City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 1 of 8 Final Minutes Approved October 3, 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
September 19, 2023 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Lomelí called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Cynthia Gonzalez
Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes (joined remotely) Council / Agency Member Elizabeth Alcantar
Mayor / Chair Daisy Lomelí
ABSENT: Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Jose R. Gonzalez
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, Assistant City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias (joined remotely),Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Public Works Director, Aaron Hernandez, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade, and Administrative Analyst, Daniela Trujillo.
Assistant City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy announced Council Member Fuentes is appearing remotely for just cause purposes to attend city business out of state.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to clear Council Member Fuentes just cause to appear remotely, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, requested City Council to postpone item 6A to the next meeting.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 2 of 8 Motion: Council Member C. Gonzalez motioned to postpone item 6A to the next meeting, seconded by Council Member Alcantar. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Alcantar
5. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Land Acknowledgment was led by Council Member C. Gonzalez.
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. City Attorney’s Office Annual Update
B. Certificate of Recognition to Rent Control Ad Hoc Committee Members
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Daffodil Tyminski urged Council to take matter of cannabis seriously, many in the risk of losing jobs, mentioned they have been good partners with the city, they provide good paying jobs, and spoke regarding operators fees.
George Francisco alleged determinations being made during closed session, commented on the payroll and the city to abide by sunshine laws.
Barry Cassilly spoked about unlicensed cannabis operators and how the industry operates.
Ruben (William Velasquez Institute) announced upcoming event in Cudahy called “Ponte las Pilas” happening on Saturday, September 30th at 10am – 2pm.
Augie Simoncini spoke in support of the cultivation facilities in the city, expressed his gratitude and shared how he has been given an opportunity to work for them.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 3 of 8 Daniela Martinez asked City Council to assist the Huerta-Flores family as they experienced a fire in their home.
Vincent Ritchie (Cudahy Balanced) spoke in support of cannabis businesses in the city.
Gil Correa spoke in support of cannabis businesses in the city and the jobs they provide.
Carla Ritchie spoke about the city cannabis fees, fees being too excessive and hard to understand where those fees are going too.
Leliani spoke about potentially losing her job.
Vicki Halliday shared she is a journalist working on story of cannabis growers and their relationships with where they do business and stated might be receiving an email or call.
Christian Hernandez spoke about the process of cannabis operators along with the fees and asked City Council to get the operators open as soon as possible.
Susie de Santiago asked for an update of Lugo Park, thanked staff for installing dog bags but now need trash bins, questioned the overnight parking permit fee, spoke regarding cannabis businesses and thanked City Council for the recognition.
Irma Lopez expressed her concerns of the odor of cannabis and thanked City Council for her recognition.
Edwin Gonzalez spoke on the issue of poverty, mentioned the incident at Circle K on September 8th, and urged the community to be engaged.
EMAILED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Natasha Dominguez Dear City Council, I am writing to urge the you to please support the Huerta-Flores family recover from a devastating fire to their home a few days ago. They are part of our community and we need to step up to help them during this difficult time.
They specifically need big dumpsters and help clearing fire debris from contractors that are qualified to do the labor. This is a tremendous financial burden on the family and anything the city can do to help with the recovery process by way of resources would be appreciated.
Lizbeth Hello, I am writing regarding today so that the city council to please lend a hand and help the Huerta-Flores family. I was informed their house suffered from a very devastating house fire a few days ago. More than ever they need help in any way possible. They need dumpsters and help with clearing the fire debris left behind. I know if we come together as a community we can all help. This tragedy resulted to a big financial burden and lack of resources provided to them. If the city would help in the slightest they would be thankful for taking of some stress and worry of their back. Thank you.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 4 of 8
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes shared his participation at the retreat of Gateway Cities Council of Governments, Contract Cities conference in San Diego, Los Angeles County Sanitation District meeting, Gala with Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles, Jaime Escalante Early Education Center Community Resource Fair, and asked staff to create a community resources link and add to Cudahy app.
Council Member C. Gonzalez commented on the loss of life the city experienced and asked about additional services we can provide, asked to provide support to the HuertaFlores family providing resources, asked how the “Walk to School” event can be part of the impact, and requested an analysis of the cannabis industry.
Council Member Alcantar added additional requests to the analysis of the cannabis industry, requested additional information for the overnight parking program and what currently exists, shared her attendance at Local Progress 2023, met with City Manager and Executive Director of our Gateway Council of Governments, and mentioned she has been looking for resources for the Huerta-Flores family.
Mayor Lomelí shared her attendance at the flag football grand opening day, Jaime Escalante Early Educational Center Community resource fair, asked staff to connect with Ms. Lara, thanked staff for being there promoting the app, supports the idea of having a linktree link with resources on the app, asked staff to promote the Maywood Education Fair, reaching out to organizations to support the community clean-ups, requested for the dog bags to be replaced and spoke on the idea of crisis response efforts.
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: Council Member Alcantar motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 5 of 8
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of September 5, 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 September 5, 2023.
B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of August 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 August 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 August 2023
Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $3,148,357.16 including the Statement of Investments for the month of August 2023.
D. Informational Item – ARPA Utilization Plan Monthly Report (August 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 August 2023.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to approve Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
13. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 6 of 8
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Consideration to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Addenda to the Cooperative Master Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise FM Trust for the Leasing of a Vehicle
Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to authorize the City Manager to execute an addenda to the Cooperative Master Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise FM Trust to lease a vehicle for an amount not to exceed $52,509 for a 60 month term.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to authorize the City Manager to execute an addenda to the Cooperative Master Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise FM Trust to lease a vehicle for an amount not to exceed $52,509 for a 60 month term, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
B. Consideration and Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council in Support of Senate Bill 799 Securing Unemployment insurance benefits for striking workers Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Resolution No. 23-42 in Support of Senate Bill 799 Securing Unemployment insurance benefits for striking workers.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to adopt Resolution No. 23-42 in Support of Senate Bill 799 Securing Unemployment insurance benefits for striking workers, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 7 of 8 C. Consideration and Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council in Support of Assembly Constitutional Amendment 13 (Protect and Retain Majority Vote Act Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Resolution No. 23-43 in Support of Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 13 (“ACA 13”), raising minimum voter thresholds for ballot measures.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to adopt Resolution No. 23-43 in Support of Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 13 (“ACA 13”), raising minimum voter thresholds for ballot measures, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 7:52 p.m., Assistant City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(4) – Two Matters
At 8:58 p.m., Mayor Lomelí reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy announced and no further reportable action.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
Daisy Lomelí
Mayor
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 9/19/2023 Page 8 of 8 ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk