City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 25, 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 Argumedo called meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Rebollo arrived at 5:08 p.m.
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
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 5:08 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.
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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 with:
A. 5550 Harbor St., Commerce, CA 90040 (6335-025-903), 2300 S. Eastern Ave. (6335-025-010)
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.
C. 7025 Slauson Ave., Commerce CA (APN: 6356-004-025)
D. Various parties for 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce CA (APN: 6335-025-901)
3. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - One (1) Matter.
4. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: From the Earth LLC v. City of Commerce et al. - Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 20STCV36221.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:05 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Attorney Tapia provided a report on the outcome of the closed session.
Item #1A and B was discussed, and staff provided a presentation. The City Council provided direction on this item, but no reportable action was taken.
Item #2.D. was not discussed during the closed session.
Items #2.A., 2.B and 2.C, #3 and #4 were also discussed during the closed session. Staff made a presentation on these items, and the City Council provided feedback. However, no reportable action was taken on these items. 6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called regular meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
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Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Manager Cisneros led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Garcia offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of the Commerce Dance Teams for their Achievements during 2023, and Winning Dance National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada
Mayor Argumedo and Councilmembers recognized Dance Teams for their achievements ad winning dance National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Brian Davis, a Real Estate Attorney, has stated that he is currently representing the interests of certain local businesses in matters related to commercial leases.
Specifically, Mr. Davis referred to Fenix Enterprises, which has leased commercial space from the City, and Martin Fierro. He alleged that Mr. Fierro has received preferential treatment and has been able to lease land below market value. Mr.
Davis further added that there was an article published in the San Diego Tribune on this issue, and they will continue to investigate the matter.
In another matter, Gloria Nezahualgoyotl submitted a request seeking information on why the Transportation Director was authorized to use a vehicle and which meetings he attended during the Covid pandemic, specifically regional meetings.
She questioned why the Transportation Director was given a vehicle while other executives were not. All directors should be treated equally, and Ms.
Nezahualgoyotl sought clarification on this matter.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Rebollo pulled item #4. and Councilmember Garcia pulled item #6 for discussion.
item 34- Councilmember Rebollo requested that items related to disability causes City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 5/4/2023
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and similar proclamations be placed under presentations. After reading the proclamation, Mayor Argumedo moved to approve it, which was seconded by Councilmember Lainez. The motion was passed with a vote of 5-0, with Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo voting in favor.
Regarding Item #6, Councilmember Garcia raised a concern about how the project would impact the City of Commerce. In response, City Manager Cisneros stated that the analysis of the project is ongoing, and they will provide more information to the City Council later. Vice Mayor Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution approving an Agreement with California High Speed Authority and Amendments to Consultant Agreements with Southstar Engineering & Consulting, Inc., JM Diaz, Inc. and Mott Macdonald, LLC for a High Speed Rail Project. The motion was passed with a vote of 5-0, with Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo voting in favor.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Altamirano, to approve the Consent Calendar minus items #4 and #6. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 17A, 17B, and 17C
3. Approval of Minutes
4. A Proclamation Declaring the Month of April 2023 as Limb Loss Awareness Month
5. FY 2021-22 Pavement Rehabilitation Project Acceptance
6. Agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority and Amendments to On-Call Consultants Associated with the Project
SCHEDULED MATTERS
7. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte presented a comparison of crime statistics between the City of Cudahy, the City of Maywood, and the East Los Angeles area.
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8. Modifications to the Existing First-Time Homebuyer 2.0 Program Guidelines
item #8 was continued to the next meeting.
9. Award of Construction Contract to California Commercial Pools, Inc. for the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center Pool Filtration System Replacement Project The Acting Director of Public Works Nila gave an overview of the staff report. The report stated that the filtration units were leaking from the bottom and the UV system needed to be replaced since they were over 20 years old. Due to the higher cost of replacement, the department was requesting an additional appropriation to award the contract for this work.
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution rejecting MMJ Contracting, Inc. bid and awarding a construction contract to California Commercial Pools, Inc. for the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center Pool Filtration System Replacement Project and authorizing construction management and inspection services by Transtech Engineers, Inc, and make a finding and determination that the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center Pool Filtration System Replacement Project is exempt from further CEQA review. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
10. Organizational Assignments for Councilmembers
The City Council reviewed organizational assignments and requested the City Clerk to confirm the attendance of the appointee for the Vector Control organization. The Council made the following changes to the organizational assignments:
Southern California Association of Government (SCAG): Councilmember Lainez was appointed, with Councilmember Rebollo as the alternate.
Employment Task Force: Mayor Argumedo was appointed
Rest of assignments stayed the same as the year before.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Rebollo requested an adjournment for the next meeting for a resident (name would be sent later) and thanked sports teams for their championships and being so competitive, and representing the City. Mayor City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 5/4/2023
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Rebollo announced that the hiring of recreation leaders almost finished, which would allow most recreation program being brought back, and thanked residents for their patience.
Councilmember Garcia attended the Joe Lozano dedication event at Bristow Park and praised staff's work on Mixmaster that really helped with the traffic control.
Councilmember Lainez agreed that work performed at Mixmaster regarding striping was great, and stated that he also attended Joe Lozano dedication event.
Additionally, he attended a fundraiser for the Commerce Aces at Rosewood Park, which was organized by Ester Zavala, and commended her for a job well done.
Councilmember Lainez also participated in a library volunteer recognition breakfast. Finally, he requested that staff provide an update on the hiring efforts for Parks and Recreation at the next meeting.
Vice Mayor Altamirano attended the Joe Lozano event and a Mass Timber conference in Colorado. Vice Mayor Altamirano requested a presentation on the subject for the City Council. He also suggested creating a separate Arts in Public Places subcommittee and recommended bringing back the Wayfinding project.
Mayor Argumedo attended the Joe Lozano's ceremony, a library volunteer breakfast, and asked for clarification to be provided regarding who was invited to that event. Mayor Argumedo reported that he went to City of Aguascalientes (Sister City), and it was a great visit.
The City Council reconvened to Closed session at 7:06pm
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
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