HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12a - Regular Meeting Minutes of March 15, 2022 1 03-15-2022
ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Tay called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION – Kristin Bennett, a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Junior Scouts 2881
4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT: Beck, Verlato, Cheng, and Tay
ABSENT: None
5. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING CLOSED/STUDY SESSION ITEMS
City Attorney Deitsch announced that the City Council met in a Closed Session to consider the
one item listed on the posted agenda; and indicated that no reportable action was taken.
6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA
ITEMS
City Manager Lazzaretto noted a typographical error on the attachment to the Staff Report
regarding Agenda Item 12.f.; and reminded the audience to submit public comment cards prior to
the Mayor calling for public comment.
7. MOTION TO READ ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY AND
WAIVE THE READING IN FULL
A motion was made by Council Member Beck and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cheng to read all
ordinances and resolutions by title only and waive the reading in full.
8. PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation by the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association Executive Director
Donna Choi.
b. Presentation of Proclamation to long-time residents Troy and Marjorie Bond for Troy's
service to our Country, his 97th birthday, and the Bond's 70th Anniversary.
It was the consensus of the City Council that Consent Calendar Items 12a. through 12f. be moved
to this portion of the Agenda.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Regular Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2022.
Recommended Action: Approve
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b. Resolution No. 7404 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 General Fund Budget
authorizing a supplemental appropriation in the City Manager’s Office Budget for the
City Council Chambers Conference Room Audiovisual Upgrade Project in an amount
not to exceed $19,000, offset by funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021.
Recommended Action: Adopt
c. Resolution No. 7414 approving the application for Land and Water Conservation
Funds for Newcastle Park Renovation Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt
d. Professional Services Agreement with FE Technologies for a Library Radio Frequency
Identification System in an amount not to exceed $105,000.
Recommended Action: Approve
e. Contract with California Professional Engineering, Inc. for Santa Anita Avenue
Corridor Phase 2 Traffic Signal Improvements at the intersections of Santa Anita
Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, Santa Clara Street, Diamond Street, Wistaria
Avenue, and Virginia Drive in the amount of $1,026,511, plus a 10% contingency.
Recommended Action: Approve
f. Extension to the Contract with Superior Pavement Markings, Inc. for Street Striping
and Pavement Marking Services in the amount of $135,696.60.
Recommended Action: Approve
g. Accept all work performed by Onyx Paving Company, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2020-21
Pavement Rehabilitation Project as complete.
Recommended Action: Approve
It was moved by Council Member Beck, seconded by Council Member Verlato, and carried on a
roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 12.a through 12.g.
AYES: Beck, Verlato, Cheng, and Tay
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Manager Lazzaretto noted that the Public Hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. and the
Mayor will allow one public comment prior to the Public Hearing.
Angie Gren appeared and expressed her frustration regarding the lack of transparency regarding
the homelessness problem in Arcadia; she explained why she is opposed to Tiny Homes; and
urged the City Council to pause the exploration of the Tiny Homes Project indefinitely and look
for other solutions to help the homeless in Arcadia.
The City Council reconvened to the Public Hearing Item at 7:30 p.m.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Public Hearing to receive input regarding the redrawing of City Council Election District
Boundaries; and introduce for first reading an Ordinance taking action on draft maps
and redrawing of Election District Boundaries.
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Ordinance No. 2386 amending Section 1704(B) of Chapter 7, Article I of the Arcadia
Municipal Code defining City Council Electoral District Boundaries, and adopting
revised City Council Electoral District Boundaries as set forth in Exhibit “A.”
Recommended Action: Conduct Public Hearing and Introduce
City Manager Lazzaretto presented the staff report and Jeff Simonetti from National
Demographics Corporation presented the PowerPoint.
Mayor Tay opened the public hearing.
Yu Hong Huang called and explained his reasons why he is in support of Map 103.
The following Arcadia residents appeared in support of Map 103:
Sean Luo
Alice Wang
Sheng Cheng
Edmond Liu
Yongping Zhang
Jennifer Shan
Howard Ursettie, an Arcadia resident, appeared and explained his reasons why he is opposed to
Map 114 (Revised); and urged the City Council and the Demographer to reject that Map.
Brett Mitulski, an Arcadia resident, appeared and provided his reasons why he is in support of
Map 114 (Revised) or 115 (Revised).
Lucy Zhang, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her disappointment in the City Council;
she indicated that their actions are not in line with the Arcadia way; and provided her reasons why
she is in support of Maps 103 and 118.
Tina Lu, an Arcadia resident, appeared and stated that she is not a registered voter; she indicated
that non-registered voters and immigrants matter; that they work hard and contribute to the
community; and urged the City Council to embrace everyone regardless of their voter status.
Sonia, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her reasons why she is in support of Maps
114 (Revised) or 115 (Revised); she indicated that the minorities are not being properly
represented; she reminded the City Council that she contacted MALDEF, a Civil Rights group that
advocates for Hispanics; she stated that the group recommends Map 114 before it was revised;
that diversity in this City should be represented at all levels; and urged the City Council to consider
adopting Maps 114 (Revised) or 115 (Revised).
Susan Guo, an Arcadia resident, appeared and thanked Sonia for her arguments regarding the
Hispanic majority district; she provided the City Council with the current District Map; she stated
that the current Map adopted in 2017 had the highest Latino population and that the City is not
ignoring the Hispanic voters; she commented on Maps 114 (Revised) and 115 (Revised); she
provided her reasons why she is in support of Map 103; and commented on a piece published in
the Arcadia Weekly by Roger Nemrava;
A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Beck. The City Council
concurred.
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After City Council discussion a motion was made by Council Member Verlato to eliminate Maps
116 and 118.
A substitute motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cheng and seconded by Mayor Tay to bring
back Maps 103, 115 (Revised), and 115 (to be furthered revised) for further discussion at the
March 18, 2022, Special Meeting and eliminate the rest of the maps. The substitute motion failed
on a 2-2 roll call vote.
AYES: Cheng and Tay
NOES: Beck and Verlato
ABSENT: None
The original motion to eliminate Maps 116 and 118 failed for lack of a second.
After further discussion the City Council requested that the City’s Demographer make a second
revision to Map 115 to adjust District 1, 4, and 5 boundaries; and directed Staff to bring back all
five current maps under consideration for further discussion at the March 18, 2022, Special City
Council Meeting.
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Tay reopened the Public Comment period.
Robert Gonzalez, Mayor of the City of Azusa, appeared and introduced himself as the Water
Quality Authority representative for cities with pumping rights; and offered to provide more
information about the services provided to the City.
Grace Lee appeared and stated that she is speaking on behalf of her family; she addressed
comments previously made by Council Member Beck; she expressed her disappointment in the
City Council; and indicated that she is in support of Map 103.
Steve Rhee, an Arcadia resident, appeared and thanked City staff for putting together the
Homelessness Five-Point Plan Report; he commented on the report; and urged the City Council
to continue working forward in finding a solution to this problem.
Sonia, an Arcadia resident, appeared and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Cheng for moving forward in
addressing the homelessness issue; she commented on the Five-Point Plan report; she
requested the City Council provide services to help the unhoused community; and urged the City
Council to work with the County in addressing the sweeps going on at Arcadia County Park.
Mike Veerman, an Arcadia resident, appeared and spoke in support of the Tiny Shelter Project;
he commented on the Five-Point Plan report; he also commented on the Housing Element and
affordable housing; and questioned when that will be sent to the State.
Jacob Pierce, Secretary for Monrovia Housing and Tenants Advocates, appeared and spoke
about the Homelessness Five-Point Plan report; he expressed his support for the unhoused
community; he thanked the City for taking the homelessness issue seriously and for their
continued efforts in addressing and studying this issue.
Carolyn Iga, an Arcadia resident, appeared and spoke in favor of affordable housing and
temporary shelters; she shared a story about helping her homeless neighbor; and expressed her
support for Tiny Shelters.
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Laurie Dunbar, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns regarding the Tiny
Shelter Project; she indicated that she is opposed to Tiny Shelters; she urged the City Council
not to offer free housing; and that if the City moves forward with shelters, the City Council should
only consider temporary housing.
Angela Hui, an Arcadia resident, appeared and commented about the homelessness problem in
California; she commented on the Five-Point Plan report; and explained why she is opposed to
Tiny Shelters.
Jolly Wu, called and expressed her frustration with the City Council for failing to fill the vacancy in
District 5. Ms. Wu urged the City Council not to discuss the proposed Tiny Homes Project until
District 5 is filled.
11. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from
the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]).
Mayor Pro Tem Cheng apologized to Joyce Platt and Angela Hui for bringing up their names
during the last City Council Meeting; he read an email he sent to Ms. Platt; he thanked Ms. Hui
for her volunteer work and service to the City; he announced that on March 12 he attended the
55th Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser event in support of the Arcadia Music Club and Arcadia
High School Band; that on April 2 the Arcadia High School Color Guard is hosting a WGASC
show; he noted that volunteers are needed for that event; and shared that he spent Sunday with
Council Member Beck.
Council Member Verlato announced that on March 12 she attended the 55th Annual Spaghetti
Dinner fundraiser event; she reported that she attended a Special Meeting of San Gabriel Valley
Council of Governments; she indicated that the Board is making recommendations to the Blue
Ribbon Commission on Homelessness; she also reported that she attended a meeting with the
Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association to discuss the upcoming Patriotic Festival on July
2; she addressed some of the comments made by a public speakers regarding Asian hate; she
stated that she denounces any kind of Asian hate; and encouraged anyone that hears something
that does not sit right with them to contact her for clarification.
Council Member Beck addressed comments made by Ms. Gren and Ms. Lee regarding their
criticism of the City Council; he commented on the war in the Ukraine; he indicated that he agreed
with Mayor Pro Tem Cheng’s comments; he spoke about his day with Mayor Pro Tem Cheng; he
commented on Mayor Tay’s intent to run for a third term of office and respectfully asked the Mayor
to reconsider suing the City; he thanked Kristin Bennett for a beautiful invocation; he thank Mayor
Tay for having the Junior Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance; he announced that on March 29
the City Council will be attending the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Installation Dinner
event at The Derby; that on March 18 is a Special Meeting with the Charter Review Committee;
and that on April 9 he and Mayor Tay will be participating in the Santa Anita Derby Day 5K Run.
City Clerk Glasco added to Council Members Beck’s comments regarding the war in Ukraine; he
shared how his church honored Ukraine at the end of mass; he stated that he signed off on a Boy
Scouts’ Eagle Scout Merit Project which will beautify Arcadia Vietnam Memorial Monument at
Arcadia County Park; he reported that Supervisor Katheryn Barger plans on bringing back the
Annual Salute to Veterans and their Families event on May 28; he announced that March 29 is
the 50th Anniversary of the National Vietnam War Veterans Day; and shared a video in honor of
that day.
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Mayor Tay addressed comments made by the City Council regarding a lawsuit against the City
related to his intent to run for a third term of office.
The City Council recessed at 10:18 p.m. and reconvened at 10:23 p.m.
12. CITY MANAGER
a. Report, discussion, and directions regarding the Homelessness Five-Point Plan.
Recommended Action: Provide Direction
Recreation and Community Services Director Somogyi presented the Staff Report.
After City Council discussion a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cheng, seconded by Council
Member Verlato, and carried on a roll call vote to authorize staff to pursue the recommendations
listed in the staff report in order to address homelessness in Arcadia.
AYES: Cheng, Verlato, Beck, and Tay
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
13. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 11:27 p.m. to Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council
Conference Room.
Linda Rodriguez
Assistant City Clerk