City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 11, 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 5:07 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/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:08 p.m.
1. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1)
Employee Title: Assistant 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.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:06 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed session items:
Items #1 and #2 - Staff made a presentation, the City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on any of these items.
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City Council Meeting Minutes June 11, 2024
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:08 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 led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Mayor Argumedo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Tree City U.S.A. 2023 Award and Recognition of the Arbor Day 2024 Poster Contest Winners
Mark Martinez, Deputy Forester with the LA County Fire Department, discussed the criteria for the City's achievements and highlighted its consistent recognition as a Tree City USA for 28 consecutive years. Nick Padilla, Park Maintenance Leadworker, and the Rosewood School Principal presented awards to the contest winners.
2. Certificate of Recognition for the Commerce Evening Lions Club for their Contributions, and Outstanding Volunteerism
This item was continued to the next City Council meeting.
3. Presentation on the 2024 Summer Reading Program and the Update on the Library of Things Collection
Silvia Cisneros, Senior Librarian, provided an overview of the summer reading program. Edward Hernandez, Technical Services Supervisor, announced that the Library received another grant, which funded 25 solar portable chargers, and he conducted a demonstration of these chargers.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jose Cruz, Nadine Huacuja, Jesus Huacuja, and Andrea McCormick, parents of City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 6/12/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes June 11, 2024
water polo team members, advocated for cultural excursions for the team. Billy Cruz, Rodrigo Mena, and Nathan Martinez also supported allowing the boys' water polo team to participate in cultural excursions to enhance their skills.
Omar Torrones expressed gratitude for the generosity of the sponsors and thanked Councilmembers Rebollo and Lainez for their year-end assistance, as well as all sponsors who contributed to the Renaissance group.
Mayra Huerta thanked everyone for supporting youth groups, acknowledging donations and assistance that helped the Renaissance group achieve their goals.
She also expressed appreciation for the Teen Center staff, Councilmember Rebollo for inspiring the youth, Councilmember Lainez for his proactive support, Mayor Argumedo for his prompt action, and the teachers at Rosewood Park.
Gloria Nezahualcoyotl made a statement for the record.
A brief discussion ensued regarding travel guidelines and ensuring fairness for all groups seeking cultural excursions.
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Hernandez requested that item #7 is continued to the next City Council meeting. Councilmember Lainez asked to pull item #6 for discussion. item #6 - Councilmember Lainez inquired about the timeline for the design. Deputy Director of Public Works Operations, Nila, responded that there is no established timeline yet but estimated it would take about six months. Councilmember Lainez emphasized the importance of community outreach and sought assurance that it would be conducted, asking for thoughts on how to gather feedback. He also suggested obtaining input from staff working in the facility regarding the functionality of room designs. Deputy Director Nila mentioned that community feedback received during the creation of Parks Master Paln would also be incorporated.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt a Resolution approving a Professional Service Agreement with John G. Cataldo City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 6/12/2024
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Architect, A.I.A. C.S.I. Architect, Inc. to provide professional services to prepare Plans, Specifications, and Engineer’s Estimate for the Renovation of Bristow Park Community Center and Library; authorizing Transtech Engineers, Inc. to proceed with the Project and allocating $267,851.50 in Measure AA funding to cover the total project cost. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano and Mayor Argumedo (5)
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve the Consent Calendar items #4 and #5. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
4. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 20A, 20B, and 20C
5. Approval of Minutes
6. Bristow Park Community Center and Library Renovation - Approval of Professional Services Agreement with John G. Cataldo
7. First Amendment to Assistant City Manager Employment Agreement Between Vilko Domic and the City of Commerce
SCHEDULED MATTERS
8. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte provided an overview of the past two weeks and mentioned that the next report will include additional statistics requested by the Council.
9. Resolution by the City Council Re-Naming a Portion of Tubeway Avenue after Haig Papaian, former Commerce Casino CEO and President Assistant City Manager Domic provided an overview, mentioning that there is a second alternative in which Commerce Casino wants to vacate Tubeway. The current suggestion of renaming Tubeway would affect four businesses, including their mailing addresses, whereas the second alternative would not impact any businesses.
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A discussion ensued. City Manager Hernandez suggested that the renaming ceremony could take place at the current street location and later be moved to the new realignment. Councilmember Rebollo recommended that staff check with Haig Papian’s family on whether to name the street "Haig Papian Jr. Way" or simply "Haig Papian Way."
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adopt a Resolution renaming a portion of Tubeway "Haig Papaian Way" in honor Haig Papaian. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
ORDINANCES
10. Adoption of Urgency Ordinance Amending Commerce Municipal Code, Chapter 5.10 (“Use and Sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks”) of Title 5 and Adding a New Chapter 16.05 to Title 16 Prohibiting the Possession, Sale, and/or Discharge of Dangerous Fireworks and Establishing Penalties; and Introduction of Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Chapter 5.10 (“Use and Sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks”) of Tile 5 and Adding a New Chapter 16.05 to Title 16 Prohibiting the Possession, Sale, and/or Discharge of Dangerous Fireworks and Establish Penalties (First Reading) City Attorney Tapia provided a brief overview.
In response to Councilmember Lainez's inquiry about the enforcement of the ordinance, City Manager Hernandez explained that the plan is to educate the public. He noted that the Commerce Team is aware of certain hot spots and violators and will be conducting enforcement and preventive measures in advance.
Councilmember Rebollo emphasized the importance of community awareness, urging residents to consider the impact of noise on infants, military personnel, and pets, who are particularly sensitive.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt an Urgency Ordinance amending Commerce Municipal Code Chapter
5.10 of Title 5 prohibiting the possession, sale and/or discharge of dangerous fireworks and establishing fines and penalties in violation of City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 6/12/2024
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Chapter 16.05 (Fireworks) of the Commerce Municipal Code; and Introduce and by reading the Title only, waive full reading of Ordinance Amending Commerce Municipal Code, Chapter 5.10 (“Use and Sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks”) of Title 5 and adding a new Chapter 16.05 to Title 16 prohibiting the possession, sale, and/or discharge of dangerous fireworks and establishing penalties for violations of Chapter 16.05 (First Reading). 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 Garcia visited the East Los Angeles Women's Shelter Team and toured a shelter in Commerce. Councilmember also attended a football clinic at Rosewood Park and attended the swearing-in ceremony at the Metropolitan Water District where Jim Crowford was sworn in as a board member. Additionally, Councilmember Garcia attended the Schurr High School graduation ceremony, congratulating the Class of 2024 graduates.
Councilmember Rebollo congratulated the Class of 2024 graduates and thanked Social Services Coordinator garcia for the College Banners for class 2024.
Councilmember Rebollo also congratulated the Water Polo teams that qualified for the Junior Olympics in San Jose in July and noted that volleyball and baseball try-outs are going on.
Councilmember Lainez stated that he is also a board member of the Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust, highlighted that they started review of project applications and funding for affordable housing this year. Councilmember Lainez reported that he attended the Bell Chamber of Commerce anniversary, and congratulated Janine Andrade for receiving the Community Service Award and Matt Johnson for receiving the Prestigious Distinguished Award. Councilmember Lainez also reported attending Jim Crowford's swearing-in ceremony at the Metropolitan Water District, the Rosewood 8th-grade banquet where he was impressed by advocacy and fundraising efforts, and the Veil High School graduation at Bell Gardens High School, congratulating all the graduates.
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Mayor Argumedo congratulated the Class of 2024 graduates and stated that he attended Veil High School's graduation. Mayor Argumedo reported attending a "Day at the Races" event with the Vice Mayor and an Evening Lions Club meeting.
Mayor Argumedo requested staff to investigate the use of Camp Commerce and the beach area at Lake Arrowhead, suggesting that the City cover fees for patrons.
He also asked staff to explore the installation of stoplights with cameras for issuing citations. Mayor Argumedo asked that staff provide status update on priority projects, requesting status updates, identification of issues, and problem resolution.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
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