MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Park, California was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California; Mayor Karina Macias presiding.
PRESENT: Council Member(s): Esmeralda Castillo, Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez, Vice Mayor Arturo Flores and Mayor Karina Macias
ABSENT: Council Member(s) Jonathan Sanabria
CITY OFFICIALS/STAFF: City Manager Ricardo Reyes; Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk; Cosme Lozano Police Chief; Steve Forster Director of Community Development and Interim Public Works Director; Sergio Infanzon Director of Communications; Cynthia Norzagaray Director of Parks and Recreation; Araceli Almazan City Attorney.
INVOCATION
Mayor Macias led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Macias called for a brief recess at 6:15pm. Mayor Macias reconvened the meeting at 6:19pm
Council member Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez did not return to the dais after the short recess.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following people provided public comment:
1. Rigoberto Ruiz
2. Fernando Islas
3. Flora Coronci
4. Susana Martinez
5. Manuel Balderas
6. Ramsey Judah
7. Karina Gonzalez
8. Maha Afra
9. Irina Sandoval
10. Michael Diaz
11. Bella De Soto
12. Margaret Villa
13. Jose Barillas
STAFF RESPONSE
City Manager Ricardo Reyes stated that the city was notified of a number of public safety concerns and staff taking action by restricting parking in that area in order address the concerns.
Community Development and Interim Public Works director Steve Forster stated that he will be addressing the issues by adding additional patrols by the public works department and engaging the property owners to address the issue. He added that the city will also utilize the services of Inner-City Visions to address the people living in their vehicles along those streets that contribute to the issue. Lastly, he stated that the police department will increase parking enforcement in the area to allow for increased street sweeping efforts from once a week to three times a week.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Consideration of one (1) potential case
Attorney Araceli Almazan stated that it is appropriate to recess to closed Mayor Macias recessed into closed session at 6:50 p.m.
Mayor Macias reconvened the Council meeting from Closed Session at 7:17 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Araceli Almazan reported that the record should reflect that with four (3) members of the City Council present Council Member(s) Castillo, Vice Mayor Flores and Mayor Macias. Item one (1) the City Council was briefed direction was provided but no final action was taken. This concluded the closed session report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY CLERK
MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Council member Castillo. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Castillo, Vice Mayor Flores and Mayor Macias
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): Sanabria and Martinez
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1. Regular City Council Meeting held May 7, 2024
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTER
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated June 18, 2024
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FOR RESIDENT CASE FILE WITH THE
HOME REPAIR PROGRAM FUNDED WITH THE HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (HOME) FOR THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $ 49,603.00.
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve funding.
4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FOR RESIDENT CASE FILE WITH THE
HOME REPAIR PROGRAM FUNDED WITH THE HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (HOME) FOR THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $60,375.00.
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve funding.
5. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK’S
HOME PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Receive and Adopt the Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME Program) Policies and Procedures for the administration of the program.
CITY CLERK
6. WAIVE FURTHER READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION RECITING THE FACTS OF THE CONSOLIDATED MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON MARCH 5, 2024
FOR ONE UNEXPIRED TERM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SEAT
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Adopt a Resolution reciting the facts of the consolidated municipal election held on March 5, 2024, for one unexpired City Council term. Declaring the Results thereof as Provided by Law.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
7. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF FIREWORKS SALES PERMIT
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN
THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK
MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores moved to approve the Fireworks Sales Permit Application submitted by Praise Chapel in the City of Huntington Park; and authorize the Community Development Department to process the application and conduct the final inspections of the stands, seconded by Mayor Macias. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Castillo, Vice Mayor Flores and Mayor Macias
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): Sanabria and Martinez
PUBLIC WORKS
8. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO AWARD A CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT FOR CIP 2022-09 CDBG CHESLEY “CIRCLE” PARK PROJECT MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores moved to award the contract to Green Giant Landscape, Inc. for the construction of CIP 2022-09 CDBG Chesley “Circle” Park Project as responsive, responsible bidder for a not to exceed amount of $778,799.89 payable from CDBG funds; and approve a construction contingency in the amount of $37,649.35 payable from CDBG funds; and authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract agreement and any change orders in an amount to not exceed the contingency, seconded by Council member Castillo. Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Castillo, Vice Mayor Flores and Mayor Macias
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): Sanabria and Martinez
CITY CLERK
9. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMISSIONS
No appointments were made by the City Council.
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Police Chief Cosme Lozano shared that citations will be given out to anyone using illegal fireworks on July 4th.
Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Norzagaray announced that the splash pad is now open and encouraged residents to visit the city website for the splash pad schedule.
She also invited everyone to participate in the upcoming 4th of July festival and encouraged everyone to visit the city website for more information.
Community Development and Interim Public Works Director Steve Forster wished Vice Mayor Flores a happy birthday.
Communications Department Director Sergion Infanzon also wished Vice Mayor Flores a happy birthday.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council member Castillo thanked staff for their hard work. She also wished Vice Mayor Flores a happy birthday.
Vice Mayor Flores thanked staff for their hard work and congratulated them on their accomplishments this fiscal year which is noticed by all the growth and progress that is being made for the city.
Mayor Macias thanked all the staff and directors for their hard work. She also wished Vice Mayor Flores a happy birthday and a happy belated Father’s Day to all the fathers out there.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Macias adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday July 2, 2024 at 6:00 pm Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk