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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11a - Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2024 1 09-17-2024 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cao called the Special Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Wang, and Cao ABSENT: Kwan and Verlato It was the consensus of the City Council that Council Member Verlato and Council Member Kwan be excused. PUBLIC COMMENTS – No one appeared. Council Member Verlato arrived at 5:42 p.m. Council Member Kwan arrived at 5:57 p.m. CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1) to confer with legal counsel regarding the matter of Albert Yeznaian v. KJR Eastern Enterprises, Inc., a corporation; Linyan Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company; City of Arcadia, a government entity; County of Los Angeles a government entity; Kin Wa Chiu, and individual; and Does 1 through 50, inclusive, Los Angeles County Superior Court (Case No. 22STCV11585). b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) to confer with legal counsel regarding a Workers’ Compensation matter (WCAB Case No. ADJ17365342). 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, Interim Administrative Services Director Henry Chen, and Interim Human Resources Director 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. The Special Meeting ended at 6:50 p.m. No reportable action was taken. Linda Rodriguez City Clerk 1 09-17-2024 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cao called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Rabbi Sholom Stiefel, Chabad of Arcadia 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Robert Stover, U.S. Air Force Veteran and Arcadia Resident 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Verlato, Wang, Kwan, and Cao 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 Meeting to consider the items posted under Closed Session; and he indicated that no reportable action was taken. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto welcomed Charlotte Knight, an employee of the Gisborne District Council in New Zealand, who is visiting on a tour and exchange program. 7. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING a. Resolution No. 7572 approving Architectural Design Review No. ADR 23-13 with a Density Bonus and Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 23-09 for a revised senior assisted living care facility (“The Ivy Arcadia”) with an addendum to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) at 1150 W. Colorado Boulevard. CEQA: Adopt Addendum to Previously Approved Mitigated Negative Declaration Recommended Action: Adopt Associate Planner Arreola presented the Staff Report. Carrissa Savant, project ‘Applicant’ representing the O&I Development team, provided a PowerPoint presentation and reported on the proposed modifications made to the project site resulting from the community meeting, following the last City Council Meeting on August 20. Mayor Pro Tem Kwan explained why she believed the proposed project is noncompliant with applicable development standards and regulations in the City’s Development Code; she indicated that she did not feel the design is compatible with surrounding properties and developments; and expressed her concerns about the design’s proposed third story. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Kwan’s concerns, both City Attorney Maurer and Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg provided clarification on the State’s Density Bonus Law. They further explained that the proposed development follows all the applicable development standards and regulations in the Development Code. 2 09-17-2024 Matt Stevenson, Chief Operating Officer for Oakmont and Ivy Senior Living, addressed Mayor Pro Tem Kwan’s safety concerns regarding the third floor of the design; he spoke to the extensive planning that goes into emergency preparedness for the safety of their residents and assured the City Council that the residents will be safe at the facility. Mayor Cao opened Public Comment for this agenda item. James Wheeler, Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed his disappointment over the proposed project; and indicated he is grateful for the Applicant’s efforts in addressing the community’s concerns. Kevin Mak, Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed his concerns about the trees that will be planted for privacy, noting the potential damage their roots can cause. In response to Mr. Mak’s comments, Ms. Savant stated that they use licensed arborists and a landscape architect to ensure that trees and plants are properly placed and maintained; and that root structure is taken into consideration. Mayor Cao closed the Public Hearing. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Cao, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to make the required findings and adopt Resolution No. 7572 approving Architectural Design Review No. ADR 23-13 with a Density Bonus and Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 23-09 for a revised senior assisted living care facility (“The Ivy Arcadia”) with an addendum to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) at 1150 W. Colorado Boulevard. AYES: Cao, Wang, and Cheng NOES: Verlato, Kwan ABSENT: None 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Grace Lee, a local resident, appeared and shared that she will be acting as a public relations ambassador for her students; and requested support for 5,000 VIP restructuring and rebranding project. Sonia Martin, Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns with statements made by Council Member Cheng during his reelection campaign regarding Arcadia’s public safety employees. David Arvizu, Arcadia resident, appeared and spoke about an incident where he witnessed an unhoused individual trying to access a closed Wilderness Park; he indicated that Police responded to the call but were unable to locate the subject; and requested the City ensure that the gate is locked every evening to help deter any unauthorized access to the park. Brian Green, member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and USC Arcadia Hospital, appeared and indicated that Taste of Arcadia has returned and encouraged all to attend Saturday, September 21 at the Santa Anita Race Park. Susan Guo, Arcadia resident, appeared and shared her personal experience with home invasion and burglary in Arcadia; she further discussed the task force established in 2020 to work with Arcadia’s unhoused population and indicated the success that task force has had. 3 09-17-2024 Kevin Mak, Arcadia resident, appeared and requested the City to plant trees on First Ave. and Diamond Street, adjacent to First Avenue Middle School; he indicated that the trees would provide shade for students waiting to be picked up after school. 9. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]). Mayor Pro Tem Kwan had nothing to report. Council Member Verlato provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; she announced that September 17 is National Voter Registration Day and encouraged everyone to register to vote. She expressed her gratitude towards the Public Works Services Department and the Police Department for addressing the vandalism issue at Bonita Skate Park; and she gave an update on the monthly outreach efforts of the Arcadia’s Homeless Case Management Team. Council Member Cheng expressed gratitude to his colleagues and City staff for their resilience during the pandemic; he emphasized his pride in the City Council for prioritizing the safety of police officers and first responders; he thanked the Police Officers for their service; and highlighted the significance of the Moon Festival. Council Member Wang provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City. Mayor Cao provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; he expressed appreciation to the Arcadia Chinese Association and the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for their support on the Moon Festival event; and he shared remarks about the significance of September 11, 2001, and the impact on first responders. 10. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2024. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Resolution No. 7590 amending Resolution No. 7562, setting service rates for the collection of residential refuse and recyclables pursuant to Section 5120.7 of the Arcadia Municipal Code for Fiscal Year 2024-25. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt c. Resolution No. 7592 approving the grant of an easement to Southern California Edison Company for public utilities on the City-owned parking lot between Santa Anita Avenue and First Avenue. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Adopt d. Resolutions approving Memorandums of Understanding establishing compensation and related benefits for represented employee groups, and amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund Operating Budget authorizing a budget appropriation for costs associated with the adoption of the Memorandums of Understanding. 4 09-17-2024 Resolution No. 7594 approving a Memorandum of Understanding establishing compensation and related benefits for employees represented by the Arcadia City Employees’ Association (“ACEA”) for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 7597 approving a Memorandum of Understanding establishing compensation and related benefits for employees represented by the Arcadia Fire Fighters’ Association (“AFFA”) for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 7595 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund Operating Budget authorizing a budget appropriation in the amount of $1,715,800 for costs associated with adoption of the Arcadia City Employees’ Association and the Arcadia Fire Fighters’ Association Memorandums of Understanding. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt e. Resolution No. 7596 amending Resolution No. 7383 establishing compensation and related benefits for City Council, Executive Management, Management and Unrepresented Confidential Employees for July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024 (Human Resources Manager). CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt f. City’s Participation in Class Action Settlement Agreements with Tyco Fire Products LP and BASF Corporation. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve g. Appointment to the Senior Citizens’ Commission (Assistance League of Arcadia). CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Make Appointment to Fill Unexpired Term h. Professional Services Agreement with the City of Glendale for crime laboratory services for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods at the City Manager’s discretion, in an amount not to exceed $75,000 plus a $5,000 contingency over the initial three-year period. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Waive Formal Bid Process and Approve i. Amendment to the existing Professional Services Agreement with SDI Presence LLC. to provide Geographic Information Systems (“GIS”) consulting and related technical assistance in the amount of $126,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve j. Contract with Gentry Brothers Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Pavement Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $2,160,253.79, with a 4% contingency. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve 5 09-17-2024 k. Purchase of 3,322.16 acre-feet of Imported Cyclic Storage Water from the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster in the amount of $3,342,092.96. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve l. Accept all work performed by General Pump Company, Inc. for the Inspection and Rehabilitation of the Orange Grove Well 2A Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve m. Accept all work performed by General Pump Company, Inc. for the Inspection and Rehabilitation of the Orange Grove Well 5 Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve Council Member Verlato pulled item 10.d for discussion. It was moved by Council Member Cheng, seconded by Council Member Verlato, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.a through 10.c and 10.e through 10.m. AYES: Cheng, Wang, Verlato, Kwan, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None Regarding Consent Calendar item 10.d – Adoption of Memorandums of Understanding (“MOUs”) for represented employee groups, Council Member Verlato expressed her concerns about the negative impact the adoption of the MOUs would have on the City, stating that their adoption would lead to a budget deficit. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Cao, seconded by Council Member Cheng to adopt: Resolution No. 7594 approving a Memorandum of Understanding establishing compensation and related benefits for employees represented by the Arcadia City Employees’ Association (“ACEA”) for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027; and Resolution No. 7597 approving a Memorandum of Understanding establishing compensation and related benefits for employees represented by the Arcadia Fire Fighters’ Association (“AFFA”) for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027; and Resolution No. 7595 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund Operating Budget authorizing a budget appropriation in the amount of $1,715,800 for costs associated with adoption of the Arcadia City Employees’ Association and the Arcadia Fire Fighters’ Association Memorandums of Understanding. AYES: Cao and Cheng NOES: Verlato, Wang, and Kwan ABSENT: None The motion failed on a 3-2 vote. Council Member Verlato left the meeting at 9:54 p.m. 6 09-17-2024 11. CITY MANAGER a. Presentation of the 2024 Arcadia Community Survey Results. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Receive and File Deputy City Manager Bruno presented the Staff Report. The presentation was received and filed by the City Council. 12. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 10:01 p.m. to Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. Linda Rodriguez City Clerk