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Public commenters urge city to pursue a $1M grant and raise concerns about long-term trash contract
Summary
In public comment, a vendor urged the city to apply for a state Prop 64-related grant with an imminent deadline; another resident alleged that the Athens trash contract and campaign contributions have left Covina residents paying higher trash rates, and other speakers promoted community events.
Several public commenters used the council meeting to press the city on grants, contracts and community events.
Jesse Phoenix, representing a public-safety technology firm, said a Board of State and Community Corrections grant tied to cannabis legalization was available for up to $1,000,000 and urged the city to apply before the March 30, 3 p.m. deadline. "There is a grant ... up to $1,000,000 that the city has not submitted for," Phoenix said, and offered vendor assistance. City Manager Drew Sandoval responded that the city is "actively working on a grant application" and that community development and police staff are packaging materials.
Neil Polzin, a local resident, alleged the city's trash contract with Athens (originally executed in 2011 and amended in 2020 and 2022) and associated political spending had led to higher residential rates. Polzin claimed Covina residents pay roughly 50% more for trash service than neighboring unincorporated areas and urged the council to invoke a rate-comparison clause and "put residents first." The transcript records these as allegations made during public comment; no formal response from staff about the contract was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Other commenters included Mario Sivalvaro of the Historical Society of West Covina, who invited the council to a student-led historical reenactment at the Covina Women's Club, and a resident who raised concerns about housing density and asked for clarification on vehicle front-license-plate enforcement.
The council did not take direct action on the Athens contract or license-plate question during the meeting; both matters remain in the public-comment record for potential follow-up.
