HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/05/2023ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
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.
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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 102"d 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
("Ca I Recycle").
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
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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.
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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.
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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.
ATTEST:
Assistant City Clerk
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k�wor of the City of Arcadia
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