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MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the City of Monterey Park is to provide excellent services to enhance the quality of life for our entire community
MINUTES
MONTEREY PARK CITY COUNCIL
FINANCING AUTHORITY (MPFA)
HOUSING AUTHORITY (MPHA)
GEOLOGIC HAZARD ABATEMENT DISTRICT (GHAD)
SUCCESSOR AGENCY (SA)
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 31, 2023
The City Council, the Financing Authority (MPFA), the Housing Authority (MPHA), the Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD), and the Successor Agency (SA) of the City of Monterey Park held a Special Meeting of the Council in the Council Chamber, located at 320 West Newmark Avenue in the City of Monterey Park, Tuesday , January 31, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Sanchez called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE:
Mayor Sanchez conducted the flag salute.
ROLL CALL:
City Clerk Maychelle Yee called the roll:
Council Members Present: Henry Lo, Vinh Ngo, Jose Sanchez, Thomas Wong Council Members Absent: Yvonne Liu
ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Karl Berger, City Manager Ron Bow, City Treasurer Amy Lee, Assistant City Manager Inez Alvarez, Police Chief Scott Wiese, Battalion Chief Ryan Weddle, City Librarian Diana Garcia, Director of Finance Martha Garcia, Director of Human Resources Christine Tomikawa , Interim Planning Director Jessica Serrano, Deputy City Clerk Cindy Trang
VIRTUALLY PRESENT: Director of Public Works Shawn Igoe, Director of Recreation & Community Services Robert Aguirre, Carol Bradford Worley (representative for California Community Foundation)
AGENDA ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, CHANGES AND ADOPTIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
- Maychelle Yee, resident and City Clerk , voiced a concern from a constituent regarding the city’s fire personnel not getting enough recognition for their heroic effort on the night of the mass shooting. She took a moment to thank the 71-16
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firefighters for their composure, resilience, and professionalism during this tragic event. She also reminded everyone that counseling services are available at the library.
1. NEW BUSINESS
1A. ADOPT A RESOLUTION EXTENDING A LOCAL EMERGENCY RESULTING FROM THE MASS MURDER ON JANUARY 21, 2023 AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DIRECT THE
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO ADMINISTER THE
DISTRIBUTION OF DONATED FUNDS
On January 21, 2023, the Monterey Park community was traumatized by the murder of 11 individuals and the injury of nine others. In the aftermath of that horrific incident, the City’s resources are stretched thin. The Monterey Park Fire and Police Departments are the most affected by addressing the public safety of the community; the other City Departments, however, are also affected as we all are undergoing a “crash course” in learning how to react to this tragedy. Under the circumstances, it is apparent that the local emergency that was already in effect because of the 2023 Winter Storms must be broadened to include the mobilization of public resources to meet the community’s needs in healing from the January 21st incident.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
The Resolution itself and the actions anticipated by the Resolution were reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq ., “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal.
Code of Regulations §§15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”). Based upon that review, this action is exempt from further review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15269(a) because the protection of public and private property is necessary to maintain service essential to the public, health and welfare.
SUPPLEMENTAL – LOCAL EMERGENCY RESULTING FROM MASS
CASUALTY INCIDENT ON JANUARY 21, 2023
A supplemental staff report for Item 1- A. Based upon conversations with representatives at the County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management (“OEM”) on January 31, 2023, it is recommended that the City Council declare a new local emergency resulting from the Mass Casualty Incident on January 21, 2023. This is in lieu of extending the local emergency already in effect for the Winter Storms of 2023. Changes reflecting this recommendation were made to the draft resolution and executive order; they accompany to the Supplemental Staff Report in redline format for easy reference.
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Discussion: The Supplemental Staff Report was presented to the City Council and made available to the public. Carol Bradford Worley, Chief Legal Officer of California Community Foundation (CCF), provided general information on the role of the Foundation and how funds will be received and distributed. City Attorney Berger stated that the Emergency Policies and Protocols (EP&P) can be changed administratively to add additional Oversight Board members.
Recommendation: (1) Adopting a Resolution extending a local emergency resulting from the Mass Murder on January 21, 2023 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an Executive Order directing the California Community Foundation to administer the distribution of donated funds; and (2) Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
Action Taken: The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-R7 declaring a new local emergency regarding the Mass Murder on January 21, 2023 and authorized the City Manager to execute an Executive Order directing the California Community Foundation to administer the distribution of donated funds as presented in the Supplemental Staff Report as amended to include the City Manager with concurrence of the Mayor as Fund Administrators and recommended the following individuals to the oversight board: Judge Bryant Yang, Judge Ed Chau, Rick Eng, and Gay Yuen, but ultimately leaving the decision to California Community Foundation to seat the Oversight Board.
Motion: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Wong and seconded by Mayor Sanchez motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members: Lo, Ngo, Wong, Sanchez
Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: Yiu
Abstain: Council Members: None
Resolution No. 2023-R7:
A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY RESULTING FROM THE MASS MURDER ON JANUARY 21, 2023
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DATED JANUARY 31, 2023
1B. FISCAL YEAR 2022 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GR ANTS (AFG)
PROGRAM
The City of Monterey Park Fire Department received Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding a formal invitation to submit a full application for consideration of AFG funds. If the City is offered a grant award, the total proposed budget request is $92,577.35, which includes a federal share request of $84,161.23 and a required applicant 71-18
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match of $8,416.12. The application Activity Title is Personal Protective Equipment: Air Compressor/Fill Station/Cascade System Replacement.
Staff seeks City Council consideration and approval of the City of Monterey Park’s AFG application. The application due date is February 10, 2023. When the grant award decision is made and if the grant award is rec eived, staff will inform City Council.
Action Taken: The City Council (1) approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program for consideration of AFG funding; (2) authorized the City’s Finance Department to allocate $8,416.12 from the City Budget to fund the required applicant match if the grant is awarded; (3) adopted Resolution No. 2023-R8 authorizing the City Manager or designee, to apply for, recei ve, and appropriate grant funds for the Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
Motion: Moved by Council Member Lo and seconded by Council Member Ngo, motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members: Lo, Ngo, Wong, Sanchez
Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: Yiu
Abstain: Council Members: None
Resolution No. 2023-R8:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE, TO
APPLY FOR, RECEIVE, AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS PROGRAM –
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: AIR COMPRESSOR/FILL
STATION/CASCADE SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
CITY COMMUNICATIONS (CITY COUNCIL)
Council Member Lo noted that he went to the Lunar New Year celebration in the City of Alhambra, where Brandon Tsay was honored for his heroic action on January 21, 2023 . He also mentioned, while Mayor at the time, he contacted Deborah Penrose, Mayor of Halfmoon Bay City, to offer condolences on their city’s recent tragedy and to offer assistance, if needed. He spoke on gun violence and how it should be on a future agenda, in addition to how the community should recover.
Council Member Ngo spoke about the recent suffering the City and the community has experienced over the past ten days as we grieve, heal and move on. He reported that he attended the Lunar New Year Festival in Alhambra and the Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown, Los Angeles. He expressed his gratitude to the city personnel and first responders for their help.
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Mayor Pro Tem Wong voiced his solidarity with the community in mourning the tragedy that took place and will continue to foster a sense of community by offering the resources and services it requires. He stressed the need of assisting neighborhood organizations and local businesses to demonstrate that it is safe to venture outside. In addition, he wanted to reiterate what Council Member Ngo said and that this act of hatred will not define us, and that resources are available to meet the community’s needs. He said that it is very encouraging to see the support of the community and for everyone to come together through this healing process.
He also asked Karl about the new law of SB 1439.
Mayor Sanchez mentioned that Brandon Tsay will be honored by Monterey Park at the upcoming City Council meeting and urges everyone to attend and show their support. He also thanked the local businesses, congregations, and towns that have organized vigils over the past ten days. He said that he frequently attends these vigils and that he would be open to any additional invitations from other organizations. He expressed his happiness that local cities were still celebrating Lunar New Year. According to him, it is crucial to continue the celebration in order to honor our community’s diversity and culture as well as to maintain normalcy. He thanked city staff and first responders for all their efforts. He also commended Council Member Lo for serving as the Mayor during this tragedy and echoed the same sentiments regarding the essential improvements in this nation’s gun laws.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for consideration, the meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
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Maychelle Yee
City Clerk
Approved on March 15, 2023, at the Regular City Council Meeting