MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Park, California was called to order at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California; Mayor Marilyn Sanabria presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Graciela Ortiz, Eduardo "Eddie" Martinez, Arturo Flores, Vice Mayor Karina Macias and Mayor Marilyn Sanabria.
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 Sanabria led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Macias led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION(S)
Presentation five (5) was moved to a future meeting.
1. RECOGNITION OF HPHS CIF SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
RECOGNITION AND RETIREMENT OF POLICE K9 BAM
3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW K9 OFFICER OX
4. WATER WELLS PRESENTATION
5. INNER CITY VISIONS REPORT
PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Monica Sanchez
STAFF RESPONSE
City Manager Ricardo Reyes stated that he is aware of Ms. Sanchez upcoming proposal and he looks forward to working with her and East Side Riders Bike organization.
CLOSSED SESSION
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 - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) - One matter
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with five (5) Councilmembers present, the two (2) items on the closed session agenda were discussed. Regarding item one (1) the Council was briefed but no reportable action was taken. Regarding item two (2) Council was briefed and direction was provided.
This concluded the closed session report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY CLERK
1. SELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to approve the consent calendar with the change to the June 6, 2023 meeting minutes, seconded by Mayor Sanabria. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, and Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants) dated June 20, 2023;
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
3. CONSIDERATION OF RETIREMENT AND OWNERSHIP TRANFER OF POLICE SERVICE DOG "BAM"
MOTION: Vice Mayor Macias moved to approve the retirement of Police Service Dog BAM; and approve the transfer of ownership of BAM to its handler, Officer Nick Nichols, 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 BAM, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
4. APPROVE DONATION OF A POLICE SERVICE DOG FOR NARCOTICS
DETECTION AND SUSPECT APPREHENSION
MOTION: Councilmember Flores 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 Vice Mayor Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
PUBLIC WORKS
Prior to item five (5) Councilmember Ortiz and Vice Mayor Macias stepped away from the dais.
5. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF AWARD OF A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATE OF CIP 2022-11 HUNTINGTON PARK
LITTER ABATEMENT AND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to award the preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimate of CIP 2022-11 Huntington Park Litter Abatement and Beautification Project to Infrastructure Engineers for a not-to-exceed amount of $249,290; and appropriate $249,290 from Measure M funds; and authorize the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement, seconded by Councilmember Martinez. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Martinez, Flores, and Mayor Sanabria NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Council Member: Ortiz and Vice Mayor Macias At the conclusion of item five (5) Councilmember Ortiz and Vice Mayor Macias returned to the dais.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE AND SOLICIT BIDS FOR CIP 2022-10 CDBG ADA RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to approve Environmental Assessment pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations § 15301 as a Class 1 categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and approve CIP 2022-01 CDBG ADA Reconstruction Project contract specifications for bidding purposes; and authorize staff to proceed with bid advertisement for construction, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
7. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF PUBLICLY VISIBLE ART AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5812 S. SANTA FE AVENUE
MOTION: Vice Mayor Macias moved to approve the Publicly Visible Art for the Novacane Bar and Grill business located at 5812 S. Santa Fe Avenue, seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
Prior to item eight (8) Councilmember Ortiz and Vice Mayor Macias stepped away from the dais.
8. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to award a professional service agreement (PSA) as it relates to Architectural Services for the Emergency Operations Center, to Infrastructure Architects as a responsive and responsible proposer for a not-to- exceed amount of $90,840; and authorize the City Manager to execute the PSA, seconded by Councilmember Martinez. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
NOT PRESENT: Council Member: Ortiz and Vice Mayor Macias At the conclusion of item eight (8) Councilmember Ortiz and Vice Mayor Macias returned to the dais.
9. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO RENEW AGREEMENT FOR THE
SALVATION ARMY CRISIS SHELTER BEDS PROJECT
MOTION: Councilmember Flores moved to authorize a renewal agreement with the Salvation Army for Crisis Shelter Beds for the term July 1, 2023, through June 30,2024 for a not-to-exceed amount of $31,379; and approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $31,379 using Account Number 111-9050-462.56-41 General Fund - American Rescue Funds Contractual Services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the extension agreement, seconded by Vice Mayor Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
FINANCE
10. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT REFUSE CHARGES PURSUANT TO SECTION 6-2.112 OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK'S MUNICIPAL CODE (172.54
REFUSE COLLECTION FEES)
Mayor Sanabria opened the public hearing at 7:59pm. No members of the public provided comments and Mayor Sanabria closed the public hearing that 8:00pm.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Macias moved to adopt a Resolution, directing the County Assessor to include delinquent refuse collection fees as a special assessment to be collected at the same time and in the same manner as County taxes ($172.54 Refuse Collection Fees), seconded by Councilmember Flores. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
11. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DETERMINATION TO DENY PLANNING COMMISSION CASE NO. 2023-01 CUP (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT), A REQUEST TO ALLOW FOR THE OFF-SALE
OF BEER AND WINE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN EXISTING BUSINESS LOCATED AT 2550 SATURN AVENUE, LOCATED WITHIN DISTRICT C -
NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE DOWNTOWN HUNTINGTON PARK SPECIFIC PLAN (DTSP)
Mayor Sanabria opened the public hearing at 8:01pm. Jaime Ugalde Jr. provided public comment related to item eleven (11). No additional members of the public provide public comment and Mayor Sanabria closed the public hearing that 8:07pm.
MOTION: Councilmember Ortiz moved to adopt resolution upholding the Planning Commission's determination to deny Planning Commission Case No. 2023-01 CUP allow for the off-sale of beer and wine in conjunction with an existing business located at 2550 Saturn Avenue, located within District C - neighborhood of the Downtown Huntington Park Specific Plan (DTSP), seconded by Vice Mayor Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Ortiz, Martinez, Flores, Vice Mayor Macias and Mayor Sanabria
NOES: None
END OF PUBLIC HEARING(S)
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
City Manager Ricardo Reyes asked for clarification on the Mayor Sanabria's vote for item seven (7) on the regular agenda.
City Clerk Sarmiento shared Mayor Sanabria's vote was captured as a yes for item seven (7) and asked Mayor Sanabria to confirm her vote.
Mayor Sanabria replied in the affirmative on her vote for item seven (7).
Police Chief Lozano reminded the community about the upcoming Forth of July celebrations and the fines that will be imposed for anyone in possession of or using illegal fireworks. He then encouraged the community to report any illegal fireworks by calling the anonymous firework hotline at 323-584-6188.
Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Norzagaray reminded the community about the various upcoming programs and the schedule for the splash pads.
Public Works Director Cesar Roldan thanked Ricardo Barba-Ochoa for providing the water well presentation. He also mentioned that a long time employee of the Public Works Department Ramona Cano will be retiring after 30 years of dedicated service and expressed his and the department's gratitude for her service.
Community Development Director Steve Forster thanked the City Council for all they do.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Ortiz thanked everyone for their hard work. She then mentioned her participation in the City Selection Committee with the County of Los Angeles in selecting a new Housing Committee representative Jorgel Chavez of Bell Gardens. She emphasized the importance of having the South East region representation on these boards and committees to give voice to underserved communities.
Councilmember Martinez thanked staff for making sure everyone in attendance at tonight's meeting is happy, safe, and well.
Councilmember Flores thanked staff for their hard work and wished everyone a good night.
Vice Mayor Macias thanked staff for their hard work. She gave special thanks to Public Norks Director for his efforts in securing grant funding to continue making improvement:
o the city. She also thanked Police Chief Lozano for a successful meet your police event. She closed by encouraging the community to attend these events. She closed by thanking the Finance Department for their hard work in preparing the budget.
Mayor Sanabria thanked all the presenters for their efforts. She then requested staff to investigate possible grants for the city's water master plan.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday July 18, 2023 at 6:00 pm Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk