City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 8, 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
Mayor Mendoza called meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. via teleconferencing.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 5 -
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 5:05 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 with Craig Realty Corporation concerning proposed price and other terms relating thereto, comprised of the former Commerce Community Development Commission-owned real property located along the Telegraph Road Corridor, south of Gaspar Avenue and north of the Commerce Casino [Tubeway Avenue], formerly known as 5809, 5819, 5823, 2901/2903, 5933, 5901, 5959, 6000, 6003 and 6233 Telegraph Road and 2240 Gaspar Avenue; 2311, 2322 and 2366 Travers Avenue, Commerce, California.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: Morley Justman and Catherine Justman, as Trustees of the Justman Family Trust dated February 8, 1991 vs. 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 Angeles, Case No. 20STCP00446.
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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 Angeles, Case No. 19STCP02821.
4. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: Commerce, et al., v. Megdal Commerce, LLC, et al.- Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 21STCV47599.
5. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Matters.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:09 p.m. via teleconferencing.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Items #1, #2, #3, and #4 - Staff made presentation, the City Council provided feedback, and no reportable action was taken on these items.
Item #5 - The City Council discussed only one matter. Staff made presentation, the City Council provided feedback, and no reportable action was taken on this item.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mendoza called regular City Council meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 5 -
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 3/17/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2022
Safety in the City of Commerce
Sgt. Villarreal provided an update for the last two weeks. According to Sergeant Villarreal, Deputies attended two Neighborhood Watch meetings -one in the Village and the other on Jardine and Strong.
Councilmember Altamirano thanked Deputies who apprehended the person trying to set the building on fire on Telegraph and how professionally everyone responded and made an arrest. Councilmember Argumedo also commended Deputies for resent arrest made in murder suspect.
2. Proclamation Designating March 21, 2022 as Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Mayor Mendoza read the proclamation. Social Services Coordinator Garcia showed a video regarding down syndrome, and Susana Cisneros, Special Needs Commissioner, thanked the City Council for celebrating and bringing awareness to down syndrome. Commissioner Cisneros Invited everyone to attend the Walk on Water Surf Therapy event in Ventura on March 26th. Councilmembers, Mayor Pro Tem, and Mayor thanked Ms. Cisneros for all efforts, advocating and being an advocate for creating Social Needs Commission.
3. Transportation Informational Session
Mayor Mendoza spoke about the high volume of phone calls regarding recent changes to transportation routes. There should have placed a pilot program before implementation. According to Mayor Mendoza, while implementing faster routes, buses are driving empty. City Manager Cisneros stated that staff would bring an interim update on the City Council meeting on March 22, 2022.
Director of Transportation McFerguson stated that staff conducted a survey and received 175 surveys. As for Dial-A-Ride, seniors should be able to schedule a ride instead of waiting for the buses. According to Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo, she received only one complaint about morning school buses, and that issue was fixed.
As for the Dial-A-Ride, concerns are mainly regarding the pick-up window and lack of flexibility of being dropped at other locations. Most of the people are just confused with the new routes; however, students are excited to be able to ride to Cal State LA. According to Director McFerguson, as for some of the smaller ridership and school drop-offs, the staff is proposing a microbus to accommodate those individuals.
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Discussion took place on whether some routes could be reinstated.
Councilmember Soria recommended the workshop to decide whether keep the Commerce in Motion or go back to previous routes and also asked to compare ridership before COVID and now.
Mayor Mendoza went over routes put in place and suggested that instead of waiting for 15 minutes at the hub, use that time to increase the routes with additional stops. Mayor Mendoza asked to place correct signage for bus stops and install a sign for the transportation hub.
Jose Castillo stated that they would accommodate seniors and bring them to multiple destinations. According to Mr. Castillo, 15 minutes at the bus hub are dedicated for the buses to get on time as they sometimes get delayed at the routes.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Edna Jimenez, the Outreach Consultant for Metro, spoke regarding Metro efforts to extend for Atlantic and Pomona in East Los Angeles and stated that the environmental report is almost ready. Ms. Jimenez announced upcoming community meetings.
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read a comment from Kevin Larsen, President of Local AFSCME 775, urging the Council to fill positions in the Transportation Department and eliminate the pay cut that employees took during the pandemic.
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 -
4. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 14A, & 14B
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 City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 3/17/2022
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7. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021
8. Authorize Acceptance of Clean California Local Grant Program Grant
ORDINANCES
9. First Reading of Uncodified Ordinance Approving Amended and Restated Development Agreement Related to Application #18-026 and Replacing Commercial Cannabis Development Agreements No. 726
Director of Planning and Economic Development Jimenez provided an overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo, to approve for Introduction and First Reading, by waiving the full reading and reading by title only, an Uncodified Ordinance approving an amended and restated Development Agreement with VK Labs, LLC to replace Development Agreement No. 726 [also identified as commercial cannabis permit I.D. NO. 18-026] changing ownership of a previously approved commercial cannabis business at 5608 E. Washington Blvd.: and making a determination regarding exemption from further CEQA review and direct staff to prepare and file corresponding Notices of Exemption. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the title of the Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
PUBLIC HEARING
10. Formation of Underground Utilities District No 22-1 for Harbor Street from Commerce Way to Eastern Avenue
Director of Public Works Hernandez provided an overview of the staff report.
Discussion took place regarding the impacts of this project on the area, and specifically on school. It was stated that impact would be minimized, and the street would not close. Councilmember Altamirano suggested creating art for that wall in the Village, and Mayor Mendoza recommended the installation of solar light polls as well as including wifi and making poles higher to accommodate the banner program.
Mayor Mendoza opened Public Hearing. There were no individuals wishing to City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 3/17/2022
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address the City Council on this item. Mayor Mendoza closed Public Hearing.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution establishing an Underground Utility District No. 22-1 and ordering the removal of poles, overhead wires and associated structures, and the underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric, communication, or similar associated services on Harbor Street from Commerce Way to Eastern Avenue. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
SCHEDULED MATTERS
11. Mid-Year Budget Review - Amending the Annual Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Finance Director Brooks brook provided an overview of the staff report. According to Director Brooks, the revenues are almost back to what it was before, and that means that the City could go to Option B, which allows two million in additional revenues.
Mayor Mendoza recommended that line by line recommended adjustments or requests be sent ahead of time for the City Council review.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to adopt a Resolution amending the annual operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2021-2022. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
12. Denial of Speed Hump Installation Request Pursuant to Speed Hump Policy
Director of Public Works Hernandez provided an overview of the staff report.
Discussion took place. Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo recommended that staff assists with getting two more signatures and re-access t the application. Mayor Mendoza stated that all streets around have speed humps, needing them in that area.
Director Hernandez explained that the denial is based on approved policy and engineering criteria, and in addition, not all residents are in support of speed humps.
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Mayor Mendoza made motion to approve the speed humps. Motion died for the lack of a second. Councilmember Argumedo recommended that staff looks at the application and bring this application for discussion at a future meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to direct staff to reevaluate the request to determine if the Engineering Judgment criteria can be applied and working with the applicant to obtain two additional valid signatures within the block segments. The moption carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
City Manager Cisneros stated that Councilmember Altamirano is having technical issues. On his behalf, he asked that staff provide an update on re-opening City's gym and requested that seniors be allowed to use Senior Center or use EOC.
Councilmember Altamirano extended his prayer for people in Ukraine and wished all women Happy International Women's Day.
Councilmember Argumedo stated that he attended two Neighborhood Watch meetings and asked that the report be provided back on addressing issues brought up at the meetings.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo wished all women Happy International Women's Day.
Mayor Mendoza reported that he attended the Neighborhood Watch at Pueblo Court on February 24, attended Mary Youngs' 100-year birthday celebration on February 25, Neighborhood Watch meeting on Jardine and Strong on March 3, 2022, dinner at Steven's Steakhouse with Mr. Cervantes, and participated in scholarship program events at St. Marcelina's church on February 26, 2022.
Mayor Mendoza requested a Resolution to stand together with Ukraine.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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