Final Minutes Approved 10-10-23
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 26, 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, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk, and Robert Molina, Interim Deputy City Clerk.
STAFF ABSENT: lyob Tessema, Interim Director of Human Resources & Risk Management and Paola Lara, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Councilmember Bojorquez, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor Benjamin Garrett, Faith Dominion Church, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Presentation by Caitlin Sims, Manager of Local Programs, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG) on the COGs Programs and Initiatives.
4.b. Presentation by James Chen, Director and Yushan Tong of San Gabriel Valley Service Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation on Resources Available to the Homeless.
4.c. City Council received a report from the Sheriffs Department for the Months of July and August.
Mayor Olmos requested to increase patrolling around Marshalls.
4.d. next page.
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED}
4.d. City Council received a report from Code Enforcement and Public Safety Department for the Months of July and August.
Councilmember Delgado directed staff to prepare an interoffice memo on a break down by code and public safety by percentage in terms of volume.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor read the title of Ordinance No. 1268 agenda item
7.c. under Consent Calendar and requested an amended motion during approval of agenda regarding removal of agenda item 13.a. under Closed Session due to the Court continuing the hearing so there is no new information.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to approve the agenda as amended. 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. Valerie Munoz, San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, provided an update on water quality and requested to be added to a future city council meeting for a presentation.
2. Lidia Flores, resident, voiced concern on an incident that occurred at her home and the response she was given when she called the Sheriff's Department the day after and that no one was available to come and take a report.
Sheriff Deputy Ko stated he spoke to the dispatcher who was new and didn't know the proper protocol and this would not happen again.
3. Edwarda Sauceda, resident, commented on the following: yard library, combustible material in front of a house and will ask community to help the resident, CM Measure and would like a copy, cannabis as a medicine, bringing vendors into city to develop, revenue, more Sheriffs on streets, advancement of technology, homelessness, clean up of riverbed, and vaping at high schools.
4. on next page.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
4. Sheriff Deputy Rodriguez remembering and asking for a moment of silence honoring LA County Sheriff Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer who was recently ambushed and tragically killed last week in the city of Lancaster in the course of his duties. Deputy Rodriguez reminding all, the realties that sheriffs face in their profession and on behalf of the members of LA County Sheriff's Department Temple Station and the South EI Monte Special Assignment Team will continue to serve you with pride and professionalism at this time of morning. Deputy Ryan came from a large family and long line of law enforcement, he himself 8 years.
There being no further comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Delgado requested to pull item 7.c. for separate discussion and motion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to approve the Consent Calendar excluding item 7.c. for separate discussion and motion. 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 Minutes of the September 12, 2023, Regular City Council meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 23-89, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of September 13, 2023, through September 26, 2023, totaling $910,329.66.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.c. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1268, AMENDING CHAPTER 5.26 OF TITLE 5 OF THE SOUTH EL MONTE MUNICIPAL CODE THEREBY
AMENDING THE CITY'S CANNABIS REGULATIONS IN RELATION TO
APPLICATION SELECTION CRITERIA, MAKE CLARIFICATION
CHANGES, AND MAKE SUCH OTHER CHANGES IN ORDER TO
IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION THEREOF
Councilmember Delgado asked to proceed with the motion.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Mayor Olmos to adopt Ordinance No. 1268, amending Chapter 5.26 of Title 5 of the South El Monte Municipal Code thereby updating and amending the City's cannabis regulations in order to amend application selection criteria, make clarification changes, and make such other changes in order to improve the administration thereof. Motion passed 3-1-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos NAYS: Councilmember(s): Delgado
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 23-90, approving professional scanning services from ECS Imaging, Inc. (ECS) and authorized City Manager or designee to accept the quote issued by ECS.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 23-91, awarding a PSA to Transtech Engineers, Inc. for construction management and construction inspection (CMCI) services, in an amount not to exceed $856,225 and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 23-92, approving Amendment No. 1 to agreement with Aleshire & Wynder (A&W) for City Attorney Services and authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute agreement.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-93,
APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE AND U.S. ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS, LOS ANGELES DISTRICT FOR PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 825 LEXINGTON-
GALLATIN ROAD ("PROPERTY")
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to Adopt Resolution No. 23-93, approving the MOA with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District for a proposed development approval process of property located at 825 Lexington -Gallatin Road ("Property") and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the MOA. 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 he attended the following: Rio Hondo College 60th Anniversary, Mexican Independence Day event at the Senior Center, Fire Station 90 Appreciation Day, Skate Jam, and the League of California Cities Conference attending as voting Delegate.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: Senior Prom for the Seniors, Rio Hondo College 60th Anniversary, Mexican Independence Day event at the Senior Center, and the Fire Station 90 Appreciation Day.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the Vector Control Board meeting informing the public to be mindful of mosquitoes and Back to School for the South El Monte High School.
Mayor Pro Tem Angel announced he attended the Fire Station 90 Appreciation Day and the Skate Jam.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: Rio Hondo College 60th Anniversary, Mexican Independence Day event at the Senior Center, Fire Station 90 Appreciation Day, Boxing event held in Baldwin Park, the League of California Cities Conference as the Alternate, Senior Prom for the Seniors, SEAACA still has pets for adoption, Sanitation District has field trips coming up and announced the second Night Market on October 5, 2023.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM THE SOUTH EL MONTE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (SEMEA) REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP FOR THE ANNUAL SOUTH
EL MONTE EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY RECOGNITION DINNER
Mayor Olmos motion to amend amount from $2,500 to $5,000.
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to approve amended amount from $2,500 to $5,000 for sponsorship toward the Annual South El Monte Employee Holiday Recognition Dinner. 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
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA - None
13. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, removed this item during approval of the agenda.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) - (One Case) Civil Action No. 2:23-cv-04022-SCW(MRWx): Phillip Killgore v. CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE, a municipal corporation; GARVEYKCVN HOLINDGS LLC; AND DOES 1-10 INCLUSIVE
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 7:45 p.m.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:47 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer, Ben Fonseca, resident and former commissioner, Fernando Ledesma and Bob Maez to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
onna G. Schwartz„CMC, C. Jerk
Gioria Olmos, Mayor