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MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 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 6:34 P.M. on Tuesday, September 16, 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 Mayor Menchaca.
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, 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 LABOR NEGOTIATOR (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 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 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
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.
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2. PRESENTATIONS
A. NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation and Owner/Director Anamaria LopezChavelas and dancers of Ballet Folklorico Sol de Fuego accepted the proclamation.
B. CALIFORNIA'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Andrzej Szpikowski, resident, expressed concern about the safety of children in relation to school shootings.
Sue Fitzsimmons, resident, expressed concern about an upcoming community meeting planned by Council Member Herrera Avila.
Alexandra Lopez and Marlene Buenrostro, on behalf of Active San Gabriel Valley, announced that METRO is inviting communities to submit concepts for hosting open streets events during the Summer 2028 Olympics.
Hal Dolan, resident, reported ongoing problems at 832 Olney Street.
Jeffrey Santner, resident, inquired about the status of Safe Routes to School plans.
Denise Gotch, representing San Gabriel Veterans Coalition, announced the annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Field of Heroes flag display on November 8, 2025, at Plaza Park; and solicited sponsorships of flags in honor/memory of a veteran, with proceeds to go toward a Veterans' Memorial in Plaza Park.
Cecilia Keffer, resident, commented on the historic nature of her neighborhood and their interest in becoming a historic district.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Jeffrey Santner, resident, spoke in support of Item 4F, asked questions about the project, and suggested the addition of bike lanes.
Written comments were received from Crissie Bonzon, resident, in support of Items 40 and 4G - 41, and in opposition to Item 4J.
City Manager Lazzaretto addressed questions asked about Item 4F.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Wu, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4J as presented.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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The City Council approved:
1. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of August 19, 2025.
2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 19, 2025.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved August 7, 15, 21, and 28, 2025, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - AUGUST 2025
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for August 2025.
D. ORDINANCE NO. 721 RELATING TO TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX-SECOND
READING AND ADOPTION
The City Council waived full reading and adopted Ordinance No. 721 updating the San Gabriel Municipal Code to reflect the increase in the City's Transient Occupancy Tax rate from 10% to 12%, as approved by voters in the March 5, 2013 election.
E. AUTHORIZATION FOR EARLY PAYOFF OF HOLMAN CAPITAL LOAN The City Council authorized early payoff of the San Gabriel Police Vehicle Loan (Loan No. 500238001) in the approximate amount of $117,186.75, subject to final confirmation from the bank holding the debt.
F. APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CALL FOR PROJECTS AND
EARMARK EXCHANGE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES METRO FOR THE LAS TUNAS DRIVE STREETSCAPE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (CIP 1- 08-33) IN THE AMOUNT OF $749.000
The City Council:
1. Approved the Amended and Restated Call for Projects and Earmark Funding Agreement with the LACMTA for the Las Tunas Streetscape Enhancement Project (Capital Improvement Project 1-08-33);
2. Authorized the Mayor to execute the funding agreement on behalf of the City; and
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute the forthcoming amendment to this agreement, which will reflect the CMAQ fund extension.
G. RESOLUTION NO. 25-37 RATIFYING THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN GABRIEL POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION FOR THE JULY 1. 2025. THROUGH JUNE 30. 2027. PERIOD AND INCREASING
GENERAL FUND AND RETIREMENT FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR POLICE
OFFICER SALARIES AND BENEFITS
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 25-37, which ratifies the two-year successor MOU between the City and POA for the period covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027;
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2. Appropriated funding in the General Fund and Retirement Fund for increased police personnel salaries and benefits in Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and
3. Authorized the City's negotiators to execute the MOU.
H. RESOLUTION NO. 25-38 RATIFYING THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN GABRIEL POLICE MANAGEMENT GROUP FOR THE JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, PERIOD AND INCREASING
GENERAL FUND AND RETIREMENT FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR POLICE
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 25-38, which ratifies the two-year successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City and San Gabriel PMG for the period covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027;
2. Appropriated funding in the General Fund and Retirement Fund for the increased police personnel salaries and benefits in Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and
3. Authorized the City's negotiators to execute the MOU.
I. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE A NEW RECORDING SOLUTION THROUGH GOSERCO, INCORPORATED IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,660.07
The City Council authorized the City Manager to purchase the hardware and software system through Goserco, Incorporated for the Police Department's communication center.
J. APPROVAL OF FIREWORKS DISPLAY PERMIT FOR GABRIELINO HIGH SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 24, 2025
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.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS - None.
8. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lazzaretto invited the community to a Veterans' Memorial design meeting to be held in Plaza Park on September 23, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.; and announced the San Gabriel 10th Anniversary Dumpling and Beer Fest to be held on October 3, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Chan reported on his attendance at the YWCA San Gabriel Valley 90th Anniversary, Chinese American Citizen's Alliance 25th Anniversary Potluck Picnic, Tour of Athens Services new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Irwindale, Networking Event at Planet Fitness in Temple City, San Gabriel Historical Association annual dinner, and 911 Memorial Service at San Gabriel Fire Station 51.
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Council Member Herrera Avila reported on his attendance at Southcoast AQMD meeting, 34th Power of Prayer meeting, New Engine 51 Push-In Ceremony, Well on Tap Fellow Program; and thanked City Manager Lazzaretto for assistance crafting the Voice of our Community event to be held on October 2, 2025, from 3:00 -5:00 P.M. at Casa Calderon and invited the community to attend.
Mayor Menchaca expressed concern about the Voice of Community event using City staff time and using the City logo, asked for a policy on community events held by one councilmember to be added as a future agenda item, and asked that City staff not participate prior to having a policy. City Attorney Lemieux clarified that direction to staff beyond agendizing the item would not be appropriate. Council Members Ding and Wu and Vice Mayor Chan agreed to agendize the item.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at Taste of Beauty West Hollywood Grand Opening, Linda Lee's Art Exhibit, YWCA San Gabriel Valley 90th Anniversary Legacy Gala, Chinese American Construction Professionals 43rd Annual Awards Banquet, Chinese American Museum 29th Annual History-makers Awards Gala, San Gabriel Historical Association Cherishing Our History Dinner, 2025 Colin Matthews $50,000 Hand Up Awards and Gala, New Engine 51 Push-In Ceremony, 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Fire Station 51, San Gabriel Hope Lions Club senior meal program moon cake donation, and Monrovia Lions Club Board Installation Banquet Dinner.
Council Member Wu expressed his wish to see all at San Gabriel's Dumpling & Beer Fest to be held on October 3, 2025.
Mayor Menchaca commented on the 9/11 Event and shared that Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has a room named after her sister-in-law, Dr. Dora Maureen Menchaca, who perished on Flight 77; reported on her attendance at the Push-In Ceremony and thanked Fire Chief Wallace; and reported on the San Gabriel Historical Association dinner at which Camila Lopez, curator of the San Gabriel Historical Museum, was honored.
10. CLOSED SESSION - None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
DENI
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