MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Tuesday, September 17, 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, September 17, 2024, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California; Mayor Karina Macias presiding.
PRESENT: Council Member(s): Esmeralda Castillo, Jonathan A. Sanabria, Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez, Vice Mayor Arturo Flores, and Mayor Karina Macias ABSENT: None
CITY OFFICIALS/STAFF: City Manager Ricardo Reyes; Eduardo Sarmiento City Clerk; Cosme Lozano Police Chief; Steve Forster Director of Community Development and Interim Director of Public Works; Cynthia Norzagaray Director of Parks and Recreation, Sergio Infanzon Director of Communications; Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman City Attorney.
INVOCATION
Mayor Macias led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Castillo led the Pledge of Allegiance
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
2. PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER WORLD ALZHEIMER AND
DEMENTIA AWARENESS MONTH
3. RECOGNITION TO LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following people provided public comment:
1) Milton Miller with Praise Chapel.
STAFF RESPONSE
None
Prior to closed session Mayor Macias changed the order of the agenda and moved item six (6) on the regular agenda to be discussed and deliberated prior to the closed session items.
FINANCE
6. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO PURCHASE OF AN INTEGRATED
MOTOROLA COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH AND RECORD MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM WITH A MOTOROLA SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AND ENTRANCE
MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria moved to authorize an expenditure of $3,179,635.35 to purchase and install the Motorola Integrated Flex Suite, Command Central Aware, and Avigilon Video Security System from Motorola Solutions, Inc., along with optional cybersecurity protection; and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the agreement for the selected option, second by Vice Mayor Flores. The motion carried by majority consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Sanabria, Martinez, and Vice Mayor Flores.
NOES: Council Member (s): Castillo, and Mayor Macias
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
CLOSED SESSION
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION at 8:26pm
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Consideration of one (1) potential case
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager and City Directors (Review of employment agreement language)
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Government Code Section 54957
TITLE: Public Works Director
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Aurelia Beltran Teran vs. City of Huntington Park, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No.22NWCV01102
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1))
• Case Names:
• City of Huntington Park v. HF Trading (1981 Belgrave) • City of Huntington Park v. Valdovinos / Escamillo (2211-2215 Gage) • City of Huntington Park v. Jamshid Barmaan (2551 Clarendon) • City of Huntington Park v. Broadway Plaza Villas (6054 Pacific) • City of Huntington Park v. Sani-Dip (6401 Santa Fe)
• City of Huntington Park v. Sechrist (7822 State)
• City of Huntington Park v. NK Enterprises (2974 East Florence) MEETING RECONVIENED at 10:56pm
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman reported that the record should reflect that all 5 members of the City Council present Council Member(s) Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores and Mayor Macias. Item (1) City council provided directions to agency council and staff regarding potential litigation taken, but no action to be reported. Item (2) direction was provided to the City Manager and City Attorney but no action to be reported. Item (3) matter is on open session agenda, City Manager provided revised draft employment agreement and will distribute at the time to be discussed. Item (4) direction was provided to City Attorney’s office, but no final action needed to be reported. City Attorney’s office will follow up regarding the matter and possible resolution of that case.
Item (5) all various cases were discussed with council, direction was provided with respect to those matters, but no action required to be reported.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items prior to the time the Council votes on the motion unless members of the Council, staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action.
CITY CLERK
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1. Regular City Council Meeting held September 3, 2024
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTER
RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated September 17, 2024
CITY MANAGER
3. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE APPRIOVING NEW CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DAY FROM TUESDAYS TO MONDAYS
MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores moved to approve the consent calendar, second by Councilmember Martinez. The Motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
CITY MANAGER
1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria moved to approve the City Manager’s recommendation of Gerardo “Gerry” Lopez to serve as the Public Works Director; and authorize City Manager to negotiate final terms of the employment agreement; and approve City Manager to execute an employment agreement for Public Works Director, second by councilmember Martinez. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Martinez, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
HUMAN RESOURCES
2. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING NEW
CLASS SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS OF PURCHASING AGENT AND
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores moved to adopt a Resolution approving New Class Specifications for the Positions of Purchasing Agent and Human Resources Manager, second by Councilmember Sanabria. The motion was carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF PUBLICLY VISIBLE ART AT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3234 EAST FLORENCE AVENUE.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores moved to approve the Publicly Visible Art for the Original Hot Chicken business located at 3234 East Florence Avenue, second by Councilmember Castillo. The motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
CITY CLERK
4. CREATION OF THE THEATRE AND ARTS COMMISSION
MOTION: Councilmember Martinez moved to approve, but requested we change and rename the commission from Theatre and Arts Commission to Arts and Theatre Commission. Vice Mayor Flores second the motion. The motion was carried out by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
5. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMISSIONS
No appointments were made tonight.
FINANCE
7. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO PURCHASE OF AN INTEGRATED
MOTOROLA COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH AND RECORD MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM WITH A MOTOROLA SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AND ENTRANCE
MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM
MOTION: Mayor Macias moved to change the order of the before closed session.
Both Lan Wan and Motorola presented their presentations to councils and directors.
Director of Finance, Chief of Police, and City Manager provided suggestion to council. Councilmember Sanabria moved to approve the 3,179,635.35 contract and install the Motorola Integrated Flex Suite, Command Central Aware, and Avigilon Video Security System from Motorola Solutions. The motion was second by Vice Mayor Flores. The motion carried by Majority consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Sanabria, Martinez, and Vice Mayor Flores.
NOES: Council Member (s): Castillo, and Mayor Macias
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
END OF REGULAR AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE FY 2023-2024 CONSOLIDATED
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) FOR
FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS
MOTION: Mayor Macias opened the public hearing opened at 11:09pm. No testimony was given and the public hearing was closed at 11:10pm. Mayor Macias moved to approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for FY 2023-2024, inclusive of any comments received by the City Clerk during the 15-day public comment period, seconded by Councilmember Martinez.
The motion carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): None
END OF PUBLIC HEARING
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
City Manager: Master Fee study moving forward will come back in 6 months to present the results from the study. Additionally, the Water masterplan water rate study is also commencing and there will be more to report as the study progresses.
Parks and Recreation: The department reports that the Baseball Clinic as Salt Lake Park will begin on Saturday, September 21st. Additionally, the after-school program has been relocated temporarily.
Community Development: Expressed appreciation towards Council for hiring a public works director.
Communications: Reported on the newsletter and emails being opened by the members of the public. Communications also reported that on September 27, 2024, a small business workshop will be held and having these workshops more frequently will benefit our business community. Public Works Free compost distribution will be half on September 28th. There is also a survey opened to the public to help bring to light any issues that Project 2030 can go ahead a resolve.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
NONE
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Castillo thanked staff for all the work that they all do. She received email regarding a Parliamentary Procedures training and directed staff to please conduct a survey to get a date set for the training.
Councilmember Sanabria thanked staff for the reports. Mr. Sanabria also spoke about concerns regarding public comment cards and the need to state the address. He would like to consider removing or not making it mandatory because it could prompt the public to not speak openly at public meetings. Mr. Sanabria also received letter from Azure at his job and would like staff reports related to the Amada Project. Specifically, he would like to know what has been done and what kind of funding has been provided.
Councilmember Martinez thanked staff for safe space. He also followed up and reminded staff to notify the community about the October Community Clean up event.
Vice Mayor Flores thanked staff for all that they have done including all summer events.
He praised Director of Communications Sergio and his work regarding the news letter.
He also thanked Human Resources staff Bryce Tyler for his contributions for the community.
Mayor Macias thanked the staff and directors. She also gave a special thanks to Steve for stepping up as intern public works director and noted that he did so without taking the additional pay he was intitled to.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Macias adjourned the meeting at 11:28 p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk