At last night’s Council meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a new ordinance that prohibits all nonmedical cannabis activity, including restrictions on personal growing. The ordinance also repealed and adopted new provisions prohibiting commercial uses related to medical cannabis. 

The City Council also passed an urgency ordinance so that the marijuana ordinance takes into effect immediately.

City agrees to work with San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to enhance region-wide infrastructure

In addition, by a vote of 4-1 with Vice Mayor Harrington voting ‘no’, the City Council approved several amendments to a joint powers agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (or SGVCOG). With the passage of Measure M, Measure A and SB 1, the city believes that there is an opportunity for the SGVCOG to assist with the planning, design and construction of future large capital projects across the San Gabriel Valley. By partnering with SGVCOG, the city will be able to work with other SGVCOG member cities on large-scale infrastructure projects that benefit from collaboration. A notable example of this type of agreement in action is the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority (otherwise known as ACE), which oversaw the San Gabriel trench project.

After conducting its yearly review, the SGVCOG governing board approved to integrate ACE as an ongoing division of the SGVCOG and expand ACE’s jurisdiction as a construction and projects entity that can serve the San Gabriel Valley. As part of this integration process, SGVCOG must first modify its joint powers agreement with member cities, including San Gabriel. You can read the terms of the modified joint powers agreement here. 

Council amends salary and benefits changes for employees

In a 5-0 vote, the City Council also voted to amend the salary and benefits of the Police Management Group, the Fire Management Group and unrepresented employees. You can read more about the changes here.

City upholds Zi Liang Massage (at 835 West Las Tunas Drive) denial

At the November 21 meeting, the City Council denied the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny Zi Liang Massage a conditional use permit. The Council then directed staff to prepare a resolution detailing the reasons behind the denial, which was reviewed at last night’s meeting.

The City Council voted to approve the resolution by a vote of 5-0, upholding the Planning Commission’s denial of Zi Liang Massage’s conditional use permit.

City upholds Oriental Massage Spa (at 288 South San Gabriel Boulevard #105-106) denial

In addition, the City Council also instructed staff to prepare a resolution outlining the Planning Commission’s denial of a conditional use permit to Oriental Massage Spa at the November 21 meeting.

This resolution was presented at last night’s meeting, and was approved with a vote of 4-1, with Mayor Costanzo voting against the motion. This upholds the Planning Commission’s decision to deny Oriental Massage Spa a conditional use permit.

Finally, the City Council unanimously voted to approve the consent calendar, which included:

• The second reading and adoption of an omnibus ordinance that reaffirms and ratifies ordinances that have already been approved by the City Council in 2017
• A request from Councilmember Menchaca to attend the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members Academy which is being held from January 17-19, 2018 in Sacramento, California.