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MINUTES OF MAY 6, 2025
REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAN GABRIEL CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Menchaca called the regular meeting of the San Gabriel City Council to order at 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 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 Herrera Avila.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present:
Council Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Tony Ding, Jorge Herrera Avila, John Wu, Vice Mayor
Eric Chan, and Mayor Denise Menchaca.
None.
City Manager Mark Lazzaretto, Assistant City Attorney
Paul Early, Community Services Director Rebecca Perez,
Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark, Fire Chief Steven Wallace; Human Resources/Risk Management Director Edward
Macias, Finance Director William Kaholokula, Police
Chief Edward Elizalde, Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Szeka Cheng, Acting Community
Development Director Samantha Tewasart, and
Assistant City Clerk Marilyn Bonus.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (GOVERNMENT CODE §54957.6) City Negotiators - City Manager Lazzaretto, City Attorney Lemieux, and Human Resources/Risk Management Director Macias
Regarding the following Employee Organizations - San Gabriel Police Officer's Association, San Gabriel Police Management Group, San Gabriel Firefighter's Association, San Gabriel Fire Management Group and all Unrepresented Employees.
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
Council Member Chan requested that Item 2B be rescheduled to May 20, 2025, Item 2B as the recipient was unable to attend. A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Council Member Wu to approve the agenda order as so amended.
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/Vlotion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 6:34 P.M. to resolve technological issues with the meeting streaming, and reconvened at 6:46 P.M. with all Council Members present.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER KAREN KO Acting Community Development Director Tewasart made the presentation.
B. STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
This item was rescheduled to the May 20, 2025, City Council meeting.
C. MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation and employee veteran Police Officer Eric Britt - U.S. Navy, Operations Specialist 2nd Class received the proclamation.
Mechanic II Raul Diaz - United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve, E-4 Sargeant, Airlift Bombardment Crew Chief, and Army National Guard, E-4 Sargeant, Motor Pool Technician was also recognized, though unable to attend.
D. ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH AND MENTAL
HEALTH DAV
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation and Peter Ng, CEO of Chinatown Service Center, accepted the proclamation.
E. HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation. Community Services Director Perez received the Proclamation and provided information about the Play Day 60th Anniversary.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Richard Kwangwen Ting, resident, expressed dissatisfaction with an exchange with staff that occurred during the Senior Meal Program.
Sue Fitzsimmons, resident, and Cheryl Cabot, resident, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of Council Member Herrera Avila at the last regular City Council meeting.
Becky Cheng, representing Athens Services, reported on the ways Athens Services recycles waste and announced an upcoming compost giveaway for residents to be held at Smith Park on June 21, 2025, from 9 A.M. - 12 P.M.
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Denise Gotch, resident, wished all nurses a Happy Nurses Day; reported on recent City events: Cinco de Mayo Mercado and 11 th Annua l USA Health Fair AAPI Heritage Month celebration, and announced upcoming events: Fire Service Day, Pet Wellness Day and Mail Carrier Food Drive.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Herrera Avila, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4F as presented.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council approved:
1. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 15, 2025.
2. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 21, 2025.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved April 4, 11, and 16, 2025, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. ORDINANCE NO. 716: AMENDING CHAPTER 153 OF THE SAN GABRIEL
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO HEDGE HEIGHTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL ZONES (ZTA24-004) - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
The City Council waived full reading and adopted Ordinance No. 716 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Amending Title XV, Chapter 153 (Zoning) Relating to Hedge Heights in the Residential Zones." D. ONE-YEAR RENEWAL OF CENTRAL SQUARE PERMITTING SOFTWARE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,877.87
The City Council:
1. Approved the renewal of the Central Square permitting software contract for one year at a cost of $23,877.87; and
2. Authorized the City Manager or their designee to sign the agreement, subject to City Attorney review and approval.
E. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL
OF GOVERNMENTS (SGVCOG) FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE FOOD RECOVERY
FOR EQUITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND HEALTH (FRESH SGV) PROGRAM, UTILIZING $58,710 OF CALRECYCLE'S SENATE BILL (SB) 1383 LOCAL
ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The City Council:
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1. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG); and
2. Approved a purchase order for $58,710 with the SGVCOG for participation in the Food Recovery for Equity, Sustainability, and Health Program (FRESH SGV).
F. FIREWORK DISPLAY PERMIT- SAN GABRIEL COUNTRY CLUB
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.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. AUTHORIZATION FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) PROGRAM AND PURCHASE OF UAV EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,108.00
[RESOLUTION NO. 25-14]
Police Lieutenant Nhat Huynh, Detective Christopher Lefay, Officer Andrea Fuentes, and Officer Tushar Guliani made the presentation.
Clarifying discussion included details of yearly costs, disadvantages of borrowing drones from neighboring agencies, privacy concerns, community outreach, safeguards to prevent misuse, use policy availability to the public, grant funding for future expenses, staff allocation for the program, warranty, battery life, model features, management of drone footage, and liability insurance.
The City Council received a written comment from resident Jeffrey Santner in opposition to this item.
Discussion included community privacy concerns, uses, warranty and repair details, UAV Program reassessment in year 4, life expectancy, staff training, reports to Council, use to support the Fire Department, public outreach, learning from other cities' experiences, lending drones/operators to other agencies, need for the program, crime prevention and deterrence, deployment, remote control range, and visual identification as a City drone.
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Council Member Wu, to adopt Resolution No. 25-14 to approve the following:
1. Budget amendment to approve $28,108.00 in the Police budget for the purchase of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipment, training, licensing, and certification.
2. Purchase of the Matrice 4T from Advexure (the only local vendor and costeffective).
3. Create line items for the annual cost of UAV Program between $8,000 and $10,000.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
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ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
NONE
NONE
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 8:12 P.M. and reconvened at 8:20 P.M. with all Council Members present.
B. AGREEMENT WITH DATA TICKET FOR PARKING CITATION MANAGEMENT AND PARKING PERMIT SERVICES FOR AN ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $5,000 PLUS
PER CITATION AND PERMIT CHARGES
Police Lieutenant Dan Gosserand and Finance Director Kaholokula made the presentation. Heather Nowlan of Data Ticket was also available to answer questions via video conference.
Clarifying discussion included integration with the City's current parking enforcement consultant, ACE Parking Management Services, Inc.; improved efficiency; verification process for semi-annual and annual permits; the program operates at a surplus; potential for zone-based parking program; repurposing or selling current parking permit kiosks; permitting during the transition period; cost details; timing for purchasing the software; public outreach and education on the new system; after the transition permits will still be available at City Hall during normal business hours; customer service options, appeals will be through an on line system; and Data Ticket website pages will have a City identifier.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included appreciation for the modernization and improvement in efficiencies.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Wu, to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Data Ticket for citation management and parking permit services.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
8. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto announced that the intersection at Broadway and Walnut Grove should be opened by mid-morning on May 7, 2025.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Chan reported on his attendance at the Kiwanis and City of San Gabriel Pancake Breakfast, open house and dedication of the wellness center at Del Mar High School, networking event at Clearman's Galley, San Gabriel's Cinco de Mayo Mercado event, and Hope Lions Club Thanks USA event.
Council Member Wu reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities Leaders' Summit, Chinese Christian Herald Church (CCHC) Walk-a-Thon, San Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition event, Cinco de Mayo Mercado celebration, a Mother's Day luncheon, and Buddha Banting Festival at Hsi Lai Temple; and announced the CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6 May 6, 2025 I
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City's Memorial Day event to be held on May 26, 2025, from 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. at Plaza Park.
Council Member Herrera Avila reported on his attendance at the Kiwanis 80th Pancake Breakfast, League of California Cities Leadership Summit, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly, Cinco de Mayo Mercado event, and funeral for Chin Ho Liao.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at Kiwanis Egg Hunt event, Del Mar High School new wellness center, Herald Christian Center Walk-a-Thon, CESASC annual event at the San Gabriel Hilton, Cinco de Mayo Mercado event, Thanks USA Healthcare and AAPI heritage event, and funeral for Chin Ho Liao.
Mayor Menchaca reported on her attendance at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Del Mar High School Wellness Center, Cinco de Mayo event, Thanks USA event, Assemblymember Mike Fang's Women of Impact Awards, at which San Gabriel resident and police volunteer Sue Fitzsimmons received the Legacy Award; and reported that at the Los Angeles County Supervisor's meeting of May 6, 2025, Chin Ho Liao was honored.
10. CLOSED SESSION - None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. in memory of former Mayor Chin Ho Liao.
Respectfully submitted:
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