City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 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
Mayor Rebollo called meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
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
Cit Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:04 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. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 3/29/2023
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(e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Matters.
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 various parties for 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce CA (APN: 6335-025-901).
4. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: California Department of Toxic Substances Control, et al., V NL Industries, Inc. et al. -Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 2:20-cv-11293-SVW-JPR.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:15 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Items #1 and #2 were not discussed in the Closed Session Items #3 and #4- staff made a presentation, City Council provided feedback and no reportable action was taken on these two items.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor Rebollo
Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Transportation Department McFerguson led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Councilmember Lainez offered the invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gloria Nezagualcoyotl inquired about a policy allowing a City employee to use a department vehicle and submitted a request for information regarding any forms signed by City Manager that grant said permissions.
Nick Padilla thanked City Council for providing all sports opportunities for the kids City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 3/29/2023
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and giving Commerce kids the opportunity to go to colleges on scholarships. His son was just accepted to two schools on a full-ride scholarship.
Yvette Gaytan spoke in opposition to item #12 and stated that the name of the artist for the art piece is not stated in the staff report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff requested to continue item #5 to the next meeting.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Argumedo, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #5. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
1. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Proclamation Declaring Thursday, March 30, 2023, as Arbor Day in the City of Commerce
4. Replacement of the Carpet, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Unit in the Transportation Facility
5. Vehicle Use Policy Amendment
SCHEDULED MATTERS
6. 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 two weeks and updated the City Council on the individual doing donuts in front of the school.
According to Sergeant Duarte, the individual was arrested, and later, she could share what charges would be filed.
In response to Councilmember Lainez about what contributed to a reduction in crime over the last three months, Sergeant Duarte stated that four additional patrol vehicles were added to Commerce over the previous three weeks, and the weather could be a contributing factor. Councilmember Lainez asked to compare crime City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 3/29/2023
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stats with neighboring communities and whether the trend of crime reduction is for every location.
7. Telegraph Corridor Improvements from West City Limit to Atlantic Boulevard
Acting Director of Public Works Nila provided an overview of the staff report. Mr.
Gibson, Gibson Transportation Consulting Inc.,provided a revised Telegraph Road Corridor Improvement Feasibility study presentation.
Vice Mayor Argumedo voiced concern that the proposed changes could bring more traffic to MixMaster. And he also inquired if the City Council approves the proposed changes and how the traffic would be monitored. According to Mr.
Gibson, the proposed changes are not going to increase traffic at the MixMaster, and staff will monitor once improvements are implemented.
Councilmember Lainez inquired about what days of the week the analyses were performed and the times. Mr. Gibson said the hours were 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm Tuesday through Thursday.
Mayor Rebollo noted that other roads need more attention than this stretch.
Discussion took place about the fiscal impact, and Acting Director Nila stated that the rough estimate would be around $100,000. Further discussion took place on whether this project could be implemented in phases or once RFPs are received, providing flexibility to remove certain project sections if needed.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved to continue the item and then retracted his motion.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution approving the Telegraph Corridor Improvement Concept Plan; authorizing staff to release request for proposal for design services and to proceed with removal of uncontrolled marked crosswalks on Telegraph at Ferris and Duncan Avenues. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
8. Professional Services Agreement with KOA Corporation for the Slauson Corridor Improvements Project from I-5 to I-710
Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview of the staff report.
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Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to KOA Corporation for the Slauson Corridor Improvements Project from I-5 to I-710 and authorizing project management services by Transtech Engineers. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
9. Professional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc. for the Design Services for the Pathways for Hope Commerce Connectivity Improvement Project
Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Lainez asked which areas in Rosewood park are proposed to be replaced. Acting Director Nila stated that one of the areas is the concrete path along the baseball fields, and maybe making it a jogging track and providing better lightening for safety. Councilmember Lainez stated that this grant is specific to paths and asked whether parking lots could be addressed. Acting Director Nila stated that they could add this issue to other projects.
Mayor Rebollo recommended thinking about bike and skateboard paths to eliminate the issue of bikers and skateboarders still driving in the park with people walking.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to RJM Design Group, Inc. for the design services for the Pathways for Hope Commerce Connectivity Improvement Project and authorizing Project Management Services by Transtech Engineers. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
10. Public Safety White Paper / Community Safety Plan
Assistant City Manager Domic provided an overview of the staff report. Several recommendations included:
• Enhanced Deputy patrol in neighborhoods at night through overtime.
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• Continued suppression operation by COPs Team.
• Adjusting CSO shifts to daytime.
• Hiring private security for nighttime
• Installing automated License Plate readers
• Implementing Business Neighborhood Watch, etc
In response to Councilmember Garcia, whether security guards would be performing similar duties as CSOs, to which Assistant Director Domic stated that he would recommend unarmed security guards performing similar duties as CSos and patrolling residential neighborhoods at night.
Councilmember Garcia recommended generating more versions of the artwork for the continental crosswalks to choose from.
Councilmmeber Lainez asked about the proposed enhancement in Deputy deployment on night shifts and whether it could be authorized or done on as needed basis if a situation arises.
The Assistant City Manager, Domic stated that staffing is still an issue for the LA County Sheriff's department, and they could substitute this with the unarmed patrol.
Discussion took place about the Automated License Reader program.
Councilmember Lainez recommended having a dedicated social media platform, whether discussion forums and information flow are constant, without moderators approving information. Assistant City Manager Domic stated that the City could utilize Nextdoor neighbor and look into other platforms.
Councilmember Lainez requested that Community Services Commission meet regularly, as it is essential for the City to promote safety and share what is happening there.
Vice Mayor Argumedo agreed that all recommendations are needed and spoke about the importance of the camera rebate program.
Mayor Rebollo recommended that whatever social media platform is selected that users could submit recommendations or suggestions. In response to Mayor Rebollo's questions on how the flashing stop signs installation locations would be determined, Assistant City Manager Domic stated that the engineering would be performing an analysis. Mayor Rebollo recommended that students from the schools submit artwork for the continental crosswalks.
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No action was taken on this item. it was receive and file only.
11. Fund Exchange Agreement with Metro
Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview of the staff report.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution approving an Exchange Agreement and Assignment of Federal Surface Transportation Program-Local and Highway Infrastructure Program Funds with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
12. Approval of Public Art in Connection with the Art in Public Places Ordinance for Project Located at 6046 E. Washington Blvd., Commerce, CA
Acting Director of Economic Development and Planning Esparza provided an overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Garcia asked about the artwork's origin, and Acting Director Esparza stated that the applicant proposed that artwork.
Vice Mayor Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Public Art proposed by the applicant at the project site located at 6046 East Washington Boulevard in accordance with the Art in Public Places Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Rebollo, Mayor Pro Tem Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Altamirano
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Lainez thanked the Montebello School District for the safety updates, especially with the recent Nashville school shooting. Mayor Rebollo also echoed that they need to speak to legislators and school districts to ensure the children's safety is a priority.
Vice Mayor Argumedo reported attending Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and Lions Club Breakfast at Rosewood park.
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Mayor Rebollo stated that Mayor's Prayer Breakfast was a great event.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. in memory of Nashville school shooting victims and in memory of Louise Maria Cital, a Commerce resident who just recently turned 100 years.
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