City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - 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 the meeting to order at 5:06 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 to address the City Council on any Closed Session items.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:07 p.m.
1. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1) Employee Title: City Manager
2. Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 the City Council will confer with its labor negotiator, Vilko Domic, with respect to labor negotiations pertaining to 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), and Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation.
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City Council Meeting Minutes February 27, 2024
3. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8, the City Council will confer with its real property negotiator, Vilko Domic, with respect to real estate negotiations with:
A. 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.
B. 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.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:03 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
item #1, #2, and #3A. - Staff made a presentation, direction was provided and no reportable action was taken on these items.
Item #3.B was not discussed in the Closed Session.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called a regular City Council meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Director of Public Works Operations Nila led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Councilmember Lainez offered the invocation
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City Council Meeting Minutes February 27, 2024
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any item within their jurisdiction.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia asked to pull item #4 for discussion.
Deputy Director of Public Works Operations Nila provided a brief overview of the staff report and power point presentation featuring what improvements were made.
Councilmember Garcia moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution accepting the Basketball/Volleyball Courts Resurfacing at Various City Parks Project as complete, authorizing staff to file the Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office and authorizing release of 5% retention per contract provisions. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo (5)
Vice Mayor Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #4. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
1. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 13A, 13B, and 13C
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Ferguson Drive Sidewalk Improvements Project Acceptance
4. Basketball/Volleyball Courts Resurfacing at Various City Parks Project Acceptance
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Weed Abatement Program - Abatement Order Directing the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioners/Director of Weights and Measures to Abate Public Nuisance
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Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway provided a brief overview of the staff report. Mayor Argumedo opened Public Hearing, Mayor Argumedo closed Public Hearing.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Abatement Order directing the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures to abate the public nuisance, and allow those property owners affected by the Weed Abatement Program to protest the inclusion of their properties within the program. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Rebollo extended congratulations to the ACEs team for their performance in the tournament.
Councilmember Garcia participated in a Neighborhood Watch meeting in the Veterans Park area, emphasizing the importance of voicing concerns during such gatherings. Councilmember Garcia expressed gratitude towards the public safety staff. Regarding the Aquatics Banquet, Garcia acknowledged the challenging nature of the sport and congratulated all athletes, coaches, parents, and specifically praised Rachel for putting together an excellent banquet.
Councilmember Lainez reported that he attended the Aquatics Banquet, commending the water polo team and congratulating the ACEs for their tournament in Arizona. Councilmember Lainez also urged everyone to participate in voting.
Vice Mayor Altamirano reported that he attended an employee service award event, expressing gratitude to the Parks and Recreation Department for organizing a remarkable ceremony. Additionally, the Vice Mayor extended belated birthday wishes to the Mayor's mother.
Mayor Argumedo expressed thanks to the Vice Mayor for attending the employee service awards banquet. The Mayor reported his attendance at the Aquatics Award Banquet, discussed the I-5 Cities Joint Powers Authority meeting, and mentioned cities' efforts to seek reimbursement from Caltrans for damages to local roads caused by improvements to the I-5 freeway. Mayor Argumedo also participated in the Neighborhood Watch meeting, acknowledging the public safety staff. He highlighted the upcoming Street Cleanup Day and encouraged participation in City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 3/7/2024
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cleaning up the on-and off-ramp to the 710 freeway, scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 8 to 11 am.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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