MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR JOINT MEETING OF THE
Bell City Council/Bell Community Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the BeII Community Redevelopment Agency/Bell Public Finance Authority May 12, 2025
5:00 P.M. Closed Session
7:00 P.M. Regular Meeting
Location: Bell Community Center, 6250 Pine Avenue, BeII CA 90201
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN -PERSON AT THE BELL COMMUNITY CENTER PUBLIC COMMENT: If you wish to make a comment on items listed on the agenda, you may attend the meeting in -person at BeII Community Center. Please complete a Request to Speak Card available in the location and wait until the mayor calls you to approach the podium. Please clearly state your name and address and proceed to make your comments.
You may also submit input electronically through a temporary public comment email established for City of Bell City Council meetings at cityclerk(cityofbell_.orq. Your written comment must be submitted by 4pm on Monday, May 12, 2025. 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).
The meeting will be recorded and live streamed on the City's website at http://www.cityofbell.orgi?NavID=101 Mayor Saleh called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m.
Roll Call of the City Council in their capacities as Councilmembers/Members of all Related Agencies: Councilmembers Flores, Quintana, Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo, and Mayor Saleh PRESENT: Councilmembers Quintana*, Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo and Mayor Saleh ABSENT: Councilmember Flores
*Councilmember Quintana arrived at 5:20 p.m.
Staff Present: City Manager Michael L. Antwine, City Attorney Dave Aleshire, Assistant to the City Manager Javier Ochiqui, and Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Gina Skibar.
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 Saleh closed the public comment.
Mayor Saleh recessed the meeting to closed session at 5:20 p.m.
Closed Session
The City Council and the related Authorities and Agencies will recess to closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding the following matters:
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
May 12. 2025
a. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8)
Property: 6400 Atlantic Avenue, Bell CA 90201
Agency negotiators: Michael L. Antwine II (City Manager), and Dave Aleshire (City Attorney) Negotiating parties: To be Determined
b. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code Section 54957 (b)) Title: City Manager
c. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code Section 54957 (b)) Title: Chief of Police
Reconvene Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting
Mayor Saleh reconvened the meeting to open session at 7:13 p.m.
RoII CaII of the City Council in their capacities as CouncilmemberslMembers of all Related Agencies: Councilmembers Flores, Quintana, Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo, and Mayor Saleh
PRESENT: Councilrnember Quintana, Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo and Mayor Saleh.
ABSENT: Councilmember Flores
Staff Present: City Manager Michael L. Antwine, Chief of Police Carlos Islas, City Engineer Rey Alfonso, Interim Public Works Director John Oskoui, Interim Community Development Director Guillermo Arreola, Assistant to the City Manager Javier Ochiqui, Finance Director Rickey Manbahal, Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Gina Skibar, Community Services Director Janine Andrade, Community Services Deputy Director Rebbeca Silva -Barron, City Clerk Angela Bustamante, and Assistant City Clerk Marisa Craft.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sebastian Villasenor, Bell High School Student City Attorney Report
Mayor Saleh reported out the following: Item A) was discussed; no reportable action. Item B) was discussed; no reportable action. Item C) was discussed'; no reportable action.
Presentations and Recognitions
a. Proclamation declaring May 18-24 as Public Works Week Mayor Saleh read the proclamation. Interim Public Works Director John Oskoui spoke.
b. Proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month Mayor Saleh read the proclamation.
c. Proclamation declaring May 11 — 17 as National Police Week Mayor Saleh read the proclamation. Captain Jiminez spoke. d. Proclamation Honoring Bell High School's 100 -Year Anniversary Mayor Saleh read the proclamation and presented it to Bell High School Representatives who spoke and invited the council and staff to the centennial celebration on Saturday, May 31s`.
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
May 12, 2025
e. Proclamation Recognizing Bell High School Soccer Team for Participating in the CIF SoCal Boys Championship Division III Tournament
Mayor Saleh read the proclamation and presented it to the Bell High School Soccer team.
Councilmember Quintana, Vice -Mayor Arroyo and Councilmember Romero spoke. f. 11th Annual Bell 5K & 1K and Open Streets Sponsor Recognition Janine Adrade introduced Alvin Tumala, Community Service Recreation Supervisor, who presented recognitions to the following sponsors: Aleshire and Wynder, Nationwide Environmental Services, Infinity Technologies, Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco's office, Downey Federal Credit Union, Republic Services, Wildan Engineering, Northgate Markets, Transtech Engineers, Cemex, and Christian Vasquez.
Communications from the Public
This is the time members of the public addressed the City Council and related Authorities and Agencies on items that are on the agenda and non -agenda items that are under the subject matter jurisdiction of City Council and/or its related authorities and agencies: Antonio Robles, Christian Vasquez, Lidia Hernandez, Adriana Escobar, Lorena Rodriguez, and Ofelia Medina (email).
Mayor Saleh asked City Manager Michael L. Antwine to respond to comments made.
City Manager Michael L. Antwine responded to concerns raised by residents during public comments regarding conditions at the BeII Mobile Home Parks. He addressed concerns regarding inspections, landscaping, the restroorm's availability, and pool maintenance. He noted that the city spends over $600,000 a year to maintain both mobile home parks. He also clarified a resident's reference to a $17,000 fee allegedly received by the City, stating that this information is incorrect — the City has not received such a fee. He informed the community that his office will work to schedule town meetings at the mobile home parks to engage directly with the community.
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.
Vice -Mayor Arroyo 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.
City Manager Michael L. Antwine thanked all the organizations and partners who assisted with the 5K. He thanked the Community Service, Public Works, Engineering, and the Police Department for their work on the 5K. He introduced new interim Community Development Director Guillermo Arreola, who introduced himself.
Business Session
1. Consideration for Approval of Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Holiday Schedule and City Hall Closure. (City Council)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve the Holiday Schedule and Holiday Closure for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
May 12, 2025
Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Gina Skibar provided a report on the item.
It was moved by Councilmember Quintana to approve agenda item no. 1, as recommended.
Motion was seconded by Councilmember Romero which carried with the following roll -call vote:
Roll Call: 40-0-1
AYES: Councilmember Quintana, Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo and Mayor Saleh NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Flores
Motion Passed.
2. FY 25126 Proposed Budget. (City Council)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council perform the following:
1. Review and provide feedback on the proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget; and
2. Set a Public Hearing date of June 11, 2025, for adoption of FY 2025-2026 Budget Councilmember Romero left the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
Councilmember Romero returned to the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Finance Director Rickey Manbahal provided a PowerPoint presentation on the item.
City Manager Michael L. Antwine provided additional information on the item.
Community Service Director Janine Andrade provided information on the item.
Councilmember Quintana requested that the budget format reflect past budget formats. She requested that staff provide information on overtime pay for the police department and community services. She also asked for a special section on BCHA with an analysis of the funds.
Councilmember Quintana left the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
It was moved by Vice -Mayor Arroyo to approve agenda item no. 2, as recommended. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Romero which carried with the following voice vote:
RoII Call: 3-0-0-2
AYES: Councilmembers Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo and Mayor Saleh NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Flores and Quintana
Motion Passed.
Consent Calendar
The following Consent Calendar items are expected to be routine and non -controversial. They Minutes of the Meeting of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
May 12, 2025
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 3 through 5.
It was moved by Vice -Mayor Arroyo to approve agenda items 3-5, as recommended. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Romero which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll Call: 3-0-0-2
AYES: Councilmember Romero, Vice -Mayor Arroyo and Mayor Saleh NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Flores and Quintana
Motion Passed.
3. General Warrants, Successor Agency to the Bell Community Redevelopment Agency and Community Housing Authority Warrants of May 12, 2025. (Council/Successor Agency to the Bell CommunityRedevelopment Agency/Bell Community Housing Authority).
4. Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 23, 2025. (City Council)
5. It is recommended that the City Council schedule a Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. to consider the recording of liens to collect the delinquent rubbish fees against the properties listed on the final report of delinquent accounts. (City Council) Pending Items — None
Next Regular Meeting Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Mayor Saleh adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
I, Angela Bustamante, City Clerk of the City of Bell, certify that the foregoing minutes were approved by the City Council of the City of Bell at a regular eting held on Ma 28, 2025.
Angela Busta ant
Jerk
Ali Saleh, May
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Bell City Council and Related Agencies
May 12, 2025