Approved on September 18, 2023
at the regular meeting of the
La Verne City Council.
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA VERNE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
A Closed Session meeting was called to order by Mayor Hepburn at 5:30 p.m.
Council Members present: Mayor Tim Hepburn
Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Lau (recusing from the closed session conference with real property negotiators)
Council Member Rick Crosby
Council Member Steven Frank Johnson
Council Member Mesh "Kash" Kashifalghita
Absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager Ken Domer
Assistant City Manager JR Ranells
Deputy City Attorney Scott Porter
CLOSED SESSION City Council met in Closed Session for the following:
Conference with Labor Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
Negotiators: City Manager, Assistant City
Manager, and City Attorney.
Employee Organization(s): La Verne City Employees
Association and the La Verne
Police Officers' Association
Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8:
Property: Property Commonly Referred to as 1200
Arrow Highway; APN: 8378-012-033
City Negotiator: City Manager, Fire Chief
Negotiating Parties: University of La Verne Facilities Board Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of payment for lease City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 2.
The City Council recessed at 6:18 p.m. from Closed Session and reconvened at 6:31 p.m. for the regular scheduled City Council meeting.
A regular meeting of the La Verne City Council was called to order by Mayor Hepburn at 6:31 Before the start of the meeting, Mayor Hepburn welcomed the audience to the Council Meeting in which City business is conducted. He reminded everyone that per the City's Rules for Decorum, all speakers, members of the audience, and Council Members are to conduct themselves with decorum and to not engage in conduct that interrupts the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Council Members Present Mayor Tim Hepburn
Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Lau
Council Member Rick Crosby
Council Member Steve Johnson
Council Member Mesh "Kash" Kashifalghita
Staff Present City Manager Ken Duran
Assistant City Manager JR Rannells
Deputy City Attorney Scott Porter
Assistant City Clerk Lupe Gaeta Estrella
Community Development Director Eric Scherer
Public Works Director Meg McWade
Finance Director Christy Lopez
Community Services Director Yvonne Duran
Acting Police Chief Sam Gonzales
Fire Marshal Fred St. Ange
City Engineer Cody Howing
Pledge of Allegiance led by Isboseth Burgos; U.S. Airforce E-4 (SSG).
Mayor Hepburn, on behalf of the City Council, presented to Isboseth Burgos; U.S. Airforce E-4 (SSG) a Pride of La Verne Certificate of Recognition thanking him for his service to our country.
PRESENTATIONS/ San Marisa Creter, Executive Director of the San Gabriel Valley Gabriel Valley Council of Council of Governments gave an update on San Gabriel Vally Governments Update Council of Governments for 2023 along with a slide presentation.
She also announced that as of July 2023, Mayor Hepburn is the President of the San Gabriel Council of Governments.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF Joe Gabaldon, La Verne resident, reported on Meals on Wheels UPCOMING Program and its services.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 3.
Council Member Crosby announced that on September 15, 2023, he City of La Verne will be hosting an "International Night" fo individuals and families of those with special needs at th La Verne Community Center.
Yvonne Gallegos reported on the Cultural Awareness and Social Inclusion Committee, and she reported on a Beautify La Verne Day.
Deputy City Attorney Scott Porter reported there was nothing to report from the Closed Session meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar, except for Item 6, Appointment to the Public Finance Authority, was pulled by a La Verne resident.
City Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of the closed session and regular City Council meeting of August 21, 2023.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. - Approved.
Register of Audited REGISTER OF AUDITED DEMANDS for the following:
Demands
Fiscal Year 2022-23 - In the amount of $155,700.63 dated August 10, 2023, and in the amount of $934,413.42 dated August 16, 2023; and
Fiscal Year 2023-24 - In the amount of $249,458.54 dated August 10, 2023, and int the amount of $1,800,925.10 dated August 16, 2023.
Recommendation: That the City Councill approve the Register of Audited Demands. Approved.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 4.
Administrative Purchase APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE PURCHASE OF FOUR of Four Vehicles in the VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $155,662.68 AND Amount of $155,622.68 AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL OF Approval Through the VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT PURCHASES APPROVED THROUGH Budget Process THE BUDGET PROCESS - Staff requested retroactively approval of the administrative purchase of four (4) new F-150 pick-ups trucks, in the amount of $155,662.68. Additionally, Staff requested approval to authorize the authority to the City Manager to administratively authorize purchases greater than $75,000 for vehicles/equipment previously approved by City Council through the annual budget process.
Resolution No. 23-62, Recommendation: That the City Council retroactively approve the Providing Administrative purchase of four (4) 2023 Ford F-150 Pick-ups in the amount of Authority to City Manager, $155,662.68 and approve Resolution No. 23-62 titled: A or Designee to Purchase RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, Vehicles/Equipment COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, Through the Annual PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY TO CITY Budget Process MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO PURCHASE
VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT APPROVED THROUGH THE ANNUAL
BUDGET PROCESS. Approved.
Purchase of Fire PURCHASE OF FIRE DEPARTMENT MOBILE RADIOS - The Department Mobile Radios Fire Department's current mobile radios are no longer supported and are obsolete. This item seeks City Council authorization to issue a purchase order in the amount of $161,000 to Motorola Solutions, Inc., for new radios and accessories for all apparatus, including support vehicles, ambulances, and fire engines.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a purchase order with Motorola Solutions Inc., in the amount of $161,000 for the purchase of new mobile radios and accessories. Approved.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 5.
Request for Time SETTING TIME AND DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING Extension on Vesting REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR TIME EXTENSION ON Tentative Tract No. 82001 VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 82001(500 BASELINE and Setting Public Hearing ROAD) - On September 20, 2021, the City Council approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) No. 82001, a subdivision of
19.44 acres located at 500 Baseline Road situated northeast of the intersection of Baseline Road and Rodeo Lane into nine lots.
The applicant has requested a one-year extension of the VTT allowed in Section 66452.6 of the Subdivision Map Act. Pursuant to City Municipal Code Section 16.16.210, the City Council may consider granting the requested extension during a noticed public hearing.
Resolution No. 23-57, Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23- Declaring Its Intention to 57, titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF Consider a Time LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF Extension on Vesting CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO CONSIDER A Tentative Tract No. 82001 TIME EXTENSION ON VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO and Setting Public Hearing 82001 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 7, DIVISION 2, CHAPTER 3, OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND SETTING A TIME AND
PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON," establishing the
time and date for the public hearing to occur at 6:30 PM on September 18, 2023. Approved.
Item Pulled from the Public Financing Authority (Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Consent Calendar District) Appointment - The Public Financing Authority Board, Public Financing Authority representing La Verne's Enhanced Infrastructure Financing (Enhanced Infrastructure District, has a current vacancy for a Public Member to be Financing District) appointed by the City Council. After advertising the vacancy, the Appointment City only received one application for the position.
Mayor Pro Tem Lau recused herself from voting on this matter because she is on the University of La Verne Board of Trustees and she left the Council Chambers.
Richard Bowen, La Verne resident, pulled this matter from the Consent Calendar. He questioned the residency requirement, and recruitment process since only one application was received.
No further public comment was received.
After discussion by City Council and staff, it was moved by Johnson, seconded by Kashifalghita, and carried by a vote of 4-0 (Lau recused) to continue this matter, and to readvertise the position.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 6.
Public Hearing for Mayor Pro Tem Lau declared a conflict of interest on this matter Annexation of Territory because she is a member of the University of La Verne Board of into Community District Trustees and the University has property subject to CFD No. 11-1.
No. 11-1 (Annexation Council Member Johnson declared a conflict of interest on this 2023-01) matter, because he owns property within 500' of the proposed annexation area. Both Council Members left the Council
Chambers.
City Engineer Howing reported on the proposed Annexation of Territory into the Community Facilities District No. 11-1 (Annexation 2023-01) and the Public Hearing. On July 11, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-44 declaring the intention to initiate proceedings for Annexation No. 2023-1 into the annexation is lot 1 of the Final Tract Map No. 83353 (Brandywine) as depicted on the Annexation No. 2023-1 map. On August 21, 2023, the Public Hearing was opened and continued to
September 5, 2023. Council Meeting.
Mayor Hepburn opened the public hearing and called for any protests or public comment. At the conclusion of the public hearing, no written protests were received or public comment.
Resolution No. 23-58, Since no written protests were received, it was moved by Crosby, Calling Special Election on seconded by Kashifalghita, and carried by a vote of 3-0 (Lau & Annexation into Johnson recused) to adopt Resolution No. 23-58, calling a Special Community Facilities No. Election on Annexation into Community Facilities District No. 11-1 11-1 of the City of La Verne. Approved.
Assistant City Clerk Estrella declared four (4) ballots were received on the Annexation and opened the sealed ballots. She The canvass and statement of results of the electio
action was received and filed.
Resolution No. 23-59, It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita to Declaring the Results of adopt Resolution No. 23-59, declaring the results of the Special the Special Election for Election for Annexation of Area 2023-01 to CFD No. 11-1 by a Annexation 2023-01 vote of 3-0 (Lau & Johnson recused). Approved.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 7.
Resolution No. 23-60, Since more than 50% of voters approved the Annexation of Area Calling Special Election 23-1 into CFD No. 11-1, it was moved by Crosby, seconded by into Leving of Special Kashifalghita to adopt Resolution No. 23-60, calling a Special Taxes on Newly Annexed Election into the Levying of Special Taxes on newly annexed area Area of 2023-01 of of 2023-01 of Community Facilities District No. 11-1 of the City of Community Facilities La Verne. Resolution 23-60 approved by a vote of 3-0 (Lau & District No. 11-1 Johnson recused). Approved.
Assistant City Clerk Estrella declared one (1) ballot was received on the levying of assessments and opened the sealed ballot. She announced that the ballot received voted yes to the assessment.
The canvass and statement of results of the election action was received and filed.
Resolution No. 23-61, It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita to adopt Declaring the Results of Resolution No. 23-61, declaring the results of the Special Election the Special Election and and directing the Recording of Notice of Special Tax Lien. The Directing the Recording of canvass and statement of results of the election action was Notice of Special Tax Lien received and filed. Resolution 23-61 approved by a vote of 3-0 (Lau & Johnson recused). Approved.
Resolution Amending the Fire Marshal Fred St. Ange reported on the proposed Resolution 2023-24 Comprehensive amending the current Fee Resolution No 23-23 by adding a fee Fee Schedule for Fire schedule of Fire Department related fees. The City's Department Related Fees Comprehensive Fee Schedule, as established by Resolution 23- 33, is reviewed each year in conjunction with the annual budget process. He stated that there were items identified that needed to be adjusted, but due to staffing changes, additional time was required to conduct the necessary analysis. He presented an update to the 2023-24 fee schedule to recover costs effectively and accurately.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
City Council thanked Fire Marshal St. Ange for his thorough report and presentation and that it was vital that the City recoup the actual cost of City services.
After the conclusion of this item, both Mayor Pro Tem Lau and Councilmember Johnson returned to the dais.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 8.
Resolution No. 23-63, It was moved by Lau, seconded by Kashifalghita, and Amending Resolution No. unanimously carried to adopt Resolution No. 23-63 titled, "A 23-33 Relative to Certain RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF Fees and Polices for LA VERNE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF Services CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 23-33 RELATIVE
TO CERTAIN FEES AND POLICIES FOR SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF LA VERNE." Approved.
Appointment to the Active • City Manager Domer reported on the vacancy and appointment to Transportation Committee the Active Transportation Committee. He stated that two (2) vacancies were advertised on July 18, 2022, and that ten 10 applications were received. Due to change in management, interviews were not conducted until April, of 2023. On April 24, 2023, City Council interviewed five (5) of the 10 applicants who were still interested. On May 1, 2023, City Council appointed Sabine Stieber and Jarrod Palmer from the five (5) applicants to the Active Transportation Committee Board. Since then, a Board member has resigned. The remaining applicants were contacted, and all were still interested in the vacancy.
The following applicants were considered for appointment.
Andrew D'Amico, John Hill, and Curtis McPherson
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter.
There was none.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Kashifalghita, and unanimously carried to appoint Curtis McPherson to the Active Transportation Committee to complete the current term expiring on June 30, 2025.
Planning Commission Community Development Director Scherer reported on the Vacancy Appointments Planning Commission vacancy appointments. He stated that the Planning Commission currently has two seats to fill based on expired terms. Ten applicants were interviewed by the City Council on July 26, 2023, and the selection of appointments was continued to September 5, 2023, so that all Council Members can be present.
The following applicants were considered for appointments.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 9.
Danita Beauchamp Cynthia Gabaldon
Robert Carder Geoffrey Grund
Keny Chang LD Johnson
Niki Diekmann Jarrod Palmer
Erin Duffy Henry Saucedo
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment on this matter
There was none.
It was moved by Lau, seconded Johnson, and unanimously
carried to appoint Erin Duffy to the Planning Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2027.
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Johnson, and carried Pya note Commi on to ter exting june 0 orang to the
City Manager Domer stated since Mr. Chang is on LV Measure Oversight Committee he will have to resign.
Mayor Hepburn thanked all the applicants that applied and encourage them to continue to seek to serve on other City committees.
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 meeting.)
John Wilson, La Verne resident, reported that there are construction problems at White and Bonita Avenues and he spoke of two recent major accidents at Fulton and Arrow Highway.
Daniel Bringhurst, Euergetes Group President, spoke about Federal funding and affordable housing. (Emailed public comment attached.)
Joe Gabaldon, La Verne resident, thanked City Manager Domer for his prompt and through responses to his questions. He felt that more detail should be provided when advertising commission and committees vacancies. He also did not like how the process for appointments were conducted at tonight's meeting.
City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Page 10.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Below are only partial Council comments, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Lau reported that it was "Suicide Prevention" Month and she spoke about the services provided by Tri-City Mental Health Services to help individuals who are thinking about suicide.
Council Member Johnson thanked Public Works Director McWade and City Engineer Howing for a walk-through meeting pertaining to issues in his district.
Council Member Kashifalghita reported receiving complaints pertaining to signal problems at Baseline Road and Emerald Avenue.
Council Member Crosby spoke about the vital services provided by Meals on Wheels. He also reported on the Library Commission Meeting, the CA Joint Powers Insurance Authority conference he attended and on the Christmas Morning Event survey on the City's website.
Mayor Hepburn thanked the City Council for covering for him at the last meeting when he was on vacation. He thanked staff for the great job they did in preparing for the recent hurricane/storm. He spoke about Baseline Road especially the curve and accidents at that location.
City Manager Domer reported that the traffic signal at the intersection of Wheeler and Baseline was out due to a power outage. He stated he will be looking into a battery back-up and changing the City's policy pertaining to putting out stop signs at intersections during a power outage. He stated that there will be a study on the Christmas Morning Event survey results and possibly a study session on Baseline Road especially where the street curves in the future.
Adjournment at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ompe shaeta Estrella
Lupe Gaeta Estrella
Assistant City Clerk