City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 - 5:30 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
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Argumedo called meeting to order 5:30 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/Sucessor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:31 p.m.
1. Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6 the City Council will confer with its labor negotiator, Ernie Hernandez, with respect to labor negotiations pertaining to compensation and benefits for the unrepresented full-time executive management employees.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor agency reconvened to open session at 6:10 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on item #1 - staff made a presentation, the City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on this item. 6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Aragumedo called regular City Council meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.
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ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Altamirano offered the invocation
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gloria Nezahualcoyotl requested that the Senior Citizen Commission and the senior social club adhere to established procedures and comply with the Brown Act.
Pedro Gilis, Irma Vargas, Myra Garcia, Fabian Crisanto, and Patricia Duenes requested that Spanish translation services be provided at City Council meetings and that staff respond to the emails they have sent.
Jasmin Gonzalez, representing a group of citizens, asked for the opportunity to meet with the Councilmembers.
Josie Betancort expressed concerns about the potential loss of parking for residents and requested that this issue be placed on the agenda and resolved.
Randy Sax Romero inquired about the status of the Modelo project and developments at Veteran's Park.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve the Concent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
1. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 4A, 4B and 4C
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Approval of Public Safety Pink Patch Program
4. 2024-2029 Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
The City Council will consider the adoption of a Resolution approving a new Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement between the City and the County of Los Angeles for law enforcement services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
5. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte provided an overview for the two weeks.
6. Approval of Two Additional Part-Time Positions and Funding for the Parks and Recreation Department
Parks and Recreation Director Alaniz provided an overview of the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Garcia's inquiry about the timeline for hiring the two new instructors, Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz stated that the process would take approximately two months.
Councilmember Garcia moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to adopt a Resolution approving the addition of two part-time positions within the Parks and Recreation Department - an additional Instructor Guard with an emphasis in Water Aerobics and a Fitness Instructor with an emphasis in Zumba. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 9/19/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PUBLIC HEARING
7. 2021-2029 Housing Element Update and Negative Declaration Acting Director of Economic Development and Planning Morales provided a brief overview, followed by a PowerPoint presentation from Veronica Tang of Tang and Associates.
Councilmember Lainez mentioned that he attended one of the community meetings and asked about the process if the Council adopts the Housing Element and it later returns with corrections. Veronica Tang responded that the draft has been submitted to the State, and they have not yet received any comments. If the draft comes back with changes, it would be brought back to the City Council, and minor changes could be handled by staff. In response to Councilmember Lainez's question about whether the City would still maintain control over which projects are implemented with the adoption of the Housing Element, Veronica Tang assured him that the Housing Element supports and enables the City to maintain local control.
In response to Mayor Argumedo's question about consulting the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on future projects, Veronica Tang explained that DTSC oversight would be determined on a project-by-project basis, as it is impossible to predict which projects would require DTSC involvement.
When Councilmember Garcia inquired whether there were any changes to the existing Housing policy, Veronica Tang confirmed that there were none.
Mayor Argumedo then opened the Public Hearing. As no individuals wished to City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 9/19/2024
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address the City Council on this item, Mayor Argumedo closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Altamirano, approve a Resolution adopting the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update and the Negative Declaration. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Lainez
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Garcia reported attending the Contract Cities Conference as well as the street dedication for Haig Papaian Jr.
Councilmember Lainez reported on attending the Gateway Cities Annual Retreat, noting the valuable information from the Empower Gateway Cities meeting, where SoCal Edison introduced Empower Gateway and provided subsidies beneficial to Commerce residents. He also attended the Contract Cities Fall Seminar, where discussions included Measure A, a housing-related measure that will be on the ballot. Additionally, he participated in the Haig Papaian Jr. street dedication ceremony today, commending staff for organizing an excellent event.
Vice Mayor Altamirano reported attending both the Contract Cities Seminar and the Haig Papaian Jr. street dedication ceremony.
Mayor Argumedo reported on attending the Haig Papaian Jr. ceremony, reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the casino since 1996. He highlighted Haig Papaian’s significant contributions to the scholarship program, particularly his role in increasing the funding. Mayor Argumedo also discussed SB 549, expressing hope that it will be vetoed.
ADJOURNMENT
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