HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11a - Regular Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2025 1 05-06-2025
ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Kwan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION – Pastor Andre Bribiesca, Vessel Calvary Chapel Arcadia
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Arlene Weiss, 2024 Arcadia Senior of the Year
4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT: Cao, Cheng, Fu, Wang, and Kwan
ABSENT: None
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b), Council Member Fu will be attending the City
Council Meeting via teleconferencing from the Petit Palace Plaza Mayor Hotel, Calle Mayor 46 –
28013 – Madrid, Spain, at 4:00 a.m., and notice was properly posted as required by law.
5. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA
ITEMS
City Manager Lazzaretto announced that Council Member Fu is participating via teleconference;
he indicated that due to the time difference, he recommended advancing City Manager Item 10.a
to after the Presentations section of the meeting, to allow Council Member Fu to actively
participate in discussion.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation of the Senior of the Year plaque to Arlene Weiss.
b. Presentation of an adoptable dog by Kevin McManus of the Pasadena Humane
Society.
c. Presentation of Mayor’s Certificate of Commendation to Grace Cheung for her
dedication as a community leader and business owner.
d. Presentation of the 2025 Spring Home Awards.
City Manager Item 10.a. was moved to this section of the agenda.
10. CITY MANAGER
a. Report, discussion, and direction regarding an LA28 Olympics Ad-Hoc Committee.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Provide Direction
City Manager Lazzaretto presented the staff report and Council Member Cao explained his
proposal to form an LA28 Olympics Ad-Hoc Committee.
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A motion was made by Council Member Cao, seconded by Council Member Fu, to establish an
LA28 Olympics Ad-Hoc Committee appointing Council Member Cao and Council Member Fu as
members of the committee.
Following City Council discussion, a substitute motion was made by Council Member Cheng to
establish two LA28 Olympic Ad-Hoc Committees, with two different Council Members appointed
to each.
After further discussion, Council Member Cao sought a friendly amendment to Council Member
Cheng’s motion to establish two separate LA28 Olympic Ad-Hoc Committees – one focused on
stakeholders and community events, and one focused on issues related to the built environment,
such as traffic, transportation, public safety and banners.
After further discussion, a second substitute motion was made by Mayor Kwan, which seconded
by Mayor Pro Tem Wang, to establish an LA28 Olympics Ad-Hoc Committee, appointing Mayor
Pro Tem Wang and Mayor Kwan as members of the committee. A roll call vote was held on Mayor
Kwan’s substitute motion with the following results:
AYES: Kwan and Wang
NOES: Cao, Cheng, and Fu
ABSENT: None
The substitute motion failed on a 2-3 vote.
A roll call vote was held on Council Member Cheng’s amended substitute motion that was
seconded by Council Member Cao to form two separate LA28 Olympic Ad-Hoc Committees –
one focused on stakeholders and community events, and one focused on issues related to the
built environment, such as traffic, transportation, public safety, and banners – with the following
results:
AYES: None
NOES: Cheng, Cao, Fu, Wang, and Kwan
ABSENT: None
The amended motion failed unanimously.
Following further discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Cheng, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to bring this item back at a future Study Session for
further discussion.
AYES: Cheng, Wang, Cao, Fu, and Kwan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The original motion made by Council Member Cao and seconded by Council Member Fu to
establish an LA28 Olympics Ad-Hoc Committee was not voted on.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lisa Schirz, Board Member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, appeared and thanked the
City Council for their ongoing support. She announced that the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
will be hosting the following upcoming events: May 7, Thrive in 2025 Marketing Series; May 14,
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USC Arcadia Hospital – State of the Hospital; May 15, “Rise & Shine” at Santa Anita Park,
Chandelier Room; May 21, Multi-Chamber MIX at Le Méridien; and May 22, Networking at Noon
at The Derby and the Ribbon Cutting for BMO Bank.
Oliva Tan, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns about the environmental
impact of the Arcadia Town Center project and future developments; she expressed her concerns
that the interests of developers are being prioritizing over the needs of the community; she urged
the City Council to reconsider this approach by holding developers accountable for their projects’
impacts on the community and ensuring that resident concerns are heard and addressed.
April Verlato, former Arcadia Mayor, appeared and expressed her disappointment with the recent
dialogue on the City Council; she congratulated Mayor Kwan on her appointment to Mayor; and
she made reference to legal matters from 2018, citing a lawsuit filed by the Arcadia Police Civilian
Employees’ Association against the City.
In response to Ms. Verlato’s public comment and questions, Mayor Kwan requested City Manager
Lazzaretto provide additional background on the matter. City Manager Lazzaretto noted the legal
precedence set through the Flores vs. City of San Gabriel case, which was decided by the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals, and provided a brief overview of the 2018 lawsuit Arcadia encountered
as a result of that ruling.
8. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from
the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]).
Council Member Fu reflected on the passing of Pope Francis, highlighting the Pope’s acts of
service throughout his papacy; he noted the similarity between the Pope’s philosophy and the
principles of public service; he reminded his colleagues of their responsibility to serve the City; he
expressed his appreciation for Council Member Cheng’s desire for unity; and he reaffirmed his
commitment to working together through differences on the City Council.
Mayor Kwan explained the significance of Senate Bill 634, sharing reasons for her continued
opposition and that she will be submitting another letter to Senator Pérez indicating her position;
she reflected on the Eaton Fire and encouraged residents to attend the upcoming community
meeting hosted by the Arcadia Fire Department on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps, occurring
on May 19; and she requested Fire Chief Suen provide more information about the meeting.
In response to Mayor Kwan’s request, Fire Chief Suen provided an overview of topics scheduled
for discussion at the meeting, noting that City staff from the Building Division and Public Works
Services will also be present to answer any questions.
Council Member Cao provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending
as a representative of the City; and announced that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month.
Council Member Cheng thanked his colleagues for the passion and expertise they bring to the
City, as well as their continued support.
Mayor Pro Tem Wang provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be
attending as a representative of the City. She mentioned receiving complaints regarding
commercial signage and code enforcement in the Baldwin District, and expressed wanting to
study that topic and the monitoring of large development projects further; she requested City
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Council support to place an item on a future agenda on these topics. Mayor Kwan and Council
Member Cheng concurred.
Mayor Kwan expressed concerns regarding her treatment from her colleagues; she encouraged
her colleagues to remain fair, respectful, and to work together through their differences.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2025.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
b. Ordinance No. 2404 amending the Arcadia Municipal Code by adding Part 10 to
Chapter 2 of Article II (Administration Code) to establish the Arcadia Health
Commission.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
c. Mayor’s appointments of City Council Members to City boards, commissions, and
outside agencies.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Receive and File
d. Contract with Gentry Brothers, Inc. for the Second Avenue Arterial Pavement
Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $616,826.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Approve
e. Contract with Carrier Corporation for the Library Cooling Tower Replacement Project
in the amount of $199,775.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Approve
f. Contract with American Pipeline Services for the Valve Replacement Project in the
amount of $92,950.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Approve
g. Extension to the Professional Services Agreement with Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC
for laboratory testing services of City water samples in an amount not to exceed
$116,830.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
h. Purchase Order with 72 Hour LLC dba National Auto Fleet Group for the purchase of
two 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Patrol Utility Vehicles in the amount of $117,265.48.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
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i. Extension to the Purchase Order with Black & White Emergency Vehicles, LLC for the
purchase of vehicle outfitting supplies and services in the amount of $156,965.45.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
j. Authorize payment to the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Watershed Management Joint
Powers Authority for the annual Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program cost
share in the amount of $220,828.96.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
k. Final Tract Map No. 84023 for the subdivision of an eight-unit, multi-family residential
condominium development at 826-830 Sunset Boulevard.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Approve
It was moved by Council Member Cao, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll
call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 9.a through 9.k.
AYES: Cao, Wang, Cheng, Fu, and Kwan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 9:41 p.m. to Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., in the Arcadia
Public Library Auditorium.
Linda Rodriguez
City Clerk