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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08a - Special Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2025, and Regular Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2025 1 10-20-2025 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025 CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Kwan called the Special Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 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 participated via teleconference from the Blue Reef Island, Belize, at 7:00 p.m., and notice was properly posted as required by law. PUBLIC COMMENT – No one appeared. CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) to confer with legal counsel regarding the Workers’ Compensation matter of Michael Castro (Claim # 23- 175511/WCAB Case No. ADJ18386520). b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to confer with labor negotiators. City Negotiators: City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Jason Kruckeberg, and Human Resources Director Anely Williams. Employee Organization: Arcadia Police Officers’ Association. The Special Meeting ended at 6:46 p.m. No reportable action was taken. Linda Rodriguez City Clerk 1 10-21-2025 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Kwan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Religious Affairs Director Riaz Kahn, Mosque of San Gabriel 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Religious Affairs Director Riaz Kahn, Mosque of San Gabriel 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 participated via teleconference from the Blue Reef Island, Belize, at 8:00 p.m., and notice was properly posted as required by law. 5. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto had nothing to report. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ringo Suen, an Arcadia resident, appeared and described a car accident he witnessed in front of the Highland Oaks Elementary School Day Care Center; he expressed concern about ongoing traffic issues in the area and encouraged the City Council to consider establishing a designated drop-off zone at the day care center. Amy Moufarrege, Board Member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, appeared and announced that on October 23, “Networking at Noon” will take place at The Derby; that on October 30, “Happy Hour Hop” will take place at Foothill Restaurant; that on November 5, “The Morning Brew” will take place at Dulce Cielo; and that on November 20, “Rise & Shine” will take place at the Embassy Suites, and “Happy Hour Hop” will take place at Astronaut City; Sonia, an Arcadia resident, appeared and referenced a news article concerning an individual who pled guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government; she stated that the article mentioned a connection to Mayor Pro Tem Wang; and encouraged Mayor Pro Tem Wang to resign from office. 2 10-21-2025 Steve Rhee, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed his disappointment with the recent negative news surrounding the City; he stated that he would like to hear more positive stories about the community and its accomplishments; he further expressed his disappointment by the ongoing dialogue among the City Council; and he encouraged the Council to set a better example for the next generation of leaders. April A. Verlato, former Arcadia Mayor and resident, appeared and congratulated Mayor Kwan on receiving a Business Life Magazine’s Women Achievers Award; and she commended Council Member Cheng for representing the City well and advocating for local control. 7. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2025. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve b. Adoption of the California Building and California Fire Codes. Ordinance No. 2408 amending Article VIII of the Arcadia Municipal Code relating to Building Regulations; and adopting by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code, Volumes 1 and 2, and Appendix J, the 2025 California Residential Code, the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, the 2025 California Plumbing Code, the 2025 California Electrical Code, the 2025 California Mechanical Code, the 2025 California Existing Buildings Code, the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings (1997 Edition), and the Los Angeles County Grading Code with additions, amendments, and deletions. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Introduce and Set the Public Hearing Ordinance No. 2409 amending Article III of the Arcadia Municipal Code relating to Fire Regulations; and adopting by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code in its entirety, including Appendices, Chapter 4, B, C, D, K, and P based on the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code published by the International Code Council, and the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code in its entirety, including Appendix A, based on the 2024 Edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code published by the International Code Council; together with certain additions, insertions, deletions and changes thereto. CEQA: Not A Project Recommended Action: Introduce and Set the Public Hearing c. Ordinance No. 2410 amending Chapter 9 of Article VII of the Arcadia Municipal Code relating to Camping and Storage of Personal Property on Public Property; 3 10-21-2025 and amending Parts 2 and 4 of Chapter 2, Article IV of the Arcadia Municipal Code relating to Public Welfare, Morals, and Policy. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt d.Resolution No. 7650 authorizing a budget appropriation in the amount of $51,353 to the State Homeland Security Grant Fund; approving a Purchase Order with Day Wireless for the purchase of portable handheld radios in the amount of $51,353; and accepting the grant award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – State Homeland Security Program (“SHSP”) for reimbursement of portable handheld radios. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt, Approve, and Accept e. Grant application for the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design for the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Competitive Grant Program. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve f. Three-year renewal of the Microsoft Enterprise License Agreement (“MELA”) from Crayon Software Experts, LLC for Microsoft Office 365, in the annual amount of $150,600, or $452,000 over the three-year period. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve g.Extension to the Contract with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for annual tree trimming, tree removal, and tree replacement services in the amount of $450,192.40. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve h.Purchase Order with Calgon Carbon Corporation for carbon exchange services for the Live Oak Granular Activated Carbon (“GAC”) Treatment System in the amount of $219,889. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve i.Accept all work performed by General Pump Company, Inc. for the Removal and Replacement of Baldwin Booster Pump D Project as complete. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve Mayor Kwan pulled Items 7.e and 7.g for separate discussion. 4 10-21-2025 Regarding Consent Calendar Item 7.e, Mayor Kwan provided a brief recap of the events over the years that cause significant damage to Wilderness Park; she explained that the grant will fund the design plans for debris removal and the park’s restoration; she inquired about the estimated duration of the design phase, the amount of secured funding, whether Los Angeles County had completed its project and removed the conveyer belt placed from the park, and whether the bridge is County-owned. Public Works Services Director Cranmer stated that the design phase will take approximately 12 to 15 months; he reported that Public Works has secured $4.7 million from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and $1.5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for debris removal, as well as $2.8 million from an insurance claim for structures buried by mudflow. He confirmed that Los Angeles County completed its project, removed the conveyer belt, and that the bridge is County-owned, noting that it will take several years to complete. Council Member Fu inquired whether the conveyor belt was part of the Los Angeles County’s Santa Anita Dam sediment removal project and if the purpose of the project was to clear the catch basin for future stormwater runoff and debris flow. Public Works Services Director Cranmer confirmed that the conveyor belt was part of County’s Santa Anita Dam sediment removal project. City Manager Lazzaretto clarified that it is not a catch basin but the dam itself; he explained that there was debris behind the dam, and that accumulated debris could compromise it and potentially cause it to fail. Council Member Cao commended Public Works Services Director Cranmer for his efforts and communication with the public. Mayor Kwan inquired whether the $6 to 7 million in secured funds would be sufficient to complete the project. Public Works Services Director Cranmer explained that the current funds will cover design and debris removal and indicated that grants may be available for future phases. City Manager Lazzaretto added that local funding will be required to complete the project, that the community will participate in the park’s design process, and that while the City will pursue all available grants, they may not fully fund the project. Regarding Consent Calendar Item 7.g, Mayor Kwan stated that the City has approximately 15,300 trees; and she inquired how the tree trimming rotation works and how areas of the City are selected each year. 5 10-21-2025 Public Works Services Director Cranmer explained that an annual tree trimming grid program was established to ensure that all City trees are trimmed once every four years; and he provided contact information for residents with questions or concerns. Mayor Kwan further inquired whether arborists use fertilizer or chemicals to maintain the health of the trees. Public Works Services Director Cranmer stated that no chemicals are used; he noted that rare occasions when fertilizer or treatment is necessary, staff works directly with the contractor; and he indicated that routine irrigation, trimming and inspections are used to maintain the trees. It was moved by Council Member Cao, seconded by Council Member Cheng, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 7.a through 7.i. AYES: Cao, Cheng, Fu, Wang, and Kwan NOES: None ABSENT: None 8. CITY MANAGER a. Unconditional Commitment under the Brown Act pursuant to Government Code Section 54960.2. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve City Attorney Maurer presented the Staff Report. After discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Wang, seconded by Council Member Cheng, and carried on a roll call vote to approve the Unconditional Commitment Letter pursuant to Government Code Section 54960.2, direct the Mayor to execute the letter, and authorize its transmittal to the opposing parties. AYES: Wang, Cheng, Cao, Fu, and Kwan NOES: None ABSENT: None 9. AB 1234 REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL (limited to legally required reports). Council Member Fu had nothing to report. Council Member Cao announced that he attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference. 6 10-21-2025 Council Member Cheng addressed comments made during Public Comment; he expressed his gratitude to first responders and his colleagues for their hard work and dedication; and he wished his wife a happy birthday. Mayor Pro Tem Wang announced that she attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference. Mayor Kwan announced that she attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference and provided a brief overview of the event. 10. REQUEST FOR FUTURE ITEMS Mayor Pro Tem Wang requested City Council support to add an item on a future agenda to discuss establishing an Employee Fairness and Relations Ad Hoc Committee – Council Member Cheng and Council Member Cao concurred. Mayor Kwan requested City Council support to add an item on a future agenda to recognize the City’s first female Building Inspector – Mayor Pro Tem Wang and Council Member Cheng concurred. 11. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Conference Room. Linda Rodriguez City Clerk