JANUARY 14, 2026 – CC
January 14, 2026 – Minutes Page 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cajulis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Tragarz led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: M/Cajulis, MPT/Wu, C/Freedman, C/Law, C/Tragarz ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Also present: City Manager Weiner; City Attorney Leibold; Community Development Director Vasquez, Public Works Director Barcelo; Finance Director Merkel; Deputy Director of Community Development Guerra; City Engineer Gilbertson; Senior Management Analyst Munoz; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Senior Management Analyst Markel; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
INVOCATION– NON-DENOMINATIONAL: Dr. Curtis Hiebert of Harvest (Rock) International Ministry provided the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS:
• Recognition of Muoy Li for her work as Walnut Library Manager M/Cajulis and the Council presented Muoy Li with a certificate of recognition and thanked her for her work as the Walnut Library Manager. Muoy Li expressed her appreciation for the community and Council.
• Walnut Library Bookmark Contest Winners
M/Cajulis and the Council presented the Walnut Library Bookmark Contest winners with certificates and small goody bags.
• 2025 Year in Review Video
City Staff presented the 2025 Year in Review video presentation.
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2026 – CC
January 14, 2026 – Minutes Page 2
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
William Harrison spoke about the Brookside project and wants the City Council to take action; he stated that the City Council have not been responsive to his phone calls to schedule a meeting regarding Diversity Plaza and other matters.
LV Frazier spoke regarding upcoming events and encouraged residents to visit the library’s website for more information.
There being no other person wishing to speak, the Mayor closed oral communications.
MINUTES:
1. Approval of the December 10, 2025 City Council/WHA Meeting MOTION ON ITEM 1
MPT/Wu made a motion to approve item 1; seconded by C/Tragarz. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Wu, Freedman, Law, Tragarz NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE:
2. Resolution No. 26-01 – Selection of Projects for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 – 2027 (52nd) Program Year of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Open the Public Hearing;
2. Hear the Staff Report;
3. Solicit input relative to the FY 2026-2027 (52nd Year) CDBG Program;
4. Close the Public Hearing;
5. Adopt Resolution No. 26-01, approving the 2026-2027 (52nd Year) CDBG Program as follows:
a. Housing Rehabilitation ($192,439.30)
b. Senior Activities ($18,104.70) and
6. Authorize the City Manager or designee to prepare, execute, and submit the Planning Summary, Agreements, and all required documents for the 2026-27 (52nd Year) CDBG Program to the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)
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M/Cajulis opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m.
PCEM/Guerra presented a staff report.
There was no discussion.
M/Cajulis closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
MOTION ON ITEM 2
C/Freedman made a motion to approve item 2; seconded by C/Law. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Wu, Freedman, Law, Tragarz NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
3. Ordinance No. 26-01 – Amending Section 3.32.070 Parking in City-Owned Parking Lot of the Walnut Municipal Code (WMC)
Recommendation: That the City Council introduce by Title only and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 26-01 “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Walnut, County of Los Angeles, State of California, amending Section
3.32.070 Parking in City-Owned Parking Lot of the Walnut Municipal Code” and agendize for adoption at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of February 11, 2026.
M/Cajulis opened the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
AS-HRO/Ramos presented a staff report.
There was brief discussion amongst City Council and Staff relating to the hours of parking enforcement by Sheriff’s Department and towing of vehicles, as well as use of parking for City excursion and event participants.
In response to an inquiry from C/Freedman, AS-HRO/Ramos stated that appropriate signage would be placed in the parking lots.
M/Cajulis closed the public hearing at 7:41 p.m.
MOTION ON ITEM 3
C/Law made a motion to approve item 3; seconded by C/Tragarz. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Wu, Freedman, Law, Tragarz NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
JANUARY 14, 2026 – CC
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COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
4. Resolution No. 26-02 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $1,200,841.13 Demand No. 200862 No. 200950, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2025-26
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-02.
5. Resolution No. 26-03 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $1,075,311.99 Demand No. 200951 through No. 201044, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2025-26
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-03.
6. Snow Creek Park ADA Playground Renovation Project (Phase 1) – Final Acceptance
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Accept the work performed by Landscape Structures, Inc. for the Snow Creek Park ADA Playground Renovation Project (Phase 1); and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to file the proper “Notice of Completion”.
MOTION ON ITEMS 4-6
C/Law made a motion to approve item 4-6; seconded by C/Freedman. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cajulis, Wu, Freedman, Law, Tragarz 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
MPT/Wu reported that he attended the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District meetings.
C/Law reported that she attended the SGV Chamber event regarding the Olympics and the Sacramento Legislative Tour with Contract Cities. She further stated that she also attended the Cal Cities General Membership meeting.
JANUARY 14, 2026 – CC
January 14, 2026 – Minutes Page 5
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
MPT/Wu stated that he attended the WVEF Teddy Bear Tea event, the City’s Winter Wonderland, as well as the Employee Service Awards. He also attended a public safety meeting for the Three Oaks community.
C/Tragarz recognized and thanked City Staff for their hard work and wished everyone a happy New Year.
C/Freedman wished everyone a happy New Year, welcomed City Attorney Leibold back, and thanked City Staff for their work.
C/Law wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked law enforcement for their service. C/Law further stated that she attended the WVEF Teddy Bear Tea event and the City’s Winter Wonderland event and Employee Service Awards. C/Law also provided information on the City’s Art Competition.
M/Cajulis expressed appreciation for City Staff and their hard work. M/Cajulis recognized Manuel Albitre and Krystal Won as the Employees of the Year. He also recognized Richard Rivera Lopez, Manny Martinez, Tom Weiner, Melissa Barcelo, Manuel Albitre, and Juliana Morales for their Service Awards.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CLOSED SESSION: None scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 7:52 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 28th day of January 2026.
_______________________________
Ritchie Cajulis, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
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Jackie Cortez, Administrative Services Specialist