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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/2025ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Cao called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION — Reverend Gina Milligan, Santa Anita Church 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Lee Shimmin, Army Veteran and Arcadia Resident 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cheng, Fu, Wang, Kwan, and Cao ABSENT: None 5. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report. 6. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of Mayor's Certificate of Commendation to Rio Hondo Prep Football for winning the 2024 CIF Division 7 Football Championship and Southern California Division 3A Championship. b. Presentation of Mayor's Certificates of Commendation to the 2025 Tournament of Roses Royal Court. 7. PUBLIC HEARING a. Direct the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner to abate nuisances upon those properties located in the City of Arcadia and approve the Annual Weed Abatement Property List. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve City Manager Lazzaretto 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 Cheng, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to direct the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner to abate nuisances upon those properties located in the City of Arcadia and approve the Annual Weed Abatement Property List. AYES: Cheng, Wang, Fu, Kwan, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 02-18-2025 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Oliva Tan, an Arcadia resident, appeared in support of Mayor Pro Tern Kwan's proposal, which was made during the February 4, 2025, Regular Meeting, to discuss a fire prevention plan, encouraging the City Council to place this item on a future agenda for discussion. Karie Horie, Arcadia business owner and Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Board Member, appeared and thanked the City Council and City staff for attending the Arcadia Chamber Excellence ("ACE") Award dinner. She announced that the Arcadia Chamber has the following upcoming events: Rise & Shine Arcadia Breakfast on February 20; Learning Lab on February 26; Networking at Noon, and Happy Hour Hop on February 27; she thanked the City Council for their partnership with the Arcadia Strong Grant Program and that more funds were raised to expand the program in response to the recent wildfires; and that the 3rd Annual Golf Classic is on May 1, encouraging everyone to attend. Michelle Wu, an Arcadia resident, appeared and requested that Council Member Wang resign from office, expressing her reasons why she should step down. April Verlato, Arcadia resident and former Mayor, appeared and referenced comments made by City staff and wildfire experts regarding the Eaton Fire; she shared a personal story about following expert advice and how it saved one home from the Pacific Palisades Fire; and she emphasized that Arcadia can do more, encouraging the City Council to have a discussion about improving wildfire protection for homes in Arcadia. Sonia, an Arcadia resident, appeared and commented on the February 4 City Council Meeting and Mayor Pro Tem Kwan's wildfire proposal; she expressed her disappointment over the lack of support for the Public Comments raised at the last meeting; she referenced statements from City staff and Council Members highlighting their differing views on the Eaton Fire in Arcadia; and she encouraged the City Council to support Mayor Pro Tern Kwan's request to agendize a discussion on wildfire preparedness. 9. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 9234]). Mayor Pro Tern Kwan acknowledged that the recent wildfires remain a concern for residents; she noted an article in which Southern California Edison ("SCE") reported its equipment may have ignited the Hurst Fire; she shared a photo from a resident showing a small SCE pole fire; she emphasized the need for the City Manager and the Public Works Services Department to assess the preventative measures SCE is taking to ensure public safety; she stressed the importance of taking a proactive approach to prevent future disasters; and she called for the community to come together in protecting the City. Council Member Fu announced that he attended the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Wildfire Relief Donation and Lunar New Year Reception; he commended the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce for the generous donation to the Arcadia Fire Department Foundation and the Arcadia Firefighters' Association; he expressed full confidence in the City's public safety professionals; he thanked City staff for their efforts during the recent rainstorm; and thanked Arcadia residents for working together to share important information during emergencies. Council Member Cheng shared encouraging stories for those going through tough times; he thanked Mayor Cao for having veterans lead the Pledge of Allegiance at City Council Meetings; and he expressed his gratitude towards his colleagues for their support. 2 02-18-2025 Council Member Wang thanked the speakers for sharing their concerns over the recent wildfires; she provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; she recognized the importance of President's Day; and thanked her colleagues and City staff for their efforts in keeping the City safe. Mayor Cao provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; he noted that July 4, 2026, will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and requested City Council support to place an item on a future agenda to discuss ways to honor this milestone; Council Member Wang and Council Member Fu concurred. 10. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2025. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Extension to the contract with Sheldon Mechanical Corporation for HVAC preventative maintenance and repair services at various City facilities in an amount not to exceed 313 798. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve c. Purchase Order with Flock Safety for renewal of the Automated License Plate Reader {"ALPR'") camera subscription "Phase 2") for Fiscal Year 2024-25 in an amount not to exceed $69,000. CEQA: Not a Project 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.c. AYES: Cheng, Wang, Fu, Kwan, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 11. CITY MANAGER a. Presentation of the General Fund Fiscal Year 2023-24 year ending result and Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid -Year Bud et review. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Receive and File City Manager Lazzaretto provided the PowerPoint presentation. After discussion, the presentation was received and filed by the City Council. b. Resolution No. 7620 incorporating the City of Arcadia Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ("LHMP") into the Safety Element of the Arcadia General Plan. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt Fire Chief Suen presented the staff report. 3 02-18-2025 A motion was made by Council Member Wang, seconded by Council Member Cheng, and carried. on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 7620 incorporating the City of Arcadia Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ("LHMP") into the Safety Element of the Arcadia General Plan. AYES: Wang, Cheng, Fu, Kwan, and Cao NOES: None ABSENT: None 12. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned in memory of longtime resident and volunteer Dorothy Denne at 8:57 p.m. to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor of the City of Arcadia 4 02-18-2025