City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - 6:00 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 regular meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Argumedo
Mayor Pro Tem Altamirano
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Lainez
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Assistant City Manager Domic led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Garcia offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. City Videos
This item was continued to the next agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any item within their jurisdiction.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia requested to pull item #8 for further discussion. During the discussion, Councilmember Garcia inquired about the possibility of installing a more elongated speed hump instead of the shorter square-shaped ones. In response, Karen Virgil, a representative from Transtech, explained that the shorter City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 12/12/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes December 10, 2024
square-shaped speed humps are designed to minimize the impact on emergency vehicles.
Councilmember Rebollo then moved, with a second by Vice Mayor Altamirano, to adopt a resolution approving the installation of speed humps on Neenah Street between Greenwood Avenue and Todd Avenue. The motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano and Mayor Argumedo (5)
2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 9A, 10A, 10AB, and 10AC The City Council and Successor Agency will consider for approval the bills and claims set forth in Warrant Registers No. 9A dated November 26, 2024, No.10A dated December 10, 2024, No. 10AB dated November 7, 2024, through November 25, 2024, and No. 10AC dated November 26, 2024, through December 3, 2024.
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for Proposition “C” 40% Discretionary Zero Emissions Transit Capital Program Funds
5. Equal Employment Opportunity Program Pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Federal Transit Administration’s Circular 4704.1A
6. 2024 Engineering and Traffic Survey
7. Los Angeles County Flood Control District Transfer Agreement for Safe Clean Water Parcel Tax Restricted Municipal Return for Stormwater Activities
8. Speed Hump Installation on Neenah Street between Greenwood Avenue and Todd Avenue
SCHEDULED MATTERS
9. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 12/12/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes December 10, 2024
This item was continued to the next City Council meeting.
10. November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election - Declaration of Results Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Altamirano, to approve a Resolution, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and such matter as provided by law. The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano and Mayor Argumedo (5)
Daniel Rebollo administered the Oath of Office for Councilmember Rebollo.
Fernando Argumedo administered the oath of office for Mayor Argumedo.
Certificates of Election were issued to re-elected Councilmembers Rebollo and Argumedo.
11. Reorganization of City Council
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway opened nominations for the position of Mayor.
Mayor Argumedo nominated Vice Mayor Altamirano as Mayor for 2024-2025, with Councilmember Garcia seconding the nomination. The motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garcia, Lainez, Rebollo, Vice Mayor Altamirano, and Mayor Argumedo (5).
Mayor Altamirano then took his seat at the dais as Mayor.
Election of Vice Mayor:
Mayor Altamirano opened nominations for Vice Mayor.
Councilmember Rebollo nominated Councilmember Lainez, while Mayor Altamirano made a subsequent motion to nominate Councilmember Garcia.
However, the motion for Garcia lacked a second and died. Councilmember City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 12/12/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes December 10, 2024
Argumedo seconded the motion to nominate Councilmember Lainez, which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Argumedo, Lainez, Rebollo, and Mayor Altamirano (4).
NAYS: Councilmember Garcia (1).
Vice Mayor Lainez then took his seat at the dais.
Council Requests and Presentations:
Councilmember Garcia requested a work-study session to develop a seniority policy, ensuring equitable rotation of the Mayor and Vice Mayor positions.
Mayor Altamirano presented outgoing Mayor Argumedo with a plaque recognizing his service as Mayor for 2023-2024, as well as a second plaque honoring his years of service as a Councilmember. Mayor Altamirano noted Argumedo’s long-standing contributions to the City of Commerce.
Councilmember Garcia shared highlights from the recent Holiday Employee Celebration and congratulated Manuel Macias for 27 years of service to the city.
She also expressed enthusiasm for upcoming water aerobics programs and invited residents to sign up. Councilmember Garcia requested the reinstatement of a sports camp program at Camp Commerce starting in June. She offered condolences to the Griego family on the passing of former city employee Tim Griego.
Community and Peer Recognition:
Liliana Magana, representing the Montebello Unified School District, congratulated Councilmembers Argumedo and Rebollo on their re-election.
Francis De Leon Sanchez, Councilmember from the City of Bell Gardens, and Mayor Ali Saleh of the City of Bell, also extended congratulations to Argumedo and Rebollo.
Remarks by Councilmembers and Mayor:
City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 12/12/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes December 10, 2024
Vice Mayor Lainez thanked the Parks and Recreation staff for their efforts in organizing the Turkey Trot and Tree Lighting events. He congratulated Councilmembers Argumedo and Rebollo on their re-election, noting the community’s clear support, and congratulated Mayor Altamirano on his new role.
Outgoing Mayor Argumedo expressed gratitude to his colleagues, stating it was an extraordinary honor to lead the Council for one year and nine months. He congratulated Mayor Altamirano and Vice Mayor Lainez on their respective roles.
He thanked his wife, Jessa, for her unwavering support, and recognized his daughter Lori, his brothers Arturo, Hector, and Fernando Chacon, and volunteer and commissioner Raul Elenis. Reflecting on his tenure, Councilmember Argumedo highlighted his 26 years of service by 2028, making him the longest-serving Councilmember, and thanked the community for their trust.
Councilmember Rebollo offered the prayer and thanked the community for electing her to a third term. She expressed appreciation to Sylvia Munoz, Tina Baca Del Rio, and Joe Aguilar for their mentorship and encouragement, as well as Jason Stinnett, who helped her begin her political journey. Councilemmber Rebollo also thanked her family, especially her son Daniel, for their unwavering support.
Mayor Altamirano congratulated Councilmembers Argumedo and Rebollo on their re-election. He expressed gratitude to Councilmember Argumedo for his support during his campaign, and to Lela Leon, Tina Baca Del Rio, and Joe Aguilar for initially beliveing in him and appointing as a Councilmember in 2012. Mayor Altamirano praised Vice Mayor Lainez’s leadership style and commended Councilmember Argumedo for his innovative ideas and contributions to the city. He thanked the city’s commissioners, staff, residents, and his family for their support and reiterated his deep love for the City of Commerce.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 in memory of Tim Griego, former City employee, and Alicia E. Carvajal.
City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 12/12/2024