MARCH 12, 2025 – CC/WHA
March 12, 2025 - Minutes Page 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: MPT/Cajulis 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, Finance Director Merkel Medina; Finance Manager Meza; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Senior Management Analyst Markel, Community Relations Officer Maio; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION – NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Him Djuhana from City Blessing Church provided the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Presentation by Los Angeles County Assessor, Jeff Prang on Walnut property value and other key subjects
County Assessor Jeff Prang provided a presentation on the Office of the Assessor and shared information regarding programs for eligible Walnut homeowners. • American Red Cross Proclamation
M/Freedman proclaimed March as “Red Cross Month” and Annette O’Neal accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization.
• Women’s History Month Proclamation and Recognition of Women in Non-Profit M/Freedman presented Certificates of Recognition to Sharon Altman (Walnut Women’s Club), Betty Huang (Chinese American Association of Walnut), Trish Montreuil (Walnut Senior Club), Mary Su (Chinese American Parent’s Association of WVUSD), Gayle Pacheco (Walnut Valley Educational Foundation), and Becky Eskridge (Lions Club). The City Council thanked them for their contributions to the community.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 12, 2025 – CC/WHA
March 12, 2025 - Minutes Page 2
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 stated his concerns with traffic safety and public safety in the City.
Larry Lin stated that the City does not currently have a view ordinance and expressed his concerns regarding development in the City.
Captain Tousey presented crime statistics for January and February 2025.
There being no further person wishing to speak, the City Council closed oral communications.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the February 26, 2025 City Council Meeting MOTION ON ITEM 1
MPT/Cajulis made a motion to approve Item 1; seconded by C/Wu. 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:
2. Resolution No. 25-09 – A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $2,189,928.45 Demand No. 169830 through No. 169904, Both Inclusive
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-09.
3. Resolution No. 25-10 - Directing the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report and Filing of Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District No. 1 (LOSMD) Assessments and Setting the Time and Place for a Public Meeting and Public Hearing
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Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-10, initiating proceedings for the levy and collection of assessments within the Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District (LOSMD) No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and ordering the Engineer to prepare a report in connection therewith;
2. Direct staff to hold an informal Community Meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Walnut City Council Chambers;
3. Direct staff to set the time and place for the Public Hearing on the matter of levying assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26 LOSMD assessments at the City Council Meeting on May 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.; and
4. Direct staff to provide notice of the public meetings and Public Hearing in accordance with the law.
4. Resolution No. 25-11 – Approving a Fund Exchange Agreement of METRO “Proposition A” Local Return Funds Between the City of Walnut and the City of West Hollywood
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-11, approving a Fund Exchange Agreement between the City of Walnut and the City of West Hollywood for Proposition A Local Return Fund Exchange; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City in substantially the form attached and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the exchange of $500,000 of restricted Proposition A Local Return Funds for $350,000 in unrestricted funds from the City of West Hollywood; and
4. Appropriate funds in the amount of $350,000 to Account 01-3558 for revenue received from Proposition A Local Fund Exchange between the City of Walnut and the City of West Hollywood.
5. Fourth Amendment to the Agreement for Professional Services between the City of Walnut and Placeworks
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute and administer the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement for Professional Services between the City of Walnut and Placeworks, in substantially the form attached hereto, and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute and administer implementing documents and amendments necessary to complete the professional services contemplated by the Agreement, as amended, provided developer funds are available in the project deposit account and the implementing documents and amendments are in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
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6. Grand Avenue and La Puente Road Intersection Improvements Project Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Authorize staff to issue a Purchase Order to City of Industry in the amount of $529,710.24 in FY 2025/26 for Walnut’s portion of the Grand and La Puente Road Intersection Improvements Project;
2. Authorize staff to issue change orders not to exceed 10% of the contract award amount ($52,971.02); and
3. Approve a Purchase Order to RKA Consulting Group for FY 2025/26 in the amount of $59,996.00.
7. Citywide Traffic Signal Project- Battery Backup Replacement Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Appropriate $328,330.00 from available METRO Measure R Funds (Fund 16) to the project;
2. Authorize staff to issue a Purchase Order to NexTech Systems, Inc. in the amount of $226,879.53.00;
3. Authorize staff to issue change orders not to exceed 10% of the contract award amount ($22,687.95) to NexTech Systems, Inc; and
4. Authorize the installation of the battery backup devices to Los Angeles County Public Works in the amount of $71,600.00 with a 10% contingency ($7,160.00).
MOTION ON ITEMS 2-7
C/Tragarz made a motion to approve Items 2-7; seconded by MPT/Cajulis.
Motion carried by the following voice vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Cajulis, 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 stated that he attended Walnut Youth Softball Opening Day along with Councilmembers Tragarz and Wu. He encouraged business owners to attend the next Business Watch meeting.
MARCH 12, 2025 – CC/WHA
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C/Wu stated that he attended the St. Lorenzo-Ruiz Parish event and the Joint Public Safety Meeting.
C/Law stated that she attended the following: Foothill Transit strategic planning workshop event at Cal Poly Pomona as well as the contract law overview and Hall of Justice Tour with the Sheriff’s Department, a St. Lorenzo-Ruiz Parish event, a Lions Club student speech and debate event, Valley Vista grand opening of an organic waste processing facility in City of Industry, and an LA County Division General Membership Meeting regarding public safety power shut offs.
C/Tragarz stated that she attended the Walnut Youth Softball Opening Day event as well as the pickleball tournament; she thanked everyone for their participation.
The City Council wished everyone a happy Women’s History month and encouraged the community to attend the Taste of Walnut event.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CLOSED SESSION:
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:
City Attorney Leibold stated that there was no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 10:50 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 26th day of March 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk