CITY OF BELL GARDENS
MINUTES
Special City Council Meeting
Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 6:30 PM
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 http ww bel arc en sorg/LLwant tc1Ea ch-city_chqnciQ-m eetinu.
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 C IyCierk )eskAbell ;arciens,org no later than 72 -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 for non -agenda items will be limited to a total of 30 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 wilt 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 5:04 pm.
BY TELEPHONE: Phone Number: (669)900-9128 Webinar ID: 813 3236 43434 Passcode: 20214 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 :r ' �. : i and entering the Zoom Meeting ID: 81.3 3236 434'3 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 COM ENTS: Public comments may be emailed to Prib w Co entiLi1 1 rrdens.org 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.
CALL TO ORDER
The Council Members of the City of Bell Gardens City Council held a Special Meeting on July 16, 2025, in Bell Gardens City Hall, 7100 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201 with Mayor Jorgel Chavez presiding. Mayor Jorgel Chavez called the special meeting to order at 6:46 p.m.
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
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
During this time, the members of the public may address the City Council Page2of7
Members regarding any items listed on the agenda. Public comments are limitedto 3 minutes per person.
Mario Beltran spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Cassandra spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Maria Padilla spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Gabriela Gomez spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Guadalupe Moreno spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Mayra Castaneda spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Leonal Del Carmen spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
DISCUSSION
4.1 r miderata rt ofa Resdiutton RegiArding,Bnforcement dies BaBe r rdens Bysthe a L :States Immtzr i
RECOM I : 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
\ tv beflgarc.ler1swor Ornmir Nation Staff will send a copy of this Resolution to all elected members of Congress whose jurisdiction includes the City of Bell Gardens.
FISCAL I PACT: Costs associated with City action regarding
immigration enforcement and community resources are
utilized through the existing approved budget.
ATTACH E TS:
it i cc tution No. 2025-6z
City Manager Michael B. O'Kelly provided a presentation.
Mayor Jorgel Chavez reopened the public comment period for agenda items.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Esther Escamilla spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Aimee Pineda spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Carlos Barrer° spoke regarding Item Nos. 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
Mayor Jorgel Chavez closed the public comment period for agenda items.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon
Sanchez, seconded by Councilwoman Isabel Guillen to adopt Resolution No. 2025-64.
The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez
Seconded by: Isabel Guillen
Yes
Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La
Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel
Guillen
Carried 5-Q
4.2 cm i LL c r © clmcntto e
Platform
cHde Support tor It Re
RECOM ENDATION: 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 Pl
Exhibit -2025 'Le
Li e Piatfor n
City Manager Michael B. ©'Kelly provided a presentation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Marco Barcena,
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Miguel De La Rosa to amend the City's legislative platform to include support for immigration reform.
The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Marco Barcena
Seconded by: Miguel De La Rosa
Yes
4.3 e
Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La
Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel
Guillen
Carried 5-Q
of Subtitles n s Fr i we r Act
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 l ° h PACT: Costs associated with City action regarding immigration enforcement and community resources are
utilized through the existing approved budget.
ATTACHENTS:
None.
City Manager Michael B. O'Kelly provided a presentation.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon
Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Miguel De La Rosa to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The motion carried 5-0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Jorgel Chavez
Seconded by: Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez
Yes
Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La
Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel
Guillen
Carried 5 -
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jorgel Chavez adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Daisy Gomez City