City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 1 of 7 Final Minutes Approved February 18, 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
February 4, 2025, 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Alcantar Loza called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Amanda Gomez
Council / Agency Member Daisy Lomelí
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Cynthia Gonzalez
Mayor / Chair Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
ABSENT: Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes
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, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Public Works Director, Raul Diaz, Assistant to the City Manager, John Peraza, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade, Community Preservation Manager, Raul Mazariego, and Senior Engineer, Ted Semaan.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga announced to pull item 16B completely.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to approve agenda as is with the exception of item 16B, seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 2 of 7
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Gonzalez.
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. PRESENTATIONS
A. Introduction of Christopher Kent, Field Representative – Office of Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco
B. Proclamation - National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month C. Strategic Plan Quarterly Update
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Edwin Gonzalez spoke on public safety, referenced incident that occurred last year on February 11 and shared on the services of having Bell Police expand to the City of Cudahy.
Tracy shared concerns about parking, asked the City Council to consider parking lines to avoid double parking, complaint about an open spray incident at 4529 Cecilia Street requested the City Council to look into it, and spoke in support of the youth sports in the City.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Gomez addressed the public comment speaker Tracy and asked staff to look into it the incident, and thanked staff for all the work.
Council Member Lomelí asked the community to look out for each other, shared her attendance and ideas from the Congressman virtual discussion on immigration, shared her attendance at the neighborhood watch and thanked staff for sharing debrief when not in attendance, and asked for an update with YMCA classes.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez shared her participation in a virtual discussion on immigration with the Congressman, called for collaboration with a nonprofit or draft a letter reach out to all state legislators, all congregational members in California to stand against any motion of City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 3 of 7 removing duo process, demanded protection of due process, accurate information on detainees, and a public legal stance against sending anyone to Guantanamo Bay if detained by ICE.
Mayor Alcantar Loza thanked staff for their quick response and verifying information, requested training for staff and City Council on how to respond if ICE shows up, mentioned incorporating the CART transit, thanked the communication team for constantly putting “Know Your Rights” information on social media, supported the duo process and Guantanamo Bay ideas from Vice Mayor Gonzalez, and requested letter about sanctuary cities was requested to be shared with City Council.
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 Lomelí motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of December 17, 2024, and January 21, 2025, 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 17, 2024, and January 21, 2025.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 4 of 7 B. City Cudahy Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Update FY2025-2029 Presented by the Public Works Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the proposed City of Cudahy Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Update for Fiscal Years FY2025-2029 Motion: Council Member Gomez motioned to approve the Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
13. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Formation of the Cudahy Landscaping and Lighting District and Annual Levy of Assessments Beginning FY 2025/26
Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve Resolution No. 25-03, initiating proceedings to form the Cudahy landscaping and lighting district, which calls for the preparation and filing of the engineer’s report regarding the formation of the district and the levy of assessments; and approve Resolution No. 25-04, declaring the city’s intention to form the Cudahy landscaping and lighting district, to levy assessments commencing in fiscal year 2025/2026, preliminarily approve and file the engineer’s report, to conduct a property owner protest ballot proceeding for the assessments, and sets the time and place for the public hearing.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve Resolution No. 25-03, initiating proceedings to form the Cudahy landscaping and lighting district, which calls for the preparation and filing of the engineer’s report regarding the formation of the district and the levy of assessments; and approve Resolution No. 25-04, declaring the city’s intention to form the Cudahy landscaping and lighting district, to levy assessments commencing in fiscal year 2025/2026, preliminarily approve and file the engineer’s report, to conduct a property owner protest ballot proceeding for the assessments, and sets the time and place for the public hearing, seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 5 of 7 B. Adoption of the City’s 2025 – 2030 Sustainable Urban Planning Emergency Preparedness Plan
Presented by the Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt the City’s 2025–2030 Sustainable Urban Planning Emergency Preparedness Plan (the Plan) to enhance Cudahy’s disaster resilience, sustainability, and equitable urban planning strategies related to emergency preparedness.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to adopt the City’s 2025–2030 Sustainable Urban Planning Emergency Preparedness Plan (the Plan) to enhance Cudahy’s disaster resilience, sustainability, and equitable urban planning strategies related to emergency preparedness., seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
C. Receive and File Cudahy SAFE Plan Presentation
Presented by the Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file the presentation of the Cudahy SAFE Plan: Safety and Future Empowerment, a strategic initiative aimed at addressing gang violence, fostering community trust, and enhancing public safety through collaboration, equity, and empowerment.
Motion: Council Member Gomez motioned to receive and file the presentation of the Cudahy SAFE Plan: Safety and Future Empowerment, a strategic initiative aimed at addressing gang violence, fostering community trust, and enhancing public safety through collaboration, equity, and empowerment, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 6 of 7 D. Request to Establish a Reward Offer for Arrest and Conviction Presented by the Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt Resolution No. 25-05, establishing a reward offer of $10,000 in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Jose Manuel Rangel, who was murdered on May 14, 2023.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to adopt Resolution No. 25-05, establishing a reward offer of $10,000 in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Jose Manuel Rangel, who was murdered on May 14, 2023., seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
E. Adoption of the City’s Inclusive Streets Plan: Balancing Support, Enforcement, and Nightlife Cultivation
Presented by the Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt the City’s Inclusive Streets Plan and provide further direction as needed.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to adopt the City’s Inclusive Streets Plan, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/4/2025 Page 7 of 7
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Title of Employee: City Manager
Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with Labor Negotiator
City’s Designated Representative: Stephanie Arechiga, City Attorney Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel to Discuss Matter Involving Potential Litigation – One Matter
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Stephanie Arechiga announced that four council members were present, with Council Member Fuentes absent, and stated there was no further reportable action at this time.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk