CITY OF LA VERNE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024
ACTION MINUTES
"see items in italics"
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 6:34 pm PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ADRIAN ROMERO, ARMY SPECIALIST E-4 Council presented Adrian with a Pride of La Verne certificate.
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: Lau, Johnson, and Hepburn.
Absent: Crosby and Kashifalghita.
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Ken Domer, City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
Introduction to University of La Verne Interim President Risa Dickson. Risa Dickson, PhD, brings nearly three decades of experience in higher education, and 25 years of higher education administrative experience. Throughout her career, Dr. Dickson has focused on fostering collaborative governance, strategic planning, and academic excellence. Dr. Dickson joined the University as the interim provost in January.
Interim President Dickson introduced herself and gave a short presentation on ULV and her goals for the next 18 months until a new permanent president is installed.
Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans on the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson read the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation celebrating the contributions of Hispanic Americans specifically for the benefit of La Verne.
Fire Prevention Month Proclamation. Every year, October 2024 is recognized as National Fire Prevention month to raise fire safety awareness and help protect homes and families. The La Verne Fire Department works diligently to protect the community against potential wildfires and during this time will provide a few tips residents implement to prevent fires.
Fire Marshall Fred St. Ange received a proclamation on Fire Prevention Month and had an assist from Sparky to discuss the importance of smoke detectors and fire prevention in general. 2024 Pink Patch Project. The La Verne Police Department will present an overview of the Pink Patch initiative, covering its mission, objectives, and progress in promoting breast cancer awareness and how La Verne Police and other local agencies are participating in this life-saving campaign.
Police Community Services Supervisor Hollie Savage presented on the Police Department's Pink Patch Project. This project creates a new, pink themed police patch each year that sells for $10 with proceeas going to support breast cancer awareness. Firefighter Kenny Villasenor presented on the Fire Associations T-Shirt sales to support breast cancer awareness. T-shirts are $25.
Police Department Promotions. The Police Department has recently promoted several employees to fill existing vacancies after the retirement of employees. These employees include Lieutenant Jay Alvarado, Corporal Alan Weinreb, Corporal Julian Silva, Police Support Services Manager Rebekah Biedermann, Police Services Technician Alyssa Cortez, and Management Analyst Yasmin Potts.
Police Chief Gonzalez announced newly promoted Police employees.
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.)
Mayor Hepburn announced that the Community Survey is now available online to gauge community satisfaction and assist with the upcoming 2025 Strategic Planning process, we want your voice to be heard from now until October 25th residents can share their thoughts on what's most important. He also announced the raffle winner from the first group that submitted surveys.
Announcements were received from: Adrian Romero, La Verne Librarian, Barbara Smythe, Yvonne Gallegos, Vice Chair of the Cultural Awareness and Social Inclusion Committee, Sherry Best, President of the La Verne Historical Society, Brittany Allison, VP for the La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation, Residents Rick Bowen and Danita Beauchamp.
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 Lau, seconded by Johnson, and approved by a vote of 3-0, with Crosby and Kashifalghita absent.
6. City Council Minutes of the Joint Study Session, Regular Council Meeting & Closed Session of September 16, 2024.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes of the September 16, 2024, meeting. Approved
7. Register of Audited Demands in the following amounts:
$2,528,414.46 dated 09/11/24
$443,385.88 dated 09/18/24
$3,541,927.88 dated 09/25/24
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Registers of Audited Demands. Approved
8. Cooperative Agreement between the City of Pomona and City of La Verne for Maintenance of Two Traffic Signals on Fulton Road at Arrow Highway and on Fulton Road at Railroad Tracks Approval of the Cooperative Maintenance Agreement between Cities of Pomona and La Verne which outlines each City's responsibility for traffic signal maintenance and future improvements of two shared intersections at Fulton Road and Railroad Tracks and Fulton Road and Arrow Highway.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the attached "Cooperative Agreement between City of Pomona and City of La Verne for the Maintenance of Two Traffic Signals on Fulton Road at Arrow Highway and at Railroad Tracks" and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any necessary amendments or documents related to the implementation of the Agreement. Approved
9. Award of Contract to MMC Inc, in the amount of $204,000, for Booster Pump Upgrade Zone 3 to Zone 4 This action awards a construction contract to MMC Incorporated in the amount of $204,000 with funding in the FY 24/25 Approved CIP "Booster Pump Upgrade - Zone 3 to Zone 4" Project WT2403. The purpose of this booster pump project is to improve current pumping infrastructure to provide increased water reliability during the Water - Plateau Summit Pipeline Replacement Project.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Award a public works construction contract to MMC Incorporated, the lowest, most responsible bidder, in the amount of $204,000 for the Booster Pump Upgrade - Zone 3 to Zone 4 (Proj. No. WT2403); and
2. Authorize staff to issue change orders not exceeding 10% of the construction budget for a total possible cost of $224,400.
The recommendations above were both approved.
10. Rejection of Proposals for Video Management Systems The Police Department has an outdated video management system and plans to replace by using federal grant funding. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued, resulting in eight submissions. Based on the proposals received, the City has determined a need to narrow down the scope of work, including the specification of equipment type that best meets the existing facilities at the Police Department and federal requirements related to the federal grant funding.
Recommendation: That the City Council reject all submitted proposals for the Video Management Systems RFP. Approved
11. League of California Cities General Assembly Meeting Voting Delegates The League of California Cities requests the selection of one delegate to vote on behalf of the City at the General Assembly Meeting. It is recommended that the City Council designate Mayor Tim Hepburn as the voting delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Steve Johnson as the alternate voting delegate. The selection must be appointed by the City Council.
Recommendation: That the City Council appoint Mayor Tim Hepburn to represent the City of La Verne as the voting delegate for the League of California Cities General Assembly Meeting and Mayor Pro Tem Steve Johnson as the alternate. Approved
PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. Public Hearing Regarding the Request for Time Extension on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82001 (500 Baseline Road) On September 17, 2024, the City Council set a public hearing for October 7, 2024, to consider a one-year time extension to Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) No. 82001.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a resolution titled "A Resolution of The City Council, City of La Verne, California, Granting a Time Extension to Vesting Tentative Tract (VTTM) Map No. 82001 Pursuant to the Provisions of the Title 7, Division 2, Chapter 3, of the Government Code of the State of California, establishing the new expiration date of the VTT No 82001 as November 3, 2025.
City Engineer Cody Howing reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments: None
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved by a vote of 3-0, with Crosby and Kashifalghita absent.
OTHER MATTERS
13. Award Construction Contract, in the amount of $3,110,000, to MR Construction for Plateau Summit Water Pipeline This action will award a construction contract to MR Construction in the amount of $3,110,000 for the Plateau Summit Water Transmission Pipeline Replacement Project, Proj. No. WT2301. The purpose of the project is to replace approximately 2,000' of 16" riveted steel transmission mainline that has reached its functional life span.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Award a public works construction contract to MR Construction Incorporated, the lowest, most responsible bidder, in the amount of $3,110,000 for the Plateau Summit Water Transmission Pipeline Replacement Project (Proj. No. WT2301) and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and
2. Authorize staff to issue change orders not exceeding 15% of the construction budget for a total possible construction cost of $3,576,500.
Acting Utilities Manager Ryan Ciotti reported on this item.
Public Comment: Danita Beauchamp
Council Comments: Mayor Hepburn ask for clarification on MNR Construction, since we have not used them in the past, were we comfortable with them, since there is quite a difference in price. We're comfortable and confident that MN at this price will deliver the project.
Public Works Director McWade, yes they were fully vetted, and every single price point was reviewed.
Council Member Lau ask about the 90 day timeline, is it from when the boosters come in or when the booster stations are complete?
Public Works Director McWade, it's a combination of both. We will move forward on the booster pump as that will help the system be able to serve water to Zone 5. As long as the procurement timelines line up, it'll be 90 days.
Mayor Hepburn asked, just to confirm there will be no disruption of water service to the community up there.
Public Works Director McWade, stated that yes, that is our goal.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson inquired on the pressure on the pipes.
Public Works Director McWade, 220 psi at the bottom, that is what the pressure is today.
It was moved by Lau, seconded by Johnson, and approved by a vote of 3-0, with Crosby and Kashifalghita absent.
14. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Update to Administrative Regulation 215, Investment Policy and Allow for the Investment of monies into California Class Prime Fund. Adoption of a resolution updating the City's Investment Policy to include the California CLASS Prime Fund, a local government investment pool, as an allowable investment option.
This change aims to diversify the City's portfolio, optimize interest earnings, and maintain fund safety and liquidity. Approval of this resolution will allow the City to begin investing in the fund, which is already utilized by other government entities, as detailed in the attached report.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT
AND FILING OF THE CITY'S INVESTMENT POLICY FOR PUBLIC FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE INVESTMENT OF MONIES IN THE CALIFORNIA CLASS PRIME FUND." Finance Director Christy Lopez reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments: Mayor Hepburn commented on the pro and cons of this investment fund.
Council Member Lau ask how often the fund will be looked at, quarterly, what are you anticipating the process for handling this type of fund.
Finance Director Lopez explained it will be based on cash needs. This gives us the opportunity to place funds into different things depending on what the returns are. While ensuring we are earning as much as we can on our funds. Also, through out the process, we are still advised by Schuster Financial.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson, stated his concerns have been addressed.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved by a vote of 3-0, with Crosby and Kashifalghita absent.
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 from: Peter Hildalgo, Trustee of Mount San Antonio College.
Brittany Allison, Ralph Beltran, and Richard Bowen.
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 were received from: Council Member Lau attended Senator Rubio's annual Women Inspiring the next Generation of Sisterhood event, and the Pet Depot 20th Anniversary event, the turnout was great. The K-9 Foundation was there, with food trucks and a young entrepreneur, 10 years old, selling homemade dog toys, and flavored doggie bubbles. October is the month of everything, Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, House of Ruth is looking for donations. University of La Verne is having Homecoming, and a street Faire, come out and meet some great students.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnson its time to vote, it's very important, it's a very important process, please exercise your right.
Mayor Hepburn, yes you've got to vote, it's very important. Vendor Fair at Heritage Park, Saturday, October 12th. Let's help the victims of the storms in Florida, go to the Red Cross website and donate if you can. They need our support, whatever we can do as a community, let's do it.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment in Memory of Robert Paul Brannon. Robert was born on April 17, 1956, in Coronado North Island of San Diego County, his parents moved several times before settling in Norwalk, where he graduated from Dominguez High School and immediately joined the U.S. Navy.
He served as a firefighter on the battleship Enterprise during the Vietnam War. After his commitment in the military, he left the service to pursue his college education and subsequently a career in architectural design drafting and computer-aided design drafting, as well as raising a family.
In 2017, he graduated from La Verne CERT training and ascended to a Level 2 which holds the responsibilities of being a part of the activation and deployment team in the event of an emergency. He had an incredible sense of humor which carried him through happy and difficult times in his life. Always the first responder at heart, whether it was a stray dog, an accident on the street, or a person in need he always stepped in to help. He loved the community of La Verne and was happy to live here for almost 10 years.
Robert passed away on August 23, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Hanna, and numerous immediate family members. He will be missed forever.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
libera Anity
Debra Fritz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk