MINUTES OF A CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR
MEETING OF THE LA VERNE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
ACTION MINUTES
see items in italics"
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL Council Member Meshal " Kash" Kashifalghita, Council Member Wendy Lau, Council Member Rick Crosby, Mayor Pro Tem Steven F. Johnson, and Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members present: Crosby, Kashifalghita, Lau, Johnson, and Hepburn.
Absent: None
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Ken Domer, Deputy City Attorney Rosemary Koo, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Labor Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: Negotiators:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Deputy 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.
Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation pursuant to California Government Code section Cal. Gov't Code section 54956.9(d)(1) — Six ( 6) cases:
Asemota v. City of La Verne, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24STCV08598, and Ramirez v. City of La Verne, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24PSCV00767, and Ruiz v. City of La Verne, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23PSCV02495, and Smith v. City of La Verne, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 2:23-cv-00644-JAK-2, and Guerrero v. City of La Verne, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 2:23-cv-00644-JAK-E, and Hunt v. City of La Verne, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 21STCV43996.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1). Name of Case: City of Whittier, et al. v. Los Angeles County Superior Court, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 23STCP03579.
The City Council will recess and reconvene at 6:30 PM for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Mayor Hepburn recessed the meeting to closed session.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - RECONVENED AT 6:33 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - DAVID ALVARADO, ARMY E-4
MINUTES City Council 9/3/2024 Page 2
Council presented Mr. Alvarado with a Pride of La Verne ificate and thanked him ; for is service.
ROLL CALL Council Member Meshal " Kash" Kashifalghita, Council Member Wendy Lau, Council Member Rick Crosby, Mayor Pro Tem Steven F. Johnson, and Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members present: Crosby, Kashifalghita, Lau, Johnson, and Hepburn.
Absent: None
Advisory Staff City Manager Ken Dourer, Deputy City Attorney Rose ry Koo, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Emergency Preparedness Month. Each September, National Preparedness Month is recognized to promote disaster and emergency planning, emphasizing the need to strengthen community resilience. This observance serves as a crucial reminder for residents to stay informed and be better equipped to handle emergencies.
Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Specialist Lonnie Shipman received the Emergency Preparedness Month Proclamation.
3. RSVP Recognition. Three of La Verne's Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol ( RSVP) members will be honored for their years of service. Marlou Faustini, Norm Faustini and Mary Weston.
Council presented each RSVP member with a Pride of La Verne cert cate commey their many years of dedicated service
4. Suzanne Swank has volunteered her time for over 28 years, serving as a founding member of the La Verne Emergency Communications Team ( LECT) and as an RSVP for the La Verne Police Department.
Council presented Ms. Swank with a Pride of La Verne cert cute co me notating her many years of dedicated service to both LECT and as an RSVP member.
Police Department Retirees. Two recent retirees will be honored, Sergeant Martin Weinreb retired on May 2, 2024, after over 29 years of dedicated service to the City of La Verne, and Management Analyst Dawn Finn retired from the La Verne Police Department on June 29, 2024, after a distinguished career spanning over 35 years.
Council presented both retirees with Pride of La Verne certificates honoring their years of dedicated service to the City.
Police Chief Gonzalez presented both with retirement g fts.
The City Council took at brief recess at 7:21 pm and reconvened at 7:4 pm.
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 this time_)
MINUTES City Counci 0) 2024 Page 3
Announcements were received from: Sherry Best, La Verne 1 Gallegos, and Adrian Romero, La Verne Library Director.
CONSENT CALENDAR
toric Society President, Yvonne
All items on the Consent Calendar are routine and will be enacted by one motion unless a member of the Council or member of the audience requests separate discussion.) It was moved by Johnson and seconded by Lau and approved by a 5-0 vote.
6. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting of August 5, 2024.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes of the August 5, 2024 meeting,
7. Register of Audited Demands in the following amounts:
Fiscal Year 2023-24
1,351,576.74 dated 07/31/24
294,813.91 dated 08/07/24
83,705.48 dated 08/14/24
38,128.53 dated 08/21/24
Fiscal Year 2024-25
3,069,271.91 dated 07/24/24
515,113.78 dated 07/31/24
2,334,193.35 dated 08/07/24
1,987,541.49 dated 08/14/24
471,376.63 dated 08/21/24
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Registers of Audited Demands Approved.
8. Fiscal Year - End Budget Adjustment. This report seeks City Council approval of year-end budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2023-24, including a $ 473,680 increase in expenditures across various funds ( excluding the General Fund) and a $ 1,304,550 increase in interfund transfers. These adjustments align the budget with concurrent financial activities.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a resolution titled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 ADOPTED BUDGET TO ADJUST FOR THE YEAR-END BUDGET CHANGES." Approved
Purchase of Electronic Surveillance Collection System and Maintenance Agreement for LA Clear. This item seeks approval for the sole source procurement of a lawful intercept collection system from Gladiator Forensics LLC. The total estimated cost of the new system for year one is $ 396,250, and year two $ 70,650 for a total two-year cost of $ 466,900. The City of La Verne will act as the fiduciary for this procurement and there is no utilization of City General Funds.
Recommendation: That the City Council, acting as the fiduciary to LA CLEAR, authorize the City Manager to approve the sole source procurement and purchase of a new lawful, intercept collection system from Gladiator Forensics LLC for an estimatedcost of $ 466,900. Approved
10. Return as Late Claim(s) - Noble - Related to Property Conditions at 2118 and 2120 5th Street. City Council is requested to return as late six ( 6) claims related to a tenant dispute in which the tenants allege that the City, and any and all employees, acted with malice, oppression, and fraud over the course of time in which the tenants, parties to a civil action to MINUTES City Council 91'3/2024 Page 4
vacate the residence, eventually agreed through the private court action to vacate the residence in question.
Recommendation: That the City Council return as late all six ( 6) claims for damages from Noble, Benjamin; Noble, Cindy; Noble, Oliver; Noble, Thomas; Noble, Wayne; and Orroyo Noble), Natalie, received by the City on August 12, 2024. Approved
11. Setting Time and Date for Public Hearing Regarding the Request for Time Extension on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No 82001 ( 500 Baseline 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 north-east of the intersection of Baseline Road and Rodeo Lane into nine lots. The applicant has requested a second one-year extension of the VTTM as allowed in Section 66452.6 of the Subdivision Map Act. Pursuant to City Code Section
16.16.210, the City Council may consider granting the requested extension duringa noticed public hearing,
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution and set a public hearing for consideration of the requested extension to occur at 6:30 PM on September 16, 2024.
Approved
12. Award of Contract for the Public Safety Building Site Improvement Project. This action will award a construction contract to Oppenheimer National in the amount of $ 178,813.20 for the Public Safety Building Site Improvement Project, for a total cost of $ 196,694.52. The project is budgeted in Fiscal Year ( FY) 24-25 for the modification of the existing secured parking area wall, related site improvements, and gate enhancements.
Recommendation: That the City Council award a public works construction contract to Oppenheimer National, the lowest, most responsible bidder, in the amount of $ 178,813.20 for the Public Safety BuildingSite Improvement Project and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to issue change orders not exceeding 10% of the construction budget for a total possible construction contract cost of $ 196,694.52. Approved
OTHER MATTERS
13. Ad Hoc Water and Sewer Rate Study Committee Member Selection. Following the approval of the Ad Hoc Water and Sewer Rate Study Committee at the July 1 City Council Meeting, applications were open for residents to apply through Thursday, August 15. At the close of the application period, eight (8) applications were received. Each City Council member will directly appoint an individual, for a total of five ( 5), to the committee.
Recommendation: That the City Council appoint ( 5) individuals, via direct appointment by each Council member, to the Ad Hoc Water and Sewer Rate Study Committee.
City Manager Dourer explained the process for the appointments.
Mayor Hepburn called for Public cornment: Comments were received from Cynthia Cabald .
Mayor Hepburn selected first: Richard Bowen
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson selected second: Daniel Smith
Council Member Kash selected third: Raymond Swank
Council Member Lau selected fourth: Jaime Riley
Council Member Crosby selected fifth: Danita Beauchamp
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The appointments of the five Ad Hoc members was moved by Johnson, seconded by Kashifalghita and approved by a vote of 5-0.
14. Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act ( Proposition 36) City Position.
The Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft Reduction Act ( Proposition 36), a state measure seeking to reform Proposition 47 by implementing various changes to existing laws including increased sentences for specific drug and theft - related offenses, was first introduced for discussion at the City Council meeting on August 5th and continued to allow for more resident input.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a resolution entitled " A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION, AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT." City Manager Romer reported on this item.
Mayor Hepburn culled for Public comment. Comments were received from Danita Beauchamp.
Council Comments: Council Member Crosby approves of this proposition.
Council Member Lau agrees, and thanked staff for providing the full report, and also thanked the Chief for taking the time to speak one on one regarding this item, for a better understand of the impacts and the potential consequences.
Council Member Kashifalghita gave a special shout out to all law enforcement agencies who work tirelessly to keep us safe and supports doing whatever we can to keep our City safe.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson supports this item.
Mayor Hepburn appreciated the outreach and the community involvement, and stated having a law in place that has consequences and can give the courts and our police officers the power to do their jobs, is the right thing to do, so our community, residents and businesses will feel safe, and our children.
It was moved by Crosby and seconded by Kashifalghita and approved with a vote of 5-0. 1 Incentive Program for Lateral Entry Police Officers. The Incentive Program for Lateral Entry Police Officers is designed to aid in the recruitment of qualified lateral police officers in the form of monetary and non - monetary forms of incentives.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager and Police Chief to update the incentive program to increase the amount of employee referral and lateral officer incentives.
Police Chief Gonzalez reported on th re
Mayor Hepburn callled for Public comment: Comments were receivedfro naDanita Beauchamp, Joe Gabaldon, and Harry Prentice, and Rick Bowen.
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After Council discussion, direction was given that will offer City employees a referral bonus up to $ 10,000 for referring a successful lateral police officer and up to $ 20,0©0 for a lateral officer incentive, based on program requirements.
It was move by Crosby, and seconded by Lau, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
16. Resolution Amending the Salary Schedule for Full - Time Employees. After discussion with representatives from the California Public Employees Retirement System, the City was advised to amend the salary schedule for full-time employees to eliminate confusion with the listing of both Police Lieutenant and Police Lieutenant with Compaction.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the attached Resolution titled, " A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES."
Assistant City Manager Ranells reported on this item.
Mayor Hepburn called for Public comment: There was none.
After Council discussion, this item was approved to amend a fall - time salary resolution correcting an item as request by CalPERS from a recent audit review. Meetings with the affected employee associations have been conducted on the CalPERS audit.
It was move by Lau, and seconded by Johnson, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time set aside for anyone wishing to address the City Council on items not listed in any other place on the agenda. Under the provisions of the Brown Act, the legislative body is prohibited from talking or engaging in discussion on any item not appearing on the posted agenda. However, your concerns may be referred to staff or set for discussion later. Please email your public comment to the City Clerk's Office at [email protected]. Your public comment will be shared with the City Council and included as part of the permanent record. There is a 3 -minute time limit on public comments.
Public comments were received fro T Wiliam Perry, Dave Bernard, Joe Gabaldon and Bonita Beauchamp.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Each Council Member may address the Council and public an matters of general information and/or concern. This is also the time for Council Members to report on conferences and/or meetings they have attended per Assembly Bill 1234.
Council comments were received from: Council Member Lau thanked all City staff and departments for the recent City events that, all went well. Congratulations to Captain Prows on his recent retirement. Tri-City Mental Health has a vacancy due to the recent move of Rimini Hundal to LA County, so f you know of anyone who would fit this role, let them, know.
Council Member Crosby appreciates the efforts to get the crosswalks near our school painted before the school year started. On October 6th, the new La Verne League for Autism Special Athletics is having their opening day at 2:00 PM.
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Council Member Kashifalglzita, shout out to all the families who have students going away to school, congratulations to them and their families. The Concert in the Park, The Answer was a huge success, it was really cool to see. Be careful with school back in session, lots of new drivers.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson, shout out to La Verne Church of the Brethren, and Hillcrest Homes.
Camp La Verne is a Brethren Youth Camp it's 100 years old, there was a celebration this weekend with a dinner up at the camp. Glad to hear White Avenue is being addressed.
Mayor Hepburn asked residents to please drive carefully as school is open. Thank you to the Public Works staff for taking care of the maintenance issues as some of our parks, including the weeds issue on Golden Hills. Insurance coverage continues to be an issue for our residents, would like the Insurance Commissioner and his staff to come back out to explain what they're doing to remedy this. Cooling Centers will be activated with the extreme heat, the hours are 8:00 AM till 6:00 PM Monday — Thursday and 8:00 AM till 4:00 PM on Fridays. Slow down, hydrate, take care of yourself and your neighbors, especially the elderly, and watch out for those kids and be safe out there in the heat.
ADJOURNMENT T - IN MEMORY OF ERNIE SILVA
Ernie, who was one of La Verne CERT's long-term members, recently passed away. Ernie was a very warm, caring, passionate and dedicated team member who was always willing to assist in outreach, events, and trainings. Ernie moved to La Verne in 1999 where he had been heavily involved in his local community. Being an Eagle Scout himself, he enjoyed participating in Eagle Scout Boards of Review. He served on the Damien High School Consultative Board and was a member and leader of the Shield Men's Ministry for Holy Name of Mary Parish. Ernie was a hospitality minister, Eucharistic minister, and lector. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Council and Assembly officer. Ernie graduated LV CERT basic training in 2017 and was a member since that time. Ernie spent his entire career in the aerospace and special mission aircraft industry, leaving an impressive legacy complete with highly decorated accolades.
Ernie is survived by his wife Elenor, his son Robert, and his lemon beagle, Argos. His presence will be greatly missed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Fritz
Deputy City Clerk