CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023 - 6: 00 PM
Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6: 00 PM
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado ( arrived at 6: 02 p. m.), Mayor Pro Tern Angel, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember( s): None.
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Masami Higa, Finance Director; Guillermo Arreola, Planning Manager; Donna G.
Schwartz, City Clerk; and Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Pro Tern Angel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Mayor Gloria Olmos offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4. a. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a Certificate of Recognition and Lapel Pin to Ebith and Gerardo Aurioles, on behalf of Active Military Banner Program Participant James Diego Velazquez, Private First Class I E- 3, Actively Serving in the United States Army.
4. b. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South El Monte High School Future Business Leaders of America ( FBLA) Club for their Assistance at South El Monte' s2023 State of the City and their accomplishments in the FBLA Inland Section Leadership Conference 2023, Mayor Olmos and City Council also presented a donation to the Club which was given by the El Monte/ South El Monte Chamber of Commerce.
4. c. City Council received a PowerPoint presentation by Michael Cacciotti, Governing Board Vice Chair ( also City of South Pasadena Councilmember), South Coast Air Quality Management District, on Air Quality Updates.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced there was changes to the agenda to move Item 12. b.up for discussion after Approval of the Agenda, pull Item 9. a. from the agenda, and add an urgency walk- on Closed Session item for Potential Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9(d)( 2) involving facts and circumstances unknown to the potential plaintiff under division E)( 1).
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to approve the agenda as amended, to move up Item 12. b.. for discussion and action, pull item 9. a. from the agenda, and add an urgency walkon Closed Session Item. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
ITEM MOVED UP FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION
12. b. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Consideration of Waiving the Fees for the use of the Community Center by South El Monte High School Basketball Team for Their Annual Awards Banquet.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Angel to waive the fees for the use of the Community Center by South El Monte High School Basketball Team for their Annual Awards Banquet. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. George Meza, Acting Captain at Sheriff' sTemple Station, introduced himself to City Council and stated he looks forward to working with the City, residents, and businesses to improve public safety.
2. Ron Saldana, South El Monte High School Basketball Coach, thanked City Council for their consideration of waiving the fees for their annual awards banquet.
3. Eduardo Saucedo, South El Monte resident, voiced concern with the Senior Center no longer serving coffee to the seniors and requested a trash service discount be offered to seniors.
Mayor Olmos addressed Mr. Saucedo' sconcerns, stating the State does not allow coffee to be served to seniors after a certain time, and seniors over 70 years old do receive a discount for organic waste trash service.
There being no further comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
7. a. Approved the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 25, 2023.
7. b. Adopted Resolution No. 23- 35, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of April 26, 2023, through May 9, 2023, totaling 1, 072,38. 24.
7. c. Adopted Resolution No. 23- 36 to 23- 41, adding the positions of Community Development Analyst, Recreation Manager, Senior Accounting Specialist, and Transportation and Senior Services Manager; changing job title of Personnel Analyst to Human Resources Analyst and updating the class specification; adopting revised Accountant class specification; and authorized the City Manager to increase the number of Permit Technicians from 1 to 2.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9. a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23- 42,
APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH VAN LANT & FANKHANEL LLP FOR
AUDITING SERVICES
Item 9. a. was pulled from the agenda under Approval of the Agenda.
Item 9. b. next page.
GENERAL BUSINESS ( Continued)
9. b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23- 43,
AWARDING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ( PSA) TO
WEST & ASSOCIATES ENGINEERING, INC. FOR DESIGN SERVICES
FOR SOUTH EL MONTE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY PROJECT, ATP CYCLE 5
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Angel to adopt Resolution No. 23- 43, awarding a PSA to West & Associates Engineering, Inc. for Design Services for South El Monte Safe Routes to School Pedestrian Safety Project ( ATP CYCLE 5) in the amount of $ 127, 500; and authorize City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
9. c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23- 44,
APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION FOR A SPECIFIED
GRANT FROM THE 2022-023 BUDGET STATE LEGISLATURE,
AB178 CH. 45 SECTION 233. 19. 56 (B) (1) (K) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE
RENOVATION OF NEW TEMPLE PARK FACILITIES
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Angel to approve adopt Resolution No. 23- 44, approving submittal of the specified grant funds under the State legislature budget AB 178 Ch. 45 Section 233. 19. 56 (b)( 1)( k) program for New Temple Park facilities renovation project.
Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
Item 9.d. next page.
GENERAL BUSINESS ( Continued)
9. d. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23- 45, ADOPTING THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE 2022-023
ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY ( SPEED SURVEY)
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve adopt Resolution No. 23- 45, approving the Certification of the City of South El Monte 2022-023 Engineering and Traffic Survey for ( 23) street segments Citywide for the establishment of speed limits. Motion passed 5- 00, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember( s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tern Angel and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember( s): None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the City' sStaff Development and Team Building event, Senior Center' s Cinco de Mayo Luncheon, City' s Annual
Cinco de Mayo Festival and Boxing Show, City' s Community Bike Ride, and El Monte/ South El Monte National Little League Comedy Night Fundraiser.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the City' s Staff Development
and Team Building event, City' s
National Day of Prayer Breakfast, Senior
Center' s Cinco de Mayo Luncheon, and City' s Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and Boxing Show.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended Congresswoman Grace Napolitano' s
Conference on Mental Health.
Mayor Pro Tern Angel announced he attended the City' s
Staff Development and
Team Building event, Senior Center' s Cinco de Mayo Luncheon, City' s Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and Boxing Show, City' s Community Bike Ride, and City' s
National Day of Prayer Breakfast.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the City' s
Staff Development and Team
Building event, Senior Center' s Cinco de Mayo Luncheon, stopped by the City' s Community Bike Ride, City' s
National Day of Prayer Breakfast, Commission
Meetings, Banner Installation for James Diego Velazquez, Private First Class I E3, Actively Serving in the United States Army, thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the donation to South El Monte High School Future Business Leaders of America Club, and announced SEAACA still has adoption opportunities.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12. a. COUNCILMEMBER HECTOR DELGADO
1. Discussion on Funding the / Dedicated Los Angeles Sheriffs' Department ( LASD) Sergeant Position.
Councilmember Delgado spoke in favor of bringing a dedicated Sheriff' sDepartment Sergeant back to the South El Monte team.
City Manager Rene Salas indicated staff has been working on the budget and have received the figures for the cost of a Sergeant and vehicle, and staff will bring an item for budget discussion at the next City Council meeting.
2. Discussion on Property Maintenance for Businesses and Residential Homes.
Councilmember Delgado spoke in favor of ensuring the City Manager and Code Enforcement have all the necessary tools available to manage property maintenance for businesses, especially to manage encampments on properties. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor provided information on the different approaches the City can take to manage homeless individuals and encampments and what tools are available to the City and Sheriff' sdepartment.
Councilmember Delgado directed staff to work with the Chamber of Commerce to educate businesses so they know they are able remove people from their property and directed the City Manager to work with the Chamber of Commerce to develop signage such as " No Loitering," No Panhandling," or "Violators Will be Prosecuted" and bring back a report in 30 days.
12. b. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Consideration of Waiving the Fees for the use of the Community Center by South El Monte High School Basketball Team for Their Annual Awards Banquet.
Item 12. b.. was discussed after Approval of the Agenda.
2. Consideration of Reinstating the Already Budgeted High School Internship Program That was Put on Hold Due to The Pandemic.
Mayor Olmos directed the City Manager to reach out to South El Monte High School to recruit students who want to volunteer with the City for an Internship Program.
13. CLOSED SESSION
URGENCY WALK ON -ITEM ADDED DURING APPROVAL OF AGENDA
At 7: 27 p. m. City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor recessed Council into closed session.
13. a. POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9(d)( 2)- ( one case) At 7: 51 p. m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Councilmembers present.
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor announced City Council discussed walk- on Item 13. a.
No action taken, nothing to report.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 7: 51 p. m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to an Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 6: 00 p. m.
Do na G. Sc wartz, OMC, Ci
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Gloria Olmos, Mayor