City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 10, 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 the meeting to order at 5:12 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no individual 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 5:13 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. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8, the Successor Agency will confer with its real property negotiator, Ernie Hernandez, with respect to real estate negotiations concerning proposed price and other terms relating to the properties located at:
A. Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Authority Facility site located at 5926 Sheila St., Commerce, CA 90040
B. 5550 Harbor Street, Commerce CA 90040 (6335-025-009), 2300 S. Eastern Avenue (6335-025-010)
C. 5625 Jillson Street, Commerce CA 90040 (6335-025-905) D. 5555 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA Property (APN 6335-025-906)
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
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City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:12 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items. Item #1 and #2 - Staff provided a presentation, City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on these items.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Altamirano called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Transportation Director McFerguson led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Councilmember Rebollo offered the invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Adela Martinez stated that she is currently on the waiting list for the Dodger game and requested that additional tickets be made available for residents. She also asked that an extra bus be provided to accommodate more participants.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Argumedo requested to pull Item No. 2 for discussion.
Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Shumway provided an overview of the staff report, explaining that the item pertains to a professional mobile veterinary clinic that will offer rabies vaccinations at a discounted rate of $15, plus a $3 medical disposal fee. In addition to rabies shots, a range of other veterinary services will also be available. The proposed date for the clinic is July 23, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In previous years, staffing for the event was provided by City personnel and volunteers. The City is also expected to receive a percentage of the clinic's sales, ranging from 5% to 7% depending on gross City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 6/11/2025
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revenue. Staff plans to offer animal licensing services on-site in conjunction with the clinic.
Councilmember Rebollo inquired whether the services could be offered free of charge and requested that staff conduct research to explore this option for future events. She also noted that multiple volunteers are available to assist with the clinic.
Councilmember Garcia expressed support for moving forward with the item, noting that she had previously requested the return of the rabies clinic.
Councilmember Garcia moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to direct staff to engage the services of Vet Care Mobile Clinic to provide pet vaccination and rabies clinic services. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Argumedo, Garcia, Rebollo and Mayor Altamirano (4)
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Lainez (1)
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to approve the Consent Calendar minus item #2. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
1. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 21A, 21A SA, 21B, and 21C
2. Proposal for Rabies Vaccination Clinic and Related Services
3. Approval of Resolutions Formalizing the Conversion of Ad Hoc Committees to Standing Committees (Food & Brewery and Arts in Public Places)
4. Approval of Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation
SCHEDULED MATTERS
5. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Jimenez presented the monthly statistics for May and delivered a City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 6/11/2025
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statement regarding the recent protests, emphasizing that the role of the Sheriff's Department is solely to ensure public safety. The Mayor and Councilmembers expressed their gratitude for the statement and thanked Sergeant Jimenez and the department for their continued service to the community.
6. Update on Arts in Public Places Standing Committee Activities and Outreach Efforts
Mayor Altamirano reported that there is growing interest from local businesses in placing art on building walls. This item was informational only and was received and filed.
7. Teen Art Program at Teen Center
Mayor Altamirano shared that he had been approached by senior citizens who expressed interest in participating in a similar program that would involve seniors working alongside artists to learn how to paint, and eventually help install the artwork on walls under artist guidance.
Mayor Altamirano requested that a Senior Program be included, along with an additional budget allocation of $10,000.
Councilmember Garcia expressed support for the idea, noting it would be beneficial to include both teens and seniors in such creative programs.
In response to Councilmember Rebollo’s inquiry about the selection of artists to teach the program, Mayor Altamirano mentioned that the City already has a pool of existing artists to choose from, including Calixto, Nerv, Gerome Castro, and a local graffiti artist.
Councilmember Garcia moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to approve the development and implementation of a six-month Teen and Senior Art Programs at the Commerce Teen Center and Commerce Senior Citizen Center, including: approval to use the exterior wall at the Teen Center for youth mural projects; allocation of $30,000 to support the pilot program; hiring of three professional artists to teach and mentor teens and seniors. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
8. Women and Walls - Annual Women’s Art Initiative
Mayor Altamirano provided a brief overview of the proposed initiative and City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 6/11/2025
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emphasized the importance of expanding public art initiatives throughout the City of Commerce.
Councilmember Rebollo expressed strong support for the proposed mural programs but requested that areas beyond the Arts District be considered for future murals, including each City park, the Bristow community, and specifically the ABC Tunnel area. She noted that residents in those neighborhoods are eager to see more representation and beautification in their local spaces.
Mayor Altamirano agreed and further suggested exploring the creation of smaller, neighborhood-based arts districts to bring beauty and creativity to all corners of the city. The Mayor also stated his intent to identify new funding opportunities to support arts programming across the City and noted that he has received outreach from residents in the Bristow area expressing interest in participating.
Additionally, Mayor Altamirano requested that staff and consultants focus outreach efforts on identifying and engaging women artists for upcoming initiatives, and directed staff to begin compiling a list of potential women artists for future inclusion in the City’s public art projects.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to authorize the Arts in Public Places Standing Committee to establish an annual event titled “Women and Walls”, a women-led art initiative designed to empower, uplift, and promote women artists by providing a prominent platform within the Commerce Arts District. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
Absent: 1 - Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
9. Veterans Park Programming Update
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz provided an update on potential projects.
He shared that, on an interim basis, the City Council could consider establishing a pocket park at Gage and Watcher Street, presenting a preliminary conceptual design with an estimated cost between $2 million and $4 million.
Director of Parks and Recreation Alaniz provided updates on several potential projects. He introduced a preliminary conceptual design for a pocket park at Gage and Watcher Street, which could serve as an interim recreational space for the Veteran's community. The estimated project cost ranges between $2 million and $4 million.
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Councilmember Rebollo expressed support for Option D, while Councilmember Argumedo raised safety concerns about park access from high-traffic Gage Avenue and suggested Option B as a safer alternative. Councilmember Rebollo also recommended installing speed bumps on Watcher Street if Option B moves forward. Councilmember Garcia raised a question about whether a single exit point would be sufficient; City Manager Hernandez noted that engineers had reviewed the design and confirmed that one exit is adequate due to the park’s small size.
A discussion followed regarding the Aquatics Center transportation provided for residents of the Veterans area. Councilmember Rebollo inquired about extending the program to two days per week and the possibility of allowing parents to accompany children under age 6 to allow them to utilize the Aquatics Center. She also proposed including water games for younger children.
In response, Councilmember Garcia asked about providing a lunch program on pool days. Director Alaniz confirmed that designated staff will distribute lunches to participating children. Councilmember Garcia also asked about the inclusion of splash pads, and Director Alaniz stated that Veterans Park’s original plans include a splash pad and that Bristow Park is also slated to receive a new splash pad. In response to Garcia's inquiry about utilities, Director Alaniz explained that water and electricity for modular features would require additional funding.
City Manager Hernandez added that specific cost estimates are not available at this time, as they depend on the finalization of the development agreement.
Director Alaniz also provided an update on the Crush Volleyball facility, noting that discussions are ongoing regarding potential contributions and alternative locations for the project including location at Rosewood Academy or leasing a warehouse.
Both option come with the cost, and leasing a warehouse would be around $22,000 a month.
10. Structure and Operations of the Public Safety Division City Manager Hernandez and Management Analyst Hernandez provided a brief overview of the staff report. City Manager Hernandez stated that staff will return with the necessary budget adjustments based on any recommendations. City Manager Hernandez highlighted a critical issue regarding the lack of communication between the City’s Public Safety Division and the Sheriff's Department, which needs to be addressed for more effective coordination.
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Councilmember Argumedo recommended hiring a Public Safety Manager as soon as possible to oversee the Public Safety Division and ensure better alignment with law enforcement services. He emphasized the success of the Flock camera system and expressed strong support for continuing its use. He also advocated for increased investment in technology, noting that other cities are implementing advanced tools such as drone surveillance. He cited Pico Rivera’s adoption of a stringent ordinance to address street racing and other crimes, suggesting that with the appropriate technology, enforcement could be enhanced and crimes more easily prevented. He proposed converting the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) into a more active facility equipped with surveillance cameras, CSO monitoring capabilities, and drones that could be deployed as needed to improve public safety.
Carlos Ramos, Public Safety consultant, provided additional recommendations aimed at strengthening the role of Community Service Officers (CSOs), including appointing a Field Supervisor, developing standardized training and procedures, and implementing an electronic database to log casework and proactive activities.
Councilmember Garcia expressed enthusiasm for increased CSO engagement with the community, noting the value of having CSOs assist with services such as vehicle lockouts and jump-starts. She voiced agreement with the recommendations presented. Councilmember Rebollo also expressed her support for the proposed initiatives.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Councilmember Garcia shared her experience attending the City’s 65th Birthday Celebration, noting the excitement of the drone show and the wonderful music.
She remarked that the event was well attended and enjoyed by many. She also participated in the recent Las Vegas excursion and thanked the residents who signed up and joined the trip. Councilmember Garcia expressed appreciation to the City Manager and the Sheriff's Department for providing valuable resources to the community via the City’s website and encouraged residents to stay informed.
She requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Marina Bajaramo, a member of the Aquatics Club.
Councilmember Rebollo also extended her thanks to the Parks and Recreation Department for organizing the City’s birthday celebration, as well as to all departments that participated. She reflected on the beauty of the community City of Commerce Page 7 Printed on 6/11/2025
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coming together—residents, staff, and volunteers alike. She thanked those who participated in the Las Vegas excursion and reminded the community that the City Council is here to support them. Councilmember Rebollo offered her own availability to assist residents in need, including delivering lunches or shopping for groceries, and mentioned the importance of mobilizing organizations that help families who are unable to work.
Councilmember Argumedo congratulated the Parks and Recreation Department for hosting an outstanding Birthday Celebration and noted that the Las Vegas excursion was an exceptional event. He emphasized that the City Council is here to serve and support the residents of Commerce. Councilmember Argumedo requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Ester Flores.
Mayor Altamirano echoed praise for both the Las Vegas trip and the City’s 65th Birthday Celebration, describing them as excellent events. He inquired whether the City should consider making the birthday celebration an annual event rather than holding it every five years. Additionally, the Mayor asked for an update on the City’s historical book project, including the commissioning of a writer, and suggested interviewing Councilmembers as part of the effort to preserve the City’s history.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
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