Final Minutes Approved 04/01/25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South EI Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney; Ariana De La Cruz; Director of Community Services; Iyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; Danilo Batson, Interim Director of Public Works; Gerardo Marquez, Planning Manager; Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk; and Robert Molina, Administrative Assistant.
Zoom was provided for the Public to participate during public comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Councilmember Acosta led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor David Torres, Calvary Assembly of God Church, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South EI Monte High School Academic Decathlon Team and Advisors.
4.b. Mayor and City Council received the Sheriffs Department Report for the Month of February 2025.
4.c. Mayor and City Council received the Code Enforcement and Public Safety Department Report for the Month of February 2025.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve the agenda. 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
Final Minutes Approved 04/01/25
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened public comment.
1. Hazel Rodriguez, Intern, South El Monte Library, promoted the Love Yourself, Be Yourself Program.
2. John Ventura, resident, suggested the Sheriffs Department have a booth at the Night Markets, expressed concerns on financial issues raised at prior council meetings, federal funding issues, and requested for the City to take a position on sanctuary cities, and requested the City Council take a public position on undocumented immigrants working and living in the City.
3. Eduardo Sauceda, resident, spoke on the Sheriffs working with mental health crisis, homelessness, hospitals with mental health wards, wheelchair access in the restrooms at New Temple Park, the building fire clean-up across the street from City Hall, and Measure CM.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to approve the Consent Calendar. 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
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the March 4, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 25-025, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of March 5, 2025, through March 18, 2025, totaling $1,013,529.51.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 25-026, approving Amendment No. 1 to renew and extend the current agreement between the City and The Sauce Creative Services for three (3) additional one (1) year terms, and authorized the City Manager or designer to execute the agreement.
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 25-027, extending the term of the Agreement to March 26, 2026, to complete the Traffic Signal Improvements at Lee Ave & Garvey Ave and Durfee Ave & Peck Rd (HSIPL-5352(021)) Project.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 25-028, extending the term of the Agreement with Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. to January 10, 2026, to complete the design services for the Traffic Signal Improvements at Lee Ave & Garvey Ave and Durfee Ave & Peck Rd (HSIPL-5352(021)) Project.
Final Minutes Approved 04/01/25
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 25-029 and Resolution No. 25-030, revising the position of Deputy City Clerk by increasing compensation and upgrading the job description, and upgrading the job description of Accounting Manager.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONTINUED FROM THE MARCH 4, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO.
24-09, ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
MITIGATION AND MONITORING REPORTING PROGRAM, AND
APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 21-13 TO
ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW 156,877 SQUARE FOOT
BUILDING TO BE LOCATED AT 2222 ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced Public Hearing Item 8.a. was continued to the April 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
No action was taken on this item.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONTINUED FROM THE MARCH 4, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING - DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING VACANCY ON
THE PATRIOTIC COMMISSION
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk, provided a report.
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to appoint Abraham Flores Rojo to the Patriotic Commission. Motion passed 3-1-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Mayor Olmos
9.b. 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
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, presented a report.
Final Minutes Approved 04/01/25
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.b.
Motion by Mayor Gloria Olmos to create a committee with Councilmember Acosta and Councilmember Rodriguez.
Substitute Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to create a homeless commission made up of five community members meeting quarterly, in efforts to get greater involvement to address the homeless population in South EI Monte. Substitute motion passed 3-1-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Mayor Olmos
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: the Water Education for Latino Leaders Annual Statewide Conference, the South EI Monte National Little League Opening Day, the Little Mr. and Miss South EI Monte Baby Pageant, and the KB Homes Grand Opening of Astaire and Harlow at Starlite.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: a meeting with L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis' office, the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, and the South El Monte National Little League Opening Day.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado announced he announced he attended the following: the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees Meeting.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, and a meeting with L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis' office.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: The Read Across America Week with Arcadia Unified School District, the Greater EI Monte Community Hospital Board Meeting, the Community Services Commission Meeting, the South EI Monte National Little League Opening Day, the Little Mr. and Miss South EI Monte Baby Pageant, the KB Homes Grand Opening of Astaire and Harlow at Starlite, the Senior Services St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, a Mayors and City Manager's Roundtable with Congressmember Gil Cisneros, and a basketball game of city staff versus coaches.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None
Final Minutes Approved 04/01/25
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
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.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado summarized his item and requested input from the council.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado to cover the funds for the upcoming State of the City address with the current monies that are in the Chamber of Commerce bank account and not take anything out of the General Fund for this fiscal year.
At 7:38, Mayor Olmos called for a recess.
At 7:40, Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting with all councilmembers present.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado clarified his motion that the money raised for this year's State of the City address will be going back in the form of scholarships to the various school districts, and the General Fund will be used to cover the cost while waiting for a decision from the Chamber of Commerce.
The City Attorney recapped the motion as: "With the cooperation of the chamber, use the monies that were earmarked as roughly $17k to cover the cost for the State of the City, anything in addition to that raised would go to scholarships, with the caveat that the chamber releases the funds to the City and if those costs are not covered, that would come out of the General Fund."
Seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez. 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
ABSTA►N: Councilmember(s): None
2. Action/Discussion/Direction on changing the distance requirement for cannabis in order to align with the California State Standard.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado summarized his item and directed questions to the City Attorney.
Final Minutes Approved 04/01/25
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
Item 12.a.2.
Staff was directed to research neighboring city ordinances regarding manufacturing and commercial areas, sensitive use, and to bring back updated maps affected by zone changes.
No action was taken on this item.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:03 p.m. Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
13.a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - Title: City Attorney pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1).
13.b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING
LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(1) Julian Deng vs. City of South El Monte, et al. Case No. 24NNCV03340 At 8:33 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all councilmembers present.
Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Items 13.a., and 13.b., reports were provided, no reportable action.
14. RECESS COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting at 8:33 p.m. for Successor Agency Agenda Items 15 through 21.
Mayor Olmos adjourned the Successor Agency meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting at 8:40 p.m.
22. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:40 p.m. Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Ralph "Ralphy" Ortiz, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Ma