505 S. Garey Ave
ORONA City of Pomona omona, CA 9176
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council / Housing Authority / Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
Councilmember Nora Garcia
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Steve Lustro
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, April 3, 2024 3:00 PM Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sandoval called the City Council Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Preciado led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tim Sandoval
Vice Mayor Victor Preciado
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Steve Lustro
Councilmember Robert Torres
Absent: Councilmember John Nolte
Councilmember Nora Garcia
STAFF PRESENT
Anita Gutierrez, City Manager
Rosalia Butler, City Clerk
Michael Ellis, Police Chief
Sam Wong, Information Technology Director
Yvonne Morgan contracted by the City, provided translation services.
City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes April 3, 2024 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:
Jesus Gonzalez spoke in opposition to funding the Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division, and supported the money be spent on Library programs or Community Services.
Nate S. spoke in opposition to funding the Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division, and supported the money be spent in other ways.
Abel Torres spoke in support of establishing a more collaborative approach to the budget meetings, and requested more funding for the assessment district to address fire risk concerns in the Mission Hills neighborhoods.
Yesenia Miranda Meza spoke in opposition to funding the Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division, and supported the money be spent on expanding the Code Compliance division instead.
Graciela Conchas spoke in support of decreasing Pomona Police funds and use them to fund divisions that can support tenant rights to ensure they are in habitable rental locations.
Lynn Phan opposed funding the Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division, and spoke in support of using that money to fund more long-term solutions to address the houseless population.
The following public speakers spoke after the staff presentation.
Elinor Crescenzi spoke in support of decreasing the funding for Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division and would like to see those funds go to
Angelica Morales from the Citizen's Oversight Committee shared the committee's recommendations to the City Council.
Ellie O'Bosky spoke in support of decreasing the funding for Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund Preview
It is recommended that the City Council review the preview presentation of the FY 2024-25 Preliminary General Fund Budget and receive community feedback on the Proposed FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
Gry a ome Director Andrew Mowbray gave the staff presentation.
City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes April 3, 2024 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Councilmember Torres requested staff ensure they do not put the City in a position where the City is obligated to match funds. Councilmember Torres also asked about establishing metrics to assess the effectiveness of the Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division.
Vice Mayor Preciado requested the session include a breakdown of funds per division to understand the direction the City is going in for future services.
Finance Director Mowbray advised the breakdown of the budget will come to City Council in May after Finance Dept. and the City Manager meet with every division.
Vice Mayor Preciado requested a section that helps first time resident attendees understand how the City's budget is developed be added to the budget meetings. He also requested an increase to the number of times the budget study sessions are advertised.
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole asked if there is a mental health component to the Pomona PD H.E.A.R.T. division. Chief Ellis advised there are two officers that have training and work with LA County Mental Health Dept. to service Pomona. Chief Ellis advised PD is trying to get a third clinician from the County to assist in mental health crises calls. Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole spoke in support of acquiring more mental health psychiatrics to service the homeless population.
Councilmember Lustro agreed that the City should continue to do what it can to provide housing, but suggested pressure be placed on neighboring cities to also do their part in addressing the housing crisis.
Mayor Sandoval gave suggestions on ways to improve outreach services so that it is a multi-layered approach, and commented on the various affordable housing projects coming to the City.
THIS ITEM WAS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m. on April 3, 2024.
Respectfully submitted, ATTEST:
PORE
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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
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