CITY OF LA VERNE
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR
MEETING AGENDA OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
ACTION MINUTES
"See italics"
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER - meeting was called to order at 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 MayorTim Hepburn.
Council Members Present: Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Council Members Absent: Crosby
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Domer, City Attorney Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
CLOSED SESSION TOPIC
City Attorney Hall Barlow read the Closed Session item(s) into the record. It is anticipated to have a possible report out.
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 Fire Middle Management, La Verne Police Officers Association, La Verne Police Middle Management Association, and all Unrepresented Employees.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Initiation of Litigation: Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4): Potential Litigation. (one case) Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Workers' Compensation Appeals Case: Case Number: WCAB No. ADJ19245829, and ADJ19432803.
The City Council will recess and reconvene at 6:30 p.m. for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM - called to order at 6:34 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - CIVIL AIR PATROL SQUADRON 64
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, on behalf of the Council, presented Cadet Master Sergeant Barba with a Pride of La Verne certificate for the 64th Squadron and thanked them for their service to our community.
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OLL CALL Comber Mick erSby, Mayer ro Tem until easer Washly tau Counci Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members Present: Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Council Members Absent: Crosby
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Domer, City Attorney Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
CLOSED SESSION - REPORT OUT
City Attorney Hall Barlow reported on the potential initiation of litigation; Council voted to authorize the participation in initiation of litigation with parties who shall be named later. On motion of Council Member Lau and seconded by Council Member Johnson. Vote was 4-0, with Council Member Crosby being absent.
PRESENTATIONS
National Preparedness Month Proclamation - 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 Shipman and members of the CERT Team received the Proclamation from Council.
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.
Resident Laurie Caciano Johnson received the Proclamation from Council.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Proclamation - FASD Awareness occurs every September to advocate in support for individuals and families living with FASD.
Shannon lacobacci from Embracing the Brain organization received the Proclamation from Council.
2025 Photo Contest Results - This year, the City conducted its first ever photo contest to highlight La Verne, and over 40 submissions were received. Tonight, we will present the awards for the top photos across the various categories.
Admin. Analyst Blockinger presented the awards to the Photo Contest Winners! • La Verne Community: First Friendship - Michelle Maldonado • La Verne Fun: Fun at the Firework Show - Alyssa Schlange • La Verne Landmarks: Founders Hall - Ryder Doherty
• La Verne Nature: Come Soar with La Verne's Natural Beauty - Melissa Gersh • La Verne Sports: So Be Emotional - Emily Casillas
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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 Announcements: Adrian Romero Library Manager, Sherry Best President of the La Verne Historical Society, and Danita Beauchamp Resident.
Council Announcements: Council Member Lau announced the meeting on Thursday of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is having a Southern California Zone Zero meeting to take input and feedback on the wildfire resilience in our community; meeting will be in person or online. The A Line Grand Opening is on Friday, 9/19, the main ribbon cutting will be at the Pomona station.
The Pomona to Claremont extension, is currently being reviewed with the San Bernardino County Transit Authority. Last weekend was the La Verne Girls Softball Association Opening day, with a pancake breakfast provided by the Fire Explorers.
Council Member Johnson reminded everyone of the ongoing Earthquake Authority program, that will pay up to $3,000.00 to assist with bracing your home or rental property foundation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment was moved forward to accommodate the police officers with family members concerned about the LVPOA negotiations.
Mayor Hepburn gave a brief statement regarding the ongoing negotiations with the LV Police Officers Association. Negotiations are discussions in a good faith manner that will ultimately result in a fair and sustainable agreement. Sometimes it takes longer. The most recent Strategic Planning Session and the budget study session covered the long-term financial issues the City is facing, it is within this context that we are attempting to work with the POA. Our community loves our Police Officers and greatly appreciates all that they do.
Public Comments received from: Andrew McKindley President of the LVPOA, George Ramirez, Brad Bailey LVPOA, Rick Bowen, Danita Beauchamp, Angela Donahue, Virginia Beltran, and Joe Gabaldon.
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 items were pulled by Council nor the Public, it was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved 4-0, with Crosby absent.
1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session & Regular meeting of August 18, 2025.
Recommendation: That City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. Registers) of Audited Demands in the following amounts:
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Fiscal Year 2024-25
$132,307.15 dated 08/05/25
$240,900.47 dated 08/13/25
Fiscal Year 2025-25
$294,425.55 dated 08/05/25
$2,014,890.17 dated 08/13/25
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the audited demands. Approved
3. Street Vacation of Bunnelle Avenue From Baseline Road to SR 210 Freeway. Request to vacate a segment of Bunnelle Avenue, located between Baseline Road and SR 210. This segment exists only as a paper street with no current improvements, and the City has determined that constructing a roadway in this location would not improve circulation or access.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution summarily vacating a portion of Bunnelle Avenue from Baseline Road to SR 210 Freeway within the City of La Verne.
Approved
4. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinances Regarding Zoning Amendments Related to Accessory Dwelling Units, Reasonable Accommodation, Two-Unit Housing Projects and Urban Lot Splits, and Adding a New Section on Historic Structures and an Amendment to Chapter 8.20 Relating to Noise (Case No. 54-25ZA, 55-25ZA, 56-25ZA, 57-25ZA) and Findings of Exemption under CEQA. Four ordinances are being presented for Second Reading for City Council adoption to bring the La Verne Municipal Code into compliance with State law and implement the General Plan. Updates address accessory dwelling units (ADUs), historic structures and noise regulations, reasonable accommodations, and two-unit housing projects and urban lot splits. All actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or covered by prior environmental review.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the following Ordinances:
1. An "ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING THE ZONING PROVISIONS OF THE LA VERNE MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW AND MAKING A
DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17 (Case Number 54-25ZA)";
2. An "ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA ADDING A NEW SECTION 2.56.090 RELATING TO HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND DELETING AND READOPTING CHAPTER 8.20 OF THE LA
VERNE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO NOISE TO IMPLEMENT THE ACTION ITEMS SET FORTH IN THE LA VERNE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE (Case Number 55-
3. An "ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING CHAPTER 18.116 AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER
18.116 TO TITLE 18, ZONING, OF THE LA VERNE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES AND MAKING A
DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS SECTION 15061(B)(3) (Case Number 56- 25ZA)"; and
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4. An "ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTER 18.22 AND SECTION 16.12.060 OF THE LA
VERNE MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT STATE LAW CHANGES RELATING TO
TWO-UNIT HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS AND URBAN LOT SPLITS AND MAKING A
DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 65852.21 AND 66411.7 (Case Number 57- 25ZA)".
All Ordinance recommendations approved as stated above.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
5. Update and Direction Regarding Appointments to a City Council Ad Hoc Sub-Committee on Regional Fire and Emergency Medical Services. The City of Pomona was notified by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department of a 365-day Notice of Termination on April 16, 2025. On July 7, 2025, the Pomona City Council provided direction to their City Manager to review options for providing fire services. This item seeks the appointment of two City Council members to an Ad Hoc Sub-Committee on Regional Fire and Emergency Medical Services to work with the City Pomona to ensure the continuation of regional fire and emergency medical services.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive an update regarding the City of Pomona fire and emergency medical services and appoint two City Council members to an Ad Hoc City Council Sub-Committee to identify and discuss regional needs and future fire and emergency medical services in the east San Gabriel Valley.
City Manager Domer gave a brief overview. Fire Chief Nigg provided additional information about how this came up, which was the City of Pomona receiving a notice of termination from LA County Fire. The City of Pomona requested assistance in looking at alternative fire separate pie distic win la Verme service models, one of which included the formation of a separate fire district with La Verne.
La Verne has assisted with information gathering and staff is supportive of the furthering this and ensuring that the two City Councils are informed with public information being made available through this information gathering time.
Public Comments: Danita Beauchamp and Tim Blockinger.
Council Comments: Mayor Hepburn stated we do trust Chief Nigg and this is an opportunity to create a whole other Fire Agency. There will be checks and balances along the way. The Community will be informed. It's good for our community and it's good for our services. The Ad Hoc Committee will be in place; there are some concerns about the financial drain on us.
This is an opportunity for us to become an even larger fire agency.
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Council Member Johnson considers this an opportunity for La Verne to be involved, until we get more information, we can't make a decision. However, the model that we have could help Pomona. There will need to be additional negotiations with them if it even makes sense, we are not there yet but we do need to create the mechanism to find out.
Council Member Lau questioned does this formation of an Ad Hoc Sub Committee commit us to anything? We are getting the services that we need, we have exemplary services and don't want anything to have an adverse effect on our community. The Ad Hoc Sub Committee has to be only an information gathering endeavor.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, we'll take this step by step, and really appreciates the Fire Department leadership, and the advice of our consultant.
Council voted 4-0, with Crosby absent, to move forward with the Ad Hoc Sub Committee.
After Council discussion it was moved by Kashifalghita, seconded by Johnson, and approved 4-0 with Crosby absent to appoint Mayor Hepburn and Council Member Lau to the Regional Fire Ad Hoc Sub Committee.
Mayor Hepburn called for a 5-minute break. Meeting returned from recess at 8:22 pm.
6. Appointment of Resident Commission Members to City Advisory Commissions and Committees - Planning Commission, Finance Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Active Transportation and Infrastructure Commission, and Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. The City Council has opportunities for residents to serve on various advisory commissions, committees, and boards. With the recent reorganization of the committees to increase resident participation and adoption of Chapter 2.46 in the La Verne Municipal Code, it is necessary for the City Council to make appointments.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve resident appointments to various committees and commissions per La Verne Municipal Code Chapter 2.46.
City Manager Domer reported on this item giving an overview of the new appointment process.
City Council then made their selections, with City Manager Domer announcing Council Member Crosby's selections on his behalf.
Council Appointments:
Active Transportation and Infrastructure Commission
District #1 (Johnson) appointed Tim Blockinger
District #2(Crosby) appointed Corey Halabrin
District #3 (Kashifalghita) appointed Chantal (Sabine) Stieber istrict #4 (Hepburn) appointed Doug Strang
)istrict #5 (Lau) appointed Gregorio Andrad
Finance Commission
District #2(Crosby) appointed Danita Beauchamp
District #3 (Kashifalghita) appointed Danny Annabi
District #4 (Hepburn) appointed Jason Simison
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District #5 (Lau) appointed Jamie Riley
District #1 (Johnson) appointed Jessica Chan
Parks & Recreation Commission
District #3 (Kashifalghita) appointed Salvatore De Grassi District #4 (Hepburn) appointed Bill Aguirre
District #5 (Lau) appointed Garry Gonzales
District #1 (Johnson) appointed Johanna Clemens
District #2(Crosby) appointed Mike Riggs
Planning Commission
District #4 (Hepburn) appointed Matthew Ramos
District #5 (Lau) appointed Jeremy Conrad
District #1 (Johnson) appointed Erin Duffy
District #2(Crosby) appointed Marlene Carney
District #3 (Kashifalghita) appointed Keny Chang
Senior Advisory Committee
George Borst, Bette Donovan, Jenny Jolly, Terry Kistler, Valarie Ortiz, Edward Paggett, and Scott Snider.
Appointments to the Senior Advisory Committee were made on the recommendation of the Senior Advisory Committee members.
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved 4-0, with Crosby absent to approve the Committee and Commission members as appointed by each Council Member.
Public Comment was opened on the appointments to Committee and Commissions, there were none.
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: Rick Bowen, Joe Gabaldon, and Danita Beauchamp.
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.
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Council Member Lau shared the recent College Expo hosted by the University of La Verne and thanked Public Works and Public Safety who helped keep order at the event. This Saturday will be the ULV Football Season Opener, homecoming weekend will be October 3rd through 5th Council Member Johnson is looking forward to the Gold Line (A Line) coming to town finally.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita was at the first Community Town Hall at Hillerest and thanked City Staff for the preparation. We had some great questions and good dialogue with the community.
Keep your kids safe if they ride the Surron bikes.
Mayor Hepburn thanked all the residents that applied for the various commissions and committees, if you didn't get selected this time there will be other opportunities. It's a great opportunity to serve.
ADJOURNMENT - Tonight, we adjourn this meeting in memory of retired La Verne Police Corporal Jimmy Royal, who passed away on Friday after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Jimmy joined our Police Department in 1969 after serving in the United States Army and completing a tour in Vietnam. Over the course of forty years of service, he became one of the first motorcycle officers in our department, setting a standard of professionalism and dedication that inspired many who came after him.
Jimmy was known for his friendly yet professional personality. Whether it was through a smile, a conversation, or even a citation, he built lasting relationships in the community he loved to serve.
His approach to policing reflected care, compassion, and a genuine commitment to people, which left a lasting foundation for those who followed in his footsteps.
Jimmy had a true passion for traffic safety. He dedicated much of his career to keeping our roads safe, ensuring that drivers and pedestrians alike were protected. His efforts not only reduced dangers on our streets but also showed his deep commitment to the well-being of the community he When Jimmy retired in 2009, his call sign, "Mary One," was retired with him, a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to his department and his city. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jimmy's family and friends. His memory will remain a part of our community and our Police Department, and he will be remembered as a true public servant who wore the badge with honor.
The meeting was recessed at 8:52 pm into Closed Session. Closed Session adjourned at 9:19 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Reba Arity
Debra Fritz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk