The following is a wrap-up of the July 17 City Council meeting. You may view the full agenda here or listen to an audio recording here.

In a unanimous vote, the City Council voted to approve the following items on the consent calendar:

• Material demands from the City’s Finance department
• A banner request at Las Tunas Drive and Mission Drive by the Asian American Economic Development Enterprises to advertise a free career/job fair on August 16
• A Public Works agreement with RKA Consulting Group to provide engineering support for three street improvement projects
• An agreement to enter into the design phase for the Rio Hondo Load Reduction Strategy with several other cities

City Council approves the addition of a Deputy Fire Marshal

In a unanimous vote, the City Council voted to approve the position of the Deputy Fire Marshal. For some context, after the passage of the April 3 agreement with the San Gabriel Firefighters’ Association, the Deputy Fire Marshal assignment was eliminated to create a standalone non-sworn Deputy Fire Marshal classification.

The Deputy Fire Marshal would be responsible for performing a variety of fire prevention, disaster preparedness and inspection work, with the ability to administer fire prevention programs to the public and review construction plans.

Funding for this position will come from the elimination of a vacant but budgeted Fire Captain position, resulting in an annual general fund savings of $12,600.

City Council approves agreement with Civitas to create a tourism and marketing improvement district

In a 4-0- vote (with Councilmember Costanzo recused from the vote), the City Council approved – with amendments – a contract with Civitas to create a tourism and marketing improvement district. This district would allow businesses to organize to bring more customers to their destination using funds that are occupied from hotel occupants.

Some of the amendments included a potential non-disclosure agreement, the designation of the City Manager as the contract signee, and that all unfinished documents produced during this agreement are the property of the City.

As a result of this decision, the City Council has directed the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement subject to the revision by the City Attorney consistent with City Council comments. Vice Mayor Pu will be primary liaison, with Councilmember Menchaca as alternate.

You may view the full agenda here, along with an audio recording of last night’s meeting.