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CC - Minutes - 06-27-2023MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 27, 2023 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Dang at 7:03 p.m., in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Mayor Dang, Mayor Pro Tem Ly (Teleconference) and Council Members Armenta and Low ABSENT: Council Member Clark PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Council Member Low INVOCATION was led by Mayor Dang STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Kim, City Attorney Richman, Assistant City Manager Bruckner, Director of Finance Chua, Interim Director of Community Development Wong, Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking, Director of Public Works Chung, Interim Chief of Police/Lieutenant Tiwari, and City Clerk Hernandez 1. PUBLIC COMMENT There being no comments, Mayor Dang opened and closed the Public Comment period. 2. PRESENTATIONS A. Introduction of Administrative Assistant Madeline Velasquez Assistant City Manager Bruckner introduced Madeline Velasquez as the new Administrative Assistant in the City Manager's Office; provided a brief background of her education and work experience. The City Council congratulated Ms. Velasquez on being selected and welcomed her to the Rosemead Team. B. Proclamation Declaring June 2023 as "Pride Month" in the City of Rosemead City Clerk Hernandez summarized the proclamation declaring June as "Pride Month," recognizing the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and promoting unity, inclusion, mutual respect, and acceptance within the community. The proclamation affirms the City of Rosemead's commitment to preventing discrimination and fostering acceptance of all its citizens. and supporting all Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 1 of 41 residents regardless of identity or background. City Clerk Hernandez noted that the proclamation would also be promoted on social media. Mayor Dang stated I am very proud and honored to support this proclamation. I think it represents a lot of individuality, a lot of diversity in our culture and our community. Council Member Armenta stated that the proclamation represents acceptance and treating everyone equally. She expressed appreciation to her Council colleagues for proclaiming June as "Pride Month" and highlighted the importance of supporting and accepting all individuals. Council Member Armenta noted that many young people struggle with acceptance and belonging and affirmed that the City of Rosemead stands behind and embraces every member of the community regardless of identity or personal preference. Council Member Low echoed I wholeheartedly agree with what Council Member Armenta said; emphasizing the importance of acceptance as a city to stand behind every single individual in our community. Mayor Pro Tem Ly concurred with the comments made by his colleagues and stated that the city should not only express support for the LGBTQ+ community but also demonstrate that support through action. He proposed agendizing a discussion regarding the possibility of flying the Pride flag next year during Pride Month as a visible show of support and inclusion. C. Recognition Presentation of Rosemead Recipient of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation City Clerk Hernandez announced that Ms. Milly, recipient of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation scholarship award, was unable to attend the meeting due to being out of town and noted that staff would ensure she receives her certificate. The City Council congratulated Ms. Milly on her achievement and wished her continued success in her future endeavors while representing Rosemead. D. Recognition Presentation of Rosemead Recipients of the Republic Services 2023 Annual Essay Writing Scholarship Program Susan Ayala, Municipal Manager for Republic Services, announced the recipients of the 2023 Annual Essay Writing Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to college -bound Rosemead high school seniors who submit essays on environmental topics. She stated that submissions were evaluated based on creativity, passion for the environment, and vision for the future, and noted that each recipient would receive a $1,000 scholarship toward higher education. The City Council recognized the following awardees: Cindy Tong, from San Gabriel High School, attending UC Berkeley College of Engineering, and majoring in civil engineering; Andrew Do, a graduate of Rosemead High School, attending UC Irvine Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 2 of 41 and majoring in environmental engineering; Katherine Liu, a graduate of Rosemead High School, attending UCLA and majoring in business economics; Valerie Quach, graduate of Rosemead High School, attending UC San Diego, majoring in human biology; and Maggie Nhan, a graduate of San Gabriel High School, attending Pasadena City College, majoring in English. Mayor Dang thanked Republic Services for continuing to support local students through the scholarship program and congratulated the recipients on their academic achievements and future educational pursuits. Council Member Armenta expressed appreciation to Republic Services for recognizing students from both Rosemead High School and San Gabriel High School. Council Member Low congratulated the recipients and stated she looks forward to seeing all the great things they do in our community; thanked Republic Services for awarding these scholarships. Mayor Pro Tem Ly congratulated the scholarship recipients and encouraged them to continue pursuing their goals, noting that they represent the future of both Rosemead and the community at large. 3. PUBLIC HEARING A. Public Hearing on Zone Change 22-02 and Specific Plan Amendment 22-01 7849-7857 Garvey Avenue And 7900-7916 Virginia Street Green Park Property LLC has submitted entitlement applications requesting to amend the Zoning Map and Garvey Avenue Specific Plan by changing the zone of the subject properties from Garvey Avenue Specific Plan (GSP) (APNs: 5287-038-018, -019, -020 and -029) and Garvey Avenue Specific Plan, Residential/Commercial (GSP-R/C) (APNs: 5287-038-030 and -033) to Garvey Avenue Specific Plan, Incentivized Mixed -Use (GSP-MU) zone, for the development of a new residential/commercial mixed-use development. The project is located at 7849-7857 Garvey Avenue and 7900-7916 Virginia Street, on a 1.21 acre site, north of Garvey Avenue, and bounded by Virginia Street to the north and Strathmore Avenue to the east. The project proposes the construction of a seven -story, mixed- use development with 35,105 square feet of nonresidential use and 93 residential apartments, which includes 24 live/work units. The project will include 208 parking spaces, new landscaping, and private and common open space. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Conduct a public hearing and receive public testimony; 2. Introduce the first reading, by title only of Ordinance No. 1016, entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ofJune 27, 2023 Page 3 of 41 CALIFORNIA, TO APPROVE ZONE CHANGE 22-02 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 22-01 TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP AND FIGURE 3.1 OF THE GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN BY CHANGING THE ZONE OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES FROM GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN (GSP) (APNS: 5287-038-018, -019, -020 AND -029) AND GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN, RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL (GSP-R/C) (APNS: 5287-038-030 AND -033) TO GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN, INCENTIVIZED MIXED- USE (GSP-MU) ZONE, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 7849-7857 GARVEY AVENUE AND 7900-7916 VIRGINIA STREET; and 3. Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023-26, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR ZONE CHANGE 22-02 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 22-01 Associate Planner Lao presented Zone Change 22-02 and Specific Plan Amendment 22-01 for the Strathmore/Garvey mixed-use project. The project site is currently designated under the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan and Garvey Avenue Specific Plan, Residential/Commercial; the applicant is requesting a rezone to Garvey Avenue Specific Plan — Incentivized Mixed Use, while the General Plan land use designation would remain unchanged. Ms. Lao noted that the California Department of Housing and Community Development has allocated 4,612 housing units to the City of Rosemead under the 2021-2029 RHNA cycle, and the proposed 93 residential units would contribute toward meeting that obligation. The project site consists of six parcels totaling approximately 1.2 acres and proposes a seven -story mixed-use development with 93 residential units, including 24 live/work units, as well as ground -floor commercial space. The project meets all required standards for usable public, private common, and private open space. Additional project features include lot consolidation, family - friendly design elements, ground -floor commercial uses, public parking, sustainable design, and alternative energy components. A total of 208 off-street parking spaces are proposed in both surface and structured parking. Ms. Lao stated that the project complies with applicable development standards, including setbacks, height, parking, and open space requirements, as detailed in the Planning Commission Staff Report. She also presented project renderings illustrating views from Garvey Avenue and the corner of Strathmore Avenue and Virginia Street. The project features a modem architectural design with articulated building fagades, varied materials, projections, recesses, and balconies with glass panels, canopies, and screening to reduce massing Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 4 of 41 and enhance visual interest. The ground floor is designed to support a pedestrian - friendly environment, including potential outdoor dining. Associate Planner Lao noted that the project was considered by the Planning Commission on May 15, 2023. Key discussion topics included the proposed Virginia Street driveway and traffic impacts. The traffic study concluded that vehicle trips from Virginia Street access would be minimal during peak hours, as it would serve residents only. A Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared addressing environmental impacts, including traffic, parking, noise, air quality, and utilities. Following public testimony, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the project as proposed by staff. Ms. Lao also reported that the City Clerk's Office received two public comments on January 26, 2023. The first was from Council Member Clark, to be read by the City Clerk. The second was from DLA Piper on behalf of an adjacent property owner, requesting preparation of an Environmental Impact Report rather than a Mitigated Negative Declaration due to concerns related to noise, vibration, and air quality during construction. She noted that the project's environmental consultant, Phil Martin & Associates, would be responding to those comments. Phil Martin of Phil Martin & Associates stated that he carefully reviewed the comments regarding noise, vibration, and air quality submitted by Mr. Brady. He also forwarded the letter to their noise and air quality consultants for further review. After evaluating the comments in comparison with the project's technical studies, he concluded that the concerns have been adequately addressed and mitigated. Mr. Martin noted that the mitigation measures outlined on page 81 of the Mitigated Negative Declaration sufficiently address noise and vibration impacts, and no additional mitigation measures are recommended. He stated that, in his professional opinion, the Mitigated Negative Declaration before the Council is the appropriate CEQA document to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the project. Associate Planner Lao added that staff would like to inform the Council that all noise, vibration, and air quality impacts during construction will be addressed through the Construction Management Plan. Measures may include the installation of a sound curtain and restrictions on the placement and use of power tools away from the residential property. Staff recommends that the City Council (1) conduct the public hearing and receive public testimony; (2) introduce the first reading by title only of Ordinance No. 1016 approving Zone Change 22-02 and Specific Plan Amendment 22-01; and (3) adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023-26 approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as the environmental document and authorize filing of the Notice of Determination for the project. Staff, the applicant's representative, and the project's environmental consultant are available to answer any questions. Mayor Dang opened the Public Comment period. City Clerk Hernandez read the following public comments received via email. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 5 of 41 Andrew Brady, DLA Piper, and Karen Hallock submitted a letter that is over 240 pages; noted this letter will be entered into the record, as discussed by staff. The next comment is from Council Member Margaret Clark: "Dear Fellow Council Members, I regret that I cannot attend tonight's meeting due to change in travel plans out of my control. Having read the 12 pages of the Planning Commission Minutes of May 15, 2023 on the Zone Change for 7849-7857 Garvey Avenue and 7900-7916 Virginia Street, I am asking that after you hear the public on this issue that you delay approval until the issues brought up about access since Virginia Street is a cul-de-sac and traffic on Garvey. At that meeting, Chair Daniel Lopez made a motion and Commissioner John Tang seconded to get the traffic updates before it was sent to Council. Unfortunately, Commissioners Berry, Escobar and Ung voted against that motion. I really think that the uniqueness of this project and the effects on neighboring properties should cause us to study how the negative effects can be mitigated. Sincerely, Your Colleague, Maggie Clark" City Clerk Hernandez stated that this concludes the two emailed public comments and noted that the Council may proceed with in-person public comments. Andrew Brady of the DLA Piper Law Firm, representing an adjacent property owner, stated that his client had made several attempts to work with the applicant to resolve concerns regarding the project, but those efforts were unsuccessful. He expressed concerns regarding the adequacy of the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), particularly related to construction noise and vibration impacts. He stated that the MND identifies construction noise levels reaching 84 decibels, which he argued exceeds the City's noise ordinance threshold of 65 decibels and the standard of 3 decibels above ambient noise levels. Mr. Brady contended that the proposed mitigation measures, including maintaining certain construction equipment at least 35 feet from nearby residences, would not sufficiently reduce impacts. He further asserted that the MND improperly relied on an 85 -decibel threshold that, in his opinion, lacked support and conflicted with State guidance regarding acceptable construction noise levels. Mr. Brady also raised concerns regarding the project's proximity to adjacent residential properties, stating that some construction activities could occur as close as five feet from neighboring homes rather than the ten feet referenced in the MND. He argued that the reduced distance could result in significant vibration impacts under the City's adopted thresholds. Additionally, Mr. Brady stated that proposed measures such as noise barriers should be included as enforceable mitigation measures under CEQA rather than addressed solely through the Construction Management Plan. He concluded by asserting that the environmental document contained significant Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 6 of 41 deficiencies related to noise and vibration impacts that should be addressed prior to project approval. There being no other comments, Mayor Dang closed the Public Comment period. Council Member Low asked the project consultant to respond to the concerns raised by Mr. Brady, noting that the consultant was the subject matter expert regarding environmental analysis. Phil Martin responded that Mr. Brady's comments referenced operational noise levels contained in the City's noise ordinance, whereas the concerns raised in the letter pertained to construction noise levels. Mr. Martin stated that the City of Rosemead does not have adopted thresholds specifically for construction noise and noted that the project complies with applicable operational noise standards identified in the Mitigated Negative Declaration and noise report. He further stated that the mitigation measures outlined on page 81 of the MND adequately address and mitigate construction -related noise impacts. Council Member Low sought clarification regarding the distinction between operational noise and construction noise. She asked whether operational noise refers to ongoing noise generated once the project is occupied and operational, whereas construction noise refers to temporary elevated noise levels occurring during the construction phase. Phil Martin confirmed that Council Member Low's understanding was correct. He explained that construction equipment may generate noise levels exceeding the City's adopted operational noise standards, which is why the noise report established an 85 -decibel threshold for construction activities. Mr. Martin stated that the mitigation measures identified on page 81 of the MND were specifically included to address construction noise impacts exceeding that threshold during the construction phase. He further noted that while the City's noise ordinance regulates permitted construction hours, it does not establish specific construction noise level thresholds. Mayor Dang asked Mr. Martin to explain the mitigation measures identified in the Mitigated Negative Declaration that would address construction noise impacts. Mr. Martin stated that the project includes eight mitigation measures to reduce construction noise and vibration impacts. Examples include prohibiting dozers and graders from operating within 35 feet of adjacent residential units, utilizing rubber - tired equipment instead of tracked equipment where feasible, equipping all construction equipment with mufflers and noise attenuation devices, and using electric air compressors and similar power tools instead of diesel -powered equipment when feasible. He also noted that generators and stationary construction equipment would be located as far from nearby residential structures as possible. Mayor Dang thanked Mr. Martin for summarizing the mitigation measures. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 7 of 41 Council Member Armenia expressed appreciation for the concerns raised by Mr. Brady, particularly regarding vibration impacts on older homes adjacent to the project site. She referenced past construction activity near Pickett Street, which is adjacent to the railroad tracks (the other side is the City of Temple City), where nearby homes reportedly experienced structural damage due to vibration, and asked what measures would be implemented to protect neighboring residences from similar impacts. Council Member Armenta acknowledged concerns previously raised by Virginia Street residents and apologized if residents felt their concerns had not been adequately addressed. She emphasized the importance of community engagement and stated that she remained concerned about protecting older homes from potential structural damage caused by construction vibration. She also requested clarification regarding recent traffic updates related to the Virginia Street cul-de-sac and questioned why that information had not been provided earlier in the process. Additionally, Council Member Armenta sought clarification regarding the distance between the proposed development and adjacent residential structures, noting conflicting references to five-foot and ten -foot setbacks and expressing concern about the apparent inconsistencies. Mr. Martin explained that two mitigation measures included in the noise section of the Mitigated Negative Declaration specifically address vibration impacts. He stated that Mitigation Measure No. 8 prohibits dozers and graders from operating within 35 feet of adjacent residential units and requires the use of quieter equipment, such as loaders, backhoes, or rubber -tired equipment, within that area. He further noted that Mitigation Measure No. 10 requires grading and construction contractors to utilize rubber -tired equipment instead of tracked equipment to the maximum extent feasible. Mr. Martin stated that these measures are intended to reduce both construction noise and vibration impacts on nearby residences. Council Member Sandra Armenta then requested clarification regarding the nearest distance between the proposed development and adjacent residential structures. Mayor Dang suggested displaying the project renderings and site plan for clarification. He also elaborated on Mr. Martin's explanation regarding construction equipment, noting that rubber -tired equipment generally consists of smaller and quieter machinery, such as bobcats, whereas tracked equipment, such as bulldozers with metal tracks, tends to be heavier and generate greater noise and vibration impacts. Mr. Martin confirmed that Mayor Dang's explanation was accurate. Mayor Dang asked the project architect to provide a more detailed explanation of the project, including the setbacks, property lines, and overall site design. Roland Lo of Scales Lab Architects explained that the new structure located at the northeast comer of the project is set 15 feet away from the adjacent structure. He Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 8 of 41 noted that the project is required to maintain a 10 -foot setback from the property line, which he described as a substantial setback. Mr. Lo further explained that, under the site's GSPRC multifamily residential zoning designation, the standard setback requirement for this type of condition would otherwise be zero feet if no residential building were adjacent. Council Member Armenta inquired whether any grading would occur within the 10 -foot setback area between the project and the nearest residential structure. Roland Lo responded that some grading would be required. He explained that the project's soils engineer typically recommends grading five feet beyond the building footprint. Mr. Lo noted that, because the project already provides a 10 -foot setback from the property line, the grading and building footprint would ultimately place the project approximately 15 feet away from the existing neighboring residence. He stated that this constitutes a significant separation distance between the proposed development and the adjacent home. Council Member Armenta then asked whether a barrier or retaining wall would be installed between the development and the neighboring residence. Mr. Lo responded that the required separation treatment would include a six-foot concrete wall along the property line, accompanied by landscaping to help soften the visual transition between the project and the adjacent residence. He further explained that the L-shaped green area shown on the site plan represents the required 10 -foot landscaped buffer between the project and the neighboring residential property. Council Member Armenta asked for clarification regarding the existing structure referenced by speaker Mr. Brady, and the previously mentioned five-foot distance. Mr. Lo explained that the existing residence is located approximately five feet from the property line, while the proposed project is required to maintain an additional 10 -foot setback from that same property line. As a result, there would be approximately 15 feet of separation between the existing house and the proposed development. Council Member Armenta commented that while the project renderings appeared attractive, completed developments do not always match their renderings. She asked whether the final project would closely resemble the submitted renderings. Mr. Lo responded that his firm takes pride in its work and strives to ensure that completed projects closely resemble the submitted renderings, while acknowledging that some artistic license is inherent in architectural renderings. Council Member Armenta clarified that she was not suggesting that Mr. Lo's projects fail to match their renderings but emphasized the City's interest in ensuring that new development remains visually appealing and compatible with the surrounding area. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 9 of 41 Council Member Armenta asked why the project was advanced without all traffic updates being completed. Associate Planner Lao deferred the question to the City's engineering consultant. Bahman Janka, Public Works and Engineering Consultant with Transtech Engineers, introduced himself and provided background on his experience, noting that he has served the City of Rosemead for the past three years and has more than 30 years of experience in transportation engineering, including prior positions with the Cities of Pasadena and Santa Clarita. City Engineer Janka stated that he had reviewed the project's traffic study, including projected trip generation and existing traffic conditions. He explained that the project is not expected to generate a substantial amount of traffic during peak hours. Referring to the traffic study, he noted that the project is anticipated to generate approximately 60 total daily peak -hour trips, which equate to roughly one vehicle per minute on average along Virginia Street during peak periods. Mr. Janka acknowledged that traffic flow may fluctuate at times, with several vehicles arriving together followed by brief periods with little or no traffic activity. However, he stated that the overall traffic volume generated by the project would not create significant traffic congestion, queuing, or operational issues on Virginia Street. Mr. Janka further explained that the primary traffic concern identified by staff related to access along Garvey Avenue. He stated that the existing median configuration currently creates an unsafe condition for vehicles attempting to make left turns into the project site from eastbound traffic. As a result, the project has been conditioned to modify the median and provide a dedicated left -turn pocket to improve vehicle access and traffic safety. He concluded that, based on the completed traffic analysis, no additional information was necessary beyond what had already been provided in the traffic study. Council Member Armenia thanked Mr. Janka for his explanation and recalled that, when the project was first presented to the City Council several years earlier, the possibility of installing a traffic signal had been discussed. She stated that residents had expressed concerns about access from Virginia Steet, noting that an alley previously existed on the property and was commonly used by residents to reach Del Mar Avenue more safely due to difficulties accessing Garvey Avenue directly. Council Member Armenia asked whether providing safer access for residents on Virginia Street remained a possibility. City Engineer Janka explained that traffic signals are typically installed only when specific traffic warrants and conditions are met. He stated that the project traffic consultant had completed warrant calculations and determined that the intersection currently does not meet the required thresholds for traffic signal installation. Mr. Janka further explained that a prior City Engineer had included a condition of approval requiring the traffic conditions to be reevaluated after project occupancy. He stated that the City would conduct another traffic study approximately one year after the project opens to determine whether traffic conditions at that time would justify installation of a traffic signal. If the required warrants are met in the Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ofJune 27, 2023 Page 10 of 41 future, the City would then determine how the signal improvements would be funded. Mr. Janka noted that this requirement has been incorporated as a condition of the project's approval. Council Member Armenta emphasized the importance of the issue, noting that the City Council had previously devoted significant discussion to protecting the residents living along Virginia Street and carefully evaluating traffic -related concerns associated with the project. Mayor Dang then invited the project architect to return to the podium and provide a more complete presentation of the project design and architectural features. Roland Lo, speaking on behalf of the owners and project team, thanked City staff for their diligent work and collaborative approach throughout the review process. He stated that the project team appreciated the quality feedback and guidance provided by staff. Mr. Lo expressed enthusiasm for the project and described it as one of several synergistic developments that would contribute to the revitalization of the Garvey Avenue corridor. He further stated that the project aims to enhance urban design quality and support the smart growth vision established by the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan. Mr. Lo provided an overview of the proposed 93 -unit project, noting that the site design includes three access driveways; explained that the circulation plan was carefully designed to provide adequate ingress and egress while minimizing congestion entering and exiting the project. He stated that the northern access point is intended primarily for residential use and that the traffic study projected only minimal peak -hour traffic at that location; emphasized that the multiple access points are necessary to alleviate traffic impacts and prevent excessive congestion on Strathmore Avenue and at the Garvey/Strathmore intersection. He added that limiting access points could result in vehicle queuing within the project site, increased vehicle emissions, and reduced air quality. In response to prior comments regarding the lack of direct vehicular access from Garvey Avenue, Mr. Lo explained that the project team intentionally avoided driveway access along Garvey Avenue in order to create a more walkable and pedestrian -oriented frontage. He stated that the project is consistent with the goals of the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan by introducing significant street setbacks and creating a more permeable and engaging streetscape environment. Mr. Lo further noted that the project includes setbacks ranging from approximately 17 to 20 feet to enhance the relationship between the building and the sidewalk through outdoor dining, gathering areas, and pedestrian activity. He stated that live -work units are primarily located along Strathmore Avenue at the lower levels of the building. Along Garvey Avenue, the ground floor is intended for retail, hospitality, and restaurant uses, while the second floor is planned for office and creative office space. The third and fourth floors are primarily designated for live -work units, with residential units located on the fifth through seventh floors. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 11 of 41 Roland Lo also described the architectural design of the project, noting that the fagade incorporates varying setbacks, undulating forms, and vertical articulation to create visual layering and enhanced spatial quality. Although the site presents certain design challenges, he stated that the project successfully incorporates common open space amenities, landscaping, and resident amenities consistent with the vision of the Specific Plan. He added that the upper -floor setbacks improve the overall scale and compatibility of the building with the surrounding area. Council Member Armenta referred to the site plan and acknowledged the reasoning for not providing ingress or egress access on Garvey Avenue but expressed concern regarding potential impacts to residents on Virginia Street from background traffic. Questioned how the project would benefit the city if residents on Virginia Street were negatively affected. She asked whether there would be a driveway providing ingress and egress onto Virginia Street, stating that traffic would therefore be directed toward nearby residents. Asked whether there are homes located there. Mr. Lo responded that the street is a cul-de-sac and that every resident on the street currently has the same opportunity to access it. Confirmed that there are existing houses on the street. Council Member Armenia stated that she did not understand how directing traffic flow onto Virginia Street would not impact residents. Mr. Lo reiterated that the driveway outflow is intended to serve as a "relief valve" and that the majority of project access would occur from Strathmore Avenue. Council Member Armenta responded that while the applicant may view it that way, residents likely have a different perspective. She emphasized that any ingress or egress directed into a residential neighborhood is impactful to residents. She further referenced the previously approved Duong property project at Delta Street and Garvey Avenue, noting that the project was required to install lighting around the sidewalks. She asked whether this project would be subject to the same requirement and stated that all projects should be treated consistently. Associate Planner Lao confirmed that this project would be required to provide the same improvements as the Duong property project, including a 5 -foot -wide parkway amenities zone and a 7 -foot -wide attached sidewalk clear zone. Council Member Armenia thanked Ms. Lao for the clarification and commented that while the project is beautiful, she did not believe it was practical for nearby residents. Mayor Dang asked Mr. Lo to display an additional rendering of the project site. He explained that the development is designed as a "wraparound project," meaning that the parking structure is located in the center of the building and surrounded by residential and commercial uses in order to conceal it from public view. He noted that from Strathmore Avenue, the parking structure would not be visible because it is screened by residential uses, while commercial uses are oriented toward Garvey Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 12 of 41 Avenue. Mayor Dang explained that this type of construction is more expensive because wrapping occupied spaces around the parking structure requires mechanical ventilation systems, unlike open-air parking structures that naturally vent fumes. He stated that the architect intentionally chose this design approach to minimize visual impacts on the neighborhood and create an attractive streetscape along Garvey Avenue and Strathmore Avenue, despite the additional cost. Mayor Dang further stated that eliminating the Virginia Street access point would create a traffic choke point at the Strathmore entrance by limiting the project to a single ingress and egress location. He asked Mr. Lo how many parking spaces the project would contain. Roland Lo responded that the project includes approximately 208 parking spaces. Mayor Dang noted that vehicles exiting from the upper parking levels would all funnel down the ramp toward the Strathmore exit. He expressed concern that if the Virginia Street outlet were removed, vehicles would queue and idle within the enclosed parking structure during peak traffic periods, potentially creating ventilation and air quality concerns due to trapped exhaust fumes. Mayor Dang commented that if the Virginia Street access were eliminated, future residents might eventually request that the access point be reopened after the building becomes occupied. Council Member Armenta responded, "Then buyer beware." Mayor Dang continued by referencing testimony from the City Traffic Engineer and consultant Phil Martin, emphasizing that traffic professionals with decades of experience recommended the proposed circulation design to alleviate congestion and avoid internal choke points within the structure. He also noted the site's challenging layout, including the narrow frontage along Garvey Avenue, which limits the ability to provide vehicular access from that side of the property. Referring to the project renderings, Mayor Dang stated that City zoning requirements mandate a minimum of 60% glazing along the frontage to create an active and pedestrian -friendly streetscape. He noted that the design team exceeded that requirement by providing nearly 100% glazing along portions of the frontage to create a more open, inviting, and visually engaging environment. Mayor Dang further explained that increasing the amount of glazing also increases structural costs because additional structural moment frames are required to support the building. He reiterated that the owners and design team made a deliberate effort to invest additional resources into creating a high-quality project with strong curb appeal that residents could take pride in. Council Member Low stated that the project appeared to be consistent with the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan and followed the plan previously established by the City. She asked staff to confirm that the item before the Council was a vote on the Zone Change Associate Planner Lao clarified that the item involved both a Zone Change and a Specific Plan Amendment; noted that the mixed-use project would otherwise be permitted by right under the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 13 of 41 Council Member Low stated that the site configuration was challenging because the project required the acquisition of several irregularly shaped parcels. She commended the applicant and design team, including Mr. Lo, for their work on project design. Council Member Low acknowledged that any new development project would create some level of impact on neighboring residents, particularly for residents accustomed to no nearby development or changes; referenced prior community discussions regarding impacts associated with the Walmart project and stated that the City's goal is to work with designers to minimize impacts on neighboring properties to the greatest extent possible; further stated that the City has worked hard to revitalize the Garvey Avenue corridor, which had experienced years of decline. Council Member Low expressed hope that residents have seen the City's efforts to attract quality projects that improve the appearance of the area and create a sense of pride for residents. Council Member Low acknowledged that the project would have some impacts on nearby residents but expressed hope that those impacts would be minimized. She concluded by stating that City staff and the design team had worked diligently to create a project design that would be workable for all parties involved. Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked Council Member Armenta for clarification regarding the reasoning behind her position as she expressed support for the project's design and appearance but ultimately indicated opposition. Council Member Armenta responded that while the engineers and design team were clearly experienced professionals, she believed the project did not adequately address the quality -of -life impacts on existing residents. She expressed concern regarding the project's 208 parking stalls and the resulting traffic impacts on surrounding residential streets, particularly Virginia Street; stated that even if only half of the vehicles used Virginia Street, more than 100 cars would regularly pass through the neighborhood, which she characterized as a significant impact rather than a minor inconvenience. Council Member Armenta stated that while the project itself was needed and aesthetically appealing, she believed the ingress and egress design could have been better addressed. She acknowledged the City's goals related to walkability and housing but questioned whether the interests of current residents, particularly long-term residents on Virginia Street and Strathmore Avenue, were being sufficiently considered. Council Member Armenta referenced her prior experience working in Parks and Recreation at William School and noted her familiarity with the surrounding neighborhood and existing traffic conditions. She stated that traffic in the area had already been difficult and expressed concern that additional density and vehicle traffic would further impact residents' quality of life; reiterated that although the project complied with applicable standards and City code requirements, she remained concerned about the cumulative impact on nearby residents. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that Council Member Armenta's position was consistent with her long-standing advocacy for residents and neighborhood concerns, which he appreciated and respected. He emphasized the importance of reflecting those concerns in City ordinances and resolutions. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that the City and State currently face a significant housing shortage and noted that the applicant was proposing more than 90 residential units. He acknowledged that the Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 14 of 41 project would have impacts on the community, particularly during construction, but stated that the City needed to support additional housing development; expressed understanding of neighborhood concerns regarding change and potential negative impacts; however, he also emphasized the increasing cost of living in Rosemead and the growing challenges facing first-time homebuyers. Mr. Ly referenced recent data indicating that the average age of first-time homeowners had increased substantially over time, which he believed reflected declining housing affordability; stated that increasing the housing supply was one way to address affordability concerns and expressed support for projects that provide additional residential opportunities. Regarding traffic and infrastructure concerns, Mayor Pro Tem Ly commented that Rosemead would continue to become denser over time and that the City's response should focus on improving infrastructure capacity and traffic circulation rather than restricting development. Mr. Ly stated that the City would need to continue planning for future infrastructure needs, including streets, traffic circulation, sewer systems, and water infrastructure, in order to accommodate increased density; acknowledged that without such planning, the concerns raised by Council Member Armenta could become more severe in the future. Mayor Pro Tem Ly further stated that even if a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) had been prepared, some impacts could remain unavoidable and could ultimately require a Statement of Overriding Considerations if the city determined that the project benefits outweighed the impacts. Mr. Ly opined the addition of more than 90 housing units represented an overriding community benefit that justified support for the project. Mayor Pro Tem Ly asserted that projects such as the proposed development could help preserve Rosemead as a "starter community" by providing housing opportunities for current and future residents, including individuals who grew up in the community and wished to remain close to their families but could not afford single-family homes. Mayor Dang referred to Council Member Armenta's earlier comment regarding approximately 100 vehicles exiting through the Virginia Street access point; clarified that the ground -floor parking area contained approximately 70 parking spaces; asked whether that would mean all 70 vehicles would exit at the same time during peak periods. City Engineer Janka responded that traffic generation could not be determined solely by the number of parking spaces provided; explained that the traffic analysis evaluated vehicle trips over time rather than assuming simultaneous vehicle movements. He stated that the traffic study projected approximately 11 vehicles entering and 11 vehicles exiting the northern driveway during the peak hour, which would equate to roughly one vehicle movement every three minutes. Mayor Dang stated that even if traffic volumes reached approximately 15 vehicles per hour, he still considered that to be a relatively minimal amount of traffic. He further noted that the ramp serving the upper-level parking areas was designed in a manner that restricted turning movements into the adjacent residential neighborhood. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 15 of 41 Associate Planner Lao confirmed that access to the residential area would also be controlled by a security gate, limiting entry to residents only. Council Member Armenta inquired about the number of affordable housing units that would be provided as part of the project. Roland Lo responded that the project did not include any affordable housing units. Council Member Armenta then asked whether Mr. Lo was the same architect involved with the Prospect Avenue project. Mr. Lo confirmed that he was the architect for that project as well. Council Member Armenta recalled that during the Council's consideration of the Prospect Avenue project, she had advocated for the inclusion of at least one affordable housing unit, but the request was denied. She expressed disappointment that the current project also did not include any affordable housing component. Mr. Lo stated that the project did not include affordable housing because it did not have any density bonus requirements here. Council Member Armenta responded that, even if there was not a density bonus requirement, the applicant could still voluntarily include affordable housing units out of the goodness of their hearts. Mr. Lo stated that he would discuss Council Member Armenta's suggestion with the property ownership group. Council Member Armenta recalled discussing the project during her prior State of the City address while serving as Mayor and stated that she had understood the project would include some affordable housing component. She commented that this no longer appeared to be the case and reiterated that she had consistently advocated for all major projects to include some form of affordable housing. Mayor Dang asked whether this was considered a new project, noting the required Zone Change. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela confirmed that this is a new project under the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan. He clarified that the projects Council Member Armenta had referenced previously, including the Garvey & Del Mar Plaza project, had applied for density bonuses and similarly were not required to provide affordable housing units. Council Member Armenta stated that despite the City's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) obligations and recent housing legislation, she remained concerned that many housing projects were not resulting in truly affordable housing opportunities. She expressed concern that individuals who grew up in Rosemead and Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 16 of 41 wished to return to the community may ultimately be unable to afford projects such as the one being proposed. Roland Lo stated that he had an additional request regarding the proposed Conditions of Approval. Mr. Lo requested removal of Condition No. 21, explaining that the project -specific traffic study had already been prepared under the guidance and review of the City Engineer and had identified the required traffic impacts and mitigation measures in accordance with the project's traffic scoping agreement. City Manager Kim directed the Council's attention to Attachment B "City Council Resolution No. 2023-26", specifically Exhibit A, "Conditions of Approval," and Condition No. 21. Council Member Armenta questioned the rationale for removing the condition and asked what concern existed with requiring an updated traffic study. She noted that earlier discussion regarding a potential future traffic signal suggested that traffic conditions remained an ongoing issue and asked why the applicant wished to eliminate the condition. Mr. Lo responded that the traffic signal had been identified only as a potential future mitigation measure and was not currently required as part of the project's traffic mitigation obligations. Mayor Dang asked about the origin and purpose of Condition No. 21. Mr. Lo responded that he was not aware of any additional traffic impacts beyond those already identified in the traffic report and opined that the condition may have originated from concerns raised during the Planning Commission public hearing. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela explained that the original traffic study had initially been reviewed by former City Engineer Eddie Chan. Following staff transitions, City Engineer Bahman Janka assumed responsibility for reviewing the study but had not yet completed a detailed review prior to the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Valenzuela stated that, since that time, Mr. Janka had completed a thorough review of the traffic study and determined that it satisfied all applicable requirements and that no additional traffic study was necessary. Council Member Armenta sought clarification and summarized her understanding that Condition No. 21 had been included as a safeguard during the transition in engineering staff to ensure adequate review until all information could be evaluated. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela confirmed that was correct and stated that staff wanted to ensure the traffic study received a complete and thorough review. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 17 of 41 Mayor Dang then asked City Engineer Janka whether that explanation reflected his understanding as well. City Engineer Janka confirmed that it did and reiterated that no additional information or supplemental traffic study was required. Roland Lo stated that he had a second request regarding the project's emergency access and northern driveway requirements. Mayor Dang asked Mr. Lo to identify the specific Condition of Approval he was referencing. Mr. Lo responded that the item was not included as a numbered Condition of Approval but was referenced in the Staff Report. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela clarified that the requirement had already been removed following Planning Commission review. Mr. Lo acknowledged the clarification and stated that he had mistakenly believed the requirement remained because it was still referenced in the Staff Report. In response, Mayor Dang explained that only requirements formally included within the Conditions of Approval would be binding on the applicant. Mr. Lo thanked the City Council and staff for their time and consideration. Council Member Low then made a motion to approve the staff recommendation: 1) noting that the public hearing and receipt of public testimony had been completed; 2) moved to introduce the first reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 1016; and 3) to adopt Resolution No. 2023-26. City Attorney Richman clarified that the motion should also specifically reference adoption of Resolution No. 2023-23 as it related to removal of Condition No. 21. Council Member Low stated that, based on the City Engineer's comments, she was willing to amend the motion to include removal of Condition No. 21 from the Conditions of Approval. City Attorney Richman then read the title of Ordinance No. 1016 into the record. City Clerk Hernandez reiterated that Council Member Low had made a motion to approve the staff recommendation. Prior to the vote, Council Member Armenta stated that she wanted clarification for the record that the action before the Council involved only approval of the zoning change and not direct approval of the project itself. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 18 of 41 City Attorney Richman explained that the project would not return to the City Council for further approval and that the requested entitlements would authorize the project to proceed. Mayor Pro Tem Ly clarified that the project itself was permitted by right under the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan and that the requested Zone Change was necessary for the project to qualify for that by -right approval process. Council Member Low concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Ly's explanation. Council Member Armenta thanked Mayor Pro Tem Ly for the clarification and stated that, based on that understanding, she would oppose the project. Mayor Pro Tem Ly reiterated for the record that Condition No. 21 had been removed from the Conditions of Approval. City Attorney Richman confirmed that Condition No. 21 had been removed. ACTION: Moved by Council Member Low and seconded by Mayor Dang to take the following action: 1. Introduce the first reading, by title only of Ordinance No. 1016, entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, TO APPROVE ZONE CHANGE 22-02 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 22-01 TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP AND FIGURE 3.1 OF THE GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN BY CHANGING THE ZONE OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES FROM GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN (GSP) (APNS: 5287-038-018, -019, -020 AND -029) AND GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN, RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL (GSP-R/C) (APNS: 5287-038-030 AND -033) TO GARVEY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN, INCENTIVIZED MIXED- USE (GSP-MU) ZONE, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 7849-7857 GARVEY AVENUE AND 7900-7916 VIRGINIA STREET; and 2. Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023-26, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR ZONE CHANGE 22-02 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 22-01 Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 19 of 41 Motion was carried out by vote: AYES: Dang, Low, and Ly NOES: Armenta ABSENT: Clark 4. CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Ly and seconded by Council Member Armenta to approve Consent Calendar Items A through K. The motion was carried out by the following vote AYES: Armenta, Dang, Low, and Ly NOES: None ABSENT: Clark A. Claims and Demands • Resolution No. 2023-28 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $1,401,402.18 CHECKS NUMBERED 114251 THROUGH NUMBER 114335, DRAFTS NUMBERED 6560 THROUGH NUMBER 6571 AND EFT NUMBERED 51712 THROUGH NUMBER 51726 INCLUSIVELY, WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-38. B. Minutes Recommendation: That the City Council approve the special meeting minutes of June 13, 2023. C. Master Services Agreement with Flock Group Inc. In 2020, the City entered into an agreement with FLOCK Group, Inc. ("FLOCK") to purchase and install 15 FLOCK Falcon Cameras. In 2022, the City added an additional 10 FLOCK cameras to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with crime prevention and law enforcement activities. The current agreement with FLOCK is set to expire in 2024; however, FLOCK has contacted the City about potential cost savings if the City enters into a five-year agreement with FLOCK. Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Master Services Agreement with FLOCK Group Inc., in the amount of $305,000. D. Approval of First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Transtech Engineers for Public Works Oversight On May 4, 2023, the City entered into a six-month agreement with Transtech Engineers for public works in-house support due to staff vacancies in the Public Works Department. Staff is requesting an increase in the compensation authority from $30,000 to $65,000 (additional $35,000) to assist the Public Works Department during the staff recruitment period. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 20 of 41 Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Authorize First Amendment with Transtech Engineers, Inc. increasing the compensation authority from $30,000 to $65,000. 2. Find that the Project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. E. Subscription Renewal with Granicus, Inc., for Live Web Streaming, Archival Video and Agenda Management Services The City currently utilizes the Granicus software for live web streaming, agenda management, and archiving of public meetings. The current Granicus, Inc. subscription will expire on June 30, 2023. Under the Master Subscription Agreement, the services will automatically renew at the end of each term for an extended term of one (1) year. The annual subscription total service cost is $52,927.55 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, which requires City Council approval. Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the annual subscription renewal and payment of $52,927.55 for Fiscal Year 23-24 for live web streaming, archival video services, and agenda management with Granicus, Inc. F. Professional Service Agreement — Designing, Printing, and Mailing Services for Recreational Brochure The Recreation Brochure is the Parks and Recreation Department's program and activity guide. The City of Rosemead utilizes a provider to design, print, and mail the brochure to Rosemead residents. On May 17, 2023, staff issued a Request for Proposal for the printing and mailing services and received one proposal. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Professional Services Agreement with The Sauce Creative Services for a two-year term for the designing, printing, and mailing of the Recreation Brochure. Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Professional Services Agreement with The Sauce Creative Services to provide designing, printing, and mailing services, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. G. Award of Contract with All City Management Services Inc. for Crossing Guard Services and Approval of Cost Sharing Agreements with Rosemead and Garvey School Districts The City has a longstanding partnership with the Rosemead and Garvey School Districts for the provision of crossing guard services near local public -school campuses, and the City has contracted with All City Management Services, Inc. ("ACMS"), a private firm, that deploys crossing guards. The agreement with ACMS is set to expire on June 30, 2023. On April 3, 2023, the City released Request for Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 21 of 41 Proposal ("RFP") No. 2023-09 for Crossing Guard Services. The City received a total of two (2) proposals by the submittal deadline. Staff performed a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals based on the RFP requirements including experience, understanding of scope of services, timeline, familiarity with the City of Rosemead, and project cost. Based on the evaluation, ACMS submitted the most qualified proposal based on the overall criteria of project understanding, qualifications, relative experience, approach, and proposed cost. The proposed Agreement with ACMS is for the annual crossing guard services near local public schools, and the proposed Agreements with Rosemead and Garvey School Districts are for cost sharing (one-half between the City and each District) for crossing guard services. The total cost for providing crossing guard services for both school districts is approximately $311,270.40 of which Rosemead School District's portion is approximately $68,090.40 and Garvey School District's portion is approximately $87,544.80. The City's portion ($155,635.20) is included in the City's proposed Fiscal Year 23/24 Budget. Recommendation: That contingent upon the execution of the School Districts Board's formal approval of the cost sharing agreements, the City Council authorize the City Manager to: 1. Execute the Agreement with All City Management Services, Inc. for crossing guard services for Fiscal Year 23/24; and, 2. Execute the cost sharing Agreements with Rosemead and Garvey School Districts for funding the crossing guard services for the Fiscal Year 23/24. H. Approval of S. New Avenue and E. Graves Avenue Intersection All -Way Stop The City of Rosemead received a request from the City of Monterey Park to review the traffic study they did for the location of New Avenue at Graves Avenue. The request was for the installation of All -Way -Stop signs and striping improvements for the intersection of S. New Avenue and E. Graves Avenue. In response to this request and on behalf of the City, engineering staff completed a traffic review and recommended appropriate measures. As a result of extensive field data collection and review, including reviewing all of the counts, line of sight, roadway conditions and observations at this location, and engineering judgement, staff has determined that the intersection of New Avenue and Graves Avenue would benefit from the installation of all -way STOP control as determined by the guidelines in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) Section 2B.07 and the California Vehicle Code (CVC). The installation of all -way -stop control is recommended based on street conditions, pedestrians crossing midblock as well as the street grade/slope on Graves Avenue west of New Avenue. In addition to all -way stop, there are several other improvements that should be implemented. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 22 of 41 Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the following: 1. Installation of a yellow continental striped crosswalk in the north leg of the intersection. 2. Installation of an advanced stop bar line 4 -feet before the proposed crosswalk for SB New Avenue traffic before entering the intersection. 3. Removal and replacement of existing stop sign (RI -1) with new 36"X36" stop sign and install all -way plaque (RI -3P) and red reflective strip on signpost at New Avenue and Graves Avenue for SB direction. 4. Installation of all -way stop control with stop signs, all -way plaque (Rl-3P) beneath each stop sign, stop bars, and stop pavement legends on Graves Avenue for EB and WB Directions. 5. Installation of red reflective strips on each stop sign pole in all directions (EB, WB and SB). 6. Removal of one "Left Turn Arrow" and 5' of the center yellow line for EB traffic and install new stop bar and stop pavement legend in both EB Lanes. 7. Installation of 20' of red curb on the north side of Graves New Avenue (NE Corner). 8. Installation of "Stop Ahead" signage (W3-1) ahead of the intersection at New Avenue and Graves Avenue for both EB and WB directions. 9. Installation of new "Stop Ahead" pavement legends along Graves Avenue. 10. Find that the Project is Class 1 categorically exempt pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). I. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-37 — Approving SBI Project List for Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1 BEALL) On April 28, 2017, the Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 1 (Beal, Chapter 5, Statute 2017), also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 to address basic road maintenance, rehabilitation and critical safety needs on both the state highway and local streets and road system. Beginning November 1, 2017, the State Controller will deposit various portions of this new funding into the newly created Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA). A percentage of this new RMRA funding will be apportioned by formula to eligible cities and counties pursuant to Streets and Highways Code (SHC) Section 2032 (h) for basic road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety projects on the local streets and road systems. Prior to receiving an allotment of RMRA funds from the State Controller each fiscal year, the City must submit to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) a project list pursuant to an adopted resolution. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Approve the adoption of Resolution No. 2023-37 approving list of projects for FY 2023-24 under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1 Beall). 2. Find that the Project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 23 of 41 J. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-39 to Approve an Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with the Los Angeles Regional Agency To reflect changes in legislation related to solid waste management, and specifically new organic waste reduction laws, CalRecycle (California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery) has required the City's existing JPA with LARA be updated and amended. As required by CalRecycle to comply with the requirements of SB1383, the mandatory organic waste reduction law, the amended JPA will authorize LARA to report on behalf its member agencies information related to compliance with organics recycling compliance. The amendment also reflects recent changes to the waste diversion calculation methodology used by CalRecycle as well as a number of minor clean-ups to the original JPA language which is now over twenty years old. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: Adopt a Resolution approving an amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the Los Angeles Regional agency (LARA); 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the JPA; and 3. Find that the Project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. K. Memorandum of Agreement for the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program and Watershed Management Plan for the Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Management Area for Fiscal Years 2024-2026 On August 5, 2015, the Regional Board approved the Upper Los Angeles River (ULAR) Watershed Management Plan (WMP) and Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Plan (CIMP). During the Regional Board approval process the ULAR WMP group had developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to administer and establish a cost share for the implementation of the CIMP. On October 20, 2015, the Council approved an MOA to administer and establish a cost share for implementation of the CIMP that would be effective through June 30, 2018. On May 8, 2018, the Council approved an MOA to continue the administration and establish a cost share for CIMP monitoring and reporting services for an additional five-year period beginning July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2023. Staff is requesting that the City Council authorize a new three-year agreement to continue the monitoring and reporting services for the CIMP and WMP group. Rosemead's cost to participate would be $17,135 for FY 23-24, $16,588 for FY 24-25, and $19,799 for FY 25-26 totaling $53,522 for all three years of the agreement. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement for the Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Management Area for Fiscal Years 2024-2026;and Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 24 of 41 2. Find the activities of the action are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15262, 15306, 15307, and 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 5. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF A. Review and Discussion of Draft Website Redesign and New City Domain The City of Rosemead website (www.cityofrosemead.org) is the primary communication tool for residents, businesses, and visitors to access information regarding City services, community events, and much more. On January 10, 2023, the City Council awarded a contract to Revize, LLC to update the City's website. An internal working group comprised of staff from the City Manager's Office, City Clerk's Office, and the Parks & Recreation Department have spent the past several months working on a draft design. On April 25, 2023, the City Council reviewed the draft design and provided additional feedback for improvement. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council review and approve the draft website design and select a new domain. Recommendation: That the City Council review and approve the draft website design and select a new website domain. Assistant City Manager Bruckner presented revisions to the proposed City website following prior City Council feedback received during the April review meeting. He explained that staff worked with the website designer to incorporate the requested changes, particularly regarding the site's color scheme and branding. The revised design restored the City's traditional color palette, including Rosemead red, green, black, and gold tones, and incorporated the traditional Rosemead logo. Mr. Bruckner also noted that Council had requested a more dynamic website experience. In response, staff worked with the developer to create interactive features, including a transparent navigation bar that transitions to a white background when users hover over the top navigation menu. He explained that the changing colors and navigation effects were intended to help users identify where they were on the site while maintaining a modem appearance. Council Member Low stated that the white text displayed against a white background made the navigation difficult to read and inconvenient for users. She expressed concern that users should not have to search for menu items before hovering over them to make the text visible. Mrs. Low recommended keeping the navigation bar white with black text and the City logo permanently visible for easier readability. Assistant City Manager Bruckner responded that staff could make that change and noted that the hover effect had originally been added to create a more dynamic appearance in response to prior Council feedback. Council Member Low emphasized that the primary goal of the website should be ease of use and accessibility. She stated that navigation elements should be clear and Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 25 of 41 intuitive so users can quickly locate information without excessive searching or multiple layers of clicks. Assistant City Manager Bruckner explained that staff had already simplified the website structure by flattening the site hierarchy, reducing the number of clicks and keystrokes needed to access important information. Council Member Low stated that she preferred the homepage layout currently displayed because the navigation options were more visible and easier to understand. Mr. Bruckner responded that the requested adjustment would be easy to implement. Council Member Armenta asked whether the website footer should remain green. Assistant City Manager Bruckner explained that staff had prepared multiple color options in response to Council feedback, including versions with green and red footers. He noted that the white text appeared more readable on darker backgrounds when viewed on a computer screen. Council Members Low and Armenta agreed that darker backgrounds provided better contrast and readability for white text. Council Member Armenta suggested using black text to improve visibility. Assistant City Manager Bruckner then highlighted additional website features requested by the Council, including prominent placement of the Rosemead "'Round the Clock" and a photo gallery. He explained that staff incorporated images and design elements intended to reflect Rosemead landmarks and community character, including photos from Garvey Avenue and parks throughout the City. He also described interactive features in which menu items change color and display descriptions when users hover over them. Council Member Annenta stated that she appreciated the "'Round the Clock" concept. Requested that the website include authentic photos of Rosemead residents, parks, and recreation programs rather than generic stock imagery. She emphasized the importance of making the website feel more personal and representative of the community. Mr. Bruckner responded that the images being used were City photographs. Council Member Low asked whether there was a timeline for approving the website design. Mr. Bruckner explained that staff preferred to move forward soon because the project remained in the conceptual design phase and significant work, including site construction and content migration, still needed to be completed. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 26 of 41 Council Member Low asked whether there was a demo version available for Council to review interactively. Assistant City Manager Bruckner clarified that the current presentation consisted only of conceptual mockups rather than a live, functional website. He explained that the developer had illustrated intended interactive features, such as expanding boxes, hover effects, color changes, and auto -scrolling elements, but those functions had not yet been built into a working site. Council Member Low expressed concern that, without a functioning demo, Council could realistically evaluate only the website's color scheme and not the actual layout, navigation, or usability. Mr. Bruckner responded that while the site was not yet interactive, the conceptual drawings were intended to demonstrate how the animations and features would function once developed. Mayor Dang suggested that a future presentation could include a live demonstration or animation to better illustrate the website's functionality. Mr. Bruckner explained that the developer needed approval of the conceptual design before building the live site. Council Member Low asked whether staff could provide examples of other websites created by the same vendor so Council could better understand the proposed functionality and user experience. Mr. Bruckner stated that staff could provide examples of comparable websites developed by the vendor and identify features that staff intended to incorporate into Rosemead's site. He also noted that additional refinements could still be made later, even after conceptual approval. Mayor Dang suggested that staff distribute the example websites to Council by email for individual review. Council Member Armenta reiterated concerns regarding the readability of the gold color elements, stating that the gold text and boxes were difficult to distinguish both on paper and on-screen. Mr. Bruckner explained that some gold elements were intentionally muted as background design accents and that the appearance on printed PDFs differed from the sharper appearance on digital screens. Mayor Dang noted that website elements should remain readable both digitally and when printed by users at home. Council Member Low requested that staff provide sample websites and identify the specific features intended for Rosemead's website so Council could better evaluate the proposed functionality and user experience. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 27 of 41 Council Member Armenta also asked whether the "Popular Services" section would be customizable. Mr. Bruckner confrrnied that all website content and features would be fully customizable. Mayor Dang asked whether staff had sufficient direction from the Council. Assistant City Manager Bruckner responded that staff had adequate direction and would proceed accordingly. B. Adoption of Resolutions Approving the City of Rosemead's FY 2023-24 Operating Budget, Capital Improvement Program Budget, Financial Policies, Establishing the FY 2023-24 Appropriations Limit, Approving the Rosemead Housing Development Corporation FY 2023-24 Annual Budget, and Amending the City of Rosemead's FY 2022-23 Budget, and Amending the City of Rosemead's Consolidated Salary Schedule The report summarizes the City's overall financial plan for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. The FY 2023-24 Budget for all City operating expenditures is $39,009,100 and is comprised of three operating fund types (General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, and Internal Service Funds). The Capital Improvement Program budget is $3,089,000 and includes funding for 5 new projects, additional funding for 2 existing projects, and funding for 4 annual projects. The Rosemead Housing Development Corporation (RHDC) budget is proposed at $868,400. Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-32, entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ADOPTING THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET, AUTHORIZED STAFFING, AND FINANCIAL POLICIES FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR AND UPDATING THE LISTING OF SALARY AND JOB CLASSIFICATIONS FOR PART-TIME POSITIONS 2. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-33, entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ADOPTING THE CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR 3. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-34, Entitled: Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 28 of 41 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 4. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-35, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE SALARY SCHEDULE TO MEET THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 2, SECTION 570.5 AND 571 TO REFLECT APPROVED RATES FOR ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD 5. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-36, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FY 2022-23 OPERATING AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGETS 6. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-01 RHDC, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE ROSEMEAD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 Director of Finance Chua presented six Resolutions related to the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 operating and capital improvement budgets. Resolution No. 2023-32 adopts the City's operating budget and appropriates $39.9 million across all funds, including $29.7 million for the General Fund, the City's primary operating fund. Following discussion at the June 13 budget workshop, the proposed Recreation Manager position was removed and replaced with funding for 4 to 6 part-time Park Rangers totaling 6,000 hours annually, at a cost not to exceed the originally proposed $131,900 salary for the Recreation Manager position. The Park Rangers will provide supervision at Rosemead Park and Garvey Park, inspect facilities, report graffiti and vandalism, monitor park activity, secure facilities and restrooms, and assist with gazebo and field rentals. Mr. Chua shared that Resolution No. 2023-33 adopts the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), allocating $3.1 million for new projects and affirming $49 million in active projects, for a total CIP budget of $51.9 million. RHCD Resolution No. 2023-01 adopts the Rosemead Housing Development Corporation budget of $868,400, funded 56% by rental income and 44% by the Successor Agency subsidy. Resolution No. 2023-34 adopts the FY 2023-24 appropriations limit as required by the California Constitution and subject to audit by Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 29 of 41 the City's independent auditors. Resolution No. 2023-35 approves the consolidated salary schedule for FY 2023-2024, including a new Deputy Director of Community Development position. Resolution No. 2023-36 amends the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget to reflect items discussed at the June 13 budget workshop. Director Chua concluded his presentation on the FY 2023-2024 operating and capital improvement budgets and related actions. Council Member Armenta referenced signage discussed in the Staff Report on page 2 of 8 and suggested including a Park Ranger contact number on City signs to improve public safety after City Hall hours and on weekends. She stated that increased park supervision would make a significant difference for residents and families using the parks. Council Member Low thanked staff for their work on the budget. Mayor Pro Tem Ly thanked Director Chua for meeting with him before the June 13 meeting and expressed support for the Park Ranger proposal. He asked for clarification regarding the rationale for eliminating the Recreation Manager position. Council Member Armenta explained that the current level of recreation programming did not justify a $132,000 annual Recreation Manager position, especially given the lack of supervision at Rosemead Park and Garvey Park. She described a recent incident at Rosemead Park involving illegal dumping, drinking, and smoking in front of her own family; noted that she has advocated for increased park supervision since 2009. She stated that replacing the proposed Recreation Manager position with 4 to 6 Park Rangers would better address current community needs. Mrs. Armenta also encouraged the Parks and Recreation Department to expand programming, noting that participation levels are currently too low to justify the position at this time, though it could be reconsidered in the future. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that he agreed with prioritizing Park Rangers and appreciated Council Member Armenta's long-standing advocacy. He suggested that while the Recreation Manager position may not have been appropriately sized, there remains a need for staff support dedicated to long-term recreation planning, grant opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and expanded park amenities. He proposed revisiting the possibility of adding an analyst position during the mid -year budget update to help identify funding opportunities and support the Parks and Recreation Department's capacity needs. Council Member Armenta noted that Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking drafted the Recreation Manager job duties she referenced during the prior discussion. She explained that many of the listed responsibilities were already being performed by existing staff, including Coordinators and Supervisors, resulting in significant overlap. Mrs. Armenta stated that throughout her experience in Parks and Recreation, Supervisors typically worked with Coordinators, and she herself had managed numerous programs without additional support staff while serving as Acting Supervisor. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 30 of 41 Mayor Pro Tem Ly responded that he understood her rationale and clarified that his concern was not related to recreation programming, where he acknowledged Mrs. Armenta's expertise, but rather the City's long-term planning and infrastructure needs. Mr. Ly referenced recent discussions with Edison and the challenges associated with securing funding for projects such as parks and the skate park, noting that these efforts often take years to complete. He emphasized the importance of proactive planning for long-term infrastructure needs, including eventual repairs or replacement of City pool facilities, rather than waiting until facilities deteriorate further. Council Member Armenta responded that the City already relies heavily on consultants, including Transtech, and referenced issues related to the resurfacing of the basketball courts at Rosemead Park, where incorrect materials had reportedly been used despite project oversight. Council Member Armenta stated that the City must ensure that consultants and project managers overseeing capital improvement projects have sufficient experience and expertise. She emphasized that she has long been a strong advocate for Parks and Recreation, noting her past work with at -risk youth and recreation programs that helped keep children engaged and off the streets. Mrs. Armenta stated that she supports adding positions such as a manager or analyst if expanded programming and demonstrated needs justify those roles in the future. Mayor Pro Tem Ly then raised concerns regarding the addition of seven positions within the Building Division of the Community Development Department. He asked whether those positions had originally been added to the budget approximately one year earlier but remained unfilled. Director of Finance Chua confirmed that the positions had been approved previously but had not yet been staffed. Mayor Dang explained that the City had explored transitioning certain building and plan check services in-house because doing so could produce cost savings. However, the City has faced ongoing challenges recruiting qualified candidates, largely due to a competitive labor market and salary considerations. As a result, the City has continued relying on Transtech to supplement building and plan check operations. Mayor Dang stated that Transtech has worked well with both residents and the Community Development Department and described the firm as acting more as facilitators than regulators. He reiterated that although maintaining the seven positions could provide long-term savings, the City currently lacks enough qualified applicants to fill them. Mayor Pro Tem Ly proposed removing seven vacant Building Division positions from the budget, citing concerns about rising staffing levels and long-term pension liabilities. He noted the City had historically operated with around 60 employees after reducing staffing during the recession, but the proposed budget would increase Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 31 of 41 staffing to 72 positions. Ly argued that the City has traditionally contracted building services and that Transtech was currently providing adequate service, making the additional positions unnecessary at this time. He also expressed concern that adding permanent employees would significantly increase retirement and pension costs. Council Member Low opposed removing the positions, explaining that the Council had previously agreed to explore bringing building services in-house and that keeping the positions budgeted would allow the City to hire qualified candidates if they became available. City Manager Kim confirmed that recruitment efforts had begun after the prior budget approval, although hiring had been difficult due to limited qualified applicants. He also stated that Transtech was adequately handling current service demands. Mayor Dang and Council Member Armenta recalled that the Council had previously spent considerable time analyzing the issue and believed there could still be long- term cost savings from transitioning services in-house. Mayor Dang stated that difficulty filling positions did not mean the concept had failed, noting that other executive positions had also remained vacant for extended periods. Staff later confirmed that recruitment for some of the seven positions had slowed, with the last permit technician interviews occurring approximately nine months earlier. Mayor Pro Tem Ly questioned whether the City was actively recruiting for the vacant positions and argued that retaining long -vacant positions without active hiring efforts no longer made financial sense. He contrasted the limited recruitment activity for those positions with the City's ongoing recruitment efforts for executive roles such as Community Development Director. Mayor Pro Tem Ly reiterated that the City could amend the budget later if staffing needs changed but believed removing the positions now would better control future pension obligations. Council Member Armenta proposed a compromise to retain the positions temporarily and revisit the matter during the mid -year budget review. Mayor Dang and Council Member Low agreed with that approach. Council Member Low then moved to approve agenda items B1 through B6 as presented, seconded by Council Member Armenta. ACTION: Moved by Council Member Low and seconded by Council Member Armenta to take the following actions: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-32, entitled: Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 32 of4] RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ADOPTING THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET, AUTHORIZED STAFFING, AND FINANCIAL POLICIES FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR AND UPDATING THE LISTING OF SALARY AND JOB CLASSIFICATIONS FOR PART-TIME POSITIONS 2. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-33, entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ADOPTING THE CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR 3. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-34, Entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 4. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-35, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE SALARY SCHEDULE TO MEET THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 2, SECTION 570.5 AND 571 TO REFLECT APPROVED RATES FOR ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD 5. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-36, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FY 2022-23 OPERATING AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGETS 6. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-01 RHDC, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE ROSEMEAD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 Motion was carried out by the following vote: AYES: Armenta, Dang, and Low NOES: Ly ABSENT: Clark Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 33 of 41 6. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL A. Digital Equity Letter of Support At the June 13, 2023, City Council Meeting, the City Council received a request from the Healing & Justice Center to support their efforts to bridge the digital divide in Los Angeles County to ensure low-income communities and communities of color have equal access to high-speed, low-cost intemet services. The City Council directed staff to place an item on the City Council agenda to discuss and adopt a letter of support to address this concern. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council review the Digital Equity Letter of Support and provide direction. Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction. Mayor Dang opened the Public Comment period. City Clerk Hernandez stated that the City received a public comment for this item and noted that the memo inadvertently identified the commenter as Margaret Clark; however, the comment was actually submitted by Mr. Jorge Rivera. "Dear Mayor and City Council, It is with regret we are not able to convey our gratitude and support in person for Item 6(A)_Digital Equity Letter of Support. In seeking support of other SGV Cities we are presenting at a commission meeting at the City of San Gabriel tonight. Please accept our enclosed letter for comment during this agenda item. In complete gratitude and appreciation, Jorge Rivera" There being no further comments, Mayor Dang closed the Public Comment period. City Clerk Hernandez stated that the letter would be submitted for the record as part of the agenda item regarding recognition and appreciation for George Rivera. Mayor Dang expressed support for the letter, emphasizing that high-speed intemet access is critical for residents. He noted that many underserved families still lack access due to cost or limited provider availability. He also shared that the City of Rosemead is moving forward with the FiberCity project, which will bring fiber optic infrastructure and expanded high-speed internet access throughout the city. Mayor Dang stated that the letter of support would help advocate this to state legislators and expressed pride in supporting the effort. Council Member Armenta voiced support for the measure, noting the importance of ensuring equitable intemet access for all residents. She referenced the digital divide Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 34 of 41 highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic and stated that the measure reflects the City's continued commitment to connectivity access. Council Member Low agreed with supporting the effort but expressed concern about the tone of the draft letter. She noted that the language, particularly the phrase "share our frustration and concern," sounded overly strong and suggested softening it to simply "share our concerns." She emphasized that correspondence issued under the City's letterhead and signed by the Mayor should reflect language tailored to the City rather than copied directly from template letters provided by outside organizations. Mayor Dang agreed that the language could be softened. Assistant City Manager Bruckner explained that the draft had been based on a sample letter provided by the organization and confirmed that staff could revise the wording accordingly. Council Member Armenia agreed with Council Member Low's comments, sharing that in her experience working with policy matters, template letters are commonly customized to reflect the specific voice and priorities of the agency issuing them. Mayor Dang directed staff to revise the letter and provide him with an updated version for signature. Council Member Low indicated that no future agenda item was necessary and agreed with the Mayor reviewing and signing the revised letter. Mayor Pro Tem Ly expressed support for the initiative and noted that the City has long advocated for expanded wireless and broadband access throughout the community. He also thanked Assistant City Manager Bruckner for attending an upcoming California Public Utilities Commission broadband grant funding opportunity meeting, adding that the City is demonstrating commitment through both advocacy and action on the issue. B. Discussion Potentially Changing the City's Municipal Election Date from State Primary Elections to the State General Elections in November on Even Numbered Years At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly, he would like to discuss potentially moving the City's General Municipal Election date from the staggered State Primary Election cycle of March/June of even -numbered years to the Statewide General Election cycle beginning in November 2024 and continuing thereafter in even -numbered years. The proposed ordinance will also adjust the terms of office for elected officeholders. Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 35 of 41 Mayor Pro Tem Ly thanked Council Member Armenta for serving with him on the Charter Cities Subcommittee. He stated that the Subcommittee had met once and engaged in productive discussions, with a second meeting anticipated to finalize additional items. He explained that some of the matters discussed would eventually require full Council direction, including the issue of potentially changing the City's election schedule. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that one of the key discussions involved whether the City should move its elections to November of even -numbered years so they would align with the statewide general election cycle rather than continue with the current staggered March and June election schedule. He noted that his goal was to ensure any charter -related proposal would have the support of all five Council Members. Because there were differing opinions regarding election timing, he suggested separating the election date issue from the charter discussion so the Council could independently evaluate the matter. Mayor Pro Tem Ly expressed his personal opinion that consolidating elections in November would create a more consistent election cycle and eliminate the current staggered system. However, he also acknowledged concerns about public perception because moving the elections would require extending existing Council terms for several months. He stated that although the adjustment could be justified for administrative and consistency purposes, he did not want the public to perceive the Council as extending its own terms for personal benefit. For that reason, Mr. Ly recommended that any proposed election date change be submitted to the voters for approval. Council Member Armenta asked for clarification regarding how the proposed change would affect current Council terms. She noted that her election, along with those of Mayor Pro Tem Ly and Council Member Clark, had taken place in June 2022, with the next scheduled election currently set for November 2026. She confirmed that moving elections would extend current terms from June to November. Mayor Pro Tem Ly and City Attorney Richman explained that the extension would be less than nine months and therefore legally permissible. Council Member Armenta acknowledged concerns regarding public perception but stated that residents may better understand the change if they knew the City was trying to create a stable and permanent election schedule rather than repeatedly shifting between different election cycles. Mayor Pro Tem Ly reiterated that the concern was not legality but public perception. He emphasized that if the city pursued the change, he believed the matter should go before the voters so the community could decide whether they were comfortable with extending the election schedule to November. Mayor Dang asked whether the City's elections would still occur in March 2024 under the current structure. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 36 of 41 Mayor Pro Tem Ly clarified that the City's elections would remain scheduled in March and June unless the Council formally took action to change them. City Attorney Richman explained that the city had previously been unable to move elections to November because state law required at least one contested election before such a change could occur. Since the city had now experienced a contested election, the Council was eligible to consider moving elections to November. Mrs. Richman further clarified that the Council had two available options: adopt the change directly by ordinance or place the matter before voters for approval. Council Member Low asked whether elections would still remain consolidated with the County if moved to November. City Clerk Hernandez confirmed that the City's elections are already consolidated with County elections and that changing the election date would simply shift consolidation from the March primary cycle to the November general election cycle. Council Member Armenta noted that if the election schedule changed, the term extensions would amount to approximately eight months. City Attorney Richman confirmed that estimate. Mayor Pro Tem Ly explained that if the Council chose to place the matter before voters, the earliest practical opportunity would likely be during the March 2024 election cycle, assuming legal deadlines could still be met. City Attorney Richman stated that staff would need to verify the applicable County deadlines for placing such a measure on the ballot. Council Member Armenta observed that because there was no November election scheduled that year, the matter would likely need to be considered during the March cycle. Council Member Low stated that she found the issue difficult to explain and anticipated that residents may also find the process confusing. She expressed concern that voters may not fully understand the implications of moving election dates and extending Council terms. City Attorney Richman explained that if the matter were placed before voters, the ballot measure would ask whether the city should move its elections to November. However, because the election itself would be used to ask that question, implementation would likely not occur until the next cycle. Council Member Armenta noted that if the election schedule were incorporated into a future charter, voters would also ultimately have to approve the charter through an election. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 37 of 41 Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that including the issue in the charter could complicate charter approval because differing opinions on election timing might generate opposition to the charter as a whole. He reiterated his preference for addressing the election issue separately to maximize consensus on the charter process. Mayor Dang asked about the fiscal impact of pursuing the election change. City Clerk Hernandez explained that the estimated $100,000 referenced in the Staff Report represented the normal cost paid to the County to administer elections. She added that if the Council proceeded by ordinance, additional costs for publication and noticing would be approximately $11,500. Mayor Dang initially expressed concern about additional election costs and suggested that proceeding through ordinance and public hearings might be a more fiscally responsible approach. Mayor Pro Tem Ly clarified that election costs are already budgeted during election years because elections occur regardless of whether the city changes the election schedule. He explained that there would not necessarily be significant savings by avoiding a ballot measure. Mayor Dang stated that he preferred a process involving direct public engagement through Council meetings and public hearings, noting that residents could appear before the Council and express their concerns directly. Council Member Armenta asked whether the city could hold public hearings and outreach sessions before making a decision. City Attorney Richman confirmed that the city could exceed the minimum noticing requirements and conduct additional outreach efforts if desired. Council Member Low supported expanded public outreach, stating that residents would better understand the issue through face-to-face discussion rather than simply reading a ballot question. Council Member Armenta agreed and suggested utilizing social media and other community outreach methods to encourage residents to participate in discussions about the proposed election changes. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that while he supported outreach efforts, he did not believe a single public hearing would be sufficient. He recommended holding multiple workshops and outreach meetings at different locations throughout the community to maximize participation and gather broader public input. Mr. Ly emphasized that the Council should not assume silence at one public hearing meant residents had no opinions on the issue, especially given the late hour of the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Ly also suggested that outreach efforts should specifically ask residents two questions: whether they supported moving elections to November and Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 38 of 41 whether they preferred the Council to make the decision directly or wanted the matter submitted to voters for approval. Council Member Armenta suggested utilizing existing community events, including the City's July celebration, as opportunities for outreach and public feedback. Council Member Low agreed that multiple outreach opportunities would help residents better understand the issue and its long-term implications. Mayor Dang stated that he appreciated Mayor Pro Tem Ly's passion on the issue and observed that the Council generally appeared aligned in supporting additional public outreach before any final decision. He directed staff to move forward with preparing outreach options and related information. Mayor Pro Tem Ly requested that staff provide information regarding ballot deadlines, ordinance timelines, outreach plans, and potential language for future consideration so the Council could evaluate all available options before proceeding. Mayor Dang concluded by directing staff to return with additional information and possible next steps at a future Council meeting. C. City Council Reorganization Nominations will open for appointments of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. • Appointment of Mayor — City Clerk Presiding • Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem — New Mayor Presiding City Clerk Hernandez opened nominations for the appointment of Mayor. Council Member Dang nominated Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly for appointment as Mayor. Council Member Armenta seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, City Clerk Hernandez closed nominations and took a roll call vote. ACTION: Moved by Council Member Dang and seconded by Council Member Armenta to appoint Council Member Steven Ly as Mayor. Motion was carried out by unanimous vote: AYES: Armenta, Dang, Low, and Ly NOES: None ABSENT: Clark Following roll call, City Clerk Hernandez announced the appointment of Steven Ly as Mayor, and members of the Council offered their congratulations. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 39 of 41 Mayor Ly thanked the Council for its confidence and support and then opened nominations for the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member Dang stated that Council Member Clark who is absent from tonight's meeting had expressed interest in serving as Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member Armenta moved to appoint Council Member Clark as Mayor Pro Tem, noting her support for the Council's rotational practice for leadership appointments. Council Member Low seconded the motion. Hearing no further nominations, Mayor Ly closed nominations and requested a roll call vote. ACTION: Moved by Council Member Armenta and seconded by Council Member Low to appoint Council Member Margaret Clark as Mayor Pro Tem. Motion was carried out by unanimous vote: AYES: Armenta, Dang, Low, and Ly NOES: None ABSENT: Clark D. Council Comments Council Member Armenta asked staff to ensure that the City's transit vehicle maintenance contract was being properly followed. She stated that she recently observed one of the City's Explorer vehicles and felt it appeared poorly maintained. Mrs. Armenta recalled prior discussions with the former transit provider regarding contractual requirements for regular detailing, maintenance, and equipment inspections and requested confirmation that the current contractor was complying with those obligations. Council Member Armenta also congratulated Mayor Dang on his State of the City Address, complimenting the event's family -friendly atmosphere, food trucks, and overall presentation. Council Member Low also congratulated Mayor Dang on his service as Mayor over the past year, commending his leadership, efficient conduct of meetings, and representation of the City. Council Member Low stated that the State of the City event was well received by residents and the business community and praised the presentation of City projects and initiatives, which generated enthusiasm about the City's accomplishments and future plans. Outgoing Mayor Dang thanked the Council and City staff for their support throughout his term as Mayor. He expressed appreciation to the City Manager Kim, the Executive Team, Jennifer Pineda, and other staff involved in organizing the State of the City event and implementing the revised program format. Mayor Dang then announced upcoming Fourth of July events, including the City's July 41 Chalkathon Contest and parade at the Civic Center Plaza, followed by carnival rides, Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 40 of 41 food, games, fireworks, and live entertainment at Rosemead Park. He encouraged residents to participate in the community celebration! Outgoing Mayor Dang noted that the Council would reconvene in Closed Session following the meeting and then formally passed the gavel to Mayor Ly. Incoming Mayor Ly thanked Mayor Dang for his leadership during the past year and stated that he looked forward to continuing to work collaboratively with him and the rest of the Council on City initiatives and policies. Mayor Ly also noted that additional recognition of Mayor Dang's service would occur at the next Council meeting. Council Member Armenta informed the Council that she would be out of town attending a conference in New York during the next meeting and would participate remotely. She stated that although she would not be physically present, she would be supportive in spirit during the ceremonial transition. 7. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ly adjourned the meeting at 10:33 p.m. and announced that the City Council would reconvene in Closed Session. Shared that the next regular City Council meeting will be held on July 11, 2023. Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk APPROVED: �. LL lea Y.11 (41CM.101 gig Iffly"RW� Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2023 Page 41 of 41