CITY OF MONTEBELLO
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022 AT 6:00 PM
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1600 WEST BEVERLY BOULEVARD
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA
OPENING CEREMONIES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Torres called the Special Meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. concurrently with the City Council and Public Financing Authority Adjourned Regular Meeting.
ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Torres, Mayor Pro Tem Peralta, Councilmember Melendez, and Councilmember Tamayo.
Councilmember Jimenez arrived at 6:11 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez and Treasurer Matanga were also present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY (30 MINUTES)
At this time, the general public may only address the City Council during this Special Meeting on items which have been described in the notice of this Special meeting in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.3(a). Please be aware that the maximum time allotted for members of the public to speak on shall not exceed three (3) minutes per person. State Law prohibits the City Council from taking action or entertaining extended discussion on a topic not listed on the agenda.
Please show courtesy to others and direct all of your comments to the Mayor.
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged thirteen(13) members of the public wishing to address the City Council. Speakers were provided three minutes to address the City Council and said speaker cards are on file at the City Clerk’s office.
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged three(3) written public comments submitted to the City’s public comment email address; said comments are on file at the City Clerk’s office.
REGULAR SESSION – 6:00 PM
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA CITY MANAGER
None
COUNCIL ORALS
1. Scarlet Peralta, Mayor Pro Tem
• Adoption of policy regarding internal hiring of Public Safety Chief and Assistant Chief Positions. o Adoption of Interview Hiring Panel.
December 21, 2022: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
• Resolution reinstating Mayor Torres’ Council rights and privileges.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta requested Council consensus to establish an Interview Hiring Panel made up of residents and stakeholders for positions that are directly working with the public. She further stated that she is not looking to breach the City Manager's contract as she understands that he is the hiring authority but believes that the Council has the authority to set policies to create an inclusive recruitment process. Her vision is to engage the community through a community survey and community forum to receive feedback from residents and stakeholders about desired qualities, experience, and leadership characteristics. The process would be similar to the City of Pasadena and other charted cities. She further stated that the panel is only for engagement but does not have any authority to hire. This process would be selected by an Ad Hoc and City Staff. She wants this process to be developed prior to the hiring of the two Deputy Chief positions.
City Manager Bobadilla stated that the City had recently posted two job recruits for the hiring of the Assistant Chief positions. It would be crucial for the City to stop the recruitment because it was not stated in the job posting that the candidates would be required to go through this process.
Director Razo surveyed eleven cities and ten of those cities followed the same process as the City. He further stated that the process is consistent with industry standards.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta stated that she wants to prioritize the community and stakeholders by adding them to the recruitment process for positions that work directly with the community. She requested Council consensus to create an Ad Hoc to define the recruitment process and temporarily pause the recruitment for the two positions to include the new hiring process. Consensus was received; Councilmember Jimenez and Councilmember Melendez were in opposition.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta requested Council consensus to draft a Resolution to reinstate Mayor Torres' rights and privileges.
Consensus was received; Councilmember Melendez was in opposition and Councilmember Jimenez was absent.
2. Angie M. Jimenez, Councilmember
3. Salvador Melendez, Councilmember
4. Georgina Tamayo, Councilmember
• Requesting Council consensus to calendar Strategic Plan 2023 Study Sessions. • Request Council Consensus to direct staff to conduct first hearing reimplementing financial reporting requirements at the first meeting in January.
Councilmember Tamayo requested Council consensus to calendar the Strategic Plan 2023 Study Session to discuss economic development opportunities and identify underutilized sites for options of expanding shopping opportunities for the community; consensus was received.
City Manager Bobadilla informed the Council that staff would bring back a staff report in January to schedule the 2023 City Council Study Sessions and hire a consultant for the study session.
Councilmember Tamayo requested consensus to direct staff to conduct a first hearing reimplementing financial reporting requirements in January. She requested monthly statements of receipts of all payments and disbursements showing all the transactions and the balance of each account.
City Manager Bobadilla stated that what is being requested has never been produced and suggested creating Ad Hoc to understand the report she is requesting.
Council recessed into a break at 8:01 p.m. and returned at 8:06 p.m.
Consensus was received to create a Council Ad Hoc for staff to discuss the requested financial reporting. Councilmember Jimenez was in opposition and Councilmember Jimenez was absent.
5. David N. Torres, Mayor
December 21, 2022: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
• Request for Council consensus to work with staff to: a) repeal Montebello Municipal Code Chapter
2.14 - Council Procedures in light of ACLU demands; b) enter a Resolution for date, time, order of business, etc.; c) develop a policy guiding standards for conduct and order (to be further reviewed and considered by council); and d) calendar these actions to begin January 11, 2023. • Request for Council consensus to calendar repeal of certain exemptions to competitive bidding for January 11, 2023.
• Request for Council consensus to immediately transmit letters to businesses in the Brownfield Overlay District staying eviction and enforcement of penalties due to sunset of said district pending further discussion and review through Study Session, date TBD.
Mayor Torres requested Council consensus to repeal the Montebello Municipal Code Chapter 2.14, enter a Resolution for date, time order of business, etc. and develop a policy guiding standards for conduct and order for further review.
Consensus was received to repeal the Ordinance and bring back a discussion to begin developing standards of conduct.
Councilmember Jimenez was absent.
Mayor Torres requested consensus to repeal Municipal Code Section 3.20.050 for Standardization and Professional Services Exemptions to Competitive Bidding. He further requested to add a requirement to the Municipal Code directing staff to describe if and why an exemption is necessary in the Council Staff Report. Additionally, requested an introduction at the January 25th City Council Meeting. Consensus was received; Councilmember Melendez and Councilmember Jimenez were in opposition.
Mayor Torres requested consensus to transmit letters to businesses in the Brownfield Overlay District staying eviction and enforcement of penalties due to sunset of said district pending further discussion and review through Study Session; the City Attorney's Office will be signing the letter with the Mayor's signature; consensus was received.
ADJOURNMENTThe City of Montebello will adjourn to the next Regular Meeting on December 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. which can be live streamed at https://www.montebelloca.gov (Click on Live Stream).
Date and Posted: December 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
I, Alicia Fernandez, Deputy City Clerk for the City of Montebello hereby certify that a copy of this agenda and Notice of a Special Meeting has been posted at City Hall and the City’s website no less than 24-hours before the start of the Special Meeting, and delivered to each member of the City of Montebello City Council on or before December 20, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Alicia Fernandez, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Torres congratulated the Council on their successful election campaign.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta to adjourn the Special Meeting at 8:36 p.m.
THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2022 ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 22ND DAY OF FEBRUARY 22, 2023
General Public Comments
(Comments emailed on 12/21/2022)
December 16, 2022
Re: Montebello City Council Meeting – Item No. 5 – December 21, 2022
Dear Honorable Mayor Torres and Councilmembers:
Congratulations on your recent certification of the 6th Cycle Housing Element! As you know, this plan drives the City’s vision for critically needed housing development, and I am proud to represent the City that is among a select few to have its Housing Element certified.
Given this important opportunity, I wish to express my support for Item No. 5 on today’s agenda which calls for the authorization of the solicitation of proposals for a Specific Plan for the City of Montebello Golf Course Complex.
We understand that this process is the beginning of a robust and transparent public participation process to explore the development opportunities within the complex which could include mixed-use and mixed-income housing opportunities, consistent with the City’s Housing Element. I believe that this opportunity will elevate the City’s presence within the regional economic development community which could result in additional investment from the residential and retail sectors.
I share your goals of bringing economic vitality, affordable housing opportunities, more employment options, especially for our local residents, and strong quality of life to the City of Montebello and recognize this as the first step in a longer process of community engagement.
I would therefore, encourage your affirmative support for this agenda item and together we will move Montebello forward. As always, I stand ready to work with you to bring resources to Montebello.
Sincerely,
Senator Bob Archuleta
California State Senate, District 30
1 Rodarte, Alejandro
From: Irene A. <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2022 11:25 AM
To: Comment, ccpublic
Subject: Re: [External Email] Golf course meeting 12/21 To whom it may concern,
As a resident of the city of Montebello, I represent many voices in my community. The city of Montebello has many residents who have lived here for decades. In addition, many newer residents would also like to see this city preserve its natural beauty. In addition to maintaining our trees throughout the city, we also want to see historic locations respected and preserved. I am specifically referring to the Montebello Golf Course. This golf course has served Montebello residents as well as visitors many years of joy and entertainment. There is no reason to tear down, sell, or destroy this beautiful, historic landmark of the city of Montebello. To destroy this location for commercial purposes is unnecessary and a let down for the city residents. Many people in Montebello grew up with the golf course as a source of pride.
Residents have created and shared memories at this site and would not want to see it destroyed for outside commercial exploitation. We deserve to have historic locations-such as The Boy Scout’s clubhouse at the golf course- preserved and enjoyed by the people of this city.
20 Thank you,
Irene A.
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