City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/5/2023 Page 1 of 5 Final Minutes Approved December 19, 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
December 5, 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 7:23 p.m.) Mayor / Chair Daisy Lomelí
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, Assistant City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Community Services Director, Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, Finance Director, Joshua Calhoun, Building Official, Raul Diaz, Public Works Director, Aaron Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager, Johncito “John” Peraza, Executive Assistant, Janet Andrade.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Council Member C. Gonzalez motioned to approve the agenda as is, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Alcantar, and Lomelí
NOES: None
ABSENT: J. Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Fuentes
5. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/5/2023 Page 2 of 5 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. Proclamation Proclaiming November 2023, National Family Caregivers Month B. Recognition of Cudahy Business, Hielo Con Sabor
C. Strategic Plan Update
D. Community Development Department Annual Update
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Armando Velasquez with Kiwanis provided an update about bringing a service club to surrounding areas, bringing back a glee club at Bell High School, Southeast Los Angeles Kiwanis Club going on tour, mentioned needing 15 new members, Council Member idea of City Council helping to get the Kiwanis Club started, membership price, lastly, hoped for Council consideration.
Edwin Gonzalez mentioned a burden by energy consumers provided by SoCal Gas Edison, the utility company's big public relations drive, energy safety risks to health, harmful factors to the environment, commented on special interests, and thanked the Council for listening.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Comment Fuentes acknowledged Kawanis, the passing away of former Council Member/Mayor Frank Gurule, asked if we have something plan to honor him, mentioned his participation in the East Los Angeles College President's Circle very important person (VIP) luncheon, Los Angeles Business Federation, City's Tree Lighting, commented on Clara Park appearance without the fence, also, if there can be a project to help City properties look more appealing.
Council Member C. Gonzalez commented on her participation in the City's treelighting event, mentioned clean-ups that have been taking place, branding the City's transportation cart, an idea of a particular schedule for special events, all Christmas lights not on, a quarterly newsletter or twice a year, non-profit to partner with the City.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/5/2023 Page 3 of 5 Council Comment Alcantar acknowledged memories of former Council Member Frank Gurule and his efforts, mentioned her participation in community events, volunteering, street lights out on Live Oak between Atlantic and Wilcox, other lights out between Atlantic and Otis, adding a place on the City app to report an outage of street lights, Christmas Tree lighting event, requested having signs in Spanish for shuttle stops and doggy bag stations, asked what can be done with building on Clara and Atlantic and provided suggestions.
Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez commented on being at the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sprout's announcement of their grand opening.
Daisy Lomelí acknowledged Frank Gurule's work and his passing away, asked if there was a schedule for the refill of doggy bags, mentioned her attendance at the East Los Angeles College Foundation President's Circle Luncheon, thanked staff for having the Tree Lighting event, Basketball free clinic, announced the State of the City Address.
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 Fuentes motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Council Member 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
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of April 18, 2023, and November 21, 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
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to review and approve the City Council / Successor Agency Draft Minutes for April 18, 2023, and November 21, 2023.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/5/2023 Page 4 of 5 Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to approve Consent Calendar item 12(A), seconded by Council Member Fuentes. 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. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 23-52 in Support of Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (page 25)
Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is recommended to adopt Resolution No. 23-52, in support of expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to adopt Resolution No. 23-52, in support of expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, 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
B. Discussion and Consideration to Approve a Fourth Amendment to the Agreement for City Attorney Services with Olivarez Madruga Law Organization, LLP (page 31) Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve the Fourth Amendment to the City Attorney Services Agreement with Olivarez Madruga Law Organization, LLP, and authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents; or provide additional direction to staff.
Motion: Council Member J. Gonzalez motioned approve the Fourth Amendment to the City Attorney Services Agreement with Olivarez Madruga Law Organization, LLP, and authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/5/2023 Page 5 of 5 NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Council Member C. Gonzalez
i. Discussion on Regional Board appointments to occur on December 19, 2023.
16. CLOSED SESSION - NONE
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT - NONE
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Daisy Lomelí
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk