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CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Tragarz led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: M/Freedman, C/Law, C/Tragarz, C/Wu ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MPT/Cajulis
Also present: City Manager Weiner; Acting City Attorney Mann; Community Development Director Vasquez, Public Works Director Barcelo, Administrative Services Director Carlson; Community Services Director Bumia; Finance Director Merkel; Deputy Director of Community Development Guerra; City Engineer Gilbertson; Senior 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 of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Parish provided the invocation.
MOTION TO APPROVE C/LAW REMOTE PARTICIPATION
C/Wu made a motion to approve C/Law to participate remotely; seconded by C/Tragarz. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis
PRESENTATIONS:
• Introduction of Commander Walid Ashrafnia, East Patrol Division Commander Walid Ashrafnia briefly introduced himself. M/Freedman thanked him for his service to the City of Walnut.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
Sonya Reed of Armed Services YMCA Twentynine Palms Marine Base introduced Teresa Lee and Diana Zhao. Teresa Lee promoted the Making Spirits Bright program, stating that a fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Diamond Bar Chili’s parking lot.
Marilyn Caldwell stated her concerns with the Brookside property.
William Harrison spoke regarding the Brookside property, Juneteenth, and public safety.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the May 28, 2025 Council meeting
MOTION ON ITEM 1
C/Wu made a motion to approve item 1; seconded by C/Tragarz. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE:
2. Ordinance No. 25-04 (Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) 25-01): To amend and replace in its entirety, Title 6 (Planning and Zoning), Chapter 6.08 (Zoning Provisions in General), Section 6.08.210 (Accessory Housing) of the Walnut Municipal Code (WMC) relating Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Open the Public Hearing;
2. Hear the Staff Report;
3. Solicit Public input on this item;
4. City Council Discussion;
5. Close the Public hearing; and
6. Introduce by title only and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 25-04, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Walnut, County of Los Angeles, California, Approval to amend in its entirety Walnut Municipal Code (WMC) Title 6 (Planning and Zoning), Chapter 6.08 (Zoning Provisions in General), Section 6.08.210 (Accessory Housing), relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units”, and agendize for adoption at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of June 25, 2025.
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M/Freedman opened the public hearing at 7:18pm.
DDCD/Guerra provided a brief staff report on the item.
C/Tragarz provided a statement on local and state control of housing zones and ADUs.
In response to an inquiry from C/Wu regarding the ordinance changes, DDCD/Guerra stated that the changes would be for multi-family zones, not singlefamily residential zones.
Discussion ensued regarding the ordinance, local requirements, zoning, and the Walnut Municipal Code.
William Harrison stated his opposition to ADUs.
A resident stated her concerns with parking.
There being no further discussion, M/Freedman closed the public hearing at 7:31pm.
MOTION ON ITEM 2
M/Freedman made a motion to approve item 2; seconded by C/Law. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
3. Resolution No. 25-22 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $1,306,269.46 Demand No. 170283 through No. 170365, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25
Recommendation: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-22.
4. Ordinance No. 25-02 – Recreation Vehicle(s) Parking
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt, by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 25-02, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Walnut, amending Walnut Municipal Code (WMC) Title 3 (Public Health, Safety, and Welfare), by adding Chapter 3.38 (Recreational Vehicle Parking) Restricting Recreational Vehicle Parking on Public Streets.”
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5. Ordinance No. 25-03 – Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 25-03, adopting the City of Walnut’s Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map to designate Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and amending Title 2, Chapter
2.04.050(A) – (Designation and Amendments for Fire Zone) of the Walnut Municipal (WMC) in order to update the Fire Hazard Severity Zones regulations as required by California State Law.
6. Approval of Three-Year Contract Extension with West Coast Arborists for Tree Trimming and Tree Maintenance Services
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve a three-year contract extension with West Coast Arborist (WCA) fortree trimming and tree maintenance services through June 30, 2028;
2. Approve the rate increases outlined in Attachment B for FY 2025-26, FY 2026- 27, and FY 2027-28; and 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement for Maintenance Services in substantially the form attached in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
7. Approval of a Three-Year Contract Extension with Nieves Landscape, Inc. for landscape maintenance services in Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District (LOSMD) Zones 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 12, Parks, Medians and Civic Areas with a 3.5% Rate Increase Annually
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approval of a Three-Year Contract Extension with Nieves Landscape, Inc. (Nieves) for landscape maintenance services in Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District (LOSMD) Zones 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 12, as well as City Parks, Medians and Civic Areas with a 3.5% annual rate increase;
2. Authorize the City Manger to sign the contract Amendment on behalf of the City in substantially the form attached and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
8. Approval of a Three-Year Contract Extension with Sparkling Cleaning Services for Citywide Janitorial Services with a 3.5% Rate Increase Annually Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve a three-year contract extension with Sparkling Cleaning Services for janitorial services in City facilities and park restrooms, with a 3.5% annual rate increase; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the contract Amendment on behalf of the City in substantially the form attached and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
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9. Agreement for Vendor Services with GMS Elevator Services for a Full Hydraulic Modernization of City Hall Elevator
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve the Vendor Services Agreement with GMS Elevator Services in the amount of $99,985.00 for the full hydraulic elevator modernization at City Hall;
2. Appropriate $109,990.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund Reserves (Fund 25) to the project in FY 2024-25, allowing work to begin as soon as possible;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, in substantially the form attached, and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney;
4. Authorize staff to issue a Purchase Order to GMS Elevator Services in the amount of $99,985.00; and
5. Authorize staff to issue change orders not to exceed 10% of the Agreement amount ($9,998.50) to GMS Elevator Services for project contingencies.
10. Approval of Third Amendment to Facilities Joint Use Agreement Between the City of Walnut and Walnut Valley Unified School District Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve the Approve the Third Amendment to the Joint Use Agreement between the City of Walnut and Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the Third Amendment on behalf of the City in substantially the form attached and in such final form as approve by the City Attorney.
MOTION ON ITEMS 3-10
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 3-10; seconded by C/Law. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis
COUNCIL DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS:
11. Crosswalk Enhancements at the Intersection of Lemon Avenue and Hunters Hill Drive
Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction on one or more of the following options for the crosswalk at Lemon Avenue and Hunters Hill drive:
1. Install high visibility crosswalk markings.
2. Install R1-6 signs (glue-down paddles) in both directions.
3. Install pedestrian activated in-pavement flashing lights.
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4. Install an overhead HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon).
5. Maintain the existing crosswalk with no changes.
6. Remove the existing crosswalk.
CE/Gilbertson provided a brief staff report on the item.
Patrick Lerdsuwanrut stated his support for options one through four regarding the crosswalk.
Vijay Vakil thanked CM/Weiner and PWD/Barcelo for their response time regarding the crosswalk; furthermore, he stated his support for option 4, the HighIntensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon.
William Harrison stated his support for option 4, the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon.
In response to an inquiry from C/Wu regarding the costs, CE/Gilbertson confirmed that options three and four had the same cost of $175,000.00.
Discussion ensued regarding the crosswalk and the possible options.
Becky King stated her concern with option 6 to remove the crosswalk entirely and stated her support for improving the safety of the crosswalk.
Further discussion ensued regarding the options.
MOTION ON ITEM 11
M/Freedman made a motion to install high visibility crosswalk markings; seconded by C/Tragarz. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Freedman, Law, Tragarz, Wu
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis
12. Year in Review BBQ – Request for Appropriation of $20,000 Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Appropriate $20,000 from the General Fund to the Community Promotions Account (01-4800-6229) to support the planning and execution of a new special event – Year in Review BBQ.
ASHRO/Ramos provided a brief staff report on the item.
M/Freedman spoke regarding the origin of the item.
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In response to an inquiry from C/Wu regarding expenses, ASHRO/Ramos stated that a large portion of the expenses would be for the videography.
In response to an inquiry from C/Wu regarding timeline, ASHRO/Ramos stated that the event could take place in September.
C/Tragarz stated her concerns with the item.
In response to an inquiry from C/Law regarding sponsorships, ASHRO/Ramos stated that an amount could not be estimated at this time.
In response to an inquiry from C/Tragarz regarding Taste of Walnut sponsorships, CSD/Bumia stated that there was $6,000 in sponsorships received for the Taste of Walnut.
Discussion ensued regarding State of the City events, funding, and expenses.
MOTION ON ITEM 12
M/Freedman made a motion to approve item 12; motion failed for a lack of a second.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency
C/Tragarz stated that she attended a League of California Cities event.
C/Law stated that she attended a Foothill Transit Board Meeting, a Contract Cities Sheriff’s Department Academy, a Los Angeles Division Meeting for California League of Cities, the St. Lorenzo Pentecostal Celebration, and the Walnut Business Watch Meeting and events at Riverside Community College and Mt. San Antonio College.
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
C/Tragarz shared that attended the St. Lorenzo Pentacost Celebration and the Walnut Business Watch Meeting.
C/Wu stated that he attended a neighborhood watch meeting. He further stated that he also attended the St. Lorenzo event as well as the Walnut Business Watch Meeting.
M/Freedman congratulated the graduating class of 2025. She also thanked the Sheriff’s Department for their service and keeping the city safe. She further reminded everyone to attend the Making Spirits Bright fundraiser and recognized Juneteenth.
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COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CLOSED SESSION: None scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 8:30 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 25th day of June 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
_______________________________________
Jackie Cortez, Administrative Services Specialist