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MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 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 6:31 P.M. on Tuesday, September 17, 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 Mayor Wu.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present:
Council Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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, Public Works Director/City Engineer Greg de Vinck, Fire Chief Steven Wallace,
Human Resources/Risk Management Director Edward
Macias, Finance Director William Kaholokula,
Community Development Director Aldo Cervantes,
Police Chief Edward Elizalde, and Assistant City Clerk
Marilyn Bonus.
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 approved the agenda order.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Mayor Wu made the presentation and Vice Mayor Menchaca, former Mayor David R. Gutierrez, and former Council Member Carina Rivera accepted the proclamation.
B. INTRODUCTION OF ILIANA FLORES, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER City Manager Lazzaretto made the presentation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
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Robert Powers provided written comments on the potential effects of a City violation of California Government Code section 11135.
Mary Garcia, President of Native Sons of the Golden West, Ramona Parlor, invited the City Council to a Southern California Weekend to be held on October 4 - 5, 2024, which will include the presentation of a dedication plaque for the San Gabriel Mission High School's 75th Year Anniversary, On October 5, 2024, at 11 A.M., in the Mission gardens.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Regarding Item 4N, Robert Powers provided written comments in support.
Regarding Item 4J, Mary Garcia, resident, expressed concern about a fireworks show planned at Gabrielino High School on October 10, 2024, and requested that neighbors within a certain radius be notified prior to the event.
Vice Mayor Menchaca requested to pull Item 4J and Council Member Chan requested to pull Item 4C for separate discussion.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4B, 4D - 41, and 4K - 4N as presented.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, WU
NONE
NONE
NONE
Regarding Item 4C, Council Members Chan and Harrington spoke in favor of the City supporting the proposed resolution.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Item 4C, Option 1, for the City's delegate/alternate to vote in support of the proposed resolution.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, WU
NONE
NONE
NONE
Regarding 4J, Vice Mayor Menchaca requested that a requirement be added to notify the neighbors within a radius determined by the Fire Marshal.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Chan, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4J as so amended.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
CHAN, DING, HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, WU
NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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The City Council approved the Minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of August 20, 2024.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved August 2, 8, 13, 19, 22, and 29, 2024, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION PACKET The City Council gave direction for the voting delegate and voting alternate to vote in support of the proposed resolution.
D. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - AUGUST 2024
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for August 2024.
E. ORDINANCE NO. 713 AMENDING TITLE 111, SECTION 34 OF THE SAN GABRIEL
MUNICIPAL CODE - FINANCE AND REVENUE - SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION
The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 713 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Amending Chapter 34 of the San Gabriel Municipal Code Regarding Formal Contract Procedures, Open Marker Procedures, Professional and Specialized Services, Purchase of Used Equipment, Award of Contracts, and Disposition of Obsolete and Surplus Equipment."
F. 2024 CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST CODE BIENNIAL UPDATE (RESOLUTION NO. 24-61)
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-61 entitled, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Amending the City of San Gabriel Conflict of Interest Code and Rescinding Resolution No. 22-56." G. ORDINANCE NO. 711: APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, ZONE
CHANGE, ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT, AND LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT FOR A CEMETERY EXPANSION PROJECT AT 607 WEST ROSES ROAD (GPA21-001, ZC21-001, ZTA21-001 AND LTLA21-009) - SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION
The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 711 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Approving a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Zone Text Amendment, and Lot Line Adjustment for a Cemetery Expansion Project at 607 West Roses Road." H. DIGITAL COPY MACHINE 5-YEAR LEASE PROPOSAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $621.25 PER MONTH
The City Council waived the formal competitive bidding procedure and authorized the City Manager to utilize the cooperative discount pricing to obtain a new lease of $621.25 per month, for four copiers, for a period of five-years.
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I. FIVE-VEAR SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR DISPATCH SERVICES WITH VERDUGO
FIRE COMMUNICATIONS
The City Council authorized the City Manager and Fire Chief to execute the Verdugo Fire Communications Service Agreement.
J. FIREWORK DISPLAY PERMIT - GABRIELINO HIGH SCHOOL
The City Council authorized the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Marshal to issue a Fireworks Permit to Fireworks & Stage FX America, on behalf of Gabrielino High School, contingent on meeting the conditions of the application, to include an additional requirement for notification to the neighbors within a radius determined by the fire marshal.
K. UPFIT OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFF VEHICLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,984.60
The City Council approved the issuance of a purchase order in the amount of $32,984.60 to 911 Vehicle, Incorporated for the upfit project.
L. RESOLUTION NO. 24-49 APPROVING THE SIDE LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH
THE SAN GABRIEL POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-49, which approves the Side Letter of Agreement amending the standing MOU between the City and POA and authorizes the City's negotiators to execute the Side Letter of Agreement and increases General Fund appropriations $45,000 to cover increased costs to police personnel salaries for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
M. REQUEST TO ACCEPT $10,000 DONATION FROM DESERT COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION AND PURCHASE WURLITZER BRASS TRUMPET RANK
The City Council accepted the donation of $10,000 from the Desert Community Foundation into the Donation Account No. 152-329 to be transferred to the Expenditure Account No. 124-712-35-96-840; waived the formal bid process and authorized the purchase of the Brass Trumpet Rank from Century Pipe Organs.
N. SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (STEP) GRANT APPROVAL The City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-50 approving and accepting the Office of Traffic Safety contract funding and increasing the Revenue Budget Account No. 147-3229 by an estimated $175,000 to reflect receipt of the grant funds and increasing appropriations in the Police Department Expenditure Budget by $175,000, account 147-751-00-11-000 cost center, which will be used to account for the grant expenditures.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
A. ORDINANCE NO. 710 AMENDING THE VALLEY BOULEVARD SPECIFIC PLAN
RELATING TO GROUND FLOOR OFFICE USE AND ESTABLISHING MINIMUM DENSITIES (SPA24-001) - INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
Mayor Wu opened the public hearing.
Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart made the staff presentation.
There was no public comment; therefore, Mayor Wu closed the public hearing.
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Discussion included clarification on the ratio of office use to other uses; application of the ordinance to mixed-use projects; the proposed ordinance would only apply to ground-floor use, preference for use of a numerical range instead of percentages for number of office uses allowed; history of limiting office use in the Specific Plan in favor of generating revenue for the City; existing office-use units would count toward the maximum allowed; and merging two units would count as a single unit.
A motion was made by Council Member Harrington, seconded by Council Member Ding, to continue the public hearing to the October 1, 2024, regular City Council meeting.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CHAN, DING, HARRINGTON, MENCHACA, WU
NONE
NONE
NONE
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FARM
HABITS FOR THE CERTIFIED FARMER'S MARKET AND BUDGET
APPROPRIATION OF $25,000 FOR MARKETING AND EQUIPMENT
Community Development Director Cervantes made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included that the requested budget appropriation Is for $4,000 for a total of $25,000.
Erlinda Romo, resident, commented that the Valley Boulevard Specific Plan's reason for ground floor retail was to build walking traffic, that the Farmer's Market would do the same in bringing business to the Mission District, and requested waiting until Spring next year to resume the Market for more variety of produce.
Discussion included that the City would need to wait for Spring 2025 to work with the proposed vendor; for momentum, would need to wait for Asian produce to be available in Spring; Council would like to see planned vendors in advance; marketing at parks; benefit of musical entertainment; management assignments for various aspects of the Market; metrics to determine success; adding a clause for cancellation for performance issues; benefit of waiting for Spring to work out additional aspects to improve the market; pre-work being done now by Farm Habits; getting progress reports from Farm Habits; and concern because the Farm Habits representative was not present to answer questions.
There was a consensus of the City Council to continue this item to the next regular City Council meeting in order to have a Farm Habits representative available to answer questions.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC
SUBCOMMITTEE
City Manager Lazzaretto made the presentation.
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Robert Powers provided written comments regarding the item.
Erlinda Romo, resident, commented that the Human Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission did more than the ad hoc subcommittee and questioned how remaining items from the HEAR Commission's Workplan would be addressed.
Viki Goto, resident, former Chair of the HEAR Commission, expressed disappointment in the subcommittee's recommendations; called on voters to elect representatives who will listen to their concerns and be leaders in taking action; and announced a candidate forum at the Grapevine Arbor Padillo Room to be held on October 3, 3024, 6:30 P.M.
Vice Mayor Menchaca thanked Council Member Ding and City Manager Lazzaretto for the time spent meeting with various community stakeholders and provided a summary of the meetings with stakeholders.
Council Member Ding commented on other parties' appreciation for an open dialogue in a more informal setting, that because City resources are limited there is a need to partner with outside organizations, and expressed his hope to continue open dialogue to help all residents.
There was a consensus of the City Council to accept all the recommendations in the staff report.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 8:40 P.M. and reconvened at 8:52 P.M. with all Council Members present.
B. HEDGE HEIGHT DISCUSSION
Planning Manager Samantha Tewasart made the presentation.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included the San Gabriel Municipal Code doesn't take into account twostory neighboring homes; hedge height inconsistency existing in the City; allowing higher height for screening hedges between properties; good maintenance is more important than height; on the public right-of-way, the defining characteristic is safety; and heights for fences and walls.
There was a consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare an ordinance removing the hedge height limitation from the Code for City Council consideration.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto commented that Cable Channel 3 is still not working on the Spectrum side, but City meetings may be viewed on YouTube.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Menchaca commented that the model for business incubators doesn't work in San Gabriel because of the Municipal Code and requested to agendize a Code change for future consideration, with Council Members Harrington and Chan assenting.
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Council Member Chan reported on his attendance at a San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors luau and legislative meeting, a block party in the Village neighborhood, and a monthly Chinese American Citizens Alliance dinner meeting; and wished all a Happy Moon Cake Day and Happy U.S. Constitution Day.
Council Member Harrington thanked staff for the informative staff reports for the meeting.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at 5th employee annual Dole Whip event, San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors legislative forum, Village Block Party, Chinese American Construction Professionals Annual Gala, 2024 BizFed Freshman Policymakers reception at Universal Studios, L.A. County Asia Employee Association Fish Fry Potluck, Temple City Mid-Autumn Festival, San Gabriel Fire Department 911 Remembrance event, Asian Youth Center (AYC) Press Conference 75 years annual gala, Chinatown Chinese School, Shanghai Club Mid-Autumn Festival, and San Gabriel Hope Lions Club City Tour including Mooncake donations to City staff and senior program participants; and wished all a Happy Mooncake Festival.
Mayor Wu reported he attended many of the events Council Member Ding mentioned as well as the San Gabriel Educational Foundation's Dream, Imagine, and Create event.
11. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 P.M. in memory of the casualties of September 11, 2001, and in honor of the brave Americans who met the terror of that day with extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice.
Respectfully submitted:
SHARON F. CLARK, Chief City Clerk
Approved this 1st day of October, 2024:
4 JOHN WU, Mayor
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