MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, September 19, 2022
1 . AregularmeetingoftheLaVerneCityCouncilwascalledtoorderbyMayorHepburnat6:30p.m.
2.. Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn
Mayor Pro Tem Rick Crosby
Council Member Wendy Lau
Council Member Steven Johnson
Council Member Meshal " Kash" Kashifalghita
Absent: None.
Advisory personnel present: City Manager Jesse Duff
Assistant City Manager JR Ranells
City Attorney Robert L. Kress
AssistantCity Clerk LupeGaeta Estrella
Fire Chief Chris Nigg
Community Development Director Eric Scherer
Principal Planner Candice Bowcock
City Engineer Cody Howing
3. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Hepburn.
4. Announcements of Upcoming Rimmi Hundal, Tri- City Mental Health Authority Executive Director, reported on Community Events the Cultural Awareness and Social Inclusion ( CASI) Committee. She stated theyarea Community-basedCommitteeandthateveryoneiswelcome.
Residents can visit their website at Diverselaverne. org.
5. Presentation/ Introduction of Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, welcomed and introduced newly Newly Hired Fire Personnel hired Firefighters/ Paramedics, as follows:
Tristan Janeway
Alexander Arnold
Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, welcomed and introduced newly hired Firefighters, as follows:
Sean Wilkins
Peter Houle
Bryce Coatney
Kenny Villasenor
FireChiefNiggalsorecognizedandthankedthenewlyhiredfireemployees for joining the La Verne Fire Department. He stated that the La Verne Fire Department is now fully staffed.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, September19, 2022, Page2.
6. Consent Calendar It was movedby Kashifalghita, secondedby Lau, and unanimouslycarriedto accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items, Resolution No. 22- 69, Public Works Contract with Gentry Brothers for the E and Second Streets Project, Council Member Johnson declared a conflict of interest because of the vicinityof hisrentalpropertyto the PublicWorksproject; andthefollowing items were pulled for further discussion.
Resolution No. 22- 65, Assignment Agreement with the City of Hawaiian Gardens for the Exchange of Proposition A Funds for General Fund Revenues.
Resolution No. 22-67, Agreement with the University of La Verne for the University's HomecomingEventStreet Closure.
ResolutionNo. 22-68, Approvingthe FinalTract Map No. 83064, KB Home Great Los Angeles, 2820 Amherst Street Project
City Council Minutes Citv Council Minutes Regular meeting of September 6, 2022, was received and filed.
Register of Audited Demands Reqister of Audited Demands in the amount of $ 2, 347, 164. 46, dated September 1, 2022, and in the amount $ 246, 411. 38 dated September 8, 2022; Approved as recommended by Interim Finance Director Yelton.
Staff recommended approval and passaqe of the followinq Resolutions:
Pulled by Council Member Council Member Johnson stated he asked for this item to be pulled because Johnson for Further Discussion he felt that using PropositionA funds for street repairswould be a betteruse of the funds.
Resolution No. 22- 65,
Assignment Agreement with the Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
City of HawaiianGardensfor
the Exchange of Proposition A DanitaBeauchamp, LaVerneresidentstatedthatthe PropositionA Fundswas Funds for General Fund a bond measure for public transportation. She did not like that the funds were Revenues being exchanged for less. She requested that the matter be table so that more detailed information can be provided.
Richard Bowen, La Verne resident stated that Exchange of Proposition A funds has been going on for the last 5 years. Its taxpayer' s money and it should not be given away.
CityManagerDuffrespondedthatPropositionA fundsarerestrictedfor public transportation and cannot be used for street repairs.
CommunityServicesManagerDuranalongwithCommunityServices Supervisor Peterson named the projects that are funded by Proposition A.
Theyexplainedthatthereis sunsetclausesetonspendingthefundsandif the fundswerenotusebythesunsetclause, theCitywouldlosethefunds. Only excess funds are used for the exchange of Proposition A funds.
It was movedby Crosby, secondedby Lau, and unanimouslycarriedto approve Resolution No. 22- 65, authorizing an exchange of $ 300, 000 in Proposition A Transportation Funds for $ 225, 000 of General Funds with the Cityof HawaiianGardens; andauthorizetheMayorto executesaid Agreement, as recommended.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, September19, 2022, Page3.
Resolution No. 22- 65 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
WITH THE CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS FOR THE EXCHANGE OF
PROPOSITION A FUNDS FOR GENERAL FUND REVENUES - In August of 2022, theCitywasapproachedbytheCityof HawaiianGardensinformingus thattheywereinterestedin exchanginguncommittedPropositionA Transportation Funds for General Fund monies. The City of Hawaiian Gardens would give us the rate of $ 0. 75 per dollar in general fund monies per $ 1. 00 in Prop A Funds. Approved.
Conflict of Interest/ Lau and Council Member Lau declared a Conflict of Interest on this item because she is Pulled from the Consent a Board Member of the University of La Verne. She left the Council Chambers Calendar at 7:05 p.m.
Resolution No. 22- 67, Richard Bowen, La Verne resident pulled this item for further discussion. Mr.
Agreement with the University Bowenaskedwho was payingfor the City servicesfor the Universityof of La Verne for the University' s La Verne Homecoming event.
Homecoming Event Street
Closure CommunityDevelopmentDirectorSchererrespondedthatthe Universityof La Verne pays for the City services.
It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita , and carried by a vote of 4-0 (Lau Abstained) to adopt Resolution No. 22-67, authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute the agreement with the University of La Verne permitting the closure of the specified streets from October
14th
through the
16th,
as
recommendedbytheCommunityDevelopmentDirectorScherer.
Resolution No. 22- 67 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE
HOMECOMING EVENT. - The University of La Verne ( ULV) is having a multiday Homecoming event that spans over three days, October 14t
through
the 16 . TheCityCouncilisrequestedtoconsidera streetclosureforOctober 14- 15. TheUniversityof LaVernehasrequestedto havetheportionof Third Street, between B Street and C Street and the connecting portion of C Street and Second Street, west of D Street to be closed. Approved.
At 7: 07 p. m., Council Member Lau returned to the Council Chambers and took her seat.
Pulled for Further Discussion DanitaBeauchamp, LaVerneresident, statedshepulledthisitemsothatthe matter can be tabled to allow for residents to review and give their input.
Resolution No. 22- 68, Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this item.
Approving the Final Tract Map
No. 83064, KB Home Great Los Joe Gabaldon, La Verne resident, stated that the community should be Angeles, 2820 Amherst Street allowed to review and talk about the issues pertaining to the project.
Project
CityEngineerHowingrespondedthattheTentativeTractmapandconditions for this project was approved in 2021. This was only a formality to conform with what was already approved. He stated that there would have to be specific reasons not to approve the Final Tract Map 83604.
City CouncilMinutes,Monday,September19,2022, Page4.
The City discussedthe matter,and agreedthat due processwas fulfilled by staff on this project.
It was movedby Crosby,secondedby Lau, and unanimouslycarriedto adopt ResolutionNo. 22-68, approvingthe FinalTract Map No. 83064for 42 unit detachedsinglefamily homesand direct staff to signthe map as to its conformance with the Subdivision Map Act, Specific Plan( 109- 20SP) and General Plan Amendment( 19- 20GPA).
Resolution No. 22- 68- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE FINAL MAP FOR TRACT 83064, A REQUEST BY KB HOME GREATER LOS ANGELES INC., TO SUBDIVIDE ONE PARCEL WITH AREA OF 5.57 ACRES AT 2820 AMHERST STREET INTO A 42 UNIT, SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED SUBDIVISION- On April 19, 2021 the City CouncilapprovedTentativeTract Map No. 83064for 42 detachedsingle-family homes locatedon a parcelformerlyowned by the City of La Verne.The Final Tract Map has beensubmittedfor approval,allowingfor the subdivisionof a signal parcel with an approximate area of 5. 57 acres. Approved.
Conflict of Interest/ Johnson Council Member Johnson declared a conflict of interest because of the vicinity of his rental property to the Public Works project.
Resolution No. 22- 69,
Public Works Contract with It was movedby Kash,secondedby Lau, and carried by a vote of 4-0 Gentry Brothers for the E and ( Johnson Abstained) to approve Resolution No. 22- 69, which awards a Public Second Streets Project Works contract to Gentry Brothers, Inc., the lowest, most responsible bidder, in the amount of$ 1,624,894.20 includingadditivebid itemsA-1 throughA-3, and authorize staff to issue change orders not exceeding 10% of the construction budget.This projectis categoricallyexemptfrom the CaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act, Section 15301— ExistingFacilities,and City of La Verne environmental guidelines.
Resolution No. 22- 69- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT WITH
GENTRY BROTHERS INC. FOR THE" E" STREET AND
2ND
STREET
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.- The Public Works Department recentl r solicited bids for street improvement project along portions of E Street and 2" Street.
The planned improvements include demolition, new sidewalk, intersection bulb-outs, landscaping,lightingenhancements,water quality BMPinstallation, asphalt pavement, and decorative concrete crosswalks. The project was advertised on August 5th and August 12th, 2022 with bid proposals received and opened via electronic platform" Planet Bids" on September 7, 2022.
Approved.
City CouncilMinutes, Monday, September19, 2022, Page5.
Wilderness Plan Public Hearing Principal Planner Bowcock reported on the Wilderness Plan along with a power point presentation. She stated that in 2006, the City acquired 208 acres in north La Verne through State grant funds obtained in cooperation with the Countyof LosAngeles, theTrustfor PublicLand, andthe LaVerneLand Conservancy. Thislandwascombinedwith150acresalreadyownedbythe Cityto createanopenspacepreserveof 358acres, collectivelyreferredto as the Wilderness Area. The Wilderness Area Management and Public Access Plan includes selective habitat enhancement actions, the resolution of public safety hazards, and opportunitiesfor limitedcontrolledpublicaccessas part of theCity's stewardshipresponsibilitiesfortheWildernessArea. The Management Plan includes goals for specific physical improvements or management policies that would implement the vision for the Wilderness Area.
She stated that there are two phases being proposed. Phase 1 consists of maintenance, security, fuel modification, planting, and protectingthe wilderness area. Phase 2 includes the development of the loop trails and the increase of public access to the area. Conditions were also added that if there is ever a desire for Phase 2 to move forward, an update to the Environmental Impact Report ( as necessary), a public workshop, and City Council approval would be required prior to implementation. This will ensure that Phase 2 will only moveforwardwith proper noti cationto the residentsand ultimatelya voteoftheCityCouncil. Staffandthe PlanningCommissionrecommendCity Council adopt Resolution Number 22-72, approving the Wilderness Area Management and Public Access Plan and certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report.
Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment on this matter.
Several residents expressed their concerns and objections to the proposed looptrailandincreasedpublicaccess, firehazard, homelesslivinginthearea, and public safety. ( To hear what was said during public comment, please visit the City's websiteto view the archivedCouncilmeeting.)
Special Counsel Barbara Leibold stated that the Wilderness Conservation grant terms requires that the wilderness area be managed for the purpose of wildlife habitat preservation and other conditions
It was movedby Crosbyand secondedby Kashifalghita, and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution Number 22-72, approving the Wilderness Area Management and Public Access Plan and certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report.
Resolution No. 22- 72, Resolution No. 22- 72 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Approving the La Verne CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA Wilderness Area Management APPROVING THE LA VERNE WILDERNESS AREA MANAGEMENT AND and Public Access Plan and PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN WITH A PHASING PLAN AND CERTIFYING THE Certifying Environmental Impact ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT.
Report
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, September19, 2022, Page6.
Affirming Christy Lopez as AssistantCityManagerreportedonaffirmingChristyLopezas Directorof Finance Director Finance for a term of no less than two years and reinstating previous benefits.
He statedthat the City of La Verne's FinanceDepartmenthas experienced significant instability in the past several years creating organizational challenges. TheCityCouncilhasunanimouslyprovidedtheirendorsementfor InterimCityManagerDuffto offerformerkeyFinanceDepartmentemployee Christy Lopez the permanent Director of Finance position. Resolution 22- 70, affirms the action, commits the City to Ms. Lopez for at least two years of employment, and authorizes the reinstatement of benefits for Ms. Lopez.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
There was none.
TheCityCouncilwasinagreementinaffirmingChristyLopezasFinance Director and welcomed her back.
ItwasmovedbyLau, secondedbyJohnson, andunanimouslycarriedto approveResolutionNo. 22-70, affirmingChristy Lopezas the Directorof Finance for a term of no less than two years and reinstating her previous benefits.
Resolution No. 22- 70, Resolution No. 22- 70 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Affirming Christy Lopez as CITYOF LA VERNE, COUNTYOF LOSANGELES, STATEOF CALIFORNIA, Finance Director AFFIRMING CHIRSTY LOPEZ AS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR A TERM
OF NO LESS THAN TWO YEARS AND AUTHORIZING THE
REINSTATEMENT OF PREVIOUS BENEFITS.
Agreement for Temporary AssistantCityManagerRanellsreportedontheAgreementfortemporary Employment with Anthony Ciotti employment with Anthony Ciotti. He stated that former Director of Public for Interim Public Works WorksShawnIgoehasrecentlyseparatedemploymentfromtheCityof Director La Verne. He statedthat the City is interestedin enteringinto an agreement withretiredDeputyDirectorofPublicWorksAnthonyCiottitofilltheCity's currentgapasanInterimDirectorwhilea recruitmentprocessfora permanent replacement is completed. In order to be compliant with California Law and the 2013 PensionReformAct, it is necessaryfor the City Councilto take an action affirming the execution of such employment arrangements. Resolution No. 22- 71 and the agreement satisfy those requirements.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
TheCityCouncilagreedwithtemporaryhiringAnthonyCiotti, asPublicWorks Director.
Council Member Johnson stated he would like to see staff do succession planningwhena keyemployeeseparatesfromtheCity.
ItwasmovedbyJohnson, secondedbyLau, andunanimouslycarriedto approve the Resolution No. 22- 71, authorizing the Interim City Manager to executean agreementwith AnthonyCiotti to providetemporary, part-time employment.
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, September19, 2022, Page7.
Resolution No. 22- 71, Resolution No. 22- 71 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Temporary Employment CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTYOF LOSANGELES, STATEOF CALIFORNIA, Agreement with Retired AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH " RETIRED ANNUITANT" ANTHONY Annuitant Anthony Ciotti for CIOTTI FOR INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND AUTHORIZING Interim Public Works Director THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME.
11. Public Comment Thiswasthetimesetasideforanyonewishingto addresstheCityCouncilon items not listed in any other placeon the agenda.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
There were public comments at the meeting. ( To hear what was said during publiccomment, pleasevisittheCity's websiteto viewthearchivedCouncil meeting.)
InterimCityManagerDuffrespondedtothequestionsaskedduringpublic comment.
12. Council Comments Please Note: Only partial Council comments are noted below. To hear the rest of their comments, pleasevisit the City's websiteto view the archived Council meeting.
CouncilMemberLauspoke aboutTri-City Mental HealthAuthoritymeeting, and Suicide Prevention Month and the upcoming Beer Walk event. She reportedthatontheCity's websitethereisa newlinkresidentscanaccessto reportproblemsthatwould be forwardedto the appropriatedepartment.
MayorProTemCrosbywishedCouncilMemberJohnsonabelatedHappy Birthday.
CouncilMemberKashifalghitastatedheattendedthe Leagueof California Cities Conference. He alsowished CouncilMemberJohnsona belatedHappy Birthday.
Council Member Johnson thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting andheappreciatedCouncil's input, theirrespectandtheCityCouncilworking in concert.
MayorHepburnstatedwashappyto haveChristyLopezbackas Finance Director. HespokeaboutupcomingeventsliketheBeerWalkandtheTaste of La Verne. He also reportedon the new link on the City's websitethat residentscould accessto reportas probtemwhichwill be directedto appropriate department for handling.
13. Closed Session At 8: 42 p. m., theCityCouncilrecessedtoClosedSessionforthefollowing; Conference with Labor Neqotiator (Government Code Section 54957.6).
Negotiators: InterimCity Manager, AssistantCity Manager, and City Attorney.
Employee Organization( s): LaVerneCityEmployeesAssociation (CEA) and La Verne Firefighters' Association,
CityCouncilMinutes, Monday, September19, 2022, Page8.
14. Adjournmentat9:30p.m. inmemoryofretiredWaterSuperintendentCharlieFarrell. Charliewasemployedwith the City of La Verne for 35 years. Charlie was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and joined the United States Air Force stationed in Boise, Idaho. After his service, he moved to La Verne and started his career with theCityofLaVerneintheParksDepartmentandlatertransferredtotheWaterDepartmentandbecameWater/SewerSuperintendent. HiscommitmenttotheLaVernecommunitypersistedthroughhisretirementashe volunteeredfortheLaVerneFireDepartment, FourthofJulyparade, andChristmasCandyGiveawaysforyears.
Additionally, CharliefosteredyouthdevelopmentwiththelocalBoyScoutsandBoosterClubgroups. CharliewashonoredwiththePrideofLaVerneAwardin2006inrecognitionofhisdedicationandpassionfortheLaVerne community. Heissurvivedby3children, 2stepchildrenandhewasPapato12grandchildrenand7great grandchildren; and
AdjournmenttoTuesday, September27, 2022at5:30p.m. forCityCounciltomeetinaClosedSessiontoreview applications submitted for City Manager.
Respectfully submitted,
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk