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year.30 WAIRE Points can be earned by implementing actions from a prescribed menu, developing a custom site-specific plan, or paying a mitigation fee.31 Warehouse owners are only required to submit limited information reports but can opt to earn WAIRE Points on behalf of their tenants by implementing measures during the development phase, such as installing solar panels or electric vehicle charging infrastructure.32
The proposed Project includes a 156,877-square-foot warehouse consisting of 113,703 square feet of warehouse space, 7,879 square feet of retail use, 20,305 square feet of accessory warehouse office space, and 14,990 square feet of warehouse storage space.33 Because the Proposed Project exceeds the 100,000- square-foot threshold, its owners and operators will be subject to Rule 2305 requirements once the warehouse is occupied.
Despite this, the IS/MND fails to analyze the Project’s compliance with Rule 2305. Specifically, the IS/MND does not evaluate the potential WAIRE Points Compliance Obligation for future warehouse operators. Nor does it consider whether additional measures or project requirements could be incorporated into the Project to help future operators meet their compliance obligations under Rule 2305.
For example, implementing measures during the development phase – such as installing solar panels, EV charging infrastructure, or other emissions-reducing infrastructure – could reduce the future compliance burden for warehouse operators while also enhancing the Project’s environmental performance. By failing to evaluate compliance with Rule 2305, the IS/MND overlooks an important regulatory requirement that could result in unaddressed environmental impacts and missed opportunities for mitigation.
To comply with CEQA, the lead agency must revise the IS/MND to include an analysis of Rule 2305 compliance. This analysis should estimate the WAIRE Points Compliance Obligation based on the projected number of truck trips to the proposed Project, identify feasible measures that could be implemented during the development phase to facilitate compliance, and evaluate whether such measures should be incorporated as project requirements or CEQA mitigation measures.
Without this analysis, the IS/MND does not provide sufficient information to fully 30 South Coast Air Quality Management District, WAIRE Implementation Guidelines (June 2021) p. 2, available at https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/planning/fbmsm-docs/waireimplementation-guidelines.pdf?sfvrsn=12. 31 Ibid. 32 Ibid. 33 IS/MND at p. 5.
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evaluate the Proposed project’s environmental impacts and compliance with applicable regulations.
III. CONCLUSION
The record demonstrates that the Planning Commission abused its discretion by finding that the environmental impacts of the proposed Project would be reduced to less than significant levels with mitigation because it ignored substantial evidence supporting a fair argument that the Project’s environmental impacts are significant and unmitigated. CREED LA urges the City Council to uphold the appeal, vacate the Planning Commission’s approval of Resolution No. 24-09, remand this matter to the Planning Commission,34 and direct City staff to prepare an EIR that fully discloses, analyzes, and mitigates the Project’s significant public health, air quality, GHG, energy, noise, transportation, public utilities, and hazards impacts.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Graf
Attorney
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34 See South El Monte Municipal Code § 17.03.130 (City Council may remand the matter to the Planning Commission).
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 9.a.
DATE: March 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
SUBJECT: CONTINUED FROM THE MARCH 4, 2025, REGULAR CITY
COUNCIL MEETING - DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION
REGARDING VACANCY ON THE PATRIOTIC COMMISSION
SUMMARY: City Council to discuss and provide staff direction on vacancy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff Recommends City Council discuss and provide staff direction.
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
DISCUSSION: The City received a letter of resignation from Alejandro Miramontes De Anda from the Patriotic Commission. The City Council made appointments at their January 28, 2025, City Council Meeting. From the list of applicants, Abraham Flores Rojo was left on the list.
Pursuant to Government Code 54974, the City posted a Notice of Vacancy on March 6, 2025, with a deadline of March 17, 2025.
Staff has provided two (2) options:
- Option 1: City Council may appoint Abraham Flores Rojo; - Option 2: Consider applications from those not appointed to other commissions.
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 9.b.
DATE: March 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Susie Altamirano, Interim City Attorney
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITY COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE
TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND STRATEGIES REGARDING
THE ASSISTANCE OF THE UNHOUSED POPULATION OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
SUMMARY: Discussion and consideration of the establishment of a Homelessness Commission or Committee by the South El Monte City Council with the intention of providing guidance to the City in matters impacting its unhoused population.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends City Council:
1. Discuss the establishment of a City of South El Monte Homelessness Commission or Committee; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk or designee to draft any and all documents necessary to further the establishment of a City of South El Monte Homelessness Commission or Committee that is discussed herein.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS: The action proposed herein is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 21065 of CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378.
Approving and allocating funds for eligible housing projects is an administrative action that would not cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Therefore, the proposed action is not a “project” subject to CEQA, as defined in Section 21065 of CEQA and Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Since the action is not a project subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required.
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT: The direct fiscal impact anticipated with the establishment of an additional City commission would be those costs related to staff time, meeting materials, and other administrative overhead.
DISCUSSION: The Homelessness Commission or Committee would be established with the intention of addressing, assisting, and alleviating the growing population of unhoused individuals residing within the City.
The commission or committee would be responsible for identifying short-term and longterm strategies to decrease homelessness and provide guidance and direction to the City Council regarding the adoption and implementation of policies respective to those issues.
The Commission/Committee would confer with local, state, and federal organization and programs for homelessness, and disseminate information regarding relevant policies, organizations, or events to help strengthen the City’s own policies and strategies. Finally, the Commission/Committee would provide a platform for the City to directly engage and foster cooperation with the unhoused population in the community.
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 12.a.
DATE: March 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBJECT: Mayor Pro Tem Hector Delgado
SUMMARY:
1. CONTINUED FROM THE MARCH 4, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING- For the State of the City event, direct staff to use all sponsorship dollar donations for scholarships and to use general funds to pay for the event, including rental hall, giveaways, and food.
2. Action/Discussion/Direction on changing the distance requirement for cannabis in order to align with the California State Standard.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion and/or action.
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DISCUSSION:
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
Successor Agency Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 19.a.
DATE: March 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Board
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, Executive Director
SUBMITTED BY: Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE SUCCESSOR
AGENCY MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2025
SUMMARY: Staff is requesting approval of the Minutes of the February 18, 2025, Successor Agency Meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff is requesting approval of the Minutes of the February 18, 2025, Successor Agency Meeting.
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DISCUSSION:
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. DRAFT SA Minutes 2-18-25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.
1415 Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733
Successor Agency Meeting Immediately Followed Regular City Council Meeting.
15. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CITY CLERK (PRIOR TO CONVENING THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54952.3, Board Members do not receive any compensation or stipend for attending the Successor Agency meeting.
Chair Olmos called the meeting to order at 8:57 p.m.
16. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Board Member(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Vice Chair Delgado, and Chair Olmos
ABSENT: Board Member(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, Executive Director, Susie A. Altamirano, Interim General Counsel; Adrian Garcia, Secretary; Masami Higa, Treasurer (via Zoom); Guillermo Arreola, Director of Community Development; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; Iyob 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.
17. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Vice Chair Delgado, seconded by Board Member Bojorquez, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Vice Chair Delgado, and Chair Olmos
NAYS: Board Member(s): None
ABSTAIN: Board Member(s): None
18. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. Victor Robles, student at CSU Los Angeles, requested information for a Business Organization course project.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (CONTINUED)
2. Robert Yrigoyen, Sr., resident, spoke on the City Council Meeting Agenda Items 12.a. and 7.e., the South El Monte Local Business Preference Policy posted on the website, the City Council Meeting Agenda Item 12.b.1., and considering revenue options with businesses.
There being no further public comment, Chair Olmos closed public comment.
19. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Board Member Acosta, seconded by Vice Chair Delgado, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Vice Chair Delgado, and Chair Olmos
NAYS: Board Member(s): None
ABSTAIN: Board Member(s): None
19.a. Approved the Regular Successor Agency Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2025.
19.b. Received and filed ROPS 25-26.
20. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S AGENDA – None
21. ADJOURNMENT OF SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
There being no further business coming before this body, at 9:06 p.m., Chair Olmos adjourned the meeting.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk. ___________________________ ______________________
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk Gloria Olmos, Mayor