The following is a wrap-up of the March 5 City Council meeting. You may read the complete agenda here or listen to the audio here.

City Council authorizes the use CDBG funds for youth program equipment  

In a 4-0 vote with Councilmember Menchaca absent from the vote, the City Council approved the use of Community Development Block Grant funds to help purchase equipment for the All-City Pentathlon and the City’s youth summer program. CDBG funds are used to benefit low to moderate income areas of the community and are administered by the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.

During the past year, the City has accumulated $130,000 in unallocated CDBG funds. With the county’s encouragement to utilize the funds, the City will fund recreational and youth programs.

City Council approves SGFD grant 

In a 4-0 vote with Councilmember Menchaca absent from the vote, the City Council approved a grant from the State Homeland Security Grant Program to cover new radio and mobile data equipment.

As a member of the Verdugo Fire Communications, the San Gabriel Fire Department is required to maintain radio and mobile data system equipment that meets Verdugo operating requirements. After nearly 30 years in service, the dispatch system used by Verdugo is undergoing an upgrade. The new system requires Verdugo to replace the system in all field equipment from Presidio Networked Solutions Group, LLC.

The cost of the new equipment will be fully funded by the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

City Council approves new signatories for City finances

With a unanimous vote (with Councilmember Menchaca absent from the vote), the City Council approved Interim Finance Director Paula Chamberlain as a new signatory for City finances alongside the removal of retired Finance Director Tom Marston.

The City maintains a number of accounts with several banking institutions in accordance with the City’s investment policy. As part of this process, the banks require that the City provide evidence that the account signatories are authorized representatives of the City. The current list includes the City Manager, the Finance Director and the City Treasurer. As a result of Finance Director Tom Marston’s retirement, the City needs to remove his name as an authorized signatory and add Interim Finance Director Paula Chamberlain as an authorized designee.