City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 25, 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 5:10 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/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:11 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 with 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.
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/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:00 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
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City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Item #1 - staff made a presentation, Council provided feedback, and no reportable action was taken on this item.
Item #2 - City Council provided feedback and no reportable action was taken on this item.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Finance Director Brooks led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Councilmember Garcia offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. National Breast Cancer Awareness - Honoring Survivors Mayor and City Council recognized breast cancer survivors.
2. Proclamation Declaring October 23-31, 2022 as “Red Ribbon Week” in the City of Commerce
Social Service Coordinator Saucedo provided an overview of the Red Ribbon week.
3. Library Update on Zip Book Grant Project
Senior Librarian Bautista provided an update on the grant received.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Randy Sax Romero stated that he called about re-painting the red curb and still waiting for the completion. Mr. Romero asked for more speed bumps on Astor City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 11/16/2022
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Avenue as those are too far away. Mr. Romero stated that his neighbor was cited for nuisance on his property, but he is trying to clean it up and also received a ticket for leaving trash cans in the driveway. Mr. Romero asked that the City Council considers keeping Bandini library open.
Ted Romo complained that he received a ticket for throwing his refrigerator while other residents do not get ticketed for leaving the trash cans in the driveways.
Antonia Lupercia asked that the Bandini library stays open and stated that the petition to keep the library open was submitted.
Joanna Flores spoke in opposition to closing Bandini library.
Lauren Barron thanked the City Council for acknowledging/recognizing her brother.
Ms. Barron spoke about the traffic situation at Everington St. and cars going fast, and they signed a petition for speed bumps on the street.
Alfred Aparicio spoke about deteriorating pavement at Olympic blvd.
Richard Hernandez asked whether residents would have to pay for driveway permits. Mr. Hernandez talked about abandoned lots and trucks and buses being parked there and why they are permitted to park there.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve the 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. 7A, 7B and 7C
5. Approval of Minutes
SCHEDULED MATTERS
6. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Mayra Duarte provided an overview for the two weeks from October 1 to October 22. Sergeant Duarte reported that deputies attended a Neighborhood City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 11/16/2022
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Watch meeting on October 19 and participated in the homeless clean-up.
Vice Mayor Argumedo commended that catalytic converter theft was continuing and suggested that more information is distributed regarding protective measures against catalytic converter theft. Discussion took place on implementing catalytic converter ordinance and engraving event for catalytic converters.
Councilmember Lainez asked to put together a public safety workshop. Mayor Rebollo recommended that staff purchases several catalytic converters protection devices and raffle those at the Neighborhood Watch meetings.
7. 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
City Manager Cisneros provided an overview of the staff report.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt Resolution approving the revised 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. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
8. Establishing New Guidelines and Authorizing an Increase in Funding for the Monthly Senior Rent Subsidy Program and Related Assistance Programs City Manager Cisneros provided an overview of the staff report.
Discussion took place. Mayor Rebollo spoke about the need of affordable senior housing.
Mayor Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution establishing new guidelines for the Senior Rent Subsidy Program and related assistance programs and updating program policies and procedures, and authorizing the funding increase that the new programs would require. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
9. Citadel Black Friday Weekend Sales Event Planning Update and Funding Approval for Associated Traffic Control
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Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview.
Vice Mayor Argumedo inquired whether the MixMaster study would be completed before Black Friday and some recommendations implemented. Acting Director Nila responded that they are still analyzing traffic signal timing and continuing analysis of the Council recommendations and suggestions.
Councilmember Lainez recommended utilizing adjacent parking lots and using electronic signage. Further discussion took place about intersection traffic control and whether red light tickets could be issued for those blocking intersections.
Mayor Rebollo recommended that the request be relayed to Mr. Craig to include intersection traffic control in his budget since these costs are associated with the event in Citadel.
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt a Resolution approving funding for traffic control. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
4 -
Nayes: 1 - Mayor Rebollo
10. Driveway Street Permit Parking
Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview of the staff report.
Discussion took place. Councilmember Lainez asked staff whether any feasibility study was conducted for marked parking spaces on residential streets to restrict oversized vehicles and trailers from being parked on the residential streets.
Councilmember Lainez suggested that the survey is performed at least on the most congested streets in the City. Councilmembers agreed that converting garages into dwellings increased parking demand on the roads.
Further discussion took place about enforcement and monitoring should the City Council implement driveway parking allowed by permit.
City Manager Cisneros stated that this would be voluntary participation, and outreach would be conducted should the City Council approve the driveway permit parking program. It was receive and file item only.
11. Commerce Water Polo Teams Funding Request to Attend the “Team City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 11/16/2022
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Vegas Founders Cup”
Director of Parks and recreation Alaniz provided an overview of the staff report.
Discussion took place, and it was a consensus that sponsoring travel teams should be done equitably to all teams. According to Director Alaniz, they would do all travel teams next fiscal year again.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve allocation of funds from Community Benefits for five Commerce Boys & Girls Water Polo Teams to attend the "Team Vegas Founders Cup", in Henderson, Nevada on November 4-6, 2022. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
12. Parks and Open Space Master Plan Update
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz provided an overview of the staff report and spoke about extensive outreach programs regarding community meetings.
Councilmembers complemented the Department of Parks and recreation for the outstanding outreach program. This agenda item was receive and file only.
ORDINANCES
13. Second Reading and Adoption 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 and overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt, and read 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. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the title of the Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
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14. Introduction for First Reading, by Waiving the Full Reading and Reading by Title only an Uncodified Ordinance Approving a Development Agreement Related to Application No. 18-004
Director of Economic Development and Planning provided an overview of the staff report.
Mayor Rebollo opened Public Hearing. There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on this item. Mayor Rebollo closed Public Hearing.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to introduce for First Reading, by waiving the full reading and reading by title only, an Uncodified Ordinance approving the Development Agreement with M&M Commerce Holdings, Inc (a California Corporation) related to Application No. 18-004, for a commercial cannabis business at 4650 E.
Washington Blvd., 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 the 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
Councilmember Lainez asked that staff go back to the wayfinding project and bring it for Council consideration. Councilmember Lainez announced upcoming Halloween events.
Councilmember Garcia reported that she attended Neighborhood Watch meeting at Veteran's park, and sports events.
Councilmember Altamirano reported a coyote in Rosewood at Gaspar avenue.
Vice Mayor Argumedo reported that he attended Storywalk on October 17th, a Neighborhood Watch meeting at the Veteran's park area, gaming cities coalition, and announced the press conference at the Senior Center for propositions on the ballot. Vice Mayor Argumedo thanked West Coast Arborist staff for assisting with rescuing the parrot.
Mayor Rebollo congratulated Shurr High school volleyball team and asked that the team is recognized at the upcoming Council meeting. Mayor Rebollo congratulated the water polo team for winning second place in the tournament.
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City Council recessed to Closed Session at 8:51 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. in memory of Tere Saucedo, mother of Social Services Coordinator Ed Saucedo.
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