CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA
CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024, AT 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
The Regular Meeting of the South Pasadena City Council was called to order by Mayor Zneimer on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 8:13 P.M. The City Council Chambers are located at 1424 Mission Street, South Pasadena, California.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT Mayor Evelyn G. Zneimer
Mayor Pro Tem Jack Donovan
Councilmember Jon Primuth
Councilmember Michael A. Cacciotti
Councilmember Janet Braun
ABSENT None.
Mark Perez, Deputy City Clerk, announced a quorum.
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Arminé Chaparyan, City Manager; Roxanne Diaz, City Attorney; Mark Perez, Deputy City Clerk were present at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Zneimer.
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
2. Public Comment - General (Non-Agenda Items)
In Person Comments:
Yvonne LaRose spoke regarding the Fire Department, Police Department, and community input.
Josh Betta spoke regarding city budget and policies.
Vicky Kirkwood spoke regarding arrests in South Pasadena.
Zoom Comments:
Anne Bagasao spoke regarding the Special Joint City Council meeting with the Finance Commission.
CHANGES TO AGENDA
3. REORDERING OF, ADDITIONS, OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item No. 7 was pulled for separate discussion via public comment. Councilmember Braun requested to pull Item Nos. 6 and 8 for separate discussion. A motion was Item No. 9), by the following vote:
AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
City of South Pasadena Page 2
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
4. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $378,240.69; TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,570.71; ONLINE PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,959.24; PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $868,021.82 Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Warrants as presented.
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.
5. CONSIDERATION OF THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council consider the approval of the 2024 Legislative Platform that will serve as the guiding policy document for the City of South Pasadena (City) when determining whether a position should be taken on proposed State and Federal legislation that may impact the City during the 2024 Legislative Session.
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.
6. CONSIDER THE APPROPRIATION OF $40,000 FOR THE ANNUAL FOURTH OF
JULY EVENT, AND CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH PYRO- SPECTACULARS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,590 FOR THE FOURTH OF
JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council consider:
1. Appropriation of $40,000 from the General Fund fund balance to the Community Services Special Events Account No. 101-8030-8031-8264 to fund the annual Fourth of July event (Event); and
2. Approval of Award of contract to Pyre-Spectaculars, Inc. in the amount of$35,590 for the Fourth of July Fireworks display.
Sheila Pautsch, Community Services Director gave a presentation and responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL MOTION AND ACTION
Councilmember Braun requested to pull Item No. 6 for separate discussion.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan and seconded by Councilmember Cacciotti to appropriate $2,000 from Mayor Pro Tem tund to propriate Donovan's discretionary fund to support the Fourth of July / Festival of Balloons Event. The motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
City of South Pasadena Page 3
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Braun and seconded by Councilmember Cacciotti to have this item be brought to the Finance Commission for their recommendation. The motion carried 5-0, by the AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
7. FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET CALENDAR (REVISED)
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council review and approve the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Budget Calendar.
In Person Comments:
Josh Betta spoke regarding the item.
Staff responded to questions and concerns from the City Council.
COUNCIL MOTION AND ACTION
Item No. 7 was pulled for separate discussion via public comment. A motion Cooty no France or entry er string or ily comel
for consideration. The motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
8. CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS TO LANDCARE IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $73,266
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council consider:
City of South Pasadena Page 4
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
1. The approval of payment to Landcare for past invoices in the amount of $73,266; and
2. Appropriation of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 funds that were budgeted at the time the contract was in effect, to pay the invoices.
Ted Gerber, Public Works Director and John Downs, Finance Director responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL MOTION AND ACTION
Councilmember Braun requested to pull Item No. 8 for separate discussion. A motion was made by Councilmember Braun and seconded by Mayor Zneimer to approve Item No. 8 as presented. The motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None
9. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 17, 2024
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council consider the approval of the minutes for the Regular Meeting on January 17, 2024.
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar with the note that Councilmember Braun abstained from this item.
PUBLIC HEARING
10. PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE OBJECTIONS OR PROTESTS TO THE
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM REGARDING THE ABATEMENT OF
WEEDS, BRUSH, RUBBISH AND REFUSE UPON OR IN FRONT OF SPECIFIED
PROPERTY IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING BY MINUTE ORDER THE
ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council, after holding a Public Hearing and receiving public testimony and hearing any objections or protests to the procedures for abating brush and native vegetation fire hazards identified in Resolution No. 7842 adopt by motion an order directing the abatement of hazardous vegetation.
City of South Pasadena Page 5
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
Paul Riddle, Fire Chief gave a presentation and responded to questions from the City Council.
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 9:09 P.M.
Zoom Comments:
Steven Lawrence spoke regarding the item.
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 9:10 P.M.
COUNCIL MOTION AND ACTION
A motion was made by Councilmember Braun and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan to approve Item No. 10 as presented. The motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
ACTION/DISCUSSION
11. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 19, 2022 Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve the minutes for the October 19, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting.
COUNCIL MOTION AND ACTION
A motion was made by Councilmember Cacciotti and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Donovan to approve Item No. 11 as presented. The motion carried 4-0-0- 1, by the following vote:
AYES: Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: Braun
12. CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON A SPECIAL EVENT FEE FOR THE USE OF
THE ARROYO SECO GOLF COURSE
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council consider and adopt a special event fee for the use of the Arroyo Seco Golf Course (ASGC).
City of South Pasadena Page 6
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
Sheila Pautsch, Community Services Director gave a presentation and responded to questions from the City Council.
In Person Comments:
Melinda Vargas spoke regarding the item.
Zoom Comments:
Steven Lawrence spoke regarding the item.
COUNCIL MOTION AND ACTION
After extensive discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Primuth and seconded by Councilmember Cacciotti to approve the implementing a special event fee of $10,000 a day to cover all expenditures and lost revenue, a half- day rate of $5,000, both with a $1,500 refundable deposit based on timely clean up. The motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Braun, Cacciotti, Donovan, Primuth, Mayor Zneimer NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT - CONTINUED
13. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT - GENERAL
None.
COMMUNICATIONS
14. COUNCILMEMBERS COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Primuth requested that City Council consider having staff conduct a Public Works campaign to fill potholes sometime in April or May and encourage the community to utilize the mobile app to submit service requests for potholes.
Councilmember Primuth requested to become the delegate to the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) Board of Directors while Mayor Pro Tem Donovan will become the Council Liaison to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Pro Tem Donovan had no comments.
Councilmember Braun thanked the City Council, Finance Commission, and staff for their work tonight. She highlighted a recent meeting with Caltrans.
City of South Pasadena Page 7
Regular Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024
Councilmember Cacciotti spoke regarding his presentation on the advanced electric vehicle Tesla fleet with Eagle Scout Troop Pack 7. He highlighted his attendance at a recent event at the request of the City of Arcadia's City Council. He spoke regarding his attendance at the City of Monterey Park's installation of Thomas Wong as Mayor.
Mayor Zneimer expressed her happiness with the decision to have Councilmember Primuth serve as the delegate to the CPA Board of Directors. She requested that staff explore the cause of the increase in fees from the CPA, and requested an analysis done to determine whether the City should opt out or not. In addition she addressed Athens contract.
15. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further matters, Mayor Zneimer adjourned the meeting of the City Council at 10:05 P.M., to the next Regular City Council meeting scheduled on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Respectfully submitted:
And Leg
Amber Tardif
Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED
wel
Mayor
Attest:
Amber Tardif
Deputy City Clerk
Approved at City Council Meeting: April 17, 2024
City of South Pasadena Page 8