MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
1. The City Council Meeting was opened to the public. In an effort to keep a safe environmentand to minimizethe spread of the COVID- 19 Virus, the City limited occupancy and required masking for those in attendance. To facilitate public participation for those who did not wish to attend in person, the meeting was made available virtually.
2. AregularmeetingoftheLaVerneCityCouncilwascalledtoorderbyMayorHepburnat6:35p.m.
3. Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn Mayor Pro Tem Muir Davis
Council Member Robin Carder
Council Member Wendy Lau
Council Member Rick Crosby
Absent: None.
Advisory personnel present: City ManagerRobertRussi
Assistant to the City Manager JR Ranells
City Attorney RobertL. Kress
AssistantCity Clerk LupeGaeta Estrella
CommunityServicesManagerYvonne Duran
Finance Director Marla Pendleton
Public Works Director Shawn Igoe
4. Pledgeof Allegiancewas led by Council MemberCrosby.
5. Completion of Military Service- Mayor Hepburn reported on the Military Banner Program. He stated that once acommunitymembercompletestheirmilitaryservice, theirbanneris removed and presented to their family member( s) with a yellow ribbon. Mayor Hepburn, on behalfoftheCityCouncil, presentedto NavyMilitary Honoree David C. Halberg a military banner with a yellow ribbon to his family. Mayor HepburnandtheCityCouncilthankedMilitaryHonoreeHalbergforhisservice to his country.
Presentation of Proclamation Mayor Hepburn reported on Black History Month. February of each year is Proclaiming the Month of NationalBlack HistoryMonthand servesas botha celebrationand a powerful February, 2022, as Black reminderthatBlackhistoryisAmericanhistory, BlackcultureisAmerican History Month culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America - our faults, ourstruggles, our progress, andouraspirations. Shininga lighton Black historytodayisas importantto understandingourselvesandgrowingstronger as a Nation as it has ever been.
Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council , presented a Proclamation to ThomasAllison, fromtheCulturalAwareness, andSocialInclusionCommittee CASI) a ProclamationfortheMonthof February, 2022, as BlackHistory Month.
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City Councii Minutes, Tuesday, February 22, 2022, Page 2.
6. Announcements of Upcoming DanitaBeauchampreportedonupcomingmeetingsoftheLosAngelesBoard Community Events of Supervisors and the Los Angeles Department of Probation. She stated that the Afflerbaugh & Paige Camps matter is not on their Agenda, but that residents can still communicate or send public comment to them under the public comment section on their Agenda regarding their concerns on the potential conversion of the camps.
City Manager Russi reported he has been in contact with Supervisor Barger andtodatenothinghasbeenbroughtforwardbeforetheBoardofSupervisors or the subcommittee.
Thomas Allison, Cultural Awareness, and Social Inclusion Committee ( CASI) reported on the Committee and invited residents to attend their meetings which are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5: 00 p. m. via zoon. He stated that at their next meeting, theywouldbehostingLaVernePoliceChief Colleen Flores.
7. Consent Calendar It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Davis, and unanimously carried to accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items, except for the Register of AuditedDemandswas pulledfrom the ConsentCalendarby LaVerne resident Richard Bowen for further discussion.
City Council Minutes Citv Council Minutes of February 7, 2022, received and filed.
Pulled from the Consent La Verne resident Richard Bowen pulled the Register of Audited Demands. He Calendar had questions on payment for three items on the Register.
Register of Audited Demands Finance Director Pendleton responded to his questions.
It was moved by Carder, andsecondedby Crosbyand unanimouslycarriedto approve the Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $ 374, 081 . 00 dated January 27, 2022, as recommendedby FinanceDirectorPendleton.
Qld Town La Verne Business Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District Appointment Im rovement District OTLVBID - OldTown La Verne BusinessImprovementDistrictBoardp A ointment Member Jason Miller, a representative of the University of La Verne, is no pp
longer employed by the University. As such, the Universityhas identifed Dr.
Zuhey Espinoza as Mr. Miller' s replacement. The OTLVBI D Board has recommended that the City Council appoint Dr. Espinoza to replace the remainder of Mr. Miller' s term on the Board.
Community Development Director Scherer recommended that the Mayor appoint Dr. Zuhey Espinoza to serve the remainder of former Board Member Jason Miller' s unexpired term to June 30, 2022, with the approval of the City Council. Approved.
City CouncilMinutes,Tuesday,February22, 2022, Page3.
Staff recommended approval and passaqe of the followinq Resolution:
Resolution No. 22- 10, Resolution No. 22- 10- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Approving an Agreement with CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, the City of Pomona for Arrow APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF POMONA FOR ARROW Highway Median Improvements HIGHWAY MEDIAN IMPROVEMENTS- Approval of an agreement with the City of Pomona(AttachmentNo.1 which will result in median landscape/ irrigation improvements in the existing medians along Arrow HighwayfromWhiteAvenueinLaVernetoGareyAvenueinPomona,tobe funded by the CaliforniaNaturalResourcesAgency(CRNA) UrbanGreening Program grant funds.
Public Works Director Igoe recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 22- 10,approvingan agreementwith the City of Pomonafor median landscape/ irrigation improvements and project management on Arrow Highwayfrom WhiteAvenue in La Verne to GareyAvenue in Pomona;and authorizethe City Manager,or designee,to approvethe agreementand any extensions/ amendments on behalf of the City. Approved.
Conflict of Interest/ Carder Council Member Carder declared a conflict of interest on this matter because she is a member of the Board of Directors for a homeowners' association that Weed Abatement Protest overseespropertyappearingontheweedabatementlistandlefttheCouncil Chambers.
City Manager Russi reported on the Weed Abatement Protest Hearing. He statedthatOnFebruary7,2022,theCityCounciladoptedResolutionNo.22- 07, acceptingthe DeclarationList of Propertieswhich has beenfound by inspections to have weeds or brush and/ or rubbish. Pursuant to the County of Los Angeles, Department of Agricultural Commissioner and Weights and Measures, these conditions constitute a public nuisance and must be abated.
Noticesto destroyweedswere mailedto propertyowners notifyingthem of a hazardor publicnuisanceupontheir propertyand that it must be abated.That noticesetTuesday,February22,2022at6:30pm,asthedateandtimefor proteststo be heardfrom affectedpropertyowners.The AnnualWeed Abatement notice further required that owners of the declared properties must maintain their parcels in a fire- safe condition throughout the year.( Council Member Carder will declare a conflict of interest because she is a member of the Board of Directors for a homeowners' association that oversees property appearingon the weed abatementlist.)
Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment on this matter.
Therewere two publiccomments.To hearwhat was said during public comment,pleasevisit the City's websiteto view the archivedCouncil meeting.
ItwasmovedbyCrosbyandsecondedbyLau,secondedbyCarder,and carriedbyavoteof4-0(Carderabstained)todirecttheLosAngelesCounty Agricultural Commissioner/ Director of Weights& Measures to abate the nuisance by having weeds, rubbish, and refuse removed.
CityCouncilMinutes, Tuesday, February22, 2022, Page4.
Auditor' s Presentation of Annual Bradferd Welebir, Partner and Brianna Schultz, Managing Senior Partner from Comprehensive Financial Rogers, Anderson, Malody and Scott, Certified Public Accountants, presented Report theresultsoftheCity's financialstatementauditforthefiscalyearendedJune 30, 2021alongwitha powerpointpresentation. Theannualauditreportwas distributed to City Council prior to the meeting. They reported that the nancial statement is unmodified, there were no disagreement with City staff and there were no findings.
After the presentation, City received and filed the annual audit report. They thanked Bradferd Welebir, Partner and Brianna Schultr, Managing Senior Partner from Rogers, Anderson, Malody and Scott for their presentation and theythankedCitystafffor theirworkonthe report.
American Recovery Plan Act CityManagerRussireportedontheAmericanRecoveryPlanActand Business Assistance Program. He stated that at the December 6, 2021, CouncilmeetingtheCityCouncilwasprovidedwithanoutlineontheCity's allocation of American Rescue Plan Act( ARPA) funds and preliminary plan for its use. One of the proposed uses supported by Council was creation of a Business Assistance Program. He reported that through the Federal Government' s American Rescue Plan Act( ARPA), the City is expected to receive$ 7. 6 million in funding. The City has designated $ 1 million of the ARPA funding for the proposed Business Assistance Program. With a maximum grant amount of$ 10,000 per business which will help at least 100 businesses. StaffhasbeenworkingwiththeChamberof Commerceandthe Small Business Development Center at ULV to develop the program.
Leah Skinner, Executive Director of La Verne Chamber of Commerce and SeanSnider, Director, Universityof LaVerneSmallBusinessDevelopment Center reported on what their outreach efforts will be to get out the information to the local businesses on the Business Assistance Program and the administration of the program.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was one public comment. To hear what was said during public comment, pleasevisitthe City's websiteto viewthearchivedCouncilmeeting.
ItwasmovedbyDavis, secondedbyCrosby, andunanimouslycarriedto approvethe BusinessAssistanceProgramas outlinedin theStaffReport datedFebruary22, 2022, whichwasincludedintheAgendaPacketand approved the following actions.
Authorized staff to execute the agreements for administration of the program to becoordinatedjointlybythe LaVerneChamberofCommerceandSBDC; Authorized the use of $ 1,070,000 of the City's ARPAallocationto fundthe grants and costs for administration of the program; and Authorized the Finance Director to issue grants to businesses as approved under the criteria.
TheCityCouncilthankedCityStaff, ChamberofCommerceandtheUniversity of La Verne Small Business Development Center for their work on this project.
CityCouncilMinutes, Tuesday, February22, 2022, Page5.
10. Public Comment This was the time set aside for anyone wishing to address the City Council on items not listed in any other place on the agenda. Mayor Hepburn called for public comment and waited for staff to check for any public comment via telephone communication.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
There were public comments at the meeting and via the webinar. To hear what wassaidduringpubliccomment, pleasevisitthe City's websiteto viewthe archived Council meeting.
CommunityDevetopmentDirectorSchererandCityManagerRussiresponded to a question asked during public comment.
11. Council Comments CouncilMemberCrosbyreportedon the upcomingJune7, 2022, General Municipal Election for Districts1, 3, 4. He stated that the nomination period is opened until Monday, March 14, 2022. He wished Bonita High School sport team' s good luck on upcoming games. He wished Mayor Hepburn a belated Happy Birthday.
Council Member Carder stated that the Foothill Gold Line journey continues.
She suggested that residents should visit the bridge going up in Glendora.
She reported that the start date for the construction of the La Verne station has been moved up to April of 2022. She was happy to report that the La Verne Recreation guide magazine is back.
Council Member Lau reported on the celebration Birthday luncheon for Veteran Frank Paglia who tuned 98 years old. She thanked those who donated blood at the recent blood drive. She reported that Hillcrest is hosting aneventshowcasingtheartistictalentsof 16localstudentshonoringBlack History Month. She stated that the University of La Verne Leos sponsors a food pantry for students who need assistance. In addition to accepting food donations, they are also accepting business attire donations. She thanked Leah Skinner and Sean for their hard work in helping small business owners.
ShealsothankedFinanceDirectorPendletonandstafffor theirworkon the annual audit.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis reported that the City will be holding two events where residentscanobtaincountertoppailsto collectkitchenscrapsbeforebeing thrown into the green cart in an effort to help residential customers properly recycleorganics. HewishedMayorHepburna belatedHappyBirthday. He reported on the Pomona Valley Transportation Authority. He thanked Finance Director Pendleton and staff for their vigorously work on the annual audit. He also reported on the Girls' Varsity Water polo Team.
MayorHepburnreportedthatthe LaVerneRotaryClubrecentlydonatedto University of La Verne Leos Food pantry. He reported on the Girls Varsity Soccer and Water polo teams. He also thanked Leah Skinner from the Chamber of Commerce and Sean Snider, Director from the University of LaVerneSmallBusinessDevelopmentfor theirhardworkonthe Business Assistance Program. In addition, he thanked the Community Development staffandCityManagerRussifortheirworkontheBusinessAssistance Program. He also thanked Finance Director Pendleton and staff for their work on the annual audit.
CityCouncilMinutes, Tuesday, February22, 2022, Page6.
12. Closed Session TheCityCouncilrecessedat8:02p.m. toClosedSessionpursuantto Government Code Section 54957. 6 for the following:
Conference with Labor Negotiator
Negotiators: CityManager,AssistanttotheCityManager, Senior Management Analyst, and City Attorney.
EmployeeOrganization( s): LaVerneCityEmployeesAssociation, LaVerne Police Officers' Association, La Verne Firefighters'
Association, La Verne Police Middle Management
Association and all unrepresented employees
13. Adjournment in memory of Frances (" Saint Frances") Louise Divine who passed away on February 4, 2022, at the age of 101. Frances was born in Kansas City, Kansas. She had three older sisters and one brother. She married Harold Devine on February 2, 1940andtheyhad fourchildren: Theystartedtheirfamily in Kansas City but then moved to California. TheylivedandraisedtheirchildreninEIMontewheretheyhad horses and chickens, and ultimately built apartments that they owned and managed. In 1992, after 52 wonderful years of marriage, Haroldpassedaway. At thattime, Francesspentmuchof her timevolunteeringat theLaVerneCommunityCenterandCityHall. ShelovedworkingfortheCityandtreateditasajob. Shewas devotedanddedicated; thisiswhereshefeltasenseof purpose, andshefeltlovedbyeveryonesheworked with. FrancesbeganvolunteeringdailywiththeSeniorNutritionProgram, servinglunchandregistering participants. FromthereshehelpedattheCommunityCenterandCity Hallwithansweringphones, filing, and making copies. She also volunteered on special events that include: Senior Dances, 4th of July Country Fair, Winter Wonderland ( serving as Mrs. Claus), Flu Shot Clinic, and the most rewarding to her, Inclusion Dances. If the City needed help, Frances or " Saint Frances" as we commonly referred to her as, was therewithouthesitation. Overthepasttwoyears, FrancesmissedbeingattheCenterbutlovedtotellstories aboutallofherexperiences. Shehadmanyfondmemories, buttwoofthemostimportantwerewhenshewas namedVolunteeroftheYearandhonoredwithbeingtheGrandMarshallofthe4thofJulyParade. Sheliveda very full and happy life. She is known for saying what was on her mind, for being strong, and for her entertainingsenseof humor. Shewaslovedandwill be missed'.
Adjournmentat8:50p.m. andtheCityCounciladjournedtoMonday, February28, 2022, at6:30p.m. foraCity CouncilSessionon FireOperationsand CountyServicesReview.
In addition, there will be an adjourned meeting on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 5 p. m. for a City Council Study Session on SB 9.
Respectfully submitted,
p, . Q,,i. c:
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk