APPROVAL OF MINUTES
EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
OF FEBRUARY 11, 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 – present
Martin Herrera, Councilmember/Authority Member – present Dr. Julia Ruedas, Councilmember/Authority Member – present
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
WITH THE FOLLOWING EDITS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:
Items 4.1, 7.2, 7.4 and 7.5 have been pulled.
m) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
This motion was rescinded
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Cortez 7-0
Move Item 15.2 to follow after
Item 7.3.
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Cortez 7-0
Approve the Agenda
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.
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
2 4.1 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation – One (1) Matter.
Item has been pulled.
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 George Ussery.
6. FLAG SALUTE: Khanh Linh Pham, 4 th Grade Student from Maxson School. Absent
7. RECOGNITIONS, HONORS AND COMMUNITY INTEREST PRESENTATIONS:
7.1 Presentation by the City Council to Khanh Linh Pham from Maxson School for Leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Absent
7.2 Presentation by the City Council to Alma D. Puente in Celebration of Her Recent Judicial Appointment and Contributions to the City of El Monte.
Item has been pulled.
7.3 Presentation by the City Council to the New Life Center for New Beginnings for Their Contributions in Improving Lives in the City of El Monte. Present
7.4 Presentation by the City Council to the El Monte/South El Monte Jets Cheer Teams for Their Participation in the 2025/2026 SGV Junior All-American Football and Cheer Conference.
Item has been pulled.
7.5 Presentation to the City Council by the El Monte/South El Monte Jets.
Item has been pulled.
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.
Am Bowes – Provided updates for El Monte Library.
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
3 Ricardo Padilla – Spoke about various items.
Robert Arnett – Spoke about various items.
Mistress Ancona Herman – Spoke about various items.
Jillian Conde – Spoke about various items.
Javier Garcia – Spoke about various items.
Tedioso Lopez – Spoke about various items.
Cecilia Ussery – Spoke about various items.
Me Masked – Spoke about various items.
Marissa Castro – Southern California Edison Rep for E Monte.
Ray Ray – Spoke about various items.
Julio Ramirez – Spoke about various items.
Tony Garcia – Spoke about various items.
Kathleen Vera – Spoke about various items.
Maria Santay – Spoke about various items.
Promise Li – Spoke about various items.
Andrew Yip – Spoke about various items.
Frank Dee – Support of Sanctuary Ordinance.
Katie – Support of Sanctuary Ordinance.
David Diaz – Spoke about various items.
Samora Leon – Support of a Sanctuary Ordinance.
Martha Maciel – Spoke about various items.
Joseph King – Spoke about various items.
Jonathan Montalvo – Spoke about various items.
Bowie Huynh – Spoke about various items.
Hailey Garcia – Spoke about various items.
Betty Hang – Spoke about various items.
Susan Garcia – Spoke about various items.
Martina Cortez – Spoke about various items.
Andres Pedro – Spoke about various items.
Isabe Palacios – Spoke about various items.
Jacinta Sanchez – Spoke about various items.
Analisa Zamora – Spoke about various items.
Crystal Yniquez – Spoke about various items.
Marylou Garcia Garibay – Spoke about various items.
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
4 Felicia Bravo – Spoke about various items.
Roberto Rios – Spoke about various items.
Rob Lopez – Spoke about various items.
Gabriel Ramirez – Spoke about various items.
Jean – Support of Sanctuary Ordinance.
Thalia Mendoza – Support of Sanctuary Ordinance.
Written Public Comment:
Megan Nickles – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Stela Reygoza-Sanchez – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Jack Wong – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Angela Armendariz – Spoke about various items. Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Jeff Meng – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Wendy Miranda – Support of Sanctuary Ordinance.
Elizabeth Mercado – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Hector Aguilar – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Veronica Alvarez – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Adrian Huerta – Oppose the elimination of elected Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Rafael Gonzalez – Spoke about various items.
At 9:53 p.m.
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
Extend the meeting past
10:00 p.m.
Break at 9:53 p.m.
Return at 10:07 p.m.
9. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA:
9.1 Presentation by the City Attorney on Code of Conduct for Councilmembers.
Item continued to the next meeting.
9.2 Consider and Adopt of a Resolution Affirming the City’s Code of Conduct.
Item continued to the next meeting.
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
5 10. CITY TREASURER’S REPORT: None
11. DEMAND RESOLUTION NO. D-744
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 $5,693,959.17 have been examined by the City Treasurer and that warrant numbers 1136292 through 1136497, and the payroll period January 1, 2026 through January 15, 2026 inclusive are hereby allowed in the amounts and ordered paid out of the respective funds as set forth.
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas 7-0
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of January 14 , 2026; and Special Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2026.
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas 7-0
13. 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.
13.1 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 Galvan 7-0
13.2 Approval of Request to Serve/Sell Wine and “Spirits” Liquor at the Grace T. Black Auditorium.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council consider and approve the request to serve/sell Wine and “Spirits” at the Grace T. Black Auditorium.
Non-Profit Use Event Date
José Pineda
(Grace T. Black
Auditorium)
Quinceañera
(Attendance 285)
Saturday, September 26, 2026
6:00 pm – 11:30 pm
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
6 Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
13.3 Consideration and Authorization to Advertise and Publish the Request for Proposals for the Design, Supply, and Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for the El Monte’s Clean Mobility Nexus Project.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize staff to advertise and publish the Request for Proposals for the design, supply, and installation of electric vehicle charging stations as part of the El Monte’s Clean Mobility Nexus Project.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
13.4 Consideration and Approval of an Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for Court-Referred Community Service Program Community Service Referral Agency Monitoring Agreement for a Two (2) Year Term.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve an Agreement with the County of Los Angeles through its agent the Los Angeles County Development Authority for the Court- Referred Community Service Program Community Service Referral Agency Monitoring Agreement for a two (2) year term; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Agreement.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
13.5 Consideration and Approval of a Renewal of a Lease Agreement By and Between the City of El Monte and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10218 for the City- Owned Building Located at 11126 Ramona Boulevard.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and authorize the City Manager to execute a renewal of a Lease Agreement with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10218 for the City-owned building located at 11126 Ramona Boulevard for a term of not more than four (4) years.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
7 14. 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.
14.1 A Public Hearing to Consider and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Application for Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Funds; and a Resolution Committing PLHA Program Funds to the El Monte Homekey Program.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Open the public hearing;
2. Receive a presentation from staff;
3. Allow a public comment period;
4. Close the public hearing;
5. Adopt the proposed Resolution for the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program application;
6. Authorize the allocation of PLHA funds in accordance with the revised and published 5-Year PLHA Allocation Activity Plan;
7. Adopt the proposed Resolution committing PLHA Program Funds to the El Monte Homekey Program; and
8. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to enter into, execute, and deliver all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to evidence and secure the PLHA grant funds.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Resolution No. 10663
Resolution No. 10664
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas 7-0
Open P.H.
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Galvan
Close P.H.
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
Approve Items 5-8 and Resolution
Nos. 10663 and 10664
15. REGULAR AGENDA:
15.1 Consideration and Approval of a Contract Services Agreement with Berokoff Electric for On-Call As-Needed Electrician Services for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $120,000.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
8 1. Consider and approve a Contract Services Agreement with Berokoff Electric for on-call as-needed electrician services for a not-to-exceed amount of $120,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute a Contract Services Agreement with Berokoff Electric.
Total Cost: $120,000 Account No: 100-67-673-4-0-61110-00000 100-67-685-4-0-61110-00000
203-60-576-4-0-61110-00000
600-69-695-4-0-61110-00000
Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes 650-69-693-4-0-61110-00000
m) Councilmember Galvan
s) Councilmember Longoria 7-0
15.2 Report by Immigration Ad Hoc Committee on Potential Policies. Discuss Content of Proposed Petition to US Congress Regarding Immigration Reform and Potential Council Direction to Staff to Post Same on City Website.
Receive and file report.
16. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: None
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
18. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:
18A. Mayor Ancona
18A.1 District 5 Planning Commission Vacancy – Call for Applications.
Thanked Councilmember Galvan for submitting her nomination for District
5. Acknowledged the written communications received for tonight’s City Council meeting.
18B. Mayor Pro Tem Longoria
Thanked the community for coming out. The City Council is listening and hearing and are working on something to bring forth. Thanked the community for providing their feedback. Thanked the clergy who came to El Monte last night.
Please support the local businesses.
18C. Councilwoman Cortez
Really enjoyed the unity event yesterday. Thanked staff for working tireless to bring all of the clergy to the event. We all care about our community and we are here to listen to the community. Appreciate everyone’s patience and the community wants action now. Emphasized that it takes an entire organization to run 24 hours and provide the services for the community. Thanked Dr. Ruedas for mentioning the event this past weekend. Tuesday is the Lunar New Year, it is the year of the horse.
18D. Councilwoman Crippen-Thomas
Thanked the residents who came out. Appreciate the involvement, appreciate seeing residents get involved they have a passion. The City Council works hard and cares for this City.
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
9 18E. Councilwoman Galvan
18E.1 Request to Meet with Mayor to Discus District 5 Planning Commissioner.
My nominee has lived in District 5 and has a business in District 5. Thanked everyone who considered being a planning commissioner for District 5.
18F. Councilman Herrera
Thanked everyone who showed up. The community is being heard. Acknowledge the City Council and staff for the contributions in fueling the discussions. There are only three names on the ad hoc committee but it was a larger group effort and will continue to be. The communities feedback will be part of the conversations. Spoke to a couple of board members regarding their concerns that have come out of the situation. Ad hoc committee should take a look at.
18G. Councilwoman Dr. Ruedas
18G.1 To Our Community: Our Strength is in Our Unity and in Our Community, We Will Move Forward Together.
Share the same sentiment. Thanked and acknowledge the community for being at the City Council meeting.
18G.2 Pioneer Park: A Special Thank You to Congressman Cisneros and His Entire Team for Their Commitment to Investing in the Priorities of Our El Monte Community.
The City Council collectively has been vocal about many of the priorities of the City. One of them has been to bring back Pioneer Park. Would like to extend a very special thank you to Congressman Gil Cisneros and his entire team.
18G.3 Grateful to Have Attended Tzu Chi San Gabriel Valley Center’s 2025 Year- End Blessing Ceremony as the Lunar New Year Approaches.
Attended the Tzu Chi Year End Blessing Ceremony. As the Lunar Year approaches everything begins with a kind heart. Everything begins with kindness.
City Council Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026
10 19. ADJOURNMENT:
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
Adjourn meeting at 10:58 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on February 25, 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