HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/2025ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Kwan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. INVOCATION - Reverend Jolene Cadenbach, Arcadia Congregational Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Reverend Jolene Cadenbach, Arcadia Congregational
Church
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
Closed Session to discuss the one item listed on the posted agenda; he explained that, under
Government Code Section 54656.9(e), the facts and circumstances giving rise to the Closed
Session were announced prior to the meeting; he further indicated that, as listed on the
agenda under subsection (3) of subdivision (e), written notice of a threat of litigation was
provided and made available as a public record; he stated that no reportable action was
taken; and noted that Mayor Kwan was not in attendance and would have had a conflict of
interest had she attended the Special Meeting.
6. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA
ITEMS
City Manager Lazzaretto recommended the City Council move City Manager Item 10.a earlier
in the agenda order, to follow Item 8. Public Comment.
Mayor Kwan declined the request.
Council Member Cao asked a question regarding City Council meeting proceedings, which
was answered by City Attorney Maurer.
A motion was made by Council Member Cao, seconded by Council Member Fu, to move City
Manager Item 10.a earlier in the agenda order, following Public Comment.
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In response, Mayor Kwan cited Arcadia Municipal Code Section 2126.3, which authorizes
removal from a City Council meeting by the Chief of Police for disruptive conduct, and
encouraged the City Council to follow the order of the posted agenda.
City Attorney Maurer clarified that the motion was procedural in nature and that, if approved
by a majority vote, the City Council could rearrange the agenda. Mayor Kwan declined to
recognize the motion and the second by Council Members Cao and Fu.
Council Member Fu called for the question. Mayor Kwan declined to recognize the question
before the City Council.
City Attorney Maurer clarified that this is a procedural motion and through a majority vote
of the City Council, the agenda can be reordered. Mayor Kwan stated that she would not
recognize the motion on the floor.
City Manager Lazzaretto reiterated that there was a duly made motion and second on a
procedural item, and that the next appropriate step would be to call the question. Mayor
Kwan again indicated that she would not recognize the motion before the Council.
7. PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation of an adoptable dog by Kevin McManus of the Pasadena Humane
Society.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following speakers appeared and expressed their opposition to the proposed censure
of Mayor Kwan:
Sanjay Kucheria
John C. Phillips
Ky Cheng
Benny Yee
Shahnawaz Ahmag
Cory Briggs
Murli Tolaney
Nadar Samaan
Dominico Tallerico
Angela
Stephanie Aikin
Christine Yee
Dave Lillie, an Arcadia resident, appeared and explained that both he and his wife received
parking citations; he noted his citation was dismissed while his wife's was not, and he
inquired into the different outcomes.
In response to Mr. Lillie's inquiry, City Manager Lazzaretto requested that Mr. Lillie provide
his contact information to City staff, so the matter could be reviewed.
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Angela Hui, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed her concerns over the continued
dialogue at City Council meetings; and she encourage the City Council to work together.
9. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from
the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AS 12341).
City Attorney Maurer responded to the question on the table regarding meeting order and
procedure, per Section 2123.2 of the Arcadia Municipal Code. City Manager Lazzaretto
reiterated the City Attorneys reading of the Arcadia Municipal Code.
Further discussion ensued regarding the motion to move City Manager Item 10.a following
Public Comment. Council Member Fu requested clarification on what constitutes a meeting
disruption. City Attorney Maurer responded that a procedural motion from the City Council
does not constitute a meeting disruption. The motion did not carry.
The City Council recessed at 8:06 p.m. and reconvened at 8:10 p.m.
Council Member Fu had no comments.
Council Member Cao had no comments.
Council Member Cheng cited Arcadia Municipal Code Section 2123.2; he stated that he
believed the proceedings were in violation of the Municipal Code and declined to speak.
Mayor Pro Tern Wang thanked the speakers for their comments; she noted 50 emails
received from residents in support of censuring Mayor Kwan; she read into the record two
emails from former Arcadia Mayors, Tom Beck and Mickey Segal, and provided a statement
in response to those emails.
Mayor Kwan provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending
as a representative of the City.
10. CITY MANAGER
a. Resolutions considering a Mayoral censure and adoption of Rules of Procedure
and Decorum for the Arcadia City Council.
Resolution No. 7649 to formally censure Mayor Sharon Kwan.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: No Staff Recommendation
Resolution No. 7652 to adopt a policy establishing Rules of Procedure and
Decorum.
CEQA: Not a Project
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Recommended Action: Adopt
City Manager Lazzaretto presented the Staff Report. A discussion ensued and City Attorney
Maurer responded to comments and questions posed by the City Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Fu, seconded by Council Member Cheng, to restore
order to the meeting and to direct that Mayor Kwan refrain from allowing her attorney to
address the City Council without statutory or Arcadia Municipal Code authority. The motion
was approved by a majority of the City Council.
It was moved by Council Member Fu, seconded by Council Member Cao, that Mayor Kwan
recognize Mr. Briggs as out of order and disrupting the meeting, and that he be removed
from the Council Chambers. The motion did not carry.
The City Council recessed at 8:52 p.m. and reconvened at 9:01 p.m.
After further discussion, it was moved by Council Member Fu, seconded by Council Member
Cao, and carried on a roll call vote to appeal Mayor Kwan's request to reopen Public
Comment.
AYES:
Fu, Cao, Cheng, and Wang
NOES:
None
ABSTAIN:
Kwan
After further discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Fu, seconded by Mayor Pro
Tern Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to adopt:
Resolution No. 7649 to formally censure Mayor Sharon Kwan, with an amendment to add
Section 8 to the Resolution; Section 8 of Resolution No. 7649 is to include a stay of the
enforcement of the consequences prescribed in Section 4., items (i), (ii), (iii). The stay shall be
in place until a Council Member makes a motion for the stay to be lifted, the matter is added
to the agenda of the next City Council meeting, and is approved by a simple majority of the
City Council. The stay may be lifted if Mayor Kwan's future conduct falls within the scope of
the findings listed in Exhibit "A" of Resolution No. 7649, or is found to be inconsistent with
the adopted rules of procedure and decorum specified in Resolution No. 7652; and
Resolution No. 7652 to adopt a policy establishing Rules of Procedure and Decorum.
AYES: Fu, Wang, Cao, and Cheng
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Kwan
11. ADJOURNMENT
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It was moved by Council Member Fu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Wang, and placed on a
roll call vote to adjourn the meeting.
AYES:
Fu, Wang, Cao, and Cheng
NOES:
Kwan
ABSENT:
None
The City Council adjourned at 9:12 p.m. to Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., in the
City Council Conference Room. 1
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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