Final Minutes Approved 7-9-24
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Delgado, and Mayor Olmos EXCUSED: Councilmember(s): Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; John Poehler, Director of Public Works; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Development; lyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management, Sabrina Muhne, Interim City Clerk; Robert Molina, Interim Deputy City Clerk.
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 Charlie Corum, South El Monte Community Outreach, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South El Monte High School 2024 Valedictorians and Salutatorian for their "Outstanding Achievement and Dedication in Maintaining the Highest Level of Academic Excellence Throughout Their High School Career."
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented a plaque to Maria Cardoso on her retirement and 40 years of service to the City of South El Monte.
4.c. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to South El Monte High School Students, Recipients of the 2024 El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce State of the City Scholarships.
4.d. Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation, Proclaiming World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2024.
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
4.e. Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation do Dianna Gomez, Senior Executive Assistant to the Council and Community Liaison, Proclaiming June 2024, as LGBTQ Pride Month.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
City Attorney Anthony Taylor announced that the PowerPoint presentation under
9.a. will be presented later this evening also has paper copies available to the public, and announced a walk-on item received after the posting of the agenda, to be placed under Councilmembers' Agenda Item 12.a. "Mayor Olmos is requesting discussion and possible action on a request from the Negrete family to waive all fees for the use of the Senior Center on Sunday, June 23rd from 3pm to 7pm to celebrate the life of Pete Negrete. A longtime resident and former Little League President."
Motion by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Delgado, and Mayor Olmos NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
EXCUSED: Councilmember(s): Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. A birthday cake was presented to Councilmember Acosta by staff, City Council, and Chris Knight, Director of Marketing and Membership, El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce.
2. Eduardo Saucedo, resident, voiced concern on the prior council meeting discussion considering the removal of plaques at the Senior Center and Community Center.
3. Chris Knight, Director of Marketing and Membership, El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce, introduced Sebastian Castillo, a new intern for the El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the May 28, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Authorized payment of City expenditures for the period of May 29, 2024, through June 11, 2024, totaling $1,443,012.74.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 24-183, accepting the completion of the Lighting Energy Efficiency Upgrade Services; authorized City Clerk to send the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office; and release retention accordingly.
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 24-184, accepting the completion for the Community Center Basketball Gym Flooring Improvements Project; authorized City Clerk to send the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office; and release retention accordingly.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 24-185, Calling Election; adopted Resolution No. 24-186, Consolidating Election (and service); and adopted Resolution No. 24-187, Setting Regulations for Candidate Statements.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 24-188, approving Amendment No. 1 renewing and extending the current agreement between the City and the County for three (3) additional one (1) year terms; and authorized City Manager or designee to execute agreement.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 24-189, allowing the City to program TDA funds for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 for Citywide Sidewalk Improvement Projects; and allowing the City Manager to adjust the TDA program budgets as necessary throughout FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, for the timely expenditure of TDA funds according to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority guideline.
7.h. Adopted Resolution No. 24-190, approving entering into a Teaming Agreement with CORE to collaborate on a two-year South El Monte Extreme Heat Action Plan (SEMEHAP); and authorized City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.i. Approved Resolution No. 24-191 authorizing retiree medical payment longevity incentive for represented city employees with 40 or more years of service to the City.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-192, ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024-25 BUDGET.
Mayor Olmos announced the item and Rene Salas, City Manager, introduced Masami Higa, Director of Finance, who provided a PowerPoint presentation.
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Motion by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to adopt an annual budget by June 30. As the City is still in negotiations with its employees' labor unions, staff recommends City Council adopt a tentative Fiscal Year 2024- 25 Budget subject to change when agreements are reached with its employees' labor unions.
Substitute Motion was made by Councilmember Delgado to approve the budget to include $125,000, which is the additional funding to fund 50% of the dedicated Student Resource Officer position at the South El Monte High School.
There being no second, the substitute motion failed.
A vote was taken on the main motion.
Motion passed 3-1-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Delgado
EXCUSED: Councilmember(s): Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: Vacco Industries' 70th Anniversary Celebration, South El Monte T -Ball League End of Season Banquet, New Temple Elementary School promotions, Dean L. Shively Middle School promotions, Miramonte Elementary School promotions, Epiphany Catholic School promotions, Shively Baccalaureate and South El Monte High School graduations, City vs. City Bowl for Charity Event, Taste of Rio Fundraiser, and National Little League Tournament of Champions games.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez — Excused.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the following: Foothill Transit Annual Governing Board Meeting, South El Monte High School graduation, Dean L. Shively Middle School 8th graders promotion, and City vs. City Bowl for Charity Event.
Councilmember Angel announced he attended the following: New Temple Elementary School promotions, Dean L. Shively Middle School promotions, Miramonte Elementary School promotions, Epiphany Catholic School promotions, Shively Baccalaureate and South El Monte High School graduations, Taste of Rio Fundraiser, National Little League Tournament of Champions games, and Senior Services Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS (CONTINUED) Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: Vacco Industries' 70th Anniversary Celebration, South El Monte T -Ball League End of Season Banquet, New Temple Elementary School promotions, Dean L. Shively Middle School promotions, Miramonte Elementary School 5th grader promotions, and Epiphany Catholic School promotions, Shively Baccalaureate and South El Monte High School graduations, Taste of Rio Fundraiser, and National Little League Tournament of Champions games, City's All Staff Meeting, thanked Greater El Monte Community Hospital for receiving a 5 -star rating, Senior Services Volunteer Recognition Dinner, and funeral services for business owner and resident Ernie Omana.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Request from the Negrete family to waive all fees for the use of the Senior Center on Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 3pm to 7pm to celebrate the life of Pete Negrete. A longtime resident and former Little League President.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion and/or action.
Mayor Olmos presented her item.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Angel to approve waiving all fees for the use of the Senior Center on Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 3pm to 7pm to celebrate the life of Pete Negrete. A longtime resident and former Little League President.
Motion passed 4-0-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, Delgado, and Mayor Olmos NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
EXCUSED: Councilmember(s): Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:53 p.m. Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, recessed Council into 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
CLOSED SESSION (CONTINUED)
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
At 8:24 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez excused, all other Councilmembers present.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Items 13.a. and 13.b., no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:25 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Peter Negrete, resident of South El Monte and former Little League President, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Sabrina ICuhne, Interim City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor