JANUARY 8, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 8, 2025 - Minutes Page 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Wu led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: M/Freedman, MPT/Cajulis, C/Law, C/Tragarz, C/Wu ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Also present: City Manager Weiner; City Attorney Leibold; Community Development Director Vasquez, Public Works Director Barcelo, Administrative Services Director Carlson; Community Services Director Bumia; Finance Manager Meza; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Senior Management Analyst Markel, and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION – NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Brother Irwin Montilla of Charisma Life Church led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Recognition of Former Senator Josh Newman and District Representative Christiane Salamat for their service to the community
Mayor Freedman and the City Council presented certificates to Former Senator Newman and his former District Representative Christiane Salamat and thanked them for their hard work and engagement with the community.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
Muoy Li, Walnut Library Manager, provided an update on the programs offered at the library and encouraged residents to visit the library’s website for more information.
William Harrison said the maintenance department is doing a great job and enjoys the food at Wallace Chicken on Amar and Nogales.
Mary Caldwell expressed concerns regarding the Brookside property not being maintained and becoming a fire hazard and the homeless in the City.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 8, 2025 - Minutes Page 2
There being no further person wishing to speak, the City Council closed oral communications.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the November 13, 2024 City Council/WHA Meeting C/Law stated that she will abstain since she was not on the City Council on this date.
MOTION ON ITEMS 1
C/Wu made a motion to approve item 1; seconded by MPT/Cajulis. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Cajulis, Tragarz, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: Law
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
2. Approval of the December 11, 2024 City Council/WHA Meeting
3. Approval of the December 30, 2024 Special City Council Meeting MOTION ON ITEMS 2-3
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 2 – 3; seconded by MPT/Cajulis. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Cajulis, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE: None scheduled.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
6. Ordinance No. 24-06 – Amending the Walnut General Plan and the Walnut Municipal Code (WMC), Title 6, Sections 6.08.020, 6.48.020 and 6.48.040 relating to warehousing and logistics center uses within the Light Industrial (M-1) Zone.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt by title only and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 24-06, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Walnut, Amending the Walnut General Plan and the Walnut Municipal Code (WMC), Title 6, Sections 6.08.020 and 6.48.040 relating to warehousing and logistics center uses within the Light Industrial (M-1) Zone.” JANUARY 8, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 8, 2025 - Minutes Page 3
8. Mayor’s Agency Representatives Amendment – January 2025 to July 2025 Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file this informational report.
9. FY 2023-2024 Concrete Repair Project
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Award a construction contract for the FY 2023-2024 Concrete Repair Project to CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc. in the amount of $82,177.75;
2. Reject all other bids;
3. Appropriate $100,000 from METRO Proposition C (Fund 13) Reserves to the project;
4. Approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $63,619.00 to CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc. for the FY 2024-2025 Concrete Repair Project scope;
5. Authorize staff to issue a Purchase Order to CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc. in the amount of $145,796.75;
6. Authorize staff to issue change orders not to exceed 10% of the contract award amount, including Change Order No. 1, in the amount of $14,609.68 to CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc.; and
7. Approve a Purchase Order to RKA Consulting Group in the amount of $39,274.00.
MOTION ON ITEMS 6, 8, & 9
MPT/Cajulis made a motion to approve Items 6, 8, & 9; seconded by C/Wu.
Motion carried by the following voice vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ITEM PULLED FOR DISCUSSION:
7. Approval Request – January 2025 City Councilmember Conference Registration and Travel Accommodations
Recommendation: That the City Council review and approve the attached conference registration and travel accommodations for January 2025.
C/Tragarz inquired why there were no amounts listed on the staff report for the conferences and if the Councilmember was aware they must stay within the budget.
JANUARY 8, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 8, 2025 - Minutes Page 4
CM/Weiner asked staff to present the report.
AS/HRO Ramos presented a staff report addressing the travel policy for two City Councilmembers; one is traveling out of state and the other is requesting hotel lodging less than the 50-mile radius policy for hotel stay. She reported M/Freedman will be attending a conference in Washington and the total amount is $4,445.00 and Councilmember Law is attending a conference in Garden Grove and the total amount $1,170 and that there is no allocation needed since the amounts are well within the allotted budget for each council member.
C/Tragarz inquired if the amount is for the conference or the hotel, she was concerned about the hotel.
AS/HRO Ramos responded the amount for hotel stay for C/Law is $495.36. She added the Council budget for fiscal year 2024-25 is $5,000 for each councilmember.
C/Tragarz said she was concerned about the hotel amounts and for this reason she requested that the warrants be pulled for discussion since they have already been paid.
MOTION ON ITEM 7
MPT/Cajulis made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation; seconded by M/Freedman. Motion carried by the following voice vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Ching, Cajulis, Freedman, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: Tragarz
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
4. Resolution No. 25-01 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $1,666.064.12 Demand No. 169495 through No. 169569, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-01.
5. Resolution No. 25-02 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $205,183.04 Demand No. 169570 through No. 169599, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-02.
No staff report was requested.
JANUARY 8, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 8, 2025 - Minutes Page 5
MOTION ON ITEMS 4 & 5
MPT/Cajulis made a motion to approve items 4 & 5; seconded by M/Freedman.
Motion carried by the following voice vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS: None scheduled.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
MPT/Cajulis wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked the Sheriff’s Department for making the City safe.
C/Wu wished everyone a Happy New year.
C/Law expressed her condolences to the fire victims and mentioned that the City of Industry has opened areas for victims affected by the fires. She reported attending the following events: community holiday dinner & dance and Winter Wonderland event, holiday event at the City of Industry, a meeting with the City of Diamond Bar to discuss economic outreach, Walnut Senior Club holiday luncheon, and the employee service awards. She shared that she was interviewed by CBS KCAL 9 morning news.
She attended the Sheriff Station to assist with wrapping presents for their Toy Drive and attended the food drive at Alvarado Middle School. She mentioned she will be a part of the League of California Cities Women Caucus and has been appointed to the Public Safety Committee for a term of one year. She thanked staff for handling the fallen trees in the city during this windy season.
C/Tragarz thanked staff for putting together the following events: Winter Wonderland; community holiday dinner & dance, and Senior Club luncheon. She thanked staff for doing a great job during the windy season.
JANUARY 8, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 8, 2025 - Minutes Page 6
M/Freedman thanked PWD/Barcelo and Maintenance for handling these past windy days and keeping the public safe along with the Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department. She is excited about attending the National Mayors Conference in Washington and looks forward to sharing all the great things we do in the City.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 7:46 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 22nd day of January 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk