City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 1 How to Submit Public Comment
Members of the Public who wish to submit public comment may do so using one of the following methods. Public comment is limited to the time allotted, and comment for agenda items 3 and 4 is combined.
In-Person: Complete a Speaker Card indicating the agenda item number and submit it to the City Clerk prior to the meeting. Speakers shall be limited to three minutes per person (six minutes if using an interpreter) per item. At the Mayor’s discretion, the time limit may be shortened to allow all speakers to address the City Council. Please note that interactions between the City Council, City staff, and the public during meetings are subject to the City’s Rules of Decorum.
Website: Electronic submission of Public Comment is available via the online public comment form at Public Comment. Public Comment submitted electronically by 4:00 P.M. on the meeting day will be forwarded to the City Council before the meeting for their consideration, but will not be read during the meeting. Comments submitted after 4:00 P.M. will be forwarded to Council but may not be received before the meeting.
Via Zoom or Telephone: “Raise your hand” - Members of the public may speak by using the “Raise Hand” function during the public comments portion, if on Zoom or telephone. Staff will unmute speakers participating via Zoom or telephone and announce your name when it is your time to speak. When calling in using a telephone press *9 to raise your hand and press *6 to unmute yourself when called. Public Comments via Zoom or Telephone shall follow the same rules as In-Person.
CITY OF SAN GABRIEL
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - 6:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, California 91776
Mark Lazzaretto
City Manager
Keith Lemieux
City Attorney
Julie Nguyen
City Clerk
Kevin B. Sawkins
City Treasurer
Eric L. Chan
Mayor
Tony Ding
Vice Mayor
Jorge Herrera Ávila
Council Member
Denise Menchaca
Council Member
John Wu
Council Member
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 2 Watch and listen to the Meeting as follows:
Zoom Webinar direct link:
https://zoom.us/j/98165191661
Webinar ID: 981 6519 1661
Or by telephone by dialing (669) 900-6833 (Toll Free) or (669) 444-9171 (Toll Free) and entering Webinar ID: 981 6519 1661 and entering Webinar ID: 981 6519 1661 followed by the # symbol.
Meetings can also be viewed via YouTube livestream here: City Council Meeting Videos City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
• CALL TO ORDER
• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY: Council Member Menchaca
• ROLL CALL
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. LION DANCE – ONLINE ARTS CHARITY
B. RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY YOUTH COALITION
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the time set aside for members of the public to address the City Council on Consent Calendar items and on items of interest that are not on the Agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the San Gabriel City Council.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
All items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and recommendations will be approved in one motion unless a member of the City Council requests separate discussion.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 3 The minutes are a record of the official actions taken at the City Council meeting.
1. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of July 21, 2026.
2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 21, 2026.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action: Approval
B. MATERIAL DEMANDS
The most recent Material Demands from the Finance Department are presented to the City Council for review and approval.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Material Demands as presented.
C. CASH AND INVESTMENT REPORT – JULY 2026
In accordance with the City of San Gabriel’s 2026-2027 Adopted Investment Policy (Resolution No. 26-18) and California Government Code Section 53646, the Finance Director is to render an investment report to the City Council, City Treasurer, City Manager, and the City Attorney. The Cash and Investment Report is presented to receive and file in accordance with the City’s adopted 2026-27 Investment Policy.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the Cash and Investment Report for July 2026.
D. RESOLUTION NOS. 26-31 AND 26-32 SETTING THE RATE AND AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR THE 2026-27 FISCAL YEAR RETIREMENT LEVY
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 4 The City’s retirement costs are funded by a special property tax levy authorized by the voters in 1948. The special property tax levy approved by the voters requires the City Council to annually establish a tax rate to pay for the state employees’ retirement system cost. No change in the tax rate is recommended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and the City Council is asked to confirm the current rate and fix the amount of property taxes to be generated by adopting two resolutions.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-31, setting the tax rate at 14 cents per $100 assessed valuation, and Resolution No. 26-32, fixing the amount of property taxes to be generated for the City’s employees’ retirement cost for fiscal year 2026-2027.
E. VOTING DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO VOTE ON THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA
CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION PACKET
On May 5, 2026, the City Council appointed Council Member Jorge Herrera Ávila as the Delegate and Vice Mayor Tony Ding as the Alternate to serve as the City’s voting delegate to the League of California Cities (League). This year, a housing-related resolution will be introduced for consideration at the conference and referred to the Housing, Community, and Economic Development Committee and is subject to change from its current form.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council give approval for the voting delegate and voting alternate to use their discretion to vote on the proposed resolution.
Alternative Recommendation
Alternatively, the City Council can choose to pull the item from the Consent Calendar and select from the following actions:
1. Direct the voting delegate and voting alternate to vote in support of the proposed resolution.
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 5
2. Direct the voting delegate and voting alternate to vote against the proposed resolution.
F. RESOLUTION NO. 26-45 APPROVING A REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE ON THE 800 BLOCK OF COMMERCIAL AVENUE
The Public Works Department has received a request from Jason De La Torre, owner of the property at 864 Commercial Avenue, seeking approval for a temporary street closure to host a block party in celebration of Ogopogo Brewing’s 8th Anniversary. The event is proposed for Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the 800 block of Commercial Avenue.
Ogopogo Brewing has previously hosted similar street closure events, and the City has not encountered any significant adverse impacts associated with past activities.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-45, approving 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, September 26, 2026, from 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
G. APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN
GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN
THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-46 TO EFFECTUATE THE NECESSARY
BUDGETARY APPROPRIATIONS
In 2016, the State of California adopted Senate Bill (SB) 1383, establishing mandatory statewide targets to reduce the disposal of organic waste and recover at least 20% of edible food that would otherwise be landfilled. This item requests City Council approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for continued implementation of the Regional Food Recovery Program. The agreement provides essential services required under SB 1383, including edible food generator inspections, enforcement support, and assistance with California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery reporting for the November 2026-June 2028 term.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 6 Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-46 to transfer the funds necessary for this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA);
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the MOA between the City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for continued participation in the Regional Food Recovery Program; and
3. Authorize the issuance of a purchase order.
H. RESOLUTION NO. 26-43 RATIFYING THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN GABRIEL FIRE MANAGEMENT GROUP FOR THE JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027 PERIOD AND
INCREASING GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR FIRE SALARIES AND
BENEFITS
In February 2025, representatives of the City and San Gabriel Fire Management Group (FMG) began negotiations for a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The most recent MOU between the City and FMG expired on June 30, 2025. Representatives of the City and FMG have reached an agreement on a two-year successor MOU covering the July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 period.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-43, which ratifies the two-year successor MOU between the City and FMG for the period covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and appropriates $305,814 in the General Fund to cover increased Fire Department salaries and benefits in Fiscal Year 2026-27; and
2. Authorize the City’s negotiators to execute the MOU.
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 7 I. SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (STEP) GRANT APPROVAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 [RESOLUTION NO. 26-40]
The Police Department has received a federal grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to participate in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for Federal Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The grant will reimburse the City for personnel overtime costs incurred in participating in this campaign and for purchase of related equipment for training for the sum of $113,000. The goal of OTS is to reduce the number of people killed or injured in collisions involving alcohol, speed, red light violations, and other primary collision factors.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-40 approving and accepting the OTS contract funding outlined in this Staff Report and increase the Revenue Budget Account #147-3229 by an estimated $113,000 to reflect receipt of the grant funds and increase appropriations in the Police Department Expenditure Budget by $113,000, account 147-751-00 cost center, which will be used to account for the grant expenditures. The OTS grant fund revenue budget estimate will increase by $113,000 with a corresponding increase in the expenditure budget of $113,000.
J. APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FIRE DEPARTMENT SUPPLIES AND
EQUIPMENT OPEN PURCHASE ORDERS OF UP TO BUDGETED AMOUNTS OF $90,000 AND $65,000
The San Gabriel Fire Department, during daily operations, maintains a supply of expendable items and durable equipment to fulfill its mission. Open purchase orders, renewed each Fiscal Year, are used to keep the Department stocked with personal protective equipment, paramedic, and firefighting supplies, delivered on an as-needed basis. Vendors, reviewed regularly, are selected through competitive bid, piggyback and cooperative purchasing agreements. In accordance with the updated City of San Gabriel Purchasing Policy, San Gabriel Municipal Code Section 34.35, proposed purchase orders for Life Assist, Incorporated and Municipal Emergency Services require City Council authorization in the amounts detailed in this report.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: Not a Project as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 8 Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager or designee to issue an open purchase order of up to the budgeted amount of $90,000 for Life Assist, Incorporated.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to issue an open purchase order of up to the budgeted amount of $65,000 to Municipal Emergency Services.
K. RESOLUTION NO. 26-44 AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
OPERATING BUDGET TO INCREASE APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC
INFORMATION SPECIAL PROJECT
The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget, adopted by the City Council on June 2, 2026, included funding for ballot measure planning activities. As the City’s public information efforts have advanced, additional appropriations are needed to complete the remaining professional services and outreach activities associated with the Public Information Special Project through the November 2026 General Election.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: The proposed budget amendment is not a project under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it is an administrative activity that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-44 amending the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget to increase appropriations by $103,000 for the Public Information Special Project.
5. PUBLIC HEARING – None.
6. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR GRANT WRITING
AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONSULTING SERVICES TO TOWNSEND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INCORPORATED
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 9 On June 29, 2026, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified consulting firm to provide comprehensive grant writing, government relations, and legislative advocacy services. The City received 10 proposals in response to the RFP. Following a review and evaluation of the proposals based on relevant municipal experience and qualifications, demonstrated funding and advocacy success, government relations and legislative advocacy capabilities, proposed approach and service delivery, assigned personnel and capacity, references and professional integrity, and overall value to the City, Townsend Public Affairs, Incorporated received the highest overall evaluation.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination: The proposed budget amendment is not a project under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it is an administrative activity that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award a Professional Services Agreement to Townsend Public Affairs, Incorporated for Grant Funding and Government Affairs Consulting Services in an amount not to exceed $120,000 annually; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any related documents, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
8. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
10. CLOSED SESSION – None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The next regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 6:30 P.M. Information regarding matters to be considered at each meeting will be available on the Friday before the City Council Meeting on the City’s website at www.sangabriel.gov.
Materials Available for Inspection. You may view agenda items online at www.sangabrielcity.com/agendacenter, or in person at City Hall, 425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776. Materials related to an item on this Agenda, submitted to the City Council after distribution of the Agenda packet, will be posted on the City website.
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 10 Persons with Disabilities. Upon request, this Agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Persons requesting a Translator. Any person requesting translation for the meeting must notify the City Clerk Department at [email protected] at least 48 hours before the meeting.
English
Translation Services. Upon request, the agenda and any public hearing notice for a project may be translated in either Chinese, Spanish, or Vietnamese. Please direct such a request for translation to the City Clerk Department by emailing [email protected] at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Chinese (Traditional)
翻譯服務。根據要求，項目的議程和任何公開聽證會通知可以翻譯成中文、西班牙文或越
南文。請至少在會議開始前 48 小時發送電子郵件至 [email protected] 將此類翻譯 請求發送至市文員部。
Chinese (Simplified)
翻译服务。根据要求，项目的议程和任何公开听证会通知可以翻译成中文、西班牙文或越
南文。请至少在会议开始前 48 小时发送电子邮件至 [email protected] 将此类翻译 请求发送至市文员部。
Vietnamese
Dịch vụ Dịch thuật. Theo yêu cầu, chương trình nghị sự và bất kỳ thông báo điều trần công khai nào cho một dự án có thể được dịch sang tiếng Trung, tiếng Tây Ban Nha hoặc tiếng Việt. Vui lòng gửi yêu cầu dịch thuật như vậy tới Phòng Thư ký Thành phố bằng cách gửi email tới [email protected] ít nhất 48 giờ trước cuộc họp.
Spanish
Servicios de traducción. Previa solicitud, la agenda y cualquier aviso de audiencia pública para un proyecto pueden traducirse al chino, español o vietnamita. Dirija dicha solicitud de traducción al Departamento del Secretario Municipal enviando un correo electrónico a [email protected] al menos 48 horas antes de la reunión.
Questions about this Agenda? Should any person have a question concerning any of the above Agenda items prior to the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at [email protected] during regular office hours.
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – August 18, 2026 11 Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such a request to the City Clerk Department by emailing [email protected] at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible.