MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, November 1, 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 6:12 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 Sanabria, and Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez.
ABSENT: None
CITY OFFICIALS/STAFF: City Manager Ricardo Reyes; Cesar Roldan Director of Public Works; Raul Alvarez Assistant City Manager; Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk; Cosme Lozano Police Chief, John Balderas, Finance Manager; 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 Councilmember Flores.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Macias
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 31, 2022 THROUGH NOVEMBER 4, 2022 AS KEY CLUB WEEK
2. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR DR. HELEN BOUTROUS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following people provided public comment:
1. Rosa M. Rodriguez
2. Aldo Avila
STAFF RESPONSE
City Manager Ricardo Reyes addressed the concern regarding the public restrooms at Keller Park. He stated that the city is aware of the situation and shared how these restrooms are constantly being vandalized. He added that the Public Works team is working diligently to keep the restrooms operable and accessible. Public Works is collaborating with the administration team to come up with a strategy on how to address the issue while still keeping the restrooms open.
CLOSSED SESSION
City Attorney Araceli Almazan stated that it is appropriate to recess to closed session. Mayor Martinez recessed into closed session at 6:35 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
Mayor Martinez reconvened the Council meeting from Closed Session at 7:28 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with all five Councilmembers present the one (1) item listed on the closed session agenda was discussed. Regarding item one (1) Council was briefed and no final action was taken.
This concluded the closed session report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. 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 October 18, 2022
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated November 1, 2022
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
PUBLIC WORKS
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF NOVEMBER 15, 2022 TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 4 “MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION” IN CHAPTER 5 “WATER SYSTEM” AT TITLE 6 “SANITATION AND HEALTH” OF THE HUNTINGTON PARK
MUNICIPAL CODE
1. MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve setting the public hearing date of November 15, 2022 to adopt an ordinance amending the City’s Municipal Code, Article 4 “Mandatory Water Conservation” in Chapter 5 “Water System” at Title 6 “Sanitation and Health.”, 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. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF WORK PERFORMED FOR CIP 2021-02 CPS AND
ARS INSTALLATION PROJECT
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve acceptance of work performed by United Storm Water, Inc. for the fabrications and installation of CIP 2021-02 CPS and ARS Installation Project; and authorize staff to execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) and direct the City Clerk to file the NOC with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
5. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATE FOR CIP 2019- 14 ATP CYCLE V PROJECT NO. ATPSB1L-5150(017)
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to authorize staff to publish and solicit a Request for Proposal (RFP) from qualified engineering firms for the preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimate for CIP 2019-14 ATP Cycle V Project No.
ATPSB1L-5150(017), seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
6. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF PUBLICLY VISIBLE ART AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6833 PACIFIC BOULEVARD
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve the Publicly Visible Art for the existing AT&T business located at 6833 Pacific Boulevard, 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 AND APPROVAL SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF NOVEMBER 15, 2022 TO ADOPT HUNTINGTON PARK ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE ELEMENT
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve setting the public hearing date of November 15, 2022 to adopt the Huntington Park Environmental Justice Element and update the City’s General Plan, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
CITY CLERK
8. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to appoint Councilmember Arturo as the alternate to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and as the member delegate to the Los Angeles County Library District and keep all remaining committee assignments unchanged with the exception of Los Angeles County Vector District which will be brought back for Council consideration at a later date.
Councilmember Macias suggested a friendly amendment to Councilmember Ortiz motion. She added the appointment of Councilmember Flores as the alternate to the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and alternate to the Eco Rapid Transit Authority. The friendly amendment was agreed to by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Martinez. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC WORKS
9. PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REVISED
COUNTYWIDE SITING ELEMENT
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. No public comments were provided, and the public hearing was closed at 7:40 p.m. City Council then proceeded to deliberate on the item.
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to adopt Resolution No. 2022-37 declaring the adoption of the Los Angeles County revised countywide siting element, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
10. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK’S FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. No public comments were provided, and the public hearing was closed at 7:42 p.m. City Council then proceeded to deliberate on the item.
MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to authorize City Manager to execute all required documents for transmittal to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD); and amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget in accordance with the approved Fiscal Year allocation of funds; and adopt Resolution No. 2022-35 to adopt the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Grant Application Proposed Activities Plan, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria, and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Community Development Director Steve Forster congratulated the City Council and Huntington Park on its newest economic partner Target.
Public Works Director Cesar Roldan thanked the community for its patience while Santa Fe Avenue is repaved. He added that the next street that will be worked on is Miles Ave.
Director of Communications Sergio Infanzon shared upcoming community engagement opportunities starting with the Dia De Los Muertos event on November 2, 2022 at Salt Lake Park. He also shared information regarding an upcoming meeting with METRO and possible funding for cities surrounding the 710 Freeway. On November 19, 2022 Huntington Park will be having a health fair in collaboration with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. He encouraged everyone who would like more information to read the new Huntington Park newsletter for details or contact City Hall for assistance.
City Clerk Eduardo Sarmiento reminded and encouraged all community members to please vote in the upcoming November 8, 2022 election.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Ortiz began by reminding and encouraging the community to participate in the Dia De Los Muertos event and enjoy the numerous activities and food that will be available. She then shared her excitement for the community regarding the grand opening of Target. Councilmember Ortiz gave a special thanks on behalf of Huntington Park residents to Community Development Director Steve Forster for his commitment and leadership in getting the Target project completed.
Councilmember Macias thanked staff for all their hard work and echoed Councilmember Ortiz comments and thanked everyone involved in the Target project but especially Steve Forster for his diligent effort. She then thanked all staff and volunteers that made the Halloween a successful event. Councilmember Macias added the positive feedback received from community members. She closed by thanking all veterans for there service in anticipation of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.
Councilmember Flores began by thanking City Manager Rick Reyes who is a veteran of the armed forces. He then credited City Manager Reyes and Assistant City Manager Raul Alvarez on a successful Halloween staff luncheon that celebrated staff’s hard work.
He then complemented the finance department on their group costume that emphasized the departments collaborative nature. Councilmember Flores closed by thanking the Public Works Director Cesar Roldan for addressing residents lighting concerns.
Vice Mayor Sanabria began by thanking Director Forster and all staff and stakeholders for their efforts with the Target project. She emphasized the impact of these kinds of project because it translates to local jobs and local revenue for Huntington Park and is a huge step in the right direction. Vice Mayor then thanked staff and everyone involved in making Halloween a very successful event. She closed by thanking all active and inactive veterans of the armed forces for their service.
Mayor Martinez began by thanking staff for keeping everyone safe. He then echoed the remarks of his fellow Councilmember regarding the successful Halloween event, and the hard work of countless people that helped bring the concept of a local Target in Huntington Park to fruition. He emphasized how COVID-19 took a toll on everyone, leaving a dark cloud on the collective. But through successful community events and economic growth brought on by projects like Target we all see brighter days ahead.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting in memory of Daniel Narcisso Hall-Garcia at 7:53 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday November 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk