City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 31, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Altamirano called meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Altamirano
Mayor Pro Tem Lainez
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
Deputy City Attorney Almazan announced that, due to multiple speakers and in accordance with the Brown Act, each speaker would be limited to one minute.
Lela Leon asked that full-time positions not be converted to part-time.
Jesse Hernandez questioned why recreation programs are being reduced and suggested finding alternative budget cuts rather than eliminating positions.
Ethan Baltierra, Silvia Muñoz, and Antonia Lupercio voiced opposition to proposed position eliminations.
Sonia Griego spoke about her career path with the City and urged that her position not be eliminated.
Grace Baltierra, a preschool teacher and recreation leader, stated that it is unfair to eliminate the position held by her mother, Rachel Baltierra, who served over 20 years as Aquatics Program Manager.
Rachel Baltierra stated she has been full-time for over 20 years and that the City of Commerce helped shape her career.
Charles Baltierra read a letter from Ernie Cardenas opposing the elimination of City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 8/12/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes July 31, 2025
Rachel Baltierra’s position.
Support for Maintaining Full-Time Aquatics/Swim Coach Position:
Erika Burgos asked that athletic programs not be taken away, noting her son is a competitive swimmer.
Alexa Jimenez, Erika Silva, Ayelen Jimenez - participants in the swimming program, said eliminating the full-time position is a mistake and part-time staffing would be inadequate.
Scarleth Carcamo expressed concern about the future of her children, supported keeping the full-time coach, and urged funding to improve programs.
Melvin Carcamo, a swimming participant, said a successful coach is key to achieving success and asked to keep the full-time position.
Arcenio Tagorda, and Eli Tagorda, a swim and polo athletes, spoke in support of keeping the full-time coach.
Cecilia Gonzalez and Janelle Ocampo opposed eliminating the full-time coach position.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed Session at 10:38 a.m.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Matters.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to open session at 11:18pm
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
Deputy City Attorney Almazan reported that, with the entire Council present, the City Council discussed two potential litigation items during Closed Session, and no reportable action was taken.
Mayor Altamirano and Councilmember Rebollo explained that public comments were taken prior to the Closed Session because the Closed Session item was City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 8/12/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes July 31, 2025
directly related to an Open Session item, and the Council wanted to provide everyone the opportunity to be heard. Mayor Altamirano stated that programs will be enhanced, not reduced.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alfredo Beltran. AFSCME Local, stated that the goal of restructuring should be clear and not overlook the individuals affected. He noted that the transition would be difficult and emphasized the importance of working together to ensure a smooth process.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
2. Implementation of Organizational Restructuring
City Manager Ernie Hernandez stated that, during the recent budget process and analysis, it was discovered that the Recreation Department had been over budget by more than $2 million in each of the past three years. He noted that the City also needs to subsidize the transit program and that, without Measure AA funding, there would be no Capital Improvement Programs. This process, he explained, includes identifying efficiencies with the goal of enhancing or maintaining services.
City Manager Hernandez recommended that the City Council approve the salary changes outlined in Exhibit D and stated that the changes would take about a month to implement.
Mayor Altamirano reiterated that the City’s swim program is ranked number one in the nation and is well-known nationwide. He guaranteed that the program would be enhanced, noting that additional improvements are planned. He further stated that if the program suffers in any way, the City Manager will be held accountable, and adjustments will be made.
Councilmember Rebollo reiterated that employee matters cannot be discussed from the dais, which is why the City Council took public comments prior to the Closed Session. Councilmember Rebollo commended every parent and athlete in attendance, acknowledging that these decisions are not easy, but emphasized that they are made with a commitment to improve the program and the community. She added that it is the Council’s responsibility to safeguard the community.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, to approve and authorize the City Manager to implement necessary actions related to an organizational assessment and restructuring initiative affecting City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 8/12/2025
City Council Meeting Minutes July 31, 2025
the Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, and Human Resources departments effective September 1, 2025; and adopt a Resolution amending the 2025-26 adopted salary Schedules for Executive Employees, Full-Time Employees, and Part-Time Employees. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Lainez, Councilmember Argumedo, Councilmember Garcia, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
3. Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic Network Project
City Manager Hernandez asked to continue to the next meeting.
4. Presentation Regarding Digital Billboards
This item was continued to the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m.
City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 8/12/2025