City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 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
5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Altamirano called meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council/Successor Agency on any items on the Closed session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed session at 5:03 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.
2. 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 6364 Zindell Street, Commerce, CA (APN: 6357-015-900 and 6357-019-304) and 7316 E. Gage Ave. (APN: 6357-018-005).
3. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - One (1) Matter.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:04 p.m.
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ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items:
Item #1 and #3 were not discussed.
Item #2 - Councilmember Rebollo was absent from the discussion on this item.
Staff made a presentation, City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on this item.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Altamirano called meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Library Director Bautista led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Councilmember Rebollo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day Parks and Recreation Director Alaniz gave a presentation. Susana Cisneros, the mother of Jack Cisneros, spoke about World Down Syndrome Day and expressed her gratitude to the City Council for bringing the Special Olympics to Commerce.
Mayor Altamirano then read a proclamation in recognition of the occasion.
PUBLIC COMMENT
John Loussazarian, Director of the Montebello YMCA, spoke about the various programs and activities currently offered by the YMCA for the community.
Jasmine Gonzalez, Irma Vargas, and Sandra Gonzalez addressed the City Council regarding tenant protections in the City of Commerce.
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City Attorney Tapia explained that the City Council previously adopted the state rent control ordinance as part of the municipal code, allowing the City to treat rent violations as code violations. He noted that, in the past, the City has issued letters to landlords when rent increases exceeded the allowable limits under the ordinance. City Attorney Tapia added that the City is open to meeting with residents and discussing how these violations could be addressed through the City’s code enforcement process.
Antonia Lupercio spoke about need to reopen all libraries to what they were before the pandemic and asked about the status of the Bandini Library.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item #4 was pulled for discussion.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 15A, 15B and 15C
3. Approval of Minutes
4. YMCA Collaboration - Model United Nations Program
SCHEDULED MATTERS
5. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Jimenez provided an overview for the last two weeks.
6. Funding Request for New Modular Office and Removal of Existing Modulars at Veterans Park
Director Alaniz provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Councilmember Rebollo apologized for the extended delay in acquiring the modular unit, noting that it has been over three years. She acknowledged the disservice this delay has caused the community and emphasized the importance of placing the modular in a location where it can remain for the duration of the project. Councilmember Rebollo requested a clear plan for the unit’s placement, City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 4/16/2025
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both during and after the remediation at Veteran’s Park.
Director Alaniz indicated that two potential locations had been identified: the Zindell property or the library area at Veteran’s Park. A discussion followed regarding the most suitable location for the modular unit.
Councilmember Garcia asked about the future of the parks programs, specifically the lunch programs. Director Alaniz responded that, with access to hot running water, the lunch program could continue to operate out of Veteran’s Park.
Further discussion addressed the ongoing remediation at Veteran’s Park.
Councilmember Lainez expressed concern that the park has been neglected due to the pending project. He emphasized the need for staff to remain focused on the Veteran’s Park project and to keep the Council informed about any delays or issues that arise.
Director Alaniz also noted that, aside from the current situation at Veteran’s Park, youth sports participation at the park is higher than at other park locations.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to approve funding allocation of up to $50,000 to secure and install a new modular office trailer at Veterans Park to accommodate ongoing Parks and Recreation programming needs. In addition, this proposal includes the cost to remove the old modular trailers that are currently on the Veterans Park property. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
7. Disabled Blue Curb Parking Request at 4485 Lovett Street This item was continued to a future date.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Argumedo reported attending the Aquatics Banquet on February
28. He also participated in the JPA Board Meeting on February 12, where the focus was on expanding membership and increasing the number of cities represented in the area. Discussions included potential bylaw changes to allow additional cities to join. Councilmember Argumedo also attended a recent Sanitation District meeting.
Councilmember Rebollo recognized and celebrated International Women’s Day, congratulating and honoring all women. She expressed appreciation to the library City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 4/16/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025
for hosting a jazz and poetry panel on Saturday and thanked the Commerce Casino for providing lunch. Councilmember Rebollo also attended a Soroptimist International event, where she had the opportunity to honor local women.
Councilmember Rebollo congratulated Jim Crawford on his re-installation as President of the Commerce Business Council and wished a happy 95th birthday to Francis Chica.
Councilmember Garcia shared that she attended the Arts in Public Places meeting, where there was enthusiasm about introducing more public art, including crosswalk murals and installations on Commerce buildings. Councilmember Garcia expressed excitement about these new creative initiatives and wished everyone a happy Women’s History Month.
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez thanked the Montebello YMCA for its ongoing partnership and reported attending the Aquatics Banquet. Mayor Pro Tem Lainez also participated in the “Read Across America” event at the Veterans Library and attended the Commerce Business Council meeting on March 6, where he congratulated Jim Crawford on becoming a three-time President of the Council. He also extended thanks to Robert Taylor and gave a special shoutout to former Councilmember and Mayor Joe Aguilar, who received an award at the meeting. On March 7, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez also attended the “Unplugged” Senior Director's Showcase.
Mayor Altamirano extended congratulations in honor of International Women’s Day and also shared personal news, announcing the birth of his youngest son’s baby earlier that day. He spoke about his visits to public art districts in Austin and Miami, expressing interest in bringing similar art initiatives to the community. He mentioned that a few artists from the Wynwood area may be invited to share their vision and ideas with the City Council.
Adjourned to closed session at 7:19 pm
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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