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MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 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 6:31 P.M. on Tuesday, October 21, 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 Ding.
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 Director/City
Engineer Szeka Cheng, Community Development
Director David Sanchez, and Assistant City Clerk 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.
No reportable action was taken.
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. SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PRESIDENT'S
PRESENTATION
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) President Ed Reece made the presentation.
City Manager Lazzaretto thanked the SGVCOG for their assistance in facilitating the City's affordable housing project.
Council Member Ding commented on his experiences as the City's representative to the SGVCOG and made suggestions for future projects.
B. UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK
Mayor Menchaca made the presentation and Rick Eng, Communications Associate of Special Service for Groups, Inc., accepted the proclamation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chief City Clerk Clark announced that pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(c)(3) reporting requirements, Item J included the following benefit changes for all regular non-represented employees including executive management:
Effective June 28, 2025:
• Salary increase of 4% for cost-of-living, except for Police Captain which would increase 12.5% for mid-market rate and internal equity, and Fire Chief which would increase 12% for mid-market rate.
Effective November 1, 2025:
• The salary range for Community Development Director would be changed from Pay Grade EM-2 to Pay Grade EM-3 for internal equity.
• The maximum health benefit contribution would be increased from $1,650 to $1,700 per month.
Effective June 27, 2026:
• Salary increase of 3% for cost-of-living except for Police Captain which would be increased 8% for cost-of-living and internal equity.
In closing, she stated that additional changes not affecting executive management were detailed in the staff report.
A motion was made by Council Member Wu, seconded by Council Member Herrera Avila, 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 October 7, 2025.
2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 7, 2025.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved September 26 and October 2, 2025, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2025
The City Co~ncil received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for September 2025.
D. FISCAL VEAR 2024-2025 VEAR-END APPROPRIATION ADJUSTMENTS [RESOLUTION NO. 25-47]
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-47 approving proposed amendments to the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
E. RESOLUTION UPDATING OUTDATED INFORMATION RELATED TO
AUTHORIZATION FOR EXAMINATION OF SALES AND TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX RECORDS [RESOLUTION NO. 25-46]
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-46, authorizing designated City officials and Hinderliter de Llamas & Associates to examine sales and transactions and use tax records pursuant to state law and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration requirements.
F. ORDINANCE NO. 723: AMENDING AN EXISTING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
OVERLAY ZONE AND APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AT 201-217 SOUTH SAN GABRIEL BOULEVARD (ZC22-001 AND DA22-001) - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 723 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Repealing Ordinance No. 700 and Approving Planning Case Nos. ZC22-001 and DA22-001, to Amend an Existing Planning Development Overlay Zone and Development Agreement for a Mixed-Use Development located at 201-217 S. San Gabriel Boulevard."
G. ORDINANCE NO. 722: EXTENDING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR PLANNING CASE NO. PL16-162 FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT, STREET VACATION, AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 80292 FOR A MIXED-USE PROJECT AT 220 SOUTH SAN GABRIEL BOULEVARD- FIRST AMENDMENT TO
THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT-SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 722 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Extending a Development Agreement for Planning Case No. PL-16-162, a Planned Development, Development Agreement, Street Vacation, and Tentative Tract Map No. 80292 for a Mixed-Use Project at 220 South San Gabriel Boulevard." H. RESOLUTION NO. 25-45 APPROVING A REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE ON THE 800 BLOCK OF COMMERCIAL AVENUE
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The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-45, authorizing a temporary street closure on the 800 block of Commercial Avenue, from South Gladys Avenue to the end of the cul-de-sac, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I. RESOLUTION NO. 25-41 RATIFYING THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN GABRIEL FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION FOR JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, AND INCREASING GENERAL
FUND AND RETIREMENT FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-41, which ratifies the two-year successor MOU between the City and FFA for the period covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and appropriates funding in the General Fund and Retirement Fund for increased Department salaries and benefits in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and authorizes the City's negotiators to execute the MOU.
J. RESOLUTION NO. 25-42 APPROVING THE AUTHORIZED SCHEDULE OF
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR REGULAR UNREPRESENTED
EMPLOYEES AND APPROPRIATING GENERAL FUNDS AND RETIREMENT
FUNDS FOR INCREASED SALARIES AND BENEFITS
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-42, which approves the two-year successor ASCB for the period covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027 and appropriates funding in the General Fund and Retirement Fund for increased salaries and benefits in Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
I 6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
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A. GENERAL FUND PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FISCAL VEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025
Finance Director Kaholokula made the staff presentation.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included a decrease in revenue from the prior year due to fewer fees from real estate development; appreciation for City Manager Lazzaretto, Finance Director Kaholokula and the Finance team for a job well-done improving the City's financial position; and that the City's reserve percentage is currently 41.3%, compared to a target reserve goal of 25%, and minimum of 17%.
8. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE LEW EDWARDS GROUP AND FM3 RESEARCH TO PROVIDE BALLOT MEASURE
POLLING AND PUBLIC OUTREACH SERVICES AND AWARD-WINNING BID TO THE LEW EDWARDS GROUP AND FM3 RESEARCH
City Manager Lazzaretto made the staff presentation. Catherine Lew, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant of the Lew Edwards Group, was present virtually to answer questions.
There was no public comment.
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Discussion included other potential City projects to be funded by a bond measure; percentage of votes needed to pass various kinds of taxes; elements to be used to determine ballot viability include the Police Department needs assessment under way, polling and ballot outreach, and building cost estimate; timelines to put measures on the ballot for June and November 2026; to preserve the City's options in 2026, the consultants need to get started quickly and only need the vision for the project, not details; details of robust community outreach to gauge the community's priorities; previous research indicated the community is very supportive of public safety, but didn't connect a new building to providing those services; updates from the consultant team during the process; and timing for a bond rating.
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Vice Mayor Chan, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with The Lew Edwards Group and FM3 Research to provide ballot measure polling and public outreach 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 reminded the community of the Fall Fun Festival to be held on October 25, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. in the Mission District, as well as upcoming Dia de los Muertos and Veterans Day events.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Chan reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities conference, anime fan event at Factory Tea Bar, Monterey Park's Annual House Music Celebration, and a monthly Chinese American Alliance dinner meeting.
Council Member Herrera Avila reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities conference, a Well on Tap Program event, and Los Angeles Unified School District Principal of the Day event at McKinley Elementary School in South Los Angeles.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities conference, Los Angeles County Division Annual Conference lunch, Asian Pacific Islander (API) Caucus - Preparing Local Leaders for Immigration Policy Changes, API Caucus general meeting, Chinese American Film Festival and Chinese American TV Festival, Chong Hing Jewelers grand opening in Arcadia, West San Gabriel Valley Realtors Legislative Day Panel, and American Chinese Dance Association "Double Ten" National Day celebration; and commented on upcoming City holiday season events.
Council Member Wu reported on his attendance at the grand opening of Chong Hing Jewelers' second location in Arcadia, and on a self-funded visit to Japan as an invited delegate of the Japan-US Sister Cities Association.
Mayor Menchaca thanked Council Member Ding for representing the City on the West San Gabriel Valley Realtors Panel; and reported on her attendance at the League of California Cities conference, and at a Rosemont Park turning 100 event with Council Member Wu.
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10. CLOSED SESSION - None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
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SHARON F. CLARK, Chief City Clerk
DENISE MENCHACA, Mayor
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