I
I
I
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 2024
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, February 6, 2024, 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 Ding.
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,
Public Works Director/City Engineer Greg de Vinck,
Human Resources/Risk Management Director Edward
Macias, Fire Chief Steven Wallace, Finance Director
William Kaholokula, Community Development Director
Aldo Cervantes, Police Chief Edward Elizalde, Assistant City Clerk Marilyn Bonus, and Management Assistant
Adam Yang.
Assistant City Clerk Bonus 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. BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Mayor Harrington made the presentation and announced that the proclamation would be received by local artist Lonnie Kent Edmond, whose artwork was exhibited in the Blossom Market for Black History Month.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 6 February 6, 2024 I
Dr. Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident, provided comments of appreciation for Black History Month recognition and participants.
Cynthia Talavera, resident, provided comments expressing concern about San Gabriel Valley Humane Society operations.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4G 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 Minutes of the City Council Special and Regular Meetings of January 16, 2024.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved January 5, 2024, January 11, 2024, and January 19, 2024, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
I C. EXCHANGE OF PROPOSITION A FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 I
The City Council approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement with the Foothill Transit Authority authorizing the exchange of $500,000 in Proposition A Funds for $375,000 in general fund revenue.
D. PURCHASE OF A NEW GRACO BRAND CONCRETE GRINDER WITH A
LAZERVAC SYSTEM AND CYCLONE FILTER FOR THE FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION FOR A TOTAL COST OF $16,319.21
The City Council authorized the City Manager to approve a purchase order with NAC Supply in the amount of $16,319.21 from the Special Gas Tax Project Account No. 124-800-41-99-765 and Field Operations Special Departmental Account No. 121-800-02-21-000.
E. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RKA CONSULTING GROUP AND
VCA CODE GROUP FOR BUILDING AND SAFETY AND CODE ENFORCEMENT
SERVICES
The City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement with RKA Consulting Group and VCA Code Group for Building and Safety and Code Enforcement services, and authorized the City Manager or his designee to execute the agreements.
F. INTER-CON SECURITY SYSTEMS INCORPORATED CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR PARKING ENFORCEMENT SERVICES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024
The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter a six-month contract with Inter-Con ending on June 30, 2024.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 6 February 6, 2024 I
I
I
G. ADOPTION OF UPDATED 11VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED" (VMT) THRESHOLDS
OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR PURPOSES OF ANALYZING TRANSPORTATION
IMPACTS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) [RESOLUTION NO. 24-03]
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-03 approving the proposed update thresholds of significance and finding that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
A. ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO UPDATE THE SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO NEW STATE LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW MEDICINAL
CANNABIS DELIVERY-ONLY RETAILERS IN THE M-1 ZONE (ZTA23-004) Mayor Harrington opened the public hearing.
Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart made the staff presentation.
Clarifying discussion included that only an M-1 zone would allow this conditional use; signage; requiring cameras in the parking lot; and fees.
Andrew, resident, questioned the difference between medicinal cannabis delivery and commercial cannabis delivery, whether pharmacies could sell medicinal cannabis, whether the number of cannabis delivery businesses would be limited, and where such businesses would be allowed.
Mayor Harrington closed the public hearing.
Discussion included clarification that no manufacturing would take place; cameras in the parking lot; limiting the number of businesses; signage; the ordinance would apply to delivery of medicinal cannabis only; potential health issues in case of a fire; distance between businesses; insurance provisions; and regulating delivery destination.
A motion was made by Council Member Chan, seconded by Council Member Menchaca, to continue the public hearing to the regular City Council meeting of February 20, 2024.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. FISCAL VEAR 2024-25 COMMUNITY BUDGET SURVEY RESULTS, BUDGET
CALENDAR, AND BUDGET PRIORITIES
Finance Director Kaholokula made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included public budget meetings and grant-funding.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 February 6, 2024 I
I
I
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 7:40 P.M. and reconvened at 7:50 P.M. with all Council Members present.
Erlinda Romo, resident, commented on the importance of sidewalk repair, streetlighting, graffiti abatement, and repair of the adobe wall around Grapevine Park and on Mission Drive and the wall gateway at the Grapevine.
Andrew, resident, suggested that residents be given the opportunity to give opinions on how to use Proposition A and opioid settlement funds, and commented on alternate ways to use unused funds set aside for a City prosecutor.
Discussion included suggestions for additional public input on the budget; potential social services additions; an additional maintenance worker to help address historic preservation projects; financing Smith Park pool and Mission Playhouse and Community Services facilities repair; continuing to improve City pavement condition; department budget approval process; and grant-funding to supplement City funds.
B. BUSINESS LICENSE TAX STUDY RESULTS AND TAX CHANGE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Finance Director Kaholokula made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included statistics on various kinds of businesses; short-term rentals are currently not allowed; details of staff report Model choices; public outreach regarding any proposed changes; the potential effect of the City having two tax measures on the same ballot; and the administrative burden of lowering the threshold to three or more rental units for paying a business license tax.
Andrew, resident, commented that neighboring cities have similar business license taxes and questioned the amount of votes needed for passage of a tax measure.
Discussion included methodology for business license tax amounts; timeframe for changes to take effect; vacancy rate does not affect tax rate for rental units; taxing accessory dwelling units (ADUs); street vendors; embedding Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases; impacts of different models on the business community; details of business classifications; non-resident business owners don't have a vote on changes; concern about raising taxes while giving grants; legalizing and taxing short-term rentals; adjusting equity between types of businesses; adjusting for CPI; conducting surveys of residents and business owners; effect of short-term rentals on hotel business; and concern about the effect of short-term rentals on neighbors and the City and regulation.
There was a consensus of the City Council to direct staff to agendize a future discussion on short-term rental regulation, and to return with an equitable business license tax structure proposal.
C. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SUPPORTING ARMS FOR A SAN
GABRIEL CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION OF $21,000 FOR MARKET LAUNCH AND OPERATION
Community Development Director Cervantes made the presentation.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 6 February 6, 2024 I
I
I
Clarifying discussion included the process for local business participation; contract extension provision; vendor referrals; and discount and free booth for vendors located within the City.
Erlinda Romo, resident, spoke in favor of a farmer's market and requested more than three to four certified vendors.
Carina Rivera, former council member and resident, provided comments in favor of a farmers' market.
Discussion included the schedule for farmers' markets in neighboring cities, outreach, business incubation, entertainment, target opening date, non-profit participation, pop-up vendors, weather cancellation, measuring success, street banners, and insurance.
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to:
1. Approve the Professional Services Agreement with Supporting Arms;
2. Allocate a $21,000 budget for market operation and marketing efforts;
3. Approve a modified business license fee structure for a farmers' market; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute and sign the agreement.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto commended the City Council for working together at a recent conference, and commended the Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments for their work during the recent storms.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Chan thanked Public Works staff for removing a dead skunk; and reported on his attendance at a San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce educational expo, Lunar New Year Festival and the grand opening of Astiva Health Services in Monterey Park, and the Independent Cities Association (ICA) conference.
Vice Mayor Wu reported that he and Council Member Ding had promoted the upcoming San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival to be held on February 17 and 18, 2024; at the KAZN TV station and shared details of the event; and thanked Community Services Director Perez, Police Chief Elizalde, Fire Chief Wallace, and the Public Works Department for their work on the event.
Council Member Menchaca reported on her attendance at the Monterey Park Lunar Festival, invited all to the San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival, announced the Art for the Soul Art Gallery featuring art by Lonnie Edmond, "Lonkente," at the Blossom Market Hall until March 15, 2024, and Meet the Artist on February 24, 2024, from 12:00 - 3:00 P.M.; and reported on her attendance at the ICA conference.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6 February 6, 2024 I
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at the Monterey Park Lunar Festival and invited all to attend the upcoming San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival on February 17 and 18, 2024.
Mayor Harrington reported on his attendance at the ICA conference and announced that the San Gabriel Police Department is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on February 28, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in the Glass Room Gallery.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Approved this 20th
~.
day of February, 2024:
~ - HARRINGTON! M_a.J-y_o_r +---:;::::;,
I
I
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 6 February 6, 2024