City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - 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 Lainez called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Lainez
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were not individuals wishing to address the City Council on any Closed Session items.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The members of the City Council and Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:20 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 City Council will confer with its real property negotiator, Ernie Hernandez, with respect to real estate negotiations regarding 6300 Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA 90040 (APN:
6336-008-033)
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3. 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 5933 Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA 90040 (APN:
6336-017-908)
4. 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 Avenue, Commerce, CA (APN:
6357-015-900 and 6357-019-304).
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The members of the City Council and Successor Agency reconvened to open session at 6:13 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session stating that with the entire Council present.
Item Nos. 1 and 2, staff provided a presentation, the City Council gave direction, and no final reportable action was taken.
Item Nos. 3 and 4 were not discussed it is the intent of the City Council to reconvene in closed session following the conclusion of the open session. 6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lainez called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:14 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Lainez
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Finance Director Castellon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Council Member Rebollo offered the invocation.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Yvonne Sandoval, President of Senior Club at the Senior Center, provided an update on the senior center trips. A trip was scheduled for the end of March and there were still seats available. April 4 and April 10 are the dates for the senior trips for the month of April. She also expressed her gratitude to the Council for the arts classes at the senior center with the world-famous artist Calixto.
Leslie Navarro, Representative of the Helpline Youth Counseling Non-Profit Organization and the Southeast Community Alliance Coalition (SECA) Lets Make a Difference Campaign, provided information on a community level prevention effort focused on reducing alcohol, drug, and prescription medication use across Los Angeles. The goal was to educate families to safely store and dispose of medication. They work with pharmacies, schools and several organizations to provide these services. She stated that Commerce did not have a location to safely dispose of these medications. Ms. Navarro requested to collaborate with the City to provide this information at their City events and for the City to register and participate in the National Take Back Day on April 25, 2026.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Argumedo removed Item No. 3 for separate discussion.
Council Member Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia to approve Item Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
1. Approval of Warrant Register Nos. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13A S/A Action Taken: Approved the bills and claims set forth in Warrant Registers No. 13A dated March 10, 2026, 13B for the period of February 25, 2026 through March 4, 2026, 13C for the period of February 19, 2026 through February 23, 2026, and 13A S/A dated February 19, 2026.
2. Approval of Minutes
Action Taken: Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, held at 5:00 p.m.
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3. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement with Flock Safety to Modify and Expand Services for Mobile Security Camera Trailers
Council Member Argumedo removed this item for separate discussion.
Council Member Argumedo inquired if the issues with the previous company were resolved with this company. He would like to see a long term resolution on this item.
City Manager Hernandez affirmed that these issues were resolved. These units were used at hot spots throughout the City. Staff was working on other viable solutions.
Council Member Argumedo requested that staff provide a six month report update on the use of these cameras.
Council Member Argumedo moved, seconded by Council Member Altamirano to Adopt a Resolution No. 26-13 approving the First Amendment to the existing agreement with Flock Safety, previously approved by the City Council on November 25, 2025, to expand services to include mobile security camera trailer rentals for a 12-month period to better support the City's public safety objectives and ensure reliable, high-quality surveillance capabilities.
The motion carried by the following vote:
4. FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Amendments
Action Taken: Approved the Mid-Year budget amendments for the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 General Fund Budget as outlined in this report.
5. Annual Financial Comprehensive Report and the Auditor’s Communication Related to Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Audit
Action Taken: Received and filed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year (FY) ended June 30, 2025, and accept the report as presented by the city’s independent auditors, The Pun Group, LLP.
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6. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Fund Trade Agreement for the Exchange of Proposition A Funds with the City of Lomita
Action Taken: Adopted Resolution No. 26-14 approving a Fund Trade Agreement for the exchange of Proposition A funds with the City of Lomita.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
7. Presentation/Update from the Sheriff's Department of Public Safety in the City of Commerce
Sergeant Cortez provided a presentation on this item.
8. Expansion of Public Wi-Fi Access (Phase I)
Mayor Lainez moved, seconded by Council Member Rebollo to:
1. Approve an agreement with Southern Computer Warehouse for a not-to-exceed amount of $27,000 for wireless access points, licensing, and mounting hardware.
2. Approve an agreement with Integrated Security for a not-to-exceed amount of $14,000 for cabling and installation at park facilities
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all contracts, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
4. Adopt Resolution No. 26-15 appropriating $41,000 from the Project Management Fund to support the one-time cost for the Phase I of the project.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
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9. Proposed Independence Day Celebration Program - July 3-4, 2026 Director of Parks & Recreation Marquez provided a brief summary of the PowerPoint Presentation for this Item.
Council Member Rebollo requested clarification on the music selection. She would like the music selection to be inclusive of all generations.
Council Member Argumedo followed up on getting the fireworks on the 4th of July, was there anything prohibiting the City to work on this issue now to secure that in the future. He asked how the drone show was received from the community. He also suggested a mini parade for the event.
Director Marquez stated that the five firework vendors have heard from the City for two years now every few months and in January staff begin monthly calls to try to get the fireworks on the 4th of July. The City was in line for this programming.
Director Marquez stated they heard very positive comments on the drone show.
The laser light show also had received positive feedback from the teenagers and all age ranges.
City Manager Hernandez stated that in May Contract Cities were going to meet with a subdivision of TNT to create another company that provided this service.
Unless existing cities change their programming on their 4th of July events, Commerce was in line to be scheduled for the 4th. This item today would establish the budget for the two day event and the programming for day two is where Council can be creative.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia inquired if the City received a discount on the fireworks show since it is on July 3rd and when did the City stop being scheduled for the 4th.
City Manager Hernandez stated that the fireworks shows are more expensive on July 4th.
Director Marquez stated that after Covid, it was decided that the 4th of July was going to be celebrated the weekend before. The City chose to get out of the line for the 4th of July programming and these are the residual effects of that decision.
Mayor Lainez stated that the drone show was a good idea but the laser light show was really lively and gave a concert experience, a lot of people got into it and City of Commerce Page 6 Printed on 5/13/2026
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enjoyed it. Being that the City does not have a fireworks show on the 4th, the laser light show is a good main event for the 4th. We can also look at having a drone show. He was concerned with the smoke from neighborhood fireworks impairing the visibility of the drone show.
Mayor Lainez moved, seconded by Council Member Rebollo to:
Approve the two-day (Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, 2026) Independence Day Celebration events as listed in the staff report in the amount $305,244, this funding was approved in the mid-year budget amendments.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
ORDINANCES
10. Adoption of Ordinance No. 830 Authorizing an Amendment to the City’s CalPERS Contract to Provide Up to Two (2) Years of Additional Service Credit (“Golden Handshake”) and Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance Authorizing the Same Amendment
Human Resources Manager Reviilla provided a brief summary on this item.
Council Member Rebollo moved, seconded by Council Member Altamirano to:
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 830, previously introduced on February 10, 2026, authorizing an amendment to the contract between the City Council of the City of Commerce and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
2. Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 832, authorizing the same amendment to the CalPERS contract to allow the amendment to take effect immediately upon adoption.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Council Member Rebollo had no reports.
Council Member Altamirano congratulated Council Member Argumedo on receiving the George Tumanjan Philantropic Award from the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 5, 2026. He provided an update on Art projects around the City, the green container by the baseball fields was now looking very nice, he visited it and saw a lot of residents around there and some wanted to give the artists some money for the artwork they were doing on the container. There were also some teenagers excited and telling others that they knew the artists because they helped them paint the butterflies. They were asking if the artist would teach them. There was going to be an art class at the teen center that might start Monday. The artist was going to start his Fernando Valenzuela piece soon and the Rosewood area was looking good. Community members from Bandini were requesting for their area to be next to get some of this art. Council Member Altamirano would like to receive a presentation to the Council on the Arts in Public Places account at the next Council meeting.
Council Member Argumedo stated that he was honored to receive the George Tumanjan Philantropic Award. He provided the history of Mr. Tumanjan and the Casino with the City of Commerce emphasizing their collaborations to provide for the Commerce community. He thanked the Commerce Business Council for the award, city staff, and his colleagues for their support and for attending the event on Thursday, March 5, 2026. He attended the March 9, 2026 budget session at the Bandini Library it was a great presentation from the Finance Director.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia attended the neighborhood watch meeting on February 26, 2026 and thanked the Rosewood area residents for attending and voicing their concerns. She also thanked Public Works Director Abbas and the street maintenance crew for the work in the Rosewood area. She would like to have more work done at the Veterans Park area and other parks. She also thanked Public Safety for the neighborhood watch meeting. She congratulated Council Member Argumedo on receiving his award. She wished everyone a happy International Women's Day on March 8.
Mayor Lainez stated he attended the neighborhood watch meeting and thanked staff for their support and attendance. He stated that he, City Manager Hernandez, and Community Development Director Serrano attended ICON West a conference City of Commerce Page 8 Printed on 5/13/2026
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for industrial real estate. The conference allowed for us to showcase our empty lots. We received interest from potential businesses. On March 5 he attended the Commerce Business Council Installation Gala, he congratulated Council Member Argumedo on receiving his award. He also congratulated the District Manager of Cal Water, Jim Crawford, who was named President of the Chamber for the fourth straight year. He attended the LA Kings family hockey trip, Council Member Argumedo also attended. Although it did not work out for the Kings, it was a great game. He thanked all the City staff that worked on the coordination, transportation, and making it a great outing. Mayor Lainez attended the community budget meeting on March 9th, Director Castellon did a great job presenting the information. City Manager Hernandez also did a great job explaining the presentation slides on Measure PC. He congratulated the Commerce Dance Team for their great showing at the State competition this weekend at Knott's Berry Farm and wished them luck at nationals.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The members of the City Council and Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 7:57 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The members of the City Council and Successor Agency reconvened to open session at 9:33 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on Closed Session stating that with the entire Council present.
Item Nos. 3 and 4, staff provided a presentation, the City Council gave direction, and no final reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lainez adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m.
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