City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 11/18/2025 Page 1 of 7 Final Minutes Approved December 2, 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
November 18, 2025, 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 Amanda Gomez
Council / Agency Member Daisy Lomelí
Mayor / Chair Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
ABSENT: Council / Agency Member Martin Fuentes
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Cynthia Gonzalez
ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager/Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga, Interim City Manager/City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Assistant City Clerk, Estefania Zamora, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Public Works Director, Raul Diaz, Senior Accountant, Charles Ortiz, and Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Clerk, Richard Iglesias requested to table item 14A.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to move business item 14A and approve reaming agenda as is, seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 3-0-2 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes and Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Gomez.
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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. Certificate of Recognition to Wheels of Hope
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED VIA EMAIL
Edwin Gonzalez Good evening to all of you. On this night, I want to express my gratitude to the city of Cudahy, California for confronting some of the most crucial issues during these tumultuous times. Your leadership has given me the wonderful opportunity to continue to be engaged civically. It obviously motivated me to spend more time with my neighbors and contemplate all the predicaments that have afflicted the cities in Southeast Los Angeles. I can now go ahead and declare; that I have truly loved my neighbor. That I have sacrificed a bit of myself, by contributing to the common good of our communities.
Thank you Cudahy for uplifting my spirit of giving, of compassion, and for challenging me to reach the highest standards of civic engagement. Over the years, I concentrated my civic efforts within my own city-Bell, California. But, the past couple of years of being directly involved with the decisive moments happening in Cudahy, has been a very unique experience in itself. Over two years ago, most of my colleagues were urging everyone to support rent control in Cudahy. Initially, I didn't see myself getting involved. Even though I was supporting the measure, I was reluctant to do it publicly. For years I considered taking my civic action to other communities. So with rent control being such an urgent matter, I realized this was the time to finally seize the moment and participate in at least one of the neighboring cities. Subsequently, after rent control went into effect, I felt compelled to stick around and give more input on things, like public safety, environmental justice and other concerns that I had. I thank Mayor Alcantar for being one of the catalysts in developing our Southeast Cultural identity. For being a pioneer in building that network of civic leaders. Thank you for providing the resources, the infrastructure, the inspiration.
For being side by side with my city during the ice raids back in June. Sometimes I feel like I’m part of a new nation. An emerging nation within the United States, which is our home of Southeast Los Angeles. Currently, we are confronted by obstacles that are similar to what the civil rights movement endured, and now more than ever;we must band together to uphold the principles of human dignity and to defeat bigotry and oppression.
Thank you so much and good night.
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8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Gomez congratulated Wheels of Hope for their basketball tournament and recognized Parks and Recreation for all their work and the food drives they are hosting.
Council Member Lomelí gave a shoutout to Wheels of Hope for their basketball tournament, shared that she attended the Día de los Muertos celebration at Ellen Ochoa, and talked about the challenges the community is facing because of SNAP/EBT cuts. She thanked staff for coordinating food distribution and working with ImpactLA, and shared her concerns about recent ICE activity in the city and nearby cities. She thanked staff for working on the child impact fees and requested to agendize the appointment of a commissioner at the next meeting for the Parks and Environmental Justice Commission.
Mayor Alcantar Loza gave direction to appoint commissioners or make any needed edits for either the first or second meeting in December to prepare for next year. She thanked staff for their work on the Atlantic Village mobile home park issue, shared that she attended the UTLA housing tour, the Working Families Party event, and the Maywood State of the City, and announced Cudahy’s upcoming State of the City. She also shared her appreciation for the team.
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 Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 3-0-2 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes and Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
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12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of September 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 September 24, 2025.
B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of October 2025 Presented by the Senior Accountant
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Report for the month of October 2025 in the amount of $6,636,375.50.
C. Approval of the City Demands and Payroll Including Statement of Investment for the Month of October 2025
Presented by the Senior Accountant
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $3,306,656.72 including the Statement of Investments for the month of October 2025.
D. Consideration to approve closure of City facilities from December 23, 2025, through January 1, 2026, for the Holidays
Presented by the Community Services Director
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to consider approving the closure of City facilities from December 23, 2025, through January 1, 2026, for the Holidays.
E. Consideration to Adopt a Resolution Approving the Application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant in the Amount of $3,500,000 for the Clara Expansion Park Rehabilitation Project
Presented by the Administrative Analyst
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve Resolution No. 25-57, authorizing staff to file an application with the California Department of Parks and City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 11/18/2025 Page 5 of 7 Recreation to receive funding in the amount of $3,500,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the renovation of Clara Expansion Park.
F. Adoption of Proposed Resolution No. 25-58 Declaring the Property Located at 4730 Santa Ana Street (APN 6224-018-007) “Surplus Exempt” Pursuant to the Surplus Lands Act Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(B)
Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve proposed Resolution No. 25-58, declaring the property located at 4730 Santa Ana Street (APN 6224-018-007) “Surplus Exempt,” pursuant to the Surplus Lands Act Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(B).
G. Consideration to Approve Two Amended and Restated First Amendments to Interim City Manager Employment Agreements
Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the attached two Amended and Restated First Amendments for the Interim City Managers.
Motion: Council Member Gomez motioned to approve the Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member Lomelí. Motion passed 3-0-2 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes and Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
13. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Creation and Appointment of Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee – ITEM PULLED
Presented by the Interim City Manager/City Clerk
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to: Consider creating an Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee, establish the scope of the Committee, define a start and end date of the Committee, along with the reporting requirements by the Committee; and Appoint two council members to serve on the Committee.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 11/18/2025 Page 6 of 7 B. Consideration to Approve the City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of Cudahy and Christopher R. Lopez
Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to appoint Christopher R. Lopez as City Manager starting January 14, 2026, and approve the City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of Cudahy and Christopher R. Lopez.
Motion: Council Member Lomelí motioned to appoint Christopher R. Lopez as City Manager starting January 14, 2026, and approve the City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of Cudahy and Christopher R. Lopez, seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 3-0-2 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gomez, Lomelí, and Alcantar Loza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes and Gonzalez
ABSTAIN: None
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 6:56 p.m., City Attorney, Stephanie Arechiga recessed to closed session.
16. CLOSED SESSION
A. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a) – Conference with Labor Negotiator Regarding Represented Employees City’s Designated Representative(s) for Negotiations: Interim City Managers Juan Arauz and Richard Iglesias
Employee Organization: Cudahy Miscellaneous Employees Association (CMEA)
B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with Labor Negotiator
City’s Designated Representative: Stephanie Arechiga, City Attorney Unrepresented Employee –
Title: Interim City Managers
At 8:12 p.m., Mayor Alcantar Loza reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Stephanie Arechiga announced that all three council members were present for both items, direction was given and no further reportable action.
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18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk