CITY OF BELL GARDENS
MINUTES
City Council / Successor Agency to the Community Development Commission Joint Meeting
Monday, February 23, 2026, 6:00 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 ,. .k_ ' "V‘P,',1 gardcnsmor w. .. m� c,o ru ti s.
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 participation 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 Gtyl �� sLt e 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 participation are limited to three (3) minutes. Public participation for non -agenda items will be limited to a total of 30 minutes. Public participation can be made by any of the following ways:
IN -PERSON: Members of the public can provide in -person participation 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 participation 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 5:00 pm.
BY TELEPHONE: Phone Number: (669)900-9128 Webinar ID: 813 32364343# 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 I entering the Zoom Meeting ID: 813 3236 4343 Passcode: 2021 and
Public participation 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. Participation will not be accepted in the QandA Chat function of the zoom app.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Public participation may be emailed to 'k Cominen I :l aw i 5.;��ttg 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 Bel! Gardens City Council/Successor Agency held a Joint Regular meeting on February 23, 2026, in the Counci! Chambers, 7100 Garfield Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA with Mayor Miguel De La Rosa presiding. Mayor Miguel De La Rosa called the joint meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.
INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Minister Daniel Anguiano.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief Paul Camacho.
4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL ME BERS / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEMBERS
Marco Barcena, Councilmember / Agency Member
Jorge! Chavez, Councilmember / Agency Member
Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, Councilwoman / Agency Member Isabel Guillen, Mayor Pro Tem / Vice Chair
Miguel De La Rosa, Mayor/ Chair
Councilmember Marco Barcena joined the meeting at 6:21 p.m.
S. PRESENTATION
5.1 Certificate of Recognition - Lulu Gonzalez & Olga Garcia Mayor Miguel De La Rosa read the certificate of recognition and presented it to Lulu Gonzalez and Olga Garcia.
5.2 Certificate of Recognition
Mayor Pro Tem Isabel Guillen read the certificate of recognition.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
6.1 on and vl� y Reggio fie arin a
pn y a i Canet � i s l �ordcipa(Election
to Pr e rte ,as with a Ballot Measure to increase thmm
City's ronsac inr .._and Use Tax along Bath i e `...Eleatic)n:mm Related A t drri_ FlitettReadlrig AP. imam elated
rr : r r e Codifying he Prop ed Increase ect to
fort A1pot rr
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-20: (i) Declaring a fiscal emergency within the meaning of Article XIIIC, §2 of the California Constitution; (ii) Calling and giving notice of a
June 2, 2026 Special Election, for the submission of a
Ballot Measure to Bell Gardens voters increasing the
City's 1%© Transactions and Use Tax rate to 1.25%; (iii) Requesting consolidation of said Special Election with
the County -Administered Election of the same date; (iv) Requesting that the Los Angeles County Registrar-
Recorder/County Clerk provide Specific Election
Administration Services; and (v) Setting priorities for filing written arguments and rebuttals regarding the
Ballot Measure and directing preparation of an
impartial analysis; and
2. Subject to adoption by the electorate, give first reading to Ordinance No. 964 to increase the City of Bell
Gardens' existing transactions and use tax rate from
3/4% to 1% and making such other administrative
amendments and updates requested by the California
Department of Tax and Fee Administration; and
3. Discuss and take action regarding the preparation of ballot arguments; and
4. Take such additional, related, action that may be
desirable.
ATTACH E TS:
Mayor Miguel De La Rosa opened the public hearing at 6:23 p. m.
Manuel Carrillo, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, provided a presentation.
PUBLIC CO MMENT
City Clerk Daisy Gomez announced that no written or comments were received and no public comments were provided.
Mayor Miguel De La Rosa closed the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Marco Barcena,
seconded by Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez to adopt Resolution No. 2026-20; introduce first reading to
Ordinance No. 964; request to designate Measure letters BG, AA and AB; delegation of Councilmember Jorge! Chavez and
Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez to draft an
argument in favor of ballot measure and bring back to the Council at the next meeting for Council approval as authors.
The motion carried 5 - 0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Marco Barcena
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 5-0
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS UNDER THE SUBJECT
MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY During this time, the members of the public may address the City Council / Successor Agency regarding any items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council / Successor Agency. Public participation are limited to 3 minutes per person subject to an overall 30 -minute period for non -agenda items. Government Code Section 54590 prohibits the City Council / Successor Agency from taking action or engaging in discussion on a specific item unless it appears on the agenda.
City Clerk Daisy Gomez announced that there was no written comment received.
8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
During this time, the members of the public may address the City Council / Agency Members regarding any items listed on the agenda. Public participation are limited to 3 minutes per person.
City Clerk Daisy Gomez announced that there was no written comment received.
COMMITTEE
Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez provided an update on the California Cities for Self -Reliance Joint Powers Authority.
10. CITY MANAGER'S REP I RT
City Manager Michael B. O'Kelly provided a brief report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the City Council / Successor Agency request specific items to be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Items called for separate discussion will be heard as the next order of business.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Dr, Francis De Leon Sanchez, seconded by CouncilmemberJorgel Chavez to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 11.1 -11.10.
The motion carried 5 - 0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez
Seconded by: Jorgel Chavez
Yes:
Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La
Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel
Guillen
Carried
11.1 Pr _ it jor Waive M._arld.
Only Porisaipplital C ripip
5odei
RECD► MM NDATI©N: To approve ordinances by title only.
CONCLUSION: Allowing ordinances to be read by title only,
RECO E
according to California State Law, will expedite the conduct of business at Council Meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact.
11.2 RECO MEN©ATIO : It is staff's recommendation that the City Council approve the minutes of the February 9, 2026, Closed Session and City Council/Successor Agency Joint
Meetings.
ATTAC
Trani:
RECO E ©ATIO
City Council receive and file the warrant registers, wire transfers, and net payrolls dated 01/20/26, 01/22/2026, 01/27/2026 and 02/03/2026.
1 Sessions
o r
ATTACH ENTS:
staff's recommendation that the
11.4 Treasurer Re e: January 2026
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council receive, approve, and file the January 2026 Treasurer's Report.
ATTACHMENTS:
mats
11.5 sidera on0foR of tion rosin
2 Profession Services.._A
rdon2 god BPR
defied Bw i d ngn' aspect
and
rr0.0
DATION: It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a First Amendment to a Professional Services Agreement by and between the City of Bell Gardens and BPR Consulting Group, LLC., for as -needed building inspection and plan check services.
ATTAC :
el
11.6 1 n of a Resoluti A oa
tergency
LC atl ti eand Outtitti:
atEgRaula ny i. mmi tRigaiRLYE s d Vehicle
11.7 REC© M NATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving a Contract Services Agreement with Black & White Emergency Vehicles, LLC for the purchase and installation of emergency equipment in an amount not to exceed $28,002.82.
ATTACH ENTS:
Exhib
e m
Carried
rovingan Academy'
:thetCounty dig Lo
REC©MM NDATI©N: It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council approve the attached Resolution reaffirming an Academy Recruit Training Agreement with the County of Los Angeles.
ATTACH :
11.8 Co ssioas do t ode,
sole atidAgreemen
aterl
a iy t ° Rit
;.at t::pg a Steens °toExtract 2,060 Acre -Feet of
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving a Water Right License and. Agreement with Liberty Utilities (Park Water) Corp. ("Liberty") granting a license to extract 2,000 acre-feet of the City's unused groundwater pumping
allocation rights for fiscal year 2025-2026, for a total amount of $100,000.
ATTACHMENTS:
len
hose
11.9 Approval t f Plans an Specific s an ifh mob
Solicit s for th iv Seal Improve Zones aid
OP No
RECO MENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Slurry Seal Improvement Zones 1 and 2 (CIP No. 3941);
2. Authorize staff to solicit competitive bids and publish the Notice Inviting Sealed Bids (NISB); and
3. Find that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant
to Guidelines Section 15301(c).
ATTACHME TS:
i�if i r f i E Ir � i� a �t It i
tee 'i 2
11,10 Reftectie ids Received for 1 rd Pork f° a gr o. p and Restirdom Improvements(RIP (O92E) and Apt creel
Plans Specification
RECOM TI : It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council:
1. Approve the rejection of all bids received on January 27, 2026;
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the Ford Park Playground and Restroom Improvements Project (CIP
No. 3926);
3. Authorize staff to re -advertise and publish the Notice Inviting Sealed Bids (NISB); and
4. Find that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant
to Guidelines Section 15301 (c).
ATTACH ENTS
12. DISCUSSION
12.1 sio g
RECOMM . NDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council review the Commissions Appointments List and by motion, remove commissioners and/or make
appointments to the posted vacancies.
ATTACH :
Councilmember Marco Barcena nominated Gabriela Gomez to fill his vacancy in the Planning Commission.
A motion was made by Mayor Miguel De La Rosa, seconded by Councilwoman Dr, Francis De Leon Sanchez to appoint Gabriela Gomez to fill the vacancy in the Planning Commission.
The motion carried 5 - 0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Miguel De La Rosa
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 5-0
12,2 Bell Gs ° p s : red ard Sa r ga pdate
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the
City Council receive and file the Bell Gardens Art and Yard Sate
Program Update report.
ATTACHMENTS: None
Elizabeth Nava, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, provided a presentation.
A motion was made by Mayor Miguel De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Marco Barcena to receive and file the Bell Gardens Art and Yard Sale Program Update report.
The motion carried 5 - 0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Miguel De La Rosa
Seconded by: Marco Barcena
Yes:
12.3 FiLKalRECOM
Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La
Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel
Guillen
Carried;
2025-2026 L Yea B _dam 9t Revise
ENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive, discuss, and file the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 mid- year budget report; and
2. Approve the following additional appropriations for
Fiscal Rear 2025-2026: General Fund (110) $50,000,
Prop A (280) & Prop C (281) $58,000, General Fund CIP
(115), Measure W (287), TDA Article 3 (340) $413,520; Air Quality Improvement (282) $50,000 and Gas Tax (210)
$30,000.
ATTACHMENTS:
'esrn at o:
Manuel Carrillo, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, provided a presentation.
A motion was made by CouncilmemberJorgel Chavez,
seconded by Mayor Miguel De La Rosa to approve staff
recommendation.
The motion carried 5 - 0 with the following vote:
Moved by: Jorgel Chavez
Seconded by: Miguel De La Rosa
Yes:
Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La
Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel
Guillen
CITY COUNCIL / SUCC SSOR AGE CY EMBER COMMENTS
Members of the Council and Successor Agency made community announcements and comments.
14. ADJOURN ENT
Mayor Miguel De La Rosa adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.
Carried 5-0
Daisy Gomez City Cl