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MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 2024
REGULAR MEETING OF THE_SAN GABRIEL CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wu called the regular meeting of the San Gabriel City Council to order at 6:35 P.M. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, California, 91776.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The San Gabriel Police Department's Honor Guard posted the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Menchaca.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present:
Council Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Eric Chan, Tony Ding, John R. Harrington, Vice Mayor
Menchaca, and Mayor John Wu.
None.
City Manager Mark Lazzaretto, City Attorney Keith
Lemieux, Community Services Director Rebecca Perez,
Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark, Fire Chief Steven Wallace, Finance Director William Kaholokula, Human
Resources/Risk Management Director Edward Macias,
Community Development Director Aldo Cervantes,
Police Chief Edward Elizalde, Public Works Parks and
Facilities Manager John Gonzalez, and Assistant City
Clerk Marilyn Bonus.
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Manager
City Attorney Lemieux announced that there was no reportable action.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chief City Clerk Clark provided information for the public on how to view the meeting.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER
Hearing no objection, Mayor Wu announced that the agenda order was approved.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING AND INCOMING MAYORS AND VICE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 8 Apri l 2, 2024 Ct
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t. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING MAYOR HARRINGTON
The following recognized outgoing Mayor Harrington for his service:
• Congresswoman Judy Chu
• Jayson Hugh, representing Assemblymember Mike Fong
• Dara Smith, representing Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang • Theresa Lee, representing Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tern Chia Yu Teng • Councilmember Sandra Armenta Lopez, representing State Senator Susan Rubio and the City of Rosemead
• Mayor Pro Tern Robert Parkhurst and Councilmember Christine Lowe, City of Sierra Madre
• Mayor April Velato and Councilmember Paul Cheng, City of Arcadia • Mayor Pro Tern Vinh Ngo and Councilmember Henry Lo, City of Monterey Park
• Stephen Lam, former Mayor of Monterey Park
• Director General Amino Chi, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office • Becky Cheng, Director of Government Affairs, Athens Services • Mary He, First Vice-President, and Tony Ding, President, San Gabriel Hope Lions Club
• Cindy Wu, Board Member, Mountain View School District • Representatives of Hsi Lai Temple, Buddha Light International Association, Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta; University of the West
• Jean Chu, Taiwan Benevolent Association of California Outgoing Mayor Harrington thanked his Council colleagues and City staff for their work over his term as Mayor, thanked his family for their support, and thanked those who were in attendance at the meeting for sharing in the celebration.
Mayor Wu presented outgoing Mayor Harrington with a gavel plaque on behalf of the City and Council.
11. RECOGNITION OF VICE MAYOR MENCHACA
Roxanne Menchaca, daughter of Vice Mayor Menchaca, administered a ceremonial oath of office to Vice Mayor Menchaca.
The following made congratulatory presentations to Vice Mayor Menchaca:
• Congresswoman Judy Chu
• Councilmember Sandra Armenta Lopez, representing State Senator Susan Rubio and the City of Rosemead
• Jayson Hugh, representing Assemblymember Mike Fong
• Dara Smith, representing Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang • Mayor April Velato and Councilmember Paul Cheng, City of Arcadia • Mayor Pro Tern Vinh Ngo and Councilmember Henry Lo, representing the City of Monterey Park
• Director General Amino Chi, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office • Becky Cheng, Director of Government Affairs, Athens Services • Mary He, First Vice-President, and Tony Ding, President, San Gabriel Hope Lions Club
• Representatives of Hsi Lai Temple, Buddha Light International Association, Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta; University of the West
• Jean Chu, Taiwan Benevolent Association of California • Dr. Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident
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Vice Mayor Menchaca thanked the community and her family for their support; thanked the City staff, and especially City Manager Lazzaretto, for their dedication and passion; thanked her Council colleagues for their teamwork; thanked former Mayor Harrington for his year as Mayor; and wished Mayor Wu a great year.
RECOGNITION OF INCOMING MAYOR WU
Congresswoman Judy Chu administered a ceremonial oath of office to Mayor Wu.
The following made congratulatory presentations to Mayor Wu:
• Congresswoman Judy Chu
• Sandra Armenta Lopez, representing State Senator Susan Rubio and the City of Rosemead
• Jayson Hugh, representing Assemblymember Mike Fong
• Dara Smith, representing Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang • Theresa Lee, representing Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tern Chia Yu Teng • Mayor April Velato and Council member Paul Cheng, City of Arcadia • Mayor Pro Tern Vinh Ngo and Councilmember Henry Lo, representing the City of Monterey Park
• Stephen Lam, former Mayor of Monterey Park
• Daphne Wu, daughter of Mayor John Wu
• William Wu, Compton USD Police Department
• Director General Amino Chi, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office • Lisa Yang, President, U.S. Fujian General Chamber of Commerce • Charley Lu, Chairman, I-Chinese American Political Action Committee • Becky Cheng, Director of Government Affairs, Athens Services • Mary He, First Vice-President, and Tony Ding, President, San Gabriel Hope Lions Club
• Cindy Wu, Board Member, Mountain View School District • Zig Jiang, Chinese American Equalization Association
• Representatives of Hsi Lai Temple, Buddha Light International Association, Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta; University of the West
• Angela Kai, Gee Tuck Sam Tuck Association
• Jean Chu, Taiwan Benevolent Association of California • Sunny Chen, North America Chinese University Alumni Alliance • Cecilia Shi, International Youth Fellowship
• Phyllis Ling, Chair, Historic Cultural North Neighborhood Council • Florence Lin, Heidi Lam, Julian Zhu, Asian Youth Center • Kit Man Shum, C.O.O., DSC Laser & Skin Care Center, Inc. • Vivien Chen, Eve Aesthetics
• Dr. Chasity Jennings-Nunez, resident
• Grace Cheung, U.S. Chinese Women's Organization
• Su Jiu Zhang, RCAO Chinese American Organization
Mayor Wu thanked his family, supporters, his mentor - former Mayor Harrington, and Council colleagues; outlined accomplishments to date; and shared his vision for his term as Mayor.
Council Member Chan thanked outgoing M_ayor Harrington for his excellent work during his term as Mayor, congratulated Vice Mayor Menchaca and Mayor Wu, and stated he is looking forward to working with them in the coming year.
Council Member Ding thanked outgoing Mayor Harrington for a job well-done, and congratulated Vice Mayor Menchaca and Mayor Wu.
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B. CITY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Mayor Wu made the presentation.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 8:32 P.M. and reconvened at 8:51 P.M. with all Council Members present.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert Powers expressed support for the proposed All Are Welcome program and opposition to the dissolution of the Human Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission.
Dr. Felix Nunez, resident, provided comments congratulating incoming Mayor John Wu.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chief City Clerk Clark announced that staff had requested that Item 4C be approved as amended to designate Vice Mayor Menchaca and Mayor Wu as representatives on the 4th of July event committee.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Harrington, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4B and 4D - 41 as presented, and Item 4C as amended.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, WU
NONE
NONE
NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council approved:
1. Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of March 19, 2024.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved March 7, and March 15, 2024, Registers of Demands and Warrants for the payment of City expenditures.
C. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES - COUNCIL
LIAISONS
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-18 confirming the Mayor's appointments of Council Members to serve as delegates, alternates and liaisons to outside agencies and Committees.
D. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 23-05 TO HARDY AND HARPER, INCORPORATED FOR THE ANNUAL STREETS PROGRAM FISCAL VEAR 2023- 2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,609,944.64 PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 8 April 2, 2024 I
The City Council:
1. Approved plans and specifications for the Annual Streets Program Fiscal Year 2023-2024;
2. Awarded the contract to Hardy and Harper, Incorporated;
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute Construction Contract No. 23-05; and
4. Approved a purchase order in the amount of $2,815,237.60, which includes a 10% construction contingency.
E. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 24-01 TO VIDO SAMARZICH,
INCORPORATED FOR THE SIDWALK AND PEDESTRIAN RAMP
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FISCAL VEAR 2023-24 IN THE AMOUNT OF $123,880 PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY [RESOLUTION NO. 24-15]
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 24-15 to appropriate additional $21,098 from the TOA Article 3 Fund to account 122-800-44-96-604;
2. Approved plans and specifications for the Sidewalk & Pedestrian Ramp Improvement Project, Fiscal Year 2023-24;
3. Awarded contract to Vido Samarzich, Incorporated;
4. Authorized the City Manager to execute Construction Contract No. 24-01; and
5. Approved a purchase order in the amount of $136,268, which includes a 10% construction contingency. I F. FIREWORK DISPLAY PERMIT - SAN GABRIEL COUNTRY CLUB I
The City Council authorized the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Marshal to issue a Fireworks Permit to Pyro Spectaculars, Incorporated contingent on meeting the conditions of the application.
G. 2022 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM GRANT ACCEPTANCE [RESOLUTION NO. 24-09]
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-09 approving the following:
Police Department
1. Budget amendment to increase estimated revenue (account 186-3215) and appropriation (transfers out) in 'Other Grants Fund by $51,363; and increase estimated revenue (transfers in) and appropriation in Capital/Special Projects Funds (account 124-751-57-99-380) by $51,363;
Fire Department
2. Budget amendment to increase estimated revenue (account 186-3215) and appropriation (transfers out) in 'Other Grants Fund by $10,000; and increase estimated revenue (transfers in) and appropriation in Capital/Special Projects Funds (account 124-761-57-99-380) by $10,000;
3. Authorize both the Police Chief and Fire Chief to accept the State Homeland Security Program grant and purchase the items under the City's purchasing policy; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the subrecipient agreement between the City and the County of Los Angeles.
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H. GRANT-FUNDED PURCHASE OF RADIO EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,114.99
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 24-20 authorizing State Homeland Security Grant Program-Funded Purchase of certain Motorola Radio Equipment in the Amount of $30,114.99; and
2. Authorized the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Motorola Solutions, Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $30,114.99 for the purchase of three APX8500 mobile radios and accessories detailed in the report in accordance with the City of San Gabriel purchasing policy and conditions of the 2021 State Homeland Security Program Grant award.
I. APPROVAL OF A LETTER OF INTENT AGREEMENT WITH THE TAIWAN
TOURISM ADMINISTRATION LOS ANGELES OFFICE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF
A GIFT OF LANTERNS FOR THE SAN GABRIEL LUNAR LANTERN FESTIVAL The City Council approved the attached Letter of Intent Agreement and authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA)
RELOCATION GRANTS
Economic Development Director Caroline Velarde made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included the status of applications to date; eligible businesses would get either $10,000 or $7,500; and non-profit requirements and fees.
Cheryl Cabot, resident, stated that the Chamber of Commerce would not qualify for the small business grant as it is a non-profit, and expressed concerns about its financial status.
Discussion included preferences to keep the program for small businesses, for no program at all, and to be business-friendly in other ways; non-profits already get a break in business license taxes, disqualification for unpaid taxes or fee, and possible need for a time extension for businesses which have already applied to get necessary approvals.
A motion was made by Council Member Harrington, seconded by Council Member Chan to keep the existing guidelines for the program.
Motion failed by a vote of 2-3 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, HARRINGTON
DING, MENCHACA, WU
NONE
NONE
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A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Vice Mayor Menchaca, to extend the applications for those businesses which were not able to open by December 31, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-1 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, WU
CHAN
NONE
NONE
B. DUMPLING AND BEER FESTIVAL: 2023 RECAP AND SELECTING EVENT
PARTNER
Economic Development Manager Caroline Velarde and Management Assistant Erika Ortiz made the presentation.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included that it's healthy to have a rotation of partners; preference for Blossom Market Hall for this year; having sponsors take on the event to free Economic Development staff to support City businesses; a caterer's license or being a non-profit is required to get the alcohol license; the benefit to a non-profit is advertising and a free booth; in the future, the event could be run by the proposed Mission Playhouse non-profit; expanding the area of the event and missing in beer with the dumplings in several locations; Risk Management components; historical profitability; outsourcing an organizer; and staff to develop criteria and then test the market.
There was a consensus of the City Council to direct staff to
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto thanked outgoing Mayor Harrington, and congratulated new Mayor Wu and Vice Mayor Menchaca.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Chan reported his attendance at a San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce monthly networking meeting and a Ramadan dinner at the local mosque; expressed his sadness that the Kiwanis: "Egg"straordinary Pancake Breakfast was cancelled and stated he is looking forward to better weather next year.
Council Member Ding congratulated outgoing Mayor Harrington, and new Vice Mayor Menchaca and Mayor Wu; reported on his attendance at the Ramadan dinner and a Sanitation District meeting; and announced the Los Angeles County Sanitation District's Earth Day Festival to be held on April 13, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. and Herald Christian Center's Walkathon on the same date.
Vice Mayor Menchaca commented on the Ramadan dinner in relation to the City's inclusivity; expressed sadness at the cancellation of the Kiwanis event, commended Fire Chief Wallace for making the correct call to cancel the Kiwanis event due to weather, and thanked Community Services staff for all their work on the event.
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Council Member Harrington congratulated new Vice Mayor Menchaca and Mayor Wu; expressed his appreciation to staff for improvements made; and thanked those who attended tonight's celebratory meeting.
Mayor Wu thanked those attending the meeting, thanked former Mayor Harrington for a great past year; thanked Vice Mayor Menchaca and his Council colleagues for their support; thanked Police Chief Elizalde for provided the Police Honor Guard for the meeting; thanked Fire Chief Wallace for his safety oversight of meeting capacity and accessibility; announced the Grand Opening of the City's Farmer's Market on April 27, 2024, at 8:30 A.M., which will be held every Saturday; and announced the first free Senior Haircut event was held on April 1, 2024, which will be held every month on the first Monday.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
'
JOHN WU, Mayor
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