APPROVAL OF MINUTES
EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
OF JANUARY 8, 2025
MEETING JOINTLY AND REGULARLY WITH THE EL MONTE HOUSING AUTHORITY; EL MONTE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY; EL MONTE WATER AUTHORITY; EL MONTE PARKING AUTHORITY; SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER EL MONTE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY; HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY; AND, FROM TIME TO
TIME, SUCH OTHER BODIES OF THE CITY WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS COMPOSED
EXCLUSIVELY OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CITY COUNCIL
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL FOR CITY COUNCIL AND AUTHORITY BODIES:
Jessica Ancona, Mayor/Chair – present
Marisol Cortez, Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member – present Sheila Crippen-Thomas, Councilmember/Authority Member – present Cindy Galvan, Councilmember/Authority Member – present
Martin Herrera, Councilmember/Authority Member – present Viviana Longoria, Councilmember/Authority Member – present Dr. Julia Ruedas, Councilmember/Authority Member – present
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
m) Councilmember Ruedas
s) Councilmember Herrera 7-0
4. CLOSED SESSION:
The City Council and the various legislativ e bodies whose membership is composed exclusively of the membership of the City Council will attempt to address and complete all Closed Session business between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. If the City Council completes all Closed Session business prior to 7:00 p.m., the City Council will take a short recess and commence all Open Session proceedings promptly at 7:00 p.m. In the event the City Council is unable to address or complete all agendized Closed Session items by 7:00 p.m., the City Council will hear all such remaining items toward the end of the meeting, immediately following Council Communications. Should any member of the public wish to address the City Council on any agendized Closed Session matter, the City Council shall allow such person to address the City Council on such matter(s) prior to going into Closed Session, provided that all persons wishing to address the Council on an agendized Closed Session matter shall (i) call-in or submit a speaker card in the manner prescribed on page 1 of this agenda, above, prior to the City Council going into closed session; and (ii) be subject to a single speaker time allotment of three (3) continuous minutes total per speaker to address the City Council on any or all closed session items of business.
Mayor Ancona invited members of the public to address the City Council on Closed Session Items 4.1 and 4.2.
Mayor Ancona and the City Council recessed into Closed Session at approximately 6:02 p.m. Mayor Ancona and the City Council reconvened from Closed Session at approximately 7:06 p.m.
4.1 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Saliya Tudugalla vs. City of El Monte, WC Case No. ADJ17827855.
Received briefing from outside counsel, feedback given, but not final action taken.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
2 4.2 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with Labor Negotiators.
Bargaining Units Subject to Negotiations: El Monte General Unit (SEIU Local 721); El Monte General Mid-Management Unit (SEIU Local 721); El Monte Police Officers Association; and El Monte Police Mid-Manager’s Association.
City’s Designated Negotiator: Alma Martinez, City Manager; and Rigoberto Gutierrez, Human Resources/Risk Management Director.
Received briefing from the City’s negotiating team, feedback given, but no final action taken.
OPEN SESSION PROCEEDINGS
(Commencing at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafte r as the City Council reconvene from Closed Session/Short Recess).
5. INVOCATION: Chaplain. Councilmember Crippen-Thomas.
6. FLAG SALUTE: Maddison Kulwicki, 7 th Grade Student from Faith Christian School.
Present.
7. RECOGNITIONS, HONORS AND COMMUNITY INTEREST PRESENTATIONS:
7.1 Presentation by the City Council to Maddi son Kulwicki from Faith Christian School for Leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Present
8. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT:
This time has been set aside for members of the public to directly address the City Council on agendized items of business (other than those agendized as public hearing or closed session items) or on any other matter of interest to the speaker/caller that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, the Housing Authority, the Financing Authority and/or the Water Authority (collectively, the “Council”). Each speaker/caller will be limited to a single allotment of three (3) continuous minutes total to address the Council on any or all matters covered by this section. As explained more specifically under the Public Hearing portion of this agenda, members of the public wishing to offer comment on items of business agendized under the Public Hearing portion of the agenda shall have a separate allotment of three (3) continuous minutes per speaker per public hearing item.
Except as otherwise provided under the Brown Act (Gov. Code Section 54950 et seq.), the Council may not deliberate or take action upon any matter not listed on this posted agenda but may order that any such matter be placed on the agenda for a subsequent meeting. The Council may also direct staff to investigate certain matters for consideration at a future meeting. Persons wishing to address the Council on matters covered under General Public Comment shall call in or submit a speaker card in the manner prescribed on page 1 of this agenda, above, by or before the General Public Comment portion of the agenda is closed. The City Council shall be under no obligation to entertain comments from speakers/callers who submit cards or call in to speak on matters covered by the section after the General Public Comment portion of the agenda is closed.
Rachel Lizotte – Provided updates for Norwood Library.
Written Public Comment:
Russell Castaneda-Calleros – Public comment in support of the Coordinating Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
3 10. DEMAND RESOLUTION NO. D-722
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA,
ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the attached list of claims and demands totaling $9,631,848.76 have been examined by the Deputy City Treasurer and that warrant numbers 1127613 through 1127858, and the payroll period November 16, 2024 through December 15, 2024 inclusive are hereby allowed in the amounts and ordered paid out of the respective funds as set forth.
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas 7-0
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2024.
m) Councilmember Ruedas
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
12. CONSENT CALENDAR:
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine in nature and may be enacted by one motion approving the recommendation listed on the Agenda. One or more items may be removed from the Consent Calendar so that they may be discussed, considered, and voted upon individually by the Council. A matter may be removed from the Consent Calendar and taken up separately by way of a seconded motion of any member of the Council with the approval of a majority of the Council quorum.
12.1 Waiver of Full Reading of Ordinance(s).
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approval to waive full reading (except title) of all ordinances appearing on the City Council agenda as authorized under Government Code Section 36934, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Ruedas 7-0
12.2 Consideration and Approval of the 2023 State Homeland Security Program Subrecipient Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION OF BU SINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve the 2023 State Homeland Security Program Subrecipient Agreement between the County of Los Angeles and the City of El Monte;
2. Authorize an increase in appropriation in the total amount of the awarded grant $67,500 for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Municipal Budget to designated expense account numbers and corresponding revenue account number and authorize the use of SHP grant monies for this budget amendment; and
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
4 3. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Grant Agreement with the County of Los Angeles, and all amendments thereof.
Total Cost: $67,500 Account No: TBD
Is the cost of this item budgeted? No
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Ruedas 7-0
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Members of the public wishing to address the Council on any item of business agendized under this Public Hearing portion of the agenda are asked to submit a speaker card for each Public Hearing item of business they wish to address the Council on. Each speaker will be allotted three (3) continuous minutes per Public Hearing item. Members of the public are asked to submit speaker cards to the City Clerk or the Sergeant-of-Arms before the Council’s approval of the agenda, if possi ble. The Council is under no obligation to recognize a speaker who submits a speaker card for a particular Public Hearing item of business after the public comment portion of the public hearing for that item has closed.
[No Public Hearing Items Agendized for this Council meeting]
14. REGULAR AGENDA:
14.1 Discussion, Consideration and Approval of City Liaisons to Outside Boards, Agencies and Districts.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to the Independent Cities Association.
DELEGATE: Councilmember Ruedas
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Longoria
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
2. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to the Independent Cities Risk Management Association.
DELEGATE: Rigoberto Gutierrez, HR/RM Director
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
3. Appoint a Delegate to the League of California Cities.
DELEGATE: Mayor Pro Tem Cortez
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Galvan
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
4. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to the Sanitation District #15.
DELEGATE: Mayor Ancona
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
5 5. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to the Disaster Council.
DELEGATE: Mayor Ancona
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Herrera
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
6. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG).
DELEGATE: Mayor Pro Tem Cortez
ALTERNATE: Mayor Ancona
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas 2-3-2 (Mayor Ancona and Councilmember To nominate Mayor Ancona as Dr. Ruedas Yes; Councilmembers Cortez, Delegate Galvan and Longoria No; Councilmembers
Crippen-Thomas and Herrera Abstain)
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Longoria 4-2 1-2 (Councilmembers Cortez, Galvan To nominate Mayor Pro Tem Longoria and Dr. Ruedas Yes; Mayor Cortez as Delegate Ancona and No; Councilmembers
Crippen Thomas and Herrera Abstain)
7. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership of Commerce and Cities.
DELEGATE: Councilmember Ruedas
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Longoria
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
8. Appoint a Delegate to the Foothill Transit Zone.
DELEGATE: Mayor Ancona
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
9. Appoint an Alternate to San Gabriel Service Sector Governance Council of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO).
Item was not considered. Councilmember Eric Chen from San Gabriel is the Delegate.
10. Appoint a Delegate and an Alternate to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).
DELEGATE: Councilmember Herrera
ALTERNATE: Councilmember Galvan
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
14.2 Discussion and Action to Make Appointments of City Council Members to Ad Hoc Committees and Advisory Committees: Development, Fiscal and Parks, Recreation and Community Services
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Appoint three (3) members to the Standing Development Advisory Committee:
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
6 MEMBER: Mayor Ancona
MEMBER: Councilmember Longoria
MEMBER: Councilmember Herrera
2. Appoint three (3) members to the Standing Fiscal Advisory Committee:
MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Cortez
MEMBER: Councilmember Herrera
MEMBER: Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
3. Appoint three (3) members to the Standing Parks, Recreation and Community Services Advisory Committee:
MEMBER: Councilmember Ruedas
MEMBER: Councilmember Galvan
MEMBER: Councilmember Longoria
4. Appoint three (3) members to the Standing CDBG/HOME/ESG Advisory Committee
MEMBER: Councilmember Ruedas
MEMBER: Councilmember Galvan
MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Cortez
5. Appoint three (3) members to the Standing Street Vendor Advisory Committee MEMBER: ____________________________
MEMBER: ____________________________
MEMBER: ____________________________
No appointments made to the Standing Street Vendor Advisory Committee.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
14.3 Overview, Discussion, and Direction Regarding Rules for Appointments to Multiple City Commissions and Committees.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Overview, discussion and direction regarding rules for appointments to multiple City Commissions and Committees.
Total Cost: N/A Account No.: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Receive and file report.
Break at 8:52 p.m.
Return at 9:00 p.m.
14.4 Discussion and Direction to Staff Regarding Potential Questions to Include, Without Limitation, in an Application to be Completed by Applicants Seeking to be Considered for Appointment to the City Treasurer Vacant Position.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Discussion and direction to staff regarding potential questions to include, without limitation, in an application to be completed by applicants seeking to be considered for appointment to the City Treasurer vacant position.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
7 Total Cost: N/A Account No.: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Receive and file report.
15. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA: None
16. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA:
16.1 Discussion Regarding Coordinating Council.
The City Manager provided information regarding City resources being used and staff time for this meeting and requested direction from the City Council. The City Council had a discussion regarding the Coordinating Council meetings about the original intent of the Coordinating Council meetings and what it has morphed into.
At 10:04 p.m.
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
Continue meeting past 10:00 p.m.
Roll over Council Communications
The City Council gave direction to the City Manager regarding the Coordinating Council. Councilmember Herrera will chair the Coordinating Council meetings, the meetings will be on a quarterly basis and will take place at City Hall.
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
18. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:
18A. Mayor Ancona
18A.1 Discussion and Direction on Coordinating Council Meetings.
18B. Mayor Pro Tem Cortez
18B.1 Discussion Regarding Old RV Site Re-Development.
18B.2 Discussion Regarding Community Clean-Ups.
18B.3 Discussion Regarding Mountain View School District Partnership.
18C. Councilwoman Crippen-Thomas
18D. Councilwoman Galvan
18D.1 Discussion Regarding the Systematic Code Inspection Program:
a. Hotel Inspections
b. Apartment Inspections
18D.2 Discussion Regarding Garvey Street Improvements.
18D.3 Discussion Regarding Business Development in District 5.
18E. Councilman Herrera
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
8 18F. Councilwoman Longoria
18F.1 Discussion Regarding Public Safety.
18F.2 Discussion Regarding Code Enforcement.
18F.3 Discussion Regarding School District Partnerships:
a. Open Space Partnerships
18F.4 Discussion Regarding Park Improvements.
18G. Councilwoman Dr. Ruedas
18G.1 Discussion Regarding Youth Involvement by Creating the El Monte Youth Commission.
18G.2 Discussion Regarding the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
18G.3 Discussion Regarding Local Business Walks.
19. ADJOURNMENT:
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas 7-0
Adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on January 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. This Agenda will be posted on the City’s website,
www.ci.el-monte.ca.us, and
physically posted no less than 72 hours prior to the start of the subject regular meeting.
Although it is the City’s practice and desire to electronically post a copy of this Agenda along with supporting material as part of its website posting, the size or formatting of certain supporting materials may render their website posting infeasible. Nevertheless, all supporting materials related to any item on this Agenda, that is made available to the members of the council may be inspected by members of the public at the City Clerk’s Office located at 11333 Valley Boulevard, El Monte, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm. For more information, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 626-580-2016.
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the City of El Monte are held in sites accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made by calling the office of the City Clerk at (626) 580-2016 at least three (3) working days prior to the event, if possible. This Agenda and copies of documents distributed at the meeting are available in alternative formats upon request.
____________________________
Gabriel Ramirez, City Clerk
C i t y o f E l M o n t e
APPROVED:
_________________________________
Jessica Ancona, Mayor
City of El Monte