CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
City of Huntington Park City Council
Monday, June 16, 2025
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Park, California was called to order at 6:02 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California; Mayor Arturo Flores presiding.
PRESENT: Council Member(s): Macias, Martiz, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Martinez, and Mayor Flores
ABSENT: None
CITY OFFICIALS/STAFF: City Manager Ricardo Reyes; Eduardo Sarmiento City Clerk; Cosme Lozano Police Chief; Gerardo “Gerry” Lopez Public Works Director; Louis Morales Interim Community Development Director; Jeff Jones Finance Director, Cynthia Norzagaray Parks and Recreation Director; Andrew Sarega City Attorney.
INVOCATION
Invocation led by Mayor Arturo Flores.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Sanabria
PRESENTATION(S)
1. PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE 2025 AS LGBTQ+
PRIDE MONTH
2. RECOGNITION OF EBONY BATISTE FOR HER SERVICE AS HEALTH AND
EDUCATION COMMISSIONER
3. REPORT FROM INNER CITY VISIONS ON CASE MANAGEMENT,
REFERRALS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROVIDED TO UNSHELTERED
HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN HUNTINGTON PARK
4. UPDATE ON SALVATION ARMY BELL SHELTER BED PROGRAM
During the UPDATE ON SALVATION ARMY BELL SHELTER BED PROGRAM presentation the fire alarm was activated. The meeting broke in recess at 7:24am, protocol was followed
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following people/ person provided public content:
1. Marcello Retamosa – New MOU Request
2. Mike Makles- Regular Item #3
3. SLA Alexander Ruelas- Green áreas in schools and public areas advocate.
4. Jessica Salazar wit SLA- Landscape Company Representative.
5. Elizabeth Romero- Homeowner supporting SLA Landscaping Company.
6. Alfredo Romero- HP Property Owner in Support of City working with SLA
7. George Mergallanes- In support of SLA Landscaping Company.
8. Guahtemec Hernandez- HP resident who works and advocates SLA Landscaping.
9. Rodolfo Cruz
10.Lilia Delgado with CBE- Resident advocating for clean air.
11.Jane Doe
12.Jane Doe- Knowledge, requesting information is more readily available to the public during these ICE raids.
13.Mr. Jones- SLA support.
14.John Doe15.Denise Romero- SLA
16.Jessica Alvarez- SLA
STAFF RESPONSE
Chief of Police: Does have a number of unmarked vehicles, if we remove vehicle we will limit capacity. One vehicle from HPPD is unmarked.
City Attorney: Motioned to Add Item to closed session that would. The motion was titled ANTICIPATED LITIGATION. The motion to add this Item to the Closed Session agenda was motioned by Councilmember Jonathan Sanabria and the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Flores. The motion was carried by unanimous consent.
City Manager: Stated he had comments; however, it would be most appropriate to state when Regular Item #2 is presented.
Council entered into Closed Session 8:27pm.
CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE / DISMISSAL / RELEASE
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Subject: Briefing on Civil Service Commission Decision – Diaz, M.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Regarding Represented Employees - Government Code § 54957.6
City’s Representatives: Ricardo Reyes, City Manager
Employee Organization: General Employee Association (GEA)
3. ANTICIPATED LIGITGATION Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Council returned from Closed Session @ 10:07pm
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
During Closed Session all three items titled: Public Employee Discipline/ Dismissal/ Release; Conference with Labor Negotiators; and Anticipated Litigation were discussed.
No Action was taken. Council did host an At Hawk committee for community engagement.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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 June 2, 2025
FINANCE
2. CHECK REGISTERS
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrant(s) dated June 16, 2025
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING THE APPROPRIATION LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Resolution establishing the Appropriation Limit Pursuant to the Provision of the California Constitution Article XIIIB for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to approve the consent calendar with the amendments stated by Councilmember Macias. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez. The motion was carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Macias, Martiz, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Martinez, and Mayor Flores.
NOES: Council Member(s): None
ABSTAIN: Council Member(s): None
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR AGENDA
CITY MANAGER
1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Approve the Employment Agreement with Mr. Jeff Jones to serve as the City’s Director of Finance for a five-year term; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Employment Agreement on behalf of the City.
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to approve the employment agreement with Mr. Jeff Jones to serve as the City’s Director of Finance for a five-year term; and authorized the City Manager to execute the employment agreement on behalf of the city. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez. Macias stated for the record that she doesn’t agree with the salary/ cash amount due to the fact we have budget constraints. Councilmember Sanabria stated that although it is high, it Mr. Jones has done great work for the city. The motion was carried by majority consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Martiz, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Martinez, and Mayor Flores
NOES: Council Member(s): Macias
PUBLIC WORKS
2. CONSIDERATION AND SELECTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT
SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Consider the results of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for Landscaping Maintenance Services; and
2. Discuss and determine which proposer the City Council wishes to award a contract to; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with the selected contractor.
MOTION: Councilmember Sanabria motioned to consider the results of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for Landscaping Maintenance Services; and discuss and determine which proposer the City Council wishes to award a contract to; and Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with SLA but negotiate to include at least 2/3rd of the hires are Huntington Park residents are locally hired within two years. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Martiz.
The motion was carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Macias, Martiz, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Martinez, and Mayor Flores
NOES: Council Member(s): None
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO AWARD A CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR CIP 2023-01 SB1 STREET ENHANCEMENT
PROJECT
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
1. Award the contract to Aneen Construction Inc. for the construction of CIP 2023- 01 SB1 Street Enhancement Project as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for a not to extend $1,795,506.59 payable from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair Accountability Act of 2017.
MOTION: Due to a protest which was received earlier in the day the Cit6y Manager recommended that the motion be pushed back to the following regularly scheduled meeting so that staff has ample time to analyze the situation.
Councilmember Sanabria motioned to continue item to next regularly scheduled city council meeting, scheduled for July 7, 2025. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez. The motion was carried by unanimous consent.
AYES: Council Member(s): Macias, Martiz, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Martinez, and Mayor Flores
NOES: Council Member(s): None
FINANCE
4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO PROVIDE DIRECTION, TAKE PUBLIC
INPUT, AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER AND FINANCE DIRECTOR TO MAKE
FINAL CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CITY COUNCIL:
2. Review and Present the Draft FY 2025 – 2026 Proposed Budget; and
3. Direct the City Manager and Finance Director to make any final changes to the Proposed Budget.
MOTION: Finance Director went through where the budget stands. Why and How money is being allocated. Grants and their constraints. Insurance money, workers comp, various services, etc. In addition spoke about the general fund. A fund set aside for departments who require money as needed. City Manager presented their budget. City Clerk presented their budget. Communications presented their budget. Mayor Flores and Councilmember Martiz mentioned concerns about funding and contractors when it comes to specific events like the Art Walk and parade. 0 There was a recess at 11:55pm to reset the streaming service.
Returned at 12am. Community Development presented their budget.
Mayor flores spoke regarding the allocation of funding. Mayor Flores would like us to look into this, because we don’t have funding towards businesses and economic development. City Manager presented the budget for the Human Resources position. The Finance Director presented the budget for the Finance Department. Councilmember Macias requested a further explanation regarding the item titled Bad Debt. The Finance director explained this is a loss of revenue that cannot be collected. For example, the Cannabis license collection. After a year of being unable to collect something, it becomes bad debt. The Parks and Recreation director presented the parks and recreation budget. She explained in detail what the events cost. Councilmember Sanabria brought up concerns about funding in Parks and Recreation budget and the small amount of number of individuals who come out to the events. He also brought up concerns of why we are paying for supplies. We should offset certain costs, but this budget was almost doubled. Mayor would like to see higher compensation for the staff in recreation. Not all staff is unionized. This falls of council to have the heart to be able to champion this to non represented employees. Mayor Flores motioned to continue the meeting until the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 Special City Council Meeting as it was 1:15am. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sanabria.
AYES: Council Member(s): Macias, Martiz, Sanabria, Vice Mayor Martinez, and Mayor Flores
NOES: Council Member(s): None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Macias: None
Councilmember Martiz: None
Councilmember Sanabria: None
Vice Mayor Martinez: None
Mayor Flores: Have a good night
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mayor Flores adjourned and is set to be continues on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, special city council meeting. Meeting is adjourned at 1:15am. The next Huntington Park Special City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting is set to be held on Monday, July 7th, 2025 @6pm.
Respectfully submitted
Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk