MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, August 15, 2022
1. A regular meeting of the La Verne City Council was called to order by Mayor Hepburn at 6:30 p.m.
Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn
Mayor Pro Tem Rick Crosby (Participated remotely by Zoom) Council Member Wendy Lau
Council Member Steven Frank Johnson
Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita
Absent: None.
Advisory personnel present: City Manager Robert Russi
Assistant City Manager JR Ranell:
City Attorney Robert L. Kres:
Assistant City Clerk Lupe Gaeta Estrella
Police Chief Colleen Flores
Police Captain Sam Gonzalez
Public Works Director Shawn Igoe
Community Services Manager Yvonne Dura
sommunity Development Director Eric Schere
Interim Finance Director Mike Yelton
3. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Hepburn.
4. Announcements of Upcoming Sherry Best, La Verne Historical Society President, reported on the La Verne Community Events Historical Society's events and pass out a flyer to the City Council and for public information.
Leah Skinner, La Verne Chamber of Commerce Executive Director announced that the Inaugural Best of La Verne contest is closed and that the winners are posted on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Mayor Hepburn acknowledged and introduced former Mayor Don Kendrick, former City Council Members Robin Carder, Charlie Rosales, Donna Redman, Ron Ingels, Muir Davis, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leah Skinner, University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman, and incoming Interim City Manager Jesse Duff who were in attendance. He also announced that the La Verne Little Girls' Softball Team is back and even though they did not win, they did a fantastic job just making it to the La Verne Little League World Series.
5. Presentation by Metro on their Brian Balderrama, Los Angeles Metro Deputy Executive for Program Lone Hill Avenue to White Management, reported on the Lone Hill to White Avenues Double Track Projec Avenue Double Track Project along with a power point presentatior
6. Recognition of Retiring City
Manager Bob Russi for his
long-time leadership, dedication
and service to the La Verne
Community
City Council Minutes, Monday, August 15, 2022, Page 2.
City Manager Russi was thanked for his long-time leadership, dedication and service to the La Verne Community by the following:
ormer La Verne Mayor Don Kendrick
ormer La Verne City Council Members Robin Carder, Charlie Rosales _a Verne residents Joseph Gabaldon, Kathy Kalousek, Thomas Allisor Nanda, and Anna Andersor
Mayor Hepburn, Mayor Pro Tem Crosby, Council Members Lau, Johnson and Kashifalghita also thanked and recognized City Manager Russi for his leadership and dedication to the City and wished him a happy retirement.
At 7:59 p.m., the City Council recessed and reconvened at 8:09 p.m., and then immediately recessed to meet as the Public Financing Authority and reconvened to regular session at 8:27 p.m.
8. Consent Calendar It was moved by Lau, seconded by Johnson, and carried by roll call by a vote of 5-0 to accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items, except for Item d, Budget Amendments, and Item g, Resolution No. 22-64, application for Grant Funds for Las Flores Park Improvements.
City Council Minutes City Council Minutes of the adjourned meeting of July 25, 2022, and the regular and adjourned meetings of August 1, 2022, were received and filed.
Registered of Audited Demands Register of Audited Demands for the following:
Fiscal Year 2021-22
In the amount of $114,769.09 dated August 4, 2022.
Fiscal Year 2022-23
In the amount of $1,541,397.44 dated August 4, 2022.
Interim Finance Director Yelton recommended approval of the Register of Audited Demands. Approved.
Treasurer's Report for the Treasurer's Report for the Quarter ended June 30, 2022 - As of June 30 Quarter ended June 30, 2022 2022, the City had total cash and invested funds (cost basis) of $95,916,410 Of this amount, $19,301,275 is held in a fiduciary capacity for the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Taskforce (LA IMPACT).
In addition, the City also has $3,750,842 that is held outside the treasury by a fiscal agent to meet the 1996 Revenue Bond covenant. The City's portfolio is fully liquid; 96% ($91,671,833) is maintained in on-demand accounts, including those held by the State Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). The investment portfolio conforms to the City's investment policy and sufficient money is available to meet City obligations due within the next six months.
Interim Finance Director Yelton recommended that the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Approved.
City Council Minutes, Monday, August 15, 2022, Page 3.
Pulled from the Consent La Verne resident Danita Beauchamp pulled from the Consent Calendar the Calendar Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 adopted Budget for further discussion.
Amendments to the Fiscal Year
2022 - 2023 Adopted Budget Ms. Beauchamp questioned the LA Impact expenditure.
City Manager Russi and Mayor Hepburn responded to her concerns.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and carried by roll call by a vote of 5-0, to approve the amendments to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 adopted budget.
Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget - The City's fiscal year 2022-23 adopted budget requires several revisions to insure that there is sufficient funding to accommodate the year's anticipated expenditures. These are: 1) The appropriation of funding for the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Taskforce (LA IMPACT); and 2.) The appropriation of funds from the section 115 ension trust fund to pay a portion of the City's PERS retirement syste infunded liability. Since neither of these changes requires an appropriatio from the General Fund, the City's General Fund reserves remain unchanged. Additionally, each of the changes reflects corrections in the tinal budget document that was presented to the City Council.
Interim Finance Director Yelton recommended that the City Council amend the fiscal year 2022-23 budget to include an appropriation of $646,150 for rograms related to LA IMPACT, and to allocate $533, 100 from the Sectio 15 Pension Trust Fund to provide for the City's full payment to the PER:
Motorola Radio Purchase Motorola Radie Purchase - The Fire Department is procuring new portable Fire Chief Nigg recommended that the City Council approve Purchase Order No 34370 and 34371 for the purchase of 10 Motorola APX 8000 portable radios, 33 Remote Speaker Mics, and flash software upgrades for existing Fire Department radios. The total purchase price of $144,321.92 is based on current contract pricing for the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department (ISD) and users of the Interagency Communications Interoperability System (ICI), of which the City is a member agency.
Approved.
Declaration of Surplus Property Declaration of Surplus Property - The listed police equipment is obsolete and is no longer needed as it has been replaced with current technology. Each piece of equipment will become surplus to the City's operational needs and staff is requesting that City Council authorize staff to dispose of the equipment.
Police Chief Flores recommended that the City Council declare the equipment identified in Attachment A as surplus to the City's needs, and further recommends that the staff be directed to sell each piece in a fair and equitable manner to Sunny Communications. Approved.
City Council Minutes, Monday, August 15, 2022, Page 4.
Staff recommended approval and passage of the following Resolutions:
Pulled from the Consent La Verne resident Danita Beauchamp pulled from the Consent Calendar Calendar Resolution No. 22-64, application for grant funds for Las Flores Park Improvements.
Resolution No. 22-64,
Grant Funds Application for Las Ms. Beauchamp expressed concern over the cost for the construction of a Flores Park Improvement restroom facility which is part of the Las Flores Park Improvements, and Project and Adoption of a Youth potential loitering around bathroom facility.
Employment Plan
City Manager Russiand Mayor Hepburn responded to her concerns.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and carried by roll call with a vote of 5-0, to approve Resolution No. 22-64, approving an application for grant funds for the Las Flores Park and adopting a Youth Employment Plan.
Resolution No. 22-64 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING HE
APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE FIFTH
SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT PROP A EXCESS FUNDS FOR FUNDING
FOR THE LAS FLORES PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND
APPROVES THE ADOPTION OF A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PLAN. Staff has Community Services Manager Duran recommended that the City Counci approve Resolution No. 22-64, allowing staff to submit a grant application and Youth Eradloyment Plan for the Las Floras Park Improvement Project.
9. Police Study of Police City Manager Russi reported that as a follow up to the Standard of Coverage (SOC) and Community Risk Assessment (CRA) for Fire Operations, Counci Operations Member Kashifalghita is seeking Council support to initiate a Police Services/Operations Study.
Council Member Kashifalghita stated he felt a study would give the City Council a better understanding of the Police Department's public safety operation.
Police Chief Flores did agree to a Police Study of Police Operations.
Mayor called for public comment on this matter
There was none.
After discussion by City Council, they directed Police Chief Flores to look into oing a police study of police operations, determine if one is necessary, ar ould it be beneficial to move forward with a stud
This was the time set aside for anyone wishing to address the City Council on
10. Public Comment
items not listed in any other place on the agenda.
City Council Minutes, Monday, August 15, 2022, Page 5.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
There were public comments at the meeting. (To hear what was said during public comment, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.)
There was one public comment received by email and is attached.
11. Council Comments Please Note: Only partial Council comments are noted below. To hear the rest of their comments, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.
Council Member Lau congratulated the La Verne Little League Girls' Softball Team and reported on upcoming University of La Verne events.
Council Member Kash spoke about concerts and movies at the park, LVPD National Night and La Verne Little League Girls' Softball Team.
Council Member Johnson spoke about La Verne Little League Girls' Softball Team and congratulated City Manager Russi on his retirement.
Mayor Pro Tem Crosby, participating by zoom, reminded everyone that school is starting and he thanked City Manager Russi for his service to the City.
Mayor Hepburn spoke about concerts and movies at the park, Band of Brothers/POW Event, La Verne Little League Girls' Softball Team, LVPD National Night Event and he thanked the City Manager for his exceptional service to the City.
Closed Session At 9:14 p.m. the City Council recessed to Closed Session for the following:
12 Conference with Labor Negotiators - Government Code Section 54957.6 Negotiators: City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Attorney
Employee Organization(s): La Verne City Employees Association and La Verne Firefighters' Association
Unrepresented Employee: Finance Director
13. Adjournment at 10:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ompe charta Estulla
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
Lupe Estrella
From: Debra Fritz
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2022 8:43 AM
To: Lupe Estrella
Cc: Debra Fritz
Subject: FW: La Verne Resident Request to Make Public Comment at City Council Meeting of Monday August 15, 2022
FYI
From: Wanda (mailto:[email protected]
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2022 4:23 PM
To: Bob Russi < [email protected]>; Tim Hepburn <[email protected]> Cc: Meshal Kashifalghita <[email protected]>; Wendy Lau <[email protected]>; Steve F Johnson <[email protected]>; Rick Crosby <[email protected]> Subject: La Verne Resident Request to Make Public Comment at City Council Meeting of Monday August 15, 2022 I respectfully request to make a public comment please, at the City Council meeting on Monday, August 15, 2022. I will be taking the day off from my very demanding job to ensure my ability to attend the meeting in person.
I wish to comment on the topic of PUBLIC SAFETY, thru a very simple idea for city residents to EASILY and safely carry their voices loudly and sustainably up to all levels of county, state, and federal governments -- with a mission to end the diminishing quality of life for all ordinary residents that's been growing so rapidly from the DEPTHS of NONSENSE being allowed by upper government, if not carelessly enabled, leaving weakening cities and its residents to contend with the ever-expanding emotional and financial impacts of it.
Thank you so much for your service in doing what you do to support and protect our beautiful and generally very safe community. I hope that my 3 minutes will help LV City Council to inspire us ALL to do the same, by bringing FOCUS to why all nonsense demands action. Local action. - Wanda