Final Minutes Approved 9- 13- 22
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022 - 6: 00 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6. 00 PM
PRESENT: Councilmember( s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tern Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, Interim City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk; Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director; William Fox, Interim Finance Director; and Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Councilwoman Gracie Retamoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Ingrid Aguilar, Community Services Commissioner, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS:
4. a. Tom Love, General Manager, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District presented a PowerPoint on Emergency Water Conservation Plan.
Ed Chavez, Board President, introduced himself.
4. b. Mayor Olmos read a proclamation proclaiming the month of July as " Parks Make Life Better Month."
4. c. City Council received a report from the Sheriff's Department and discussed matters concerning law enforcement in the City for the month of May.
4. d. City Council received a report from Code Enforcement/ Public Safety Supervisor Joe Martinez on code enforcement and public safety activities for the month of May.
Mayor Olmos requested that all stop signs have solar lights with the orange reflective strip.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the title of Ordinance No. 1259 for item 7. f. and requested to pull item 7.g. from the consent calendar for discussion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded Councilmember Angel to approve the agenda as amended with item 7. g. pulled for discussion. Motion carried 5- 0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tern Acosta and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Victor Manzo, Resident, voiced concern that a rumor was going around about the closing of the mobile home park where he resides and requested transparency from the City.
2. Mark Ramos, United Food & Commercial Workers Union, commented on the citizen initiative agenda item 7. g. and offered suggestions to City Council for the proposed ordinance on item 9. b. He stated he emailed a redlined ordinance to Mayor Olmos. City Council requested he email the redlined ordinance to the City Clerk for distribution to City Council.
There being no further comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Angel to approve the Consent Calendar except item 7. g. Motion carried 5- 0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tern Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
7. a. Approved Minutes for the Regular City Council meeting held July 12, 2022.
7. b. Adopted Resolution No. 22- 59, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of July 13, 2022, through July 26, 2022, totaling $ 837, 348. 26.
7. c. Adopted Resolution No. 22- 60, authorizing the City Manager to execute a letter agreement to memorialize a temporary arrangement for meal service with Huntington Culinary.
7. d. Adopted Resolution No. 22- 61, approving the City' s Title VI Program to reaffirm that the City meets the requirements set forth in the FTA' s Title VI Circular 4702. 1 B.
7. e. Approved the Classification specification and corresponding compensation level for the Planning Manager and authorized to proceed with recruitment.
7. f. Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance No. 1259, regarding the compensation of Mayor and Councilmembers and set adoption of said ordinance at the next regular City Council meeting.
ITEM PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
7. g. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO 22- 63,
SUBMITTING AN INITIATIVE MEASURE THAT, IF APPROVED,
PERM ITSIREGULATES CERTAIN CANNABIS BUSINESSES,
REGULATES PERSONAL CANNABIS USE, AND IMPOSES A 6%
EXCISE TAX ON RETAIL SALES OF CANNABIS/ EDIBLES TO THE
NOVEMBER 8, 2022, GENERAL ELECTION; RESOLUTION NO. 22- 64,
AUTHORIZING DIRECT ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE
INITIATIVE MEASURE AND DIRECTING CITY ATTORNEY TO
PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS; AND RESOLUTION NO. 22- 65,
AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS FOR SAID
MEASURE
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor presented the staff report and informed City Council that they have the authority to authorize certain Councilmembers to prepare a written argument for this initiative measure, which would be reflected as an amendment to Section 1 of Resolution No. 22- 64.
Mayor Olmos and Mayor Pro Tem Acosta volunteered to be those Councilmembers that will prepare a written argument. Council concurred.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta to submit the Measure without alteration to the voters at a general municipal election on November 8, 2022, and adopted Resolution Nos. 22- 63, 22- 64 as amended and to include the authorization for Mayor Gloria Olmos and Mayor Pro Tem Acosta to prepare a written argument and adopt Resolution No. 22- 65.
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
f 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. a. CONSDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 22- 62,
APPROVING THE ANNUAL LEVY OF THE SEWER SERVICE FEE FOR
FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022-23
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Interim City Manager Rene Salas introduced Community Development Director Colby Cataldi who presented the staff report.
Mayor Olmos opened the public hearing, there being no public comment, closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to adopt Resolution No. 22- 62, approving the annual levy of the Sewer Service Fee for Fiscal Year 2022- 23, at $ 35. 37 per sewer unit. 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. GENERAL BUSINESS
9. a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO REJECT BIDS AND REBID THE
MERCED GREENWAY AVENUE PROJECT
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Interim City Manager Rene Salas introduced Community Development Director Colby Cataldi who presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Retamoza to approve to re -advertise the Notice Inviting Bids ( NIB) for the Merced Avenue Greenway Improvements Project. Motion carried 5- 0 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tern Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
9. b. CCITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION CONCERNING
POTENTIAL FUTURE CANNABIS REGULATIONS AND TAXES
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor presented the staff report.
City Council and City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor entered into a discussion regarding the options to adopt an ordinance to allow cannabis businesses in the city or the option to prepare a measure to be placed on the ballot for the November
8, 2022, Election. City Council voiced concern with the draft ordinance the City Attorney' s office prepared for a ballot measure and how it closely related to another city' s ordinance and not showing the benefits to the City of South El Monte.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced a special meeting would need to be held should City Council wish to proceed with the option to place a measure on the ballot.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Angel, to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 6: 00 p. m. to discuss further.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tern Acosta announced his attendance at the City' s Concert in the Park, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership event, City' s Farmers Market Grand Opening, and City' s Movie in the Park.
Councilmember Retamoza announced her attendance at the City' s Concert in the Park, City' s Movie in the Park, and the City' s Brunch Discussion for the Ongoing Creation of a Commission for the Advancement of Women and Girls.
Councilmember Delgado announced his attendance at the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Meeting and the City' s Farmers Market Grand Opening.
Councilmember Angel announced his attendance at City' s Concert in the Park, City's Movie in the park, City' s Farmers Market Grand Opening, and San Gabriel Valley Partnership event.
Mayor Olmos announced her attendance at the City' s Concert in the Park, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership event, City' s Farmers Market Grand Opening, City' s Brunch Discussion for the Ongoing Creation of a Commission for the Advancement of Women and Girls, Vons Credit Union 73rd Annual Meeting, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Conference, and announced SEAACA still has pets for adoption.
11. CORRESPONDENCE: None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA:
12. a. Councilwoman Gracie Retamoza
1. Discussion on Allowing Walk -In Hours for Planning and Building Department.
Councilwoman Retamoza spoke of complaints she has received from the public for being turned away by the Planning and Building Department at City Hall for not having an appointment.
Community Development Director Colby Cataldi announced Planning and Building Department will hold walk- in hours Monday through Thursday from 2: 30 p. m. to 4: 30 p. m. for those who do not have appointments.
13. CLOSED SESSION:
At 7: 28 p. m. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recessed Council into closed session.
13. a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. 6
City Negotiator: City Manager
Employee Organizations: South El Monte Employees Association and the South El Monte Executive Management Team Association
At 8: 17 p. m. Mayor Olmos reconvened to open session.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced City Council discussed items 13. a.
No action taken, nothing to report.
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 8: 17 p. m. to the Successor Agency meeting.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 8: 19 p. m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council meeting at 8: 19 p. m.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8: 19 p. m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to a special meeting on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 6: 00 p. m.
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