APPROVAL OF MINUTES
EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
OF JANUARY 28, 2026
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: 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL FOR CITY COUNCIL AND AUTHORITY BODIES:
Jessica Ancona, Mayor/Chair – present
Viviana Longoria, Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member – present Marisol Cortez, Councilmember/Authority Member – present Sheila Crippen-Thomas, Councilmember/Authority Member – present Cindy Galvan, Councilmember/Authority Member – absent
Martin Herrera, Councilmember/Authority Member – absent Dr. Julia Ruedas, Councilmember/Authority Member – present
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Pro Tem Longoria 5-0 (Councilmembers Galvan and Herrera absent)
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 Item 4.1.
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 7:00 p.m.
4.1 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Jesus Sanchez vs. City of El Monte, et al., LASC Case No. 24PSCV02932.
The City Council approved a settlement agreement in the amount of $105,000. Councilmembers Galvan and Herrera did not participate in closed session.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
2 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. Chaplain Manny Coronilla.
6. FLAG SALUTE: Allyson Ciranda, 4 th Grade Student from New Lexington School.
Mayor Ancona
7. RECOGNITIONS, HONORS AND COMMUNITY INTEREST PRESENTATIONS:
7.1 Presentation by the City Council to Allyson Ciranda from New Lexington School for Leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Absent
7.2 Presentation by the City Council to Gamblers Mark for Their Valued Participation and Contributions to the City of El Monte. 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.
Officer Raul Vega – Spoke about Item 14.3.
Am Bowes – Provided updates for the El Monte Library.
Robert Arnett – Spoke about various items.
Cosme Jimenez – Spoke about various items.
Rosa Piña – Spoke about the renaming of Pioneer Park.
Cynthia Swindall – Spoke about the renaming of Pioneer Park.
Irma Zamorano – Spoke about various items.
Kathleen Vera – Spoke about various items.
Nadine Salas – Spoke about the renaming of Pioneer Park.
Sophia Rina – Spoke about the renaming of Pioneer Park.
Gabriel Ramirez – Spoke about various items.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
3 9. CITY TREASURER’S REPORT: None
10. DEMAND RESOLUTION NO. D-743
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 $12,065,879.10 have been examined by the City Treasurer and that warrant numbers 1135890 through 1136291, and the payroll period December 16, 2025 through December 31, 2025 inclusive are hereby allowed in the amounts and ordered paid out of the respective funds as set forth.
m) Mayor Pro Tem Longoria
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
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) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Herrera 7-0
12.2 Consideration to Accept the Nevada Avenue and Bodger Street Sewer Replacement Project – CIP No. 005 and Pavement Improvement Project – CIP No. 038 as Complete, File the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, and Approve Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Michael Baker International.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Accept the Nevada Avenue and Bodger Street Sewer Replacement Project – CIP No. 005 and Pavement Improvement Project – CIP No. 038 as completed;
2. File the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office; City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
4 3. Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Michael Baker International in the amount of $35,288 for a new not-to-exceed amount of $1,450,580; and
4. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Michael Baker International.
Total Cost: $35,288 Account No: 650-69-671-4-0-82210-P0005 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Herrera 7-0
12.3 Consideration and Approval of a Contract Services Agreement with Atlas Backflow, Inc. for On-Call Backflow Testing and Repair Services for a Three (3) Year Term for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $90,000.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve a Contract Services Agreement with Atlas Backflow, Inc. for on-call services for backflow testing and repairs, for a three (3) year term for a not-to-exceed amount of $90,000;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute a Contract Services Agreement with Atlas Backflow, Inc.
Total Cost: $90,000 Account No: 600-69-695-4-0-61110
Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes Water Fund
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Herrera 7-0
12.4 Consent Agenda Approval of a Resolution Confirming and Affirming the Direction of the City Council at Its Regular Meeting of January 14, 2026, Under Agenda Item
15.1 as Reflected in Official Video Recording of the Proceedings and the Minutes.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the attached confirming Resolution.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Resolution No. 10662
m) Mayor Pro Tem Longoria
s) Councilmember Galvan 6-1 (Mayor Ancona No)
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.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
5 13.1 Consideration of an Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of El Monte Amending Chapters 15.01 Through 15.05 and 15.38 of the El Monte Municipal Code to Adopt the 2026 Los Angeles County Title 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 33, Which Amend the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code, Specifically the Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Residential, Green Building Standards, and Existing Building Codes.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Open the public hearing;
2. Receive presentation from staff;
3. Pose questions to staff;
4. Allow members of the public to offer comment;
5. Pose follow up questions to staff;
6. Close the public hearing; and
7. Approve the Urgency Ordinance, by no less than six-sevenths (6/7) vote.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Urgency Ordinance No. 3058
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
Open P.H.
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas 7-0
Close P.H.
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Herrera 7-0
14. REGULAR AGENDA:
14.1 Consideration and Approval of a Co mmunity Project Funding Grant Agreement Between the City of El Monte and the County of Los Angeles for the Pre- Construction and Design Phase of the MacLaren Community Park Project in the Amount of $1,500,000.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve a Funding Agreement between the City of El Monte and the County of Los Angeles for the pre-construction and design phase of the MacLaren Community Park Project;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to make all conforming modifications and edits and execute all implementing documents; and
3. Authorize the appropriation of $1,500,000 of CPF funds as part of the FY 2025- 2026 Budget.
Total Cost: $1,500,000 Account No: 249-65-000-0-0-42310-00000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
6 14.2 Consideration and Approval of an Amendment to the Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc.
Contract Services Agreement to Extend the Agreement for Six (6) Months in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Increase the Original Sum of $140,000 to a New Contract Sum of $262,000.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve an amendment to the Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc.
Contract to extend it for six (6) months in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and increase the original sum of $140,000 to a new not-to-exceed amount of $262,000.
Total Cost: $122,000 Account No: 212-67-685-4-0-61110-00000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas 7-0
14.3 Consideration and Approval to Accept the 2025 FY 25 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Grant Hi ring Program and Increase the Police Department Staffing from 132 to 137 Sw orn Police Officers Positions in Accordance with the Program.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve the appropriation of the 2025 FY25 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program and all requirements and conditions,
2. Consider and approve an increase in Police Department staffing from 132 to 137 sworn police officers in accordance with the City’s acceptance of the Program;
3. Consider the appropriation of funds in the amount of $625,000.00 from the FY25 COPS Hire Program Account No. 299-71-711-5-0-51110;
4. Consider the appropriation of funds in the amount of $405,000.00 from General Funds Account No. 100-71-711-5-0-51110;
5. Instruct the Finance Department to encumber the necessary funds and complete any budget amendments necessary to adopt the Program, and any additional funding requirements and/or necessary purchases; and
6. Authorize the City Manager, or Chief of Police, to sign and approve all documents, purchase, contractual, or grant modifications or adjustments.
Total Cost: $1,030,000 Account No: 299-71-711-5-0-51110 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes 100-71-711-5-0-51110
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
s) Mayor Pro Tem Longoria 7-0
14.4 Consideration and Approval to Use Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds and General Funds for the Purchase and Outfit of Six (6) New Patrol Vehicles for the Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve the appropriation of Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds to purchase six (6) new vehicles from designated sole source dealership identified as the National Auto Fleet Group for Police Department patrol use in an amount not-to-exceed $750,000;
2. Consider and approve the purchase of five (5) Panasonic Toughbook FZ, Mobile Data Computers from CDCE Incorporated, the designated sole source distributor for the Panasonic Toughbook;
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
7 3. Consider and approve the purchase of five (5) Motorola Astro APX 6500 mobile radios from Motorola Solutions, the sole source distributor of Astro APX radio equipment;
4. Consider and approve the purchase of ballistic glass from Dana Safety Supply, Inc., which is the designated sole source regional distributor for ISBI Armor Inc.;
5. Consider and approve Dana Safety Supply as the designated vendor for installation and outfitting of the Chevrolet Tahoe, which will be equipped for Police canine use;
6. Consider and approve 10-8 Retrofit as the designated vendor for installation and outfitting of the five (5) Ford Explorers;
7. Instruct the Finance Department to encumber the necessary funds to complete this purchase; and
8. Authorize the City Manager, or Chief of Police, to sign and approve all documents, purchase, or contractual modifications or adjustments.
Total Cost: $750,000 Account No: 204-71-711-5-0-81320-00000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? No 100-71-711-5-0-81320-00000
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas 7-0
Break at 8:10 p.m.
Return at 8:20 p.m.
Mayor Ancona left the meeting.
15. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA:
15.1 Presentation by the City Attorney on Code of Conduct for Councilmembers.
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Herrera 6-0 (Mayor Ancona absent)
Table to the next meeting and
Place at the top of the agenda
15.2 Consider and Adopt of Resolution Affirming the City’s Code of Conduct.
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Herrera 6-0 (Mayor Ancona absent)
Table to the next meeting and
Place at the top of the agenda
16. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: None
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
18. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:
18A. Mayor Ancona
18B. Mayor Pro Tem Longoria
18B.1 Invitation to City of El Monte Lunar New Year Event on Main Street (Between Monterey and Lexington) That Will Be Held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Invited everyone to the El Monte Lunar New Year event. There will be performers and vendors.
Encouraged businesses to sign up for the Dine El Monte.
City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
8 Councilmember Crippen-Thomas asked Chief Fisher to say a few words about Lieutenant Richard Cassetta who passed away.
18C. Councilwoman Cortez
Thanked City Manager and Public Works regarding their work with the fire taking place. Thanked Councilmember Herrera for going to Twin Lakes to make sure the students were okay. Appreciated the communication between the City Manager and the Superintendent.
Mentioned the Fishing Event, thanked the Police Department. Thanked staff for the Tri-Deck-Athon event. Check out social media for all of the events taking place.
Mentioned the bulky item event on Saturday, February 7
th from 8:00 am to
12:00 pm. Announced the Dine El Monte event.
18D. Councilwoman Crippen-Thomas
18D.1 Invitation to the City Council Di stricts 1 & 2 Community Meeting Public Safety Update and Q&A on February 12, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Lambert Park Auditorium.
Invited the community to the Community Meeting for Districts 1 and 2. The community members will meet their reporting officers.
Councilmembers Crippen-Thomas and Councilmember Herrera made a presentation regarding the Norwood School (North Field) Softball Infield Reconstruction.
Councilmember Cortez – Excited that any organization wishing to use the field for other events will be able to use this. Thanked staff for all their work.
Councilmember Galvan – Also t hanked Councilmembers Crippen-Thomas and Herera for this.
Mayor Pro Tem Longoria – Also thanked Councilmembers Crippen- Thomas and Herera and Mr. Richard Thomas.
18E. Councilwoman Galvan
Spoke about the fire, thanked staff for mobilizing and assisting the community.
18E.1 Thank City Staff, Community Partners, and Volunteers Who Supported the 2026 Homeless Count Held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Thanked City staff, community partners and volunteers who assisted with he 2026 Homeless Count.
18E.2 Thank the El Monte Police Department for Hosting the Reel ‘Em Fish Event This Past Weekend Held on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Thanked the Police Department for the Reel ‘Em Fish Event.
City Manager provided an update from Area D Emergency Services, there will be an evaluation to see if there is a need for the shelter in place order or if it will be lifted.
18F. Councilman Herrera
Spoke about his vote on Item 15.1 from the City Council meeting of January 14, 2026. Did not support the item before because he felt there was more need for City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2026
9 public outreach. He did support it this time because the question was different this time.
Thanked staff for quickly mobilizing today regarding the large commercial fire.
City Manager thanked the City Council for responding. The City has N95 masks and hand sanitizers available at the Police Department front desk. Schools will not be closed but outside activities will be cancelled.
18G. Councilwoman Dr. Ruedas
Had he opportunity to visit the Jeff Seymour Family Center, for their District English Learner Advisory Committee. Thanked the Superintendent, also thanked City Manager for the resources made available to the community at the DELAC meeting.
Attended the League of California Cities for professional development. Shared some key informational and educational platforms with the City Council.
Met with Day One and spoke about children and the youth and providing opportunities to the youth.
19. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m. in memory of Former Lieutenant Richard Cassetta
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on February 11, 2026 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