City Council Meetings– San Gabriel City Council - Regular Meeting

[laughter] Welcome to the city council regular meeting. Today is Tuesday, November 4th, 2025. The meeting is called to order at 6:31. Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Council Member Herrera Aila.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Clerk, roll call, please. Mayor Manaka, here. Vice Mayor Chan here. Council member Ding here. Council member Herrera Aila, present. Council member Woo, here. We will now have some announcements from our chief city clerk.

Tonight's meeting is livereamed on the city's online platforms. If you wish to address the city council during tonight's meeting, we request that you please complete a speaker's card and hand it to the clerk at this time. When speaking, please state your name for the record. Please note that interactions between the city council, city staff, and the public during meetings are subject to the city's rules of decorum. Okay. Approval of agenda order. Are there any objections to the agenda order? Hearing none, the agenda order is approved. Next item, please.

Presentations. Native American Heritage Month. Mayor Manaka will make the presentation and Chief Anthony Morales of the Gabrielino St. Gabriel Band of Mission Indians and chairperson Andrew Salis of the Key Gabrielino Band of Mission Indians will receive the proclamation. The full text of the proclamation is available on the city's website. Okay. So, I will read um a few whereases. Whereas during National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich tapestry of indigenous peoples of the original ancestral lands. And whereas Native Americans have enriched our heritage and continue to add to all aspects of our society through their continued practice of teaching economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability. And whereas the descendants of the Gabalina tribes remain dedicated to preservation, practice, and advancement of the rich and vibrant culture and contribute to the San Gabriel community. Now therefore, I, Denise Manaka, mayor of the city of St. Gabriel, California, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month in the city of St. Gabriel and encourage the community to join in this observance. So I will now um ask uh Chief Morales and um to uh come up for a photo and then some remarks afterwards. And Chief, would you like to invite your uh family members also? Okay, council, let's go to the front.

That is so Perfect. Okay, I'm going to have everybody look right here. Ready? One, two, three. One more. One, two, and third. Perfect. Thank you. [applause]

[clears throat]

Um, again, thank you very much for honoring us. Uh when you honor us, you're also honoring our ancestors, the ones who have gone before us, who who taught us the way of life, who taught us our culture. And uh their memory will always be with us. And with that being said, we're going to sing a quick song for you. It's an honor song. And again, I'd like to thank all of you, the city, for honoring us, the local tribe, the Gabino tribe of San Gabriel. and to uh when you honor us, you're honoring our ancestral territory here in St. Gabriel, St. Gabriel Mission. So again, thank you very much for this. It's a great honor. Thank you. Again, my name is Andrew Gaddy Young Claude Morales. I'm the son of the chief of the Gabalino Sanango Banner Mish Indians and um we're going to do a a welcome song uh a welcome of the of the Native American month the whole Yeah. He me [music] [music] yeah he t your taoom.

We ta your tat. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. In the memory of our ancestors. Thank you.

Thank you, Chief. We are very fortunate to have um your tribe here tonight. And we also have uh chairperson Sales. So before we um have him speak, let's have his group come up and um take a photo with the certificate. Thank you. Good evening and thank you, mayor, council members. It's an honor to be here in our homeland. my uh the area that I grew up in, St. Gabriel, uh the area of my ancestors. We want to thank the city for consistently acknowledging our people, not only us today, but our ancestors, acknowledging them, because if it wasn't for them, we would not be here today. The city of St. Gabriel would not be here today. The city of Los Angeles would not be here today if it wasn't for our ancestors who established these beautiful cities we now share amongst all of us today. So on behalf of

my ancestors, behalf of my father, Chief Ernie Salas and those living and those have that have passed. We thank you with all our heart. Thank you for the acknowledgement. Thank you. [applause]

And thank you to to both for being here today. And uh I I think it makes a difference when you're present and you share this with um with our community. And and it's a great reminder that uh not only St. Gabriel, but Los Angeles would not be here either. Very well said. Well, thank you. Okay, next item, please. Lung cancer awareness month. Mayor Manaka will make the presentation. The full text of the proclamation is available on the city's website.

Okay. And I'll just give a a short blurb here. Um I, Denise Manaka, mayor of the city of of St. Gabriel on behalf of the city council do hereby proclaim November 2025 as lung cancer awareness month in the city of St. Gabriel and urge the citizens of St. Gabriel to join me in the special observance. Thank you. Next item, public comment. This is the time set aside for members of the public to address the city council on consent calendar items and on items of interest that are not on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the St. Gabriel City Council. And madame mayor, I have no speaker cards. Okay. Next item, please.

Consent calendar. All items listed under the consent calendar are considered routine and recommendations will be approved in one motion unless a member of the city council requests separate discussion. Okay. Would any council member like to pull an item for separate discussion? I see none. Would council member like to um make a motion? I can make a motion. Okay. I'll second. Great. Let's vote. Motion passes by vote of 5-0. Next item.

We have no public hearing or continued business this evening. The next item is new business. Item A, ordinance number 724, amending title 3, administration, chapter 30, city council section 30.02, compensation of the St. Gabriel Municipal Code to adjust the compensation of city council members pursuant to Senate Bill 329 introduction and first reading and Chief City Clerk Clark will make the staff presentation. Madame Mayor and council members, Senate Bill 329, which became effective January 1st, 2024, increased the salary cap for city council compensation to account for an increase of approximately 300% in inflation since the last update in 1984 and added additional methodology to determine the MA maximum compensation amount. The League of California Cities in supporting the legislation said that lengthy time commitments and limited pay may discourage many individuals from running for council. San Gabriel City Council member compensation was last adjusted in 2009 to $893.70 monthly. The nearby cities of Alhhamra, Arcadia, Leverne, Roseme, South Elmani, South Pasadena, Temple City, and West Coina have already taken action to increase council member salaries. Current monthly stipens are shown on the screen. In addition to the ones shown there, Elmonte has also increased their amount to,247. Senate Bill 329 allows city council to adjust their compensation by one of the following methods. Option one, in cities over 35,000 up to and including 50,000 in population, the increase may be up to and including

$1,275 per month. Option two, the amount may be increased beyond the cap listed in option one, but the increase shall not exceed the greater of the following. Option A, an amount equal to 5% for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment of the salary in effect when the ordinance or amendment is enacted. And option B, an amount equal to inflation since January 1, 2024 based upon the California Consumer Price Index, which shall not exceed 10% for each calendar year. In the case of option 2A, the last adjustment to city council salary was made in 200 9. Therefore, the salary could be increased to $1,6866. In the op case of option 2B, uh the increase would be to $942.85. Therefore, the maximum increase allowable is under option 2A and would be $1,6866. The council's also free to increase the salary to any other amount below this maximum. Should the council desire to increase the salary beyond the maximum provided in SP 329, such increase could only be approved through a ballot measure to be voted on at a municipal election. For purposes of calculating salary, retirement, health and welfare, federal social security, and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses are not included. Any increases to council comp council member compensation must be enacted by ordinance and under SB 329 the ordinance must include findings demonstrating the need for the increased compensation. The findings set forth in the proposed ordinance include recitation of the fact that the statewide council salary cap

had not been adjusted since 1984. There has been an approximately 300% increase in the cost of living since 1984. and that serving as a member of the city council requires the expenditure of significant time and work in in attending council meetings and for other duties which are listed in the staff report and ordinance. In addition, the findings agree with the legislaturator's declaration that increasing the compensation will assist in the creation of opportunities to encourage more diverse city councils. Per the government code, any council salary increase may only take effect when at least one council member begins a new term. Therefore, after the general municipal election in November 2026, when reelected or new council members are seated in December, if approved in introduction and adopted at a second reading on November 18th, 2025, salary increases pursuant to ordinance number 724 would go into effect the first full pay period after the seating of the reelected or newly elected council members. The fiscal impact is shown on the screen. For option one, the total annual increase for all five council members would be $22,878. For option 2 A, the total amount would be $42,89760. For either option, there would be no fiscal impact in the current fiscal year. funds would be included in the 2026 to 27 budget for the increased salaries. Staff recommends the city council wave full reading, read by title only, and introduce ordinance number 724 entitled an ordinance of the city council of St. Gabriel, California, amending title 3 administration, chapter 30, city council, section 30-02,

compensation of the St. Gabriel Municipal Code to adjust the compensation of city council members pursuant to Senate Bill 329 incorporating either option one or 2A compensation amounts and to wave future reading and schedule the second reading and adoption of ordinance number 724 for the next regularly scheduled city council meeting. Alternatively, the council may decide to not approve the the ordinance enter at introduction or to increase compensation to another amount under the maximum of $1,6866. That concludes the report and the city manager and I are happy to answer any questions you might have.

Okay. Does council members have factual questions for staff? I see none. Chief city clerk, do we have any public comment? I have no cards, mayor. Okay, it's now time for council discussion and I'm going to start because I've been here the longest. So [laughter] I have so I was going to ask you for your opinion anyway.

Yeah. So yeah, as just the uh not necessarily the eldest, but um the with the most experience, uh this is something that I think is so important. Uh you know people sometimes compare what we do to serving on nonprofits. It is completely different. Uh you know we are setting policy for our city. This is not a nonprofit where you get no compensation. Um if we want good leadership we need to make sure that it reflects diversity. And I'm looking at diversity from experience and professional backgrounds. That's what what I'm looking at when I think of diversity because I think our board is very diverse. Our scope of responsibilities are for far more extensive than some of the neighboring cities that are listed on page two and and in the um uh slide presentation. Um we operate our own police and fire departments. Neighboring cities do not. So that already extends our scope. Um our council serves at large not by districts. A lot of these cities are by districts which again broadens our scope of representation and workload council. um the the and the league for those I think all of us are familiar with the league of u California cities and I believe they're correct when it they're saying you know we need to increase compensation so we can attract people that have work and personal circumstances that are very different than for for example you know let me give you an example my past eight years of experience here on this council and when I was on the school board observing the council So, you know, it's kind of typical. The the council members have either been retired or self-employed or financially independent because of family support, but it leads very little

for an opportunity for participation from working families or individuals who have traditional employment commitments. There's been very few that have that. And I think compensation is something we've talked about. It hasn't changed since 2009. That's 16 years without an adjustment. We've addressed staff salaries to align with today's cost of living. So today, I think it's very appropriate that we start reviewing council compensation with that same lens. So I want to make a recommendation that, you know, we we consider the options. You know, we have a a bandwidth I think between 1,200 and 1600. It's not going to take effect until the following election cycle. It's a year, but we need to make the decision now so we can budget appropriately for the for the next budget cycle. But, um, I I'd like us to move forward and really think about what we're deciding today will help future candidates, will help our city to make sure we get candidates that um are are um quality and and have that diversity and employment, diversity with family structure. And I think uh compensation I know has always been kind of a uh it kind of stops people from committing to that extent because there is a lot of time that not even the public sees where we attend events where um you know we we don't have some some other cities actually have like car allowances, office expenses. We don't have any of that. And I'm not saying it's wrong. I think it's much easier if we just go focus on salaries. But if you want to start getting really nitpick these other cities, I I find it kind of shocking um everything they do get. And so I think I think it's very very reasonable to think of of having a salary increase or a considering compensation increase today. And so I

will leave it at that. Who would like to continue with the deliberation conversation? Vice Mayor.

Sure. Thank you, Madam Mayor. You know, I I I agree with you and uh I've been thinking about it, too. And I as of right now, I haven't made a hard and fast decision as to which option uh that I am kind of uh gearing toward, I guess. But I agree with you in general theory that yeah, we we like you said that we haven't uh this uh salary hasn't been increased in a long time and and uh hasn't kept up with inflation the way we the city keeps up with inflation with all our employees and and uh to give them market market salary and and so yeah I I agree with you that uh we it is time for uh some kind of increase, but I I just haven't decided which direction I want to go or what extent I want to go yet. So, I wanted to uh uh listen to my colleagues and see um what uh uh theories and uh how best to calculate what would be the fairest thing for for the council members and also the fairest for the the the residents and taxpayers. Um just uh briefly on its face looking at uh our comparables that we have this just a good place to start. I I I look at Temple City and they are probably comparable. I looked up the stats. They're comparable in terms of their uh uh their area. The amount of uh area were 4.1 square miles. They're about 4.1 4.3 something like that. and their their uh number of residents is similar and another similarity is that they are also elected at large at the moment and and

aren't at district in districts yet. So I kind of look at them as a benchmark and uh so I'm kind of leaning toward that range but uh but yeah I like I said I I haven't made my final decision yet. So, I'd like to hear from my colleagues in terms of their method methodology and and uh how they think uh the best way to calculate the most fair uh uh amount would be.

Okay, let let me just clarify real quick. Uh or well, yeah, clarifies. Temple City doesn't have their own police and fire. So, there might be the same in area, but their scope of responsibility is a lot less. Just clarification. And then second, um, so are you looking also between 1,200 to,600? That range, option one and option two. I think that's the range. Yeah, that's the range I'm talking about. So So I'm looking at option one being probably the the the minimal minimum and and that's uh again just a rough comparable to to uh to Temple City. I understand your point about not being an independent city, not having their own police and fire, but I'm just kind of looking as a broad

Okay. comparable in terms of their their area, their their uh their resident population and and the way they do their elections be being at large at the moment. And so anyway, that's just my starting point and thank you. No, I appreciate it. Anybody else? Herrera Aila,

I'll chime in from my compared to you guys very minimal experience when I go up when I've been up to Sacramento representing the city um and the council. I get to get an opportunity to interact with the people up there and most of them are getting compensated very like the the amount that we're sharing here is is not even close to what they're getting compensated. like you said, they have offices, they have assistant, each council member has an assistant, and some of these cities are even smaller than ours. And uh what I did see is a common trend that it's a lot of older, retired people that have the time because they don't get maybe some of these other cities, they don't get as much money. As you can see, this is really not that much. Um, but it opens it up for different a variety of people to be interested in running. So, I agree with you on that. Um, and I just want to say that I speak to the community when I see I put my drift differences aside when I see every single council member here. We're out there like really like taking care of business, meeting with people at conferences, and to be able to get compensated for the time, it it would go a long way because we we're spending on gas, we're spending on meals, we're spending on different things and even business cards, right? But I know that's from another pocket, but still, it would be nice to be compensated for the time that we're putting out there for the community. And that's all I have to say on that.

Yeah. Okay, council members. Ding. Another not a council member. Woo. Okay. Ding or woo. You are the last two. So, [laughter]

okay. Yeah, it's uh Yeah. uh my colleague uh the the consideration it's uh we are simulate continue uh yeah um like uh all the council member we want if they like uh we how can we consider like more people to involve the become a council member if if just only like the financially independent so so someone it's maybe it's they interesting but they they have the financial burden they they they scared to running the council right so yeah I I think we should be have the reasonable compensation for the for the for the council member and the and and encourage more like a diversity the people to involve the the community involvement include the council member service too. The question I just want to ask the page two for the compare with the neighborhood city. So I just just I my question is based on this composition where lowest one even right it's it's a here the lowest one is 950 we already it's 16 years and the rest of the the number is I the question is how [snorts] long they already have this kind of composition say it's currently new or it's already like couple years already

council member Some of these cities take took action as early as 2022, some as late as December of 2024. But bear in mind that once they take action, they still have to wait until after that next election before it takes effect. So even though these numbers may be on the books, they may not have started receiving that salary yet.

Okay. uh [clears throat] like mayor also talking about like uh some city it's not our city is independent city we have the the the uh PD and the fire too uh so it's it we have the more consideration more job to discuss right even we closing section this couple's section we discuss the the PDF file the contract too right and So uh between the like I think our neighborhood like a temple city it's compare it's their contract city but we also have a contra city it's a rosemi they are it's it's like go to the like 1600 okay so how can we between the use our neighborhood city how can we like do the like a balance to which one amount so I I love to listen our rest the council member the the recommendations and yeah so we then we can moving forward. Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, council member Woo. Yeah, it's always so difficult to be the last person to make the comment, but I I'm I'm afraid that I'm probably just doing something a little bit different from uh all my colleagues here today because actually I would suggest is not to increase the salary. In fact, I am proposing to reduce the city council stipent to zero. I think first of all, no one here that relies on uh the stipen to survive. I mean, if we add it to $1,600, I mean, uh, it will still not be able to feed a family. But also, there's another very important reason for my proposal that during 2024 elections that the false statements were used to mislead the public that some candidates they claimed the city was financially unsafe and that our street were like a roller coaster. So these statements were untrue, but voters believed them and uh those people that spread rumors were elected. So I think this is not just their problem, it's our problem. So if we if we say the rumors that defeats the fact that means we did not do good enough to earn the trust from our community. So before that we even to discuss raising the salary. I think first we should ask ourself that if we have done enough to deserve it. You know when I finished my term as a mayor the city actually from last uh council meeting that we closed the book that we host $22.8 8 million in general funds reserve which that represent 41% reserve level that far above our 25% target and

our pavement condition index the PCI is 85 points the highest in the entire region of St. Gabriel Valley and we work tirelessly, you know, to make the city stronger, safer and financial secure that. But yet these facts, the lies were believed. So that's a fail on all of us. So we should have done more to protect the truth and to defend the hard work of our city staff, our city manager, PD, fire, and everyone who served in this community. That's why I was standing in the different from my other colleagues that first maybe that's reject the increase to stipen and second that set the stipen to $0. Um so that's uh conclude my comments. I'm so sorry if I'm not um you know staying at the same line but this is really uh you know something I would like to speak with my heavyhearted. Thank you

mayor. since um can I can I chime in on that since I'm being obviously for those that don't know I'm the one that's being called a liar here and I hope that that our relationship can improve because to call me a liar when the fact of the matter is that I did not lie on anything that I said when I was running and the community knows this and you said one thing that I said that the streets were a roller coaster who has gone down Ramona and has witnessed that roller coaster by Vince Lugo. Have you guys been down the street on Ramona where it's by Vince Lugo and it feels like a roller coaster? Does that not feel like a roller coaster? Now, with that said, it does feel like a roller coaster. And that's my personal statement on how it is. I was not talking about how the conditions of the streets they were at a certain certain percentage. I was talking about that particular street. And I even have

Excuse me. This is council deliberation. He he has the floor.

Thank you. Um, thank you. Um, but I hope we don't have these kind of arguments because right now calling me a liar, that's not okay with me. I'm you're crossing the line on on the respect here. I not lie. And now I'm just going to leave it there because I don't want this to be back and forth. I just don't want to be called a liar when when that's not the case. Okay? I'm here to stand for the community and that's that's it. Now compensation. And if you do decrease the compensation, I think that's going to make it a bit more hard for people like me that have a newborn that really I I have when when I was running for for council, I worked so long for SoCal Gas and then I went to work for Republic and then I no longer uh was employed. And for somebody that's not employed to want to run for council, that's difficult. So when I got the stipen, I didn't do it for the money. When I got the stipen, it does help. It helps a lot. Unfortunately, I'm not in a situation where I can be like yourself if you feel like you don't want to be compensated because you're doing so good and financially stable. But I think that for anybody I think it's reasonable to start considering some a higher uh increase on on the stipen and I don't want to make this political. So just want to clarify that I want to be respectful. I'm not I was not lying but please do not call me a liar. And whenever you call me out I'm going to stand up for myself. I'm not going to be bullied. Okay? That's it. This is not about I don't want it to be about lying and that this is about let's focus on this matter.

Agreed. So let's go back on to the agenda item. I personally since I did start first I disagree with your um uh proposal of uh zero. I think you know if if we are trying to I mean this is the whole point. This is why it was brought forward as an uh Senate bill to try to allow a more diverse group and it's not necessarily about gender or racially but pe working families or individuals. It will not feed a family but it would make it at least a little more comfortable and get more people interested. So I will um say I guess vice mayor you you mentioned um Roseme no I'm sorry not Rose uh Temple City at 1250 I think our bottom is 1275 um I would entertain 1275 to to600 you want to throw a number out there 1400500

uh I still don't know how to calculate it could correct. I mean,

but but I do agree with you in general that see there are I guess I the way I see it conflicting um uh values here. Um I mean, God knows and and I'm sure you all know and the the residents know we we don't do this for the money. We we do this for for service to the community. And so even what what stipen we get, you know, it's it's not much and it's not meant to, you know, be a full-time job job. But in light of the facts that uh as the report said o over since the last time things were adjusted you know the cost of living has gone up 300% or however much it is then I think we should at least if not you know exactly commenure it or you know exact to the dollar amount but I I think the the people who serve on council do deserve a an increase, you know, to, you know, just to keep up or almost keep up uh with cost of living. And um and that then that is the other interesting thing that uh like we said even though we know it's nowhere near day job salary it increasing it would encourage more people like you said that to consider public service you know even though it's not again not anywhere near day job money but it would help uh to offset whatever costs and the the time that that that gets put into to um to the what we do. And just small uh personal uh anecdote I guess that uh you know I I do this I I probably speak for my colleagues too but I think we all do this for love of community but uh but yeah there there are times when my

hardcore Hong Kong Chinese immigrant father starts yelling at me and going why are you doing all this political stuff and you're cut it out with all your nonsense. these things don't pay you. Do more your day job and and you know and I'm sure we all have our family members who kind of wonder why we we we put ourselves through all the time and effort and and sometimes it's not as pleasant but just to to try to make our community better. So, so yeah, again, all that just to say that I I think there should be some kind of increase, but I still don't know what the appropriate amount would be, but I'm open to hearing. Uh,

okay. So, let me propose [laughter] I propose option one, which is 1275. Um, and uh that would be my motion along with uh the I think the the recommendation. Help me out here, Mark, with the uh CPI. Uh, no CPI. No CPI. Okay. So, just 1275. Thought I saw somewhere about consumer California consumer price index every every year, I think. Is that 2A or 2B maybe? That where where you where you're tying it to CPI? Yeah, I thought there was a CPI component

component here. Uh, but not for item A. No, not for option one is what I'm saying. Sorry. Option two. [snorts] Okay. It was option two. So, could we have option one plus the CPI increase? Um, thank you, Madame Mayor. Members of the council, uh, the council can do anything above or any any any number up to the $168. The CPI is a calculator for how to increase it beyond that maximum amount for um each of the cities based on size which for us would be 1275. So in future years we could increase it by CPI every other year. It wouldn't be part of it would not be part of what

I'm confused about I was confused about that. Okay. So my motion is to increase it to 1275 starting next year November of 2026. I think that's reasonable. So um like option one like your question to actually just fix it, right? 1275 is a fixed amount not not every year increase by index. Okay. Correct. So I I need a second. I just want clear clear. Okay. I I think did I get a second? Uh yeah, I'll second. Okay. So second. Okay. Discussion. No further discussion. Okay, let's vote.

Motion passes by a vote of four. Um, and council member Wu uh against the vote. Is that the correct way of saying it? Sorry. Against the vote. Uh motion passes by four four to one with council member Woo as a no vote voting no. Okay. Thank you. Next item please. City manager report.

Thank you madame mayor, members of the council. So just a couple of items for you tonight. Um want to announce to the community and to the council that we have our Dia de los Muertos uh celebration coming up on Friday at 5:30. And there are two things to be aware of. Uh there is still time for the community to get pictures of your loved ones in um for the community altar. So go on the city's website to be able to submit those. And secondly, Grizzly Entertainment who um is our sponsor or actually our our provider for the drone show at 4th of July. They are sponsoring a free drone show for Dia de los Muertos. So starting at around 8:30 that will be uh outside in the Mission District. So, come on out and see that. And then the second item I have a couple of updates on. Uh Veterans Day is this not Veterans Day is next Tuesday, but and um Mayor Manaka is going to make some comments about some things we're doing with the city, but um we do have our celebration on Saturday. Um come on out at 10:00 a.m. and celebrate uh your your loved ones and and pay tribute. The flags went up this afternoon and are lighted out there and look very beautiful. The update I wanted to give on that is that we just received today uh for the council's uh in in uh information, we just received the first two um proposals or or suggestions for the way the new veterans memorial would be designed. So, we'll be coming back to council over the next couple of um weeks or or months with a meeting where we will all talk about those designs and it'll be a full council meeting and the public will be involved in all of that. But I can tell you that they're very thoughtful and the architect I believe did a great job of trying to come up with something that fits within the character of the mission, the city hall and that district. So I think you're all going to be we're all going to have different opinions on it, but I think you're all going to be able to find something that you like in those designs and we'll hopefully come up with some consensus on how we move forward.

Very exciting. Thank Sorry. Please uh uh repeat uh the Veterans Day uh city event. Absolutely. So, this Saturday. This Saturday at 10:00 a.m. 10 a.m. Thank you. You're welcome. Hope hope everybody can make it.

And then, uh, council comments and conference meeting reports. I'm just going to make a comment because staff has asked me to. So, um, and it's relating to Veterans Day. As we approach Veterans Day, the city of San Gabriel proudly joins communities across the nation in honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. This year marks the fifth anniversary of Operation Greenlight, an initiative led by the National Association of Counties and National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. From November 4th through 11th, City Hall and landmarks across the country will shine green to show our gratitude and unwavering support for those who have worn the uniform. The green light is simple yet powerful symbol, a reminder to our veterans that we see you, we appreciate you, and we stand with you. To show support, our mission playhouse has been adorned with green lights. On behalf of the San Gabriel City Council, we thank our veterans and their families for their service, sacrifice, enduring commitment to our nation. Thank you, uh, Chief City Clerk for providing that information. Uh, vice mayor, would you like to continue with the council comments?

Sure. But let me ask one more time. Uh, madame mayor, uh, you said that that that Operation Greenlight uh, uh, observance is the 4th through the 11th. 4th through the 11th. 11th. So that means tonight till till the 11th. Yeah. So, city hall and landmarks and Mission Playhouse.

Great. Thank you. All right. Um so I'll move to my uh reports. Uh on since the last meeting on October 22nd I attended the Tawa Gateway formerly known as Focus Plaza for those who remember that at the Delmar Valley that uh it's rebranded as Tawa Gateway and it's a grand opening I attended. It was it looks like it's going to be a very high-end uh destination kind of uh uh venue. So looking forward to that fully opening. On the 24th, I attended the San Gabriel Fall Fun Fest uh fall fun fair in the Mission District. It was very well attended and very fun, very spooky, very scary, and uh yeah, I think everybody had a good time. On the 30th, I attended a Arcadia Chamber of Commerce mixer at foot foothill restaurant in Pasadena. It was a it was a nice little event. And uh and just a reminder for this coming Friday, a few days from now, please come out to Dia Duertos in the the lobby of the Mission Playhouse. There's I believe there's usually each year there are two different altars set up. one for uh relatives that have passed and and a separate one on the side for pets who have passed. So that's a always a lovely uh display. So

also there's one for breast cancer. Oh wow. Yeah, the uh C could you let's see I have to check my notes specifically for that. But there is a third one. Oh there's for cancer survivors. Cancer I'm sorry uh victims of cancer. I see. Uh let's see. I don't have the my notes in front of me. Uh Rebecca, can you explain the third altar, please? Because it is different. So, we had the pets and then uh for everyone last year, but this year we have three altars. Oh, so this is new for this year. It's new for this year. I'm sure it'll be Rebecca. Well done. Yeah, I'm sure it will be.

Good evening, mayor and council. It it is. So, there will be a general altar for anyone whose loved ones have passed. There will be a pet altar for for pets who have passed and then uh an altar for anyone who may have passed from cancer, any type of cancer. And this is in connection to the drone show which city manager mentioned um will be held actually at 8:10 p.m. just immediately following the event. Is the drone show just um for breast cancer or is it for all cancer? it it's connected with with breast cancer and and diia de los muertos. So there's a little tiein between the two.

Okay. Thank you. I think that's where I was confused.

Rebecca, uh just a tech uh I guess detail question. Uh so for the drone show, it's going to be visible from the front of uh the mission playhouse. Is that where we're going to be seeing it? actually um audience members from Dia de los Muertos will exit the side exit of the mission playhouse which goes out into that there's the grapevine area and then there's the middle lawn area before you get to the tent. the the crowd will actually stand in that middle lawn area and the drone show will be the drones will be staged um on the basketball courts at at Mission Elementary and will

rise up above uh the Mission and the um cemetery there. Great. Thank you. Yep. Just trying to get a visual of what the staging looks like and thank you. Any other questions for Rebecca before she goes back on that? Okay, great. Thank you, Vice Mayor. uh who would like to uh council member Herrera Rabula.

Thank you, mayor. Um so I was also at Tawa, so I won't repeat that. And then I'll I on Sunday, November 2nd, I saw you there also, Mariachi Los Campos. That was uh pretty uh pretty significant. I didn't know how important this group was. And when I saw them perform, it was just blew it blew my mind. And everybody was singing along and everybody was having a great time. We had family. We had a I think a local correct me if I'm I'm wrong a local high school for Pico Rivera also show up. Yes, the they have a mariachi program there.

Yeah, that was pretty pretty awesome to see that youth and then his our Hispanic Latino culture being shared for the Muertos. Also attended on October 29th, I attended the our very own costume party where all of the departments get to have a little bit of fun. It was a little hot out there. It was actually like 95° and everybody kudos to everybody that wore a costume. I feel bad for you. We should have a fan or something. But I think we did have a little bit of ice cream. So big kudos to the to the the the crown uh the people that took the crown or the trophy. I guess there's a trophy that gets passed around from from year to year. And that was the the finance team with the carousel, right? And that was pretty cool. So there was this these costumes. Picture this costumes with a inflatable animals. The ones that where you look like you're a little person riding a big animal. You've seen those before. So all of the nowhere we see all these different animals. A tiger, I don't know, an elephant. I don't know what. So many different animals. And then they had these sticks. I I had no idea what the sticks were for. So then they put up a umbrella and they put the sticks up and they start going in circles. So lo and behold, they were carousel and they won the prize. So kudos to the finance team.

Congratulations. Yeah. To the finance team. And I've got to I got to be extra proud because by profession I'm an accountant. So I I had to, you know, extra kudos to the bean counters. Well, we were both proud because we're both accountants. You don't see that creativity typically in our um stereotypical boring accountants. Yeah. So they do a great job. Go finance. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. Okay. Who would like to continue? Council member Ding. [laughter] Got to call somebody.

Okay. So, uh it's October 22nd. I also have a chance to attend Dawa uh gateway. It's it's really impress. We uh they already do the uh cosmetic uh remodel and uh open for the business. We wish the actually that day we they presentation a lot with the franchise store go come to our city. So I wish have more business to uh actually in especially for the our Asia community that that's a landmark you know our our southern California if they want Asia food they coming too. Okay. So it's it's it's a really good experience. October 24 is for fun festival. Yeah. Like uh my cardiority target. It's it's really a fun and uh it some scare some it's it's really impress uh custom the contest. Okay. And the October 25th I have chance attend that 23rd they called the Sunju outdoor uh picnic gala. It's uh more than like couple thousands people be bring the family. It's it's really a it's it's a bigger fund too. So I'm actually 23 years ago I'm I'm a founder person to to establish this event as I saw that it's 23 and uh uh 2 uh that evening it's I attended it's a the high school aluminina association they already in the southern California 26th year they they also do the Halloween costume the the the competition I'm one of the judge too. [laughter] Okay. All right.

It's it's it's really it's fun for the this holiday and the 28 I have chance to they the chamber they have the morning have the celebration for one of their member they call the home call and the evening they have the celebration in our uh Hilton uh the hotel the 10 years celebration for their business 20 years so they have two good celebration of same days and October 29 I also every year I have chance to with our employee the Halloween lunch it's really it's fun like two card talking about and the evening have have chance it's continue that we want to support Gabi Education Foundation and uh it's a really imp every year impressed the kids. They they singing English, Spanish and Chinese mannering. It's Yeah, that's really like uh their school district did a very good job and the diversity too. And November 1st I have the that's the fun game that called the also aluminina association that from the most from uh the China they they have the very famous the pork game uh in in the southern California they have competition too. So my alumni they win the champion too. Okay. All right. That's that's it. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you, Council Member Woo.

Well, thank you, Mayor. You always put me after Council Member De that saved a lot of my effort. Thank you so much. So, I'll remember for the next one. [clears throat]

All I need is just pick some place that he never he he's not been there, but I was there. Yes. [laughter] So yes, full fun festival the gala uh from uh the Garfield education foundation that we were there uh on October 31st I participated uh in Singapore village Halloween night with the family uh with my family and thanks to the neighbors then volunteers who provided the snacks performance and crafts and bounce houses that was really a fun one and it I can feel the unity of our community. On November 2nd, I attended I have an honor to attend at the St. Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition fundraiser at West Coina Women's Club. Uh I met with many veterans and families. My grandfather was also the pilot, very first pilot was been dispatched to Arizona uh that been trained by the US uh Air Force. So he was the very first uh team that came to the United States. uh I really appreciate that had an opportunity to met those so those uh you know um those veterans that defended our countries and that's the reason that we are here today and that concludes my report. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Okay, I can't believe no one mentioned the Dodgers. Dodgers won the World Series. [laughter] Well, but I wasn't there. You are Dodger funny even to you opportunity. It brought a lot of money to our community. They're watching the games. [laughter] Yeah.

So, it is connected. So, go Dodgers. Um, I didn't go to any of the games, the World Series games, but my god, that was part of our lives for a long time. Um, so go Dodgers. Uh, Di Mutos. So, I I think people got a little confused. We had the Mariachi loss, which I think is the fifth year that they've been here, but we also have a diia Muertos. So, that was a Dia desertos concert. And then we have a diia desertos with the altars um on Friday. So it's two different events. I actually had quite a few people concerned that they had missed the Friday event and um and and just so people know, you know, it was a full house and um they were very smart about they had the young uh musicians, you know, at the u I think it was a middle school, high school from uh Pico Rivera that were there. And that's how you pack it in. you get the the parents, the grandparents, ostillos, and it was pretty amazing. So anyway, it's just nice that we can continue on with that tradition, but it does get confusing. Um, a lot has already been said, so I'm going to try to be a little different. Some of the other things u that also took place, um, the Asian Youth Center has a new partnership um, with the conservation California conservation corp. and that will give our youth um job opportunities. And so I was invited to speak at the press conference and I think it is just such a great program. It's paid internships and in some cases they actually give housing to some of these youth. Um so it's a paid internship plus housing. So, um, if you know of any youth, um, that might be interested, um, the youth that spoke that day had already actually gone to college, but they've decided to take a different path and they wanted to get more involved with the environment. So, this is a great option. So, I I urge those who are interested go to the Asian

Youth Center and um you can work through the um the program that they have there. Now, do I qualify? [laughter] Oh, no. I have a college degree. I need housing. I don't know about the age but right [laughter]

but you can call them uh I also but a Garvey education foundation um again it was mentioned uh but also they give out mini grants and I think they said something like 30 mini grants to the teachers and so I was just really happy to to be there. There was three of us that were there or four of us that were there but a lot of people don't realize that um in the city of St. Gabriel, we think about San Gabriel Unified School District, which I was on the board before, but we also have Dwey Elementary that is in the city of St. Gabriel. And so I was happy to talk to to Dwey teachers and and and parents. And so I'm glad we were there to to represent and support our Dwey students who are in the city of St. Gabriel. Uh Taiw mentioned, very exciting. It is iconic and um it definitely getting um a um how could I say a a a different uh view um a lift of some sort. You know, it's all it's different. It's going to be upscale. And so I'm excited to see what will take place there. Uh the uh I also attended um it's called the Journey of Faith. It was an exhibit at the St. Gabriel Mission Church Museum by um a French artist named Julian Renard who um is a contemporary artist, but he had a great display across the street. It was open to the public and he actually was commissioned to do a a mural um for the Paris Olympic Games and he was here in our little city doing his art. Um and so it was really exciting to see that if you start thinking about St. Gabriel is really becoming kind of a epicenter for a lot of artist artists, a lot of creativity, a lot of energy. You know, we have the arts maker studio that we also went to and of course we have the

West California Academy. Um and so it's just really interesting. The mission church has said that they're going to have other artists that are going to be invited, but he was the first one. So, um uh that [clears throat] was that was exciting to attend. And then we have um the free SER program is is going to is being offered. I don't have the dates here, but please go on our website. Maybe you have the dates. Um but if you know we we need um our our local community to be prepared. And so if you can believe it's a three-day program, but it is free and uh it's hosted by our our fire department. So I encourage you for that. We also have a youth ambassador program. Our community services commission has applications. They're due on Friday. The age group, I think, is is it 16 to 18, Rebecca? Okay. Well, it it's somewhere around there, but if you have a high school kid who might who is interested, I think this is a great opportunity. It's a one-year commitment, and they would be working with our community's um services group. And with that, that concludes my um uh report. Uh we have uh no close session tonight or even before. Um the next regular city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is adjourned at 7:35. Thank you.