CITY OF LA VERNE
ERNE
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 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 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.
The City Council recessed at 5:31 PM.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:30 PM - meeting called to order at 6:32 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - STAR SCOUT LIAM HICKAM
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, on behalf of the Council, presented Star Scout Liam Hickam with a Pride of La Verne certificate and thanked him for his service to our community.
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
Minutes City Council 11/17/2025 Page 2
Advisory Staff Present: City Manager Domer, City Attorney Hall Barlow, and Assistant City Manager Ranells.
PRESENTATIONS
Native American Heritage Month Proclamation - November is a month-long observance celebrating the rich traditions, histories, and contributions of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and affiliated Island Communities.
Council presented the Native American Heritage Month Proclamation to long term La Verne residents, Rene and Michael Oliva, two members of the Carmel River Valley Rumsen Tribe.
Council then heard the history of the tribe, their size, mission and goals.
City Financial Investment Update - A presentation by Shuster Advisory Group, LLC, the City's investment advisor, on the City's investment portfolio and related financial consulting services.
Finance Director Lopez, with Mark Schuster and Michael Gonzalez, representatives from Shuster Advisory Group LLC updated the Council on the City's investment portfolio and finances.
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: Mayor Hepburn regarding the Veterans Day Observance on November 11", Josh Goldman, Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, and Adrian Romero, LV Library Manager,
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 Lau, and approved 5-0.
1. City Council Minutes of the Closed Session & Regular meeting of November 3, 2025.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the minutes. Approved
2. Register of Audited Demands in the amount of $976,830.68, dated10/29/25.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the demands. Approved
3. Christmas Morning Parade Route Designation and Authorization of Paid Stipend Incentive For Employee Participation. Since 1925, the Christmas Morning event has been held in which Santa is driven through the streets of La Verne accompanied by emergency vehicles signalizing a time for neighbors to share the tidings of the season together. To facilitate the event this year, the City Council is asked to approve designating all streets as a parade Minutes City Council 11/17/2025 Page 3
route and authorize a paid stipend for full and part-time participating City staff in order to facilitate the event.
Recommendation: That the City Council designate the streets in the City of La Verne as a parade route on Thursday, December 25, 2025, from 7 AM through 2 PM to complete the Christmas Morning Parade program and authorize the provision of a stipend for volunteers to participating full and part-time City staff. Approved
2026 Legislative Platform. The City of La Verne's Legislative Platform serves as a strategic framework for advocacy efforts, ensuring the City can respond effectively to legislation and communicate its priorities to policymakers. Upon approval, the 2026 Legislative Platform will take effect immediately, providing a clear road map for advocacy in the year ahead.
Recommendation: That the City Council approved the Legislative Platform for the 2026 legislative session. Approved
5. Award of Contract for the Citywide Signing & Striping, and Traffic Signal Backplate Improvement Project. This action will award a construction contract to Superior Pavement Markings in the amount of $365,483.00 for CIP No. MI2402 - Citywide Signing & Striping, and Traffic Signal Backplate Improvement 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 bids submitted by Select Electric Inc. and California Professional Engineering, Inc. as non-responsive bids;
2. Award a public works construction contract to Superior Pavement Markings the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $365,483.00 for the Citywide Signing & Striping Project, and Traffic Signal Backplate Improvement Project; and
3. Authorize staff to issue change orders not exceeding 10% of the construction budget for a total possible construction contract cost of $402,031.30; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to RA Consulting Group in the amount of $45,000 for Professional Engineering and Construction Management/Inspection Services related to the project; and
5. Approve the "Citywide Signing & Striping Design Plans," prepared by RKA Consulting the City Engineer to issue ratying revisions and fred adjustmen that no authomaterially alter the approved design intent.
All recommendations as noted above were approved.
6. Authorizing the Execution of a Side Letter Agreement Amending the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of La Verne and the La Verne City Employees' Association Regarding Upcoming Holiday Closures. The proposed side letter agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the La Verne City Employees' Association (LVCEA) will formalize City Council direction to close non-emergency public facilities in conjunction with the upcoming holiday season of Christmas and New Year's.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
Minutes City Council 11/17/2025 Page 4
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Side Letter Agreement amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of La Verne and the La Verne City
2. Authorize the Closure of City Hall to the public on December 24, December 25, December 29, December 30, December 31, 2025, as well as January 1, 2026; and
3. Authorize the Closure of the Police Department Records Division to the public on December 24, December 25, December 26, and December 31, 2025, as well as January All recommendations as noted above were approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Public Hearing, Making CEQA Exemption Determinations, and Approving Updates and Annual Cost Increases to Various Development Impact Fees. The City of La Verne completed a comprehensive Development Impact Fee (DIF) Nexus Study to evaluate facilities, equipment, and capital improvements necessary to maintain high-quality municipal services as new development occurs in the coming decades. The study establishes legally defensible fees that ensure new development contributes proportionately to the cost of public facilities. Staff recommends adoption of the proposed fees and Nexus Study to modernize La Verne's impact fees, most of which have not been updated for many years.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing on the proposed Development Impact Fee update; and
2. Find that the actions proposed herein are statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 (b) (4), 15061 (b) (3), and 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges); and
3. Adopt a resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, UPDATING THE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES AND AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26; and
4. Approve annual adjustments tied to the California Construction Cost Index (CCCI) to account for inflation in construction and acquisition costs.
Mayor Hepburn opened the Public Hearing and requested the staff member presenting this item to come forward. City Manager Domer reported on this item.
City Manager Domer gave a brief overview, then introduced the Representatives from David Taussig and Associates, Richard Ruiz, and his Associate Leni Zarate, who were present over the Zoom connection, to go through the presentation.
Public Comments received: None
Council Comments/Discussion: After a lengthy in-depth discussion, Council decided to move forward with the maximum allowable fees as set forth in the study provided.
It was moved by Hepburn, seconded by Crosby, and approved 5-0.
Minutes City Council 11/17/2025 Page 5
8. Amending the Comprehensive Fee Schedule and Incidental Outdoor Sidewalk Policy.
That the City Council adopt a resolution amending the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule to include revised outdoor dining and display permit fees. These adjustments are proposed in response to feedback from Old Town businesses and require City Council approval to implement.
Recommendation: That the City Council conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution amending the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule to include revised outdoor dining and display permit fees and approve modifications to the Incidental Outdoor Sidewalk Policy to align with the updated fee structure.
Mayor Hepburn opened the Public Hearing and requested City Manager Domer call forward the staff member reporting. City Manager Domer called Community Development Department Assistant Planner Valerie Chin forward.
Assistant Planner Chin reported on this item.
Public Comments: None
Council Comments/Discussion: After Council discussion, Council agreed to move forward with the new policy.
It was moved by Lau, seconded by Kashifalghita, 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.
Public Comment received from: Adam Nikowitz
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.
City Manager Domer provided information regarding the issue with the timing on the signals along Arrow Highway. Metro Rail Operations is responsible for the timing issues with the rail line; the contact information is 1-800-396-2166.
Minutes City Council 11/17/2025 Page 6
Council Member Lau gave a shout out to the Historical Society for the Home Tour and Vintage Sale on November 8"',as well as the beautiful speech the FW Commander gave at the Veterans Day ceremony, reminding all of the needs for housing, mental health services, finding jobs, going to school, etc. Attended the LV Brewing Company One Year Anniversary Ribbon Cutting, Tri City Mental Health will be having a meeting this Wednesday at 5:00 PM. The YAC Meeting has been cancelled, and the ULV Women's Volleyball Teams had a fantastic season and will be going to the NCAA First Round D3 Championship games in Baltimore. Since Thanksgiving is coming, in this season of abundance please think about those who may have less and how you can be helpful, and kind to them.
Mayor Pro Tem Kashifalghita, Bonita High School Water Polo Team won the Division 3 CIF Championship, Damien High School Boys got to Division 2, this was quite an accomplishment, State Championships are next week. Congratulations to all the Teams! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Council Member Crosby thanked Don Kendrick, Robin Carder, and the Diehl Family for spearheading the efforts regarding the Veterans Memorial Bronze statues, and including the Animal Warrior, so appreciate them and all our Veterans.
Council Member Johnson thanked Sherry Best of the Historical Society, for the Home Tour, it was nice to go through the Humes Home and see everything they've done to improve their home.
Mayor Hepburn wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and thanked all the staff members that will be doing the Christmas morning Santa celebration. Shout out to Dan Hardin, Don Kendrick, Robin Carder regarding the Veterans Memorial. Prayers to Dan Hardin as he's dealing with a serious illness, Dan has been instrumental in anything to do with Memorial Day and Veterans Day for many, many years taking care of our Veterans and making sure they have everything they need.
Thank you to Parks and Recreation for doing a great job facilitating this event. This time of year many food banks and food pantries are running low on supplies, you can go to the House of Ruth website to make a donation or drop off food or other items. Be safe, enjoy your family and reach out to those you haven't seen, it's very important this time of year, make a phone call! ADJOURNMENT - meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Dela Frity
Debra Fritz, CMC (
Deputy City Clerk