CC - Minutes - 01-23-24MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION REGULAR JOINT MEETING
JANUARY 23, 2024
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Clark
at 7:05 p.m., in the Rosemead City Hall Conference Room, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard,
Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Mayor/President Ly (teleconferenced), Mayor Pro Tem/Vice President Clark, Council
Members/Board Members Armenta and Low
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Armenta, seconded by Council Member Low to
approve Mayor Ly's request to teleconference under the provisions of AB 2449 — Emergency
Clause due to lack of transportation. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Armenta, Clark, Low, and Ly; ABSENT: Dang
ABSENT: Council Member/Board Member Dang
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Council Member Armenta
INVOCATION was led by Mayor Ly
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Kim, City Attorney Richman, Director of Finance Chua,
Director of Public Works Wang, Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking, and City Clerk
Hernandez
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Sue Yamamoto, Rosemead Library Manager announced upcoming programs at the library
and availability of COVID test for the community.
John Martin, Pasadena City College Trustee announced his retirement and talked about the
new Pasadena City College remote campus on Rosemead Boulevard.
Ruben Martinez, Republic Services Municipal Supervisor introduced the City's newly
appointed Municipal Manager, Jorge Herrera Avila.
Jorge Herrera Avila, Republic Services Municipal Manager stated he looks forward to
working with City staff and residents.
2. PRESENTATIONS
A. Recognition of Art Contest Winners for the City's Anti -Hate Campaign
Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking introduced the three winners of the
Anti -Hate Campaign Contest, Jayden Chen, Evelyn Chen, and Jayla Suchite.
The City Council congratulated the winners and presented certificates of recognition.
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Minutes ofdanuary 23, 2024
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B. Introduction of Los Angeles County Sheriffs Temple Station Special Assignment
Team: Motor Deputy Alejandro Ruvalcaba and Deputy Yen To
Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari introduced the newly assigned Deputies to the Rosemead
Special Assignment Team, Motor Deputy Ruvalcaba and Deputy To.
The City Council welcomed the Deputies and look forward to working with them.
3. PUBLIC HEARING - None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVED
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Armenta, seconded by Council Member Low to
approve the Consent Calendar items A, B, and C. Motion was carried by the following
roll call vote: AYES: Armenta, Clark, Low, and Ly NOES: None ABSENT: Dang
A. Claims and Demands
• Resolution No. 2024-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS
AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $667,883.64 CHECKS
NUMBERED 115876 THROUGH NUMBER 115961, DRAFTS
NUMBERED 6986 THROUGH NUMBER 7001 AND EFT
NUMBERED 52084 THROUGH NUMBER 52110 INCLUSIVELY
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-02.
B. Minutes
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the regular meeting minutes of
September 7, 2021.
C. Acceptance of Annual Audit Reports for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
The certified public accounting firm of Lance, Soll & Lunghard, LLP (LSL) was
engaged by the City Council to perform an audit of the financial statements and
perform compliance testing of the City of Rosemead of the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2023. LSL conducted the audit in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards and issued an unmodified (clean) audit opinion on the financial
statements. The report provides a summary of the audit report to be used as a
companion to the published Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
The Rosemead Housing Development Corporation Financial and Compliance
Report, and other documents related to the financial audit are also available.
Recommendation: That the City Council and acting as the Housing Development
Corporation, receive and file the City of Rosemead Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR), the Rosemead Housing Development Corporation
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(RHDC) Annual Financial Statements, and other related audit reports for fiscal year
ended June 30, 2023.
5. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF
A. Sheriffs Department Presentation on Holiday Season Crime Suppression Efforts
During the month of December 2023, the Sheriffs Department's Rosemead Team
conducted added holiday season crime suppression activity with the goal of keeping
Rosemead residents, shoppers, and businesses safe. Attached is a report prepared by
Chief Tiwari of the Department's activity to be presented to the City Council.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report
Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari, provided a brief presentation on the crime suppression
efforts from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies during the holiday season. He
reiterated the increase in crime in the San Gabriel Valley is being addressed
strategically to keep shoppers safe. A strategy being used is the high visibility of
patrols, Deputies walking around shopping centers in an effort to suppress potential
crimes. In addition, with a grant awarded from the Governor's office, the LA County
Sheriffs Department will be able to focus on some retail thefts, the funds will also be
utilized, as well as salary savings from unfulfilling the position from July to
November of last year, to unfilled a motor deputy position.
In the month of December, 32 patrol shifts were conducted, totaling 253 patrol hours
for the patrol deputies. In addition, Deputies were able to offset some of the patrol
hours utilizing reserved deputies and also volunteers. The goal is to have a higher
visibility for the community to see that as well. Data showed there was a decrease in
robberies in the area and 35 individuals were arrested for various misdemeanors. Lt.
Tiwari, referenced an arrest of two brothers in the City of Industry which are likely
linked to many San Gabriel Valley thefts.
Mayor Ly asked how long the investigation took to arrest the two brothers and what
string of robberies they did.
Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari replied he was not sure, but it took a joint effort with Major
Crimes Detectives and law enforcement.
Mayor Ly asked if other arrests of other robbers have been tied with other string of
robberies or seen a pattern of the crimes being possibly related.
Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari replied he was not given that information since there are
ongoing investigations.
Mayor Ly asked when individuals are arrested, could deputies tell if they are a
one-time shoplifter or chronic shoplifter.
Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari replied that most of the arrested individuals were one-time
shoplifters that were caught at stores such as Wal-Mart and Target.
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Council Member Clark asked if the shoplifters steal more than $950, do they go
to jail.
Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari explained that shoplifters do go to jail, however because
of the new No Bail policy, almost all individuals that are booked, get release on a
citation.
Council Member Armenia commended Chief of Police, Lt. Tiwari and his team for
their due diligence in apprehending shoplifters and connecting them to other
robberies. She shared that going to stores like Ulta does feel unsafe at times because
you never know when a robbery may occur.
Council Member Low thanked Chief of Police, Lt Tiwari and his team for efforts in
trying to keep crime rates down. In addition, she encouraged the community to make
their voices heard and call city elected officials to address any safety concerns.
Mayor Ly stated that it was interesting to see how criminal enterprises are becoming
more organized. He noted that as a city we need to figure out a way to empower the
community, and the Sheriffs Team in doing a better job of tracking organized crimes.
B. Continued Discussion, Report, and Direction Regarding the 2030 Imagine
Rosemead Strategic Plan
The City Council will continue the discussion of the Strategic Plan review from
December 12, 2023, meeting. The Strategic Plan has acted as a roadmap for
implementing Rosemead's vision for the city as well as ongoing improvements. This
update outlines the first two years of the plan and provides a progress report on the
goals and items that were identified in the 2030 Strategic Plan.
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction on the 2030
Strategic Plan.
City staff reported on the updates of each department's progress on the item goals of
the report card of the Strategic Plan.
City Manager Kim noted there are a total of seventy-one goals within the Strategic
Plan and fifty-seven of those items in the Plan that are on track. There are six action
items that are delayed, and eight action items are not on track. In addition, eighteen
action items were completed within the first two years.
Council Member Low commended City staff for working hard in meeting some of
the goals timeline.
Council Member Clark stated she appreciated the work from City staff in making
efforts to complete tasks in the Strategic Plan.
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Council Member Armenta agreed with Council Member Low and Council Member
Clark's comments in commending City staff for their work in trying to complete as
many tasks as possible in the Strategic Plan. She noted that with City Manager Kim's
leadership and dedication from the Directors, the City is on a good path with the
Strategic Plan. In addition, she recalled that the first 10 -year strategic plan City staff
was able to accomplish a lot. Reiterated as the years go by, there will need to be areas
of the Strategic Plan the Council and City staff may need to revise, change, or modify.
Mayor Ly also commended City staff for their hard work in meeting some of the
Strategic Plan timelines. He noted that there were many items that may require
revisiting. He asked when staff was planning on bringing before the Council the
proposed updates or proposed amendments to the Strategic Plan.
City Manager Kim replied that the City staff will be working on a timeline to bring
back before the Council the proposed amendments.
Mayor Ly stated that as time passes some of the items may need to be adjusted in the
Strategic Plan and maybe add other things to the plan. Asked City Manager Kim to
look into adjusting items during the planning process. In reference to the report card
presented of the progress of the Strategic Plan, he indicated that if items are truly on
track, that is great to hear; however, if items are not on track or City staff is needing
resources or direction, it's a worthwhile conversation to have to address any issues.
He referenced Goal G, partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, and questioned
what they can and can't do. He stated that staff should cross reference on items, where
there are grant opportunities such as the Washington, DC trip, where City staff and
Council are going to meet with representatives of the National Endowment of Arts to
talk about how to bring money back for other public art or cultural programs. He
would like to have further conversation on areas that need more collaboration or in
other areas needing support.
6. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
A. Council Comments
Council Member Armenta reported that she attended the CCCA Legislative Tour
and stated they addressed topics such as housing matters, rising crime, and conducted
a press conference on retail theft.
Mayor Ly asked for City staff to return with a report on his suggestion to provide
City staff and Council to take a training based on the book 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People. Furthermore, he requested two items for discussion on graffiti
removal and a discussion with the Sheriffs Detective team to brief the City Council
on how they analyze and solve crime and how the city can best support those efforts.
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7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ly adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.
Ericka Hernand&, -Ctty Clem
APPROVED:
zi�;77 —
Steven Ly, Mayor
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