CITY OF BELL GARDENS
AGENDA
Special City Council Meeting
Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 6:30 PM
Agenda en Español
LOCATION: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 7100 GARFIELD AVENUE, BELL GARDENS, CA 90201 The meeting will be held at Bell Gardens City Hall in the Council Chambers. The public may attend the meeting in person or virtually as instructed below. You may view the meeting live on the City's website at https://www.bellgardens.org/i-want-to/watch-city-council-meetings .
ACCESSIBILITY: If requested, the agenda and backup materials will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof.
Any person who requires a disability-related modification or accommodation, in order to observe and/or offer public comment may request such reasonable modification, accommodation, aid, or service by contacting the City Clerk's office by telephone at 562-806-7704 or via email to [email protected] no later than 24-hours before the scheduled meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The members of the public may address the City Council on any item listed on the agenda. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes. Public comments can be made by any of the following ways:
IN-PERSON: Members of the public can provide in-person comments at the podium in the Council Chamber. The Council Chambers will have seating available for members of the public to attend the meeting in person, subject to capacity limits. Public comments are limited to (3) minutes per speaker, unless different time is announced by the presiding chair. Speakers who wish to address the City Council should do so by submitting a "Public Comment Card" by 6:30 pm.
BY TELEPHONE: Phone Number: (669)900-9128 Webinar ID: 813 3236 4343# Passcode: 2021# To address the City Council press *9 to raise your hand then *6 to unmute yourself when instructed.
VIRTUALLY LIVE: Members of the public may participate via Zoom by https://zoom.us/join and entering the Zoom Meeting ID: 813 3236 4343 Passcode: 2021
Comments may also be made via the Zoom app by using the "Raise Hand" feature when it is your turn to speak the host will unmute you. Comments will not be accepted in the QandA Chat function of the zoom app.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Public comments may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to: City Clerk's Office, 7100 Garfield Ave., Bell Gardens, CA 90201. To ensure distribution to the members of the City Council prior to consideration of the agenda, please submit comments no later than one (1) hour prior to the meeting. Those comments, as well as any comments received after, will be distributed to the members of the City Council and will be part of the official public record of this meeting.
For more information, you may contact the City Clerk's office during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday at (562) 806-7704.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Marco Barcena, Councilmember
Isabel Guillen, Councilwoman
Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, Councilwoman
Miguel De La Rosa, Mayor Pro Tem
Jorgel Chavez, Mayor
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
During this time, the members of the public may address the City Council Members regarding any items listed on the agenda. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per person.
4. DISCUSSION
4.1 Consideration of a Resolution Regarding Enforcement Activities in Bell Gardens by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution regarding enforcement activities.
CONCLUSION: The City of Bell Gardens will continue to protect residents, monitor federal immigration efforts, and provide outreach, referrals, and assistance to residents with immigration status concerns. The Immigration webpage will continue to offer comprehensive information with links to various resources such as
“Know Your Rights” workshops, red cards, and list of agencies that provide a variety of services. All of this information and more is available at www.bellgardens.org/immigration Staff will send a copy of this Resolution to all elected members of Congress whose jurisdiction includes the City of Bell Gardens.
FISCAL IMPACT: Costs associated with City action regarding immigration enforcement and community resources are utilized through the existing approved budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-64
4.2 Consideration of Amendment to the City's Legislative Platform to Include Support for Immigration Reform
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council discuss and direct staff to amend the City’s legislative platform to include support for immigration reform.
CONCLUSION: The City of Bell Gardens will do everything within its legal authority to continue to protect residents, while continuing to monitor federal immigration efforts and providing outreach, referrals, and assistance to residents with immigration status concerns. The amendment to the 2025 Legislative Platform for the City of Bell Gardens will serve as a critical tool to ensure that the City’s priorities are effectively represented in legislative discussions including immigration reform. The 2025 Legislative Platform will continue to guide advocacy efforts, support strategic policymaking, and enhance communication with elected officials at all levels of government.
FISCAL IMPACT: Costs associated with City action regarding immigration enforcement and community resources are utilized through the existing approved budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit 1 -2025 Legislative Platform
4.3 Consideration of Submission of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request to U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE)
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council discuss and provide direction to staff to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) .
CONCLUSION: If directed by the Bell Gardens City Council, staff will submit a FOIA request with ICE.
FISCAL IMPACT: Costs associated with City action regarding immigration enforcement and community resources are utilized
through the existing approved budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Daisy Gomez, City Clerk
Agenda Posted on July 15, 2025