City of Pomona 505 S. Garey Ave
Pomona, CA 91766
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council / Housing Authority / Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
Mayor Tim Sandova!
Vice Mayor John Nolte
Councilmember Victor Preciado
Councilmember Nora Garcia
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Steve Lustro
Councilmember Robert S. Torres
VISION STATEMENT
Pomona will be recognized as a vibrant, safe, beautiful community that is a fun and exciting destination and the home of arts and artists, students and scholars, business and industry.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 4:30 PM Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sandoval called the City Council Meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Lustro led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tim Sandoval
Vice Mayor John Nolte
Councilmember Victor Preciado (arrived at 4:44 p.m.)
Councilmember Nora Garcia
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Steve Lustro
Absent: Councilmember Robert Torres
STAFF PRESENT
James Makshanoff, City Manager
Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney
Rosalia Butler, City Clerk
Karla Shipman, Assistant City Clerk
Diana Robles, Deputy City Clerk
City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes February 22, 2023 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
At the direction of the City Council Emergency Sub Committee, beginning with the July 18, 2022 Council meeting, emailed comments will no longer be read into the record during Council meetings. However, they will be included as part of the record/meeting minutes.
Live Comments were as follows:
Brian C. Brooks stated he is a commissioner on the existing Police Oversight Commission, and expressed concern about starting a commission with five new people due to the requirements needed to be on the commission. He also believes the goals of the new Police Oversight Commission should focus on improving community relationships and communication with the Pomona Police Department.
Ann Tomkins raised concerns regarding campaign finance amendments brought forth in the City Charter that conflict with an existing City ordinance. She would like to see those changes updated so the public, and anyone interested in running for office, can be clear about campaign financing rules. She also questioned why the meetings for the current Police Oversight Commission were cancelled if a new Police Oversight Commission has not yet been established.
Mike Suarez stated he believed the new Police Oversight Commission should be open to all members of the public to apply and that one of the tasks of the commission should include reviewing complaints against the Police Department.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
1. Review and Discussion of Eight (8) New Charter Amendments Approved by Voters during the November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Review and discuss staff recommendations regarding the eight (8) new voter approved Charter amendments; and
2) Provide direction to staff.
City Clerk Butler gave the staff presentation.
Councilmembers asked various questions to staff regarding some of the charter amendments. City Attorney Carvalho and City Clerk Butler answered their questions.
Council requested that staff use the Charter Amendment to establish a new Police Oversight Commission, but to fill in any vague or missing information in the amendment with the specific found in the current ordinance that established the previous Police Oversight Commission. Mayor Sandoval proposed creating an advisory committee to
City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes February 22, 2023 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
review applications and select five applicants, who will then be taken to a Council Meeting for final approval. Mayor Sandoval stated he would advise which councilmembers will be on the advisory committee.
Council requested that staff bring back examples of other cities' Ethics Commissions, in similar size and demographics, to see what their structure and function look like.
Councilmember Garcia stated that it is important to her that applicants for this Ethics Commission be people who have not had previous ties, such as already having served on a committee or commission, to the City to better ensure impartiality and fairness. City Attorney Carvalho pointed out that the Charter Amendment states the Ethics Commission is to function as an advisory and monitoring commission, but does not discuss enforcement or investigations.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council Meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m. on February 22, 2023.
Respectfully submitted, ATTEST:
ROSALIAA. BUTLER, MMC TIM SANDOVAL
City Clerk/Secretary of the Pomona Mayor/Chair of the Pomona Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Redevelopment Agency
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