MINUTES
Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Monday, December 16, 2024
The Successor Agency meeting was called to order at 6:04pm and adjourned at 6:05pm.
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Park, California was called to order at 6:05 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California; Mayor Karina Macias presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members): Emeralda Castillo, Jonathan Sanabria, Eduardo "Eddie" Martinez, Vice Mayor Arturo Flores, and Mayor Karina Macias ABSENT: Council Member(s):
CITY OFFICIALS/STAFF: Ricardo Reyes City Manager; Eduardo Sarmiento City Clerk; Steve Forster Director of Community Development; Gerardo "Jerry" Lopez Director of Public Works; Cynthia Norzagaray Director of Parks and Recreation, Sergio Infanzon Director of Communications; Arnold Alvarez- Glassman City Attorney.
INVOCATION
Mayor Macias led the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance
PRESENTATION(S)
1. LOCAL RESIDENT RECOGNITION
2. RECOGNITION FOR THE EASTSIDE RIDERS CLUB
3. RECOGNITION FOR THE TZU CHI FOUNDATION
4. PET OF THE MONTH
PUBLIC COMMENTS
1) Dr. David Sanchez
2) Maria De Los Angeles
STAFF RESPONSE
Concerned were addressed accordingly to individuals
CLOSED SESSION
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION at 6:58pm
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
B.A., an individual vs. Bill Valdivia, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24NWCV00084
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
James Jackson, individually and as successor in interest of the Estate of Anthony Lowe v. City of Huntington Park, et al.
USDC Central Case No.: 2:24-cv-00488-SB-BFMx
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Gerardo Cabanillas v. City of South Gate, et al. United States District Court Case No. 2:24-cv-08027-ODW
MEETING RECONVIENED at 8:03pm
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENI
City Attorney Arnold Glassman reported that the record should reflect that all five members of the City Council were present Council Members) Castillo, Sanabria, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores and Mayor Macias. The Item #1 titled CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION; councilmembers were briefed, no action was taken; nothing to report. Item #2 titled CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION councilmembers were briefed and city council provided direction. Item #3 titled CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION; councilmembers were briefed, city council provided direction, no conflicts of interests arose and nothing to report further.
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 MINUTES
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
Approve Minute(s) of the following City Council Meeting(s):
1. Regular City Council Meeting held December 2, 2024
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated December 16, 2024 MOTION: Councilmember Martinez motioned to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. The motion was carried out by majority consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Members): Sanabria
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH 3Di AND COHN
REZNICK TO PROVIDE SOFTWARE AND STAFFING SERVICES FOR RENT
STABILIZATION PROGRAMS
MOTION: Councilmember Martinez motioned to Authorize funding in the amount of $750,000 from the General Fund Account for the implementation costs associated with the Rent Stabilization Program; and authorize the Finance Director to Establish an Enterprise Fund and to Create All Necessary Accounts; and waive Formal Bid Proceedings as Outlined in Municipal Code Section 2-5.12 (i); and authorize a Professional Services Contract with 3Di in an Amount Not to Exceed $105,600; and authorize a Professional Services Contract with Cohn Reznick in an Amount Not to Exceed $463,700; and authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute the Final Terms of the Contracts. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Castillo. The motion carried by majority consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): Sanabria
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
MOTION: Councilmember Martinez motioned to approve resolution 2024-32 in support of the Safe Routes to School program. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. The motion carried by majority consent.
AYES: Council Member (s): Castillo, Martinez, Vice Mayor Flores, and Mayor Macias
NOES: Council Member (s): None
ABSENT: Council Member(s): Sanabria
HUMAN RESOURCES
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING NEW
SALARY RANGE FOR THE EXISTING POSITION OF RISK MANAGER AND
APPROVING REVISED CLASS SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS OF
POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE, POLICE CORPORAL, AND POLICE SERGEANT MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores motioned to adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Park Approving New Salary Range for Existing Position of Risk Manager and Revised Class Specifications for the Positions of Police Officer Trainer, Police Corporal, and Police Sergeant. The motion was 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 Members (s): None
4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A NEW
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE HUNTINGTON PARK
POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (POA)
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to approve the New Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029, with the Huntington Park Police Officers Association (POA); and adopt Resolution approving and adopting a New Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Huntington Park Police Officers Association; and approve additional budget appropriation to offset the balance needed for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 payroll expenditures. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. 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 Members (s): None
FINANCE
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FOR THE RECLASSIFICATION OF
EXPENSES AND CHANGING OF FUNDING SOURCE OF CIP PROJECT 2020- 03 & THE WATER MASTER PLAN PROJECT FROM WATER & SEWER FUNDS
TO AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to approve the reclassification of CIP 2020-03 Cottage Reservoir at Well 15 expenses in the amount of $1,943,144.66; and approve the reclassification of the Water Master Plan expenses in the amount of $56,516.44; and approve the change of funding source for the Water Master Plan from Funds 681 & 283 to the ARPA Fund, Fund No. 113; and authorize the Finance Department to conduct the reclassification of expenses from the water and sewer funds to the ARPA fund; and authorize the City Manager and the Finance Director to execute the change in funding source. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Martinez. 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 Members (s): None
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to approve the Interagency Agreement between the City and Public Works Department; and authorize the City Manager and the Public Works Director to sign the agreement. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. 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 Members (s): None
POLICE DEPARTMENT
7. DISCUSSION AND/OR POSSIBLE ACTION ON A COMPREHENSIVE
ASSESSMENT REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICE BODY-
WORN CAMERA PROGRAM
1. MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to approve the second option.
The Second option directed staff to establish a multidisciplinary workgroup consisting of representative from Administration, Police Administration, the Police Officers' Association, City Clerk's Office, Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, and other relevant stakeholders. The workgroup will evaluate the feasibility, operational considerations, and financial impacts of implementing a BWC program and develop a detailed proposal, including recommendations for Council's consideration, to be presented within 60 days.
The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. 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 Members (s): None
FINANCE
8. CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES - COPS HIRING PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 23, AWARD NO. 15JCOPS-23-GG-04722- UHPX
MOTION: Vice Mayor Flores motioned to approve the Grant Award, Grant No. 15JCOPS-23-GG-04722-UHPX between the City of Huntington Park and the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for the reimbursement of funds allocated to the Huntington Park Police Department under the Fiscal Year 2023 COPS Hiring Program; and authorize the City Manager to be designated as the Grantee Official for the purpose of executing grant objectives, the grant agreement, and documentation. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Martinez. 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 Members (s): None
PARKS AND RECREATION
9. REVIEW OF THE 2023 MILITARY EQUIPMENT ANNUAL REPORT AND RENEW ORDINANCE NO. 2022-01, APPROVING THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT
FUNDING, ACQUISITION AND USE POLICY
MOTION: Councilmember Martinez motioned to approve the Huntington Park Police Department's 2023 Military Equipment Annual Report; and renew Ordinance 2022-01, thereby approving the Police Department's Military Equipment funding, acquisition and use policy. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. 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 Members (s): None
CITY CLERK
10. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMISSIONS
No appointments were made by the City Council members.
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
CITY MANAGER
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE HUNTINGTON PARK
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER RELATING TO THE
REGULATION OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending the Huntington Park Municipal Code by adding a new chapter relating to the regulation of lobbying activities; and schedule the second reading and adoption of said ordinance for the next City Council meeting.
The motion 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 Members (s): None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Finance: Thanked everyone for a great year.
City Manager: Thanked Department Heads. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to everyone.
City Attorney: Happy Holiday Season and Great New Years Police Department: Happy Holidays. Thanked City Council and Colleagues for Partnership.
Human Resourced: Happy Holidays. Thanked colleagues and Happy New Years.
Public Works: Thanked Council and Staff. Thanked Staff for the Christmas Parade.
Community Development: Wish Happy Holidays to everyone.
City Clerk: Conducted 1st Reading of the Ordinances passed. Thanked colleagues and staff.
Communications: Good Year for Communications. City of Huntington Park was on the News 8 times positively. Gave parade statistics.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Communications : Positive comment on the improvements on Belgrade Avenue
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Castillo: Thanked directors and staff for all their work. 1st year being on the City Council.
Great experience she enjoys. Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years.
Sanabria: Staff are great! This was a great successful year. Looks forward to 2025.
Continues to be entrusted with roles. Happy Holidays and Happy New Years to everyone.
Martinez: Happy New Years
Flores: Took a moment to thank directors, be able to transition this team dynamic. The council took some bold ideas that have never been considered. Directors took staff, to make decisions to make changes possible.
Macias: Thanked directors and staff for the work they've put the entire year. Staff and Directors thank you
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Macias adjourned the meeting in memory of Michael Molina's son Andy Molina 9:25p.m. The next City of Huntington Park City Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
See St
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk