRUARY 2025 BUDGET REPORT
Director of Administrative Services Troy Grunklee provided a report regarding the February 2025 budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis thanked Staff for the report.
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: Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis reported he was in attendance with Mayor Munoz for the Bassett Grand Opening of the Aquatic Center. He further reported of a potential draft joint use agreement with Bassett Unified for the Aquatic Center. Council Member Argudo directed Staff to draft a joint use agreement for the La Puente High School tennis courts after speaking with Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board President Stephanie Serrano.
Grant Writing Committee: Nothing to report.
AB 1234 REPORTS - None.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis recognized Planning Commissioner Martin Paz who was in attendance at the Council Meeting and thanked City Staff for the successful Easter events.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Alexander Bauman announced that the Special Olympics bocce team earned a bronze medal and stated that the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta would take place May 3, 2025, at La Puente Park.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Klinakis adjourned the meeting at 10:54 a.m.
Approved this 13" day of May 2025.
Martha Torres, MPA, CMC Valerie Muñoz
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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