Final Minutes Approved 2-28-23
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023 - 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta (entered Via Zoom at 6:05 p.m.) Bojorquez (via zoom), Delgado (via zoom), Mayor Pro Tem Angel (via zoom), and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, 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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilmember Hector Delgado led the Pledge of Allegiance
3. INVOCATION - Brianna Badar, Public Works Administrative Clerk, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Olmos introduced surprise guest Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, representing 31st District of California. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano introduced herself and stated she looks forward to learning about the City's accomplishments and working with the city.
4.a. Roger Martinez, Vazquez & Company LLP, presented a PowerPoint on the Audit of the City's Financial Statement for Fiscal Year End June 30, 2022
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced there was a typo in the "Discussion" section of agenda item 7.d. staff report, date should read February 1, 2021 and not February 1, 2012.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to approve the agenda with noted correction. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, 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.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): 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 24, 2023.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 23-15, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of January 25, 2023, through February 15, 2023, totaling $1,413,181.48.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 23-16, 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 February 15, 2023, through March 16, 2023.
7.d. Received and filed the recognized obligation payment schedules for the annual periods of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, and July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Continued from the February 14, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting - CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF URGENCY ORDINANCE NO.
1264-U, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1263-U, EXTENDING THE CAR
WASH USE AND EXPANSION MORATORIUM
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the title of the ordinance.
Mayor Olmos opened up the public hearing.
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being no public comment, closed the hearing.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1264-U amending Urgency Ordinance No. 1263-U, extending the 45-day moratorium by ten (10) months and fifteen (15) days prohibiting the establishment or expansion of car washes within City limits during the pendency of the City's review and adoption of permanent zoning regulations for such uses. 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. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON A HOMELESS ACTION PLAN Mayor Olmos introduced the item.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor presented a PowerPoint on Solutions to Homelessness which included pursuing additional State and County funding, partnerships with LA County and surrounding cities, declaring a "State of Emergency", and creating a "Homelessness Task Force."
Discussion ensued with City Council on the options presented. Councilmember Bojorquez suggested working with Greater El Monte hospital to address homeless individuals who stay in the city when they are released from the hospital.
Mayor Olmos spoke in favor of setting up a task force and bringing back a staff report with additional information on the other options.
Councilmember Delgado voiced concern that an ordinance wasn't included requiring vacant properties to be fenced up, suggested the City have the Chamber of Commerce work with businesses to address the homeless issue, suggested working with the County to obtain property to build a women's shelter, and recommended this item be brought back with additional information.
Staff was directed to provided information to businesses on deterring homeless individuals by posting signs, having additional lighting, etc.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to receive and file the report. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-17,
APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH VASQUEZ
& COMPANY LLP FOR AUDITING SERVICES
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Discussion ensued with City Council, Interim Finance Director Masami Higa, and Roger Martinez, Vazquez & Company LLP, regarding the terms of the agreement and whether it should be approved for a partial term of 2 or 3 years, or if it should be on a yearly basis due to the $10,000 annual increase.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor suggested the item be continued to the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting.
A motion was made by Mayor Olmos, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to table the item to the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting. Motion passed 4- O, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers): Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
Councilmember Acosta was not present for the vote.
9.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs) FOR NEWSLETTER
PUBLICATION SERVICES
Mayor Olmos announced the item and City Manager Rene Salas presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to authorize the solicitation of proposals for Newsletter Publishing Services for the City and direct staff to issue an RFP. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
Councilmember Acosta was not present for the vote.
9.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-18,
APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH EL MONTE/SOUTH EL MONTE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CHAMBER) FOR ECONOMIC AND
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Discussion ensued by City Council regarding approval of the contract. Mayor Pro Tem Angel suggested raising the compensation to $3,000 per quarter instead of $5,000 and requested the Chamber provide a report of their accomplishments.
Councilmember Bojorquez also requested a report of their accomplishments and requested additional information on the fiscal impact of the agreement.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor suggested tabling the item and amending the contract to include additional services for the Chamber of Commerce to work with the business community to address deterring homeless individuals.
Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Acosta, and Mayor Olmos spoke in favor of the work the Chamber of Commerce does for the City and approving the item.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor was directed to amend the contract to include additional services for the Chamber of Commerce to work with the business community to address deterring homeless individuals.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to table the item to the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmembers): None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced his attendance at the 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, nothing to report.
Mayor Olmos announced her attendance at the City's Senior Center Valentine's Day Luncheon and announced SEAACA still has pet adoption opportunities.
11. CORRESPONDENCE - None.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Consideration of displaying a Laser Drone Firework spectacular as a firework show for the Fourth of July Extravaganza. Aerial entertainment can be seen throughout the entire city, and is environmentally eco-friendly.
12.a.1. was discussed after 12.b.1
Mayor Olmos spoke about laser drone fireworks noting they are not real fireworks but look realistic, however, the drone fireworks are very expensive and would be out of the city's budget.
Mayor Olmos requested to table the item to the next City Council meeting to allow staff to look at additional options and bring back more information. Council concurred.
12.b. MAYOR PRO TEM RICHARD ANGEL
1. In response to the devastating 7.8 earthquake in Turkey, discuss and consider hosting a community stakeholders meeting to include Valle Lindo School District, LA County Fire, LA County Sheriffs, South El Monte High School, and Epiphany School.
12.b.1. was discussed before 12.a.1.
Mayor Pro Tem Angel requested a meeting be held with stakeholders and school districts to prepare a plan in case an earthquake or emergency occurs.
Mayor Olmos stated she would like to bring back the CERT program for employees and the community and she is also working with Gus Frias who works for the FBI to conduct a training on emergency situations.
Staff was directed to include Montevista School and Miramonte School as stakeholders for the emergency preparedness meeting, and to begin scheduling and organizing the CERT program.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:05 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(d)(2) - (one case)
13.b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) - (four cases) At 9:02 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Councilmembers present.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced City Council discussed items 13.a. and 13.b. No action taken, nothing to report.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:02 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of John Arveso, long time South El Monte resident, Guillermo Manuel Arreola, father of South El Monte Employee Guillermo Arreola, and Liz De La Rosa, South El Monte resident, to a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Aleric
Donna G. Schwartz, CMC, City Clerk Gloria Olmos, Mayor