Final Minutes Approved 1/14/25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, December 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, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Angel
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; John Poehler, Director of Public Works; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; lyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk Zoom was provided for the public to participate during Public Comment via teleconference.
2. POSTING OF THE COLORS — The Sheriff Explorers posted the Colors.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Emma Ramos, Valle Lindo School District student, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor Ben Garrett, Faith Dominion church, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS — None
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Angel
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
1. Jessica Alvarenga, Public Affairs Manager, SoCalGas, introduced herself as the SoCalGas liaison to South El Monte, congratulated re-elected Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Delgado, expressed it was a pleasure working with Councilmember Angel, and wished happy holidays.
2. Elena Robles, Deputy District Director, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's Office, thanked the Mayor and City Council for allowing them to serve the City, announced Ms. Napolitano's retirement, presented to the Mayor and City Council a blanket depicting the State capital, presented coins to the Mayor and each councilmember, wished success to the elected, and expressed that they are looking forward to continuing seeing the City Council in the community.
3. Eduardo Saucedo spoke on offering help with the construction at New Temple Park and the building of City facilities, wished happy holidays, congratulations to the candidates, and may God continue to bless the City and improve it.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 4-0. by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Angel
7.a. Adopted Resolution No. 24-243. authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of November 13, 2024, through December 10, 2024, totaling $2,678,406.81.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 24-244, entering into the 2023 U.S. HUD Community Project Funding Program Agreement ($3,000,000), and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the Agreement.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 24-245 to approve Blanket Authority to File Applications for Measure A Funding and the Measure A Annual Allocation Grant Agreement with the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) to receive Measure A Program funding, and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS — None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-246, RECITING THE
FACTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, AND DECLARING THE RESULTS
OF THAT ELECTION AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED
BY LAW
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Adrian Garcia, City Clerk presented a report.
Anthony Taylor, City Attorney, announced that with the City Clerk's announcement of the passage of the sales tax measure by the voters, and the formalities under the Brown Act required a reading of Ordinance 1275, "An Ordinance of the People and the City Council of the City of South EI Monte Adding Chapter 3.05 to Title 3 of the Municipal Code to Impose a Transactions and Use Tax to be Administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration."
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to Adopt Resolution No. 24-246, "A Resolution of the South EI Monte City Council reciting the Facts of the General Municipal Election held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024," and declaring the results of that election and such other matters as provided by law. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Angel
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1275, AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH EL
MONTE, ADDING CHAPTER 3.05 TO TITLE 3 OF THE MUNICIPAL
CODE TO IMPOSE A TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO BE
ADMINISTERED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND
FEE ADMINISTRATION
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Anthony Taylor, City Attorney, presented a report and conducted the second reading of Ordinance 1275, "An Ordinance of the People and the City Council of the City of South EI Monte Adding Chapter
3.05 to Title 3 of the Municipal Code to Impose a Transactions and Use Tax to be Administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration."
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.b.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to find that the adoption of the ordinance is not a "project" subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section §§21000 et seq.) and CEQA Guideline 15378(b)(4), and to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1275, "Adding Chapter 3.05 to Title 3 of the Municipal Code to impose a Transactions and Use Tax to be administered by the California Department of Tax And Fee Administration." Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Angel
9.c. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-247, AUTHORIZING
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX & FEE ADMINISTRATION
(CDTFA) FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A LOCAL TRANSACTIONS
AND USE TAX (MEASURE SEM); CONSIDERATION OF
RESOLUTION NO. 24-248 AUTHORIZING THE EXAMINATION OF
TRANSACTIONS & USE TAX RECORDS; AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE & FILE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS,
LETTERS AND FORMS WITH THE CDTFA AND OTHER
APPROPRIATE STATE AGENCIES AS REQUIRED FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL TRANSACTIONS & USE TAX
(MEASURE SEM) AND TO TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTIONS
NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE LOCAL TRANSACTIONS & USE
TAX (MEASURE SEM)
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Anthony Taylor, City Attorney, presented a report.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 24-247, authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for the implementation of a local transaction and use tax (Measure SEM), to adopt Resolution No. 24-248, authorizing City representatives and sales tax consultant to examine sales, transactions and use tax records pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7056, and to authorize the City Manager to complete, execute, file additional agreements, letters, and forms with the CDTFA and other appropriate state agencies as required for the implementation of the City's local transactions and use tax, and to take such other actions as may be necessary to implement the City's local transactions and use tax. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.c.
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Angel
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: the 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez announced he attended the following: the 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon's Holiday Toy Drive, a victory event for elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, the Employee Recognition Dinner, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the following: the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon's Holiday Toy Drive, and a victory event for elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: the 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Senior Center Thanksgiving Luncheon, the Employee Recognition Dinner, and a Turkey Drive with Pastor Charlie Corum.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA — None
13. CLOSED SESSION — None
14. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE AND COMMENTS BY OUTGOING MEMBER
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Olmos announced that Mr. Angel was absent due to a family emergency, so allowed comments made on Mr. Angel's behalf.
Councilmember Acosta shared that he first met Mr. Angel when coaching the South El Monte Jets football team, Junior Midget Division, later met Mr. Angel again on the council, spoke on Mr. Angel's leadership style and accomplishments, thanked him for his service and dedication, and wished Mr.
Angel many more years of being a contributor to the community.
PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE AND COMMENTS BY OUTGOING MEMBER
OF THE CITY COUNCIL (CONTINUED)
Councilmember Delgado commented on Mr. Angel's dedication to the community and Valle Lindo School District, helping put South El Monte on the map, his dedication to serving the seniors and youth, and thanked Mr. Angel for his service.
Mayor Olmos thanked Mr. Angel for his service, shared that they served on the Valle Linda School District board together and the awards they helped the district achieve, shared that she recruited Mr. Angel to help fight corruption, and thanked him for his leadership. integrity, hard work, and serving the community with pride and dignity.
15. OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO RE-ELECTED AND ELECTED
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
15.a. RE-ELECTED MAYOR - GLORIA OLMOS
Oath of Office administered by Pastor Gary Clouse.
15.b. RE-ELECTED COUNCILMEMBER - HECTOR DELGADO
Oath of Office administered by Mrs. Angelica Garcia Delgado.
15.c. ELECTED COUNCILMEMBER - LARRY RODRIGUEZ
Oath of Office administered by Mr. Robert Saldana.
Agenda Item 17 was heard at this time.
17. COMMENTS BY RE-ELECTED AND NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Delgado thanked God for making his re-election possible and recognized his supporters by name.
Councilmember Rodriguez expressed that he is blessed to serve the community, shared stories about his childhood and his mom, thanked God for giving him the opportunity, thanked his supporters, thanked Councilmember Delgado for his support and endorsement, thanked Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez for his encouragement and guidance, that he intends to bring unity to the council to do what is best for the City, and that his and Mr. Angel's life paths are similar and he has big shoes to fill and hopes to do as well as he did on the council.
Mayor Olmos thanked God. thanked her supporters by name and all others who endorsed her, expressed hope that the council continues to work well together. her commitment to be a servant to the community, thanked Councilmember Acosta and
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez for their help and support, and shared that she will continue to work on making the community's lives easier.
Agenda Item 16 was heard at this time.
16. PRESENTATIONS BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
1. Elena Robles, Deputy District Director, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's Office, Presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Angel. (brown boots)
2. Giovanni, Senator Susan Rubio's Office, presented Certificates of Recognition to Mr. Angel, and Councilmember Rodriguez.
3. Dr. Julia Ruedas, Vice Mayor of the City of EI Monte, presented Certificates of Recognition to Mr. Angel, Mayor Olmos, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember Rodriguez.
4. Ricardo Padilla, President, South EI Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees, presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Angel, Mayor Olmos, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember Rodriguez.
18. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:05 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Captain Michael Mercado, Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 90, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor
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