Final Minutes Approved 2-13-24
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 - 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, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk; John Poehler, Director of Public Works, Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; and Robert Molina, Interim Deputy City Clerk.
STAFF ABSENT: Masami Higa, Director of Finance, and Iyob Tessema, Interim Director of Human Resources & Risk Management.
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.
3. INVOCATION — Deborah Martinez, Shield of Faith Christian School was unable to attend. Jayson Perez, Community Services Manager, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and Council presented certificates and plaques to the 2023 Holiday Home Decorating Contest Winners.
4.b. Chris Knight, El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce presented a PowerPoint on the Past Year Activities.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony Taylor announced the following: for consent calendar item
7.c. the terms and compensation of the City Clerk Employment Agreement were read, and minor changes to items 7.f. and 7.h. noting these items were posted online and copies available to the public from the City Clerk.
Mayor Olmos pulled Consent Calendar item 7.d. for discussion.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCES (CONTINUED)
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Angel 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. Edwarda Sauceda, resident, commented on the following: incident in November, Fire Department at events, evacuation plan, younger kids to be Sheriffs, volunteer security, keep children and people safe, previous incident in front of City Hall, and Public Safety and Sheriffs committing and doing their jobs.
2. Christina, Martha and Erlene, parents with South El Monte National Little League, thanked Council for their ongoing support.
At 6:47 p.m. Mayor Olmos and Mayor Pro Tem Angel left the council chambers.
At 6:48 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Angel reentered the council chambers
3. Caribbean Fragoza, resident, via Zoom, commented on what is happening in Gaza and Palestine and asked to follow other cities and pass a resolution in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
At 6:50 p.m. Mayor Olmos reentered the council chambers.
4. Jacqueline Rubio, resident, and Valle Lindo Board Member asked Council to consider using Student Ambassadors to provide the Pledge of Allegiance or the Invocation at any of the city council meetings or any community involvement, and asked Council to look into Quimby funds toward a track field at Dean L. Shively School.
Consent Calendar Item 7.d. heard at this time. Mayor Olmos also requested Correspondence Items 11.a. and 11.b. be heard at this time. Council concurred with no objections.
7.d. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 24-117,
APPROVING AN AMENDED CITY FACILITY RESERVATION
REGULATIONS AND FEES POLICY TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL
CRITERIA FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO QUALIFY FOR A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER
7.d. (CONTINUED)
Mayor Olmos announced the item and wanted to clarify and ensure the provisions, these provisions don't apply to the Montebello Brewers, include adding "South El Monte" in the organization name for outside agencies, that out- side entities would not have the opportunity for fee waivers other than those that have been grandfathered in i.e., South El Monte National Little League Baseball, El Monte -South El Monte Jets Youth Football, El Monte -South El Monte AYSO.
Motion made after items 11.a. and 11.b were heard and approved.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to adopt Resolution No. 24-117, approving an amended City Facility Reservation Regulations and Fees Policy to include additional criteria for non-profit organizations to qualify for a facility fee waiver upon written request including: * a.) the organization's non-profit status must have a South El Monte address registered with the State of California. b.) the organization name must include "South El Monte." c.) at least 25% of the registered participants must be South El Monte residents. Rosters are required for verification. * These provisions shall not apply to the Montebello Brewers. Motion passed 55-00, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
Mayor Olmos requested CORRESPONDENCE be heard at this time, with no objections Council concurred.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM MONTEBELLO BREWERS BASEBALL
CORPORATION REQUESTING A FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE
USE OF DEAN L. SHIVELY PARK FIELD AND NEW TEMPLE PARK
FIELDS, CONSIDERATION OF A FIFTY PERCENT DISCOUNT ON THE
RESERVATION LIGHT FEES, AND CONSIDERATION TO HOST TWO
BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Jayson Perez, Community Services Manager, presented the staff report.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado to approve facility reservation fee waiver request for the use of Dean L. Shively Park Field and New Temple Park Field, approved a 10% discount on the reservation light fees at Dean L Shively Park and New Temple Park and approved hosting two (2) baseball tournaments. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
11.a. (CONTINUED)
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
Jayson Perez, Community Services Manager also noted the Montebello Brewers Baseball Corporation is requesting a third tournament. Council directed staff to bring back at a later council meeting to consider.
At 7:14 p.m. Councilmember Delgado left the council chambers.
11.b. LETTER FROM SOUTH EL MONTE NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE
REQUESTING A FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE NEW
TEMPLE PARK FIELDS, COMMUNITY CENTER GYM, AND MARY
VAN DYKE COMMUNITY ROOM, CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE
PARK LIGHT FEES, AND CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE FEES
FOR THE INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF THE FIELD FENCE
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to approve facility reservation fee waiver request for the use of the New Temple Park Fields, Community Center Gymnasium, and Mary Van Dkye Community Room, waiving the reservation light fees at New Temple Park and waiving the fees incurred to install and remove (5) fences at New Temple Park. 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
ABSTAINED: Councilmember(s): Delgado
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez to approve Consent Calendar as amended. Motion passed 4-0-1, (except for 7.d. pulled by Mayor Olmos for discussion) by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None.
ABSTAINED Councilmember(s): Delgado
7.a. Approved the Minutes of the December 12, 2023, Regular City Council meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 24-113, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of December 13, 2023, through January 9, 2024, totaling $1,661,972.96.
7.c. Authorized staff to solicit Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to prepare sewer rate study.
7.d. Heard after public comment.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 24-118, approving the amended and restated employment agreement between the City and Donna G. Schwartz for the position of City Clerk and authorized the City Manager to execute agreement.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 24-119, approving Amendment No.1 to contract with AC Pros, Inc. to increase the compensation terms from $1,088,315.00 to a total not -to -exceed amount of $1,126,315.00 and Authorized City Manager or designee to execute contract.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 24-120, awarding a Professional Services Agreement to ONYX Architects for Architectural Design Services for South El Monte City Hall Restrooms Rehabilitation in the amount of $73,030 and authorized City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute agreement.
7.h. Authorized staff to advertise Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) to solicit proposals from qualified contractors for the removal and replacement of floors in the Senior Center and the Community Center's Basketball Gym.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to appoint Councilmember Bojorquez as Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term. 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
ABSTAINED: Councilmember(s): Delgado
At 7:18 p.m. Delgado reentered the council chambers.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway, participated in the Santa Float, Christmas Senior Luncheon and Senior New Year's luncheon.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez announced he attended the Valle Lindo School District Board of Education meeting, participated in the Santa Float, Christmas Senior Luncheon, the Community Services Commission meeting for a Meet and Greet, and asked for prayers for his neighbor Pete Negrete who was involved in a vehicle accident.
Councilmember Delgado, nothing to report.
Councilmember Angel announced he attended the Christmas Senior Luncheon, Senior New Year's luncheon, Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway, and participated in the Santa Float.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended both Christmas Senior Luncheon and Senior New Year's luncheon, Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway, participated in the Santa Float, Event hosted by Valle Lindo School District, announced SEAACA adopting big breeds, and tours provided by the Sanitation District.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. and 11.b. heard after public comment.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Direction to Contact Edison to Repair Streetlights that are out in the City, and Check Day Burners.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Mayor Olmos discussed her item stating during the Santa Float she noticed lights out and directed staff to either repair them or contact Edison to repair them
2. Consideration to Approve $500 Donation to the South El Monte/EI Monte Jets
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Mayor Olmos noted that the Jets provided a letter requesting a $500 donation.
Motion next page.
12.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS (CONTINUED)
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Angel to approve a $500 donation to the South El Monte/EI Monte Jets. Motion passed 5- 0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
13. CLOSED SESSION — None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 7:31 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of David Pinedo and mother of Community Services Commissioner Gerardo Diaz. Councilmember Delgado added in memory of Mrs. Nunez, longtime resident of South El Monte and mother of Deputy Nunez to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Gloria Olmos, Mayor