MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, May 2, 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 6:04 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 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; Steve Foster Director of Community Development; Sergio Infanzon Director of Communications; Araceli Almazan City Attorney, Cynthia Norzagaray Director of Parks & Recreation.
INVOCATION
Mayor Martinez led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK 2023
2. RECOGNITION OF SECOND ANNUAL ART WALK PARTICIPANTS AND
VOLUNTEERS
3. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MI PUEBLO
4. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO MILES ELEMENTARY – PARENTS
CENTER BOOK CLUB
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following members of the public provided public comment:
1. Ana Maria Baldwin
2. Baldomero Capiz
STAFF RESPONSE
Community Development Director Steve Forster responded to the public comment regarding the rental assistance program. He explained that the city strives to make the application process as simple and possible for residents, but the city must also comply with the requirements stipulated by the grantors for the funding. He added that the program was established to assist those who had fallen behind on rent and help them avoid eviction.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she understands that because the funding comes from the federal government we must comply with their guidelines. She then requested staff investigate or if they are aware of any current preventative programs that would assist residents with meeting their needs.
Director Forster responded that he is not aware of any current preventative programs but would have his staff continue to scout out opportunities for the residents of Huntington Park. He added that the city is in the process of rolling out a utility assistance program.
Councilmember Macias asked director Forster for everyone’s clarification that all federally funded money currently available to the city is for those who have fallen behind on rent?
Director Forster responded in the affirmative and elaborated that the funding covers those who have fallen behind up to three months of rent.
CLOSSED SESSION
City Attorney Araceli Almazan stated that it is appropriate to recess to closed session. Mayor Martinez recessed into closed session at 7:07 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)
Jose Luis Maldonado Aguilar v. City of Huntington Park et al.
USDC Case No. 2:21 cv-5755-AB-KS
Mayor Martinez reconvened the Council meeting from Closed Session at 7:36 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with five (5) Councilmembers present, the two items on the closed session agenda were discussed.
Regarding items one (1) and two (2) the Council was briefed 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 Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Councilmember Flores, and Vice Mayor Sanabria
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1.Regular City Council Meeting held April 18, 2023
FINANCE
2. WARRANT REGISTER
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated May 2, 2023;
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
3. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK’S FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
Mayor Martinez opened the Public Hearing at 7:38pm. No public comment was provided. Mayor Martinez then closed the Public Hearing at 7:39pm RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan; and authorize City Manager to allocate FY 2023-2024 CDBG and HOME entitlement allocations to projects and programs; and authorize City Manager to execute all required documents for transmittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD); and amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget in accordance with the approved Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan; and to include the following additional City Council actions to amend staff recommendation: delete funding for the Public Works projects in the amount of $229,016.00 and the commercial rehabilitation program in the amount of $500,000.00; and appropriate $229,016.00 to improvements to the Hub Cities Career Center facility; and appropriate $500,000.00 to the citywide Wi-Fi project.
Motion was seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Council Member(s): Flores, and Vice Mayor Sanabria
END OF PUBLIC HEARING(S)
REGULAR AGENDA
CITY MANAGER
4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR CAMPAIGN REP INC. TO PROVIDE WEB
PORTAL AND DIGITAL OUTREACH SERVICES
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to approve the Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Campaign Rep Inc. to provide Web Portal and Digital Outreach Services; and amend the Professional Service Agreement for Campaign Rep Inc. to include a five (5) year term for a not-to-exceed amount of $80,000 annually; and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Campaign Rep Inc, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
PUBLIC WORKS
5. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 FUNDED BY SENATE BILL 1 THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to adopt Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2023-24 project list for Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017; and authorize staff to upload the resolution with the list of streets to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) website, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
6. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO AWARD A FORGIVABLE LOAN
RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF HUB CITIES CAREER CENTER FOR
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SERVICES
Prior to item six (6) Councilmember Flores stepped away from the dais.
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to allocate $300,000 as a forgivable loan utilizing CDBG funding to HUB Cities to assist in construction of a Career Center; and authorize the City Manager to prepare and execute loan and related documents up to $300,000, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Councilmember Flores, and Vice Mayor Sanabria At the conclusion of item six (6) Councilmember Flores rejoined the City Council Meeting.
7. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM LOAN
AMOUNT TO THE CALHOME FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAM
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to authorize the increase to the maximum loan amount to 40% from 20% to reflect the CalHome Department of Housing and Community Development guidelines; and authorize staff to update the First Time Home Buyers guidelines and process check requests according to the new maximum loan amount, seconded by Councilmember Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
8. CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR GENERAL PLAN AND
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE SERVICES
MOTION: Councilmember Macias moved to approve an Amendment to Extend the Agreement between the City of Huntington Park and Consolidated Disposal Services, Inc. for General Plan and Housing Element Update services to April 23, 2026; and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Rincon Consultants, Inc. for continued uninterrupted completion of the General Plan, which includes the Safety Element, Environmental Justice Element, and Housing Element Update services, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Macias, Flores, and Mayor Martinez NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Vice Mayor Sanabria
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Chief of Police Cosme Lozano mentioned the tribute held in memory of fallen officer Robert Keller and thanked staff for all their hard work in putting the program together. He also thanked Mayor Martinez for speaking at the event.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Ortiz thanked staff for the Art Walk and all other programing the city has offered to the community, including the health clinic. She also thanked her Council colleagues for their assistance to HUB Cities. She then announced that Saturday May 6, 2023 Marquez High School will be having a student led resource fair from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
Councilmember Macias thanked staff for all the recent events provided to the community, especially to the Parks and Recreation staff that assisted with the free medical camp.
She shared that over 400 people received various medical services. She closed by wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day including single fathers.
Councilmember Flores reiterated his colleague’s comments and thanked staff for the great work with all events especially at the medical fair, which had a great turn out of people.
Mayor Martinez began by thanking staff for always keeping everyone safe and pointed out to Police Chief Lozano how beautiful the memorial event was. He emphasized how touching it was to have the daughter of fallen officer Keller in attendance and the impact it had on her.
Police Chief Lozano added a thank you to the Communications Department for their help in coordinating the event.
He closed by wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day and a happy birthday to City Manager Ricardo Reyes.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday May 16, 2023 at 6:00 pm Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk