[{"_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",6520670,"mediaKeyId","5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf","parentId",5131527,"title","Residents press West Covina leaders on homeless encampments, graffiti and police staffing","audioSeconds",608,"startMs",3897000,"endMs",4505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf&start=3897&end=4505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf/thumbnail_3897000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520670/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/Residents-press-West-Covina-leaders-on-homeless-encampments-graffiti-and-police-staffing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520670-7885056da5706138024ff10fb4f280ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190559&Signature=lMvBcVtgakyMKNqKjrSeaPbRq5ZjUVnx7ya3lNMAVW4zsgxzU6xDnsF-pGkdYmpP~4Cl8s7eY9X44lK-bXq0fJM8FalqSrS53bdRQoImB6ejMWqTtenc4Lx6aUhhSeyy5hvyDLdTH11lIgCY9IMmV~xL7eEWyHsog6sTov18X411-ids2S7pVgPLaVxEG78CrF1T1-wJCbc9PIW0DILCrNYffly-wkt2D43mUvytKbO1ZLwxJDyOK7nXfGtlxqecPHKD7Zkp~V1y1v64Pmzee8lTFS7HPtO3KBfGZfQgv~ZMPDMidp7Ze5qHA-Hqm8QPcCGmbDBP~oGuE8-lPK4m2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-02T14:45:00Z","article","At the July 1 meeting several residents used oral communications to press the City Council for action on homelessness, graffiti and policing.

A resident described a sizeable homeless encampment behind businesses near Azusa and Amar avenues, saying tents, open fires and trespassing into private yards had persisted for about a year and that his senior parents felt unsafe. The resident said police directed him to attend the council meeting. The acting city manager responded that the city is working to clear the hillside and would connect the resident to the HOPE team for outreach.

Other speakers cited daily graffiti and alley blight in parts of downtown and urged the city to act on cleanup. The acting city manager said the council-funded graffiti tracking software would roll out with the West Covina Police Department and public works staff to identify and address repeat incidents and support targeted enforcement.

Several residents urged the council to increase public-safety capacity. One speaker praised the police and asked the council to consider a public-safety tax — pointing to sales-tax options rather than a property tax — to sustain staffing and equipment. Council and staff acknowledged policing and staffing are ongoing policy conversations; the acting city manager said the city will follow up and that the city is actively recruiting department heads including fire and public-safety director roles.

Council member Jen Gutierrez also reassured residents that the Down North Day dog park project remains on track for award and that no developer will take precedence over resident park priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The City of West Covina - July 1, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents urged the council to address growing homeless encampments, persistent graffiti and public-safety staffing. The acting city manager pledged cleanup plans and improved graffiti tracking; residents recommended a public-safety funding measure.","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},6520674,"West Covina honors students, retirees and local businesses; proclaims July \"Parks Make Life Better Month\"",1877,365000,2242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf&start=365&end=2242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf/thumbnail_365000.jpg","/articles/6520674/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/West-Covina-honors-students-retirees-and-local-businesses-proclaims-July-Parks-Make-Life-Better-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520674-60afa4898f701d837e3ac9bca68517bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190559&Signature=cxO47coPFys5RVWf~ycUnx8e0tubMxjgcqQKq7xCo6PMneMcabsPpqelO8gPQN98GJPKQXbqxjNWbmRn8qKzwckSfEcpygV-9xkMY0~KtRZ~4T-IVjnJPfKlcNmawXmd6cq66CLXHviK5fil3KvMRPYuIu3G~f2Hn3pIjpsG6RIlLQwxiDyxA1zGm-HWPXVH8vFdW0TX7zFCb4gr7cVmaS~nmIi~G1SXTvpkRPfnILd3IOcJnxU-QW4KZNkn67nsgyPIDaLAwTtVt5YixwmD6FTGXl4bXbD5P2p2t4m7UWXbdTbG5SHQRb4M7FC4PALY0gjzJQajkai0X-dZGum2aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July 1 meeting the West Covina City Council used the presentations portion of the agenda to recognize several community achievements and to accept a proclamation designating July as Parks Make Life Better Month.

The council honored South Hills High School instructor Gina “Nikki” Rodriguez and student Carissa Ramos, among others, after the students performed CPR in two separate incidents that led to full recoveries. Carissa Ramos told the council she and classmates had responded to a man lying in the street, performed CPR for about seven minutes until 9-1-1 responders arrived and said the training had prepared them to act. Mayor Wu presented a certificate to Ramos and acknowledged the role of Rodriguez’s program in preparing students for medical careers.

The council also recognized the retirements of two long-serving planning department staff members. Lydia, a 25-year city employee, was honored for her years of service; planning director Joanne thanked her for institutional knowledge and mentorship. Assistant planner Jeff Anderson also received recognition for his years of service.

The council presented an acknowledgment to 1 Veg World, a local vegan restaurant celebrating its 21st anniversary, and the restaurant’s representative described recent community relief efforts, including distributing vegan meals during the region’s wildfires and publishing a vegan starter kit for distribution across California.

Finally, Susie Perez, deputy director of community services, accepted a proclamation declaring July “Parks Make Life Better Month.” Perez outlined the department’s programs, noting the city offers 16 parks, a sports complex and four active community centers, and introduced staff members who manage recreation, senior services, adaptive programs, and meal services for older residents.

All presentations were ceremonial; no formal policy votes were required to issue the proclamations and recognitions.","The council recognized South Hills High School students and instructor for life-saving CPR actions, celebrated two longtime city planning staff retirees, honored a local vegan restaurant’s 21st anniversary, and accepted a proclamation declaring July Parks Make Life Better Month.",{"_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},6520677,"Council delays vote on inspection and permit-billing contract after questions about procurement",170,6679000,6849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf&start=6679&end=6849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf/thumbnail_6679000.jpg","/articles/6520677/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-delays-vote-on-inspection-and-permit-billing-contract-after-questions-about-procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520677-e70d9fadfafd11566d13977abaa9add7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190559&Signature=B7DiV276tb5Ptx1wxMCURJZmNkXXABklO-76h0ERr-T~68pr9GpJuDLwTSk7GZLhz~aQkvcfIEmRK0RAjJYs2C8fGxwM1W-CWeXyOhEtIf-8AE5wExiNlSkDu9L7JnMsM45GWA28mqGcncXRO1x53BloEd2fRnyVDXkgQ3uR7n2YEm3z8UgKZcxWQ6TgOSjuam7LmhRAUU1UsN9rK-aTq7UJj1iMzvSRNZkcjFhEMymFhf59LE0~Q5Sm0QATYFpcxOLyXUEIT8KCZw2hM0CqA7Av-d4zzTRgedeMOhWW3i27YtB-J-jXsvmTWrn7wKajHIIZPPFnS4SoMBlBXTMfvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted unanimously on July 1 to continue consideration of a professional services agreement with Fire Recovery USA for inspection and permit billing services, asking staff to return with procurement details and alternatives.

The item was continued after several council members raised procurement concerns and asked staff to verify whether the city should conduct its own competitive solicitation rather than piggyback on another city’s contract. Council member Jen Gutierrez requested language in any agreement to protect the city from liability and to ensure renegotiation if the city adds additional ambulance or inspection services.

Council member Gutierrez and others said the city should give local vendors a fair chance through an RFP process unless a formal exemption applies. “I would like to see an actual RFP be done,” Gutierrez said. The city attorney and purchasing staff told the council the current proposal relied on a piggyback procurement from another city and that purchasing had validated the exemption for the current item; council members asked staff to confirm the underlying contract term and whether month-to-month coverage is possible during transition.

Councilman Oli Cantos moved to continue the item to allow staff time to gather the requested information; Councilwoman Diaz seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Acting Chief Brown and the city manager said staff will provide details about contract timelines, termination provisions, and options to bring parts of the service in-house if warranted.","Council continued discussion on a proposed contract for inspection and permit billing (Fire Recovery USA) and directed staff to gather procurement details and alternatives, including RFP options and month-to-month terms.",{"_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},6520683,"Council OKs design agreement for Azusa Avenue pedestrian and signal improvements",265,5733000,5998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf&start=5733&end=5998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf/thumbnail_5733000.jpg","/articles/6520683/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-OKs-design-agreement-for-Azusa-Avenue-pedestrian-and-signal-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520683-fd8bb821ecd76d8f394804ba4755276c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190559&Signature=N0r4JzaYWYzEaSFzh3poNT8xThFt-XqmaW2MiDzl4AeuZxR05YaZRKDplxNhCcotrF-JGg4fxyKPdQskkqpzOz7w9yTI9ZzabBzsLsnt5Sb72m-JyOJmAaaubCfv16w8ebPX4ZKhL~5NuXA7Rwm6aQ~FFJDhLJTs6nVdRq-ytrTbq1M9kXqH-Ybf0633BRC6GQheV1-hdpsZDPuBZwBWl5b-gjUXt2jLTvHAglcEzAIkSMEF19H5VuzTYQH7DLrOqjNwPQxVphscHNO8NxQAehjIe0lFel8QlsdJUE85eqDRhqU9pyfMUDHvfvql8~IijaWcx7Q1TQxtGgOeeK5Ssg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted 5-0 on July 1 to approve an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates to provide design and engineering services for the Azusa Avenue pedestrian handicap accessibility and signal synchronization improvement project (Project No. 23008).

Council members said the work is intended to improve crosswalk accessibility and modernize signal timing along Azusa Avenue. Council member Oli Cantos made the motion to approve; Councilwoman Diaz seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Council member Jen Gutierrez urged staff to pursue $7 million in Caltrans funding that she said is currently held for local projects and to meet with Caltrans promptly to clarify the city’s reimbursement percentage. “We need to utilize the money that Congresswoman secured for this community,” Gutierrez said, urging staff to move quickly so the funds are not retracted.

City staff told the council the design contract will allow the city to advance ADA improvements and signal synchronization work to construction-ready designs and that the project will be eligible for state and federal reimbursement programs. The council did not set a construction schedule at the meeting; staff will return with design timelines and funding plan details as the project scope is developed.

The approved agreement covers preliminary engineering and design services; construction-phase services were not part of the item and will require separate authorization and funding decisions.","The council approved a design contract with Kimley-Horn for the Azusa Avenue pedestrian accessibility and signal synchronization project, and members urged staff to pursue $7 million in Caltrans funding held for the city.",{"_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},6520686,"West Covina approves ambulance-billing contract with Whitman Enterprises",377,5863000,6240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf&start=5863&end=6240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131527-9446abe43c24c489cc6d734a518ff7cf/thumbnail_5863000.jpg","/articles/6520686/West-Covina/Los-Angeles-County/California/West-Covina-approves-ambulance-billing-contract-with-Whitman-Enterprises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520686-f94af22a809289ab6d763e9bb021193f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190559&Signature=SpNBxZx-T6Ohw3YodD8IX8r5mLHyy5rVrBXaKF1j75EssqkLMrvDn5KtMT3Pn2hRjCpH2wdQJQZSWQm3-OhDA-AAgpVPct1gp1F0408cnvaRl3Kr773bKIXMh36sltMZJjTtOvSI9a81GdziMblXbaCi53CgZbCHgPxrfuLA1JN4XMCSONPS9qGfGKrFCNJ41pf-~DOXOuK~BfFBm6I3xs7aTJUnFvYZdvZUh1Cm6vOWJ3xA-BPhHBo5Euf19RBES~esjhEYtnzeEcK4WZrC5C4-TblvDACcJQonf2AwAVRg4LLUCbruqU1Vwf9Ux8WctDmGVxJHCqT5i-GsXTPonw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Covina City Council voted 5-0 on July 1 to approve a professional services agreement with Whitman Enterprises LLC for ambulance billing services.

The contract, presented by staff and the fire department, updates the city’s billing arrangement and reduces the company’s collection fee from 3.9% to 3.75%, a change staff said will modestly increase net revenue from ambulance transports. Acting Fire Chief Brown told the council Whitman has provided ambulance-billing services to the city since 2005.

The vote followed brief questions from council members about whether additional city-owned ambulances would be covered by the agreement. Acting Chief Brown said ambulances added to the city’s fleet would be incorporated under the same billing arrangement. The acting city manager and city attorney also confirmed the council could seek contract amendments later if the city grows its ambulance program.

Council member Jen Gutierrez moved approval; Councilwoman Diaz seconded. The vote was Cantos — yes; Diaz — yes; Gutierrez — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Lopez Viado — yes; Mayor Wu — yes.

City staff said the contract is intended to make the city’s ambulance billing more efficient while preserving flexibility to expand local ambulance operations and renegotiate billing terms if call volume increases. The council did not set an effective date during the meeting; staff will return final contract documents for the city clerk’s file and implementation by the finance and fire departments.

The city manager said staff will bring back any future proposed amendments to adjust collection rates if the city’s transport volume or ambulance staffing changes.","The City Council approved a five-year agreement with Whitman Enterprises LLC for ambulance billing services, reducing the collection fee and preserving revenue for potential local ambulance expansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press West Covina leaders on homeless encampments, graffiti and police staffing

West Covina honors students, retirees and local businesses; proclaims July "Parks Make Life Better Month"

Council delays vote on inspection and permit-billing contract after questions about procurement

Council OKs design agreement for Azusa Avenue pedestrian and signal improvements

West Covina approves ambulance-billing contract with Whitman Enterprises