MINUTES OF MAY 16, 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 6:33 P.M. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, California, 91776. Council Member Ding participated via teleconference from Allegretto Vineyard Resort, St. Francis Room, 2700 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Harrington.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Eric Chan, Tony Ding (via teleconference), Vice Mayor John Wu, and Mayor John R. Harrington.
Council Members Absent: Denise Menchaca.
Staff Members Present: City Manager Mark Lazzaretto, Assistant City Attorney Martin Koczanowicz, 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, Interim Police Chief Rikimaru Nakamura, and
Assistant City Clerk Marilyn Bonus.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
Mayor Harrington announced that for Public Hearing Item 5A regarding an ordinance relating to inclusionary housing and density bonus, the public hearing would be opened and continued to the regular City Council meeting of June 20, 2023, at which time public comment would be received. Hearing no objection, Mayor Harrington announced that the Agenda Order was approved.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. INTRODUCTION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE
• FIRE CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER FETNER
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 5 May 16, 2023 Fire Chief Wallace made the presentation and Chief City Clerk Clark administered a ceremonial oath of office.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chasity Jennings-Nunez, M.D., resident, provided comments in opposition to the City Council taking a position on ballot initiatives.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Council Member Chan, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4H as presented.
Motion carried by a roll call vote of 4-0-0-1 as follows:
AYES: CHAN, DING, WU, HARRINGTON
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MENCHACA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council approved the following:
1. Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of April 26, 2023.
2. Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of April 27, 2023.
3. Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of May 2, 2023.
4. Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of May 4, 2023.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved April 20, 2023, and April 28, 2023, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - APRIL 2023
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for April 2023.
D. AGREEMENT EXTENSION WITH THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY (SGVHS) FOR ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 INCLUDING A NEW ANNUAL FEE AMOUNT OF $410,000 The City Council authorized the City Manager to extend the existing agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in the amount of $410,000 and approve the proposed revisions to the terms.
E. ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES CONTRACT RENEWAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $173,664 FOR CROSSING GUARD SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a one-year Professional Services agreement with All City Management Services for crossing guard services for an annual amount not to exceed $173,664 and then re-evaluate their services and other opportunities for services in Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
F. SAN GABRIEL TOURISM AND MARKETING IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (TMID)
ANNUAL REPORT
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 5 May 16, 2023 The City Council accepted and filed the San Gabriel Travel and Tourism Annual Report covering periods 2020-2023.
G. RESOLUTION NO. 23-25 APPROVING A REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE ON THE 100 BLOCK OF CRESTA AVENUE
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-25 authorizing closure on Cresta Avenue between Las Tunas Drive and Hermosa Avenue from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
H. STREET BANNER REQUEST - HEALTH AND BEAUTY MEGA MIX EXPO The City Council granted the banner request, subject to compliance with Section 153.334(A) of the Municipal Code and the street banner conditions as listed on page 2 of the street banner application form.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
A. ORDINANCE NOS. 689 AND 690 AMENDING CHAPTER 153 OF THE SAN
GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY HOUSING AND DENSITY BONUS (ZTA23-001) - INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING Mayor Harrington opened the public hearing and announced the staff recommendation to continue the public hearing to the City Council regular meeting of June 20, 2023, at which time public comment would be received.
A motion was made by Council Member Chan, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to continue the public hearing to June 20, 2023.
Motion carried by a roll call vote of 4-0-0-1 as follows:
AYES: CHAN, DING, WU, HARRINGTON
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MENCHACA
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH
THE SAN GABRIEL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE HAYES HOUSE,
HISTORICAL MUSEUM, AND JAIL
Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart made the presentation.
The following spoke in favor of the amendment: Senya Lubisich, resident; Pam Petievich, resident; Mary Cammarano; and Helen Sanchez.
Discussion included woodpecker damage and appreciation for the Historical Association's stewardship of the property.
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to:
1. Approve the First Amendment to Property Maintenance Agreement with the San Gabriel Historical Association, allocating $3,000 annually towards the maintenance of structures; and
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2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the First Amendment to the Property Maintenance Agreement; and
3. Direct staff to allocate $25,000 from Account No. 124-810-15-96-094 to be paid by San Gabriel Historical Association.
Motion carried by a roll call vote of 4-0-0-1 as follows:
AYES: CHAN, DING, WU, HARRINGTON
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MENCHACA
B. DISCUSSION REGARDING USE OF ARTIFICIAL TURE OR SYNTHETIC GRASS ON
CITY PARKWAYS
Community Development Director Cervantes made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included the homeowner's responsibility for costs and maintenance of artificial turf; resolution methods if the homeowner doesn't maintain the artificial turf; discretion of the Council to set policy on this matter; potential cost-savings for watering; new owners' responsibility for existing violations when they buy a property; requests to install artificial turf are increasing; installation methods affect final product and associated issues; liability aspects; and the possibility of a permitting process to enforce standards and transfer liability.
Andrew, resident, questioned the applicability for properties without a sidewalk.
Discussion included a desire to have staff return with a permit process for Council consideration.
C. ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS FROM ASSEMBLYMEMBER FONG'S OFFICE AND
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENTS FROM ASIAN YOUTH CENTER AND FRIENDS OF
LA LAGUNA
Assistant City Attorney Koczanowicz explained that although Mayor Harrington sits on the Board of Directors for Friends of La Laguna, his position receives no compensation; therefore, pursuant to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) rules, there is no conflict of interest for him to participate in this item.
Community Services Director Perez and Friends of La Laguna Board President Senya Lubisich and Board Member Eloy Zarate made the presentation.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included waiving the City's administrative fee for Friends of La Laguna; staff time involved; City Attorney costs; appreciation for the work of Friends of La Laguna, City staff, and volunteers; thanks to Assemblymember Fong for the grants; and appreciation for the Asian Youth Center's contributions to the community.
A motion was made by Council Member Chan, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to:
1. Accept the Grants from Assemblymember Fong's Office on behalf of Asian Youth Center and Friends of La Laguna.
2. Approve the agreement with Asian Youth Center as submitted.
3. Approve the agreement with Friends of La Laguna, as revised to waive the 5% administrative fee.
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4. Authorize the City Manager to act as the authority on the City's behalf in matters related to these transactions and execute any contracts with the state pertaining to the grant funding.
5. Adopt Resolution No. 23-29, required for the receipt of the grant with Friends of La Laguna.
Motion carried by a roll call vote of 4-0-0-1 as follows:
AYES: CHAN, DING, WU, HARRINGTON
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MENCHACA
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - None.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Wu expressed gratitude and appreciation to Fire Chief Wallace and staff for the Fire Department's Fire Service Day.
Council Member Chan reported his attendance at Fire Service Day, announced Play Day at La Laguna Park on May 20, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M., thanked all veterans and service members, and wished all a thoughtful Memorial Day.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at Fire Service Day and the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) conference and commented on Athens Services' compost give-away event.
Council Member Ding left the meeting 8:04 P.M.
Mayor Harrington expressed his regret that he was unable to attend Fire Service Day due to a family event and invited all to the Play Day at La Laguna Park.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Sie My
JULIE NGUYEN, City Cler
Approved this 6th day of June, 2023:
JOHN R. HARRINGTON, Mayor
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