Craig Hensley

The meeting included discussions and updates on the 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, including risk assessment and community outreach elements. Commissioners reviewed and discussed the Community Garden waitlist and application process for the 2026 growing year, focusing on the term length for plot holders. An overview of the City News Fall 2025 newsletter was presented, highlighting upcoming events and registration details. Staff announced the retirement of the Teen Center Supervisor and departmental restructuring. Updates were provided on the Crestfield project, including the park component. Commissioners shared updates and inquiries, including the progress of the Fish Canyon Trail and the potential use of goats for brush clearance.

The agenda includes the need for gazebo replacement at Royal Oaks Park due to metal corrosion. The project has an approved budget of $80,000 from the 2023/24 budget. The scope of work includes removing the existing metal shade structure and concrete pad, pouring a new concrete pad, and installing a Navajo Style Shelter with rain gutters and downspouts. The City received four bids and the lowest responsive and responsible bidder was FS Contractors, Inc. The recommendation is to award the construction contract to FS Contractors, Inc. for $64,900, with a ten percent contingency, totaling $71,390, funded by the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 Per Capita Program.

The meeting included updates on the Strategic Plan Initiative, focusing on the framework developed from community and staff surveys, and feedback from the commission. The Duarte Community Garden Grand Opening was discussed, including the high number of applications received and the allocation of garden beds. An overview of the City News Summer 2025 newsletter highlighted summer events, the Summer Concert Series, and pool repairs. The commission also discussed the September Childhood Cancer Awareness event and a new geocache account.

The City Council held a Capital Improvement Project Workshop on April 22, 2025, and then held the FY 2025/26 Budget Workshop on May 5, 2025. Total revenues and other resources received by the City and the Housing Authority during fiscal year 2025/26 are estimated to be $34.7 million. Total General Fund revenues for 2025/26 are projected to be $24.8 million. In total, expenditures and other uses for fiscal year 2025/26 are budgeted to be $35.2 million. Total General Fund expenditures are projected to be $25.6 million. The 2025/26 General Fund budget includes a deficit of $936,600. It is projected that the General Fund will end the fiscal year with a reserve of $33 million, of which $25.4 million is undesignated.

The Planning Commission meeting addressed a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request to operate a charter school at 1202-1204 Huntington Drive. Discussion included the school's operational plan, parking limitations, traffic management, and safety measures, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners and staff debated the compatibility of the school's use with existing businesses, and potential mitigation strategies for parking concerns were explored. The CUP was ultimately approved with amendments to the conditions regarding student and staff parking, traffic direction by security personnel, and student check-in procedures.