HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/19/2024 - Special Meeting MinutesARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
CALL TO ORDER -Mayor Verlato called the Closed Session to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Cheng , Kwan , Wang , Cao , and Verlato
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS -No one appeared .
CLOSED SESSION
a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956 .9 (d)(1) to confer with legal counsel
regarding the matter of Robert Bartley v . City of Arcadia .
b. Confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation.
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956 .9(d)(2)
Facts and Circumstances : Written threat of litigation (Government Code Sect ion
54956.9(e)(3)) Unknown to Potential Plaintiffs .
No reportable action was taken .
The Closed Session ended at 6 :10 p.m .
STUDY SESSION
a. Report, discussion, and direction regarding changes to the Artificial Turf Regulations
in residential zones after community outreach .
City Manager Lazzaretto provided an overview of events that led to Study Session Item a. and
noted three emails received for public comment.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Development Services Kruckeberg provided a PowerPo int
presentation.
Mayor Verlato opened public comment.
Laurie Thompson , an Arcadia resident and Chair of the Santa Anita Village Assoc iat ion
Architectural Review Board , appeared on behalf of the Association and urged the Ci ty Counc il
not to increase the allowable use of artificial turf; and recommended the City Council hold off on
taking any action pending forthcoming activity at the State level.
Greg Mede iros , an Arcadia resident and Chai r of the Rancho Santa Anita Residents ' Assoc iation
Architectural Review Board , appeared and indicated that there are more sustainable methods for
water conservation ; he stated that the Metropolitan Water District ("MWD "), which manages the
Water Conservation Program for southern California , is no longer offering rebates for t he
installation of artificial turf; and noted this could be an indicat ion that MWD has concerns abou t
promoting additional use of artificial turf.
Jenna Ng , an Arcadia resident , appeared and provided reasons why she is in support of t he
increased use of artificial turf; she stated that her front lawn was replaced with artificial turf and
she was not aware of the regulations in place prior to installation; that she is working with Code
Enforcement to become compliant; and urged the City Council to increase the acceptable amoun t
of artificial turf.
After discussion , a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Cao , seconded by Counc il Member
Cheng , and carried on a roll call vote to continue to study this item , leave the existing artificial turf
regulations in place, and withhold code enforcement on existing cases that do not meet the City 's
standards while staff continues to study the item.
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
Cao , Cheng , Kwan , Wang, and Verlato
None
None
b. Report, discussion, and direction regarding hosting future Moon Festival Special
Events in Arcadia .
Recreation and Community Services Director Somogyi presented Study Session Item b.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Verlato , seconded by Council Member Kwan , and carried
on a roll call vote to approve a budget in the amount of $30 ,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and to
proceed with preparations for the Moon Festival , scheduled for September 14, 2024 .
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
Kwan , Wang , Cheng , Cao , and Verlato
None
None
The Study Session ended at 6:43 p.m.
ATTEST :