City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 14, 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
Mayor Rebollo called meeting to order at 5:07 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
The City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:08 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.
Employee Title: Human Resources Director, Transportation Director, Parks & Recreation Director, Public Works Director, Administrative Services Director, Library Director, Planning and Economic Development Director, Finance Director City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 3/22/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes March 14, 2023
(Vacant), Safety & Community Services Director (Vacant), Deputy Director of Operations (Vacant), Assistant City Manager, City Manager
2. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(b), the City Council will confer with its legal counsel, and take the appropriate action with respect to initiation of litigation in two potential cases.
3. 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:
A. 7025 Slauson Ave., Commerce, CA (APN: 6356-004-025)
B. 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.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:11 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Item #1.C. was discussed before the regular City Council meeting. The staff made a presentation, the City Council provided feedback, and no reportable action was taken on this item.
City Attorney Tapia stated that formatting errors were fixed on the proposed City Manager's agreement, and copies are available for public viewing.
City Attorney Tapia reported at 10:04 p.m. on item #1.A and 1.B - The staff made a presentation, the City Council provided feedback, and no reportable action was taken on these items.
Items #2 and #3 were not discussed in the Closed Session. 6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rebollo called meeting to order at 6:11 p.m.
ROLL CALL
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City Council Meeting Minutes March 14, 2023
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Human Resources Director Pappo led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Councilmember Garcia offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificate of Recognition to the Unplugged Cast & Crew and Commendation for Marcos Torres
Mayor Rebollo and Councilmembers recognized Unplugged cast and crew for their performance of Willy Wonka.
2. Camp Commerce Recognition/Report - Above and Beyond
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz provided a presentation regarding hush conditions at Camp Commerce and how staff managed to resolve snow removal and maintaining the facility.
3. Proclaiming March 21, 2023, as World Down Syndrome Day Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz provided a presentation regarding World Down Syndrome Day. Susana Cisneros, Commission on Disabilities Access and Opportunities, spoke about the importance of advocacy and teaching everyone how to be a change-maker and respect.
Mayor Rebollo asked residents to post photos on the Parks and Recreation page on Instagram and Facebook; she would do a raffle for two $100 gift cards. In addition, Mayor Rebollo encouraged residents to watch the movie "Champions" and stated that she would add raffle tickets for two families to see "Champions."
4. Library Director Introduction
Assistant City Manager Domic introduced Sonia Batista as the new Library Director.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lisa Cortez, and Natalia Vaneros talked about crush volleyball and asked for support for the teams to go to National Volleyball Tournament in Florida.
Ricky Alavera also spoke about amazing girls in those teams and asked for the City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 3/22/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes March 14, 2023
Council's support.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Argumedo, 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 -
5. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 14A, and 14B
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Consideration of Employment Agreement with City Manager
SCHEDULED MATTERS
8. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte provided a Powerpoint presentation with the last two weeks of statistics and updates. There has been a homeless clean-up, and Deputies participated in the Read Across America. Councilmembers and Mayor thanked Sergeant Duarte for the presentation and homeless clean-up.
Vice Mayor Argumedo pointed out a decrease in crime and asked what it is attributed to. Sergeant Duarte responded that most burglaries occur in Commerce Center and Citadel Outlets. While Citadel Outlets has two deputies assigned, most burglaries happen when Deputies are not on the shift. Sergeant Duarte also added that she is meeting with Target's management to see how they could prevent crime better or make arrests more prompt and deter crime in that area.
9. Parks & Recreation Recruitment Day
Parks and Recreation Director Alaniz provided an overview of recruitment efforts.
According to Director, 20 staff members put this recruitment day event together.
Council Members thanked Director Alaniz and staff for their efforts and congratulated him on the successful event.
10. Mid-Year Budget Review
Assistant City Manager Domic provided an overview and stated that the projected surplus is estimated at 4.5 million for 2022/2023 end of the fiscal year.
Discussion took place about hiring a Public Safety Manager or Director and City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 3/22/2023
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whether it could be included in the budget now. According to Assistant City Manager Domic, the City Council could allocate $43,600 for this fiscal year's Public Safety Manager position to manage public safety contracts better and oversee the CSO program.
Councilmember Lainez asked whether the automated license plate reader program could be included in this year's budget by allocating funds for this program.
According to Assistant City Manager Domic, staff will present various public safety recommendations at the upcoming Council meeting, and an automated license plate reader is one of those. In response to Mayor Rebollo, whether previously allocated funds for the automated license reader program are still available, Assistant City Manager Domic stated that those were eliminated.
Councilmember Garcia asked about the increase in recruitment costs and what requested funds are needed for staffing or supplies. City Manager Cisneros stated that with the recent increase in hiring, supplies and some staffing cost needs to be covered, especially for the latest hiring event for Parks and Recreation, which took place on the weekend.
Councilmember Garcia inquired about several Parks and Recreation requested items, whether for this fiscal year or next, and construction starting in the Veteran's park shortly and whether funds need to be allocated for that area. The Director of Parks and Recreation, Alaniz, stated that most of the supplies were reduced during the pandemic, and those funds are needed to bring back most of the programming and additional staffing. City Manager Cisneros responded that those requests are for staffing mainly for this year, purchasing supplies, and getting some of it before the fiscal year starts.
According to City Manager Cisneros, construction might be postponed in Veteran's park; therefore, requested funds would ensure that programming is provided and staffing is available until the end of the fiscal year.
Councilmember Garcia asked for the breakdown of the Crush volleyball tournament request, how staffing/chaperons were selected to go with the team, and whether Arizona travel reimbursement is the reoccurring expense or the new one. City Manager Cisneros stated that Arizona reimbursement expense is the first-time expense, but this places other teams in parity with the aquatics teams.
In response to Councilmember Garcia's question regarding economic development funds required for Commerce Rail Analysis, City Manager Cisneros stated that economic development funds are the estimated amount and submissions from qualified companies would be solicited and brought back for the City Council approval. Transportation request regarding carpet replacement is a safety issue City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 3/22/2023
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that must be addressed.
Further discussion took place about the parity for all travel teams. Mayor Rebollo added that sometimes, certain travel could be predicted. Still, once the team qualifies for the tournament, that is hard to budget and recommended to have further discussion about this and maybe allocate a fund for those unforeseen travel for the travel teams.
It was a consensus between the City Council to add Public Safety Manager to the budget.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Mayor Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution amending the annual operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2022-2023, and allocating $43,600 for Public Safety Manager position. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
5 -
11. Committee and Commission Appointments
Vice Mayor Argumedo appointed Ester Zavala to Planning Commission and Alex Rendon to Measure AA Advisory Committee.
ORDINANCES
12. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Approving a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: To Amend 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 Properties Located in the City’s R-1 and R-2 Zones
Mayor Rebollo read public comment letters submitted by Jon Reno, Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc, Robert Taylor, Executive Director of Commerce Industrial Council, and Timothy Jemal, CEO of NAIOP SoCal, opposing the passage of the proposed ordinance.
Acting Director of Economic Development and Planning Esparza provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Garcia recommended continuing this item.
City Manager Cisneros stated that this item was presented to the Planning Commission in 2021 and 2022 but has not been acted upon. There was a hearing on January 26, 2023, by the Planning Commission, and on February 28, 2023, the City of Commerce Page 6 Printed on 3/22/2023
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ordinance was introduced, and no comments were received at that time. City Manager Cisneros recommended that existing operators apply for a Conditional Use Permit at no cost and go through the hearing at the Planning Commission. The new businesses would have to pay for a Conditional Use Permit. According to City Manager Cisneros, this would create a balance between the residents and the business community, and he recommended moving forward with the second reading of the ordinance.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve for Second Reading, wave the full reading and read by title, and adopt an Ordinance amending Commerce Municipal Code, Title 19 (Zoning), Chapter 19. 21.130 (Loading and Unloading Requirements) and make a determination that the proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment is exempt from environmental review; and accept City Manager's recommendation that do not modify proposed ordinance but clarify the implementation of the Ordinance by requiring owners to obtain Condition Use Permit. 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 congratulated Ester Zavala on her appointment to the Planning Commission.
Councilmembers and the Mayor recognized Parks and Recreation and other departments involved in putting a great Employee Recognition event.
Mayor Rebollo congratulated Johncito Pereza for being appointed Congressional representative for Congressman Garcia. Mayor Rebollo invited everyone to Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday.
City Council recessed to a Closed Session at 8:28 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
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