City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 - 6:00 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
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Altamirano and Vice Mayor Argumedo attended the meeting via teleconferencing.
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Claude McFerguson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Mayor Rebollo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Commendation Honoring Breanna Lizarraga for her Countless Achievements and Being Named the Libero of the Year in the South Coast Conference.
Mayor and Council recognized Breanna Lizarraga for her achievements.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items within their jurisdiction.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Altamirano pulled item #5 from the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Lainez pulled item #6 and Mayor Rebollo pulled item #8.
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Item #5 - Councilmember Altamirano recused himself from participating on this item due to the potential conflict.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution approving the Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for the Washington Blvd Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project and allocating funds for the City's share of the project. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo.
Item #6 - Acting Director of Public Works Nila provided an overview of the staff report. Councilmember Lainez asked who develops the plans for the improvements and how monies are spent. Director Nila responded that the group agrees to a cohesive plan before the Councils approve it. There is a formula that shows the proportional distribution. The grant is 100% reimbursable, and the City of Commerce up fronts the monies from Measure AA which will later be reimbursed.
Discussion took place about bike lanes, design, and whether they are on the street.
Acting Director Nila stated that during the planning phase, staff would consider safety, especially for those intersections at Eastern and Atlantic, to separate bike lanes from the vehicles.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt a Resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Bell, the City of Huntington Park, and Los Angeles County for the Randolph Corridor Active Transportation Project. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo.
Item #8 - Mayor Rebollo requested to continue this item for the next meeting.
Mayor Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to continue this item to the next meeting. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo and Mayor Rebollo.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to approve the Consent Calendar minus items#5, #6 and #8. The motion was carried by the following vote:
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Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 11A, 11B, 11C, 12A, 12B, and 12C
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Agreement with Los Angeles County for the Olympic Boulevard Traffic Signal Synchronization Program
5. Agreement with Los Angeles County for the Washington Boulevard Traffic Signal Synchronization Program
6. Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Bell, City of Huntington Park, and Los Angeles County for the Randolph Corridor Active Transportation Project
7. Revised Final Parcel Map No. 82490 for the Property Located at 6233 Telegraph Road and Located at the Northwest Corner of Washington and Telegraph Road
8. Joint Powers Agreement Relating to the Membership in the Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust
9. Council Meeting Schedule - Rescheduling February 14, 2023, to February 16, 2023
SCHEDULED MATTERS
10. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte provided an overview of the statistics for the last month. There were five robberies, seven burglaries, and 18 grand theft. There were 26 felony arrests and 21 misdemeanor arrests. There was an increase in crime from January of last year.
Mayor Rebollo asked for a status update on Special Problems Unit activities for January. Councilmember Lainez wondered whether the increase in crime in Commerce is similar to neighboring jurisdictions, and Sergeant Duarte stated that it increased in the other cities as well. Further discussion took place, and requests were made to see statistics regarding arrests related to crime areas - how many crimes occurred and how many were resolved.
11. Award of Construction Contract to J&S Striping Company, Inc. for the City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 1/26/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 2023
Mixmaster Striping and Pavement Marking Improvements Project Acting Director of Public Works Nila provided an overview of the staff report and a visual of the road markings.
Discussion took place on whether there would be any street closures while improvements were made, to which Director Nila stated that it would be done at night time. Councilmember Garcia asked about the size of the road markings, and Director Nila indicated that it would be eight feet.
Councilmember Lainez suggested that road markings are placed way in advance to allow motorists to adjust.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, to adopt a Resolution awarding a Construction Contract to J&S Striping Company, Inc. for the Mixmaster Striping and Pavement Marking Improvements Project and authorizing construction management and inspection services by Transtech Engineers, Inc., pursuant to their on-call Professional consulting services agreements. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
12. Committee and Commission Appointments
Councilmember Lainez appointed Francheska Coreas to the Youth Advisory Commission.
ORDINANCES
13. Introduction of Ordinance for First Reading Amending Commence Municipal Code, Title 9 “Peace, Safety and Morals” by Adding Chapter 9.82 “Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters”
City Attorney Tapia provided an overview of the staff report. City Manager Cisneros stated that the City would utilize the media efforts to make residents aware of the Ordinance. Council Member Garcia asked whether there would be signage for the Ordinance, and the City Manager responded that there would be no signs installed.
Mayor Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to introduce for First Reading an Ordinance, waive the full reading and reading by title only, amending Commerce Municipal Code, Title 9 “Peace, Safety and Morals” by adding Chapter 9.82 “Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters”. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the title of the Ordinance. The motion was carried by the following vote:
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Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
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
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 6:44 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 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. Craig Realty Corporation concerning proposed price and other terms relating thereto, comprised of the former Commerce Community Development Commission-owned real property located along the Telegraph Road Corridor, south of Gaspar Avenue and north of the Commerce Casino [Tubeway Avenue], formerly known as 5809, 5819, 5823, 2901/2903, 5933, 5901, 5959, 6000, 6003 and 6233 Telegraph Road and 2240 Gaspar Avenue; 2311, 2322 and 2366 Travers Avenue, Commerce, California.
C. Mitsubishi property concerning proposed price and other terms relating thereto, comprised of 5440 Telegraph Road, Commerce, California (APN: 6336-023-920).
3. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Matters.
4. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
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RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1)
Employee Title: Director of Library Services
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to Open session at 9:26 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Items #1, #2 and #4 - staff provided a presentation, the direction was provided, and no reportable action was taken on any of these items.
Item #2.C was not discussed.
Item s#2.A and 2.B - staff provided a presentation, the direction was provided, and no reportable action was taken.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Lainez reported that he attended the Dia de Los Reyes event in January and asked for an update on Parks and Recreation sports, hiring and how many applicants were Commerce residents, and how many were hired.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. in memory of Jose Luis Gutierrez and Alfred Jaramillo, City of Commerce employee.
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