MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, April 4, 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 6:07 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 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, and Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
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; Steve Foster Director of Community Development; Sergio Infanzon Director of Communications; Araceli Almazan City Attorney, Cynthia Norzagaray Director of Parks & Recreation -Absent.
INVOCATION
Mayor Martinez led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Macias led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING DONATE LIFE MONTH
2. PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING FAIR HOUSING MONTH
3. PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING RED CROSS MONTH
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following members of the public provided public comment:
1. Maria Corona
STAFF RESPONSE
City Manager Ricardo Reyes indicated that the city is currently transitioning from CR&R to the new trash hauler Valley Vista. He added that Valley Vista has stated that they will be duplicating the model CR&R established and provide an in-person payment option for residents.
Community Development Director Steve Forster confirmed that Valley Vista is working on setting up a cash payment site for residents.
Councilmember Ortiz requested the location of the cash payment location be added to the refuse bill for the convenience of the residents.
Director Forster noted Councilmembers Ortiz request and added that a kiosk payment location at City Hall is also being considered in addition to the cash payment location.
Councilmember Flores requested staff be mindful of this transition period related to fines and request for assistance from residents with the new trash hauler.
Director Forster noted Councilmember Flores comments and shared that a follow up meeting is schedule next week with the new hauler and those considerations will be discussed.
CLOSSED SESSION
City Attorney Araceli Almazan stated that a subsequent need item needs to be added to the closed session agenda. She stated that the item requires the Council’s immediate attention and was brought forward after the posting of the agenda. Attorney Almazan stated that the item will need to be added by vote of the council.
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved add an additional item to the closed session agenda, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
appropriate to recess to closed session. Mayor Martinez recessed into closed session at 6:42 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)
Nicanor Pacheco Workers’ Compensation Settlement
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) – One matter
4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOCIATOR –
Government Code 54957.6 - City Negotiator - Ricardo Reyes, City Manager Employee Group – Various unrepresented employees
Mayor Martinez reconvened the Council meeting from Closed Session at 7:44 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with four (4) Councilmembers present, Councilmembers Ortiz, Macias, Flores and Mayor Martinez the four items on the closed session agenda were discussed. With regard to items one (1) and four (4) Council was briefed but no final action was taken. In regard to items two (2) and three (3) direction was provided but no reportable action was taken. This concluded the closed session report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY CLERK
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
STEPPED AWAY: Councilmember Macias
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1.Regular City Council Meeting held March 21, 2023
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated April 4, 2023;
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
Prior to item three (3) beginning Councilmember Ortiz requested item eleven (11) be moved forward on the agenda and voted on as the first item on the regular agenda.
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to reorganize the agenda and move item eleven (11) on the agenda to item three (3), seconded by Councilmember Flores.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
Prior to the vote on the Education Compact item Councilmember Macias returned to the dais.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
11. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF EDUCATION COMPACT BETWEEN
THE LOS ANGELED UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF
HUNTINGTON PARK
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to Approve the Education Compact between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the City of Huntington Park; and authorize the City Manager to enter into an Education Compact with the Los Angeles Unified School District, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
FINANCE
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO APPROPRIATE AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS TO THE ONE-MONTH SENIOR UTILITY SUBSIDY
PROGRAM
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to authorize a one-time allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a one-month senior utility subsidy program to service 1,440 Huntington Park seniors; and approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $288,000 from account number 111-9050-451.56-10 American Rescue Plan One-Month Senior Utility Subsidy Program; and authorize the Finance Director to distribute the funds accordingly, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
PUBLIC WORKS
4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT OF AND ADOPTING A REVISED
COMPENSATION PLAN AND PERSONNEL RULES FOR NON-REPRESENTED
EMPLOYEES
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to approve Resolution, authorizing the City Manager to finalize amendments to the prior Compensation Plan for NonRepresented Employees and adopt the revised Compensation Plan for NonRepresented Employees effective January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2033, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
POLICE DEPARTMENT
5. CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT REIMBURSIBLE GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,000.00 AND APPROVE THE STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR GRANT YEAR 2021 BETWEEN
THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to accept reimbursable grant funding and increase estimated revenues in the amount of $80,000.00; and approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $80,000.00 for the purchase and installation of security cameras for the police facility; and authorize the City Manager to be designated as the Grantee Official for the purpose of executing grant objectives, grant agreement, and documentation; and authorize the Chief of Police to administer and complete the security camera project, seconded by Councilmember Macias.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
PUBLIC WORKS
6. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS FOR THE LEAD
AND COPPER RULE SERVICE LINE INVENTORY
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to authorize staff to publish and solicit a Request for Proposal from qualified firms to inventory the City’s water lines (public and private) for lead and copper as mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
7. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO SUBMIT AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND
CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT FUNDING APPLICATION VOUCHER TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO OBTAIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO PERFORM
AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDIT
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to authorize staff to submit an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding application to the State of California Department of Energy; 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, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
8. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF AWARD OF A PROPOSAL TO RESURFACE THE OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS AS PART OF CIP 2022- 05 SALT LAKE PARK OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to award a contract to Ferandell Tennis Courts, Inc. (Attachment 1) for a not-to-exceed amount of $59,550; and authorize the appropriation of the entire State of California Department of Parks and Recreation grant amount of $74,346.95 as City staff seeks reimbursement of State funds as work progresses; and authorize staff to utilize the remaining balance of $14,796.95 to purchase three water efficient drinking fountains and benches adjacent to the courts; and authorize the City Manager to execute the proposal contract, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
9. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS FOR THE
DESIGN FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF AT CITY HALL AND POLICE
DEPARTMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to Authorize staff to publish and solicit a Request for Proposal (RFP) from qualified architectural/engineering/roofing firms for the preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimate of CIP 2022-13 Design Roof Repairs at City Hall and Police Department, seconded by Councilmember Macias.
Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10. AUTHORIZATION FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) PROCESS FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES RELATED TO
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER.
MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to authorize a Request for Proposal Process (RFP) for Architectural Services for the rehabilitation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
City Manager Ricardo Reyes thanked Council for their continued support.
Police Chief Cosme Lozano shared information related to the autism awareness patch that will be worn by officers during this month. He added that the Police Department is also selling the patch as a fundraiser with all proceeds going to organizations that advance autism awareness and provide supportive services and treatment. He then shared that the meet your police event was a success and looks forward to future events.
Director of Community Development Steve Forster congratulated everyone who participated in the 5k event. He also commented on the easter event which was well attended by the community. He then followed up with Mayor Martinez on a previous request related to renaming the Historic Preservation commission and adding an art component to the title. He shared that the city does have bylaws for an Arts and Cultural Commission.
Communications Director Sergio Infanzon encouraged all residents to visit the city website and social media pages for upcoming events and programing. He then shared information regarding the emergency rental assistance program and encouraged residents in need to apply. He closed by reminding everyone of the upcoming Art Walk on April 23, 2023 and encouraged everyone to attend.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Ortiz thanked staff for all their hard work. She then reminded everyone about the upcoming Earth Day event and bulky pick-up opportunity, and shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming Art Walk which is getting better each year.
Councilmember Macias thanked staff, and all the departments working diligently to provide services and wonderful events for the community. She added that the 5k event did sell out this year which was great to see. She closed by hoping everyone enjoys a happy easter with their family.
Councilmember Flores thanked all the staff for their amazing work. He echoed his colleague’s comments regarding recent community events and great turnout. He then shared that Memorial Day is the next Veterans event and the keynote speaker will be Jose Martinez. He added that Jose is a member of Team USA adaptive surf team, an Army Veteran, and a motivational speaker. During his tour in Afghanistan Mr. Martinez lost multiple limbs after stepping on an improvised explosive device. He then emphasized how Mr. Martinez is the embodiment of the resilience of the human spirit.
Mayor Martinez began by thanking Councilmember Flores for uplifting the city’s programing for Veterans. He then thanked staff for always keeping everyone safe and shared his enthusiasm for a successful 5k event. He also reminded everyone about the Earth Day event and bulky item pickup. Mayor Martinez closed encouraging everyone to visit the city website for upcoming events.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting in memory of his father Benjamin Jose Garcia Martinez at 8:00 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk