FEBRUARY 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
February 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Law 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; Human Resources Specialist Johnson; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION– NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Dr. Curtis Hiebert from Harvest Rock International Ministry led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Pet of the Month – Sammy
M/Freedman and City Staff shared the video of the Pet of the Month, Sammy. • Recognition of 2024 Ms. LA Chinatown Pageant Princesses: Walnut residents, Charlotte Peng and Kathryn Yip
Council presented certificates to Charlotte Peng and Kathryn Yip.
Charlotte Peng and Kathryn Yip shared their experiences as court members of the Ms. LA Chinatown Pageant. Council congratulated both princesses and wished them continued success.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
Muoy Li, Walnut Library Manager, provided an update on Library Lovers Month and the programs offered at the library and encouraged residents to visit the library’s website for more information.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
February 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 2
William Harrison stated that the Donuts with the Deputies event went well. He further stated his concern with overnight parking and encouraged the City to further celebrate diversity.
Belinda Campos Bresnahan and the Breathe Clean Walnut Coalition shared their experiences and survey responses and asked the City Council to update the no smoking policy.
Larry Lin shared his experiences with the Terraces and stated that the City should provide property construction or development notices via certified mail.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the February 12, 2025 Study Session Meeting
2. Approval of the February 12, 2025 City Council Meeting MOTION ON ITEMS 1 & 2
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 1 & 2; seconded by C/Law. 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: None.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
3. Resolution No. 25-07 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $669,336.50 Demand No. 169753 through No. 169829, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-07.
4. Resolution No. 25-07. 4. Resolution No. 25-08 - Approving a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Funded by Senate Bill (SB) 1: Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Funds (RMRA)
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-08, approving the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 SB 1 RMRA Project List.
5. Approval of City-wide Bus Bench Replacement and Solar Lighting Upgrades at Four (4) Bus Stop Locations and Appropriation of $91,650 of Restricted Proposition A Funds to the Project
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
February 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 3
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Appropriate $91,650.00 from METRO Proposition A Fund Reserves (Fund 23) for the purchase and installation of new bus benches City-wide and solar lighting upgrades at four (4) bus stop locations; and
2. Authorize staff to issue a Purchase Order to Victor Stanley, LLC in the amount not to exceed $75,262.88 for the purchase of replacement benches.
6. Notice of Decision – February 19, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Receive and File the “Notice of Decision” by the Planning Commission at its February 19, 2025 Meeting, for the following Item(s)/Project(s):
a. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2025-001;
b. Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-102; c. Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-110; d. Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-125.
MOTION ON ITEMS 3-6
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 3-6; seconded 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
COUNCIL DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS:
7. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Year Ended June 30, 2024
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Walnut receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2024.
FD/Merkel Medina provided a staff report on the item.
Discussion took place amongst Council and staff regarding the ACFR.
FD/Merkle Medina recognized the Finance Department for their hard work.
M/Freedman thanked City Manager Weiner and City Staff for their hard work.
MOTION ON ITEMS
MPT/Cajulis made a motion to approve items; seconded by C/Wu. Motion carried by the following vote:
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
February 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 4
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
8. The Terraces at Walnut - Development Agreement (DAG) Fee(s) Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction to Staff on future appropriation(s) of DAG fees from The Terraces project.
PCEM/Guerra provided a staff report on the item.
Discussion took place regarding development agreement fees uses including economic development, public safety, and businesses in the City.
MOTION ON ITEMS
M/Freedman made a motion to allocate no more than 7% of the Terraces development fees to incentivize eateries; seconded by C/Law. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: Tragarz
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency
C/Wu stated that he attended the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District meeting and provided a debrief. He stated that he attended the Chinese American Parent Association fundraising event.
C/Law stated that she completed her ride-along with Deputy Ramirez. She further stated that she attended the California Contract Cities Board of Directors meeting, and a Foothill Transit Rodeo event.
C/Tragarz encouraged residents to attend upcoming local sports events and enjoy the parks.
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
MPT/Cajulis stated that the Council attended the Walnut Pony Baseball Opening Day, as well as the Donuts with the Deputies event. He thanked the Breath Clean Walnut Coalition for their presentation.
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
February 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 5
M/Freedman commend Council for attending local events for the community and invited everyone to attend the public safety meeting on March 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 8:36 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:
9. Resolution No. 25-02 WHA - A Resolution of the Walnut Housing Authority Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $40,826.68 Demand No. 100455 through No. 100455, Both Inclusive
Recommendation: That the Authority adopt Resolution No. 25-02 WHA.
MOTION ON ITEM 9
AM/Wu made a motion to approve item 9; second by VC/Cajulis. 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.
WALNUT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
February 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 6
AUTHORITY LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
AUTHORITY ADJOURNS TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CLOSED SESSION: The City Attorney announced the closed session and recessed the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Gov’t Code Section 54957.6)
City Negotiator: City Manager Tom Weiner
Employee organization: Walnut City Employees Association (WCEA) and Unrepresented Employees
RECONVENE COUNCIL MEETING AND ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
The meeting was reconvened at 10:30 p.m. with no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 10:31 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of March 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
_________________________________
Jackie Cortez, Administrative Services Specialist