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MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING OF
MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025
ACTION MINUTES
SEEITALICS”
CLOSEDSESSIONAGENDA
CALL TO ORDER - meetingcalledto orderat 5:30 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 MembersPresent: Crosby, Johnson (Remote), Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Absent: None
AdvisoryStaff Present: City ManagerKen Domer, City AttorneyKimberlyHall Barlow, and AssistantCity ManagerJR Ranells.
CLOSEDSESSIONTOPIC
City AttorneyHall Barlow readthe closedsessionitemsfor therecord. It is not anticipatedto have any reportableaction resultfrom theclosedsession.
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, La Verne Fire Middle Management Association, and all Unrepresented Employees.
Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Gonzalez v. City of La Verne, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24STCV34625.
The City Council recessed at 6:13 and reconvened at 6:30 for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
REGULARCITYCOUNCILMEETING - 6:30 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - VETERAN ELIAS CASTRO, E-4 ARMY SPECIALIST Mayor Pro TemKashifalghita, on behalfof theCity Council, presentedElias with a Pride of La Vernecertificateand thankedhim for his serviceto our country.
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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 MembersPresent: Crosby, Johnson (Remote), Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Absent: None
AdvisoryStaff Present: City ManagerKen Domer, City AttorneyKimberlyHall Barlow, and AssistantCity ManagerJR Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
National Parks and RecreationMonth - July is recognizedas Parks and RecreationMonthby the NationalRecreationand Park Association. This year's theme is "Build Together, Play Together," emphasizingthe importanceof collaborationand inclusivity in creating and enjoying park spaces.
Parks & RecreationDirector Duran gavea shortpresentationon thenamechangeto Parks & Recreation, followedbythe Council presentationof the National ParksandRecreationMonth Proclamation.
Police DepartmentStaff Introductions - Chief Sam Gonzalez will introduce three newly hired police officers, Tyler Emery, Charles Sorbel and Maximo Rojas.
PoliceChief Gonzalezintroducedthe threenewofficers; eachthengavea brief statement.
Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST) Update - Sergeant Carlos Flores will present an update on the Homeless Outreach Support Team.
LieutenantAlvaradoandSergeantFlores gavean updateon theHomelessOutreachSupport Teamseffortsand supportto thecommunity.
New City Domain and Updated Website - The City of La Verne recently changed its website and email domain from www.cityoflaverne.org to www.laverneca.gov as part of compliance with AB 1637.
In addition, the City has redesigned its website in order to improve accessibility for the residents while enhancing the City's digital presence.
SeniorManagementAnalystErin Beilsteingavea brief presentationon theCity’s newwebsiteand domainchange.
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 commentedon thesuccessof all the4thof July activities, thanking City staff, Policeand Fire, themembersof the4thof July committee, and other communityvolunteers. The fireworks showandthemusicmadefor an incredibledayto spendwith family and friends. One major highlight of thedayis theannual parade.
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TheCouncil presentedparadecoordinatorandlongtimeemployeeCandiceBowcockwith an Aboveand BeyondAward. This city recognitionprogramhonorsemployeeswho display outstandingeffort, interdepartmentalteamwork, and continuedcommitmentto excellence. Candice hasshowntime andagainthat sheis not only a dedicatedprofessionalbut alsolovesthe community.
CongratulationsCandice!
Public Commentsreceivedfrom: Adrian Romero, LV Library Manager, SherryBest, LV Historical SocietyPresident, Kathy Kalousek, LV Historical SocietyVicePresident, Kim Barlow, City Attorney, RaymondSwain, Ad Hoc Water & SewerRateStudyCommitteemember.
Council Comments: Mayor Hepburn announcedtheLV Girls SoftballAll-Star TeamNational ChampionshipTournamentin Roseville, July 22 – July 27in Roseville. Also, gavea statusupdate on theyouth camps, Afflerbaugh and Paige. SenatorSusanRubio will beat the CommunityCenter on Saturday, July 14 from 9:00 - 11:00AM, for Coffeeand Conversation, including a legislative update.
Council MemberCrosbysharedinformation on theupcomingperformanceof the Inland Valley RepertoryTheater, of the musicalNewsiesscheduledfor July 19 – August3 at ULV’s Morgan Theater.
Mayor Pro TemKashifalghita sharedthe fund raiserfor DamienHigh School, a car showon Saturday, August9, proceedswill benefittheDamienSpartanRegimentstrip to the2025Macy’s ThanksgivingDayParade. Pre-registrationcostis $40.00, or $50.00 at thegate.
Council MemberLau announcedtheupcomingTri-City Mental Health Authority meetingon July 16 at 5:00pm at their officesin Pomonafor anyoneinterested, andyou canparticipatevia Zoom.
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.) After confirming no itemswerepulled byCouncil nor thePublic, it wasmovedby Crosby, seconded by Lau, and approvedby a roll call voteof 5-0.
1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular meeting of June 16, 2025.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $1,526,207.12, dated 06/04/25 and in the amount of $920,357.84, dated 06/11/25, and in the amount of $2,316,649.76, dated 06/18/25.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the audited demands. Approved Page4 | 9
3. Deed Restrictions - State Parks General Per Capita Program & Los Angeles County Proposition A Grants; Las Flores Park Improvement Projects. The City of La Verne has received grant funds for various projects and made improvements to the facilities at Las Flores Park, including construction of new playground equipment, rehabilitation of the Aquatic Center, improvements to the tennis court, and construction of a new modular restroom building. As a component of those grant funds, the City is required to record a deed restriction for each of the grant fund sources applied to the projects on the park property.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the deed restrictions for each Grant funding source and record them with the County of Los Angeles Recorders Office. Approved
4. California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program Award. The La Verne Police Department was awarded $150,900 in grant funding through the California Highway Patrol CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program. The grant requires a resolution of the City Council authorizing the acceptance of grant funding.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING FUNDS AND AGREEING TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FY25/26 CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM." Approved
5. Approving a Class Specification for MaintenanceSupervisor. The City Council is requested to update the Maintenance Supervisor job classification to accurately reflect current duties and responsibilities as well as add fleet division components.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the attached class specification for Maintenance Supervisor. Approved
6. Resolution Canceling the July 21, 2025 City Council Meeting. The second meeting in July 2025 is requested to be canceled due to lack of business.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the attached Resolution titled "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, CANCELING THE JULY 21, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING." Approved
7. Metro A-Line ( formerly Gold Line) Transit Oriented Development Bridge, Easement Agreement Execution Authority. The proposed pedestrian bridge crossing over Arrow Highway providing a connection between the La Verne A-Line Station and the Fairplex Campus will require easements for the portion of the facilities that land on the adjoining properties. Discussions with both Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, Metro, and Fairplex staff have been ongoing and are expected to be finalized soon. Agreements to execute said easements will be required prior to the recording of the documents to comply with the grant funding requirements.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into binding agreements to accept easements from Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, Metro, and Fairplex or other title landholders related to or directly involved in the ultimate construction of the Metro A Line Transit Oriented Development Bridge project. Approved
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
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DISCUSSION CALENDAR
8. City of La Verne2025Strategic Plan. On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the City of La Verne held a Strategic Planning Session. This session included participation from the City Council, Staff, employee representatives, and members of the community to review strategic priorities and update the City's mission statement.
Recommendation:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the attached Strategic Plan Meeting Notes from May 17, 2025; and
2. Adopt the Strategic Priorities identified during the Strategic Planning Session; and
3. Adopt an updated Mission Statement.
AssistantCity ManagerRanellsandStrategicPlanning Facilitator RachelleArizmendi reportedon this item.
Public Comment: SherryBest, LV Historical SocietyPresident, Virginia Beltran, LV Resident, andLeeDe La Garza, LV Resident.
City ManagerKen Domeraddressedseveralquestionsraisedduring public comments.
Council CommentsandDiscussion: Mayor Hepburn clarified how andwhy thestrategic planning processwashandledthis year, with employeesand executivestaff participating.
Council MemberCrosbystatedpriorities haveto besetasto how to maintain a full- service City, with our current budgetasresidentshaverequested.
Council MemberLau statedthestrategicplan is an ongoingdocument, themeetingproduced goodfeedbackwith all in agreementthat thepriority of ensuringtheperpetuity, aswell asthe continuity andsustainabilityof theCity.
Council MemberJohnsonappreciatedthe wholeprocessof thesurveyand felt it wasa very important processto ensurewearetrue to our employeesandour budget.
Mayor Pro TemKashifalghita pointedout all theentitieswithin theCity, which enablesthe City to bea greatplaceto live. Thestrategicplan meetingallowedall stakeholdersto bein one room. It wasa goodopportunityfor thecommunityto beinvolved.
It wasmovedbyKashifalghita, secondedbyLau, andapprovedby a roll call voteof 5-0.
9. City of La VerneSphereof Influence and Annexation Discussion. The City is exploring the potential annexation of unincorporated areas within its "Sphere of Influence" to improve service delivery and enhance local representation. City staff are seeking direction from the City Council regarding potential annexation strategies and priorities.
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Recommendation: That the City Council provide City staff direction regarding the annexation of unincorporated areas into the City of La Verne, to include conducting education and community engagement efforts.
City ManagerDomerreportedon this item.
Public Comments: Bill Henley, LV Resident, Virginia Beltran, LV Resident, andDanita Beauchamp, LV Resident.
City ManagerKen Domeransweredsomeof thequestionsraisedin public comment.
Council CommentsandDiscussion: Council MemberJohnsonaskedif theseannexed propertieswould affectDistricting.
Council MemberCrosbyhasconcernsregardingthe specificuniquenessof someof the different properties, suchasthesingleaccessroad for first respondersin north La Verne around theLive Oak areaandis stronglyin favor of the areaaround RamonaMiddle School beingofficially part of La Verne.
Council MemberLau clarified what the recommendationis regardingtheseannexations, with outreachto the residentsin thepossibleaffectedareas.
Mayor Pro TemKashifalghita is in favor of making La Vernewholeandwould like some feedbackfrom thecommunity.
Council directionwasgivento moveforward with the annexationof theunincorporatedareas.
10. City Council Community Forum Proposal. The City is proposing a new Community Forum program to enhance two-way dialogue between residents, City Council, and staff, aligning with the City’s Strategic Plan goals for civic engagement and transparency. These forums will rotate across community locations and include both in-person and virtual options to ensure broad participation and meaningful input.
Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction to City staff regarding the proposed City Council Community Forum Program.
City ManagerDomerreportedon this item.
Public Comment: RichardBowen, LV Resident, and Virginia Beltran, LV Resident.
City ManagerDomeraddressedsomeof the questionsraisedduring public comments.
Council CommentandDiscussion: Mayor Hepburn is in favor of a 6:30 timeframefor the CommunityForum program.
Council MemberLau agreeshaveforums at different locationsandat different timesis a good idea, to ensurethat different segmentsof theLa Vernepopulationareableto attend, andwe canbeasinclusiveandwelcomingaspossible.
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Council MemberCrosbyasthemobilehomepark liaison hasbeenaskedbyits residentsfor talks on safetyandwaysto befire safe, and keepinginformedaboutthecity, reachingthese isolatedgroupsin thesespecificareasis a goodidea.
Council MemberJohnsonstatedgoing to Hillcrest Homesis a greatideaandwould be curiousto knowthe numbersof actual attendance.
Mayor Pro TemKashifalghita wouldlike to havea forum in his district, possiblyin a park, or at the schooldistrict, or at fire stationthree.
Council Direction wasto moveforward with organizingtheforums.
11. GatewaySignage Enhancementsfor the Metro A-Line (formerly Gold Line) Transit Oriented Development Pedestrian Bridge Project. The purpose of this discussion is to review potential options for architectural enhancements to the Metro A-Line Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Pedestrian Bridge Project. While these enhancements are not necessary for the structural or functional performance of the bridge, they present an opportunity to elevate the project’s visual character and reinforce community identity. Incorporating such features can enhance the overall user experience and reflect local values, history, or design aesthetics that contribute to a stronger sense of place.
Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction on signage options presented for inclusion in the construction bidding documents for the Pedestrian Bridge Project. Final approval of the features to be included in the construction contract will be subject to future consideration following the opening of bids and budget feasibility review.
City EngineerHowing reportedon this item.
Council CommentandDiscussion: Council discussedthemerits, costsandconcernsof larger signage, lighting, placement, styleandcolor. Thefinal decisionwasto havethe sign be La Vernecenteredon thebridgeboth sidesand lit.
Direction givenby motion, it wasmovedby Crosby, secondedby Kashifalghita, and approved bya roll call voteof 5-0.
12. Authorization to Hire a Retired Annuitant as Range Master for Oversight of Firing Range Use by Outside Agency. The Los Angeles County Probation Department has requested to utilize the City’s firing range for an agreed upon fee. The City does not have staff capacity to ensure safe operations during the requested use but has identified retired Sergeant Martin Weinreb who possesses the training and experience to provide this service. The recommended action is requested to comply with the California Public Employee’s Retirement System regulations related to such retired annuitant appointments.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to appoint a retired annuitant pursuant to Government Code section 21224 under the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to temporarily serve as a Range Master for oversight of the City’s firing range during use by an external law enforcement agency.
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AssistantCity ManagerRanellsreportedon this item.
Public Comment: Danita Beauchamp, LV Resident, and Virginia Beltran, LV Resident City AttorneyHall Barlow clarified the itembeforethe Council.
Council CommentandDiscussion: All werein agreementwith the rangemasteritemand annuitant WeinrebasRangeMaster.
It wasmovedbyCrosby, secondedbyLau, andapprovedby a roll call vote4-0 with Johnson abstaining.
13. Resolution Adopting a Salary Chart for Full-time Employees and RepealingResolution No. 24-45. The attached resolution and salary table reflect adjustments in compensation for Middle Management and Executive Management employees.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the attached Resolution titled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING A SALARY CHART FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 24-45.
AssistantCity ManagerRanellsreportedon this item.
Council CommentandDiscussion: Council MemberCrosbyaskedfor clarification regarding thebudgetfunds, asthebudgettalks last month pointedout thestructural deficit but the operationallybalancedbudget. Also, askedit theFire Middle Managementgroup werestill part of this group right now.
It wasmovedbyKashifalghita, secondedbyJohnson, and approvedbya roll call voteof 5-0.
14. Resolutions Establishing Benefits for Executive Management, Middle Management, Professional and Confidential Employees and Repealing Resolution No. 23-53 and Resolution No. 23-54. In accordance with the City’s compensation and benefit practices, and consistent with the allocations outlined in the approved budget process, the City Council is requested to approve an update to the benefit resolutions for Executive and Middle Management employees. These updates ensure alignment with established standards and supports the City's ongoing commitment to competitive and fiscally responsible employee compensation.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the attached resolutions, establishing benefits for Executive Management and Middle Management, Professional and Confidential Employees; and repeal Resolution No. 23-53 and No. 23-54 respectively.
AssistantCity ManagerRanellsreportedon this item.
Public Comment: None
Council CommentandDiscussion: Therewasnone.
It was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Lau and, approved by a roll call 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 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 comment received from: Danita Beauchamp, LVResident
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 Member Crosby thanked everyone who worked on the 4`h of July parade and events.
Council Member Lau thanked all the community members, staff and residents for the successful and fun 4`h of July Day.
Council Member Johnson gave a shout out to LVPD for working with additional agencies and securing the Rodeo Jewelers, it was a big win for La Verne. Also, fire season is with us all year long, shout out to our Fire Department and those away on current fire assignments.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita recognizes the sacrifices firefighters make battling these fires, was such a good opportunity to recognize some of those that participated as our Grand Marshals in the parade. Don't forget the concerts in the park.
Mayor Hepburn commented on Engineer Howing's presentation on the bridge lighting, all of Council is happy to see this moving forward. Kudos to our police department in handling the Rodeo Jewelry incident. Kudos to Spectrum for the quick response to a major issue, with so many people affected by the internet outage. Prayers for everyone in Texas affected by the horrific floods.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting was adjourned at 10:02 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Fritz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk