505 S. Garey Ave
City of Pomona Pomona, CA 91766
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council / Housing Authority / Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
Mayor Tim Sandoval
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.
Monday, March 27, 2023 5:30 PM Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sandoval called the City Council Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Sandoval led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tim Sandoval
Councilmember Victor Preciado (arrived at 5:39 p.m.)
Councilmember Nora Garcia (arrived at 5:36 p.m.)
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Absent: Vice Mayor John Nolte
Councilmember Steve Lustro
Councilmember Robert Torres
STAFF PRESENT
James Makshanoff, City Manager
Rosalia Butler, City Clerk
Diana Robles, Deputy City Clerk
City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes March 27, 2023 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
1. Fiscal Year 2023-24 General Fund Preview
It is recommended that:
1) A preview of the FY 2023-24 Preliminary General Fund Budget is presented to the Mayor and City Council to receive feedback for the Proposed FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget.
2) Residents, Businesses, and Community Groups are encouraged to provide feedback on the FY 2023-24 General Fund budget during public comment.
Finance Director Andrew Mowbray gave the staff presentation. He advised the same presentation will be given at the May 5, 2023 Special Budget Meeting Session. The Proposed Budget Study Session will take place on May 8, 2023, and the Public Hearing for Budget Adoption will take place on June 5, 2023.
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:
Debra Watkins discussed the various recommendations made by the Citizen's Oversight Committee, some of which were to make increases in the funding of early Childhood Development and Young Youth programs, Police services, staffing or programs that focus on business growth, and street rehabilitation.
Leticia Casillas-Sanchez expressed concern for the timing of the meeting. She requested a later start time for future community meetings to accommodate working residents and believes this will increase turnout.
John Clifford requested that during single item agendas, public comment take place after the staff presentation and City Council comments. He also hopes that other commissions are able to give Councilmembers input regarding the budget. Lastly, he requested additional funding for the Library and the maintenance of historic sites that are owned by the City.
City of Pomona Page 2
City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes March 27, 2023 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Elinor Crescenzi requested a critical review of funds for public safety because she believes services for mental health and homelessness should not be provided by Police Department, but rather should be provided by either community groups, Neighborhood Services Department or Social Services. She requested Councilmembers to look into cities that have significantly reduced their Police Department budget.
Ellie O'Bosky discussed frustration with the services provided by the Pomona Police H.E.A.R.T program, and requested the City not fund this program but instead look towards alternative services to address homelessness.
Councilmember Garcia asked questions and made comments regarding the recommendations of the Citizen's Oversight Committee.
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole asked questions regarding the staff vacancies discussed during the staff presentation. She also expressed support for additional funding for the re- habilitation of the streets, especially for the infrastructure of the underpasses.
Mayor Sandoval expressed support for increasing funding of youth programs and asked Staff where the additional funding could be pulled from to make that increase take place.
Mayor Sandoval posed the question of what it would look like for the City to provide mental health services because currently those services are provided by the County
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council Meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. on March 27, 2023.
Respectfully submitted, ATTEST:
LiBs
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ROSALIA A. 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
City of Pomona Page 3
Robles, Diana
From: Lisa Snider <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2023 12:50 PM
To: City Clerk; Butler, Rosalia
Subject: Public Comment for Tonight
CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or on clicking links from unknown senders.
Libraries are more than just books and free wi-fi. Pomona Public Library is a true community resource. Not only do we provide the usual programs with homework tutoring, summer reading and serving as a cooling center, but through our partnerships with Pomona Wellness Community and Just Us For Youth, we offer a number of social and mental health services. These include parenting, nutrition and substance abuse education as well as advocacy for foster families. We do all of this and so much more with limited hours and staffing.
None of this is possible without a strong budget, and sadly, Pomona library's budget is among the lowest in the state. The hours we are open are the lowest in the region. A well-budgeted library ensures a healthy, vibrant and safe community.
Mayor and Council, please support our library so that we can offer more hours to our patrons.
Thank you for your consideration.
Lisa Snider
Trustee, Pomona Public Library Board