Minutes — Bell Gardens City Council, January 24, 2022

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CITY OF BELL GARDENS

CITY COUNCIL

CLOSED SESSION MEETING
ONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022, 6:00 P.M.

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, The Council Members of the City of Bell Gardens City Council held a Closed Session meeting on January 24, 2022, via teleconference in the Council Chambers, 7100 Garfield Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA with Mayor Maria Pulido presiding. Mayor Maria Pulido called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m.

ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Present: Marco Barcena,Council Member(Remote)
Alejandra Cortez,Council Member
Lisseth Flores,Council Member
Jorgel Chavez, Mayor Pro Tern
Maria Pulido, Mayor

Absent: None

COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
No public comments.

CLOSED SESSION (Item No. 1)
City Attorney Rick Olivarez announced the item on the Closed Session City Council agenda. The City Council recessed into closed session at 5:14 p.m. to discuss the item listed on the agenda.

The City Council reconvened to open session at 6:05 p.m.

With respect to the item on the City Council Closed Session agenda, the City Council received a briefing from outside legal counsel, direction was given with no reportable action.

1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 D 1 - EXISTING LITIGATION
City of Bell Gardens, a California Municipality, v. Jennifer Rodriguez, Case No. 20STCV38848.

ADJOURNMENT
The Closed Session meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m.

Daisy Gomez
City Clerk

CITY OF BELL GARDENS
0 10 CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING
ONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022, 6:00 P.M.

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, the Council Members of the City of Bell Gardens City Council held a regular meeting of January 24, 2022, via teleconference in the Council Chambers, 7100 Garfield Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA with Mayor Maria Pulido presiding.

Mayor Maria Pulido called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. and made an announcement of Conflict of Interest. City Council Members were asked to recuse themselves by turning off their video where a conflict does exist.

ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Present: Marco Barcena,Council Member (Remotely)
Alejandra Cortez,Council Member
Lisseth Flores, Council Member
Jorgel Chavez, Mayor Pro Tern
Maria Pulido, Mayor

Absent: None

CLOSED SESSION REPORT
With respect to the item on the January 24, 2022 City Council Closed Session meeting agenda, the City Council received a briefing from outside legal counsel, direction was given with no reportable action.

PRESENTATION

SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PRESENTATION
Maria Teresa Zacarias from El Zarape Michoacano Restaurant was presented a small business grant check for$10,000.

PUBLIC HEARING (Item No. 1)

1. ZONING CODE AMENDMENT NO. 2021-058 -ORDINANCE NO. 921 (FILE NO. 2021-068)
Consideration of Ordinance No. 921 amending the Electronic Billboard standards pursuant to Zoning Code Amendment No. 2021-058.

Recommendation:

It is staff's recommendation, based upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, that the City Council:

1. Conduct the duly noticed public hearing;

Closed Sessionr City Council Meeting
Minutes fi January 24, 2022
Waive2. I reading, t P and introduce i 921 (Exhibit 1) by title: Ordinance No 921 to amend Title Gardensici 9 "Signs", Section
"Electronic Bi i Standards".

3. Direct the proposedi reading
at the February 14, 2022, City CouncilMeeting.

MariaMayor ipublic hearing
City Manager Michael O'Kelly introduced the item.

Director of Communityr i t presentation.

Mayor Maria Pulidoi i i ion at 6:37 p.m.

There were no publict r this item.

MariaMayor ido closed public participation
There were no Council Member comments.

Mayor Maria Pulidolip hearing at 639 p.m.
motion i i e seconded by Councilwoman
Alejandra Cortez to approve the recommendation.
motionThe rried 5-0 with the following
Councilr rc r r Pro Tom Chavez, Mayor Pulido
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mark Lomeli, Senior Manager for Government AffairsRelations the Apartment Association 1 item no. 10 and encouragedthe Cityi initiate r ive education campaignto ensure all resident are awareexisting 1 ordinance and related available programmatic resources and assistance.

State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Senate Districti ri t s in support of the Unionci 1Gardens' and California i r Reproductive Justice proposition rent control t cause ordinancein BellGardens.

Catherinevarez, City of Downey Council Member, submittedwritten i support of rent control,just cause and tenant protection. 3 of 1

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Michelle, Community Organizer with California Latina for Reproductive Justice, submitted written comments in support of the members of Union de Vecinas de Bell Gardens` proposition of rent control, just cause and tenant protections. She also expressed their concerns about the inclusion of Fred Sutton VP of the California Apartment Association as a panelist of the recent workshop on rent control.

Downey Tenants Union submitted written comments in expressing solidarity with tenants' right organizers and support of rent control.

Maria Padilla, resident of Bell Gardens, submitted written comments on high rent and excessive increases in housing cost and urged for Council's support on rent control.

Sylvia Bernal submitted written comments urging Council's support of rent control.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Michael O'Kelly commented on the LA County COVID-19 case rate; COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 vaccines; homeowners assistance through California Mortgage Relief Programs and the commencement of Job CORPS at the Family Community Service Center.

Chief Fairfield provided statistics for the 2020 and 2021 Car versus Pedestrian/Bicyclist accidents within the City of Bell Gardens. He also commented on the Police Department's effort to educate, enforce, and correct negative behaviors on the roadways by pedestrians and drivers.

CONSENT CALENDAR (Item Nos. 2 -9)
City Attorney Rick Olivarez announced that item No. 6 was tabled to the next meeting.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lisseth Flores, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Jorgel Chavez to approve all the items on the Consent Calendar except for Item No. 6.

The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote:

AYES: Council Members Barcena, Cortez, Flores; Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Mayor Pulido
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None

2. GENERAL MOTION TO WAIVE FULL READING AND APPROVE

ORDINANCES BY TITLE ONLY PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 36934
In order to expedite the conduct of business at City Council meetings, California State Law (California Government Code Section 36934) allows Ordinances to be 4of10

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read by title if the majority of the legislative body supports the motion to waive the full reading.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council approve a general motion to waive full reading and approve Ordinances by title only pursuant to California Government Code Section 36934.

3. WARRANT REGISTERS AND WIRE TRANSFERS
In approving the action of receiving and filing the warrant registers, the official minutes of the Bell Gardens City Council should state that each individual member of the City Council is not voting on, influencing the outcome of, or participating in approving, accepting, receiving, or filing any warrant which bears the name of the same council member, or pays for any costs or expenses, or otherwise benefits the same named council member. Each council member will not be participating, influencing, or voting on any such warrant bearing their name or which benefits the same named council member, but with that exception is voting in favor of receiving and filing all other warrants contained in this report, unless otherwise noted on the record at the time of the approval of the action required by this report.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council receive and file the warrant registers, wire transfers, and net payrolls dated 12/16/21, 12/21/21, 12/28/21, 12/30/21 and 01/04/22.

4. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 10, 2022 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR

MEETING
January 10, 2022 - Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council approve the attached minutes.

5. ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RESUBMISSION OF THE CALHOME

GRANT RESOLUTION FOR THE SECOND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
Resolution authorizing the resubmission of the Call-lome 2020 Program funding resolution to HCD to accept the second allocation of$4.55 million.

Recommendation:

It is Staffs recommendation that the City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing the resubmission of the Resolution to HCD for funding under the Call-lome 2020 Program; authorize the changes in this resolution to match the program's administrative changes for the second allocation of the CalHome Program; authorize the City Manager to execute a Standard Agreement with HCD to receive Call-lome Program funding and any amendments thereto; and authorize the City Manager to execute and file any related documents necessary to accept the second allocation of Call-lome 2020 Program funding.

Resolution No. 2022-04 was adopted.
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6. RESOLUTION OPPOSING TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING ON AMERICAN

INDIAN LANDS INITIATIVE RELATED TO SPORTS BETTING AT AMERICAN

INDIAN GAMING CASINOS AND LICENSED RACETRACKS IN CALIFORNIA The proposed initiative would authorize "American Indian" casinos and licensed racetracks the exclusive rights for sports wagering as well as Vegas-style roulette, and dice games. At the same time, the initiative seeks to outlaw lawfully-approved California-style games at California cardrooms such as The Bicycle Hotel & Casino. Further, proceeds from these activities would in part fund enforcement mechanisms against California cardrooms such as The Bicycle Hotel & Casino.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council consider adopting the attached Resolution affirming the City's opposition to "Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative" related to sports betting at American Indian gaming casinos and licensed racetracks in California.

Item No. 6 was tabled to the next meeting.

7. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT FOR AB 1400: CALIFORNIA GUARANTEED

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
Assembly Bill 1400 (AB 1400) would establish the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act and create CalCare, a state-wide comprehensive universal single payer health care cost control system for the benefit of all residents of the State.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of Assembly Bill 1400, which would establish the California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act and create CalCare, a single-payer health insurance program for all California residents that is comprehensive, uniform, equitable and governed by the CalCare board.

Resolution No. 2022-06 was adopted.

8. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CATCH BASIN MAINTENANCE SERVICES The City of Bell Gardens maintains approximately 344 storm drain catch basins that have been retrofitted with screens in order to prevent trash and litter from flowing into the LA River and to comply with the State Regional Water Quality Control Board and their adopted Trash Total Maximum Daily Load. The Gateway Regional Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Power Authority issued the Request for Proposals on behalf of its member cities and based on the bids received, Ron's Maintenance Inc. is the lowest responsible qualified bidder.

Therefore, it is recommended that the City approve a three year contract with Ron's Maintenance Inc. for the maintenance and cleaning of all storm drain catch basin units.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion:

Adopt the attached Resolution approving a three year agreement with Ron's Maintenance Inc. (RMI) for the maintenance and cleaning of all storm drain catch 6of10

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basin units. The City may extend the effective termination date of the contract, thereafter, by mutual agreement of the parties for 2 one-year periods.

Resolution No. 2022-07 was adopted.

9. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A 30-DAY RESOLUTION REGARDING

THE CONDUCT OF TELECONFERENCED MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

AND OTHER CITY BODIES UNDER THE MODIFIED RULES SET FORTH UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953 E
AB 361 was signed in to law on September 16, 2021, and immediately went into effect, authorizing local government bodies continue to meet remotely contingent on their compliance of the newly amended Government Code Section 54953.

In compliance with the modified rules set forth under Government Code Section 54953(e), the City Council is requested to reconsider the circumstances regarding the previously approved 30-day resolution authorizing teleconferenced meetings of the City Council and all other city bodies and either extend the authorization or terminate.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council adopt or approve the attached Resolution permitting the City to conduct public meetings virtually for all public bodies subject to the Brown Act in accordance with the requirements of AB 361, which will require reauthorization every (thirty) 30 days.

Resolution No. 2022-08 was adopted.

DISCUSSION (Item Nos. 10-11)

10. RENT CONTROL UPDATE
Update on Rent Control Ad Hoc Committee Actions
Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council receive and file this update.

City Manager Michael O'Kelly introduced this item.

Director of Community Development Gustavo Roma provided an update on rent control and commented on an upcoming workshop.

City Attorney responded to a question made by Councilwoman Flores and stated that the rent control ordinance can be expedited through an urgency ordinance.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lisseth Flores, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Chavez to receive and file the update.

The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote.
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AYES: Council Members Barcena, Cortez, Flores; Mayor Pro Tern Chavez; Mayor Pulido
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None

11. CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENT TO EXTERNAL COMMITTEES City Council Members serve on various external boards and committees, representing the City of Bell Gardens.This report provides a listing of all the boards and committees and the names of the Council Members that serve on the boards/committees. The Council may make appointment revisions to this list at this time.

Recommendation:

It is staffs recommendation that the City Council make changes, reappointments, or appointments as necessary to the attached matrix of Council Appointments to External Regulatory and Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees.

Mayor Maria Pulido nominated Councilwoman Lisseth Flores as alternate for the California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority.

A motion was made by Mayor Maria Pulido, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Jorgel Chavez to appoint Councilwoman Lisseth Flores as alternate to the California Cities for Self- Reliance Joint Powers Authority.