APPROVED: 05/20/2025
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
April 22, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rounds called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Councilmembers Mora, Martin, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Zamora, and Mayor Rounds.
Members absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was no one wishing to speak during public comments.
CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
FY 2025-2026 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 - DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS City Manager, René Bobadilla introduced the incoming Director of Finance, Julio Morales, and proceeded to talk about the building blocks of the next fiscal year budget. Director Morales talked about the purpose of the budget, which highlights the significant issues, City Council priorities, and other items of interest. He touched on salary and benefits, operations, UAL, OPEB, and insurance costs which make up the bulk of the budget. City Manager Bobadilla added that staff budgets for the maximum amount for insurance benefits allowed, even if employees do not utilize the entire amount of benefits.
Assistant City Manager, Nicholas Razo began talking about the City Manager's budget, which includes immediate staff, City Clerk, City Attorney, Human Resources, and Technology Services. He described the new software in the City Clerk's Office that manages the agendas, minutes, and public record requests. He then segued into commissions and City Manager Bobadilla provided an update. He talked about the Traffic Commission and the need to dissolve it, citing minimal business items for approval. Mayor Pro Tem Zamora said that sometimes the commission conflicts with the decisions of the Council, and Mayor Rounds mentioned that there has been zero attendance at most meetings. Mayor Rounds suggested reviving the Safe Neighborhood Team under Police Services as a compromise. Council gave unanimous direction to dissolve the Traffic Commission.
Assistant City Manager Razo then proceeded to talk about the Human Resources Department and highlighted personnel relations, learning and development, recruitment and selection, benefits engagement, payroll management, and risk management. He Minutes of the April 22, 2025 Special City Council Meetings touched on dental benefits for retired employees and the need to memorialize it as it has not been done so. Mayor Pro Tem Zamora asked about looking into requiring a minimum amount of years to receive retirement benefits. City Manager Bobadilla talked about also contracting a third party to manage retirement payment collections, as it is very fragmented. Assistant City Manager Razo then talked about requesting a Risk Manager in the budget to streamline and oversee claims and pursue insurance payments. Lastly, with regards to Technology Services, he talked about recent upgrades to several servers, and about retiring the 1984 water billing system and the need to eventually upgrade and install automated meter readers (AMR).
Director of Finance, Julio Morales talked about the role of the Finance officer, which includes providing financial analysis, assisting departments with grant funding/budgeting, financing new capital investments, and assisting with economic development initiatives.
He also talked about a computer glitch that occurred in June 2024 that affected water utility bills, and encouraged residents to contact the Finance department to address any discrepancies with water billing.
Director of Community Development, Cuong Nguyen talked about the role of the department which oversees planning division, economic development, and housing.
Some current-year highlights include certifying the housing element with the state, completion of lot line adjustments, adoption of modernized non-conforming provisions as part of the 2040 General Plan and targeted zone update, completion of a poster billboard ordinance, a street naming ordinance, establishment of an appeal process, and creation of local standards for processing special event permits. He also talked about plans for the upcoming fiscal year, such as initiating the downtown specific plan project and integrating code enforcement division into the department. Mayor Pro Tem Zamora inquired about expanding the days fireworks can be sold within the City and possibly having the sales at City facilities. Lastly, Director Nguyen announced that they are working on an EIFD plan to possibly roll out by the end of this year or early 2026.
Director of Community Development, Maricela Balderas provided a brief overview of her department and highlighted noteworthy accomplishments such as launching a citywide communications strategy, upgrading the passport office and increased offerings, and streamlined and enhanced transit services. Plans for the upcoming fiscal year include completion of the city branding project, launch of a mariachi program, updating the Carriage Barn exhibits, and creation of a STEAM resource hub.
Fire Chief, Chad Van Meeteren talked about noteworthy budget highlights for the current fiscal year. He then highlighted some of his goals and objectives for the upcoming fiscal year. He then talked about the paramedic improvements proposed last year and provided a brief report by a consultant that did an evaluation on his department. He is requesting adding another paramedic unit to the department. Councilmember Martin asked about how much it would cost. Fire Chief estimates about an additional million dollars a year, which would consist of six additional staff. City Manager Bobadilla talked about the need to go after the quarter cent sales tax to improve fire stations, park bathrooms, and other deferred maintenance items. Fire Chief Van Meeteren continued to talk about wanting to return basic life support transportation under City control via LA County partnership by submitting an RFP to the county in 2026 for a 10 year contract. He talked about disbanding the paramedic subscription program due to high operational costs. Council
Minutes of the April 22, 2025 Special City Council Meetings agreed that they would like to see something similar brought back to replace it that is more cost effective. Lastly, he would be asking for a replacement emergency command vehicle and also an infrared sauna in the upcoming budget for approval.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Gustavo Hernandez talked about his current fiscal year highlights, such as the increase in the number of people that visit city parks, reintroduction of the swim program at the aquatic center, and enhanced access through online transactions. For the next fiscal year, some of the department goals include the creation of a parks and recreation master plan, establishment of performance indicators, enhancement of staff development, implementation of a new facility reservation policy, and re-establishment of the City's non-profit organization.
Director of Police Services, Arlene Salazar talked about department accomplishments during the current fiscal year, such as the amount of red tagged vehicles, homeless camp cleanups, and illegal dumping cleanups. She touched upon enforcement and quality of life efforts, such as the creation of an RV ordinance and safe exchange parking spaces.
She talked about the initiated unified homeless engagement strategy. Some new proposed items for the new fiscal year include increasing traffic officers, purchasing a traffic motorcycle, expanding the homeless engagement program, developing and implementing a volunteer program, and introducing new fleet vehicles. She also mentioned the expansion of the use of drones by Public Safety to improve services and situational awareness including paying applicable GIA mapping technology software licensing fees. Councilmember Martin asked about other cities having a $10,000 budget for spay and neutering rebates. City Manager Bobadilla said there is an account of donations from companies that is currently being unused that can help fund some of those programs.
Director of Public Works, James Enriquez talked about the need for a needs assessment to evaluate the fire stations. He talked about the new fiscal year objectives, which include water well rehabilitation projects, improvements to purchasing practices, aquatic center phase 1B, Measure SFS street improvement programs, residential street resurfacing, Town Center Plaza and City Hall renovations. Mayor Pro Tem Zamora talked about implementing an ADU workshop to educate residents, which Director Enriquez and Director Nguyen will help coordinate.
ADJOUNRMENT
Mayor Rounds adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
Will KeL.
William K. Rounds
Mayor
ATTEST:
FernandoN. Mundz/ 05/22/25
Date
City Clerk