Final Minutes Approved 9-12-23
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Guillermo Arreola, Planning Manager; lyob Tassema, Interim Director of Human Resources; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk, and Robert Molina, Interim Deputy City Clerk.
STAFF ABSENT: Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Emma Ramos, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Laura Lozano, Permit Technician, City of South El Monte, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a, Mayor Olmos and City Council Presented Certificates of Recognition to South El Monte Little Miss Bruins Softball Team for Placing 1st in District 18 Tournament of Champions (TOC) and 2nd Place in All Stars.
Mayor Olmos requested CORRESPONDENCE item 11.b. be heard at this time.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-84, WAIVING DEAN L. SHIVELY PARK RENTAL FEE, COMMUNITY
CENTER AMPHITHEATER RENTAL FEE, AND DEAN L. SHIVELY
PARK LIGHT FEES FOR THE SOUTH EL MONTE AMERICAN
SOCCER YOUTH ORGANIZATION'S 2023/2024 SEASON BEGINNING
AUGUST 14, 2023 AND ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2024
11.b. continued on next page.
CORRESPONDENCE (CONTINUED)
Item 11.b.
Mayor Olmos announced the item and asked Lisa Ducharme to approach the podium.
Ms. Lisa Ducharme, AYSO Regional Director, and South El Monte AYSO President, announced the U19 Girls will be participating in the National Games in Irvine, a new youth program AYSO will be having for special needs children and spoke in support of item 11.b.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to adopt Resolution No. 23-84, waiving Dean L. Shively Park rental fee, Community Center rental fee, and Dean L. Shively Park Tight fees for the South El Monte American Youth Soccer Organization's (AYSO) 2023/2024 Season. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT), by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
4.b. Mayor Olmos and City Council Presented Certificates of Recognition to the South El Monte Minor Girls Bruins Softball Team for Placing lst in the Tournament of Champions (TOC) and 2nd Place in All -Stars.
4.c. Mayor Olmos and City Council Presented Certificates of Recognition to South El Monte Junior Girls Softball Team for Placing 3rd in the State Championships and Placing 1st in the District 18 Tournament of Champions (TOC).
4.d. City Council received a report from the Sheriff's Department for the Month of June.
4.e. 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 June.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Anthony R, Taylor, City Attorney, announced there is an urgency walk-on item that arose subsequent to the posting of the agenda under Consent Calendar as item 7.f. Resolution No. 23-85, authorizing the submittal of an application for grant funding under Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program offered by the California Strategic Growth Council. Copies available to the public. Item is an urgency item, deadline to apply for grant is August 1, 2023.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT), by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Ruby Rose Yepez and Nadia Romero, Valle Lindo School District Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), invited Council to the first annual school year Luau on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Shively black top, and expressed that the school is looking for sponsorships.
Mayor Olmos encouraged Ms. Yepez to complete an application with the city for a $500 sponsorship.
2. Amy Wong, ActiveSVG, spoke in support of agenda items 7.c and walk-on item 7.f., and announced there are rebates available for e -bikes on a first come first serve bases,
3. Stephanie Wong, SGVCOG, spoke in support of agenda item 7.c.
4. Edwarda Sauceda, spoke on the following: senate bill on homeless, sheriffs efforts on calls regarding the homeless, homeless behavior at parks, suggested an ordinance regarding homeless resources, acknowledged the sheriff's and feels more are needed, voiced concern with marijuana cultivation in the cities, personal concern of his brother and seeks help, provided blueprints to the city manager of a Tesla home in Newport he helped put together and acknowledged Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
5. Eva M Trujillo -Bluestone, commented on personal matters.
Ms. Trujillo -Bluestone directed her attention at Mayor Olmos, Deputy Ko with the LA County Sheriff's Department reminded Ms. Trujillo -Bluestone to address Council as a whole.
6. James Funk, Urban Planning Consultant, temporarily worked for the City of City of South El Monte, acknowledged the Council, Commissions and employees for their support to the public and kindness and his appreciation towards everyone he worked with.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to approve Consent Calendar as amended adding urgency walk-on item
7.f. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT), by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
7.a. Approved Minutes for the June 27, 2023, Regular City Council meeting and July 6, 2023, Adjourned Regular City Council meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 23-71, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of June 28, 2023, through July 25, 2023, totaling $2,129,159.37.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 23-73, authorizing submission of the grant application to the Metro ExpressLanes Net Toll Re -Investment Grant Program and related authorizations and authorized the City Manager or designee to execute all documents as the signature authority.
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 23-74, awarding a construction contract to Green Energy Innovations, Inc. (GEI) for lighting energy efficiency upgrades, adopted Resolution No. 23-75, awarding a construction contract to AC Pros, Inc. for mechanical energy efficiency upgrades funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) for the Autonomous Building Control Retrofit Project and authorized City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute both contracts.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 23-76, approving agreement with Vet Care for low-cost vaccination services for three years from July 25, 2023 through July 25, 2026 and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 23-85, authorizing the submittal of an application for grant funding under Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program offered by the California Strategic Growth Council and authorized City Manager or designee to execute all documents as the signature authority.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-77,
ADOPTING AN UPDATED GENERAL FEE SCHEDULE
Mayor Olmos announced the item and opened the public hearing.
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none closed public comment.
Motion by Councilmemer Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to adopt Resolution No. 23-77, adopting an updated General Fee Schedule. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
8.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-78,
APPROVING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR UNPAID TRASH
COLLECTION FEES FOR PERIOD JANUARY 2022 THROUGH MARCH
2023
Mayor Olmos announced the item and invited representatives with Athens to approach the podium.
Anthony R. Taylor City Attorney announced this item requires a 4/5 votes but since there are only four Councilmembers this evening, it requires a unanimous vote.
Jessica Alvarenga and Veronica Sanchez, Athens representatives provided answers to various questions.
Mayor Olmos opened the public hearing.
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none and no protest, closed public comment.
Motion on next page.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to adopt Resolution No. 23-78, approving the list of delinquent accounts to be placed on special assessment for inclusion on the property tax roll by the Los Angeles County Assessor in the FY 2024-2025 tax bill. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
8.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-79,
APPROVING THE ANNUAL LEVY OF THE SEWER SERVICE FEE FOR
FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2023-2024
Mayor Olmos announced the item and opened the public hearing.
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none and no protest, closed public comment.
Motion by Councilmemer Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to adopt Resolution No. 23-79, approving the annual levy of the Sewer Service Fee for FY2023-24, at $35.37 per sewer unit. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO HOST NIGHT MARKETS AT
THE KRUSE PROPERTY
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Jayson Perez, Recreation Manager presented the staff report and provided a PowerPoint.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve hosting a Night Market on Thursday, September 7, 2023, and Thursday, October 5, 2023. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-80,
CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF GUILLERMO ARREOLA AS
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney announced the terms of the contract.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to adopt Resolution No. 23-80, approving the employment agreement between the City and Guillermo Arreola for the position of Director of Community Development and authorized the Mayor to execute employment agreement. Motion passed 4- 0^1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
9.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-80,
CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF ARIANA DE LA CRUZ AS
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND APPROVAL OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney announced the terms of the contract.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to adopt Resolution No. 23-81, approving the employment agreement between the City and Ariana De La Cruz for the position of Director of Community Services and authorized the Mayor to execute employment agreement. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
9.d. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 23-82,
APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 2 WITH TOWNSEND PUBLIC
AFFAIRS LLC FOR GRANT FUNDING AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to adopt Resolution No. 23-82, approving amendment No. 2 to extend agreement with Townsend Public Affairs LLC for grant funding and legislative advocacy an additional one-year term effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and authorized City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute agreement. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
9.e. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-83,
APPROVING AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO GENTRY
BROTHERS, INC. FOR THE MERCED AVENUE GREENWAY
PROJECT
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve the plans and specifications for the Merced Avenue Greenway Project, reviewed the bids and found Gentry Brothers, Inc. had submitted the lowest responsive bid, adopted Resolution No. 23-83, awarding construction contract to Gentry Brothers, Inc. for the Merced Avenue Greenway Project for the amount of $9,098,474.00, approved a 10% contingency in an amount of $909,847.40 for a total project construction budget amount not to exceed $10,008,321.40 and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the contract.
Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attend the City's Summer Concert on July 13th and Movie in the Park on July 20th.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attend the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board Meeting on July 13th and reminded the public to be vigilant of the Asian Tiger mosquito.
Mayor Pro Tem Angel announced he attended Movie in the Park, and the 40th Annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) in New York.
Mayor Olmos announced she too attending the 40th Annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) in New York, City's Movie in the Park, and informed the public that SEACCA has big dogs available for adoption.
Both Mayor Pro Tem Angel and Mayor Olmos announced they had attended a session at the NALEO conference on the use of Fentanyl and ways to reach out to the local schools and educate the kids. Also attended a finance session and what was presented, showed the City of South El Monte is not only doing well but over and beyond.
Mayor Olmos would like to bring back to Council a discussion to lead a crusade to stop Fentanyl. To partner with other cities, school districts and local enforcement agencies to not only educate the youth but the parents as well.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney stated a resolution can be brought back at the first meeting in September.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATES, LEAGUE
OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO,
SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2023, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
Mayor Olmos announced item.
Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Delgado recommended adding an additional $2,500 for each Councilmember to the conference/seminar budget when attending these functions.
Motion next page.
CORRESPONDENCE (CONTINUED)
11.a. continued.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to appoint Councilmember Acosta as the Delegate and Mayor Olmos as the Alternate to allow the City the right to cast one vote on matters pertaining to League policy and approved adding an additional $2,500 for each councilmember under the conference/seminar budget for attending these functions. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
ITEM 11.b. HEARD DURING PRESENTATIONS AFTER 4.a.
11.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-84, WAIVING DEAN L. SHIVELY PARK RENTAL FEE, COMMUNITY
CENTER AMPHITHEATER RENTAL FEE, AND DEAN L. SHIVELY
PARK LIGHT FEES FOR THE SOUTH EL MONTE AMERICAN
SOCCER YOUTH ORGANIZATION'S 2023/2024 SEASON BEGINNING
AUGUST 14, 2023 AND ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2024
The South El Monte American Soccer Youth Organization (AYSO) is requesting facility fee waivers for the use of the Dean L. Shively fields and the South El Monte Community Center Amphitheater. AYSO is also requesting that the City Council consider waiving the park light fees.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-84, waiving Lean L. Shively Park rental fee, Community Center rental fee, and Dean L Shively Park Tight fees for the South El Monte American Soccer Youth Organization's 2023/2024 Season.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER MANUEL ACOSTA
1. Consideration of Extending City Bike Rides into September and October of 2023
Recommendation: Discussion and/or Action
At 8:55 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Angel left the Council Chambers.
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
12.a. continued.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to extend the bike rides into September and October of 2023. Motion passed 3-0-1-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT, and Angel ABSTAINED) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, and Mayor Olmos NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
ABSTAINED: Councilmember(s): Mayor Pro Tem Angel
12.b. COUNCILMEMBER HECTOR DELGADO
1. Consideration of Increasing the Citation Fine for Illegal Fireworks.
Recommendation: Discussion and/or Action
At 8:57 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Angel reentered the Council Chambers.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney would like to bring back to council a staff report and an ordinance with options regarding the increase to citation fines for illegal fireworks.
2. Overnight Parking of Commercial Vehicles Including RVs, Tow Trailers, Commercial Vehicles on Public Roads and Residential Areas.
Recommendation: Discussion and/or Action
Councilmember Delgado wants the owners of these vehicles to be mindful of where they are parking, to comply or be cited.
3. Property Maintenance of Businesses and Residential Homes.
Recommendation: Discussion and/or Action
Councilmember Delgado wants property owners to clean their property, see a more aggressive approach with graffiti and property maintenance both residential and commercial. Mr. Delgado would like to see a policy in place regarding compliance.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 9:37 p.m. Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, recessed Council into closed session.
13.a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFOMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)
Title: City Clerk
13.b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) — (one case) At 10:05 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Counciimembers present.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Items 13.a. and
13.b. No action taken, nothing to report.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, recommended Council make a motion to extend the meeting past 10 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to extend the meeting pass 10 p.m. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Bojorquez ABSENT) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 10:06 p.m.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 10:08 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council meeting at 10:08 p.m.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:08 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
nna G. Schwart , CMC, i y Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor