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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10a - Regular Meeting Minutes of October 3, 2023 1 10-03-2023 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Verlato called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Reverend John Scholte, Arcadia Community Church 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Girl Scout Troop 6031 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Kwan, Wang, Cao, and Verlato ABSENT: None 5. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report. 6. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of Fire Prevention Week Proclamation. b. Presentation of the Mayor’s Certificate to Susan Guo of the Arcadia Chinese Association and Karen Mac Nair of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for their collaboration on the 2023 Moon Festival. c. Presentation of an informational update from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Executive Director, Marisa Creter, and Management Analyst Turner Lott. d. Presentation of the American Councils for International Education’s Young Southeast Asia Leaders Initiative (“YSEALI”) Sustainable Development and the Environment Fellows in the City of Arcadia. 7. APPOINTMENTS a. Appointment to the Recreation and Parks Commission. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Make Appointment to Fill Unexpired Term City Manager Lazzaretto presented the Staff Report. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Kwan and seconded by Mayor Verlato to select Jaime Lee to fill the unexpired term. A substitute motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on roll call vote to advertise and reopen the public application process to fill the unexpired term, with the intent of offering a 30-day application period. 2 10-03-2023 AYES: Cao, Wang, Cheng, and Kwan NOES: Verlato ABSENT: None 8. PUBLIC HEARING a. Ordinance No. 2397 related to Text Amendment No. 23-01 amending various sections of Article IX, Chapter 1 (Development Code) of the Arcadia Municipal Code pertaining to artificial turf in residential zones and allowing tutoring and educational centers in places of religious assembly through a Conditional Use Permit. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Acton: Introduce and Approve City Manager Lazzaretto introduced the item and indicated it would be split into two parts for City Council discussion; he asked the City Attorney to further explain the potential conflict arising from the tutoring and educational component of the proposed text amendments. City Attorney Maurer recommended Council Member Wang declare a disqualifying conflict out of an abundance of caution, since she owns tutoring and educational centers in Arcadia; he indicated that the FPPC Regulations allow for segmenting the discussion and action on a decision, if it can be segmented without affecting the two parts; he further announced that Council Member Wang would step out of the City Council Chambers for the introduction of the Ordinance and the discussion on tutoring and educational centers. Council Member Wang left the City Council Chambers at 8:00 p.m. Associate Planner Arreola presented the Staff Report on allowing tutoring and educational centers in places of religious assembly through a Conditional Use Permit. Mayor Verlato opened the Public Hearing. No one appeared. Mayor Verlato closed the Public Hearing. It was moved Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council Member Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to introduce and approve that portion of Ordinance No. 2397 related to Text Amendment No. 23-01 to allow tutoring and educational centers in places of religious assembly through a Conditional Use Permit; and find that this item is exempt from CEQA . AYES: Cao, Kwan, Cheng, and Verlato NOES: None ABSENT: Wang Council Member Wang returned to the City Council Chambers at 8:05 p.m. Associate Planner Arreola presented the Staff Report regarding artificial turf in residential zones. Mayor Verlato opened the Public Hearing. No one appeared. Mayor Verlato closed the Public Hearing. 3 10-03-2023 After City Council discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council Member Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to introduce and approve Ordinance No. 2397 related to Text Amendment No. 23-01 amending various sections of Article IX, Chapter 1 (Development Code) of the Arcadia Municipal Code pertaining to artificial turf in residential zones; and find that this item is exempt from CEQA. AYES: Cao, Kwan, Wang, Cheng, and Verlato NOES: None ABSENT: None Mayor Verlato noted for the record that her vote was yes with an objection to the portion of the Ordinance that prohibits artificial turf in northwest Arcadia, the Highland Oaks neighborhood. City staff commented that the prohibition on artificial turf within 100 feet of any structure in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone is enacted by the State of California, and not a mandate any municipality can opt out of. 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS (5-minute time limit each speaker) Susan Guo, an Arcadia resident and Co-President of the Arcadia Chinese Association, appeared and announced that the Arcadia Chinese Association is collaborating with Waste Management to host a series of Electronic Waste Recycling Events; and she indicated that the first event will be held on October 13 in the Masonic Center Parking Lot. Jamie Lee, and Arcadia resident and member of the Arcadia Chinese Association, appeared and spoke on the importance of Electronic Waste Recycling, inviting all to attend the upcoming event on October 13. Gerri Lin, an Arcadia resident, appeared and congratulated Mayor Verlato on her appointment; she expressed her frustration over her claim for damages; and she further expressed concerns regarding possible home birthing centers. 10. 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 Wang announced that she attended the League of California Cities 2023 Annual Conference in Sacramento; the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation Ruben and Clay Twenty Years - One Night Gala Concert; the 74th Anniversary Ceremony commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China; the Foothill Unity Golden Plate Award Ceremony; Asian Fall Festival Opening Ceremony at Santa Anita Park; the 99 Ranch Market Grand Opening at the Shops at Santa Anita; Arcadia’s Moon Festival; and she thanked Mayor Verlato, the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, and the Arcadia Chinese Association for their joint efforts in facilitating a great Moon Festival event Council Member Cheng indicated that birthing homes are a problem to neighborhoods as well as taxpayers; he encouraged all to come together and work as a community; he thanked City Council for their effort and commitment to the City; and he provided words of encouragement for anyone experiencing hardship in their life. Mayor Pro Tem Cao announced that he attended the League California Cities 2023 Annual Conference in Sacramento; the Asian Youth Center Award Program; the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation Ruben and Clay Twenty Years - One Night Gala Concert; the League of California Cities Los Angeles Division Board of Directors Meeting; the Foothill Unity Golden Plate Award 4 10-03-2023 Ceremony; the 99 Ranch Market Grand Opening at the Shops at Santa Anita; the Arcadia Moon Festival; and he indicated that on October 1, the Los Angeles County Superior Court implemented the Zero Bail Policy; he provided details of the Zero Bail Policy and further expressed his commitment to public safety. Council Member Kwan indicated that the Zero Bail Policy poses a threat to our community; she praised the City of Arcadia for joining 11 other southland cities on an injunction to block the Zero Bail Policy; she shared a video clip highlighting Mayor Verlato’s interview with NewsNation on the City’s opposition to this policy; she announced that she attended the Foothill Gold line JPA Meeting; the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association Board Meeting; the Foothill Unity Golden Plate Award Ceremony; the 99 Ranch Market Grand Opening at the Shops at Santa Anita; the Arcadia Moon Festival; and she thanked the Arcadia Chinese Association and the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for their partnership on the event. Mayor Verlato announced that she attended the 99 Ranch Market Grand Opening at the Shops at Santa Anita; the Foothill Unity Golden Plate Award Ceremony; the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation Ruben and Clay Twenty Years - One Night Gala Concert; and she shared photos from some of the events that she attended. Mayor Verlato indicated that it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and announced that the Arcadia Firefighters’ Association is selling branded apparel to fundraise donations to City of Hope cancer treatment center; she announced that the City of Arcadia joined the injunction to stop the implementation of the Zero Bail Schedule and the new policy will not improve public safety; she further announced that October 4 is the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Homelessness Committee Meeting; on October 5 she will be building homes with the Habitat for Humanity; she announced that the USC Arcadia Foundation will hold their annual Crystal Ball Fundraiser this weekend; and she invited all to attend Mahjong with the Mayor on October 13 from 1-3 at the Arcadia Community Center, and Coffee with the Mayor on October 17 at 9:00 a.m. at the Arcadia Community Center. City Clerk Glasco indicated that he was unable to attend the Arcadia Moon Festival; however, he wore his red polo in support of the event. 11. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Special Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2023, and Regular Meeting Minutes of September 19, 2023. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Mayor’s appointments of City Council Members to City boards, commissions, and outside agencies. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Receive and File c. Professional Services Agreement with Trovao and Associates, Inc. dba The Christmas Light Guy Company to provide holiday decorations for the 2023 holiday season in the amount of $45,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve d. Contract with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for annual tree trimming services, tree removal, and replacement in the amount of $424,350. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 5 10-03-2023 e. Memorandum of Agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for participation in the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve f. Purchase Order with Falcon Fuels, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of fuel for the City’s Fleet in an amount not to exceed $510,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve g. Purchase Order with George Chevrolet for the purchase of one new 2023 Chevrolet Bolt Electric Utility Vehicle (“EUV”) in the amount of $36,500. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve h. Purchase order with the Amgraph Group for Fabrication and Installation of Banners for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup in the amount of $40,803.78 and authorization of additional expenses in support of the Breeders’ Cup. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council Member Cheng, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 11.a through 11.h. AYES: Cao, Cheng, Kwan, Wang, and Verlato NOES: None ABSENT: None 12. CITY MANAGER a. Resolution No. 7526 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Capital Improvement Program Budget and authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for the Newcastle Park Renovation Project in the amount of $3,107,014.40, offset by a reduction in the Parks and Recreation Facilities Fund; and approve a design-build contract with Axiom Group for the design and construction of the Newcastle Park Renovation Project in the amount of $6,858,014.40, and approve a 10% contingency. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Adopt and Approve Public Works Services Director Cranmer presented the Staff Report. After City Council discussion, it was moved by Council Member Cheng, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, and carried on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 7526 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Capital Improvement Program Budget and authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation for the Newcastle Park Renovation Project in the amount of $3,107,014.40, offset by a reduction in the Parks and Recreation Facilities Fund; and approve a design-build contract with Axiom Group for the design and construction of the Newcastle Park Renovation Project in the amount of $6,858,014.40, and approve a 10% contingency; and determine this project is a Class 1 exemption under CEQA. AYES: Cheng, Cao, Wang, Kwan, and Verlato NOES: None 6 10-03-2023 ABSENT: None 13. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 9:49 p.m. to Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. Rachelle Arellano Assistant City Clerk