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Home My WebLink About11/19/2024ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024 CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Cao called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. 2. INVOCATION — Pastor Terrence Shay, Arcadia Police Department Chaplain 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Gary Brewer, Army 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 held a Special Meeting to discuss the Elara Affordable Housing Project, located in the unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County; the Project Developer provided a presentation; and Public Comment was offered. No action was taken by the City Council, as the project is outside of the City's jurisdiction. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto announced that prior to the Special Meeting, a letter was received by Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office, in response to Mayor Cao and Council Member Cheng's letters on the Elara Affordable Housing Project; he further announced that the letters would be posted on the City's website for viewing. 7. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of 71 st Annual Arcadia Festival of Bands Proclamation. b. Informational update from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Executive Director. Marisa Creter, and Regional Housing Trust Manager Brielle Acevedo. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jessica Alvarenga, Public Affairs Manager, introduced herself as Arcadia's new liaison with the Southern California (SoCal) Gas Company. Kevin Mak, Arcadia resident, appeared and encouraged the City Council to create a career event to introduce students to government jobs and offer job placement assistance. Winnie Li-Mei Chan, through an interpreter, appeared and provided a copy of her claim to City Council along with information pertaining to the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and she expressed her concerns regarding a claim she has submitted to the City. The following members of the public appeared in opposition to the Elara Affordable Housing Project, located in the unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County at 4217 E. Live Oak Avenue. They raised concerns about the project's impact on the surrounding community, including issues 11-19-2024 related to safety, insufficient parking, management of the facility, privacy, its location, and the size and scale of the development: • Fang Yan Fan • Linda • Ricky Lau • Michelle Wu • Lucy Zhang • Jeff Chang • Susan Guo • Frank Romero • Carol Poh • Feng Lam Lin • Shaohua Liang • Hui Zhun • Daisy Guo • Qiuyun Huang • Belinda Xu • Angela Hui • Elizabeth Lau • John Song • Wang Yuxin Dong 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 provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City. Council Member Verlato provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; she encouraged the public to utilize the renovated Arcadia Women's Club for special events; she remarked on the new Military Banners along Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue; and discussed the delivery of Project Gratitude boxes to the veterans at Arcadia Gardens Assisted Living Facility. Council Member Verlato congratulated Congresswomen Judy Chu and Council Member Paul Cheng on their re-election to office, as well as incoming Council Member David Fu; she further read a statement regarding the Elara Project and proposed the City Council compose a letter to State legislators about Arcadia's concerns with Senate Bill 330, inquiring with City Attorney Maurer about potential legal options. In response to Council Member Verlato's question, City Attorney Maurer reported that there is no litigated path for the City to pursue to prevent developments like the Elara Project in Arcadia, as it is State Law that enables these projects. Council Member Verlato continued her report and expressed concerns over a recent Brown Act violation regarding the Elara Project, emphasizing the importance of taking precautionary measures in the future; she shared the importance of Council Members being united when issues of this nature impact the community; and asked City Attorney Maurer to speak about the purpose of the Brown Act and how to resolve any violations that occurred. City Attorney Maurer announced that the Brown Act is the State's Open Meeting Law, which requires elected officials to hold a meeting and follow the posted agenda, whenever three or more City Council Members are present; and he spoke about exceptions to the Brown Act like social gatherings and events hosted by an outside party. City Attorney Maurer indicated that the Council Members who attended the Elara Project community meeting did not take any action, as it is a County project, and the meeting was hosted by an outside party; he further announced that any potential violation has since been cured with the City Council holding its own Special Meeting on the same topic earlier in the evening. Mayor Cao provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; and he asked City Attorney Maurer to clarify the actions needed to cure an inadvertent Brown Act violation through Council Member attendance at a community meeting. In response to Mayor Cao's question, City Attorney Maurer explained that the Brown Act is a "Sunshine Law"; he responded that the cure is transparency; and further explained that the way 2 11-19-2024 to address any type of violation is to redo whatever was done, but in a open setting that follows an agenda, just like the one provided for the Special Meeting this evening. Thus, any potential Brown Act violations regarding the Elara Project have been cured through the public meetings held by the City Council tonight. Council Member Wang announced November is Native American Heritage Month; she congratulated the re-elected and newly elected Council Members; she provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; she explained how she came to attend the community meeting on the Elara Project; she thanked all the residents that attended the City Council Meeting and remarked on the impact the Elara project will have on the City. Council Member Cheng expressed his disappointment with the elimination of local control by the California State Legislature; he announced that City has an informational page on its website regarding the Elara Affordable Housing Project; he expressed his gratitude to all veterans for their service; he thanked his Council Member colleagues, especially Council Member Verlato for all her years of service to the City; and he wished the community Happy Holidays. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meetinq Minutes of October 15, 2024. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Resolution No. 7603 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program am Budget and authorizing a budget appropriation for the Police Department Cooling Tower Project in the amount of $213,788.40, offset by a reduction in the Capital Outlay Fund: and contract with Carrier Corporation for refurbishment of the Police De artment Cooling Tower in the amount of $193,798.40. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Adopt and Approve c. Resolution No. 7604 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Equipment Replacement Budget and authorizing a budget appropriation for the purchase of vehicle outfitting supplies and services in the amount of $346,153.17, offset by a reduction in the Equipment Fund; and Purchase Order with Black & White Emergency Vehicles, LLC for vehicle outfitting supplies and services in the amount of 346 153.17. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt and Approve d. Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering for Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Housing Rehabilitation Program Management and Administrative Services in the amount of $49,150, plus a 10% contin_gency. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve e. Professional Services Agreement with Friedman Imaq q for Records Scanning and Digitization Services in an amount not to exceed $90,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 3 11-19-2024 Professional Services Agreement with Revize, LLC for Website Design and Content Management System Services in an amount not to exceed $53.900. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve g. Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Evidence.com and Axon Capture Subscription Services for a five-year period in an amount not to exceed $111, 329. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Waive the Formal Bid Process and Approve h. Extension to the Contract with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for annual tree trimming, tree removal and replacement services in the amount of $437,080. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve Participation in the Energized Communities Program by Clean Power Alliance. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve Purchase Order with Amazon for equipment and supplies in the amount of $160,000, with the option to renew for two (2) additional years. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve k. Change Order to increase the Purchase Order with Ingram for Library materials in the amount of $75,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve I. City, Water and Sewer Rates for Calendar Year 2025. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Receive and File m. Accept all work performed by Carrier Corporation for the installation of HVAC Split Systems at the Police Department as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve n. Accept all work performed by Carrier Corporation for the Police De artment Chiller Replacement Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve Council Member Verlato pulled Item 10.c for separate discussion. It was moved by Council Member Verlato, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.a, 10.b, and items 10.d through 10.n. AYES: Verlato, Kwan, Cheng, Wang, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 4 11-19-2024 ABSTAIN: Verlato (Item 10.h only due to accepting a campaign donation from an involved party) Regarding Consent Calendar Item 10.c, Council Member Verlato inquired about why the cost of outfitting police vehicles is significantly higher this year compared to previous years. City Manager Lazzaretto explained that, due to the pandemic, the Public Works Services Department experienced a backlog in acquiring police vehicles; he noted that manufacturers were not producing vehicles during the pandemic, which led to supply chain delays and the subsequent purchase of 14 vehicles this year, which represents three fiscal years' worth of needed vehicles; he further explained that these vehicles also need to be outfitted before being placed in service, resulting in higher costs for outfitting supplies and services, which ultimately impact the Equipment Replacement Fund. It was moved by Council Member Verlato, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 10.c. AYES: Verlato, Kwan, Cheng, Wang, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 10. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 9:21 p.m. to Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ATTEST: i� City Clerk W1 t clk4 (6tu Mayor of the City of Arcadia 5 11-19-2024