MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, March 6, 2023
1. A regular meeting of the La Verne City Council was called to order by Mayor Hepburn at 6:31 p.m.
2. Before the start of the meeting, Mayor Hepburn reminded everyone in the audience of the City's Rules of Decorum to conduct themselves with decorum and not engage in willful conduct which interrupts the meetings or with the orderly conduct of the meeting.
3. 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: City Manager Ken Domer
Assistant City Manager JR Ranells
City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow
Assistant City Clerk Lupe Gaeta Estrella
4. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Veteran Jeff Sanchez, Army- Master Sergeant.
5. Presentation of Proclamation Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, declared the Month of March Declaring the Month of March 2023 as Women's History Month, with a proclamation recognizing the as Women's History Month incredible role women have played in our Nation and the promising future women of all backgrounds will bring to our world. He invited all the women in the audience to the dais to be recognized
Gold Line Update Lisa Levy Buch, Chief Communications & Strategic Development Officer with the Foothill Gold Line, reported on the progress of the Gold Line Construction from Glendora to Montclair with a Power Point presentation. She stated that the Foothill Gold Line from Glendora to Montclair will extend the Metro Gold Line 12.3 miles and add stations in the Cities along its path. To date, the construction project is 64% completed
preyer loburn and the Gily Councilthanked Lisa Levy Buch for the
6. Announcements of Upcoming Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, announced that there will be a Dog Community Events Fest Event to raise money for the K-9 Foundation on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at La Verne Lutheran High School.
Sherry Best, President of the La Verne Historical Society, reported on their upcoming events.
Council Member Kashifalghita announced that Calvary Baptist Church is holding a car show on April 15, 2023.
Mayor Hepburn announced that Saturday, March 11, 2023, is Little League Opening Day.
City Council Minutes, Monday, March 6, 2023, Page 2.
7. Consent Calendar It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Johnson, and unanimously carried to accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items, except for the Register of Audited Demands which was pulled from the Consent Calendar.
City Council Minutes City Council Minutes of the regular meeting of February 21, 2023, received and filed.
Pulled for further Discussion/ Richard Bowen, La Verne resident, pulled this item from the Consent Calendar.
Register of Audited Demands He questioned the number of demands being presented for approval. He also, questioned the large payments made to the Department of Justice and CJPIA.
City Manager Domer responded that the reason for number of demands was because it includes the demands that were not included in the last Council meeting. He explained that the City provides fiduciary services to law enforcement agencies by receiving and expending grants funds to the Department of Justice. The City is paid for fiduciary services.
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Johnson, and unanimously carried to approve the Register of Audited Demands, as recommended Register of Audited Demands, in the amount of $1,926, 156.70 dated February 2, 2023, in the amount of $1,418,997.01 dated February 9, 2023, in the amount of $1,736,303.54 dated February 16, 2023; and in the amount of $535,789.75, dated February 23, 2023. Approved.
Heart of the Foothills Open Heart of the Foothills Open Streets Event - Memorandum of Understanding Streets Event 2023 - Authorization to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of La Verne, Claremont, Pomona, San Dimas, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to host the Heart of the Foothills Open Streets event to be held on April 23, 2023.
Claremont, Pomona, San Dimas, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of support services for the Heart of the Foothills event to be held on April 23, 2023. Approved.
Resolution No. 23-11, Adopting RESOLUTION NO. 23-11, ADOPTING A SALARY CHART FOR PART-TIME a Salary Chart for Part-Time EMPLOYEES AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 22-48, A SALARY Employees CHART FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES TO UPDATE THE SALARY FOR AMBULANCE OPERATOR - Resolution No. 23-11 and the associated part- time salary table reflect adjustments in compensation resulting from increases they are also tied to the statutory minimum wage of $15.50 per hour.
City Council Minutes, Monday, March 6, 2023, Page 3.
It was recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-11, titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A
SALARY CHART FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES AND AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 22-48, A SALARY CHART FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES TO UPDATE THE SALARY FOR AMBULANCE OPERATOR"; and,
To appropriate $39, 100 from the General Fund to cover the minimum wage increase through the remainder of the 2022-23 Fiscal Year. Approved.
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. (Below are only partial public comments, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
James, La Verne resident, remarked that the La Verne Police Department has the resources to process concealed weapons (CCW) permits in -house.
Lilly Haung, La Verne resident, felt that the CCW permit fees were too high.
She was concerned with her safety.
Skip, La Verne resident, stated that the CCW permit fees were exorbitant.
Warren, La Verne resident, stated the CCW permits were exorbitant, and the objective standards were not used.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, stated that the Council Chamber doors are too heavy to open and that all communications made by City Council at the dais be placed on the Council Agenda for discussion.
Keih, Reves, La Verne resident, stared that the COW permits teas are 100 John Wilson, La Verne resident, stated he was concerned with number of cars running stop signs and red lights in the City.
Attorney Konstadinos Moros, representing the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), stated they were pleased that La Verne will be processing the CCW permits, but they were disappointed with the high fees and requirements. He stated they wished to resolve things amicably before Gary Hunter, La Verne resident, asked who he can contact in the City regarding lights that are out.
Jim Carlson, La Verne resident, stated that the 2nd Amendment gives the Citizen's the right to bear arms.
Cynthia Gabaldon, La Verne resident, stated she is a long-time gun owner and feels safer when she travels.
Steve Wiard, La Verne resident, stated that the La Verne Police Department did an excellent job on their presentation at the last Council meeting justifying the CCW Permit fees.
City Council Minutes, Monday, March 6, 2023, Page 4.
Bill, La Verne resident, stated it was a 2nd amendment right to carry arms and that it is the vendor who will be processing the CCW applications who will be getting rich.
Thomas Allison, La Verne resident, stated that the psychological test is needed as part of the application process for a CCW permit. The City Council should follow the recommendation of the La Verne Police Department who are trusted with public safety.
Muller, La Verne resident, stated that he disagreed with the high CCW permi fees and people should be able to obtain a CCW permit to protect themselves Ms. Juarez, La Verne resident, stated she was shocked with high CCW permit fees and she reported on what other cities are charging.
Mark, La Verne resident, stated the CCW Permit fees are too high and La Verne is now in the news because of it.
Shanna, La Verne resident, stated she is a firearms instructor. She stated tha the CCW permit fees are over the roof and its discrimination for those who cannot afford the processing fee.
Muir Davis, La Verne resident, thanked the City Council for reminding the audience of the Council decorum.
Ed, La Verne resident, spoke about CCW permit processing in Arizona.
Rick Bowen, La Verne resident, stated that the State of Texas allows citizens to carry firearms.
City Attorney Barlow clarified that there are some misconceptions on the CCW permit process and stated that per California law, the City Council was unable engage in discussion on this matter since it was not on the Agenda.
Three public comments received by email are attached.
9. Council Comments Below are only partial Council comments, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.
Council Member Lau thanked the audience for engaging in discussion. She reported attending Los Angeles County Supervisor Barger's Evening with Fifth District Cities event on March 2, 2023. In addition, she reported on the Fairplex Specific Plan, Los Angeles County Fair in May, and she spoke about the K-9 Foundation.
Mayor Pro Tem Crosby thanked the audience for their participation, expressing their opinions and in keeping with Council decorum. He stated he would like to bring back to City Council the CCW permit process for discussion.
City Council Minutes, Monday, March 6, 2023, Page 5.
Council Member Kashifalghita thanked the audience for attending the meeting and for their participation. He reported he attended the Nithyanandeshwara Hindu Temple event in Montclair for their Karthigai Deepam Lighting Ceremony, and that he attended the Attorney General Rob Bonta inauguration.
He reported on Damien High School Hockey Team's stellar season and plans on recognizing them at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Council Member Johnson reported he attended the Pomona Pride Center first annual Pomona Valley - State of the LGBTQIA+ Community Event on Tuesday, February 28th.
Mayor Hepburn thanked the residents for attending and for engaging in discussion. All their comments were appreciated. He reported that on April 23, 2023, there will be Heart of Foothill event sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
13. Closed Session Prior to meeting in closed session, City Attorney Barlow reported on Anticipated ligation - one potential claim. She stated the City received a letter from the Law Office of Michel & Associates, Inc, representing the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) pertaining to the CCW permit fees and requirements and pertaining to potential lawsuit. There will be no announcement out of closed session.
Closed Session At 8:26 p.m., the City Council met in Closed Session pursuant to Government
13. Code Section 54957.6 for the following:
Conference with Labor Negotiators
Negotiators: City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and
City Attorney
Employee Organization(s): La Verne City Employees Association, La Verne Police Officers' Association,
La Verne Police Middle Management
Association, and all unrepresented
employees.
The City Council met with its legal counsel to discuss significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(b)(1)(3):
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated litigation, one potential case.
There was no announcement.
14. Adjournment at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Supe Dada Estrella
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk