City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 23, 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 5:04 p.m.
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 item 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 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. 5926 Sheila St., Commerce, CA 90040 (APN: 6334-025-911) 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)
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E. 5555 Jillson St., Commerce, CA Property (APN 6335-025-906)
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: the City of Commerce v FMI et al. - Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 21STCV23195.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: City of Commerce v Furniture Clearance Warehouse, Inc. et.el. - Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 21.
The City RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to Open Session at 6:00 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Item #1.A was not discussed in the Closed Session. Items 1B-1.E - staff made a presentation and no reportable action was taken on any of these items.
Item #2- staff made a presentation, the City Council provided feedback, and no reportable action was taken on this item.
Item #3 - The City Council approved Settlement Agreement in Closed Session on July 13, 2022. City Attorney Tapia added that the executed copy is available with the City Clerk's Office.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called regular meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Transportation McFerguson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Lainez offered the invocation.
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APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of the Commerce Aces Teams for their 2022 Season Mayor and Councilmembers recognized Aces team players for their outstanding performance during 2022 season.
2. Presentation on 2022 Summer Reading Program and the Return to In-Person Library Programs and Activities
Sonia Batista and Silvia Vilhauer, Library staff, provided power point presentation regarding library programs. Councilmembers and the Mayor complimented library staff on outstanding job.
3. Certificate of Recognition to Bridge Publications and Maravilla Foundation for their Community Contributions and Organizing Two Community Clean-ups
This item was tabled to a later date.
4. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Mayra Duarte provided statistics for two weeks. According to Sergeant Duarte, there is an increase in car theft and theft from vehicles; therefore, Sergeant Duarte asked residents not to leave valuables in the card, close windows and doors, and described other precautions.
Vice Mayor Argumedo asked to possibly use a decoy car and run that operation and increase enforcement for people who run through red lights. Mayor Rebollo stated that more enforcement is needed in residential areas, with truck trailers utilizing these streets and also idling.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Nellie Sabera asked to revert to old bus routes as seniors have to walk longer to their destinations or bus stops.
Gloria Nezaylcoya spoke about creating activities for the social club and asked that the City employee pay be restored.
Guille Reyes asked for an update on Parks and Recreation programs.
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Leonard Mendoza announced he was a Central Basin Director candidate and talked about water issues.
Kevin Larsen, President of the Employee Association, welcomed newly elected Councilmembers and asked to restore employee pay.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia pulled item #10 for discussion.
Item #10- Discussion took place regarding age requirement, training provided to Recreation Aid, and job assignments/placing. Further discussion took place on the transition from Recreation Aid to Recreation Leader. With this proposed change, Recreation aid would need to apply for the available Recreation Leader position as long as they meet all requirements, including a Class C driver's license.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to Argumedo moved, to adopt a Resolution amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by revising the job specification for the Recreation Aide classification. The Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo (5)
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Argumedo, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #10. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
5. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 25A, 3A and 3B
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Second Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with UltraSystems Environmental Incorporated for Environmental Analysis Services
8. Professional Services Agreement with Bucknam Infrastructure Group, Inc. for the Pavement Management Program Update
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9. Award of Construction Contract to SDC Engineering, Inc. for the Camp Commerce Replacement of Damaged Retaining Wall Project
10. Amending the Recreation Aide Job Specification
SCHEDULED MATTERS
11. Presentation and Review of Proposed 2022/2023 Fiscal Year Budget Finance Director Brooks provided an overview of the budget requests. Discussion took place about staffing in Finance Department, Planning Department, and Human Resources Department.
Finance Department requested appropriation for consulting work due to a reduction in staff during the pandemic. Discussion took place on utilizing volunteers for Home Work Helper positions. According to Ms. Batista, the demand for Homework Helpers is very high. It was a consensus among the City Council to look into evaluating Literacy and Homework Helper Programs.
Discussion took place about reopening Camp Commerce and providing transportation to the community. In addition, the City Council asked that all swim coach positions are filled for the Water Polo teams.
Mayor Rebollo spoke about the Public Safety staffing and supervision that is required.
Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview of the proposed 2022-2023 Capital Improvement Projects.
Discussion took place about HVAC system replacement for Brenda Villa Aquatics Center and that the agreement includes warranties to cool the facility adequately.
According to Councilmember Altamirano, the City needs to look into the automatic roof opening to avoid humidity.
Discussion took place on Ferguson Sidewalk Installation and lightening in the Bristow area and Jillson and Strong and possibly look at the City as a whole regarding lightening.
Mayor Rebollo asked staff to look into grants for improvements for Slauson and Gage to Eastern Avenue.
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Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to receive and file a budget presentation. 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
Councilmember Garcia reported that she attended the Back to School Bash.
Councilmember Lainez reported that he attended the Back to School Bash and Scholarship Program Breakfast, congratulated all the recipients, and thanked all donors for their generous contributions. Councilmember Lainez asked that the status updates are provided and information communicated regarding restoring employee wages. Councilmember Lainez asked that the Neighborhood Watch meeting are brought back, and Community Policing Program is brought back as well.
Vice Mayor Argumedo reported that he attended the Scholarship Program Breakfast. Vice Mayor Argumedo asked for an update on the Veteran's park area and asked the staff could trim trees at the Telegraph Road underpass. Vice Mayor Argumedo asked for a crime report and what specific actions were taken to prevent crime.
Mayor Rebollo reported that she attended the Scholarship Program Breakfast.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
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