Final Minutes Approved 2-15-23
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023 - 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta (arrived at 6:27 p.m.), Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, Interim City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk; Masami Higa, 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 - Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez led the Pledge of Allegiance
3. INVOCATION - Pastor Don Antelo, Calvary Chapel of South El Monte, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented Plaques to City Employees in recognition of their years of service.
4.b. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a Plaque and Boxing Belt to Ben Lira for his years of service and commitment to the youth boxing program.
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 December 2022.
4.d. next page.
4.d. City Council received a report from Code Enforcement and Public Safety Supervisor Joe Martinez on code enforcement and public safety activities for the month of December 2022.
Councilmember Delgado recommended taking a more aggressive approach when dealing with homeless individuals camping on the City's right-of-way or on private property, recommended establishing an ordinance to have vacant properties fenced off, working with the Chamber of Commerce to inform businesses to post "No Loitering" signs, and spoke about possibly establishing a State of Emergency due to the homeless situation in the city.
Staff was directed to bring back a staff report about the possibilities of fencing off vacant properties in the City and establishing a State of Emergency due to the homeless situation.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmembers): None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Elena Robles, Deputy District Director representing Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, introduced herself and stated Congresswoman Napolitano looks forward to serving the City of South El Monte.
2. George Anguiano, South El Monte Little League, thanked City Council for everything they do for the children and stated they will send invitations to Council for their events.
There being no further comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the title of Ordinance No. 1262.
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 5-0, by the following AYES: Councilmembers): Angel, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Acosta and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
7.a. Approved the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 10, 2023.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 23-06, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of January 11, 2023 through January 24, 2023, totaling $826,233.33.
7.c. Adopted Ordinance No. 1262 establishing a Commission for the Advancement of Women and Girls and adding Chapter 2.50, "Commission for the Advancement of Women and Girls," under Title 2 "Administration and Personnel."
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 23-07, authorizing the sale of eleven obsolete City Vehicles and authorized Interim City Manager or designee to hire an auction company to dispose of the obsolete vehicles.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 23-08, awarding a professional service agreement to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for Design Services for Traffic Signal Improvements at Lee Ave. & Garvey Ave. and Durfee Ave. & Peck Rd. - Michael Hunt Dr. Project in the amount of $62,226.45 and authorized Interim City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 23-09, approving First Amendment to the Contract Services Agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. to provide Public Outreach Services for the Civic Center and Interjurisdictional Bicycle Lanes Project in the amount of $82,742 and authorized Interim City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 23-10, approving Amendment No. 11 to extend existing agreement Subaward Number ENP202110 with the County of Los Angeles and authorized Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
7.h. Adopted Resolution No. 23-11, 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 from January 24, 2023 through February 15, 2023.
7.i. Adopted Resolution No. 23-12, amending Resolution No. 23-04, Calling for a Public Hearing on February 22, 2023, to Identify Nonprofit Organizations Readily Available to Provide Services for Public Transportation Projects Under the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-13,
AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR
(FY) 2023-24
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Mayor Olmos opened the public hearing, there being no public comment, closed the hearing.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to adopt Resolution No. 23-13, authorizing the allocation of the CDBG funds for fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, authorize Interim City Manager to execute agreement for the FY 2022-23 CDBG project with the Los Angeles County Development Authority, subject to approved as to form by the City Attorney, and authorize Interim City Manager to adjust the project budget as necessary to account for final CDG allocations and any amounts unexpended at the close of FY 2022-23. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
GENERAL BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL DELEGATE TO THE CALIFORNIA
CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to appoint Councilmember Acosta as delegate to the California Contract Cities Association. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Interim City Manager provided the staff report.
Brent Ogden, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, presented a PowerPoint on the San Gabriel Valley Transit Feasibility Study and presented
three design options for the project sections on Rosemead Boulevard and three design options for Garvey Avenue.
James Powell, Alta Planning and Design Inc., presented a PowerPoint on the Rosemead Boulevard Corridor Study and presented two different design options for Rosemead Boulevard.
City Council discussed questions and concerns they had with the project designs presented for Rosemead Boulevard with regard to bus capacities, bike lanes, loss of street parking, and lane removals.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to receive and file the report. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
9.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-14,
APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF RENE SALAS AS CITY
MANAGER AND APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the compensation and term of the City Manager employment agreement.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to adopt Resolution No. 23-14, approving the employment agreement between the City and Rene Salas for the position of City Manager and authorizing the Mayor to execute the employment agreement. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced his attendance at the City's Lunar New Year Luncheon and Water Education for Latino Leaders Workshop.
Councilmember Bojorquez nothing to report.
Councilmember Delgado announced his attendance at the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Angel announced his attendance at the City's Lunar New Year Luncheon
Mayor Olmos announced her attendance at the City's Lunar New Year Luncheon, announced SEAACA still has adoption opportunities, and Greater El Monte Hospital received multiple 5-star awards.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM SOUTH EL MONTE NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE
REQUESTING A FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF NEW
TEMPLE PARK FIELDS AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER GYM,
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE PARK LIGHTING FEES, AND
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE FEES FOR THE INSTALLATION
AND TEAR DOWN OF THE FIELD FENCES
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Christina Rodriguez, South El Monte Little League, provided information regarding the removal of five fences at New Temple Park.
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve the facility reservation fee waiver request for the use of the New Temple Park fields and Community Center Gymnasium and waive the light fees and the associated labor cost incurred to install and remove five fences at New Temple Park totaling $56,950.
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA - None
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:01 p.m. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recessed Council into closed session.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 - (three cases) At 8:33 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Councilmembers present.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced City Council discussed item 13.a. No action taken, nothing to report.
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 8:34 p.m. to the Successor Agency meeting.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council meeting at 8:36 p.m.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:36 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of the eleven victims of the Monterey Park shooting and held a moment of silence, to a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Seria Clue
Donna G./Schwartz, CMC,