City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 8/15/2023 Page 1 of 6 Final Minutes Approved September 5, 2023
MINUTES
CUDAHY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING and
CITY OF CUDAHY AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY and
HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CUDAHY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JOINT MEETING
August 15, 2023 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Lomelí called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Cynthia Gonzalez
Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes (arrived at 6:46 p.m.) Council / Agency Member Elizabeth Alcantar
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Jose R. Gonzalez
Mayor / Chair Daisy Lomelí
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, Assistant City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Assistant to the City Manager, Andres Rangel, Finance Director, Joshua Calhoun, Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Public Works Director, Aaron Hernandez, Senior Planner, Cecilia Madrigal-Gonzalez, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade, and Administrative Analyst, David Reyes.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to approve the agenda as is, seconded by Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 8/15/2023 Page 2 of 6
5. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Land Acknowledgment was led by Council Member Alcantar.
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.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Cudahy’s Visionary Youth Leaders
B. Recognition of Cudahy’s Visionary Youth Leaders
C. Human Resources Department Annual Update
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Armando Velasquez (Kiwanis) spoke about the program he is bringing to all SELA cities (Kiwanis) shared how anyone can join and to do community service and give back to the community, mentioned they will be meeting on August 25th at the Southeast Rio Vista YMCA at 6:30 p.m.
Susie de Santiago spoke on the Cudahy Park Renovations, asked Council to reconsider adding the life of water system, conservation, water recycling, rainwater harvesting, consider the tables and benches making them be more amenable to the life of the park more pleasant, shared with Council to reconsider since the community needs more ecofriendly parks.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member C. Gonzalez shared that she saw an ad on the Cudahy app and asked for updates, asked for update on the grants, spoke on domestic violence and requested to think of what we can do in October since it is domestic violence month.
Council Member Alcantar encouraged everyone to wear a mask and get checked, thanked Armando Velasquez with Kiwanis for his comment during public comment, spoke about doing a better job on spreading the word on the rent stabilization and shared her experience with rent increases.
Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez shared that Eco Rapid is merging into Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Hector De la Torre is now the Executive Director, asked the team about ribbon cutting for Sprouts and all new businesses, also requested for inventory of vacant businesses.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 8/15/2023 Page 3 of 6 Mayor Lomeli echoed her colleagues, asked staff to consider flyers for rent stabilization at schools, liked the idea of ribbon cutting and vacant inventory, wished everyone a good school year.
Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez asked to share the Kiwanis event on social media.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT (information only)
10. REPORTS REGARDING AD HOC, ADVISORY, STANDING OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS – NONE
11. WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of August 1, 2023, 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
Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to review and approve the City Council / Successor Agency Draft Minutes for August 1, 2023.
B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of July 2023 Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Report for the month of July 2023 in the amount of $12,489,361.78.
C. Approval of the City Demands and Payroll Including Statement of Investment for the Month of July 2023
Presented by the Finance Director
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 8/15/2023 Page 4 of 6 Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $2,043,188.80 including the Statement of Investments for the month of July 2023.
D. Informational Item – ARPA Utilization Plan Monthly Report (July 2023) Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file the ARPA Utilization Plan Monthly Report for the month of July 2023.
Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to approve Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member Alcantar. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
13. PUBLIC HEARING
A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 740 to Approve an Amendment to General Plan Amendment No. 21-01 and Re-Adopt the City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element (6th Cycle)
Presented by the Community Development Director
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action(s):
Adopt by first reading Ordinance No. 740 to approve an amendment to General Plan Amendment No. 21-01 and re-adopt the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element for the 2021- 2029 planning period. Schedule the second reading of Ordinance No. 740 for September 5, 2023, regular City Council meeting.
At 7:53 p.m. Mayor Lomelí opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to adopt by first reading Ordinance No. 740 to approve an amendment to General Plan Amendment No. 21-01 and re-adopt the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 planning period and schedule the second reading of Ordinance No. 740 for September 5, 2023, regular City Council meeting, seconded by Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 8/15/2023 Page 5 of 6
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Cudahy Park Renovation Project Presentation
Presented by the Community Services Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file NO MOTION – PRESENTATION ONLY
B. Strategic Plan Update Presentation
Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file NO MOTION – PRESENTATION ONLY
C. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement for WSAB Cudahy Strategic Vision Implementation Plan
Presented by the Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve the Professional Services Agreement to City Fabrick for the WSAB Cudahy Strategic Vision Implementation Plan for a not to exceed amount of $160,000.00.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to approve the Professional Services Agreement to City Fabrick for the WSAB Cudahy Strategic Vision Implementation Plan for a not to exceed amount of $160,000.00, seconded by Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez and Lomelí NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 8:30 p.m., City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel to Discuss Matter Involving Potential Litigation – Two Matters
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 8/15/2023 Page 6 of 6 B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Title of Employee: City Clerk
Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with Labor Negotiator
City’s Designated Representative: Stephanie Arechiga, City Attorney Unrepresented Employee: City Clerk
At 10:05 p.m., Mayor Lomelí reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga announced that all five council members were present for all items and no further reportable action.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
Daisy Lomelí
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk