LAVERNE MINUTES OF A CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA VERNE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 4, 2024
SINCE 1906
ACTION MINUTES
"see items in italics"
CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 p.m. - Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita, Council Member Steven Frank Johnson, Council Member Rick Crosby, Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Lau, and Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members present: Hepburn, Crosby, Johnson, Kashifalghita
Absent: Lau
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Ken Domer, Assistant City Manager JR Ranells and City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment: There was none.
City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow read the closed session items into the record, and stated there might be a report after closed session.
The City Council will meet in a Closed Session for the following:
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Public Employee Appointment, Pursuant to Government Code § 54957:
Title: Chief of Police
2. 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, La Verne Firefighters Association, La Verne Police Middle
Management Association, La Verne Police Officers'
Association; and all Unrepresented Employees.
The Council recessed to Closed Session.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 p.m. - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by Acting Police Chief Sam Gonzalez.
ROLL CALL Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita, Council Member Steven Frank Johnson, Council Member Rick Crosby, Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Lau, and Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members present: Hepburn, Crosby, Johnson, Kashifalghita
Absent: Lau
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Ken Domer, Assistant City Manager JR Ranells, and City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow.
PRESENTATIONS - None
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
(Any person who wishes to make a brief announcement of a future community event that is open to the public may do so at thistime.)
Announcements were received from:
Ron Fuentes, Chamber of Commerce representative announced Community Yard Sale and the Health and Fitness event on Saturday, April 6, from 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.
Sherry Best, LV Historical Society President, announced the upcoming presentation at Hillerest, on March 11 at 7:00 p.m. on the Life of Indigenous Persons during the Spanish Mission System. She shared other events also.
Raymond Swain, La Verne resident commented on the insurance industry changes.
Yvonne Gallegos announced the CASI meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. in the Citrus Room at Hillcrest.
Mayor Hepburn commented on the current issues with the insurance industry.
Danita Beauchamp, La Verne resident, announced the opening day of Little League, on Saturday, March 9 at 8:00 a.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items on the Consent Calendar are routine and will be enacted by one motion unless a member of the City Council or member of the audience requests separate discussion.) It was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita, and carried by a vote of 4-0, with Lau absent, to accept, approve or act on the Consent Calendar items.
1. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of the regular City Council meeting of February 20, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. REGISTER OF AUDITED DEMANDS for the following dates and amounts:
$1,405,189.06 dated February 14, 2024
$327,208.55 dated February 21, 2024
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the Register of Audited Demands.
Approved
3. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S 2023 REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH STATE INSPECTION MANDATES - In accordance with Senate Bill 1205 (SB1205) all fire departments, within the State of California, annually inspect buildings, public or private, that are utilized as a school, hotel, motel, lodging house, apartment house, and certain residential care facilities and report out annually to its administering authority its compliance.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING
RECIEPT OF A REPORT MADE BY THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE LA VERNE FIRE
DEPARTMENT'S REQUIREMENT TO INSPECT CERTAIN OCCUPANCIES PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13146.2 AND 13146.3 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE." Approved
4. MOTOROLA RADIO UPGRADE - The La Verne Police Department's radio system is in need of an upgrade in order to communicate with the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS), a county-wide radio system. The Department's radios are upgradeable, and this item will utilize asset forfeiture funds to complete the task.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 ADOPTED BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,907.03 WITHIN
THE ASSET FORFEITURE FUND AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF MOTOROLA RADIO UPGRADES. Approved
OTHER MATTERS
5. RENEWAL OF GENERAL SERVICES AGEEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - The current General Services Agreement between the City of La Verne and the County of Los Angeles will expire on June 30, 2024. The approval of this agreement will extend services for a period of five years, through June 30, 2029, thereby allowing the City to contract with the County for various services, if needed.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve a General Services Agreement between the City of La Verne and the County of Los Angeles.
City Manager Domer reported on the General Services Agreement with LA County, highlighting some of the items covered under this agreement, such as weed abatement, and LA County Fire dispatch services, it also allows us to take advantage of other Council Member Johnson asked about the red lined version of this agreement.
City Manager Domer clarified what some of the changes were, such as standard indemnification language to reflect law changes.
City Attorney Hall Barlow clarified no red lined version was received; however, this version was thoroughly reviewed, and they were satisfied with it.
Mayor Hepburn asked about what we spent on services, so residents can be aware of what we spend monies on.
City Manager Domer clarified the most expensive item on the agreement is the dispatch services at about $160,000 which would have been paid in other ways. Elections are also included during an election year which is $60-$90 thousand that year. We also have water property that we pay property taxes on. Health permits is another service they provide. The total spent was $341,000 with $156,000 for dispatch services, $60,000 for the election, $77,000 for weed abatement, with the remainder of services being under $10,000 for miscellaneous services.
Mayor Hepburn commented on the matrix provided.
City Manager Domer clarified what some of the items on the matrix were and the timeframe required to submit the agreement to the County for the July I start date. The agreement will be brought back at the March 18 meeting, under other matters or consent depending on the Council's preference.
Council agreed the agreement should be brought back under other matters, for possible additional discussion.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment: the following comments were received.
Danita Beauchamp asked for clarification on industrial waste services and taxes going to the county.
Mayor Hepburn called for a continuation to March 18 for this item.
Mayor Hepburn asked Fire Chief Nigg to speak on the Fire Wise Community Program Chief Nigg gave a brief overview of the program. The Fire Wise Program will be placed on the agenda for a future meeting as a presentation.
6. SWORN EMPLOYEE FIREARMS PROGRAM - The La Verne Police Department proposes the introduction of the Sworn Employee Firearms Program (SEFP). This initiative is developed to empower full-time sworn officers to acquire personally preferred, Department-approved handguns for on-duty use. The two components to the program include the Sworn Employee Handgun Purchase Program (SEHPP), and the New Employee Equipment Program (NEEP)
RECOMMENDATION: that the La Verne City Council approve the implementation of the Sworn Employee Firearms Program, which includes both the Sworn Employee Handgun Purchase Program and the New Employee Equipment Program.
Lieutenant Cory Leeper presented this item to Council, giving an overview of the program and the benefits to La Verne Police Officers.
Council discussion:
Council Member Crosby asked if there was an approved list, to be used to purchase a gun.
Lt. Leeper explained that the range master was the authority and would authorize the purchase.
Council Member Johnson asked if there was a standard size caliber for these guns, so partners could potentially share ammunition.
Lt. Leeper clarified sharing of ammunition is not an opportunity that normally arises during shooting situations.
Lt. Leeper also stated this type of program is a huge morale boost for the officers, this tells them that the Council supports them by agreeing to the right equipment.
Mayor Hepburn called for public comment. Comments were received from the following:
Danita Beauchamp, asked about the loaner program liability and how that could factor in if a potential worker's comp situation arises, and mentioned the weapons swat carries.
Mayor Hepburn called Lt. Leeper forward to answer the question regarding liability.
Due to the standards set, for shooting protocols, and firearms training and with the certification of the weapon by the armor, there is no liability, unless they go outside of those set parameters.
City Attorney Hall Barlow agreed liability does not change under this program, and clarified there was no additional workmen's compensation liability associated with this program.
Lt. Leeper also spoke to the comment regarding the swat weapons, clarifying the weapons that swat carry are the same ones that officers carry on patrol.
Mayor Hepburn called for a motion: It was moved Kashifalghita and seconded by Crosby and approved by a vote of 4-0 with Lau absent to approve the implementation of the Sworn Employee Firearms Program, which includes both the Sworn Employee Handgun Purchase Program and the New Employee Equipment Program.
PUBLIC COMMENT
(Below are only partial public comments, please visit the City's website to view the archived Council meeting.)
Mayor Hepburn called for public comments:
The following attendees provided comments to the Council: Danita Beauchamp, Joe Gabaldon, and Greg Ojeda.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Hepburn called for Council comments:
Council Member Crosby encouraged all to vote. He participated in the Foothill Transit Bus Rodeo, driving the new zero emissions hydrogen bus, and inquired why the CASI meetings were not on the agenda on the upcoming meetings and events page.
Council Member Kashifalghita is looking forward to the Fire Wise Program and resident engagement with the fire department, also possibly having a meeting and expanding the community outreach. More information can be found at www.nfpa.org.
He will not be attending the Little League Opening Day due to his military orders.
Council Member Johnson exercised his constitutional rights and voted. He will be attending the Little League Opening Day event.
Mayor Hepburn will not be at the Little League Opening Day due to his trip to Washington D.C. representing the San Gabriel Council of Governments, meeting on various programs and the upcoming budget changes which will be difficult for all as funding has been cut to multiple programs. The Mayor also voted, per his constitutional rights and encouraged all to vote.
City Manager Domer explained City Hall will be closed for one day, while staff is moved to accommodate the construction within City Hall to make the countertops ADA accessible. City Hall will re-open once the staff has been relocated to the Council Chamber, and services will continue as usual. The construction will provide ADA accessible countertops in the Water-Customer Service, Public Works, Finance, Community Development and Administration areas. Residents can reach us by phone and also by using the mobile app, LaVerneLink, available 24/7. Other items constructions has started at Las Flores Park for the Pickle Ball courts, and the improvement to the swimming pool deck: this project is in partnership with the University of La Verne and Bonita Unified School District, we greatly appreciate these partnerships which help keep this asset great.
Mayor Hepburn also commented on the current installation of the new playground equipment at Lowel Brandt Park, and thanked Community Services.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Aleka trity
Debra Fritz
Deputy City Clerk