Final Minutes Approved 9-24-24
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 10, 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, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Sabrina Muhne, Interim City Clerk; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; Iyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management; John Poehler, Director of Public Works (via Zoom); and Robert Molina, Interim Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Mayor Olmos offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented a Proclamation proclaiming National Senior Center Month to the Senior Services staff.
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Completion to South El Monte High School Interns for successfully completing the South El Monte Internship Program.
4.c. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to South El Monte Library Student Volunteers for their Contributions to the South El Monte Community.
Edith Gonzalez, Director of District Operations for Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, presented Certificates of Recognition to the South El Monte Library Student Volunteers on behalf of Supervisor Solis.
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
4.d. Mayor and City Council presented a plaque recognizing Mrs. Sonia Ayala, 2024/2025 El Monte Union High School District, as Teacher of the Year from South El Monte High School.
4.e. Mayor and City Council presented plaques of appreciation to Transtech Engineers, Inc. and Spiritt Family Services for their Sponsorship of the Healthy South El Monte Produce Stand at the 2024 Night Markets.
4.f. Dr. Julia Ruedas, Senior Program Manager & Policy Analyst, LAC+USC Medical Center Foundation, provided a presentation on Reducing Youth Access to Tobacco Products.
Supplemental material was received via email by Keck School of Medicine of USC in support of Dr. Rueda's presentation, which was provided to Mayor and City Council, and made publicly available.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, 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 — None
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Edith Gonzalez, Director of District Operations for Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, recognized that there is a movement in South El Monte through the Healthy South El Monte Leadership Council and expressed recognition and thanks for staff that worked with the community and have pursued State grants. She presented Certificates of Recognition on behalf of Supervisor Solis to the Wellness Center, Spiritt Family Services, TransTech Engineers, Inc., CultivaLA Farm, and to the Mayor, City Council, and City.
2. Angela Llerenas, SCIU 721 Union Steward, requested bargaining support, and expressed concern on the agency's wages and SEACCA employees' cost of living within the communities they serve.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
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7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, 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 the Minutes for the July 30, 2024, Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Approved the Minutes for the August 7, 2024, Special City Council Meeting.
7.c. Authorized payment of City expenditures for the period of July 24, 2024, through September 10, 2024, totaling $2,473,945.54.
7.d. Approved the 2024 "Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway" donation letter, authorization to include the City Councilmembers' signatures, and distribution of the donation letters to the South El Monte business community.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 24-212, adopting and approving the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 24-213, approving the MOU between the City of South El Monte and SEMEA.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 24-214, approving the MOU between the City of South El Monte and SEMEMTA.
7.h. Adopted Resolution No. 24-215, accepting the completion of the Mechanical Energy Efficiency Upgrades, authorized City Clerk to send the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, and release retention accordingly.
7.i. Adopted Resolution No. 24-216, accepting the completion for the Community Center and Mini Center Parking Lot Improvements Project, authorized City Clerk to send the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, release retention accordingly.
7.j. Adopted Resolution No. 24-217 to approve Transfer Agreement No. 2024MP76 for the Safe Clean Water Program with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to receive annual SCW Program funding for water quality projects and programs, authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.k. Adopted Resolution No. 24-218 to approve submittal of the City Service Request to the County of Los Angeles, including the project cost share of $86,200, to program $86,200 from the City's Proposition C Local Return funds to cover the City's cost share, and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.1. Adopted and approved the plans and specifications for the FY 24-25 Pavement Rehabilitation Project, adopted and approved Resolution No. 24- 219, awarding the FY 24-25 Pavement Rehabilitation Project contract to the lowest responsible bidder in an amount of $1,953,040.00 to Gentry Brothers Inc. and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract, and authorized 10% of the total contract amount as contingency allowance to be used if necessary for unforeseen conditions at the City Manager's discretion.
7.m. Adopted Resolution No. 24-220, awarding a Public Works Agreement to Southern California Precision Concrete, Inc. dba Precision Concrete Cutting for Trip Hazard Removal Services, and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-221, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024-25 BUDGET
Mayor Olmos introduced Masami Higa, Director of Finance, who presented a report.
Motion by Councilmember Angel, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to adopt Resolution No. 24-221, amending the City's FY 2024-25 budget. 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
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-222,
APPROVING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
(PSA) TO SCI CONSULTING GROUP FOR CANNABIS CONSULTING
SERVICES
Mayor Olmos introduced Rene Salas, City Manager, who introduced Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development, who presented a report.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to adopt Resolution No. 24-222, awarding PSA to SCI Consulting Group for cannabis
consulting services, in an amount not to exceed $91,000, to authorize the City Manager or his designee to negotiate and execute the agreement. 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
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: Summer Night Markets, Epiphany Lutheran School's First Day of School, An Evening with a Deputy, the Masquerade Senior Prom, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon's Legislative Update, and the California Contract Cities Fall Educational Summit, and National Night Out.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez announced he attended the following: Summer Night Markets, An Evening with a Deputy, the Valle Lindo School District's First Day of School, and National Night Out.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the following: An Evening with a Deputy, Summer Night Markets, the Valle Lindo School District's First Day of School, and National Night Out.
Councilmember Angel announced he attended the following: Summer Night Markets, the Grandparent's Day Health Fair & Luncheon, the Valle Lindo School District's First Day of School, and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon's Legislative Update, a luncheon with the High School Interns, National Night Out, and the California Contract Cities Fall Educational Summit
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: a luncheon with the High School Interns, National Night Out, the 75th Anniversary of Vons Employees' Certified Federal Credit Union in El Monte, the Community Services Commission Meeting, Summer Night Markets, meetings with local businesses regarding possible subcommittee, the Masquerade Senior Prom, the Valle Lindo School District's 1st Day of School, funeral services for resident Lydia Diaz, the swearing in of officers for the Seniors Club Latino del Sur El Monte, the Grandparent's Day Health Fair & Luncheon, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon's Legislative Update, Healthy EM/SEM Meeting, and the California Contract Cities Fall Educational Summit.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. Mayor Pro Tem Rudy Bojorquez
1. Discussion to implement new procedures for all commissioners to immediately sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury stating they physically
reside in South El Monte and immediate termination of commissioners for non-compliance.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez presented his item and summarized concerns raised regarding a commissioner's residency status and the council's support to remove this commissioner if residency status was confirmed as invalid.
Discussion ensued among the City Council on the topics of: immediately having all current commissioners sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury, providing a timeline of one week from affidavit being drafted and distributed to sign affidavit, clarification on the findings of a commissioner's residency status, due process, adding declaration under penalty of perjury to all commissioner applications, employment information and background checks, the process required to remove noncompliant commissioners, the legal definition of physical residency status and drafting that definition, concern over potentially singling out individuals, prior experiences with residency status issues of a former councilmember and former commissioners, the public's view of our commissioners, potential lawsuits, immediate removal of a commissioner, fairness, and due diligence that all commissioners are following the same rules of providing proof of residency.
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to immediately remove a commissioner who is not residing within the City of South El Monte. Motion failed 2-2-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Delgado, and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Angel
Councilmember Angel requested to change his vote.
Motion reintroduced by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to immediately remove a commissioner who is not residing in the City of South El Monte. Motion failed 2-3-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Angel, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Delgado, and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez requested discussion on the process moving forward.
After discussion and common consent, Mayor and City Council approved for staff to draft an affidavit including a definition of physical residence, a requirement for commissioners to provide a Driver's License and utility bills, and that all commissioners sign the affidavit within one week of affidavit finalization and distribution.
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
12.b. Councilmember Hector Delgado
1. Recognition of Mrs. Sonia Ayala, 2024/2025 El Monte Union High School District Teacher of the Year from South El Monte High School.
This item was skipped due to being heard earlier under Presentations Item 4.d.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:24 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) - Four Cases At 9:31 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all Councilmembers present.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Item 13.a., no reportable action.
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14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 9:31 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Ms. Donna Simpson, Executive Vice President. Chief Operating Officer of Certified Federal Credit Union, and former South El Monte/EI Monte Chamber of Commerce member, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Sab a Iuhne, Interim City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, ayor
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