CITYOf LAVERNE
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3, 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 § 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_ Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2): 1 case The City Council recessed at 5:31 PM.
CLOSED SESSION — REPORT OUT
City Attorney Hall Barlow stated no reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM — meeting called to order at 6:34 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — US VIETNAM VETERAN SGT. HOWARD HERNANDEZ Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, on behalf of the Council, presented US Vietnam Veteran Sergeant Howard Hernandez with a Pride of La Verne certificate and thanked him for his 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 11/3/2025 Page 2
Council Members Present: Crosby, Johnson, Lau, Kashifalghita, and Hepburn.
Council Members Absent: None
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Dourer, City Attorney Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
Lights and Sirens Holiday Toy Drive — The La Verne Firefighters' and Police Officers Associations are leading a joint effort to bring holiday cheer this Christmas. From November 12 to December 12, please donate new, unwrapped toys at City Hall, Public Safety Building, Fire Stations 1, 2, and 3, and the Community Center, which will be gifted to a family in need.
SR Management Analyst Jennifer Brown, Police Community Services Supervisor Hollie Savage, representatives from Hillcrest and a special guest, Sparky, presented the joint Holiday Toy Drive.
Donation bids for new unwrapped toys will be located at City Hall, the Community Center, the Public Safety Building, all three fire stations and at Hillcrest . Additionally, there are two special community events this year. On Thursday, December 411eLVFA and the POA will face off with Bonita High School in the annual softball game at Wheeler Park. Game time is 5:00 pm, then on Saturday, December 6t'' from 8:00 am till 11:00 am there will be a Stuff the Sirens event at the Target Shopping Center, where an ambulance will be filled with the toys donated by the Community.
Outgoing Commissioner Recognition — La Verne residents play a crucial role as Commissioners,. offering valuable input that helps shape the City's planning and decision - making. At this time, we would like to recognize our outgoing Commissioners, who have generously served our community for many years.
The outgoing committee members for the Active Transportation Committee, Planning Commission, Measure LV Citizen Oversight Committee, and the Youth Sports Committee were recognized for their dedication and years of service on their Committees.
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.)
Announcements received from: Yvonne Gallegos, Adarian Romero, and Sherry Best.
Council announcements received from: Mayor Hepburn regarding the Veterans Day Holiday and Ceremony at Veterans Hall, which starts at 11:00 am. The Veterans Memorial recently received an addition, the Bronze Canine statue. Thank you to the L V Veterans Society, which is made up of community members and former Mayor Kendrick, and Council Members Robin Carder and Dan Harden. Thank you to all who donated to this memorial.
CONSENT CALENDAR
AII 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.) Minutes City Council 11/3/2025 Page 3
After confirming that no items were pulled by Council nor the Public, it was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved 5-0
1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular meeting of October 20, 2025.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. Registers of Audited Demands in the amount of $ 997,098.82, dated 10/15/25 and in the amount of $ 1,565,139.11, dated 10/22125.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the registers of audited demands. Approved
3. Quarterly Treasurers Report ending September 30, 2025. The Quarterly Treasurer's Report provides an overview of the City's cash and investment holdings as of September 30, 2025. The report confirms compliance with the City's investment policy as set forth in Administrative Regulation Number 215, the Statement of Investment Policy, and the State of California's Government Code ( GC) Section 53646.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Treasurer's Report for the period ending September 30, 2025. Approved
4. Transit Oriented Development Pedestrian Bridge Project: Construction and Maintenance Agreement with Southern California Regional Rail Authority and San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The proposed pedestrian bridge crossing over Arrow Highway and the Metrolink San Bernardino Line ( railroad tracks) will provide a grade - separated connection between the La Verne A - Line Station and the Fairplex campus. Implementation of this project will require the execution of a Construction and Maintenance ( C&M) Agreement among the participating public agencies. The agreement will define each agency's respective roles and responsibilities and will be executed by the City of La Verne, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments ( SGVCOG), and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority SCRRA/Metrolink).
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into the Construction and Maintenance Agreement for the Transit Oriented Development Pedestrian Bridge Project with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority. Approved
5. Rejection of Bids for the City of La Verne Fire Station No. 1 Gender Compliance Improvement Project. This action will reject all bids submitted for the City of La Verne Fire Station No. 1 Gender Compliance Improvement Project. Bids were opened on October 7, 2025. The apparent low bid submitted a bid exceeding the projected project construction budget. The apparent low bid also received a bid protest regarding a significant signature omission error.
Recommendation: That the City Council reject all bids and direct City Staff to modify the project scope and re - advertise the project for bidding. Approved
6. Franchise Agreement Time Extension for Sanders Towing Inc. The City maintains a franchise agreement with Sanders Towing Inc. to provide towing and vehicle impound services within the City of La Verne. The three-year agreement was initially approved after a competitive process completed July 18, 2022. Section IV, Subsection A of the agreement, allows the term to be extended upon the written consent of both parties.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year extension of the Franchise Towing Agreement with Sanders Towing Inc. Approved Minutes City Council 11/3/2025 Page 4
7. Authorizing the Execution of a Side Letter Agreement Amending the Memorandum of Understandings Between the City of La Verne and the La Verne Firefighters' Association Regarding Education Incentives. Approval of a new Side Letter with the La Verne Firefighters' Association ( LVFA) to amend the existing Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) for compliance with additional CaIPERS requirements.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Side Letter Agreement amending Memorandum of Understandings between the City of La Verne and the La Verne Firefighters' Association Regarding Education Incentives. Approved
8. Vehicle Replacement, Police Chief Assigned Vehicle. Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Budget in the amount of $ 49,996,18 for the replacement of a Police Department vehicle.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a resolution titled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ADOPTED BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 49,996.18 AND AUTHORIZE THE ADVANCEMENT OF VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FM 3115 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE ( 1) 2026 DODGE DURANGO_" Approved
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Resolution Adopting Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments for Fiscal Years 2025-26 through 2029-30 and Finding that Adoption of the Rates is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA). The City operates water and sewer utility systems through enterprise funds supported entirely by ratepayer revenue and recently completed a comprehensive rate study and public participation process to update the cost - of - service mode and financial plan. This Proposition 218 Public Hearing allows for residents to protest the proposed rates and, if sufficient protest is not received, for Council to set rates for the next five years, effective January 1, 2026.
Recommendation: That the City Council, after conducting a Public Hearing in compliance with Proposition 218 to accept comments on the proposed water and sewer rates:
1. Direct the Deputy City Clerk to tabulate the results of the protests received from property owners and announce the findings; and
2. Adopt a Resolution titled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING WATER AND SEWER RATES AND CHARGES FOR A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD ( FY 2025-26 THROUGH FY 2029-30)"; and
3. Authorize the City Manager, Finance Director, and Public Works Director to implement the rates, update the Master Schedule of Fees and Charges, make non - substantive corrections to the exhibits, and complete all billing system updates; and
4. Find that adoption of the water and sewer rates is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8) and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(2).
Mayor Hepburn opened the Public Hearing and requested the staff member presenting this item to come forward. Public Works Director Wu and Raftelis Project Director Pardiwala reported on this item.
Public Comments received from: Brian Bowcock, Shirley Baldwin, Sherry Shaw, Mike Blazinski, Dusty Moisio, Jim Fleetwood, Bruce Becker, Elizabeth Aldana, James Wilkinson, Patricia Mobley, Alayna Nord, Cherie Anderson, Christopher Dobbs, Patricia Sweetman, Diane Wilkinson, Pam Berry, Danita Beauchamp, Cynthia Gabaldon, William McKenna, Joe Gabaldon, Lily Brainard, Chris NLN, Terry Prentice, Susan Hines, Richard Bowen, Becky Minutes City Council - 1113/2025 Page 5
NLN, Kathy Kalouseck, Ruth Spacious ( sp), Doug Shortrate ( sp), and one additional resident - no name given.
Questions from the audience were answered by Council, Staff and the Consultant:
Operating Expenses, infrastructure, and replenishment figures were all contained in the final report. Page 181 of the report contains the detailed Capital Improvement plan. This information is included in the agenda report and can be found on the City website at laverneca.gov/ratestudy.
Community Engagement — Information from the Water and Sewer Rate Ad Hoc Committee has been on the website for some time. There have been numerous postings on social media, the information was included in the Recreation Guide, which gets mailed to every address in La Verne, also a mailer specific to the rate study and increase was mailed to every parcel address with a meter, and lastly the Prop 218 Brochure was mailed to every parcel with a meter.
Council Comments/Discussion: Council Member Crosby asked if the water money goes anywhere else, like back in the general fund.
City Manager Dourer clarified, only to cover overhead costs for the water department. Any funds raised by an enterprise fund cannot go to cover General Fund normal operating costs.
Can the Water Fund be subsidized by the General Fund, no, due to the state of the General Fund.
Council Member Lau asked for clarification on the amount of monies going to operating costs and what percentage or amount to infrastructure?
Public Works Director Wu stated the operating and maintenance costs for the current year 2025 is about $ 12.9 million, of which 70% of this is for the water production and purchase costs. La Verne gets more than three quarters of the water we provided imported from Three Valleys. The $ 12.9 million is projected to be 18.6 million in 2030. On the Capital Improvement side that total is $ 27 million of which $ 16.9 million is water CIP projects and another $ 10.5 million in sewer CIP projects.
Council Member Johnson stated that as far as maintenance is concerned, we will never be finished, the City is too large, there's old plumbing that needs to be replaced hopefully before they fail. There is always going to be new development and pipes break. The sewer system is the same, repairs and maintenance are constant.
City Attorney Hall Barlow clarified the fee structure is a fired fee by meter size, that controls how much water flow, therefore residents pay per 1,000 gallons of water, which is directly proportional to what you actually use. We are not allowed to do tiered structures. We can do fixed and fixed fees for infrastructures and commodity charges, which is what we do. We cannot have higher charges for people who consume more, we can only charge them for what they consume. That has been ruled by the courts, we also can't charge lower rates to people who are on fixed incomes. There are many programs that can be put into place to provide assistance to them, but we are not allowed to make the rest of the rate payers pay for that.
Minutes City Council 11/3/2025 Page 6
Also, there we some question about the objections and the responses to them under the statue, if the responses are delivered prior to the close of the public hearing and this is all we have to do. That has been done, and all objections have been made available to Council for their review as part of the public hearing. There was a point about charges being excessive, the charges are not excessive if they are necessary. That's what the rate study does. The fact that it is a big jump doesn't mean it's excessive, it means that rates were low for a very long time and this is just a way to catch up. Under the law it's not excessive simply because it's a little difficult to take.
Mayor Hepburn recessed the meeting at approximately 9:45 PM to allow for the counting of the protest ballots. The meeting was called back to order at 9:55 PM and City Manager Domer stated that there were 1,532 protest votes against the rate increase, thereby short of the needed 4,769 required to protest the rate increase.
Council Member Crosby clarified his no vote in a previous council meeting was for the increase amount of 50%, not for the need of the increase overall, and feels that the 50% increase is a lot for most of the residents in his district that are on a fixed income, and he is very concerned about our infrastructure.
Council Member Johnson is not sure the highest level of increase is what the Council is going to recommend, it's not his first choice however, the reserves need to catch up to take care of the systems that we maintain.
Council Member Lau is concerned about the age of our infrastructure, which due to its age of over 100 years has issues that is not taken care of could cause greater impacts to the City.
Also, acknowledges that a 50% rate increase is not ideal for anyone, 45% is a lot also. If you attended our budget study sessions, we do not have a revenue stream like other cities around us, that's a big concern, if something catastrophic happens how can we handle that.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita acknowledged the community had some great comments on this, it's about the here and now, and how can I better your lives, that's what local government does, is concerned about the effect on our senior retired population, we have to make sure that we provide you water, is an essential means of life.
Mayor Hepburn thanked the Ad Hoc Committee, City staff and City Manager for the tremendous amount of work and time put into this. We were elected because we care about our community, if you ever have an issue, call us, we will get you help. Remember, it costs money for services in our community. Our infrastructures need to be taken care of We have our own Police and Fire services, you have to pay for those increases, its not pleasant but at the end of the day, water flows and its fresh and we're keeping up with technology.
Council recessed into Closed Session at 10:19 PM.
Meeting was called back to order at 10:27 pm.
Closed Session Report Out- City Attorney Hall Barlow stated there was nothing to report.
After further discussion. It was moved by Crosby, seconded by .Kashifalghita, and approved by a vote of 5-0 to approve the 35% rate increase January 1, 2026, 25% on July 1, 2026, 15% Minutes City Council 11/3/2025 Page 7
July 1, 2027, 10% July 1, 2028, and 10% July 1, 2029, with a rate study to be started prior to July 2027.
For the remainder of the staff recommended items, related to the sewer increase of 15% annually over the five years, approval of the resolution, and authorization to make minor adjustments, it was moved by Johnson, seconded by Lau, and approved 5-0.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR - 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.
Comments received from: Brian Bowcock, Danita Beauchamp, No name given, Alayna Nord, and Lily Brainard.
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 everyone for attending this meeting.
Announced the Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11 at 11:00 am.
Council Member Lau thanked everyone for the interaction and engagement.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita encouraged all to support our Veterans, and not to forget about our POWs and MIAs. Thank you everyone for coming.
Mayor Hepburn Thanked staff and the Ad Hoc Committee, and encouraged everyone to vote tomorrow.
ADJOURNMENT - meeting was adjourned at 10:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Fritz, CMC
Deputy City Clerk