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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11a - Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2023 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Cheng called the Closed Session to order at 5:03 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cao, Kwan, Wang, and Cheng ABSENT: Verlato Mayor Pro Tem Verlato arrived at 5:07 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS – No one appeared. 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). c. 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. d. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) to confer with legal counsel regarding Workers’ Compensation matter (WCAB Case No. ADJ8802199). Closed Session ended at 6:02 p.m. and the City Council reconvened to Study Session at 6:04 p.m. CITY MANAGER a. Resolution No. 7523 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating Budget and authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for the 2024 Multi-Agency Homelessness Symposium in an amount not to exceed $2,500, offset by a reduction in the General Fund Reserve. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Verlato, and seconded by Council Member Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 7523 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating Budget and authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for the 2024 Multi-Agency Homelessness Symposium in an amount not to exceed $2,500, offset by a reduction in the General Fund Reserve. AYES: Verlato, Kwan, Wang, and Cheng NOES: Cao ABSENT: None The Study Session ended at 6:43 p.m. Rachelle Arellano Assistant City Clerk 1 09-05-2023 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cheng called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Reverend Darwin Ng, Arcadia Police Department Chaplain 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – City Clerk Gene Glasco 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 prior to the Regular Meeting the City Council met in a Special Closed Session Meeting to discuss the five items listed on the posted agenda; he announced that the City Council voted 5-0 to initiate litigation for one of the items listed under Closed Session Item a.; he indicated that there was no reportable action for the other four items; he noted that the City Council heard City Manager Item a. and with a 4-1 vote the City Council approved Resolution No.7523; and he further noted that this item was also on the Regular Meeting Agenda and would be removed from the agenda as action had already been taken. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS Christine Lee, Chief Financial Officer for the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation (APAF), appeared and provided information regarding the Arcadia Performing Arts Center and invited everyone to attend an upcoming event; and she indicated she is seeking City Council support, and provided information regarding APAF sponsorships. Angela Hui, a member of the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, appeared and indicated she was also seeking APAF sponsorship and support from the City Council. 8. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]). City Clerk Glasco announced that former Mayor and current President of the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, Gary Kovacic, reached out to him to discuss the Foundation, and his goal to have his former Arcadia classmate, Stevie Nicks, perform for the Foundation. Council Member Cao announced that he attended the City Council Heath Committee Meeting; Arcadia Chinese Association Installation Dinner; Planning Commission Meeting; the Arcadia Police Foundation Dim Sum with a Detective event; the League of California Cities Board of Directors Meeting; and the City of Arcadia Senior Health Fair. 2 09-05-2023 Council Member Kwan announced that she attended the Arcadia Chinese Association Installation Dinner; the USC Hospital Foundation Chairman’s Club Dinner; Arcadia Police Foundation Dim Sum with a Detective event; she reminded everyone that the State of the City will be held on September 6, at the Le Meridien; she acknowledged the incredible work by Mayor Cheng; she congratulated incoming Mayor Verlato; and she further announced that, on September 19, there will be a City Council Reorganization reception at 6 p.m. in front of the Arcadia City Council Chambers, prior to the Regular City Council Meeting. Council Member Wang announced that she attended the City Council Health Committee Meeting; lunch with the Arcadia Police Department hosted by the American Chinese Southwest Chamber of Commerce; the Annual 2023 City News New Baby photo competition; she announced that she went to China on vacation and attended a New Generation immigration conference; she announced that she promoted the City of Arcadia to many towns in China; she thanked the Arcadia Police Department for their response to the smash-and-grab theft at Macy’s at the Shops at Santa Anita; she further announced that the State of the City will be held on September 6; and she thanked Mayor Cheng for his work to unite everyone. Mayor Pro Tem Verlato announced that she attended the Arcadia Chinese Association Installation Dinner; Arcadia Police Foundation Dim Sum with a Detective event; Pasadena POPS at the Arboretum with the music of Queen; she announced that the Moon Festival is on September 30, beginning at 5 p.m.; she further attended coffee with the principal at First Ave Middle School with Dr. Issa; she presented a certificate to Dora Fowler who celebrated her 102nd birthday at Arcadia Living; the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Executive Committee Meeting; she shared photos from the events she attended; and she thanked the Arcadia Police Department for their response to the smash-and-grab theft at Macy’s at the Shops at Santa Anita, and asked Chief Nakamura to discuss the incident. Chief Nakamura appeared and indicated that it is an active investigation and no arrests have been made. He indicated that a task force has been created with the Los Angeles Police Department to combat retail theft and security has been increased at the Mall; he advised residents not to intervene but rather to be a good witness, observe, and immediately report to the Police. Mayor Cheng thanked the City Council for their kind words; he indicated that Arcadia is one of the safest Cities and thanked the Arcadia Police Department; he welcomed Council Member Wang back from vacation; and asked for the support of two Council Members to request City Staff to prepare a report that indicates how seniors with cognitive issues are monitored and what kind of assistance they are provided. Council Member Cao and Council Member Kwan agreed. 9. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Special Meeting Minutes of August 14, 2023, and Regular Meeting Minutes of August 15, 2023. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Resolution No. 7524 authorizing a submittal of application for grants and related authorizations to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (“CalRecycle”). CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt 3 09-05-2023 c. Resolution No. 7525 authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for the replacement of the HVAC Compressor in the Council Chambers in the amount of $23,778, offset by a reduction in the General Fund Reserve; and ratify the Purchase Order with Carrier Corporation for the replacement of the HVAC Compressor in the Council Chambers in the amount of $30,000. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Adopt and Ratify d. Modify Resolution No. 7520 to correct amount of revenue necessary to pay for the authorized debt service for the 2021 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve e. Allocate American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds for the 2023 Merry & Bright Holiday Shopping Program in the amount of $200,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve Mayor Cheng pulled Consent Item e. for further discussion. It was moved by Council Member Cao, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 9.a through 9.d. AYES: Cao, Wang, Kwan, Verlato, and Cheng NOES: None ABSENT: None Mayor Cheng announced that the Merry & Bright program requires at least one of the three purchases to be made at the Shops at Santa Anita and asked that it be amended to three purchases at any Arcadia brick-and-mortar business. City Manager Lazzaretto clarified the purchase requirements for the Merry & Bright program. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Verlato, and seconded by Mayor Cheng, to table this item to the next City Council Meeting on September 19. AYES: Verlato, Cheng, Cao, Kwan, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: None 10. CITY MANAGER a. Resolution No. 7523 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating Budget and authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for the 2024 Multi-Agency Homelessness Symposium in an amount not to exceed $2,500, offset by a reduction in the General Fund Reserve. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt This Item was not discussed as action was already taken by the City Council during the September 5, Special Meeting. 4 09-05-2023 b. Report, discussion, and direction regarding City events and sponsorships. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Provide Direction City Manager Lazzaretto explained that there are several areas of discussion and indicated that each item would be discussed separately. Deputy City Manager Bruno presented the Staff Report. Downtown Arcadia Patriotic Festival At the request of Mayor Cheng, Donna Choi, Executive Director of Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association (DAIA), appeared and thanked the City Council for supporting their organization; she read a letter from former Mayor and current Board Member, Peter Amundson, recommending that the DAIA continue hosting and coordinating the Patriotic Festival. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to add this item to a future City Council Agenda, to include more options to support a firework show at different time increments when the cost proposals are received from the vendor. Law Day After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to table this item pending response from the Arcadia Chinese Association regarding their level of support for this event. Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Upon recommendation from the City Manager, it was the consensus of the City Council to table this item until after the 2023 City of Arcadia Moon Festival. Lunar New Year Celebration After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to continue with a Lunar New Year Senior luncheon that is co-hosted with the Arcadia Chinese Association and forego a separate Lunar New Year Celebration in 2024. Veterans Recognition Banner Program After discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Cheng, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to approve a Veteran’s Day Banner Program in 2024. AYES: Cheng, Wang, and Cao NOES: Kwan, and Verlato ABSENT: None Other Considerations After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that staff develop a process/policy for community event sponsorship and support. Arcadia Performing Arts Association After discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Kwan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Verlato, and carried on a roll call vote to allocate American Relief Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds for a one-time purchase of ad-space to support the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, in the amount of $3,500. 5 09-05-2023 AYES: Kwan, Verlato, Cao, Wang, and Cheng NOES: None ABSENT: None 11. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 10:31 p.m. to Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. Rachelle Arellano Assistant City Clerk