City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/5/2024` Page 1 of 7 Final Minutes Approved March 19, 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
March 5, 2024, 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair J. Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes
Council / Agency Member Cynthia Gonzalez
Council / Agency Member Daisy Lomelí
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Elizabeth Alcantar
Mayor / Chair Jose R. Gonzalez
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, Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, Finance Director, Joshua Calhoun, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Assistant to the City Manager, Johncito “John” Peraza, Building Official, Raul Diaz, Senior Planner, Cecilia Madrigal-Gonzalez, Executive Assistant, Janet Andrade, Management Analyst, Jimmie Smith, and Administrative Analyst, Lisette Gonzalez.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to approve the agenda as is, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez 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 3/5/2024` Page 2 of 7
5. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Land Acknowledgment was led by Council Member Lomelí.
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. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Pedro Andrade shared his concerns about the park lighting and the lighting down on Clara Street not working, the need for speed bumps to avoid speeding, and the lights at parks turning off before the park shuts down.
Adrian Torres commented on the security at Clara Park and not being allowed to use the restrooms, shared an incident where he had to call Sheriff’s and they took an hour to arrive, spoke on the importance of the lighting at the parks, also mentioned on Santa Ana there are a lot of potholes and asked Council to pay attention to the security of the kids.
Adelina Garcia commented on the security at Clara Park and Cudahy Park due to the lighting, spoke regarding Sheriff’s response time, vehicle theft, and overall safety in the city.
Felix Reyes commented on the safety in the community, spoke in opposition of the Sheriff’s patrolling and the need of more patrolling units in the community, also questioned the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and asked City Council what has been done or what will be done with those funds.
Juan Jose asked City Council for more security and patrolling specifically on Cecilia Street, shared his vehicle was stolen, mentioned how unfair it was to pay for overnight parking when there’s no parking and mentioned an auto repair business that leaves wrecked vehicles on the street leaving no parking on the street.
Edwin Gonzalez shared the challenges in Southeast Los Angeles, alleged corruption within nonprofit businesses, stated they do not stimulate economic growth, are not diverse and are very exclusive to only those with political growth.
7. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by the Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/5/2024` Page 3 of 7
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes wished everyone a Happy Election, shared his participation in the Casino JPA, Contract Cities, stated he missed the Coffee with the City Manager event, acknowledged the public comment speakers and thanked them for coming, stated safety is number one, mentioned street lighting and speed bumps needs to be addressed and also mentioned to put speakers at the parks.
Council Member C. Gonzalez shared her own personal experience with the rising crime in the city, asked to look into the budget for security at parks, shared crime data shows weekend specially Friday and Sundays there is an increase of crime, spoke with staff at the County to include the city in the TPI violence prevention to get resources, thanked the Mayor for connecting Republic Services to sponsor the Bell Cheerleading team that won the championship.
Council Member Lomelí thanked the public comment speakers and encouraged to continue to voice their concerns, mentioned we are in the process of renovating our parks and asked staff if we can update the community of status, shared a moment for Women’s History Month and shared to begin using Nixle if not on social media and also shared the upcoming events.
Vice Mayor Alcantar thanked the public comment speakers, mentioned the Public Safety Ad-Hoc should discuss and focus on prevention and how to prevent something from happening, Sheriff’s contract stated having a community service officer and has not seen a community meeting occur in about a year, shared the rental assistance program but those applying the landlord is not willing to support and inviting the community to a rental assistance workshop.
Mayor J. Gonzalez thanked those that came out today, stated the city working on a lighting study for about a year and asked for an update, mentioned the need to fix current infrastructure, shared his support to the Public Safety Committee for budget allocation for public safety staff at the parks and overall public safety strategy that include lighting, security cameras, public safety officers that are not Sheriff’s, or patrol strategy for weekends and suggested bringing in an expert/consultant in public safety.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT (information only)
10. REPORTS REGARDING AD HOC, ADVISORY, STANDING OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS – NONE
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/5/2024` Page 4 of 7
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 Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of February 20, 2024, 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 February 20, 2024.
B. Consideration to Approve a Contract Services Agreement with Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., for the Salt Lake Avenue Improvements Project (HSIP-7 Project) Presented by the Public Works Director
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve a Contract Services Agreement with Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., for an amount of $200,182 to undertake the Salt Lake Avenue Improvement Project funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Grant Program Cycle 7 (HSIP-7).
Motion: Vice Mayor Alcantar motioned to approve Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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13. PUBLIC HEARING
A. A Public Hearing to Consider and Adopt Resolution No. 24-04 of the City of Cudahy City Council Approving Substantial Amendment No. 1 for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Presented by the Senior Planner
Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council take the following action(s):
Adopt Resolution No. 24-04 approving Substantial Amendment No. 1 for the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
At 7:30 p.m. Mayor J. Gonzalez opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
Motion: Vice Mayor Alcantar motioned to adopt Resolution No. 24-04 approving Substantial Amendment No. 1 for the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. City Manager Annual Update Presentation
Presented by the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file the City Manager Annual Update.
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to receive and file the City Manager Annual Update, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 3/5/2024` Page 6 of 7 B. Consideration to Adopt a Resolution Urging Prime Healthcare to Reinstate Employment of the Nine Registered Nurses and Frontline Healthcare Workers at Prime St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California Presented by the Vice Mayor
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Resolution No. 24-05 urging Prime Healthcare to reinstate employment of the nine registered nurses and frontline healthcare workers at Prime St. Francis Medical Center in the City of Lynwood.
Motion: Vice Mayor Alcantar motioned adopt Resolution No. 24-05 urging Prime Healthcare to reinstate employment of the nine registered nurses and frontline healthcare workers at Prime St. Francis Medical Center in the City of Lynwood, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
C. Creation and Appointment of Keep Cudahy Clean Ad Hoc Committee Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: City Council is requested to: Create Keep Cudahy Clean Ad Hoc Committee, establish the scope of the committee, define a start and end date of committee along with the reporting requirements by the committee; and Appoint two council members to serve on the Committee.
Motion: Mayor J. Gonzalez motioned to appoint Council Member Fuentes and Council Member C. Gonzalez to serve in the Keep Cudahy Clean Ad Hoc Committee for 12 months while they figure out how to keep our Cudahy community clean including streets, roads, parks, riverbed, sidewalks, city facilities, graffiti, education and enforcement, in up to 6 months develop a strategic plan to continue the work after the Committee is done, and report quarterly to the City Council, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, C. Gonzalez, Lomelí, Alcantar, and J. Gonzalez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
At 8:12 p.m., City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga recessed to closed session.
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16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Conference with Legal Counsel Anticipated Litigation - Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) - Two Matters B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)- Conference with Legal Counsel-Existing Litigation-Bertha Fuentes v City of Cudahy et al. PERB Case No: LA-CE-1669-M
At 8:53 p.m., Mayor J. Gonzalez reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Stephanie Arechiga announced for item 16A, all five council members were present and no further reportable action and for item 16B, City Council authorized a lower settlement amount of $47,794.28 and no further reportable action.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Jose R. Gonzalez
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk