APPROVED: 03/01/2022
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
February 1, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Councilmembers/Directors: Mora, Sarno, Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Zamora and Mayor/Chair Rodriguez.
Members absent: None
INVOCATION
Councilmember Sarno led the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sarno led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following people spoke during Public Comments: Lang Cottrell, Moshe Sassover, Steve Masura, Jeff Farano, Jeff Hamilton, Francis Park, and Stephane Wandel.
HOUSING SUCCESSOR
CONSENT AGENDA
Consent Agenda items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and vote. Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately by the Housing Successor.
Minutes of the January 4, 2022 Housing Successor Meetings (City Clerk) Recommendation:
• Approve the minutes as submitted.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Zamora, seconded by Councilmember Sarno, to approve the minutes as submitted, by the following vote:
Ayes: Mora, Sarno, Trujillo, Zamora, Rodríguez
Nayes: None
Absent: None
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Consent Agenda items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion ana vote. Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately by the Successor Agency.
Minutes of the February 1, 2022 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings a. Minutes of the January 4, 2022 Successor Agency Meetings (City Clerk) Recommendation:
• Approve the minutes as submitted.
It was moved by Councilmember Trujillo, seconded by Councilmember Mora, to approve the minutes as submitted, by the following vote:
Ayes: Mora, Sarno, Trujillo, Zamora, Rodríguez
Nayes: None
Absent: None
CITY COUNCIL
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Consent Agenda items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and vote. Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately by the City Council.
a. Minutes of the January 4, 5, 11, 2022 Regular and Special City Council Meetings (City Clerk)
Recommendation:
• Approve the minutes as submitted.
b. A Resolution of the City Council Reaffirming the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Threat of COVID-19 (pursuant to Government Code section 8630) (City Attorney)
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 9757:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, REAFFIRMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE THREAT OF COVID-19.
c. A Resolution of the City Council Affirming Authorization of Remote Teleconference Meetings (City Attorney)
Recommendation:
• Adopt Resolution No. 9759:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE
SPRINGS AFFIRMING THE LEGALLY REQUIRED FINDINGS TO
AUTHORIZE THE CONDUCT OF REMOTE TELECONFERENCE
MEETINGS DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
d. Resolution No. 9758 - Weed Abatement (City Clerk)
Recommendation:
• Adopt Resolution No. 9758 declaring weeds a public nuisance, declaring its intention to remove them, and setting Tuesday, February 15, 2022 as the date for the Public Hearing.
e. Exchange Agreement and Assignment of Federal Surface Transportation Program Local and Highway Infrastructure Programs Funds (Public Works) Recommendation:
• Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute Final Form, approved by
Minutes of the February 1, 2022 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings City Attorney's Office, of Exchange Agreement and Assignment of the Federal Surface Transportation Program Local (STP-L) Funds and Highway Infrastructure Programs (HIP) Funds to partially fund the Pioneer Boulevard Street Improvement Project.
It was moved by Councilmember Trujillo, seconded by Councilmember Mora, to approve Item Nos. 8A through 8E, by the following vote:
Ayes: Mora, Sarno, Trujillo, Zamora, Rodriguez
Nayes: None
Absent: None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution No. 9755 - Request for Parking Restrictions during Certain Hours on the east side of Painter Avenue south of Florence Avenue (Public Works) Recommendation:
• Adopt Resolution No. 9755 to implement a parking restriction between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and a tow-away zone for vehicles that violate the restriction on the east side of Painter Avenue from a point 875 feet south of Florence Avenue to a point 1030 feet south of Florence Avenue.
Director of Public Works, Noe Negrete provided a presentation on Item No. 9.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Zamora, seconded by Councilmember Sarno, to adopt Resolution No. 9755 to implement a parking restriction between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and a tow-away zone for vehicles that violate the restriction on the east side of Painter Avenue from a point 875 feet south of Florence Avenue to a point 1030 feet south of Florence Avenue, by the following vote:
Ayes: Mora, Sarno, Trujillo, Zamora, Rodriguez
Nayes: None
Absent: None
10. On-Call Professional Engineering Services for the Design of Residential Streets Improvements South of Florence Avenue (Orr & Day Road to Ringwood Avenue) Project - Award of Contract (Public Works)
Recommendation:
• Accept the Request For Quotes (RFQ's);
• Appropriate $100,000 from the Utility User Tax (UUT) Capital Improvement Fund to the Design of Residential Streets Improvements South of Florence Avenue (Orr & Day Road to Ringwood Avenue) Project Account No. PW220002;
• Award a Contract to NV5, Inc. from Irvine, California for the Design of the Residential Streets Improvements South of Florence Avenue (Orr & Day Road to Ringwood Avenue) in the amount of $85,500; and Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute Task Order for On- Call Professional Engineering Services with NV5, Inc.
Minutes of the February 1, 2022 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings Director of Public Works, Noe Negrete provided a presentation on Item No. 10.
Councilmember Mora asked if this item would jeopardize the potential funding from Caltrans from the I-5 Project fund. Director Negrete stated that it would only be jeopardized if the City were to begin construction, not the design.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Zamora, seconded by Councilmember Trujillo, to accept the Request For Quotes (RFQ's), appropriate $100,000 from the Utility User Tax (UUT) Capital Improvement Fund to the Design of Residential Streets Improvements South of Florence Avenue (Orr & Day Road to Ringwood Avenue) Project Account No. PW220002, award a Contract to NV5, Inc. from Irvine, California for the Design of the Residential Streets Improvements South of Florence Avenue (Orr & Day Road to Ringwood Avenue) in the amount of $85,500, and authorize the Director of Public Works to execute Task Order for On-Call Professional Engineering Services with NV5, Inc., by the following vote:
Ayes: Mora, Sarno, Trujillo, Zamora, Rodriguez
Nayes: None
Absent: None
11. 2040 Comprehensive General Plan Update
Recommendation:
• Receive update from staff and provide direction as desired.
City Manager, Raymond R. Cruz provided a brief update on the General Plan in regards to concerns that the business community has with approving the housing and zoning elements separately.
Director of Planning, Wayne M. Morrell provided information on the Amazon facility, stating that its use is meant for parcel delivery and was never approved for logistical purposes. He also spoke about specifics regarding land and zoning policies, and pledged to continue to work with the business community to sort out the outstanding issues.
Assistant Director of Planning, Cuong Nguyen summarized staff's achievements to date, and spoke about certain outstanding issues such as nonconforming uses and the land use map specifically regarding light industrial areas, highlighting Planning's efforts are coming close to a solution.
Councilmember Sarno asked about potential ramifications if the housing element is passed but the land use element is not passed on February 8th. Planning Consultant Laurel Reimer explained that Council would essentially be approving housing units within land use designations that would not exist, being out of compliance with requirements from the State. Councilmember Sarno asked if there were any industrial sites with proposed zoning changes where new housing could potentially be built. Consultant Reimer responded yes, but not in all industrial areas. Councilmember Sarno made additional comments in regards to coming to an agreement with the business community.
Director Morrell stated that prolonging the approval of the proposed elements would not make a difference as all concerns have already been stated, and postponing approval would also jeopardize grant funding. City Manager, Ray Cruz also advised against bifurcation. Mayor Pro Tem Zamora agreed with adhering to the timeline. Assistant
Minutes of the February 1, 2022 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings Director Nguyen elaborated on nuances in regards to downsizing certain zones.
Councilmember Mora commented on coming to a solution by February 8th.
12. PRESENTATIONS
Virtual Presentation by Leonard Barrales, District Manager for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), to award the City of Santa Fe Springs with a Silver Certificate for the 2021 Most Business Friendly City Award (Planning)
13. CITY MANAGER'S AND EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTS
• City Manager, Raymond R. Cruz stated that due to the high number of City employees exposed to COVID-19, working shifts will remain until February 17, with Council Meetings still being held remotely during that period. • Director of Public Works, Noe Negrete stated that a CIP Study Session is tentatively set for March 1st. He also spoke about attending the Our Lady of Perpetual Help career day to speak about engineering to young students.
Lastly, he announced that the colored lights on the Telegraph Rd/Norwalk Biva bridge will be set to blue and yellow in support of the Los Angeles Rams at the Super Bowl.
• Director of Planning, Wayne Morrell spoke about the Planning Commission approving a Chick-fil-A on Telegraph Rd by Painter Ave. He also spoke about the Christmas Decorating Contest
• Director of Police Services, Dino Torres spoke about a promotional video that will be provided to Council highlighting what Red Ribbon Week means to the community.
• Fire Chief, Brent Hayward provided an update on COVID-19 cases throughout the City. He also promoted the COVID Testing Mega-Site in the City of Norwalk, and lastly provided a progress report on the Pierce fire engine. • Director of Finance, Travis Hickey spoke about the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Economic Outlook hosted on January 20. He also spoke about receiving funds form the California Water Board that assist in providing COVID relief for water utilities.
• Director of Community Services, Maricela Balderas spoke about the upcoming Shamrock 5K Fun Run/Walk on March 12, and provided information on the Couch to 5K training program available to residents to prepare for the run. She reported that the homeless count is being postponed to February 23 due to a high surge of COVID cases.
14. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS
Councilmember Sarno appointed Sally Gaitan to the Beautification and Historical Advisory Committee.
Mayor Rodriguez appointed Frank Martinez and Jimmy Mendoza to the Sister City Advisory Committee, and Elena Lopez (Boca) to the Beautification and Historical Advisory Committee.
15. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Mora wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year, and also thanked Planning Department staff for their continued efforts on the General Plan.
Minutes of the February 1, 2022 Housing Successor, Successor Agency, and City Council Meetings Councilmember Sarno thanked the Human Resources Department for their efforts in managing the number of COVID-19 cases across City staff Councilmember Trujillo thanked all departments for continuing to provide services despite the rising COVID-19 numbers, and also looked forward to the completion of the General Plan in the near future.
Mayor Pro Tem Zamora thanked first responders for their efforts and thanked City staff for their contributions and also thanked the Planning Department for their work towards completion of the General Plan.
Mayor Rodriguez thanked all City staff for their work on the General Plan, and also thanked the Chamber of Commerce on their business card change event at the Chick-fil- A in Norwalk. Lastly, she spoke about attending the Mayor's Academy and shared what she learned to make better decisions for the community.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Annette/Rodriguez
Mayor
ATTEST:
3/1/22
Janet Martinez Date
City Clerk