City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 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
Vice Mayor Argumedo called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no individual wishing to address the City Council on any item on the Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:07 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. 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 and Finance Director
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: the City of Commerce v Carlos Galvan Jr. et al. -Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 21STCV20773.
4. 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.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:06 pm
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closes Session items:
Item #1A, 1B and 1C-Staff provided a presentation, City Council provided direction and took no reportable action at this time.
Item #2 – Staff provided updates regarding the Finance Director and Library Services Director positions and no final reportable action was taken.
Item #3 – Attorney Tapia stated this is an ongoing litigation regarding construction of a structure that does not comply with the City’s Municipal Code. The City filed a lawsuit against the property owner and parties have entered into a settlement agreement, a copy of which is available in the City Clerks office. Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez to approve the Settlement Agreement. The motion carried unanimously with Mayor Rebollo being absent.
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Item #4A and 4B – Staff provided a presentation City Council provided direction and took no reportable action at this time
City Council will recess to allow for a Joint Special Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission
City Council recessed the regular meeting and opened the Joint Special Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission at 6:08 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Vice Mayor Argumedo called regular meeting to order at 7:59 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council or Planning Commissioners on any items at this time.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
5. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte provided statistics for the last two weeks regarding crime numbers and arrests made
6. Second Amendment to the Nationwide Environmental Services Catch Basin Maintenance Agreement
City Manager Cisneros presented this item.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to adopt a Resolution approving a Second Amendment to the Agreement with Nationwide Environmental Services, a Division of Joe's Sweeping, Inc. for catch basin maintenance services. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 5/15/2023
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Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Weed Abatement Program - Abatement Order Directing the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioners/Director of Weights and Measures to Abate Public Nuisance
Deputy City Clerk Verdin presented this item. Vice Mayor Argumedo opened the public hearing. There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council.
Vice Mayor closed the public hearing.
COuncilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Altamirano, to approve the Abatement Order directing the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures to abate the public nuisance, and allow those property owners affected by the Weed Abatement Program to protest the inclusion of their properties within the program.
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
8. First Reading and Introduction of a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: To Amend Commerce Municipal Code, Title 19 (Zoning), Section 19.21.130 (Loading and Unloading Requirements) of the City of Commerce Municipal Code To Limit the Hours of Loading and Unloading in Manufacturing Zoned Properties when Located Within 300 Feet of Residential Zoned Properties Acting Director of Economic Development and PLanning Esparza provided an overview of the staff report. City Attorney Tapia proposed revisions to the Ordinance specifically page 3 section J.
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to introduce for First Reading, by waiving the full reading and reading by title only an Ordinance amending Commerce Municipal Code, Title 198 (Zoning), to modify Chapter 19.21.130 (Loading and Unloading Requirements), and make a determination that the proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment is exempt from environmental review. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
ORDINANCES
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9. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance 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.
COuncilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt 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". The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Lainez thanked Amber Torres and Marcus Enriquez for facilitating the Willy Wonka production, thanked City staff for arranging a meeting with new Sheriff Robert Luna, and congratulated new Library Director Sonia Bautista Councilmember Garcia congratulated new Library Director Sonia Bautista, reported that she attended meet & greet with Sheriff Robert Luna, district reception with Congressman Robert Garcia and attended the Wonka production where Councilmember Lainez’ son did a wonderful job.
Vice Mayor Argumedo congratulated new Library Director Sonia Bautista, reported that he attended the Wonka production and congratulated Councilmember Lainez’ son for an outstanding job during his birthday. Vice Mayor Argumedo expressed that the meeting held with Sheriff Robert Luna was very successful as it allowed great follow up questions.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
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