MARCH 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
March 26, 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 ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: C/Wu
Also present: City Manager Weiner; Assistant City Attorney Mann; 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; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION– NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Deacon Brian Miller from St. Lorenzo Parish led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Pet of the Month – Nova – 8 month old Female Terrier
M/Freedman and City Staff shared the video of the Pet of the Month, Nova.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
Larry Lin provided some suggestions on reaching out to the residents when there are public hearings relating to projects throughout the City.
Muoy Li, Walnut Library Manager, announced there is a book sale event on April 12, 2025 and invited residents to participate. She encouraged residents to visit the Library’s website for more information.
William Harrison stated the Sheriff’s Department have been doing a super job; he commended Public Works staff for the maintenance at Creekside area and commended the City Manager for his great leadership.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
March 26, 2025 – Minutes Page 2
Captain Tousey of the Sheriff’s Department announced a pilot program designed to provide deputies information on community relations and introduced Deputy Lopez, who will be leading the program.
Deputy Steve Lopez said he has been trained in the new program and looks forward to working with the City.
Speaker stated that she would like the Council to consider allowing chickens in certain residential zones.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the March 6, 2025 Joint City Council/Sheriff/Fire Meeting MOTION ON ITEM 1
C/Cajulis made a motion to approve item 1; seconded by C/Law. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Wu
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE: None.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
2. Resolution No. 25-12 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $695,488.84 Demand No. 169905 through No. 169968, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-12.
3. Resolution No. 25-13 – Authorized Positions and Salary Schedule Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-13 amending and approving the Executive, Management, Classified and Part-Time Schedule of Authorized Positions and Salary Schedules for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
4. Request for Appropriation: Housing Rehabilitation Program MARCH 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
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Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Appropriate $16,310 of unallocated funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) reserves, into the expenditure budget 12-5216 (CDBG – Housing Rehab.), to allow for more project grants and the facilitation of those projects under the Housing Rehabilitation program.
5. Agreement for Professional Services with Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLP for Auditing Services
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the Agreement for Professional Services with Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLP for auditing services; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute and administer the Agreement on behalf of the City in substantially the form attached hereto, and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
6. Agreement for Professional Services – Award a contract to Kosmont & Associates, Inc. in order to provide Economic Development Advisory Services Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Award a contract to Kosmont & Associates, Inc. in order to provide Economic Development advisory services, in the amount of $40,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute and administer a Professional Services Agreement in substantially the form attached (Attachment 1), and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney; and
3. Authorize Staff to issue a Purchase Order to Kosmont & Associates, Inc. in the amount (not to exceed) $40,000.
7. Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) for 2024 Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Receive and file this Report; and
2. Direct Staff to transmit a copy of the Annual Progress Report 2024 (“Report”) to the Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (“OPR”).
8. Notice of Decision – March 19, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Receive and File the “Notice of Decision” by the Planning Commission at its March 19, 2025 Meeting for the following Item(s)/Project(s):
a) Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2025-002;
b) Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-001; c) Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-077; d) Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-078; e) Site Plan Case & Architectural Review (SPC/AR) 2024-099; and f) Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR) for 2024.
MARCH 26, 2025 – CC/WHA
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MOTION ON ITEMS 2-8
C/Law made a motion to approve items 2-8; seconded by MPT/Cajulis. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Wu
COUNCIL DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS: None scheduled.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency
C/Law reported that she attended the California Contract Cities Association Board of Directors meeting, and a school district meeting.
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
MPT/Cajulis reported he attended the Taste of Walnut event and said it was a nice event; he attended the Business Watch meeting and hopes to see more businesses attend in the future.
C/Law reported she attended the following events: Business Watch meeting, a meeting with the Boy Scouts so they may earn their patch, Taste of Walnut, and a future speaking engagement.
C/Tragarz congratulated the Taste of Walnut event and encouraged residents to attend upcoming local sports events at parks
M/Freedman agreed with the City Council on a great job with the Taste of Walnut event; she attended a roundtable event with the City Manager hosted by Congresswoman Sanchez and discussed state of the state events; she attended a Library commission event.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNS TO THE WALNUT HOUSING AUTHORITY
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CALL TO ORDER: Authority Chair Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:20 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. 25-03 WHA - A Resolution of the Walnut Housing Authority Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $38,929.42 Demand No. 100456 Through No. 100456, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25 Recommendation: That the Authority adopt Resolution No. 25-03 WHA.
MOTION ON ITEM 9
AM/Tragarz made a motion to approve item 9; second by AM/Law. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Freedman, Law, Tragarz
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Wu
AUTHORITY DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS: None scheduled.
AUTHORITY LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
AUTHORITY ADJOURNS TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CLOSED SESSION: None scheduled.
WALNUT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
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ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 7:21 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of April 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Teresa De Dios, City Clerk