CITY OF BELL GARDENS
MINUTES
City Council / Successor Agency to the Community Development Commission Joint Meeting
Monday, March 9, 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 stt rs: www,bella.:aardens.o want-to; w ich-cite`-coup rv_ l -r eetings.
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 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 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 bill ° cat � ��� and entering the Zoom Meeting ID: 813 3236 4343 Passcode: 2021
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 , ' �u Orn s,2nts e s 0-.,, 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
The Council Members of the City of Bel! Gardens City Council/Successor Agency held a Joint Regular meeting on March 9, 2026, in the Council Chambers, 7100 Garfield Avenue, Bel! Gardens, CA with Mayor Miguel De La Rosa presiding. Mayor Miguel De La Rosa called the joint meeting to order at 6:27 p.m.
2. INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Minister Daniel Anguiano.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cameron Vargas, Girls Scout Troop # 2543.
4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEMBERS
Marco Barcena, Councilmember / Agency Member
Jorgel 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
5. PRESENTATION
5.1 Certificate of Recognition - Kenia Flores
Mayor Miguel De La Rosa read the certificate of recognition and presented it to Kenia Flores.
5.2 Certificate of Recognition -
Jose Vargas, Commander, requested for a moment of silence and presented a plaque to the City Council.
5.3 Proclamation of March as American Red Cross Awareness Month
Councilmember Jorge! Chavez read the certificate of recognition and presented it to Chris Sanchez, Disaster Preparedness Representative.
5.4 Presentation - Primestor
Arturo Sneider, Chief Executive Officer of Primestor, provided an update.
6. 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.
Edwin Gonzalez spoke in support of the City's recent 5K event and local events.
Abel Uribe spoke regarding the traffic issues.
Mario Dominguez spoke regarding various topics.
7. 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.
John Kelly, Vice President for TNT Fireworks, spoke in support of item No. 11.3 Edwin Gonzalez spoke in opposition to Item No. 11.4.
Mary Guzman spoke in support of Item No. 11.3.
Mario Dominguez, Jr. spoke regarding item Nos. 11.4 and 11.3.
With no objection, Mayor Miguel De La Rosa requested to hear Item Nos. 11.2 and 11.3 prior to Item No. 8.
8. COMMITTEE UPDATES
There were no updates provided.
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Michael B. O'Kelly provided a brief report. 1Q. 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 Mayor Miguel De La Rosa to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 10.1 - 10.10.
The motion carried 4-0-0-1 with the following vote:
Moved by: Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez; seconded by: Miguel De La Rosa Yes: Marco Barcena, Jorgel Chavez, Miguel De La Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel Guillen
Carried 5-0
10.1 General Motion to Waive Full Reading and Approve Ordinances by Title Only Pursuant to California Government Code Section 36934 with Support from the Majority of the Legislative Body.
RECOMMENDATION: To approve ordinances by title only.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
10.2 Ai,yroval Minutes of City Council, Successor. 4enc Joint Meetin':
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council approve the minutes of the February 23, 2026, City Council/Successor Agency Joint Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit I -City Council Successor A ncµ, to the Community C ovelo, ment Commission Joint _Meetin L- Feb 23 2026 Minutes- Html g
10.3 Wan ant Register and Wire
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council receive and file the warrant registers, wire transfers, and net payrolls dated 02/03/2026, 02/05/2026, 02/10/2026 and 02/17/2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
an
10.4 ccessol
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the Successor Agency members receive and file the warrant register dated 02/10/2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
Warrant
10.5 �' t a ��ci pti on eft '",e.��r` e on s i
si" is ski Use Ta
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council, subject
to adoption by the electorate, consider and adopt a perfunctory second reading of Ordinance No. 964 to increase the City of Bell Gardens' existing transactions and use tax rate from 3/4% to 1%.
ATTACHMENTS:
10.6 . ; r i n or 'Ito_ tionAppro
i "i a s; a colt; a i d
App own a a ., r do nt t the Citywide Clasb,t ath ri �w n ant Funded Managernent Anaib st
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-25 to approve the Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant Award/Amendment Number CALH B0821-25 to accept grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-26 approving an amendment to the Citywide Classification and Compensation Plan to authorize one (1) limited term grant funded management analyst position for the Community Development Department.
ATTACHMENTS:
10.7 10.8
P4. 9
men
anti E for the Veterans
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with RRM Design Group.
ATTACHMENTS:
'a °x `i:d e s
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Third Amendment with Bowman Infrastructure Engineers Ltd. ("Bowman"); and
2. Appropriate $53,932 from the General Fund into the FY 25/26 Budget to cover the City Water System -related costs.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit 1- Re ol,
No, 2026-28
Exhibit 2 - Third Amendment to the Agreement U
10.9 f a : t Approvang � rdtl� : :1 _
Pro fesMon Sed° d c vreement with JM Desjgn :w pi -a , to Provide Additi,9114.1..c.c ti.onSery Se' oh ns Ford
d ry i Sgt oom I ro em ntts
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Seventh Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2026-29 Q
Exhibit 2 -Seventh Amendment to Agreement
10.10 comii, Aalt, .dt it It :r. dd
R sttrnt ns Fr tialg i Hilda Avenue t
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the installation of three (3) feet of red curb `no -parking' restrictions fronting 6423 El Selinda Avenue; and
2. Rescind Resolution No. 2026-06
ATTACHMENTS:
fl
11. DISCUSSION
11.1 Local Coddrdis diddd
RECOMMENDATION: 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.
ATTACHMENTS:
There was no action.
11.2 Pion an Appr d i of Writtei: d E : t is iav
Tax Revenues 1„.ocai
RECOMMENDATION: It is the staff's recommendation that the City Council:
1. Review and approve the argument in favor of the Keep Bell Gardens Sales Tax Revenues Local Measure; and
2. File the argument with the City Clerk.
ATTACHMENTS:
This item was heard after Item No. 7 and prior to Item No. 8.
A motion was made by Mayor Miguel De La Rosa, seconded by Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez to approve the argument and file the argument with the City Clerk.
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
11.3 Discussion , Sane Fi m orks
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council take the following action:
1. Receive and file this report and take no further action; or
2. Direct staff to prepare a Safe and Sane Fireworks ordinance for consideration at a future City Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS: w o 33 . j
This item was heard after Item No. 11.2 and prior to Item No. 8.
Manuel Acosta, Director of Community Development, and Alfonzo Hernandez, City Planner, provided a presentation.
Mayor Miguel De La Rosa recessed the meeting at 8:39 p.m. and reconvened at 9:12 p.m.
Councilmember Jorgel Chavez left the meeting at 8:39 p.m. and rejoined the meeting at 9:20 p.m. remotely under the just cause procedures and announced that no one is over the age of 18 present at the remote location.
A motion was made by Mayor Miguel De La Rosa, seconded by Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez to table item until April 13, 2026 discuss with stakeholders such as TNT Fireworks, Phantom Fireworks, and Sheriff Bomb Squad Detective regarding fireworks; information of fireworks sales raised by the city and nonprofits; updated enforcement methods related to illegal fireworks; and for staff to conduct a social media poll for residents to provide input and interests related to fireworks.
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
11.4 : sg i : it'w k Czrr fi at.,a)
RECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City Council receive and file this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Councilmember Jorge! Chavez left the meeting at 9:53 p.m.
Alfonzo Hernandez, City Planner, provided a presentation.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, seconded by Councilmember Marco Barcena to receive and file.
The motion carried 4-0-0-1 with the following vote:
Moved by: Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez; seconded by: Marco Barcena Yes: Marco Barcena, Miguel De La Rosa, Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, and Isabel Guillen Carried 4-0
12. CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEMBER COMMENTS
Members of the Council and Successor Agency made community announcements and comments.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Miguel De La Rosa adjourned the meeting at 10:16 p.m.
Daisy Go ez, City Clrl