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MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 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, March 19, 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 Vice Mayor Wu.
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, Assistant City Attorney
Martin Koczanowicz, 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,
Finance Director William Kaholokula, Community
Development Director Aldo Cervantes, Police Chief
Edward Elizalde, Acting Fire Division Chief David
Milligan, and Assistant City Clerk Marilyn Bonus.
Chief City Clerk Clark provided information for the public on how to view the meeting and request meeting agendas.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER
Hearing no objection, Mayor Harrington announced that the agenda order was approved.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Mayor Harrington made the presentation and Sue Fitzsimmons, President of Partners with San Gabriel K9s, accepted the proclamation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following spoke or provided comments in favor of disbanding the Human Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission: George Carney, resident; Douglas Richter, resident; Cheryl Cabot, resident; and Carina Rivera, resident.
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The following spoke or provided comments in favor of continuing the HEAR Commission: Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident; Jeanne Raya, resident; Christian Port; Evelyn Torres-Rangel, resident; Domingo Torres-Rangel, resident; Viki Goto, resident; Julian Loza, resident; Wai Tse; Sung Tse; Cathleen Chavez-Morris, resident; Robert Aizumi; Marsha Aizumi; Michelle Brenhaug, resident; Aaron Situ, resident; Kelly Munoz Rios, resident, HEAR Commission Youth Ambassador; Vicky Trieu, business owner; Alan K. Chan; Andrew, resident; Florence Simpson,· resident; Q. Sanchez, resident; Kathay Feng, resident; Violet Rose Wang; Gabriel Frank-McPheter, resident; Dr. Felix L. Nunez, resident; Isaac Chan, resident; Hilda Solis, Supervisor, First District, Board of Supervisors; Jorge Herrera-Avila, resident; Teresa Metcalf-Yzaguirre, resident; Andrew, resident; Geoff Kahan; and five anonymous commenters.
The following spoke or provided comments expressing concerns related to the HEAR Commission and/or the proposed All Are Welcome program: Sue Fitzsimmons, resident, Partners with San Gabriel K9S; George Valdez, resident; D. Gutierrez, resident; and two anonymous commenters.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Chan noted a correction to Item 4C: on page 2 of the staff report, second paragraph, second to the last line, in the parentheses, should read February 2023.
In regard to Item 4G, in response to a question from Council Member Chan as to how much the engine to be retired would be sold for, City Manager Lazzaretto responded it would be sent to auction.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, 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:
1. Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of March 5, 2024.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved February 23, and March 1, 2024, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - FEBRUARY 2024
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for February 2024.
D. GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE 2023 CALENDAR YEAR
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The City Council received and filed the Report and directed staff to submit the Housing Report to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
E. 2023 GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT:
JANUARY 2023 - DECEMBER 2023
The City Council received and filed the Report and directed staff to submit the Report to the Office of Planning and Research and State Department of Housing and Community Development.
F. ORDINANCE NO. 703 RENEWING AND APPROVING THE SAN GABRIEL POLICE DEPARTMENT'S UPDATED MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY 707
AND FINDING THAT THE ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7072(a) - SECOND
READING AND ADOPTION
The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 703 entitled: "An Ordinance of the City Council of San Gabriel, California, Readopting Police Department Lexipol Policy Section 707, Military Equipment, Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 481 Military Equipment Acquisition, Use, and Reporting and Establishing Annual Review Process."
G. FIRE APPARATUS PURCHASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $960,343.25 [RESOLUTION NO. 24-06]
The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement, subject to final approval as to form by the City Attorney, in the amount of $960,343.25 for a Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination Rescue Apparatus and adopted Resolution No. 24-06.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. BUSINESS LICENSE TAX MODERNIZATION
Finance Director Kaholokula made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included when the proposed tax rate change would take effect and notification of changes to business owners.
Jorge Montes provided comments in opposition to a tax increase.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 8:35 P.M. and reconvened at 8:43 P.M. with all Council Members present.
Discussion included that business license tax hasn't been updated for 30 years; concerns with using up political capital for not much gain and how it would affect the chances of a public safety building bond passing in the future; clarification on the staff recommendation; number of votes needed for the measure to pass; benefit of having lower business license taxes than neighboring cities; preference to have a higher cap instead of removing the cap; gross receipts may be understated due to self-reporting and are difficult to verify; how many properties would be affected by the rental cap; and a straw poll to determine if Council CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 March 19, 2024 I
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Members were interested in putting any business tax increase on the ballot at this time.
A motion was made by Council Menchaca, seconded by Vice Mayor Wu, to direct staff to return with a proposal, with the staff recommendation plus additional options for consideration, for a resolution placing a measure on the November 2024 ballot.
Motion failed by a vote of 2-3 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
7. NEW BUSINESS
MENCHACA, WU,
CHAN, DING, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
A. FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 MID-YEAR BUDGET UPDATE [RESOLUTION NO. 24- 12]
Assistant Finance Director Linda Tang made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included methodology for the 5-Year General Fund projection; details of the capital lease line item; projected revenue from business license fees and permits; and transfers from the General Fund to the Mission Playhouse.
Andrew, resident, commented on Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) and CalPERS obligations, revenue from the sale of FEMA trailers, and funds budgeted for the prosecution of local misdemeanors.
Mayor Harrington and City Manager Lazzaretto responded that these items will be discussed during the upcoming budget meetings and provided additional details.
Discussion included evidence money details; current cash reserve of 25%; methodology for revenue projections on projects under development; new supervisor classifications in Public Works; desire to see transfers in to Mission Playhouse separated, progress made in Mission Playhouse revenues; details of projections for state sales tax and Measure SG sales tax; and kudos for the staff presentation.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to receive and file the mid-year budget update report and adopt Resolution No. 24-13 approving mid-year adjustments to Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget and Resolution No. 24-12 approving mid-year departmental staffing adjustments.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NONE
NONE
NONE
B. AGREEMENT WITH CHINATOWN SERVICE CENTER FOR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,328.08 ANNUALLY, AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-10 AMENDING FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET TO INCREASE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,750
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Community Services Manager Matthew Morales-Stevens made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included case manager location, work hours, and employee management; the number of people served would depend on individual needs and would be assessed in a year; the agreement could be amended in the future to add additional services; 25 hours/week for the first year is a trial period to assess need; amending the agreement with an escalator to allow for more hours for increased needs; agreement details including flexibility; and public outreach to publicize the new services.
Andrew, resident; and Dr. Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident and HEAR Commissioner; commented in favor of the agreement.
Discussion included that the primary focus is to have a case manager that can speak Mandarin/Cantonese as staff is available to help with Spanish translation; and that this provider is not focused on homelessness services, but rather preventative measures.
A motion was made by Council Member Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Ding, to:
1. Approve the agreement with Chinatown Service Center to provide case management services to the public, as amended to include provisions to allow extension of the number and flexibility of hours worked, with corresponding costs, with the final approval of the City Attorney;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 24-10 authorizing the budget adjustment of $18,750; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement with the selected provider.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES: CHAN, DING, MENCHACA, WU, HARRINGTON
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
NONE
NONE
C. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
a) Selection of Mayor
Chief City Clerk Clark declared the offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor vacant and opened the floor for nominations.
Council Member Harrington nominated Council Member Wu. Hearing no other nominations, Chief City Clerk Clark declared Council Member Wu selected as Mayor by acclamation.
b) Selection of Vice Mayor
Mayor Wu opened the floor for nominations for Vice Mayor. Council Member Ding nominated Council Member Menchaca, and Council Member Harrington nominated Council Member Chan.
Council Member Menchaca was selected as Vice Mayor by the following vote:
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For Council Member Menchaca: Council Members Ding and Menchaca, and Mayor Wu
For Council Member Chan: Council Members Chan and Harrington
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto congratulated Mayor Wu and Vice Mayor Menchaca, and announced that the tentative starting date for the San Gabriel Farmers Market is April 27, 2024.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Menchaca reported on her attendance at the Stop the Hate Art Contest sponsored by the West California Art Academy, and at the Roosevelt Elementary School Reading Across America event.
Council Member Ding thanked outgoing Mayor Harrington for his service and congratulated incoming Mayor Wu; reported on his attendance at the Roosevelt Elementary School Reading Across America event, La Casa fundraiser, San Gabriel Historical Association Board installation, and a Sanitation District meeting; and announced the Sanitation District's Earth Day Festival on April 13, 2024, in Whittier.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:46 P.M.
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