Last night, the City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mark Lazzaretto as San Gabriel’s new City Manager, effective February 5, 2018. Lazzaretto will succeed Steven A. Preston, who has served as San Gabriel’s City Manager since 2009.
Chosen among 36 candidates, Lazaretto comes to San Gabriel from the City of Pomona as the Development Services Director, where he has worked for over a decade. With an extensive background in public administration and community development, Lazzaretto oversaw the adoption of the City of Pomona’s first general plan since 1976 as well as a major redevelopment plan to revitalize the city’s major commercial corridors. Previously, Lazzaretto served as the Redevelopment Manager for the City of Pomona and as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Buena Park.
While the city announced Mr. Lazzaretto’s appointment in late December, the City Council formally approved his employment agreement at last night’s meeting. You can view his employment agreement here.
Council appoints Arminé Chaparyan Interim City Manager
Since Mr. Preston retires on January 5 and Mr. Lazzaretto doesn’t begin his tenure until February 5, the City Council approved – in a unanimous vote – the appointment of Community Development Director Arminé Chaparyan as San Gabriel’s Interim City Manager.
Ms. Chaparyan has previously served as acting City Manager in the past, and her experience with city affairs made her a recommended choice to help fill the term between the outgoing City Manager Steven A. Preston and incoming City Manager Mark Lazzaretto. By California law, every Council-Manager government must have an appointed city manager in order to conduct business, and Ms. Chaparyan’s experience makes her suitable for this role.
Council upholds Fu Sheng Foot Soak (301 West Valley Boulevard, #201) denial
The Council also unanimously voted to deny the appeal of Fu Sheng Foot Soak for a conditional use permit (CUP) by directing staff to return with a denial resolution.
Previously, the Planning Commission had denied – by a 2-0-1 vote – Fu Sheng Foot Soak in June 2017, citing a lack of compatibility with the surrounding properties and issues related to public health and general welfare. The City Council had adopted an ordinance in April 2017 that requires massage establishments be located a minimum of 1,000 feet from any existing massage establishment with a CUP, and a minimum of 150 feet from residentially zoned property in order to obtain a CUP.
You can read more about this case here.
Council approves funding for the 2018 Lunar New Year Festival
As part of the city’s community engagement program, the Council approved a professional services agreement with KCM Agency and the expenditure of $30,000 for the production of this year’s festival.
The Council approved the professional services agreement and the expenditure of $30,000 by a unanimous vote.
San Gabriel joins Revitalize California Cities
In a 5-0 vote, the City Council voted to join Revitalize California Cities, a new 501(c)(6) organization that aims to bring key community and economic development tools back to local government. Revitalize California Cities aims to do this by developing grassroots support from local cities and by engaging in the gubernatorial campaign to include options for redevelopment that can be incorporated in the state budget.
Consent calendar items
Finally, the City Council unanimously voted to approve the following items on the consent calendar:
- A temporary street closure at 400 West Broadway on February 9, 2018 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the San Gabriel Mission High School’s annual Dominican Day Carnival Celebration
- A final tract map for a development located at 517 West Newby
- An amendment to the construction management agreement of the 2016 Great Streets Project that will allow additional pavement work on Del Mar Avenue from Broadway to Agostino Road for an additional cost of $5,000 for a total agreement amount of $52,176
One item – the city’s material demands – from the calendar was pulled for a separate vote with a small amendment. The material demands were approved by a 5-0 vote, with amendments.
You may view the full agenda here.