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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
SEPTEMBER 26, 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, September 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Sanchez called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
City Clerk Maychelle Yee called the roll:
Council Members Present: Henry Lo, Vinh Ngo, Jose Sanchez, Thomas Wong, Yvonne Yiu
Council Members Absent: None
ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager Inez Alvarez, City Attorney Karl Berger, Interim Assistant City Manager Diana Garcia, Interim City Librarian Kristin Olivar ez, Director of Public Works Shawn Igoe, Director of Recreation and Community Services Robert Aguirre, Community Development Director Jessica Serrano, Police Chief Scott Wiese, Water Utility Manager Frank Heldman, Deputy City Clerk Cindy Trang.
VIRTUALLY PRESENT: Director of Human Resources and Risk Manager Christine Tomikawa, Fire Chief Matt Hallock, Director of Finance Martha Garcia
AGENDA ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, CHANGES AND ADOPTIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: None.
1. NEW BUSINESS
1-A. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE MONTEREY PARK FIREFIGHTERS’
ASSOCIATION FOR THE TERM OF JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2025 Representatives of the City of Monterey Park (“City”) and MPFFA met and conferred to negotiate the terms and conditions of a new Memorandum of 71-273
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Understanding (“MOU”) regarding employment. The parties reached an agreement on an MOU effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.
Action Taken: The City Council adopted Resolution No.2023-R76 approving a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the City of Monterey Park and the Monterey Park Firefighters’ Association (“MPFFA”).
Motion: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Wong and seconded by Council Member Yiu, motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members: Lo, Yiu, Ngo, Wong, Sanchez
Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
Abstain: Council Members: None
Recusal: Council Members: None
Resolution No. 2023-R76:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FOR CONTRACT YEAR 2023 -2025 BETWEEN THE CITY OF MONTEREY PARK AND THE MONTEREY PARK FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
(“MPFFA”).
1-B. APPROVE THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER
RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON DECEMBER 6, 2023
In 2014, the City Council adopted Ordinance Nos. 2109 and 2110 adjusting the rates for water and sewer. These Ordinance s included a 10% to 15% increase in rates for a five- year period beginning September 2014. The ordinances also included an automatic reversal of utility rate charges effective August 2019 back to utility charges exiting in August of 2017. Since that time, s everal factors have changed: declines in water usage resulting from increased efficiency and an increase in operating cost due to inflation. A new comprehensive rate study was desirable.
On June 16, 2021, the Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with HF&H Consultants, LLC (HF&H) for a Utility Rate Fees Study (the Study). The last comprehensive study on the water, wastewater, and refuse rates occurred in 2014.
Discussion: Interim City Manager Alvarez presented a PowerPoint presentat ion on the process for determining the water and sewer rate increase. Public Works Director Igoe made a presentation regarding the current water and sewer infrastructure and the need for a rate increase. Senior Vice-President of HF & H Consultants, Rick Simonson was in attendance virtually to elaborate on the rate study and analysis of the rate increase and took questions from the Council.
Director of Finance Garcia also participated in the discussion of the lifeline discount 71-274
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program for residents. Chief Executive and Strategy Officer of Urban Futures Bond Administration, Michael Busch talked about the financial aspect for the City and took questions from the Council.
Action Taken: The City Council (1) received and filed the Water and Sewer Rate Study; (2) established proposed water and sewer rates for customer consideration; (3) directed the Interim City Manager, or designee, to implement the Proposition 218 protest ballot process (pursuant to Resolution No. 11647) for proposed rate setting; and ( 4) set a Public Hearing on December 6, 2023 to consider rate increases.
Motion: Moved by Council Member Ngo and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wong, motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members: Lo, Yiu, Ngo, Wong, Sanchez
Noes: Council Members: None
Absent: Council Members: None
Abstain: Council Members: None
Recusal: Council Members: None
RECESSED – 8:51 p.m.
2. CLOSED SESSION – 8:59 p.m.
2-A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (GOVERNMENT CODE SEC. 54956.9(D)(1))
Name of Case: Shichen Mai v. City of Monterey Park, et al . (filed November 30, 2022) LSC Case No. 22AHCV01195.
2-B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, INITIATION OF LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4)).
Number of Potential Cases: One (related to Case No. 22AHCV01195, above). Potential Defendants (voluntarily disclosed; not legally required): West Coast Arborists, Inc. and Does 1-30.
RECONVENED – 9:02 p.m.
ADJOURNED
There being no further business for consideration, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
NO REPORTABLE ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
__________________
Maychelle Yee
City Clerk
Approved on November 15, 2023, at the Regular City Council Meeting