City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 10/03/2023 Page 1 of 5 Final Minutes Approved October 17, 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
October 3, 2023 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Lomelí called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Cynthia Gonzalez
Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes
Council / Agency Member Elizabeth Alcantar
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Jose R. Gonzalez (arrived at 6:42 p.m.) Mayor / Chair Daisy Lomelí
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola (virtually), City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Finance Director, Joshua Calhoun, Public Works Director, Aaron Hernandez, Administrative Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez (virtually), Public Work Superintendent, Aurelio Trujillo, Assistant Engineer, Juan Rodriguez, Building Official, Raul Diaz, Senior Planner, Cecilia Madrigal, and Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to approve the agenda as is, 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
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Fuentes City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 10/03/2023 Page 2 of 5
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. City Attorney’s Office Annual Update
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jennifer Pineda voiced her concern regarding the fence that connects Teresa Hughes Elementary and Lugo Park not being covered, mentioning homelessness and illicit activity, also requested the City to do something about the fence.
Susie de Santiago thanked Council Members for willing to participate in Walk to School Day tomorrow, mentioned that the Sheriff's and Bell Police Department will participate, and thanked the City for sponsoring the ice cream contest.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes acknowledged the shooting that happened last night, asked about the private security’s involvement, mentioned drafting a list with fellow Council Member regarding the beautification of the City, successor agency properties not being maintained, shared his attendance at the NALEO Policy Institute and will be sharing the presentation on disaster preparedness to City Clerk to share with staff, attended the State of the City for South Gate, will be participating in tomorrow’s International Walk to School Day, and requested the clock in the council chambers to get fixed.
Council Member C. Gonzalez commented on the shooting that happened last night, recommended the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention, mentioned a crisis response meeting being hosted by them and suggested staff, spoke on the issues with the Elementary School and the park, suggested placing netting to cover the area and finding accommodations for the unhoused individual, thanked Susie for organizing the Walk to School Day, asked if there was an opportunity for a Public Safety Ad Hoc meeting, and ask if the letter D in Bedwell can be replaced.
Council Member Alcantar commented on the shooting from last night and arranging a time for the Public Safety Ad Hoc to meet, mentioning her attendance at the SELA Round Table with Senator Lena Gonzalez and the Mayor to talk about street vending, will be City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 10/03/2023 Page 3 of 5 participating in the Walk to School Day, thanked Susie, spoke on the comment regarding Teresa Hughes not having the netting, asked that for the next budget, asked to fund a City Organizer/Field Representative position to assist at parent meetings, schools, and can potentially solve issues sooner than later.
Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez echoed his colleague’s comments, mentioned connecting with LAUSD regarding the netting and splitting the cost would be preferred, having bedding for homeless individuals, commented being at the Sister City San Miguel el Alto, spoke to their Mayor, wanting to do inauguration, asked the City Clerk to coordinate, encouraged the Public Safety Ad Hoc to meet with the Captain, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, agreed with Council Member Alcantar about justice being served, and asked for a press release to go out, stated that he wishes he can go to Walk to School Day but has to attend somewhere else, lastly, wants to see the City have a Town Hall.
Daisy Lomelí expressed her interest in formalizing immediate steps when something happens, sending Nixle alerts to the community to avoid traffic, providing mental health hotline information or sharing resources with the community, supported the idea of a Field Representative at our schools, thanked Susie for coordinating the Walk to School Day and will be participating, attended the Senator's Round Table, asked to post the Maywood Education Fair coming up in a week and a half, post as much as possible up until the date, stated another resource fair this Saturday, was the idea of one of the Cudahy Visionary Youth Leaders, which she will attend.
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 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
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of September 19, 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
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 10/03/2023 Page 4 of 5 Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to review and approve the City Council / Successor Agency Draft Minutes for September 19, 2023.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar motioned to approve Consent Calendar items with an amendment from Council Member C. Gonzalez to add the following to the minutes under her Comments / Request, “requested a report of the cannabis industry, history of the cannabis industry and state of the City when first adopted, including present financials with different licenses, and what other cities adopted in terms of additional fees, how the City of Cudahy compares to others an analysis of the cannabis industry”, 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
13. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Approval of a Contract Agreement for the Installation of Marquee Signs at Clara Park and Lugo Park
Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract agreement with Custom Signs, Inc. to install two (2) marquee signs at Clara Park and Lugo Park, for an amount not-to-exceed $37,252.
Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract agreement with Custom Signs, Inc. to install two (2) marquee signs at Clara Park and Lugo Park, for an amount not-to-exceed $37,252, seconded by Council Member Alcantar. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
B. Proposed New City Yard Project Presentation
Presented by the Public Works Director
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 10/03/2023 Page 5 of 5 Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council discuss the new proposed City Yard Project for the Public Works Department and provide directions to city staff.
NO MOTION – PRESENTATION ONLY
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 8:11 p.m., Assistant City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(2) – One Matter
At 8:33 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 8:33 p.m.
Daisy Lomelí
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk