MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE
Monday, June 19, 2023
A regular meeting of the La Verne City Council was called to order by Mayor Hepburn at 6:30 p.m. interrupts the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn
Council Member Wendy Lau
Council Member Steven Frank Johnson
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Rick Crosby
Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita
Advisory personnel present: City Manager Ken Domer
Assistant City Manager JR Ranells
City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow
Assistant City Clerk Lupe Gaeta Estrella
Finance Director Christy Lopez
Community Development Director Eric Scherer
Community Services Director Yvonne Duran
Public Works Director Meg McWade
Fire Chief Chris Nigg
Fire Marshal Fred St. Ange
CRR Specialist Lonnie Shipman
Acting Police Chief Sam Gonzales
City Engineer Cody Howing
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Allan Agronovitz, Army Sergeant E-5.
Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, presented Army Sergeant E-5 Allan Agronovitz a Pride of La Verne Certificate of Recognition thanking him for his service to our country.
Recognition of University of Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, recognized University of La Verne President Devorah La Verne President Devorah Lieberman with a proclamation for her 12 years of Lieberman service. ULV President Lieberman is the 181h president and the first female President to serve the University of La Verne.
Presentation on the Use of Fire Marshal Fred St. Ange and CRR Specialist Lonnie Shipman reported on Fireworks in the City of fireworks activity and safety in the City of La Verne along with a Power Point La Verne presentation.
Juneteenth Holiday Mayor Hepburn stated he wished to highlight the Juneteenth Holiday, which represents the day that the final group of enslaved black Americans were informed that they were free, some 2½ years after the effective date of the Emancipation Declaration and ensuring freedom and racial equity.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 2.
Presentation of Proclamation Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, presented a Proclamation declaring June 2023, Lesbian, declaring June 2023, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBTQ+) Pride Month supporting the rights of every citizen to experience and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride equality and freedom from discrimination; and all people regardless of age, gender identity, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, sexua orientation, or physical challenges have the right to be treated on the basis of their intrinsic value as human beings. Frank Guzman, Executive Director of the Pomona Pride Center accepted the Proclamation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF Mayor Hepburn announced that the La Verne Police Department is sponsoring UPCOMING COMMUNITY their annual 9-week Citizens' Academy. The classes are conducted by EVENTS members of the La Verne Police Department. The focus of the Academy is on the Police Department's operational procedures. The sessions range fron administrative functions to traffic operations, as well as weapons safety and Kathy Kalousek, Vice President of the La Verne Historical Society announced Yvonne Gallegos, Cultural Awareness and Social Inclusion (CASI) Committee Chair announced that the next CASI meeting is on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 5:00-p.m., at Hillcrest. She stated that she can attest that the Polic Citizens' Academy is a great program
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, announced that the Los Angeles County Probation Oversight Commission will be meeting on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at noon. She stated that residents should be vigilant on what changes are occurring at the Camp Afflerbaugh-Paige Camp and attend the meeting in person or virtually
CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and unanimously carried by a vote of 3-0 (Crosby and Kashifalghita absent) to accept, approve, or act on the Consent Calendar items except for the June 5, 2023, Council Minutes.
City Council Minutes It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and unanimously carried by a vote of 3-0 (Crosby and Kashifalghita absent) to accept, and approve, the amended minutes of June 5, 2023, Council Minutes, amending Kathy Kalousek's public comment that she was thanking the previous City Council and City Manager for approving the current refuse contract with Waste Management at a lower cost than what other cities are paying.
City Council Minutes of corrected minutes of the regular meeting of May 15, 2023.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 3.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the May 15, 2023, corrected minutes, to include the public comment section that was inadvertently left off. Approved.
Register of Audited Demands Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $282, 309.43, dated June 1, 2023 Recommendation: That the City Councill approve the demands. Approved.
SENIOR ADVISORY SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE REAPPOINTMENTS - Staff seek City COMMITTEE Council approval for the reappointments of two members of the Senior REAPPOINTMENTS Advisory Committee.
Recommendation: That the City Council reappoint Scott Snider and Bette Donovan as members of the Senior Advisory Committee to each serve a two- year term from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025. Appointments approved.
SENIOR ADVISORY SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE REAPPOINTMENTS - This item seek City COMMITTEE Council approval for the Citizen-at-large board position for the Youth Sports
REAPPOINTMENTS
ecommendation: That the City Council appoint Eric Shadrick as the Yout ports Committee Citizen-at-large to serve a two-year term from July 1. 202 through June 30, 2025. Appointments approved.
OLD TOWN LA VERNE OLD TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT REAPPOINTMENTS - Terms for Old Town La Verne Business Improvement DISTRICT REAPPOINTMENTS District Members Craig Walters, Marianne Stark, and Micky Rehm expire June 30, 2023. All three members have requested to remain on the Board.
Recommendation: That the Mayor reappoint Craig Walters, Marianne Stark and Micky Rehm to serve a two-year term from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, with the approval of the City Council. Appointments approved.
PURCHASE OF EIGHT (8) 48" PURCHASE OF EIGHT (8) 48" DIAMETER FRACTAL DISTRIBUTOR DIAMETER FRACTAL PLATES FOR THE AMHERST TREATMENT PLANT - Staff requested DISTRIBUTOR PLATES FOR approval of a sole source purchase from the Water Fund to Layne Christensen THE AMHERST TREATMENT Company for eight fractal plates, in the amount of $133,350, for the Amherst PLANT
SERVICE PROVIDER SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENT FOR CRISIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT FOR CRISIS RESPONSE & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM - This item seek City Council ASSISTANCE RESPONSE & authorization and agreement to participate in the San Gabriel Valley Council of ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM Governments (SGVCOG) Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement Program (SGV Care) to co-respond to mental health crisis situations.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 4.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City's participation in he San Gabriel Valley Council of Government's Crisis Assistance Response Engagement Program; and authorize the City Manager to execute a servic provider agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING BESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 BUDGEI - A THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 proposed budget was submitted and discussed during the City Council Budget BUDGET Study Session held on June 5, 2023. Council directed staff to allocate the $125,000 of Measure LV funds, program $310,950 of unfunded department requests to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and increase the Recommendation: That the City Council adopt resolution No. 23-34 adopting the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Approved.
TAX SHARING RESOLUTION TAX SHARING RESOLUTION NO. 23-35 WITH THE LOS ANGELES NO. 23-35 WITH THE LOS SANTIATION DISTRICT AND AFFECTED AGENCIES RESULTING FROM ANGELES SANTIATION ANNEXATION NO. 21-771 FOR 42 PROPOSED SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES - DISTRICT AND AFFECTED The County Sanitation District No. 21 annexation process requires that a AGENCIES RESULTING resolution for property tax revenue exchange be adopted by affected local FROM ANNEXATION NO. 21- agencies before an annexation to the County Sanitation District No. 21 may be 771 FOR 42 PROPOSED approved.
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-35, approving the joint tax sharing Resolution with the affected agencies.
Approved.
RESOLUTION No. 23-36 RESOLUTION No. 23-36 APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS
APPROVING PARTICIPATION ANGELES URBAN COUNTY PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING IN THE LOS ANGELES ALLOCATION PROGRAM - The City of La Verne, through the Los Angeles URBAN COUNTY Urban County Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program, has been PERMANENT LOCAL allocated funding to participate in eligible affordable housing programs. The HOUSING ALLOCATION eligible programs that the City will be participating in are Operating Costs for PROGRAM Emergency Shelters and Supportive Case Management for the unhoused Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the Resolution No. 23-36 title
A RESOULTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS ANGELES URBAN COUNTY PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM." Approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-37 - RESOLUTION NO. 23-37 - OPERATION MAINTENANCE COMMUNITY OPERATION MAINTENANCE FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 90-1; SPECIAL TAX LEVY FISCAL YEAR 2023-
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
DISTRICT NO. 90-1; SPECIAL 7090-1), a spell a districe thine La cities Dustial Specia a TAX LEVY FISCAL YEAR increase by 379 to s. i to perharthe levy annually. The assessment will 2023-24
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 5.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-37, Titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY
OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING SPECIAL TAX FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR (COMMUNITY FACILITIES
DISTRICT NO. 90-1 - LA VERNE INDUSTRIAL SPECIFIC PLAN)," levying a special tax for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year (FY) per the schedule shown in Exhibit "A" attached to the Resolution, which increases the rate by 3.7% to address the cost-of-living increases based on the annual consumer price index ending March 2023. Approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-38 RESOLUTION NO. 23-38 COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 11-1; COMMUNITY FACILITIES SPECIAL TAX LEVY FISCAL YEAR 2023-24; PUBLIC HEARING; DISTRICT NO. 11-1; SPECIAL RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY - The City Council on TAX LEVY FISCAL YEAR an annual basis must authorize the tax levy for Community Facilities District 2023-24; PUBLIC HEARING; No. 11-1 (CFD No. 11-1), a special fire tax for buildings three stories (thirty-five RESOLUTION PROVIDING feet) and above or with fire flows of 3,500 GPM or more. Exhibit "A" of the FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY attached resolution lists the properties and their levies included in the district Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the attached Resolution No. 23-38, titled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING SPECIAL TAX FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR (COMMUNITY
FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 11-1)," levying a special tax for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 within CFD No. 11-1 per the schedule shown in Exhibit "A" attached to the Resolution. Approved.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1118, RELATIVE TO OLD TOWN NO. 1118, RELATIVE TO OLD LA VERNE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - The City Council TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS approved the first Reading of Ordinance No. 1118, updating the financial IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT practices of the Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District at its June 5, 2023, meeting. If approved, this action will adopt the Ordinance which will Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1118 titled 'AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AMENDING
CHAPTER 2.54.150 OF THE LA VERNE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATIVE TO
THE OLD TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
ADVISORY BOARD'S EXPENDITURE OF CITY FUNDS." Approved.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1119, ESTABLISHING THAT REGULAR NO. 1119, ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL MEETING TIMES SHALL BE SET BY RESOLUTION - The
THAT REGULAR CITY
COUNCIL MEETING TIMES
SHALL BE SET BY
RESOLUTION convenience. If adopted, the Ordinance becomes effective in thirty (30) days.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1119, "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING
THAT REGULAR MEETING TIMES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL BE SET BY RESOLUTION." Approved.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 6.
HEARING TO DETERMINE Finance Director Lopez reported on the Public Hearing to determine the NECESSITY OF UTILITY Vecessity of continuing the Utility User's Tax. She stated that the provisions o USER'S TAX Ordinance No. 955 require an annual hearing to determine the necessity o Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, asked where in the City Budget is the Utility User's Tax listed?
Richard Bowen, La Verne resident, stated that the budget was already approved with the $3,740.000 Utility User's Tax revenue prior to the UUT public hearing, and the publc hearing should have been scheduled prior to the adoption of the Finance Director Lopez responded that the $3,740.000 Utility User's Tax is listed in revenues in the General Fund
City Manager Domer stated that next year there will be a change in procedure and the UUT public hearing will be held prior to the adoption of the budget.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and carried by a vote of 3-0 Crosby and Kashitalghita absent) to maintain the City's Utility Users Tax a he current voter approved rates
CITYWIDE LANDSCAPING
AND LIGHTING DISTRICT NO.
6 AND ZONES 2, 3, 4-I, 4-II, 5,
AND 6; PUBLIC HEARING &
RESOLUTION No. 23-39 FOR
ANNUAL LEVY
Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment on this matter.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, asked whose job is it to watch for budget deficits especially if there is not a CIP increase inflator? City Engineer responded that he is the person who monitors the assessment.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and carried by a vote of 3-0 (Crosby and d Kashifalghita absent) to adopt Resolution No. 23-39, titled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OVERRULING
PROTESTS AND PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY AND COLLECTING
OF ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE IN AN EXISTING DISTRICT, ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO VOTER APPROVAL. (LLMD #6)," providing for the annual levy and collection of assessment for the special zones in District No. 6 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 7.
CITYWIDE LANDSCAPING City Engineer Howing reported on the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting AND LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. District No. 7 annual levy. He stated that on May 15, 2023, the City Council 7; PUBLIC HEARING; adopted Resolution 23-21 to set June 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. as the date anc RESOLUTION No. 23-40 time for the public hearing for the subject assessment district. There is PROVIDING FOR THE proposed increase to the assessment amount levied for this Fiscal Year to ANNUAL LEVY address increased maintenance costs. The proposed assessment amount of Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
It was moved by Lau, seconded by Johnson, and carried by a vote of 3-0
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OVERRULING
PROTESTS AND PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY AND COLLECTING
OF ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE IN AN EXISTING DISTRICT, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION 15, PART 2, OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (LLMD #7)," providing for the annual levy for Fiscal Year 2023- LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING City Engineer Howing reported on the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting
MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
NO. 8; PUBLIC HEARING;
RESOLUTION No. 23-41
PROVIDING FOR THE
ANNUAL LEVY
Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and carried by a vote of 3-0 (Crosby and Kashifalghita absent) to adopt Resolution No.23-41, titled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OVERRULING
PROTESTS AND PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY AND COLLECTING
OF ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE IN AN EXISTING DISTRICT, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION 15, PART 2, OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (LLMD #8)," providing for the annual levy for Fiscal Year 2023- City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 8.
MAINTENANCE DISTRICT City Engineer Howing reported on Maintenance District No. 84-1M, Esperanza NO. 84-1M, ESPERANZA Road Slopes, Public Hearing, Resolution No. 23-42, providing for the annual ROAD SLOPES; PUBLIC levy. He stated that on May 15, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No.
HEARING; RESOLUTION No. 23-23 to set June 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. as the date and time for the public 23-42 PROVIDING FOR THE hearing for the subject assessment district. The 2023-2024 assessment is ANNUAL LEVY - proposed to remain at $8.00 per parcel, the same level since 1992. (Counci Member Kashifalahita has a conflict of interest because he lives within the district, but he was absent from the meeting.)
Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for public comment on this matter.
Robin Carder, La Verne resident, stated that on Esperanza there are overgrown weeds and she asked who takes care of it?
City Engineer Howing responded that it is contracted out or if the weeds are in It was moved by Lau, seconded by Johnson, and carried by a vote of 3-0 Crosby and Kashifalghita absent) to adopt Resolution No.23-42, titled: "f
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF
LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM
AND ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT IN A SPECIAL MAINTENANCE DISTRICT (84-1M)."
2023-24 ANNUAL City Manager Domer reported on the 2023-24 annual agreements, Resolutior AGREEMENTS RESOLUTION No. 23-43. He stated that once a year, the City Council considers annual NO. 23-43
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES,
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING ANNUAL CITY AGREEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24," and to authorize the Mayor and Assistant City Clerk to execute the annual agreements as listed on the Resolution.
ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR
JUNE 30, 2022
(RAMS). The ACFR reflects the financial position and operating activities o he City for the fiscal vear ending June 30. 2022
Due to technical problems, the video presentation by Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP (RAMS) was not played.
Finance Director Lopez reported on Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and the results of the audit along with a PowerPoint presentation.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 9.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
Richard Bowen, La Verne resident, asked about the section on the Power Point referring to the fraud communications that were made with City Council Members and that no material findings were noted.
The City Council received and filed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters, and the Auditor's Letter to the City Concil for the year ended June 30, 2022.
The City Council thanked Finance Director Lopez and her staff for their hard vork and great job in preparing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Repor and keeping them in the loop
PUBLIC COMMENT This was the time set aside for anyone wishing to adress the City Councii 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 meeting.)
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, wished to thank all the first responders horig e ais in aes ering Ser eastond City Manager Domer for his Terry Prentice, La Verne resident, stated that going through the City's budget : daunting, and he asked if the budget could be summarized in wav that th sidents can understand
Wayne Perry, La Verne resident, stated that he attended a group meeting last urged the City Council to investigate annexing incorporated areas in La Verne to avoid the County or State coming in with development projects and the City Richard Bowen, La Verne resident, thanked City Manager Domer for having the portable potty removed at Oak Mesa Park. He asked if there was an update on geting a cell tower in north La Verne? He asked what commissior or committee's vacancies were open? He spoke about the 740 E. Foothil proposed project, Lutheran High School and there should be proclamations fol mother's and father's month
Rich Gill, La Verne resident, spoke about the proposed project at 740 E Foothill Blvd, San Dimas. He spoke about other cities that have had housing projects come into their city, and they had no control. He stated that the City was not helpless, and the City needed to get the County and State legislators to advocate for the City.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Below are only partial Council comments, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.
City Council Minutes, Monday, June 19, 2023, Page 10.
Council Member Lau reported on the Cultural Awareness and Social Inclusion (CASI) Committee meeting, attending along with Mayor Hepburn, the League of Women Voters Observer Program meeting, the University of La Verne stated that it was important to communicate with county and state legislators, and that the University of La Verne has a vested interest in security for the students when the A Line is in operation. She hoped all the fathers had a good Father's Day. She thanked Acting Police Chief Gonzales for always being accessible when she needed information.
Council Member Johnson announced that the July 3, 2023, regular City Council meeting is cancelled. He wished his Mother a Happy Birthday. He wished everyone a happy safe Fourth of July
Mayor Hepburn stated that June is a busy month with end of the school year, graduations, retirements, and local functions. He reported he got to meet the Metro CEO and spoke to her about the Council's concern about security when the A line comes to La Verne. He spoke about always communicating with County and State legislators regarding issues pertaining to the City for the betterment of the Community. He wished everyone a Happy Fourth of July.
At 8:46 p.m., Mayor Hepburn adjourned the meeting in memory of Father Patrick Travers who passed away on June 1, 2023. Father Travers was born in Ballon, Co. Carlow Ireland on June 13, 1937, and was baptized on the same day. He was the youngest of ten. His father was a farm laborer; his mother was a homemaker. He attended local elementary and secondary schools before entering the Sacred Hearts Novitiate in Cootehill, Co. Cavan where he was professed on August 15, 1956. He then went to Queen of Peace Seminary in Jaffrey Center, New Hampshire. He was ordained on June 24, 1962, and was assigned to teach at Damien High School, La Verne CA. He was handed two books and told to go and teach. He took that order seriously. For the rest of his life, with and without books, he taught us to live like Jesus. Father Travers spent 49 years at Damien. During almost all those years, he taught Geometry to thousands of students. He also served as the athletic Director, the Dean of Discipline (he hated it), the Dean of Studies. He was Principal of Damien High School from 1980 to 2010. During his tenure he developed academic programs, built student enrollment, oversaw the construction of two classroom buildings, a swimming pool, tennis courts, artificial turf on the football field and a new athletic center, which bears his name. In 1987, he started the Tijuana Outreach Ministry. On Saturdays, he would take the students to help at orphanages, bringing food, clothing, and building houses involving the young men of Damien along with their fathers. After Father Travers left Damien as President in 2011, he became the Pastor of Holy Innocents Parish in Victorville, where he worked together with Father Paul Murtagh. All who knew him will miss him and long remember the outstanding contributions he made to Damien and the La Verne community.
Mayor Hepburn announced that the July 3, 2023, regular City Council meeting is cancelled, and the next regular Council is scheduled for Monday, July 17, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.:
Respectfully submitted,
Impe thatta Ethella
Lupe Gaeta Estrella, CMC
Assistant City Clerk