CITY OF LA VERNE
ERNE
MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION, REGULAR MEETING &
CLOSED SESSION OF THE LA VERNE CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025
ACTION MINUTES
"SEE ITALICS"
STUDY SESSION AGENDA - 4:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER - called to order at 4:34 PM
ROLL CALL Council Member Steven F. Johnson, Council Member Wendy Lau, Council Member Rick Crosby, Mayor Pro Tem Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita, and Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members Present: Crosby, Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Absent: None
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Ken Domer, City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
STUDY SESSION TOPIC - BUDGET
Budget - Study Session #2. An overview of the proposed operating budget and capital improvement plan for fiscal year 2025-26.
Finance Director Lopez presented this item, stating this study session will include the most recent updates since the last budget study session, on May 5'h. Each department then presented their budget which included the services that the City provides within those departments, and then looked at a Budget Overview of Personnel, Operations, and Capital Outlay. Each department identified budget adjustments, along with the Department's approach to tackle the remaining deficit in a process of two tiers, tier 1 being we will make it, tier 2 requiring the Councils direction to make the cuts/deferrals.
City Council comments included: Council Member Crosby stated that sending out the presentation with the proposed information shortly before the Study Session was not sufficient in which to make a decision as more time was needed to better understand the changes from the last session. He requested that if there are movement of funds from General Fund to other funds, more information needs to be known. He requested a review of the last five years of positions because he knew many positions were added in the last five years. He stated that he had concerns about using one-time funds for operation and for dipping into reserves.
Council Member Johnson reiterated those comments and that he would not be able to make a decision tonight if required due to the lateness of the information.
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Council Member Lau stated that while the presented material brought a little more clarity, she did need more. She asked about the opportunities for revenue, such as alarm permitting.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita expressed that he would like to see more information on the program and have more time in which to review the budget material with staff.
Mayor Hepburn expressed that the last few years have been frustrating with increased expenditures beyond the City's control and stated that reserves are for specific purposes versus ongoing expenditures. He believes that the Police Department is understaffed and wanted to make sure staff met with each Council Member prior to bringing the budget back for consideration.
Study Session was recessed at 6:36 PM.
The City Council will recess and reconvene at 6:30 PM for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM - meeting called to order at 6:54 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ARMY VETERAN PHIL RAMIREZ
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, on behalf of the City Council, presented Phil with a Pride of La Verne certificate and thanked him for his countless years of service both with the Army and here at the VFW Post.
ROLL CALL Council Member Steven F. Johnson, Council Member Wendy Lau, Council Member Rick Crosby, Mayor Pro Tem Meshal "Kash" Kashifalghita, and Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members Present: Crosby, Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Absent: None
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Ken Domer, City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager JR Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
Pride Month Proclamation - Pride Month is a time to celebrate the identity, rights, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, and to advocate for inclusivity.
Members of the Community Awareness and Social Inclusion (CASI) Committee were presented with the Proclamation.
Introduction of new VFW Post Commander - Maria McKinney, Commander of VFW Post 12034, will introduce herself to the Council. She is the first female commander in the post's history, an Air Force veteran, and a proud ULV alumna who remains deeply engaged in the La Verne community.
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VFW Post #12034 Commander Maria McKinney gave recognition to former Commander Phil Ramirez and gave a brief overview of her background, her service, education at ULV and being a Recognition to Veteran's Memorial Committee - Committee members of the 2025 Memorial Day Statue Dedication Ceremony will be recognized.
The members of the Veteran's Memorial Statue committee, Don Kendrick, Robin Carder, Dan Harden, and Dan Keesey, were recognized for their outstanding dedication and efforts to make the statue memorial a reality. The committee members were presented with a Pride of La Verne pewter tile paperweight and a Pride of La Verne Certificate, with grateful appreciation from the Council and the Community.
Also recognized for their contributions to the VFW Memorial Statues were the many Public Works stajj members, Brad Stock, Dustin Whitebear, Toby Paddock, Antonio Guerrero, Ramiro Nunez, Gabriel Rivera, Jose Jimenez and Miguel Crespo, who with their skill, craftsmanship, and expertise, prepared the site, and installed the statues. Each staff member was presented with a Pride of La Verne Certificate and Pride of La Verne pewter tile paperweight.
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.)
Public Comments: Adrian Romero La Verne Library Manager, Sherry Best and Kathy Kalousek La Verne Historical Society, Yvonne Gallegos CASI Committee member, and Danita Beauchamp La Verne resident.
Mayor Hepburn commented on the recent changes happening at the Youth Camps Afflerbaugh and Paige.
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 Kashifalghita, seconded by Crosby, and approved 5-0.
1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular meeting of May 19, 2025.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $350,672.49, dated 05/14/25, and in the amount of $2,878,835.46 dated 05/21/25.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the demands. Approved
3. 2025 Legislative Session Advocacy Update. Throughout the 2025 Legislative Session, the California Legislature has proposed over 2,000 bills. Utilizing the City's Legislative Platform, City staff have taken a proactive stance, monitoring dozens of bills and submitting position letters for proposed legislation that will have the most impact on City functionality.
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Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the attached 2025 Legislative Session Advocacy Update. Approved
4. Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A.
IMPACT) Financial Support and Asset Forfeiture Agreements. Amended agreements with L.A. IMPACT for financial support services and federal asset forfeiture administration. The updates increase funding to reflect added staffing demands and formalize a mechanism allowing the City to receive $1.05 in forfeiture funds for every $1.00 in General Fund support.
The amendment includes a $750,000 transfer, resulting in a $787,500 appropriation for eligible law enforcement uses.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING FINANCIAL
SUPPORT SERVICES AGREEMENT AND FEDERAL ASSET FORFEITURE SUPPORT
AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES INTERAGENCY METROPOLITAN APPREHENSION CRIME TASK FORCE (L.A. IMPACT)." Approved
5. Adoption of Ordinance Changing the Date of the City's Municipal General Election.
Adoption of the Ordinance changing the date of the City's Municipal General Election from alternating dates in March and June in even years to be consolidated with the November Statewide General Election.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the Ordinance titled, "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, CHANGING THE DATE OF
THE CITY'S GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FROM THE DATE OF THE STATEWIDE
PRIMARY IN ELECTION YEARS TO THE DATE OF THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION (FIRST TUESDAY AFTER FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER) IN ELECTION YEARS." Approved
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District - Affirming Annual Report and Levying Assessments. The City Council adopted the Annual Report for the Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District and declared its intention to hold a public hearing declaring its intention to levy an annual assessment for fiscal year 2025-2026 at their May 19, 2025 meeting. This public hearing will be held to accept any protests of the levying of the annual assessments.
Recommendation: That the City Council conduct the public hearing, accept any protests, override any such protests, and adopt the attached Resolution affirming the Annual Report and levy the annual assessments.
Community Development Director Scherer reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments: None
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Lau, and approved 5-0.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
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7. Request to Initiate a Pilot Project Adding Three Firefighter Positions to Improve Staffing Efficiency, Support Strategic Operational Readiness, and Address Overtime Requirements. The La Verne Fire Department (LVFD), after consultation with City Administration, requests approval to hire three additional full-time Firefighters/EMTs as part of a pilot program to assist in overtime reduction and continued achievement of standards of coverage staffing recommendations.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the terms of a Pilot Project and authorize the addition of three Firefighter/EMT positions to the La Verne Fire Department and corresponding reduction in overtime budgeting in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.
Fire Chief Nigg reported on this item.
Public Comments: Danita Beauchamp La Verne resident, Richard Bowen La Verne resident and Lee De La Garza La Verne resident.
Finance Director Lopez provided the following answers to the questions posed: The budget numbers do include the normal cost for an employee. Yes, the fire assignments are tracked, in a separate fund, not the general fund. That fund is 110, which will show revenues and expenditures, and overtime costs are roughly $1.5-2 million a year.
Fire Chief Nigg clarified that all costs for mutual aid are reimbursed down to the penny and including an administrative fee.
Council Comments: Council Member Crosby inquired regarding the possibility for innovative ways to think about doing overtime, less than in 24-hour shifts, when covering for another fire staff member.
Council Member Lau inquired about reporting the data to Council for the pilot program, and suggested a quarterly check in.
Mayor Hepburn thinks this is a great idea, however, is concerned about the long-term savings being not great.
Council Member Lau is hoping that the addition of staff will contribute to lowering injuries on duty, and lower issues because you're not overtaxing the same people over and over.
Mayor Hepburn trusts the Chief and wants to make sure that when we're putting out more money we want to make sure the return on the investment is really working and the safety of our personnel while following the FLSA standards.
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Crosby, and approved 5-0.
Request for Recognition of a New Employee Association - La Verne Fire Middle Management Association. A group of fire management employees submitted a petition under the provisions of the City's Employer-Employee Relations Resolution requesting the formation and recognition of a new employee association called the La Verne Fire Middle Management Association. This group seeks to represent management-level fire personnel in classifications Minutes City Council 6/2/2025 Page 6
including Deputy Fire Chief, Battalion Chief, and Fire Marshal, who are currently unrepresented. Formal recognition by the City Council is recommended prior to moving forward with the next steps.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file this report and direct staff to proceed with formal recognition of the proposed La Verne Fire Middle Management Association as a new employee association representing Deputy Fire Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, and the Fire Marshal.
Assistant City Manager Ranells reported on this item.
Public Comments: Danita Beauchamp La Verne resident, and Richard Bowen La Verne resident.
Council Comments: Mayor Hepburn asked for clarification as to the reason for this new group forming.
City Attorney Hall Barlow spoke to the legality of the item, stating yes, when an association properly petitions under the Meyers-Milias Brown Act, we are required to grant them the group status, subject to the right to protest of other groups who believe that there is appropriate representation already given.
Council Member Crosby understands that this is something that our laws require and we must abide by it.
Council Member Johnson if it's a legal requirement we need to recognize them as a group.
Council Member Lau to clarify within 30 days if there are other employee groups that feel there is overlap then that would be the time to speak up.
In general, there was concern by the Council about another bargaining unit given the ability for the few individuals to be recognized through the current unrepresented middle management; however, since there was no option other than to let this proceed per State law, the Council received and filed the item with no vote required.
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 and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. 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 received from: Sonia De La Garza La Verne resident, Lee De La Garza La Verne resident, Cynthia Gabaldon La Verne resident, and Richard Bowen La Verne resident.
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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 Crosby please review the study session budget information, there is more to come as we work to make sure we have a balanced budget. Congrats to all the ULV and Bonita graduates, and lots of appreciation for our staff and how hard they worked on the budget.
Council Member Johnson had the pleasure of attending the recognition ceremony of the first female Eagle Scout from La Verne. She had been recognized at a City Council meeting prior and awarded the Pride of La Verne certificate and pewter tile.
Council Member Lau praised the Memorial Day event ceremony and the attendance of wounded warrior Brian Anderson who spoke at the event. If you would like the opportunity to donate to the memorial, towards the remaining statue, the military canine, please do so, and take a moment to visit the statues. ULV graduation ceremonies finished this weekend, it was a really good day, hot but really nice for everyone to celebrate. If you have veterans in your life that might need mental health services, services are available, please look for them. Tri City Mental Health is launching their Mobile Crisis Care and Wellness Fair on June 26th, it will be an introduction into the mobile crisis care team as well as provide information for the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita God Bless every single one of you who came here today. The LA County Fair is over, hopefully everyone had a chance to attend. Congrats to all our Grads, including those at Ramona Middle School, graduating onto their new journey in high school.
Mayor Hepburn thanked Finance Director Lopez and staff for the amazing job on the budget, even though there's a deficit, together as a team we will reduce that. The Glendora A-Line Station Dedication is this Thursday, then on Saturday the San Dimas Station Dedication is from 10AM - 12PM. June 21" will be the La Verne Station Dedication, the Pomona Station Dedication will be on Friday, and was in Sacramento, representing CalCOG on regional issues.
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Hall Barlow read the closed session items for the record. It is not anticipated to have any reportable action result from the closed session
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.
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Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Workers' Compensation Appeals Case: Dransfeldt, Christopher v City of La Verne (CJPIA). Case Number: WCAB No. ADJ19755035.
ADJOURNMENT
Tonight's meeting is adjourned in memory and honor of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday night. Officer Riveros was an avid Dodger fan, had served Baldwin Park for nine years and was a dedicated police and public servant. He is survived by his mother and sister. May he rest in peace.
Meeting was recessed into closed session at 9:00 PM. Closed session adjourned at 9:36 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Vilea Frite
Debra Fritz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk