Final Minutes Approved 3-12-24
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 27, 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, Angel, Delgado (Arrived at 6:02 p.m.), Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Donna G. Schwartz, City Clerk; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; John Poehler, Director of Public Works; Aria De La Cruz, Director of Community Services, Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk, and Nancy Rodriguez, Community Services Analyst.
STAFF ABSENT: Iyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management, and Masami Higa, Director of Finance.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Alexander Camacho, Valle Lindo School District led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Emma Ramos, Valle Lindo School District offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and Council presented a certificate of recognition to Timothy Allen Hinson, Teacher with Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Workers (SMART) Local Union 105, Recognizing his 8 years of Mentoring and Tutoring Adults and Young Adults to Acquire Lifelong Skills.
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented Years of Service Awards to City Employees.
4.c. Presentation by Saman Kashani, MD, MSc, Assistant Medical Director, and Chief Gonzales, Los Angeles County Fire Department Advanced Provider Response Unit on Emergency Preparedness Assessment and Programs.
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
4.c. continued
Mayor Olmos directed staff to send to the County a letter of support requesting they continue funding the programs.
4.d. City Council received a report from the Sheriffs Department Report for the Months of November and December 2023 and January 2024.
4.e. City Council received a report from Code Enforcement and Public Safety Department Report for the Months of November and December 2023 and January 2024.
City Attorney Anthony Taylor announced with regard to the homeless, the City of Grants Pass, Oregon case that went before the Supreme Court to overturn the 9th Circuit Authority in a couple different cases including the Boise case that prohibits cities and other local governments from enforcing anticamping and antiloitering ordinances unless they have available shelters and navigation centers for homeless individuals, that Grants Pass cases faster through the U.S. Supreme Court then I originally anticipated they accepted review the end of last year, it is now set for oral argument April 2nd and they will issue a decision within 90 days from April 2nd. What it means is the entire legal landscape concerning enforcement of city anticamping and antiloitering ordinances in other matters involving homeless and unhoused individuals that landscape is probably going to change in the next 4 to 6 months.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote: Vote next page.
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Eduardo Saucedo, resident, commented on the following: boxing, mental health, students providing the pledge, bullying at schools, sales of tobacco, and cannabis.
2. Sil Ruiz, LA County Librarian for South El Monte, noted the library's monthly calendar, presented two popular books read by children, and encouraged kids to come in and vote for their favorite book.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
At 7:29 p.m. Councilmember Angel left the Chambers.
At 7:32 p.m. Councilmember Angel returned to the Chambers.
3. Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Valle Lindo School District, invited Council to participate in the Read Across America week starting March 6th, announced the New Temple Read In Day, and thanked Council for the protection of school facilities.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to approve the Consent Calendar. 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
7.a. Approved Minutes of the February 13, 2024, Joint Meeting with Valle Lindo School District -Board of Education and Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 24-129, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of February 14, 2024, through February 27, 2024, totaling $1,768,007.17.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 24-130, approving the purchase of a Class C - Ford E450 Terra Transit Bus from Davey Coach Sales and authorized city manager or designee to negotiate and execute all requisite documents for the purchase.
7.d. Rejected all bids and authorized staff to readvertise the Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) for the Aquatics Center Swimming Pool Replastering project (Project No. 252).
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 24-131, approving entering into a 2023 Caltrans Clean California Local Grant Agreement for the Merced Avenue Greenway Project and authorized city manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 24-133, approving plans and specifications for the Senior Center Flooring Improvements Project and awarding an agreement to JJJ Floor Coverings, Inc. in the amount of $39,158 and the additive alternate project scope of $2,103.48 for a combined grand total of $41,261.48, approved a 15% contingency amount of $6,189.22 for a total project construction budget amount not to exceed $47,450.70, and authorized City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 24-132, approving the renewal of the General Services Agreement (GSA) with the County of Los Angeles from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2029, and authorized city manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.h. Adopted Resolution No. 24-134, approving plans and specifications for the Community Center Basketball Gym Flooring Improvements Project and awarding an agreement to Pro Flooring Corporation in the amount of $128,320, approved a 15% contingency amount of $19,248 for a total project construction budget amount not to exceed $147,568, and authorized city manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS — None.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta, nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez acknowledged public works for adding reflective tape to stop sign poles.
Councilmember Delgado, nothing to report.
Councilmember Angel, attend the Tzu Chi Lunar New Year Ceremony and acknowledge all their support in the community, the Sheriff's Department El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce safety meeting, Planning Commission meeting, 31st Congressional District Forum, and the Elderly Crime Trends Presentation by Temple Sheriff's Station.
Mayor Olmos, attend the Elderly Crime Trends Presentation by Temple Sheriff's Station and acknowledged all their support, the Sheriff's Department El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce safety meeting, 31st Congressional District Forum, Planning Commission meeting, announced SEAACA still adopting pets, City's Basketball Championship games, and the Tzu Chi Lunar New Year Ceremony.
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11. CORRESPONDENCE — None.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER DELGADO
1. Consideration of fee waiver for use of the Senior Center for the South El Monte High School Girls Wrestling Banquet on Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 6: 00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Councilmember Delgado presented his item asking council to consider waiving fees for the High School Girls Wrestling Banquet and invited Council to attend.
Motion by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez to approve fee waiver. Motion passed 4-0-1 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAINED: Councilmember(s): Delgado
12.b. MAYOR OLMOS
1. Discussion of ad hoc committees.
RECOMMENDATION: Possible direction and/or appointment by the Mayor.
Mayor Olmos presented her item and explained the purpose of this subcommittee is to assist with any items regarding the advancement of women and girls including the upcoming event Women's Empowerment Brunch scheduled on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Noting this subcommittee would include women's commissioners, herself, and a couple of staff from the Community Services Department. She invited all council to attend and thanked them for their support.
Council concurred with no objections.
13. CLOSED SESSION — None.
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting at 7:51 p.m.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
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Gloria Olmos, Mayor