I
I
I
MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2026
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 6:33 P.M. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, California, 91776 and via teleconference from the Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Menchaca, in honor of her son-in-law currently serving on active duty in the United States military and all those serving our country during this time.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present:
Council Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tony Ding, Jorge Herrera Avila (via teleconference), John Wu, Vice Mayor Eric Chan, and Mayor Denise Menchaca.
None.
Human Resources/Risk Management Director Edward
Macias, City Attorney Keith Lemieux, Community
Services Director Rebecca Perez, Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark, Fire Chief Steven Wallace, Finance Director
William Kaholokula, Community Development Director
David Sanchez, Public Works Director Michael Sledd,
Police Captain Rikimaru Nakamura, and Assistant City
Clerk Adam Yang.
Council Member Herrera Avila announced he was attending via teleconference because he was away attending the National League of Cities DC Summit on behalf of the City of San Gabriel and that no other adults 18 or older were present with him.
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- None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Sue Fitzsimmons, resident, commented that a new Police Department facility should be considered rather than a renovation.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 6 March 17, 2026 I
I
I
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Council Member Wu, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve Consent Calendar Items 4A - 4H as presented.
Motion carried by a roll call 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 March 3, 2026.
2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 3, 2026.
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The City Council approved February 19 and 27, 2026, Material Demands for the payment of City expenditures.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT - FEBRUARY 2026
The City Council received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for February 2026.
D. RENEWAL OF THE GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF
LOS ANGELES FOR AS-NEEDED SERVICES
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-08 approving the renewal of the GSA with the County of Los Angeles for a five-year period commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2031, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the GSA.
E. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT NO. 25-11 TO GRBCON.
INCORPORATED. FOR THE SEWER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,001.042. PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY
The City Council:
1. Approved the plans and specifications for the Sewer Main Replacement Project (CIP 4-23-01);
2. Adopted Resolution No. 26-09;
3. Awarded Construction Contract No. 25-11 contract to GRBCON, Incorporated in the amount of $1,001,042 with up to a 10% contingency; and
4. Authorized the City Manager to execute the contract and approve purchase order(s) in an amount not to exceed $1,101,146 total, including the 10% contingency.
F. APPROVAL OF THE USE OF UP TO $18,000 OF ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDING
FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING EQUIPMENT AND COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT MATERIAL
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 6 March 17, 2026 I
I
I
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 26-07 approving the allocation of asset forfeiture funds not to exceed $18,000 for the purchase of law enforcement training equipment and community engagement items; and
2. Authorized the Police Chief or designee to execute related purchases in accordance with City procurement policies.
G. THEATRE FEE WAIVER REQUEST BY UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND OF THE
GOLDEN WEST
The City Council approved staff's recommendation to grant a full waiver of the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse rental fee in the amount of $6,904.50 for the May 18, 2026, United States Air Force Band of the Golden West concert.
H. APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SAN GABRIEL
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR USE OF GABRIELINO HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS
AND APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH GRIZZLY ENTERTAINMENT FOR A
DRONE, LASER AND DRONE PYROTECHNICS SHOW IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,500 FOR THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
The City Council:
1. Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Grizzly Entertainment for a drone, laser and pyrotechnic drone show in the amount of $67,500 for the July 3, 2026, Independence Day Celebration; and
2. Authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding and any other necessary documents with San Gabriel Unified School District.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
DISCUSSION
Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Angela Cheng made the staff presentation and consultants Dustin Alamo, Vice President, Griffin Structures, and Jeremy Hart, Project Architect, LPA Design Studios, presented the report City Attorney Lemieux clarified the scope of Council discussion for this item.
Clarifying discussion included the purpose of the report is to inform Council prior to future related agenda items and to solicit Council input on what they would like to see in the final report.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included that construction for all five options would bring the facility into compliance with current seismic codes; how other municipalities have funded similar projects; none of the options include a functioning jail because of liability issues; underground or above-ground parking structure options; operational and facility longevity; use of a temporary modular campus during construction, which CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 March 17, 2026 I
I
I
is included in costing; designs would be in keeping with the California Green Building Code as required for Public Safety facilities; K-9 facilities are included in designs; project cost contingencies; and the increasing cost of a new facility since previous studies beginning in 2001.
B. FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 MID-YEAR BUDGET UPDATE
Finance Director Kaholokula made the staff presentation.
Discussion included an explanation of intergovernmental revenue and transfers in, and that reserves are still high.
There was no public comment.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Chan, seconded by Council Member Wu to:
1. Receive and file the mid-year budget update report; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 26-06 approving mid-year adjustments to the fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
Motion carried by a roll call vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
C. ACCEPTANCE OF STRATEGIC PLAN REPORT AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH MICHELLE L. FRERIDGE, ESQUIRE, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MISSION PLAYHOUSE NONPROFIT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 Community Services Director Perez and Nagham Wehbe, President of Arts Consulting Group, began the presentation.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting was recessed at 8:05 P.M. to address technical issues and reconvened at 8:14 P.M. with all Council Members present.
The presentation continued by Assistant Community Services Director Matthew Morales-Stevens, Mission Playhouse Manager Chris Hulen, Nagham Wehbe, President of Arts Consulting Group (ACG), and Community Services Director Perez.
Clarifying discussion included the $5,000 retainer with ACG is to implement the strategic plan, timeline for establishing non-profit status, division of tasks between Michelle L. Freridge, Esq. and ACG, the reason for using Michelle L. Freridge, Esq. versus the City Attorney is due to the former's expertise and experience in this area, and non-profit board composition.
There was no public comment.
Discussion included the benefit of having a specialized consultant, composition of the Strategic Plan committee, and the deep community engagement involved.
A motion was made by Mayor Menchaca, seconded by Council Member Wu, to CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 6 March 17, 2026 I
I
I
1. Accept the draft Strategic Plan as submitted and, subject to approval, include review by the Council Committee of any revisions on the strategic plan priorities table;
2. Utilizing the City's standard consultant contract, authorize the City Manager to execute the contract and any other necessary documents with Michelle L.
Freridge, Esquire, for the start-up of the Playhouse non-profit, subject to the City Attorney's review and approval; and
3. Direct staff to bring a contract for a retainer for operational modeling starting with the nonprofit formation, implementation support, etc. with Arts Consulting Group forward at a subsequent meeting.
Motion carried by a roll call vote of 5-0 as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
DING, HERRERA AVILA, WU, CHAN, MENCHACA
NONE
NONE
NONE
8. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Human Resources/Risk Management Director Macias called upon Community Services Director Perez who announced the City's receipt of a Measure A grant for $500,000 for the planning and implementation phase for the construction documents for the Smith Park Pool project.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Vice Mayor Chan reported on his attendance at the grand opening/ribbon cutting for Grapevine Central, a monthly Chinese American Citizens' Alliance meeting, Luxe networking lunch at Clearman's Galley, Arcadia Chamber of Commerce networking mixer, and a press conference for San Gabriel's Lunar New Year Lantern Festival.
Council Member Wu reported his participation in the Read Across America event and his attendance at Supervisor Hilda Solis' New Year Celebration, West San Gabriel Valley Realtors event, lftar dinner at the Masjid of San Gabriel, San Gabriel Historical Association fundraiser, and Measure A Competitive Grant Awards Ceremony hosted by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, where San Gabriel received a $500,000 grant for improvements to the Smith Park pool facility; and announced that a delegation from San Gabriel's sister city Hualien County will be visiting to participate in San Gabriel's Lantern Festival.
Council Member Herrera Avila reported on his attendance at the National League of Cities conference.
Council Member Ding reported on his attendance at the grand opening of Grapevine Central; Supervisor Hilda Solis' Lunar New Year Reception; U.S. Wenzhou Association Leadership Inauguration, 30th Anniversary Yearbook Release and Lunar New Year Gala; Global Chinese Businesswomen Annual Gala and Lunar New Year event; Shandong Association of Southern California Inauguration Ceremony and Lunar New Year Gala; 2026 C-Show Live!; 2026 Pinnacle Annual Gala; press conference for San Gabriel's Lantern Festival; San Gabriel Historical Association General Membership Meeting; and APEX EXPO 2026.
Mayor Menchaca announced the Sierra Madre Wisteria Festival to be held on March 28, 2026; reported her attendance, as Vice Chair of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6 March 17, 2026 I
I
I
and Vector Control District Board, at a presentation by Senator Rubio of $500,000 to the District to be used to support long-term management of damaged or abandoned swimming pools in the Eaton Fire Burn Zone, and a Lunar Lantern Festival press conference. She announced San Gabriel's Lantern Festival to be held on March 21-22, 2026, and the State of the City address themed San Gabriel: A Living Tapestry, to be held on March 24, 2026, at the Mission Playhouse with a reception at 6:30 P.M. and presentation at 7:00 P.M.; and wished all a happy St. Patrick's Day.
10. CLOSED SESSION - None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 6 March 17, 2026