Final Minutes Approved 4-25-23
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023 - 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmembers): None.
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Masami Higa, Finance Director; Guillermo Arreola, Planning Manager; and Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk.
STAFF ABSENT: Donna G. Schwartz, 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.
INVOCATION - Jayson Perez, Recreation Coordinator, City of South El Monte, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a proclamation to Kim Sinclair, Executive Director of Autism Society of Los Angeles, proclaiming the month of April 2023 as "Autism Acceptance Month."
4.b. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a proclamation to Pauline Guevarra, OneLegacy Ambassador, Kidney Recipient and Donor, Proclaiming "April 2023 as Donate Life Month"
Pauline Guevarra, OneLegacy Ambassador, was unable to attend the meeting.
4.c. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South El Monte Youth Basketball Co-Ed League Division B and C youth participants for placing 2nd at the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) San Gabriel Valley Youth Basketball Tournament.
Crystal Lopez, representing Senator Susan Rubio's Office, also presented Certificates of Recognition to the South El Monte Youth Basketball Co-Ed League Division B and C youth participants.
4.d. Certificates of Recognition Presented to the South El Monte High School Academic Decathlon Team congratulating their Top 10 Ranking in the 2023 Los Angeles County of Education Academic Decathlon Competition.
Mayor Olmos announced this item would be continued to the next City Council meeting.
4.e. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to Gabriela M. Negrete, Principal of Epiphany Catholic School, for being selected "2023 Woman of the Year" by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, District 56.
4.f. Amy Wong, Program Director of Active San Gabriel Valley, and Carlos Velasquez, Managing Director, KOA Corporation, presented a PowerPoint on South El Monte Rush Street Sustainable Transportation Equity Project.
4.g. Mayor Olmos and City Council received a PowerPoint Presentation from Finance Director Masami Higa on an Update on Measure ES Funds.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, 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: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Karla Viviana (via Zoom), resident, spoke in favor of renovating all city streets and not only Rush Steet, spoke against increasing the budget for the Sheriff's department, spoke against criminalizing the residents, and in favor of assisting the unhoused community.
2. George Rivera, Healing and Justice Center, requested City Council write a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Directors in support of conducting an investigation to end discriminatory practices by internet services providers like Charter-Spectrum in low-income communities. Mr. Rivera distributed informational handouts to City Council.
Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Delgado stated they would like more information on the topic and statistics and would be in favor of writing a letter if found to be true.
There being no further comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez requested the minutes in item 7.a. be amended to correct item 12.a. on page 6, to read "12.a. Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez." A motion was made by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve the Consent Calendar with the amendment to the minutes in item 7.a. 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
7.a. Approved the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 28, 2023, with the amendment to correct item 12.a. on page 6, to read "12.a.
Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez."
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 23-29, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of March 29, 2023, through April 11, 2023, totaling $1,351,582.05
7.c. Approved settlement agreements and participation forms for the City's participation in the National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS; and approved the California State-Subdivision Agreements regarding distribution and use of settlement funds relating to the National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS; and adopted Resolution No. 23- 30, approving and authorizing the City Manager to carry out all necessary acts such that the City can participate in the National Opioid Settlements with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS, including signing necessary documents and transmittal thereof as necessary.
7.0. Adopted Resolution No. 23-31, approving Amendment No. 2 to the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments extending the term of the MOA until April 2028, and increasing compensation under the MOA and incorporating the Analysis Tool to the scope of work, for an amount not to exceed $15,000.00 for the implementation of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis Model & Tool Update; and authorized the City Manager to execute the amendment.
Mayor Olmos requested item 11.a. be moved up for discussion and action at this time. Council concurred.
11.a. LETTER FROM EL MONTE/ SOUTH EL MONTE JETS REQUESTING A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY
CENTER, NEW TEMPLE PARK AND DEAN L. SHIVELY PARK FIELDS,
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE PARK LIGHT FEES, AND
CONSIDERATION OF A MONETARY DONATION
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Recreation Coordinator Jayson Perez presented the staff report noting that the El Monte/South E Monte Jets Organization's status of a non-profit was currently suspended. Mr. Perez announced that representatives from the El Monte/South El Monte Jets were in attendance to answer any questions.
City Council discussed at length with Recreation Coordinator Jayson Perez, City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor, and the El Monte/South El Monte Jets representatives on the days of the week and fields being requested, whether the organization approached the City of El Monte and the El Monte Union High School District to request assistance, the organization's suspended non-profit organization status with the Secretary of State, and the monetary donation request.
Mayor Pro Tem Angel suggested approving the request for field reservation dates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the school year, and additional days as needed for extra practices and scrimmages in July and August while the children are on summer vacation.
Recreation Coordinator Jayson Perez informed City Council that in the current policy an organization must have current status as a non-profit organization in order to apply for a fee waiver request. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recommended the item be brought back at a future meeting for City Council action.
Staff was directed to bring back the item at a future meeting once the El Monte/South El Monte Jets regain current status as a non-profit organization.
Recreation Coordinator Jayson Perez stated he would update the schedule to reflect the requested field reservations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the school year and additional days as needed for extra practices and scrimmages in July and August while the kids are on summer vacation and update the fee waiver cost and park light fees.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. AUTHORIZATION FOR 2023 STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TEAM
BUILDING EVENT
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to approve a 2023 Staff Development and Team Building Event and allocate $5,000.00 from the General Fund to the Human Resources Recognition account 01-100-1050-5940 to host the event. 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 Conference and City's Easter Breakfast.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced his attendance at the Recognition Luncheon in Honor of John Gonzalez, South El Monte's prior Mayor, California Contract Cities meeting with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Valle Lindo School District Grand Opening of the Community Resource Center, and South El Monte High School Modernization Project Ground Breaking Ceremony, the City's Senior Center Easter Luncheon, and the City's Easter Breakfast.
Councilmember Delgado announced his attendance at the City's Easter Breakfast.
Mayor Pro Tem Angel announced his attendance at the City's Easter Breakfast, the City's Senior Center Easter Luncheon, Recognition Luncheon in Honor of John Gonzalez, South El Monte's prior Mayor, and Valle Lindo School District Grand Opening of the Community Resource Center.
Mayor Olmos announced her attendance at the City's Easter Breakfast, California Contract Cities meeting with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Valle Lindo School District Grand Opening of the Community Resource Center, South El Monte High School Modernization Project Groundbreaking Ceremony, and the City's Senior Center Easter Luncheon, and announced SEAACA still has adoption opportunities and is now offering their services online.
Item 11.a was moved up for discussion after the Consent Calendar.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM EL MONTE/ SOUTH EL MONTE JETS REQUESTING A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY
CENTER, NEW TEMPLE PARK AND DEAN L. SHIVELY PARK FIELDS,
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE PARK LIGHT FEES, AND
CONSIDERATION OF A MONETARY DONATION
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA - None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:04 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) - (two cases) At 8:50 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. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:52 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Salvador Camarena, long time South El Monte resident, Marcos Alberto Acosta, brother of Councilmember Acosta, and Irene Rios, longtime South El Monte resident and Aunt of Mayor Olmos to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Meera dus
Gloria Olmos, Mayor