City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/19/2023 Page 1 of 6 Final Minutes Approved January 16, 2024
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 19, 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
Mayor / Chair Daisy Lomelí
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, Senior Accountant, Charles Ortiz, Building Official, Raul Diaz, Public Works Director, Aaron Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager, Johncito “John” Peraza, Executive Assistant, Janet Andrade, and Administrative Analyst, Daniela Trujillo.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to approve the agenda as is, 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
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Fuentes City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/19/2023 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 – NONE
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
EMAILED PUBLIC COMMENT
Edwin Gonzalez commented on the burden of being a consumer of energy provided by So Cal Gas/Edison, urged the need to obstruct deregulation, restore effective regulation, and address more harmful factors to the environment like deforestation and mechanized industry, alleging the SELA collaborative, under the helm of Dr. Franco, is just a front and a gimmick created by special interests.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes wished everyone a Happy Holidays, mentioned his participation in the State of the City, Huntington Park Holiday parade, County Sanitation District monthly meeting, Contract Cities Holiday event, Cudahy Staff Dinner, and the Holiday toy giveaway, lastly, thanked the Cudahy Youth Foundation.
Council Member C. Gonzalez commented on all the events that took place in December, her attendance at one of the events, pictures posted on social media, being tagged, this year being a learning experience, and looking forward to next year, building and reestablishing relations, continuing to improve and help residents.
Council Member Alcantar commented on attending the monthly Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) meeting, a policy presented on truck idling and wants to see an ordinance brought in the new year, congratulated on the State of the City, mentioned her attendance at the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Cultural Center check presentation, today a big celebration Supervisor Hahn and Solis motion to support the center, attended the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Club Holiday Dinner Party, City's toy giveaway, provided direction to the City Manager to attempt a Tri-City Holiday parade.
Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez agreed with everything that everyone said, commented that highlights for him were around social media the entire year, compared past and present resources, commended the team for all their work throughout the year, mentioned the City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/19/2023 Page 3 of 6 State of the City, accomplishments, post on different platforms, and congratulated Council and Staff.
Mayor Lomelí commented on missing a few events due to being sick, the first time in the Mayor's role, a year of learning, thanked staff, mentioned her attendance in the City's toy giveaway, snow at the toy giveaway event, also attended Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Economic Summit, connections made, the City being able to play a role in developing our youth, the State of the City event and the collective effort, the talent in the City and region, and thanked the supervisor for passing the motion to support the SELA Cultural Center, Lastly, supported efforts for a Tri-City parade.
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 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
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of December 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 December 5, 2023.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/19/2023 Page 4 of 6 B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of November 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 November 2023 in the amount of $12,601,991.50.
Motion: Vice Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to approve Consent Calendar items, 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. City Council Reorganization - Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor for a One-Year Term Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive presentations for the outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor; and Presentations to the outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor were presented by outside organizations.
2. Select a Mayor and Vice Mayor for a one-year term.
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to nominate Council Member J. Gonzalez for Mayor. 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
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to nominate Council Member Alcantar for Vice Mayor. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/19/2023 Page 5 of 6 AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Alcantar, J. Gonzalez, and Lomelí NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
B. Annual Council Member Appointments to Serve on Various Regional Boards Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is recommended to consider appointing a delegate and an alternate member to the regional boards.
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to appoint the following Council Members to the following Regional Boards, seconded by Council Member C. Gonzalez. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1. California Contract Cities Association (CCCA)
Delegate – Mayor J. Gonzalez Alternate – Council Member Fuentes
2. Gateway Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors Delegate – Vice Mayor Alcantar Alternate – Council Member C. Gonzalez
3. Hub Cities Consortium
Delegate – Vice Mayor Alcantar Alternate – Council Member Lomelí
4. League of California Cities
Delegate – Council Member Fuentes Alternate - Council Member C. Gonzalez
5. League of California Cities Los Angeles Division
Delegate – Council Member Fuentes Alternate - Council Member Lomelí
6. Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 1
Delegate – Mayor J. Gonzalez Alternate - Council Member Fuentes
7. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Delegate – Council Member Lomelí Alternate - Council Member Fuentes City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/19/2023 Page 6 of 6
8. Los Angeles County City Selection Committee
Delegate - Council Member C. Gonzalez Alternate Vice Mayor Alcantar
9. California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Delegate - Council Member Fuentes Alternate Mayor J. Gonzalez At 7:38 p.m., City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4) – One Matter At 8:17 p.m., Mayor J. Gonzalez reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Stephanie Arechiga announced all five council members were present, direction was given, and no further reportable action at this time.
City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga announced that staff is requesting to reopen item 14A for a brief presentation for outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor.
Motion: Council Member C. Gonzalez motioned to reopen item 14A, 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
Presentation for outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor was presented.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Jose R. Gonzalez
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk