City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 14, 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 Rebollo called meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Mendoza arrived at 5:09 p.m.
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Mendoza
Councilmember Soria
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no public comment on a Closed Session item.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:03 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 for:
A. Wash-Tel Commerce, LLC concerning proposed price and other terms relating thereto, comprised of 6329 and 6355 Washington Boulevard, Commerce, California, commonly referred to as the Stahl Trust property.
B. 2143 S. Atlantic St., Commerce, CA 90040 (APN: 5244-014-904).
C. 5550 Harbor Street, Commerce CA 90040 (6335-025-009), 2300 S. Eastern Avenue (6335-025-010), 5625 Jillson Street, Commerce CA 90040 (6335-025-905) and 5555 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA Property (APN 6335-025-906)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
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City Council Meeting Minutes June 14, 2022
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:28 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on item #1 on Closed Session agenda and stated that staff made a presentation, feedback was provided and no reportable action was taken on this item.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Mendoza
Councilmember Soria
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Manager Cisneros led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Mayor Rebollo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Villarreal provided a 30-day update regarding public safety in the CIty of Commerce. COPS Team investigated crimes in Commerce, and the traffic sergeant conducted traffic enforcement.
Discussion took place about enforcement of illegal fireworks and fines, and it was a consensus among the City Council that more information needs to be brought and discussed.
Sergeant Villarreal noted that illegal fireworks are a misdemeanor, and deputies could increase patrol during this time to stop the discharge of illegal fireworks.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items within their jurisdiction.
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Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway stated that public comments requests received for previous meetings/items on the previous agenda would be entered in the minutes for the record. These comments are the following:
Maria Valdez wrote about new transportation routes. Bus route change has made it difficult for her to participate in her cherished Sunday routine that included attending Sunday church services, Casino sponsored lunch, and time with friends.
Ms. Valdez asked for the routes to be returned to how they were.
Nicolasa Sandoval expressed concern with all the recent changes in the Transportation department. Shortage of drivers, reduced staff to answer calls and answer questions, and the lack of bilingual staff. Ms. Sandoval expressed concern for her safety if drivers are being asked to work extra hours solely to continue with the current schedules since this causes fatigue, and asked if staff could look into her concerns to ensure there are no violations.
Gloria Nezagulacoyotl expressed discontent with the Transportation Director's lack of interest which has affected residents in various parts of the City. The changes to the City Bus Routes now require passengers to walk long distances just to board the bus; church routes and the Casino-sponsored Sunday lunch route have been removed. Calls, complaints, and suggestions are ignored by the department.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Soria asked to pull item #9 from the Consent Calendar.
Item #9 - Councilmember Soria recused himself from participating on this item due to a potential conflict of interest.
Mayor Rebollo moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Argumedo, to adopt a Resolution awarding a construction contract to Hardy & Harper, Inc. for the FY 2021-22 Pavement Rehabilitation Project and authorizing construction management and inspection services by Transtech Engineers, Inc., and geotechnical investigation and material testing services by Geo-Advantec, Inc. pursuant to their on-call Professional consulting services agreements. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Mendoza, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 6/21/2022
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Rebollo (4)
Recused: Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza, to approve the consent calendar minus item #9. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Mendoza, and Councilmember Soria
5 -
2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 19A, 19B, 20A and 20B
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Letter of Support for the State General Fund Request for $180 Million for SB 1383 Local Assistance Grants
5. 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
6. Resolution Authorizing the City’s Participation in the Clean California Local Grant Program and Acceptance of Grant Funds
7. First Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Stantec Architecture Incorporated for Architecture and Engineering Services
8. FY 2022/23 Street Rehabilitation Project List Under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1 Beall)
9. Award of Construction Contract to Hardy & Harper, Inc. for the FY 2021-22 Pavement Rehabilitation Project
10. Annual Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
11. Resolution Approving the Exercise of the Repurchase Option for Property located at 2143 South Atlantic Boulevard and Authorizing Funding for Said Property
12. Revisions to the Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan by Amending Certain Transportation Job Specifications
13. Speed Hump Installation on Emil Avenue and Pacific Drive between Gage Avenue and Watcher Street
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SCHEDULED MATTERS
14. Authorization to Continue Operations into Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at the Amended Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Appropriation Levels with Contractually Required Adjustments
Finance Director Brooks provided an overview of the staff report. According to Director Brooks, the preliminary surplus and revenue projections are subject to potential reductions due to various negative economic issues.
Councilmember Mendoza asked that staff looks into the possibility of having a Commerce Police Department instead of contracting out services. Director Brooks stated that the City conducted the study and determined that contacting out would work best for the City.
Councilmember Altamirano asked staff to look into opening all programs for residents.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Soria, to adopt a Resolution authorizing the continuing of operations into Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at Fiscal Year 2021-2022 amended appropriation levels with adjustments for needed items and contractually required increases and/or decreases. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Mendoza, and Councilmember Soria
5 -
15. Second Amendment to the Contingent Agreement to Purchase and Sell Real Estate and Escrow Instructions to Wash-Tel Commerce, LLC and Citadel Holdings Group, LLC, Successor-in-Interest to Craig Realty Group Citadel, LLC
City Manager Cisneros provided an overview of the staff report. City Manager Cisneros noted that modifications include Section 12 would be up to staff discretion regarding penalty provisions and parcel B would be modification as it relates to the ownership of the parcel.
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution approving the Second Amendment to the Contingent Agreement to Purchase and Sell Real Estate and Escrow Instructions to Wash-Tel Commerce, LLC and Citadel Holdings Group, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, successor-in-interest to Craig Realty Group Citadel, LLC. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Mendoza, and Councilmember Soria
5 -
ORDINANCES
16. Second Reading of an Uncodified Ordinance Approving a Development Agreement Related to Application No. 18-028
City Manager Cisneros provided a brief overview.
Councilmember Soria moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Argumedo, to adopt, by waiving the full reading and reading by title only, an Uncodified Ordinance approving Development Agreement with Anresco Incorporated, Inc for a commercial cannabis business at 5400 Jillson Street, 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 an Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Mendoza, and Councilmember Soria
5 -
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Mendoza thanked Assemblywoman Garcia for working tirelessly to help with the clean-up of contamination of lead in the City of Commerce from Exide.
Vice Mayor Argumedo spoke on item #13 on the agenda and thanked staff, volunteers, and residents for their hard work installing these speed humps.
Mayor Rebollo invited the community on Friday at 6 p.m. to Summer Fun Fest.
Mayor Rebollo spoke about the inclusion of the community as a whole and accommodating those with special needs.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
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