City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - 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
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Altamirano called meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
Councilmember Garcia offered the invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items within their jurisdiction.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Lainez requested to pull Item 6 from the Consent Agenda.
Assistant City Manager Domic provided a brief overview of Item 6.
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez noted that while local jurisdictions are generally expected to contribute approximately 3% of the cost, for the City of Commerce, this contribution could range from $7 to $10 million. Mayor Pro Tem Lainez emphasized the importance of exploring other potential investments related to transportation projects.
Assistant City Manager Domic acknowledged that these options had been discussed. However, he explained that certain infrastructure projects, such as a bike lane along Smithway, were not feasible due to traffic constraints and the planned expansion of the Citadel. He further noted that the City had proposed a City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 2/26/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025
pedestrian bridge over the I-5 freeway, but the proposal was not approved. Other initiatives under consideration include a walking path from Goodrich to the Mixmaster area and a combined pedestrian and bike path along Telegraph Road.
Councilmember Lainez pointed out that the project does not start until 2029, and the City has time to explore all available opportunities. He also requested that staff review the Transit-Oriented Plan, which is nearing finalization, as it includes infrastructure recommendations that could contribute to the required 3% investment.
City Manager Hernandez noted that other cities in the region share similar concerns and that in-kind contributions, as well as certain transportation department expenditures, could be counted toward the required contribution. The City has maintained that the 3% contributions come from immediately impacted cities, as the entire region stands to benefit from the project. However, there are multiple ways to meet this requirement.
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez inquired whether the current action was solely to enter into an agreement, with negotiations on the 3% contribution to be addressed at a later stage.
Councilmember Lainez moved to approve Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Cooperative Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Councilmember Argumedo seconded the motion. The item passed unanimously with a 5-0-0 vote.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #6. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
1. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 14A, 14B and 14C
2. Weed Abatement - Declaring that Weeds, Brush, Rubbish are a Public Nuisance
3. Agreement with County of Los Angeles for General Services
4. Agreement with County of Los Angeles for Public Health Services
5. Second Amendment to the Agreement with Data Ticket, Inc.
6. Approval of Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project Cooperative City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 2/26/2025
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Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
SCHEDULED MATTERS
7. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Jimenez provided an overview of the statistics from the past two weeks.
Councilmember Argumedo requested an investigation into a recent dog bite incident.
Councilmember Rebollo expressed appreciation for addressing concerns in Bristow Park and thanked Sergeant Jimenez for taking the time to meet with Bristow residents.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Weed Abatement Program - Abatement Order Directing the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioners/Director of Weights and Measures to Abate Public Nuisance
Mayor Altamirano opened public hearing There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on this item. Mayor Altamirano closed public hearing.
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve Abatement Order Directing the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioners/Director of Weights and Measures to Abate Public Nuisance.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Rebollo expressed gratitude to the Parks and Recreation Department for organizing the Snow Day event and congratulated the Downey High School women's water polo team, which includes many players from Commerce. She also thanked the Library Department for hosting the African Drum Circle, noting that it was a wonderful event.
Councilmember Argumedo extended his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the Snow Day event. He reported attending the ICA Conference in Santa Barbara, where he participated in sessions on functional zero City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 2/26/2025
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homelessness and new policing technologies. Additionally, he met with Sergeant Jimenez to discuss current community issues.
Councilmember Garcia also attended the ICA Conference in Santa Barbara, where her sessions focused on economic development and advancements in police technologies.
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez thanked the City departments involved in the Snow Day event and took a moment to wish his son a happy birthday, celebrating his milestone of becoming a teenager.
Mayor Altamirano reported that he also attended the ICA Conference.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. in memory of Minerva Morales.
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