I
I
I
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7, 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, November 7, 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 Menchaca.
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, Human Resources/Risk
Management Director Edward Macias, Community
Development Director Aldo Cervantes, Fire Division
Chief Newton Ong, Police Chief Edward Elizalde,
Assistant Finance Director Linda Tang, 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. NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Mayor Harrington made the presentation and Chief Anthony Morales, Gabrieleno San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, and Nadine Salas and Chairman Andy Salas of the Kizh Nation San Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians, accepted the proclamation.
B. LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 9 November 7, 2023 I
I
I
Mayor Harrington made the presentation.
C. UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK
Mayor Harrington made the presentation and Asian Youth Center Community Relations Manager Florence Lin and Stop the Hate Manager Heidi Lau accepted the proclamation.
D. ATHENS SERVICES UPDATE
Athens Services Director of Government Affairs Becky Cheng made the presentation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Dan Gosserand provided comments thanking all who contributed to the fund raiser for Police K9 Officer Barada.
Andrew, resident, expressed his support of United Against Hate Week, commented on the passing of his uncle, Alfonso Lopez, and commended the Community Services Department's Dia de Los Muertos event.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Wu pulled item 4L for separate consideration. Discussion included more details about the Kids Klub Development Center and this event, the organization's non-profit status, tuition details, precedent concerns for granting a waiver, and desire for clearer guidelines for the future.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 40 as presented, with a request to clarify policy guidelines for the future in relation to item 4L.
Motion carried by a vote of 4- 1 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, HARRINGTON
WU
NONE
NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council approved the Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of October 17, 2023.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved October 6, 2023, October 13, 2023, and October 20, 2023, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET UPDATE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 FOR
THE GENERAL FUND AND MISSION PLAYHOUSE FUND
The City Council received and filed the report.
D. CITY CYBER SECURITY APPLICATION SUBSCRIPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,513
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 9 November 7, 2023
I
I
I
The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a subscription agreement with DarkTrace Cyber Security application in the amount of $40,513 from July 17, 2023 to September 29, 2025.
E. 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
The City Council approved the 2024 City Council meeting schedule as outlined in the staff report.
F. RESOLUTION NO. 23-70 AMENDING THE AUTHORIZED SALARY SCHEDULE TO INCORPORATE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 2024 MINIMUM WAGE RATE The City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-70, which amends the City's authorized Salary Schedule by increasing the pay range of all part-time position classifications by the 2024 minimum wage requirement, effective December 30, 2023, and increases the General Fund appropriations $7,890 and various other special funds $6,447 to cover increases costs to part-time position salaries for FY 2023-24.
G. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 23-06 TO HHS CONSTRUCTION LLC
FOR THE ADAPTIVE/TRAFFIC RESPONSIVE SIGNAL CONTROL PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,584,108.50 PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY
The City Council approved plans and specifications for the Adaptive/Traffic Responsive Signal Control Project, awarded the contract to HHS Construction, LLC, and authorized the City Manager to execute Construction Contract No. 23-06 and approve a purchase order in the amount of $5,042,519.35 which includes a 10% construction contingency.
H. APPROVAL OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 82505, A 7-UNIT CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LOCATED AT 116 WEST MARSHALL STREET AND
FINDING OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
The City Council found the project exempt from CEQA based on Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development), approved Final Parcel Map No. 82505, authorized its filing with the Los Angeles County Recorder and authorized the City Manager to execute the Subdivision Agreement on behalf of the City.
I. APPROVAL OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 73548, A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LOCATED AT 860 EAST VALLEY BOULEVARD AND FINDING OF AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT The City Council found the project exempt from CEQA on Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development), approved Final Tract Map No. 73548, and authorized its filing with the Los Angeles County Recorder.
J. APPROVAL OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 83378, AND A SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT FOR A 10-UNIT, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LOCATED AT 216-220 EAST BROADWAY AND
FINDING OF A CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT EXEMPTION The City Council found the project exempt from CEQA based on Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development), approved Final Tract Map No. 83378 and the Subdivision Improvement Agreement, authorized its filing with the Los Angeles CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 9 November 7, 2023 I
I
I
County Recorder and authorized the City Manager to execute the Subdivision Agreement.
K. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JMDIAZ, INCORPORATED FOR
ENGINEERING ENTITLEMENT PLAN REVIEW SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $124,800 FOR FISCAL VEAR 2023-24
The City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with JMDiaz, Inc. to provide engineering entitlement plan review services for a three-year term.
L. STREET BANNER REQUEST - KIDS KLUB CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER The City Council granted the request to hang the street banner at San Gabriel Boulevard and Broadway, 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.
M. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 23-17 TO ROYAL ROOF TO REPLACE THE ROOF AT SOUTH FIRE STATION #51 LOCATED AT 1303 SOUTH DEL MAR AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,700 PLUS A 20% CONTINGENCY The City Council awarded the contract to Royal Roofing and authorized the City Manager to execute Construction Contract No. 23-17 and approve a purchase order in the amount of $88,440 which includes a 20% construction contingency.
N. 2024 SAN GABRIEL LUNAR LANTERN FESTIVAL - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH MRBI/KAZN FOR EVENT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
The City Council approved the proposal and Professional Services Agreement to authorize KAZN to host the 2024 Lunar Lantern Festival and authorized the City Manager to sign the final agreement and any other documents necessary to implement the agreement.
0. ACCEPTANCE OF $5,000 COMMUNITY GRANT FROM THE CITY OF HOPE FOR THE SG MENTAL WELLNESS EXPO AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 23- 68 The City Council accepted a donation of $5,000 from the City of Hope and adopted Resolution No. 23-68 amending Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget to reflect the donation.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
A. ORDINANCE NO. 693 AMENDMENT TO UPDATE THE SAN GABRIEL
MUNICIPAL CODE, VALLEY BOULEVARD SPECIFIC PLAN, AND MISSION
DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN RELATING TO OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY AND MIXED-USE PROJECTS (ZTA23-002) - INTRODUCTION
AND FIRST READING
Mayor Harrington opened the public hearing.
Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart, Senior Planner Christine Song, and Associate Planner Marlon Cervantes made the staff presentation.
Clarifying discussion included how adoption of this ordinance would streamline and affect the development process; projects would be reviewed per current CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 9 November 7, 2023 I
I
I
standards until implementation of this ordinance; recent legislation effects on timing for this ordinance coming to the City Council; and that the City has no current applications that will be affected.
Senya Lubisich, resident, expressed concern in rushing these provisions and for protection for historical districts like the Mission District, and her desire to engage the Historic Preservation and Culture Resource Commission (HPCRC) in the process.
Mayor Harrington closed the public hearing.
Discussion included kudos to the Design Review Commission (DRC) and Planning Commission (PC) for the questions they raised which resulted in staff making changes; how this ordinance will affect incentive to develop, the purpose of the ordinance is to streamline the review process; effect on undeveloped properties; importance, process, and timeline for historical preservation; the ordinance would affect commercial but not residential properties; preservation requires collaboration with the property owner; how other cities are dealing with these standards; fast-tracking historic preservation of properties in commercial corridors; the process for local historical designation has not been formally defined; the zoning affected by Senate Bills 6 and 35; and the ability to amend the ordinance in the future.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to:
1. Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 693 by title only;
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN GABRIEL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 153 (ZONING CODE), THE VALLEY
BOULEVARD NEIGHBORHOODS SUSTAINABILITY PLAN, AND THE MISSION
DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN TO INCORPORATE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS.
2. Waive further reading and schedule the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 693 for the next regular City Council meeting.
3. Fast-track designation of local historic properties and monitor other cities actions on this matter.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
B. ORDINANCE NO. 695 AMENDING CHAPTER 153 OF THE SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO MIXED-USE STANDARDS IN THE C-1 AND C3 ZONE DISTRICTS (ZTA23-003) - INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart made the staff presentation.
Mayor Harrington opened the public hearing. There was no public comment; therefore, Mayor Harrington closed the public hearing.
Discussion included disagreement with raising the height limit for mixed-use development to five stories; existing five story developments in the City were approved through a planned-development overlay zone or specific plan; if the CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 9 November 7, 2023 I
I
I
ordinance is not approved for five stories, staff will have to go back to figure out how to comply with meeting the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers mandated by the State; mixed-use requires parcels of an acre or greater; the Valley Boulevard Specific Plan allows five-story mixed-use projects; listen; adoption of this ordinance would be giving up negotiation for a by-right process; details of RHNA requirements; residential zoning is limited as to height; fire lifesafety issues with buildings over three stories due to equipment limitations; A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to:
1. Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 695 by title only: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SAN GABRIEL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 153 (ZONING CODE) OF THE SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO MIXED-USE STANDARDS IN THE C-1 AND C-3 ZONES, as amended to limit height to three stories in Ordinance Section 2((5) instead of the proposed five stories.
2. Waive future reading of the Ordinance and schedule the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance for the next Regular City Council meeting. The Ordinance would then become effective 30 days after adoption.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
C. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN GABRIEL EXTENDING EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT NO. PL-15- 149, A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AND VESTING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 74993 FOR THE SYMPHONY AT SAN GABRIEL ASSISTED LIVING PROJECT AT 806-824 SOUTH GLADYS AVENUE
VIA ADOPTION OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT - INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
Mayor Harrington opened the public hearing.
Community Development Director Cervantes made the staff presentation.
Clarifying discussion included that the name of the project has changed from Symphony to Elegance; this is the second request for an extension; the extension would be until January 2025; status of the project; and once approved, the project is vested under the then-current Building Code.
Andrew, resident, expressed concerns with several aspects of the project.
Mayor Harrington closed the public hearing.
Paul Griffin, representative for Elegance San Gabriel, presented information about the project.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to:
1. Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 698 by title only; CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 9 November 7, 2023 I
I
I
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN GABRIEL EXTENDING EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT NO. PL-15- 149, A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AND VESTING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 74993 FOR THE ELEGANCE AT SAN GABRIEL ASSISTED LIVING PROJECT AT 806-824 SOUTH GLADYS AVENUE VIA ADOPTION OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
2. Waive future reading of the Ordinance and schedule the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance for the next regular City Council meeting.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 9:41 P.M. and reconvened at 9:47 P.M. with all Council Members present.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL COUNCIL DIRECTION REGARDING THE STREET
NAME CHANGE GUIDELINES
Community Development Director Cervantes made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included guidelines versus a policy; the City Council's previous direction was for staff to return with guidelines; proposed fee; clarifications requested in the proposed guidelines; department approvals before the application would go to Commissions; and there is currently only one request for street name change.
Caren Lin, representing Hing Wa Lee Jewelers which has a request in with the City for a street-name change, spoke about benefits to the City of their business and in support of setting the threshold for legacy businesses with a range of years in the City.
Andrew, resident, advocated for a minimum of 50 years in the City for a business to qualify as a legacy business.
Discussion included that the Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission (HPCRC) was emphatic for 50 years within the City of San Gabriel to qualify as a legacy business, agreement that the Human Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission and HPCRC should review applications; notification of requests to change street names; order of review of applications by various entities; identification of stakeholders for notification for individual applications; getting recommendations from HEAR and HPCR Commissions for an award structure for legacy businesses; one request for a street-name change was received in the last 10 years; preference for a 30-year minimum and streamlining the process by having only one commission review requests; reservations about not allowing franchised or national chains to qualify as a legacy business; businesses headquartered or founded in San Gabriel should be eligible to be a legacy business, having the applicant cover expenses for noticing; a requirement for a certain percentage of home owners or businesses to consent; for the current CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 7 of 9 November 7, 2023 I
I
I
request, the existing street for which a name change is requested has no residences; the possibility of handling requests on a case-by-case basis rather than having a policy; how other cities have handled street-name changes; and a preference for 20 years in the City to be a legacy business.
A motion was made by Mayor Harrington, seconded by Council Member Chan, to accept all staff recommendations with a revision to designate 20 years in the City for a legacy business and for prior noticing to affected parties rather than postnoticing.
Motion carried by a vote of 4- 7 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, WU, HARRINGTON
MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
7. NEW BUSINESS - None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - None.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Menchaca requested, with the agreement of Mayor Harrington and Council Member Chan, that an award structure for legacy businesses be agendized, and that staff put information on street vending on the City's website and social media.
She commended Community Services Director Perez and Community Services Manager Matthew Morales-Stephens for the flags displayed as a tribute to Veterans; thanked La Casa teachers, El Pavo Bakery, and staff for the well-attended Dia de Los Muertos event; gave a reminder about the Veterans lunch on November 9, 2023, at 12 P.M. at the Mission Playhouse; and announced the first Veterans Day ceremony in the City on November 10, 2023.
Vice Mayor Wu announced that City Hall is closed on November 10, 2023, and invited all to the Veterans Day ceremony on that date, at 10:00 A.M. across from City Hall.
Council Member Chan reported on his attendance at Ogopogo's 5th Anniversary celebration, the barbecue fund raiser for San Gabriel K9 Officer Barada, the San Gabriel Fall Fun Festival, San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce monthly networking event; and San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce Harvest dinner.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at a Sanitation District meeting and San Gabriel Council of Governments (COG) Energy and Transportation meeting and reported that the San Gabriel Hope Lions Club assisted the City in the distribution of cookie boxes to seniors.
Mayor Harrington thanked staff for the Veterans Day display.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harrington announced that the regular City Council meeting scheduled for November 21, 2023, had been cancelled and that the regular City Council meeting scheduled for December 5, 2023, would have a delayed start at 7:30 pm following the holiday tree-lighting event.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 8 of 9 November 7, 2023 The meeting was adjourned at 11 :07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
I Approved this 5th day of December, 2023:
~~--1--7"'
I
I
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 9 of 9 November 7, 2023