City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 1 of 9 Final Minutes Approved May 6, 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
April 15, 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 Martin Fuentes
Council / Agency Member Daisy Lomelí
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Cynthia Gonzalez
Mayor / Chair Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
ABSENT: Council / Agency Member Amanda Gomez
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Alfonso Noyola, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, 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, Senior Engineer, Ray Casey, Associate Planner, Kassandra Cornejo, and Administrative Analyst, Daniela Trujillo.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to approve the agenda as is, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Fuentes.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 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.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Small Business Week Proclamation
B. Older Americans Month Proclamation
C. National Parks Week Proclamation
D. Public Service Week Proclamation
E. El Dia Del Niño (Children's Day) Proclamation
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Cecilia Barajas spoke in opposition to tax-related item, expressing concerns over fairness and shared the existence of current utility taxes, noted that residents are unaware of how funds are being used and commented on the limitations landlords face under the rent ordinance, which caps rent increases at 3%.
Susie de Santiago thanked the City Council for recognizing "I Heart SELA," announced the upcoming El Día del Niño event, and requested the City Council's support in waiving the Cudahy Youth Foundation's firework stand fee.
Fernando Vasquez provided an update regarding the recent fire incident at the Patata and Atlantic property, shared the actions taken so far and the next steps planned for the building.
Mirvette Judeh spoke in support of item 14D and thanked the City Council.
Mario Dominguez Jr. (via Zoom) spoke in support of Item 14D, requested clarification regarding the cause of the fire at the Patata and Atlantic building, shared the impact of taxes on residents, particularly the utility user tax, and mentioned concerns over potential cuts in federal funding.
Basha Jamil (via Zoom) spoke in support of item 14D.
Lupe Carrasco (via Zoom) spoke in support of item 14D.
Tolteka (via Zoom) spoke in support of item 14D.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 3 of 9
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Fuentes shared his attendance at the City of Bell’s State of the City Address, the Los Angeles County Sanitation District’s Earth Day event, and the grand opening of a new Med Spa hosted by the Cudahy Chamber of Commerce, invited the public to the City’s upcoming Easter event, addressed the recent fire at Patata and Atlantic, and extended well wishes to Council Member Gomez.
Council Member Lomelí thanked everyone who attended the meeting and acknowledged public comment speaker Tolteka, thanked City staff for keeping residents informed during recent incidents, announced the end of the youth basketball program and gave a special shout-out to Gabriel for his great work leading the youth sports programs, also thanked the Cudahy Youth Foundation for providing the medals, shared her attendance at the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District meeting, requested a proclamation for International Day of Families and invited Padres Líderes en Acción to accept it, and wished everyone to enjoy their spring break
Vice Mayor Gonzalez announced she is still working with ScholarMatch to get seniors going to college to sign up., announced the upcoming SELA Sendoff event, which will take place on June 1st at Firebaugh High School in the City of Lynwood from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., also asked staff to look into an encampment at Santa Ana and Atlantic and offer services, shared concerns of street vendors operating on red curbs.
Mayor Alcantar Loza thanked everyone in attendance and shared that she attended the youth basketball celebration, also thanked Gabriel for all his hard work, shared her attendance at the City of Bell's State of the City Address that featured a taste of Bell event, and mentioned the idea of partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to create something similar for Cudahy’s State of the City Address, echoed concerns about the encampment and requested that it be addressed.
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 Gonzalez motioned to waive full reading of resolutions and ordinances, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 4 of 9 Vice Mayor Gonzalez requested to pull item 12C from consent for additional clarification.
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of April 1, 2025, for the Regular Meeting and the Draft Minutes of December 10, 2024, 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 April 1, 2025, and December 10, 2024.
B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of March 2025 Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Report for the month of March 2025 in the amount of $11,289,418.46.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve items 12A & 12B, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
C. Approval of the City Demands and Payroll Including Statement of Investment for the Month of March 2025
Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $1,561,541.79 including the Statement of Investments for the month of March 2025.
Motion: Vice Mayor Gonzalez motioned to approve item 12C, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
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13. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Authorizing the Opening and Counting of Assessment Ballots in Connection with the Formation of the Cudahy Landscaping and Lighting District Presented by the Finance Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to open the public hearing and receive public comment, testimony, and any written protests regarding these proceedings; and approve Resolution No. 25-19, authorizing the opening and counting of assessment ballots in connection with the formation of the Cudahy Landscaping and Lighting District pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972; and schedule the certification of the results of the ballot proceedings and entered into the public records at the next regularly scheduled meeting on May 6, 2025.
At 7:38 p.m. Mayor Alcantar Loza opened public comment.
Public Comments:
Susie de Santiago mentioned documents were only mailed in English and suggested that in the future they also be sent in Spanish, mentioned the option to hire an outside contractor and asked why City staff couldn’t do the work instead, rent increases are limited to 3% under rent control, while property taxes are different, and shared concerns about one-time exemptions for property owners, questioned why the property tax has no end and suggested having a timeline would make more sense, also stated voting not equal and asked if other options, like a sales tax, had been considered.
Mario Dominguez Jr. (via Zoom) asked for clarification on who can vote whether it is property owners or residents.
At 7:43 p.m. Mayor Alcantar Loza closed public comment.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to open the public hearing and receive public comment, testimony, and any written protests regarding these proceedings; and approve Resolution No. 25-19, authorizing the opening and counting of assessment ballots in connection with the formation of the Cudahy Landscaping and Lighting District pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972; and schedule the certification of the results of the ballot proceedings and entered into the public records at the next regularly scheduled meeting on May 6, 2025, seconded by Council Member Fuentes. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 6 of 9 B. Adopt by first reading Ordinance No. 760 of the City Council of the City of Cudahy approving Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (“ZOTA”) No. 2025-01 to amend Chapters 20.20, 20.28, 20.52, 20.84, and 20.88 of Title 20 (“Zoning”) of the Cudahy Municipal Code (“CMC”)
Presented by the Associated Planner
Recommendation: The City Council is recommended to take the following action(s) open the public hearing, receive a presentation from City staff, and receive public comment and testimony; and adopt by first reading Ordinance No. 760 of the City of Cudahy, California, recommending the City Council to approve Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 2025-01 amending Title 20 (Zoning), Chapters 20.20, 20.28, 20.52,
20.84, and 20.88 of the Cudahy Municipal Code; and schedule the second reading of Ordinance No. 760 at the next regularly scheduled meeting on May 6, 2025; and find ZOTA No. 2025-01 exempt from the environmental regulations of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), pursuant to Cal. Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, § 15061(b)(3) and § 15378.
At 8:08 p.m. Mayor Alcantar Loza opened public comment.
Public Comments:
Grub Garage shared that they are currently not allowed to sell alcohol and asked the City Council to review, thanked City staff for bringing this item forward to the Council.
Susie de Santiago inquired whether businesses applying for an alcohol license will be required to post public notices and if there will be a phone number available for residents to call with complaints or comments, and also shared concerns about loitering Mario Dominguez Jr. (via Zoom) asked whether street vendors would be eligible to apply for an alcohol license.
At 8:13 p.m. Mayor Alcantar Loza closed public comment.
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to open the public hearing, receive a presentation from City staff, and receive public comment and testimony; and adopt by first reading Ordinance No. 760 of the City of Cudahy, California, recommending the City Council to approve Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 2025-01 amending Title 20 (Zoning), Chapters 20.20, 20.28, 20.52, 20.84, and 20.88 of the Cudahy Municipal Code; and schedule the second reading of Ordinance No. 760 at the next regularly scheduled meeting on May 6, 2025; and find ZOTA No. 2025-01 exempt from the environmental regulations of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), pursuant to Cal. Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, § 15061(b)(3) and § 15378, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 7 of 9 AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
At 8:24 p.m. Council Member Lomelí left the Chambers
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement Between the City of Cudahy and the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority for cost sharing for the installation of Monitoring Equipment and Monitoring Pursuant to the Harbor Toxic Pollutants TMDL Presented by the Senior Engineer
Recommendation: The City Council is recommended to consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Cudahy and the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority for cost sharing for the installation of Monitoring Equipment and Monitoring Pursuant to the Harbor Toxic Pollutants TMDL.
Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Cudahy and the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority for cost sharing for the installation of Monitoring Equipment and Monitoring Pursuant to the Harbor Toxic Pollutants TMDL. seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 3-0-2 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez and Lomelí
ABSTAIN: None
At 8:27 p.m. Council Member Lomelí returned to the Chambers B. Consideration of a request by the Cudahy Youth Foundation to waive the Temporary Use Permit (TUP No. 2025-03) application fee for a Firework Sales Permit to conduct their annual fireworks sales
Presented by the Associate Planner
Recommendation: The City Council is recommended to consider a request from the Cudahy Youth Foundation (“Applicant”) to waive the Temporary Use Permit (“TUP”) fee, in the amount of $610, for their annual fireworks sales and take one of the following actions: 1. Approve the request and waive the TUP application fee. 2. Deny the request City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 8 of 9 for a full fee waiver and approve a partial fee waiver determined by City Council. 3. Deny the request to waive the TUP application fee.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to waive Cudahy Youth Foundation Temporary Use Permit (“TUP”) fee, in the amount of $610, for their annual fireworks sales and approve the request and waive the TUP application fee, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
C. Online Implementation of the Annual Overnight Parking Permit Program Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file the demonstration for the Online Implementation of the Annual Overnight Parking Permit Program.
NO MOTION – PRESENTATION ONLY
D. Adoption of Resolution No. 25-20, Opposing California State Assembly Bill 1468, which Undermines Local Control and Academic Freedom in Ethnic Studies Education Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt resolution No. 25-20, Opposing California State Assembly Bill 1468.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to adopt resolution No. 25-20, Opposing California State Assembly Bill 1468, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
E. Consideration to Appoint Elias Zepeda to the Planning Commission Presented by the City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is recommended to appoint Elias Zepeda to the Planning Commission, Council Member Fuentes’s appointment.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 04/15/2025 Page 9 of 9 Motion: Council Member Fuentes motioned to appoint Elias Zepeda to the Planning Commission, Council Member Fuentes’s appointment, seconded by Vice Mayor Gonzalez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Fuentes, Lomelí, Gonzalez, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Gomez
ABSTAIN: None
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 9:03 p.m., City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)-Public Employee Recruitment
Title of Position Under Consideration: City Manager
B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a) – Conference with Labor Negotiator Regarding Represented Employees City’s Designated Representative(s) for Negotiations: City Manager Alfonso Noyola Employee Organization: Cudahy Miscellaneous Employees Association (CMEA)
At 9:23 p.m., Mayor Alcantar Loza reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Stephanie Arechiga announced that all four council members present at tonight’s meeting were present, direction was given, and no further reportable action.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk