MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING OF
FEBRUARY 24, 2026
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, February 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klinakis called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Quinones (arrived at 9:38 a.m.).
Members absent: Mendoza.
Staff members present: City Manager Bob Lindsey, Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Alexander Bauman, City Attorney Susie Altamirano, City Attorney Richard Padilla, City Clerk Martha Torres, Director of Administrative Services Troy Grunklee, Director of Development Services Abraham Tellez, Chief/Director of Public Safety Jeffrey Buckwell, Senior Planner Juan Galvan, and Office Specialist Karissa Rivas Bustillos.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Klinakis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation and Update by Dudek Regarding the City's Housing Element Senior Planner Rachel Lindt from Dudek provided an update on the La Puente Mixed-Use Places Project.
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Discussion ensued regarding the City code and expansion of homes in a nonconforming area.
Council Member Argudo directed Staff to bring back for City Council consideration proposed amendments to the City's Municipal Code to protect the rights to intensify and allow home expansion in nonconforming areas.
Mayor Klinakis thanked Director of Development Services Tellez and Dudek Senior Planner Lindt for working on the Mixed-Use Places Project and stated the Community could benefit from this project.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Martha Rodriguez expressed concern regarding a code enforcement matter and requested curbside handicap parking in front of the La Puente Woman's Club. The matter was referred to Staff.
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 FEBRUARY 10, 2026
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 of February 10, 2026. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Argudo, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Munoz
ABSENT: Mendoza
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
B.1 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-994 ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE 2025 AND OTHER RELATED
CODES AND ADOPTING LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND MAKING
FINDINGS FOR SAME
Senior Planner Galvan provided a report regarding the updated California statewide building code law mandates.
Mayor Klinakis opened the public hearing at 9:55 a.m. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Klinakis closed the public hearing at 9:55 a.m.
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A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Munoz, to:
(1) adopt Ordinance No. 26-994 adopting by reference pursuant to Government Code Section 50022.2, Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Building Code, incorporating by reference the California Building Code 2025 Edition; Title 28 of the Los Angeles County Plumbing Code incorporating by reference the California Plumbing Code 2025 Edition; Title 27 of the Los Angeles County Electrical Code, incorporating by reference the California Electrical Code 2025 Edition; Title 29 of the Los Angeles County Mechanical Code, incorporating by reference the California Mechanical Code 2025 Edition; Title 30 of the Los Angeles County Residential Code, incorporating by reference the California Residential Code 2025 Edition; Title 31 of the Los Angeles County Green Building Standards Code, incorporating by reference the California Green Building Code 2025 Edition; Title 33 of the Los Angeles County Existing Building Code; incorporating by reference the California Existing Building Code; and adopting local amendments thereto, and making findings for same; and (2) adopt the Notice of Exemption.
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Mendoza
B.2 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION CALLING A JUNE 2, 2026
SPECIAL ELECTION TO SUBMIT TO LA PUENTE VOTERS A BALLOT MEASURE TO INCREASE THE CITY'S EXISTING 1/2% TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX,
REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION WITH AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE
REGISTRAR FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY, ESTABLISHING OTHER
PROCEDURES; MAKING FINDINGS REQUIRED BY ARTICLE XIIIC, SECTION 2(B) OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION; AND SUBMITTING FOR FIRST
READING AN ORDINANCE EFFECTUATING THE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
SUBJECT TO VOTER APPROVAL
City Attorney Padilla provided a presentation regarding a City of La Puente ballot measure to increase the City's existing 1/2 % transaction and use tax.
Discussion took place between the City Council, City Staff, and the City Attorney's office, regarding the proposed transactions and use tax percentage, ballot measure deadlines, and the potential outcome if approved. The discussion also included the Los Angeles County's proposed tax measure, efforts to educate and inform residents about the measures, the importance of transparency, and the City's options for imposing the transactions and use tax should the City's ballot measure be approved.
Mayor Klinakis opened the public hearing at 10:35 a.m.
Martha Rodriguez, representative of the La Puente Valley Woman's Club, agreed that City funds from the tax ballot measure should stay within the City for local use and offered to help educate residents about the measures.
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Mayor Klinakis closed the public hearing at 10:36 a.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Munoz and Council Member Argudo recommended that the City Council hold a special meeting with all five Council Members present for further discussion on the Item.
City Attorney Padilla recommended keeping the public hearing open and continuing the hearing to a special meeting.
The City Council reached consensus to continue the public hearing to a special meeting, with the date to be determined.
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL - None.
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-3. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Mendoza
D.1 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING WARRANT RESOLUTION NO.26-5976
Action Taken: The City Council and Successor Agency adopted Resolution No. 26-5976 approving Warrant Register No. 1609.
D.2 PRESENTATION OF JANUARY 2026 REQUISTION SUMMARY REPORT Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
D.3 PRESENTATION OF JANUARY 2026 INVESTMENT REPORT
Action Taken: The City Council received and filed this report.
NEW BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
E.1 PRESENTATION OF JANUARY 2026 BUDGET REPORT
Director of Administrative Services Grunklee provided a report regarding the January 2026 budget and amending the adopted budget for fiscal year 2025/2026.
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A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Munoz, to (1) receive and file this report; and (2) adopt resolution No. 26-5977 amending the adopted budget for fiscal year 2025/2026. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Mendoza
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: Council Member Quinones announced that a Mock City Council Meeting and City Hall Tour with Sierra Vista and Sparks Middle Schools would take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
LPQT Action Committee: Nothing to report.
Rowland, Bassett, and Hacienda La Puente Unified School Districts Liaison Committee: Nothing to report.
Senior Advisory Committee: Nothing to report.
Business Outreach Support Committee: Nothing to report.
La Puente Activity Center Design Oversight Committee: Nothing to report.
AB 1234 REPORTS - None.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Klinakis announced the La Puente National Little League Opening Day Parade would take place on March 7, 2026. He reported he attended the City's Sister City, the city of Mocorito in Sinaloa, Mexico and presented a certificate to their city. He further reported that he attended the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Mayor Pro Tem Munoz reported that she and Acting City Manager/Director of Community Services Bauman met with Congressman Gil Cisneros and other local city leaders. Discussion included legislative updates at the federal level, cities' concerns regarding homeland security and federal funding uncertainty, senior affordability, and transportation and infrastructure planning for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
Chief/Director of Public Safety Buckwell provided an update on the La Puente Dog Park and Animal Kennel project and reported the success of the most recent La Puente/H.E.A.R.T.
Affordable Pet Care Clinic. Mayor Klinakis thanked the City Council for their support of these clinics. Mayor Pro Tem Munoz highlighted that the program benefits the community by helping residents save money and looks forward to similar programs.
Mayor Klinakis thanked Information Technology/Communications Analyst Steve Overstreet for his hard work and dedication, and recognized those in attendance including Planning Commissioner Marty Paz, the Woman's Club, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies.
ADJOURMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Klinakis adjourned the meeting at 10:54 a.m.
Approved this 10th day of March, 2026.
Matt. Chale With
Martha Torres, MPA, CMC Charlie Klinakis
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
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