CITY OF LA VERNE
ERNE
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 20, 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, Assistant City Attorney Tsai, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
CLOSED SESSION TOPIC
Assistant City Attorney Tsai 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 Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Cal. Gov't Code § 54956.8: Property:
APN 8378-015-009 [approx. 30,657 square teet] Agency Negotiators: Ken Domer; Negotiating Parties: Arrow White Corner, LLC. Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2): 1 case The City Council recessed at 6:19 pm to reconvene at 6:30 PM for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM - meeting was called to order at 6:34 PM
CLOSED SESSION - REPORT OUT
Assistant Attorney Tsai stated Council gave direction in Closed Session and no reportable action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Southland Young Marines: Leonard Soto, Maxwell Haddad, and Ethan Dillon.
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Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, on behalf of the City Council, presented each of the Southland Young Marines with a Pride of La Verne certificate.
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, Assistant City Attorney Tsai, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
Inland Valley Humane Society - President/CEO Nikole Bresciani will provide an annual overview of Inland Valley Humane Society (VHS) activities, including events in La Verne, key statistics on rescues and adoptions, and notable developments. The session will conclude with a showcase of animals in need of adoption, reinforcing the city's commitment to animal welfare.
Inland Valley Humane Society - President/CEO Nikole Bresciani provided an annual overview of Inland Valley Humane Society (IVHS) activities, including events in La Verne.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, encouraging all residents to challenge the social norms that enable domestic violence, offer meaningful support to survivors, and acknowledge the dedicated efforts of those working to prevent and respond to this issue.
Council presented the proclamation to House of Ruth CEO Pat Bell.
Red Ribbon Week Proclamation - proclaiming the week of October 23 to 31, 2025 as Red Ribbon Week encouraging all citizens, schools, businesses, and community organizations to participate in activities and programs aimed at promoting drug-free living and creating a stronger, healthier future for our youth.
Council presented the proclamation to the Southland Young Marines: Leonard Soto, Maxwell Haddad, and Ethan Dillon after they performed the Pledge of Allegiance.
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.)
Received from: Adrian Romero, Kathy Kalousek, and Erin Beilstein.
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 and the member of the Public who had previously requested that Items 4, 5, and 6 be pulled was not present at the meeting, it was moved by Crosby, seconded by Kashifalghita, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
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1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session & Regular meeting of October 6, 2025.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved Register of Audited Demands in the following amounts:
$2,157,197.66 dated 09/24/25
$156,852.06 dated 10/01/25
$2,581,459.02 dated 10/08/25
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the audited demands. Approved.
Joint Tax Transfer Resolution - City of La Verne Reorganization 2024-03 - 406 Baseline Road Annexation. Joint Tax Transfer Resolution between Los Angeles County and the City of La Verne in relation to the recently proposed annexation at 406 Baseline Road.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the Joint Tax Transfer Resolution with the County of Los Angeles regarding City of La Verne Reorganization 2024-03 for 406 Baseline Road Annexation. Approved
4. 2025 Legislative Session Update. Throughout the 2025 Legislative Session, the California Legislature 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.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the attached 2025 Legislative Session Advocacy Update. Approved
5. 2024 Homeland Security Program Subrecipient Agreement & Appropriation of Funds. The City of La Verne was awarded $84,550 in grant funding through the County of Los Angeles from the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) for the Police and Fire Departments. The grant requires an agreement between the County and City before costs will be reimbursed.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the standard Subrecipient Agreement and all related documents between the County of Los Angeles and the City of La Verne and amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget by $84,550 to reflect the grant award. Approved
6. Quarterly Budget Report - Preliminary FY 2024-25 Year-End and FY 2025-26 First Quarter Update This item receives and files the Quarterly Budget Report for the period of July 1 through October 10, 2025, which provides a preliminary unaudited year-end report for Fiscal Year 2024- 25 and a financial update for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025-26. The report summarizes revenues and expenditures by fund and department, including breakdowns of personnel, operational, and capital expenditures. The report focuses primarily on the General Fund, while also highlighting activity in other major funds such as the Water Operating Fund.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Budget Report covering activity from July 1 through October 10, 2025. Approved
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Public Hearing Regarding the Request for Time Extension on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82001 (500 Baseline Road). On October 6, 2025, the City Council adopted a resolution, setting the public hearing for October 20, 2025, to consider a one-year time extension to Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) No. 82001. The applicant has requested a one-year extension of the VTTM allowed in Section 66452.6 of the Subdivision Map Act.
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Pension to City a died public hearin, the City Council may consider granting the requested Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution granting a one-year time extension on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 82001 pursuant to the provisions of Title 7, Division 2, Chapter 3, of the Government Code of the State of California, establishing the new expiration date of the VTTM No. 82001 as November 3, 2026.
City Engineer Howing reported on this item.
Council Discussion/Comments: Council provided various comments about the potential of these homes.
Public Comments: None
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Crosby, and approved by a vote of 5-0.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
8. Award of Contract for Arrow Highway Urban Greening Project. This action will award a construction contract to Oppenheimer National in the amount of $318,500.00 for the Arrow Highway Urban Greening Project. The project will be funded by Urban Greening Grant Program funds for the improvements to five existing medians located along Arrow Highway from White Avenue to Fulton Road.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Award a public works construction contract to Oppenheimer National, the lowest, most responsible bidder, in the amount of $318,500.00 for the Arrow Highway Urban Greening Project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; and
2. Authorize the Public Works Director to issue change orders not exceeding 25% of the construction budget for a total possible construction contract cost of $389, 125.00; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order in the amount of $45,000 to RKA Consulting Group to manage the Construction Phase of the Project.
Out of an abundance of caution due to living off Arrow Highway adjacent to the proposed project, Council Member Lau recused herself and left the dais.
City Engineer Howing reported on this item.
Council Discussion/Comments: Council has concerns regarding the condition of Arrow Highway, and whether Pomona could help with the street, also it was suggested that SGVCOG might be able to assist with funding. Mayor Hepburn was thankful for the extensive bidding process.
Public Comments: Yvonne Gallegos
It was moved by Johnson, seconded by Kashifalghita, and approved by a vote of 4-0, with Lau recused.
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Minutes City Council 10/20/2025 Page 5
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 reterred 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: Joe Gabaldon
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 reminded residents to stay safe for Halloween, drive safely. Inquired regarding the pickleball court situation.
City Manager Domer gave a status update on mitigating the pickleball court noise, taking before and after noise readings, and the forthcoming installation of noise suppressing blankets along the west and north court fences.
Council Member Johnson had a great week, attended several meetings, felt that the meetings were productive with educating the public regarding negotiations.
Council Member Lau received a resident letter appreciating the Facilities and Public Works crew for their efforts to clean up the bus stop at Wheeler and Foothill and reiterated for residents to stay safe on Halloween. Thank you to the residents on Bonita Avenue who take great effort in decorating their homes.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita thanked staff for the very successful Trunk or Treat event and is looking forward to the Classic Car Show and Pumpkin Patch Show this Saturday. Thanked the Police Department and Fire Department for the recent handling of a difficult situation.
Mayor Hepburn encouraged all to read the legislative updates and support letters on the website.
Thanked staff for all the recent meetings regarding the water rate update. Clarified the process for ballots being picked up nightly by the LA County Election Workers.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Deputy City Clerk
City of La Verne