City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 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 Altamirano called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
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 on any items on the Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:35 p.m.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - One (1) Matter.
2. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code 54957 (b) (1) Employee Title: Director of Public Works
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:22 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed session items #1 and #2. City staff made a presentation, City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on these items.
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6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Altamirano called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:23 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Transportation Director McFerguson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Mayor Altamirano offered the invocation
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. City Videos
Parks and Recreation Director Alaniz gave a brief overview of the Care Camp program and noted that City parks and recreation staff participated in the initiative.
2. Introduction of Newly Hired Director of Economic Development and Planning Jessica Serrano and Director of Finance Alvaro Castellon City Manager Hernandez introduced two new members of the management team Jessica Serrano and Alvaro Castellon.
3. Presentation Regarding Migrating City’s Email and Website to .gov domain IT Specialist Kevin Torres gave a brief presentation, announcing that the website and email migration will begin tomorrow, March 26, 2025.
City Manager Hernandez added that the old domain will be phased out on an as-needed basis.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jasmin Gonzalez, Magelena Calvac, Irma Vargas, and Sandra Gonzalez spoke in support of rent control. Jasmin Gonzalez urged the City Council to adopt stronger rent protection measures than those currently in place and provided comparisons with other cities that have implemented rent control ordinances.
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Antonio Lupercio expressed concern that, nearly four years after the pandemic began, library hours have not returned to their pre-pandemic schedule. She also requested a status update on the Bandini Library project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Rebollo 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 -
4. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 16A, 16B and 16C
SCHEDULED MATTERS
5. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Jimenez provided an overview of the statistics for the last two weeks.
6. Miss Commerce and Young Man of the Year Proposal
City Manager Hernandez requested to continue this item to a future Council meeting.
7. 4th of July Programming and Update
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz provided an overview of the staff report regarding Fourth of July event planning.
Councilmember Lainez raised a concern about the visibility of a laser show due to the amount of fireworks already taking place in the community and questioned whether it would be a worthwhile investment. He also asked whether the carnival would offer a variety of rides suitable for all age groups.
A discussion followed regarding open swim during the Fourth of July weekend. It was recommended that a pre-registration system be developed to prioritize the City of Commerce residents. The Council also discussed the possibility of allowing non-residents to participate if space permits, but emphasized the need to give City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 4/9/2025
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residents first access.
Councilmember Rebollo suggested incorporating a variety of musical performances and recommended planning entertainment that appeals to younger audiences, including kids and teens.
In response to Councilmember Garcia's question about the challenges in securing carnival rides and dates, Director Alaniz explained that the carnival was originally booked for the week prior. When the date was moved to the Fourth of July weekend, availability became limited.
Mayor Altamirano requested that staff contact TNT Fireworks to see if they could offer any recommendations. In addition, Councilmember Argumedo suggested considering a drone show for the next year’s Fourth of July celebration.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to approve $45,000 in funds for the addition of a 4-day carnival, approving $65,000 for a laser show to be hosted on July 4, 2025, and approving a firework show for the Saturday, July 5, 2025, and other activities for the 4th of July weekend. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
8. Arts in Public Places Program and Artist Collaboration with Wynwood District
Mayor Altamirano shared that the City has been in communication with two artists to evaluate opportunities for public art and to provide recommendations and direction for implementing an Art in Public Places program. As part of the discussion, the Mayor also presented a video highlighting the Wynwood Arts District as a source of inspiration.
Mayor Altamirano recommended selecting an additional art piece for the Atlantic and Goodrich bridge. Councilmember Argumedo suggested enhancing the current art by installing lighting to illuminate each frame. Mayor Altamirano further proposed adding lighting and security cameras to help protect and monitor the artwork.
It was noted that one of the existing painters has been maintaining and touching up the artwork; as the pricing from the artist back for touch-ups has proven to be City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 4/9/2025
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costly. As a result, maintenance is now being handled in-house.
Following the discussion, the City Council agreed they would like to see additional design options from the artist to fill the remaining empty spaces on the bridge. It was also suggested that the City explore involving new artists for the opposite side of the bridge.
Councilmember Rebollo concluded the discussion by congratulating the Art in Public Places Committee for their continued progress on the project.
Councilmember Garcia moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to approve inviting two artists from the Wynwood District to visit the City of Commerce to evaluate the current state of arts in public places, provide expert recommendations, and propose future art installations, including wall art; and based on the Arts in Public Places recommendation approving a building at Fungis Village Noodles, located at 2498 O’Neil Avenue, as the first site for a public art installation; and approving the additional art installation by Calixto Shibaja at the Atlantic and Goodrich location, with the total cost not to exceed $30,000. In addition, bring more art pieces from Calixto Shibaja for future art installation. 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 thanked the Parks and Recreation team for their work at Care Camp. Councilmember Rebollo also attended the Senior Gala and congratulated the Senior Center staff for organizing such a fun and well-executed event. She recognized and congratulated Commerce Aces teams for their recent achievements.
Councilmember Rebollo attended the Contract Cities meeting and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Lainez and Councilmember Argumedo for their efforts in highlighting the importance of the Commerce Casino and the potential legal challenges it may face. She noted that the Contract Cities Association has been actively advocating for the Casino in Sacramento.
Councilmember Rebollo reminded Commerce seniors and college students that the Commerce Scholarship is now available and encouraged them to apply.
Finally, Councilmember Rebollo wished Mayor Pro Tem Lainez a happy birthday.
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Councilmember Garcia also wished Mayor Pro Tem Lainez a happy birthday. She thanked Mayor Altamirano for inspiring her to view public art from a new perspective. Councilmember Garcia shared that the Art in Public Places Committee is currently working on creating art-themed crosswalks.
Additionally, she and Mayor Altamirano recently visited other cities to explore ideas for creating a food district in Commerce.
Councilmember Garcia reported attending the Senior Gala and praised the Department of Transportation for their professionalism and effective response to an incident at Commerce Way and Harbor Way.
Councilmember Argumedo reported attending the Senior Gala, describing it as a well-attended and successful event. He also attended the Gaming Cities Coalition meeting on March 12, where by-laws were passed, allowing the coalition to begin inviting neighboring cities—especially those without casinos—to join and support lobbying efforts. He emphasized that card clubs can have significant impacts on surrounding communities.
Councilmember Argumedo participated in the Contract Cities Association meeting and attended a Community Night Clippers game, where the Clippers won.
Councilmember Argumedo also reported attending the I-5 Joint Powers Authority (JPA) meeting, where priorities were discussed. He noted that the City may be able to recover funds related to Caltrans' diversion of traffic onto city streets. He concluded his report by wishing Mayor Pro Tem Lainez a happy birthday.
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez reported attending the Senior Gala on March 15. He also participated in the Contract Cities board meeting and thanked Councilmember Rebollo for serving on the executive board and Councilmember Argumedo for collaborating on the event, which was hosted at the Commerce Casino.
He also attended the Clippers Community Night game.
Mayor Altamirano began by wishing Mayor Pro Tem Lainez a happy birthday. He mentioned that he asked staff to reach out to the Los Angeles Arts District to schedule a meeting.
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The Mayor suggested inviting local churches to provide an opening prayer at future Council meetings. He also requested that an agenda item be added to review the benefits and revenue associated with the City's resident cards.
Mayor Altamirano reported that the City is exploring options for installing art in crosswalks as part of the Art in Public Places program.
On Friday, Mayor Altamirano visited a few markets and food districts in Costa Mesa as part of ongoing efforts to develop a food district in Commerce. He also explored arts districts in Costa Mesa and Santa Barbara, noting their potential value as models for Commerce staff and committee members.
Lastly, he shared that he visited Camp Commerce.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
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