Final Minutes Approved 1/14/25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, December 16, 2024 - 3:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South EI Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M.
Councilmember Delgado presented a possible walk-on item regarding a request from the EI Monte/South EI Monte Emergency Resources Association 68th Annual Food and Toy Drive event on December 23rd, occurring before the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Anthony Taylor, City Attorney, advised on potential transparency issues due to being a special meeting instead of a regular meeting.
The item was not added to the agenda.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk: and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk Zoom was provided for the public to participate during Public Comment via teleconference.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commander Mark Tavera, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10218, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION — Salvador Ramirez, resident, offered the invocation.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Motion by Hector Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
1. Rosemary Tavera, resident and Patriotic Commissioner, congratulated the elected, and expressed concern on the timing of the Special Meeting limits the opportunity for community participation.
2. John Ventura, resident and former youth commissioner, congratulated the elected, concurred with the prior speaker's comments, recognized former councilmembers Richard Angel and John Gonzalez in the audience, wished Mr. Gonzales a happy 90th birthday, expressed concerns on the Special Meeting and its agenda items, thanked Mr. Taylor for his work as the City Attorney, and expressed other concerns on the election campaign activities and materials.
3. Richard Angel, resident and former councilmember, thanked Mr. Taylor for his job as City Attorney, and expressed concern over personnel issues not being discussed prior to this meeting.
4. Jeff Ortiz, resident and Planning Commissioner, expressed concern over the calling of the Special Meeting, commented on themes brought up during the political season, and the Planning Commission's massage parlor voting decisions on issues being based on legal advice.
Mayor Olmos briefly addressed Mr. Ortiz' comments.
5. Mark Tavera, resident, commented on the council's responsibility and the perception of their decisions.
6. Leo Barrera, resident and Planning Commissioner, congratulated the elected, expressed support for Mr. Taylor as the City Attorney, and commented on council getting along to work in the best interest of the City and its residents.
7. Salvador Ramirez, resident, commented on campaign activities including his own, congratulated the elected, and that the Council continues to work together to keep moving the City forward in a positive direction.
8. Danny Olmos, resident, commented on his pride for the community, the massage parlor being located behind a school, and expressed concern over removing the City Attorney who helped clear the City of corruption.
9. Richard Vale, via Zoom, commented on the massage parlor, City policies, and was removed from the meeting for racial and disorderly conduct.
10. Juan Stroyer, via Zoom, commented on taco truck vandalism, violence in the City, his love for the community, and was removed from the meeting for racial and disorderly conduct.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
11. Ruth Jaso Escalera, resident, congratulated the elected, shared that she is a lifelong resident and homeowner, commented on the massage parlor issues and her observations. and asked them to reconsider releasing the City Attorney because the City is doing better now.
12. Roseanne Angel, resident, commented that her family is involved in the community, voting results, campaign activities. and directly addressed Councilmembers Rodriguez and Delgado.
13. Ingrid Aguilar, resident and Community Services Commissioner, congratulated the elected, commented on her reasons for moving into the City, the massage parlor issues, and hopes the elected keep their campaign promises.
14. Chris Knight, CEO, EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce, thanked Mr. Taylor. commented that she is a lifelong resident of both cities, shared experiences from older Councils within the cities. and hopes the current Council will work together and vote for what will be best.
Mayor Olmos thanked Mr. Taylor, and expressed concern on potential Brown Act.
Levine Act, and conflicts of interest issues with the proposed replacement law firm.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
4. GENERAL BUSINESS — None
5. CLOSED SESSION
Councilmember Acosta requested clarification on the purpose of the meeting and the Closed Session topics.
Councilmember Delgado commented and requested to immediately recess into Closed Session.
Councilmember Rodriguez commented on Public Comments received and offered to meet with the commenters for discussion.
Anthony R. Taylor, City Attorney, advised the council that if they are concerned with any matters regarding the Levine Act, written advice can be received from the FPPC, independent from his advice, which can be received prior to making any decisions.
At 3:49 p.m., Council recessed into a closed session.
5.a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Attorney
CLOSED SESSION (CONTINUED)
Item 5.a.
Rene Salas, City Manager, announced City Council discussed Item 5.a., and a performance evaluation was conducted.
5.b. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISMISSAL/RELEASE
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Attorney
Rene Salas, City Manager. announced City Council discussed Item 5.b.
Motion by Councilmember Hector Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rudy Bojorquez, to terminate the agreement for attorney services with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP. Motion passed 3-2, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Delgado, Rodriguez. and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
5.c. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Attorney
Rene Salas. City Manager, announced City Council discussed Item 5.c. and directed staff to enter into an interim agreement for City Attorney Services with Olivarez Madruga Law Organization LLP, and at a future date to release a request for proposals (RFP) for City Attorney Services.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 4:12 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Mr. Michael Felix, resident and former Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne. Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia. MMC. City Clerk
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Gloria Olmos, Mayor