City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 12, 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 5:03 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 Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City 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.
Employee Title: Human Resources Director, Transportation Director, Parks & Recreation Director, Public Works Director, Administrative Services Director, City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 9/25/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023
Library Director, Planning and Economic Development Director, Finance Director (Vacant), Safety & Community Services Director (Vacant), Deputy Director of Operations (Vacant), Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, Assistant City Manager, City Manager
2. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - One (1) Matter.
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 regarding 5550 Harbor St., Commerce CA 90040 (APN: 6335-025-903)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/ Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:19 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Items #1 and #2 - City staff made a presentation, City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on these items.
Item #3 - City staff made a presentation, and no reportable action was taken on this item.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:21 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Rebollo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
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1. Proclamation Declaring September 2023 as Deaf Awareness Month in the City of Commerce
Director of Parks and Recreation, Mr. Alaniz, delivered a presentation. In response, Janelle Ocampo expressed her gratitude towards the dedicated parks and recreation staff for offering a diverse array of programs catering to children with hearing impairments. She shared that her daughter Samantha had the chance to participate in some of these programs, most notably embarking on her journey in volleyball. Ms. Ocampo extended her heartfelt thanks to the City for its commendable efforts.
Samantha Ocampo herself took a moment to convey her appreciation to both the City Council and the Parks staff for the numerous opportunities they had provided her.
Mayor Argumedo then proceeded to read an official proclamation.
Councilmember Rebollo took the opportunity to offer her comments and express gratitude to the Ocampo family for being a continual source of inspiration.
Councilmember Rebollo specifically commended Samantha for her remarkable courage in addressing the Council.
2. Commendation Honoring Cindy Montañez for Her Leadership as the CEO of TreePeople USA and Contributions to the City of Commerce, County of Los Angeles, and State of California
This item was continued to the next City Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
3. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 24A, 24B, 3A and 3B The City Council and Successor Agency will consider for approval the bills City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 9/25/2023
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and claims set forth in Warrant Registers No.24A dated September 11, 2023, No. 24B dated July 24, 2023, through August 3, 2023, 3A dated September 12, 2023, and 3B dated August 9, 2023 through September 6, 2023.
4. Approval of Minutes
The City Council and Successor Agency will consider for approval the minutes of the City Council meeting of Tuesday, August 22, 2023, held at 5:00 p.m., the minutes of the Special City Council meeting of Thursday, August 24, 2023, held at 3:35 p.m., and the minutes of the City Council meeting of Tuesday, August 8, 2023, held at 5:00 p.m.
5. Competitive Tree Planting Grant Program - First Amendment to Deed Restriction
The City Council will consider for adoption a Resolution approving the First Amendment to the Original Deed Restriction related to the City of Commerce Tree Planting Project awarded through the LA Conservation Corps in the grant amount of $200,000.00.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
6. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department Regarding Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte presented a summary of the events and activities that occurred over the past two weeks. This included a homeless clean-up operation and an overview of the various meetings herself and Deputies had attended, such as the State of the City address and a town hall meeting at the Senior Center. Sergeant Duarte also reported attending a concert in the park, noting that there were no issues or incidents during the event.
In response to the presentation, Councilmember Lainez expressed appreciation for the comprehensive overview of the recent activities. Councilmember Lainez also inquired about the progress of the recruitment for the Public Safety Manager position, to which City Manager Cisneros responded that the recruitment process is still ongoing.
7. Amending the Annual Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City Manager Cisneros indicated that although some aspects are still being finalized and discussions with the City Council are ongoing, there was a request for approval of certain timely capital outlay items. The remaining items would be City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 9/25/2023
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brought before the Council at a later date.
If the requested items were to be approved during tonight's meeting, it would result in a surplus of 5.7 million dollars.
The items that were requested for approval included personnel requests for a full-time Permit Technician, a full-time Code Enforcement Officer, a full-time Maintenance Specialist, two full-time Street Maintenance Workers, and two part-time Class Instructors. Additionally, funds would be allocated for a traveling team, capital outlay items such as furnishings for the library and Camp Commerce, as well as transportation items including a Ford Transit Van, a JCB compact track loader, two DAR electric vehicles, and an outdoor forklift. The total for these items amounted to $785,190 dollars.
Councilmember Garcia moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Altamirano, to adopt resolution amending the annual operating budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 in the amount of $785,190, and as recommended by staff. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
8. Committee and Commission Appointments
Councilmember Rebollo appointed Smyrna Caraveo to the Education Commission.
Vice Mayor Altamirano asked that the vacancy on Senior Commission is advertised.
ORDINANCES
9. Second Reading of an Uncodified Ordinance Approving a Development Agreement Related to Application No. 18-052
City Manager Cisneros left the Council Chambers during this item. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk provided a brief overview.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Altamirano, to adopt and conduct a Second Reading, by waiving the full reading and reading by title only, an Uncodified Ordinance approving the Development Agreement with DJCC Corporation (California Corporation) related to Application No. 18-052, for a commercial cannabis business at 5350-80 East Washington Boulevard, Commerce CA, and direct staff to prepare and file corresponding Notices of Exemption. The motion carried by the following City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 9/25/2023
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vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo Abstain:1 - Councilmember Garcia
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Garcia had the pleasure of attending the Concert in the Park and described it as a very well organized event.
Councilmember Rebollo participated in the Contract Cities meeting and expressed her request for detailed information regarding Measure H, including the total amount of funds received and a breakdown of their allocation. She further expressed her intention to schedule a meeting with Sergeant and the public safety staff to gain a better understanding of upcoming public safety measures in the upcoming election. Councilmember Rebollo issued her condolences to Celia Hinojosa' family.
Councilmember Lainez shared his attendance at the Rosewood Park banquet for soccer athletes, the event hosted by Congressman Robert Garcia at the Senior Center, which he praised as a well-organized town hall meeting Councilmember Lainez also reported his attendance and praised well-organized the Concert in the Park.
Mayor Argumedo reported on his attendance at the town hall meeting organized by Congressman Robert Garcia, where he delivered a welcoming speech, and also his presence at the Summer Concert Series.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm in memory of Celia Hinojosa.
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