HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/03/2023ARCADIA 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 C 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.
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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 pertaininq
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.
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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
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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
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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 delive 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 desig n -build contract with Axiom Group
for the design and construction of the Newcastle Park Renovation Proiect 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
ABSENT: None
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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. Z7
ATTEST:
Assistant Cit rk
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