Final Minutes Approved 3-8-22
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 - 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM
PRESENT (via zoom): Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
STAFF PRESENT (via zoom): Rachel Barbosa, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk; Rene Salas, Deputy City Manager; Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director; William Fox, Interim Finance Director; Jayson Perez, Recreation Specialist, and Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilmember Retamoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION - Pastor Benjamin Garrett, Faith Dominion Church, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS: None.
4.a. City Council received a presentation from Lena Luna, Facility and Energy Manager for El Monte Union High School District, on School Mobility and Activity Transportation Plan.
4.b. City Council received a report from the Sheriff's Department and discussed matters concerning law enforcement in the city for the Month of January.
4.c. City Council received a report from Community Development Director Colby Cataldi on Code Enforcement and Public Safety activities for the month of January.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recommended City Council move Item 13. Closed Session, to immediately follow the Consent Calendar. City Manager Rachel Barbosa announced there was a correction to Item 11.a., Attachment E, noting that July should be highlighted yellow because Shively Park will be in use in July.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Retamoza, to approve the agenda as amended, move up Item 13. Closed Session to immediately follow the Consent Calendar, and approve the correction made to Item 11.a. Attachment E. 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
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Retamoza to approve the Consent Calendar. 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
7.a. Approved Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting held February 8, 2022.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 22-14, approving warrants for the period of February 9, 2022, through February 22, 2022, totaling $1,005,370.18.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 22-15, approving Amendment No. 8 to agreement Subaward Number ANP202110 with the County of Los Angeles for Elderly Nutrition Program services and authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement.
13. CLOSED SESSION:
At 6:52 p.m. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recessed Council into closed session.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 - [One case] Sanjay Patel, et al v. City of South El Monte, et al
(Case No. 21-55546)
13.b CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (4) - [One case]
At 7:25 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened to open session.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced City Council discussed Items 13.a. and
13.b. No action taken, nothing to report.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONTINUED DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON BOND DEBT
FINANCING
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Dan Massiello, Kosmont Transaction Services, presented a PowerPoint on pension obligation and lease revenue bonds.
Discussion ensued between City Council, Interim Finance Director William Fox, and Mr. Massiello on the options to refinance the City's unfunded pension liability and whether to issue a pension obligation bond or lease revenue bond.
Interim Finance Director William Fox recommended the City issue a lease revenue bond but without utilizing the City Hall complex and assemble other assets for the bond. Council concurred.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Angel to proceed with issuing a lease revenue bond, subject to subsequent action by City Council to formalize the official documents. 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
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 22-
16, ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE AND APPOINTING TWO
COUNCILMEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY MEETINGS
REGARDING THE RUSH STREET CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT PLAN
& THE ROSEMEAD CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT PLAN PROJECTS
Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Retamoza nominated themselves to participate in the ad hoc committee. Council concurred.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 22-16, establishing an ad hoc committee for the development of the Rush Street Corridor Enhancement Plan and the Rosemead Boulevard Corridor Enhancement Plan, and appointing Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Retamoza to participate in the ad hoc committee. 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, nothing to report.
Councilmember Retamoza, nothing to report.
Councilmember Delgado, nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, announced his attendance at the Senior Center's Valentines Day Drive-Thru.
Mayor Olmos, announced adoption opportunities through SEAACA and encouraged the public to adopt a pet.
11. CORRESPONDENCE:
11.a. CONTINUATION OF A LETTER FROM MONTEBELLO BREWERS
BASEBALL CORPORATION REQUESTING A LONG-TERM
RESERVATION, APPROVAL TO HOST TWO BASEBALL
TOURNAMENTS, AND FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF FIELDS AT
NEW TEMPLE AND SHIVELY PARK
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
City Council discussed at length the fee waiver request. Mayor Olmos voiced concern with a breach of contract that occurred previously with damage to the fields, the cost to the city for staff time for field maintenance, the low number of South El Monte residents that are registered on the team, and she suggested the Brewers use the fields in Montebello since they are a Montebello team.
Recreation Specialist Jayson Perez provided information on the additional cost to the City if the waiver is approved and stated the most damage to the fields occurs during the tournaments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to approve the request by the Montebello Brewers Baseball Corporation for a long-term facility reservation from February to December 2022, approval to host two (2) baseball tournaments, and approve a reservation fee waiver for the long-term reservation from February to December 2022 and tournament use of the New Temple Park fields and Shively Park fields in the amount of $63,625.00, with the condition to the rental agreement to give reservation request priority to other
South El Monte groups and residents during the requested reservation dates and times. Motion carried 4-0-1 by the following vote:
Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Acosta
NAYS: Councilmembers): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Mayor Olmos
11.b. LETTER FROM EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL REQUESTING FEE
WAIVER FOR A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT (TUP)
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Retamoza, to approve Epiphany Catholic School's fee waiver request for a Temporary Use Permit in the amount of $1,273. Motion carried 5-0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmembers): None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA: None
13. CLOSED SESSION:
ITEM 13. HEARD AFTER CONSENT CALENDAR
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 - [One case] Sanjay Patel, et al v. City of South El Monte, et al
(Case No. 21-55546)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (4) - [One case]
14. ADJOURN COUNCIL MEETING
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:23 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Steven McCann, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Captain, to a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Yone Smos
Gloria Olmos, Mayor