APRIL 8, 2026 – CC
April 8, 2026 – Minutes
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cajulis called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: MPT/Wu 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; Administrative Services Director Carlson; Finance Director Merkel; Deputy Director of Community Development Guerra; Senior Management Analyst Garcia; Community Relations Officer Maio; Assistant City Clerk Markel; City Clerk De Dios; and Admin Services Specialist Cortez.
INVOCATION– NON-DENOMINATIONAL: None scheduled.
PRESENTATIONS:
• OneLegacy -Donate Life Month Proclamation
Council presented a Proclamation in recognition of April as National Donate Life Month to Ms. Susan Lesniak.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:
Walnut Library manager LV Frazier spoke regarding upcoming events for the month of April, including National Library Week, 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 March 25, 2026 Council Meeting
WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 8, 2026 – CC
April 8, 2026 – Minutes
MOTION ON ITEM 1
C/Freedman made a motion to approve item 1; 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS/ ORDINANCE: None.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
2. Resolution No. 26-19 - A Resolution of the City of Walnut Allowing Certain Claims and Demands in the Amount of $1,025,423.14 Demand No. 201412 through No. 201485, Both Inclusive Fiscal Year 2025-26
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-19.
MOTION ON ITEM 2
C/Tragarz 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
COUNCIL DISCUSSION/TRANSACTION ITEMS:
3. Trail Fencing Replacement Program – Material, Color, Installation Approach, and Phase 1 Implementation
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Discuss the Trail Fencing Replacement Program;
2. Confirm vinyl fencing as the preferred replacement material;
3. Approve brown as the standard fencing color;
4. Approve the proposed installation strategy, including one-sided installation where feasible; and
5. Provide direction on proceeding with Phase 1 implementation as part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
DPW/Barcelo provided the staff report for the item.
APRIL 8, 2026 – CC
April 8, 2026 – Minutes
William Harrison spoke regarding the timeline and details of the Project.
There was discussion amongst the City Council and staff relating to the timeline for each phase, impacts to equestrian trails, fencing along Amar, reducing linear footage versus increasing it, removal of trees, warranty and maintenance of the fencing, and safety concerns.
DPW/Barcelo reported that the project would be in two phases: phase 1 would take approximately one fiscal year and the second phase would be in fiscal year 2027- 28 with no impact to the equestrian trails or trees and said the fencing was aesthetic.
She noted the reason for the fencing on Amar being segmented was previously a developer’s choice from many years ago. She confirmed staff will look at different funding mechanisms and stated that an alternative for consistent fencing segment on Amar could be explored.
C/Tragarz stated her support for the item.
C/Freedman stated interested in expanding the fencing segment along Amar Road.
DPW/Barcelo stated that an alternative for a consistent fencing segment on Amar Road could be explored.
MOTION ON ITEM 3
C/Freedman made a motion to approve item 3 and include an additive alternative of the cost of increasing lineage along Amar Road; 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
ANNOUNCEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF):
A. Councilmembers’ report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency
None.
B. Individual Members’ comments and updates
C/Freedman spoke regarding the Library programming and encouraged residents to explore.
APRIL 8, 2026 – CC
April 8, 2026 – Minutes
M/Cajulis and Wu stated that on March 26, 2026 they attended the CPRS Award and Installation Dinner.
C/Law stated that she attended Economic Forecast of the San Gabriel Valley and the CPRS District 13 Awards and Installation Dinner. She also attended committee meetings for the League of California Cities. She also thanked participants of the “Walnut Through My Eyes” Student Art Contest.
COUNCIL LATE BUSINESS: None scheduled.
CLOSED SESSION: CA/Leibold announced the City Council will go into closed session at 8:10 p.m.
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation/Conference With Labor Negotiator (Gov’t Code §§ 54957(B); 54957.6)
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
RECONVENE WALNUT CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTION:
The City Council reconvened at 9:40 p.m. and there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the regular meeting at 9:41 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 22nd day of April 2026.
Ritchie Cajulis, Mayor
ATTEST:
Teresa De Dios, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
Jackie Cortez, Administrative Services Specialist