City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 03/04/2025 Page 1 of 6 Final Minutes Approved March 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
March 4, 2025, 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Alcantar Loza called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes
Council / Agency Member Amanda Gomez
Council / Agency Member Daisy Lomelí
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Cynthia Gonzalez
Mayor / Chair Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: 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, and Administrative Analyst, Daniela Trujillo.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve the agenda as is, 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.
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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. Recognition for Collaborating in the March 1st, 2025, Cudahy Book Fair.
B. Update from California Polytechnic University on the City's Climate Action Plan C. Proclamation - Women's History Month
D. City Clerk’s Office Annual Update
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nancy Manzo requested street bumps on Clara Street due to various collision occurring, shared concern about the lack of lighting, homeless issues, restroom had to be locked and solution was for kids to cross the street to go to the restrooms and children were left without those services at Clara Park.
Carlos Angulo requested City Council for patrols on Atlantic and Cecilia.
Diana Maya shared unsafe encounters with unhoused individuals at Cudahy Park, and requested a secured park with clean restrooms, mentioned that the restroom across the street are closed at times, and are told they can’t use them.
Adrian Torres spoke on behalf of the soccer team at Cudahy Park, urged City Council for help, shared hard copies of images representing what is occurring at the restrooms, and shared an incident involving unhoused individuals, mentioned that the youth are afraid of using the restrooms.
Susie de Santiago thanked the City Council for the recognition, mentioned that the Cudahy Youth Foundation was happy to provide ice cream for the Cudahy Book Fair, expressed support for item 14A., spoke on item 14B and shared that she participated in stormwater sessions and discussions on how to improve the quality, shared this plan can bring better stormwater drains and education to the community.
Paty Osorio thanked Raul for taking the time to communicate with her on an issue, spoke on the street sweeper schedule and requested a more flexible schedule to ensure there is enough parking.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 03/04/2025 Page 3 of 6 Edwin Gonzalez (via Zoom) shared gratitude for the book fair and mentioned that it wasn’t a book fair for adults, but for youth, expressed that the current leadership in Cudahy has great ideas but doubts the skills, noted that the community is far behind in educating itself, mentioned that only a tiny percentage of the population goes to college and that there are too many liquor stores in the city with schools exposing children.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes acknowledged and thanked residents for sharing their concerns, shared he was unable to attend the Book Fair, acknowledged the pictures provided by the public comment speaker and expressed that the condition of the restroom at the park is unacceptable.
Council Member Gomez thanked staff for putting together the Book Fair and collaborating with the library, addressed Edwin’s public comment and agreed that it is a great idea to hold events inclusive of all age groups, thanked the residents for speaking and directed staff to address their concerns.
Council Member Lomelí asked staff to look into the issues raised during the meeting and expressed her appreciation for the Book Fair and thanked the Library for attending, shared the Cudahy’s Library new Instagram account (@CudahyLibrary) and encouraged the public to follow it, suggested exploring events for the 0-5 age group, praised the Nixle text messaging and encouraged the continued use of text messages for communication.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez highlighted her visit to Sacramento with elected officials, ScholarMarch met with counselor at ELC to schedule their first informational session to fill 200 scholarships, shared her work with Intercity Vision and Board member to get a letter of support for a grant for gang prevention intervention, emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, especially given the issues happening in surrounding cities, expressed her disappointment over the restroom images shared by the public comment speaker, calling the condition unacceptable.
Mayor Alcantar Loza echoed her colleagues comments, mentioned celebrating new restrooms about a year ago, including the diaper changing stations, urged the need to be addressed immediately, shared information about the ELC career fair on March 14th, will be participating, also participating in the LA Rapid response network, announced to reach out to if interested in pushing back against raids in the community, had a meeting with Empowered Gateway group to bring a program to take advantage of grants and tax credits, attended Lugo Park groundbreaking, shared her visit to Sacramento and requested legislative support, also mentioned a Know Your Rights workshop with ELC.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT (information only)
10. REPORTS REGARDING AD HOC, ADVISORY, STANDING OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS – NONE
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11. WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Motion: Vice Mayor 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: Fuentes, Gomez, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of February 18, 2025, for the Regular Meeting and the Draft Minutes of February 24, 2025, for the Special 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 18, 2025, and February 24, 2025.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve Consent Calendar items 12A, 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
13. PUBLIC HEARING
*The Public Hearing scheduled to Introduce Ordinance No. 759 by first reading to consider and possibly take action on the following matters: 1) Repeal of Ordinance No. 697; and 2) Termination of related DA No. 18-011C has been re-noticed and will be rescheduled to March 18, 2025.
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Letter on Due Process Protections for Undocumented Immigrants
Presented by the Assistant to the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter and transmit it to Congressman Robert Garcia and California State Attorney General Rob Bonta, advocating for due process protections for undocumented immigrants.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 03/04/2025 Page 5 of 6 Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter, include all City Council on the signature line and transmit it to Congressman Robert Garcia, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the Congressional Delegation, advocating for due process protections for undocumented immigrants, 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. General NPDES Compliance Services and Los Angeles River – Upper Reach 2 Watershed Management Group Representation
Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Willdan Engineering for General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Compliance Services and Los Angeles River – Upper Reach 2 Watershed Management Group Representation in an amount not-to-exceed $35,000.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to approve a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Willdan Engineering for General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Compliance Services and Los Angeles River – Upper Reach 2 Watershed Management Group Representation in an amount not-to-exceed $35,000, 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
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 8:23 p.m., City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel to Discuss Matter Involving Potential Litigation – One Matter At 8:55 p.m., Mayor Alcantar Loza reconvened to open session.
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17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Stephanie Arechiga announced that five council members were present, and no further reportable action at this time.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk