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August 13, 2025 – Minutes Page 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Tragarz led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: M/Freedman, MPT/Cajulis, C/Law, C/Tragarz, C/Wu ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
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; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION– NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Pastor Baldwin Chan of Vineyard of Hope provided the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Certificate in Recognition of Walnut Senior Citizens Club President, Patricia "Trish" Montreuil for her years of service
M/Freedman presented a certificate of recognition to Trish Montreuil for her many years of service to the Walnut Senior Club. MPT/Cajulis, C/Law, C/Tragarz, and C/Wu thanked Trish for her dedicated service. Trish spoke briefly about her time with the Walnut Senior Club and thanked everyone.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
William Harrison commended PWD/Barcelo and CSD/Bumia for their hard work, as well as CM/Weiner for his leadership.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 13, 2025 – CC
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MINUTES:
1. Approval of the July 23, 2025 Council Meeting
MOTION ON ITEM 1
C/Law made a motion to approve item 1; 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE: None.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
2. Resolution No. 25-38 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $535,801.46 Demand No. 200145 through No. 200198, No. 200255 through No. 200255, No. 200257 through 200260, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2024-25
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-38.
3. Resolution No. 25-39 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $528,703.64 Demand No. 200155 through No. 200254, No. 200256 through No. 200256 Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2025-26
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-39.
4. Resolution No. 25-40 – Amending and Approving the Executive Salary Schedule
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and adopt Resolution No. 25- 40, amending and approving the Executive Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-
26. 5. Resolution No. 25-41 – Vacation of an Emergency Vehicle and Public Utility Easement and Acceptance of a New Easement
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-41 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Walnut vacating a portion of an easement for emergency vehicle ingress and egress and public utility purposes within the City of Walnut and as more particularly described in said Resolution; and
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2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the attached Easement Deed accepting the relocated emergency vehicle ingress and egress and public utility easement.
6. Resolution No. 25-42 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Walnut, California, Authorizing Destruction of Certain Records Pursuant to Resolution No. 01-18
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-42.
7. Approval of Betterment Agreement with City of Industry for the Grand Avenue and La Puente Road Intersection Improvements
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve the Betterment Agreement with the City of Industry for the Grand Avenue and La Puente Road Intersection Improvements; and
2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement, in substantially the form attached, and in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
8. Request for Film Permit
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the film permit application submitted by Cooler Waters Productions for the project titled “Untitled A Project”, effective August 15, 28, and 29, 2025.
9. Waiver of Parking Restrictions on La Puente Road
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the request from Walnut Valley Unified School District for a waiver of parking restrictions along La Puente Road, between Pierre Road and Gartel Drive, for District-wide events, as well as events hosted by Walnut High School and Suzanne Middle School, during the 2025- 2026 school year.
10. Youth Advisory Commission Appointment
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the nomination recommended by Mayor Pro Tem Cajulis to appoint Heaven Torres to the Youth Advisory Commission.
MOTION ON ITEMS 2 THROUGH 10
C/Wu made a motion to approve items 2 - 10; 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
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COUNCIL DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS:
11. Request for Council direction on Commemorative Element at Diversity Plaza, Creekside Park
Recommendation: Staff is requesting direction regarding a request to install a commemorative element at Diversity Plaza, located within Creekside Park.
Specifically, staff seeks guidance on the following:
1. Whether an element is necessary;
2. If so, what type of element;
3. A budget amount and funding source, if direction to move forward is given.
PWD/Barcelo provided a staff report.
William Harrison spoke on this item and said it’s a legacy for those involved in creating this project.
C/Wu said he added this item to recognize the people involved in this project.
MPT/Cajulis asked how many names are being requested to add. He recalls that former councilmember Bob Pacheco spearheaded the project.
PWD/Barcelo explained that former Mayor Pacheco had an advisory committee and there was sensitivity to honor black history month. PWD/Barcelo stated that City Staff and the advisory committee discussed possible options, from which the Diversity Plaza and splash pad were created.
C/Law inquired as to what the item would be approving.
C/Wu stated $1,000 for an element such as a plaque.
In response to an inquiry from C/Wu regarding prices, PWD/Barcelo explained that there were many options and asked Council for direction.
C/Wu requested staff to look into finding a location.
M/Freedman stated that this project was done by a multitude of people. She stated that the Diversity Plaza committee had been recognized at a Council meeting and stated her concern with precedents that would be set with the installation of a plaque.
C/Tragarz provided information from her experience when this project was discussed.
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MOTION ON ITEM 11
C/Wu made a motion to direct staff to look into this matter. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency
MPT/Cajulis attended the Sanitation District research vessel trip.
C/Wu stated that he attended the Cal Cities meeting on August 2nd and the SGV Mosquito meeting on 8/8.
C/Law attended the following events: Cal Transit Tour and California League of Cities Installation event.
M/Freedman attended multiple events, including the Sentinel boat trip and the State of Nation by Congresswoman Sanchez.
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
MPT/Cajulis thanked staff for the Music and Movies in the Park series.
C/Wu attended National Night Out on 8/8, the Einstein Bagel Bros. Grand opening.
He reminded everyone that the Brookside EIR was on the website for the public to view on 8/25.
C/Law attended National Night Out, Einstein Bagel Bros. Grand Opening, and teen center open house. She thanked City Staff for their hard work.
C/Tragarz congratulated staff on the very successful series of Concerts and Movies in the Park.
M/Freedman mentioned it was the first week of school and encouraged bus safety at school sites.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CLOSED SESSION: None scheduled.
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ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 7:50 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 10th day of September 2025.
_______________________________
Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
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Jackie Cortez, Administrative Services Specialist