Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022 - 6:00 PM
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Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado (via zoom), 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 Nancy Rodriguez, Recreation Coordinator.
STAFF ABSENT: Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Councilmember Hector Delgado led the Pledge of Allegiance (via zoom).
3. INVOCATION — Israel Alacio, Community Services Commissioner, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS:
4.a. Mayor Olmos announced Dr. Gus Frias was not present to receive the Plaque in recognition of his leadership in the Harvard Latino Leadership Academy held in South El Monte.
4.b. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ken Rausch, El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce for providing the Harvard Latino Leadership Academy essay scholarships through the Educational Foundation and provided Certificates of Recognition to the scholarship winners.
4.c. City Council received a presentation by Kimberly Luna, Health Promotions Specialist, American Lung Association on Youth Vaping Epidemic.
4.d. City Council received a report by Interim Finance Director William Fox, on an Annual Update by the State Auditor on the City of South El Monte's Financial Status.
Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
Presentations (continued)
4.e. City Council received a report from the Sheriff's Department and discussed matters concerning law enforcement in the City for the month of September.
4.f. City Council received a report from Community Development Director Colby Cataldi on code enforcement and public safety activities for the month of September.
Councilmember Angel inquired if a traffic signal light can be added to Weaver and Santa Anita Ave. Staff was directed to look into the possibility of adding a traffic signal light at that location.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced there were two walk-on urgency items that arose after the posting of the agenda:
Under "Correspondence," Item 11.b. Approval of Letter of Concern with the Los Angeles County Land Back Pilot Program
Under "Councilmember's Agenda," Item 12.a.3. Traffic Safety Item A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Acosta to approve the agenda as amended to add urgency items 11.b. and 12.a.3.
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. Georgina Corjuru, Resident, voiced concern with issues occurring in the mobile home park where she resides, requested the City's assistance and spoke in favor of SB 1307.
2. John Ventura, Resident, voiced concern with residential and commercial property maintenance including overnight parking at the 99-Cent store parking lot, and crime occurring throughout the community.
Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
Public Comment (continued)
7. 1.1
3. Eduardo Saucedo, Resident, voiced concern about squatters living in his brother's property and requested the City's assistance to got them evicted, suggested the city host a Ben Lira Day, and noted how difficult it is to enter and exit the Superior Shopping Center because of the islands in the center of Durfee Avenue.
4. Delilah Galvan, spoke in favor of opening another grocery store and voiced concern with cannabis in the city.
There being no further comment, Mayor O[mos closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Acosta 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 October 11, 2022.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 22-85, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of October 12, 2022, through October 25, 2022, totaling $416,743.12.
7.c. Approved an RFP for professional services for the Pavement Management Program (PMP) Update and authorize staff to solicit proposals.
7.d. Approved an RFP for design services for traffic signal improvements at Lee Ave & Garvey Ave and Durfee Ave & Peck Rd - Michael Hunt Dr (HSIP Cycle 10 project) and authorize staff to solicit proposals.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. ORDINANCE NO. 1261, AMENDING THE SOUTH EL MONTE
MUNICIPAL CODE BY MODIFYING TITLE 15 THEREOF ADOPTING
BY REFERENCE THE 2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUILDING CODE
(TITLE 26), ELECTRICAL CODE (TITLE 27), PLUMBING CODE (TITLE 28), MECHANICAL CODE (TITLE 29), RESIDENTIAL CODE (TITLE 30), GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (TITLE 31), FIRE CODE (TITLE 32) AND EXISTING BUILDING CODE (TITLE 33), WITH CERTAIN
AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS THERETO
Mayor Olmos announced the item. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the title of Ordinance No. 1261.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Retamoza to:
1. Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance No. 1261, amending the South El Monte Municipal Code by modifying Title 15 thereof adopting by reference the 2023 Los Angeles County Building Code (Title 26), Electrical Code (Title 27), Plumbing Code (Title 28), Mechanical Code (Title 29), Residential Code (Title 30), Green Building Standards Code (Title 31), Fire Code (Title 32), and Existing Building Code (Title 33), with certain amendments, additions, and deletions thereto, and
2. Schedule a public hearing at a future city council meeting to consider adoption of said Ordinance.
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
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Acosta announced his attendance at the swearing in ceremony of Dr. Marilyn Flores, Rio Hondo College President.
Councilmember Retamoza announced her attendance at the swearing in ceremony of Dr. Marilyn Flores, Rio Hondo College President, the City's Walk to End Domestic Violence, and Senator Rubio's Wings event.
Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
Committee Reports, Including AB 1234 Reports (continued) Councilmember Delgado, nothing to report.
Councilmember Angel announced his attendance at the City's Walk to End Domestic Violence, Senator Rubio's Wings event, the City's Neighborhood Watch meeting, and the Candidate Forum hosted by the El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Olmos announced her attendance at the swearing in ceremony of Dr.
Marilyn Flores, Rio Hondo College President, the City's Walk to End Domestic Violence, Senator Rubio's Wings event, South El Monte High School Football Game, the City's Neighborhood Watch meeting, and the Candidate Forum hosted by the El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce.
11, CORRESPONDENCE:
11.a. FEE WAIVER REQUEST BY JEFF ORTIZ ("APPLICANT") FOR A
PERMIT EXTENSION
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Community Development Director Colby Cataldi presented the staff report and announced Jeff Ortiz, applicant, was available to answer any questions.
Mayor Olmos suggested the applicant pay half.
Councilmembers Angel and Delgado spoke in favor of approving the fee waiver.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Angel to approve the permit extension fee waiver in the amount of $965.49. Motion carried 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Acosta and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Retamoza
At 7:50 p.m. Mayor Olmos called for a recess. At 7:56 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened.
Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
ITEM ADDED UNDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA
11.b. APPROVAL OF LETTER OF CONCERN REGARDING LOS ANGELES
COUNTY LAND BACK PILOT PROGRAM
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Interim City Manager, Rene Salas, provided a report on the Los Angeles County Land Back Program and requested City Council approve sending a letter of concern to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Hilda Soils. By a 4-0 decision, Delgado did not respond (Via Zoom), Council approved sending the letter of concern.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA:
12.a. Mayor Gloria Olmos
1. Consideration to Approve a $500 Sponsorship to the El Monte/South El Monte Jets Banquet
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta, to approve a $500 Sponsorship to the El Monte/South El Monte Jets Banquet. Motion carried 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Angel, Delgado, Retamoza, Mayor Pro Tern Acosta and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
2. Examine City Trees Due to Many Complaints from Residents.
Mayor Olmos directed staff to drive around the city to determine which trees need to be trimmed and maintained.
ITEM ADDED UNDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. Traffic Safety Item
Mayor Olmos voiced concern with vehicles driving through the stop signs on Michael Hunt Dr. and Penn Mar Ave as well as on Thienes Ave. and Cogswell Rd.
Mayor Olmos directed staff to look into the possibility of adding cameras to the stop signs to take pictures of the vehicles driving through the stop signs.
Final Minutes Approved 11-9-22
13. CLOSED SESSION:
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At 8:06 p.m. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recessed Council into closed session.
13.a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: Interim City Manager
13.b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — POTENTIAL INITIATION OF
LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 — (one case) At 9:05 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened to open session with all Councilmembers except for Councilmember Delgado no longer in attendance (Via Zoom).
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor, announced City Council discussed item 13.a. and 13.b. No action taken, nothing to report.
RECESS COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 9:06 p.m. to the Successor Agency meeting.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 9.07 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council meeting at 9:07 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 9:07 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Ben Lowry, City of El Monte Chief of Police, to an Adjourned Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. due to Tuesday, November 8, 2022, being an Election Day. .�C
D nna G. ch artz, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor