Final Minutes Approved 4-9-24
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 26, 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, 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; Iyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management; and Masami Higa, Director of Finance; and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
STAFF ABSENT: John Poehler, Director of Public Works and Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services.
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 — Pastor David Torres, Calvary Assembly of God Church offered the invocation.
City Attorney Anthony Taylor announced a change in the order of the presentations to be 4.a followed by 4.c, 4.d, 4.b and concluding as listed.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Council presented a certificate of recognition to Ophelia Silva, Resident of South El Monte for over 60 Years, Honoring her 100th Birthday on March 8, 2024.
4.b. Heard after 4.d. Presentation by Ricardo Padilla, Board President and Edward Zuniga, Ed.D., Superintendent, El Monte Union High School District on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
Item 4.b. (continued)
Mayor Olmos asked Councilman Delgado to disclose his place of employment.
Councilmember Delgado disclosed he is employed by the El Monte Unition High School District.
After discussion on the request made by the district for funds to support a School Resource Officer, Councilman Delgado asked that the request be brought back for discussion.
4.c. Heard after 4.a. Council presented a certificate of recognition to Noelia Saucedo for receiving a 2024 Distinguished Women of the 56th District Award from Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon.
4.d. Council presented certificates of recognition to the City's "C" Division Youth Girls Basketball for Winning the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) Basketball Championship.
4.e. Bin Zeng, Principal, Moss, Levi and Hartzheim, presented a PowerPoint (Via Zoom) on the Audit Results of the City of South El Monte Financial Statements as of and for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023.
4.f. Council received a report from the Sheriffs Department Report for the Month of February 2024.
4.g. Council received a report from the Code Enforcement and Public Safety Department Report for the Month of February 2024.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez to approve the agenda. 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
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Eduardo Saucedo, resident, (Via Zoom) commented on the following:
acknowledged the certificate for the 100th birthday and the certificates to the Youth Basketball, Hamas Israel, Sheriffs protecting the city, mental health, kids in sports and those who mentor them, $1.5 million missing, town hall meeting at El Monte High School, and cannabis.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado 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 March 12, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 24-138, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of March 13, 2024, through March 26, 2024, totaling $798,687.61.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 24-139, approving plans and speciation's for the Traffic Signal Improvements at Lee Ave & Garvey Ave and Durfee Ave & Peck Rd. Project, awarding construction agreement to Calpromax Engineering, Inc, in the amount of $437,390.00, approving a 15% contingency amount of $65,608.50 for a total project construction budget amount not to exceed $502,998.50 and authorizing City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONTINUED FROM THE MARCH 12, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING - ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24-140, REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 21-63 AND APPROVING THE REVISED VERSION OF HOUSING
ELEMENT 2021-2029 IN RESPONSE TO REQUIRED REVISIONS
FROM THE STATE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND RE -ADOPTING PRIOR NEGATIVE
DECLARATION
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED)
Item 8.a. (continued)
City Attorney Anthony Taylor stated the consultant with Dudek would be providing a PowerPoint.
Mayor Olmos introduced Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development who turned it over to Erika Van Sickel, Consultant, Dudek who provided information (Via Zoom).
Mayor Olmos opened the public hearing.
Mayor Olmos opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to Adopt Resolution No. 24-140, repealing Resolution No. 21-63 and approving the revisions to the City's 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element in response to required revisions from the State Office of Housing and Community Development and readopting prior Negative Declaration. Motion passed 55-00, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING OPTIONS
FOR ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
AND THE SALE OF TOBACCO IN THE CITY
Mayor Olmos introduced City Attorney Anthony Taylor who presented the staff report and then introduced Alexis Hall, Associate with Aleshire & Wynder who provided a PowerPoint.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez to consider amending the SEMMC to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and tobacco product flavor enhancers pursuant to Senate Bill 793, and direct City Attorney to proceed with an amendment and bring back to council for approval. 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
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GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 24-141,
APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRACT SERVICES
AGREEMENT (CSA) WITH COUNCIL FOR WATERSHED HEALTH FOR
THE MERCED AVENUE GREENWAY PROJECT
Mayor Olmos announced the item.
A motion was made by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Angel to Adopt Resolution No. 24-141, approving an amendment to the existing CSA with Council for Watershed Health to 1) increase the PSA value by $499,850 to authorize the full scope of project administration, technical services, LID/WQ monitoring program implementation and community engagement through construction and post -construction monitoring of the southern portion of the Merced Avenue Greenway project. These efforts are expressly identified within the funded agreements and line item budgets of the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) Prop 1 and LA County Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) Measure W grants; 2) edit PSA terms and conditions in Exhibit C to delete 10% retention requirement; and, 3) extend performance period to April 30, 2026. 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
City Manager Rene Salas added that the project has started with a long process and has been successful with the assistance of Council for Watershed Health by obtaining the grant funds, assistance still needed, therefore, the amendment is needed. Mr. Salas announced representatives were in attendance this evening and introduced Jason Casanova, Debbie Enos, and Eileen Alduenda in case council had any questions.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the City's Senior St. Patrick's Day luncheon, the State of the City, Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) Conference and suggested the city consider using some of the irrigated water supplies to connect to city restrooms, and wash areas.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez announced he attended the City's Senior St. Patrick's Day luncheon, the State of the City, Little League Opening Day Ceremonies, and the Little Mr. and Miss South El Monte Baby Pageant.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the State of the City and acknowledged all the vendors who sponsored it, Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District Board meeting, and the Little League Opening Day Ceremonies.
Councilmember Angel announced he attended the City's Senior St. Patrick's Day luncheon, the State of the City, and the Little League Opening Day Ceremonies.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the City's Senior St. Patrick's Day luncheon, the State of the City and acknowledged all the vendors who sponsored it, Women's Empowerment Event, Little League Opening Day Ceremonies, and the Little Mr. and Miss South El Monte Baby Pageant.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA — None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: City Manager
Employee Organizations: South El Monte Employees Association
13.b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: City Manager
Employee Organizations: South El Monte Executive Management Team Association
City Attorney Anthony Taylor announced closed session items 13.a and 13.b were discussed and no reportable action at this time.
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING:
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting at 8:39 p.m.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:36 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Benigno Salas and Daniel Martinez Gonzalez to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Donna G. Schwartz, CMC; Cify Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor