CITY OF LA VERNE
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR MEETING OF THE
COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 6, 2025
ACTION MINUTES
"See Italics"
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA - 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER - meeting 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 Mayor Tim Hepburn.
Council Members Present: Crosby, Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Council Members Absent: None
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 items for the record. It is anticipated there will be no 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 Association, La Verne Police Officers Association, La Verne Police 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
CLOSED SESSION - REPORT OUT
Attorney Hall Barlow stated Council gave direction in Closed Session and no reportable action was taken.
The City Council will recess and reconvene at 6:30 for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM - meeting was called to order at 6:43 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ARMY VETERAN SERGEANT DIANA TOWLES Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, on behalf of the Council, presented Army Veteran Sergeant Diana Towles with a Pride of La Verne certificate and thanked her for her service to our country.
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.
Minutes City Council 10/6/2025 Page 2
Council Members Present: Crosby, Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Council Members Absent: None
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Domer, City Attorney Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
SGVCOG Update - SGVCOG President Ed Reese will provide an update on ongoing projects and receive input from the La Verne City Council on priorities for the future.
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments President Ed Reese, accompanied by Ricky Choi, Stephanie Wong and Executive Director Marisa Creter provided the update of ongoing activities and events and the importance of cooperation among the cities of the San Gabriel Valley.
Fire Prevention Month Proclamation - Every year, October 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.
Council presented Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Specialist Lonnie Shipman with the Proclamation for Fire Prevention Month.
The Rustic Canyon Firewise Community provided information on the formation of their group.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Fundraisers - The La Verne Police Department (LVPD) and La Verne Firefighters' Association (LVFA) are each raising funds to support breast cancer research.
LVPD will share updates on their Pink Patch Initiative, while LVFA will showcase their fundraising merchandise.
Police Community Services Supervisor Hollie Savage presented the new fundraising items: T- shirts, hats, etc. and the significance of the Pink Patches that officers wear to encourage the community.
Fire Captain Todd Haroutunian presented the Fire Department fundraising items, T-Shirts, hats, etc. which supports the Susan G. Komen organization.
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.)
Council Member Comments: Mayor Hepburn announced the Vendor Fair on Saturday at Heritage Parking 1o2:00 am-3:00 pm. Trunk or Treat is on Saturday, October 1' in the Cily Hall Council Member Crosby announced the Halloween Hop on Friday, October 24% for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, dance is at the Community Center.
Public Comments: Kathy Kalousek, Yvonne Gallegos, Richard Bowen, Erin Beilstein, and Andrea Blockinger.
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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 that no items were pulled by Council nor the Public, it was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita, and approved 5-0.
1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meeting of September 15, 2025.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. Register of Audited Demands in the following amounts:
Fiscal Year 2024-25
$360,214.37 dated 08/20/25
$43,198.54 dated 08/27/25
Fiscal Year 2025-26
$651,939.21 dated 08/20/25
$1,726,310.90 dated 08/27/25
$278,567.64 dated 09/03/25
$2,939,788.65 dated 09/10/25
$450,249.28 dated 09/17/25
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the audited demands. Approved
3. Disposal of Surplus Equipment. The Police Department recently acquired new patrol rifles to replace aging models that had been in service for over 20 years, as well as retains older City- issued handguns proposed for disposal. As a result, the existing firearms are now considered surplus to operational needs, and a reputable dealer has been identified to facilitate the lawful transfer of this equipment in compliance with all applicable regulations.
Recommendation: That the City Council declares the equipment identified in Attachment 1 as surplus to the Police Department's operational needs and authorizes the Chief of Police to enter into an agreement with ProForce Law Enforcement LLC., for disposal of surplus equipment.
Approved
4. Setting a Time and Date for Public Hearing Regarding the Request for Time Extension on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No 82001 (500 Baseline Road). On September 20, 2021, the City Council approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) No. 82001, a subdivision of 19.44 acres located at 500 Baseline Road situated northeast of the intersection of Baseline Road and Rodeo Lane into nine lots. The applicant has requested a third one-year extension of the VTTM as allowed in Section 66452.6 of the Subdivision Map Act. Pursuant to City Code Section
16.16.210, the City Council may consider granting the requested extension during a noticed public hearing.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution setting the public hearing for consideration of the requested extension on to occur at 6:30 PM on October 20, 2025.
Approved
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation Request. House of Ruth, a nonprofit that has served survivors of domestic violence and their families in Eastern Los Angeles for Minutes City Council 10/6/2025 Page 4
over 48 years, is requesting City Council approval to present a proclamation this October ecognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which raises awareness and support:
survivors. Per City Policy, non-annual proclamations require Council approval on the consen calendar prior to presentation.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve presenting a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the October 20 City Council meeting. Approved
6. Red Ribbon Week Proclamation. The Southland Young Marines, a national youth program that strengthens the lives of America's youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our veterans, good citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, is requesting a proclamation in recognition of Red Ribbon Week.
Per City policy, non-annual proclamations require Council approval on the consent calendar prior to presentation.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve presenting a proclamation for Red Ribbon Week at the October 20 City Council meeting. Approved
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
7. Award of Contract for The City-Wide Signing and Striping Project. This action authorizes the award of a construction contract to Superior Pavement Markings in the amount of $375,944.00 for CIP No. MI2402 - Citywide Signing and Striping Project. Project funding is provided through a combination of Gas Tax Funds (Fund 206) and Right-of-Way Funds (Fund 406) and will support miscellaneous traffic signage and striping improvements, school zone crosswalk enhancements, and traffic signal restoration at various locations throughout the City.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Reject the lowest bid submitted by Demo Leaders Inc. due to incomplete information resulting in a non-responsive bid;
2. Award a public works construction contract to Superior Pavement Markings, the second lowest, most responsible and responsive bidder, in the amount of $375,944.00 for the City-Wide Signing and Striping Project; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement and applicable documents, including change orders within La Verne procurement regulations.
Public Works Director Wu and City Engineer Howing reported on this item.
Council Discussion: There was concern because only two bids came back for the project, valued at over $375,000, and the lowest bid was requested to be rejected because it did not meet legal requirements. The concern then was that there was only one true bid and the majority of Council felt as though there should have been more to get a better bid price. The item was rejected, and staff was told to go back out to bid on a 3-2 vote, with Crosby and Lau dissenting.
Public Comments received: 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 Minutes City Council 10/6/2025 Page 5
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: Andrew McKindley, Pat Widolff, Hector Cademartori, Rick Bowen, Danita Beauchamp, Yvonne Gallegos, and Kathy Kalouseck.
Council and Staff Comments: City Manager Domer spoke to the SB 79 concerns raised during public comment. Residents can check our website at www.laverneca.gov/legislation. SB 79 is a horrible bill and opposition letters were sent on April 28", and August 19" and then on September 23rd our veto request was sent to Governor Newsom. There is a lot of information on our website and give us a call if there's any questions.
Mayor Hepburn let everyone know the Governor has until Monday, October 13"" to act on this bill.
The best way to oppose this bill is the flood the Governor's office with emails and phone calls.
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 thanked City Manager Domer for submitting his choices for the Commissions and Committees. Had the opportunity to take the A Line to a USC Football game, it was a good experience. Asked City Manager Domer to follow up on the sound damping for the pickleball courts.
Council Member Johnson thanked LV Police Department and the Fire Department for all they do to keep the citizens safe. I would like to see a contract negotiated as soon as possible with the available revenue we have.
Council Member Lau please keep reporting any issues with the A Line so Metro can correct the issues. ULV's Homecoming was last weekend they did a beautiful job with the Taste of International ULV on Friday night. There is a Tri-City Mental Health meeting on Wednesday, October 15'" at 5:00 pm for those interested, you can attend in person or by Zoom. House of Ruth will be sponsoring several events in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and will hold a candlelight vigil on October 16"' at the House of Ruth.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita thanked staff for all they do for our City. He let everyone know he started his law enforcement career here at the City of La Verne as a police cadet and has never forgotten the amazing men and women who represent us in our City, and City Council and staff here will do everything in our power to keep supporting our police and fire department. One team one mission. Thanked Lighthouse Baptist Church and Pastor Dunlop for the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day event, it was an amazing day. Reminded everyone to let him know if there are any mosquito issues.
Mayor Hepburn appreciated all who turned out for the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day event at Lighthouse Baptist Church, it was a really nice day. Reminded everyone that the pumpkin patch at Heritage Park opened, hours are Fridays from 4:00-8:00 pm, Saturday and Sundays from 10:00 Minutes City Council 10/6/2025 Page 6
am - 8:00 pm. Addressed the POA negotiations and remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached. The Fire Services Ad Hoc Committee of October 2nd was both productive and collaborative with a shared goal to provide high quality fire and EMS services to both cities.
Further fact finding and analysis was decided on taking into account several factors.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Luita
Debra Fritz, CMCf
Deputy City Clerk