MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, November 7, 2022
1. A regular meeting of the La Verne City Council was called to order by Mayor Hepburn at 6:30 p.m.
2. Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn
Mayor Pro Rick Crosby
Council Member Wendy Lau
Council Member Steven Frank Johnson
Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita
Absent: None.
Advisory personnel present: Interim City Manager Jess Duff Assistant City Manager JR Ranells
City Attorney Robert L. Kress
Assistant City Clerk Lupe Gaeta Estrella
Police Chief Colleen Flores
Police Captain Sam Gonzales
Fire Chief Chris Nigg
Fire Marshal Robert Montaghami
Community Services Manager Yvonne Duran
3. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Hepburn.
4. "Safer from Wildfires" Arminé Sargsyan, Outreach Analyst for Community Relations and Outreach Presentation Branch for the California Department of Insurance gave a Powerpoint presentation on "Safer from Wildfires". A copy of the Powerpoint was included in the Agenda.
Robert Montaghami, La Verne Fire Marshal reported on the City's fire mitigation measures that are in place.
5. Announcements of Upcoming Yvonne Gallegos, from the La Verne Historical Society reported on the Community Events upcoming La Verne Historical Society events.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, announced there would be a Fairplex Specific Plan Open House on November 16, 2022.
Lily Brainard, La Verne resident, reminded everyone that November 8, 2022 is Election Day and to go out and VOTE
Thomas Cornicelli, Acting in Charge of the La Verne Library, reported on the upcoming library events.
Mayor Pro Tem Crosby announced that Bonita High School Choir would be performing on December 10, 2022 at the Bonita Center of the Arts.
City Council Minutes, Monday, November 7, 2022, Page 2
Mayor Hepburn reported on the vote centers and locations of ballots boxes in La Verne. He announced that the City would be holding a Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. He reported that two (2) vacancies on the Los Angeles County Probation Oversight Commission are expected to be open in December of 2022. Applications will be available in January of 2023 and information will be on the City's website for anyone who is interested in applying. He felt it would be a beneficial for a resident to get on the Board as a way to oversee the Afflerbaugh-Paige Camp.
6. Consent Calendar It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Lau, and unanimously carried to accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items, except for Item No. 6i, Aquatic Center Heater(s) Emergency Replacement, and Council Member Lau declared a Conflict of Interest on this item because she is a member of the University of La Verne Board of Trustees.
City Council Minutes City Council Minutes for the adjourned meeting of October 7, 2022, and the regular meeting of October 17, 2022, were received and filed.
Register of Audited Demands Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $369,340.55, dated October 6, 2022; in the amount of $1,227,255.09 dated October 13, 2022; and in the amount of $445,982.45, dated October 20, 2022, approved as recommended by Finance Director Christy Lopez.
Youth and Family Action Youth and Family Action Minutes of June 28, 2022 and August 23, 2022, Minutes were received and filed.
Street Closure for Cruisin Street Closure for the Cruisin La Verne Holiday Car Show - The City La Verne Car Show
Holiday Car Show on November 19, 2022. Flying Deuces submitted a request to close Third Street from B to E Streets and D Street from Second Street to parking lots.
Community Development Director Scherer recommended that the City Council direct the Public Works Director to take the necessary steps to permit the temporary street closure for portions of D and Third Streets in Old Town La Verne; and to approve the waiver of administrative review fees necessary for the processing, permitting, management, promotion, and operations of the Cruisin La Verne Holiday Car Show. Approved as recommended.
Request for Additional Police Request for Additional Police Clerk Position - The La Verne Police Clerk Position epartment is budgeted for five Police Clerks. Over the past year, the Recor vision has been understaffed, and as a result. Police Clerks have be Police Chief Flores recommended that the City Council authorize an additional Police Clerk position to enhance staffing levels and reduce overtime. The cos o fund this a recommended with current pay and benefits is $70,70 City Council Minutes, Monday, November 7, 2022, Page 3.
Armored Vehicle Replacement Armored Vehicle Replacement - On May 16, 2022, the City Council authorized the purchase of a 2008 refurbished armored incident vehicle from Lenco for $212,650. The armored incident vehicle will replace the Department's 1982 Dodge Armored Peacekeeper, which had reached its end of life and is beyond repair. The Department was informed that Lenco had suffered a few supply setbacks, pushing back the delivery date turther extending our safety concerns. As a result of their lapse, Lenco has offered to sell the City of La Verne Police Department a new armored vehicle at a significantly reduced price. A new incident armored vehicle from Lenco is $415,000, and they are willing to sell it at a reduced price of $330,000.
Police Chief Flores recommended that the City Council approve a budget amendment increasing appropriations for the purchase of a new BearCat G3 Armored Incident Response Vehicle from Lenco in the amount of $135,000 supported by the funding resources noted within this report. Approved as recommended.
Request for Additional Funding Request for Additional Funding for Twelve Police Department Vehicles - for Twelve (12) Police The Public Works Department requested appropriations to purchase twelve Department Vehicles police vehicles that are past their replacement cycle.
Interim Public Works Director Ciotti recommended that the City Council authorize additional appropriations to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget from the General Fund to the equipment replacement fund in the amount of $82,000.00; authorize staff to tag onto a competitively bid national contract from Sourcewell (Contract # 091521-NAF). Except for the Tahoe (Mountain View Chevrolet, and Nissan Altima (Metro Nissan) to purchase vehicles as they become available; and authorize High Standard Automotive to outfit 12 police vehicles prior to deployment as noted in the chart below. Approved as Conflict of Interest/Lau Council Member Lau declared a Conflict of Interest on the item below because she is a member of the University of La Verne Board of Trustees and she did not vote.
Aquatic Center Pool Heaters Aquatic Center Heater(s) Emergency Replacement - Staff, along with the Emergency Replacement University of La Verne (ULV) and Bonita Unified School District (BUSD) have determined that the two La Verne Aquatic Center pool heaters are unrepairable. The two units are over 15 years old; one unit is not functioning and the other is working at half capacity. Community Services staff and the Public Works Department have reviewed the issue and conclude the units need to be replaced immediately. If the units are not replaced, staff will have to suspend pool operations due to temperature requirements for swim meets and practices. An approval by a four-fifths vote by City Council is required for the emergency purchase and installation of two new high efficiency pool heaters at the Aquatic Center by Lincoln Aquatics in the total amount of $233,744 to be funded from the Park Development Fund.
Community Services Manager Duran recommended that the City Council determine that the current emergency requires immediate repair to maintain the pool use programming for the community and that there is insufficient time to conduct a formal bidding process; and emergency purchase and installation of two new high efficiency pool heaters at the Aquatic Center by Lincoln Aquatics in the total amount of $233,744 to be funded from the Park Development Fund. Approved as recommended by staff with a vote of 4- City Council Minutes, Monday, November 7, 2022, Page 4.
Development Impact Fee Development Impact Fee Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2022 Report for Fiscal Year ending - Government Code Section 66006 requires development impact tees June 30, 2022 collected by the City, the related interest income earned, expenditures paic and beginning and ending fund balance as of June 30 to be made available to the public on an annual basis within 180 days of the fiscal year end. The Development Impact Fee Report is an informational report meeting the State Finance Director Lopez recommended that the City Council receive, file, and make available to the public, the Development Impact Fee Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2022 pursuant to Government Code section 66006. Received and Filed.
Ordinance No. 1112, Adding Police Captain Gonzales reported on the proposed Ordinance No. 1112, and Amending the La Verne adding and amending the La Verne Municipal Code pertaining to personal Municipal Code Pertaining to
Personal Conduct and Property
Maintenance
upport Team (HOST) in maintaining the quality of life by adding an mending existing ordinances. The Police Department reviewed the City Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was public comment. One public comment email was received and is attached. (To hear what was said during public comment, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.)
Jay Alvarado, La Verne Police Sergeant and the Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST) running the program, updated the City Council on their efforts and outreach efforts to help the homeless population.
Council Member Johnson asked that the language "without possessing a valid city permit" be removed from the proposed Ordinance No. 1112, Section
12.32.050 and new Chapter 9.19 - Loitering after hours at public buildings, Section 9.19.010, because there is no special permit process currently in place.
The City Council discussed the proposed Ordinance No. 1112 and the requested change. They were all in agreement of the proposed Ordinance and of deleting the language "without possessing a valid permit" from the Ordinance.
The City Council thanked Police Chief Flores, Captain Gonzales, and Sergeant Jay Alvarado for their continued efforts in addressing and assisting the homeless population and in doing so maintaining the safety and quality of life in the community.
City Council Minutes, Monday, November 7, 2022, Page 5
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Kashifalghita, to introduce and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 1112, amending the Municipal Code regarding personal conduct and property maintenance and deleting the anquage "without possessing a valid permit" from the Ordinance
8. 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.
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.)
9. 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 thanked the Youth and Family Action Committee on their presentation on the dangers of the drug Fentanyl. She reported on CASI Meeting, Fairplex Special Plan Open House, upcoming Tri-City Mental Health Zoom Meeting and that November is National Men's Health Awareness Month She wished Battalion Chief Greenway, Happy Retirement.
Council Member Johnson reported that the Youth Sports Committee was canceled due to a lack of quorum. He stated that Halloween was great and that it's wonderful to be a La Verne resident.
Council Member Kashifalghita reported that Halloween in downtown was great.
He reported that he attended the Grand reopening of Hillcrest's dining room, and the RSVP BBQ. He reported on Pop Warner, Pop Warner Cheerleaders and Damien High School Water Polo recent wins. He stated he appreciated all the Veterans and thanked them for their service.
Mayor Pro Tem Crosby reported that he met with the Vintage Grove Apartments residents. He reminded evervone to ao out and Vote. He thanked finances. He also thanked the Youth and Family Action Committee for their presentation on the dangers of the drug Fentanyl. He also thanked City Staff, especially the La Verne Police Department for participation in the Halloween celebration in downtown La Verne.
Mayor Hepburn thanked the La Verne Police and Fire Departments along with the RSVPS for their work and participation in the Halloween celebration in downtown La Verne. He stated there was no place like La Verne. He reported on the Veterans Day Ceremony to be held on Friday, November 11, 2022. He wished Battalion Chief Greenway a happy retirement. He stated that November 9, 2022 is Law Enforcement Records Support Day.
City Council Minutes, Monday, November 7, 2022, Page 6
10. Closed Session At 8:10 p.m., the City Council recessed to Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 for the following:
Conference with Labor Negotiators
Negotiators: Interim City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Attorney
Unrepresented employee: City Manager Candidate
11. Adjournment at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kupe Sata strella
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
November 7, 2022 Council Meeting
Good evening council and staff. My name is Bryce Dwyer. I live here in La Verne with my family.
The city's fall recreation brochure included a brief guide to Homelessness Resources. The frequently asked questions section of this guide stated, quote, "Homelessness is not a crime. People experiencing homelessness have the same rights as anyone else to be in a public place."
The guide in the city's next recreation brochure will need to be updated, because ordinance 1112 makes it a crime to be homeless.
Nothing in the letter of these laws specifically mentions homelessness. However, this ordinance's framing in tonight's agenda as well as the report from the police department recommending it be adopted make it clear that this ordinance specifically targets the unhoused members of our community.
I understand that there are those who will support this ordinance because, not in spite of, the fact that it targets the unhoused. I believe that communities can be judged by the way they treat those who struggle the most. With the passage of this ordinance, will struggling members of our community be treated with dignity and kindness? Or will they be told that their circumstances make them a criminal?
Engaging the HOST team and using funds for vouchers, outreach, mental health support, medical attention, etc. is to be commended. However, no reasonable definition of "wraparound services" includes citations, arrests, or time in jail.
Ordinance 1112 makes it clear that the city of La Verne will offer modest support to the unhoused, but only accompanied by a clear and discriminatory threat of punishment.
All members of our community should ask themselves if we ought to make it a crime to suffer, a crime to struggle, a crime to be poor.
Thank you.
—Bryce Dwyer, La Verne resident