City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/17/2026 Page 1 of 5 Final Minutes Approved March 03, 2026
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 17, 2026, 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor / Chair Gonzalez called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council / Agency Member Alcantar Loza
Council / Agency Member Gomez
Vice Mayor / Vice Chair Lomelí
Mayor / Chair Gonzalez
ABSENT: Council / Agency Member Fuentes
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Christopher R. Lopez, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director, Juan Arauz, City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy, City Clerk, Richard Iglesias, Community Services Director, Brenda Rodriguez, Public Works Director, Raul Diaz, Assistant to the City Manager, Estefania Zamora, Senior Accountant, Charles Ortiz, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Janet Andrade.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Vice Mayor Lomelí motioned to approve the agenda as is, seconded by Council Member Alcantar Loza. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alcantar Loza, Gomez, Lomelí, and Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Gomez.
5. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/17/2026 Page 2 of 5 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. Vice Mayor Lomelí’s Discretionary Funds
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mario Domínguez Jr. commented on the City of South Gate’s council meeting taking place the following week, it not having a utility users tax, it being in a $8,000,000 structural deficit, insufficient revenues, mentioned ARPA funds used to pay bills, at the upcoming council meeting South Gate’s Council will decide whether or not to declare a fiscal emergency, and if it puts a utility users tax on the June ballot.
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS / REQUESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Alcantar Loza thanked the team for their help with issues residents have had, including one complaint about the post office, commented on discretionary funds, expressed interest in pursuing art classes, as well as pottery classes, which are not available to the community, and wants to work with the team to see what that looks like.
Council Member Gomez thanked the team for all their work on the bingo and requested that staff look into the southeast side of Live Oak heading towards the riverbed, as it floods during rain.
Vice Mayor Lomelí mentioned that she attended the League of California Cities Women's Caucus Workshop titled Building Family-Friendly Cities, shared ideas, wants to share with staff, attended a meeting with the Mayor with LAUSD partners, shared ideas, expressed that she is proud of youth that lead region wide protest, wants to recognize student leaders at a Council meeting, specifically those at Elizabeth Learning Center, wants to bring back the idea of a mural using impact fees, requested on behalf of resident to present a schedule of services from Republic.
Mayor Gonzalez commented on the LAUSD meeting regarding sharing space, emailed staff on follow-up of next steps, attended the senior Valentine's event, shared her experience at the event, participated in the student walkouts for support, expressed an idea of partnering with local businesses to offer discounts and specials for students, and to coordinate early release days with the school to push them to go to Cudahy businesses.
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/17/2026 Page 3 of 5
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: Member Alcantar Loza 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: Alcantar Loza, Gomez, Lomelí, and Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Consideration to Review and Approve the Draft Minutes of February 3, 2026, 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
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to review and approve the City Council / Successor Agency Draft Minutes for February 3, 2026.
B. Approval of the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) for the Month of January 2026 Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Report for the month of January 2026 in the amount of $5,705,698.70.
C. Approval of the City Demands and Payroll Including Statement of Investment for the Month of January 2026
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to approve the Demands and Payroll in the amount of $2,407,878.77 including the Statement of Investments for the month of December 2025.
D. Adoption of Proposed Ordinance No. 765, by Second Reading, Amending Chapters
15.04, 15.08, 15.12, 15.16, 15.29, 15.32 and15.34 of Title 15 of the Cudahy Municipal Code and Adopt Titles 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 33 of the 2025 Los Angeles County Amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Building Codes Including the Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Green Building Standards and Existing Building Codes
City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/17/2026 Page 4 of 5 Recommendation: The City Council is requested to adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 765, Amending Chapters 15.04, 15.08, 15.12, 15.16, 15.29, 15.32 and15.34 of Title 15 of the Cudahy Municipal Code and Adopt Titles 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 33 of the 2025 Los Angeles County Amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Building Codes Including the Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Green Building Standards and Existing Building Codes.
E. General NPDES Compliance Services and Los Angeles River – Upper Reach 2 Watershed Management Group Representation
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 $25,000.
Motion: Council Member Alcantar Loza motioned to approve the Consent Calendar items, seconded by Council Member Gomez. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alcantar Loza, Gomez, Lomelí, and Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
13. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
14. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/2027 Budget Overview Presentation Presented by the City Manager
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to receive and file FY 2026/2027 Budget Overview Presentation.
Motion: Council Member Gomez motioned to receive and file FY 2026/2027 Budget Overview Presentation, seconded by Vice Mayor Lomelí. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alcantar Loza, Gomez, Lomelí, and Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Fuentes
ABSTAIN: None
B. Discussion and Direction on Proposed Language for Draft Ordinance No. 766 City Council/Successor Agency Minutes of 2/17/2026 Page 5 of 5 Presented by the City Attorney
Recommendation: The City Council is requested to review and provide direction for draft ordinance no. 766.
- Direction Given, No Action Taken -
15. COUNCIL DISCUSSION – NONE
At 8:14 p.m., City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy 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: City Manager Christopher R.
Lopez
Employee Organization: Cudahy Miscellaneous Employees Association (CMEA) B. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel to Discuss Matter Involving Potential Litigation – One Matter At 9:43 p.m., Mayor Gonzalez reconvened to open session.
17. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney, Paloma McEvoy, announced that the City Council met in closed session under Government Code Section 54957.6(a) (item 16A); direction was given, but no formal action was taken. In addition, the City Council met in closed session under Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1) (item 16B), direction was given, but no reportable action was taken.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council / Agency meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.
Cynthia Gonzalez
Mayor
ATTEST:
Richard Iglesias
City Clerk