City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 5:15 PM
Special Meeting
5:15 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called meeting to order at 5:17 p.m.
ROLL CALL
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 recessed to Closed Session at 5:18 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 (Vacant), Safety & Community Services Director (Vacant), Deputy Director of Operations (Vacant), Assistant City Manager, City Manager City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 6/1/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes May 30, 2023
2. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Matters.
3. 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.
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 with:
A. 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.
B. 5550 Harbor St., Commerce, CA 90040 (6335-025-903)
C. Various parties for 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce CA (APN: 6335-025-901)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to Open Session at 6:38 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Items #4.B. and #4.C. were not discussed in the Closed Session.
Items #1, #3 and item #4.A - Staff made a presentation, direction was provided and no reportable action was taken on any of these items.
Item #2- only one matter was discussed. Staff made a presentation, direction was provided and 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 6:38 p.m.
ROLL CALL
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City Council Meeting Minutes May 30, 2023
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gloria Nezahualcoya voiced her concerns regarding the Director of Transportation's ongoing use of a City car since 2018. She expressed dissatisfaction with the response to her Public Records Request, stating that the provided documentation did not sufficiently justify the Director's need for the vehicle.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia requested that items #6 and #8 be pulled for discussion.
Item #6 - Councilmember Garcia asked for additional information regarding previous amendments. Director of Transportation McFerguson explained that Amendment #2 included environmental components that needed to be completed, and Amendment #3 modified and expanded the scope of the project, including driveway repavement, design modifications, and ADA compliance. Councilmember Garcia requested that the staff and architect collaborate to finalize these details and avoid the need for further amendments.
Director of Transportation McFerguson acknowledged that due to the project's size, some changes may be unforeseen, but the staff will make efforts to minimize the need for additional amendments. City Manager Cisneros recommended approving Amendment #4, which amounts to $44,000 and has a specific scope identified in the staff report. Councilmember Rebollo mentioned that the funding for the project comes from federal funds. The Director of Transportation added that soil testing is required before the demolition begins.
Councilmember Rebollo made a motion to approve the Fourth Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement between the City of Commerce and Stantec Architecture Incorporated for architecture and engineering services, with Vice Mayor Altamirano seconding the motion. The motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo (5)
Item #8 - Councilmember Garcia inquired about how candidates are retained after completing training, specifically regarding the specifications. Greg explained that City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 6/1/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes May 30, 2023
team-building and flexible schedules are implemented to allow candidates to pursue other endeavors. In response to Councilmember Garcia, Director Alaniz clarified that lifeguards and instructor guards would be compensated during their training. Further discussion arose about acceptable IDin order to qualify for the positions. City Manager Cisneros stated that anyone lawfully allowed to work in the United States would qualify.
Councilmember Rebollo expressed support for the idea of hiring alumni during the summer and providing them with flexibility when they attend college.
Councilmember Rebollo made a motion to adopt a Resolution amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by revising the job specifications for the Lifeguard and Instructor Guard classification. Councilmember Garcia seconded the motion. The motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo (5)
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Consent Calendar minus items #6 and #8. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
1. Approval of Minutes
2. First Amendment to the Commercial Refuse and Recycling Hauler Semi-Exclusive Agreement
3. Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc for the Preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Engineer’s Estimates for the Mixmaster Street Widening Project (Phase II)
4. Professional Services Agreement for the Preparation of the Citywide Streetlighting Master Plan
5. Professional Services Agreement with John G. Cataldo Architects for the Preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Engineer’s Estimates for the Renovation of Bandini Library
6. Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Architecture, Incorporated
7. FY 2023/24 Street Rehabilitation Project List Under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1 Beall)
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8. Revisions to the Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan by Amending the Lifeguard and Instructor Guard Classifications
ORDINANCES
9. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Commerce Municipal Code, Title 5 (Business Regulations and Licensing), Chapter
5.16 (Sidewalk Vending)
This item was continued to a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:59pm
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