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MINUTES OF AUGUST 19, 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 6:37 P.M. on Tuesday, August 19, 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 Wu.
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, City Attorney Keith
Lemieux, Assistant City Attorney Martin Koczanowicz,
Community Services Director Rebecca Perez, Chief City
Clerk Sharon Clark, Fire Chief Steven Wallace, Finance
Director William Kaholokula, Police Chief Edward
Elizalde, Acting Public Works/City Engineer Szeka
Cheng, Acting Community Development Director
Samantha Tewasart, and Management Assistant Adam
Yang.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9)
Tappan Zee v. City of San Gabriel et al., COCA Case No: 2:21-CV-06167.
There was no reportable action.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION54957.6)
City Negotiators - City Manager Lazzaretto, City Attorney Lemieux, and Human Resources/Risk Management Director Macias
Regarding the following Employee Organizations - San Gabriel Police Officers' Association, San Gabriel Police Management Group, San Gabriel Firefighters' Association, San Gabriel Fire Management Group and all Unrepresented Employees.
There was no reportable action.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Chief City Clerk Clark provided information for the public on how to view the meeting.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER
Mayor Menchaca approved the agenda order.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. RECOGNITION OF GABRIELINO HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL TEAM
FOR WINNING CALIFORNIA INTERSCHOLACTIC FEDERATION-SOUTHERN
SECTION (CIF-SS) DIVISION SA CHAMPIONSHIP
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Vivian Chan, Community Outreach Chair of United Charity Foundation, spoke in support of Agenda Item 4G.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Wu, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4K 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 July 15, 2025.
2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 15, 2025.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved July 3, 11, 18, 24, and 31, 2025, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT-JULY 2025
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for July 2025.
D. RESOLUTION NOS. 25-32 AND 25-33 SETTING THE RATE AND AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR RETIREMENT LEVY The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-32, setting the tax rate at 14 cents per $100 assessed valuation, and Resolution No. 25-33, fixing the amount of property taxes to be generated for the City's employees' retirement cost for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
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E. PURCHASE OF VIDEO DETECTION CAMERA SYSTEMS FOR TRAFFICSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS FROM ITERIS, INC. FOR $724,011.75, INCLUDING A 10% CONTINGENCY, USING MEASURE R FUNDING
The City Council awarded the bid and approved the purchase of video detection camera systems from lteris, Inc., and authorized the City Manager to execute a purchase order with lteris, Inc. in the amount of $724,011.75, which includes a 10% contingency.
F. SAN GABRIEL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION FEE WAIVER REQUEST FOR USE OF
GRAPEVINE ARBOR FOR FUNDRAISER EVENT
The City Council waived the facility rental fee in the amount of $530.
G. THEATRE FEE WAIVER REQUEST BY UNITED CHARITY FOUNDATION FOR
CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY PROGRAM
The City Council granted a waiver of the United Charity Foundation event fee in the amount of $4,025 for the November 29, 2025 Children's Holiday Program.
H. DONATION OF 2002 PIERCE QUANTUM FIRE ENGINE TO THE GLENDALE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIRE ACADEMY
The City Council approved the donation of the 2002 Pierce Quantum Fire Engine to the Glendale Community College Verdugo Fire Academy and authorized the Fire Chief or designee to execute any required documents subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney to complete the donation.
I. APPROVAL OF THREE-YEAR SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH BLAZESTACK, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,241.00
The City Council approved the three-year software license agreement with Blazestack, Inc. and authorized the Fire Chief or designee to execute the Subscription License Agreement.
J. PURCHASE OF TWO LUCAS 3 MECHANICAL CARDIOPULMONARY
RESUSCITATION (CPR) DEVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,468.11 The City Council authorized the City Manager or designee to issue a purchase order to Stryker Sales, Limited Liability Company for two LUCAS CPR Devices, under a cooperative purchasing agreement and in compliance with the City of San Gabriel Purchasing Policy.
K. ACCEPTANCE OF TRAFFIC RECORDS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (TRIP) FUND GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,800.00
The City Council approved the following:
1. Increase estimated revenue (transfers in) and appropriation in (Account No. 147-3229).
2. Authorize the Police Chief to accept the Traffic Records Improvement Project funding to purchase the authorize item under the City's purchasing policy and to administer the program according to the program's guidelines.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
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6. CONTINUED BUSINESS- None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. APPEAL OF THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX CALCULATION BY CHAMPION MOTEL
Finance Director Kaholokula made the staff presentation, City Attorney Lemieux provided a brief summary of the item and clarified that Assistant City Attorney Martin Koczanowicz would be acting as attorney to staff and City Attorney Lemieux acting as attorney to the City Council.
Evelyn Hsiao, Peter Syian, and Wong Chien Ego Hsiao, representing Champion Motel, made the appellant's presentation.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included the City's determination of 18 units occupied is based on the personal observation of the City's Code Enforcement Officer and Police Officer, and confirmation from a person who said they were a friend of the owner and the Motel's handyman; Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is owed by the motel whether or not the owner collected it from the guests; the Motel representatives present at the meeting were not aware of how many rooms were occupied prior to May 2025; guests were staying per month; history of violations at the location since 2020; and testimony from Code Enforcement Officer Aldo Ayub and Police Officer Esther Tse that they personally saw each room, observed signs of habitation including personal belongings, decorations, and people in the rooms, and spoke with 30 - 35 tenants.
A motion was made by Mayor Menchaca, seconded by Vice Mayor Chan, to uphold the Finance Director's determination of TOT liability in the amount of $19,107.75, to be paid within 30 days, based on the written and oral evidence presented.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
B. DRAFT HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT PHASE 2 [RESOLUTION NO. 25-35]
Acting Community Development Director Tewasart made the staff presentation.
Consultants Katie Horak, Principal, Architectural Resources Group and Jennifer Mermilliod, Architectural Historian, JM Research and Consulting, presented the Draft Historic Resources Survey Report Phase 2.
Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Commission (HPCRC) Chair Senya Lubisich, on behalf of the Commission, commented in support of the Report.
Clarifying discussion included why particular areas were included or not, consideration of tracts of homes, and process for residents and others to pursue historic designation.
A written comment in support was received from Lori Ramirez requesting that any houses built in the 1920s on Padilla Street be added to the Mission District map.
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The following spoke in support: Beatriz Mojarro, resident, HPCRC Vice-Chair; and Cecilia Keffer, resident.
Louis, resident, spoke in opposition.
Discussion included that the Survey is equally important for owners within or outside historic districts; why the Mission District doesn't qualify as an historic district; adopting the findings of the Report does not designate the properties as historical; renovation restrictions in historic districts; historic status notification to property owners; requirements for homeowner consent in forming an historic district; updating the Survey in the future; and community outreach.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt Resolution No. 25-35 approving the Citywide Historic Resources Survey Report Phase 2.
Motion 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 9:46 P.M. and reconvened at 9:57 P.M. with all Council Members present.
C. ORDINANCE NO. 721 AMENDING THE SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX - INTRODUCTION
Finance Director Kaholokula made the presentation.
There was no public comment.
A motion was made by Council Member Herrera Avila, seconded by Mayor Menchaca, to:
1. Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 721 by title only, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Amending San Gabriel Municipal Code Section 35.057 Relating to the Transient Occupancy Tax."
2. Schedule the second reading and adoption for the next regular meeting of the City Council.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
D. APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WITH PEREGRINE, A
SOLE-SOURCE DATA MIGRATION SYSTEM, AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO SUN RIDGE RIMS, INC. IN RESPONSE TO RFP NO. 25-07 [RESOLUTION NO. 25-34]
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Police Chief Elizalde made the staff presentation. John Boren, Chief Technology Officer, Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. and Jordan Karasik, Major Accounts, Peregrine Technologies, made presentations about their respective products.
Clarifying discussion included why the annual increase varies from 2% to 6%; and Artificial Intelligence (Al) incorporation.
There was no public comment.
A motion was made by Council Member Wu, seconded by Mayor Menchaca, to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year Professional Services Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems, Inc.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year Professional Services Agreement with Peregrine.
3. Authorize the City's IT Department to purchase the required servers in an amount not to exceed $45,000.00.
4. Adopt Resolution No. 25-34 to appropriate the necessary funds for completion of the project.
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 reminded the community of high temperatures coming the rest of the week and announced the location of cooling centers that will be open.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Menchaca announced that effective June 30, 2025, La Casa Community Center closed its doors permanently and the land was returned to the San Gabriel Tongva Tribe at a special ceremony on August 2, 2025. The former La Casa Community Center is now the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribal Center.
Vice Mayor Chan reported on his attendance at a business networking event at Luna's Restaurant, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce networking event, block party at the 500 block of N. Daroca Street, San Gabriel's National Night Out, and a monthly Chinese American Citizens Alliance dinner meeting.
Council Member Herrera Avila reported on his attendance at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) 49th Annual Conference, Well on Tap Fellowship site visits, block party at the 500 block of N. Daroca Street, Edison Company Emergency Operations Center tour, Los Angeles Digital Government Conference, subcommittee meeting for Dumpling and Beer Fest, and California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Newly-Elected Officials Academy; and requested Council support for staff to explore bringing back the City's Youth in Government program. Mayor Menchaca and Vice Mayor Chan agreed.
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Council Member Ding reported on Hope Lions Club donations of senior meals, coffee and tea to the Police Department, Fire Department and City Hall, and school backpacks; and reported on his attendance at a CJPIA Board meeting, La Casa Land Return event, San Gabriel's National Night Out, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments ad hoc committee for the 2028 Olympics for neighboring cities, and tour of Athens Services new facility in Irwindale.
Council Member Wu reported on his attendance at most of the events mentioned by Council Member Ding and at the Legislative Speaker Series with Congressman Gil Cisneros, hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership and the Citrus Valley Association of Realtors.
10. CLOSED SESSION - None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:51 P.M. in memory of San Gabriel K-9 Officer Bentley.
Respectfully submitted:
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