Final Minutes Approved 3/4/25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South EI Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Mayor Pro Tem Delgado (arrived at 6:40 p.m.) STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Masami Higa, Director of Finance (via Zoom); Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; Ariana De La Cruz; Director of Community Services; lyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; Andres Gonzalez, Interim Director of Public Works; and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
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 — William Gil, Knights of Columbus, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Agenda Items 11.a. and 11.b. were requested to be presented after Agenda Item 4.e.
There being no objection, Agenda Items 11.a. and 11.b. were moved to be heard before Agenda Item 4.e.
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to Damian Fernandez on his selection to participate in the USA National Taekwondo Team in the 2025 Pan Am Games in Queretaro, Mexico in April 2025 and the 2025 International World Taekwondo Cadet Tournament in Dubai in May of 2025.
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates and Scholarships to the 2024 Harvard Day essay competition winners from Shively Middle School, Monte Vista Elementary School, Epiphany Elementary School, South EI Monte High School, and Rio Hondo College sponsored by Athens Services and Transtech Engineering.
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
4.c. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the EM/SEM Jets Cheer Organization for the Mascot, Gremlin, Pee Wee and JR. Midget teams for their wins at SGVJAA, City Competition and Jamz Nationals and Holiday Showcase.
At 6:40 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Delgado arrived at the chambers.
Agenda Items 11.a. and 11.b were heard at this time.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE JETS ORGANIZATION REQUESTING
FUNDS FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER BANQUET
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta to approve. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
11.b. CORRESPONDENCE FROM LOCAL SOUTH EL MONTE RESIDENT
FABIOLA QUEZADA REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP FOR HER SON
DAMIAN FERNANDEZ, WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE USA 2025 PAN AM GAMES IN MEXICO, AND THE 2025
INTERNATIONAL WORLD TAEKWONDO CADET TOURNAMENT IN
DUBAI MAY 2025
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to approve donating $500. Motion passed 55-00, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
PRESENTATIONS (CONTINUED)
4.d. Mayor and City Council received the Sheriffs Department Report for the Month of January 2025.
4.e. Mayor and City Council received the Code Enforcement and Public Safety Department Report for the Month of January 2025.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney, announced Agenda Item 7.h. and read the title of Ordinance 1280.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado requested to pull Agenda Item 7.e. from the Consent Calendar for discussion and separate action.
Anthony Chiappetta, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Microcomputing Concepts (AMC Solutions), was provided an opportunity to speak on Agenda Item 7.e.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Chris Knight, Chief Executive Officer, EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce, spoke on Agenda Item 12.a., addressed questions raised at the prior meeting, and provided business records to the Council.
2. Lexie Barragan yielded time to Chris Knight.
3. Sandra Mendez, Rustic & Chic Co. business owner and Chamber of Commerce President, yielded time to Chris Knight.
4. Jennifer Mendez yielded time to Chris Knight.
5. Carlos Puente, CARDON Media LLC business owner and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Member, spoke on Agenda Item 12.a. in support of the EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce.
6. Laura Santos, Royal Coaches Towing and Recovery business owner and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Member, spoke on Agenda Item
12.a. in support of the EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce.
7. Gary Yeung, SunriseWear business owner and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Member, spoke on Agenda Item 12.a. in support of the EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
8. Sil Ruiz, Library Manager, and Hazel Rodriguez, Intern, South EI Monte Library, shared information on the Baby and Toddler Book Club, other upcoming events are on their calendar, that February is National Library Lovers' Month, and read comments left by visitors supporting the library.
9. John Ventura, resident, expressed pride for the Harvard Day essay winners and for the Jets organization, expressed concern on the City Attorney dismissal that occurred at a prior council meeting, spoke on the commission applicant selections, support for the Chamber of Commerce, and efforts to get In -N -Out in the city.
10. Robert Yrigoyen, Sr., resident, spoke on locating the warrants on the city's website, and support on Agenda Item 12.c.2. with citizen participation.
11. Richard Contreras, Elite Office Solutions business owner and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Member, thanked the Mayor and City Council for the presentations to all the children earlier in the meeting, and spoke on Agenda Item 12.a. in support of the EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce.
12. Jennifer Collaso, Chamber of Commerce Board Secretary/Treasurer, spoke on Agenda Item 12.a. in support of the EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
Agenda Item 7.e. was heard at this time.
7.e. APPROVAL TO SOLICIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR
COMPREHENSIVE MANAGED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
SERVICES
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado directed questions to Rene Salas, City Manager.
Staff was directed to meet with Anthony Chiappetta, AMC Solutions, to discuss the city's current needs and if an amendment to the service agreement needs to be made before deciding to issue an RFP.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to continue the item. Motion passed 55=0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, continuing Agenda Item 7.e. to the next meeting. Motion passed 55=0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the January 28, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 25-012B, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of January 29, 2025, through February 18, 2025, totaling $956,794.76.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 25-013, approving the change order to the existing agreement for environmental contract services between the City and Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., and authorized the City Manager or designer to execute the agreement.
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 25-014, awarding a Professional Services Agreement to MNS Engineers, Inc. to administer and implement the CalHome programs, authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, and approved the use of CalHome Reuse Funds to immediately fund program implementation while awaiting the new grant award.
7.e. This item was heard before the Consent Calendar and continued.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 25-015 to allocate $31,000 from the City's Proposition A Local Return funds to cover the purchase and installation of two EV charging stations, allocated $31,000 from Proposition A funds for the installation of two EV charging stations, and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 25-016 authorizing the submittal of the City Service Request to the County of Los Angeles for the West Puente Valley Temple Avenue Street Rehabilitation Project, inclusive of the project cost share not - to -exceed $40,147, programmed $40,147 from the Proposition C Funds to cover the City's project cost share, and authorized the City Manager or their designee to submit and execute the City Service Request and take any and all related actions to effectuate the Project within the City limits.
7.h. Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance No. 1280, amending South El Monte's Municipal Code sections 2.48.020 and 2.48.130 of chapter 2.48 to increase the number of commissioners on the Community Services Commission from five to seven commissioners and amending sections
2.50.020 and 2.50.100 of chapter 2.50 removing age restrictions.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.i. Adopted Resolution No. 25-017, Resolution No. 25-018, Resolution No. 25- 019, and Resolution No. 25-020 adding the positions of Administrative Coordinator, Transportation & Senior Services Coordinator, and Public Safety Supervisor, and revising the job title of Executive Assistant to City Clerk Executive Assistant.
Agenda Item 12.a. was heard at this time.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez
1. Discussion/action to Terminate Contract with EM/SEM Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Bojorquez summarized his item, and council directed questions on the current agreement to Rene Salas, City Manager.
Chris Knight, Chief Executive Officer, EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce, provided responses to concerns expressed by Councilmember Bojorquez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Councilmember Rodriguez.
2. Discussion/action to Direct staff to come back with options for Business Association services.
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to terminate the contract with the chamber and directed staff to come back with options for Business Association Services. Motion passed 3-2, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
Staff was directed to prepare a report on next steps regarding this matter, to provide information on a competing agency, and to notify the chamber they can apply and seek another contract with the City.
Chris Knight, Chief Executive Officer, EI Monte/South EI Monte Chamber of Commerce, approached the council to state that the chamber has completed the 2024 State of the City and requested the remaining balance of the contract.
Motion by Mayor Olmos, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to pay the chamber the balance of $10,000 for completing the 2024 State of the City task.
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
Item 12.a.2.
Substitute Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to continue the payment discussion to the next meeting. Substitute Motion passed by consensus.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONTINUED FROM THE JANUARY 28, 2025, REGULAR CITY
COUNCIL MEETING - APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 24-09, ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION AND APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.
CUP 21-13 TO ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW 156,877 SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE BUILDING TO BE LOCATED AT 2222
ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced Public Hearing Item 8.a. was continued to the March 4, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
No action was taken on this item.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL ALTERNATE AND REPRESENTATIVE
TO VACANCIES ON ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES AND SUB-
COMMITTEES
Mayor Olmos introduced and summarized the item.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to continue the item to the next meeting. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
Staff was directed to get a full listing of all the committees that the Mayor and City Council currently serve on.
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE 2025 BAND
PERFORMANCES FOR THE NIGHT MARKETS, FIREWORK FESTIVAL
AND FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, presented Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services, who provided a report.
By consensus, Mayor and City Council approved the following band list and alternate bands:
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.b.
Night Markets
four': Chico Band, Melodia Versatil, Bumptown, and DW3
Summer Concerts (six): Cold Duck, The Band Smooth Touch, Impulse Band, Suave, Leather and Lace, and Soto
Firework Festival: The Flashbacks
Fourth of July Celebration: Jolly Corks and Pulp Vixen, with Leather and Lace as a backup option.
Alternate Options: Mainstreet Groovers, Steel Rod, DJ Stilo Rolas, and DJ Miliano
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: the swearing -in ceremony for U.S. Representative Gilbert (Gil) R. Cisneros, Jr., Congressmember for California's 31st Congressional District.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: the Senior's Valentine's Day Luncheon.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado announced he announced he attended the following: the South EI Monte High School Eagles' Varsity Girls Soccer team and Varsity Boys Basketball team games, and invited the council to attend the semi-finals.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: the swearing -in ceremony for U.S. Representative Gilbert (Gil) R. Cisneros, Jr., Congressmember for California's 31st Congressional District.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: the Senior's Lunar New Year festivities, the Community Services Commission Meeting (cancelled due to lack of quorum), the Greater EI Monte Community Hospital Board Meeting, a meeting with the new City Attorney Susie Altamirano, the Senior's Valentine's Day Luncheon, and the swearing -in ceremony for U.S. Representative Gilbert (Gil) R. Cisneros, Jr., Congressmember for California's 31st Congressional District.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE JETS ORGANIZATION REQUESTING
FUNDS FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER BANQUET
This item was heard before Agenda Item 5.
CORRESPONDENCE (CONTINUED)
11.b. CORRESPONDENCE FROM LOCAL SOUTH EL MONTE RESIDENT
FABIOLA QUEZADA REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP FOR HER SON
DAMIAN FERNANDEZ, WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE USA 2025 PAN AM GAMES IN MEXICO, AND THE 2025
INTERNATIONAL WORLD TAEKWONDO CADET TOURNAMENT IN
DUBAI MAY 2025
This item was heard before Agenda Item 5.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez
This item was heard before Public Hearings.
12.b. Mayor Gloria Olmos
1. Consider re -instating a city skateboard competition to be launched in May 2025.
At 8:39 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Delgado left the chambers.
At 8:42 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Delgado returned to the chambers.
2. Consideration of a Table Sponsorship to the Temple Station Sherriffs Outreach Foundation 1st Annual Awards Gala $1,200.
Mayor Olmos summarized her items.
Motion by Mayor Olmos, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to approve both items. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
12.c. Councilmember Manuel Acosta
1. Consideration of recognizing and supporting South El Monte Youth Resident Damian Fernandez, local Dean L. Shively student who won a spot in the USA National Taekwondo Team and will be participating in the 2025 Pan Am Games in Mexico, and the 2025 International World Taekwondo Cadet Tournament in Dubai.
This item was skipped due to being heard under Correspondence Item 11.b.
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
Item 12.c.
2. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)/ SEM Disaster Council Team Clarification and call for participation.
Councilmember Acosta summarized his item.
3. Discussion/Direction Regarding Beat the Beat the Streets -Los Angeles funds Request
Councilmember Acosta summarized his item.
Mayor and City Council received and filed Councilmembers' Agenda Items 12.c.2. and 12.c.3.
At 8:52 p.m., Mayor Olmos recessed the City Council Meeting for a break.
At 8:57 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting with all councilmembers present.
13. CLOSED SESSION - None
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 8:57 p.m. for Successor Agency Agenda Items 15 through 21.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting at 9:06 p.m.
22. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 9:06 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria -Olmos, ayor