City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 9, 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 5:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
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
City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:03 p.m.
1. Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 the City Council will confer with its labor negotiator, Edgar P. Cisneros, with respect to labor negotiations pertaining to:
A. The Memoranda of Understanding between the City and the City of Commerce Employees Association on behalf of the part -time employees.
B. The Memoranda of Understanding between the City and the City of Commerce Employees Association on behalf of the mid-management and non-management full-time employees.
C. Compensation and benefits for the unrepresented full-time executive management employees.
2. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8, the City Council will confer with its real property City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 8/11/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes August 9, 2022
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. 5476 Jillson St. (APN 6335-019-023), 5530 Jillson St. (APN 6335-019-042), 2500 S.
Eastern Ave. (APN 6335-024-046), (APN 6335-024-03), (APN 6335-024-039), (APN 6335-024-048), (APN 6335-024-04), (APN 6335-024-043), (APN 6335-024-044), (APN 6335-024-045), 5600 Jillson St. (APN 6335-023-049), (APN 6335-023-0), (APN 6335-023-054), 5611 E Washington Blvd. (APN 6335-023-048), 5571 E. Washington Blvd. (APN 6335-024-056), (APN 6335024057), and 5555 E. Washington, Commerce, CA 90040.
C.5550 Harbor St., Commerce, CA 90040 (6335-025-009), 2300 S. Eastern Ave. (6335-025-010)
D. 5625 Jillson St., Commerce, CA 90040 (6335-025-905)
E. 5555 Jillson St., Commerce, CA Property (APN 6335-025-906)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:26 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Item #1 and #2.B - staff provided presentation, the City Council provided feedback and no reportable action was taken on any of these items.
City Council did not discuss items #2.A, 2.C, 2.D and 2.E. 6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:28 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 5 -
City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 8/11/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes August 9, 2022
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Human Resources Director Pappo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Garcia offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Mayra Duarte provided an update for the last two weeks and a presentation on COPS team responsibilities and community policing.
Discussion took place regarding homelessness, and it was stated that the City utilizes Measure H money to dedicate a number of beds in the Bell Shelter for the homeless. Still, these beds typically do not get used.
2. Recognition of the Commerce Crush Teams for their 2022 Season Mayor and Councilmembers recognized the Commerce Crash Teas for their successful season.
3. Certificate of Recognition for Ralph Santana, Nationwide Environmental Services, for his Dedicated Service to the Community and Residents of Commerce
Mayor and Councilmembers recognized Ralph Santana, Nationwide Environmental Services, for his service to the community. Mayor Rebollo added that she received several requests from residents speaking very highly of Mr.
Santana and wishing to recognize him for his outstanding service to the community.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing at address the City Council on any items within their jurisdiction.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Lainez asked to pull item #5 from the Consent Calendar.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to approve the Minutes of June 28, 2022. The motion carried by the following vote:
City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 8/11/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes August 9, 2022
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo (4)
Abstained: Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt CONSENT CALENDAR. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
4. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 24A, 24B, 2A and 2B
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. Purchase of One (1) Toyota Electric Forklift Model 05-8FBM25T From Atlas Toyota Material Handling
SCHEDULED MATTERS
8. Award a Construction Contract to CEM Construction Corporation for Design and Installation of Charging Stations for the City’s Electric Buses Director of Transportation McFerguson provided an overview of the staff report.
Discussion took place regarding transitioning the charging station to a new facility.
Director McFerguson stated that the new facility would include all specifications and would be a smooth transition.
Mayor Rebollo asked that staff provide an estimate for dedicating back Dial-A Ride bus back to the Senior Center to avoid all those inconveniences and complaints.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution approving a construction contract with CEM Construction for design and installation of charging stations for City electric buses. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
9. Exide Cleanup Activities Update
City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 8/11/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes August 9, 2022
Deputy Director of Operations Nila provided an overview of the staff report. DTSC identified four hundred seventy-one homes as priority properties; up to date, 318 were completed/cleaned up.
Mayor Rebollo asked staff to arrange a meeting with the DTSC representative to answer all questions related to EXIDE . Discussion took place about landscaping and some complaints that residents had.
Councilmember Lainez asked whether there are any plans to evaluate the contamination zone.
10. Amending the Director of Public Works Job Specification City Manager Cisneros provided an overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Garcia stated that the standards should not be lowered regarding civil engineer registration requirements. Councilmember Garcia moved to keep the requirement or Option 1, and the motion died for the lack of a second.
City Manager Cisneros recommended option 3, making a requirement Master's Degree or civil engineer registration. Further discussion took place that having more candidates and a bigger pool would allow selecting the most qualified candidate while also interviewing an existing candidate with civil engineer registration.
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt Resolution amending the Classification Plan by revising the job specification for the Director of Public Works classification, and going with Option 3. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, and Councilmember Lainez Nayes: 1 - Councilmember Garcia
ORDINANCES
11. Adoption and Second Reading of the Ordinance Changing Date of Election to Statewide General Election Date
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt an Ordinance amending Title 2 (Administration and City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 8/11/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes August 9, 2022
Personnel), Chapter 2.13 (Election Date) to change General Municipal Election dates to the Statewide General Election Cycle. 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 Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmembers and the Mayor thanked all staff involved for National Night Out.
Councilmember Garcia reported that she attended Unplugged performance and Youth Advisory Commission.
Councilmember Altamirano asked that more patrol is provided as people breaking into cars. Councilmember Altamirano thanked the staff for arranging a tour of La Mirada station.
Councilmember Lainez invited residents to Back To School this coming Friday.
Vice Mayor Argumedo recommended that next year's National Night Out include more activities for kids. Vice Mayor Argumedo reported that he attended the Unplugged performance and asked that staff looks to accommodate Veteran's park kids during the transition. Vice Mayor Argumedo thanked for the tour of the La Mirada substation and requested that staff be diligent before the City commits to the substation here and not be left with all expenses and running that facility.
Mayor Rebollo reported that she attended the Unplugged performance, the library end-of-summer reading program event, and thanked Vice Mayor Argumedo for the backpack event giveaway he recently organized. Mayor Rebollo reminded residents to call 1800-smog if there is any pollution.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
City of Commerce Page 6 Printed on 8/11/2022