Minutes — Montclair City Council, March 17, 2025

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE MONTCLAIR

CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY AND MONTCLAIR HOUSING

CORPORATION BOARDS, MONTCLAIR HOUSING AUTHORITY

COMMISSION, AND MONTCLAIR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
BOARD HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025, AT 7:00 P.M. IN
THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5111 BENITO STREET,

MONTCLAIR, CALIFORNIA
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor/Chair Dutrey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

II. INVOCATION
Pastor Donald Rucker, Christian Development Center, gave the invocation.

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member/Director Ruh led meeting participants in the Pledge.

IV. ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor/Chair Dutrey; Council Members/Directors Ruh, Lopez, and Mendez
City Manager/Executive Director Starr; Assistant City Manager/ Director of Human Services Richter; Director of Community Development Diaz; Director of Finance Kulbeck; Director of Public Works/City Engineer Heredia; Police Chief Reed; Acting Fire Chief Dierck; City Attorney Robbins; City Clerk Myrick

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Martinez
V. PRESENTATIONS
A. Proclamation Declaring April 2025 as “DMV/Donate Life California Month” in the City of Montclair
Mayor Dutrey presented a proclamation declaring April 2025 as DMV/Donate Life California Month to OneLegacy Ambassador Maribel Galvan, who shared that her son, a registered organ donor, passed away from a traumatic brain injury in 2019 and his organs saved or improved the lives of 27 people.

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
 Jay Mineck, resident, raised concerns about the lack of maintenance and testing of fire hydrants on his street in recent years and demanded regular inspections and testing to prepare for potential disasters, citing the significant loss of homes in Los Angeles due to non–functional hydrants during the recent wildfires.
 Bill Kaufman thanked the City for acknowledging the importance of organ donation and shared that his son, who passed away at 31 years old, was also an organ donor. He reminded the City Council of his desire to establish a cannabis business, noting he is still holding a property on Central Avenue for that purpose.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Second Reading — Consider Ordinance No. 25–1011 Authorizing the Levy of a Special Tax for CFD No. 2025–1 (The Village at Montclair)
Mayor Dutrey opened the public hearing and invited comments from the public. There being no one in the audience wishing to speak, Mayor Dutrey closed the public hearing and returned the matter to the City Council for consideration.

Joint City Council/Successor Agency Board/Montclair Housing Corporation Board/Montclair Housing Authority Commission/ Montclair Community Foundation Board Meeting Minutes – March 17, 2025 Page 2 of 6 ACTION – PUBLIC HEARING – Ordinance No. 25–1011
ACTING: City Council
MOTION: Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 25–1011 authorizing the levy of a special tax for CFD No. 2025–1 (The Village at Montclair).

MADE BY:

SECOND BY:

Council Member Lopez
Council Member Mendez
AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

Mendez, Lopez, Ruh, Dutrey
None
None
Martinez
RESULT: Motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION – Consent Calendar
ACTING: City Council
Successor Agency Board
Montclair Housing Corporation Board
Montclair Housing Authority Commissioners
Montclair Community Foundation Board
MOTION: Approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar, as presented.

MADE BY:

SECOND BY:

Council Member/Director Lopez
Council Member/Director Ruh
AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

Mendez, Lopez, Ruh, Dutrey
None
None
Martinez
RESULT: Motion carried 4–0–1(Martinez absent).

A. Approval of Minutes

1. Special Meeting — March 3, 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item A–1
ACTING: City Council
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

2. Regular Joint Meeting — March 3, 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item A–2
ACTING: City Council
Successor Agency Board
Montclair Housing Corporation Board
Montclair Housing Authority Commissioners
Montclair Community Foundation Board
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

1. Consider Receiving and Filing City Treasurer’s Report – February 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–1
ACTING: City Council
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

2. Consider Approval of City Warrant Register and Payroll Documentation
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–2
ACTING: City Council
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

3. Consider Receiving and Filing SA Treasurer’s Report – February 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–3
ACTING: Successor Agency Board
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

4. Consider Approval of SA Warrant Register – February 2025 ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–4
ACTING: Successor Agency Board
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

5. Consider Receiving and Filing MHC Treasurer’s Report – February 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–5
ACTING: Montclair Housing Corporation Board
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

6. Consider Approval of MHC Warrant Register – February 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–6
ACTING: Montclair Housing Corporation Board
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

7. Consider Receiving and Filing of MHA Treasurer’s Report – February 2025
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–7
ACTING: Montclair Housing Authority Commissioners
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

8. Consider Approval of MHA Warrant Register – February 2025 ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–8
ACTING: Montclair Housing Authority Commissioners
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

9. Consider Approval of Fiscal Year 2024–25 Schedule of Recommendations from the Community Activities
Commission for Community Benefits Funding
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item B–9
ACTING: City Council
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

C. Agreements — None
D. Resolutions

1. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 25–3475 Designating the Fire Chief as an Authorized Agent of the City of Montclair for California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Public Assistance Grants
Consider Authorizing Submittal of the Approved Cal OES
Form 130 to the State
ACTION – Consent Calendar – Item D–1
ACTING: City Council
RESULT: Approved on Consent Calendar; motion carried 4–0–1 (Martinez absent).

IX. PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS — None
X. COUNCIL WORKSHOP
A. Review of the Ralph M. Brown Act and Public Meeting Conduct The City Council continued this presentation to an adjourned meeting to be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. in the City Council Chambers
XI. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Department Reports — None
B. City Attorney

1. Request for City Council to Meet in Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(4) Regarding Potential Litigation One Potential Case
Joint City Council/Successor Agency Board/Montclair Housing Corporation Board/Montclair Housing Authority Commission/ Montclair Community Foundation Board Meeting Minutes – March 17, 2025 Page 5 of 6

2. Request for City Council to Meet in Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(1) Regarding Pending Litigation Donald Young, et al. v. City of Montclair
Kresback v. City of Montclair

3. Request for City Council to Meet in Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8 Regarding Real Property
Negotiations
Property: APN 1009–191–02–0000
Negotiating Parties: City of Montclair, Mark Martin Del Campo City Negotiator: Edward C. Starr, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Recommendations Regarding Purchase Price Property: APN 1009–191–03–0000
Negotiating Parties: City of Montclair, Victor Orosco
City Negotiator: Edward C. Starr, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Recommendations Regarding Purchase Price Property: APN 1009–191–04–0000
Negotiating Parties: City of Montclair, Rosemary Herrera City Negotiator: Edward C. Starr, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Recommendations Regarding Purchase Price Property: APN 1009–191–05–0000
Negotiating Parties: City of Montclair, Armenta Family Trust City Negotiator: Edward C. Starr, City Manager
Under Negotiation Recommendations Regarding Purchase Price C. City Manager/Executive Director — None
D. Mayor/Chair

1. Update on Proposed Wastewater Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) Rate Increase by Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) Mayor Dutrey expressed concerns with IEUA’s proposed two consecutive nine–percent EDU rate increases for wastewater treatment over the next two years, following previous increases of seven and six percent. He advised the EDU fee is a pass– through fee in the City’s sewer billing.

He explained that cities created IEUA over 50 years ago to consolidate and lower sewer treatment costs. With the expiration of the original 50–year contract, negotiations for a successor contract are ongoing. Currently, cities are only represented on a policy committee that can make recommendations to the IEUA Board. He noted as a member of the Policy Committee he
requested a rate study from IEUA staff, which has not yet been provided. The IEUA Board is set to consider the proposed rate increases at its meeting on April 15, 2025. He plans to urge the IEUA Board to delay the decision for further discussion and has scheduled a meeting, along with City staff, with IEUA Board President and IEUA staff to discuss the City’s concerns.

2. Mayor/Chair Dutrey acknowledged holidays observed and groups recognized in March; requested tonight’s meeting be adjourned in memory of San Bernardino County (SBC) Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr, who passed away during a pursuit in Victorville; and acknowledged that today would be the 100th birthday of his father.

E. Council Members/Directors

1. Council Member/Director Mendez wished everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day.

2. Council Member/Director Lopez noted his attendance at the Buena Vista Arts–Integrated School performance of Alice in Wonderland Jr. and reflected on the legacy of St. Patrick.

3. Council Member/Director Ruh noted his attendance at a performance of Seussical the Musical at Serrano Middle School; Montclair Little League’s Opening Day, and a 25th Anniversary event for the Christian Development Center. He reported his participation in Reading Across America Day by donating and reading books to children at Lehigh Elementary School, and discussed the social and societal contributions of Bessie Coleman, the first African–American woman to earn a pilot’s license, and Hedy Lamarr, an Austrian–American Hollywood actress and inventor, in honor of Women’s History Month.

F. Committee Meeting Minutes
The following committee minutes were received and filed for informational purposes:

1. Personnel Committee — March 3, 2025
XII. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:40 p.m., the City Council went into closed session to discuss potential litigation, pending litigation, and real property negotiation.

XIII. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
At 8:36 p.m., the City Council returned from closed session. Mayor Dutrey announced that the City Council discussed potential litigation, pending litigation, and real property negotiations; information was received and direction given to staff; and no further announcements would be made at this time.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:36 p.m., the Successor Agency Board, Montclair Housing Corporation Board, Montclair Housing Authority Commission, and Montclair Community Foundation Board were adjourned.

At 8:36 p.m., the City Council was adjourned to Monday, April 7, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. in the City Council Chambers for a Council Workshop presentation to review the Brown Act and public meeting conduct.

Submitted for City Council/Successor Agency Board/Montclair Housing Corporation Board/Montclair Housing Authority
Commission/Montclair Community Foundation Board approval, Andrea Myrick,
City Clerk
The meeting was adjourned in memory of SBC Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr.

Montclair City CouncilMarch 17, 2025

Montclair City Council
March 17, 2025