City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 5:00 PM
CONCURRENT JOINT MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82019003723? pwd=IkC7aaXeWmICBbmtry0GGXWBVYhNe4.1
Meeting ID: 820 1900 3723
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5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lainez called the closed session meeting to order at 5:09 pm.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Sarmiento took roll call: All five members of the city council were present.
Mayor Lainez
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lainez directed City Clerk Sarmiento to read the items listed on the closed session agenda. City Clerk Sarmiento read aloud the two items listed on the closed session agenda.
Mayor Lainez recessed to closed session at 5:10 pm
This was approve.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2)& (e)(2) - Regarding Anticipated/Potential Litigation - Two (2) Cases.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1). One (1) case: Unite Here Local v City of Commerce Liendo Superior Court of Los Angeles County Case No.
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25STCP03029
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Lainez Reconvened the closed session meeting at 6:16 pm. He then requested city attorney Noel Tapia provide his report from closed session.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Noel Tapia provided a report from closed session.
He stated that with all five members of the city council present the two items listed on the closed session were discussed. Regarding Item number one (1) under anticipated litigation on two (2) cases, staff provided a presentation, city council provided direction and no reportable action was taken. Regarding item two (2) listed as existing litigation, staff provided the city council a presentation, council provided direction and no reportable action was taken. That concluded the city attorneys report.
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lainez called the concurrent joint meetings of the City Council to order at 6:18 pm.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Sarmiento took roll call.
Mayor Lainez
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Councilmember Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Director of Finance Alvaro Castellon.
INVOCATION
Council Member Rebollo offered the invocation.
APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
CONSENT CALENDAR
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Council Member Rebollo motioned to approved items one (1) through six (6), eight (8) and nine (9) of the consent calendar, seconded by council member Argumedo.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
Councilmember Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to approve . 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. 23A, 23A-SA, 2A-SA, 2A, 2B, 2C The City Council will consider approving the bills and claims set forth in Warrant Registers No. 23A and 23A-SA dated August 10, 2026, 2A-SA dated August 11, 2026, 2A dated August 11, 2026, 2B for the period of July 29, 2026 through August 5, 2026, and 2C for the period of July 23, 2026 through July 24, 2026.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The City Council and Successor Agency will consider for approval the minutes of the Regular and Special City Council meetings on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, held at 5:00 p.m. and 5:05 p.m.
3. OUTSIDE LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR PERSONNEL
INVESTIGATIONS
4. QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT - QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 2026 Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026
5. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH I COPY, INC. DBA IBE DIGITAL, INC. FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STAFF
AUGMENTATION SERVICES
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with I Copy, Inc. dba IBE Digital, Inc. for Information Technology staff augmentation services at an estimated annual amount not to exceed $193,700, inclusive of a 10% contingency, for an initial three-year term, with one additional two-year renewal term in accordance with the terms of the Agreement; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any related documents, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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6. FUND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OF PROPOSITION
A FUNDS WITH THE CITY OF WALNUT
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution approving a Fund Trade Agreement for the exchange of Proposition A funds with the City of Walnut.
7. AUTHORIZATION TO RESCIND AWARD AND RE-ADVERTISE THE
DECONSTRUCTION OF COMMERCE REFUSE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY
(CREA) PROJECT
Mayor Lainez motioned to uphold the approval of the original award to Precision Works Inc. from the June 23, 2026 council meeting, seconded by Council Member Rebollo. Motion was carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Councilmember(s) Rebollo, Argumedo, Altamirano, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia and Mayor Lainez.
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Rescinding the June 23, 2026 award of the Deconstruction of Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility (CREA) Project to Precision Works, Inc. dba Precision Environmental, and;
2. Rejecting all bids received on May 5, 2026; and
3. Authorizing staff to re-advertise the Project through a new competitive procurement process.
8. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT WITH NORTH STAR ALLIANCES FOR MARKETING
SERVICES RELATED TO THE BIG 4
1. Adopting a resolution to:
a. Approve an Agreement for services with North Star Alliance (“NSA”), as approved in form by the City Attorney, at a not-to-exceed amount of a total of $120,000 through August 5, 2028; and
b. Approve a budget amendment recognizing $120,000 in additional Card Club revenues, reflecting improved revenue projections, and increasing Community Development Department appropriations by $120,000 to fund economic development consulting services; and
c. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take necessary actions to implement these actions; and
2. Take any additional related actions as deemed necessary.
9. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX APPROVING A
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING AGREEMENT FOR ECONOMIC
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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WITH DEODATE LLC.
It is recommended that the City Council consider:
1. Adopting a resolution to:
a. Approve a first amendment to the agreement for economic development services with Deodate LLC (“Deodate”), as approved in form by the City Attorney, to add $150,000 to the original professional services agreement for a three-year term, until August 11, 2029; and
b. Approve a budget amendment recognizing $150,000 in additional Card Club revenues and increasing Community Development Department appropriations by $150,000 to fund economic development consulting services; and
c. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take necessary actions to implement these actions; and
2. Take any additional related actions as deemed necessary.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
10. PRESENTATION/UPDATE FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE CITY OF COMMERCE
A report and presentation was provided by Sergeant Cortez on public safety and numbers related to police efforts.
ORDINANCE
11. URGENCY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY (45-DAY)
MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council consider:
1. Adopting the proposed Urgency Ordinance, by a four-fifths (4/5) vote, establishing a temporary 45-day moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of any applications, permits, entitlements, or other approvals for data center development within the City of Commerce, pursuant to California Government Code, Section 65858, effective immediately upon adoption; and
2. Directing the City Manager to return to the City Council within 35 days with a written report describing the measures taken to alleviate the conditions that City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 8/22/2026
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led to the adoption of this Urgency Ordinance, and to schedule a duly noticed public hearing to consider extension of the moratorium for an additional period of up to 10 months and 15 days.
Community Development director Jessica Serrano provided a report on the Urgency Ordinance.
Mayor Lainez moved, seconded by Councilmember Rebollo, to approve as amended . The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
12. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE AMENDING CHAPTER 15.13 TITLED ELECTRIC VEHICLE
CHARGING STATIONS
It is recommended that the City Council:
Introduce for first reading, waive for first reading and adopt by title only, Ordinance amending Chapter 15.13 of the Commerce Municipal Code adopting procedures concerning electrical vehicle charging stations.
Councilmember Argumedo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, to approve the proposed ordinance on first reading . The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Lainez, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, and Councilmember Rebollo
5 -
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY REPORTS
Council Member Rebollo thanked staff and the community for attending the National Night Out event, and shared her gratitude with staff and there cohesiveness in there execution of the National Night Out event. She then recommended that more food be kept on stand by for attendee's in the future. She suggested a registration be implemented for residents next years event. Residents would be able to register using there residents cards to confirm attendance which will allow for better preparation in regard to the amount of food need for the event.
She stressed the importance of having enough food for the residents in attendance of the event. She then thanked the community for their participation in the cultural excursion. She closed by giving her condolences to the family of Tina Gonzalez for there loss.
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event and agreed with his counterpart council member Rebollo regarding the need for improvements regarding the food. He also thanked the community for their participation in the cultural excursion event. He concluded he comments by suggesting staff look into a new bus vendor for future cultural excursion events.
Council Member Altamirano also mentioned the successful National Night Out event and thanked staff for their effort. He also shared the positive feedback he received regarding the cultural excursion event. He also agreed with his colleagues on the suggestion to look into a new bus rental vendor for future events.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia thanked staff and the Police Department team for their participation in a successful National Night Out event. She also mentioned the positive feedback she received regarding the cultural excursion event. She closed her comments by giving her condolences to the Gonzalez family for their loss.
Mayor Lainez spoke on the success of the National Night Out event and the numerous resource and partners that were in attendance at the event. He thanked staff and sponsors for all their hard work to make the event a success. He also mentioned the success of the cultural excursion event and the positive feedback he received from participants. He then encouraged the community to attend the upcoming community events which included the back to school bash. He closed by also sharing his condolences to the family of Valentina Gonzalez for their loss.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lainez adjourned the city council meeting in memory of Valentina Gonzalez at 7:27 pm.
Written materials distributed to the City Council are available for public inspection immediately following the posting of this agenda (at least 72 hours prior to a regular City Council meetings) in the City Clerk's Office, at Commerce City Hall, 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce, California, and the Central Library, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, California.
Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. ln compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, notify the Office of the City Clerk at (323) 722-4805 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
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