CITY OF LA VERNE
MINUTES OF A JOINT STUDY SESSION, REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING & CLOSED SESSION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
ACTION MINUTES
"see items in italics"
JOINT STUDY SESSION - 5:30 PM - Meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita, Council Member Rick Crosby, Council Member Wendy Lau, 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, City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
Planning Commissioner Erin Duffy, Planning Commissioner Jeremy Conrad, Planning Commissioner Keny Chang, Vice Chair Thomas Allison, and Chairperson Jason Simison.
Planning Commissioners present: Duffy, Chang, and Allison.
Absent: Simison and Conrad.
STUDY SESSION TOPIC - GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
De Novo Planning Group, the City's General Plan consultant, will provide a presentation on the City's General Plan Update. The presentation will include a summary of the public outreach program, al verview of the proposed General Plan Policy Document including key goals, policies, and actions, summary of the environmental review process, and direction for how the public can provide comments which are due to City Staff in writing by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 23, 2024.
Amanda Tropiano from the DeNovo Group provided an update on the City's General Plan.
Council & Planning Commissioner Comments: Council Member Crosby and Planning Commissioner Allison.
Public Comments: Comments were received from Sherry Best and Cynthia Gabaldon.
The City Council recessed at 6:18 PM and will reconvene at 6:30 PM for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Minutes City Council 9/16/2024 Page 2
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - JOSEPH MAGALLANES, SSG, E-6 ARMY Council presented Joseph with a Pride of La Verne certificate.
ROLL CALL Council Member Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita, Council Member Rick Crosby, Council Member Wendy Lau, 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, City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
PRESENTATION - SGVCOG UPDATE
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) will provide an overview of their latest programs and milestones and provide a sneak peek at what's on the horizon for the next year. The presentation will be led by Executive Director Marisa Creter.
Executive Director Creter and Senior Project Manager Beshay, provided Council with an overview of recent programs.
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.)
Fire Chief Nigg gave a status update on the Bridge Fire.
Crystal Chumley, Regional Administrator with Los Angeles County Library announced the appointment of Adrian Romero as the new Library Manager.
Adrian Romero then announced upcoming library events.
CONSENT CALENDAR
(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 Crosby, and seconded by Lau, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
3. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting of September 3, 2024.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes of the September 3, 2024 meeting. Approved
4. Register of Audited Demands in the following amounts:
Fiscal Year 2023-2024
$172,375.94 dated 08/28/24
Minutes City Council 9/16/2024 Page 3
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
$2,537,496.65 dated 08/28/24
$180,308.14 dated 09/04/24
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Registers of Audited Demands. Approved
5. Professional Services Agreement with LSA Associates, INC. for the Hillcrest Gateway Project CEQA The City proposes to utilize the services of LSA Associates as an independent contractor for CEQA services related to the Hillcrest Gateway Project.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Professional Service Agreement with LSA Associates, Inc. to perform CEQA services related to the Hillcrest Gateway Project. Approved
6. Lease Agreement for Warehouse Pizza Patio Since 1994, Warehouse Pizza, located at 2340 D Street, has leased the area of the restaurant's outdoor patio from the City. The most recent 10- year lease agreement expired on July 1, 2024. As the City is currently reviewing our policy on leasing space in Old Town La Verne, staff has prepared a one-year agreement until further direction from the City Council is provided later this year.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a one-year lease agreement with Warehouse Pizza for the continued use of the outdoor patio. Approved
7. Appropriation for Evaluation and Action Plan for the Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District The City released a Request For Proposals (RFP) to firms to evaluate the Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District (District) and make recommendations on how to improve and help to grow the District. A joint proposal from Community Strong Strategies and Civitas has been identified as the one with the most experience in this field and was the most cost-effective. The District's Advisory Board has recommended that the City and the District share the cost of the analysis.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a resolution titled, "RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ADOPTED BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,700 WITHIN THE OLD TOWN LA
VERNE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE EVALUATION AND ACTION PLAN OF THE DISTRICT." Approved
8. Resolution Authorizing Ability to File Grant Applications for Measure A Funding for Projects and Programs This item seeks consideration of a resolution approving the blanket authority for Staff to file applications for grant funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Measure A Funding of Projects and Programs.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution titled, "RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE BLANKET
AUTHORITY TO FILE APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS." Approved
9. Conflict of Interest Code Resolution Every two years, the City of La Verne is required to review its Conflict of Interest Code to determine if any changes are necessary. Staff consulted with the City Attorney and Department Directors to determine necessary amendments to the list of designated filers and this item makes those changes.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A STANDARDIZED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE." Approved Minutes City Council 9/16/2024 Page 4
10. Resetting the Time and Date for Public Hearing Regarding the Request for Time Extension on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82001(500 Baseline Road) Resetting the Time and Date for Public Hearing Regarding Consideration of Time Extension to VTTM No. 82001
Recommendation: That the City Council set the public hearing for consideration of the requested extension for Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82001 to occur at 6:30 PM on October 7, 2024. Approved
OTHER MATTERS
11. Resolution Approving a Class Specification and Salary for Police Captain With the recent retirement of the City's Police Captain, a compensation and job analysis has been completed resulting in a recommendation to update both the salary and job classification for the position. Additionally, the Police Captain classification is being moved into the La Verne Police Middle Management Association to be in line with similarly classed employees and area departments.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the attached Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CLASS SPECIFICATION AND SALARY FOR POLICE CAPTAIN."
HR Analyst Rodriguez reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments: None
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Johnson, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
12. Modification of the City's Purchasing Policy for Federal Procurement Standards and Public Projects The City Council is being asked to consider updates to the purchasing policy to align approval thresholds with federal procurement standards under the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 200, affecting all federally funded purchases and to align Public Project approval thresholds with the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. These changes aim to streamline processes while maintaining City Council budget controls.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the proposed modifications to the City's purchasing policy aligning approval thresholds for federally funded purchases with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200 and Public Project approval thresholds with the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act.
Finance Director Lopez reported on this item.
Public Comments: Eli Tirado made comments.
Council Comments: Council Member Crosby commented on the large amounts, that they have already been approved, and appropriations are in place.
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Lau, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
Minutes City Council 9/16/2024 Page 5
13. Purchase Agreement for Property Located at 1816 First Street and 1822 First Street Utilizing Affordable Housing Funds The City is proposing to purchase two properties with affordable housing funds located at 1816 and 1822 First Street. The property had been the subject of the code enforcement process and receivership. This action will purchase the property for eventual development and improvement to the surrounding neighborhood.
Recommendation: That the City Council approved the purchase agreement for the properties at 1816 and 1822 First Street, authorize the City Manager to execute applicable documents, and approve a Resolution appropriating $440,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund (Fund 226).
City Manager Domer reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments: Mayor Pro Tem Johnson ask for clarification on who the funds for the purchase will go to, and Council Member Crosby received comments from residents thanking the City for making that area safer, they are looking forward to the planned improvements.
Mayor Hepburn echoes the comments, this property was an issue and thanked the Police Department and Attorney Amanda Pope was exceptional in assisting with this process.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
14. Resolution Ratifying Proclamation No. 24-XX Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency On September 11, 2024, the City Manager issued proclamation for a local emergency based on the existence of conditions of disaster or extreme peril caused by the "Bridges" wildfire. Per La Verne Municipal Code Section 2.56.050 A.1., the City Council shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force or effect.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING PROCLAMATION NO. 24-01 DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY." City Manager Domer reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments: Council Member Crosby asked for clarification on the seven day requirement, and thanked City Manager Domer and Fire Chief Nigg for all the efforts to help recoup some of the funds. Mayor Hepburn agreed and stated recouping fund is extremely important.
It was moved by Lau, seconded by Kashifalghita, 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 Minutes City Council 9/16/2024 Page 6
comments.
Public Comments: Judith Tenenbaum from the League of Women Voters, Mount Baldy Area, and Carol Lee Marshall as the Observer for the La Verne City Council. Eli Tirado, Candidate for Bonita Unified School District. Doctor Mark Arvidson running for Area Five School Board Area, and Resident Miss Tyner.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Each Council Member may address the Council and public on 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: Council Member Lau thanked Fire Chief Nigg, Police Chief Gonzalez and City Manager Domer for the regular updates on everything and the social media posts to help assuage the concerns of citizens. October is Hispanic Heritage Month, it's a great month to remember some of the roots of our city. National Voter Registration Day is tomorrow, September 17th, information will be available thru the League of Women Voters and on the campus at ULV at designated booths.
ULV will be a voting center, opening four days before the election. On a sad note a senior at Los Osos unfortunately committed suicide, such a heartbreaking loss for all who knew her.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson appreciated the updates and texts on everything going on here with the different fires as he was out of town last week on a planned trip, our departments are amazing both Fire and Police.
Council Member Crosby announced that on September 28th Senator Rubio is doing the San Gabriel Valley Girls Summit at the Dougherty Performing Arts Center. Congratulated New Library Manager Adrian, also thanked everyone for the Study Session today, and encouraged the public to make comments in writing. The Autism Spectrum Athletics opening day will be October 6th at 2:00 PM for soccer and 3:00 PM for flag football. Due to family commitments, will miss the next two council meetings, and on October 9th thru 12th will be attending the JPIA Risk Management Conference.
Council Member Kashifalghita thanked our first responders and our City staff working diligently to keep everybody safe and getting the message out there, thank you Mayor for giving out information to everybody. Special shout out to honor our Hispanic Heritage Month and if you have a need for some mosquito fish the Vector Control Board would love to share those with anyone that has a pond, and lastly Happy Birthday to Mayor Pro Tem Johnson.
Mayor Hepburn appreciates the kudos on the Minute with the Mayor videos as we strived to keep everyone informed. We have a very collaborative council, great city management, great directors and Chiefs, thank you all for the tremendous job protection our City. Stay prepared, and diligent.
Thank you to all the resident for the support.
The Mayor recessed the meeting to closed session. City Attorney Hall-Barlow read the closed session items into the record. There will be no report out after closed session.
CLOSED SESSION - EXISTING LITIGATION
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). (3 cases)
Minutes City Council 9/16/2024 Page 7
• California Rifle & Pistol Association, Incorporated, et al., V. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, et al., Case No. 2:23-cv-10169-SPG-ADS,
• SCE v. California State Board of Equalization, et al. Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01403215-CU-MC-CXC, and
• SCE v. California State Board of Equalization, et al. Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2023-01328239-CU-MC-CXC.
• City of Whittier, et al. vs. Los Angeles Superior Court, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 23STCP03579.
ADJOURNMENT - at 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Fritz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk