Final Minutes Approved 5-28-24
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M.
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; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; John Poehler, Director of Public Works; Iyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management, Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk; Renee Reyes, Community Development Executive Assistant.
STAFF ABSENT: Donna G, Schwartz, City Clerk; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development, 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 — Mayor Olmos, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Laura Lozano, Code Enforcement Coordinator, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to John Poehler, Director of Public Works, and Public Works staff, Proclaiming the week of May 19- 25, 2024, as National Public Works Week.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony Taylor announced walk-on items received after the posting of the agenda, items to be placed under Consent Calendar as 7.i. "Consideration to Support Flag of Valor Event by Approving the Use of Two Portable Light Towers at No Cost" and 7.j. "Application and Designation of Applicant's Agent Resolution for the Authorization to the State of California Office of Emergency Management." Mr. Taylor then announced an update to item 7.g. staff report under Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Angel to approve the agenda as amended. 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, commented on the following: revenue, inflation, the CM Measure from two years ago, licenses and proper cannabis businesses coming into the city, sales of legal cannabis in State, Sheriff's efforts and how El Monte handles cannabis, deficits and balancing books, allocation of citizen - approved sales taxes, history and medicinal use of cannabis, and city funding sources.
2. Jorge Rivera, Co -Founder and Co -Executive Director, Healing and Justice Center, introduced the center as a new business in the City of El Monte, provided an invitation to attend a relationship -building community event on May 30, 2024, and shared personal background information on himself and why the center was formed.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez to approve the agenda as amended. 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 the Minutes for the April 23, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 24-160, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of April 24, 2024, through May 14, 2024, totaling $1,814,368.03.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 24-161, authorizing submittal of the grant application to the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program and related authorizations; and authorized the City Manager or designee to execute all documents as the signature authority.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 24-162, approving plans and specifications and awarding a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Superior Paving Company, Inc. dba United Paving Co., for the Community Center and Mini Center Parking Lot Improvements Project in an amount of $280,974.00; authorized 15% of the total contract amount as contingency allowance to be used if necessary for unforeseen conditions at the City Manager's discretion; and authorized the City Manager or designer to execute the contract.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 24-163, approving a list of street rehabilitation projects for FY 2024/25 under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1).
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 24-164, to approve fee waiver for U.S. Customs and Border Protection's short-term use of a city softball field. This item is an exception of non-resident use, in order for the City to support the law enforcement community in the best interest of the City.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 24-165, approving an amended and restated agreement with Council for Watershed Health (CWH) in the amount of 756,515 to authorize Architecture and Engineering technical services, community engagement and project/grant administration activities to complete Phase II Merced Avenue Greenway North Construction Documents; 2) shall not impose a 10% retention requirement; and 3) extend performance period to 2 years from approval date of contract; authorized City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the amended and restated agreement, approved as to form by the City Attorney.
7.h. Adopted Resolution No. 24-166, approving agreement to purchase automated license plate reader camera subscription from Flock Safety in the amount of $50,700; and authorize City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute agreement.
7.i. Approved the use of two portable light towers at no cost to support Flag of Valor Event.
7.j. Adopted the Designation of Applicant's Agent Resolution for Non -State Agencies and designated City Manager Rene Salas as the Governing Board Representative as well as John Poehler, Public Works Director, and Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS — None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: the City of South El Monte' Staff Development and Team Building Event Groundbreaking of Mye Plaza Mixed Use Development Project located at Garvey and Rosemead, Cinco de Mayo senior luncheon, Mother's Day senior luncheon, National Day of Prayer Breakfast, Community Bike Ride, South El Monte's National Little League Annual Comedy Night and Dance Fundraiser, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District's annual WaterFest, City of South El Monte's Night Market, and also attended funeral services for the late Patriotic Commissioner Rudy Lopez, expressing condolences to both the family's and the community's loss of a valuable member.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez announced he attended the following: the City of South El Monte' Staff Development and Team Building Event, Groundbreaking of Mye Plaza Mixed Use Development Project located at Garvey and Rosemead, National Day of Prayer Breakfast, City of South El Monte's Night Market, and Mother's Day senior luncheon.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the following: Groundbreaking of Mye Plaza, National Day of Prayer Breakfast, City of South El Monte's Night Market, Mosquito Vector Control Meeting and expressed importance of being conscious of standing water, City of Montebello's Top Golf event, funeral services for the late Patriotic Commissioner Rudy Lopez, and sends condolences to the family.
Councilmember Angel announced he attended the following: the City of South El Monte' Staff Development and Team Building Event, Groundbreaking of Mye Plaza Mixed Use Development Project located at Garvey and Rosemead, Cinco de Mayo senior luncheon, Mother's Day Luncheon, National Day of Prayer Breakfast, South El Monte's National Little League Annual Comedy Night and Dance Fundraiser, City of South El Monte's Night Market, and attended funeral services for the late Patriotic Commissioner Rudy Lopez.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: State of the City recap and discussion of scholarships and graduation banners, met with Healthy South El Monte Council, National Day of Prayer Breakfast, the City of South El Monte' Staff Development and Team Building Event, Groundbreaking of Mye Plaza Mixed Use Development Project located at Garvey and Rosemead, City of Montebello's Top Golf event, City of South El Monte Community Disaster Council Meeting, City of South El Monte's Night Market, Mother's Day senior luncheon, Cinco de Mayo senior luncheon, Lincoln Training Center Gala for special needs and special education, Principal of the Day at South El Monte High School, Susan Rubio's Homefront event for veterans, and expressed condolences to the family of the late Patriotic Commissioner Rudy Lopez.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER RICHARD ANGEL
1. Request from South El Monte employee for the city to provide/purchase a high school graduation stole with the city logo to represent the city for his South El Monte High School graduation, scheduled for May 2024.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Councilmember Angel presented his item.
Councilmember Acosta agreed and suggested to include the Parks and Recreation logo, since the student worked within the Parks and Recreation department.
Motion by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to approve providing/purchasing a high school graduation stole with the city logo and the Parks and Recreation department logo to represent the City at a South El Monte High School graduation, scheduled for May 2024.
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
12.b. COUNCILMEMBER HECTOR DELGADO
Discussion of possible Request for Proposal (RFP) for IT services.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Councilmember Delgado presented his item.
Councilmember Delgado expressed concerns with current I.T. services Microsoft - based platform, communications, phone call quality, modernization of current platform, the fee payment system updates and data collection, requested the current agreement's cost, and on -site availability of I.T. staff, and information on the provisions for termination if needed. Masami Higa, Finance Director, and Arsany Soliman, It Manager and Vice Chief Information Officer, Advanced Microcomputing Concepts, Inc. (AMC) addressed Councilmember Delgado's concerns.
After further discussion regarding Councilmember Delgado's concerns, he withdrew his item.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 6:58 p.m. Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, recessed Council into closed session.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO
LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) - One Case
13.b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: City Manager
Employee Organizations: South El Monte Employees Association
13.c. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: City Manager
Employee Organizations: South El Monte Executive Management Team Association
At 8:54 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Councilmembers present.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Items 13.a., through 13.c., no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:55 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Eliana Alvarez, resident of South El Monte, and Ernest "Ernie" Omana, South El Monte business owner and resident, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. •
Donna G.`S hwartz, CMC, Ierk
0.04/01 --
Gloria Olmos, Mayor