MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, December 5, 2022
it 6:30 p.m., Mayor Hepburn kicked off the holiday season with a holiday message at the City's Christmas tre ighting ceremony in front of City Hall along with Santa Claus and the Bonita High School Chamber Singers
2. Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn
Mayor Pro Tem 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
Finance Director Christy Lopez
Community Services Manager Yvonne Duran
Police Chief Colleen Flores
Fire Chief Chris Nigg
Police Captain Sam Gonzales
Police Lieutenant Chris Dransfeld
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Hepburn.
Announcements of Upcoming Doug Role from the La Verne Church of the Brethren announced that they Community Events would be holding "The Light of Hope of Returning" Christmas Concerts on December 18 & 21, 2022.
Kathy Kalousek, La Verne resident announced that the La Verne Historical Society is holding a holiday gathering on December 10, 2022, along with home Mayor Pro Tem Crosby announced that there are many events taking place over the weekend, as the Bonita High School Choir will be holding a Yuletide concert at the Bonita Center for the Arts; the City of La Verne's Winter Wonderland and the La Verne Historical Society Christmas gathering.
Council Member Kashifalghita thanked Community Services Manager Duran and staff for hosting the Volunteer Luncheon in September. In addition, he announced that La Verne Brewery is sponsoring the Spark of Love toy drive by selling a beer for $1.00 if you bring in an unwrapped toy Council Member Johnson sadly reported that two member(s) of his family, the Castellanos, recently passed away.
City Council Minutes, Monday, December 5, 2022, Page 2.
Council Member Lau announced that there will be a Youth and Family Action Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. and the Active Transportation Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Hepburn also reported that the City's Winter Wonderland is on December 10, 2022, and that it's a fun Christmas event and he thanked Mayor Pro Tem Crosby for attending events when he was unable to go.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, reported on the Wreaths across American drive to lay a wreath on the graves of veterans during the holiday to remember our fallen heroes and honor who serve and teach our children about the sacrifices made by the Veterans and their families.
5. Consent Calendar It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Lau, and unanimously carried to accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items.
City Council Minutes City Council Minutes of November 21, 2022, to be received and filed.
Register of Audited Demands Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $1,252,013.39 dated November 10, 2022, in the amount of $539,959.28 dated November 17, 2022; and in the amount of $3,373,419.61 dated November 24, 2022, approved as recommended by Finance Director Lopez.
Christmas Parade Route Christmas Parade Route Designation - Consistent with prior year's actions Designation and per the Police Chief's recommendation, the City Council is requested to utorize a Parade Route" designation throughout the Cily for the Christmas Community Services Manager Duran recommended that the City Council designate the streets in the City of La Verne as a parade route on Sunday, December 25, 2022, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. to complete the Christmas Morning Program. Approved as recommended.
Staff recommended approval and passage of the following Resolutions:
Resolution No. 22-78, Resolution No. 22-78 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Authorizing the Execution of a CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Side Letter Amending the AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SIDE LETTER AMENDING THE Memorandum of Understanding MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE LA VERNE CITY with the La Verne City COUNCIL AND THE LA VERNE CITY EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION Employees' Association
(LVCEA)
Assistant City Manager Ranells recommended that the City Council adop Resolution 22-78 approving a Side Letter Agreement amending the La Verne Cur employces Assocation, Approy of La Verne and the City Council Minutes, Monday, December 5, 2022, Page 3.
Resolution No. 22-79, Resolution No. 22-79 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Authorizing the Execution of an CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA Puddingstone Drive for the purpose of a marathon on Sunday, December 11 2022. The request specifically involves the closure of the eastbound lanes of Puddingstone Drive from Van Dusen Road to Fairplex Drive between the ours of 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on the day of the event. The race i Community Development Director Scherer recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 22-79 authorizing the City Manager to execute the on specied streets. Appy Vegacy Inc. permitting the Holiday Half Marathon Resolution No. 22-80, Resolution No. 22-80 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Approving a Class Specification CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, and Salary for Community Risk APPROVING A CLASS SPECIFICATION AND SALARY FOR COMMUNITY Reduction Specialist RISK REDUCTION SPECIALIST - As a result of evolving disaster management demands, and associated technical knowledge required to reduce the City's exposure to public safety risk, the City needs to implement a Fire Chief Nigg recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 22- 30, approving a class specification and salary for Community Risk Reductior Specialist and authorize a budget allocation in the 2022-2023 approver budget. Approved
Resolution No. 22-81, Resolution No. 22-81 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Authorizing an Agreement with CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Matrix Consulting Group to AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH MATRIX CONSULTING GROUP TO Conduct a Police Department CONDUCT A POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING/SERVICES STUDY - A Staffing/Services Study
service needs for the City of La Verne.
Police Chief Flores recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 22-81, authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement wit Viatrix Consulting Group, a qualified and experienced consulting firm, an appropriate $60,000 from the general fund to complete the study. Approved.
6. Ordinance No. 1113. City Attorney Kress reported on the proposed Ordinance No. 1113, revising Revision of Nuisance the City's nuisance abatement Ordinance. The Ordinance has not been Abatement Ordinance (1st updated in several years. The State Legislature provides remedies, including reading) costs recovery for abatement of public nuisances, that the current municipal code does not currently account for. This comprehensive ordinance provides the City with the widest range of options for abatement and cost recovery.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
City Council Minutes, Monday, December 5, 2022, Page 4.
There was none.
It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita, and unanimously carried to introduce, waive further reading, and place on first reading Ordinance No. 1113, amending Chapter 9.40 of Title 9 of the La Verne Municipal Code relating to property maintenance and public nuisance.
Ordinance No. 1113, Ordinance No. 1113 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 9.40 OF TITLE 9 OF THE LA VERNE MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND PUBLIC
Maintenance and Public NUISANCE.
Nuisance
7. Urgency Ordinance No. 1114,
Adopting the 2023 Los Angeles
ounty Building Code and 202
ire Code Without the
(mendments) and Greet
uildina Code by Referenc
Code as amended by Los Angeles County has more stringent measures which nay be burdensome for developers to incur the additional costs. The (CFC). Fire Chief Nigg recommends adoption of the Los Angeles County Fire Code (Tile 32) but it will be brought back to City Council for adoption becaus at this time, the County of Los Angeles has not adopted the Fire Code (Title 32) until the first part of next year.
Council Member Johnson asked for clarification on Section 15.32.030 - Storage of Explosives and Blasting Agents.
Fire Chief Nigg and Fire Marshal Montaghami clarified that Section 15.32.030 - Storage of Explosives and Blasting Agents is defined in Chapter 2 of the 2022 Edition of California Fire Code that prohibits the storage of explosives and blasting agents in all areas of the City and the Section only applies to Council Member Lau requested that in the future staff provide a redlined copy of the changes being made to the ordinances.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
City Council Minutes, Monday, December 5, 2022, Page 5.
It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Lau, and unanimously carried to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1114, adopting the 2023 Los Angeles County Building Code and 2022 Fire Code and Green Building Code without the amendments by reference, as follows:
Urgency Ordinance No. 1114, Urgency Ordinance No. 1114 - An urgency ordinance of the City Council of Adopting the 2023 Los Angeles the City of La Verne adopting by reference, pursuant to Government Code County Building Code without Section 50022.2, the California Building Code (Title 26 Building Code of the the Amendments and 2022 Fire Los Angeles County Code), the California Electrical Code (Title 27 Electric Code and Green Building Code Code of the Los Angeles County Code), the California Plumbing Code (Titl by Reference 28 Plumbing Code of the Los Angeles County Code), the California Mechanical Code (Title 29 Mechanical Code of the Los Angeles County Code), the California Residential Code (Title 30 Residential Code of the Los Angeles California Bul, in Sandra Green the cal or re 24 Part 9) and adopting local amendments thereto.
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.)
One public comment was received by mail and is attached.
Council Comments Council Member Kashifalghita reported that the family who had the house fire
9. Council Member Johnson praised the City Council for working together in selecting the new City Manager. He stated it was a great vetting process. He thanked Interim City Manager Duff and City Attorney Kress for their assistance and work in the vetting process for City Manager. He conveyed that the transition would take place at the next City Council meeting.
Council Member Lau stated it is going to be a very busy December for everyone and one should take time for themselves during the busy holidays.
She also asked for people to look out for each other, especially during the holidays.
Mayor Pro Tem Crosby thanked Fire Chief Nigg for entering into a Mutual Aid Agreement with the County of Los Angeles. He reported on the Christmas decorating of the Public Safety Facility by employees, family members and volunteers and that they did a great job. In addition, he reported on the rededication of Mainero Square, Foothill Transit new Hydrogen bus, that the flag in front in City Hall is well lit, and that there will be a reception for retiring City Attorney Kress and for new City Manager Kenneth Domer will be held on December 19, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the Community Center. He thanked Community Services Manager Duran and staff for the City's Christmas Tree lighting ceremony held prior to the Council meeting.
City Council Minutes, Monday, December 5, 2022, Page 6.
Mayor Hepburn thanked City Attorney Kress for his years of service to the City of La Verne. He also thanked Interim City Manager Duff for his leadership and work while they were recruiting for a new City Manager. He thanked Community Services Manager Duran and staff, La Verne Fire Department anc the La Verne Police Department for their work and participation in the City's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. He also thanked Mayor Pro Tem Crosby for standing in for him during his absence and that he did a great job. He reported on the Christmas decorations at the Public Safety Facility, Wreaths across American campaign to lay wreaths on Veterans gravestones, Winter Wonderland event, and the La Verne History Society Christmas gathering.
10. Adjournment at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Impe Darte Estella
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk