[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6524270,"mediaKeyId","3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b","parentId",3863069,"title","West Covina adopts FY 2025‑26 budget and hears annual staffing report under AB 2561; council funds prioritized public‑safety and maintenance actions","audioSeconds",4392,"startMs",3636000,"endMs",8028000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b&start=3636&end=8028","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b/thumbnail_3636000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524270/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/West-Covina-adopts-FY-202526-budget-and-hears-annual-staffing-report-under-AB-2561-council-funds-prioritized-publicsafety-and-maintenance-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524270-9c26fb8236a18a588eb75fa8e17bb44e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204344&Signature=VXDEVpoaze-Y1Pr1WjLACgmrbRDFoDWPEkBaeGJ4BJ7Vs-ZkjiXCOJkun59Iel0sOejmcPv0m6IAjDPUFLFkKdG4mwKKOk9yX-a26Ai2eQYyGXLBoqkrcXOPs~s5GHt5u-9sj3SOfC2e3jXACTakmV1Fo2Cz1yfkBpmAywMi3xAYGrG~zSaleIrRlb3qB1guCckhrIj4BMZswksVhp51MCRtW6xOOaK-uY-roueSTTJ5jlOcaCZ~RhSKsywtZ-jwK1YwUBW1dHuICD4uNaloVHj51oHDYSDCs7P2ULhNkltxqEZjnv175oOxO-YLA1vbJIF6jYSLayrOE2y1pTnLVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-18T15:53:58Z","article","The West Covina City Council on June 17 adopted the fiscal year 2025‑26 operating and capital improvement program budget and also held the annual public hearing required by AB 2561 to report vacancy and recruitment efforts.

Acting staff presented a budget they described to the council as balanced and aligned with council priorities. Acting City Manager said the adopted plan reflects council direction from recent workshops and community meetings and prioritizes public safety, hillside mitigation, graffiti abatement and filling vacant executive management positions. The council voted 5‑0 to adopt the budget.

Earlier in the meeting Human Resources Director Carmelita Underwood delivered the city’s AB 2561 annual report on vacancies, recruitment and retention. The presentation recorded the city’s authorized staffing level at 316 full‑time equivalent positions and noted a citywide vacancy rate of 10.79% as of June 2, 2025. The General bargaining group exceeded the 20% threshold discussed in the statute, with a reported vacancy rate of 27.27% (6 vacancies out of 22 budgeted positions). The report listed vacancies and recruitment status across departments, including active recruitments for police, public safety dispatch, finance and human resources leadership roles.

Underwood described common recruitment and retention challenges — regional competition for sworn officers, the need to maintain competitive compensation, and changes to recruiting channels — and said the city is working on measures including internship programs, revised advertising and onboarding improvements.

Council members asked for additional detail on the timing and structure of recruitments, particularly for public‑safety roles. Acting City Manager and HR staff said some vacancies were already filled since the report’s June 2 snapshot and that recruitment for several positions is active. The city also noted that applicant pools and salary benchmarking information would be provided as part of ongoing staffing work.

Separately, during oral communications residents raised concerns about transparency in city contracting and consultant use; the acting city manager said staff will deliver a list of council‑approved consultants and contracts and a separate list of agreements signed under city‑manager signature authority.

The budget adoption and staffing report conclude a multi‑week budget review process in which officials held three public workshops and invited resident input. Staff said they will post materials from the AB 2561 hearing and budget workshops and continue to report on hiring progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The City of West Covina - June 17, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council unanimously approved a balanced operating and capital budget for fiscal 2025‑26 and received the annual recruitment and retention hearing required by AB 2561, which detailed a 10.79% citywide vacancy rate and specific shortages in police, fire and other departments.","taxTitle","West Covina, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",3860,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524275,"Council extends tree‑care agreement month‑to‑month while staff issues new RFP; members request default replanting policy",679,9859000,10538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b&start=9859&end=10538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b/thumbnail_9859000.jpg","/articles/6524275/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-extends-treecare-agreement-monthtomonth-while-staff-issues-new-RFP-members-request-default-replanting-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524275-1e2ecda162394f7cda8d3e06972d5b7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204344&Signature=Y-fWk~cc4L4VYG7VRZveOCgD3ZUl5qaDBY4iyo1leJff3etMHBpvsyKrEqn2c6Qih0R0YscG8GKEo8u59X-PG-SUXjGPiMRQTEt4M79rXO9iGYpuEJ-6gMMS6WqFdRJz9RU67niOuuHG7WKAn5liBymXjyFILIBDzpJt2lmYp1hGeJEBVBSc86PZ0xGEiDTfxTNAmD6oOQ1agZ-5so7qhT-WSQUTu90Ta7AMqtIY1h1o92N1pzii0dG-JH9a971qsuterT5vcPYUBx4NbN0hgun3BG0pELaXT89HNoPrA4evy2RO0hSUTflzhByyVaQinoBvsoXN7j83Nrrxx1WFbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on June 17 approved a month‑to‑month extension to the tree‑maintenance agreement with West Coast Arborists while staff prepares and posts a new request for proposals.

Council members discussed correct pruning practice with the vendor. A West Coast Arborists representative told the council the company follows ISA guidance and typically limits pruning to roughly 30% of live canopy to preserve long‑term tree health; council members said they had seen sites that appeared heavily trimmed and asked for better consistency. The vendor confirmed that heavier cuts generally require more frequent follow‑up pruning and can produce weaker regrowth.

Councilmember Gutierrez moved and Councilmember Cantos seconded continuing the contract month‑to‑month while an RFP is posted. The council also directed staff to ensure tree removals are followed promptly by stump grinding and backfill and to treat replacement plantings as a standard option; staff said the city will coordinate replantings at the city's request and suggested procedures for backfilling and replanting with new stock.

The council approved the amendment on a 5‑0 roll call vote. Staff said the RFP is under review by the city attorney and will be published once comments are finalized; vendors will then be able to bid for a longer contract term.

Council members asked staff to include replacement‑by‑default language as an option so that, unless the city directs otherwise, a removed street tree would be replaced and the contractor would perform initial backfill and planting. The vendor described the technical process for stump removal, root grinding and backfill and confirmed contractors can coordinate to replace trees and restore tree grates when requested by the city.

No additional appropriations were approved as part of the amendment; staff said the change preserves continuity of service while the RFP is issued.","West Covina approved a month‑to‑month amendment to its maintenance agreement with West Coast Arborists while staff finalizes a new RFP. Council members asked that removed street trees be replanted by default and discussed acceptable pruning limits.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524279,"West Covina puts bus‑shelter cleaning contract on month‑to‑month after residents report missed stops, directs renegotiation",1183,8154000,9337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b&start=8154&end=9337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b/thumbnail_8154000.jpg","/articles/6524279/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/West-Covina-puts-busshelter-cleaning-contract-on-monthtomonth-after-residents-report-missed-stops-directs-renegotiation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524279-979a2aa42a4f1de5b6f1ba51af40a0aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204344&Signature=T5VfbOJTi2qG5FPY5PfWBeZeBi7gtJWLc4UW2nKANqn2wAfmfWNUSiXAiJYn3YWtaGQDcTjrUghxwM5RUZoeJBccxLRkc5G2g2R-EszesRaeiQJ8tL9kmL48iF4NQrW0i5Yk2d1C7MfZPcYMpJwqMDIGc6emjEDgbWuXEd8bAqUFWsApZIDIKiTlmzYWYOU1Gla8-XPVOXu1qh9SmfezhjblCZ4k8hw4-~lfwABtOyK6~lggHCLdlqMZgezxQl3AbkImpc6NbW0wxAKrcwutXSKFkbbWOZ4lF3OiVvvgH0BGr9ewIT5m2qMMJqa5JJxzQ~Xi-0B8DPh~JHhfbEK40Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted June 17 to continue the city’s bus‑shelter cleaning service on a month‑to‑month basis and return the item at the second July council meeting after residents and council members reported that multiple scheduled stops were not being cleaned.

Councilmember Brian Gutierrez and other council members raised the issue after spot checks by council and city staff. A vendor representative told the council the crews normally operate daytime hours and that schedules vary; council members and residents said they had driven the posted route and found many stops uncleansed.

Councilmember Cantos moved and Councilmember Gutierrez seconded a motion to approve the contract on a month‑to‑month basis and bring the item back at the council’s second July meeting. A roll‑call vote recorded all ayes and the motion passed.

In addition to the short‑term extension, the council gave staff direction to negotiate with the advertising company that controls advertisement panels at some shelters (Clear Channel) about the city’s revenue share and to explore replacing aging shelter hardware. Mayor Wu said the city should seek a higher share of advertising revenue or negotiate improved shelters and branding; council members asked staff to return with proposed terms.

The city’s acting city manager said staff will compile a punch list of problem locations, will survey the installation and maintenance schedule and will work with the vendor to confirm why some sites were missed. Council members asked for field verification and for the vendor to provide photos and a detailed route schedule. The vendor representative said crews typically operate 9:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and that if a shelter is occupied crews will move to the next location and return later.

The vote did not end the issue: council members asked staff to check trash‑pickup service at shelters, to monitor vendor performance, and to return with revenue options for advertising panels. The vendor and city staff will report results to council at the July follow‑up meeting.","After residents and council members reported many bus shelters in the city were not cleaned as scheduled, the council moved the bus‑shelter cleaning contract to month‑to‑month and directed staff to renegotiate advertising revenue share and to return with a report in July.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524284,"Residents press West Covina council to bar ICE operations on city property; city manager says no local collaboration",3346,1595000,4941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b&start=1595&end=4941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b/thumbnail_1595000.jpg","/articles/6524284/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/Residents-press-West-Covina-council-to-bar-ICE-operations-on-city-property-city-manager-says-no-local-collaboration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524284-4b8d45957b32065d8311f5fe6326e2a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204344&Signature=ij5fQ3gI7D5oRiuN3ZuXRFTu8jbDEIW3mekwyO~SSIwp17ubscBVVvcwSBtD-Pi2ptx-rGrOFeTYJNqK6xPyPbxv-TOhA3kGYDzdsUabKJulpjd0Vp4CEt9WwwQpKtKnPnSBcwhlZ8vpZyaAyb16xaSr93SH0La~--Svc2JSBMd4-YNHKdQHUOrwApqVJDOOOafDqpedrrmnW7UCmuTGAzhuVpB8UulnCMpg9Z~wbmyGBDwPFCNnytyh9W26qGXJrMpPOTJwTrkd9-xUuAP6F1lHrHKLANOnIIekKA50mTXSsDEQvM9Aex8B9d7m8tIygLiN~Rp8qKHqeuaF-VRgkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A wave of public-comment speakers at the June 17 West Covina City Council meeting urged elected officials to bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using city facilities and to limit local cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Ernesto Garcia, one of several speakers during a lengthy oral‑communications period, asked the council to “direct our city manager to create a list of all city‑owned properties for the purposes of disseminating that list along with instructions expressing the city's wishes to not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement” to stage operations on municipal property.

Other speakers related personal or neighborhood incidents they attributed to regional enforcement operations and called the council to protect residents’ access to public spaces. Josh Guerrero said raids had left community members “afraid to leave their homes,” and Shahzad and others described fear of detention and urged the city to refuse cooperation.

Acting City Manager responded at length that he had no evidence of local collaboration with federal agencies. “I can assure the community and the persons in this audience is there's been no collaboration between, West Covina City Hall staff, our police department or any other entity of the city to collaborate with any federal agencies,” he said, adding that police have “a very clear and definitive process and policy as far as immigration and working with other agencies and it's a hands off. They are not involved in any way.”

Council members also spoke. Mayor Pro Tem Letty Lopez Villarro said the city was not working with ICE and reiterated that local police would still enforce crimes regardless of immigration status. Councilmember Cantos told residents that the city’s police department does not have a 287(g) agreement with ICE — the formal tool that authorizes local agencies to work directly with federal immigration enforcement.

Several speakers asked the council to produce legal guidance and administrative direction, including a list of city properties and an explicit policy restricting use of city facilities for federal enforcement. Acting City Manager said he would provide information and that staff had received no federal requests; he also said he would await council direction if the body wanted staff to pursue legal options.

There was no formal vote. Council members and staff agreed to further review the issue and to post information about the city’s existing policies. The meeting record shows repeated community concern about enforcement operations in neighboring areas and a strong call for explicit local protections.","Dozens of residents urged the City Council to prevent federal immigration enforcement from using city facilities after reports of raids in the region. Acting City Manager told the council and residents that city staff and police have not collaborated with ICE and that staff will report back if legal changes or further action are requested.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6524290,"California posts rules for local health departments; West Covina moves to finalize application and public hearing set for July 10",1095,6281000,7376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b&start=6281&end=7376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863069-05362e39cb96868a8b5942752006905b/thumbnail_6281000.jpg","/articles/6524290/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/California-posts-rules-for-local-health-departments-West-Covina-moves-to-finalize-application-and-public-hearing-set-for-July-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524290-b736b09b854d8ef7c65102ff087b5bcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204344&Signature=fay3VrF9GeZdLtTstxRI3kCq0W-Ts0K4bKqVm9kc3oCAlxLdi0pS-ljInZb3FuDA~PP49yzzEgoZTHCLZ7KEHGe88Saf6wYWDEsc1pGKjF48Iczd4tdLZqkUgmWs7h92wZfzX4q6DX6Ycm5d0KzG0IxeHXOuQdEkaUwFo5fV0f5ob19LmMYmNr~8mxjcXxg~nX5~0gsK6nAusE3jt1Oz5cjSx7KO1YrGOt6JAST4dND~P1wzQ0a68O6sxAwLJgwd4IHCBbn9ekQuD1eBxGcmSv-QPlc2pITJpE28scxdgtxf1E91Ms4gYMb8XHx~YTKnR48IURaqbTa~5Nlm14YOFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Covina city officials said the state has posted a regulatory package that would let cities form local health departments and tap state public-health funding, and that West Covina will finish required materials and take part in a July 10 public hearing.

The update came June 17 as Dr. Basil, the city’s presenter on the project, told the City Council that the California Department of Public Health had “completed and approved the new local health department applications, DPH‑21‑09, released on 05/23/2025, and is now open for public comments and public hearing is scheduled on 07/10/2025.”

The council heard why the item matters: local departments could get state aid to build capacity that county health agencies sometimes cannot provide at a neighborhood level. Dr. Basil said the rule package includes a temporary 12‑month funding stream for eligible new local health departments and a path to apply for permanent funding after implementing required services and meeting accreditation standards.

City staff described the steps the state will require. The list includes a public‑health emergency operations plan, a community health assessment and a community health improvement plan, a feasibility study and long‑term strategic plan, written policies and procedures, a workforce‑development plan and a budget, among other documentation Dr. Basil read aloud to the council. He said some materials are already in progress and that staff will finalize the packet for submission once the regulation package is finalized by CDPH.

Acting City Manager provided context for the council and residents, saying the city began this work after pandemic‑era delays and local concerns about responsiveness. He told the council the city has spent several years meeting with CDPH and that the agency “performed many very careful detailed studies and analysis of the need of a new local health department.”

Council members pressed for clarity on funding and timing. Dr. Basil said state aid would be allocated on a per‑capita basis, with an initial temporary award followed by an application for permanent funding once required services are implemented. He said the state’s timeline could take a few weeks if only minor changes to the package are needed after the July 10 hearing; major revisions could trigger an additional public comment period.

The council did not vote on establishment of a department at the meeting. Staff said they will return with completed application documents and that the state hearing is open to public comment. The presentation noted that the final rule will incorporate modern public‑health standards, including measures tied to public‑health accreditation.

The city framed the effort as a long‑term project to build local capacity for disease prevention, outbreak response and community health promotion, and said it will not proceed to impose general‑fund spending for the department without later council approval.

City officials also invited residents to review the CDPH notice and to attend the state hearing on July 10. The council asked staff to post links and hearing details on the city website so residents can review the proposed regulations and submit comments before the state’s comment deadline.","The California Department of Public Health published a rule package opening a path for cities to run local health departments. West Covina officials said the city will finish required documents and participate in a state public hearing on July 10 as it pursues temporary and later permanent state funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Covina adopts FY 2025‑26 budget and hears annual staffing report under AB 2561; council funds prioritized public‑safety and maintenance actions

Council extends tree‑care agreement month‑to‑month while staff issues new RFP; members request default replanting policy

West Covina puts bus‑shelter cleaning contract on month‑to‑month after residents report missed stops, directs renegotiation

Residents press West Covina council to bar ICE operations on city property; city manager says no local collaboration

California posts rules for local health departments; West Covina moves to finalize application and public hearing set for July 10