HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/2024ARCADIA 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 Aooeal 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.
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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 Tern 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 Tern 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.
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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 Tern 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.
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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
1496 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 Slung 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
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Accept all work performed by California Coast Carpet & Flooring for the Fire Station
105 and Fire Station 106 Carpet Replacement Proiect 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.
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
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Mayor of the City of Arcadia
5 10-15-2024