BRI
GUMDED 1771
MINUTES OF JANUARY 18, 2022
REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAN GABRIEL CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Liao called the regular meeting of the San Gabriel City Council to order at 6:31 P.M. on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, with all Council Members and staff participating by teleconference.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Harrington.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: John R. Harrington, Denise Menchaca, Vice Mayor Tony Ding, and Mayor Chin Ho Liao.
Council Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chief City Clerk Clark provided information for the public on how to view the meeting and submit comments, and how to request meeting agendas.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER
Hearing no objection, Mayor Liao announced that the agenda order was approved.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. RECOGNITION OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER JASON PU FOR HIS SERVICE
TO THE CITY OF SAN GABRIEL
The following provided recognition of former Council Member Pu's service and congratulated him on his appointment as an U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator: Congresswoman Judy Chu; Senator Susan Rubio; Edith Gonzalez for Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis; and Michelle Freridge, Executive Director, Asian Youth Center; Council Members Harrington and Menchaca, Vice Mayor Ding, and Mayor Liao.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 7 January 18, 2022 Certificates of Recognition were provided by Congresswoman Judy Chu and Senator Anthony Portantino.
Former Council Member Pu thanked all for their kind words and congratulations; recounted accomplishments during his tenure as a Council Member; and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
B. COVID-19 UPDATE
Presentations were made by Fire Chief Wallace and Police Chief Harris.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Chasity Jennings-Nunez provided comments expressing displeasure with Council Members for agendizing an item to consider a City prosecutor for misdemeanor crimes in the City and advocated for more social service instead.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Vice Mayor Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4G as presented.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council approved the Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of January 4, 2022.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved December 21, 2021, December 29, 2021, and December 16,2021, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - DECEMBER 2021
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for December 2021.
D. APPOINTMENTS TO THE HUMAN EQUITY, ACCESS AND RELATIONS (HEAR)
COMMISSION
The City Council reappointed Michelle Brenhaug, Viki Goto, Jorge Herrera, and Riaz (Rick) Khan to serve two-year terms beginning February 1, 2022, and ending January 31, 2024.
E. TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES DURING ANNUAL CITY EVENTS
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 22-06 authorizing the Public Works Director to approve the specific street closures, dates and times for each event and approve such closures in future years.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 7 January 18, 2022 F. REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE ON BROADWAY BETWEEN SANTA ANITA STREET AND JUNIPERO PLACE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 22-07 authorizing closure on Broadway between Santa Anita Street and Junipero Place from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.
G. AGREEMENT FOR USE OF SMITH PARK POOL BY MONTEREY PARK MANTA RAYS
The City Council approved the agreement with Monterey Park Manta Rays for use of Smith Park Pool effective immediately and ending June 30, 2022.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
A. HOLD PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT RESOLUTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM AND BUDGET PLAN (RESOLUTION NO. 22-01);
2. AMEND FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM AND BUDGET PLAN TO INCLUDE A GRAFFITI CONTROL PROGRAM (RESOLUTION NO. 22-02); AND
3. APPROPRIATE $1,000 OF REMAINING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT-CORONAVIRUS (CDBG-CV) FUNDING TO THE SENIOR MEALS PROGRAM (RESOLUTION NO. 22-03)
The staff presentation was made by Neighborhood Improvement Officer Maria Sanchez.
Mayor Liao opened the public hearing. There was no public comment; therefore, Mayor Liao closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Harrington, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 22-01 authorizing the allocation of CDBG funds for Fiscal Year 2022-23 from LACDA for activities and projects described above and in Exhibit A of the Resolution.
2. Carry over any CDBG funds unspent at the close of Fiscal Year 2021-22 and recognize the receipt of Fiscal Year 2022-23 CDBG Program funds awarded by LACDA to the City in the City Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget.
3. Allocate any Fiscal Year 2022-23 CDBG funds in excess of estimated funds to the Street-Improvement Project, Code-Enforcement Program, Graffiti-Control Program, and/or Youth-Services Program.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute new contracts with LACDA for the allocation of Fiscal Year 2022-23 CDBG Program and make adjustments as necessary to reflect the actual allocation of funds to San Gabriel.
5. Adopt Resolution No. 22-02 authorizing the allocation of $16,100 and reducing P&R Youth Program, CDBG funds for Fiscal Year 2021-22 from LACDA for a Graffiti-Control Program described above and in Exhibit A of the Resolution.
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6. Adopt Resolution No. 22-03 authorizing the appropriation of the $1,000 in remaining CDBG-CV Funding to the Senior-Meals Program described above and in Exhibit A of the Resolution.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
B. ADOPTION OF AN URGENCY ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 153 OF THE
SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADDRESS THE NEW STATE LAW (SENATE BILL 9) THAT WOULD ALLOW SINGLE-FAMILY-ZONED PROPERTIES TO BE
SUBDIVIDED INTO TWO LOTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO URBAN DWELLING UNITS (ZTA21-003)
Mayor Liao opened the public hearing.
The staff presentation was made by Associate Planner Anthony Alvarado.
Clarification discussion included the procedure for approving recommended actions; correction to Planning Commission votes listed in the staff report; lot-split fees; and consistency or lack thereof with the City's General Plan.
There was no public comment; therefore, Mayor Liao closed the public hearing.
Discussion included that the entire City Council was against this legislation; whether additional language in the adopting section of the ordinance is recommended for possible future repeals of portions of Senate Bill 9 (SB9); that SB9 is not conducive to more affordable housing; possible future referendum; Historic District survey status; number of dwelling units that may be built under SB9; the proposed ordinance would set Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) size at a 500 square-foot minimum and 800 square-foot maximum in order to minimize impact on neighborhoods; the ADU ordinance is still in effect; parking space requirements; second-story addition provisions under SB9; state law allows cities to set objective standards; and possible future legal and legislative challenges to SB9.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Harrington, to waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 683 by title only:
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Amending Chapter 153 (Zoning Code) of the San Gabriel Municipal Code Relating to Urban Lot Splits and Urban Dwelling Units on Single-Family-Zoned Properties.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Harrington, to waive future reading of Ordinance No. 683 and schedule the second CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 7 January 18, 2022 reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 683 for the next regular City Council meeting.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Harrington, to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 682.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
7. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. PRESENTATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE
FINANCIAL REPORT AND OTHER AUDIT REPORTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
Finance Director Kaholokula made the staff presentation.
There was no public comment.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Harrington, to receive and file the annual audit reports for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2021.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
B. DISCUSS THE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND NEW SHOP LOCAL
PROGRAM
Community Development Director Cervantes made the staff presentation.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included the complexity of administrating a voucher program and staff's recommendation to fund a grant program instead; participation in the first business-grant program, which was limited by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding restrictions; giving preference to those who applied unsuccessfully in the first round; consideration of the City's current and future financial needs in funding-amount decisions; good qualifications already in place; keeping the same rate of $2500 per grant; preference to assist small businesses; CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 7 January 18, 2022 total funding amount for $2500 grants; helping businesses helps the overall City's economy; the need to bring the City's reserves up to the minimum recommended; business license fee waiver;
A motion was made by Mayor Liao, seconded by Vice Mayor Ding, to fund a small- business-assistance program with grants of $2500 each for 100 businesses, in the total amount of $250,000.
Motion failed by a vote of 2-2 as follows:
AYES: DING, LIAO
NOES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
A motion was made by Council Member Harrington, seconded by Council Member Menchaca, to fund a small-business-assistance program with grants of $2500 each for 70 businesses, in the total amount of $175,000.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
C. DECLARATION OF VACANCY OF COUNCIL MEMBER OFFICE AND
CONSIDERATION OF PROCESS TO FILL VACANCY
Chief City Clerk Clark made the staff presentation.
Dr. Chasity Jennings-Nunez provided comments congratulating former Council Member Pu on his new position with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and in favor of appointment to fill his vacant City Council seat through an application and interview process.
Discussion included the cost savings and timeliness of using the appointment process; interviews would be conducted in a public meeting in open session; qualifications for applicants; and information to be redacted from applications.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Vice Mayor Ding, to:
1. Accept resignation of Council Member Pu, with regrets, effective January 7, 2022.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 22-09, adopting a process for filling of vacancy on the City Council by appointment.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 as follows:
AYES: HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, DING, LIAO
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
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9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto announced upcoming testing clinics at Smith Park on Friday, January 21, 2022, and Friday, January 28, 2022; more information will be posted on the City's website.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Menchaca wished all a Happy Lunar New Year, the Year of the Tiger.
Vice Mayor Ding announced that the San Gabriel Hope Lions Club had donated $1200 to the Police Department's K-9 program, and wished all a Happy Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022.
Council Member Harrington thanked staff and his colleagues for a productive meeting.
Mayor Liao reported on a Cal Cities Transportation and Public Works Policy Committee meeting.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Julie Ngue
JULIE NGUYEN, City Clerk
Approved this 1st day of February, 2022:
TONY DING, Vice Mayor
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