CC - Minutes - 03-25-2025MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 25, 2025
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Clark
at 7:00 p.m., in the Rosemead City Hall Council Chamber, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard,
Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Mayor Clark, Mayor Pro Tem Armenta, and Council Member Low
ABSENT: Council Member Dang and Council Member Ly (excused)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Mayor Clark
INVOCATION was led by Mayor Pro Tem Armenia
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Kim, City Attorney Richman, Assistant City Manager/Finance
Director Chua, Director of Public Works Gutierrez, Director of Community Development
Valenzuela, Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking, and City Clerk Hernandez
1. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. Introduction of Los Angeles County Sheriffs Special Assignment Officers
Designated to the City of Rosemead
Chief of Police, Lieutenant Tiwari, introduced the newly assigned deputies to the
Rosemead Team, welcoming them to their new roles and emphasizing their
commitment to serving the community; Deputy Scott Erskin, Deputy Rowland and
Deputy Espinosa. He also addressed a significant challenge facing the Los Angeles
County Sheriffs Department, noting that the department is currently experiencing a
staffing crisis. However, he reassured the City Council that, despite these challenges,
the Rosemead Sheriffs contract was fully staffed, per the contractual agreement, with
the only exception being Deputy Espinosa, who is temporarily on loan to another
assignment.
The City Council welcomed the new deputies and look forward to working with
them.
B. Proclamation Declaring March 2025 as "Red Cross Month" in the City of Rosemead
Diana Pineda Ramirez, Executive Director of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley
Chapter, accepted the proclamation virtually and on behalf of the American Red
Cross, she expressed gratitude to the City of Rosemead for its long-standing
partnership and strong community support. She noted this collaboration has been
vital in disaster response efforts, providing shelter, meals, and mental health services.
Many volunteers come from Rosemead, contributing to key programs such as support
for armed forces members and blood donation drives. The City's involvement,
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Minutes of March 25, 2025
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including hosting blood drives and participating in initiatives like the Battle of the
Badges, has played a crucial role in sustaining these efforts.
Mayor Clark thanked the American Red Cross for all that they do as they play such
a vital role in our lives, and appreciated the efforts, especially the blood drives. She
noted it was reassuring to know that these resources are available when they are most
needed.
Mayor Pro Tem Armenta stated that a few years ago, the Red Cross provided fire
detectors in the Rosemead community, which was such a great preventive measure
to help keep residents safe. She thanked the Red Cross for coming to Rosemead and
ensuring people were equipped with this essential safety tool.
The City Council proclaimed March 2025 as Red Cross Month.
3. PUBLIC HEARING - None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Low, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Armenta to
approve the Consent Calendar Items A — I. Motion was carried by the following vote: AYES:
ARMENTA, CLARK, AND LOW NOES: NONE ABSENT: DANG AND LY
A. Claims and Demands
• Resolution No. 2025-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $2,536,147.00
CHECKS NUMBERED 118784 THROUGH NUMBER 118886,
DRAFTS NUMBERED 7948 THROUGH NUMBER 7968 AND
EFT NUMBERED 53109 THROUGH NUMBER 53138
INCLUSIVELY
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-14.
B. Minutes
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the regular meeting minutes of
January 28, 2025.
C. Request to Add Fair Housing Month Proclamation to the Approved List of
Proclamations
The Fair Housing Foundation is requesting the Rosemead City Council to declare the
month of April as Fair Housing Month by issuing a proclamation. April has been
recognized as Fair Housing Month since the enactment of the Fair Housing
legislation in 1968. Each year, national organizations promote awareness of equal
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housing opportunities through events and activities. Residents are encouraged to
support efforts that uphold freedom, justice, and equality.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the request to add the Fair Housing
Month Proclamation to the list of Approved Proclamations and schedule the
presentation for the April 8, 2025, City Council meeting.
D. Award of Contract to Schoeppner Shows Carnival for Services at the Annual
July 4s' Event
The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking the City Council to approve a
contract with Schoeppner Shows Carnival. The contract is to provide carnival rides,
games, and services for the Annual July 4`" Event at Rosemead Park. As part of the
Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, $130,000 has been requested for the July 4th
Event. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
approve an agreement with Schoeppner Shows Carnival for $52,000.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve an
agreement with Schoeppner Shows Carnival in amount not -to -exceed $52,000.
E. Resolution No. 2025-15 — Granting Permission to Council Member Steven Ly to be
Absent from Council Meetings Pursuant to Government Code Section 36513 for
Military Service Overseas
On January 28, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-05, providing
permission to Council Member Steven Ly to be absent from Council meetings
pursuant to Government Code Section 36513 until March 29, 2025. Council Member
Steven Ly is still on military service tour, and his return date has not been determined
by the Military at this time. In the meantime, the City Council has before it for
consideration Resolution No. 2025-15, which grants permission for Council Member
Steven Ly an extension to be absent from Council meetings for another
60 days, in accordance with Government Code Section 36513, to complete his
military service.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-15, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA GRANTING PERMISSION TO
COUNCIL MEMBER STEVEN LY TO BE ABSENT FROM
COUNCIL MEETINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
§36513 UNTIL MAY 28, 2025
F. 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports
California Government Code §65400 requires the filing of both a General Plan and
Housing Element Annual Progress Report by April l' of each year, for the prior
calendar year, with the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Due to
the impacts of the local wildfires that occurred at the beginning of this year,
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Minutes of March 25, 2025
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HCD extended the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report for local
governments within the Southern California Association of Governments region
covering Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura
Counties to May 15, 2025. State law also requires that the Annual Progress Reports
be presented at a public meeting before the City Council where members of the public
arc given an opportunity to comment on the City's progress.
Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1. Receive and file the 2024 Annual Progress Reports; and
2. Direct the Community Development Department to submit the 2024 General Plan
and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports to the Governor's Office of Land
Use and Climate Innovation and California Department of Housing and
Community Development by April 1, 2025.
G. Consideration of Bridge Repairs and Preventive Maintenance — Mission Drive Over
Rubio Wash (Bridge No. 53C0584 (0189))
On March 26, 2024, the City renewed the General Services Agreement with the
County of Los Angeles through June 30, 2029. The General Services Agreement
allows the City to obtain "as -needed time-limited" services through the County.
The Public Works Department received a resident complaint in Fall 2024 related to
the uneven surface at Mission Drive over Rubio Wash and staff submitted a service
request to LA County to perform an inspection and provide a cost estimate for the
proposed improvements. Implementation of these repairs will extend the service life
of the bridge by correcting deficiencies before they become more costly repairs.
Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1. Approve the cost of the proposed recommendations for bridge repairs at Mission
Drive over Rubio Wash (Bridge No. 53C0584 (0189)) for a total project cost
estimated to be $120,000 (including 25% contingency); and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-16, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR
2024-25 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATE NEW FUNDS FOR THE BRIDGE REPAIRS
AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE - MISSION DRIVE
OVER RUBIO WASH (BRIDGE NO. 53C0584 (0189))
H. Accept Completed Improvements and Authorize the Filing of a Notice of
Completion for City Project No. 21851 — Roadway Rehabilitation Improvements
Along Strathmore Avenue and Virginia Street
On December 10, 2024, the City Council approved the award of a construction
contract to Terra Pave, Inc. for roadway repairs and resurfacing along Strathmore
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Avenue and Virginia Street. The total construction budget for the project, including
10% for construction management and inspection services and 10% construction
contingency was $273,480.00. The project's primary objective was to address the
repair of various persistent road depressions along these roadways. Additionally,
the project included street rehabilitation work, including but not limited to, sub -base
compaction, asphalt resurfacing, and installation of pavement markers and roadway
striping. Staff have accepted the completed improvements and is seeking City
Council authorization to file a Notice of Completion for recordation and release
retention funds.
Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1. Accept completed project improvements for the Strathmore Avenue and Virginia
Street Roadway Rehabilitation - Project No. 21851 as performed by Terra Pave,
Inc. with the final expenditure amount of $251,608.50; and
2. Authorize the recordation of Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County
Recorder and the release of retention funds 35 days thereafter.
I. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-17, Authorization to Acquire a New Caterpillar Inc.
420 Backhoe Loader
The City is seeking to acquire a new Caterpillar Inc. 420 Backhoe Loader from Quinn
Cat, for routine maintenance and events. The procurement of the 420 Backhoe Loader
is available through Sourcewell purchasing cooperative Contract No. 011723 -CAT
awarded to Caterpillar Inc. The total cost of the vehicle, including aftermarket
equipment, is $209,071.25. Additionally, this report requests consideration and adopt
of Resolution No. 2025-17, to appropriate additional funds in the amount of
$100,000.00 to address the funding shortfall associated with the procurement of the
equipment.
Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1. Authorize the procurement of a new Caterpillar Inc. Backhoe Loader model 420
through Sourcewell (Contract No. 011723 -CAT) in the amount of $209,071.25.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-17, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR
2024-25 OPERATING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE
ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW
CATERPILLAR 420 BACKHOE LOADER
5:
MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF
None.
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6. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
A. Council Comments
Mayor Pro Tem Armenta commended Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking for
a successful St. PAWtrick's Dog Day event. Additionally, she stated that she had
received a request from the Rosemead Rebels to rename and dedicate a scoreboard
at the park in honor of past Rebel President Maggie Diaz. Mrs. Annenta requested
that the item be placed on the agenda for discussion.
Mayor Clark stated that she sits on the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. A friend
of hers, who serves on the board from another city, informed her that he had seen a
homeless encampment under the bridge at the riverbed near Garvey Avenue and
Rosemead Boulevard. Although Mrs. Clark clarified that the encampment is not
within the City of Rosemead's jurisdiction, she requested that City staff look into
which agency can address the matter.
City Manager Kim explained that the riverbed falls under the authority of the Army
Corps of Engineers and is also located on the side of the City of El Monte. Due to
recent fires, the Army Corps of Engineers is currently occupied with cleanup efforts.
However, he assured her that City staff would make an effort to reach out to the Army
Corps of Engineers.
Mayor Pro Tem Armenta stated that City staff is highly effective in addressing
encampments and recognizes that the City of Rosemead has strict policies regarding
them, which often leads individuals to relocate to other jurisdictions.
Mayor Clark stated that people often don't realize that tough love is necessary
because enabling someone to maintain their drug habit while living on the street does
not truly help them. She emphasized that without intervention, they are at risk of
dying or hurting someone else. She also stated that the "housing first" approach,
which focuses solely on getting individuals off the street while allowing them to
continue their drug use was not effective. She stressed that there are tools that can be
used.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Clark adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:27 p.m.
--- ` -- _
Ericka Hemandez, City Clerac
APPROVED:
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