Final Minutes Approved 10-24-23
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk, and Robert Molina, Interim Deputy City Clerk.
STAFF ABSENT: Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; 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 Rudy Bojorquez, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor Charlie Corum, South El Monte Community Outreach, offered the Invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Anthony R, Taylor, City Attorney, announced a last-minute walk-on proclamation under presentations as item 4.f. Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week.
Council approved by a unanimous vote.
4.a. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented "Certificates of Recognition" to volunteers of the South El Monte Community Alliance Church for their service at the City's Summer Events.
4.b. Mayor Olmos and City Council presented a "Certificate of Recognition" to Active Military Banner Program participant, Freddy Davalos Ochoa, actively serving in the U.S. Air Force.
4.c. Mayor Olmos presented a proclamation proclaiming, "October 2023 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month."
4.d. Mayor Olmos presented a proclamation proclaiming, "October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month."
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
Mayor Olmos requested to hear the walk-on presentation before 4.e. Council concurred.
4.f. Mayor Olmos presented a proclamation proclaiming, "October 10-15, 2023, as Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week."
4.e. Karla Cardenas introduced herself as the New District Representative for the Office of Senator Susan Rubio.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Anthony R, Taylor, City Attorney, read the title of Ordinance No. 1269 item 7.d. and announced an amendment to item 7.c.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to approve the Consent Calendar as amended. Motion passed 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
7.a. Approved the Minutes of September 26, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 23-94, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of September 27, 2023, through October 10, 2023, totaling $1,084,431.82.
7.c. Approved going dark on, Tuesday, December 26, 2022, due to the Christmas holiday.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.d. Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance No. 1269 to repeal Title 2, Chapter 2.52 "Traffic Commission;" and setting the second reading of said ordinance at the next regular City Council meeting.
7.e. Approved the plans and specifications for the Traffic Signal Improvements at Various Signalized Intersections Project (HSIPL-5352(020)); reviewed the bids and found that Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. had submitted the lowest responsive bid; adopted Resolution No. 23-95, awarding a construction contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. in the amount of $381,707.00; approved a 15% contingency amount of $57,256.05 for a total project construction budget amount not to exceed $438,963.05; and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the contract.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-96, APPROVING A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH PLACER.AI TO ACCESS
PROFESSIONAL MARKET DATA
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Rene Salas, City Manager, presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to Adopt Resolution No. 23-96, approving a license agreement with Placer.ai and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the license agreement. Motion passed 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the Los Angeles Business Federations (BizFed) 8th Annual BizFed Freshman Policymakers Reception, City's 2nd Night Market and the last community Bike Ride event.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the Los Angeles Business Federations (BizFed) 8th Annual BizFed Freshman Policymakers Reception, and the City's 2nd Night Market
Mayor Pro Tem Angel announced he attended the City's 2nd Night Market.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS (CONTINUED) Mayor Olmos announced she attended the Los Angeles Business Federations (BizFed) 8th Annual BizFed Freshman Policymakers Reception, Spiritt Fund Raiser, City's 2nd Night Market, SEACCA meeting and noted they are still adopting pets.
11. CORRESPONDENCE -- None.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
ITEM 12.a WAS NOT HEARD DUE TO COUNCILMEMBER DELGADO'S ABSENCE.
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER HECTOR DELGADO
1. Discussion to Consider Joining the Dozen or so Cities that have Banned Together to Sue the County of Los Angeles on its Stance on "Zero Cash Bail."
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
12.b. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Consideration of updating the Senior Center Amphitheater.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Mayor Olmos directed staff to buff stage floor and investigate to potentially replace curtains.
2. Consideration allowing the South El Monte Senior Baseball Team "Charros" to practice/play at no charge.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Mayor Olmos requested fees be waived for the South El Monte Senior Baseball Team.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to waive fees. Motion passed 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 6:55 p.m. Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, recessed Council into closed session.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4)
To consider support for twelve other cities who are plaintiffs in Whittier, et al. v. LA Superior Court, et al., LASC Case No. 238TCP03579, including through a potential amicus brief in support of the cities or through a petition to intervene (join) the lawsuit as a plaintiff concerning the cities' lawsuit against no cash bail policies for non-violent offenders in Los Angeles Superior Court
At 7:20 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Councilmembers present except for Councilmember Delgado who was ABSENT. Mayor Olmos announced closed session item 13.a. was discussed, and Council directed Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, to prepare a resolution in support of the lawsuit and bring back to Council for adoption at the next meeting.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:21 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
1 Donna G..chwar z, CM ity Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor