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MINUTES OF DECEMBER 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 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, December 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 Vice Mayor Chan.
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
Martin Koczanowicz, 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, Community
Development Director David Sanchez, and Assistant City
Clerk Adam Yang.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
INITIATION OF LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 [C]: ONE CASE
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.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION
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Contract Cities Association Executive Director Marcel Rodarte made the presentation.
Mayor Menchaca requested an item be agendized for the City to consider membership in the Contract Cities Association. Council Member Herrera Avila and Vice Mayor Chan concurred.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Herrera Avila, seconded by Mayor Menchaca, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4H 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 the Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of December 2, 2025.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved November 20 and 25, 2025, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - NOVEMBER 2025
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for November 2025.
D. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 25-12 TO YUNEX, LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY FOR THE VIDEO DETECTION/CLOSED-CIRCUIT
TELEVISION INSTALLATION PROJECT AT TRAFFIC SIGNALIZED
INTERSECTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $284,995, PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY The City Council:
1. Approved the plans and specifications for the Video Detection/CCTV Camera Installation Project at Traffic Signalized Intersections;
2. Awarded the Contract to Yunex, Limited Liability Company;
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute Construction Contract No. 25-12, subject to City Attorney approval as to form; and
4. Approved a purchase order in the amount of $313,495 which includes a 10% construction contingency.
E. ORDINANCE NO. 725: AMENDING CHAPTER 153 OF THE SAN GABRIEL
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO USE BY-RIGHT DEFINITION AND
AFFORDABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE C-1 AND C-3 ZONE DISTRICTS (ZTA25-002) - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
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The City Council waived reading and adopted Ordinance No. 725 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Amending Title XV, Chapter 153 (Zoning) relating to Use By-Right Definition and Affordable Residential Development in the C-1 and C-3 Zone Districts." F. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WOODS MAINTENANCE
SERVICES, INCORPORATED FOR GRAFFITI REMOVAL SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,375 PER MONTH
The City Council:
1. Approved the Professional Services Agreement with Woods Maintenance Services, Incorporated; and
2. Authorized the City Manager to execute said agreement and issue a purchase order in the amount not to exceed $5,375 per month for a three-year term.
G. 2024 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM GRANT ACCEPTANCE [RESOLUTION NO. 25-48)
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-48 approving the following:
1. Budget amendment to increase estimated revenue (account 186-3215) and appropriation (transfers out) in Other Grants Fund by $50,000; and increase estimated revenue (transfers in) and appropriation in Capital/Special Projects Funds (account 124-751-57-99-380) by $50,000.
2. Authorize the Police Chief to accept the SHSP grant and purchase the item under the City's purchasing policy.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the subrecipient agreement between the City and the County of Los Angeles.
H. AMENDMENT OF SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE LEW EDWARDS GROUP AND FM3 RESEARCH TO PROVIDE BALLOT MEASURE POLLING AND PUBLIC
OUTREACH SERVICES
The City Council:
1. Approved the a mend ment to the Professional Services Agreement with The Lew Edwards Group and FM3 Research to include the clarified ownership of work product language and the addition of a sentence specifying that legal services are not included within the consultant's scope of work.
2. Authorized the City Manager to execute the contract amendment.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
A. ORDINANCE NO. 726-ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING AND FIRE
CODES - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
Mayor Menchaca opened the public hearing.
Building Official Christopher Kalbaklian made the staff presentation.
There was no public comment; therefore, Mayor Menchaca closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Council Member Ding, seconded by Council Member Herrera Avila, to waive reading and adopt Ordinance No. 726 entitled, "An CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 December 16, 2025 I
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Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Gabriel, California, Adopting by Reference, Pursuant to Government Code Section 50022.2, the California Building Standards Code Incorporating the California Administrative Code, 2025 Edition, the California Building Code, Volumes 1 & 2, Including Appendix Chapters A, C, H, I, & J, 2025 Edition, the California Historical Building Code, Including Appendix Chapter A, 2025 Edition, the Existing Building Code, Including Appendix Chapter A 1, 2025 Edition, the 2025 California Residential Code, the California Electrical Code, Including Annexes A-I, 2025 Edition, the California Mechanical Code, Including Appendix Chapters B-D, & G, 2025 Edition, the California Plumbing Code, Including Appendix Chapters A-D, & G-K, 2025 Edition, the California Energy Code, Including Appendix Chapter 1-A, 2025 Edition, the California Fire Code, Including Appendix Chapters 4, B, BB, C, CC, D-I, K, N & P 2025 Edition, the California Green Building Standards Code, Including Appendix Chapters A4 & AS, 2025 Edition, the California Referenced Standards Code, 2025 Edition, and the State of California Title 24, Parts 1 - 6, & 8 - 12, and the California Code Amendments of 2025, Including Errata's and Supplements Hereafter, Amending Title IX; Chapters 96, 98, and Title XV; Chapter 150 of the San Gabriel Municipal Code, and Adopting Local Amendments." Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
B. FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAMS BUDGET AND ALLOCATION (RESOLUTION NO. 25-72)
Mayor Menchaca opened the public hearing.
Economic Development Manager Karen Ko made the staff presentation.
Clarifying discussion included that youth programs will utilize funding other than CDBG, the senior meals program is currently being funded by the YWCA, and feebased youth programming is being considered.
There was no public comment; therefore, Mayor Menchaca closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Wu, to
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-52 (corrected number) authorizing the allocation of CDBG funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 from Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) for activities and projects described above and in Exhibit A of the Resolution.
2. Carry over any CDBG funds unspent at the close of FY 2025-2026 and recognize the receipt of FY 2026-2027 CDBG Program funds awarded by LACDA to the City in the City FY 2026-2027 Budget.
3. Allocate, in proportioned amounts, any FY 2025-2026 CDBG funds in excess of estimated funds to the Code Enforcement Program, Pedestrian Ramp Improvement Program, and/or Graffiti Control Program.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute new contracts with LACDA for the allocation of FY 2026-2027 CDBG Program (subject to adjustment to reflect the actual allocation of funds to San Gabriel).
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Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 727 AMENDING
THE SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PARK HOURS
Community Services Director Perez made the staff presentation.
Discussion included concerns about the impact of an earlier opening time on sports court noise, lighting for safety reasons, and park parking enforcement.
Assistant City Attorney Koczanowicz recommended that staff be directed to redraft the ordinance to account for the concerns voiced by the City Council and bring it back for consideration at a future meeting.
B. DRAFT THREE-YEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN [RESOLUTION NO. 25-49]
Economic Development Manager Karen Ko made the staff presentation and the City's consultants, HdL ECONSolutions Senior Advisors Ken Duran and Ruth Martinez-Baenen, presented the Action Plan.
Clarifying discussion included next steps after the three-year plan, feasibility of a business development district for Valley Boulevard, recommendations for different types of businesses to enhance San Gabriel Boulevard, trending wellness uses and identifying needs in medical corridors, local and regional transit, mobility options, signage, and street-scaping.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included how to achieve business diversity, the need for more economic development staff, expediting the permit process, land-use requirement considerations, supporting measures to achieve elements of the Plan, and coordination of the Economic Development Plan with a new General Plan.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt Resolution No. 25-49 approving the Three-Year Economic Development Action Plan.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
8. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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City Manager Lazzaretto reported on a meeting with the Veterans Memorial Group, and wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Chan reported on his attendance at a Chinese American Cultural Association Christmas party and meeting, Tongva Marketplace Boutique, Sam's Barbershop holiday charity car show event, Arcadia Chamber of Commerce mixer, San Gabriel Employees Appreciation Luncheon, Downtown Arcadia Business District Holiday Fair, and State Senator Sasha Renee Perez' holiday event and toy drive.
Council Member Herrera Avila commented on completing his first year as a council member; thanked City Manager Lazzaretto for his leadership and guidance, department heads and City staff for their service to the community, fellow council members for their collaboration, his wife and family for their support, and residents for their trust; and wished all happy holidays.
Council Member Wu reported on his attendance at the Indigenous Native Market hosted at the Gabrieleno-Tongva Tribal Center, and wished all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at the Native Market at the Gabrieleno-Tongva Tribal Center, San Gabriel Employees Annual Appreciation Lunch, Pacific Sterling Realty Grand Opening, Assemblymember Mike Fong's Holiday Toy Drive and Legislative Update, Good News Grace Church 2025 Annual Appreciation Dinner, JCUAA's 47th Annual Banquet, and ICA, CCCA, LCC All Cities Holiday Reception; thanked all the staff for doing a good job this year; thanked his colleagues for moving the City in the right direction; and wished everyone happy holidays.
Mayor Menchaca reported on her attendance at a 211 LA Holiday Basket Giveaway with toys from the San Gabriel Fire Department, and Native Market at the GabrielenoTongva Tribal Center; remioded all that Santa is coming to town December 20-23 hosted by the Fire Department with assistance from the Police Department; commented on the toy drive hosted by Assemblymember Mike Fong in San Gabriel; wished all Merry Christmas and happy holidays; and thanked staff, Council colleagues, and City Manager Lazzaretto for all that was accomplished this year.
10. CLOSED SESSION - None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
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