MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354
December 10, 2024, 5:30 PM - December 10, 2024, 8:04 PM Roll Call: (The following members were in attendance)
Phillip Dupper, Mayor
Ronald Dailey, Mayor pro tempore
Rhodes Rigsby, Councilmember
Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, CouncilMember
Absent:
Ovidiu Popescu, Councilmember
1. Call to Order
1A. Call to Order- 5:30 PM
The Audit Committee met at 5:30 pm; the regular meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm. 1B. Roll CallCouncilmember Ovidiu Popescu absent.
Staff present: T. Jarb Thaipejr, City Manager; Diane Robbins, City Attorney; Lynette Arreola, City Clerk; Sonia Fabela, Finance Director; Dan Harker, Fire Chief; Lorena Matarrita, Community Development Director; Andrew Sanchez. Customer Support Technician; and Lt. Kaysie Smith, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
1C. Workshop - Community Room @ 5:30 pm - Audit Committee - Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2023-2024- 5:30 PM
Mayor Dupper stated that the Finance Department staff, the City Manager, and the Audit Committee met with the Auditors in a workshop before the City Council meeting to review the audit report that would be presented to the City Council.
1D. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Rigsby- 7:02 PM The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Rigsby. 1E. Items to be Added or Deleted- 7:03 PM
No items were added or deleted.
1F. Oral Reports/Public Participation - Non-Agenda Items (Each Speaker limited to 3 minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no action or discussion can be taken by City Council)- 7:03 PM
Marjorie Barakian, 11464 Via Lido, requested the City to significantly trim the shrubbery that is growing over the walls into the residential properties along Bryn Mawr Ave., between Lawton Ave. and Via Lora, as it has contributed to a rat infestation in that area. She also reported observing an elderly woman stealing from their blue carts every Thursday morning and expressed concern that the individual might be a victim of elderly abuse.
Brianna Egan expressed concern about the homeless encampments on the north side of Barton Rd., east of California St., and the responsibility of the City to address its homelessness. Mayor Dupper pointed out that the City and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department held a workshop last month to update the City and Council on their homeless programs and the collaborative efforts with other agencies who assist with its operations. He noted that while the encampments specified are located within the City of Redlands, the Sheriff's Dept. for Loma Linda has addressed the homeless issues in that area.
1G. Conflict of Interest Disclosure- 7:17 PM
None reported.
2. Scheduled and Related Items
2A. Joint meeting of the City Council and Housing Authority regarding presentation of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY 2023/2024 [Finance]- 7:17 PM Mayor Dupper Called to Order the Housing Authority Board for a Joint Meeting with the City Council.
Finance Director Sonia Fabela introduced Brianna Schultz Welebir and Veronica Hernandez from Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP (RAMS), who would present the Annual Financial Statement, and Anna Briones, Financial Analyst, who would present the financial data.
Brianna Schultz stated that her meeting with the Audit Committee and her presentation would be on the audit results. She provided a brief overview of the City's and RAMS's responsibilities during the audit process. She highlighted that the City received an Unmodified Opinion, the highest assurance level an auditor can provide. She explained that significant accounting policies were consistently applied, and all disclosures were appropriately reflected in the financial statements. Brianna expressed her appreciation for the work from Sonia and Anna, noting that they provided clean support on their first request, that no material errors or irregularities were identified, and that there were no accounting issues or findings. She thanked the City and Finance team for their cooperation and efforts.
Anna Briones, Senior Accountant/Financial Analyst, presented the City's financial statements for Fiscal Year 2024, explaining the statement covers the City's, the Loma Linda Housing Authority's, and the Successor Agency's, a private trust fund, financials. She provided a summary of the three main sections of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): 1) Introductory, 2) Financial, and 3) Statistical (Unaudited). She reviewed the statement of activities of the Government-wide statements, which is a complete financial report of the City; the City's Financial Results of the Government-Wide Financial Statements; the City's Financial Results of the Fund Financial Statements; and the City's Financial Results for the Statement of Net Position; and, finally, the Successor Agency's Financial Results all as presented in her PowerPoint presentation. She pointed out that the Management Discussion and Analysis section, pages 5-17, would provide a detailed summary and analysis of the ACFR. She thanked all department staff for their assistance in the preparation of the City's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. She noted that the report not only includes financial data but also the City's significant accomplishments for 2024. She concluded stating that the document would be posted on the City's website.
Councilmember Rigsby thanked the Finance Department under the leadership of Finance Director Sonia Fabela for their exceptional work.
Finance Director Fabela extended her appreciation to Ms. Briones, commending her dedication and hard work. She noted that the department has consistently received the GFOA award every year and emphasized her gratitude for Ms. Briones' contributions to this achievement.
The Annual Comprehensive Report for FY 2023/24 was received for filing by the City Council.
3. Consent Calendar
Motion by Rhodes Rigsby, seconded Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, passing by a vote of 4-0-0-0-1, Absent was Ovidiu Popescu
to Approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
3A. Demands Registers - November 12, and December 10, 2024 [Finance]- 7:55 PM Approved the Demands Registers dated December 10, 2024, with commercial demands totaling $550,385.37 and Payroll dated December 5, 2024, totaling $397,817.76. The Demands Register dated November 12, 2024, was previously approved by the City Council at their November 12, 2024, meeting.
3B. Approval of Minutes November 12, 2024 [City Clerk]- 7:55 PM Approved the minutes of November 12, 2024, as submitted. 3C. Treasurer's Report - November 2024 [Finance]- 7:55 PM Accepted the November 2024 Treasurers Report for filing. 3D. Fire Department's Activity Report - November 2024 [Fire]- 7:55 PM Accepted the November 2024 Fire Department's Activity Report for filing. 3E. Request from Two Canyons Conservancy to Waive the Planning Application Fees for the Frink Adobe Historical Preserve Project [Community Development]- 7:55 PM Approved to waive the Planning Application Fees for the Frink Adobe Historical Preserve Project. 3F. Council Bill #R-2024-40 - Cal OES Designation of Applicant's Agent Resolution– Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program [Fire]- 7:55 PM Adopted Council Bill #R-2024-40,
Resolution No. 3238
DESIGNATION OF APPLICANT'S AGENT RESOLUTION FOR NON-STATE AGENCIES WITH THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA GOVERNER'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES 3G. Authorization to apply for the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) FY 24-25 [Fire]- 7:55 PM
Authorized the Fire Department to apply for the 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and authorized the City Manager to execute related grants and accept additional grand funding should it become available.
3H. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project Prioritization for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 [Public Works]- 7:55 PM
Approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposed service projects and the Construction Improvement Projects as recommended by staff. 3I. Council Bill #R-2024-41 - A Resolution Establishing the New Salary Table for Employees Effective January 1, 2025 [Human Resources]- 7:55 PM Adopted Council Bill #R-2024-41;
RESOLUTION 3239
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE NEW SALARY TABLE FOR EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025.
4. Old Business
4A. Status Update on the Revenue-Generating Ad hoc Committee [Councilmember Spencer-Hwang]- 7:56 PM
Councilmember Spencer-Hwang reiterated that the purpose of the ad hoc committee is to brainstorm ideas and strategies for generating revenue for the City. She provided a list of the committee members she put together from the community, local business owners, Loma Linda University, the Chamber of Commerce, and university students, who would bring diverse expertise to the table. She was open to input from the Council. She anticipated the Committee would begin meeting in January.
Following her attendance at the League of California Cities Conference where she met with other City leaders, she stated that some neighboring cities offered consulting support and ideas. She shared that the University referred her to Mia Kyricos of Kyricos & Associates LLC, an international leader in the wellness industry specializing in consulting services. She noted that Ms. Kyricos had visited Loma Linda and expressed interest in meeting with each Councilmember to learn more about the City and its needs. She confirmed that information on Ms. Kyricos's business was emailed to all Councilmembers. She asked the City Clerk to assist in scheduling these meetings.
5. New Business
No items.
6. Reports
6A. Reports of Council Members- 8:04 PM
No reports.
6B. Reports Of Officers- 8:04 PM
City Manager Thaipejr gave a status report on the Lopers Holiday Classic held on December 8, and the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 2.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.