SAN
GABR
POUNDED 1771
MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAN GABRIEL CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Menchaca called the special meeting of the San Gabriel City Council to order at 5:31 P.M. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, California, 91776.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Tony Ding, Jorge Herrera Avila, John Wu, Vice Mayor Eric Chan, and Mayor Denise Menchaca.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Members Present: City Manager Mark Lazzaretto, Assistant City Attorney Martin Koczanowicz, Community Services Director
Rebecca Perez, Chief City Clerk Sharon Clark, Human
Resources/Risk Management Director Edward Macias,
Finance Director William Kaholokula, Police Chief
Edward Elizalde, Community Development Director
David Sanchez, Public Works Director Michael Sledd,
Fire Division Chief Bradley Davis, and Assistant City Clerk Adam Yang.
1. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
A. Selection of Mayor
There was no public comment.
Chief City Clerk Clark declared the offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor vacant and opened the floor for nominations.
Council Member Menchaca nominated Council Member Chan. Hearing no other nominations, Chief City Clerk Clark declared Council Member Chan selected as Mayor by acclamation.
B. Selection of Vice Mayor
Mayor Chan opened the floor for nominations for Vice Mayor. Council Member Wu nominated Council Member Ding. Hearing no other nominations, Mayor Chan declared Council Member Ding selected as Vice Mayor by acclamation.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. RECOGNITION OF INCOMING MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR AND OUTGOING MAYOR
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 3 April 21, 2026 Peter Amundson, former Arcadia Mayor, administered a ceremonial oath of office to Mayor Chan.
Monterey Park Council Member Vinh Ngo administered a ceremonial oath of office to Vice Mayor Ding.
The following recognized outgoing Mayor Menchaca and incoming Mayor Chan:
• Gigi Lee, Field Representative, representing Congresswoman Judy Chu. -
• Amber Giang, District Representative, representing Senator Sasha Renée Pérez.
• Jayson Hugh, Field Representative, representing Assembly Member Mike Fong.
• Council Member Vinh Ngo, representing Monterey Park City Council. • La Puente Mayor Pro Tem and San Gabriel Water Quality Authority Representative Valerie Munoz
• City of Rosemead (certificates only)
• City of Arcadia (certificate only)
The following recognized outgoing Mayor Menchaca, incoming Mayor Chan, and incoming Vice Mayor Tony Ding:
• Rosemead School District Board of Trustees Members John Quintanilla and Ron Esquivel
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Mayor Chan presented outgoing Mayor Menchaca with a gavel plaque on behalf of the City and Council.
Outgoing Mayor Menchaca commented on her past two terms of service and goals achieved; thanked her Council colleagues, City staff, the community and her family; and welcomed incoming Mayor Eric Chan and incoming Vice Mayor Tony Ding.
Vice Mayor Ding reflected on his first term on the City Council and a recent trip to China and Taiwan including San Gabriel's sister city Bangiao District, thanked outgoing Mayor Menchaca, and commented on his desire to serve and work with the community and City staff.
Mayor Chan expressed gratitude to outgoing Mayor Menchaca for her leadership over the past year; congratulated incoming Vice Mayor Ding; expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their faith in him as Mayor for the coming year; thanked his parents, family, and friends for their support; and stated he looks forward to working with colleagues and City staff to serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of San Gabriel.
Council Member Herrera Avila expressed gratitude to outgoing Mayor Menchaca for her leadership and service during her term as mayor, and congratulated incoming Vice Mayor Ding and Mayor Chan.
Council Member Wu expressed his appreciation for outgoing Mayor Menchaca's leadership, and congratulated incoming Mayor Chan and Vice Mayor Ding.
B. CITY'S BIRTHDAY
Mayor Chan made the presentation.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 3 April 21, 2026 C. OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICAN DEBBIE CORDERO
Community Services Director Perez and Mayor Chan made the presentation.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Garcia, resident, representing the San Gabriel Veterans' Coalition, congratulated Debbie Cordero on her award as Outstanding Older American.
Aileen Chase, Community Outreach Representative for LA Fire Justice, congratulated incoming Mayor Chan and Vice Mayor Ding and commented on the rights of Eaton Fire survivors.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
SiNs
ULIE NGUYEN, City Cler
Approved this 5'h day of May, 2026:
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Eva h. Chan
ERIC CHAN, Mayor
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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 3 April 21, 2026