Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09a - Special Meeting Minutes of August 14, 2023, and Regular Meeting Minutes of August 15, 2023 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023 CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cheng called the Special Meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cao, Kwan, Wang, Verlato, and Cheng ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENTS Emily Hess, President of the Arcadia Police Civilian Employees Association, appeared on behalf of the Arcadia Police Dispatchers; she indicated that staff shortage has been an ongoing issue forcing dispatchers to work an unusual amount of overtime; she spoke about the crucial role of dispatchers; the impact of staff shortage; and recommended the City Council offer dispatchers a retention bonus to reduce turnover. A discussion ensued and Dispatcher Everhart responded to various questions, and comments about the impact of staff shortage and the strain it places on dispatchers. Jon Ansell, President of the Arcadia Firefighters’ Association, appeared and expressed his support for the dispatchers; and urged the City Council to support public safety. Drew Pruhs, Vice President of the Arcadia Police Officers’ Association, appeared and expressed his support of the dispatchers. The City Council recessed at 6:13 p.m. and reconvened at 6:15 p.m. CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to confer with labor negotiators. City Negotiators: City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Jason Kruckeberg, and Human Resources Administrator Anely Williams. Employee Organizations: Arcadia Public Works Employees Association, Arcadia City Employees Association, Arcadia Police Civilian Employees Association, Arcadia Police Officers’ Association, Arcadia Firefighters’ Association, and unrepresented employees: Department Heads, Division Managers, Supervisors, and part-time employees. Council Member Kwan and Council Member Wang left the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The Special Meeting recessed at 9:43 p.m. to Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Conference Room. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cheng called the Special Meeting (continued from August 14, 2023) to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PRESENT: Cao, Kwan, Wang, Verlato, and Cheng ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT – No one appeared. No reportable action was taken. The Special Meeting ended at 6:51 p.m. Linda Rodriguez Assistant City Clerk 1 08-15-2023 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023 CALL TO ORDER – Due to the continuation of the Special Meeting from August 14, 2023, the following Closed Session items on the August 15, 2023, agenda were not discussed. CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4) to confer with legal counsel regarding potential litigation - two (2) cases. b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) to confer with legal counsel regarding the matter of Arcadians for Environmental Preservation v. City of Arcadia, Los Angeles County Superior Court (Case No. 20STCP02902). Regular Meeting City Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cheng called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Reverend Jolene Cadenbach, Arcadia Congregational Church 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Cao 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cao, Kwan, Wang, Verlato, and Cheng ABSENT: None 5. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING CLOSED/STUDY SESSION ITEMS City Attorney Maurer reported that the City Council met for a Special Meeting on August 14, 2023, in which there was a Closed Session on Labor Negotiators; that meeting was adjourned and continued to 6 p.m. tonight; he indicated there was no reportable action from the continuation of the Closed Session, Special Meeting. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto reported that the three items posted on the Closed Session Agenda for this evening were not discussed and would be rescheduled for a future meeting. 7. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of appreciation to firefighter/paramedics Beth Fournier and Nik Pheng from Monterey Park Fire Chief Matt Hallock for Arcadia Fire Department’s response and assistance to the January mass shooting. b. Mayor’s Certificate to Arcadia resident and photographer Jamie Nicholson for his support of the Arcadia Fire Department. c. Mayor’s Certificate to the Arcadia Chinese Association for organizing Law Day 2023. 2 08-15-2023 d. Presentation of the WaterSmart Hero Awards. e. Presentation by Waste Management to introduce staff to the City Council and Community. f. Presentation by Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation President and CEO Gary Kovacic. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Suzy Powell-Rutherford, American Cancer Society and Relay For Life representative, appeared and announced that on September 9, there will be a free 24-hour event held at the infield of Santa Anita Park to fundraise for the fight against cancer; she invited everyone to attend the event and indicated she is seeking sponsors to purchase a pop-up tent for the event. City Manager Lazzaretto inquired about the cost of the tent and later indicated that the Arcadia Management team would donate the cost of the tent. David Park, a Pastor for The Well SGV, announced they are opening a new church and meet every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Arcadia Community Center; and he invited everyone to attend their next gathering. Gerri Lyn, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns regarding possible home birthing centers near her residence; she thanked the Fire Department for saving her life; and she stated that her home should be zoned as a single-family residence and that it has been zoned incorrectly. 9. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]). Council Member Cao announced that he attended the second City Council Health Committee Meeting; the USC Arcadia Hospital Town Hall Meeting; Arcadia’s Concerts & Movies in the Park; the Hilton Hotel Ground Breaking Ceremony; the Planning Commission Meeting; League of Cities Organizational Meeting where he was elected as L.A. County Division’s Secretary and Treasurer; the Closed Session Meeting with Labor Negotiators; he further announced that the Arcadia Police Foundation is hosting Dim Sum with a Detective on August 24 at the Grand Harbor Restaurant; he commented on the importance of supporting local Veterans and requested support from two Council Members to place this discussion on a future agenda, Mayor Cheng and Council Member Wang supported this request. Council Member Kwan announced that she attended the Senior Citizen’s Commission Meeting; National Night Out and Arcadia’s 120th Birthday Celebration; the Downtown Improvement Association Meeting; and the Closed Session Meeting with Labor Negotiators. Council Member Wang announced that she attended the City Council Health Committee Meeting; Arcadia’s Concerts and Movies in the Park; the Hilton Hotel Ground Breaking Ceremony; American Chinese Federation Tenth Leadership Team Inauguration Ceremony; the Diamond New Board member Ceremony; National Night Out and Arcadia’s 120th Birthday Celebration; Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting; Foothill Workforce Meeting; L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s meeting; California Assembly Member Mike Fong’s Community Event in Arcadia; Award Ceremony for Dr. Robert Lu of East Los Angeles College; Closed Session Meeting with Labor Negotiators; she indicated that on August 16 she will provide an Appreciation Lunch for the Arcadia Police Department and the next City Council Health 3 08-15-2023 Committee Meeting; and she offered comments about parks in southern Arcadia needing more attention. Mayor Pro Tem Verlato announced that she attended National Night Out and Arcadia’s 120th Birthday Celebration; she shared photos of her as a child at Anoakia Preschool and provided some background on its history; she attended the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting and indicated that Newcastle Park is out to bid; she reminded residents that schools will be back in session this week and advised motorists to be cautious and follow traffic safety laws, especially near schools; she indicated that she will be attending Dim Sum with a Detective at Grand Harbor restaurant and encouraged attendance to help support the City’s K-9 units; and she shared her thoughts and prayers for those impacted by the fires in Maui. Mayor Cheng shared that his last day as Mayor will be September 19; he attended the Board Meeting of the L.A. County Sanitation District; he expressed his appreciation to Assembly Member Mike Fong for hosting a community event in Arcadia; and he encouraged others to attend the Mayor’s Breakfast and State of the City on September 6 at 7:30 a.m., at Le Meridien in Arcadia. 10. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2023. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Resolution No. 7519 accepting a dedication for street and sidewalk purposes and approving Final Tract Map No. 83124 for a six-unit multi-family residential condominium subdivision at 414 South Second Avenue. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Adopt c. Resolution No. 7520 determining the amount of revenue to be raised from property taxes for Fiscal Year 2023-24 to pay for the debt service on the 2021 General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Series Bond Measure A and Series Police Station Project). CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt d. Resolution No. 7521 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating Budget, authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for cloud hosting fees in the amount of $160,000, offset by a reduction in the General Fund Reserve; and approving a Software Service Agreement with Oracle America and Can/Am Technologies for the implementation of a new financial Enterprise Resource Planning and cashiering software system in the amount of $450,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt and Approve e. Designate Council Member Michael Cao as the Voting Delegate and Council Member Eileen Wang as the Alternate Voting Delegate for the 2023 League of California Cities Annual Conference. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 4 08-15-2023 f. City Council Compensation Adjustment pursuant to Arcadia City Charter Section 402. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Receive and File g. Contract with Gentry Brothers, Inc., for the Downtown Alley Improvements Project and City broadband infrastructure in the amount of $1,938,334, plus a 10% contingency. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve h. Purchase of ammunition from San Diego Police Equipment Co., Inc. in an amount not to exceed $100,115. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Waive the Formal Bid Process and Approve i. Purchase Order with All Star Fire Equipment for the purchase of structural firefighting coats and pants in the amount of $44,600 for Fiscal year 2023-24; and authorize the City Manager to approve the subsequent annual renewals. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve j. Joint use Dana Gym Maintenance and Operation expenses, not to exceed $50,400. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve k. Reject the one proposal received for design-build services for the Library Family Restroom Project and direct staff to solicit additional proposals. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Verlato, seconded by Council Member Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.a through 10.k. AYES: Verlato, Kwan, Cao, Wang, and Cheng NOES: None ABSENT: None 11. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 8:51 p.m. to Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. Rachelle Arellano Assistant City Clerk