City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - 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
Closed Session was cancelled.
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
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 for:
A. 5926 Sheila St., Commerce, CA 90040 (APN: 6334-025-911) B. 6364 Zindell Street, Commerce, CA (APN: 6357-018-900 and 6357-019-904) and 7316 East Gage Ave. (APN: 6357-018-005).
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mendoza called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. via teleconferencing.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 5 -
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
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1. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Villarreal provided an update for the last two weeks. According to Commander Mejia, additional enforcement team will be assisting the City of Commerce on extra patrol issues. Neighborhood Watch meeting is pending and postponed to sometime in February.
2. Commendation Honoring Captain Richard Mejia of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for his Dedicated Service to the City of Commerce Mayor Mendoza and Council Members recognized Captain Mejia for his dedicated service to the City of Commerce and congratulated him on his promotion.
Commander Mejia thanked the City Council for the recognition.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the comment submitted by Juan Munoz regarding bus route changes.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
3. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 11A, & 11B
4. Approval of Minutes
5. General Municipal Election - Resolutions Calling and Giving Notice of the June 7, 2022, General Municipal Election, Requesting Board of Supervisors to Render Specified Services and Candidate Statement Requirements
6. Agreement with Geosyntec Consultants for Stormwater Compliance Activities
7. Resolution of the Successor Agency to Subordinate the Regulatory Agreement, Deed of Trust and Promissory Note for the Property Located at 5812 Bartmus Street in the City of Commerce
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8. Letter of Support for the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Light Rail Corridor Project from Los Angeles Union Station to Pioneer Station in Artesia
9. Status Update to the City Council on the Future Transportation and Public Works Facility Project and Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing Separate Projects
SCHEDULED MATTERS
10. Commerce in Motion Update
Peter Soderberg, the Senior Associate from Nelson Nygaard, provided a PowerPoint presentation. Commerce in Motion means comprehensive evaluation of all transit services operated by the City of Commerce. The project started in summer 2020 and was implemented in fall 2021. There were extensive engagement activities and outreach conducted before approval and implementation. Top priorities were identified, including improving frequency, more weekend services, bus stops amenities, and adding more routes to other regional destinations.
According to Councilmember Altamirano, new changes impacted many residents, and there was more walking involved than the estimated five minutes, which created inconvenience to many residents. Councilmember Altamirano added that there are no sidewalks on Ferguson, and that area is not pedestrian-friendly.
Director of Transportation McFerguson explained that they average 10,000 riders per month, and with the changes, ridership increased by 2,000. Staff will continue evaluating, analyzing, and recruiting for vacant positions of bus operators, and staff will conduct another public outreach by July 1, 2022.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo asked to address the concerns about the Bandini area, and that area does not have proximity to transportation. Director McFerguson stated that the school ridership is low; therefore, staff will reevaluate these changes. Mayor Pro Tem recommended that Dial-A-Ride is more personable, and the feature should allow closer drop off or in another location.
Councilmember Soria agreed that they need to conduct a comprehensive analysis to succeed and develop more and identify areas where is an opportunity for adjustments. Councilmember Soria suggested establishing micro-transit options for Ferguson, to which Director of Transportation McFerguson stated that there are City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 2/17/2022
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not enough drivers to cover all those additional routes.
A recommendation was to deliver flyers to all residents and conduct extensive outreach efforts when conducting a second survey/outreach.
Mayor Mendoza stated that a pilot program, surveying residents, identifying issues, and coming up with a solution should have been done before implementing the program. Mayor Mendoza asked that the Dial-A-Ride program be offered seven days a week versus five days.
Director of Transportation McFerguson stated that staff would conduct an evaluation and return to the City Councils with the plan.
There were no action taken on this item. it was informational only.
11. Clean California Local Grant Program Application
Director of Public Works Hernandez provided an overview of the staff report and the proposed improvements throughout the City utilizing grant funds if awarded.
Discussion took place about adding murals at the freeway underpass on columns adding illuminating paths in city parks along the walkways. Mayor Mendoza suggested that the lighter paint is used in tunnels, which would make it look much better.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution authorizing staff to apply for the Clean California Local Grant Program for up to $5,000,000 for various improvements throughout the City. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
12. First Amendment to the Service Agreement between the City of Commerce and Mr. C’s Towing of South Gate, Inc.
This item was heard after item #10. City Manager Cisneros provided an overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution approving the First Amendment to the Service Agreement between the City of Commerce and Mr. C’s Towing of South Gate, Inc. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
13. Committee and Commission Appointments
Mayor Mendoza appointed Jesus Cervantes to Measure AA Advisory Committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo appointed Mark Jimenez to Pageant Steering Committee.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Argumedo wished Happy Birthday to his mom.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo reminded the community that the City has two testing centers.
Mayor Mendoza reported that he attended green/renewable energy event on January 7, 2022. Mayor Mendoza talked about legitimate testing centers.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. in memory of Anthony Lupercio.
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