COVINA
CITY OF WEST COVINA
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
APRIL 15, 2025, 7:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1444 W. GARVEY AVENUE SOUTH
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA 91790
Mayor Tony Wu
Mayor Pro Tem Letty Lopez-Viado
Councilman Ollie Cantos
Councilwoman Rosario Diaz
Councilmember Brian Gutierrez
MINUTES
CITY OF WEST COVINA
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
INVOCATION
Led by Pastor Kevin Yriarte from West Covina Police Department
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez-Viado
ROLL CALL
Council Members
Present: Council Members Ollie Cantos, Rosario Diaz, Brian Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem Letty Lopez-Viado, Mayor Tony Wu
Absent: None
REPORTING OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Thomas Durate reported that a motion was made by Brian Gutierrez and a Second by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez-Viado, 5-0 vote directing staff to initiate litigation against Los Angeles County and Supervisor Solis requesting to be paid Measure A funds directly from County to City.
PRESENTATIONS
: Certificate Celebrating West Complies Dro Diaz for onto Vegas Wor Certificate Recognizing Councilwoman Rosario Diaz for Woman of the Year by Assemblywoman Rubio
• Certificate Recognizing Commissioner Sherry Fischer for Woman of the Year by Senator Rubio
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Three (3) minutes per speaker
Albert Ochoa
John Shewmaker
Teresa Cozad
Brian Calderon Tabatabai
Mario Sobalvarro
Christina Larios
Jim Grivich
Representative from West Covina Methodist Church
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager's report on current City projects.
CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Gutierrez and Second by Mayor Wu, 3-2 (No:
Cantos, Diaz) to: Approve Consent Calendar Item 1. (Item was pulled by Councilman Cantos).
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Gutierrez and Second by Councilman Cantos 4-1 (No: Wu) to reject all bids, issue a new RFP and work with Transtech to gather additional information. (Item was pulled by Councilmember Gutierrez).
ACTION: Motion by Councilman Wu and Second Councilmember Gutierrez, 5-0 to: Approve Consent Calendar Item 3. (Item was pulled by Councilman Wu).
ACTION: Motion by Councilman Cantos and Second by Councilmember Gutierrez 5-0) to: Approve Consent Calendar Item 4. (Item was pulled by Councilman Cantos).
ACTION: Motion by Councilmember Gutierrez and Second by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez-Viado, 5-0 to: Approve Consent Calendar Item 5. (Item was pulled by Councilmember Gutierrez).
ACTION: Motion by Councilman Gutierrez and Second by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez- Viado, 5-0 to: Approve Consent Calendar Item 6. (Item was pulled by Councilmember Gutierrez).
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION - Procedural Waiver. Waive full reading of each ordinance on the agenda and authorize the approval of each ordinance by title only. 1) CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-67
OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO REMOVAL OF
COMMISSIONERS
Carried 3-2 to adopt the following ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 2529 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2-67
(APPOINTMENT, VACANCIES, AND REMOVAL) OF ARTICLE III (ADVISORY COMMISSIONS) OF CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE WEST COVINA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONERS AND
MAKING A DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2) CONSIDERATION OF CITY STAFFING OF THE ENGINEERING SERVICES
DIVISION AND/OR AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR
CITY ENGINEERING SERVICES
Carried 4-1 to: take the following actions:
1. Reject bids.; and
2. Issue a new RFP.: and
3. Authorize the City Manager to work with Transtech to provide additional information regarding budget and grant information.
3) CONSIDERATION OF INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TRUCK ROUTES
Carried 5-0 to introduce the following Ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 2530 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 22- 141 OF DIVISION 5 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 22 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE EXISTING TRUCK
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
4) Consideration of City Hall CCTV
Carried 4-0 to: take the following actions:
1. Find that the City's bidding requirements and procedures are inefficient and impractical for the procurement of the installation of CCTV cameras at City Hall and in Council Chambers in accordance with Section 2-335(10) of the West Covina Municipal Code.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with AM-TEC Total Security, Inc. (AM-TEC Security) in an amount not to exceed $129,221.59.
3. Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-29 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2024 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 (CITY HALL CCTV IMPLEMENTATION).
FIRE DEPARTMENT
5) CONSIDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR FIRE
PREVENTION PLAN CHECK SERVICES
Carried 5-0 to: take the following actions:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with KJ Consultants Inc. for Fire Prevention plan check and inspection services, for a term of five (5) years, in an annual amount not to exceed $40,000, in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with MAK Fire Protection Engineering & Consulting, Inc. for Fire Prevention plan check and inspection services, for a term of five (5) years, in an annual amount not to exceed $20,000, in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
Issue an RFP for services.
PUBLIC WORKS
6) CONSIDERATION OF INCREASING ANNUAL COMPENSATION FOR
AGREEMENT WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS, INC. FOR CITYWIDE TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Carried 5-0 to: take the following actions:
1. Authorize increasing the annual compensation by $206,685.80 (the outstanding balance for the Maintenance Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
2. Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-30 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET
AMENDMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2024 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 (TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICES)
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
HEARINGS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7) CONSIDERATION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION, PRECISE PLAN NO. 23-05, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 23-04, AND VARIANCE NO. 24-02 AT T25/741 S. ORANGE AVENUE FOR A 42,000 SQUARE-FOOT
PSYCHIATRIC/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY ADDITION, INCLUDING REMOVAL OF 25 SIGNIFICANT TREES AND A 79 PARKING SPACE DEFICIENCY Those in Favor:
None
Those in Opposition:
Glenn Kennedy
Adele
Carole Reyes
Phil Moreno
Mr. Chavez
Illegible Name
Steve Moran
Those Neutral:
Steve Burns/Carpenters Union
ACTION: Motion by Councilman Gutierrez and Second by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez- Viado, 5-0 to:
1. Open the public hearing; and
2. Overturn the Planning Commission's approval and deny the project by adopting the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-31 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
DENYING PRECISE PLAN NO. 23-05 FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 725/741 S. ORANGE AVENUE FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STORY 42,000 SQUARE-FOOT
PSYCHIATRIC/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY ADDITION AND
ASSOCIATED TREE REMOVAL
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-32 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
DENYING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 23-04 FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 725/741 S. ORANGE AVENUE FOR
A PSYCHIATRIC/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY USE
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
DENYING VARIANCE NO. 24-02 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 725/741 S. ORANGE AVENUE FOR A 79-SPACE PARKING
DEFICIENCY
DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8) CONSIDERATION OF AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR
TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS AT BADILLO STREET AND IRWINDALE
AVENUE/SUNSET AVENUE (SHARED INTERSECTION WITH LOS ANGELES
COUNTY) AND ADOPTION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE PROJECT ACTION: Motion by Councilman Gutierrez and Second by Mayor Wu, 4-0 (absent:
Diaz) to:
Carried 5-0 to deny entering into an agreement with the County of Los Angeles.
CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR REPORTS
9) HEALTH DEPARTMENT AGREEMENT - BUDGET OVERVIEW
This is a receive and file the report.
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS
None
CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR REPORTS, STUDIES OR INVESTIGATION • Councilmember Gutierrez: By the month of May all city vehicles except PD, Fire, and Public Satety shall display the City Logo - No objection • Councilmember Gutierrez - Direct the Police Chief to present on the explorer program by the next meeting with any resources the program needs to expand the program. - No objection
• Councilman Cantos - In support of business, following a model from San Diego with regards to grocery stores and places that have electronic coupons to provide a report on the feasibility to have an ordinance to offer the same savings to those who do not have access to electronic coupons. - No objection.
Mayor Wu: Provide a presentation on the status of the Chamber - No objection. : Co no in cases at provide a report on walkabity in places where there are no sidewalks. - No objection
• Councilmember Gutierrez - Add to the Go App category for sidewalk request - No objection
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
• Mayor Pro Tem Lopez-Viado thanked the residents who came out to the Council Meeting.
• Councilmember Gutierrez mentioned that Athens has assisted in pressure washing the skate park.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting was made by Mayor Tony Wu, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:20 a.m. The next regularly scheduled Regular Closed City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 1444 West Garvey Avenue South, West Covina, California.
Submitted By:
Phernck
isa Sherrick
Assistant City Clerl
Tony Wu
Mayor