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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09a - Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of February 17, 20261 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Wang called the Special Meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cao, Fu, Kwan, Cheng, and Wang ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT Donna Choi, Executive Director of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association, appeared and responded to questions regarding events held in Downtown Arcadia. STUDY SESSION a. Report, discussion, and direction regarding the commemorative naming of City facilities and honorary wall concepts. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cheng, and seconded by Council Member Kwan, to designate a wall in the City Council Chambers as the location for a commemorative display to honor former Arcadia community members, and to have staff return to a future meeting with the proposed design for the display, including a budget not to exceed $45,000. AYES: Cheng, Kwan, Cao, Fu, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: None b. Report, discussion, and direction regarding America’s 250th Anniversary and Fourth of July Celebration. After City Council discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Cao, and seconded by Council Member Fu, to approve an event in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary on July 4, 2026, to be held at Santa Anita Park from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and authorize staff to proceed with event production, including a budget of $400,000. Such costs could be partially offset through sponsorships and sales of commemorative memorabilia, premium seating options, and carnival style gaming tickets. 2 AYES: Cao, Fu, Kwan, Cheng, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: None The Special Meeting ended at 6:38 p.m. Linda Rodriguez City Clerk 1 02-17-2026 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Wang called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. INVOCATION – Reverend Gina Milligan, Santa Anita Church 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Reverend Gina Milligan, Santa Anita Church 4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Cao, Fu, Kwan, Cheng, and Wang 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 Special Meeting to discuss the two items listed on the posted agenda. Regarding the first item, he stated that the City Council moved to designate the City Council Chambers as a commemorative display and directed staff to return at a future meeting with the proposed design. City Attorney Maurer then turned the matter over to City Manager Lazzaretto to report on the second item. City Manager Lazzaretto reported that the City Council approved an event celebrating Fourth of July and America’s 250th Anniversary, to be held on July 4, 2026, at Santa Anita Park from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and authorized staff to proceed with event production. 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 the 2025 Santa Anita Little League 13U Intermediate All-Star Team for winning the Section 2 Championship and advancing to the State Tournament. b. Presentation of Mayor’s Certificate of Commendation to the 2025 Graduating Class of the Santa Anita Little League Softball Majors Girls Team, for the first graduating class since 2019. 2 02-17-2026 c. Presentation of Arcadia’s 2025 Overview and Recycling Awards by Josh Goldman of Waste Management. d. Presentation to the City of Arcadia from the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation in appreciation of the City’s support. 8. 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 Wang opened the public hearing – no one appeared. Mayor Wang closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Council Member Cao, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cheng, and placed 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: Cao, Cheng, Fu, Kwan, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: None 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS Donna Choi, Executive Director of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association, appeared and announced that the Lunar New Year Festival will occur in Downtown Arcadia on February 22; she thanked the City Council for their support, and encouraged the community to attend the event. 10. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2026. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve 3 02-17-2026 b. Ordinance No. 2411 amending Article VI of the Arcadia Municipal Code regarding the Businesses, Professions, Trades, and Occupations (Business License) Code (continued from January 20, 2026). CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Introduce 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. Professional Services Agreement with Origins Engineering Co. for the Wilderness Park Debris Removal Design in the amount of $358,581. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Approve e. Contract with Gentry Brothers, Inc. for the Baldwin Avenue Concrete Rehabilitation Improvements Project in the amount of $1,227,444.50. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve f. Accept all work performed by Gentry Brothers, Inc. for the Baldwin Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project in the amount of $4,118,466.63. CEQA: Exempt Recommended Action: Approve Council Member Kwan pulled Consent Calendar Items 10.e and 10.f. for separate discussion. Regarding Item 10.f, Council Member Kwan inquired whether the $4,118,466.63 amount represented an annual expenditure or a one-time project cost. City Manager Lazzaretto stated that the $4,118,466.63 expenditure was for the removal of Ficus trees, sidewalk reconstruction, and related improvements along the project limits, noting that it was a one-time project. Council Member Kwan noted that the work on Baldwin Avenue has been completed and inquired about the payment process and project close-out. City Manager Lazzaretto explained the payment and project acceptance process for Public Works contracts. Council Member Kwan inquired whether the $4,118,466.63 represented the total amount spent on improvements along the Baldwin Avenue corridor. 4 02-17-2026 City Manager Lazzaretto clarified that the $4,188,466.63 amount reflects payments to Gentry Brothers, the lead contractor of the project. Regarding Item 10.e, Council Member Kwan stated that she believed the removal of trees and concrete work had been part of a different contract, and asked about the difference in project scope between Items 10.e and 10.f. City Manager Lazzaretto deferred to City Engineer Merrill for further explanation. City Engineer Merrill explained that item 10.f pertains to the completion and acceptance of the project from Huntington Drive to Camino Real Avenue. He further explained that the project work in Item 10.e was originally proposed with a broader scope; however, the bids received were higher than anticipated, resulting in a reduced project scope covering Camino Real Avenue to Longden Avenue; he indicated that the project was re-bid and Gentry Brothers was the lowest responsive bidder; and he described the concrete rehabilitation improvements included in the project. Council Member Kwan inquired whether the work on Baldwin Avenue was being completed in segments. City Engineer Merrill confirmed that the Huntington Drive to Camino Real Avenue project (Item 10.f) was separate from the Rehabilitation Improvements Project (Item 10.e) on the agenda, with no shared scope of work. Council Member Kwan requested the total cost of the projects to improve Baldwin Avenue. City Manager Lazzaretto stated that staff would provide a comprehensive report outlining total expenditures over the past 24-months along the Baldwin Avenue corridor. Council Member Kwan inquired about the Baldwin Avenue projects’ funding sources. City Manager Lazzaretto explained that funding sources include the Capital Improvement Fund, General Fund savings, grants, and various measures. City Engineer Merrill added that the projects have been funded by Proposition C, Measure M, and Measure R local transportation funds. In response to Council Member Kwan’s inquiry regarding permit fees, City Manager Lazzaretto explained that certain permits include traffic impact fee collections; however, he was unsure whether traffic impact fees were utilized for the Baldwin Avenue project. He clarified that such fees are generally not used for concrete rehabilitation and stated that staff would provide a detailed report on project costs, including history of improvements undertaken to beautify the corridor. 5 02-17-2026 Council Member Cao summarized that planning for the Baldwin Avenue improvement projects began approximately a decade ago, with the objective of ensuring equitable investment throughout the community, similar to improvements made along Huntington Drive; he noted that the project represents the culmination of long-term efforts by multiple City Councils and staff to support small businesses and improve the corridor in a responsible manner. Mayor Pro Tem Cheng clarified that the project addressed not only beautification but also safety concerns. Council Member Kwan added that, in addition to safety and beautification, water and sewer infrastructure improvements were also part of the project; and she emphasized the importance of having a clear understanding of the total expenditures now that the project is nearing completion. It was moved by Council Member Fu, seconded by Council Member Cao, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.a through 10.f. AYES: Fu, Cao, Kwan, Cheng, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: None 11. CITY MANAGER a. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Review and supplemental appropriation to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 General Fund Operating and Capital Improvement Fund Budgets. Presentation of the General Fund Fiscal Year 2024-25 Year-Ending Result and the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Review. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Receive and File Resolution No. 7674 authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $1,030,000, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 General Fund Operating and Capital Improvement Fund Budgets. CEQA: Not a Project Recommended Action: Adopt Administrative Services Director Chen provided the Staff Report. After discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Cao, seconded by Council Member Fu, and placed on a roll call vote to receive and file this report; and adopt Resolution No. 7674, authorizing a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $1,030,000, 6 02-17-2026 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 General Fund Operating and Capital Improvement Fund Budgets. AYES: Cao, Fu, Kwan, Cheng, and Wang NOES: None ABSENT: None 12. AB 1234 REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL (limited to legally required reports). Council Member Cao reported that he attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce ACE Awards and Board Installation Dinner. Council Member Fu reported that he attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce ACE Awards and Board Installation Dinner, and congratulated new President, Christine Zito; he also reported that he attended the Lunar New Year Lunch, expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to celebrate with attendees. Council Member Kwan reported that she attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce ACE Awards and Board Installation Dinner, expressing her appreciation for the event. Mayor Pro Tem Cheng reported that he attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce ACE Awards and Board Installation Dinner, and the League of Women Voters’ 90 Year Celebration. Mayor Wang reported that she attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce ACE Awards and Board Installation Dinner, the Arcadia Council PTA Honorary Service Awards and Founders Day Luncheon, and the League of Women Voters’ 90 Year Celebration. 13. REQUEST FOR FUTURE ITEMS Council Member Cao requested City Council support to place an item on a future agenda to discuss a resolution opposing County Board of Supervisors proposed ½ cent sales tax to support public healthcare services. Council Members Fu and Kwan concurred. 14. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Conference Room. Linda Rodriguez City Clerk