[00:00:01]
>> IF WE'RE READY, WE WILL START THIS MEETING AT 6:31 PM ACTUALLY, ON JUNE 7TH.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
IF WE COULD PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.COUNCIL CROSBY LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> PLEASE PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CROSBY. ROLL CALL. MR. RUSSI
>> DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS OR ANYTHING TO THAT EFFECT MR. RUSSI OR GARRET, THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF?
>> THEN WE WILL MOVE TO CONSENT CALENDAR.
[5. CONSENT CALENDAR]
IS ANYTHING PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR MR. RUSSI?>> I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING, NOTHING FROM COUNCIL AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD ANY REQUESTS TO HAVE ANYTHING REMOVED.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MR. DAVIS?
>> [OVERLAPPING] NO MORE QUESTIONS.
I'M READY TO MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> MOTION IS TAKEN, WE NEED A SECOND. [NOISE]
>> COUNCIL MEMBER CARDER, THEN WE MOVE TO A ROLL CALL VOTE. MR. RUSSI?
>> YES. BACK TO THAT PAGE, YOU GUYS MOVE QUICKLY FOR ME COUNCIL MEMBER LAU?.
>> WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 6, PUBLIC HEARING, CORRECT?
[6. PUBLIC HEARINGS]
>> YES. THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING AT YOUR ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING, PROTEST HEARING FOR YOUR OLD TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSESSMENT.
WE ALSO INCORPORATED AN ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIR WHO I'M NOT SEEING THAT HE IS ON THERE YET.
>> HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE, JR SAID HE HAS NOT LOGGED IN YET THOUGH SO.
>> I'LL START IT OFF. I CAN HANDLE IT IF HE'S UNABLE TO JOIN.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS IS THE ANNUAL PROTEST HEARING FOR THE OLD TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
HOPEFULLY, IF CRAIG CAN JOIN US, HE'LL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OF WHAT'S OCCURRED LAST YEAR AND WHAT'S PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR.
BY THEN, I'LL TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING WHERE YOU WOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, TAKING ANY PROTESTS OR PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE DISTRICT ITSELF, AND THEN ADOPTING RESOLUTION NUMBER 21, 29, APPROVING THE BUDGET, APPROVING THE ANNUAL REPORT, AND RE-ESTABLISHING THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND ASSESSMENT FORMULAS.
>> MR. CHAIR, CRAIG IS IN THE ATTENDEES AND HAS HIS HAND UP.
>> OKAY. I'LL LET JERRY BRING HIM IN AND.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU, COUNCIL CROSBY.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK. YOU WANT TO UNMUTE?
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. I WAS RAISING MY HAND BECAUSE I HEARD ERIC ASKING IF I WAS HERE, SO I WOULD PREFER BACK TO HIM TO FINISH HIS REPORT.
>> ACTUALLY, I WAS READY TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU SO IF YOU GO AHEAD, I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH A BUDGET AFTER YOU'RE DONE.
>> WHO'S ON FIRST? HERE WE GO.
[INAUDIBLE] COINCIDENTALLY, WE HAD A OLD TOWN BOARD MEETING THIS MORNING AND HAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS AGAIN SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR THE PAST YEAR.
OVERALL. I WOULD SAY THAT WHEREAS LAST YEAR, IT WAS ALL NEW AND KIND OF A SHOCK, THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN MORE OF A OKAY, WE KNOW WHAT TO DO, WE'VE GOT TO BASICALLY JUST WAIT THINGS OUT.
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AND MANY OF YOU WHO SHOP AND DINE IN OLD TOWN WOULD PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW THIS, IS THAT THE BUSINESSES IN OLD TOWN REMAIN HEALTHY.
MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS HAVE ACTUALLY, EVEN UNDER REDUCED SEATING RESTRICTIONS, HAVE HAD SOME OF THEIR BEST GROSS RECEIPTS EVER.
PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET OUT, TO DINE, TO GO WALK AROUND.
THE CLOSURE OF D STREET HAS BEEN
[00:05:01]
A MAJOR ASSET FOR IN PARTICULAR THE RESTAURANTS ON THE D STREET.IT'S REALLY CHANGED THE ATMOSPHERE DOWNTOWN DURING THIS TIME THAT PEOPLE CAN GET OUT, AND WANDER AROUND, I'D SAY WITHOUT QUESTION.
FROM WHAT I SEE, THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND OLD TOWN, ESPECIALLY FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY.
YESTERDAY MORNING, IT WAS PACKED WITH PEOPLE DOWNTOWN.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME POSITIVE THINGS THAT HAVE COME OF THIS BUT OBVIOUSLY, THINGS WILL NEED TO RETURN TO NORMAL AT SOME POINT.
WE WILL BE DISCUSSING AT OUR NEXT MEETING.
A LOT OF THIS IS CONTINGENT ON WHAT THE COUNTY DOES IN FOLLOWING STATE GUIDELINES AFTER JUNE 15TH.
WE INTEND TO DISCUSS A RETURN TO A BEER/WINE WALK POTENTIALLY AS EARLY AS THIS FALL.
MANY OF THE OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THE LAST TWO YEARS WILL BE RETURNING.
THE COOL CRUISE NORMALLY, WHICH HAPPENS AROUND EASTER TIME, IS SLATED TO RETURN ON 9, 11 THIS YEAR, SIGNIFICANT DATE, AND I THINK THAT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A REAL GOOD THING FOR OLD TOWN.
OBVIOUSLY, FROM WHAT WE'RE HEARING, FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE OLD TOWN.
THE ONE QUESTION THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE IS CONCERNING D STREET.
AT THE MEETING WE HAD LAST MONTH, THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE'S DEFINITELY SUPPORT TO KEEP THE STREET CLOSED, THE CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT TENABLE ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
WHAT WE SUGGESTED AT THAT TIME IS TO FIND A COMPROMISE WHERE WE WOULD REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL KEEP THE STREET IN THE CURRENT SITUATION UNTIL EARLY TO MID-AUGUST, AT WHICH TIME IT WOULD BE REOPENED PRIOR TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE RESUMING CLASSES TO FREE UP PARKING SPACES.
THERE'S ALSO COINCIDENTALLY, WE'VE HEARD THIS MORNING FROM ERIC THAT THE GOLDLINE PLANS TO CLOSE D STREET, I BELIEVE THAT'S AROUND THE 1ST OF AUGUST IS WHAT WE HEARD.
IT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE SENSE TO OPEN D STREET, THE CLOSED BLOCK TO COINCIDE WITH THAT AS WELL.
WE BASICALLY THIS MORNING CONCURRED WITH THE FEELING FROM A MONTH AGO THAT, IT'S A GOOD THING RIGHT NOW WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE RESTAURANTS TRY TO RECOVER SOME OF THEIR LOSSES EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC BUT PRIOR TO THE UNIVERSITY REOPENING, WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE STREET TO REOPEN AS WELL.
>> IF I COULD, MR. MAYOR, ONE LAST THING, THROUGH THIS WHOLE TIME, AND YOU HEAR THESE ALL THE TIME, IT'S ALL ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER.
FROM MY EXPERIENCE MANY YEARS WORKING WITH THIS DISTRICT, WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY, BUT THIS PAST YEAR AND A HALF HAS BEEN REALLY EXCEPTIONAL.
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UNDER ERIC'S GUIDANCE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE.
THEIR STAFF AND PARTICULARLY, NATALIE, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR ENDEAVORS, AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL CITY MANAGER, RUSSI.
WE COULDN'T ASK FOR A MORE SUPPORTIVE GOVERNMENT BEHIND US, AND WE'RE JUST GLAD TO HAVE GOOD PARTNERS IN LEADERSHIP.
> YES. JUST BRIEFLY ON THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, WE DID GO INTO THIS CONSERVATIVELY.
AS CRAIG MENTIONED, WE ARE TALKING NOW ABOUT BEING ABLE TO START TO THINK ABOUT HAVING EVENTS THIS YEAR, WHICH IS A GREAT NEWS.
HOWEVER, THIS BUDGET DOESN'T FULLY REFLECT THAT AT THIS TIME.
SO WE AS STAFF, DEFINITELY EXPECT TO BE COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL LATER IN THE YEAR ONCE THOSE DATES ARE ESTABLISHED AND WE HAVE A GOOD GRIP ON HOW THOSE EVENTS MIGHT OCCUR AND WHAT THOSE BUDGET PROJECTIONS WOULD BE TO OBVIOUSLY INCREASE EXPENDITURES.
BUT THE BEER WALK AND THE WINE WALK SPECIFICALLY WERE MAJOR REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE DISTRICT.
OBVIOUSLY, IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, THEY HAVEN'T HAD THOSE REVENUES COME IN SO THEY HAVE PULLED FROM THE RESERVES LAST YEAR.
THE WAY WE BUDGETED FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, THEY WOULD ALSO BE GOING INTO THE RESERVES.
HOWEVER, IF A BEER WALK IN THE FALL AND A FULL WINE WALK IN THE SPRING ARE ABLE TO OCCUR,
[00:10:02]
I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CASE.I THINK THEY'D BE ABLE TO BE IN THE GREEN AGAIN AND ACTUALLY SEE MORE REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.
IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE NATURE OF THOSE EVENTS.
I WILL POINT OUT ALSO IN THIS YEAR, LAST YEAR WHEN WE ENTER THE BUDGET, SINCE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF COVID WAS AND HOW IT WOULD IT MIGHT IMPACT THE EVENTS, WE'VE KEPT THAT BUDGET STATUS QUO.
OBVIOUSLY, THEY FELT WELL SHORT OF THE REVENUES AND THE EXPENDITURES PROJECTED OUT OF LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T DO IS TWO OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE BUDGET IS THE MAINIERO SQUARE REMODEL, IF YOU WILL, WHICH WOULD ADD A PERMANENT STAGE TO THAT LOCATION, AS WELL AS OTHER IMPROVEMENTS, THAT WAS DELAYED, NOT NECESSARILY DUE TO COVID BUT BECAUSE WE WERE WAITING FOR A POTENTIAL CELL TOWER TO GO THERE, THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S NO LONGER GOING FORWARD.
WE HAVE BEEN MOVING FORWARD WITH GETTING PLANS DEVELOPED SO WE CAN GO OUT TO BID.
SO THAT PROJECT WILL OCCUR IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
THAT WASN'T EXPENDED OF LAST YEAR.
SIMILARLY, THE PHASE 2 OF THE TREE LIGHTS, IF YOU RECALL, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE REDID THE TREE LIGHTS, IT LOOKS REALLY [INAUDIBLE] DOWN THERE, AND THE PLAN IS TO EXTEND THOSE OUT TO MORE TREES THAT PREVIOUSLY WEREN'T LIT.
THAT WASN'T OBVIOUSLY A PRIORITY ON THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF BUT IT IS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND SO WE EXPECT THOSE TWO EXPENDITURES, ROUGHLY $40,000, TO BE EXPENDED THIS CURRENT YEAR.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY'RE EXPECTED TO HAVE 120,000 RESERVES AS OF JULY 1ST, SO THERE IS THAT MONEY THERE.
THE BOARD HAS FULLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THIS BUDGET AS DRAFTED.
WITH THAT, BEFORE I TURN OVER TO YOU, MR. MAYOR, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT, I DID WANT TO POINT OUT, I THINK THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO CRAIG'S DEDICATION TO THE CITY AND THE OLD TOWN.
I REALIZED WHEN DRAFTING THE REPORT EARLIER UNDER CONSENT, THE COUNCIL REAPPOINTED THREE MEMBERS, INCLUDING CHAIR WALTERS.
THIS IS CRAIG'S 25TH YEAR OF SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT, AND SO I THINK THAT SHOULD BE APPLAUDED FOR SURE.
YOU LOOK GREAT, MR. WALTERS, I'LL TELL YOU. THAT'S WONDERFUL.
MR. RUSSI, YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME THE RIGHT INFORMATION.
>> HEY, CRAIG, I REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOU'RE A YOUNG MAN.
>> HEY, WE'RE ALL YOUNG, EVERYONE.
>> I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF, JUST TO CHEER ON MR. WALTERS BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT? I THINK WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING]
>> THERE YOU GO. WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE ANYBODY IN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, JR?
>> MR. MAYOR, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY REQUESTS VIA E-MAIL TO SPEAK ON THE PHONE FOR THIS ITEM.
BUT IF THERE'S ANY ATTENDEES THAT ARE PARTICIPATING THAT WISH TO RAISE THEIR HAND, THEY COULD DO SO NOW.
>> IF YOU CLICK ON THE ATTENDEES, YOU'LL SEE THEM.
THERE'S A PANELIST BUTTON AND AN ATTENDEE BUTTON ABOVE THE LIST OF NAMES.
>> MR. MAYOR, IF YOU HIT THE SCREEN.
>> I GOT IT. SORRY. I'VE GOT IT.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE BUT I SEE NO HANDS RAISED.
IF THAT WOULD BE THE CASE, WE HAVE NO CALL INS, IS THAT CORRECT, JR?
>> WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'LL MOVE BACK TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE ANYMORE QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR SCHERER OR MR. WALTERS, OR COMMENTS FROM ANYONE? MR. DAVIS?
>> I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I JUST WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK DIRECTOR SCHERER BUT ALSO MR. WALTERS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON A NUMBER OF THESE MEETINGS AND IT'S A REALLY GEL GROUPED TOGETHER, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOT OF SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE THIS WAS LIFE OR DEATH FOR SOMEBODY'S BUSINESSES.
I'LL TELL YOU, TALKING ABOUT RESILIENCY ONCE WE CLOSE THOSE STREETS DOWN.
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
YOU'VE GOT ASSEMBLY BILL 61 WHICH IS SPONSORED AS GABRIEL AND THEN WE GOT SP314 WHICH IS WIENER WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE ABC LAWS AND OUTSIDE DINING AND CARRY ALCOHOL.
OUR GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW IS EXTENDING THINGS TO THE END OF 2021 AS FAR AS CARRYING ALCOHOL AND AS FAR AS DINING AND OUTSIDE DINING.
THEY'RE VERY AWARE THAT THIS REALLY AFFECTED THE BUSINESSES AND HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL EXTEND SOME THINGS OUT.
NOW, THEY'VE GONE THROUGH A COUPLE OF THE MOTIONS FOR THESE BILLS ALREADY, THEY'VE GONE THROUGH AND PASSED QUITE UNANIMOUSLY THAT THEY HAVE A FEW MORE STEPS, BUT UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS OUTSIDE DINING IS HERE TO STAY AND I HOPE TO SEE MAYBE SOME MODIFICATIONS OF THAT AS FAR AS SOME OF OUR BUSINESSES BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE THIS, AND THEY LOVE IT IN ALL THE COMMUNITIES, [INAUDIBLE] AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT,
[00:15:01]
PASADENA, ROSEMEAD, MONROVIA, EL MONTE, SOUTH EL MONTE, THEY LOVE IT.BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. WALTERS.
THANK YOU, MR. SCHERER. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> YES, MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT THIS GEM OF LA VERNE THAT IS A MODEL FOR EVERY COMMUNITY OR SHOULD BE A MODEL FOR EVERY COMMUNITY THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT OF THAT OTLVBID PRIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES AND APPROVE THE PROPOSED DAVID 2021, 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, AND APPROVE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND ASSESSMENTS FORMULA.
>> THAT'S [INAUDIBLE] RESOLUTION 21-29, SIR.
>> YES. THANK YOU. I HAD TO TURN THE PAGE. [LAUGHTER]
>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THAT MOTION?
>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF PEOPLE.
WHAT A GREAT JOB. YES. [NOISE] THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SCHERER. THANK YOU, MR. WALTERS.
>> WE MOVE TO OTHER MATTERS, MR. RUSSI.
[7. OTHER MATTERS]
>> YES, MR. MAYOR, ON THIS ITEM, SINCE IT DOES INVOLVE A DISCUSSION REGARDING TERMS OF MY EMPLOYMENT, I AM GOING TO HEAD AND EXCUSE MYSELF.
THE CITY ATTORNEY WILL HANDLE THE ITEM AND THEN I WILL BE BROUGHT BACK IN AFTER IT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED.
>> GO AHEAD, MR. KRESS. WAIT, HE'S NOT DONE YET.
>> THIS MATTER COMES FORWARD AS AN ISSUE THAT WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR NEWEST COUNCIL MEMBERS, CROSBY AND LAU, ABOUT THIS PROVISION IN THE LA VERNE MUNICIPAL CODE WHICH SAYS THAT THE CITY MANAGER SHOULD BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE OR WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT.
THE COUNCIL SHOULD REQUIRE OR IT HAS TO BE EITHER A RESIDENT OF LA VERNE OR LIVE WITHIN FIVE MILES.
THIS ISSUE IS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THIS POINT.
THE INCUMBENT CITY MANAGER, THROUGHOUT HIS EMPLOYMENT, HAS BEEN VERY CLOSE TO FIVE MILES, NOT WITHIN THE EXACTITUDE OF FIVE MILES BUT AT SEVERAL TIMES BETWEEN 5 1/2 AND 6 1/2, I BELIEVE ARE THE NUMBERS.
IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE THAT THE MANAGER BE WITHIN THOSE LIMITS, IT DIRECTS THE COUNCIL TO REQUIRE THAT.
THE COUNCIL MEMBER HAS REQUIRED THAT.
THERE WAS NEVER, TO MY RECOLLECTION, WHICH I THINK IS PRETTY GOOD ON THIS SUBJECT, ANY FORMAL ACTION.
I THINK PREVIOUSLY, COUNCILS HAVE OBSERVED THE PROXIMITY OF WHERE THE CITY MANAGER ACTUALLY LIVES, HIS RESPONSIVENESS, AND DECIDED, AGAIN, WITHOUT ANY FORMAL ACTION, THAT IT WAS CLOSE ENOUGH.
THAT'S THE STATE OF WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT.
I'LL LET THE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS SPEAK FURTHER.
>> COUNSELOR RICK CROSBY, COUNSELOR LAU.
LOOKS LIKE MR. CROSBY IS READY. PLEASE.
MUNICIPAL CODE 2.04.0220 STATES ACTUALLY, THAT SHALL REQUIRE THE SAME AGILE IF WITHIN FIVE MILES.
NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT MR. RUSTY LIVES NOT VERY FAR OUTSIDE THAT RANGE,
[00:20:08]
6-7 MILES BUT THE MUNICIPAL CODE DOES STATE THAT.WE'RE PUTTING THIS UP TODAY TOO SO THAT WE GIVE NOTICE FOR HIM TO COMPLY WITHIN 12 MONTHS BUT I WANT TO ALSO LOOK AT THIS MUNICIPAL CODE TOO, BECAUSE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE HAD EVEN OUR SAFETY PERSONNEL BE ALLOWED TO LIVE FARTHER THAN 75 MILES AWAY FROM THE CITY.
WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST, I THINK IT WAS THREE YEARS AGO.
THE GOVERNMENT CODE OF 5-0-0-8-3, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SAYS, NO LOCAL AGENCY OR DISTRICT SHALL REQUIRE THAT IT'S EMPLOYEES BE RESIDENTS OF SUCH LOCAL AGENCY OR DISTRICT.
I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT OTHER CITIES AROUND, AND FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CODES ARE ON THE CITY MANAGER AND THE RESIDENCY OF THAT.
I'VE RESEARCHED ABOUT FIVE OR SIX IN THE AREA AND THEY DO NOT HAVE EVEN A MILEAGE ON THERE.
BUT RIGHT NOW, OUR MUNICIPAL CODE SAYS THAT.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE NOTICE TO OUR CITY MANAGER BASED ON OUR MUNICIPAL CODE BECAUSE IT'S JUST LIKE CONTRACTS.
IF WE DON'T WANT TO FOLLOW ONE PART OF OUR CONTRACT, THEN WHAT ARE THE PARTS THAT WE DON'T FOLLOW.
WITH OUR CODES, WE FOLLOW ALL OF OUR CODES AS WELL.
IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT THAT AND MAKE CHANGES, AS A COUNCIL CAN DO THAT AS WELL.
BUT WE NEED TO DO THAT IN THIS TIMEFRAME.
LOOKING AT THE GOVERNMENT CODE AND OUR CITY CODE, THERE IS SOME CONFLICTING LANGUAGE FROM OUR STATE TO OUR CITY AS WELL.
I'M PROPOSING AND REQUESTING THAT WE GIVE NOTICE TO THE CITY MANAGER, BUT IN THAT TIME, ALSO LOOK AT OUR SURROUNDING AREAS, LOOK AT OUR OWN MUNICIPAL CODE AND LOOK AT THE GOVERNMENT CODE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU MR. CROSBY. COUNSEL MEMBER LAU.
>> JUST TO FURTHER ELUCIDATE THAT POINT, THIS IS REALLY ABOUT FOLLOWING THE PROCESS, AND THE WAY THAT IT'S WRITTEN NOW, IN ORDER TO BE IN COMPLIANCE, WE DO NEED TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN LINED OUT BY MR. CROSBY.
I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE FOR FOLKS THAT AREN'T AWARE.
I WILL WELCOME MR. KRESS TO CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE THE MUNICIPAL CODE IS DATED FROM 85 AND THE GOVERNMENT CODE CHANGES ARE MUCH MORE RECENT THAN 85.
I BELIEVE I WAS, 10 [LAUGHTER] OR NINE AT THE TIME.
IT GIVES YOU SOME CONTEXT IN WHICH WHY WE NEED TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS.
I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THE PERPETUITY OF THE CITY IN TERMS OF MARKETABILITY OF FUTURE CITY MANAGERS BECAUSE LET'S BE REAL.
WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD IN TERMS OF WHO'S GOING TO BE IN OUR SEATS NEXT, WHO'S GOING TO BE SITTING IN MR. RUSTY'S SEAT NEXT, AND LOOKING AT THE WAY THE JOB MARKET IS, IS IT REALLY FEASIBLE? TO EXPECT THAT OUR NEXT CITY MANAGER WILL BE SOMEONE WHO LIVES WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
I THINK THAT'S WHY IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT WHAT ARE OTHER CITIES DOING BECAUSE OTHER CITIES ARE CASTING A WIDER NET IN ORDER TO FIND THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THEIR NEXT CITY MANAGER.
WE'RE REALLY BOOTSTRAPPING OURSELVES IN A POSITION WHERE WE MAY NOT HAVE THE POOL OF CANDIDATES THAT WE MAY DESIRE.
I THINK GIVEN THE HOUSING CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S AS EASY TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE MAYBE AS MOBILE IN TERMS OF MOVING.
I THINK THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF AND WHY WE NEED TO RESEARCH WHETHER OR NOT THAT MUNICIPAL CODE SHOULD STAND.
AGAIN, NOTING THAT IT IS 1985 [LAUGHTER] PROVISION THAT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ALIGNED WITH THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT CODE.
HOWEVER, WE'RE DEALT THE HANDS WE ARE DEALT AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO PROCEED WITH IN ORDER TO BE IN COMPLIANCE.
>> ONE THING MORE TO ADD, COUNCIL MEMBER LAU, THAT THIS IS OUR NO BEARING OF MR. RUSTY'S JOB SKILLS OR WHAT HE HAS DONE, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC TIME.
HE'S RESPONDED EVERY TIME TO ANYTHING IN THE CITY.
HAS BEEN IN THE CITY EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC AND RUNNING THINGS FROM HIS OFFICE.
IT IS NOT ABOUT HIS JOB PERFORMANCE OR WHAT HE'S DONE FOR THE CITY.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT SINCE THE '80S.
CELL PHONES CONNECTIVITY AND THINGS LIKE THAT AS WELL.
BUT IT IS PART OF OUR MUNICIPAL CODE AND THAT IS WHY WE BRING IT UP TODAY.
[00:25:04]
>> THANK YOU. COUNSEL ROBIN CARDER, YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS?
>> YES, WENDY, AND RICK NOW YOU GOT TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE WITH THIS TO MAKE SURE PERSONNEL OR WHOMEVER YOU WANT TO DO THE RESEARCH STARTS ON THIS SOON, AND FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH IT WITHIN THE 12 MONTH PERIOD?
>> [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] TONIGHT.
>> YES. THAT DIRECTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO LEGAL.
>> YOU WANT TO ADD MORE COUNSEL MUIR DAVIS?
>> YEAH. I GUESS I WANTED TO GET A SENSE FROM MR. KRESS HOW QUICKLY THIS ANALYSIS COULD TAKE PLACE, LARGELY BECAUSE I'M NOT OPPOSED TO REQUIRE MAKING THIS REQUIREMENT WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
BUT I'D LIKE IT TO BE ABLE TO BE RESENDABLE BECAUSE CAUSING SOMEONE TO MAKE TRANSACTIONS ON REAL ESTATE IN CALIFORNIA IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE EFFORT.
I THINK WE SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT THIS SERIOUSLY WITH REGARD TO WHAT LIMIT, IF ANY, DO WE WANT TO PUT ON IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN OUR FINANCIAL PRUDENCE.
HOW QUICKLY MR. KRESS, DO YOU THINK THESE REVIEWS PROGRESS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M SORRY, MR. KRESS, [LAUGHTER] MY BAD.
I SHOULD JUST SAY WHAT ABOUT BOB? [OVERLAPPING]
>> [OVERLAPPING] THERE YOU GO, [LAUGHTER] VERY QUICKLY.
WE CAN GIVE YOU LEGAL OPTIONS AND IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE TIME AT ALL.
>> OKAY. AS LONG AS IT'S NOT GOING TO WRITING AN ORDINANCE AS ONE THING, BUT MODIFYING A MUNICIPAL CODE MIGHT BE ANOTHER.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO THIS IN A MANNER THAT WE ARE IN THE 13TH MONTH OR THE 11TH MONTH WHERE TRANSACTIONS WOULD START TO HAVE TO HAPPEN.
>> YEAH. IF THE COUNCIL COLLECTIVELY TAKES A LOOK AT THIS PROVISION AND SAYS, "HEY, THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US A WHOLE LOT ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO REMOTELY." IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AND THE HOUSING PRICES AND SO FORTH, DOES FIVE MILES MAKE ANY SENSE ANYMORE? IT MAY NOT. NOW, A WIDER RADIUS, AND THE GOVERNMENT CODE SAYS, "YOU CAN'T REQUIRE RESIDENCY WITHIN THE JURISDICTION." RADIUS BANDS ARE ALLOWABLE.
BUT HE MAY WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AT THIS DAY AND AGE AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT PROVISION, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY ENACTED RIGHT AFTER THE GOVERNMENT CODE SAID YOU CAN'T REQUIRE RESIDENCY.
BUT WE CAN ANALYZE ALL THOSE ISSUES AND GET BACK TO YOU QUICKLY.
IF YOU DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO AMEND OR GET RID OF THAT PARTICULAR REQUIREMENT, IT'S A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
>> ALL THANK YOU. BOTH COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
I THINK THE MUNICIPAL CODE OBVIOUSLY NEED TO BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME.
I THINK IT'S, AS YOU SAID, 85 WAS QUITE A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT IN A LOT OF THINGS AND I'VE EARNED IT STAYED FAIRLY MUCH THE SAME FOR A GOOD NOTE.
BUT I THINK THAT LIKE ANY OTHER LAW OR MUNICIPAL CODE SHOULD BE REVIEWED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT SETS THE PRESENT STATE OR FEDERAL STYLE.
IT PASSED WOULD BE COUNSELED TO DO.
WE CAN WRITE BY HAND RAISED OUT THERE IS ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR MORE COMMENTS ON THIS?
>> I'LL RESERVE MY COMMENTS FOR AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> OKAY. THEN WE'LL CLOSE THIS MODE TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
BUT WE HAVE TRACY GONZALES THAT'S RAISING HER HAND, JR.
>> INDUSTRIAL VERIFY COULD ENTER JACK AND ASSET.
WE GO TO SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY ON THE PHONE.
>> THAT'S FINE. I'M SORRY. LET'S GO TO THE PHONE CONVERSATION.
I WILL GO TO RAISE HANDS. CHIRP, PLEASE BRING THEM ON.
[00:30:03]
>> MR. MAYOR, I HAVE ZACH GIBSON ON THE LINE.
IF WE COULD TRY TO KEEP IT FOR THREE MINUTES TIME, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT, SIR.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU GUYS. I WAS JUST WONDERING BECAUSE IN THIS CODE THEY SHALL REQUIRE, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T PRESSURED, THE LANGUAGE [INAUDIBLE] EVEN IF ITS FROM 1987, THAT'S SAYING SHALL AND IT CONTRACTUALLY BINDS YOU, I FIND INCORRECT, WHETHER YOU'RE CORRECT, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CORRECT ME ON THAT.
I'M WONDERING WHY KNOWING THIS, THE POINT IS, IN AUGUST 2010 AND IN AUGUST 2011 HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIVING WITHIN FIVE MILES, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE CODE, AND SINCE IT IS CONTRACTUAL AND NOBODY WAS EXPLOITING THIS, I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A VIOLATION OF THE CODE, AND IF IT HAS BEEN VIOLATED IS THERE GOING TO BE PUNISHMENT ON THAT, OR IF YOU GUYS ARE JUST GOING TO JUST LET IT SLIDE.
EVEN IF YOU GUYS END UP CHANGING IN THE END, I WILL LIKE TO ADD THAT SHE HAD ALMOST A 130 MONTHS TO FIND A RESIDENCY EITHER WITHIN THE CITY OR WITHIN THAT FIVE MILE RADIUS.
I'M TALKING ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] SHE WAS.
I DON'T KNOW, A WHOLE OTHER YEAR TO FIGURE IT OUT, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME GUYS, AND I UNDERSTAND THE STATE OF THE CURRENT HOUSING MARKET, BUT THAT IS A LOT OF TIME TO GRANT.
IF IF I MAY, THE LAST THING, IF I MAY SUGGEST RENTING OUT ONE OF THE MANY AIRBNB'S OFFERED IN OUR CITY AND TO REALLY FIND A SUITABLE HOME OR RESIDENCE.
UNFORTUNATELY THOUGH, THEY ARE ONLY SHORT-TERM RENTALS, BUT THEY ARE IN A [INAUDIBLE] 18.85, TWO BEDROOM COTTAGE IN OLD TOWN LAVERNE, THAT IS ABSOLUTE CHEAP.
IT'S OWNED BY DYNAMITE SUPER HOMES, LINDA WILKENSEN, WHO IS MORE THAN ACCOMMODATING, OR YOU CAN FIND A PLACE AND RENT ONCE A MONTH, WHICHEVER HE CHOOSES HE CAN CERTAINLY AFFORD, EITHER OPTION ON THE SALARY HE GETS PAID.
IT'S A MISDEMEANOR OR AT LEAST AN INFRACTION THAT THERE'S AN ORDER THAT'S SAYING, OTHERWISE, I'M WONDERING IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH THAT AGAINST HIM BECAUSE HE DID BREAK THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND IT IS CONTRACTUALLY BINDING. THANK YOU, GUYS.
>> THANK YOU MR. GIBSON. PIERRE?
>> WE GO AHEAD AND BRING IN MR. BARNS.
LOOKS LIKE HE HAS HIS HAND RAISED.
>> YES. I DID SEE MR. BARNS. YES.
>> PARDON ME. I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMEBODY AHEAD OF ME.
>> YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU, MR. BARNS.
>> I APPRECIATE THE NEW COUNCIL PEOPLE LAU AND CROSBY FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE ATTENTION BECAUSE IT HAS COME UP BEFORE.
IN FACT, ROBIN CARDER HAS SAID MANY TIMES THAT MR. RUSSI WAS IN COMPLIANCE.
HE LIVED WITHIN THE FIVE-MILE RADIUS, SO THIS IS NOT A NEW SUBJECT AND EITHER SHE LIED OR ELSE SHE WAS MISINFORMED.
BUT IT'S STILL A MUNICIPAL CODE.
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT YOU SEEM TO WANT TO PICK AND CHOOSE.
YOU JUST RENEWED A BUNCH OF CONTRACTS, FIVE OF WHICH GO BACK OVER 20 YEARS, AND YOU USE THAT REASONING TO NOT PUT THEM OUT TO BID.
YOU EMBRACE LONGEVITY WHEN IT WORKS, BUT IN THIS CASE, THIS IS A MUNICIPAL CODE, A LAW AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, AND IT'S OKAY NOT TO ADHERE TO IT.
I FIND IT FASCINATING WHEN MR. RUSSI IS BEEN ON THIS JOB FOR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT, EIGHT, 10 YEARS? AS THE PREVIOUS CALLER JUST SAID, YOU'VE HAD 120, 130 MONTHS TO HAVE OUR CITY MANAGER COMPLY WITH OUR LAW.
I ALSO FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY JUST USED THE TERM, NEVER HAD A "FORMAL ACTION".
I GUESS THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO TAKE FROM NOW ON FOR THE CITY TO FOLLOW ITS OWN CODES.
[00:35:04]
TWO YEARS AGO, IT WAS BROUGHT UP THAT THE PURCHASING CODES WERE NOT BEING MET AND WHAT HAPPENED? MAYOR DAVIS MOVED TO CHANGE THE PURCHASING CODES, AND TONIGHT YOU JUST REBID 25 CONTRACTS.MY LAST COMMENT IS THAT WHEN MR. KRESS, WHO HAS NOW BEEN RENEWED FOR A 30 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY, IS A LAWYER I PRESUME.
I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT. HE'S A LAWYER AND HE USED THE WORD CLOSE ENOUGH, THAT 6-7 MILES IS CLOSE ENOUGH, AND I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW, IS THAT A LEGAL TERM? BECAUSE I'VE NEVER HEARD THAT USED THAT HE'S CLOSE ENOUGH OR THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE LAW TO ACTUALLY BE WITHIN THE LAW.
THIS REALLY IS AMAZING TO ME, AND I HOPE THAT COUNCIL PERSON, LAU AND CROSBY, AND ALL OF YOU SAY THE LAW COMES FIRST, OTHERWISE, WHAT GOOD IS IT? THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU MR. BARNS. PIERRE?
>> AS IF WE ARE CALLERS, YEAH.
>> JUST A MINUTE. [NOISE] I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS UP.
>> MR. MAYOR, I JUST REFRESHED AND DIDN'T SEE ANY.
>> WE'LL GIVE IT ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND THEN WE'LL CLOSE.
>> WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE UP ON THE COMMENT.
BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION.
>> TIM, I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING THAT I THINK BOB KRESS FORGOT TO MENTION AND VERY CLEARLY.
I CAME ON THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2009 UNDER A DIFFERENT CITY MANAGER, BOB RUSSI CAME ON, LIVED WITHIN THE FIVE-MILE STATUS OF THE CONTRACT.
I DON'T LIKE BEING CALLED A LIAR BECAUSE I DON'T LIE.
BUT, I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR.
NOW, HE STILL OWNS THE HOME FIVE MILES AWAY.
JUST RECENTLY, HE NOW LIVES IN ANOTHER HOME, SIX MILES AWAY, THAT IS JUST RECENTLY.
I APPLAUD WENDY AND RICK NOTICING THIS OR IF SOMEONE BROUGHT IT TO YOUR ATTENTION, SO BE IT.
BUT YES. I'M SORRY, I AGREE WITH BOB KRESS IT'S ONE MILE DIFFERENCE.
I'VE HEARD IT'S SIX MILES AWAY, BUT THAT IS JUST RECENT.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.
IT DOESN'T GO BACK FROM THE TIME HE GOT HIS CONTRACT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CARDER.
COUNCIL MUIR DAVIS, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR MORE COMMENTS? NO. BEING THAT SAID, I DO APPRECIATE OUR TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
I THINK WE DO AS WE ALL NEED TO FOLLOW THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
IF IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T APPLY ANYMORE, THEN WE DO NEED TO CHANGE THOSE.
AGAIN, WE DO NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THAT, BUT AGAIN, DIFFERENT TIME, DIFFERENT PLACE.
BEING THAT SAID, DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION, MR. KRESS ON THIS?
>> THEN I WOULD REQUIRE A MOTION FOR THIS TO PROCEED.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION? MR. CROSBY? [NOISE]
>> I LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION, THAT THE SAME ANSWER BE GIVEN 12 MONTHS NOTICE TO COMPLY WITH LA VERN MUNICIPAL CODE, SECTION 2.04.020, AND REQUEST THAT THIS COMPLIANCE PERIOD THE REQUIREMENT BE REVIEWED.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AND WE HAVE TO DO COLUMN, [OVERLAPPING] SORRY.
>> IF I CAN MAKE A SLIGHT AMENDMENT TO A, GIVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN SECONDED.
I WOULD LIKE TO INSERT THE WORDS AFTER REQUIRING NOTICE TO COMPLY WITH MUNICIPAL CODE, SAY ACTUALLY, I GUESS IT'S WITHIN FIVE MILES OF RADIO CITY HALL.
BEFORE WE GET INTO WE'RE GOING TO STUDY I'D, SAY WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING SUCH REQUESTS.
>> IS THAT, COUNCIL MEMBER LAU YOU'VE GOT THAT [OVERLAPPING]
[00:40:04]
>> I WILL SECOND IT AS REVISED.
>> OKAY. WE'RE GOOD WITH THAT? THEN WE JUST DO ONE ROLL-CALL ON THE WHOLE THING, MR. KRESS?
>> OKAY. I'LL DO THE ROLL CALL.
I'M JUST GOING TO DO IT BY WHO I SEE FIRST.
>> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU MR. KRESS.
YOU WILL BRING MR. RUSSI BACK IN I THINK.
>> THERE HE IS, HE'S GOT HIS FINGERS WORKING [LAUGHTER].
>> OKAY. WELL, WE CAME OFF THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE NOW. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.
[8. PUBLIC COMMENTS/ORAL COMMUNICATIONS]
DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS OR WE JUST MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM? WE MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.HERE WE GO. WE HAVE, I JUST SAW HIM, WHAT HAPPENED?
>> YOU BROUGHT HIM IN? OH, I SEE RIGHT THERE.
WE LEARNING EVERY DAY, MR. WILSON?
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE HORRENDOUS THING THAT I SAW ON FACEBOOK REGARDING OUR NOT OPENING STATION 3 DUE TO THE BOARD MEMBERS OF COUNCIL DECIDING WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.
NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT, I SEE THAT A FIREFIGHTER, I BELIEVE FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC, WHO WAS STILL ON PROBATION HAS LEFT FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, AS WELL AS ANOTHER PERSON WHO LEFT FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, THEN A THIRD MEMBER HAS RETIRED.
COUNCIL MEMBER LAU, YOU SAID DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN, WHEN YOU'RE DIRECTLY ASKED WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON AND HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GAIN INTERESTS OR GAIN RESPECT AND THE SUPPORT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.
THEN I COME TO FIND OUT THAT BASICALLY NOW YOU HAVE A VOTE AND NO COVER FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S CRAZY. LAST MONTH I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PARADE OF INTERIM FIRE CHIEFS WE HAD, ROBIN CARDER, COUNCIL MEMBER CARDER SAID, MR. WILSON, YOU JUST WAIT A FEW WEEKS AND YOU'LL SEE HOW THINGS WILL GO.
WELL, COUNCIL MEMBER CARDER, I SEE HOW THINGS WENT.
YOU'RE STILL CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS GETTING TO BE RIDICULOUS.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY OUT-OF-CONTROL.
WHERE'S THE LB MONEY IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT MONEY? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH OUR CITY COUNCIL AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO HAS BEEN AROUND HERE FOR A 100 YEARS AND DONE SO MANY GREAT THINGS FOR OUR CITY.
I DO NOT WANT TO SEE US GO TO COUNTY AND TO BE HONEST, I THINK THAT'S WHAT MS. CARDER WAS TRYING TO TELL ME A MONTHS AGO.
I THINK THAT'S WHERE YOU GUYS ARE HEADED.
I DON'T APPRECIATE IT AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THE ATMOSPHERE THAT YOU GUYS CREATED WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I KNOW YOU SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.
I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN THE FACEBOOK POSTS.
I'M EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO CREATE THE SITUATION ONCE AGAIN.
ESPECIALLY YOU MS. CARDER, I WAS HOPING TO HEAR SOMETHING NEW FROM YOU.
I DON'T THINK I CAN BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU EVER SAY.
I THINK A LOT OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR CITY ARE TIRED OF IT.
COUNCIL MEMBER LAU, I SUPPORTED YOU WHEN YOU RAN, DON'T GIVE ME A REASON NOT TO SUPPORT YOU THE NEXT TIME.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME HAVE SOME TIME.
>> WHILE WE MAYBE WAIT FOR SOME HANDWRITING, I DO HAVE A PHONE CALL, IF THAT'S OKAY MR. MAYOR?
>> PLEASE, BRING THE PERSON ON.
>> MR. MAYOR I HAVE KATHY NEWLAND ON THE LINE.
>> GOOD EVENING, KATHY NEWLAND? HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING? [OVERLAPPING]
>> THREE MINUTES KATHY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> KATHY, KATHY, HOLD ON. MR. MAYOR, GO AHEAD.
>> NO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE KATHY, WE DID KEEP TRYING TO KEEP FOR THE THREE MINUTES WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> OKAY. I HAVE ONE QUESTION, BUT BEFORE THAT, BECAUSE I COULDN'T TALK ON THE PREVIOUS SUBJECT.
[00:45:03]
I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT ROBIN THAT [INAUDIBLE] HAS NOT LIVED WITHIN [LAUGHTER] FIVE MILES OF THE CITY.NEVER, THE HOUSE BEFORE THAT HE OWNED WAS PROBABLY SEVEN MILES.
NOW HE'S 8.5 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN FROM CITY HALL.
AS FAR AS THE FIRST RESPONDERS, THEY WOULD DIFFER BECAUSE THEY'RE ON A SHIFT, SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO LIVE WHERE THEY WORK.
ANYWAY, THAT WAS MY COMMENT ON THAT.
MY QUESTION TONIGHT IS, IS THAT I'M CALLING BECAUSE I ASKED THE QUESTION LAST TO THE COUNCIL MEETING, AND I ASKED IT WAS NOT ANSWERED.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN ANSWER TONIGHT.
I WANT TO HAVE YOU PUT AT LEAST QUARTER HEALTH ON THE PHONE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION TONIGHT.
CHIEF WATER HEALTH, DO YOU SUPPORT MAYOR HEPBURN'S PROPOSAL ABOUT THE LBFT AND WHY? I WOULD LIKE THAT ANSWERED TONIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. MISS NEWLAND, JR, DO WE HAVE ANY PHONE IN, CONVERSATION?
>> MR. MAYOR WE DO HAVE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS, SO LUBY IS GIVING THOSE READY AND THEN I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE HAVE THEM IN THE KEY.
>> MR. MAYOR, I HAVE KATHY CALUSIC ON THE LINE?
>> GOOD EVENING, MS. CALUSIC. IF YOU COULD PLEASE KEEP TO A THREE-MINUTE TIME FRAME, WE'D GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. YOU MAY BEGIN.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
THIS IS KATHY CALUSIC, 2242 3RD STREET, [INAUDIBLE].
I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT I APPRECIATE OUR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M SURE THAT WHEN YOU-ALL RAN FOR YOUR POSITIONS YOU HAD NO IDEA THAT ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE TO DO FOR US, YOU'D ALSO BE DEALING WITH A PANDEMIC.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND LET YOU KNOW THAT YOUR WELL-BEING AND SANITY IS OFTEN IN MY NIGHTLY PRAYERS.
THREE WEEKS AGO, THE MAYOR PRESENTED WHAT HE SAID WAS A PLAN TO SAVE OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS OPENED UP DIALOGUE WHICH IS GOOD.
UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, IT WAS MORE OF A PROPOSAL THAN A PLAN AND I NEEDED MORE INFORMATION THAN WHAT WAS PRESENTED.
THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE CITY MANAGER ALSO WEREN'T ABLE TO SUPPORT IT AS PRESENTED AND HAVE REALLY BEEN VILIFIED BOTH ON THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND IN THE NEXTDOOR APP.
THIS IRE ISN'T WARRANTED AND IT ISN'T PRODUCTIVE FOR FIXING OUR ISSUES.
THE CITY HAS ALREADY BEEN TRYING TO FILL KEY POSITIONS WITH NO SUCCESS.
IT'S MY BELIEF THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A PERMANENT CHIEF, A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE, AND A PLAN FOR HIRING AND MAINTAINING GOOD CANDIDATES.
THIS WILL SHOW WE'RE A STABLE CITY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE.
THIS IS GOING TO TAKE MONEY AND COOPERATION FROM ALL INVOLVED.
REGARDING MONEY, I'VE [INAUDIBLE] TO DO SOME RESEARCH INTO HOW TO GET SOME MORE.
I CAME ACROSS SOME GRANTS THAT FEMA IS OFFERING.
ONE IS CALLED SAFER WHICH STANDS FOR STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE WHAT WE NEED.
I REACHED OUT TO THE CONTACT PERSON THAT WAS ON THE WEBSITE LAST WEEK AND SHE EMAILED ME THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS PROGRAM.
I HAVE SENT HER AN EMAIL AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP UNTIL I GET MORE INFO.
THE 2021 GRANTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET, AND I'VE ASKED WHEN THEY WILL BE AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO THE PREPARE.
ONCE I HAVE MORE INFO, I WILL FORWARD THE CITY MANAGEMENT AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
IT'S TIME THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AND WORK TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEMS, I WANT TO KEEP OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I'M HAPPY TO VOLUNTEER MY TIME TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN DO THAT.
LET'S TALK. THANK YOU. [NOISE]
>> THANK YOU. CHAIR, WE HAVE MORE?
>> YES, SIR. ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.
MR. MAYOR, I HAVE ZACK GIBSON ON THE LINE.
>> MR. GIBSON, GOOD EVENING AGAIN.
IF WE COULD TRY TO KEEP TO A THREE-MINUTE TIME FRAME, WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
[00:50:01]
YOU MAY BEGIN ANYTIME.MR. CROSBY, YOU READ SOME REPORT LAST MEETING, "A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT CHALLENGES TO [INAUDIBLE] HIRING A FIRE CHIEF WITH THE APPROPRIATE SKILLSETS AND SUPPORTING THE CHIEF'S EFFORTS OVER THE LONG TERM." THEN, YOU ALSO COMMENTED ON THE REPORT THAT IT WAS REPORTED IN A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, IT IS CONTAINED IN AN SOC/CLA WHICH COUNCIL ASSOCIATED COST BASED ON LEVEL OF DETAILS OF THAT.
IF THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK SHOULD HAPPEN, WHICH IS WHAT YOU STATED LAST WEEK WHERE THE CALL HAS BEEN FOR THAT FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS SINCE YOU GUYS WERE GIVEN THIS INFORMATION.
YOU SAID, "PRIOR TO IT'S CLOSURE, STATION 3 ONLY ADD 3-5 CALLS A WEEK." THAT'S NOT A DAY, THAT IS A WEEK, WHICH IS AN INTERESTING STATEMENT WHEN TALKING ABOUT SAFETY, BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THOSE FIVE CALLS COULD BE FOR SAVING A LIFE.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M WONDERING IF YOU THEN WOULD ALSO BELIEVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD STOP PATROLLING THE AREA WITH FIRE STATION [INAUDIBLE] DUE TO THEM HAVING THE SAME AMOUNT OF 911 CALLS [INAUDIBLE] LAST YEAR, THAT'S AROUND 2-5 A WEEK.
NOW, ROBIN, YOU SAID, "WE AS THE COUNCIL, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET MUCH INFORMATION ON THIS [NOISE], AND I THINK IT WAS JUST PUT TOGETHER AND NOT DISCUSSED TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION [INAUDIBLE]." NOW, IF YOU FELT THAT WAY, WHY DID YOU SPEAK UP AND ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION OR EXPLANATION? WHY WE CONTEND NOT FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE FINAL REPORTS WERE SAFETY IS? YOU SAID REGARDING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, "WE ASK ALL THE TIMES WHAT DO YOU NEED, IF YOU HAVE IT, EQUIPMENT, GO UP TO THE BATTALION CHIEF, LET US KNOW THEN DOESN'T MEAN THAT LET US KNOW.
LET THE DEPARTMENT HEADS KNOW THEY'LL COME TO THE CITY MANAGER, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH." BUT THEN WHEN THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO, NO ONE LISTENED.
ONLY ONE PERSON HAS THEN LOOKED INTO IT, AND THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CHASTISED FOR WHAT THE CITY AND THE COUNCIL, INCLUDING YOURSELF, FELT WAS NOT GOING THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS WHEN THEY DID.
NOW, EVERYONE KEEPS BRINGING IT UP THE FIRE CHIEF AS IF IT'S A NEW NEED.
THAT THE JOB OF THE CITY MANAGER, A TASK ON WHICH HE IS FAILING JUST SPECTACULARLY.
NOT ONLY LETTING THE CITY DOWN, BUT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL.
YES, THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED THINGS, BUT WE NEEDED THIS WELL BEFORE THE WORLD CHANGED.
NO EXCUSES, GET IT DONE, UNLESS YOU DON'T WANT, WHICH IS THE IMPRESSION YOU'RE GIVING OFF.
EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE, IT IS HIS JOB AND ONE OF HIS DUTIES.
YOU'VE ALL PAID FOR REPORTS [INAUDIBLE] BUT NONE OF YOU HAVE BROUGHT ANYTHING TO THE TABLE.
SURE, THE MAYOR BROUGHT EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR AN EMERGENCY, THE PERFECT [INAUDIBLE] , BUT IT IS THE STARTING POINT FOR DIALOGUE WE HAD.
IF YOU JUST CRIED ABOUT PARAMEDICS [INAUDIBLE] STATION, OR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW WHAT THEY WANT, SOME OF THESE CONCERNS ARE VALID, BUT RATHER THAN HALFWAY SAYING NO, WHY DON'T YOU FIND A COMMON GROUND [INAUDIBLE] LATER.
IT'S NICE TO SEE SOMEONE THAT JUST WANTED SOMETHING AND THEY TRIED TO GO FOR IT.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT AFTER HAVING THE FEMA REPORT AND ALL OF THE RELEVANT INFORMATION, [OVERLAPPING] YOU GUYS HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING OR COME TO US WITH ANYTHING.
THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND A LOT OF TALK ABOUT CITY PRIDE, THERE'S BLAME GAME THROWN AROUND, AND I BELIEVE ALL YOU GUYS NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON IS PRODUCTIVITY WITH YOUR TIME, YOUR EFFORT, WITH THE WORK WE'VE ENTRUSTED YOU TO DO.
I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO DO WHAT YOU'RE ELECTED TO DO. [OVERLAPPING].
>> MR. GIBSON, YOU'VE REACHED YOUR TIME.
IF YOU COULD [INAUDIBLE] , MR. GIBSON, PLEASE.
>> THERE'S STILL A COUPLE MORE, SIR.
>> MR. MAYOR, I HAVE ANDY GLAZE ON THE LINE.
>> GOOD EVENING MR.GLAZE. HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING AND IF YOU COULD PLEASE KEEP YOUR THREE-MINUTE FRAME, WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS ANDY GLAZE AND I'M THE LA VERNE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT.
I SPEAK TONIGHT WITH A HEAVY HEART AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FINDS ITSELF IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AS IT DID SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE A HOSTILE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER WHO ARE OPENLY ATTACKING MAYOR HEPBURN FOR COMING UP WITH A PLAN TO MAKE SAFETY A PRIORITY AND ADEQUATELY [INAUDIBLE] THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT CITY MANAGER, BOB RUSSI DECIDED TO INVOLVE HIMSELF IN POLITICS ONCE AGAIN.
HE PUT TOGETHER A FIRE DEPARTMENT WEB PAGE FOR CITIZENS TO READ.
ON THAT WEB PAGE, HE ADDED A LETTER THAT HE WROTE ON MAY 20TH, 2021 TITLED "OFFICIAL CITY OF LA VERNE STATEMENT ON FIRE SERVICES MATTER." FIRST, IN HIS LETTER, HE SAID LA VERNE CITY COUNCIL HAS PRIORITIZED REPAIRING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LA VERNE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
THE FACT THAT THE LA VERNE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION VOTED NO CONFIDENCE IN THE LA VERNE CITY COUNCIL
[00:55:01]
TWO WEEKS AGO CLEARLY CONTRADICTS HIS STATEMENT.NEXT, RUSSI STATED THAT THE MAYOR'S STATEMENT REGARDING THE FORMER INTERIM FIRE CHIEF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROPOSAL WAS A MID CHARACTERIZATION OF HIS OPINION ON THE MATTER.
WE SPOKE TO CHIEF SEGURA, AND HE TOLD US HE HAD SENT RUSSI A MEMO THAT WOULD CONTRADICT RUSSI'S STATEMENT.
THE CITY DID NOT RELEASE THIS DOCUMENT, AND SO THE LA VERNE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION NEED A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST TO FORCE THE CITY TO RELEASE THE DOCUMENT.
FOURTEEN DAYS LATER, THEY FINALLY RELEASED THE MEMO TITLED, "FOLLOW UP TO AMERICAN HEPBURN'S STATION BRIDGE STAFFING PROPOSAL." THAT DAY, WE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED THIS DOCUMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF LA VERNE TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH.
HERE'S THE FUNNY THING, JUST TODAY BEFORE THE COUNCIL MEETING, BOB RUSSI RELEASED THE SAME DOCUMENT AND ATTEMPTED TO TWIST THEIR MEETING TO SUPPORT HIS AGENDA.
HE HAD THIS DOCUMENTED SINCE APRIL 20TH AND DIDN'T RELEASE IT UNTIL WE MADE A FOUR-YEAR REQUEST AND PUT THEM ONLINE EXPOSING HIS BEHAVIOR.
THE CITIZENS DESERVE THE TRUTH, THEY DESERVE TRANSPARENCY.
IN HIS MEMO, CHIEF SEGURA, CLEARLY STATES, "STAFFING AN ADDITIONAL FIRE ENGINE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ENHANCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S SERVICE LEVEL AND WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPRESSION PERSONNEL, BRINGING THE LA VERNE FIRE DEPARTMENT CLOSER TO THE MINIMUM RECOMMENDED STANDARDS ACCORDING TO NFPA 1710 FOR RESIDENTIAL FIRES." CITIZENS OF LA VERNE, DOES THIS SOUND LIKE THE MAYOR WHO MISCHARACTERIZED CHIEF SEGURA'S OPINION ON THE MATTER? OR DO YOU THINK THAT ENHANCING THE DEPARTMENT SERVICE LEVEL AND PROVIDING BETTER SAFETY FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS AND CITIZENS WOULD BE A POSITIVE CHANGE? THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR, THE DOCUMENTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
BOB RUSSI HAD FOUR INTERIM FIRE CHIEFS, BOTH WHO ARE CONSULTANTS, AND BOTH WHO REPORT TO TELL HIM THAT HE MUST ADDRESS THE GRAVE SAFETY CONCERNS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND HE HAS IGNORED THEM AND CONTINUE TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
THE DECISION THE CITY MANAGER IS MAKING, LIKE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL ARE JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FIREFIGHTERS.
WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RAISE OUR VOICES AGAIN.
WE THE LA VERNE FIREFIGHTERS VOTE NO CONFIDENCE IN BOB RUSSI AS CITY MANAGER OF LA VERNE.
REST ASSURED THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUR BEST TO KEEP LA VERNE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE, EVEN UNDER THESE CHALLENGING CONDITIONS.
ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EVERYONE TO SEE OR FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US OR SEND US DIRECT MESSAGES AND WE'LL SEND YOU COPIES.
WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MAYOR, IF I MAY INTERRUPT THIS, I'D LIKE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO READ A MEMO THAT WAS SENT BY DAVID SEGURA, PRIOR CHIEF ON FIRE DEPARTMENT TODAY TO BASICALLY EXPLAIN THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION. MR. KRESS.
>> I HAVE THAT EMAIL FROM CHIEF SEGURA.
IT'S DIRECTED TO MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
"I'VE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY THAT HAS CENTERED AROUND MY POSITION ON THE STAFFING DEPLOYMENT FOR THE CITY OF LA VERNE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WITH THAT, I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CONTACT YOU AND LET YOU KNOW THAT THE REFERENCE OF MY POSITION AND THE STATEMENT FROM THE CITY DATED MAY 20TH WAS REVIEWED BY ME PRIOR TO ITS POSTING.
I FEEL IT CORRECTLY REFLECTS MY OPINION AND I APPROVED ITS USE.
STAFFING AN ADDITIONAL FIRE ENGINE AT FIRE STATION 3 WAS NOT MY PROPOSAL.
THIS WAS PROPOSED BY MAYOR HEPBURN AND THE LVFA.
IN MY OPINION, THE ANNEXATION OF THE LV FIRE DEPARTMENT THROUGH LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR THE CITY OF LA VERNE.
HOWEVER, AS REFERENCED IN THE CITY OF LA VERNE FIRE DEPARTMENT, SERVICE DEPLOYMENT REVIEW REPORT CONDUCTED BY MESSINA AND ASSOCIATES, IF THE CITY CHOOSES TO CONTINUE THE DELIVERY OF FIRE OR EMERGENCY SERVICES, IT SHOULD NOT IGNORE THE NEED TO PROVIDE A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO THE STAFFING NEEDS OF THE HIGH-RISK, LOW-FREQUENCY, FIRE SUPPRESSION EVENTS THAT REQUIRE ASSISTANCE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE LVFD.
THE CURRENT AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LVFD AND THE FIRE DISTRICT IS OUTDATED AND APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE TO HANDLE THE CURRENT NEEDS OF THE LVFD.
THEREFORE, AS REFERENCED IN THE REPORT, I BELIEVE THAT THE CONSOLIDATED FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFERS A VIABLE OPTION FOR THE FIRE SERVICE NEEDS OF THE CITY OF LA VERNE."
[01:00:01]
IT'S SIGNED, SINCERELY, DAVID SEGURA.AS YOU CAN SEE, HE STANDS BEHIND THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE, WHERE THE CITY POSTED THAT HIS REMARKS WERE MISINTERPRETED. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE JERA [INAUDIBLE] , WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ATTENDEES WITH HANDS UP.
>> MR. MAYOR, I HAVE DAVE GARCIA ON THE LINE.
PLEASE KEEP TO THE THREE-MINUTE TIME FRAME IF YOU COULD, SIR.
>> OKAY. MY NAME IS DAVE GARCIA, AND I'M A LA VERNE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION TREASURER SECRETARY.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL'S EMAIL RESPONSES CONCERNED CITIZEN.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO CONTINUE TO SEND US COPIES OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S RESPONSE TO THEIR REQUEST TO SUPPORT MAYOR HEPBURN'S PLAN TO REOPEN FIRE STATION 3 WITH PARAMEDIC FIRE ENGINE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SHINE SOME TRUTH ON THE EMAIL STATEMENT.
WE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ROBIN CARDER TO DEFEND CITIZENS.
ROBIN STATES, "WE'VE ALWAYS HAD PLANS TO OPEN STATION 3 AGAIN WITH PARAMEDIC SERVICES.
THAT'S ALL THAT STATION WAS BUILT FOR NOT ACQUIRED.
AS ALREADY SAID, THAT IS A [INAUDIBLE] LIE.
THE STATION WAS BUILT TO HOUSE THIS FIRE ENGINE THAT'S CALLED A FIRE STATION.
EVERY ASPECT OF THAT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRE STATION INVOLVES PUTTING A FIRE ENGINE THERE.
2017 THE LA VERNE FIRE DEPARTMENT, STRATEGIC PLAN 819, STRATEGY 1 STATES, "PREFERRED ENGINE FONT MODEL CLEARLY STATE FUNDING AND STAFFING FIRE ENGINE AT STATION 3.
NEXT HE SAYS, "THERE ARE ONLY A FEW FIRES IN THE CITY, 4.5 LAST YEAR TO BE EXACT." THAT IS ANOTHER GREAT LIE.
FIRST, I'D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT HALF OF FIRE IS BECAUSE I GENERALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HALF A FIRE IS.
SECONDLY, OUT OF THE 4.5 FIRES, WHAT FIRES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? THE DESTRUCTION FIRES ONLY? SOME VEHICLE FIRES? ENVIRONMENT FIRES? DOES THAT INCLUDE SMALL FIRES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PUT OUT BEFORE IT SPREADS TO THE BUILDING? DOES THAT INCLUDE FIRE ALARMS? ONE OF THE FIRES LAST YEAR WAS AT [INAUDIBLE] , [INAUDIBLE] OF LA VERNE.
IT TOOK OVER 100 FIREFIGHTERS TO PUT IT OUT. WHY STOP AT FIRES? ROBIN CARDER THINKS THE REASON FOR NORTH LA VERNE DOESN'T NEED ITS FIRE ENGINE, IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FIRES.
WHAT ABOUT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WE CUT OUT FROM [INAUDIBLE] ON THE NORTH THEN? [INAUDIBLE].
WHAT ABOUT GASOLINE? CARBON MONOXIDE? BOTH INVESTIGATIONS, I WOULD JUST [INAUDIBLE] DOESN'T HANDLE ANY OF THOSE CALLS.
ROBIN CARDER'S MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO JUSTIFY HER DECISION PUTS POLITICS OVER SAFETY IS JUST ANOTHER REASON WE HAD TO VOTE A NO CONFIDENCE IN HER TWO WEEKS AGO.
ALSO, [INAUDIBLE] HAS ALSO SENT EMAILS TO CONCERNED CITIZENS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS COMMENT SAID IN AN EMAIL, "RIGHT NOW, ALL WE HAVE IS RHETORIC FROM THE MAYOR AND YOU.
STATION 3 SHOULD HAVE BEEN OPENED BY NOW.
HIRING AND FIRING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.
FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE YOU TO KNOW OF [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE'RE KNOWN AS FIREFIGHTERS IF WE HAVE WOMEN THAT WORK IN THAT FIELD." THEN HE STATES, "ACCORDING TO THE FIRE UNIT, THEY HAVE NOT HELPED IN RECRUITING AND EVEN SABOTAGED IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EVIDENCE THAT WE'RE SABOTAGING ANY RECRUITMENT EFFORTS."
>> MR. GARCIA, IF WE COULD FINISH UP [OVERLAPPING] I'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> IF WE COULD FINISH UP, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
WE'RE PAST THOSE THREE MINUTES. BUT THANK YOU.
>> MR. MAYOR, I HAVE JO WETTON ON THE LINE.
>> HELLO MS. WETTON. HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING?
>> I AM WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE GOING TO HOLD TO THE THREE MINUTES IF WE COULD PLEASE.
>> MAY I PROTEST A MOTION. COUNCILMEMBERS REFUSED TO ADD OR SECOND, DOING SO THAT AGREEMENT OR APPROVAL THAT IT DOES ALLOW DISCUSSION.
BY DISCUSSION, WE, THE PUBLIC ARE OWN DEPTH CONSIDERATION.
[01:05:01]
I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE GIVE THIS SOME SERIOUS AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>> MR. MAYOR, YOU'LL NOTICE I'M BRINGING IN SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE RAISING THEIR HANDS IN BETWEEN WHILE WE GET PEOPLE QUEUED UP ON THE PHONE.
>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.
GOOD EVENING MS. KRISTA CHAKMAK. HOW ARE YOU?
>> I'M DOING WELL, THANK YOU. HOW ARE YOU TONIGHT?
>> WE'RE GOOD, THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING A HOLD A THREE-MINUTE TIME FRAME IF YOU DON'T MIND, BUT YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING BONITA UNIFIED.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS KRISTA CHAKMAK AND I'M A BOARD MEMBER FOR BONITA UNIFIED.
BUT I'M NOT SPEAKING TONIGHT AS A BONITA UNIFIED REPRESENTATIVE OR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, BUT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN.
I HAVEN'T BEEN AS DILIGENT ABOUT WATCHING THESE MEETINGS, TRUTHFULLY I DON'T CARE FOR THE ZOOM FORMAT.
ALTHOUGH GOVERNOR NEWSOM CONTINUED THE BROWN ACT FLEXIBILITY AFTER JUNE 15TH, IT STATES THAT IT ALLOWS LOCAL AGENCIES TO CONTINUE HOLDING MEETINGS REMOTELY AS NEEDED.
BUT I DO HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WILL CONSIDER MEETING BACK IN PERSON, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
ALSO, AT THE LAST MEETING, I CAUGHT SEVERAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE.
I'M NOT A DOCTOR JUST LIKE ALL OF YOU, BUT I AM HOPING THAT THE VACCINE HASN'T BEEN THE ONLY MENTION FOR COMBATING COVID-19 DURING THE LAST YEAR.
YOU'VE ALSO BEEN REMINDING OUR COMMUNITY THAT THE FOLLOWING MAY BE HELPFUL AS WELL: PROPER DIETS, WHOLE FOODS, EXERCISE, VITAMIN D, C, PLENTY OF SLEEP, MANAGING YOUR ANXIETY, AND GETTING ANY UNDERLYING COMORBIDITIES UNDER CONTROL, AND GENERALLY BEING PROACTIVE WITH YOUR HEALTH BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
I'M ABSOLUTELY NOT ANTI-VACCINE, I'M ANTI-FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND ANTI-COLLAGEN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COMING FROM OUR ELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, TV PERSONALITIES, MUSICIANS, AND ACTORS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW OUR BODIES, THEY DON'T KNOW OUR CHILDREN.
PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE BEST FIT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND CONTACT YOUR MEDICAL ADVISOR FOR THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU.
I TRULY CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY AND OUR CHILDREN, AND WE ALL NEED TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER.
IT'S HARD ADDRESSING THIS AND SPEAKING OUT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF MY POSITION IN THIS COMMUNITY, BUT I DID NOT RUN FOR THIS POSITION TO SACRIFICE MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
I WISH THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD SPEAK UP, BUT I KNOW THE BACKLASH THAT COMES WITH VOICING A DIFFERENT OPINION, BUT I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT MYSELF IN THE MIRROR AND LOOK AT MY BOYS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I WAS NEVER SILENT.
PLEASE BE SAFE, BE KIND TO EACH OTHER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MANY OF YOU OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS. TAKE CARE.
>> MR. MAYOR, I HAVE PAM BARRY ON THE LINE.
>> GOOD EVENING MS. BARRY. IF WE COULD TRY TO KEEP THIS THREE MINUTES, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
YOU'RE WELCOME, AND THIS IS THE BEGINNING TIME.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME, THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, THIS IS PAM BARRY.
AT THE LAST MEETING, THE MAYOR PROPOSED ADDITIONAL STIPEND TO RESOLVE THE 50 COMPLACENT FIREFIGHTERS.
WELL, THIS IS NOT REGARDING SAFETY CONCERNS BUT ONGOINGS THAT'S PART OF IT, DANGEROUS JOB.
BUT I SUPPORT DOING SO, BUT THE INTENT OF THE LOGO WAS COMPLETELY BYPASS.
NO ONE CAME WITH THEIR THINKING CAP ON, THE THEORIES TO LOOK INTO; HOW DO WE FUND THIS? IF WE DON'T WANT TO DO THE RESERVE FUNDING, HOW DO WE DO THIS? THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN UP FOR DISCUSSION.
I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE THE SCRAPPING OF THE THINGS THAT ARE PLANNED.
I DON'T SEE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE DEMANDING LOOKING BETTER, I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT, MOST OF THE TEAMS WHO'VE BEEN SURVEYED ARE NOT QUITE HAPPY ABOUT YET HERE.
WHETHER THE GRANT IS APPROVED OR NOT, THE PROJECT IS GOING TO TAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET TO COMPLETE THE BUILDING, ONGOING COURSE FOR STAFFING, SECURITY, MAINTENANCE, I'VE HEARD A TALK ABOUT SHUTTLE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO COST MONEY.
THERE'S NOT REALLY A NEED FOR THAT BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS HAVE THEIR OWN PROGRAMS. THEY'VE GOT COUNSELORS ONSITE, THEY'VE GOT ACTIVITIES ONSITE, AND IN ADDITION TO THE LOCAL PARK SPACE FOR BUILDINGS AND A LARGE PARKING LOT, IT SEEMS LIKE THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE BETTER USED.
CANCEL THAT FUNDING FOR THAT AND PUT THAT TOWARDS OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT FUNDING RATHER THAN A BUILDING AND A PARKING LOT IN OUR PARK SPACE.
THIS IS AN URGENT SITUATION, AND IT'S GETTING CUT-OFF LONGER AND LONGER AND LONGER.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT SUGGESTION, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[01:10:08]
GOOD EVENING, MR. BOWEN.IF YOU COULD TRY TO KEEP THE THREE-MINUTE TIME FRAME, YOU CAN BEGIN ANY TIME SIR.
>> I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT VERY SHORTER THAN THAT.
A FEW MINUTES AGO, ANDREW GLAZE CALLED IN ON A NON-AGENDA ITEM.
AFTER HE SPOKE, MUIR DAVIS APPARENTLY IN VIOLATION OF THE BROWN ACT, IMMEDIATELY JUMPED IN, IN FRONT OF YOU MR. MAYOR, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY RUDE.
BUT HE'S DONE IT BEFORE, SO I THINK THE CITIZENS HAVE COME TO EXPECT THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOR FROM MR. DAVIS.
HE IMMEDIATELY JUMPED IN AND HAD A PREPARED STATEMENT OF WHICH HE THEN HANDED OFF TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY, WHO THEN READ FROM ANOTHER PREPARED STATEMENT BY CHIEF [INAUDIBLE] , I BELIEVE.
WHY ISN'T THAT FOR FOUR YEARS I'VE BEEN COMING TO THESE MEETINGS, EVERY TIME DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ARE ADMONISHED THAT IF IT'S NOT AN AGENDA ITEM, YOU THE COUNCIL CANNOT REACT? YOU CANNOT DISCUSS WHAT WAS JUST BROUGHT UP FOR A NON-AGENDA ITEM.
YET, I JUST SAW A SHAMEFUL DISPLAY BY MUIR DAVIS AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY VIOLATING THE BROWN ACT.
I ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY, IS THAT CLOSE ENOUGH FOR YOU SIR, TO VIOLATE THE BROWN ACT? THIS IS GETTING TO BE SOMEWHAT RIDICULOUS. THANK YOU.
HELLO, MS. GONZALES. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SPEAK AT ANY TIME.
IF WE CAN KEEP OUR THREE MINUTE TIME FRAME, I'LL APPRECIATE IT.
>> HELLO. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FELLOW CITIZENS.
MY NAME IS TRACY GONZALES AND I'M A 15-YEAR RESIDENT OF LA VERNE, SO A NEWBIE.
I HAD PLANNED TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TONIGHT ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BUT THE MORE I WROTE ABOUT NFPA 17 STANDARDS, AUTOMATE AGREEMENTS, AND THE CULTURE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN GENERAL, I REALIZED THAT NONE OF THIS REALLY MATTERS.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES AND DECISIONS TO BE MADE HAVE JUST BROUGHT TO LIGHT THE FACT THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT BODY THAT CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE A PROBLEM.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE WATCH AS 41 VOTES GO BY, CITY LEADERS INSULT OTHERS, AND YOU ARGUE OVER THE SEMANTICS OF WHO SAID WHAT, RATHER THAN WORKING TO SOLVE THE WHY.
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE WHY? THE CITIZENS OF LA VERNE, ME, MY NEIGHBORS, MY FAMILY AND KIDS, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR FAMILIES, LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU'RE ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS AND WITH THAT COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND WE HAVE ENTRUSTED YOU WITH THAT CHALLENGE.
ITEM NUMBER 1 UNDER LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, UNDER THE BUDGET CURRENTLY BEING PROPOSED, DESCRIBES WHAT A COUNCIL DOES.
TO WORK TOGETHER AS A CITY COUNCIL TEAM IN MEETING THE CHALLENGES WHICH FACE THE CITY.
CAN YOU HONESTLY SAY YOU'RE DOING THAT? NUMBER 3, IS TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HEADS.
ALTHOUGH THE CITY ATTEMPTED TODAY TO EXPLAIN A WAY RECENT OFFENSIVE STATEMENTS MADE BY OUR CITY MANAGER, I'M NOT SURE HOW OUR MAYOR IS SUPPOSED TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE WHO IS CHARACTERIZING HIM AS BEING INACCURATE OR MISLEADING, WHICH IS THE DEFINITION OF THIS CHARACTERIZATION.
OUR BUDGETS INCLUDE MEMBERSHIPS IN CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF CITIES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS AND [INAUDIBLE] OF COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
I KNOW YOU GUYS GO TO THOSE MEETINGS, CITY MANAGER AND COUNSEL, YOU'RE VERY AWARE OF THESE BODIES.
I SEE YOU ON THE ROSTERS, BUT MAYBE WE SHOULD REALLY BE GETTING SOMETHING MORE OUT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
THE RECENT CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY THIRD HAD A PRESENTATION ABOUT PROMOTING CIVILITY IN TIMES OF HEIGHTENED PARTISANSHIP AND POLARIZATION.
IT'S A GREAT PRESENTATION FOR LEADERS TO SEE.
IT TALKS ABOUT COLLABORATION AND BRINGING IDEAS FORWARD WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING DISMISSED OR RIDICULED, AND TO FIND COMMON GROUND TO IDENTIFY AND SATISFY PERSONAL BIASES.
I'M A PUBLIC SERVANT MYSELF AND HAVE BEEN FOR OVER 32 YEARS OF MY 51 YEARS OF LIVING.
I'M ALWAYS WORKING TO BETTER MYSELF AND TO BE A GOOD LEADER.
I WANT TO SUPPORT MY LOCAL LEADERS, I WANT TO SUPPORT YOU.
YOUR FAILURES AND INABILITIES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BECOME OUR PROBLEMS AS CITIZENS.
WHEN I HAVE MORE FAITH IN MY ABILITY OF MY 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO MAKE SOUND, OBJECTIVE, AND CARING DECISIONS, THAN I DO MY LOCAL LEADERS, THEN WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
STOP LOOKING INTO PEOPLE TO BLAME, LOOK AT YOURSELVES, FIGURE OUT HOW TO FUNCTION AS A TEAM, LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR CITIZENS ARE TELLING YOU, AND MAKE THIS RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[01:15:01]
THANK YOU, MISS GONZALES.MR. MAYOR, THAT ALL THE CALLS WE HAVE.
WE HAVE ONE THAT WE'VE MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CALL AND UNFORTUNATELY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REACH THEM, JUST BEEN LEAVING VOICEMAILS.
OKAY. WE'LL GIVE IT ANOTHER 15 SECONDS AND THEN WE'LL GO TO CLOSE AND WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL COMMENTS.
I'M SEEING NO OTHERS, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AND MOVE TO COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE MEDIA REPORTS.
[9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS]
WHO WOULD LIKE TO START? [NOISE].COUNCIL MEMBER CARDER, PLEASE.
YES. THE FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO ASK IS TO HAVE SOMETHING ADDED TO THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US ADD SO WE COULD DISCUSS IT AND POSSIBLY MOVE FORWARD, IS TO ADD TO THE AGENDA, OUR COUNCIL AS A WHOLE SUPPORT FOR THE RECALL OF THE DA GASCON.
WE'VE HAD COUPLE OF CITIZENS OVER THE PAST YEAR, I HAD ONE THIS PAST WEEK CALL ME AND ASK ME, AND THEN ALSO WE'VE HAD OTHERS THAT HAVE CALLED IN AND ASKED US TO DO IT.
WE ALL KNOW THE STATE OF THE COUNTY AND WE'RE SEEING IT MORE AND MORE.
WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION, SO I AM ASKING THAT THAT'S PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH. THAT'S ONE ITEM.
THEN THE OTHER ITEM, I ONLY HAD IT ON HERE TO TALK ABOUT OUR PR, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER WE HIRED.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER IN OUR BUDGET SESSION TONIGHT, AND WE, AS A COUNCIL, ALL VOTED TOGETHER TO HIRE A PR BECAUSE WE WANTED TO OPEN UP MORE COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND WE'VE DONE THAT.
WE, AS A COUNCIL, ASKED BOB TO WORK WITH THE PR DIRECTOR TO GET THIS INFORMATION OUT.
WE, AS A COUNCIL, GAVE THAT DIRECTION.
BOB IS BEING BLAMED FOR WHAT WENT OUT.
WE ASK FOR THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAD THAT IS CORRECT FROM OUR EYESIGHTS TO GO OUT THERE AND WHAT WE KNOW AS FACTS.
THERE'S SO MUCH WRONG INFORMATION OUT THERE, WE WANTED THE TRUTH TO COME OUT.
EVEN COMMENTS TONIGHT, IT FLOORS ME.
ONE GENTLEMAN SAYS, "I'M FOREGOING COUNTY." I MEAN, IF PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING, THEY CAN SEE WHERE WE'RE GOING.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ALL OF US COHESIVELY WORKING TOGETHER.
THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO DO, ALL FIVE OF US TOGETHER.
THAT TAKES AN EFFORT FROM ALL OF US.
I THINK THAT'S WHERE MY DISCOURAGEMENT IS, IS I DON'T FEEL THAT ALL FIVE ARE PART OF IT.
THAT'S SOMETHING PLEASE MAKE HAPPEN.
THERE'S SO MANY GOOD THINGS GOING ON IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE NEGATIVITY STUFF.
TALK TO US ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY, NOT TEAR US DOWN. WHERE DOES THAT GET US? WE'RE ALLOWING AN ASSOCIATION TO COME ON HERE, TEAR EACH ONE OF US DOWN, AND IT ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO DO THAT.
THAT'S WRONG. WE HAVE OTHER ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN OUR CITY THAT WE DON'T SEE THEM DOING THIS, THEY HAVE ISSUES THEY'D LIKE TAKEN CARE OF, BUT THEY ARE DOING THIS AND IT'S WRONG.
MANY OF THEM DON'T LIVE HERE AND THEY SAY THEY CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS COMMUNITY, THEN LET'S WORK TOGETHER.
WE HAVE ALL REACHED OUT TO MEET WITH THE FIRE ASSOCIATION.
EVEN AFTER BEING ASSAULTED MANY YEARS FROM THEM, I STILL WANT TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
I MET WITH THEM AGAIN TWO MONTHS AGO.
THIS IS OUR CITY. I'M FIGHTING HARD TO KEEP OUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH 1,600 OTHER PEOPLE RIGHT NOW.
EVERYBODY, PUT ON A NEW ATTITUDE OF WORKING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
YOU SAY YOU MOVED HERE TO LA VERNE FOR A REASON.
THIS IS THE REASON LET'S COME TOGETHER. THANK YOU, TIM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CARDER. WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE NEXT? COUNCIL MEMBER CROSBY.
[01:20:02]
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO HEADS OF OUR DEPARTMENT FOR BUILDING OUR BUDGET.
I THINK WE HAVE A GREEN BUDGET GOING INTO NEXT YEAR AND APPRECIATE IT COMING BACK FROM FINAL VOTE BUT THANKS.
THE BUDGET STAY IN SESSION TODAY, AND A COUPLE OF OUR NEW HEADS OF DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR FIRST EVER SPEAKING ABOUT THE BUDGET, THEY DID A GREAT JOB.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING FOR THE CITY AS IS THE COUNCIL AND YOU, MR. MAYOR AS WELL.
REALLY APPRECIATE, EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FORWARD IN WORKING TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CROSBY. COUNCILMEMBER LAU?
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE THANKS TO THE STAFF, AS ALWAYS, FOR DOING A BUNCH OF GREAT WORK, ESPECIALLY WITH NOT ALWAYS ALL THE RESOURCES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE.
I APPRECIATE THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TAKING THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THEIR BUDGETS AND WITH A FINE-TOOTH COMB TO SEE WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT CAN WE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT HARD WORK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FINANCE TEAM.
I APPRECIATE THAT. I APPRECIATE THE FOLKS WHO TUNED IN TO THE BUDGET MEETING.
IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO, BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S STILL DURING FOLKS' WORKDAYS, IT IS RECORDED, SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GO TAKE A LOOK AND BE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS BEING BUDGETED WITHIN YOUR CITY.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. THEN, CASSIE DID HAVE A MEETING LAST WEEK WHICH THE CULTURAL AWARENESS SOCIAL INCLUSION COMMITTEE, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE DECIDED TO COME AND ATTEND.
MR. BOWEN HAS BEEN A REGULAR ATTENDEE, WHICH HAS BEEN NICE TO HEAR SOME DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES FROM FOLKS AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE ALSO TRICKLED IN AT DIFFERENT TIMES. REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
WE DID HAVE THREE STUDENT INTERNS AS WELL WHO HELPED TO FACILITATE A LOT OF THE FOUNDATIONAL WORK THAT I STARTED WITH THIS COMMITTEE.
HATS OFF TO THEM AND THANK YOU TO THEM FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND FOR THEIR HELP AND AWARENESS TOO.
I DO WANT TO ALSO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE TUNED IN, HAVE VOICED THEIR OPINIONS.
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE COMING ON HERE AND SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS, THE PEOPLE WHO EMAIL AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
BUT I WILL ALSO SAY THAT I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND AS WELL THE DIFFICULTY IN BEING IN ELECTED OFFICE.
THIS IS A PATH THAT OBVIOUSLY WE ALL CHOSE TO DO.
[LAUGHTER] WE ALL PUT IN THE TIME AND THE WORK TO RUN FOR OFFICE.
BUT I DO APPRECIATE THOSE THAT HAVE COME AND I THINK RECOGNIZE THE HUMANITY AND WHAT IT TAKES TO DO THIS JOB.
I THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS AND THE KIND THOUGHTS.
WE MAY NOT AGREE OR SEE EYE TO EYE ON THINGS, BUT I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE RECOGNIZING THE HUMANITY IN ALL OF US.
I THINK THAT'S ALL THAT WE CAN ASK FOR.
I THINK THIS COUNCIL TRIES TO WORK TOGETHER AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
WE STUMBLE, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE GOOD PEOPLE THAT I SERVE WITH.
AGAIN, WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE, BUT I HAVE APPRECIATED THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY FAMILY DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.
I THINK THAT'S A BIG DEAL AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT.
JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T AGREE DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE SHOULD BE VITRIOL, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE SHOULD BE ANGST BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO BUILD TO BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, TO MOVE FORWARD.
I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO KATHY CALUSIC FOR HER KIND WORDS, FOR KEEPING US ALL IN HER PRAYERS.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO KRISTA TOO FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT THAT I'M NOT HERE TELLING EVERYBODY YOU MUST GO GET THE VACCINE.
I HAVE HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OBVIOUSLY WITH MY DAD THAT MAKES ME VERY SENSITIVE TO IT.
I WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO BE SAFE, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
DO THE RESEARCH. DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO FEEL COMFORTABLE.
ALL WE CAN DO IS ASK THAT WE ALL BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND TRY TO RECOGNIZE THE HUMANITY IN ONE ANOTHER AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND YOUR ENGAGEMENT.
AGAIN, WHILE WE MAY NOT ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE, KNOW THAT I WISH NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LAU. COUNCILOR DAVIS?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO CONCUR AND SUPPORT MY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE MAYOR AND OUR EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD AND CONVERSE WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS AND GET ENGAGED.
AS COUNCILMEMBER LAU IS SAYING, THE CULTURAL AWARENESS AND SOCIAL INCLUSION GROUP MET LAST WEDNESDAY.
WE MEET THE 1ST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. PLEASE JOIN US.
THE LA VERNE AND SAN DIMAS EDUCATION FOUNDATION THAT I'M ALSO PART OF,
[01:25:07]
THAT MEETS THE 3RD THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH.THE POMONA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY MEETS TOMORROW.
JOIN US FOR THAT AT FIVE O'CLOCK.
THERE ARE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ENGAGED IN, PLEASE DO.
JOIN THE LA VERNE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, GET ENGAGED IN NUMEROUS THINGS AND START TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE NUANCES THAT REALLY MAKE LA VERNE SPECIAL.
I RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO PUT OUT THERE OUR AVAILABILITY, SO GO TO THE WEBSITE AND GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL ROSTER.
ON THERE, YOU'LL SEE MY MOBILE PHONE.
I'M INTERESTED IN HAVING A DISCUSSION THAT'S BEYOND SIMPLY IN CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
LET'S SIT DOWN AND TALK, LET'S GET ENGAGED, AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON EVERY SUBJECT INCLUDING COVID.
LET'S UNDERSTAND THIS AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER BECAUSE IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE IF WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER THAT LA VERNE REMAINS LA VERNE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
AS MR. DAVIS REPORTED SOME OF THE COMMITTEES, I'M ON THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.
I WAS TALKING TO MR. CRAIG WALTERS REGARDING AB61 AND SP314.
STATE GOES ON A SEMI BILLS THAT ARE REALLY TRYING TO HELP.
OUR ELECTED ARE TRYING TO HELP OUR RESTAURANTS TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE EVEN AFTER THE PANDEMIC. KUDOS TO THEM.
CONSISTENTLY WORK ON TRYING TO BOLSTER OUR BUSINESSES, OUR RESTAURANTS, TO KEEP THEM AFLOAT AND KEEP THEM ALIVE.
WE CAN HOPEFULLY GO THROUGH THIS RENAISSANCE AND HOW IT'S JUST A BANG-UP OF AN ECONOMY.
AS FAR AS COUNCILMEMBERS GETTING ALONG, SOMETIMES WE HAVE SOME VERY DIVERSE OPINIONS PERKED UP.
OVER THE MANY YEARS I'VE BEEN ON SIX YEARS NOW, THERE'S BEEN MANY THINGS THAT HAD A LOT OF DIVERSE OPINIONS, BUT WE CAME UP WITH SOME REALLY GOOD SOLUTIONS, AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.
YES, THE FIRE, I WON'T GO INTO DETAIL, BUT I THINK THAT WE ALL NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT.
THAT IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ALSO, A LOT OF THE GOOD THINGS GOING AROUND HERE.
WE ARE REOPENING, HOPEFULLY, BY JUNE 15TH, WE'LL HAVE SOME BETTER NEWS.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE CONSTANTS IN THE PARK.
WE ALREADY HAVE TWO ENGAGEMENTS.
WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR MR. NEWSOM TO OPEN UP SO WE CAN GET SOME DATES.
WE ALSO HAVE [INAUDIBLE] IN THE PARK OVER HERITAGE PARK, WHICH IS AWESOME, AND THAT'S COMING.
JUST WAITING FOR, OBVIOUSLY, THE JUNE 15TH.
I WANT TO THANK THE 4TH OF JULY COMMITTEE FOR IN GREAT WISDOM TO HAVE US CELEBRATE 4TH OF JULY PARADE, WHICH IS AWESOME.
I THINK EVERYBODY IS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
EVEN THOUGH LA VERNE RESIDENTS, THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS, YOU CAN CALL THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, LOOK ON THE WEBSITE BUT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE OPENING UP, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL STAY TOGETHER.
WE'RE ALL FAMILY HERE IN LA VERNE.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PEOPLE ONLY ARE WITH THE COVID VACCINATIONS.
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, BUT I THINK AS COUNCILMEMBER LAU SAID, DO YOUR RESEARCH.
IT MAY NOT BE FOR YOUR FAMILY, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO PROTECT THOSE OTHER PEOPLE THAT MAY BE ENDANGERED, THAT CANNOT HAVE THE SHOTS DUE TO HEALTH REASONS. COVID IS SERIOUS.
ON THAT NOTE, THE FAIRPLEX WILL BE CLOSING AS OF THIS SUNDAY.
IF YOU WISH TO GET SHOTS, I SUGGEST THAT IT'S OPEN.
THEY'LL GO TO MORE CLINICS IN OUR LOCAL AREA THAT ARE GIVING OUT SHOTS.
BUT I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LAG ON THE PEOPLE THAT YOU WANT TO GET THE SHOTS, PLEASE.
IF YOU'VE HAD THIS FIRST SHOT, GET YOUR SECOND SHOT.
IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A SHOT AND YOU'RE JUST WAVERING, BUT YOU FEEL THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME, IT'S OPEN.
THERE'S NO LINES WAITING OVER AT THE FAIRPLEX, BUT THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO BE OPEN FOR A SHORT TIME FOR THIS SUNDAY.
PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF, PROTECT YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND EVERYBODY, JUST HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REOPENING.
[INAUDIBLE] FOR OUR NEXT MEETING, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL HAVE THAT IN THE OPEN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
MR. RUSSI, WE HAVE A NEED FOR A CLOSED SESSION TONIGHT. IS THAT CORRECT?
[10. CLOSED SESSION]
>> YES, MR. MAYOR. WE HAVE A NEED UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6.
WE'RE MEETING WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, AND WE WILL BE MEETING TO DISCUSS THE POLICE ASSOCIATION, FIRE ASSOCIATION, MIDDLE MANAGEMENT AND UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES.
>> THANK YOU. ACTUALLY, TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO RECESS AND THE CLOSED SESSION WILL NOT BE COMING OUT, BUT WE WILL BE ADJOURNING TO TUESDAY, JUNE 8TH AT 2.00 PM TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT FOR THE POSITION OF
[01:30:02]
FIRE CHIEF WE'LL BE INTERVIEWING WITH FIRE CHIEF.OUR NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, JUNE 21ST AT 6.30 PM.
WE WILL NOW RECESS IN THE CLOSED SESSION.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.