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CC - Minutes - 10-27-20 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 27,2020 The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Armenta at 7:04 p.m., in the Rosemead City Council Chamber, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Mayor Armenta, Mayor Pro Tern Low, Council Members Clark, Dang, and Ly (Council Member Ly teleconferenced from 8838 E. Valley Blvd, Council Conference Room) ABSENT: NONE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Council Member Dang INVOCATION was led by Mayor Armenta STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Molleda, Assistant City Manager Kim, City Attorney Richman, Chief of Police Lt. Duong, Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo, Director of Public Works Daste, Interim Director of Finance Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking, and City Clerk Hernandez L PUBLIC COMMENT Sue Yamamoto, Manager, County of Los Angeles Library, submitted a public comment via email to announce a free Walk-Thru Flu Shot event at the Rosemead Library on October 28,2020,between 12:30 p.m.to 3:30 p.m. on a first-come,first- served basis. Speaker Margaret Holt, resident, submitted a public comment via phone to recognize the Garvey Center staff and commended Recreation Coordinator Jannette Vicario for hosting the Drive-in Bingo event. Seniors were delighted to attend an event since the closure.of the Community Center eight months ago. Also, she commended the Garvey Center staff for the Crafts to-go packages the seniors are given to pass the time during the pandemic. There being no further speakers, Mayor Armenta closed the Public Comment period. 2. PRESENTATION A. Proclamation Declaring the Week of October 23-31, 2020 as "Red Ribbon Week" in the City of Rosemead Mayor Armenta read the Proclamation declaring the week of October 23-31, 2020 as "Red Ribbon Week". Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 1 of 12 Council Member Clark stated she appreciated the work and effort that Mandy Wong and staff put into "Red Ribbon Week" and acknowledged that substance abuse is a community problem. Council Member Ly stated it was essential to continue to address substance abuse and illegal drugs as a community, and ensure the youth are on the right path. Council Member Dang commended Public Safety Supervisor Wong for her hard work in keeping the community safe. Mayor Pro Tern Low thanked City staff for their ongoing commitment and work in the community. She reiterated the importance of having"Red Ribbon Week"and reminding the community to stay away from drugs. Mayor Armenta stated that the Council needs to continue to support proclamations such as "Red Ribbon Week"to advocate against drug abuse and illicit drugs in the community. She thanked Public Safety Supervisor Wong, City staff, and Temple Sheriff Station for their ongoing work to keep the community informed and safe. Public Safety Supervisor Wong accepted the proclamation virtually and stated "Red Ribbon Week" was the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation; noted the goal during "Red Ribbon Week" is to reach millions of young people during the week of October 23`d-31St each year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Special Assignment Deputies were not able to visit local schools to speak to the students; therefore, she encourages the youth to focus on their distance learning, continuing a healthy lifestyle, and commitment to staying safe and drug-free. B. Proclamation Declaring November 28, 2020 as "Small Business Saturday" in the City of Rosemead Mayor Armenta read the Proclamation and encouraged the public to support and shop at local businesses during the Thanksgiving weekend. Council Member Ly reiterated the importance of supporting all local businesses during the pandemic. Council Member Clark agreed it was necessary to support local businesses during the pandemic. Council Member Dang stated it has been hard on small businesses during the pandemic and encouraged people to shop at Rosemead small businesses. Mayor Pro Tern Low agreed with the Council and urged the public to shop our local businesses. 1 Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 2 of 12 Mayor Armenta stated small businesses are the backbone to our local economy that employs many residents in the community. She urged the public to shop local and patronize local restaurants and shop safely. 3. PUBLIC HEARING -None 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Pro Tem Low requested to pull Item 4.0 for separate discussion. City Attorney Richman read the title for Ordinance No. 996 for the record. ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tern Low and seconded by Council Member Dang to approve Consent Calendar Items A, B and D. Motion was carried out by the following vote AYES: Armenta, Clark,Dang,Low,Ly ABSENT: None A. Claims and Demands • Resolution No. 2020-44 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $552,835.70 NUMBERED 107559 THROUGH NUMBER 107677 INCLUSIVELY Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2020-44. • Resolution No. 2020-16 SA A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE ROSEMEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $1,532.40 NUMBERED 10301 THROUGH NUMBER 10302 INCLUSIVELY Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2020-16 SA. B. Approval of Minutes Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the special and regular meeting minutes of October 13, 2020. C. Comprehensive User Fee Study Agreement Approval with Willdan Financial Services (WFS) Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020' Page 3 of 12 The City provides various "individualized" services (i.e., inspections, permits, variances, etc.)that are not of general benefit and is allowed by State law to charge fees. Historically, many of these services have been provided at a city cost greater than the price being charged for them, thus, resulting in the subsidies of the remaining costs of service from the general taxpayers. As a matter of routine fee maintenance and to keep pace with increasing costs of individualized services, the fees charged to users'needs to be reviewed on a regular basis,preferably once every three years. The City has not had a Comprehensive User Fee study in over 8 years and no Development Impact Fee Analysis for 5 years. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Approve the Proposal with Willdan Financial Services to conduct a Comprehensive User Fee Study and the optional Full Development Impact Fee Study for the City of Rosemead in the amount of$64,470; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement. Mayor Pro Tem Low stated she pulled the item for discussion and for transparency reasons. She explained that City staff selected a vendor to conduct a City fee study. Due to the current pandemic, City staff opted to piggyback on a contract from a vendor already vetted by another City completing a similar process. Mrs. Low expressed concern since the City of Rosemead was not conducting the Request for Proposal process; emphasized she wanted to be transparent and to see if the rest of the City Council agreed collectively. She acknowledged that the project was budgeted for Fiscal Year 20-21 and aligned with the upcoming budget timeline. Council Member Ly stated he understood Mayor Pro Tem Low's concerns about the process. He reiterated that the City Council had tasked the City Manager with a difficult job to significantly reduce the structural deficit during the pandemic. In the short term, staff looked at a process that had already been vetted and analyzed. He expressed the fee study itself was not comprehensive enough since the City Council has discussed looking into Transient Occupancy Tax, Sales Tax, and other revenue-generating measures. He stated he was comfortable with the project and piggybacking on a contract in which the firm has been vetted. Mayor Armenta clarified that the City Council has always strived to ensure there is transparency and asked what services Willdan Financial Services will provide. Interim Finance Director Miller stated the City of Lomita was going through a similar process and had similar needs the City of Rosemead has. City staff looked at the City of Lomita's Request for Proposal process, and ascertained it was like the City of Rosemead's Purchasing Policy. The City of Lomita spent months conducting an extensive process and interviewed all seven firms and chose Willdan for their price and experience. City staff looked at the current situation, and felt with the timing of the upcoming budget, it was appropriate to take the opportunity to piggyback on their contract and save cost on city staff to facilitate the project. He clarified the City of Lomita's bidding process, follows the City of Rosemead's Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 4 of 12 bidding criteria under the provisions of the City's Purchasing Policy. The firm will be doing a combination of financial analysis and time analysis to determine how much it costs to provide services when fees are charged for planning fees,building fees,recreation fees, and many other city services fees. State law does not allow for a city to charge more than what it cost a city to provide those services. Mayor Armenta expressed concern that the City already outsources many services and wanted to know if Willdan would be conducting the inspections. Interim Finance Director Miller explained Willdan Financial Services was not going to conduct any inspections but was only going to look at processes that the City charges fees for. The main scope of service would be to provide data on cost and compare the cost with similar communities that charge for the same service. Mayor Armenta reiterated that Willdan was only going to look at how much something should cost, how much the City pays an employee, staff time spent, and provide a figure from the data. Interim Finance Director Miller affirmed-and stated the consultant would then bring back a report before the City Council. City Manager Molleda clarified that Willdan Financial Services is a division of Willdan that also does financial services and are only conducting the fee study. Mayor Pro Tem Low stated Willdan Financial Services would be analyzing all costs and fees associated with the services the residents and business developers pay. Mayor Armenta reiterated she ran on a slate with Council Members Clark and Ly about the importance of transparency. She made it clear that she was not comfortable picking a vendor that did not go through the bidding process. Mrs. Armenta stated she appreciated the thorough analysis done by the City of Lomita and shared their values but was not in support of awarding a contract to a vendor without a proper bidding process. Council Member Clark expressed support of staffs recommendation given the current situation and timing of the project. She reiterated the City of Lomita conducted an extensive vetting process and interviewed the firms; stated City staff did not just recommend a random vendor. Council Member Dang stated after reading the analysis and the report, he commended staff for being creative and looking at ways to piggyback on a contract to save the City $7,500. Mr. Dang shared the same concerns with Mayor Pro Tern Low about transparency; however, he was comfortable that the City of Lomita did the pre-filtering in vetting the firms. He suggested the City staff also conduct interviews of the firms being vetted to ensure the City Council will be comfortable with a firm in the future. Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 5 of 12 City Manager Molleda clarified piggybacking on a contract is not the City's standard practice, but under the circumstances, City staff was trying to do it the most feasible way in the shortest time. Council Member Ly agreed it was an uncommon practice for the City of Rosemead; 111 however, there was precedence on a similar item the City piggybacked on from another city's Request for Proposal. He reiterated that City staff did their due diligence in doing the research and vetting of the final firm, he was comfortable with the staffs recommendation. Council Member Dang agreed with Council Member Ly and indicated that under the circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic,there is a necessity to be creative and expedite things. City Attorney Richman stated that Council Member Ly was correct, and the City has piggybacked on construction contracts, which the City's Municipal Code does allow; indicated the City of Rosemead rarely piggybacks on a Professional Services contract, which is more common with construction contracts. Mayor Armenta reiterated her concerns that she vowed to always maintain transparency during a process. Mayor Pro Tem Low also reiterated her concerns about transparency and setting precedence in the future. Council Member Clark stated she would motion staffs recommendation, acknowledging that this process was unusual for the City; however, it's permitted under the City's Municipal Code. ACTION: Moved by Council Member Clark and seconded by Council Member Ly to take the following actions: 1. Approve the Proposal with Willdan Financial Services to conduct a Comprehensive User Fee Study and the optional Full Development Impact Fee Study for the City of Rosemead in the amount of$64,470; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement. Motion was carried out by the following vote AYES: Clark, Dang, and Ly NOES: Armenta and Low Mayor Armenta stated her vote had nothing to do with Willdan Financial Services or the hard work Dr. Miller and the City Manager have done for the City of Rosemead. Her vote reflected her values regarding transparency for a process. D. Introduction and Reading of Ordinance No. 996 Adding Chapter 8.38 to Title 8 of the Rosemead Municipal Code Relating to Pool Maintenance Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 6 of 12 On October 13, 2020, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control provided a presentation on a proposed Pool Maintenance Ordinance. The City Council directed staff to bring back an ordinance to address mosquito abatement and enforcement of swimming pool maintenance. Recommendation: That the City Council introduce the first reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 996, entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 8.38 TO TITLE 8 OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO POOL MAINTENANCE 5. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER& STAFF A. Discussion and Consideration of Assembly Bill 571 (AB 571) Imposing Local Campaign Contribution Limits In 2019, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 571 (AB 571) which will take effect on January 1, 2021, imposing default campaign contribution limits upon city elected offices and some regulations regarding campaign funds for cities with no local campaign contribution limit and permits cities to enact their own local campaign contribution limits. The City Council is asked to consider either establishing a local campaign contribution limits ordinance or maintaining the status quo of no local ordinance and default to the State requirements of AB 571. Recommendation: Discuss and provide direction to staff on one of the two options: 1. Take no action and maintain the status quo of no local ordinance setting or regulating campaign contributions limits, in which the requirements of AB 571 would provide a default limit to the State which is currently $4,700; or 2. Give direction to develop local campaign contribution limits that are"different" than state law,to be effective by January 1, 2021. City Clerk Hernandez reported that the Governor signed into law Assembly Bill 571, Local Campaign Contribution Limits, which amends portions of the Political Reform Act to enhance transparency for political campaign contributions.Effective January 1, 2021, Assembly Bill 571 establishes campaign contribution limits for counties and cities that have not established their own campaign contribution limits. State contribution limits are established and adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission every odd-numbered year. Since the City of Rosemead does not have its own campaign contribution limits, the City Council could decide to take no action and default to the state limits or decide to impose its own campaign contribution limits by adopting an ordinance at a future meeting. 111 Council Member Clark asked if the state limits meant that a candidate could not receive more than the $4,700 from a single donor. Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 7 of 12 City Clerk Hernandez replied a candidate could not receive more than the state limit from an individual, which is defined as a single person, developer, or company. Council Member Clark inquired if you could receive donations from several different donors. City Clerk Hernandez affirmed that a candidate could receive campaign contributions from several individuals (single donors)per election. Mayor Armenta inquired how someone could address an individual donating to a candidate from multiple sources, using different company entities but is a single donor. City Attorney Richman explained that when those types of complaints are filed with thee Fair Political Practices Commission, they investigate the companies, which may be shell companies used to funnel money to one individual. The Fair Political Practices Commission is the agency that investigates those campaign contribution issues. Council Member Ly moved to maintain the status quo and follow Assembly Bill 571 as a standard for the City of Rosemead. ACTION: Moved by Council Member Ly and seconded by Council Member Dang to maintain the status quo and follow state contribution limits under AB 571 effective January 1, 2021. Motion was carried out by the following votes AYES: Armenta, Clark, Dang, Low and Ly ABSENT: None B. COVID-19 Update This is a recurring item that will be on the agenda to update the City Council on items related to COVID-19. Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide further direction. City Manager Molleda reported that on October 23rd, the County of Public Health revised their reopening Safer at Work order to indicate: batting cages, miniature golf, and go-kart racing may open and operate outside; arcades and other indoor family entertainment operations remain closed; personal care establishments may offer services indoors, with modifications; food court dining areas and specific common areas located within indoor malls and shopping centers must remain closed to the public until further notice. Ms. Molleda stated schools may continue to provide essential assessments to students with IEP and ESL students; schools may increase their percentage of students allowed at any one time on a K-12 campus from 10% to 25% or less of the total student bodies; schools may reopen TK to second grades for classroom instructions with a waiver application approved by the County of Public Health. The City has received up to 223 requests for Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 8 of 12 COVID-19 kits. One hundred twenty-three have been approved and disseminated. As of today, there are 952 COVID-19 confirmed cases in the City of Rosemead. Mayor Armenta stated she received an email from a resident expressing concern about the number of people at the Walmart store, possibly over 1,500 people, and lack of social distancing; indicated the resident was upset that small businesses in the City must follow stricter guidelines. Mrs. Armenta also expressed concern as there are Rosemead residents that work at the Rosemead Walmart store. She explained that the public should report businesses not following safety guidelines to the Los Angeles County of Public Health Department. City Manager Molleda stated Chief of Police Lt. Duong had gone out of his way to contact the Walmart store manager numerous times. The City has posted information on the City's website and social media outlets on resources and safety practices during the pandemic. Mayor Pro Tem Low inquired on the status of the Project Room Key at Motel 6. City Manager Molleda reported the project ended September 14, 2020. Chief of Police Lt. Duong added that Project Room Key staff notified City staff that occupants all left the Motel 6. However, driving up and down Walnut Grove Avenue and San Gabriel Boulevard, there is an increase of transients in the area. Council Member Dang inquired if there was an agreement with the County that also included assisting individuals from Project Room Key to go back to their original areas. City Manager Molleda replied the County had initially stated they would find housing for Project Room Key occupants. City staff requested a list of locations where people were supposed to be placed, and nothing had been provided. Mayor Armenta reminded the Council that City staff had initially asked for an exit plan for the Project Room Key, which would have detailed the steps after ending the program. City Manager Molleda interjected that the County did provide an exit plan after Project Room Key ended, but the plan did not include the list of locations where the individual were going to be placed. Council Member Dang suggested City staff assist individuals still in the area to contact the County's Liaison for new housing placement. Council Member Clark asked how many individuals were housed at Motel 6 during the Project Room Key. Chief of Police Lt. Duong replied there were approximately 147 individuals. Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 9of12 Council Member Clark expressed concern that many of those individuals are now homeless in the City, which were relocated from other areas. Chief of Police Lt. Duong stated the increase in transients near the Walmart store panhandling were likely participants from Project Room Key. Council Member Clark expressed concern that the additional 147 Project Room Key participants still in the area will increase the homeless count in the City. City Manager Molleda reminded the Council that the City would have its homeless count in January, and the new numbers will likely project higher. 6. MATTERS FROM MAYOR& CITY COUNCIL A. Council Comments Council Member Ly spoke on the passing of former Council Member and former Traffic Commissioner Jean Hall, also known as Grandma Jean. Mrs. Jean Hall was the sweetest lady in the community with a strong and fierce heart. She was very positive and always encouraging. Mr. Ly recalled when she encouraged him to run for City Council and always supported him and the rest of the Council.He described her positive attitude and her forward-thinking about the future. The embodiment of Grandma Jean was that she always advocated for the next generation. She was a supporter of the Rosemead Skate Park. She recognized the needs of the youth in the City and to build for the next generation. Mr. Ly stated it was important for him to know that she cared about the future generations and therefore asked her to serve on the City Council during his absence on military service leave. Mr. Ly stated Mrs. Jean Hall was a great listener and was empathetic. He appreciated everyone who always asked about Grandma Jean, which showed the type of person she was. During the Great Depression, her husband was in World War II while she was home, supporting the home front and raising her children in Rosemead. She was active in the community during her golden years. Mrs. Hall actively engaged in the City, her passion in supporting the Walmart project, and getting appointed to the Traffic Commission and later as Council Member at the age of 78. Mr. Ly shared he would like to be like her,kindhearted, and still engaged in the community during his golden years. Lastly,he echoed her comments that she always said,"flowers were for the living",she recognized the importance of always thanking each other, forgiving each other, and loving each other while we can. He requested tonight's meeting be adjourned in memory of former Council Member and former Traffic Commissioner Jean Hall. Council Member Clark stated she was a wonderful person and could not thank her enough for her City involvement. Mrs. Jean Hall did so much for the community and helped take back the City. She always wanted the right things for the City. Council Member Dang expressed appreciation of Council Member Ly's comments •and stories about Mrs.Jean Hall.He stated that although he did not know Mrs.Hall, she was loved and seemed to have a passion for the City. Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 10of12 Mayor Pro Tern Low stated that even though they were on the opposite ends of the political side, Mrs. Jean Hall was truly a wonderful person, respected and had a genuine love for the City. She will be missed but remembered for all the great things that she did for the community. Mayor Armenta reminisced on the memories she had with Grandma Jean. She recalled her home was the campaign headquarters for her first election. She mentioned when Council Member Ly and she would disagree on things, Mrs. Jean Hall was there and would intervene and say, "Okay, children, just make up already". Mrs. Armenta reiterated how grateful she was for Grandma Jean's - 'encouragement and support to run for City Council. Mrs.Armenta asserted that Mrs. Jean Hall was beyond a Traffic Commissioner and Council Member, she was a Rosemead Pioneer; emphasized she was not just about the title and that she wanted to make a difference in the community. Mrs. Armenta also acknowledged Mrs. Jean Hall's daughter Kathy for caring for her mother. Lastly, Mrs. Armenta thanked Tania Ragland-Castaneda, Municipal Manager, Republic Services for Republic Services' quick response in picking up bulky items reported. Council Member Clark thanked City Clerk Hernandez for being helpful during the Vote by Mail process and helping other voters address their issues. Mayor Armenta also thanked City Clerk Hernandez and Deputy City Clerk Haworth for their outreach efforts on the 2020 Census. Mayor Pro Tern Low inquired if Caltrans had completed their improvement project on the 60-freeway. She stated that near her house, the 60-freeway westbound exit, merge lane is short and extremely dangerous. She also mentioned that the surface of the freeway is very rough when driving over it. She asked if staff could contact Caltrans to address some of the issues. Council Member Clark shared that Caltrans' representative recently spoke at the Council of Government(COG)meeting,indicating that City staff could request the Caltrans contact from the COG's staff. City Manager Molleda stated that the Director of Public Works Daste would contact Caltrans to invite them to talk to the Council at a future meeting. Mayor Armenta stated since she works for Senator, Susan Rubio, that they meet with Caltrans regularly. She indicated a new District 7 Director is being appointed, and a new liaison from Sacramento will be the new contact for the City to address any concerns. Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 11 of 12 7. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Armenta adjourned the meeting in memory of Grandma Jean Hall, former Traffic Commissioner, former Council Member, and Rosemead Pioneer, at 8:38 p.m. The next regular scheduled meeting will take place on November 10, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rosemead City Hall Council Chamber. .4011. 4111 Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk APPROVED: AI G214441/14t. IgAiiz.z/zrL.4 • Sandra Armenta, Mayr Rosemead City Council and Successor Agency Regular Joint Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020 Page 12 of 12 -