City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/17/2024 Page 1 of 9 Final Minutes Approved February 4, 2025
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 17, 2024, 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Alcantar Loza called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Fuentes
Council / Agency Member Gomez
Council / Agency Member Lomelí
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Gonzalez
Mayor / Chair Alcantar Loza
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, Assistant City Manager / Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Finance Director, Joshua Calhoun, Public Works Director, Raul Diaz, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Assistant to the City Manager, John Peraza, Senior Planner, Cecilia Madrigal-Gonzalez, and Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve agenda, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza 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 12/17/2024 Page 2 of 9
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.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT (information only)
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Introduction of Cudahy Chamber of Commerce
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nancy shared her concerns regarding the fields being in poor condition, mentioned kids being injured due to these conditions, and asked for a turnaround time to get this fixed.
Mirvette Judeh spoke in favor of item 14D and thanked the City and City Council.
Sabiha Khan spoke in favor of item 14D and thanked the City Council for bringing it up.
Wiam spoke in favor of item 14D and thanked the City Council.
Aliya commented on behalf of the Council on American Islamic Relations, spoke in favor of 14D, and thanked the City Council.
Fatinah Judeh commented in favor of the divestment policy and thanked the City Council.
Kayla A Sato mentioned being part of the Southern California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus, commented in favor of the divestment policy, and thanked the City Council.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Council Member Gomez thanked staff for putting together the holiday and toy giveaway events.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/17/2024 Page 3 of 9 Council Member Lomelí thanked staff for organizing the successful toy giveaway event, praised Council Member Gomez on her first Council meeting, thanked everyone for their hard work, mentioned receiving positive feedback on the holiday decorations, thanked City Council, reminded staff to prioritize filling commission seats in the upcoming year and mentioned working with staff to analyze data related to 911 calls that are not crimerelated.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez thanked the city for organizing all the recent events, mentioned receiving a phone call from Chief Rector after speaking with Los Angeles County Sheriff Luna and left a message to discuss public safety, mentioned the idea of participatory budgeting for the next budget cycle, encouraged feedback from the community on how to spend the city’s funding.
Mayor Alcantar Loza commented on receiving great feedback regarding the holiday lights, requested certificates for the January meeting to City sponsors for the toys and participation in the event.
10. REPORTS REGARDING AD HOC, ADVISORY, STANDING OR OTHER
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Mayor Alcantar Loza and Vice Mayor Gonzalez reported on the Street Vendor Ad Hoc Committee meeting held on December 16, 2024.
11. WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Re-Appoint Jaime Velasco Jr. to the Planning Commission Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to re-appoint Jaime Velasco Jr. to the Planning Commission, Council Member Lomelí’s re-appointment.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/17/2024 Page 4 of 9 B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of November 2024
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 2024 in the amount of $11,156,151.16.
C. Approval of the City Demands and Payroll Including Statement of Investment for the Month of November 2024
Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $842,168.80 including the Statement of Investments for the month of November 2024.
D. Adoption of Ordinance No. 757 by Second Reading, Amending Section 3.04.080 (Sufficient Money in Treasury) of Chapter 3.04 (City Funds and Records) of Title 3 (Revenue and Finance) of the Cudahy Municipal Code
Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Ordinance No. 757 by Second Reading, amending Section 3.04.080 (Sufficient Money in Treasury) of Chapter 3.04 (City Funds and Records) of Title 3 (Revenue and Finance) of the Cudahy Municipal Code.
E. Approval of Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with SWA Group, Inc. for an add service request and term extension for the Los Angeles River Area Improvement Project
Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with SWA Group, Inc. for an added service request and term extension for the Los Angeles River Area Improvement Project in the amount of $118,338.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve the Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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13. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Absolute International Security, Inc. (AIS) for Professional Security Guard Services
Presented by the Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to award a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Absolute International Security, Inc. (AIS) for professional security guard services in a not-to-exceed fiscal year sum of $118,000.
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to discuss the item at a later meeting, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
B. Consideration to adopt Resolution No. 24-43 and Award a Contract Services Agreement to Sequel Contractors, Inc., a California Corporation, for Cudahy Citywide – Atlantic Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project – CIP Project No. STR-003 Presented by the Public Works Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 24-43 appropriating $561,069 of Proposition A funding, amending the Cudahy Citywide – Atlantic Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project (Project) – CIP Project No. STR-003, project funding;
2. Approve Plans and Specifications for the Cudahy Citywide – Atlantic Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project;
3. Award a Contract Services Agreement (Agreement) to Sequel Contractors, Inc. for the Project in the amount of $4,680,872.75 for the Project; and
4. Approve 10% construction contingency for unforeseen conditions in the amount of $468,087 for utilization by the Public Works Director or designee for potential Construction Change Orders (CCO) and 6.5% construction oversight in the amount of $304,257.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/17/2024 Page 6 of 9 Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to adopt Resolution No. 24-43 and Award a Contract Services Agreement to Sequel Contractors, Inc., a California Corporation, for Cudahy Citywide – Atlantic Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project – CIP Project No. STR-003, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
C. Discussion to Consider the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs and Budget for CDBG Fiscal Year 25-26 and Potential for New Program Presented by the Senior Planner
Recommendation: City staff recommends the City Council take the following action(s):
1. Receive a presentation from City staff regarding the recommended CDBG Programs; and
2. Discuss and provide feedback to City staff on the recommended FY 25-26 CDBG Programs and Potential New Programs; and
3. Direct City staff to return on January 21, 2024, to hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of the CDBG Fiscal Year 25-26 Programs.
NO MOTION – DIRECTION ONLY
Assistant City Manager / Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, announced that this item would be brought back to the City Council on January 21st.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez requested a community violence prevention program. No opposition was voiced by the remaining members of the City Council.
D. Divestment Policy - Adding Restrictions to the Statement of Investment Policy Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Resolution No. 24-44, adding restrictions to the Statement of Investment Policy.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 12/17/2024 Page 7 of 9 Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to adopt Resolution No. 24-44, adding restrictions to the Statement of Investment Policy, seconded by Council Member Gomez.
Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
E. Appointment of City representative to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees
Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to appoint a representative to the Board of Trustees of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District for two or four years.
Motion: Mayor Alcantar Loza motioned to appoint Council Member Lomelí to the Board of Trustees of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District for four years, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
F. Annual Council Member Appointments to Serve on Various Regional Boards Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to consider appointing a delegate and an alternate member to the regional boards.
Motion: Mayor Alcantar Loza motioned to appoint the following Council Members to the following Regional Boards, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 5-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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1. California Contract Cities Association (CCCA)
Delegate – Council Member Fuentes Alternate - Council Member Gomez
2. Gateway Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors Delegate – Mayor Alcantar Loza Alternate - Vice Mayor Gonzalez
3. Hub Cities Consortium
Delegate – Mayor Alcantar Loza Alternate - Council Member Lomelí
4. League of California Cities
Delegate – Vice Mayor Gonzalez Alternate - Council Member Gomez
5. League of California Cities Los Angeles Division
Delegate – Vice Mayor Gonzalez Alternate - Council Member Gomez
6. Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 1
Delegate – Mayor Alcantar Loza Alternate - Council Member Fuentes
7. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Delegate – Council Member Lomelí Alternate - Council Member Fuentes
8. Los Angeles County City Selection Committee
Delegate – Vice Mayor Gonzalez Alternate - Mayor Alcantar Loza
9. California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Delegate - Council Member Fuentes Alternate Mayor Alcantar Loza
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
16. CLOSED SESSION – NONE
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT – NONE
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18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk