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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10a - Regular Meeting Minutes of October 15, 2024 1 10-15-2024 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cao called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Council Member Paul Cheng 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Todd Kissel, Army Veteran and Arcadia Resident 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Verlato, Wang, Kwan, and Cao ABSENT: None 5. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto announced that the next City Council meeting is scheduled to occur on the night of the National Election and asked the City Council if they would like to cancel; with no objection from City Council, the November 5, 2024, City Council meeting was cancelled. 6. PRESENTATIONS a. Video presentation of the City of Arcadia’s Moon Festival with event partners, Arcadia Chinese Association and the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. 7. PUBLIC HEARING a. Review of the Business Permit and License Review Board’s denial of the Business License Revocation Appeal for Sphinx Mart located at 142 E. Huntington Drive. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 7602 denying the appeal and upholding the Business Permit and License Review Board’s decision to revoke the business license for Sphinx Mart located at 142 E. Huntington Drive Business License Officer Smith and Arcadia Police Detective St. Denis presented the Staff Report and findings City Attorney Maurer clarified that the Business Permit and License Review Board had reduced the prohibition on reapplying for a Business License from 12 months to 6 months, however, since this is a De Novo public hearing, the City Council has the ability to select the length of revocation to be enacted, if they so choose. Mayor Cao opened the Public Hearing for this item and invited the Business Owner (Appellant) to address the City Council with any statements. Negin Yamini, Attorney for the Appellant (business owner of Sphinx Mart), Saad Saadhom, appeared and shared the lessons Mr. Saadhom learned from these incidents; and she requested leniency on the revocation period, reducing it to 6 months or less, as the proceeds from the Sphinx Mart are her client’s primary source of income. 2 10-15-2024 Saad Saadhom, Appellant and business owner of Sphinx Mart, appeared and expressed his love for Arcadia and this Country; he asked the City Council for forgiveness, so that he may continue to provide for his family. Mayor Cao opened Public Comment for Public Hearing item 7.a. Susan Guo, Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns and her previous encounters with the owner of Sphinx Mart, as she was advised that he was selling tobacco to minors; she indicated that she is in support of the City taking action and revoking the Business License for 6 months, however, if he repeats these violations, she recommends that the City permanently revoke his Business License. Mayor Cao closed Public Comment and proceeded with City Council questions for the Appellant. Following City Council questions of the Appellant and their attorney, a motion to close the public hearing was made by Mayor Pro Tem Kwan, seconded by Council Member Verlato, and seeing no objection, Mayor Cao declared the Public Hearing closed. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Kwan, seconded by Council Member Verlato, and placed on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 7602, denying the appeal and upholding the decision to revoke the City’s business license for Sphinx Mart, and that Sphinx Mart business holder’s employees, agents, partners, directors, officers, controlling stockholders, or managers, not be allowed to apply for a new business license in the City of Arcadia for a period of 12 months from the date of this revocation appeal. AYES: Kwan, Verlato, Cheng, Wang, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None City Attorney Maurer announced for the record that there is no additional reconsideration of this matter as it was the City Council’s final decision adopted by Resolution, as such, the effective date is October 15, 2024. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Robert Bolster, Arcadia resident, appeared and posed a series of questions pertaining to the steps being taken to re-open Wilderness Park. Sonia Martin, Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns with the comments made by Lucy Zhang at the last City Council meeting, indicating the allegations made against her were false; and she asked residents to reflect on the Council Member they want to represent them. Edmund Liu, Arcadia resident, appeared and shared an alleged recording of Council Member Verlato expressing her support for tiny homes in Arcadia, followed by alleged public comments made by David Arvizu and Steven Rhee in support of Council Member Verlato’s position; he expressed his view that Council Member Verlato has engaged in a negative campaign tactics that cast first responders in a poor light; he further indicated that without strong support for public safety, crime will likely rise. Grace Lee, Arcadia resident, appeared and spoke about the joy being a substitute teacher brings her; she indicated that she is an author and a Christian Minister and shared her love of helping people. 3 10-15-2024 Lucy Zhang, Arcadia resident, appeared and spoke about the comments made by Sonia Martin; she stated that Council Member Verlato has a misleading campaign; and asked voters to consider City Council candidates that support Arcadia first responders. Angela, Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed concerns about Council Member Cheng’s campaign rally held on September 21; she indicated that she felt intimidated and bullied when approached by off-duty Police and Firefighters, and fears retaliation. Belinda Xu, Arcadia Business Owner, appeared and expressed her concerns for child safety for the project at 4217 Live Oak (Elara Project); she indicated that she is a preschool owner on Live Oak, and asked City Council to be mindful of child and community safety in Arcadia. Ricky Lau, Arcadia resident, appeared and shared his objections to the Elara Project; and he strongly urged the City to reconsider the Project until all concerns are addressed. Kevin Mak, Arcadia resident, appeared and urged the City Council to improve the tree coverage in the City; he asked the City to remove the Camphor trees and Ash trees and replace them with Chinese flame trees as they have better root structure that may cause less damage to pavement sidewalks. Jing Tung appeared and voiced her concerns about the Elara project; she urged the Arcadia City Council to work with Los Angeles County to encourage the Developer to be more transparent with the community. David Fu, Arcadia resident, appeared and commended the City Council for the Resolution passed earlier this year to support Proposition 36 on the November Ballot; and he thanked the City Council for working to make the community safer. Samuel Blumberg, a combat veteran, appeared and spoke about Council Member Cheng’s advocacy for public safety, and asked residents to consider Paul Cheng in the upcoming election. Susan Guo, Arcadia resident, appeared and shared her concerns that Council Member Verlato’s private newsletter contains false statements that distort facts for political gain; and she further indicated that the City’s priority should be public safety. 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 encouraged everyone to attend the 2024 Los Angeles Lantern Art Expo that runs from October 18 through November 17; and she provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City. Council Member Verlato invited all to sign-up for her private email newsletter. Council Member Cheng responded to the allegations made by residents that they felt harassed by off-duty first responders at his campaign rally; he addressed concerns about City finances in light of recent labor negotiations, and stated there is full transparency with City finances; he thanked first responders and veterans that have served for our Country; and he indicated that City Council has received inquiries about the Elara Project and asked for support from the Council to discuss this matter in a Study Session; Mayor Cao and Council Member Wang concurred. Council Member Wang provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; she expressed her gratitude to the Arcadia residents that reached out to City Council regarding the Elara Project, and indicated that their voices have been heard. 4 10-15-2024 Mayor Cao provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; he shared that a Mayor’s letter was sent to the Los Angeles County Development Authority and Supervisor Barger’s office to share the concerns of Arcadia residents regarding he Elara Project; he shared a news video regarding a series of robberies at various 7- Elevens’ and the importance of the City Council supporting initiatives like Proposition 36 that will help protect our community. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Special Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2024, and Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2024. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Resolution No. 7600 amending Resolution No. 7325, approving certain transfer agreements between the City of Arcadia and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the Safe, Clean Water Program – Municipal Program. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt c. Resolution No. 7601 approving and adopting an amended Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt d. Professional Services Agreement with Infrastructure Management Services for the Pavement Management Program in the amount of $75,749, with a 10% contingency. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve e. Extension to the Professional Services Agreement with ABM Industry Groups, LLC. for Janitorial and Porter Services at various City facilities in an amount not to exceed $496,682.80. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve f. Accept all work performed by American Asphalt South, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Annual Slurry Seal Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve g. Accept all work performed by R&R Roofing & Waterproofing, Inc. for the Reroof at Various City Facilities Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve h. Accept all work performed by Carrier Corporation for the Library Chiller Replacement Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve 5 10-15-2024 i. Accept all work performed by California Coast Carpet & Flooring for the Fire Station 105 and Fire Station 106 Carpet Replacement Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Council Member Cheng, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.a. through 10.i. AYES: Cheng, Wang, Kwan, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: Verlato 10. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 9:59 p.m. to Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. Rachelle Arellano Assistant City Clerk