Attachment F - Complaints and Applicant Responses to Complaints — Signal Hill City Council, January 23, 2024

1 Carlos Luis
From: John Romero
Sent: Friday, December 8, 2023 12:10 PM
To: Carlos Luis; John Romero
Cc: Chris Mata
Subject: RE: 2901 E. Pacific Coast Highway
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization! Do not click links, open attachments or reply, unless you recognize the sender's email address and know the content is safe! Good Morning Carlos.

All claims have been addressed and responded to in RED. - You will read how vast the discrepancy of reality in her claims, the lack of full disclosure on her claims, need of some common sense into her claims, and lack of reaching out to our facility management. Over 20 signs on all facility entrances are posted where complaints or issues can be directed to management. To date, no phone call or email has been made from the community or .
- We are requesƟng for the City to provide reports for claims where Police were called to address or validate concerns of “theŌ, crime, drug, stash housing, drug dealing” on or in our business property. If claims of “theŌ, crime, drug, stash housing, or drug dealing” are not jusƟfied in police reports pertaining to these claims, please address in your reply or at upcoming City Council meeƟng. - Please share to City Council where our staff, including management, also took steps in working with local enforcement on several claims that did not report.
- We are requesƟng the City Council to review the abuses of perking permits that conƟnue with the residents on Ellis/Gladys avenue. A dozen emails were sent to Carlos Luis, with pictures and incident details, and the consistent parking issue on Ellis. Parking issues are not created only by Signal Hill Self Storage, but the residents and guests of the apartment building on Ellis. states that vehicles (i.e. moving trucks, vehicles) park on their side of the street. These non-parking permit vehicles are seen guests or belonging to residents of the Ellis apartments. What is the landlord of the property doing to alleviate these issues? Why is there no parking on their premises and driveway? How many calls did report from her fellow residents who conƟnue to park across the street while obtaining permit parking passes? - also claims vehicles parked behind the hotel and near the end of the cul de sac as issues pertaining to our facility. states that many do not enter our facility but merely look “suspicious.” Are the owners of the hotel, jewelry, pet grooming businesses and Ellis Apartments doing their part to address concern? - Please share with City Council our responses as we will also address at upcoming meeƟng. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hi John,
Please see the claims below. Please provide responses addressing the claims.

Attachment F
2 10/30/23 Monday Oct 30, 2023
White Honda CRV in permit parking for over 2 hours. PD called at 10:25AM, they responded at 11:33AM. Vehicle moved prior to PD arrival to the Ellis Ave pin code access entrance of Storage facility and loaded their vehicle. Photos aƩached. Ellis Ave parking lot was completely empty (pictured) and green curb parking was open. Ample parking on the non-permit side of the street.

They are not telling customers where to park.

WE HAVE OVER 30 SIGNS POSTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVERY ENTRY WAY OF OUR FACILITY, IN ALL MAJOR

HALLWAYS OF OUR FACILITY WITH PARKING INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING STAIRWELLS AND ELEVATORS. EMAILS ARE SENT TO OUR TENANTS WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS. ALL NEW TENANTS ARE GIVEN A TOUR OF WHERE PARKING IS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING. *** ALSO, PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.

Blue Tesla in permit parking (pictured) Parked for over an hour. PD called at 12:57PM, they responded at 1:32PM. PD did not cite vehicle, they were heard direcƟng the Tesla where to park across the street. If the facility was direcƟng their customers on where to park like they're supposed to be, PD wouldn't have to play parking aƩendant. They should have been cited. Signs are visible. Parking lot was empty. Ample parking on the non-permit side. They are not telling customers where to park.

WE HAVE OVER 30 SIGNS POSTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVERY ENTRY WAY OF OUR FACILITY, IN ALL MAJOR

White Ford Explorer parked ON the sidewalk...well the dirt patch where the sidewalk would be if the City would repair the street (pictured). Parking on the sidewalk behind resident cars is a FREQUENT occurrence. Please add sidewalk where it is missing, and a curb where the asphalt "driveway" is on this street. It is contribuƟng to loitering tweekers (IS THERE A POLICE REPORT WHERE ARRESTS WHERE MADE ON ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY ON OUR PROPERTY. IF SO, I REQUEST THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL TO SHARE WITH US. IF THERE ISN’T, THEN THIS IS ANOTHER FALSE REPORT/ACCUSATION ON BEHALF OF ERIN) on our block. When is that 23 year old landscaping agreement required by the CUP going to be executed?
PD called at 3:30PM, arrived at 3:49PM. White female with short light brown hair and white shirt seen exiƟng Explorer and entering the Storage through the pin code access box. Male in blue shirt remained. PD directed truck to move to the green curb. 2 males remained in/around truck for 2 hours. Female never returned to vehicle.
3 PD called again at 5:07PM Explorer was playing loud music, one occupant was hunched over high on something, the other occupant was chopping a bike on the sidewalk by the orange door (pictured).

Please review the security footage and please advise why the storage is not direcƟng customers where to park (WE HAVE OVER 30 SIGNS POSTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVERY ENTRY WAY OF OUR

FACILITY, IN ALL MAJOR HALLWAYS OF OUR FACILITY WITH PARKING INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING STAIRWELLS AND ELEVATORS. EMAILS ARE SENT TO OUR TENANTS WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS. ALL NEW TENANTS ARE GIVEN A TOUR OF WHERE PARKING IS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING.), and why they are allowing tweekers dismantling bikes to remain on our block. The males were not customers and never entered nor exited the Storage. (“THE MALES WERE NOT CUSTOMERS AND NEVER ENTERED NOR EXITED THE STORAGE” per ”)Their female companion did, and the males leŌ without her.

This is the kind of traffic we are sick of. These people have no business on our street, and we do not need junkies lingering in our neighborhood.

It is contribuƟng to peƩy theŌ and it is unsafe for residents. It is directly aƩributed to the storage facility . (IS THERE A POLICE REPORT WHERE ARRESTS WHERE MADE ON PETTY THEFT/ ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY ON OUR PROPERTY. IF SO, I REQUEST THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL TO SHARE WITH US. IF THERE ISN’T, THEN THIS IS ANOTHER FALSE REPORT/ACCUSATION ON BEHALF OF ) 11/05/23 Nov 5, 2023 PD called 12:35PM male intoxicated on drugs siƫng on sidewalk outside of storage on Ellis Ave between back code entrance and orange door. Male is siƫng down slumped over like a rag doll. LaƟno or white male, blue jeans, white shirt, blue backpack siƫng next to him.

PD arrived 12:53PM.

FALSE – THIS INDIVIDUAL IS KNOWN AT OUR FACILITY. THIS INDIVIDUAL DEALS WITH KYPHOSIS, SEVERE SPINAL ALIGNMENT DISEASE. ONE OF THE SYMPTONS OF KYPHOSIS IS SHORTNESS OF BREATH DUE TO NARROWING OF BREATHING AIRWAY AND IMBALANCE. HE IS A LOCAL ELDERLY MAN WHO VISITS OUR FACILITY AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. HE GREETS US EACH TIME HE COMES INTO OUR FACILITY.

ITS SAD THAT ERIN CLAIMS THAT HE WAS ON DRUGS. DOES SHE NOT SYMPATHIZE WITH THIS PERSON DEALING WITH THESE SYMPTONS?

AFTER EXITING OUR FACILITY, HE STANDS HIS BICYCLE ON OUR SIDEWALK AND SITS DOWN ALONG OUR BUILDING. POLICE WERE CALLED AND APPROACHED OUR TENANT. POLICE LEAVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS JUST RESTING. TENANT LEAVES SHORTLY AFTER. NEVER A THREAT. A PREVIOUS EMAIL WAS SENT TO CARLOS LUIS IN RESPONSE TO OUR REVIEW OF THIS COMPLAINT PRIOR.

Facility did not do anything to remove this person despite their statement that they patrol every 30 minutes and loitering is strictly prohibited around the facility. This is uƩer nonsense. They do not patrol every half hour, and they are clearly not monitoring their security cameras. STILL.

This male was outside for close to an hour. AŌer PD advised him and leŌ, at 1PM, he gathered his belongings and walked straight to the back entrance, entered a PIN code and entered the facility.

YES, HE ENTERED OUR FACILITY BECAUSE HE IS A TENANT. HE SUFFERS FROM KYPHOSIS (SEVERE SPINAL 4 DISEASE THAT ALSO LEADS TO SHORTNESS OF BREATH DUE TO NARROWING OF BREATHING AIRWAY AND IMBALANCE.

Why is this facility allowing their junkie customers (THIS ELDERLY TENANT IS NOT A JUNKIE) to pass out on the sidewalk outside of their facility in a residenƟal neighborhood? Why does the City conƟnue to allow our safety to be put at risk by allowing this to conƟnue. *** PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.

Please view their security footage and you will see him outside for close to an hour and will also see him enter the facility aŌer PD leaves. REVIEWED AND WE ARE CERTAIN THE POLICE REPORT WILL VALIDATE THAT NO THREAT OR CRIME WAS BEING COMMITTED.

Nov 6, 2023 The same male returns and enters facility with another junkie male on a bike in an orange workers vest. The male in the orange vest was seen coming and going from the facility via code box at least twice earlier that day. He did not bring anything into the facility, and did not leave with any items except his bike. The two entered the facility and leŌ within 5 minutes. I observed this while walking my dog and could not believe that this same guy was back again the very next day. CONFUSED – PICTURES SHOW A BICYCLIST IN AN ORANGE VEST ON ELLIS AVE BICYLCING AWAY OUR FACILITY IN FRONT OF THE APARTMENTS APPROXIMATELY OVER 200 FT FROM OUR FACILIYT.

WHERE IS THE PICTURE OF HIM ENTERING OUR FACILITY AS STATED? *** ALSO, PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.

It is unbelievable how many druggies frequent this facility. Has PD ever looked into this? This storage appears to be renƟng units to people as stash houses. Allegedly, in my opinion, based on my observaƟon. FALSE – NO ARRESTS OR INVESTIGATIONS FROM SIGNAL HILL POLICE DEPT INTO THESE “STASH HOUSES” OR ILLEGAL DRUG DEALING IN OUR PROPERTY. FALSE ACCUSATION.

Please look at the security footage.

November 6, 2023. An oversized UHaul truck was parked on Ellis Ave near Groomingdale, taking up 2-3 resident parking spots on the street. PD towed the truck at 2:18PM aŌer a 72 hour noƟce was placed on the vehicle. (ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3RD, JOHN ROMERO, DISTRICT MANAGER, WAIVED DOWN A PATROLLING SIGNAL HILL POLICE OFFICER ON ELLIS AVE. JOHN ROMERO INFORMED POLICE OFFICER THAT THE UHAUL AT THE END OF THE CUL DE SAC, APPROXIMATELY 500 FT AWAY FROM THE STORAGE FACILITY, HAD BEEN PARKED THERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. OFFICER SAID HE “WAS GOING TO CHECK IT OUT AND TAG IT WITH A 72 HOUR NOTICE. IF TRUCK WAS STILL THERE AFTER 72 HOURS, IT WOULD GET TOWED. “ JOHN ROMERO ALSO CALLED CEDRIK PEOPLES, UHAUL DISTRICT MANAGER, WHO PREVIOUSLY WORKED WITH US. JOHN ROMERO SHARED THE INFORMATION, PLATE NUMBER, AND LOCATION TO UHAUL D.M. AND HE SAID HE WILL LOOK INTO IT AND IF IT WAS ABANDONED, HE WILL SEND SOMEONE TO PICK IT UP. VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED BUT RETRIEVED FROM UHAUL. )
5 Friday Nov 17 UHaul truck parked at back entrance was escorted by employee at 6:17PM. Their closing Ɵme is 5:45PM. (WE ACCOMODATED A NEW TENANT WHO WAS MOVING INTO OUR FACILITY FROM OUT OF STATE. AFTER A LONG DAY OF DRIVING, WE ACCOMODATED TENANT TO UNLOAD INTO OUR FACILITY. ALL ENTRY POINTS INTO OUR FACILITY ARE LOCKED AND SECURED. PIN CODES ARE DISABLED AUTOMATICALLY AT 5:45 PM MON – SATURDAY. OUR EMPLOYEE WAS STATIONED AT REAR ENTRANCE DOOR AND MONITORED THE EXTRA HALF HOUR OF UNLOADING. THIS IS CUSTOMER SERVICE. NOT IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICE. THIS TENANT HAPPENS TO BE SIGNAL HILL’S NEWEST RESIDENT. GLAD TO HELP) 11/27/23 AƩached please find a screenshot of a Yelp review of Signal Hill Self Storage on November 11, 2023. (PLEASE READ THE POSITIVE REVIEWS ON YELP AND GOOGLE SINCE MAY 2023 SINCE JOHN ROMERO

TOOK OVER STATING THE POSITIVE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED DURING THIS TIME PERIOD) The review from customer Jose reads:
"I came in today to check on my unit and I am so glad the staff well I mean employee the only person their was Mariana and she was doing great all by her self while it looked pretty crazy she looked like she had it all under control glad she was their to help me today you keep up the good work Mariana they need more employees like you"
John Ramos stated that they were going to have 3 employees working everyday. Wonder which office this one employee was working out of? I doubt it was the "new office" at the back PIN code access entrance off of Ellis...

FALSE – NEVER STATED. PLEASE REFER TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING (RECORDED ON ZOOM AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER MEETINGS). WHEN ASKED HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WORKED AT OUR FACILITY ON AVERAGE, JOHN ROMERO, DISTRICT MANAGER, RESPONDED “ABOUT 2-3 EMPLOYEES PER SHIFT DEPENDING IF IT IS THE WEEKEND WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST ACTIVITY IN OUR BUILDING.” CITY COUNCIL ALSO COMMENTED

THAT ADDING MORE EMPLOYEES WILL BRING A FINANCIAL BURDEN TO OUR BUSINESS WHICH IS UNFAIR. CITY COUNCIL ALSO WANTED THE FACILITY IMPLEMENT THE BEST PRACTICES THAT WERE SHARED BY JOHN ROMERO AND MEASURE THE RESULTS OF THESE BEST PRACTICES IN THE FUTURE.

AƩached please find a photo from 12:57PM Nov 27, 2023 of a pet grooming truck parked in the permit parking. The female driver of the truck, dark hair, long sleeved dark shirt and pants can be seen crossing the street, looking at her phone, and then entering a PIN code at the back entrance to access the storage facility.

FALSE – PICTURE OF VEHICLE PARKED ON ELLIS. MAYBE A RESIDENT OR GUEST OF ELLIS/GLADYS RESIDENCES. THIS IS A “MOBILE” PET GROOMING VEHICLE. MAYBE ATTENDING TO A CUSTOMER AT THE ELLIS APARTMENTS. NO PICTURE OF DRIVER WALKING TO OUR FACILITY. NO ENTRY IN REAR ENTRANCE DURING THIS DATE AND TIME. *** ALSO, PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.

When is this facility going to confirm that customers are parked in their lot and not in permit parking before they allow them to access their unit? Because they are sƟll not doing that. FALSE – WE HAVE OVER 30 SIGNS POSTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVERY ENTRY WAY OF OUR FACILITY, IN ALL MAJOR

HALLWAYS OF OUR FACILITY WITH PARKING INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING STAIRWELLS AND 6 ELEVATORS. EMAILS ARE SENT TO OUR TENANTS WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS. ALL NEW TENANTS ARE GIVEN A TOUR OF WHERE PARKING IS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING.

Customers rarely uƟlize the parking lot (even aŌer they FINALLY removed the oversized dumpster & standard size dumpster that were there for several months, last week). CONFUSION – TENANTS OF

ELLIS/GLADYS AVENUE APARTMENTS WHO HAVE PARKING PERMITS ALSO PARK IN NON PERMIT PARKING AREAS, TOO. COULD IT POSSIBLY BE THAT PARKERS PARK WHERE IT IS SOMETIMES MOST CONVENIENT FOR THEM? EVEN WITH SIGNAGE POSTED? IS THE LANDLORD OF THE ELLIS/GLADYS APARTMENTS DOING ENOUGH TO INSTRUCT THEIR TENANTS WHERE TO PARK AS WELL? IS THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PARKERS NOT PARKING IN THEIR ASSIGNED SECTION? *** ALSO, PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.
11/28/23 We have noƟced that customers (FALSE - IF THEY DON’T HAVE PIN CODES, DON’T HAVE

STORAGE UNITS AT OUR BUSINESS AND NEVER ACCESS OUR FACILIYT, THEY ARE NOT CUSTOMERS) regularly are showing up and waiƟng at the residenƟal Ellis Ave back entrance up to 2 hours prior to the facility opening. Some of these customers create noise disturbances and PD has been called out to deal with them on more than one occasion since the hearing. Others are just loitering, some making noise with carts, loud talking, etc. How are customers with PIN codes unaware of business hours? SIGNS ARE POSTED ON ALL ENTRANCES OF OUR FACILITY OF BUSINESS HOURS. Perhaps they are sƟll not aware that this locaƟon no longer operates 24 hours. FALSE – FACILITY AND BUSINESS NEVER OPERATED FOR 24 HOURS. ERIN AND CITY OF SIGNAL HILL ARE AWARE OF THIS.

Yesterday Nov 27 a customer arrived at approx 8:40AM in a black flatbed RAM or Tundra style truck and parked on the permit side. PD was called at 8:49AM when the male exited the vehicle and went across the street to the storage. He can be seen in a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and a light colored cap on their security cameras. He was instructed by the parking enforcement officer following the street sweeper to move out of permit parking. He can be seen on camera moving his truck from the permit side to the storage side. Please take a look at the security camera, this is a frequent occurrence.

CONFUSED – VEHICLE LEFT SHORTLY AFTER AT 8:57 AM (33 MINUTES BEFORE OPENING). NONTENANT. WHY DIDN’T ERIN INCLUDE THAT IN HER REPORT? HOW IS THIS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUSINESS? ALSO, PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.

Nov 28 12:12PM customer in white Ford style flatbed truck illegally parked against traffic on the street next to the neighborhood watch sign. PD was called to address the issue. Customer was seen unloading a cart of items and entering the PIN code back door. ...

Meanwhile their parking lot is completely empty. Remember how the facility stated that customers needed access to park on the residenƟal side because they needed to use the ramp? INCIDENT REVIEWED – ERIN DID NOT STATE THAT EMPLOYEES MADE CONTACT WITH TENANT OUTSIDE AND INSTRUCTED THEM WHERE TO PARK. IF OUR FACILITY STAFF DOES THEIR BEST TO LIMIT THESE SITUATIONS. WE HAVE OVER 30 SIGNS POSTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVERY ENTRY WAY OF OUR FACILITY, 7 IN ALL MAJOR HALLWAYS OF OUR FACILITY WITH PARKING INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING STAIRWELLS AND ELEVATORS. EMAILS ARE SENT TO OUR TENANTS WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS. ALL NEW TENANTS ARE GIVEN A TOUR OF WHERE PARKING IS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING.) 11/29/23 November 29, 2023 1:19PM
AƩached please find (2) photos:

Silver Ford crossover plate# ending in #062 parked in permit parking Black sedan parked at red curb adjacent to ramp leading from Ellis to PCH. Please check security camera for arrival Ɵme.

Open parking spot available directly in front of back entrance door as well as the vacant parking lot. Customer chose to park in a red zone. He was not using a cart and was not physically disabled, he did not need to be right near the ramp.

NO INFORMATION ON DATE, TIME FOR US TO REVIEW SECURITY FOOTAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE SO WE MAY REFERENCE INTO REVIEW.
12/01/23 A female employee, short with dark hair has been parking a blue vehicle in the 2hr parking for the past 2 days. FALSE – NONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES DRIVE A BLUE VEHICLE.

Yesterday unƟl 4PM. 7 hours in a 2 hour parking space. *** ALSO, PUBLIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR CONCERNS TO BE MADE TO OUR PUBLIC COMPLAINT NUMBER. NO CALL WERE MADE TO THAT NUMBER.

Why are employees no longer parking in the back of the Ellis Ave lot, or beƩer yet in one the unused 20 parking spaces in their underground parking? 20 spaces not including the cars they have stored in there. PARKING IS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES, TENANTS, AND GUESTS IN EITHER OF OUR TWO PARKING AREAS IN GARAGE AND REAR OF BUILDING.

Please view the security camera. She's parking near the ramp. Photos aƩached. 12/01/23 This evening customers in a UHaul truck were seen entering the back entrance of Ellis aŌer 5:30...when "access hours" are supposed to be cut off.

FALSE – OUR FACILITY CLOSES AT 5:45 PM MONDAY TO SATURDAY. CUSTOMERS ENTERING FACILITY AT 5:30 PM ARE WITHIN THEIR ACCESS TIME.

Please view the security camera footage.
8 12/02/23 AƩached is the photo sent to the City of the moving truck that was ILLEGALLY parked in permit parking on Sept 30 that is referenced below. This is one of the calls I made to PD for illegal parking by storage customers on Sept 30.. John states I'm calling on vehicles that are parked legally.

PEOPLE WHO MOVE OCCASSIONALLY ORDER MOVING TRUCKS TO MOVE FROM ONE RESIDENCE TO ANOTHER. LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE PARKED AT ELLIS MOVED OUT. WE DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS AFFILIATED WITH US.
12/03/23 Please see aƩached photos of male in dark clothing entering Ellis Ave residenƟal PIN code entrance of Signal Hill Self Storage at 5:36PM on Friday December 1, 2023. (IN ACCORDANCE TO OUR C.U.P IN SIGNAL HILL, WE CAN OPERATE TO 5:45PM ON FRIDAYS. REPORTED ENTRANCE AT 5:36PM).

The facility insists that access hours end 15 minutes prior to business close. This was a Friday, business close is 5:45PM access hours were to end at 5:30PM.

FALSE – NEVER STATED. PLEASE REFER TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING (RECORDED ON ZOOM AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER MEETINGS).

Not 5:30ish or whenever they feel like it. Not on a case by case basis to accommodate customers that arrive late and aren't finished on Ɵme.

They have stated in wriƟng that nobody is able to access the facility 15 minutes prior to closing.

FALSE – NEVER STATED. PLEASE REFER TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING (RECORDED ON ZOOM AUGUST AND

SEPTEMBER MEETINGS)
Also aƩached photos of male loading UHaul truck aŌerwards.

JOHN ROMERO

DISTRICT MANAGER
562.484.8023
From: Carlos Luis <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 5:11 PM
To: John Romero < >; John Romero <j >
Cc: Chris Mata < >
Subject: 2901 E. Pacific Coast Highway
9 Hi John,
Please see the claims below. Please provide responses addressing the claims. 10/30/23 Monday Oct 30, 2023
White Honda CRV in permit parking for over 2 hours. PD called at 10:25AM, they responded at 11:33AM. Vehicle moved prior to PD arrival to the Ellis Ave pin code access entrance of Storage facility and loaded their vehicle. Photos aƩached. Ellis Ave parking lot was completely empty (pictured) and green curb parking was open. Ample parking on the non-permit side of the street.

They are not telling customers where to park.

PD called again at 5:07PM Explorer was playing loud music, one occupant was hunched over high on something, the other occupant was chopping a bike on the sidewalk by the orange door (pictured).

Please review the security footage and please advise why the storage is not direcƟng customers where to park, and why they are allowing tweekers dismantling bikes to remain on our block. The males were not customers and never entered nor exited the Storage. Their female companion did, and the males leŌ without her.

This is the kind of traffic we are sick of. These people have no business on our street, and we do not need junkies lingering in our neighborhood.

It is contribuƟng to peƩy theŌ and it is unsafe for residents. It is directly aƩributed to the storage facility .
10 11/05/23 Nov 5, 2023 PD called 12:35PM male intoxicated on drugs siƫng on sidewalk outside of storage on Ellis Ave between back code entrance and orange door. Male is siƫng down slumped over like a rag doll. LaƟno or white male, blue jeans, white shirt, blue backpack siƫng next to him.

PD arrived 12:53PM.

This male was outside for close to an hour. AŌer PD advised him and leŌ, at 1PM, he gathered his belongings and walked straight to the back entrance, entered a PIN code and entered the facility.

Why is this facility allowing their junkie customers to pass out on the sidewalk outside of their facility in a residenƟal neighborhood? Why does the City conƟnue to allow our safety to be put at risk by allowing this to conƟnue.

Please view their security footage and you will see him outside for close to an hour and will also see him enter the facility aŌer PD leaves.

Please look at the security footage.

Friday Nov 17 UHaul truck parked at back entrance was escorted by employee at 6:17PM. Their closing Ɵme is 5:45PM. 11/27/23 AƩached please find a screenshot of a Yelp review of Signal Hill Self Storage on November 11, 2023.

The review from customer Jose reads:
"I came in today to check on my unit and I am so glad the staff well I mean employee the only person their was Mariana and she was doing great all by her self while it looked pretty crazy she looked like she had it 11 all under control glad she was their to help me today you keep up the good work Mariana they need more employees like you"
John Ramos stated that they were going to have 3 employees working everyday. Wonder which office this one employee was working out of? I doubt it was the "new office" at the back PIN code access entrance off of Ellis...

When is this facility going to confirm that customers are parked in their lot and not in permit parking before they allow them to access their unit? Because they are sƟll not doing that.

Customers rarely uƟlize the parking lot (even aŌer they FINALLY removed the oversized dumpster & standard size dumpster that were there for several months, last week). 11/28/23 We have noƟced that customers regularly are showing up and waiƟng at the residenƟal Ellis Ave back entrance up to 2 hours prior to the facility opening. Some of these customers create noise disturbances and PD has been called out to deal with them on more than one occasion since the hearing. Others are just loitering, some making noise with carts, loud talking, etc. How are customers with PIN codes unaware of business hours? Perhaps they are sƟll not aware that this locaƟon no longer operates 24 hours.

Silver Ford crossover plate# ending in #062 parked in permit parking 12 Black sedan parked at red curb adjacent to ramp leading from Ellis to PCH. Please check security camera for arrival Ɵme.

Storage customer's vehicle is pictured with hood and trunk open. Vehicle owner, laƟno male with a mustache in red shirt and black cap pictured coming down ramp from PCH to Ellis. He went up and down the ramp more than once. 12/01/23 A female employee, short with dark hair has been parking a blue vehicle in the 2hr parking for the past 2 days.

Yesterday unƟl 4PM. 7 hours in a 2 hour parking space.

Please view the security camera footage.
12/02/23 AƩached is the photo sent to the City of the moving truck that was ILLEGALLY parked in permit parking on Sept 30 that is referenced below. This is one of the calls I made to PD for illegal parking by storage customers on Sept 30.. John states I'm calling on vehicles that are parked legally.
12/03/23 Please see aƩached photos of male in dark clothing entering Ellis Ave residenƟal PIN code entrance of Signal Hill Self Storage at 5:36PM on Friday December 1, 2023.

The facility insists that access hours end 15 minutes prior to business close. This was a Friday, business close is 5:45PM access hours were to end at 5:30PM.

Not 5:30ish or whenever they feel like it. Not on a case by case basis to accommodate customers that arrive late and aren't finished on Ɵme.

They have stated in wriƟng that nobody is able to access the facility 15 minutes prior to closing.

Also aƩached photos of male loading UHaul truck aŌerwards. 13 Carlos Luis
Planning Manager
Signal Hill Community Development
2175 Cherry Avenue Signal Hill CA 90755
O: 562-989-7360 | [email protected]
www.cityofsignalhill.org

1 Carlos Luis
From: John Romero
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2024 4:52 PM
To: Carlos Luis
Cc: Chris Mata
Subject: Re: 2901 E. Pacific Coast Highway
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization! Do not click links, open attachments or reply, unless you recognize the sender's email address and know the content is safe! December 4th concern:

We were testing fire alarms that morning. Testing which zones were active and not active in our system.

An email sent to Carlos Luis (on 12/4) informing Signal Hill that we were testing alarms in case the sounds or doors triggered concerns for neighbors.

Also, in picture where bicyclist is leaving rear basement door, shadow of building indicates that her picture was taken around noon.

January 3rd concern:

Three IncidentsIncident A: moving truck in parking lot was her concern. We directed the moving truck and movers to park in the parking lot. Based on the picture, the movers did. There’s no obstruction to sidewalk pedestrians or cars parking around the truck in our parking area. Please let us know where the infraction is? The truck is parked where it should be.

Incident B: white RV van. This RV was parked for a long period of time in green section. We were aware of it. A tenant drives and lives in that vehicle. The concerned neighbor brings up that PD ran plates and was stolen. We don’t know which vehicles are stolen or not. It isn’t our responsibility to run plates. Since tenant was in our building, we were aware of vehicle there. At closing time, tenant had a large amount of items outside her storage unit. Our employee contacted me updated me that they were trying to put everything away. I authorized the allotted time for them to put away their items. Facility was closed for business to the public at our regular time. But employee and three individuals were in the building putting their items away.

Incident C: black car left overnight. This vehicle was left overnight and belonged to one of the three individuals this evening. He locked keys in vehicle when employee escorted them out. Employee called me asking what to do. I informed individual that we had to lock gates and he can return in the morning as we couldn't stay longer to accommodate him. Individual obliged and we secured gate and facility with the vehicle in our parking lot.

January 4th concern: inhabitants in building. Our facility has motion sensor alarms that call police if our property is breached. If people were living in our property, Signal Hill PD would have informed us of security alarms going off at night. We don't have any fines/citations from the city of triggered alarm calls.

We will be reviewing our alarm system again why this door is not sounding an alarm. Will update you when I get an update.
2 Any information or additional clarification needed , please let me know . I'm happy to oblige John Romero
Alamitos Associates
District Property Manager
Cell //
Email //
From: Carlos Luis <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2024 5:06:48 PM
To: John Romero < >
Cc: Chris Mata < >
Subject: 2901 E. Pacific Coast Highway

Hi John,

Please provide responses to the claims below:

Wed January 3, 2024

Moving activity in lot and in vehicle illegally parked (partially blocking driveway) observed after hours. Last photo taken at 6:59PM.

See photos.

Storage employee in blue shirt outside observing for part of the time.

They're hours today 9:30AM-5:45PM with access hours closing at 5:30PM.

Please advise why this facility is allowed to break multiple CUP requirements.

3 4
5 6
7 Wednesday January 3, 2024
10:53AM moving truck blocking driveway of Ellis Ave parking lot 1:58PM moving truck still blocking driveway of Ellis Ave parking lot

John Romero stated in a public hearing that a large moving truck takes 1-1.5 hours MAX to load/unload. Here's photos show

Again, during off-peak season.

Red vehicle parked in red zone, moving truck still partially blocking driveway, and white moving truck parked directly outsid

1:58PM customer in red vehicle in red zone leaves storage PIN code door, puts empty dolly/cart in trunk and leaves.

The facility is still not verifying customers are parked legally prior to allowing them access to their units. 8 1:58PM white moving van parked at PIN code entrance. Moving van pictured at 7PM still. Storage employees in and out of b parking lot.

An unattended moving truck parked at their back entrance for 5+ hours, and the facility does nothing?

Separate email to follow.....

9 10
11 January 3, 2024

10:53AM photo showing stolen white moving truck not yet parked at back entrance. It was not there when the business ope 1:58PM stolen white moving truck seen parked at back entrance, unattended, blocking customer parking on Ellis Ave on re 7PM storage open after hours, employee pictured in parking lot, stolen white moving truck still on street unattended. Empl times assisting their after-hours customers
8:47PM PD called out, I requested officer issue a citation or mark the truck, parked 7+ hours, unattended, at 2hr green curb it, the "loading zone".
9:40PM (approximately) PD observing locksmith buzz saw open back door of unattended truck 10:06PM locksmith, truck and PD drive away

See photos below.

SHPD EVENT# 2401S-0136

Per PD, the moving truck was stolen. PD was able to contact the owners and they came to pick it up.

12 Quick question...how in the world did this facility, that claims to be monitoring their security cameras EVERY HOUR, and w notice an abandoned moving truck at their back door for 7+ hours?? The truck was parked at their back door during busine they refer to as their "loading zone". They are also supposed to be monitoring the parking lots/ramp and their property out utilized by their customers.

Answer: They didn't notice it, because they do not monitor their security cameras and do not monitor the outside of the fac scooter or dropping off stolen vehicles). Obviously, since this is a commercial moving truck, it did not belong to a resident a it was dropped off and nobody was moving in or out of it for 7+ hours while they were OPEN.

Please revoke their CUP as they are not adhering to the conditions, requirements nor amendments of their CUP.

These slumlords need to be restricted to SP-10 PCH Commercial Specific Zone ONLY as their permit indicates. They should side at all. Their permit doesn't allow it, and they are irresponsible.

Wonder if one of their customers with "scoliosis" dropped the stolen van off.....

Separate email to follow re: "scoliosis"....

13 14
15 January 4, 2024

Black sedan left in 1 of 6 customer parking spaces in lot off Ellis overnight.

Are they storing vehicles in the Ellis Ave customer parking lot now too, in addition to the ones in their parking garage that Th annual observation letters?

By the way, when was the caretaker's unit removed? Seems odd that the caretaker's unit was supposedly removed at some was left in tact.

I do hope this is Romero's vehicle and he was at the facility last night. It will make it even funnier if neither the district mana truck parked in their "loading zone" for 7+ hours unattended. And that both ignored it when they left for the night. I wonder if when they dropped the truck off yesterday? Pretty bold the truck was dropped off right in front of security cameras in broad love tweekers!

See below. Photo behind locked gate, as well as photo of vehicle in a different space in lot last night at 7PM....so it's not a b 16 Also notice the grey tarp on their roof. They put that up a few weeks ago before it started to rain. So strange...cuz they said i repaired....why would they need to put a tarp over a roof that was already fixed......

17 December 4, 2023

PD was called at 9AM re: orange basement "fire" door at storage facility, backside of 2901 E PCH wa (when the business was closed). It was visibly open from across the street.

18 19
20 21
This door is marked on the inside with a sign that says "Fire door, do not pro supposed to have a mechanism that causes them to automatically close sh opened. This door does not do that. It has to be pushed shut or it sits on the When will the facility be required to meeting fire code?

The City was emailed a few months ago, with photos, when customers have entered the PIN code do door from the inside, to let other people in the building. This door is still not hooked up to an alarm to clearly the facility is still not monitoring their security cameras.

22 This is the 3rd or 4th time I have come across this door open and fully accessible to anyone after hou time I have reported it to PD, since I am now aware that people have been living in the storage units, accessing the facility through this "fire" door, have witnessed people waiting by the door after hours, knocking on the door after hours.

23 The facility claims vehemently that all exterior doors remain locked and closed during business hour security protocol is to have employees lock & secure all doors/gates when they close.

The facility also claims to have a security service that drives by once a night & double checks that ev

If both of those things happened on December 3, the only explanation is that someone remained ins opened the door from the inside & left it open. This has happened before, and it is not safe for the ne for the neighborhood in the event of a fire at the facility. The purpose of a fire door is to allow an eme to automatically close afterwards to contain the fire.

Business hours on Sundays end at 4:45PM.

Business hours on Mondays (including Monday Dec 4) begin at 9:30AM.

So how long was the building left open & accessible to anyone?

The PD report shows that officers noted 2 doors were open, they did a building walk through, and

Why did the officers mark the call "checked ok" instead of "notification made" or "advised"?

The facility was not open, no employees were on-site, PD contacted Alamitos Associates (located se "advised them".

Customers were heard around 9:40AM asking why the facility was not open yet. Male in black picture wasn't sure, and "maybe they're just running late".

One door was reported open to PD, and they found 2 open doors. How did they find that second ope require their involvement? It wouldn't have been reported if employees/management were already th

Also the 2nd unit marked themselves as arrived 13 minutes after the first. Why? I saw the male's part passengers side of the PD vehicle they both arrived in at 9:12AM.

24 Per Kelli Crigler SHPD, (see email below) " “Checked ok” means the officer determined there was needed our involvement. "

25 The officers performed a walk through via the open orange "fire" door and discovered a 2nd door was when a business is closed is not a problem? And officers performing a walkthrough, contacting off-s them of the incident did not require their involvement?

Please explain why PD marked the call in this manner. Why does PD continue to cover up issues at th

Here is a photo of presumably an Alamitos Associates employee speaking with officers. Officers who minutes for an incident that was "not a problem" and "did not require their involvement.......?

26 This incident leads me to believe that they still have homeless people living in the units and these do of the night, and were left open to either give others access, or so people could come and go as they

Either that, or the employees are not locking doors and neither is the security company that drives by one).

A couple weeks later a transient customer leaves facility shortly before 5PM, and returns to facility a observed stopping at orange door and knocking. The person waited, then knocked again and waited. open the door and let them in? And why? Coincidentally, a homeless tenant was at the facility 2 hou that same day, entered via PIN code door on Ellis Ave on the residential side when they opened, was parking lot wrapped in a blanket/sleeping bag 5+ hours later, and then went back inside facility. She But she did leave her black shopping cart on the street.

Romero did not move the shopping cart until asked by PD at my request 5 days later. I guess if you ca next door, why bother doing the right thing unless you're caught and asked to....

When is The City going to ensure nobody is still living in the facility?

27 Please restrict this facility to operating the commercial business out of the PCH. Their CUP gives them permission to operate in Area 2 of SP-10 PCH C Plan ONLY.

ZERO PERCENT OF ELLIS AVE AND GLADYS AVE ARE LOCATED IN SP-10.

100% of the neighborhood is zoned in residential high density specific plan prohibit commercial activities and none allow this to be bypassed with a CU

Attachments (6):

In body and attached
-2 photos of orange basement fire door at SHSS open
-1 photo of PD speaking with Alamitos Assoc rep in black after finding 2 open doors at facility when t -1 photo of PD looking into open orange door
-SHPD event ID #2312S-0125 Dec 4 2023 showing disposition of "checked ok" in response to report o was closed, notes show officers were there 30+ minutes, performed a walk through, found 2 open do management
-Photo of orange door opened - female customer entered with PIN code at back entrance, then open for her male friend with bikes to come inside (previously reported to The City)

Carlos Luis
Planning Manager
Signal Hill Community Development
2175 Cherry Avenue Signal Hill CA 90755
O: 562-989-7360 | [email protected]
www.cityofsignalhill.org

Signal Hill City CouncilJanuary 23, 2024

Signal Hill City Council
January 23, 2024