City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 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 at 5:38 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 Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:39 p.m.
1. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8, the City Council will confer with its real property negotiator, Ernie Hernandez, with respect to real estate negotiations regarding the rail spur (APN - 6335-014-901) that spans between Eastern Avenue and Strong Avenue. / Jillson Street and Harbor Street.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to Open Session at 6:07 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 item #1. 6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 10/10/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
Mayor Argumedo called regular 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
Library Director Bautista led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Councilmember Lainez offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. City Videos
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz gave a brief introduction to the Fiesta Padres event, followed by a video presentation.
2. Presentation - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Commerce
Moyra Garcia, Social Services Coordinator, gave a brief introduction, followed by a presentation from Maritza Quevedo of FHCCGLA on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Moyra Garcia also expressed gratitude to the Public Safety Division for supporting the cause through the Pink Patch Project.
Councilmember Rebollo thanked everyone for the presentation and inquired about mammograms, asking if community members could receive them for free. The response was positive, and she suggested partnering on social media platforms to raise awareness and encourage residents to get exams, emphasizing collaboration to keep the community informed.
Mayor Argumedo read a proclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gloria Nezahualcoyotl inquired about the removal of greenery from the park, noting that the project manager did not address where the trees would be relocated.
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk, Shumway, read a comment submitted via email from Lela Leon regarding Item #7, which expressed concerns City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 10/10/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
about parking in the village.
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. 6A, 6B, and 6C
4. Approval of Minutes
5. Purchase and Lease Agreements for Two 2025 Over-the-Road Buses
SCHEDULED MATTERS
6. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Duarte provided an overview of activities from the past two weeks and mentioned that an update on the Flock system would be presented at the next meeting.
Councilmember Rebollo raised concerns about reports of encampments at Bristow Park, particularly around the picnic shelters at night. She requested that a team be sent to conduct outreach in the area.
7. Update and Consideration of Parking Shortage at Village Neighborhood Public Safety Manager Edson provided an overview, noting that 51% of the distributed surveys had been returned.
In response to Councilmember Lainez’s question about whether the code amendment could be limited to a specific neighborhood or apply citywide, City Manager Hernandez explained that the City Council could choose to focus on one neighborhood, apply the change to the entire city, or implement it as a pilot project.
Regarding permit parking, Councilmember Lainez pointed out that the survey results were not favorable, citing challenges such as staffing, managing, and rolling out the program. He also raised concerns that permit parking might overburden other neighborhoods and suggested that widening driveways might be the best solution. Additionally, he recommended exploring "T-making," which could City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 10/10/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
prevent oversized vehicles from parking on the street and help eliminate double-parking by residents.
Mayor Argumedo agreed that option three was the most viable solution. He emphasized the importance of developing appropriate standards and moving forward with the plan, which would include allowing driveways to be used as additional parking spaces. He also supported the idea of T-making to address parking issues.
Councilmember Garcia sought clarification, asking if selecting option three would mean no further parking regulation changes would occur in that neighborhood.
Councilmember Rebollo suggested that widening driveways should be considered for other neighborhoods as well, to help alleviate street parking congestion.
Councilmember Lainez recommended that staff assess where T-making could be implemented across the city, specifically mentioning areas like Bristow Park and Triggs Street for a potential pilot program.
Vice Mayor Altamirano supported option three and the idea of allowing parking in front of driveways to create additional parking spaces.
City Manager Hernandez added that enforcement could be complaint-based, allowing vehicles to park in front of driveways as long as it wasn’t blocking a resident's own driveway.
City Manager Hernandez concluded by summarizing the Council's preferences:
they favored option three, supported exploring T-making and code changes, and suggested evaluating areas like Bristow Park for implementation, along with determining how to enforce parking in front of driveways.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, to approve option three for the code amendment allowing the widening of driveways in the Village neighborhood. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
8. A Sublease Agreement Between the City of Commerce and the Amitim Group, LLC
Assistant City Manager Domic provided an overview of the staff report.
City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 10/10/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
Vice Mayor Altamirano inquired if the $79,000 could be allocated to a special fund rather than the General Fund. Domic responded that the City Council has the authority to appropriate funds for specific programs and earmark them accordingly.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to adopt a Resolution approving a Sublease Agreement between the City of Commerce and Amitim Group LLC for 7025 Slauson Ave., Commerce, CA.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
9. Revisions to Staffing Allocated to the Departments of Library Services, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works
City Manager Hernandez asked to continue this item to the next City Council meeting.
ORDINANCES
10. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Approve Development Agreement Related to Commercial Cannabis Permit Application No. 18-047
Giselle Delgado, Management Analyst, provided an overview of the item. The Mayor then opened and closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Lainez asked for clarification on what determines the annual operating fee. Giselle Delgado explained that this specific business for testing does not bring same revenue as other cannabis businesses and the City Council could potentially reduce fees for this specific business.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Lainez, to introduce for First Reading by title and waiver further reading, an Uncodified Ordinance approving a Development Agreement, also identified as commercial cannabis permit I.D. No.18-047, between the City of Commerce and Long Beach Exchange LLC (A California Corporation) for a commercial business at 3019 Vail Avenue, making findings consistent with and pursuant to Government Code Section 65867.5, and making findings of a CEQA categorical exemption. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Argumedo, Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano, Councilmember Lainez, and Councilmember Rebollo Abstain:1 - Councilmember Garcia
City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 10/10/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
11. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Approve Development Agreement Related to Commercial Cannabis Permit Application No. 18-026 for Commercial Cannabis Testing
Giselle Delgado, Management Analyst, provided an overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to introduce for First Reading by title and waiver further reading, an Uncodified Ordinance approving an Amended and Restated Development Agreement, also identified as commercial cannabis permit I.D. No.18-026, between the City of Commerce and VK Labs, LLC (a California Corporation) to replace Development Agreement No. 788 to reflect amendments for testing laboratories for the previously approved commercial cannabis business at 5608 East Washington Boulevard, making findings consistent with and pursuant to Government Code Section 65867.5, and making findings of a CEQA categorical exemption. Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway read the title of an Ordinance. The motion was carried by the following 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 mentioned that she was unable to attend the Camp Commerce Women’s Getaway but congratulated the participants and staff on organizing a successful event, based on the photos she saw. She also expressed strong support for breast cancer survivors, praising their strength and resilience.
Councilmember Rebollo noted that she was also unable to attend the Women’s Getaway and thanked the City Attorney for donating treats to the retreat. She then requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Maria De Los Angeles Garcia.
Councilmember Lainez reported on the recent Neighborhood Watch meeting on Astor Street, highlighting concerns about poor lighting, with streetlights only on one side of the street. Councilmember Lainez also attended the Citadel Commerce Clean-Up event and thanked Commerce Crush, the Unplugged program, and other groups for their participation.
Mayor Argumedo shared that he attended both the Neighborhood Watch meeting and the Citadel Clean-Up event.
City of Commerce Page 6 Printed on 10/10/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
City of Commerce Page 7 Printed on 10/10/2024