MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, March 07, 2023
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 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 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.
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 Mayor Martinez.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Martinez.
PRESENTATION(S)
1. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO THE WRESTLING GUY STORE
CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF BUSINESS IN HUNTINGTON PARK
2. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO SURF BUS FOUNDATION
3. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO PACIFIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TEACHERS
4. PROCLAMATION FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following members of the public provided public comment:
1. Dorothy Lowe
2. Yatoyo Toy
3. Alejandro Villapando
4. Christian Contreras
5. Ebonique (No last name given)
6. Kevin Cervantes
7. Yvonne Correa
8. Maricela Talamantes
9. Francisco Rivera
STAFF RESPONSE
City Attorney Araceli Almazan addressed the public comments related to Anthony Lowe.
She stated that due to this being an active investigation the City and City Council are not in any position to comment on the facts regarding the ongoing investigation. She then clarified that the city upon receipt of a claim has a number of days to reject that claim and if it is not rejected within a very specific number of days it is deemed rejected by operation of law at which point council can file a lawsuit as it relates to the matter discussed during public comment.
Police Chief Lozano provided a response related the 58th Street alley. He shared that the police department continues to police that alley a minimum of three times per 24 hour period. When officers contact the individual’s in the alley they are not involved in any criminal activity but police do clear the area because loitering is not permitted. Once officers leave the area the individuals return. He added that in addition to the patrols, police are also dispatched to the area when calls are received from residents. Then addressed the property line that has been marked off to identify private property. He stated that property owners should call police and report any intrusions onto private property. He then addressed the comment related how many patrol personnel. He stated that the Police Department does deploy an adequate amount of police personnel into the community. This includes patrol officers, parking enforcement, and public safety officers.
He added that the Police Department also has an agreement with the Police Officers Union that mandate a certain number of officers be deployed per shift with varying ranks and specialized teams that work with and augment police presence in the community. He closed by sharing that the Police Department operates on a standing mutual aid agreement with neighboring departments and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department that can deploy at a moments notice.
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. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Mayor Martinez reconvened the Council meeting from Closed Session at 8:15 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with all five Councilmembers present, the three items on the closed session agenda were discussed. With regard to item number one (1) Council was briefed but no reportable action was taken. With regard to first matter listed under item number two (2) on the closed session agenda, Council was briefed, and direction was provided. With regard to second matter listed under item number two (2) on the closed session agenda, Council was briefed but no final action was taken. This concluded the closed session report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
Prior to addressing the consent calendar Councilmember Flores stepped away from the dais.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to approve the consent calendar with the, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Vice Mayor Sanabria and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Council Member Flores
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1. Regular Successor Agency held February 21, 2023
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated March 7, 2023;
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
Prior to item three (3) on the agenda beginning Councilmember Arturo Flores returned to the dais.
PUBLIC WORKS
3. REJECT BID RECEIVED FOR CIP 2018-11 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM CYCLE IV PROJECT NO. ATPL-5150(014) IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE SECTION 22038(A)(1)
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to reject the bid received for CIP 2018-11 Active Transportation Program Cycle IV Project No. ATPL-5150(014) in accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22038(a)(1); and authorize staff to modify the project scope of work in conformance with all applicable engineering standards; and authorize staff to re-advertise the Notice Inviting Bid in accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22038(a)(1, 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
4. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF WORK PERFORMED FOR CIP 2017-03 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM CYCLE III PROJECT NO. ATPL-5150(015) MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to approve acceptance of work performed by Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. for the construction of CIP 2017-03 Active Transportation Program Cycle III Project No. ATPL-5150(015); 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; and release the 5% retention in the amount of $46,872.70 to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. 35 days of the effective date of the recordation of the NOC, if no Stop Notices are filed within the 35-day period, 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 ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE
AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S CLEAN CALIFORNIA LOCAL GRANT MOTION: Vice Mayor Sanabria moved to authorize staff to publish and solicit a Request for Proposal (RFP) (Attachment 1) from qualified engineering firms for the preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimate for CIP 2022-11 Huntington Park Litter Abatement and Beautification Project; and approve Resolution (Attachment 2) accepting the California Department of Transportation’s Clean California Local Grant; and authorize the City Manager to sign all applicable documents, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
FINANCE
6. APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZED SIGNERS AT LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND (LAIF) AND RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INVESTMENTS AT LAIF.
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to authorize new signers for the City’s Local Agency Formation Fund (LAIF); and approve Resolution authorizing investment of idle cash balances at LAIF, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, Vice Mayor Sanabria and Mayor Martinez
NOES: None
HUMAN RESOURCES
7. RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN EXTENSION AND REVISED
COMPENSATION PLAN AND PERSONNEL RULES FOR NONREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES Item seven (7) was pulled from the agenda by request of the City Manager.
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Police Chief Cosme Lozano announced that the next meet your police meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 30, 2023 at 6:00pm at the Salt Lake Park Community Center. He encouraged everyone to attend the event. He also shared that applications are being accepted for the police explorer program for children.
Director of Community Development Steve Forster advise that the minor home repair program is live on the city’s website. He added that this is an opportunity for community members to apply for grant funding for up to $25,000 for minor home repairs. He also mentioned that first-time home buyer workshops continue to be held and encouraged everyone to attend.
Communications Director Sergio Infanzon shared information on upcoming events and available resources provided in the Huntington Park newsletter.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Ortiz requested staff address the potholes that were caused by the excessive rain. She also requested a status update regarding the statues at Veteran Park and the Huntington Park signage that was damaged by a commuter. She then requested staff conduct an audit of all the slides and swings at the local parks. She concluded her comments by thanking staff for their efforts.
Councilmember Macias thanked staff, employees, and her colleagues for all their hard work and wished everyone a good night.
Councilmember Flores thanked all the staff who participated in the Veterans brunch event. He added that he received good feedback and has received multiple requests from surrounding city’s that would like to participate next year.
Vice Mayor Sanabria reminded everyone in the community about Earth Day on April 15, 2023. She added that historically bulky item pick ups have been offered and will continue this year. She asked everyone who plans to participate please plan ahead and make sure items are put out by Friday April 14, 2023 at 6:00pm to ensure prompt pick up. She closed by thanking everyone for all their hard work.
Mayor Martinez thanked staff for always keeping everyone safe and providing a health environment. He then requested staff investigate the signage at Florence near Salt Lake Park because the lights around the sign don’t seem to be functioning.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting in memory of Ramon Salvador Gonzalez at 8:31 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday March 21, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk