City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 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
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 3 -
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Absent: 2 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Acting Director of Economic Development and Planning Morales led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Mayor Argumedo offered the invocation
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificate of Recognition for the Commerce Evening Lions Club for their Contributions, and Outstanding Volunteerism
Ed Saucedo, the Social Services Coordinator, provided a brief introduction for the Lions Club, highlighting their generous donations. Mayor Argumedo then spoke about the community clean-up efforts and the volunteerism supported by the club.
The Mayor also read the certificate of recognition.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items on the agenda or within their jurisdiction.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Hernandez asked to continue item #11 to the next City Council meeting.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #11. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Argumedo, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, and Councilmember Garcia
2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 21A, 21B, and 21C
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Amendment to the Agreement with Data Ticket, Inc.
5. Agreement with the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control, and FY 2024-29 Service Level Request
6. Approval of Interagency Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems
7. FY 2024/25 Street Rehabilitation Project List Under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1 Beall)
8. Amendment No. 4 to an Agreement with Keenan & Associates for Self-Insured Claims Administration
9. Resolution Approving the Correction of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 and 2023-24 Appropriation Limits and Adopting the Annual Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2024-25
10. Approval of First Amendment and Reimbursement Agreement between the Member Cities in LCA1 for Shelter Beds within the Salvation Army Bell Shelter
11. Procurement and Replacement of HVAC Units at Various City Facilities through BuyBoard National Purchasing Cooperative Agreement
12. First Amendment to Assistant City Manager Employment Agreement City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 7/9/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes June 25, 2024
Between Vilko Domic and the City of Commerce
SCHEDULED MATTERS
13. 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 shared statistics from January 1 to June 25. Sergeant Duarte also discussed information regarding "safe and sane" fireworks. Councilmember Rebollo commended the efforts made, noting a decrease in fireworks within the community.
Councilmember Lainez inquired about the locations for the fireworks reader boards and asked how deployment and vehicle positioning were adjusted. Sergeant Duarte explained that the heat map is shared with deputies, indicating the optimal positioning areas and times.
Mayor Argumedo thanked everyone for their teamwork and emphasized the importance of addressing clean-ups for the community. The Mayor requested a report on the two shopping centers, specifically inquiring whether they have security cameras, a central monitoring system, and procedures for deploying security when suspicious activity is detected.
14. Letter of Opposition for Assembly Bill 2986 (W. Carrillo) for a Local Agency Formation Commission for the County of Los Angeles: East Los Angeles Task Force
City Manager Hernandez provided an overview of the staff report.
Kimberly Ortega, Communication Director for Supervisor Solis, stated that authors refer to it as just a study, but noted that it will incur costs and lead to the disempowerment of East Los Angeles.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt a Resolution authorizing staff to send an opposition letter signed by the Mayor to the State of California for AB 2986 (W. Carrillo). The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Argumedo, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, and Councilmember Garcia
15. Award Construction Contract to Superb Engineering, Inc. for the Garfield City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 7/9/2024
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Avenue Median Improvements Project
Deputy Director of Public Works Operations Nila provided an overview of the staff report. The discussion included median lighting and strategies to prevent theft.
Deputy Director Nila mentioned that the lighting would be modified and potentially placed on palm trees to deter theft.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution approving Plans and Specifications for the Garfield Avenue Median Improvements Project; awarding a construction contract to Superb Engineering, Inc.; authorizing Transtech Engineers, Inc. to proceed with Construction Management and Inspection Services; and approving an appropriation in the amount of $2,029,351.06 from Measure AA. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Argumedo, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, and Councilmember Garcia
16. Agreement with the County of Los Angeles Probation Department for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Public Safety Manager Edson provided an overview. A discussion took place regarding the benefits the City gains from having a dedicated probation officer.
City Manager Hernandez suggested that the probation officer's activities be included in the weekly report to the City Council to provide an overview of their work. Sergeant Duarte added that together Probation Office and Deputies conduct probation compliance checks.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution approving an Agreement with the County of Los Angeles Probation Department for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with the condition that the report be included in the City Manager's weekly report or presented to the Council during Sheriff's update. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Argumedo, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, and Councilmember Garcia
17. A Resolution Authorizing the Continuing of Operations into Fiscal Year 2024-25 at the Amended Fiscal Year 2023-24 Appropriation Levels with Contractually Required Adjustments
Assistant City Manager Domic provided an overview of the budget discussion.
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Councilmember Rebollo made several budget requests: 1) Add a cultural excursions budget for the travel teams. However, develop criteria and guidelines on how the money could be used. Councilmember Rebollo recommended budgeting $75,000 for this purpose. 2) Allocate funds for the Special Olympics to bring some activities to East Los Angeles. It was recommended to allocate $15,000 for this program. 3) Increase the number of classes at the senior center, including a watercolor class. 4) Add one more part-time assistant coach for water polo and include this in the budget.
Councilmember Lainez inquired about the surplus and reserves. Assistant City Manager Domic explained that the city has rebounded after the recession but noted the need to consider the upcoming 4% wage increase in the next year and another 4% in the following year.
Councilmember Lainez also requested the return of the Fiesta Padres celebration to Bristow Park.
There was a discussion about returning all libraries to their pre-pandemic hours.
Library Director Bautista stated that a future plan would be presented to the City Council.
Mayor Argumedo recommended continuing the budget discussion at the next City Council meeting to give the other two Councilmembers an opportunity to bring their requests. He also suggested that the City add beautification/maintenance projects for on-ramps and off-ramps and possibly sign a reimbursement agreement with Caltrans.
Assistant City Manager Domic recommended approving the status quo budget, and City Manager Hernandez stated that Council requests could be revisited at the next meeting.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution authorizing the continuing of operations into Fiscal Year 2024-25 at Fiscal Year 2023-24 amended appropriation levels with adjustments for needed items and contractually required increases and/or decreases. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Argumedo, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, and Councilmember Garcia City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 7/9/2024
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ORDINANCES
18. Adoption of an 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 (Second Reading)
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt 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 (Second Reading).
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the title of the Ordinance. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Mayor Argumedo, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 2 - Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, and Councilmember Garcia
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Lainez expressed condolences to the Papaian family and acknowledged Haig Papaian's contributions to the community. Councilmmeber Lainez reported attending the NALEO conference, where sessions on funding strategies for housing development and the role of AI in City Hall operations were particularly informative. Councilmember Lainez also attended the Gateway Council of Governments meeting and wished everyone a happy 4th of July.
Councilmember Rebollo reported her attendance at the NALEO conference and also expressed condolences to the Papaian family.
Mayor Argumedo extended his condolences to the Papaian family, thanking Haig for his leadership at the Casino and his generosity. Mayor Argumedo mentioned attending the NALEO conference and the Street Racing Kills event at the Teen Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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