CITY OF MONTEBELLO
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2023 AT 6:00 PM
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1600 WEST BEVERLY BOULEVARD
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA
OPENING CEREMONIES
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 P.M.
Mayor Torres called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Torres, Mayor Pro Tem Peralta, Councilmember Jimenez, Councilmember Melendez, and Councilmember Tamayo, and City Treasurer Matanga were also present.
Attorney Gloria Ramirez, Acting City Manager Arlene Salazar, Acting Senior Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Guillen, Transportation Director Kendricks, and Fire Chief Fernando Pelaez.
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.
Members of the public wishing to address the City Council spoke when the item was discussed.
CLOSED SESSION - NONE
REGULAR SESSION – IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION
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CLOSED SESSION REPORT - NONE
INVOCATION
Led by City Treasurer Matanga.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA - ACTING CITY MANAGER
None.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS ON ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS
1. RECEIVE AND FILE MONTEBELLO BUS LINES’ COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS ANALYSIS FINAL
REPORT AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive and File Montebello Bus Lines’ (MBL) Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) Final Report; and
2. Authorize Staff to begin Implementation of the Plan; and
3. Approve the Following Line Geometry Modifications: Line 10 to Cal State Los Angeles, Line 30 to South Pasadena Metro Station, the Split of Line 50 into Line 50 and Line 55, Shorten Line 55, and the Discontinuation of Line 60; and
4. Approve the Following Service Increases: Upgrade Line 20 and 30 to 30-minute service, add Sunday service to Line 50 and 55, add weekend service to Line 70, upgrade Line 10 and 40-to-15-minute service and increase service in the early morning and evening; and
5. Approve the COA fare structure recommendations to be consistent with regional fares; and
6. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Transportation Director Adrianna Kendricks introduced Transportation Planner Alfredo Machuca for a presentation. The presentation included a transit system overview and updates, funding sources, farebox recovery, fare structure, the Line 10 proposed extension, and the Line 50/55 Metrolink layover matrix.
Peter Soderberg, Deputy Project Manager from Nelson Nyygard, provided a presentation on the Comprehensive Operational Analysis. The presentation provided information on the project goals, project schedule, key findings, community outreach activities, a summary of the community feedback, and recommended line modifications, schedule upgrades, fare rates, and facility changes.
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged three(3) 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.
Councilmember Melendez asked for clarification on the fare capping system and the impact on the workforce due to the proposed route. Transportation Director Kendricks provided clarification.
Councilmember Tamayo expressed concern about the low ridership, requested an update on Line 60 in Pico Rivera, and requested clarification on Line 50/55 transfer fees.
Transportation Planner Machuca addressed her questions and concerns. Transportation Planner Machuca and Mr.
Soderberg provided clarification on Line 50/55 fees.
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Acting City Manager Salazar informed the Council that the City has been working with the Pico Rivera school district to increase ridership and potentially extend the route.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta was concerned about the extension to Cal State Los Angeles (Line 10), particularly regarding the safety hazards of the road. She inquired about the impact of heightened bus frequencies on drivers and asked if the city has the driver capacity to cover the increased bus frequencies. She also inquired about bus amenities and training measures in light of the bus route changes.
Transportation Director Kendricks provided clarification, informed her about the training plan, and informed the Council that the bus stop improvement project would be discussed at a future meeting.
Councilmember Jimenez thanked the staff for the presentation and spoke in support of the upcoming changes.
Mayor Torres stated that he was appreciative of the information and inquired about the following items: approval process to implement the plans, such as regulatory requirements, or approval from federal and state agencies; total cost for line expansions and increased frequencies; ridership data; and an explanation of the current safety measures.
Transportation Director Kendricks and Acting City Manager Salazar informed the Council that the City had received approval from all regulatory agencies. Acting City Manager Salazar informed the Council that the plan is multi-year. If there is a need for budget appropriations, staff will request Council approval at a future time.
Councilmember Jimenez motioned, seconded by Councilmember Melendez, to approve the item.
There was an alternate motion by Mayor Torres, seconded by Councilmember Melendez to approve only the following recommendations:
1. Receive and File Montebello Bus Lines’ (MBL) Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) Final Report; and
2. Authorize Staff to begin Implementation of the Plan subject to sub-parts; and
3. Approve the Following Line Geometry Modifications: Line 10 to Cal State Los Angeles, Line 30 to South Pasadena Metro Station, and the Continuation of Line 60; and
4. Approve the COA fare structure recommendations to be consistent with regional fares; and
5. Approve a Transit hub be placed on Washington and Greenwood.
He further stated that the following recommendation would be approved until the Council receives further information:
• Approve the Following Service Increases: Upgrade Line 20 and 30 to 30-minute service, add Sunday service to Line 50 and 55, add weekend service to Line 70, upgrade Line 10 and 40-to-15-minute service, and increase service in the early morning and evening.
• The Split of Line 50 into Line 50 and Line 55, Shorten Line 55
The motion passed unanimously.
2. AUTHORIZE THE MONTEBELLO FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DELIVERY
PROPOSAL AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services delivery model Proposal Plan with authorization to implement a new organizational response model at a subsequent meeting; and
2. Recommend increasing full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the "Firefighter/EMT" classification, which will include estimated costs for the additional positions and potential funding sources in addition to the general fund; and
3. Recommend the necessary Paramedic Rescue Squad vehicles, including an agreement authorizing the lending/leasing of a Rescue Squad from a partnering Fire Department. All Purchases of the Fire Related Equipment will be in conformance with bidding procedures 3.20.050; and
4. Take such additional related actions as necessary to Implement the Proposed Plan.
Fire Chief Fernando Pelaez provided a presentation on the organizational structure, delivery structure, current staffing model, assessment of current staffing, staffing at each station, fire response data, description of emergency and non- July 20, 2023: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
emergency calls, and description of emergency paramedics and medical technicians. In addition, the plan included the proposed analysis, staffing per shift, delivery model and schedule, budget summary, organizational data, recruitment and engagement strategies, and project timeline.
Councilmember Tamayo asked about the additional staffing needed to address the increased population in Metro Heights.
Acting City Manager Salazar stated that the Metro Heights Development Agreement included language to address funding for additional firefighters.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta asked for clarification on addressing the staff vacancies with the new structured model, potential grant opportunities, the transition to the new model structure, and potential training for new staff and provided comments.
Fire Chief Pelaez and Acting City Manager Salazar provided clarification.
Fire Union Representative Bonilla spoke in support of the plan.
Mayor Torres asked for clarification on the following: budget summary, vehicle purchase, the expected timeline, cost for additional staff, the projected implementation timeline, and the status of Beverly Hospital. Additionally, he asked staff to provide updates on any developments since their last discussion of Beverly Hospital. Fire Chief Pelaez provided clarification.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez; the motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The City of Montebello will adjourn to the next Regular Meeting on July 26, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., which can be live streamed at https://www.montebelloca.gov (Click on Live Stream).
Date and Posted: July 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
I, Kimberly Guillen, Acting Sr. Deputy City Clerk for the City of Montebello hereby certify that the foregoing Notice of the Special Meeting was posted at City Hall and the City’s website and delivered to each member of the City of Montebello City Council no less than 24-hours before the start of the Special Meeting.
Kimberly Guillen, Acting Sr. Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta motioned, seconded by Councilmember Melendez, to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m.
THE MINUTES OF JULY 20, 2023, ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 11TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2023.