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Home My WebLink About01/21/2025ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Cao called the Closed Session to order at 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Fu, Wang, Kwan, and Cao ABSENT: 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 Whittier, et al. v. Los Angeles Superior Court, et al, Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. 23STCP03579. b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.E to confer with labor negotiators. Agency Designated Representatives: City Attorney Michael Maurer Unrepresented Employee: City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto. The Closed Session ended at 6:58 p.m. No reportable action was taken on the Closed Session items. Regular Meeting City Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Cao called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. 2. INVOCATION — Pastor Terrence Shay, Arcadia Police Department Chaplain 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Steve Sherman, Navy Veteran and Arcadia Resident 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Fu, 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 Closed Session to discuss the two items listed on the posted agenda and that no reportable action was taken. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report. 01-21-2025 7. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation to former Arcadia High School student Nicole Ho in recognition of being crowned Miss Asia USA 2025. b. Presentation of a $15,000 donation from the Friends of the Museum for an archival quality veterans exhibit case for the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage. 8. PUBLIC HEARING a. Resolution No. 7610 authorizing an amendment to the Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funds for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to add an Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") Curb Ramp Proiect; and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County_ Develo ment Authority "LACDA" . CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt City Manager Lazzaretto provided background information about Public Hearing Items a. and b. and Management Analyst Brogan presented the staff report. Mayor Cao opened the Public Hearing - no one appeared. Mayor Cao closed the Public Hearing. A motion was made by Council Member Fu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Kwan, and carried on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 7610 authorizing an amendment to the Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funds for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to add an Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") Curb Ramp Project; and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Development Authority ("LACDA"). AYES: Fu, Kwan, Cheng, Wang, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None b. Resolution No. 7611 authorizina the allocation of Communitv Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funds for Fiscal Year 2025-26, and approving a_ Statement of Obiectives and Projects for use of CDBG funds. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt and Approve Management Analyst Brogan presented the staff report. Mayor Cao opened the Public Hearing — no one appeared. Mayor Cao closed the Public Hearing. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Kwan, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 7611 authorizing the allocation of Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funds for Fiscal Year 2025-26, and approving a Statement of Objectives and Projects for use of CDBG funds. 2 01-21-2025 AYES: Kwan, Wang, Cheng, Fu, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS Kevin Mak, an Arcadia resident, appeared and spoke about the importance of increasing cultural diversity in the City's Fire Department, specifically by hiring more Asian American firefighters; he highlighted the benefits of diversity in the workforce; he noted a previous proposal he made at a City Council Meeting to host a career event for 8th graders and provided a handout with more information on the proposed event. Donna Choi, Executive Director of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association, appeared and invited everyone to attend the Lunar New Year Festival in Downtown Arcadia, on February 2, 2025; she indicated that a fundraiser has been created to support members of the Arcadia Unified School District affected by the Eaton Fire; she noted the partnerships in support of the fundraiser; that Steve Rhee, Chair of the Association, has donated $10,000; and she encouraged everyone to support the event and contribute to the fundraiser. April Verlato, former Arcadia Mayor and current member of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association, appeared and emphasized the unique opportunity to support members of the Arcadia Unified School District who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire; she encouraged everyone to attend the Lunar New Year Festival and contribute to the fundraiser; and she noted that $60,000 has already been raised. Michelle Wu appeared and requested that Council Member Wang resign from office, expressing her reasons why Council Member Wang should step down. 10. 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 spoke about the devastation caused by the wildfires; she noted that insurance companies have limited or eliminated fire coverage for homes in designated fire zones; she commented on the financial impact this has on homeowners; and she requested City Council place an item on a future agenda to discuss allocating funding to hire wildfire prevention experts to evaluate Arcadia's wildfire and mudslide risk, and advise on prevention efforts through building safety and land management practices. Mayor Pro Tern Kwan's request failed to obtain the required support from two additional City Council Members (Council Member Wang concurred). Mayor Pro Tern Kwan concluded her comments by emphasizing the importance of fire prevention. Council Member Fu expressed appreciation for Mayor Pro Tern Kwan's concerns regarding future wildfire risks, but suggested the capability to perform this work already exists within City departments; he thanked Ms. Choi for sharing that members of the Arcadia Unified School District were impacted by the Eaton Fire; he thanked first responders, City staff, and the community for their efforts during the local emergency; and he expressed his condolences for the passing of Morley Helfand. Council Member Cheng shared photographs of the damage caused by the Eaton Fire and noted that members of the City Council visited the burned areas. He shared a story about an individual impacted by the fires who is helping others by gathering items for donation; he expressed gratitude to the Calvary Chapel and the Masonic Temple for their support; he provided words of encouragement to residents that may be experiencing hardship; and he thanked the first responders, City staff, and the community for their efforts in protecting the City. 3 01-21-2025 Council Member Wang thanked Ms. Verlato and Ms. Choi for the invitation to the Lunar New Year Festival; she noted that her prayers are with the City of Pasadena and explained her support for Mayor Pro Tern Kwan's request, emphasizing the importance of being prepared; she gave a statement addressing an incident that occurred last month involving a federal investigation; she encouraged everyone to attend the Lunar New Year Festival; and urged support for the fundraiser supporting members of the Arcadia Unified School District. Mayor Cao highlighted the community's favorable outcome against the Eaton Fire and thanked residents for their cooperation; he shared that the City Council visited the incident command post and toured the burned areas in Altadena; he explained the disaster response process and the partnerships formed through mutual aid agreements; and he thanked first responders and City staff for their efforts during the Eaton Fire, and emphasized the importance of unity. 11. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2024, and Special Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2025. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Resolution No. 7614 authorizing a budget appropriation in the amount of $60,000 (year one cost) from the Asset Seizure Fund,• and approving the Professional Services Agreement with Peregrine Technologies. Inc. for Data Integration Services for a five- year period, in an amount not to exceed $300,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt and Approve c. Donation from the Estate of Robert G. Low for the purchase of books for children and young readers in the amount of $12,926.28. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Accept d. Donation from the Friends of the Museum for a Veterans Archival Exhibit Case for the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage in the amount of $15,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Accept e. Contract with PTM General Engineering Services, Inc. for the Baldwin Avenue at Lon den Avenue Traffic Signal Improvements and Traffic Signal Fiber Optics Network Extensions Proiect in the amount of $481,018,_plus a 10% contingency; and authorizing a payment of $168,435.70 for the City's portion of traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Live Oak Avenue. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve f. Extension to the Professional Services Agreement with Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. for Landscape Maintenance Services in the amount of 666 914.15. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve g. Clarification to Professional Services Agreements for On -Call Engineering Design Services with HR Green Pacific Inc. Kreuzer Consulting Group, and Psomas. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 4 01-21-2025 h. Authorize payment to the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Watershed Management Joint Powers Authority for the Reasonable Assurance Analysis "RAA" U date and Encanto Park Project in the amount of 557 486.54. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Authorize and Approve i. Accept all work performed by KYA Services LLC for the installation of new netting at Arcadia Par 3 as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve j. Accept all work performed by Ace Construction. Inc. for the Baseball Field Bleacher Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Council Member Wang, seconded by Council Member Fu, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 11.a through 11 J. AYES: Wang, Fu, Cheng, Kwan, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 12. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned in memory of Morley Helfand at 8:42 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. ATTEST: r City Clerk WLClf/l'd (V Mayor of the City of Arcadia 5 01-21-2025