City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 27, 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 5:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any Closed session items.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed session at 5:07 p.m.
1. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1)
Employee Title: (1) Director of Library Services, (2) Public Works Director
2. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1)
Employee Title: City Manager, Edgar P. Cisneros
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to Open Session at 6:00 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session item #1 and #2. Staff made a City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 10/10/2022
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presentation, feedback was provided and no reportable action was taken on any of Closed Session items.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called regular meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Acting Public Works Director Nila led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Argumedo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of the Commerce Water Polo Teams and Swim Team for their 2022 Season
City Council Members and the Mayor recognized the Commerce Water Polo Teams and Swim Team for their 2022 successful season.
2. Commerce Beautification Recognition
Vice Mayor Argumedo provided a brief overview of the three clean-up events and thanked organizers, volunteers and businesses for their contributions.
Camila Gonzalez, Bridge Publications, thanked Council for the recognition and thanked all volunteers.
Ms. Gonzalez talked about other activities for seniors and clean-up activities.
3. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Mayra Duarte provided statistics for September and stated that grand theft and theft from vehicles decreased in comparison with the previous months.
Mayor Rebollo asked that staff research and see if the City could adopt a similar ordinance that Chino Hills passed related to catalytic converters theft.
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According to Sergeant Duarte, citizens are calling the station and reporting crime, and this strategy works in reducing crime. Also, Neighborhood Watch meetings are a great tool to spread the word and educate the community.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary-Ann Griego, thanked new council members for their support and thanked Mayor Rebollo for restoring the employees' pay.
Gloria Nezaylcoya thanked the City Council for restoring City employees' pay and asked if any bonus could be issued for the lost income during the pandemic.
Robin Ponce- Edington, Bandini Elementary School teacher, submitted a letter asking that Bandini Neighborhood Library programs are restored to pre-pandemic levels.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
4. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 5A, 5B and 5C
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. Award of Construction Contract to Marina Landscape, Inc. for the Eastern Avenue Median Improvements Project
7. Award of Construction Contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc. for the Commerce Way Pavement Construction Project from Sheila Street to Washington Boulevard
8. Removal of Crosswalks at the South Leg of the Gage Avenue and Slauson Avenue intersection and at the East Leg of the Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road intersection
9. Special Holiday Schedules for City Hall & Other Facilities City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 10/10/2022
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SCHEDULED MATTERS
10. A Resolution Approving a Fund Trade Agreement for the Exchange of Proposition A Funds with the City of Lomita
Finance Director Brooks provided an overview of the staff report. Discussion took place.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, to adopt a Resolution approving a Fund Trade Agreement for the exchange of Proposition A funds with the City of Lomita. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
11. Amending the Director of Library Services Job Specification City Manager Cisneros provided an overview of the staff report.
Vice Mayor Argumedo and Councilmember Lainez stated that they should follow the requirements of option #3 for consistency as it relates to Director positions.
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt a Resolution amending the Classification Plan by revising the job specification for the Director of Library Services classification, and approve option#3. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, and Councilmember Lainez Nayes: 1 - Councilmember Garcia
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
12. Mixmaster Guide Signage Improvement Project
Acting Public Works Director Nila provided a brief overview. Scott Mann provided a presentation regarding proposed intermittent improvements and permanent improvements to MixMaster.
Discussion took place. Vice Mayor Argumefo recommended that South and North Bound Atlantic be indicated on the signs and implement a right turn from Eastern to Telegraph Road. Further discussion took place regarding land signs and planning enough space for pedestrians. It was recommended to skip intermittent improvements, which would save money, and start implementing permanent solutions recommendations. Acting Public Works Director Nila stated that some City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 10/10/2022
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intermittent improvements could still be implemented, including road striping and markings.
Based on the discussion, Mayor Rebollo recommended bringing this item back to include ground signage and study and see if two right turn lanes could be implemented as well as having North and South Bound included in signs for Atlantic street.
ORDINANCES
13. Adoption and Second Reading of an Uncodified Ordinance Approving a Development Agreement Related to Application No. 18-030 Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt and conduct Second Reading, by title only, an Ordinance Approving a Development Agreement Related to Application No. 18-030 to allow cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, and non-storefront retail delivery of commercial cannabis products at 6251 Bandini Blvd., in the City of Commerce. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
All Council members reported that they attended the Bandini Library Open House.
Councilmember Lainez reported that he attended Unplugged banquet at El Sargio restaurant, Citadel Shopping Extravaganza, and asked that the City considers adding "proudly serving the City of Commerce" to the vehicles. Councilmember Lainez announced that October 5th is Clean Air Day. Councilmember Lainez invited residents to attend a Concert in the Park on October 8th.
Vice Mayor Argumedo asked that the public microphone is fixed. Vice Mayor Argumedo stated that residential street re-pavement is underway and asked that residents are patient with the inconveniences and maybe allow parking on the day of construction in no-parking zones.
Mayor Rebollo asked to trim tree brunches in the Rosewood area and asked for tree inventory and the status of safety and life expectancy in all City areas, including Camp Commerce and parks. Mayor Rebollo asked to check lightning throughout the City and contact SCE to see why a warning was not issued about City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 10/10/2022
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recent power outages.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
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