CITY OF MONTEBELLO
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 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 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Torres, Mayor Pro Tem Peralta, Councilmember Jimenez, Councilmember Melendez, and Councilmember Tamayo. City Clerk Jimenez and Treasurer Matanga were also present.
City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, Acting City Manager Arlene Salazar, Acting Senior Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Guillen, and all Department Directors were present.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman announ
ced the Closed Session items.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
At this time, the public may submit a speaker card to the City Clerk staff for Closed Session items, prior to the beginning of this statement. Speakers will be called in the order received. Please be aware that the maximum time allotted for members of the public to speak on Closed Session items 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 and City Council.
None.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney shall provide a briefing on the item listed for Closed Session as follows:
Mayor Torres recessed the meeting into Closed Session at 6:04 p.m. to consider the following Closed Session items:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
August 9, 2023: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
Concerned Residents v. City of Montebello, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCP00290
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiators: Arlene Salazar, Nicholas Razo
Employee Groups: MFMA and MFA
REGULAR SESSION - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Torres reconvened the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
All five members were present to discuss all Closed Session items. City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman provided the following report to City Council: Item No. 1, a briefing was provided, directions were provided to the City Attorney's Office, no action was taken, and nothing further to report; Item No. 2, an update was provided, no action was taken and nothing further to report.
INVOCATION
Led by City Treasurer Matanga.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Montebello-Ashiya Sister Association Host Ambassadors Catalina and Natalia.
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA - ACTING CITY MANAGER
Acting City Manager Salazar stated that Item No. 5 would be pulled for a presentation.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS/PRESENTATIONS
3. NATIONAL WELLNESS MONTH
Presented by Mayor Torres
4. MONTEBELLO-ASHIYA SISTER ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION BY EMMA DELGADO - Presenting Ashiya Student Ambassadors Aira Hanashima and Takumi Tsubota
Presentation by President of Montebello-Ashiya Sister Association Emma Delgado and the Ashiya Student Ambassadors Aira Hanashima and Takumi Tsubota.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (30 MINUTES)
At this time, the public may submit speaker card(s) to the City Clerk staff, for both agenda and non-agenda items, prior to the beginning of this statement; Public Hearing items do not require a speaker card.
The City Council will address non-agenda items during this section and speakers will be called in the order received. Those persons not accommodated during this 30-minute period will have an opportunity to speak under “Public Comments – Continued”, after all scheduled matters have been considered. Public Hearing, Regular Business and/or Consent Calendar items will be addressed at the time that matter of business is heard, in the order received.
Please be aware that the maximum time allotted for members of the public to speak shall not exceed three (3) minutes per speaker. 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 and City Council.
August 9, 2023: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged twelve (12) 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.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS ON ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine. Any items a member wishes to discuss, including any items the public submitted speaker cards for, should be designated at this time. All other items may be approved in a single motion. Such approval will also waive the reading of any Ordinance.
Staff pulled Item No. 5 for a presentation by City Treasurer Matanga.
Mayor Torres pulled Item No. 10.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta, that Item No’s. 6-9 and 11, be approved; the motion passed unanimously.
5. TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Quarterly Treasurer’s Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 (Fourth Quarter).
City Treasurer Matanga provided a presentation of the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta motioned, seconded by Councilmember Melendez; the motion passed unanimously.
6. WAIVE SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2464 AMENDING THE ZONING DESIGNATION (CASE NO. “PC-2022-0003-ZC-SPR-TPM”) FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 608, 612, and 616 HART PLACE TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIXTEEN (16) RESIDENTIAL UNITS
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2464 approving Zone Change (ZC) Case No. PC- 2022-0003-ZC-SPR-TPM as well as the related Development Agreement (No. 01-22) and Density Bonus Agreement between the City of Montebello and San Giorgio, LLC to amend the zoning designation for the properties located at 608, 612, and 616 Hart Place (“Project Site”) from C-R (Commercial Restricted) to C-R-HOO (Commercial Restricted with the Housing Opportunity Overlay) to allow the development of sixteen (16) residential units, and make related findings that the proposed project is consistent with the Montebello General Plan; and
2. FIND and DETERMINE the ZC, Development Agreement, and Density Bonus Agreement to be statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) considering that CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. No physical changes will occur as a result of the proposed Zone Change, Development Agreement, and Density Bonus Agreement; and
3. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta; the motion passed unanimously.
7. APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) WITH THE UPPER LOS ANGELES RIVER (ULAR) WATERSHED MANAGEMENT GROUP
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the MOA with the Upper Los Angeles River (ULAR) Watershed Group for Fiscal Years 2023-24 through 2025-26 (Attachment A); and
August 9, 2023: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
2. Amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget increasing appropriations by $27,721 in Account No. 229-30- 315-6040.10 (Measure W, Public Works, Stormwater, Outside Contracts); and
3. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta; the motion passed unanimously.
8. APPROVE AGREEMENT NO. 4123 WITH JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC. FOR CITYWIDE HVAC
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Award Professional Service Agreement No. 4123 (Attachment A) to Johnson Controls, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $320,000 over two (2) years; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Service Agreement, on behalf of the City; and
3. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta; the motion passed unanimously.
9. REQUEST TO ISSUE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) NO. 24 – 3 FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT LEGAL
SERVICES AND PROCESS INVOICES FOR FUTURE RELATED SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize issuing a Request for Proposals No. 24-3 (RFP) for Police Department Legal Services; and
2. Authorize payment of future invoices from the Law Office of Jones & Mayer for legal services during Fiscal Year 2023 – 24 in an amount not to exceed $4,000; and
3. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta; the motion passed unanimously.
10. AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 TABLE OF ORGANIZATION/MASTER POSITION CONTROL TO ADD EIGHTEEN (18.0) "FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC" FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Table of Organization/Master Position Control to add eighteen (18) "Firefighter/Paramedic" Full-Time Equivalent Positions; and
2. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Mayor Torres stated that he was concerned about the long-term liability of the plan and suggested continuing Item No. 10 to the first meeting in September to allow further information and discussion.
Mayor Torres motioned, seconded by Councilmember Melendez, passed by the following vote 4-1-0-0.
MOVED: Tor
res SECONDED: Melendez APPROVED: 4-1-0
-0
AYES: Peralta,
Melendez, Tamayo, Torres
NOES: Jimenez
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Non
e
11. PAYMENT OF BILLS: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 23-62 APPROVING THE CITY WARRANT REGISTER OF DEMANDS DATED AUGUST 09, 2023
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 23-62 approving the Warrant Register dated August 09, 2023.
Councilmember Melendez motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peralta; the motion passed unanimously.
August 9, 2023: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
PUBLIC COMMENTS - CONTINUED
AB 1234 TRAVEL REPORTS
Members will provide a brief report on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency as required by Government Code Section 53232.3(d).
Councilmember Melendez attended the ICA Conference and stated that it was informative.
COUNCIL/AGENCY ORALS
Announcements and requests for future agenda items.
• Scarlet Peralta, Mayor Pro Tem
• Angie M. Jimenez, Councilmember
1. Employee well being - Honoring Jerry Griffin on Suicide Prevention Day/ Week
2. Public Safety - Requesting Consensus to ask the Police Department Chief for a list of hot spots in the city per district.
3. RFP's - Results for Golf Course Remnant parcel for housing and mixed use
Councilmember Jimenez spoke in support of honoring Jerry Griffin during Suicide Prevention Week. She requested council consensus to direct staff to commemorate personnel who had died of suicide during September. Consensus was received.
Councilmember Jimenez requested council consensus to direct staff to provide a report of violent crimes per district. Mayor Pro Tem Peralta requested to include reported thefts. Consensus was received.
Councilmember Jimenez requested an update on the project. Acting City Manager Salazar stated that the vendors had been suspended until the Council provided further direction. Councilmember Jimenez requested council consensus to continue the process of the golf course remnant parcel.
Mayor Pro Tem Peralta stated she did not support using the remnant parcel for high-density housing. Instead, it should be left as green space since there's a lack thereof.
Councilmember Melendez stated that he is concerned about potential litigation because three firms submitted proposals for the project. He agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Peralta's recommendation and spoke in favor of bringing the item forward for further discussion for transparency with the community and vendors.
Councilmember Tamayo asked clarifying questions regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP). Director of Planning and Community Development Joseph Palombi provided clarification.
Mayor Torres agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Peralta that the golf course parcels should be used as green space. He requested to amend Councilmember Jimenez's request by directing staff to rescind the RFP for high-density housing and instead issue an RFP for green space. Consensus was received for the amended oral by the following vote:
APPROVED: 3-1-1-0
AYES: Tamayo, Peralta, Torres ABSTAIN: Melendez
NOES: Jimenez ABSENT: None
• Salvador Melendez, Councilmember
August 9, 2023: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
• Georgina Tamayo, Councilmember
• David N. Torres, Mayor
CLOSED SESSION - CONTINUED
ADJOURNMENT
The City of Montebello will adjourn to the next Regular Meeting on August 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. which can be live streamed at https://www.montebelloca.gov (Click on Live Stream).
I, Kimberly Guillen, Acting Senior Deputy City Clerk for the City of Montebello, hereby certify that a copy of this agenda has been posted on or before Sunday, August 6, 2023, no later than 6:00 p.m.
Kimberly Guillen, Acting Senior Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Torres adjourned in memory of Frank O'Farrell, a long-time employee of the Montebello Fire Department. Mayor Pro Tem Peralta motioned, seconded by Councilmember Melendez, to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m.
THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2023, ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 11TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2023.
EXHIBIT - CITY OF MONTEBELLO FORECASTED AGENDA
Please note, the attached exhibit is a draft version that is to be used for reference purposes only; agenda items, information, and dates are subject to change. The exhibit will be placed at the end of the Agenda Packet.
• City of Montebello Forecasted Agenda