City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 22, 2023 - 5:00 PM
Special City Council Meeting
5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Altamirano called meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo and Councilmember Rebollo arrived at 5:05 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 Closed session items.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed session at 5:03 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 6/26/2023
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(Vacant), Safety & Community Services Director (Vacant), Deputy Director of Operations (Vacant), Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, Assistant City Manager, City Manager
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor reconvened to Open Session at 5:46 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported that the City Council discussed item #1, but will continue discussion after the regular session.
City Attorney Tapia reported on item #1 - staff made a presentation, the City Council provided direction and no final action was taken on this item.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo called regular session to order at 5:47 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items within the City Council jurisdiction.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
1. Presentation and Review of Proposed 2023/2024 Fiscal Year Budget Assistant City Manager Domic provided a presentation. Assistant City Manager Domic informed that there is a projected surplus of $6.5 million, which includes the impact of all employee agreements, including estimated impacts from employee Memorandums of Understanding, totaling approximately $3.5 million. Mayor Argumedo mentioned that Bill SB 459 had been introduced, potentially affecting the income received from the casino, and requested an update on the bill.
Councilmember Rebollo inquired about the status of the reserves, to which Assistant City Manager Domic responded that they were almost at pre-COVID levels.
Assistant City Manager Domic stated that the General Fund projection is $63,962,083. The discussion focused on the significant increase in the Fire Department contract, primarily due to wage and benefit increases. Councilmember Garcia asked about the number of Fire Stations in the City, and Assistant City City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 6/26/2023
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Manager Domic clarified that the City shares 3.5 stations with neighboring cities.
He also mentioned that the City incurs expenses for fire inspectors due to the industrial and commercial structures present. Mayor Argumedo requested a breakdown of costs for the fire department and associated expenses.
In response to Councilmember Rebollo's inquiry about analyzing options and hiring a consultant for evaluating fire protection needs, City Manager Cisneros assured that staff would provide estimates for the upcoming meeting on June 27th.
City Manager Cisneros presented departmental requests regarding staffing needs.
The discussion revolved around position requests in the Human Resources department, with City Manager Cisneros explaining that the positions were downgrades from existing positions within the department.
Extensive deliberation took place regarding the conversion of part-time street helpers to full-time positions, their schedules, and the potential improvement in maintenance throughout the City. Acting Public Works Director Nila provided an overview of the street and graffiti crew structure, including tasks such as handling dumped items, commercial area spills, securing catch basins, signs installations, weed abatement, and addressing tree shoots. Mayor Argumedo and the Council questioned why West Coast arborists were not addressing the tree shoots as agreed upon. Mayor Argumedo requested that if these positions were upgraded, the Council be provided with schedules outlining street cleaning and citywide issue resolution.
Responding to the Mayor's suggestion, Acting Public Works Director Nila mentioned that they would stagger shifts to increase coverage.
Councilmember Garcia requested an explanation for the request to move a part-time Senior Office Assistant to Public Works. City Manager Cisneros clarified that park maintenance duties had transitioned from the Parks and Recreation Department to Public Works, and the Senior Office Assistant position was related to administrative tasks concerning park maintenance.
Councilmember Lainez inquired about the possibility of keeping the library open on Saturdays. Assistant City Manager Domic informed that the Library staff would provide a presentation on library reorganization on June 27th.
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Councilmember Rebollo asked about the programming for performing arts instructors, and Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Marques explained that they would primarily be assigned to performing arts activities, occasionally assisting with City events.
Councilmember Lainez requested an update on parks programming and staffing.
Additionally, he suggested reinstating the YES program and introducing family excursions, as currently only Camp Commerce was being offered. Councilmember Lainez also advocated for allocating funds equitably to travel teams and proposed a LAFC soccer night.
Councilmember Rebollo raised a programming-related question, suggesting bringing back Miss Commerce and exploring associated costs.
In response to Councilmember Garcia's inquiry, the discussion focused on youth programming and the potential reinstatement of Hot Shots for younger children.
Councilmember Rebollo also recommended bringing back Rookie Camp.
Further discussion ensued regarding the allocation of funds for travel sports and the possibility of setting aside a contingency for unforeseen events when travel sport teams qualify. Councilmember Rebollo emphasized that some programs are larger and have gained recognition, and they differ in terms of tournament levels and brackets.
Mayor Argumedo inquired about recreational boxing. Assistant Director Marques stated that they are currently recruiting a coach and mentioned that in the past, they traveled for boxing events, but they would review the situation at that time.
Councilmember Garcia emphasized the importance of promoting parks programs effectively and requested budget sheets outlining the expenditures and necessary funding.
Councilmember Lainez requested an analysis of the budget impact of hiring a Public Information Officer or Media Specialist to improve digital communication and revive the monthly newsletter. Additionally, Councilmember Lainez asked for information on economic development and planning, particularly regarding community revitalization and conducting an economic community assessment.
Councilmember Lainez also inquired about the requirements for establishing a City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 6/26/2023
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home revitalization program for residents who exceed the minimum income requirements but still require home repairs. Acting Director of Economic Development and Planning Esparza responded that they could follow the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requirements but emphasized that the City Council would need to allocate funding for such a program.
Acting Public Works Director Nila delivered a presentation on Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Councilmember Rebollo recommended repairing the Bandini Roof, considering its poor condition. It was agreed to postpone Bristow Park roof repairs until the assessment for that park is complete and allocate funds for Bandini Roof repair.
There was a discussion about whether staff had obtained quotes for the pool, and City Manager Cisneros responded negatively.
Councilmember Lainez raised the question of improving the Greenwood and Watcher intersection, possibly by converting it into a traffic circle.
Councilmember Rebollo made a motion to receive and file the presentation, seconded by Councilmember Lainez. The motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Rebollo, Lainez, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo (5).
The meeting was recessed for a closed session at 8 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
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