City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - 5:00 PM
CONCURRENT JOINT MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COMMERCE, JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY AND THE GOVERNING BODY
OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMERCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION
5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mendoza called meeting to order at 5:16 p.m. via teleconferencing.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 3 -
Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano
Absent: 2 -
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items on Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:17 p.m
1. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8, the City Council will confer with its real property negotiator, Edgar Cisneros, with respect to real estate negotiations regarding properties located at:
A. 6364 Zindell Street, Commerce, CA (APN: 6357-018-900 and 6357-019-904) and 7316 E. Gage Ave. (APN: 6357-018-005).
B. 2143 S. Atlantic St., Commerce, CA 90040 (APN: 5244-014-904).
2. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Matters.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: ZVI (aka) Harry Ryzman and Betty Ryzman, as Trustees of the Ryzman Family v the City of Commerce, acting in a separate limited capacity elected to serve as the Successor Agency to the Commerce Community Development Commission et al. - Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 1/18/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes December 7, 2021
Angeles, Case No. 19STCP02821.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:15 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
Assistant City Attorney Copado reported on Closed Session items:
Item #1 and #3 were not discussed.
Item #2 - first matter. Briefing was provided to the City Council, direction was provided and no reportable action was taken on this item.
Item #2 - second matter. Briefing was provided to the City Council and no reportable action was taken on this item.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mendoza called meeting to order at 6:28 p.m. via teleconferencing
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Soria
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Villareal provided an update for two weeks.
2. Commendation Honoring Lori Argumedo and Lili Trujillo for Their Advocacy, Volunteering and Bringing Awareness to Illegal Speed Racing Mayor Mendoza read commendations recognizing Lili Trujillo and Lori Argumedo.
Councilmember Argumedo thanked both recipients for the work that they did.
Lili Trujillo and Lori Argumedo thanked City Council for the recognition. Lili and Lori spoke about awareness they provide, programs that were developed. There is a scholarship program for low-income students to go through driving school. Lori Argumedo spoke about a possible partnership with the City. Sergeant Villareal provided an overview of the measures to prevent speed racing in the City of City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 1/18/2022
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Commerce.
3. Certificate of Recognition for Valerie Alves for the Generous Donation for City’s Library in Memory of her Mother Ramona A. Gonzales City Council and the Mayor recognized Valerie Alves for her generous donation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alyssa Mendez, Transportation Analyst, announced improvements for the upcoming bus routes.
Director of Administrative Services Shumway read a Letter from Annelle Grajeda thanking the City for naming a street after her mother, Valentina Bassett.
Director of Administrative Services Shumway read letters Irma Osuna, Scarlett Carcamo, Fabiola , Erika Burgos, Victoria, Jessica Staine Felipe and Reuna Torres, Laura Jimenez, Jesus Huacuja, Lizette PereZ, , Bertha Marure, Romelia Cruz, Leanne Moreno, Gabriel MartineZ in support of Coach Gabriel.
Andrea, Bera Naranjo, Chris, Gary Singer, Hector, Irma Gorrocino, Janelle, Julissa, Marcos Aguirre, Ofelia Torres, Alexys Puche, Erika Aguirre, Star, Nadine, Velascez, Adrian, Sky Flores, Amparo Salorzano spoke in support of Coach Gabriel.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Soria
4. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 9A, & 9B
5. Approval of Minutes
6. Re-Ratifying the Proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Newsom, and Re-Authorizing Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Legislative Bodies of the City of Commerce for the 30-Day Period
7. Declaration of Results of November 2, 2021, Special Municipal Election City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 1/18/2022
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8. Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Transportation Maintenance Facility Project
9. Approval of Final Tract Map No. 82891 for the Property Located at 5625 Jillson Street, Commerce (Rosewood Village)
10. Professional Services Agreements with Climate Resolve and TreePeople for Assistance in Executing the Sustainable Transportation Equity Program (Step) Grant
11. Purchase of One (1) F-450 Stencil Truck
12. Purchase of Two Generators and One Rental Generator from Herc Rentals
13. 2022 Youth Sports Travel Tournament Schedule and Expenditures
14. Modifications to Certain Part-Time Classifications due to Changes in State of California Minimum Wage Hourly Rates -Letter of Agreement with CCEA
SCHEDULED MATTERS
15. Report on Citadel Black Friday Weekend Sales Event
Director of Public Works Hernandez provided an overview of the staff report. Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo asked to do an in-depth traffic study of the two intersections, including Mixmaster. Further discussion took place. Councilmember Mayor Mendoza thanked staff for implementing recent traffic mitigation measures.
There were no complaints received regarding traffic using residential streets.
Mayor Mendoza recommended implementing a turn to use Washington Street instead of utilizing Mixmaster as most congestion happens there.
16. General Fund Operating Budget Update for 1st Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Finance Director Brooks provided an overview. Director Brooks demonstrated the revenues fluctuation during the year and a half due to the pandemic. According to Director Brooks, the revenue projection was $62, 450,000 and the surplus was estimated at six million. The City plans to repay reserves that were used during the pandemic, fund OPEB trust fund, and leave $600,000 for the mid-year. The City Council approved adding more parks programs, and with that, it would leave about half a million for the mid-year.
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Discussion took place. Councilmembers and the Mayor talked about being conservative, repaying over time reserves. Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo asked that the flyer be mailed to the residents explaining the financial situation.
Assistant City Manager Domic added that staff would initiate the public outreach program for the budget and finances. Assistant City Manager Domic also added that the City would be looking into funding for the Transportation facility, Public Works Facility, and Veteran's Park.
17. City’s First-Time Homebuyer Program 2.0
Director of Economic Development and Planning Jimenez provided an overview of the proposed program.
Councilmembers agreed on keeping the number at $150,000. Mayor Mendoza added that maybe the staff could reach out to the developer and lock down the sale prices for the condos.
Director Jimenez recommended opening eligibility components to anyone carrying a mortgage and a note, not just low-income residents. The total number of residents is limited to six for the entire project. Following discussion, it was a consensus among the City Council to follow CDBG low-income applicants only.
Mayor Mendoza spoke about other funding for low-income residents from Los Angeles County.
Further discussion took place to possibly award the amount for bringing applicants to meet downpayment requirements and not award the entire $150,000, which would allow leveraging funds to more applicants.
It was a consensus among the City Council to award funds to first-time buyers only and increase residency requirements to ten years. If there are not enough applicants, reduce the residency requirement to five years as proposed.
In response to Mayor Mendoza on how funds would be tracked and payment enforced, City Manager Cisneros stated that covenants would be recorded with the County and tied to the property. There was a consensus among the City Council that applicants would need to come up with at least a 3% down payment.
City Council agreed to have a have 5 point plan and come back if needed at a later date if there are not enough applicants to include point 6 on the First-time Homebuyer program as proposed by staff.
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Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution approving the implementation of the First-Time Homebuyer Program 2.0 Guidelines Including a random drawing system to select qualified applicants. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Soria
ORDINANCES
18. Adoption and Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council Adding Chapter 6.12 (Organic Waste Disposal Reduction) to Title 6 (Health and Sanitation) of the Commerce Municipal Code in Compliance with Senate Bill 1383
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo, to adopt an Ordinance, adding Chapter 6.12 (“Organic Waste Disposal Reduction”) to Title 6 (Health and Sanitation) of the Commerce Municipal Code in compliance with SB 1383. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the title of an Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Soria
19. Adoption and Second Reading of an Ordinance Approving Development Agreement Between the City of Commerce and Green Leaf 26 Corporation to Allow for Commercial Cannabis Activity at 6400 Fleet Street Director of Economic Development and Planning Jimenez provided an overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt an Ordinance approving and adopting Development Agreement with Green Leaf 26 Corporation (CCP Application 18-006) to allow for commercial cannabis activity at 6400 Fleet Street; and making determination finding the Development Agreement is exempt from further CEQA review. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk read the title of an Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Soria
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20. Adoption and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Repeal Ordinance No. 723 to Revoke Development Agreement No. 723 Between MCR Groups, Inc. and the City of Commerce
Director of Economic Development and Planning Jimenez provided an overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt an Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 723 thereby revoking Development Agreement No. 723 between MCR Group, Inc. and the City of Commerce. As the facts outlined in the analysis section of this report demonstrate, the City has provided multiple opportunities to the operator, MCR Group, Inc. to comply with their contractual obligations as outlined in Development Agreement No. 723. To date, MCR Group, Inc. has failed to pay $181,000 worth of Commercial Cannabis Program related fees.
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the titel of an ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Soria
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Argumedo and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo thanked the community for voicing their concerns about Coach Gabriel.
On November 19, 2021, Mayor Mendoza reported that he attended County Mayor's meeting. Mayor Mendoza announced the community vaccination rate is at 97.3%.
On November 20, 2021, Mayor Mendoza participated in Supervisor Hilda Solis's turkey giveaway. Mayor Mendoza invited residents to the upcoming Neighborhood Watch meeting in the Village at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Mendoza reported that he attended the ICSC conference in Las Vegas.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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