APPROVAL OF MINUTES
EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
OF APRIL 8, 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: 6:01 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:
Item 7.3 has been pulled.
Walk-On Item:
4.2 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation – One (1) Matter.
m) Councilmember Galvan
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 6:07 p.m. Mayor Ancona and the City Council reconvened from Closed Session at approximately 7:00p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
2 4.1 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – Discussion of Potential Threats to Public Services or Facilities with Chief of Police and Plans for Addressing the Same.
The City Council received a report, feedback was given, but no final action taken.
4.2 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation – One (1) Matter.
The City Council received a report, feedback was 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. Chaplain George Ussery.
6. FLAG SALUTE: Keysha N. Saldaña, 4 th Grade Student from Parkview School.
Present
7. RECOGNITIONS, HONORS AND COMMUNITY INTEREST PRESENTATIONS:
7.1 Presentation by the City Council to Keysha N. Saldaña from Parkview School for Leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Present
7.2 Presentation by the El Monte Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10218 to the City Council. Present
7.3 Presentation by the City Council to Naresh (ND) Bhakta for His Valued Dedication and Contributions to the City of El Monte.
Item has been pulled.
7.4 Presentation by the City Council to 2026 Woman of the Year Nominees for Their Valued Dedication and Contributions to the City of El Monte. Present
Break at 8:01 p.m.
Return at 8:26 p.m.
8. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA:
8.1 Immigration Ad Hoc Update.
An update was provided under the Concurrent Special Meeting.
8.2 Consideration and Approval of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of El Monte Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Authorize an Increase in Appropriation in the Grant Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute an Agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to receive grant funding for Dodgers Dream Team; and
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
3 2. Consider and authorize an increase in appropriation in the amount of $24,840 for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Total Cost: $24,840 Account No: 299-51-511-2-0-***** Is the cost of this item budgeted? No
Resolution No. 10680
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
9. 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 the El Monte Library.
Robert Henderson – Thanked the City Council for awarding Care for the Children the curb painting contract.
Julio Rmairez – Spoke about various items.
Sandra Meza – Spoke about various items.
Robert Arnett – Spoke about various items.
Gabriel Ramirez – Spoke about various items.
Marlee – Spoke about various items.
Written Public Comments:
Bryan Lam – Provided feedback regarding Code Amendment 3-2026.
Kasandra Llamas – Ban Data Centers in the City of El Monte.
Ed Rardin – Spoke about various items.
10. DEMAND RESOLUTION NO. D-748
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.
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
4 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 $8,908,205.22 have been examined by the City Treasurer and that warrant numbers 1137616 through 1137838, and the payroll period March 1, 2026 through March 15, 2026 inclusive are hereby allowed in the amounts and ordered paid out of the respective funds as set forth.
m) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas
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) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
12.2 A Second Reading to Consider and Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapters
17.30 (Mixed/Multiuse Zoning District); 17.40 (Commercial Zoning District); 17.42 (Manufacturing Zoning Districts); 17.16 (Nonconforming Provisions); 17.112 (Standards For Specific Nonresidential Uses) and 17.150 (Use Definitions) of Title 17 (Zoning) and Chapter 8.10 (Retail Sales of Tobacco Products) of Title 8 (Health and Safety) of the El Monte Municipal Code (EMMC).
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the proposed Ordinance for a second reading by no less than four (4) affirmative votes and adopt an Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Ordinance No. 3064
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
5 12.3 Receive and File the City Clerk’s Quarterly Listing of Contracts Filed in the City Clerk’s Office Between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Report.
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
12.4 Adopt a Resolution Designating April 23, 2026 as the 2026 Commemoration of Arbor Day in the City of El Monte.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving the commemoration of Arbor Day.
Total Cost: $1,500 Account No: 100-67-687-4-0-62110-00000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Resolution No. 10681
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
12.5 Consideration and Authorization to Advertise and Publish the Notice Inviting Bids for the Zone 9 Street Improvement Project, CIP No. 071.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize staff to advertise and publish the Notice of Inviting Bids for the Zone 9 Street Improvement Project, CIP No. 071.
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
12.6 Consideration and Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Submittal of State Water Resources Control Board, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Grant Application for the Planning, Design, and Construction of the Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve the attached Resolution authorizing submittal of a grant application from the State Water Resources Control Board, Clean Water State Revolving Fund for a financing agreement for planning, design and construction of the Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project; and designating the City Manager, or her designee, as the authorized representative to execute all necessary documents; and
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
6 2. Approve the Notice of Exemption for the planning and design of the Project and directing staff to file it with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder’s Office.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
Resolution No. 10682
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
12.7 Consideration and Authorization for the City Manager to Exercise the Sale and/or Otherwise Dispose of City Property in the Form of the Public Works Maintenance Division Vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and authorize the City Manager to exercise the sale and/or otherwise dispose of City Property in the form of the Public Works Maintenance Division vehicles.
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
12.8 Consideration and Approval of a Construction Contract with H2M Construction Inc. for the El Monte Aquatic Center Water Slide Replacement, CIP 083, for a Not-to- Exceed Amount of $989,183.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Consider and approve a Construction Contract with H2M Construction, Inc. for the El Monte Aquatic Center Water Slide Replacement, CIP 083 for a not-to- exceed amount of $989,183 which includes a Contract amount of $953,000, plus a contingency of $36,183;
2. Consider and approve the appropriation from Measure PC to Project Account Number 222-51-511-2-0-82210-00000 in the amount of $275,000; and
3. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Construction Contract with H2M Construction, Inc.
Total Cost: $989,183 Account No: 220-68-677-4-0-82210-P0083 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes 222-51-511-2-0-82210-00000
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 7-0
12.9 Consideration and Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Terra Realty Advisors, Inc. for On-Call Real Estate and Advertising Sign Consulting Services.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement with Terra Realty Advisors, Inc.;
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
7 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the PSA, in a form approved by the City Attorney;
3. Waive the solicitation of multiple quotes pursuant to the City’s Purchasing Policy; and
4. Ratify payment of invoices for services performed between December 2025 and April 2026, subject to staff review.
Total Cost: $30,000 Account No: General Fund
Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
Resolution No. 10683
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Mayor Ancona 7-0
12.10 Consideration and Approval of a Firs t Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Vasquez & Company, LLP for Independent Auditing Services.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Vasquez & Company, LLP to exercise the first extension option and extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2027, for an amount not-to-exceed $147,518 for the Fiscal Year term;
2. Authorize the City Manager to make all conforming modifications and edits and execute all implementing documents pertaining to the First Amendment to the Agreement with Vasquez & Company, LLP; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to exercise judgement and execute the second extension option, as necessary, and extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2028, for an amount not-to-exceed $151,944 for the Fiscal Year term.
Total Cost: $299,462 Account No: 100-31-311-1-0-61170-00000 Is the cost of this item budgeted? Yes
m) Councilmember Herrera
s) Councilmember Galvan 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.
13.1 A Public Hearing to Accept the Closeout of the Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) Project, Grant Number 21-CDBG-HK- 00007 Funded by California Department of Housing and Community Development.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Open the public hearing;
2. Receive a staff presentation;
3. Allow a public comment period;
4. Close the public hearing; and
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
8 5. Accept the closeout of the Community Development Block Grant Program – Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) Grant Number 21-CDBG-HK-00007.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Cortez 7-0
Open P.H.
m) Mayor Ancona
s) Councilmember Crippen-Thomas 7-0
Close P.H.
m) Councilmember Cortez
s) Councilmember Dr. Ruedas 7-0
14. REGULAR AGENDA:
14.1 Consideration and Approval of the Creation of a Subcommittee on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments’ SGV Forward Project Proposal.
RECOMMENDATION OF BUSINESS ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive and file this report;
2. If desirable, appoint two (2) Councilmembers to serve on a subcommittee to discuss the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments’ SGV Forward Project Proposal; and
3. Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Total Cost: N/A Account No: N/A
Is the cost of this item budgeted? N/A
m) Councilmember Cortez
s) Councilmember Herrera 7-0
Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Longoria
and Councilmember Galvan to the
San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments’ SGV Forward Project
Subcommittee
15. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA: None
16. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
18. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:
18A. Mayor Ancona
Spoke about the City’s $5.9 million dollar deficit.
18B. Mayor Pro Tem Longoria
Invited the community to the City’s Night Market beginning April 23 rd from 5:00 pm
to 9:00 pm.
City Council Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026
9 18C. Councilwoman Cortez
Spoke about the misinformation spread via social media regarding the City’s deficit.
18D. Councilwoman Crippen-Thomas
National Day of Prayer on May 7
th from 7:00 am to 8:30 am at the Community
Center.
Thanked the City Manager for the extra funding for Meals on Wheels and now serving Veteran’s Village on Stewart. Bingo still going on.
18E. Councilwoman Galvan
Spoke about the re-opening of Curry Time located on Valley. 18F. Councilman Herrera
Thanked everyone on the dais for supporting the Compassion Fund.
18G. Councilwoman Dr. Ruedas
Recognized those businesses that have been here in the community for more than a decade. The Good Donut In 15 years and Basic Products 28 years. Thanked Parks & Recreation for the Spring Break Boxes.
19. ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn in Memory of U.S. Army Veteran Mr. Ernesto B.
Garcia, Who Served in Korea.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on April 22, 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