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MINUTES OF MAY 2, 2023
REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAN GABRIEL CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Harrington called the regular meeting of the San Gabriel City Council to order at 6:30 P.M . on Tuesday , May 2, 2023, in the Council Chamber at City Hall , 425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel , California, 91776 .
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Chan.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present:
Council Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eric Chan , Tony Ding, Denise Menchaca, Vice Mayor
John Wu, and Mayor John R. Harrington .
None.
City Manager Mark Lazzaretto, City Attorney Keith
Lemieux, Community Services Director Rebecca Perez,
Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark, Public Works Director/ City Engineer Greg de Vinck, Fire Chief Steven Wallace ,
Human Resources/ Risk Management Director Edward
Macias, Finance Director William Kaholokula ,
Community Development Director Aldo Cervantes ,
Acting Police Chief Rikimaru Nakamura, and Assistant
City Clerk Marilyn Bonus .
Chief City Clerk Clark provided information for the public on how to view the meeting and how to request meeting agendas .
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER
Hearing no objection, Mayor Harrington announced that the Agenda Order was approved .
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
Mayor Harrington made the presentation and Daniel Tovar, representing the San Gabriel Veterans ' Memorial Group, accepted the proclamation .
B. ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
Mayor Harrington made the presentation.
CITY COUNC IL REGULAR MEET ING M INUT ES Page 1 of 8 May 2, 20 23 C. HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH
Mayor Harrington made the presentation .
Historic Preservation and Culture Resource Commission Chair Senya Lubisich , on behalf of the City, recognized legacy businesses Toyo Miyatake Studio and San Gabriel Nursery and Florist.
I D. ATHENS PRESENTATION
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Athens Services Director of Government Affairs Ed Chen made the presentation .
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chasity Jennings- Nunez, resident, expressed thanks for the presentations to the legacy businesses, and spoke in favor of approval of item 4G and in opposition to Item 4D .
Aidan Chou, representing Act Against Hate Alliance, spoke in favor of Item 4E .
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4H as presented .
Motion carried by a vote of 5 -0 as follows :
AYES :
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT :
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council approved the following :
1. Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of April 18, 2023.
2. Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of April 18, 2023 .
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved April 6, 2023, and April 14, 2023, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. 2021 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM GRANT ACCEPTANCE The City Council approved the following :
Police Department
1. Increased estimated revenue ( account 186-3215) and appropriation transfers out) in ' Other Grants ' Fund by $119,354; and increased estimated revenue ( transfers in) and appropriation in Capital/Special Projects Funds account 124-751-57-99-380) by $119,354.
Fire Department
2. Increased estimated revenue ( account 186-3215) and appropriation transfers out) in ' Other Grants' Fund by $62 ,000; and increased estimated CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEET ING MINUTES Page 2 of 8 May 2, 2023 I
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revenue ( transfers in) and appropriation in Capital/Special Projects Funds account 124- 761 - 57- 99-380) by $62 ,000 .
3. Authorized both the Police Chief and Fire Chief to accept the State Homeland Security Program grant and purchase the items under the City 's purchasing policy.
4. Authorized the City Manager to execute the subrecipient agreement between the City and the County of Los Angeles and adopted Resolution No. 23-21 amending the Fiscal Year 2022- 2023 Operating Budget.
D. ORDINANCE NO. 688 AMENDING CHAPTER 130 OF THE SAN GABRIEL
MUNICIPAL CODE, REGARDING GENERAL OFFENSES, TO ALLOW LOCAL
PROSECUTION OF CERTAIN MISDEMEANORS - SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION
The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 688 entitled " An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel , California , Amending Chapter 130 of the San Gabriel Municipal Code, Regarding General Offenses ." E. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-27 DECLARING JANUARY 28TH AS
STAND AGAINST HATE ACTION DAY
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-27 declaring January 28 thannually as Stand Against Hate Action Day .
F. SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ( SGVCOG) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAN
GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED ( VMT) ANALYSIS
MODEL AND TOOL UPDATE
The City Council approved an amendment to an ex1st1ng Memorandum of Agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government for an amount not to exceed $ 15,000 .00 for the implementation of the San Gabriel Veh icle Miles Traveled Analysis Model & Tool Update.
G. HUMAN, EQUITY, ACCESS AND RELATIONS ( HEAR) COMMISSION PROPOSED 2023 ANNUAL WORKPLAN
The City Council reviewed and approved the HEAR Commission 'sAnnual Workplan, as presented , for 2023.
H. ACCEPTANCE OF ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT AWARD AND
PURCHASE OF WASHER- EXTRACTOR AND DRYER CABINET IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 37,059.77
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 23-24 accepting the grant and appropriation.
2. Increased the appropriations in the Fire Department special project grant account by $33,690 .70 , account # 124 -761- 57-99- 390.
3. Authorized the City Manager to issue purchase orders for the purchase of a washer- extractor and drying cabinet as detailed in the staff report.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS- None.
7 . NEW BUSINESS
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A. SMITH PARK RESOURCE DISCUSSION - PICKLEBALL
Community Services Director Perez made the presentation .
Clarify ing discuss ion included that handball courts would not be affected ; fund ing would be from Park Impact Fees ; which sports striping on courts will accommodate; noise mitigation; and new courts would not affect future swimm ing pool re location.
Barbara Davis; Mitch Borgeson, resident; Do Long ; and Addison Lee , provided comments or spoke in favor of new, permanent pickleball courts .
Discussion included that pickleball is the fastest growing sport and appeals to all ages ; the proximity of the Park to the Mission District promotes commun ity and builds energy; clarification on location of courts ; the 4th of July celebratory event area would be relocated within the Park; and this item is for concept approval.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Wu , seconded by Council Member Chan , to approve the funding request necessary to construct four new permanent pickleball courts . implement the project.
Motion carried by a vote of5-0 as follows :
AYES :
NOES :
ABSTAIN :
ABSENT :
CHAN , DING, MENCHACA, WU , HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
B. DISCUSSION ON THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION AND GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT BALLOT INITATIVE- REQUEST FOR DIRECTION ON AN
OFFICIAL CITY POSITION AND CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION NO. 23-28 EITHER IN SUPPORT OF OR IN OPPOSITION TO THE
BALLOT INITIATIVE
City Manager Lazzaretto introduced the item and Mayor Harrington made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included how the reasonableness of fees or charges are decided ; portions of the Act that reference charter cities are not appl icable to San Gabriel as a general- law city;
Jeanne Raya , resident, raised concerns about various aspects of the In itiative and urged more investigation before a position is taken.
The following spoke in favor of supporting the Initiat ive: Aidan Chao ; Ralph Roy Ramirez, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Taxpayers Assoc iation; and Wes Hampton, San Gabriel business owner.
Chas ity Jennings -Nunez, resident, requested Council at least stay neutral and ideally, spoke in opposition to the initiative.
Discussion included a desire for Council to take no action and let the voters dec ide, but at least to get more information before taking a posit ion; support for the initiative due to concern about the level of taxat ion in California and desire to protect taxpayers ; potential impact to governmental efficiency; effects of the initiative on local control; desire to table the item to a future review; tax dollar allocation provisions in the Act; requirement for citizen oversight for future act ions ; CITY COUNC IL REGULAR M EETIN G M IN UTES Page 4 of 8 May 2, 20 2 3 I
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conflicting information from opposing sides of the initiative; desire for additional detail; State accountability; desire to have information from the League of California Cities which opposes the Initiative; and desire to delay the discussion on this matter to next year.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Ding, to table this matter for six months.
Motion carried by a vote of 3-2 as follows :
AYES:
NOES :
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT :
DING , MENCHACA, WU
CHAN, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
C. APPOINTMENTS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, COMMUNITY SERVICES, DESIGN
REVIEW, HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCE, AND
PLANNING COMMISSIONS
Assistant City Clerk Marilyn Bonus made the presentation .
Discussion included appreciation for staff's work in soliciting applicants; encouragement for those not appointed to stay active in civic service; a suggestion to have at least one Civil Service Commission meeting annually; and appreciation for those who applied.
There was no public comment.
Votes were tabulated as follows:
Civil Service Commission Term June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2025 2 positions) Harrington Wu Chan Menchaca Ding Votes
George Carney 1 1 1 1 1 5
Howard Fonq 1 1 1 0 1 4
Douglas Richter 0 0 0 1 0 1
Community Services Commission Term June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2025 3 positions) Harrington Wu Chan Menchaca Ding Votes
Davis Barrantes 0 1 1 1 1 4
Nancy Duong 1 1 1 1 1 5
Mengshi Fu 0 0 0 0 0 0
Therese Liu 0 0 0 0 0 0
Garv Liu 1 1 0 0 0 2
Tinq Xie 1 0 1 1 1 4
Design Review Commission June 1, 2023- May 31, 2025
3 positions) Harrington Wu Chan Menchaca Ding Votes
Raymond Cheng 1 1 1 1 1 5
Sean Huqhes 1 0 0 0 1 2
Erlinda Romo 0 1 1 1 1 4
Luoya Tu 1 1 1 1 0 4
Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission
Term June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2025
3 positions) Harrington Wu Chan Menchaca Ding Votes
Kyle DeVriendt 1 1 1 1 1 5
Theresa Martinez 0 0 0 0 0 0
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IEric Urena 1 1 1 1 1 5
Eric Weeks 1 1 1 1 1 5
Planning Commission Term June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2025
2 positions) Harrington Wu Chan Menchaca Ding Votes
Carlos Fernandez 0 0 1 0 0 1
Feng Li 1 1 1 1 1 5
Kassand ra Sanchez 1 0 0 0 0 1
Jerry Schwartz 0 1 0 1 0 2
Melvin Tam 0 0 0 0 1 1
Planning Commission Term June 1, 2023 - Mav 31, 2025 - 2 nd Vote
2 positions) Harrington Wu Chan Menchaca Dina Votes
Carlos Fernandez 0 0 1 0 0 1
Fenq Li 0
Kassandra Sanchez 1 0 0 0 0 1
Jerry Schwartz 0 1 0 1 0 2
Melvin Tam 0 0 0 0 1 1
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to appoint commissioners as follows, and to place unselected applicants on a waiting list to bring back for Council consideration for unscheduled vacancies without additional interviews.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows :
AYES :
NOES :
CHAN , DING, MENCHACA, WU , HARRINGTON
NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT : NONE
SAN GABRIEL COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENTS
Civil Service Commission
George Carney, Howard Fong
Community Services Commission
Nancy Duong, Davis Barrantes, Ting Xie
Design Review Commission
Raymond Cheng, Erlinda Romo, Luoya Tu
Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission
Kyle DeVriendt, Eric Urena , Eric Weeks
Planning Commission
Feng Li , Jerry Schwartz
SAN GABRIEL COMMISSIONER WAITLIST
Civil Service Commission
Douglas Richter
Community Services Commission
Gary Liu
Mengshi Fu
Therese Liu
Design Review Commission
Sean Hughes
Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission
Theresa Martinez
Planning Commission
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Carlos Fernandes
Kassandra Sanchez
Melvin Tam
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Andrew, resident, commented on the HEAR Commission 's selection of two youth ambassadors to the Commission and advocated for youth ambassadors to the City's other Commissions; and commented that the City Council should stay neutral on any initiative.
9. CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto stated he was looking forward to seeing everyone at the Cinco de Mayo event.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/ MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Wu reported his attendance with Council Member Ding, Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Assemblymember- Designate Robert Rivas at a walking tour of the San Gabriel Mission District. He reported his attendance at a free health care event organized by University of the West and urged the HEAR Commission to consider inviting University of the West and related vendors to join the upcoming HEAR Commission health care expo.
Council Member Chen reported his attendance at a monthly San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce breakfast event.
Council Member Ding commented on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and recognition of the two San Gabriel legacy businesses; and encouraged everyone to attend a cultural event this month and the Cinco de Mayo event.
Council Member Menchaca commented on the Cinco de Mayo event and Teacher Appreciation Week.
Mayor Harrington commented on the proclamations made during the meeting and invited all to the Cinco de Mayo event.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Menchaca provided biographical information about Maryann Baldonado who recently passed away.
Mayor Harrington announced a City Council special study session meeting on the Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 on May 4, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 P.M. in memory of Maryann Baldonado .
Respectfully submitted:
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEET ING M INUTES Page 7 of 8 May 2, 2023 Approved this 16th day of May, 2023:
cv----~~~
JOHN R. HARRINGTON , May
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