Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/2025ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Kwan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION - Reverend Eva Thai -Erwin, Church of the Good Shepherd 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Reverend Eva Thai -Erwin, Church of the Good Shepherd 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cao, Cheng, Fu, Wang, and Kwan 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 Study Session to discuss the two items listed on the posted agenda. Regarding the first item, City Attorney Maurer stated that the City Council received a presentation on the City's proposed water and sewer rates for calendar years 2026 through 2030; he noted that no action was taken, and that this item will be brought back to the City Council for consideration at the October 7 meeting. Regarding the second item, City Attorney Maurer reported that the City Council discussed potential opportunities to collaborate with veterans organizations in the region and to explore ways the City could extend related services; he further reported that, on a 5-0 vote, the City Council approved a motion to establish a City Council Subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tern Wang and Council Member Cheng, to investigate these opportunities and report back with findings in six months. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report. 7. PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of Mayor's Certificate of Commendation to Moffett's Family Restaurant in celebration of 50 years in Arcadia. 1 08-19-2025 b. Presentation of Mayor's Certificate of Commendation to Sarah Li in recognition of her volunteer work and scoutin accomplishments. c. Presentation of Mayor's Certificates of Commendation to the Arcadia High School Badminton Team for winning the Almont League and the Southern Section Open Division Championship titles. d. Presentation of Mayor's Certificate of Commendation to Olivia Tan for her strength and courage. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dave Grohl appeared and commended Mayor Kwan and former Mayor April Verlato for their dedication to the City; and expressed concerns over Council Member Fu's actions towards a public speaker at a prior meeting. William Goldsmith appeared and expressed their concerns regarding Council Member Fu's statements during the meeting on June 3. Pat Smear appeared and expressed disappointment in statements made by Council Member Fu during the meeting on June 3. Simran Khinda, owner of All India Cafe, appeared and promoted his restaurant, encouraging the community to visit. Donna Choi, Executive Director of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association, appeared and provided a recap of the Patriotic Festival and drone show; she thanked the City for its support; and distributed a handout highlighting reasons to open a business in Downtown Arcadia, along with information on upcoming events. Sina Mohajer, President of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, appeared and announced that the Chamber will be hosting the following upcoming events: August 21, "Rise and Shine" at Matt Denny's; August 27, 'The Mix" at Dave & Buster's; August 28, "Networking at Noon" at The Derby; and September 13, Taste of Arcadia at the Santa Anita Park. Donna McCreadie, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns regarding traffic safety on Michillinda Avenue; and inquired about the appropriate contact to address the issue. In response to Ms. McCreadie's inquiry, City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that City Engineer Merrill is working with the City of Pasadena to review the traffic history and explore potential solutions for the particular area she mentioned; and he clarified that most of Michillinda Avenue is under the City of Pasadena or Los Angeles County's control; however, Arcadia will continue to work with the applicable agencies to address resident safety concerns. 2 08-19-2025 9. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 12341). Mayor Kwan announced that President Trump recently issued an Executive Order on the removal of homeless encampments; she requested City Council support to place an item on a future agenda to discuss a total ban on overnight camping. City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that City staff is working to modify Arcadia's camping ordinance to reflect recent court rulings and updated guidance from state and federal agencies, to present to the City Council for review and consideration at a future date. Mayor Kwan requested City Council support to place an item on the next agenda to consider conducting an independent financial audit. City Manager Lazzaretto clarified that the City contracts with an independent firm to conduct its annual financial audit at the end of each fiscal year, as required by law; and he offered to provide copies of those audits and any related financial reports to Mayor Kwan. Mayor Kwan provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City. Council Member Fu shared a story of an Arcadia resident confronting a burglar and requested that Chief Nakamura provide more information on the incident. Chief Nakamura reported that this incident is believed to be a random occurrence and not a targeted case; he reminded the community to follow the "if you see something, say something" approach; he offered safety tips for situations of this nature; and reiterated that Arcadia remains safe and the Police Department continues its efforts to combat burglaries. Council Member Fu shared details of a recent LA28 Olympics meeting he attended; he addressed comments made by Mayor Kwan at the May 6 and May 20 City Council meetings; and he made a public records request for the original electronic version of the Mayor's response to his Council Comments at the May 20 meeting, as read from her cell phone. Council Member Fu provided audio clips of Mayor Kwan from prior City Council Meetings, as well as email communication from Mayor Kwan for display during the meeting. Mayor Kwan addressed Council Member Fu's comments and requested Council Member Cao proceed with his report. Council Member Fu moved to have Mayor Kwan recognize him to complete his statements, supported by Council Members Cao and Cheng. 3 08-19-2025 A motion was made by Council Member Fu to hold a special Meeting on August 26, 2025, to consider the censure of Mayor Kwan. The motion was supported by Council Members Cao and Cheng. City Attorney Maurer clarified that the motion to consider the censure of Mayor Kwan on a future meeting agenda carried, and that he would verify if requirements for calling a Special Meeting had been met. City Attorney Maurer later confirmed that the City's Charter requirements for calling a Special Meeting had been met with the three affirmative votes from Council Members Cao, Cheng, and Fu. Council Member Cao announced that August 7 is Purple Heart Day and explained the significance of the military award; and he addressed comments made by Mayor Kwan's daughter regarding military service at a previous meeting. Mayor Kwan responded to Council Member Cao's comments and emphasized the importance of differing opinions among Council Members and maintaining transparency. Council Member Cao clarified for the record that Mayor Kwan's daughter is an adult and that Mayor Kwan did not offer an apology. Council Member Cheng expressed his concerns in learning that some Council Members have declined to meet with staff regarding City business; he noted his frustration over the recent dialogue at City Council meetings; he commended City staff for their dedication and service to the community; he shared a story about a local family's dream of coming to America; and he affirmed that the City Council will continue to serve the community with the support and guidance of City staff. Mayor Pro Tern Wang provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a representative of the City; she thanked City staff for their dedication to the community; she emphasized the City Council's duty to serve the community; and she thanked all veterans for their service. Mayor Kwan stated for the record that the motion to censure her is an act of retaliation by Council Member Fu for the sexual harassment complaint she filed against him. City Manager Lazzaretto confirmed with the City Council that the Special Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 10. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meeting Minutes of July 15 2025. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 4 08-19-2025 b. Resolution No. 7645 establishing subsequent arrest notifications and criminal background checks with the Department of justice for State level of services. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt c. Resolution No. 7646 determining the amount of revenue to be raised from property taxes for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to pay for the debt service on the 2021 General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Series Bond Measure A and Series Police Station Project). CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt d. Designation of Voting Delegates for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Designate Mayor Sharon Kwan as the Voting Delegate and Mayor Pro Tern Eileen Wang as the Alternate e. Professional Services Agreement with Phoenix Information Services Group for False Alarm Program Management Services for Fiscal Years 2025-26 through 2027-28, with the option of three one-year renewals. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve f. Professional Services Agreement and Purchase Order with Galls, LLC, for the purchase of Police Department uniforms in an amount not to exceed $81,000 Per year, for the period of July 1. 2025, through March 25 2028 with the option of three one year renewals. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve g. Kizh Nation Monitoring Services Agreement for the Goldring Well and PFAS Treatment Plant Project, and authorize payment to the Kizh Nation for monitorine in an amount not to exceed $51.700. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve h. Renewal of the Agreement with Tyler Technologies for the EnerGov Program for asset management permit tracking, and community development software for three years, in the amount of $240,771.52 for years 2025-26, including a 5%0 annual escalator. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 5 08-19-2025 Contract with California Professional Engineering. Inc. for the Downtown Lighting Improvement Project in the amount of 1247,000, including a 10% contingency, utilizing American Rescue Plan Act_("ARPA") Funds. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve j. Extension to the Contract with General Pump Company, Inc. to provide unscheduled maintenance and emergency repair of City wells and pumps in an amount not to exceed $130.410. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve k. Reject low bid from All Cities Engineering. Inc., and award a contract to Ramona, Inc. for the Sewer Main Replacement Program in the amount of $865,000, with a 10% contingency. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve I. Purchase Orders with Walters Wholesale Electric and Swarco, Inc. for the purchase of new traffic signal poles and 13 new traffic signal cabinets for the Las Tunas Drive - Live Oak Avenue Traffic Signals Synchronization Program 'TSSP" and Miscellaneous Traffic Signal Improvement Projects, in the amount of $486,227.27. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve m. Purchase Order with Resilient Communications. Inc. for the purchase of core network switching equipment from Cisco Systems in the amount of $67,000. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve n. Change Order to the Purchase Order with HydroPro Solutions for the purchase of data lop, radio read water meter dials in the amount of $82 204.50. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve It was moved by Council Member Cao, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 11.a through 11.n. AYES: Cao, Wang, Cheng, Fu, and Kwan NOES: None ABSENT: None 6 08-19-2025 12. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 9:40 p.m. to Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.rT,?., in the City Council Conference Room. ATTEST: 1, 1 City Clerk Ma( or of the City of Arcadia 7 08-19-2025