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CC - Minutes - 03-12-24 Special & RegularMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL AND REGULAR JOINT MEETING MARCH 12, 2024 The special meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Ly at 6:18 p.m., in the Rosemead City Hall Conference Room, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Mayor Ly, Mayor Pro Tem Clark, Council Members Armenta, Dang and Low ABSENT: None 1. STUDY SESSION A. Graffiti Removal Program The purpose of this Staff Report is to provide an update on the City's graffiti removal program at the request of Mayor Steven Ly. Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file this report. Director of Public Works Wang reported that the City's removal program is an important program in order to keep clean and maintain public spaces throughout the city. The program operates with two daily routes. Graffiti incidents are identified daily, public service staff responds to graffiti removal requests submitted through the Citizen Request Management system (CRM), as well as from the 24/7 Graffiti hotline. The systems are available to both internal departments and the public. She added the activation of a graffiti tracker program will enhance the collaboration with the local Sheriffs Department for gang related graffiti. There are two full-time staff dedicated to graffiti removal daily, including weekends and holidays. However, one of the graffiti trucks was involved in a car accident in December 2023 and is currently out of commission. The truck is in the process of being evaluated for either repairs or procuring a new truck, depending on which option is more cost effective. Despite the challenges, during the calendar year 2023 the Public Service Team addressed 2,828 incidents of graffiti and a total of 74,162 square feet of graffiti was removed, roughly a 35% increase from the prior year. Public Services staff are committed to the goal of removing all graffiti incidents within 24 hours of reporting, with the exception of delays due to rain. Mayor Ly asked if staff was tracking specific gang related tagging and if a program was being used for that. Director of Public Works Wang explained the graffiti tracking program is a subscription that city staff is able to upload pictures and report locations. At the same time deputies will get notified, see the graffiti that's being removed and identify what kind of gang related graffiti it is. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 1 of]] Mayor Ly asked how staff is tracking the number of graffiti is being reported by the three methods, the 24/7 hotline, CRM system and by city staff. Director of Public Works Wang replied that City staff was tracking the number of graffiti reported via their respective methods but did not have the numbers. She affirmed the majority of the graffiti being reported is through the CRM system. Mayor Ly asked about what major arterials routes staff is traveling and roughly at what times. Director of Public Works Wang replied that the major arterials on the north side of the city are Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive. The southside are Garvey Avenue, Ramona Avenue, Graves Avenue and the vertical streets include Walnut Grove Avenue and other major arterials. Staff drives on other high graffiti activity areas that are identified on the daily routes. Staff starts in the morning at around 6:00 a.m. and takes about two to three hours to drive the routes. Mayor Ly asked how many times the staff goes through the city. Director of Public Works Wang replied the staff drives the two routes only once each day. Mayor Ly asked if staff does any on foot inspection for graffiti on sidewalks. Director of Public Works Wang replied that if there is a lot of reports on a location, the location is placed on the list of high graffiti activity location and it is monitored. Mayor Ly asked if the graffiti tracking system can create heat maps or predicament analysis. Director of Public Works Wang replied the graffiti tracking program should be able to get that data. City Manager Kim interjected that the program has the ability to track and provide data, but not sure about the predicament analysis. Council Member Low recalled past conversations that if we quickly removed graffiti, it would eventually discourage taggers. Wondered if that statement is true and asked if graffiti is tracked by year. Has graffiti increased or decreased by year in the last ten years. Director of Public Works Wang stated that staff will have to look at the trend for the last ten years. City Manager Kim replied that staff will do the analysis, however there may be higher numbers because staff is actively removing graffiti more frequently within the 24 hours. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 2 of 11 Council Member Armenta asked if the 35% increase is because of the fact that one truck was not operable. Director of Public Works Wang explained that 35% increase is comparing the total amount of graffiti incidents that were addressed in the past year. Council Member Armenta stated in the past there was only one graffiti truck and now we have two trucks. Director of Public Works Wang stated that she could not speak on how many trucks the city had five years ago, but currently the city has one operating truck, and the other truck was involved in an accident and not operating. However, staff can load the paint and supplies to another truck if it's needed. Council Member Armenta stated that a few years ago she volunteered to remove graffiti with city staff and recalled that one truck would go the opposite direction from the other truck and hit a street twice. Suggested that maybe that would be an option to abate more graffiti. Director of Public Works Wang stated that once the second truck in available, staff can look into driving twice on a street. However, would need to see the data first to ensure the best way to evaluate the abatement of graffiti. Council Member Armenta inquired about who is responsible for graffiti on private property. Asked about the graffiti incident adjacent to Rice Elementary and the property owner. City Manager Kim reiterated that the City Council at a prior meeting directed City staff to work with private property owners to get authorization to be able to abate graffiti in private property. Council Member Low asked what the process is when graffiti is on private property. Director of Public Works Wang explained that staff can remove the graffiti from private property that is accessible from the public sidewalk or public street. If it's inside a private parking lot that requires entry into the private property, staff has a waiver form that the property owner signs that releases the city of any liability. Council Member Low asked if the form has to be signed every time there is graffiti or only once. Director of Public Works Wang replied the form has to be signed every time staff is called to remove graffiti. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 3 of 11 Mayor Pro Tem Clark asked if graffiti is on the sidewalk, you have to pressure wash the sidewalk, does the staff have the equipment on the truck to do that. Director of Public Works Wang replied that staff does have the equipment to pressure wash on graffiti off sidewalk. Mayor Pro Tem Clark asked what the penalty is if a person is caught doing graffiti. Chief of Police Lieutenant Tiwari replied graffiti is considered vandalism and under the penal code it's dependent on the amount it costs to remove if it's over $400 it's considered a felony. If it's under $400, it's considered a misdemeanor. When a court sees the invoice, the cost encompasses supplies, staff time and whatever else it took to remove the graffiti. Grand theft is $950 but vandalism is still the $400 threshold, so previous laws that change did not affect anything with graffiti as vandalism. Council Member Armenta reminded the Council that a social ordinance exists, where the parents must pay restitution for any damage that was done. Asked for staff to look into, in case there are laws that may prevent the city from enacting the ordinance again. Also, stated there was a binder with photos of all graffiti that had monikers on file. Chief of Police Lieutenant Tiwari replied that instead of a binder they are tracking monikers digitally and now have the ability to see a heat map. Each deputy will be responsible for their reporting districts. With the new subscription, deputies will be able to be proactive. Mayor Pro Tem Clark agreed with Council Member Low's statement about removing graffiti too fast, that gang members are trying to state their territory. Asked if someone is concerned about the constant graffiti and has proof of who tagged the area, would the Sheriffs be able to access the video. Chief of Police Lieutenant Tiwari replied in high crime areas there could be pole cameras that deputies can have access to. However, for residential cameras, the resident has to be able to upload videos where the deputies can get access to view. Mayor Pro Tem Clark talked about the mismatched paint colors on shopping centers where graffiti was removed. Asked if staff can work with the property owners to ensure that the color is matched as close as possible to the current paint color of a wall. City Manager Kim explained that about a year ago, when the City decided to remove graffiti from private property, it's very difficult to paint match, even if we had the original color because the paint will fade over time and the City trucks cannot hold every single color. The trucks have base colors only; however, if the property owner has the paint that they would like staff to use, they will certainly use it. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 4 of 11 Mayor Ly suggested that the Council could look into updating the Zoning Code to see if certain front facing businesses use paint resistant or graffiti resistant coating. Council Member Dang stated that he has not seen much graffiti on the streets he drives, he commended staff for being proactive. Stated that the 35% increase in graffiti abatement shows how proactive and efficient staff is being in removing graffiti. Council Member Armenta stated that she does see more graffiti at the south side of the city in comparison to the north side of the city. She asked if staff had information on what part of the city is the 35% increase of graffiti. Director of Public Works Wang explained that the CRM system does not have the capability to show the increase in locations. However, the tracking software for graffiti does have heat maps that will provide the data and locations of increase graffiti and active areas. Council Member Dang asked how residents can report graffiti. Director of Public Works Wang replied that residents can call the 24/7 graffiti hotline, call City Hall, or submit a CRM request online via the Report a Problem link. Council Member Dang stated that as the city, we have to provide as many tools as possible to the residents to be able to easily report graffiti. He also thanked Chief of Police Lt. Tiwari for establishing that each Special Assignment Team Deputy take ownership of their own reporting district when it comes to graffiti and tracking gang related graffiti. Council Member Armenta asked if the Go app was available to report graffiti. Director of Public Works Wang stated that the Rosemead app is active and the public and staff can report graffiti through the app. City Manager Kim stated the app is called My Rosemead. Mayor Ly agreed with Mr. Dang that providing more tools to the residents is important. Asked if these tools are available in different languages for residents. Director of Public Works Wang replied she was not sure the CRM system has multilingual capabilities. Mayor Ly expressed concern that there is a cultural language barrier with members of the public or a technological barrier that may prevent the public from reporting. Would like to see what capabilities the CRM system and graffiti tracker have. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 5 of 11 Mayor Pro Tem Clark asked that the system to report graffiti should be made easy for residents to use. Council Member Low requested that staff bring back the heat maps data on graffiti once enough data has been collected. Mayor Ly requested the following items be brought back in six months for an update to the City Council. First, report back on the graffiti tracking subscription, the use of the heat map, predicative analysis capabilities, and be able to extract data. Second, how is staff checking for graffiti and is staff completing foot or ground inspections to determine active areas? Third, report back on how much staff time spent during the week and the cost it takes to remove graffiti. Lastly, asked how easy it is to make a request on the City's website and remove as many of the technological, cultural language barriers as possible. Council Member Armenta suggested to also include that staff look into and compare how much it would cost to contract the graffiti abatement program. She noted that City of Covina contracts the graffiti abatement program service and is happy with the results. Mayor Ly adjourned the Special Meeting Workshop. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 6 of 11 Regular City Council Meeting 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Ly at 7:12 p.m., in the Rosemead City Hall Conference Room, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Clark, Council Members Armenta, Dang and Low ABSENT: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Council Member Low INVOCATION was led by Mayor Pro Tem Clark 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 2. PUBLIC COMMENT - None K< 0;7*11Do►IrrY[0&i A. Administration of the Oath of Office to Council Members Sean Dang and Polly Low City Clerk Hernandez administered the Oath of Office to Appointee Council Member Sean Dang to his new four-year term of office to the City Council. Kristi Low administered the Oath of Office to Appointee Council Member Polly Low to her new four-year term of office to the City Council. Council Member Dang thanked the residents for giving him the opportunity to serve the community again on his second term. He thanked his colleagues for the work they all have done for the city and looks forward to working with them for the next four years. Thanked his family for their support. Council Member Low stated she was grateful for being on the City Council for 16 years. Thanked her colleagues for their support and work on the City Council and wants the best for the city. Thanked her family for their support during her City Council terms. Laura Brantley, Representative from the Office of Senator Susan Rubio, commended Council Member Low and Council Member Dang and presented congratulatory certificates for their continued service to the City of Rosemead. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 7 of II Mayor Pro Tem Vinh Ngo from the City of Monterey Park, congratulated Council Member Low and Council Member Dang on their reappointment to the City Council. On behalf of the City of Monterey Park, he presented certificates of recognition. Council Member Yvonne Yiu from the City of Monterey Park, congratulated and commended Council Member Low and Council Member Dang on their new terms of office to the City Council. Council Member Tony Ding from the City of San Gabriel, congratulated Council Member Low and Council Member Dang on their appointments and thanked them for being role models to him and the community. On behalf of the City of San Gabriel, he presented certificates of recognition. Council Member Low and Council Member Dang thanked invitees from neighboring cities and Senator Susan Rubio's office for their support and appreciation. 4. PUBLIC HEARING - None 5. CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION: Council Member Armenta made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark to approve Consent Calendar Items. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: ARMENTA, CLARK, DANG, LOW, AND LY NOES: NONE CEOA: The following items are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, unless noted on the item. B. Claims and Demands • Resolution No. 2024-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF 5951,902.62 CHECKS NUMBERED 116177 THROUGH NUMBER 116306, DRAFTS NUMBERED 7067 THROUGH NUMBER 7082 AND EFT NUMBERED 52170 THROUGH NUMBER 52213 INCLUSIVELY Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-07. C. Minutes Recommendation: That the City Council approve the regular and special meeting minutes of March 22, 2022. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 8 of 11 D. 2023 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 1" of each year, for the prior calendar year, with the State Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development. State law also requires that the Annual Progress Reports be presented at a public meeting before the City Council where members of the public are given an opportunity to comment on the City's progress. This agenda item meets these statutory requirements. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Receive and file the 2023 Annual Progress Reports; and 2. Direct the Community Development Department to transmit the 2023 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and California Department of Housing and Community Development. E. Storm Water Catch Basin Award of Contract to United Storm Water Inc. for the Storm Water Catch Basin Upgrade Project Phase II, Project No. 49018 and Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-08 As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Program, the City Council approved the Storm Water Catch Basin Upgrade Project Phase II. The project consists of retrofitting sixty-six (66) storm water catch basins with Automatic Retractable Screen trash capture devices to help reduce the amount of trash entering the stormwater system and to the waterways. The project is funded by Safe Clean Water Funds in the amount of $150,000. United Storm Water Inc. submitted the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $188,600. Staff is requesting to appropriate an additional $60,000 in Safe Clean Water Funds to increase the total project budget to $210,000. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Storm Water Catch Basin Upgrade Project Phase II — Project No. 49018; 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with United Storm Water, Inc., for the bid amount of $188,600.00. In addition, authorize an amount of $18,860.00 (101/o) as a contingency to cover the cost of unforeseen construction expenses, for a total amount of $207,460.00; and 3. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-08, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE STORM WATER CATCH BASIN UPGRADE PROJECT PHASE II - PROJECT NO. 490180 Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 9 of 11 F. Mission Drive Pedestrian Award of Contract to CALPROMAX ENGINEERING INC. for Mission Drive Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon System Project No. 24013 As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Capital Improvement Program, the City Council approved the Mission Drive Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon System Project. The project consists of furnishing and installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon system, including installation of traffic signal poles, communication conduits, controller cabinet, removal and replacement of roadway pavement, signing and striping as indicated in the appendix and other related work necessary for the proper completion of the project at Mission Drive and Newby Avenue. This project is funded by a Measure M Multi -Year Subregional Grant awarded by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; there is no local match requirement. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: Approve the plans and specifications for the Mission Drive Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon System — Project No. 24013; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract with CALPROMAX ENGINEERING, INC. in the amount of $325,175.00. In addition, authorize an amount of $32,517.50 (10%) as a contingency to cover the cost of unforeseen construction expenses, for a total amount of $357,692.50. 6. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF - None MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL A. Council Comments Council Member Armenta congratulated Council Member Dang on his appointment to another four years on the City Council. He commended his work on affordable housing and the Small Lot Ordinance. Thanked Mr. Dang's family for sharing his time with the city. Council Member Dang stated it was a shared vision of the Small Lot Ordinance and the support of the City Council. Council Member Armenta commended Council Member Low for being the voice of reason and congratulated her on her new term of office to the City Council. She thanked Mrs. Low's family for their support towards her to continue doing good work in the community. Mayor Pro Tem Clark expressed appreciation of Council Member Dang's engineering perspective and bringing ideas such as the Small Lot Ordinance. She also expressed appreciation for Council Member Low for her frugality ensuring the City has financial stability. She noted that by not having to run in an election, the city saved over $100,000 in election cost. Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 10 of 11 Council Member Dang stated he appreciated Council Member Low's methodical and logical thinking when discussion projects. The wealth of importance she brings to the City Council is to be commended. Council Member Low expressed appreciation of her colleagues' comments and providing a glimpse of the work that goes into being on the City Council. Mayor Ly congratulated Council Member Dang and Council Member Low on their appointments to the City Council. He shared what is unique about this Council is their passions, analytical abilities, creativity, and ability to move forward from challenging votes. Noted the importance of the work from bringing ideas such as the Small Lot Ordinance, Garvey Avenue Specific Plan, establishment of the Public Safety Commission are all things that are important to the City Council that impact and shape the community. In addition, he reported out that he attended the Transform Al conference and hopes to see the city explore Al. He also reported out that he attended the Lobby Day with City staff in Washington, DC and was excited to announce grant opportunities the city would be applying for. Lastly, he announced that the city was awarded a grant of $800,000 to make park improvements to the Garvey Park playground equipment, picnic shelters, and lighting. Council Member Armenta recognized and wished Representative Laura Brantley good luck as she would be moving to New York. She thanked her for her service in the communities represented on behalf of Senator Susan Rubio. 8. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ly adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk APPROVED: Steven Ly, Mayor Rosemead City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2024 Page 11 of]]