505 S. Garey Ave
City of Pomona Pomona, CA 91766
Regular Meeting Minutes
47RD 1
City Council / Housing Authority / Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
Mayor Tim Sandoval
Vice Mayor Steve Lustro
Councilmember Debra Martin
Councilmember Victor Preciado
Councilmember Nora Garcia
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Lorraine Canales
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, July 21, 2025 7:00 PM Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sandoval called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Lustro led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tim Sandoval
Vice Mayor Steve Lustro
Councilmember Debra Martin - via teleconference from 36 Ocean Front Lane, Cayucos, CA 93430
Councilmember Nora Garcia
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Lorraine Canales
Absent: Councilmember Victor Preciado
City Clerk Rosalia Butler confirmed with Councilmember Martin that she could hear the proceedings clearly, had a copy of the agenda, had posted a copy of the agenda at the Councilmember's location, and that the location was accessible to the public. City Clerk Butler then asked if any member of the public was with the Councilmember wishing to participate in the meeting. Councilmember Martin confirmed there was no member of the public with her wishing to participate in the meeting.
City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes July 21, 2025 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
City Clerk Butler also asked the in-person Mayor and Councilmembers if they had any trouble hearing Councilmember Martin, and hearing no comment from them, City Clerk Butler confirmed the Mayor, and all Councilmembers could hear Councilmember Martin clearly.
STAFF PRESENT
Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney
Rosalia A. Butler, City Clerk
Karla Shipman, Assistant City Clerk
Michael Ellis, Pomona Police Chief
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Sandoval discussed action taken by the City Council at the July 11, 2025 Special Closed Session Meeting in which the City Council joined as signatories to the Los Angeles City legal action against the federal government. Mayor Sandoval also attended the first Chicano Hollywood Film Festival at the Union on Garey Ave.
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole attended the Chamber of Commerce's Luau event and expressed concerns regarding littering in the City.
Councilmember Garcia gave thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and the Cámara de Comercio Hispana for collaborating to bring the CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention to Pomona. Councilmember Garcia attended the Farwell Celebration of Dr.
Soraya Colee. Councilmember Garcia announced upcoming events for the Library, Community Services, and the Pomona Police Department.
Councilmember Canales attended the Chamber of Commerce's Luau event and Dr.
Soraya Colee's Farewell event; lastly, Councilmember Canales expressed support for Pomona businesses.
Councilmember Martin attended the Meadowview Demonstration Garden ribbon cutting event, Dr. Soraya Colee's Farewell event and invited folks to attend the upcoming District 1 Area Commander meeting.
Vice Mayor Lustro attended the ribbon cutting event of the Meadowview Demonstration Garden and spoke a few words about the founding of the garden.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Scott had no reportable action.
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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:
Veronica Lee expressed concerns with location of new street sweeping signs in her neighborhood.
Gwendolyn Stein expressed concerns with the quality of the street sweeping and concerns with the placement of the street sweeping signs in her neighborhood.
Stacey expressed concerns with littering in the City and shared personal experience with homelessness.
Linette V. Gente Organizada, spoke in support of Measure Y and advised Gente Organizada would not apply to receive funds from the Measure Y Fund.
Briana, Gente Organizada, spoke in support of Measure Y.
Rosa Hernandez, Gente Organizada, spoke in support of Measure Y.
Gwendolyn Blume, Serenity Senior Advocate Group, discussed safety issues in her neighborhood and inquired about the services of VOA and Tri-City.
Everia Condon was called on but was not present to speak.
Gloria De La Cruz expressed concerns with trash, homelessness and fire threats in an area near her home that belongs to Cal Trans.
Yajaira-Heidi Ortega, Downtown Pomona District, expressed gratitude to the City for being a collaborator with downtown businesses.
Rachel Forester, League of Women Voters, discussed the work of the non-profit LW.
Jeffrey Michaelson, Hope for Holt Initiative, discussed the need for innovative strategies to urgently address homelessness.
Easah Syed expressed gratitude to the City Council for hearing him out and for passing a ceasefire resolution last year.
Zain Hasan expressed gratitude to the City Council for passing a ceasefire resolution and reflected on the feelings he has experienced since then. )
:*
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City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes July 21, 2025 Successor Agency to the
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CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY VICE MAYOR LUSTRO, CARRIED 6-0 (COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to approve the entire Consent Calendar.
*Public speakers gave comments on Consent Calendar Items No. 2 and No. 3 before the Consent Calendar motion was made.
Approval of City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes
It is recommended that the City Council approve the following City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes:
June 16, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY VICE MAYOR LUSTRO, CARRIED 6-0 (COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to approve City Council/Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2025.
2. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Annual Report for the Downtown Pomona Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) And Levying the Assessments for FY 2025-2026
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-91 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN POMONA
PROPERTY AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (PBID) ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ("EXHIBIT A") AND AUTHORIZING THE LEVYING OF THE FY 2025-2026 ASSESSMENTS
*Public Speaker Heidi Ortega, Downtown Pomona District, discussed the various upcoming events hosted by the DPD.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY VICE MAYOR LUSTRO, CARRIED 6-0 (COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to adopt Resolution No. 2025-91.
3. Adoption of a Resolution Amending the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget by Increasing Revenue Estimates and Appropriating the $7,800 in Awarded Grant Funds It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
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1) Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-89 - AMENDING THE FY 2025-26 OPERATING
BUDGET BY INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATING THE $7,800 IN AWARDED GRANT FUNDS
2) Receive a grant award of $7,800 from the TRI-CITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES; and
3) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents related with this action, with approval of the City Attorney as to form. *Public Speaker Jeffrey Michaelson discussed the need for collaboration between various stakeholders to find innovative solutions to address homelessness.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY VICE MAYOR LUSTRO, CARRIED 6-0 (COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to approve Resolution No. 2025-89 and receive a grant award of $7,800 from the TRI-CITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents related with this action, with approval of the City Attorney as to form.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing County Auditor-Controller to Include Delinquent Solid Waste (Trash) Collection Charges as Special Assessment Collected on Property Tax Roll for FY2025-26, and Record a Lien Against Delinquent Parcels of Property
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Conduct a Public Hearing, and after consideration of public testimony; 2) Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-47 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER TO INCLUDE
DELINQUENT SOLID WASTE (TRASH) COLLECTION CHARGES AS A
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO BE COLLECTED ON THE PROPERY TAX ROLL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26, TO RECORD A LIEN AGAINST SUCH
DELINQUENT PARCELS OF PROPERTY, AND TAKING OTHER ACTIONS : RELATED THRETO; and
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3) Approve the lien list of delinquent Solid Waste (Trash) collection accounts to be submitted to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller (Controller) no later than August 10, 2025, to be included as a special assessment for the respective affected parcels on the County property tax rolls.
Public Works Director Meg McWade gave the staff presentation on the item.
Mayor Sandoval opened the public hearing.
Public Speaker Sergio Marquez opposed the item.
Public Speaker Emmanuel Luis Omana asked questions about the item.
Mayor Sandoval closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Garica expressed opposition to the item.
Vice Mayor Lustro asked various questions.
Councilmember Martin discussed various economic challenges residents face.
Councilmember Canales asked various questions.
Athens' Director of Government Affairs Iso Nakasato gave comments and answered questions.
Councilmembers Ontiveros-Cole asked questions and commented on economic challenges facing residents.
Mayor Sandoval made comments and asked questions about the item.
After further comments from the City Council, Mayor Sandoval made a motion:
MOTION BY MAYOR SANDOVAL, SECOND BY VICE MAYOR LUSTRO, FAILED 2-4 (COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN, COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, COUNCILMEMBER
ONTIVEROS-COLE, COUNCILMEMBER CANALES OPPOSED, COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT) to approve Public Hearing item No. 4.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CANALES, CARRIED 5-1 (COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN OPPOSED, COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT) to re-open the discussion on Public Hearing Item No. 4.
Councilmember Canales made additional comments.
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City Manager Scott advised that contractual requirements existed in the contract with Athens and there would be repercussions if the City Council did not approve the item.
Councilmember Canales asked additional questions and gave further comments.
Councilmember Martin asked questions.
Councilmember Garcia gave further comments.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CANALES, CARRIED 4-2 (COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA AND COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN OPPOSED, COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 47 and; approve the lien list of delinquent Solid Waste (Trash) collection accounts to be submitted to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller (Controller) no later than August 10, 2025, to be included as a special assessment for the respective affected parcels on the County property tax rolls and for Athens to make a strong effort to work with property owners.
Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission Decision for a Determination of Historical Significance for an Existing Drive Thru Dairy Structure Located at 1533 Indian Hill Boulevard (Case File: DHS-000048-2025) It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Conduct a public hearing and receive public testimony; and 2) Uphold the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission and approve the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-69 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, DENYING APPEAL REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (DHS-000048-2025) AND
UPHOLDING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION'S DECISION
DETERMINING THAT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1533 INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD (APN: 8321-018-012) IS HISTORIC
Development Services Director Betty Donavanik gave a brief overview of the item.
Assistant Planner Karina Diaz gave the staff presentation.
Mayor Sandoval opened the public hearing.
Public Speaker Gale Carr discussed trash and litter conditions at the site location.
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Public Speaker Mark Malaby discussed reason why the property should not be considered a historic site.
Public Speaker Carol Anten expressed support for the item.
Public Speaker Stacey submitted a non-speaker card for support of the item but did not speak.
Mayor Sandoval closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole asked various questions about the item.
Councilmember Garcia asked some questions and gave comments expressing support for the building not being historic.
Vice Mayor Lustro expressed support for staff's original recommendation that the building is not historic but supported giving the milk bottle sign a historic designation.
Mayor Sandoval gave comments expressing support for designating the milk bottle sign as historic but not the building and asked questions about the item.
Mayor Sandoval asked Councilmember Martin if she had any comments, however there was no response from Councilmember Martin. Councilmember Martin did not come back on the teleconference line, and appeared to have left the meeting at 10 p.m.
MOTION BY MAYOR SANDOVAL, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0 (COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN AND COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to adopt Resolution No. 2025-69 with amended language to read as follows: approving the appeal for a determination of historical significance (DHS- 000048-2025) and determining the existing drive thru dairy structure as not historic and the existing "Mr. Milk Bottle" pole sign as historic, for the property located at 1533 Indian hill Boulevard (APN: 8321-018-012).
Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission Decision Determining that the Commercial Structure Located at 2250 North Garey Avenue is Historically Significant (Case Files: DHS-000278-2025/APL-000487-2025) It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Conduct a public hearing and receive public testimony; and 2) Uphold the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission and approve the following Resolution:
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RESOLUTION NO. 2025-87 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, DENYING APPEAL REQUEST FOR A DETERMINATION OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE (DHS-000278-2025) AND
UPHOLDING THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION'S DECISION DETERMINING THAT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2250 NORTH GAREY AVENUE (APN: 8365-015-052) IS HISTORIC
Assistant Planner Irene Mouray gave the staff presentation on the item.
Mayor Sandoval opened the public hearing.
Public Speaker Carol Anten was called to speak but was not present.
Public Speaker Frank Delgado expressed opposition to the item and requested the Historic Preservation Commission's decision be overturned.
Public Speaker Minerva Gutierrez expressed opposition to the item and requested the Historic Preservation Commission's decision be overturned.
Public Speaker Satwinder Singh, property owner, discussed challenges in finding tenants for the commercial building
Public Speaker Ameet Singh expressed opposition to the item.
Mayor Sandoval closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Canales gave comments expressing support to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission's decision.
Councilmember Garcia asked questions about the item and expressed support for not designating the building as historic.
Vice Mayor Lustro gave comments.
Mayor Sandoval gave closing comments.
MOTION BY MAYOR SANDOVAL, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CANALES, CARRIED 5-0 (COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN AND COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO ABSENT), to adopt Resolution No. 2025-87 with amended language to read as follows: approving the appeal for a determination of historical significance (DHS- 000278-2025) and determining that the property located at 2250 North Garey Avenue (APN: 8326-015-052), is not historic.
7. Public Hearing Regarding the Levy of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Assessments for the Consolidated Citywide Street Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District City of Pomona Page 9
City Council / Housing Authority / Meeting Minutes July 21, 2025 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
•
1) Conduct a Public Hearing regarding the levy of the assessments for the Consolidated Street Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District for FY 2025-26; and
2) After receiving public comments and testimony, close the Public Hearing and adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-90 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT DIAGRAMS, ZONE BOUNDARIES, AND THE LEVY OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CONSOLIDATED CITYWIDE
STREET LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
Public Works Director Meg McWade gave a brief introduction of the item.
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole exited the Council Chambers at 10:39 p.m. and did not return in time for the roll call vote on Public Hearing Item No. 7.
Mayor Sandoval opened the Public Hearing, and with no Public Speakers, Mayor Sandoval closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Sandoval asked brief questions about the item.
MOTION BY MAYOR SANDOVAL, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, CARRIED 4-0 (COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN, COUNCILMEMBER PRECIADO AND COUNCILMEMBER ONTIVEROS-COLE ABSENT), to adopt Resolution No. 2025-90.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council meeting adjourned at 10:42 p.m. on July 21, 2025.
Respectfully submitted, ATTEST:
RÓSALIA A. BUTLER, MMC TIM SÁNDOVAL
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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