CITY OF BELL GARDENS
U1 ,
CITY COUNCIL
dip
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022, 6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
LOCATION: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 7100 GARFIELD AVENUE, BELL PursuantCALL TO ORDER
to Assembly Bill 361, The Council Members of the City of Bell Gardensi Council held a regular ti , 2022, via teleconferencein the Council Chambers, 7100 GarfieldI Gardens, CA with Mayor Mariai r i i n Mayor Pro Mariali lled the meeting to ordert 6:24 p.m. announcement of Conflict ity Council Members wereto recuse themselves by turning off their video where a conflictexist.
Present:ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Marco Barcena,Council Member(Council r)
Alejandra Cortez,Councilr (Council )
Lisseth Flores, it Member(Council
Jorgel Chavez, Mayor Pro Tem (Council r)
Maria li r it
Absent: None
CouncilwomanPRESENTATION
0 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING LGBTO+
i tFlores proclamation I the month
prideJune 2022 as LGBTQ+ i Council.
Councilwoman i th Flores statedI Gardens is home to the only Youth Resource Center in all Southeast Los Angeles. Bell Gardens Servicesall of SELA which included t 9 Bell, Bell Gardens, Vernon, Commerce, and any surrounding communities I trResource
Center is hostedi liAlliance (LEA) at Bell Gardens Veteransrtwice a month r individuals 14-24. This resource center offers a free She also encouragedv r the meetingto jointhe upcomingpride cleanupsLatino i li in Bellp .
commentsPUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
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Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes of May 23, 2022
At 6:32 p.m., Mayor Maria Pulido recessed the meeting due to an English audio transmission problem. The meeting reconvened at 6:45 p.m.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Michael O'Kelly announced the upcoming Pet Vaccination Clinic and Memorial Day Ceremony at Bell Gardens Veterans Park as well as the closure of City Hall in observance of Memorial Day. He stated that the in-person public participation for the LA County Board of Supervisors meetings are still closed and that staff will continue to monitor them since they align with City Council Chamber Meetings. He also stated that staff is monitoring the uptake in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County for any possible changes to City activities.
CONSENT CALENDAR (items No. 1-10)
Staff recommended to pull Item no. 3, Approval of Minutes of the April 11, 2022 City Council Closed Session and Regular Meeting from the consent calendar and table it for the next City Council meeting to review the specificity of the minutes regarding rent control item and to make any necessary adjustments.
City Manager Michael O'Kelly stated that Council Member Jorge Chavez had a question regarding the motion that was made regarding rent control, specifically it states that there was a motion for a rent control ordinance that doesn't provide the specifics of the ordinance which included the request to include a rent freeze which is an urgency item.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Lisseth Flores, seconded by Councilwoman Alejandra Cortez to approve Items No. 1-10 on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Pro Tern Jorgel Chavez voted to approve all the items on the consent calendar except for item no. 3.
Item No. 1-2 and 4-10 was approved 4-1 with the following vote:
AYES: Councilwoman Cortez, Councilwoman Flores; Mayor Pro Tern Chavez; Mayor Pulido
NOES: Council Member Barcena
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item No. 3 was approved 3-2 with the following vote:
AYES: Councilwoman Cortez, Councilwoman Flores; Mayor Pulido NOES: Council Member Barcena; Mayor Pro Tern Chavez
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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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 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.
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 04/21/22, 04/26/22 and 05/03/22.
3. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 11 2022 CITY COUNCIL CLOSED
SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
April 11, 2022 - Closed Session and Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council approve the attached minutes.
4. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF BELL GARDEN'S
ACCEPTANCE OF FIDUCIARY MANAGEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE LOS
ANGELES REGIONAL CRIMINAL INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE FOR
EQUITABLE SHARING PROGRAM FUNDS
To approve the City of Bell Gardens to oversee the fiduciary oversight of the Los Angeles Regional Criminal Information Clearinghouse (LA CLEAR) Equitable Sharing Program Funds.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving the City of Bell Gardens' acceptance of fiduciary management on behalf of Los Angeles Regional 3of12
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Criminal Information Clearinghouse (LA CLEAR) for Equitable Sharing Program Funds.
2. Approve the attached fiduciary agreement with LA CLEAR.
5. RESOLUTION ADOPTING PROJECT LIST FOR SB1 FUNDING Senate Bill 1, Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 addresses transportation funding shortfalls statewide. SB1 increases the per gallon fuel excise taxes; increases diesel fuel sales taxes and vehicle registration fees; and provides for inflationary adjustments to tax rates in future years. SB1 established a Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) in the State Transportation Fund. Beginning in January 2018, the State Controller deposited funds generated from increased fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees in the RMRA. A portion of the RMRA funds are distributed on a monthly basis to the City for basic road maintenance, rehabilitation and critical safety projects on local streets and road systems. It is estimated that the City will receive $962,687 RMRA funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023. In order for the City to receive said RMRA funding, City Council must adopt the attached resolution and submit the list of proposed street repairs before the deadline of July 1, 2022.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 project list for Senate Bill 1 (SB1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017; and
2. Authorize staff to upload the Resolution with the list of streets to the California Transportation Commission (CTC)website.
6. ACCEPTANCE OF CONSTRUCTON CONTRACT FOR SLURRY SEAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ZONE 3 AND 4A CIP #3910
At the November 8, 2021, City Council meeting, staff requested authorization from the City Council to advertise and bid the Slurry Seal Improvement Project and the Notice Inviting Bids was published. The public bid opening was held on November 24, 2021 and on December 13, 2021 the City awarded the construction contract to Doug Martin Contracting. The scope of work consisted of furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, labor, and incidentals as required by the plans, specifications, and contract documents to slurry seal the roadway and signing and striping on various street segments. On February 24, 2022 the project was completed and the Project Inspector conducted their final inspection and determined that the project was completed satisfactorily. Therefore, staff is respectively requesting that the City Council accept the construction contract of the Slurry Seal Improvement Zone 3 & 4A as complete; and authorize the staff to file the Notice of Completion.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion;
1. Accept the construction contract for the Slurry Seal Improvement Zone 3 & 4A as complete, and;
2. Authorize staff to file the Notice of Completion.
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7. APPROVAL OF LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR UNUSED WATER PUMPING RIGHTS
Since 1991, the City has owned a potable water system that currently has 1,649 connections serving the northerly portion of the City with the main source of supply being its only operating well. This year the City anticipates having approximately 1,700 acre feet of unused right available to lease. On April 4, 2022 staff solicited the leasing of water rights to pumpers in the Central Basin Groundwater Basin. The City received two proposals. Staff is recommending that City Council award the lease agreements to City of Whittier and Simmons Survivor Trust and authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease Agreements for an added revenue of$55,280 for the City's Water fund.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion;
1. Adopt the attached Resolution; and
2. Award a Lease Agreement to lease 500 acre-feet of Central Basin Groundwater Annual Pumping Rights (with flex), to City of Whittier at the rate of $100 per acre foot for the total of $50,000 for fiscal year 2021- 2022; and
3. Award a Lease Agreement to lease 33 acre-feet of Central Basin Groundwater Annual Pumping Rights (with flex), to Simmons Survivor Trust at the rate of $160 per acre foot for the total of$5,280 for fiscal year 2021-2022; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease Agreements with City of Whittier and Simmons Trust, and direct staff to file a copy of the lease with the Central Basin Watermaster.
8. 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 JE
J
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 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. 5 of 12
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9. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING RESOLUTION NO. 2020-21 WHICH DECLARED A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE PUBLIC THREAT CAUSED BY CORONAVIRUS L COVI -1
--Q-1-91-
On March 17, 2020, the City of Bell Gardens City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-21 declaring a local emergency due to COVID-19 as authorized by Government Code Section 8630 and Title 2 (Administration and Personnel), Chapter 2.34 (Disaster Council), Section 2.34.030 (Created — Membership) of the Bell Gardens Municipal Code ("Code"). Government Code Section 8630(c) states that a City Council "shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the governing body terminates the local emergency." The conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property continue due to COVI D-1 9 in the City of Bell Gardens.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council approve the attached Resolution reaffirming the declared local emergency due to the public threat caused by coronavirus (COVID-19).
10. ADOPT UPDATED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR CALHOME 2020 GRANT
Although CalHome funding has already been secured, the State Department of Housing and Community Development has requested modifications to the previously adopted resolution approving the submission of the CalHome application to HCD. This is considered a formality to match the program's administrative changes.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing the submission of an application to HCD for funding under the CalHome Program; authorize the new changes in this resolution to match the program's administrative changes; authorize the City Manager as the executor to the Standard Agreement with HCD and any amendments thereto; and authorize the City Manager to execute and file any related documents necessary to participate in the CalHome Program.
DISCUSSION (item No. 11-12)
11. CITYWIDE BANNER PROGRAM
Consideration of expanding the City's Banner Program to incorporate recognizing various groups of individuals.
Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council provide direction to staff on expanding the city's banner program by permitting staff to develop an application process and move forward with the program with the following format:
Use the 51 poles to hang 102 banners and rotate the banners that will be hung throughout the year to allow for all groups to be recognized.
1. Senior High School Banners — work with the Education Commission to review applications and select the banner recipients
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2. Veterans Banners — work withi i i review applications i i t
Active3. — work withCommission to review
applications I t banner recipients.
o These can be rig banners that don't recognize specific individuals is a general banner for support of the LGTBQ+ community. riPride
City Manager Michaell introduced the item,
Recreationity Services DirectorElizabeth v Power Point presentation.
Counci i tri it interest
i contributing to the City'sire for the highr the City can collaboratei a She requested future program included r and asked if the hight the top 10 withoutstudents i
Councilwomanisseth Flores expressed her excitement and concurred withreaching out to the district for assistance to offset the cost.
MariaMayor lido and Council Member Jorgel Chavez commented on expediting implementation
statedStaff t the LGPTQ+ banner can be put up in June.
Councilr Marco Barcenai r the Bell Gardens top 10 high school students and asked if Councilcelebrating I Gardens immigrants the diversityi I
motionv z, seconded by Councilwoman
Lisseth Floresc i .
motionThe rried 5-0 with the following
Council r Barcena, i z, Councilwoman Flores; Mayor Pro Tern Chavez; Mayor Pulido
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FY 23 CITY WIDE SPECIAL EVENTS AND
APPROVAL OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION SHOW
AGREEMENT
Approvalith TLC Creative for FY23 IndependenceMulti-
media review v Citywide i .
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Recommendation:
It is staffs recommendation that the City Council by motion:
1. Approve the list of recommended citywide special events for the 2022- 2023 Fiscal Year and;
2. Approve an agreement with TLC Creative in the amount of$25,000 for the Independence Day Multi-Media show.
City Manager Michael O'Kelly Introduced this item.
Recreation & Community Services Director Elizabeth Nava gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Councilwoman Alejandra Cortez requested the September 15th event to be moved to September 16th instead. She also inquired about the programs at the smaller events and asked if the list of smaller events will also be presented to Council.
Council Member Marco Barcena commended staff for combining events to conserve money and cover a wider range of events/themes. He also requested an art theme to be incorporated into the 5k event.
Councilwoman Alejandra Cortez suggested to incorporate an art contest for the t-shirt design of the 5K event and to possibly incorporate an art walk into the event.
Councilwoman Lisseth Flores expressed her support for an art competition and recommended showcasing the art from the local artist at the event. She also recommended inviting the artist from the South East Los Angeles Arts Cultural Center to the 5k event.
Mayor Maria Pulido requested clarification on the total cost of the Independence Day event.
Recreation & Community Services Director Elizabeth Nava clarified that the total cost for the Independence Day events is approximately $40,000, in which $25,000 of that is for the multimedia show.
City Manager Michael O'Kelly confirmed that staff's recommendation is to approve an agreement for$25,000 for the Independence Day Multi-Media show.
Mayor Pro Tern Jorgel Chavez asked if the City will continue to offer the monthly food distribution and the supper program.
Recreation & Community Services Director Elizabeth Nava confirmed that the City will continue to offer the monthly food distribution and the supper program. She also stated that the City submitted a grant to the County to add another food distribution program specifically for adult that can be setup at any site that the Council prefer. She stated that she would continue to provide updates as she hears information on the program.
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A motion was made by Council Member Marco Barcena, seconded by Jorgel Chavez to approve staffs recommendation.
The motion is carried 5-0 with the following vote.
AYES: Council Member Barcena, Councilwoman Cortez, Councilwoman Flores; Mayor Pro Tem Chavez; Mayor 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) Veronica Cisneros, a Bell Gardens resident inquired on the action that is being done to address the homelessness crisis.
Cassandra Veloz expressed her gratitude for the upcoming city events. She asked Council to focus on the mental health of the community and requested funds to be allocated for rental assistance and legal assistance to tenants facing eviction.
• Estela Mata, a 23 year resident of Bell Gardens expressed her support for rent control and commented on the impacts of rising rent.
• Silvia Vedras, a 28 years resident of Bell Gardens expressed her excitement for the upcoming events and commented on the registration fees for sports and programs as well as the financial hardship caused by rent increases. • Jessa McCormack, Senior Manager for Housing at the Liberty Health Foundation assist organizations across the County fighting to prevent homelessness. She urged Council to agenize and then pass a permanent rent stabilization as soon as possible to protect vulnerable tenants in Bell Gardens from unnecessary eviction and displacement.
• Mayra Rodriguez, a 25 year resident of Bell Gardens expressed her excitement and gratitude for the upcoming projects as well as her appreciation for Council's consideration of the community. She asked the City Council to consider rent control and commented on the hardship impacted by the frequent rent increases and addressed her comments to those that are unfair with the rent increases. • Maria Martinez resident of Bell Gardens expressed her support for rent control and the hardship impacted by the frequent rent increases. 9of12
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0 Written comments were submitted in support of rent control from the individuals listed below:
1 Grisela Reyes 5 Tomas Flores 9 Alfoso Toro 13 Ramon Margarita
2 Carla Kiroz 6 Ana Pardo _. 10 Carlos Gonzalez 14 Torres 3 Dilenia Alonzo 7 Rosa Domin uez 11 Hector Diaz 4 Mario a Es ain 8 Laura Pined a 12 Fabiala C.
Council Member Marco Barcena made a motion to read the comments.
The motion died 2-3 with the following vote.
AYES: Council Member Barcena; Mayor Pro Tem Chavez
NOES: Councilwoman Cortez, Councilwoman Flores; Mayor Pulido ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilwoman Lisseth Flores made a motion to read only one written comment because they are all the same.
Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Vasquez recommended to continue to read the names of those in support or against rent control or to read each written comment that was submitted.
Councilwoman Lisseth Flores commented on treating all written comments the same as prior written comments that were submitted. A new motion was made by Councilwoman Lisseth Flores.
Councilwoman Lisseth Flores made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Alejandra Cortez to continue as they have under the advice of the legal counsel to continue to read the names of those in support or against rent control as they have done in the past.
Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Vasquez clarified that the public participation section has 30 minutes allocated for public comments. The City prioritized callers to speak first since there were so many written comments. She confirmed that all the written comments are on the record and are reviewed by the City Council. She confirmed that written comment holds the same weight as a verbal comment.
The motion is carried 3-0-2 with the following vote.
AYES: Councilwoman Cortez, Councilwoman Flores; Mayor Pulido NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Council Member Barcena; Mayor Pro Tern Chavez 10 of 12
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COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Marco Barcena thanked the residents that attended the meeting. He commented on the written comments that were not read and stated that these comments that were submitted are for the community. He underlined the importance of reading the comments for rent control. He encouraged the residents to continue to provide their comments and that he stated he would continue to advocate for written comments to be read out loud. He thanked staff for their work and thank the City Council for supporting the wonderful programs in the community that were approved.
Councilwoman Alejandra Cortez commented on moving forward with a legal aid clinic in which a nonprofit or law school would provide legal services to the community specific to tenants and the immigration workshops. She also asked if staff could repair or replace the Florence Ave. electronic screen in front of El Picante. She also asked if the City can continue to provide the City catalogs for the community.
Councilwoman Lisseth Flores commented in response to some of the comments that were made during public comments. She stated that the City is working with the County for a point of contact for homelessness and provided information on the city's partnership with the Salvation Army Bell Shelter for shelter beds specifically for Bell Gardens individuals. She stated the Community Family Service Center offers resources for food, permanent housing, and mental health services. She also explained that the City is prohibited from providing gifts of public funds. She encouraged residents to apply for the CalHome Grant Program for first-time homebuyer and housing rehabilitation assistance. She expressed her support for rent control and explained why the written comments were not read out*loud during public comment. Councilwoman Lisseth Flores requested information regarding the City's financial assistance program for sports activities.
Recreation & Community Services Director Elizabeth Nava explained that the City of Bell Gardens offers an activity scholarship subsidy program which is approved on a case by case bases to assist with the cost of registration for sports activities.
Mayor Pro Tern Jorgel Chavez thanked Mayor Maria Pulido for the meeting. He was pleased to hear the public comments from Veronica Cisneros and Cassandra Veloz that commented on the issues of homelessness and mental health. He inquired on resources for immediate emergency shelter services. He asked if the Los Angeles Housing Services Authority can provide a presentation on the services available for homelessness at the next Council Meeting. He sated the Community Family Services Center provides assistance for mental health as well as various clinics around the city. He stated the Spirtt Family Services and the Latino Equality of Alliance provide services at the Community Family Service Center throughout the month. He also inquired if the City has collaborated with the Family Health Care Center of Greater Los Angeles for additional resources. He stated the Board of Supervisor recently approved a $532 million Homeless Spending Plan in which $20 million would go directly to local jurisdictions to prevent and address homelessness. He said Gilbert Saldate, Homeless Program Manager at Gateway Cities Council of Governments is overseeing the program and will be reaching out to the City on how to apply for this 11 of 12
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funding opportunity. He also inquired on a possible telephone number providing access to local community services such as resources for homelessness. He expressed his excitement for the upcoming farmer's market. He also mentioned his recent involvement in collecting signatures for speed humps on Quinn St. and stated he received a few request for assistance on collecting signatures for speed humps on Gotham St. between Gilliland St. and Park Ln., Gotham St. on Bell Gardens and Eastern Ave. as well as Marlow St. between Loveland St. and Lubec St. He commented on his involvement in Sacramento regarding the importance of the water policy and potential restrictions. He attended the National Public Works week hosted by Athens. He thanked Athens for the Annual Curbside clean up. He Invited the Council to attend the Well conference in Pico Rivera hosted by Water Education for Latino Leaders on June loth and 1lth and announced his recent graduated from Well.
He also encouraged everyone to attend Coffee with the cops on Thursday, 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
Mayor Maria Pulido encouraged Mayor Pro Tem Jorgel Chavez to educate the residents on the pros and cons to speed humps when collecting signature. She thanked everyone for their reports and feedback. She expressed her excitements on the upcoming events and expressed her excitement for the Independence Day laser show. She also wished Councilwoman Lisseth Flores an early Happy Birthday.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Maria Pulido adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:22 p.m.
J_ ne Halstead
ty Clerk
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