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MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 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 6:31 P.M. on Tuesday, October 3, 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.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Greg de Vinck, City Attorney Keith Lemieux, Community Services Director
Rebecca Perez, Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark, Human
Resources/Risk Management Director Edward Macias,
Finance Director William Kaholokula, Community
Development Director Aldo Cervantes, Police Chief
Edward Elizalde, Fire Division Chief Newton Ong, 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. INTRODUCTION OF POLICE OFFICER TUSHAR GULIANI
Pol ice Chief Elizalde made the presentation.
B. SAN GABRIEL VALLEY MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT UPDATE Clerk of the Board Jerry Mireles made the presentation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
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George Valdez, resident, provided comments questioning various points of consideration for City membership with the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce.
And rew, resident, questioned various City expenditures and the City's financial position relative to a potential bond measure for a public safety facility, and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Senator Feinstein.
Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident and Human Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission Chair, reported on the Commission's 2nd Annual Mental Wellness Expo, recognized the City of Hope for its donation to the event, acknowledged dignitaries who attended, and thanked those who worked on the event.
Sonia Martin stated her concerns about the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce, asked the City Council to request an audit of the Chamber's finances, and submitted a document for the record.
Neil T. Torrance, resident, spoke in opposition to the Tentative Tract Map for 1975 and 1985 S. Del Mar Avenue and submitted a petition against the project.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4E 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:
1. Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of September 19, 2023.
2. Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of September 19, 2023.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved September 7, 2023, and September 15, 2023, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 23-59 APPROVING A REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE ON THE 800 BLOCK OF COMMERCIAL AVENUE
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-59 authorizing closure of the 800 block of Commercial Avenue from South Gladys Avenue to the end of the cul-desac from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
D. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 23-04 IN THE AMOUNT OF $216,200 PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY TO PALP, INCORPORATED, DBA EXCEL
PAVING COMPANY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF A STORM DRAIN LINE
LOCATED ON SAINT ALBANS ROAD
The City Council:
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1. Approved plans and specifications for the Saint Albans Road Strom Drain Rehabilitation Project;
2. Awarded the contract to Palp, Inc., dba Excel Paving Company; and
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute Construction Contract No. 23-04 and approved a purchase order in the amount of $237,820 which includes a 10% construction contingency.
E. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP FOR THE HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY PHASE 2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,995
The City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement with Architectural Resources Group for Phase 2 of the Historic Survey and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement and issued a purchase order in the amount of $39,995.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS- NONE
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. FUND BALANCE RESERVE POLICY AMENDMENT AND ESTABLISHING RESERVE BALANCES FOR FISCAL VEAR 2022-2023
Finance Director Kaholokula made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included that money in the fund balance reserve is being actively invested, and details of the capital replacement fund and Other PostEmployment Benefits (OPEB) reserves.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included that the capital replacement fund and OPEB reserves will be memorialized as separate items; the current unrestricted reserve level is 29%; 25% reserve as the ideal level; preference to transfer more to OPEB liabilities; overage from the 25% reserve will go half to capital replacement and half to OPEB liabilities, but be still part of the general fund and available; for Fiscal Year 2023-24, $250,000 will go to the OPEB Trust which earns higher interest; keeping money in the general fund puts the City in a better position for a bond rating; maintaining a 25% reserve provides stability in case of an economic downturn; the main driver of OPEB liability increases are the increases in health costs and new retirees; and as of January 1, 2022, new hires are not being added to the liability except for the employer's portion of Medicare.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to adopt:
1. Resolution No. 23-61 Amending the Fund Balance Reserve Policy; and
2. Resolution No. 23-62 Establishing Unassigned General Fund Contingency Reserves and Committing Fund Balance in the General Fund.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES: CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
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NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
NONE
NONE
NONE
B. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-63 APPROVING THE CITYWIDE HISTORIC
RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT
Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart and Consultant Andrew Goodrich of Architectural Resources Group (ARG) made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included that the San Gabriel Mission, the Mission Playhouse, and other properties are already designated as Historic; potential historic district versus a planning district area that has special character but generally lacks the integrity for listing as a historic district; the purpose of this report to inform the Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission (HPCRC) who propose properties to be designated; and pros and cons of historical designation for property owners.
Senya Lubisich, resident and HPCRC Chair, commended the report and process during which the HPCRC had many opportunities to give feedback; expressed appreciation that non-parcel items were included; and commented on economic benefits of investing in historic character.
Andrew, resident, questioned the purpose of the survey. Mayor Harrington responded that it is a foundational document that sets up mechanisms to facilitate decision-making by commissions to preserve the character of the City.
Discussion included benefits of the survey; acknowledgment of this milestone achievement; historic sign refreshment; historic tree maintenance; City tree survey; preservation of historic properties; Senate Bill (SB) 9 implications for historic properties; requirements for consistency in design for remodeling and accessory dwelling units; steps for Phase 2 of this project; Mills Act agreement details; SB 10 exemptions for designated historic districts; Secretary of the Interior standards as the basis for reviewing for historic properties; kudos for the report; and the report as a facilitation for collaboration with property owners.
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Council Member Menchaca, to adopt Resolution No. 23-63 approving the Citywide Historic Resources Survey Report.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
C. COMMUNITY SPECIAL EVENTS 2023-24
Community Services Director Perez made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included budget impacts from prior and potential collaboration with outside groups.
The following provided comments or spoke in opposition to a fireworks event and proposed alternatives. Mary Garcia, resident; Viki Goto, resident and Human Equity, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MIN UTES Page 4 of 6 October 3, 2023 I
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Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission Vice-Chair; Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident; and Sonia Lyn, resident.
Andrew, resident, questioned details of a proposed Memorial Day Veteran's Coalition event sponsorship.
Discussion included appreciation for staff's realistic pricing of potential events; historical cost versus budget for those events; budget figures do not include staffing costs; historical sponsorship of events, benefits for sponsors and timeline for soliciting sponsorships; desire for a two-day Lunar New Year event; staff workload for potential fundraising; and desire for a drone show for the 4th of July to set the City apart from surrounding cities.
Following discussion on specific events there was a consensus of the City Council for events as follows:
• One or two-day Lantern Festival on Feb 16-17, 2024.
• Memorial Day/Veteran's Day - flags display with funding from nondepartmental budget; possible collaboration with the Veterans Coalition. • Walk to LA - possible coordination with the City's birthday; encourage City of Los Angeles to reinitiate.
• City Birthday Celebration - partner with Historical Association or other groups; staff to return to Council with proposal.
• 4th of July- event to be held on July 4th
; no fireworks; not to be held at Vincent
Lugo Park or McKinley school; continue with the parade with enhancements for one more year while staff looks into alternatives; staff to get quotes for drone and laser light shows.
• Mid-Autumn Moon Festival - keep the lunch for seniors, as is. • Wellness Expo - add budget, bring proposal with mid-year budget, solicit ideas from the HEAR Commission.
• Holiday Tree Lighting - needs to be changed with more food and familyoriented activities. • Mission to Mission (Active SGV) - desire to continue participation, perhaps combined with an environmental event.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Public Works Director/City Engineer de Vinck announced 411 with the Chief on every second Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chamber, and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be conducting a National Test on October 4, 2023, at 11 :20 A.M.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Wu reported on his attendance at a Historical Association dinner, reported that the U.S. Chinese Women Association and YWCA teamed up with the Community CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6 October 3, 2023 I
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Services Department to provide a luncheon for San Gabriel senior citizens; reported on his attendance at the 52nd Anniversary Celebration Gala of the Chinatown Service Center, which donated live translation service via iPads to the San Gabriel Police Department last year; and reported on his attendance at the 2nd Mental Health Expo; thanked the HEAR Commission for their work on the event; and thanked the City of Hope for their donation which made multi-lingual translation possible.
Council Member Chan reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities conference.
Council Member Menchaca reported on the Coffee with a Cop event held at Blossom Market; congratulated Public Information Officer Clara Tsang and Team for the multilingual Discover publication; announced a press conference at La Casa where Assemblymember Mike Fong will present a $35,000 check to help with infrastructure; reported on her attendance at a local playhouse and commented on its financial support structure and her desire for similar support for the Mission Playhouse.
Council Member Ding commented on the Historical Association dinner and MidAutumn Festival senior meals at the Grapevine, thanked the Chinese Service Center for their service to the community; stated he had enjoyed the Mental Health Expo; announced an upcoming Asia Fall Festival at Santa An ita Race Park and a student speech contest on October 14, 2023, sponsored by the San Gabriel Lions Club; and reported that Ningbo, China, has interest in being a Sister or Friendship City with San Gabriel.
11. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9 [d] [2]) (One Case)
There was no reportable action.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 P.M. in memory of Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Respectfully submitted:
Approved this 17th day of October, 2023:
l ~ RJ/# JOHNR. HARRINGTON, \
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