MINUTES OF THE REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
Bell City Council/Bell Community Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Bell Community Redevelopment Agency/Bell Public Finance Authority February 23, 2022
5:00 P.M. Closed Session
7:00 P.M. Regular Meeting
THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF AB 361 WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE CITY
COUNCIL AND/OR CITY STAFF TO PARTICIPATE VIA TELECONFERENCE On September 16, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 361, which modified the Brown Act to allow for teleconferencing participation at local legislative body public meetings during a proclaimed state of emergency. As urgency legislation, this law took effect immediately. Pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(B), the City Council is holding its February 23, 2022 meeting via teleconference. To ensure the health and safety of the public by limiting human contact that could spread COVID-19, the Bell Community Center will not be open to the public.
The public is encouraged to view the meeting through the City's website at htto:// www.citypfhell.orenNavID=101 PUBLIC COMMENT: if you wish to make a comment you may provide input electronically through a temporary public comment email established for City of Bell City Council meetings citvclerklTcitvofbell,orq. Please indicate in the Subject Line "For Public Comment" and submit your written comment by 4pm on Wednesday. February 23. 2022. Any emails received after the time indicated will not be included in the record. Written Comments will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words).
Public Comment could also be submitted by telephone by calling 1-669-900-9128. To provide a comment on items listed on closed session call.' no later than 5PM, for the regular session of the agenda, please call no later than 7PM. City staff will be using the Zoom audio communication platform for this meeting. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes and will be given the opportunity to speak in the order your phone call is received. After you submit your comment, you will be disconnected but will still have access to view the meeting live on the City's website at htto:llwww cityofbell.orgf?NavID=101 If participating via Zoom or phone, during the Public Comment Period, use the "raise hand" function on your computer or '9 by phone and wait for the Mayor to announce your name/phone number. When you are prompted, please unmute your line.
Join Zoom Meetdna (ONLY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT}
Phone Number: 1-669-900-9128
Meeting ID: 885 8124 3911
Password: 626738
Mayor Romero called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Roll CaII of the City Council in their capacities as Councilmembers/Members of all Related Agencies: Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, Quintana and Romero The following Councilmembers were present via teleconference (Zoom): Arroyo, GalIardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero (4)
Absent: Vice -Mayor Quintana (1)
Also present via teleconference were the following staff members: Acting City Manager Carlos Islas, Assistant City Attorney Christy Lopez, and Human Resources and Risk Manager Sergio Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23, 2022
Ibarra.
Communications from the Public on Closed Session Items
This is the time for members of the public to address the City Council and related Authorities and Agencies only on items that are listed under Closed Session.
Seeing no speakers, Mayor Romero closed the public comment period.
Assistant City Attorney Christy Lopez stated that closed session item a) will not be discussed.
The City Council and the related Authorities and Agencies recessed to closed session at 5:05 p.m. to confer with legal counsel regarding the following matters:
a) Potential Initiation of litigation pursuant Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): Two Cases
b) Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), Terry Dixon vs City of Bell, (WCAB # ADJ10381296, WCAB# ADJ 10381294)
Mayor Romero reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call of the City Council in their capacities as Councilmembers/Members of all Related Agencies: Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, Quintana and Romero The following Councilmembers were present via teleconference (Zoom): Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero (4)
Absent: Vice -Mayor Quintana (1)
Also present via teleconference were the following staff members: Acting City Manager Carlos Islas; assistant City Attorney Christy Lopez; Interim Chief of Police Art Jimenez; Community Development Director Manuel Acosta; Public Works Manager Gabino Luna; City Engineer BiII Pagett; Assistant City Engineer Rey Alfonso; City Manager — Special Projects Consultant Alex Gonzalez; Finance Director Elisa Gratil; Contracts and Facilities Manager Javier Ochiqui; Human Resources and Risk Manager Sergio Ibarra; Community Services Director Allan Perdomo, and City Clerk Angela Bustamante.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Saleh.
City Attorney Report
Assistant City Attorney Christy Lopez reported out the following: Item a) a report was given, no action was taken.
Presentations and Recognitions
Update on City Grants was presented by Community Services Director Allan Perdomo.
Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23. 2022
Communications from the Public
The public was given the opportunity to provide public comment by submitting an email or by telephone. The following members of the public addressed the City Council, Bell Community Housing Authority and the Successor Agency to the Bell Community Redevelopment Agenda on agenda and non -agenda items: Luis Mesa (via zoom), Aldofo Varas (via zoom), Julio Giron Grande (via zoom) and Edwin Gonzalez (via email).
Mayor and City Council Communications
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1234, this is the time and place to provide a brief report on meetings, seminars and conferences attended by the Mayor and City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Arroyo made a comment.
Councilmember Gallardo made a comment.
Councilmember Saleh made a comment.
Mayor Romero made a comment.
City Manager Report
In this portion of the agenda, the City Manager will provide a brief report on items of interest to the City Council and/or the community.
Nothing to report.
Business Session
1. Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR) for fiscal year end date of June 30, 2021. (City Council)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
Acting Finance Director Elisa Gratil provided a brief report on the item and introduced Frances Kuo, rep from The Pun Group.
Ms. Kuo presented a PowerPoint presentation on the item.
A discussion ensued amongst the Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilmember Gallardo to receive and file agenda item no. 1. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Arroyo which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll CaII: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
2. Consideration to approve Amendment No. 1 with Tierra West Advisors for Successor Agency Administrative Services. (City Council)
Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23. 2022
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve Amendment No. 1 with Tierra West Advisors for Successor Agency Administrative Services in the amount of $36, 000 per year from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Contracts and Facilities Manager Javier Ochiqui provided a report on the item.
It was moved by Councilmember Gallardo to approve agenda item no. 2, as recommended.
Motion was seconded by Councilmember Arroyo which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll Call: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
3. Contracts Quarterly Update and Contract Implementation Schedule (City Council) Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
Contracts and Facilities Manager Javier Ochiqui provided a report on the item.
It was moved by Councilmember Arroyo to receive and file agenda item 3. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Gallardo which carried with the following roll call vote:
RoII CaII: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
4. Reimbursement Agreement for Shelter Beds within the Salvation Army Bell Shelter. (City Council)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve in form the Reimbursement Agreement for Shelter Beds within the Salvation Army Bell Shelter, with the understanding that the final term length and the final cost will be updated in a final agreement to reflect the actual start date of the Measure H Innovation Fund pilot program.
The actual start date of the pilot program is dependent on the execution of this Agreement by the parties to the pilot program and the availability of shelter beds in the Salvation Army Bell Shelter based on Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance for homeless shelters.
City Manager — Special Projects Consultant — Alex Gonzalez provided a report on the item.
A discussion ensued amongst the Council and staff.
Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Gallardo to approve agenda item no. 4, as recommended.
Motion was seconded by Councilmember Arroyo which carried with the following roll call vote:
RoII Call: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
5. Social Services Collaborator Agreement with The Salvation Army. (City Council) Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve in form the Social Services Collaborator Agreement between The Salvation Army and the City of Bell, with the understanding that the final term length and the final cost will be updated in a final agreement to reflect the actual start date of the Measure H Innovation Fund pilot program.
The actual start date of the pilot program is dependent on the execution of agreements by the parties to the pilot program and the availability of shelter beds in the Salvation Army Bell Shelter based on Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance for homeless shelters.
City Manager — Special Projects Consultant — Alex Gonzalez provided a report on the item.
A discussion ensued amongst the Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilmember Gallardo to approve agenda item no. 5, as recommended.
Motion was seconded by Councilmember Arroyo which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll Call: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
6. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to begin emergency repairs at 4500 Gage Ave. (City Council)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the City Manager or his designee to execute a contract with ATI Restoration, LLC in the amount of $208,575.10 for the mitigation of fire debris and demolition work in conjunction with insurance claim process; and
2. Read by title only, waive further reading and adopt Resolution 2022-16 titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BELL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE
Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23. 2022
TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH ATI RESTORATION, INC.
FOR THE 4500 GAGE AVE DEMOLITION PROJECT
Community Development Director Manuel Acosta provided a report on the item.
Public Works Manager Gabino Luna provided additional information.
It was moved by Councilmember Saleh to approve agenda item no. 6, as recommended. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Gallardo which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll Call: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
Consent Calendar
The following Consent Calendar items are expected to be routine and non -controversial. They are acted upon by the City Council and related authorities at one time without discussion. The reading of the full text of ordinances and resolutions will be waived unless a Councilmember requests otherwise.
Recommendation: Approve agenda items 7 through 11.
It was moved by Councilmember Gallardo to approve agenda item nos. 7 through 11. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Arroyo which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll Call: 4-0-0-1
AYES: Councilmembers Arroyo, Gallardo, Saleh, and Mayor Romero NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice -Mayor Quintana
Motion Passed.
7. It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the Deed Restriction for the property located at 3700 E. Gage Ave. for the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) Measure A Grant for the Development of Ernest Debs Park Gym Rehabilitation Project. (City Council)
8. Receive and File the Donation Report for the month of January 2022. (City Council)
9. Receive and File the City of Bell and Successor Agency Investment Reports as of January 2022. (City Council/Successor Agency to the Bell Community Redevelopment Agency)
10. General Warrants, Successor Agency to the BeII Community Redevelopment Agency and Community Housing Authority Warrants dated February 23, 2022. (Council/Successor Agency to the Bell Community Redevelopment Agency/Bell Community Housing Authority).
Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23, 2022
11. Minutes for the Regular City Council Meetings of June 23, 2021 and February 9, 2022. (Council/Successor Agency to the Bell Community Redevelopment Agency/Bell Community Housing Authority).
Pending Items — None
Next Regular Meeting, Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Mayor Romero adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. In memory of Julie Gonzalez. 1, Angela Bustamante, City Clerk of the City of Bell, certify that the foregoing minutes were aproved by the City Council of the City of Bell at a regular meeting held on March 9, 2022.
Angela Bustamante
City Clerk
Alicia Romero, Mayor
Minutes of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
February 23, 2622