JANUARY 22, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 22, 2025 – Minutes Page 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: M/Freedman 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; Planning and Code Enforcement Manager Guerra; Management Analyst Munoz; Community Relations Officer Maio; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Senior Management Analyst Markel; Senior Accounting Technician Crowe; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION– NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Dr. Charlyn Hiebert from Harvest Rock International Ministry led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Recognition of 2024 Ms. LA Chinatown Pageant Princesses: Walnut residents, Charlotte Peng and Kathryn Yip
M/Freedman shared that the presentation was rescheduled to a future meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
William Harrison shared concerns about an overgrown brush on the hillside not being maintained and wants the city to address the issue.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the January 8, 2025 Study Session Meeting
2. Approval of the January 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 22, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 22, 2025 – Minutes Page 2
MOTION ON ITEMS 1 & 2
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 1 & 2; second by MPT/Cajulis. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE:
3. Resolution No. 25-03 – Selection of Projects for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 (51st) Program Year of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Open the Public Hearing;
2. Hear the Staff Report;
3. Solicit input relative to the FY 2025-2026 (51st Year) CDBG Program;
4. Close the Public Hearing;
5. Adopt Resolution No. 25-03, approving the 2025-2026 (51st Year) CDBG Program as follows:
a. Housing Rehabilitation ($128,923.75)
b. Senior Activities ($19,874.25); and
6. Authorize the City Manager or designee to prepare, execute, and submit the Planning Summary, Agreements, and all required documents for the 2025-26 (51st Year) CDBG Program.
M/Freedman opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
PCEM/Guerra presented a staff report.
There was no discussion.
M/Freedman closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
MOTION ON ITEM 3
C/Tragarz made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation; second by C/Wu.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
JANUARY 22, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 22, 2025 – Minutes Page 3
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
4. Resolution No. 25-04 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $767,096.73, Demand No. 169600 Through No. 169662, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25 Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-04.
5. Country Hollow Park Drainage Improvements Project – Final Acceptance Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Accept the work performed by American Enviro Services, Inc. for the Country Hollow Park Drainage Improvements Project; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file the property “Notice of Completion”.
6. Valley Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road Bus Stop Improvement, Temple Avenue Median Improvements Project, and Heidelberg Park ADA Improvements Project – Final Acceptance
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Accept the work performed by C.S. Legacy Construction Inc. for the Valley Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road Bus Stop Improvement, Temple Avenue Median Improvements Project, and Heidelberg Park ADA Improvements Project; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file the proper “Notice of Completion”.
MOTION ON ITEMS 4-6
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 4-6; second by MPT/Cajulis. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency
M/Freedman stated that she attended the Sanitation District Meeting and shared information on her recent Mayor’s Convention in Washington D.C.
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
JANUARY 22, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 22, 2025 – Minutes Page 4
MPT/Cajulis thanked the public works and community services team members for volunteering at the FEMA Centers. He thanked the Fire Station 61 for assisting with the Altadena fire. He is looking forward to Lunar New Year event.
C/Wu shared that he appreciates the community services and public works departments for their effort during the strong winds and thanked the law enforcement, fire departments, and staff for keeping the city safe.
C/Tragarz echoed and thanked staff for helping other relief centers.
C/Law thanked the first responders and staff and also wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year.
M/Freedman shared that she appreciates the first responders along with help from residents and business owners. She mentioned that the Fire Departments are requesting snacks instead of food. She wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNS TO THE WALNUT HOUSING AUTHORITY
CALL TO ORDER: Authority Chair Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR HOUSING AUTHORITY:
There being no one present wishing to speak, it was unanimously moved by the Authority to close oral communications; motion carried.
AUTHORITY PUBLIC HEARINGS: None scheduled.
AUTHORITY CONSENT CALENDAR:
7. Resolution No. 25-01 WHA – A Resolution of the Walnut Housing Authority Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $77,436.49 Demand No. 100435 through No. 100454, Both Inclusive, Fiscal Year 2024-25 Recommendation: That the Authority adopt Resolution No. 25-01 WHA.
WALNUT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
JANUARY 22, 2025 – CC/WHA
January 22, 2025 – Minutes Page 5
MOTION ON ITEM 7
C/Tragarz made a motion to approve item 7; second by C/Wu. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
AUTHORITY DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS: None scheduled.
AUTHORITY LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
AUTHORITY ADJOURNS TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CLOSED SESSION: None scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 7:19 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of February 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk