CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022 - 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM
PRESENT (via zoom): Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Barbosa, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Rene Salas, Deputy City Manager; Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director; and Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk. STAFF ABSENT:
Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilmember Hector Delgado led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION - Pastor Patricia Garrett, Faith Dominion Church, offered the Invocation.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
7.a. Approved Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting held December 14, 2021.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 22-01, approving warrants for the period of December 15, 2021, through January 11, 2022, totaling $1,297,414.42.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 22-02, proclaiming a local emergency persists and authorizing the use of alternative meeting procedures by the City's legislative bodies, such as utilizing a virtual platform (e.g., Zoom) for the period of January 11, 2022, through February 9, 2022.
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 22-03, approving a three-year agreement with a two-year renewal option with Vasquez & Company LLP for Auditing Services.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 22-04,
APPROVING THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR
(FY) 2022-2023
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Mayor Olmos opened the public hearing, there being no public comment, closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 22-04 and authorize City Manager and/or designee to execute an agreement for the Fiscal Year 2022 - 2023 CDBG project with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney;
2. Approve reprograming $123,000 from the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Public Facilities and Improvements - City Hall Restroom ADA Upgrade project to the FY 2022 - 2023 "2022 Pavement Rehabilitation Project" and
3. Authorize City Manager and/or designee to adjust the project amounts, as necessary, to reconcile LACDA's final CDBG allocations and any amounts unexpended at the close of FY 2021 - 2022.
Motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
8.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 22-05,
ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION, MITIGATION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM, AND GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1256 FOR A
PROPOSED ZONE CHANGE
Mayor Olmos announced the item. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor noted the correct Ordinance number is 1255 and read the title of the ordinance.
Mayor Olmos opened the public hearing, there being no public comment, closed the public hearing.
Community Development Director Colby Cataldi introduced David Gutierrez, Platinum Connections, Wilson Ye, Applicant/Developer, and Simon Lee, Architect of Record, who presented a PowerPoint overviewing the project.
Discussion ensued among City Council, staff, and Mr. Gutierrez regarding the amount of affordable housing units that were going to be designated for low and very low income and whether they were to be one, two, or three, bedroom units.
Councilmember Delgado requested the item be continued to negotiate increasing the amount of affordable housing units and to bring back an agreement specifying the number of units and their bedroom designation.
Council concurred.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to continue the item to the January 25, 2022, Regular City Council meeting, to bring back an agreement specifying the amount of affordable housing units to be made available and their bedroom designation. Motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to appoint Councilmember Acosta as Mayor Pro Tem. Motion carried 5-0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
9.b. APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Olmos announced the item and recommended Ingrid Aguilar, Israel Alacio, Gerardo Diaz, Cesiah Romo, and Hortencia Vasquez be appointed to the Community Services Commission. Council concurred.
Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Retamoza noted that Hortencia Vasquez applied for the commission, but her name was not listed on the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to appoint Ingrid Aguilar, Israel Alacio, Gerardo Diaz, Cesiah Romo, and Hortencia Vasquez to the Community Services Commission. Motion carried 5-0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmembers): None
9.c. APPOINTMENT OF PATRIOTIC COMMISSIONERS
Mirna Ivette Sanchez be appointed to the Patriotic Commission. Council concurred.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Angel, to appoint Alejandro Miramontes De Andy, Blanca M. Figueroa, Naomi Lopez, Rudy Lopez, and Mirna Ivette Sanchez to the Patriotic Commission. Motion carried 5-0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
9.d. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Olmos announced the item and recommended Leo Barreras, Jeff Ortiz, and Larry Rodriguez be reappointed to the Community Services Commission. Council concurred
Mayor Olmos recommended Vincent Diaz and Kenneth Tang be appointed.
Councilmember Angel and Mayor Pro Tem Acosta concurred.
Councilmember Delgado and Councilmember Retamoza abstained.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta to reappoint Leo Barreras, Jeff Ortiz, Larry Rodriguez, and appoint Vincent Diaz, and Kenneth Tang to the Planning Commission. Motion carried 5-0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF URGENCY ORDINANCE NO.
1256-U, AMENDING CHAPTER 10.16 ("STOPPING, STANDING, AND PARKING") TO TITLE 10 ("VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC"') OF THE SOUTH
EL MONTE MUNICIPAL CODE, INCLUDING AN EXEMPTION
THEREFORE FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT; AND RESOLUTION NO. 22-06 ESTABLISHING NEW STREET
SWEEPING SCHEDULES
Mayor Olmos announced the item, City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the title of the ordinance.
Community Development Director Colby Cataldi presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1256-U, amending Chapter 10.16 "Stopping, Standing, and Parking" to Title 10 "Vehicles and Traffic" of the City of South El Monte Municipal Code; and Resolution No. 22-06 establishing new no parking prohibitions for street sweeping purposes. Motion carried 5-0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Angel, announced his attendance at the Senior Center's Christmas Drive-Thru and City's Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway.
Councilmember Retamoza, nothing to report.
Councilmember Delgado, nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, announced his attendance at the City's Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway, Senior Center's Christmas Drive-Thru, Santa Coming to Town Ride Along, and Hilda Solis' Breakfast with Santa.
Mayor Olmos, announced her attendance at Hilda Solis' Breakfast with Santa, Santa Coming to Town Ride Along, Senior Center's Christmas Drive-Thru, City's Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway, and Christmas Tree Lighting.
11. CORRESPONDENCE: None.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. The COVID-19 Impact: Cost of Delayed Construction Projects and Extended Building Permits
Mayor Olmos announced it has been brought to her attention that due to COVID-19 and supply delays or contractors' inability to work, a lot of projects are being delayed leading to additional costs for permit extensions.
She requested staff look for ways the City can assist residents with these additional fees.
Staff was directed to bring back options for assisting residents with building permit extension fees for City Council's consideration at the next City Council meeting.
Councilmember Delgado directed staff to investigate whether any adjustments or extensions are needed to allow businesses to continue outdoor operations.
2. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Grant Writing Services Mayor Olmos announced there is a grant opportunity with an upcoming leadline and there is a consultant that can assist with grant writing services City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor stated a competitive bidding process is not necessary for this service and the City Manager can enter into an agreement if the dollar amount falls under her signing authority.
Mayor Olmos directed the City Manager to enter into a grant writing services agreement, if it falls under her signing authority. Council concurred.
13. CLOSED SESSION: None.
14. ADJOURN COUNCIL MEETING
There being no further business coming before this body, at 7:20 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Sena le
Dønna G. Schwartz, CMC,