MINUTES
LA PUENTE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SPECIAL MEETING OF
MARCH 4, 2026
Per Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised 1]" 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 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 March 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klinakis called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones.
Members absent: None.
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, and Information Technology/Communications Analyst Steve Overstreet.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Klinakis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None.
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL
B.2 CONTINUED FROM THE FEBRUARY 24, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING - 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 CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 1 OF 3 MARCH 4, 2026
READING AN ORDINANCE EFFECTUATING THE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
SUBJECT TO VOTER APPROVAL
City Attorney Padilla provided a presentation regarding a City of La Puente proposed ballot measure to increase the City's existing 1/2% transactions and use tax.
Discussion took place between the City Council and the City Attorney's office, regarding the proposed transactions and use tax percentage, the potential outcome if approved, the Los Angeles County's proposed tax measure, efforts to educate and inform residents about the measures, 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 6:57 p.m.
Charlie Chavez submitted two written comments regarding the City's proposed local ballot measure.
Charlie Chavez spoke regarding the City's options for imposing the transactions and use tax should the City's ballot measure be approved and suggested actions for the City Council to combat the County ballot measure.
Discussion ensued regarding the potential outcomes if approved, the Los Angeles County's proposed tax measure, and the City's proposed tax measure.
Mayor Klinakis closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m.
Discussion ensued between the City Council and City Attorney's office regarding the potential outcomes of the City's proposed tax measure and wording adjustments for the proposed resolution.
City Attorney Padilla requested City Council authorization to make corrections to the resolution, including removing redundancies in Section 2.34.160.
Council Member Argudo suggested altering the resolution by changing the wording of "wills" to "mays" to allow the City Council the ability to suspend or reduce the tax rate and authorizing legal counsel to address any grammatical or clerical errors at their discretion.
A motion was made by Council Member Argudo, seconded by Council Member Quinones, to: (1) declare a fiscal emergency within the meaning of article XIIIC, section 2 of the California constitution; (2) calling and giving notice of a June 2, 2026 special election for the submission of a ballot measure to La Puente voters increasing the city's current half percent (1/2%) transactions and use tax to a new rate of one percent (1%); (3) requesting consolidation of said special election with the county-administered election of the same date; (4) requesting that the registrar- recorder/county clerk provide specific election administration services; (5) setting priorities for filing written arguments and rebuttals regarding the ballot measure and directing preparation of an impartial analysis; (6) change the wording of "wills" to "mays" in Resolution No. 26-5975; and (7) authorize legal counsel to address any grammatical or clerical errors at their discretion.
CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 2 OF 3 MARCH 4, 2026
AYES: Klinakis, Munoz, Argudo, Mendoza, Quinones
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ORAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Klinakis thanked the City Council, City Staff, City Attorney's Office, and residents for attending the special meeting. Mayor Klinakis announced that the La Puente Little League Opening Day Parade would take place on March 7, 2026.
City Attorney Padilla proposed modifying the City of La Puente ballot measure question by changing "Police Services" to "Public Safety."
Council Member Argudo thanked the City Council for their collaborative efforts working on the City ballot measure.
Mayor Klinakis thanked Charlie Chavez for addressing the City Council regarding concerns related to the ballot measure.
ORAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF
City Manager Lindsey thanked Charlie Chavez for submitting written comments and expressing his concerns regarding the City ballot measure.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Klinakis adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
Approved this 24th day of March, 2026.
mate. Charle leah
Martha Torres, MPA, CMC Charlie Klinakis
City Clerk Mayor/Chair
CC/SA MINUTES PAGE 3 OF 3 MARCH 4, 2026