City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 1 of 7 Final Minutes Approved April 6, 2022
MINUTES
CUDAHY CITY COUNCIL REGUAR MEETING and
CITY OF CUDAHY AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY and
HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CUDAHY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JOINT MEETING
March 15, 2022 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Alcantar called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Blanca Lozoya
Council / Agency Member Daisy Lomelí
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Jose R. Gonzalez (arrived 6:48 p.m.) Mayor / Chair Elizabeth Alcantar
ABSENT: Council / Agency Member Jack M. Guerrero
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, City Attorney, Victor Ponto, Deputy City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Junior Deputy City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Finance Director, Joshua Calhoun, and Director of Administrative Services, Brenda Rodriguez.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Lomelí.
4. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Land Acknowledgment was led by Council Member Lomelí.
We would like to acknowledge that the land we inhabit today was once known as Tovangaar, the home of the Gabrieleño-Tongva people. We show our respects to the Gabrieleño-Tongva people, as well as all Indigenous people, past, present, and future, and honor their labor as original caretakers of this land. We commit to uplifting the Gabrieleño-Tongva people, invite you to acknowledge the history, and join us in caring for this land.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Eco-Rapid Transit
B. City Clerk Department Annual Update
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 2 of 7
6. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ilse Escobar mentioned the debate happening with LAUSD regarding the mask mandate and COVID testing, reminded the Council about the court signed order that KIPP can’t build or construct, the project should have not been exempted from CEQA, and asked Council to urge KIPP to do the report and enter into an agreement with Department of Toxic Substances Control to clean up the site.
Tevina Quintana urged Council to hold KIPP accountable, the court ruled for them to stop building and urged Council to get on board with Cudahy Alliance for Justice and fight back against KIPP.
Bertha Martinez commented on the Ellen Ochoa Learning Center Robotics team who won a competition and asked for Council’s support to donate for students and teachers travel, spoke about the station going through Huntington Park, Bell and Cudahy, and praised Council Member Lozoya.
Susie asked Council to support the community KIPP conduct an EIR, enter into an agreement with DTSC and to ensure the clean-up is done properly with oversight to protect the community, thanked Council and staff for having their camera on.
At 7:25, City Attorney, Victor Ponto recessed to closed session.
7. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel to Discuss Existing Litigation – Cudahy Alliance for Justice v. City of Cudahy, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 20STCP03621
B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a) – Conference with Labor Negotiator Regarding Represented Employees
City’s Designated Representative(s) for Negotiations: City Manager Alfonso Noyola Employee Organization: Cudahy Miscellaneous Employees Association (CMEA)
8. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Victor Ponto announced due to presentation and closed session comments there was not sufficient time to go through the materials and requested there be a motion to continue the closed session items prior to adjournment of the meeting.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to continue the closed session items prior to adjournment of the meeting, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Lozoya, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guerrero
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 3 of 7 ABSTAIN: None
CLOSED SESSION CONTINUED TO END OF MEETING
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Victor Frias commented on how amazing Teresa Hughes Elementary is, stated how Council Member Guerrero has never visited Teresa Hughes Elementary, commented on the academic progress this year, and invited all of City Council to visit the school and see what is happening.
Theresa Espinoza shared her love for Teresa Hughes Elementary, mentioned her 1 st
grade students, they are motivated, conduct their own research, students succeeding and commented on what is happening at Teresa Hughes Elementary School.
Susie commented on the comments made by Council Member Guerrero and his school choice, mentioned parents always had school choice since she was able to choose the schools for her children, spoke about the magnet program at Teresa Hughes Elementary School, spoke in opposition of Charter schools, mentioned Council Member Guerrero can go to the schools and be part of the community but has never step foot nor communicated with educators.
Ayde Bravo commented on public education, increase in education, school choice, school district honoring parents choice and can enroll students in any school in the district, spoke about all schools around the community and their magnet programs.
Bertha Martinez stated how they are tired on how poorly Council Member Guerrero speaks of local schools especially since he is a Council Member and should be advocating for the schools, needs to give more credit to public schools and mentioned teacher are also upset at his comments and will be showing up to City Council meetings.
Star Garcia commented on her daughter’s accomplishments and spoke on Council Member Guerrero’s comments, stated public schools work, need to believe in them, and give teachers credit.
EMAILED COMMENTS
Lorraine Alcala My name is Lorraine Alcala. I have dedicated my entire teaching career at Teresa Hughes for the past 23 years. I have seen generations walk through my classroom door. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing a child’s eyes light up when they learn. I enjoy hearing updates from my former families, especially honored to have some as educators. At Teresa Hughes I have some if the most dedicated colleagues. They put in the extra time, effort and love to ensure that the children of our school community have a quality educational experience., from zooming on Saturday to meet with parents, burning the midnight oil making constructive comments on student work, to the countless extras that it takes to make a classroom come alive. I encourage you all to walk and stay a while in our shoes, educating children is not an easy feat but a delicate balance of many moving facets but most importantly are a love of teaching, a City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 4 of 7 caring heart, knowledge of curriculum and investment in the school community. At Hughes it is common practice. Help bring our community up, roll your sleeves up, help us make sure all of our students’ needs are met glasses, school supplies, shoes, clothing, reading buddy, even a warm meal or school snacks. Talk with s nothing without a positive direct impact on our kids. Every child deserves their story to be heard and understood. Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts
10. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Lomeli thanked all the speaker and their positive stories specially about empowerment, Park Avenue going through a transition of a new principal, coffee with the principal event they are currently on their second year of having dual language classes, reopened their parent center, ELS students are looking for volunteers, need help with enrollment, and reminded the community of what the city offers, Aztec dance at Cudahy Park learning about culture for free every Wednesday and lastly thanked her colleagues.
Council Member Lozoya thanked everyone who spoke out, appreciated, valued and respect the job as an educator.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez thanked all the educators for their hard work, mentioned tomorrow’s coffee with the Cudahy Sheriff’s Department at La Princesa Bakery from 10 a.m. through 11 a.m., mentioned how proud of the hard work coordinating the transportation project, congratulated the team and spoke on the grants the city qualifies.
Mayor Alcantar commented on her representation of the Gateway COG, 710 Ad-Hoc, Metro 710 task force, conversion around of what the vision for the 710 corridor is, the Metro 710 task force is hosting a vision and goals survey and a community meeting and will be posted on social media, commented on her attendance at the SELA reception with Janice Hahn, network with SELA officials, and congratulated the Ellen Ochoa Robotics team and thanked all the educator who attended the meeting.
11. CITY MANAGER REPORT (information only)
12. REPORTS REGARDING AD HOC, ADVISORY, STANDING OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS –
Council Member Lomelí commented on meeting with the Commission Ad-Hoc and the Education Ad-Hoc, the discussion has been on how to increase youth involvement in different areas all across the work, thanked staff for always being open to those conversations, always consider the opportunities and available to them.
Mayor Alcantar noted that Council Lomelí and Her sit on a few Ad-Hoc Committees together, meeting with staff, having updates on education, and thanked Council Member Lomelí for her work.
13. WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 5 of 7 Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Council Member Lozoya. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Lozoya, Lomelí, Alcantar, and Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guerrero
ABSTAIN: None
14.CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of February 2022
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Report for the month of February 2022 in the amount of $11,193,407.44.
B. Approval of the City Demands and Payroll Including Statement of Investment for the Month of February 2022
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $1,090,516.30 including the Statement of Investments for the month of February 2022.
C. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of March 1, 2022, for the Regular Meeting of the City Council and the Joint Meeting of the City of Cudahy as Successor Agency and Housing Successor Agency to the Cudahy Development Commission
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to review and approve the City Council / Successor Agency Draft Minutes for March 1, 2022.
D. Adoption of Proposed Resolution No. 22-11 Proclaiming a Local Emergency, Ratifying the Proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020, and Re-Authorizing Remote Teleconference Meetings of the City Council, City Boards, and all Commissions of the City of Cudahy, for the Period from March 15, 2022, through April 14, 2022, Pursuant to Brown Act Provisions Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve proposed Resolution No. 22-11 proclaiming a local emergency, ratifying the proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020, and re-authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the City Council, City Boards, and all Commissions of the City of Cudahy, for the period from March 15, 2022, through April 14, 2022, pursuant to Ralph M. Brown Act provisions.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve Consent Items 14 A-D, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 6 of 7 AYES: Lozoya Lomelí, Alcantar, and Gonzalez
NOES: Guerrero
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
15. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
16. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Adoption of Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.32 (City Commissioners), and Repealing Chapter 2.58 (Cudahy Economic Development Commission) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Cudahy Municipal Code Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve an Ordinance by first reading, amending Chapter 2.32 (City Commissioners), and repealing Chapter 2.58 (Cudahy Economic Development Commission) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Cudahy Municipal Code.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to approve an Ordinance by first reading, amending Chapter 2.32 (City Commissioners), and repealing Chapter 2.58 (Cudahy Economic Development Commission) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Cudahy Municipal Code, seconded by Council Member Lozoya. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Lozoya, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guerrero
ABSTAIN: None
B. Consideration to Adopt Resolution No. 22-12 and Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies for various City System Upgrades Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Resolution No. 22-12 to appropriate funds not to exceed $128,150; and approve a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Cudahy and Tyler Technologies for various City software upgrades.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to adopt Resolution No. 22-12 to appropriate funds not to exceed $128,150; and approve a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Cudahy and Tyler Technologies for various City software upgrades, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Lozoya, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guerrero
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/15/22 Page 7 of 7 ABSTAIN: None
CLOSED SESSION CONTINUED…
City Attorney Victor Ponto announced he read into the record item 7A and 7B none were completed and are still pending. He stated item 7B will be discussed first and then item 7A.
At 8:35 p.m., City Attorney, Victor Ponto recessed to closed session.
At 9:48 p.m., Mayor Alcantar reconvened to open session City Attorney Victor Ponto announced Council was given direction and direction was received, no further reportable action.
17. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
18. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Alcantar motioned to adjourn the City Council / Agency meeting at 9:50 p.m., in honor of Women’s History Month, seconded by Council Member Lozoya. Motion passed 3-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Lozoya, Lomelí, Alcantar
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guerrero and Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
Elizabeth Alcantar
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk