MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, June 20, 2022
1. A regularmeetingoftheLaVerneCityCouncilwascaliedtoorderbyMayorHepburnat6:30p.m.
2. 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 Manager Robert Russi Assistant to the City Manager JR Ranells
City Attorney Robert L. Kress
Assistant City Clerk Lupe Gaeta Estrella
Community Development Director Eric Scherer
Principal Planner Candice Bowcock
3. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Tim Hepburn
4. Partial Approval of the Consent The City Council pulledthe followingfrom the consentcalendarand took Calendar action prior to the presentations.
It was movedby Carder, secondedby Crosbyand unanimouslycarriedto accept, approve, or act on the partial Consent Calendar items, as follows:
Traffic Control Plan for the Traffic Control Plan for the Fourth of Julv Parade - Each year the City Fourth of July Parade hostscommunityeventsto celebrateour nation's independence. Thelargest event is the Fourthof July Paradeon City streetsthroughOld Town La Verne.
TheCityEngineerpreparedatrafficcontrolplanfortheparaderoute. Formal adoptionofthisplanbytheCityCouncilwilllimittheCity's liabilityexposureby providing design immunity.
Public Works Director Igoe recommended that the City Council adopt the traffic control plan for the Fourth of July Parade. Approved as recommended by staff:
Old Town La Verne Business Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District Reappointment - Improvement District Terms for Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District Members Reappointment Matthew Forgey and Zuhey Espinoza expired on June 30, 2022. While Dr.
Espinoza has requested to remain on the Board, Mr. Forgey has recently decided to no longer continue as a Board Member.
CommunityDevelopmentDirectorSchererrecommendedthattheCityCouncil reappoint Zuhey Espinoza to serve a two- year term from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 with the approval of the City Council. The vacant Board seat will be advertisedand after a recommendationfrom the Board, will be presentedto the Mayor and City Council at a futuremeetingfor appointment. Approved as recommended.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 20, 2022, Page 2.
The Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District ( OTLVBID) Advisory Board and staff recommended that the City Council approve the expenditure of 5,000 as a donation to the La Verne K-9 Police Foundation from the OTLVBID's budget from the proceeds of the 2022 Sip of La Verne Wine Walk.
Approved as recommended.
Tri- City Governing Board Tri- Citv Mental Health Governina Board Rearesentative Reaaaointment Representative Reappointment - The Tri- City Mental Mealth Governing Board includes one appointment from each City as a community representative. Carolyn Cockrell has served in this capacity since 2011 and has agreed to serve an additional finro- year term.
Community Services Manager Duran recommended that the City Council approve the reappointment of Carolyn Cockrell as the community representative from La Verne to the Tri-City Mental HealthGoverningBoard to serve a two- year term from July 1 , 2022 through June 30, 2024.
Approved as recommended.
Staff recommended approval and passaqe of the followinq Resolutions:
Resolution No. 22- 33, R olution No. 22- 33 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF Approving the Adoption of the THE CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF Multiple Employer CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF THE MULTIPLE OPEB/ Pension 115 Trust EMPLOYER OPEB/ PENSION 115 TRUST ADMINISTERED BY SHUSTER ADVISORY GROUP, LLC. The City hastwo TrustAccountsfor the purpose of funding certain retiree obligations. Those funds are currently administrated by Public Agency Retirement Services ( PARS) and assets are held by US Bank. After a review of the current fee structure and fund line up, it was determined that savings could be achieved by converting our plan administration and portfolio management to another provider. The provider recommended, Shuster Advisory Group, LLC, who is the same firm that recently took over fiduciary responsibilities of the employee' s 457 deferred compensation account in October of 2019 as well as the FICA alternative plan.
Through that change employees, participants and retirees have realized significant savings on the fees of those accounts. Approved.
Assistant to the City Manager Ranells recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 22- 33 authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements to transfer administrationof the City's OPEB/Pension115Trust to Shuster Advisory Group, LLC and funds' assets to Charles Schwab Trust Bank (" Schwab"), and Alta Trust Company (" Alta") as the directed Trustee.
Approved as recommended.
Ado tin the 2022- 23 City Adopting the 2022- 23 Citv Budqet and Appropriations Limitation - A p 9
Bud et and A ro riations proposed budget was submitted and discussed during the City Council Budget g pp p
Limitation Study Session held on June 6, 2022. At that study session, the City Manager andeachof thedepartmentheadspresentedtheirrespectivesectionsof the budget document for Council discussion and consideration. Adopting Resolution No. 22- 36 will officially adopt the 2022- 23 budget. In addition, every year the City must adopt an annual appropriations limit consistent with requirements of California law. The appropriations limit pertains to City expenditures paid by tax proceeds. Appropriations financed by service fees, grants and other non- tax revenues are exempt. The City's proposed2022-23 budget reflects appropriations well under this limit.
CityCouncilMinutes,Monday,June20,2022,Page3.
Resolution No. 22- 36, Resol tion No. 22- 36- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF Adopting a City Budget for the THE CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF 2022- 23 Fiscal Year CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE 2022- 23 FISCAL YEAR.
Approved.
Resolution No. 22- 37, Resol tion No. 22- 37 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF Adopting an Appropriations THE CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF Limitation for the 2022- 23 CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN APPROPRIATIONS LIMITATION FOR THE Fiscal Year 2022- 23 FISCAL YEAR. Approved.
Resolution No. 22- 38, Resolution No. 22- 38- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Authorizing Execution of a CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Public Works Contract with AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT WITH SDC SDC Engineering Inc. for the ENGINEERING INC. FOR THE MAINIERO SQUARE IMPROVEMENT Mainiero Square Improvement PROJECT. The PublicWorks Departmentrecentlysolicitedbidsfor the Project Mainiero Square Improvement Project. The project was advertised on May 6 andMay13,2022withbidproposalsreceivedandopenedonJune2,2022.
This projectis categoricallyexemptfrom the CaliforniaEnvironmentalQuality Act, Section 15301— ExistingFacilities,and City of LaVerne environmental guidelines.
CityEngineerHowingrecommendedthattheCityCouncilapproveResolution No.22- 38, which awardsa PublicWorks contractfor the base bid scopeto SDC Engineering Inc., the lowest, most responsible bidder, in the amount of 397, 667. 30. Approved as recommended.
5. Presentations/ Pride Month MayorHepburn,on behalfof the City Council,presenteda Proclamation proclaimingthe Monthof June 2022 as" PrideMonth"in supportof the Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender,andQueer(LGBTQ)communityasthey declaretheir pride in who they are and whom they loveand reaffirmingthe City'ssharedvaluesofculturalawareness,socialinclusion,compassion, equity,anddiversity.RyanHarrison;SusanBoyer;ZandraWagoner;andJulia Wheeler accepted the proclamation and thanked the City Council.
Introduction of Newly Promoted Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, introduced and congratulated Police Supervisors newlypromotedLaVemePoliceSupervisors,asfollows:
i t nant Corv L^eeoer- Coryhas beenwiththeCityof LaVernesinceJuly 1994 and was promoted to Lieutenant on January 1, 2022. g a nt= v Alvarado- Jay has beenwiththe La Verne PoliceDepartment sinceApril 2005 andwas promotedto Sergeanton April 10,2022. gra ant Martin Weinreb- Martin has been with the City of La Verne since April 2000and was promotedto Sergeanton April 24, 2022. ornoral Bradley B_aile v- Bradleyhas beenwiththe LaVerne Police Department since April 2017 and was promoted on May 8, 2022.
Old Town La Verne Business CraigWaltersonbehalfoftheOldTownLaVerneBusinessImprovement Improvement District Donation District presented to the La Verne K- 9 Police Foundation a donation of$ 5, 000 to the K- 9 Foundation from the proceeds of the 2022 Sip of La Verne Wine Walk. Expenditures by the OTLVBID of$ 5, 000 was previously approved by City Council.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, June20, 2022, Page4.
6. Announcements of Upcoming GeorgeMay, LaVerneLibraryManager, reportedontheupcomingLaVerne Community Events Library programs.
Mayor Hepburn announced that several businesses have received business assistant grants and that the City was now accepting applications for the Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program. He spoke about the recent murders of EI Monte Police Officers Joseph Anthony Santana and Michael Domingo Paredes and that residents can donate to the families of the fallen police officers at Porac. org.
7. Moment of Silence There was a moment of silence in memory of the fallen EI Monte Police Officers Joseph Anthony Santana and Michael Domingo Paredes.
8. Consent Calendar( Approval of The following Consent Calendars items were pulled. remaining Consent Calendar
Items)
City Council Minutes
Register of Audited Demands
Planning Commission Reappointments
Senior Advisory Committee Board Reappointments
La Verne Citizen Oversight Committee Reappointment
Pulled from the Consent TheCityCouncilMinuteswaspulledbyLaVerneresidentRichardBowen.
Calendar Mr. Bowen stated that the minutes should have reflected his statement of City Council Minutes requestingadditionalinformationoneachoftheannualagreementsandthat as of this date he has not received.
PamBerry, LaVerneresidentstatedthatthecommentsof theresidents should also be reflected in the minutes. She referred to how the Council Comments are reflected in the minutes.
TheCityManagerrespondedthatMr. Bowenwasemailedthatmoretimewas needed to respond to his records request.
TheCityManageralsorespondedto Ms. Berry's commentthattheminutes were only action minutes.
ItwasmovedbyDavis, secondedbyCrosby, andunanimouslycarriedto approve the City Council Minutes of the regular and adjourned meetings of June 6, 2022, as received.
Pulled from the Consent TheRegisterofAuditedDemandswaspulledby LaVerneresidentRichard Calendar Bowen. Mr. Bowen asked for clarification for payment to Chuze Fitness, Register of Audited Demands Christine Jackson and Restaurant Supply.
TheCityManagerRussirespondedto hisquestions.
n tpr f o„ ditpd Demands in the amount of$ 1,693, 155. 35 dated May 12, 2022, in the amount of$ 2,845,561.17 dated May 19, 2022, in the amount of 1, 614, 915. 58, dated May 26, 2022 and in the amount of$ 108, 248. 42, dated June 2, 2022, approval recommended.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, June20, 2022, Page5.
Pulled from the Consent PlanningCommission, SeniorAdvisoryCommitteeandthe LaVerneCitizen Calendar/ Measure LV Oversight Reappointmentswas pulled by La Verne resident Danita Planning Commission, Senior Beauchamp.
Advisory Committee, and
La Verne Citizen Measure LV Ms. Beauchamp stated that the reappointments to the City Committees should Oversight Reappointments not be made automatically and the reappointments should be tabled for the new Council Elect to approve.
La Verne resident Richard Bowen stated that he believed that the current Council was not allowed to vote on anything before the new Council elect is installed and that the reappointments should be tabled for the new Council Elect.
Mayor Hepburn and Council Member Carder responded to their concerns.
It wasmovedbyCrosby, secondedby Lau, andunanimouslycarriedto approve the reappointments to the Planning Commission, Senior Advisory Committee Board and the La Verne Citizen Measure LV Oversight Reappointments, as follows.
Planninq Commission Reappointments - The current terms for Planning Commissioners Jason Simison, Thomas Allison, and Jeremy Conrad expire June 30, 2022. All three Planning Commissioners have expressed interest in continuing to serve on the Board.
CommunityDevelopmentDirectorSchererrecommendedthattheCityCouncil reappoint Jason Simison to his second and final term, and reappoint Thomas AllisonandJeremy Conradto theirfirstfullterm, fromJuly1, 2022to June30, 2026 with the approval of the City Council. Approved.
nior Advisorv Committee Board ReaRpointments- Terms for George Borst, Jenny Jolly, and Terry Kistler expire June 30, 2022. All three committee members wish to remain on the Senior Advisory Committee.
CommunityServicesManagerDuranrecommendedthat the CityCouncil accept the Senior Advisory Committee's recommendation to reappoint George Borst, Jenny Jolly, andTerryKistlerto servetwo-yeartermsfromJuly 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024. Approved.
a Verne Gitizen Oversiaht Committee Reaunointment - Terms for The Citizen Oversight Committee Members Keny Chang and Jennifer Simison expiredMay31, 2022. BothMr. ChangandMs. Simisonhaverequestedto remain on the Committee.
CityManagerRussirecommendedthattheCityCouncilreappointKenyChang and Jennifer Simison to each serve a two-year term from June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2024 with the approval of the City Council. Approved.
Staff recommended approval and passaqe of the followinq Resolutions:
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, June20, 2022, Page6.
Pulled from the Consent It was the consensus of the City Council to move Resolution No. 23-34 Calendar and Moved to Other 4, Interim Fire Battalion Chief Employment Agreement to Other Matters on the Matters/ Resolution No. 22- 34, Agenda.
Interim Fire Battalion Chief
Employment Agreement,
Greenway
Pulled from the Consent La Verne resident Danita Beauchamp pulled Resolution No. 22-35, Agreement Calendar/ Resolution No. 22- 35, with UCLA Center for Pre- hospital Care.
An Agreement with UCLA
Center for Pre- hospital Care Ms. BeauchampquestionedwhyAB 5was broughtto theCity's attentionwhen it was passed about two years ago.
Fire Chief Nigg responded.
It wasmovedbyCrosby, secondedby Davis, andunanimouslycarriedto approve Resolution No. 22- 35, as follows:
Resolution No. 22- 35, An Resolution No. 22- 35- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF Agreement with UCLA Center THE CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF for Pre- hospital Care CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH UCLA CENTER FOR PRE- HOSPITAL CARE - The implementation of California AB- 5 has rendered the Fire Department's current contract with our Nurse Educator invalid and the department is now in violation of Department of Labor laws. To rectify this, staff recommends approval of an agreement with UCLA to conductcontinuingeducationin prehospitalandemergencymedicinefor Fire personnel to maintain licensure as an EMT-Basic and Paramedic and providequalityimprovementservicesto maintainor enhancethequalityof patient care.
FireChiefNiggrecommendedthatthe CityCouncilapproveResolution No. 22- 35, authorizingtheLaVerneFireDepartmentto enterintoan agreement with the UCLA Pre- hospital EMS Educator Program. This partnershipwillgreatlyenhancethe deliveryof our EMSContinuing Educationand QualityImprovementprogramsto bettermeettheneedsof ourdepartment, CountyEMSstandards, andthecitizensthat weserve.
Approved.
9. Hearing to Determine Necessity CityManagerRussireportedontheHearingtoDetermineNecessityofUtility of Continuing the Utility User' s User' s Tax. He stated that the provisions of Ordinance No. 955 require an Tax annualhearingtodeterminethenecessityofcontinuingtheCity's UtilityUser's Tax ( UUT). The City's proposed2022-23 budgetfully utilizesthe 3,000,000in UUT revenue estimatedfor the fiscal yearindicatingthatthe UUTshould becontinued. Staff recommended that the City Council maintain theCity's UUTatthecurrentvoterapprovedratesbasedontheCity'sexpected funding needs.
Mayor opened the public hearing and called for public comment.
There was none.
ItwasmovedbyCrosby, secondedbyLau, andunanimouslycarriedto maintaintheCity's UUTatthecurrentvoterapprovedrates, basedonthe City' s expected funding needs
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, June20, 2022, Page7.
10. Consider Approval of the Community Development Director Scherer reported on the proposed Proposed Partnership Partnership Agreement with the La Verne Chamber of Commerce for Fiscal Agreement with the La Verne Year 2022- 23. He stated that the La Verne Chamber of Commerce has Chamber of Commerce for submitted an updated Partnership Agreement for a 12-month term; July 1, 2022- 2023 2022 through June 30, 2022. The Chamber of Commerce is requesting a total nancial subsidy of$ 45, 000 over the 12- month term, an increase of$ 5, 000 from previous years. In return, the Chamber of Commerce will be taking over the hostingof futureCityCouncilcandidateforums. TheproposedAgreement also includes renewal of the Incentive-Subsidy Program for Business Recruitment up to$ 3,000, and the previously approved line of credit. The City Council Chamber of Commerce Liaison Committee has reviewed the proposed agreement. They recommended approval of the agreement and to the increase of an additionat $ 5000 in funding
Leah Skinner, Chamber of Commerce CEO, reported on the Chamber' s past upcoming events and programs. She thanked the City Council for their continued support of the Chamber and the business community.
The CityCouncilthankedLeahSkinnerfor all her hardworkshedoesfor the Chamber and the business community. Council Members Carder and Lau, Council Liaisons to the La Verne Chamber of Commerce were also acknowledged for their work with the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was a public comment at the meeting. ( To hear what was said during public comment, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.)
Itwas movedby Lau, secondedbyCarderto approveResolutionNo. 22- 39, approvingthe LaVerneChamberof Commerce's PartnershipAgreement, which includes programs and funding for a twelve-month term in the amount of 45, 000 ( and approving an additional appropriation of the$ 5, 000 increase in fund 101- 3006), an Incentive- Subsidy Program for Business Recruitment with a cost not to exceed $ 3, 000 subject to Agreement provisions, and continuance of the previously approved line of credit not to exceed $ 10,000 from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Resolution No. 22- 39, Resolution No. 22- 39- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Approving a Partnership CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Agreement with the La Verne AUTHORIZING A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH THE LA VERNE Chamber of Commerce and a CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023) AND A BUDGET Budget Appropriation of an APPROPRIATION OF AN ADDITIONAL$ 5, 000.
Additional $ 5, 000
11. Temporary Employment Assistantto the CityManagerRanellsreportedon thetemporaryemployment Agreement for Interim Fire agreement for Interim Fire Battalion Chief. He stated that Fire Battalion Chief Battalion Chief KevinGreenwayhasretiredfromtheCityof LaVerneeffectiveJune15, 2022, afterbeingemployedbytheCityfor20years. Inordertominimizedisruption to the Fire Department resulting from this loss of institutional and operational knowledge, theCityisinterestedinretaininghisservicesuntiltheendofthe fiscal year.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, June20, 2022, Page8.
It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Davis, and unanimously carried authorizingtheCityManagertoexecuteanagreementwithKevinGreenwayto provide temporary, part- time employment.
Resolution No. 22- 34, Resolution No. 22- 34- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Approving an Agreement with CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Retired Annuitant" Kevin AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH " RETIRED ANNUITANT" KEVIN Greenway for Interim Fire GREENWAY FOR INTERIM FIRE BATTALION CHIEF SERVICES AND Battalion Chief Services. AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME.
12. Employment Agreement for Assistantto theCityManagerRanellsreportedonthe EmploymentAgreement Interim Finance Director for Interim Employment( Michael Yelton). He stated that as a result of a vacancyintheFinanceDepartment, theCityandMichaelYeltonaredesirous to enter into an employment agreement pursuant to California Government Code 21221( h). Staff recommended the City Council approve Resolution No. 22-40, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Michael Yelton to provide interim, part-time employment as Interim Finance Director.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
There was one public comment. ( To hear what was said during public comment, pleasevisitthe City's websiteto viewthearchivedCouncilmeeting.) ItwasmovedbyCrosby, secondedbyDavis, andunanimouslycarriedto approve Resolution No. 22-40, authorizing an agreement with "Retired Annuitant" Michael Yelton for Interim Director of Finance Services and authorizing the City Manager to sign.
Resolution No. 22- 40- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITYOFLAVERNE, COUNTYOF LOSANGELES, STATEOFCALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH" RETIRED ANNUITANT" MICHAEL
YELTONFORINTERIMDIRECTOROF FINANCESERVICESAND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME.
13. Public Comment Thiswasthetimesetasidefor anyonewishingto addresstheCityCouncilon items not listed in any other place on the agenda.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
There were public comments at the meeting. ( To hear what was said during publiccomment, pleasevisitthe City's websiteto viewthearchivedCouncil meeting.)
14. Council Comments CouncilMemberCarderspokeabouttheCitymovingforwardwitha newCity CouncilandCityManagerandonthe Fourthof Julyeventactivities.
CouncilMemberCrosbywishedeveryonea belatedHappyFather's Dayand happyPrideMonth. HespokeabouttheupcomingMainieroSquareprojectandtheassistancegivenbyLaVernePoliceDepartmenttotheCityofEI Monte.
Council Member Lau wished everyone a belated Happy Father' s Day. She spokeaboutPrideMonth, JuneteenthNationalIndpendenceDayandGarbis Memorial Garden Event.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, June20, 2022, Page9.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis stated he appreciated working with the current and past City Council. He wished everyone a belated Happy Father's Day, Pride Month, and Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Mayor Hepburn wished everyone a happy belated Happy Father's Day and Pride Month. He spoke about attending Garbis Memorial Garden Event, Chamber of Commerce Installation and Eagle Scout Ceremony and he gave an update on Gold Line.
16. Cancellation of the July 5, City Due to limited need, the July 5, 2022 Council Meeting is Cancelled. The next Council Meeting regularmeetingwill be heldon Monday, July 18, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
17. Closed Session At 8: 32 p. m., the CityCouncilrecessedto ClosedSessionfor thefollowing:
Conference with Labor Neqotiator( Government Code Section 54957.6).
Negotiators: CityManager, PersonnelOfficer, andCity
Attorney.
Employee Organization( s): LaVerne City EmployeesAssociation, LaVerne Police Officers' Association, La Verne
Firefighters' Association, La Verne Police
Middle ManagementAssociation and all
unrepresented employees.
The City Council met in closed session, pursuant to Government Code§ 54957, for the following purpose:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT- INTERIM CITY MANAGER
18. Adjournmentat9:30p.m. inmemoryEIMontePoliceOfficersJosephAnthonySantanaandMichaelDomingo Paredes who were killed in the line of duty.
Respectfully submitted,
C. c.,
Lupe aeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk