MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
The City Council hybrid virtual/in-person meetings are held pursuant to AB361 because state and local officials are recommending measures to promote social distancing conducted this meeting in accordance with
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Park, California was called to order at 6:03 p.m. on Tuesday, October 04, 2022, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California; Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Graciela Ortiz, Karina Macias, Arturo Flores, Vice-Mayor Marilyn Sanabria, and Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez.
CITY OFFICIALS/STAFF: City Manager Ricardo Reyes - Absent; Cesar Roldan, Director of Public Works; Raul Alvarez Assistant City Manager; Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk; Cosme Lozano Chief of Police, Director of Finance & Administrative Services - absent; Steve Foster, Director of Community Development; Sergio Infanzon, Director of Communications; Araceli Almazan City Attorney, Cynthia Norzagaray Director of Parks & Recreation - absent.
INVOCATION
Invocation was led by Mayor Martinez.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Flores.
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PRESENTATION BY EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE
2. PRESENTATION BY INNER CITY VISIONS ON HOMELESS OUTREACH
3. PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following people provided public comment:
1. Jennifer Lopez
2. Joann Hernandez
3. Laurentina Peralta
STAFF RESPONSE
Assistant City Manager Raul Alvarez stated that the city has been working diligently to come up with solutions to the described issues mentioned during public comment. He added that staff will be reaching out to Ms. Lopez and will be researching the municipal code related to Ms. Lopez situation. He then indicated that Huntington Park Police Chief Lozano may be able to provide some additional information.
Police Chief Lozano provided documentation to Council related to enforcement in the areas described during public comment. He also shared the number of citations issued in the area.
Councilmember Flores asked Police Chief Lozano about the parking restrictions and enforcement related to residential driveways.
Police Chief Lozano confirmed that if a vehicle is blocking a residents driveway the car can be towed away.
Assistant City Manager Alvarez added that the Public Works department utilizes red tipping areas near residential driveways to clearly delineate areas that cars should not be crossing when parked. He closed by stating he would also be looking into the area described by Ms. Peralta during her public comment.
Mayor Martinez requested that he be invited to the meeting with Ms. Lopez and staff in order to address her concerns.
CLOSSED SESSION
City Attorney Araceli Almazan stated that it is appropriate to recess to closed session. Mayor Martinez recessed into closed session at 7:25 p.m.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Construction Industry Force Account Council v. City of Huntington Park Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 20STCPO3947
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Catalina Peraza Workers Comp Settlement
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Consideration of initiation in one potential case
Mayor Martinez reconvened the Council meeting from Closed Session at 8:03 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with Councilmembers Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez two (2) of the three (3) matters listed on the closed session agenda were discussed. Item number two (2) was tabled for a future meeting. Regarding item one (1) Council was briefed, and no final action was taken. Regarding item three (3) Council was briefed and direction given but no final action was taken. This concluded the closed session report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1-1 Regular City Council Meeting held September 20, 2022
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated October 04, 2022
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
PUBLIC WORKS
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF ASSIGNMENT OF JANITORIAL
SERVICES CONTRACT
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve the assignment of J316 Builder’s Janitorial Services professional services contract (PSA) to Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD); and authorize the City Manager to execute the assignment of contract, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ARBORICULTURIST SERVICES TO
UPDATE THE URBAN TREE INVENTORY
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to award a professional services agreement (PSA) to ArborPro Urban Forest Management for a not-to-exceed fee of $34,540 payable from Account No. 111-8091-434.56-41 (grant reimbursable) to provide arboriculturist services to update the urban tree inventory; and authorize the remaining not-to-exceed project budget of $7,960 (grant reimbursable) as program contingency for incidentals and additional work; and authorize the City Manager to execute the PSA and approve all change orders, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Flores, Macias, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
POLICE DEPARTMENT
5. APPROVE DONATION OF A POLICE SERVICE DOG FOR NARCOTICS
DETECTION AND SUSPECT APPREHENSION
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to authorize the City Manager to receive a Police Service Dog for narcotics detection and suspect apprehension from Adlerhorst International, LLC.; and authorize the Chief of Police to take physical possession of the Police Service Dog and assign the canine to the police department’s Patrol Division K9 program for police service in the community, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
6. CONSIDERATION OF RETIREMENT AND OWNERSHIP TRANFER OF POLICE SERVICE DOG “KAZ”
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve the retirement of Police Service Dog KAZ; and approve the transfer of ownership of KAZ to its handler, Sergeant Miguel Fuentes, for the amount of one dollar ($1.00); and authorize the City Manager to execute the Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement to effectuate the transfer of ownership of KAZ, seconded by Councilmember Macias.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
7. CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT REIMBURSIBLE GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $174,185 AND APPROVE THE STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR GRANT YEAR 2020 BETWEEN
THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to accept reimbursable grant funding and increase estimated revenues in the amount of $174,185 to account number 230- 0000-335.30-70 (State Homeland Security Program (SHSP); and approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $160,000 to account number 230-7134-421.74-10 for the purchase of automated license plate reader technology and $14,185 to account number 230-7134-421.13-00 for police officers overtime pay associated with police active shooter training; and authorize the City Manager to be designated as the Grantee Official for the purpose of executing grant objectives, the grant agreement, and documentation; and authorize the Chief of Police to acquire the license plate reader technology and accomplish the active shooter training for Huntington Park Police Officers, seconded by Vice Mayor Sanabria. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8. RETENTION OF CONSULTANT FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
FOR MEASURE PP
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to authorize the retention of consultant to conduct an educational and informational program to the City’s residents regarding Measure PP; and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with consultant consistent with their proposal attached herewith, seconded by Vice Mayor Sanabria. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
CITY MANAGER
9. AUTHORIZATION OF DELEGATION OF MEDICAL/DISABILITY
DETERMINATION FOR CALPERS TO CITY MANAGER
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to adopt the attached Resolution entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE DELEGATION OF MEDICAL/DISABILITY DETERMINATION FOR CALPERS”; and authorize the City Manager to make a medical/disability determination in the Government Code section 21156 as to whether a local public safety officer or law enforcement officer employed by the City qualifies for CalPERS industrial disability retirement; or alternatively, City Council would be required to make a medical/disability determination in the Government Code section 21156 as to whether a local public safety officer or law enforcement officer employed by the City qualifies for CalPERS industrial disability retirement on its own, seconded by Vice Mayor Sanabria. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Assistant City Manager Alvarez wished Councilmember Macias a Happy Birthday.
Community Development Director Steve Forster reported that the Housing Element has been submitted to HCD as required. He added that the Environmental Justice Element has been published and the community will be able to provide feedback for the next seven days.
Police Chief Lozano provide a reminder to Council, staff, and residents that tomorrow October 5, 2022 is National Coffee with a Cop day and encouraged everyone to come to the event being held at Starbucks on Slauson and State from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Director of Communications Sergio Infanzon shared the August/September community newsletter and mentioned that it will be published monthly moving forward.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Ortiz began by wishing Councilmember Macias a Happy Birthday and also wished a Happy Birthday to the late Manuel “Manny” Avila.
Councilmember Macias thanked staff for all their hard work and for the birthday day wishes. She also wished a Happy Birthday to the late Manuel “Manny” Avila.
Councilmember Flores also wished Councilmember Macias a Happy Birthday. He also acknowledged Police Chief Lozano for allowing him to join officer De La O and thanked the entire Police Department for their hard work. He also welcomed the new code enforcement Manager Paul Bollier. He closed by sharing that he met with many of the department directors and thanked them for a productive discussion regarding each department.
Vice Mayor Sanabria echoed her colleague’s comments and wished a Happy Birthday to both Councilmember Macias and the late Manuel “Manny” Avila. She closed by reminding everyone of the Halloween event on October 31, 2022 at Keller Park from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and thanking Sergio Infanzon for the great newsletter.
Mayor Martinez echoed thanked staff for keeping everyone safe. He then thanked all participants of this last weekend’s community clean up event. He also wished both Councilmember Macias and the late Manuel “Manny” Avila a Happy Birthday
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting in memory of Luz Ramona Agredano Lozano who was a valued Huntington Park resident at 8:24 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday October 18, 2022 at 6:00 pm Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk