City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 11, 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 5:05 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 items on the Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:05 p.m.
1. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1)
Employee Title: City Manager, Edgar P. Cisneros
2. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1)
Employee Title: Public Works Director
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to Open Session at 6:14 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items #1 and #2. Staff provided City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 10/19/2022
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presentation, the City Council provided feedback and no reportable action was taken on items #1 and #2.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Manager Cisneros led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Altamirano offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of the Commerce Dance Teams for their Achievements during 2022
Mayor Rebollo thanked all team members and coaches, and stated that the performance during the City's Birthday celebration was outstanding.
2. Presentation - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Commerce
Social Services Coordinator Garcia provided an introduction and facts related to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Council Members and the Mayor encouraged all women to take preventive measures.
Mayor Rebollo asked that breast cancer survivors are honored at the next City Council meeting.
3. Presentation Recognizing October as National Code Enforcement Month Director of Planning and Economic Development Jimenez stated that October is a National Code Enforcement Month and introduced the Code Enforcement division.
Code Enforcement Supervisor Vivero, spoke about Code Enforcement Division's services. Council Members and the Mayor thanked the Code Enforcement staff for their hard work.
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4. Library Update on Park Pass Grant: Storywalk
Silvia Cisneros, Senior Librarian, provided an overview of the grant received -Park Pass Grant from California State Library. According to Ms. Cisneros, 20 passes received to check out for any library patron for two weeks to use. The new concept that the library is also introducing is the Story Walk. Council Members recommended providing a good outreach and informing residents about available State Park passes.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gloria Nezahualcoya spoke for the record.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Altamirano asked to pull item #8, and Councilmember Garcia asked to pull item #9 for discussion.
Item #8 - Councilmember Altamirano asked whether the rendering could be presented to the Beautification Committee before the final approval. According to Acting Public Works Director Nila, the rendering will be designed and presented to the Beautification Committee, and the construction/installation will be about six months out.
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Argumedo, to approve the Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Hirsch & Associates, Inc. for the S. Eastern Ave. at SB I-5 Freeway Raised Island Beautification Project for design and coordination and authorizing project Management Services by Transtech Engineering, with the addition of the concepts and sending concepts to the Beautification committee before going to construction.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo (5)
Item #9 - A discussion took place about the ability to transfer the blue curb to a family member and what notifications are mailed to the applicants. The additional change included an original review by the Traffic Commission, an appeal by the Traffic Commission, and a third step of the appeal being reviewed by the City Council.
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Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution approving amendments to the Blue Curb Policy. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo (5)
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #8 and #9. The motion 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. 6A, 6B and 6C
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Update on Environmental Assessment and Remediation located at 1350 S. Eastern Avenue, Commerce
8. Professional Services Agreement with Hirsch & Associates, Inc. for South Eastern Ave at SB I-5 Freeway Raised Island Beautification Project
9. Blue Curb Policy Amendment
SCHEDULED MATTERS
10. Sheriff’s Presentation/Update Regarding Public Safety In the City of Commerce
City Attorney Tapia asked the City Council to continue item #14 to the next City Council meeting.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to continue item #14 to the next City Council meeting. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo (5)
Sergeant Duarte provided statistics for the last two weeks.
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11. Update on the New Route 500 from Transportation and the Senior Shuttle from Parks and Recreation
Transportation Director McFerguson announced launching Purple Route 500.
According to Director McFerguson, there were 75 passengers utilizing the new route yesterday on the day of the official launch.
Parks and Recreation Director Alaniz provided an update on the senior shuttle launching. The number of passengers is increasing, especially on dates seniors have meetings.
Discussion took place about the Dial-a-Ride program and wait time for the seniors.
It was recommended that staff accommodate seniors or residents with limited mobility.
According to Transportation Director McFerguson, flyers were disseminated, and information regarding the route was sent to residents and issued at shopping centers. Councilmember Lainez recommended that the follow-up survey is implemented to see if riders are satisfied with the new route.
Councilmember Garcia recommended splitting the route as the entire route takes over an hour. It was a consensus among the City Council to bring this item back for discussion.
12. Committee and Commission Appointments
Councilmember Altamirano appointed Angelica Nunez to Education Commission.
Mayor Rebollo appointed Bianca Becerra to Education Commission and Teresa Esquivel to Senior Citizens COmmission.
ORDINANCES
13. First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Commerce Municipal Code, Title 19 (Zoning), Chapter 19.11 (Manufacturing Zones) and Table 19.11.030(A) (Uses in Industrial Districts) to Add Additional Requirements for Funeral Services and Crematory Land Uses Director of Economic Development and Planning Jimenez provided an overview of the staff report. Mayor Rebollo opened public hearing. There were no individual wishing to speak on this item. Mayor Rebollo closed Public Hearing.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 10/19/2022
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introduce for First reading, by title only, an Ordinance amending Commerce Municipal Code, Title 19 (Zoning), Chapter 19.11 (Manufacturing Zones) and Table 19.11.030(A) (Uses in Industrial Districts) to add additional requirements for funeral services and crematory land uses. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
14. First Reading of an Uncodified Ordinance Approving a Development Agreement Related to Application No. 18-004
This item was continued to the next City Council meeting.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Lainez stated that a catalytic converter was stolen from his car and asked for an update regarding the catalytic converter ordinance the City was looking to implement. Councilmember Lainez asked for an update regarding Black Friday preparations, traffic control, and the installation of lights on Eastern Avenue.
Councilmember Lainez stated that based on his conversation with a couple of Planning Commissioners, he would like to get an update on General Plan and what the cost would be for community meetings proposed by MIG. Councilmember Lainez reported that he attended the Clean Air Day event at Rosewood park, the Brenda Villa event last Friday, and Concert in the Park.
Councilmember Garcia reported that she attended a Concert in the park.
Vice Mayor Argumedo reported that he attended the Commerce United Soccer banquet, the California Clean Air Day event at Rosewood park, the Hispanic Heritage celebration, and Concert in the Park. Vice Mayor Argumedo announced that the Shurr High School placed first in water polo and congratulated the team and Commerce team residents on this prestigious achievement.
Mayor Rebollo reminded residents about upcoming events, including Halloween celebrations. Mayor Rebollo adjourned the meeting in memory of women that lost their fight to breast cancer.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
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