CITY OF BELL GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022, 5:00 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 May 9, 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 5:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Present: Marco Barcena,Council Member
Alejandra Cortez,Council Member
Lisseth Flores,Council Member
Jorgel Chavez, Mayor Pro Tern
Maria Pulido, Mayor
Absent: None
COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
(Three minutes per person)
There were no public comments.
CLOSED SESSION (Items No. 1)
City Attorney/Legal Counsel Rick Olivarez announced the Closed Session item. The City Council recessed into closed session at 5:07 p.m. to discuss the item listed on the agenda.
The City Council reconvened to open session at 6:05 p.m., City Attorney Rick Olivarez announced the Closed Session report during the May 9, 2022 Successor Agency closed session meeting.
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—Mayor Maria Pulido adjourned the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
W'
Daisy Gomez
City Clerk
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CITY OF BELL GARDENS
6 CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022, 6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
0r
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, The Council Members of the City of Bell Gardens City Council held a regular meeting on May 9, 2022, via teleconference in the Council Chambers, 7100 Garfield Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA with Mayor Maria Pulido presiding.
Mayor Pro 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
Alejandra Cortez,Council Member
Lisseth Flores,Council Member
Jorgel Chavez, Mayor Pro Tem
Maria Pulido, Mayor
Absent: None
PRESENTATIONS
CALHOME GRANT OWNER-OCCUPIED REHABILITATION CHECK
PRESENTATION
Community Development Director Gus Romo introduced the presentation. Grant Consultant Omar Hernandez and his assistant, Cinthia Iniguez, made the $75,000 presentation to residents Luz D. Vasquez and Richard Vasquez. Luz Vasquez thanked the Council.
PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
Community Development Director Gus Roma stated Roberto Solorio from Boy's Burgers is accepting the proclamation on behalf of all small businesses. Mayor Maria Pulido presented the proclamation to Roberto Solorio.
PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK - MAY 15TH - MAY 21 ST
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Public Works Director Grissel Chavez reported that 15-20 Public Works employees are also on the teleconference and accepted the proclamation on their behalf. She thanked the City Council for spotlighting the department and its hard-working team. 0 BUILDING SAFETY MONTH PROCLAMATION
Community Development Director Gus Romo introduced the proclamation to the Building and Planning staff. Building Supervisor George Suarez and Business License Clerk/Building Permit Technician Emilia Sakez thanked the City Council for the proclamation.
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK MAY 11TH - 17TH AND PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY - MAY 15, 2022
Bell Gardens Police Department (BGPD) Chief Scoff Fairfield thanked the City Council for the proclamation and the support they provide to the Police Department.
PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF SKILLED NURSING DAY - MAY 12, 2022
Mayor Maria Pulido noted how critical the work of skilled nurses was during the pandemic and reported the proclamation applies to all subdisciplines of skilled nursing. 0 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Councilwoman Lisseth Flores read and presented the proclamation. * OLDER AMERICAN MONTH PROCLAMATION
City Manager Michael O'Kelly stated this proclamation recognizes the many contributions to the Bell Gardens community made by older Americans.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were no public comments.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Michael O'Kelly provided general community announcements.
CONSENT CALENDAR (item Nos. 1-6)
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Jorgel Chavez, seconded by Councilwoman Lisseth Flores to approve Item Nos. 1-6 of the Consent Calendar.
The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote:
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Minutes of May 9, 2022
AYES: Barcena, Chavez, Cortez, Flores, Pulido
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
At 7:08 p.m., Mayor Maria Pulido recessed the meeting. The meeting resumed at 7:31 p.m.
1. 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 read by title if a majority of the legislative body supports the motion to waive the full reading.
Recommendation:
It is staff 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.
2. 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 04/07/22, 04/12/22, 04/19/22 and 04/20/22.
3. APPROVAL OF REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR SHELTER BEDS
WITHIN THE SALVATION ARMY BELL SHELTER
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Reimbursement Agreement for shelter beds within the Salvation Army Bell Shelter with the cities of Bell, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon, collectively referred to as the Local Coordinating Alliance I (LCA1) at an estimated cost of $63,000 for a term beginning March 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2023.
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Closedio Regular City Counciltin
Minutesf
It is staffs recommendation that the CityCouncil:
in form the Reimbursementr i i
the Salvation 1 Shelter, withunderstanding that the finalt length and the final cost willin a finalagreement to reflect the actual parties that will be participatingin the program and subject to the final form r the CityAttorney i r" The actual start date of the pilotis dependent on the executioni partiesAgreement by the to the pilotprogram i ii f shelter beds in the Salvation
Department of Publici r homeless shelters; and
2. Appropriate r imately $16,000 in Generalin the FY 2021-2022 Budget.
4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A 30-DAY RESOLUTION
REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF TELECONFERIENCED MEETINGS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND OTHER CITY BODIES UNDER THE MODIFIED RULES
SET FORTH UNDER
VERNMENT CODE SECTION gjaL3&
AB 361 was I to law on September 16, 2021, and immediately into authorizing rnment bodies continueremotely contingent
on their compliance of the newlyrSection 54953.
complianceIn ith the modified rules set forth under GovernmentSection 54953(e), the City Councilis requested to reconsider t circumstances regarding r vi v resolution f f teleconferenced meetingsity Council and all other city bodieseither
authorization r terminate.
Recommendation
It i st recommendation ti t the CityCouncil adopt or approve Resolution r i i ity conduct public meetingsvirtually for all public bodiesin accordance withthe requirements f AB 361,
which i it reauthorization every (thi ) 30 days.
Resolution
5. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 923 TO ADOPT A MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY ("POLICY") AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 481 eY 68 894
lThe proposed i li i t
("Department")
"e "e in compliancei i (Chi "° °" t address the funding, f ii items deemed
""military i "° by lawmakers. The policye requirements listing inventory of military equipment; outlining a process for publicthe it questions, c cr li in relation f
Closed Session & Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes of May 9, 2022
each type of equipment; providing for the preparation of an annual report subject to City Council review and approval; and establishing a webpage for updates and the posting of annual reports.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion:
1. Waive the Second Reading and adopt Ordinance No. 923 approving the Military Equipment Policy ("Policy") in accordance with state law.
6. APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY PARTNER AGREEMENT WITH KABOOM Community Partner Agreement with Kaboom!, Inc. for construction of a new playground and play features at the Neighborhood Youth Center.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion:
1. It is staffs recommendation that the City Council authorize the City Manager to finalize the terms and conditions of the Agreement with Kaboom!, Inc. subject to approval by City Attorney
DISCUSSION (Item No. 7)
7. APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY PARTNER AGREEMENT WITH KABOOM This agenda report presents the June 30, 2021, audited financial reports to the City Council. The audited financial reports consist of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, The Single Audit and its Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, Compliance and Other Matters Based on the Audit, Report on Communication with Those Charged with Governance, and Independent Accountant's Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures to Appropriation Limit Worksheets. The recommended action for this item is to review, discuss, and file.
Recommendation:
It is staff recommendation that the following reports for the year ended on June 30, 2021, be reviewed, discussed, and filed by the City Council. • Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
® Single Audit Report of Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. • Report on Communication with Those Charged with Governance and; • Independent Accountant's Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to Appropriation Limit Worksheets.
City Manager Michael O'Kelly and Finance introduced this discussion item. He explained how it is required by law to hire a third-party Certified Public Accountant firm that is unaffiliated with the city or any of the employees to perform the audit and other procedures. This is to allow council, stakeholders, residents, and other government agencies that fund the City assurance about the information provided is accurate and in compliance with all applicable accounting standards.
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Finance & Administrative Services Manuel Carrillo introduced Ron Lopez, CPA Audit Partner, from Gruber and Lopez, Inc. who presented a PowerPoint presentation on the audit results for the June 30, 2021, City's annual state-required audit.
They issued an unmodified opinion, noting this is the highest opinion an auditor can issue. There were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls under government auditing standards, and no noncompliance. The City has been the recipient of the Government Finance Officers Association, a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting. The City received the certificate for June 30, 2020, and they submitted it for June 30, 2021, and are waiting for approval.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Lisseth Flores, seconded by Councilwoman Alejandra Cortez to file the reports.
The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote:
AYES: Barcena, Chavez, Cortez, Flores, Pulido
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS UNDER THE SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
(Three minutes per person, subject to a total period of 30 minutes) City Clerk Jane Halstead reported that 17 written comments were received.
Stephanie Nava Angeles, representing Water Education for Latino Leaders, reported the organization will be holding a conference from June 10-11 at the Water Replenishment District (WRD) Albert Robles Center in the City of Pico Rivera and encouraged all to attend.
City Manager Michael O'Kelly reported the 17 written comments are all related to rent control and tenant rights.
City Attorney Rick Olivarez reported copies of the comments have been provided to the entire Council. He added historically staff has read the names of written commenters and indicated their position on an issue as opposed to reading the entire comment.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Jorgel! Chavez, seconded by Council Member Marco Barcena to read all written comments.
The motion failed 2-3 with the following vote:
AYES: Barcena; Chavez
NOES: Cortez, Cortez; Pulido
ABSENT: None
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ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Maria Pulido, assured the public that all written comments are read by Council and taken into consideration when making decisions.
City Manager Michael O'Kelly reported all 17 written comments are in support of rent control.
1. Edgar G. Valadez 7. Araceli 13. Maria
2.M*f X Jessica Chavez 8. Victor 14. Bertha —9. Ramon
3. Alfredo
4. Sara Be—rrelleza 10. Maria Ruiz 16. Cristian
15. Jose Arana 11. Christopher 17. Victorina Lopez
6. Sandra 12. Kenia
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
The City Council made general comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Maria Pulido, adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Daisy Go Z
City Clerk
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