CC - Minutes - 08-08-23MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2023
The meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Council Member Armenia
at 7:04 p.m., in the Rosemead City Hall Conference Room, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard,
Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Mayor Ly (teleconferenced), Council Members Armenta, Dang, and Low
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Clark
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Council Member Low
INVOCATION was led by Council Member Dang
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Kim, City Attorney Richman, Assistant City Manager Bruckner,
Director of Finance Chau, Interim Director of Community Development Wong, Director of
Parks and Recreation Boecking, and City Clerk Hernandez
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident William Chien spoke about the ongoing crime in his neighborhood detailing
three separate incidents the occurred in a short period. He requested more patrolling
and public safety awareness with residents to help deter crime.
Mayor Ly thanked Mr. Chien for expressing his concerns and asked him to
communicate with City staff and the City's Interim Chief of Police and engage with
them to further express his concerns.
Interim Chief of Police Tiwari explained that from July 30 to August 6 there had been
a series of violent crimes which have been isolated incidents. The incidents were
under investigation by either the Homicide Bureau, Operation of Safety Bureau or
detectives. In response to the incidents, Captain Meza, redeployed the Rosemead
Special Assignment Team, requested additional resources from gang detectives,
called Community Oriented Policing Units. Reiterated the Sheriffs are committed to
solving the crimes, restoring peace in the neighborhoods and encouraging the public
to report incidents. He invited Rosemead residents to participate in the Community
Area Watch meetings and Neighborhood Watch groups.
Council Member Dang asked Interim Chief of Police Lt. Tiwari about the mass
notification system called Nixle.
Interim Chief of Police Lt. Tiwari replied that Nixle is a one-way communication
system to alert the community about incidents or traffic closures. City staff and
Sheriffs use it to send mass communication to the community in real time.
Council Member Armenta asked how residents are being notified about the
Neighborhood Watch and Community Area Watch programs.
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Minutes of August 8, 2023
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Interim Chief of Police Lt. Tiwari replied that the community safety events are
promoted on the City's website and social media. Flyers of the Community Area
Watch program are provided to residents door-to-door by City staff and deputies.
A. Presentation by South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing
Vice -Chair, Michael Cacciotti — Air Quality Update
South Pasadena Council Member Michael Cacciotti, Vice -Chair of the South Coast
Air Quality Management District (AQMD), spoke on issues on pollution sources
such as paints, auto body paint shops, gas stations, automotive machines,
locomotives, oil refineries, and many more sources that impact air quality and the
ozone layer. He reiterated that the South Coast AQMD plans on meeting air quality
standards by regulating stationary sources and providing incentives for mobile
sources. In addition, there are residential incentives for the public to promote clean
air, such as furnace rebates, electric lawnmower rebates, EV Chargers, and vehicle
replacement incentives. Mr. Cacciotti explained the City of Rosemead has AB 2766
Motor Vehicle Subvention Funds of $437, 932 available to reduce mobile source
pollution.
Council Member Armenta asked if there was data about lithium batteries.
Cacciotti stated that he and his staff traveled to one of the world's most extensive
lithium battery recycling facilities. The facility recycles 95 to 96% of the metals.
Batteries that are recycled and have some energy life are repurposed by other means.
Council Member Dang asked City staff to consider using the AB 2766 Motor Vehicle
Subvention funds.
Council Member Low thanked Council Member Cacciotti for his presentation.
Alex Lane, via Zoom chat, stated his parents' car had their catalytic converter stolen
and submitted a replacement via an AQMD program, and asked, in the spirit of the
program, that requests be promptly approved to help the earth.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
CE A: The following items are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act,
unless noted on the item.
A. Public Hearing on Potentially Changing the City's Municipal Election Date from
State Primary Elections to the State General Elections in November of
Even -Numbered Years
On June 27, 2023, the City Council discussed the option of potentially moving the
City's General Municipal Election date from the staggered State Primary Election
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Minutes ofAugust 8, 2023
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cycle of March and June of even -numbered years to the Statewide General Election
cycle beginning in November 2024 and continuing after that in even -numbered years.
Furthermore, another option suggested was to place a measure before the voters to
decide if the current staggered election cycle should be moved to a November
election cycle for consistency. During the discussion, City staff was directed to bring
back a draft ordinance for review, and conduct community outreach to obtain
feedback if there is interest in changing the City's election cycle.
As a result of the community outreach and survey, seventy-eight responses were
collected from July 4`h through August ls`, asking if the current City election date
should be changed and who should have authority to make that decision. Fifty-seven
responses favored moving the current staggered March and June Primary Election
cycle to the Statewide General Election cycle in November of even -numbered years.
Twenty-one responses were not in favor of moving the election cycle. In addition,
among the seventy-eight responses, fifty-two responses were in favor of voters
having the authority to make the decision. Twenty-five responses were in favor of
the City Council making the decision to change an election date. The response total
may not reflect the seventy-eight total responses received if an individual skipped a
specific question(s).
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction to City staff.
City Clerk Hernandez reported that at a previous meeting the City Council discussed
the potential of changing the City's Municipal Election from Statewide Primary to
Statewide General Election cycle. Furthermore, the City Council requested that City
staff conduct community outreach asking the public to provide feedback on the
option of potentially moving the City's General Municipal Election from the State
Primary Election cycle to the Statewide General Election cycle. An online survey
was created that resulted in fifty-seven responses, out of 78 favored moving the
current Staggered Election cycle to the Statewide General Election in November of
even -numbered years. Twenty-one responses were not in favor of moving the
election cycle. In either option to change the election date, all City Council office
terms will extend either by eight months or five months respectively, to align with a
Statewide General Election cycle in November.
Mayor Ly stated he asked the City Attorney and City Clerk to provide additional
information of what the schedule would look like if the City had placed this on a
November 2023 election cycle, versus placing an item on a March 2024 election
cycle, versus what it would look like if the City adopted an ordinance and the costs
associated with that.
Mayor Ly opened the public hearing for public comments. There being no comments,
closed the public hearing.
Council Member Armenta stated that consistency was important, and that the election
date should be moved to November even -number years. Expressed concerns with the
staggered election cycles that are causing confusion with voters. She added that
Senator Portantino placed a bill that would make city elections come before all other
elections on a ballot, be it federal, state or county, you will not be lost in the shuffle.
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She stated that in reviewing the options in moving an election, she would not like to
spend $800,000 for a special election, or a measure that may not pass, that result in
still keep the elections staggered. Mrs. Armenta noted that the City is doing its due
diligence in making sure the City is being transparent, and thanked City Clerk staff
for conducting the survey online and at City events. She reiterated that for
consistency, she would prefer to move the election to a November of even -number
years by ordinance and not spend so much money on one question.
City Attorney Richman clarified the separate options presented and the cost of the
$800,000 is for a special standalone election, not for regular election cycles that are
consolidated.
Council Member Low agreed with Council Member Armenia and stated she found it
confusing to hold elections in March and then June. It's important to keep elections
consistent. Mrs. Low reiterated that having an election in November usually has
higher voter participation. She expressed that passing an ordinance was a better
option financially.
Council Member Dang agreed with Council Member Armenia's and Council
Member Low's comments. He reiterated that normally November elections have the
greatest turnouts. If elected officials are nested in the November election cycle, that
would represent the greatest numbers that elected officials represent.
Council Member Armenia added that a resident reached out to her and that the
resident's comments were also incorporated along her own comments made at the
beginning of the discussion.
Mayor Ly noted there was consensus from the City Council to move forward with
moving the election to a November election cycled of even -number years.
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Armenta and seconded by Council Member Low to
direct City staff to bring back an ordinance for first reading, to move the City's election
to a November of even -number years. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Armenta, Dang, Low, and Ly NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Clark
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Low, seconded by Council Member Armenta to
approve the Consent Calendar. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES:
Armenta, Dang, Low, and Ly NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Clark
CEQA: The following items are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act,
unless noted on the item.
A. Claims and Demands
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• Resolution No. 2023-46
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $2,369,714.09
CHECKS NUMBERED 114565 THROUGH NUMBER 114710,
DRAFTS NUMBERED 6630 THROUGH NUMBER 6687 AND
EFT NUMBERED 51792 THROUGH NUMBER 51823
INCLUSIVELY
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-46.
B. Minutes
Recommendations: That the City Council approve the special meeting minutes of
July 31, 2023, and August 1, 2023.
C. 2023 National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference — Dallas, Texas
The City Council will consider authorizing the attendance of the Director of Parks
and Recreation who wishes to attend the 2023 National Recreation and Parks
Association (NRPA) Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, from October 10, 2023, to
October 12, 2023.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Director of Parks and
Recreation to attend the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, from
October 10, 2023, to October 12, 2023.
D. Federal Legislative Advocacy Day — September 251h — 28`h, 2023 in Washington, DC
The City's Federal lobbyist David Turch & Associates is coordinating a federal lobby
day for the month of September when the Senate and the House of Representatives
will be in session. Visiting while representatives are in session provides the maximum
opportunity to meet with them face-to-face. The intent is to conduct meetings to
discuss topics on Transportation, Public Safety, Economic Development, and various
issues affecting the City of Rosemead. The City Council will consider authorizing
the attendance of any Council Member and City staff who wishes to attend the
Federal Legislative Advocacy Day in Washington, DC on September 25-28, 2023.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the attendance, at City expense,
of any Council Member and City staff interested in attending a Federal Legislative
Advocacy Day in Washington, DC on September 25-28, 2023.
E. Memorandum of Understanding with the El Monte Union High School District for
School Year 2023-2024 School Resource Deputy Funding
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Minutes ofAugust 8, 2023
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The El Monte Union High School District ("District') contracts with the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for a Special Assignment Deputy that is
assigned to Rosemead High School as a School Resource Deputy ("SRD").
Through an annual Agreement, the City of Rosemead ("City") shares the cost of the
SRD with the District for the hours the SRD is assigned to Rosemead High School.
The proposed Agreement between the City and the District is for the SRD Program
for the 2023-2024 school calendar year.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize and direct the
City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with El Monte Union
High School District for School Year 2023-2024 School Resource Deputy funding.
F. Consideration of an Ordinance Adopting by Reference the California Fire Code 2023
as Amended and Adopted by Los Angeles County
Every three (3) years the City of Rosemead adopts the California Building Laws
as amended by Los Angeles County. On July 1, 2022, the California Building
Standards Commission published revised Building Standards Codes
(Title 24, Parts 1-12). State law mandates that these standards are enforced in all
jurisdictions effective January 1, 2023, regardless of whether they are specifically
adopted by local jurisdictions.
The Los Angeles County Fire Code is adopted by the County of Los Angeles Board
of Supervisors for the County and the Consolidated Fire Protection District of
Los Angeles County (District). It is also designed and promulgated to be
adopted/ratified by reference through official action by the governing bodies of the
constituent/contracting cities of the District.
Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1. Move to introduce for first reading, by title only, Ordinance No. 1017, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 50022.2, THE CALIFORNIA
FIRE CODE AS AMENDED AND ADOPTED BY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY TITLE 32 LOS ANGELES COUNTY
FIRE CODE WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS,
AND DELETIONS THERETO; and
Schedule a Public Hearing on September 12, 2023, to consider adoption and
second reading of Ordinance No. 1017.
5. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF
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Minutes ofAugust 8, 2023
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6. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
A. Council Comments
Council Member Armenta congratulated City staff, Public Works staff, and First
Responders for a successful National Night Out, Concerts in the Park, and Backpack
Giveaway.
Council Member Dang commended the City staff for a successful National Night
Out event and Council Member Armenta for always being a champion behind the
Backpack giveaway program.
Mayor Ly reported that he attended the Independent Cities Association conference.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ly adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.
Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk
APPROVED:
A�-�
teven Ly, Mayor
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Minutes of August 8, 2023
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