Here's a wrap-up of the February 6 City Council meeting. If you’d like to read through the full agenda, please click here.
City Council terminates agreement with Homeland Security Investigations
Last night, the City Council – in a 3-2 vote – directed staff to terminate the San Gabriel Police Department’s agreement with Homeland Security Investigations. The agreement – which was officially signed in December 2017 – addressed mid-major crimes in the city, including human trafficking, large scale fraud, counterfeit goods and other fraud-related crimes with local and federal resources.
Under the agreement, the SGPD could use federal resources, funding and infrastructure to tackle crimes to help protect documented and undocumented residents in the city. The MOU could not be used in any way that violated California Senate Bill 54. As a result of last night’s City Council decision, Chief Harris sent a letter to HSI formally exercising the 30-day termination clause for the MOU.
The SGPD officer assigned to the task force was also directed to wind down activities and to sever ties with the task force. Councilmember Liao, Councilmember Menchaca and Councilmember Pu voted to direct staff to terminate the agreement, while Mayor Costanzo and Councilmember Harrington voted to let the agreement remain as is.
Council approves restoration of the Mission Playhouse façade In a unanimous vote, the City Council voted to approve $102,500 to restore the Mission Playhouse façade. Much of the funds come from foundation grants, donations and allocated funds from the city. The Playhouse was last repaired after the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.
In addition, the City Council passed the following motions with a 5-0 vote:
Public Works to spend $100,000 on sidewalk repairs
The City Council voted to approve a $100,000 contract with Precision Concrete Cutting to assess and repair the city’s sidewalks. Instead of replacing concrete panels (which is costly), Public Works staff is proposing that the city utilize a proprietary process to cut the concrete to make the sidewalk surface level. This process complies with all ADA requirements, and can be applied to up to 80% of sidewalk, curb and gutter defects according to Precision Concrete Cutting.
Council approves $53,960 for Del Mar Avenue street improvements
The City Council approved $53,954.15 to repave approximately 475 linear feet of street on Del Mar Avenue along with the construction of four pedestrian ramps. The contractor in charge on the Del Mar Avenue rehabilitation project submitted a $193,226.15 proposal to complete work on Del Mar Avenue. The ACE Project, as part of the trench project, has agreed to reimburse the city for $139,272.00. That leaves the city with $53,954.15.
Finally, the City Council approved two additional items (one regarding Human Resources, and the other concerning salary and benefit changes for the Police Officers’ Association) along items included in the consent calendar.