City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 8, 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 5:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any Closed Session items.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5: 09 p.m.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Five (5) Matters.
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 Commerce Refuse-to- Energy Authority Facility site located at 5926 Sheela Street, Commerce, California
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council/Successor agency reconvened to Open Session at 6:08 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session items. Councilmember Rebollo was absent.
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Item #1 -Staff provided presentation, the City Council provided direction and no reportable action was taken on these items.
Item #2 Staff provided presentation, the 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 regular City Council meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Finance Director Castellon led the Pledge of Allegiance
INVOCATION
Mayor Altamirano offered the invocation
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
1. A Proclamation Declaring the Month of July as Parks & Recreation Month, and Special Olympics Swim Team Presentation
Parks and Recreation Director Alaniz thanked all the Parks and Recreation Department staff for their hard work and shared a video highlighting past events.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gloria Nezahoycoytl thanked the Parks and Recreation staff and also expressed appreciation to Dirt Dog for donating food for the recent event. Regarding Item #11, she spoke in support of the hotel project and requested the addition of more classes for seniors.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Garcia
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
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2. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 23A, 23B, and 23C
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Meeting Cancellation- July 22, 2025
5. Change Order #1 for the Purchase of a New 2025 40’ Battery Electric Low-Floor Bus
6. Amendment No. 1 to Freeway Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans
7. Authorization to Obtain Fee Proposals for the Design of Lighting Fixture Installations at the Mixmaster Underpass and City Hall Parking Lot
8. Fifth Amendment to the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Authority
9. Rate Adjustment Request by Athens Services for Residential Refuse and Recycling Services
10. Annual Financial Comprehensive Report and the Auditor’s Communication Related to Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Audit
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Appeal of the Planning Commission’s Decision to Approve Conditional Use Permit No. 25-02 to Allow a Hotel Use in the City’s Unlimited Commercial (“C-2”) Zoning District at 500 Citadel Drive, Commerce City Attorney Tapia explained that this item is an appeal, which was previously placed on the agenda at the last meeting, during which the public hearing was opened. He noted that staff would provide a presentation, followed by comments from the applicant, the appellant, and members of the public.
Community Development Director Jessica Serrano provided an overview of the staff report. Mayor Pro Tem Lainez inquired about the supporting documentation and the project timeline. Director Serrano clarified that the documentation included a letter from the applicant's attorney explaining why the project qualifies for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption under CEQA, along with a vehicle trip study. The study concluded that the proposed hotel would generate fewer trips than the existing office use.
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Steve Craig, the applicant, stated that the building has already been constructed, and they are now proceeding with tenant improvements. The anticipated timeline to open the hotel is approximately nine months. He emphasized that the project is 100% privately funded, environmentally responsible, and will create visibility and economic benefits for the community. He projected over $1 million in new annual revenue for the City and stated that Commerce residents would be prioritized for employment opportunities. He also mentioned that the project has received strong community support, with over 500 resident signatures collected in favor.
Jordan Sissun, representing Unite Here Local 11, expressed concerns that the staff report did not adequately address environmental impacts. He asserted that the project does not qualify for a CEQA exemption due to the major operational changes, which include different impacts on energy, water usage, and traffic. He also challenged the validity of the vehicle trip study, claiming the assumptions were unsustainable.
Martha Martinez spoke in opposition and urged the Council to require a full CEQA review, citing the proposed change as a significant land use shift.
Page Gosney, land use counsel representing the appellant, stated that repurposing the building triggers new environmental impacts and argued that the Class 1 exemption does not apply. He reiterated the need for a CEQA review and criticized the traffic study as flawed.
Alejandro Martinez and Jose Calderon, also representing Unite Here Local 11, asked the Council to uphold the appeal and raised concerns regarding the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis.
Tim Flaming, the project architect, emphasized their firm’s experience in hospitality and retail design. He highlighted the Citadel’s national reputation and the economic benefits of converting the building, including job creation and increased transient occupancy tax revenue for the City.
Jonathan Chambers addressed traffic concerns, stating that the project would generate fewer trips than the previous office use, resulting in less than significant impact. He added that VMT analysis is not required and noted that tour groups and shuttle services would reduce individual vehicle use, as visitors would stay at the hotel rather than travel back and forth.
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City Attorney Tapia noted that the City received a letter from Page Gosney dated July 7, 2025, which was included in the record and distributed to the City Council, along with a report from Smart Mobility dated the same day.
Mayor Argumedo thanked the applicant and Unite Here Local 11 representatives for their input. He expressed his view that there is no legal or procedural basis to prevent the project from moving forward.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, to affirm the Planning Commission's decision to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 25-02. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Garcia
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Rebollo
SCHEDULED MATTERS
12. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Jimenez provided an overview of the past two weeks. Regarding loitering concerns on Watcher Street, he reported that deputies reached out to residents, increased patrols, and installed surveillance cameras. No further incidents have been reported since. Councilmember Garcia thanked Sergeant Jimenez for addressing the issue, noting that residents were also appreciative.
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez stated that the Fourth of July event went smoothly without any issues and thanked the deputies for their support.
Mayor Altamirano expressed appreciation to Joseph McLellan, a probation officer, and noted that he had the opportunity to tour Juvenile Hall.
Probation Officer Joseph McLellan gave a presentation on his role, sharing that there are currently 1,000 active probation cases. His responsibilities include monitoring gang activity, conducting compliance checks, making phone calls, visiting schools, and providing outreach.
Councilmember Garcia requested a comparison of current probation statistics with those from the previous year to track changes in the number of individuals on probation.
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City Council recessed to a closed session at 7:42pm
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
There were no Council reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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