CC - Minutes - 05-12-20 SpecialMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 12, 2020
The special meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Armenta at
6:02 p.m., in the Rosemead City Council Chamber, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard,
Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Mayor Armenta, Mayor Pro Tem Low, Council Members Clark, Dang, and Ly
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Molleda, Assistant City Manager Kim, City Attorney
Richman, and City Clerk Hernandez
1. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(2): (1 potential case)
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4):
(1 potential case)
C. Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-19, taking emergency action relating to
the housing of individuals currently experiencing homelessness at Motel 6 and
proclaiming the existence of an emergency situation and local emergency due to
the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Consideration of a resolution of the City Council of the City of Rosemead taking
emergency action relating to the housing of 127 individuals currently experiencing
homelessness at Motel 6 located at 1001 San Gabriel Boulevard directing Motel 6
to take additional health and safety measures to protect against the spread of
COVID-19 to the City of Rosemead and protect the public health and safety
pursuant to the city's emergency powers and permitted in the City's emergency
proclamation of March 13, 2020 proclaiming the existence of an emergency
situation and local emergency due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus
(COVID-19)
Recommendation: That the City Council deliberate and consider whether to adopt the
Emergency declaration Resolution No. 2020-19, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD TAKING EMERGENCY ACTION
RELATING TO THE HOUSING OF 127 INDIVIDUALS
CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT
THE MOTEL 6 LOCATED AT 1001 SAN GABRIEL
BOULEVARD, DIRECTING IMPLEMENTATION OF
Rosemead City Council Special Meeting
Minutes of May 12, 2020
Page I of 7
ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES TO
PROTECT AGAINST THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 TO
THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD AND TO PROTECT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PURSUANT TO THE
CITY'S EMERGENCY POWERS AND AUTHORIZED
IN THE CITY'S EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION OF
MARCH 13, 2020, PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF
AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND LOCAL
EMERGENCY DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD
OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Prior to recessing for Closed Session, Mayor Armenta stated she will read Public
Comments received regarding Item No. 1 C.
City Attorney Richman clarified Item 1C — Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-19
was inadvertently listed as a Closed Session item on the agenda, however, it is actually an
Open Session item; stated we can go discuss Closed Session Item Nos. 1 and 1B and then
read the Public Comments for Item 1C when we reconvene for Open Session or if
Council prefers they can be read now before we deliberate on the resolution.
Mayor Armenta inquired if what is within these public comments can deter a Council
Member's vote.
City Attorney Richman responded these comments will be more informational that you
may want to hear first.
By consensus, the City Council agreed the comments should be read prior to recessing to
Closed Session.
Mayor Armenta read for the record Public Comments received regarding Item No. IC,
from the following individuals indicating support of Project Room Key:
1. Lorenzo Garcia, Rosemead Resident
2. Ryan Kiwawa, San Gabriel Valley Constituent
3. Isela Gracian, San Gabriel Valley Constituent
4. Teresa Eilers, Everyone in LA.org
5. Cory Mac
6. Kevin Ezeh
7. Jillian Van Leuven, Executive Director of Merci
8. Natalie Reyes
9. Analu Fernandini, Rosemead Resident
10. Edward J. Rendon, Executive Director of San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance
11. Rebecca Snaverly, Executive Director of Action Kivu
12. Erica Penuela,
13. Andrew Yip, Rosemead Resident
14. Wesley Reutinmann, Special Programs Director of Active San Gabriel Valley
15. John Srebalus, South Pasadena Tenants Union
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Minutes of May 12, 2020
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16. Susan Cameron, San Gabriel Valley Constituent
17. Michelle Freridge, Executive Director of Asian Youth Center
18. Wendy Yang, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy
19. Tommy Newman, Senior Director of Impact initiatives and on behalf of United Way
of Greater Los Angeles
20. Joe Leal, Executive Director of Vet Hunter Project
21. Leonora Camner, Managing Director & Anthony Dedousis, Director of Abundance
Housing LA
22. Manjusha P. Kulkarni, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Policy &
Planning Council
23. Sonja K. Berndt, San Gabriel Valley Constituent
24. Amy Tennenbaum, Staff Attorney at Homeless Prevention Law Project
25. Maria Martinez, Rosemead Resident
26. Myron Dean Quon, Esq. Executive Director and member of the Asian Pacific
Policy and Palling Council
27. Florencio Briones, President of United Democrats of the San Gabriel Valley
28. Dina Brown, Director, ISA Board of Directors Dina Brown Art Appraisals
29. Dr. Edward Zuniga, Superintendent at El Monte Union High School District
30. Wai Sum Yip
31. Eve Garrow, Homelessness Policy Analyst and Advocate, ACLU of Southern
California and
32. Clarissa Woo Hermosillo, Director of Economic Justice, ACLU of Southern
California
33. Samantha Jean Sumampong
Mayor Armenta read for the record Public Comments received regarding Item No. 1 C,
from the following individuals indicating opposition to Project Room Key:
1. Velia Navarro, Rosemead Resident
2. Michael Casarez, Rosemead Resident
City Clerk Hernandez read a Public Comment received from Araceli Garcia, Rosemead
Resident, which was received after the other public comments were already printed and
distributed to Council. Ms. Garcia indicated support for Project Room Key.
Mayor Armenta recessed the meeting at 7:38 p.m. to Closed Session.
Mayor Armenta reconvened the special meeting at 10:02 p.m.
City Attorney Richman announced there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session
for Item Nos. 1 and 1B.
C. Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-19, taking emergency action relating to
the housing of individuals currently experiencing homelessness at Motel 6 and
proclaiming the existence of an emergency situation and local emergency due to the
worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Rosemead City Council Special Meeting
Minutes of May 12, 2020
Page 3 of 7
Consideration of a resolution of the City Council of the City of Rosemead taking
emergency action relating to the housing of 127 individuals currently experiencing
homelessness at Motel 6 located at 1001 San Gabriel Boulevard directing Motel 6
to take additional health and safety measures to protect against the spread of
COVID-19 to the City of Rosemead and protect the public health and safety
pursuant to the city's emergency powers and permitted in the City's emergency
proclamation of March 13, 2020 proclaiming the existence of an emergency
situation and local emergency due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus
(COVID-19)
Recommendation: That the City Council deliberate and consider whether to adopt
the Emergency declaration Resolution No. 2020-19, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD TAKING EMERGENCY ACTION
RELATING TO THE HOUSING OF 127 INDIVIDUALS
CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT
THE MOTEL 6 LOCATED AT 1001 SAN GABRIEL
BOULEVARD, DIRECTING IMPLEMENTATION OF
ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES TO
PROTECT AGAINST THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
TO THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD AND TO PROTECT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PURSUANT TO THE
CITY'S EMERGENCY POWERS AND AUTHORIZED
IN THE CITY'S EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION OF
MARCH 13, 2020, PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF
AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND LOCAL
EMERGENCY DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD
OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Mayor Pro Tem Low stated after visiting the site and speaking with the service
provider, the City should work closely with the County to address some of the
concerns that have been brought forth; questioned if the draft resolution will be
effective in protecting our residents.
Council Member Clark expressed concern for the background checks and COVID
testing before allowing individuals to enter the site; directed staff to negotiate with
the County the other issues in the resolution and discuss the potential of the City
paying for background checks of the homeless as referenced in an opposition letter.
Council Member Dang stated he had a lot of questions regarding operation and
security of the site, screening of temperatures for the individuals being housed
there, etc., which were answered in a letter the City received from Miller &
Burgess, LLP; opined the draft resolution needs to be reworked to incorporate some
of this information that will answer residents' questions.
Mayor Armenta indicated even after participating in meetings with the County and
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), many of my questions were
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not answered and incorrect information was given to us; emphasized the City never
once said there is not a homeless problem or that we do not want to help/partner up
with other agencies; opined the other agencies were not being cooperative with the
City. Mayor Armenta read the letter from Miller & Burgess, LLP addressed to
our City Attorney, that Council Member Dang referenced, "Below are details that
I ask you to share with your client, being the City of Rosemead, so that they
understand the comprehensive services the County and LAHSA are providing.
1. Prior to opening each site is inspected by the hotel/motel management, the
homeless services provider, and LAHSA. No one is allowed access to the
site unless they have been referred to the program and approved.
2. Onsite operations at each hotel are led by a local homeless service provider
that has experience working with the unhoused population. The Los Angeles
County Fire Department works with LAHSA to support overall logistics.
All staff receive onboard training on homelessness in the County, basic best
practices for operations and trauma enforced care.
3. Each site provides supportive services to its residents, onsite supervision,
and three meals per day to participants in a hotel/motel setting, this includes
contracted license security and healthcare services.
4. All clients are screened before being transported and/or admitted to the
facility. Anyone who has been screened and determined consistent with
COVID-19 symptoms or has a temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit or greater is
not allowed to be transported or enter the facility.
5. Once onsite each client receives three daily screening by a healthcare
professional, this includes taking the person's temperature and issuing a
health screening questionnaire. All temperature checks and health screenings
are logged for each client.
6. Residents may leave and enter the facility between the hours of operation
established by the hotel/motel and only to do any of the allowed Safer -at -
Home activities. All residents are rescreened upon return.
7. Each facility is supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE),
sanitizing products and other cleaning supplies and soap for frequent
handwashing."
Mayor Armenta stated it would have helped to receive this letter before today to
assist us with drafting the resolution and ensuring our residents are protected;
indicated she attended the tour of Motel 6 and met PATH, which is the service
provider, and felt comfortable that PATH's personnel will adhere to County's
regulations and guidelines; thanked Teresa Eilers, EveryoneinLA.org, as she
explained the process in further detail, specifically that people being referred
to Motel 6 has a case worker who helped identify homeless that are seeking
long-term permanent housing. Mrs. Armenta noted that Motel 6 is a corporate run,
not franchised or an LLP; opined we have to take into consideration that the
Governor has gone into negotiations with the Motel 6 corporation; asserted
that the City will continue to work with the agencies such as PATH to ensure there
are proper measures in place.
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Minutes of May 12, 2020
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Mayor Pro Tem Low stated it is important the City continues to work with LAHSA
and the County; made a motion to not adopt the resolution.
Council Member Clark interjected, opined the motion should state we are tabling
the resolution, so it is clear we are not completely rejecting the resolution.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Low and seconded by Council Member Dang
to NOT adopt the Emergency declaration Resolution No. 2020-19, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD TAKING EMERGENCY ACTION
RELATING TO THE HOUSING OF 127 INDIVIDUALS
CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT
THE MOTEL 6 LOCATED AT 1001 SAN GABRIEL
BOULEVARD, DIRECTING IMPLEMENTATION OF
ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES TO
PROTECT AGAINST THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
TO THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD AND TO PROTECT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PURSUANT TO THE
CITY'S EMERGENCY POWERS AND AUTHORIZED
IN THE CITY'S EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION OF
MARCH 13, 2020, PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF
AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND LOCAL
EMERGENCY DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD
OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
A motion was carried out by the following roll call vote AYES: Armenta,
Dang, Low, Ly NOES: Clark ABSENT: None
Council Member Clark reiterated the three concerns she would like staff to work
with the County and LAHSA on are: 1) ensuring each person is tested before
entering the facility; 2) determine if the City can fund the background checks on
the homeless; and 3) properly supervising the residents when they leave the motel
that they are only engaging in Safer -at -Home permitted activities and not in other
activities that could put people at risk.
Mayor Pro Tem Low stated the City should be kept informed and engaged on the
exit plan; asked that we continue to work with the Sheriff's Department as well.
Council Member Clark noted on one of the calls, the question came up when the
FEMA funding is gone, what is the exit plan for people to be transitioned into
permanent housing; advocated for using vacant government buildings and
transition into beds very quickly; stated there are two hospitals that would be perfect
as they already have beds, restrooms, and showers.
Mayor Armenta echoed Mayor Pro Tem Low's and Council Member Clark's
concerns and the importance of the City being heard; we have reached out to the
City of Montebello as they are across the street from Motel 6 and are in negotiations
to ensure residents are safe; directed staff to address Council's concerns.
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Minutes of May 12, 2020
Page 6 of 7
2. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Armenta adjourned the special meeting at 10:33 p.m. The next regular City Council
scheduled meeting took place on May 12, 2020, after the adjournment of the special
meeting in the Rosemead City Hall Council Chamber.
Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk
APPROVED:
Polly L , Ma or
Rosemead City Council Special Meeting
Minutes of May 12, 2020
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