Final Minutes Approved 04/15/25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, April 1, 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, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s):
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services (via Zoom); Danilo Batson, Interim Director of Public Works; Gerardo Marquez, Interim Director of Community Development; and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the public to participate during Public Comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Councilmember Rudy Bojorquez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor Patricia Garrett, Faith Dominion Church, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South EI Monte High School Varsity Girls Soccer Team for obtaining 2nd place in the 2025 CIF Southern Section (California) Division 8.
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South EI Monte High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club for their assistance in the 2025 State of the City of South EI Monte event on March 27, 2025.
4.c. Mayor and City Council received a presentation from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works regarding the Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District's Proposed Rate Increase.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCES (CONTINUED)
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. Adan De La Garza, Public Information Officer, United States Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, introduced the organization and presented information on resources the Administration provides for businesses and non-profit organizations.
2. Richard Angel, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 12.a.2 and Agenda Item 12.c.
3. Danny Olmos, resident, congratulated the city for a nice State of the City event, congratulated the South El Monte High School students, congratulated Epiphany Catholic School on their 65th anniversary, and expressed support for Agenda Item 12.b.1.
4. John Ventura, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 12.a.2., City finances, and that councilmembers' items on the agendas do not state how much is being requested.
5. Eduardo Sauceda, resident, spoke on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works presentation, the homeless crisis and funding issues, spending issues at the state level, the City's costs, and economic turmoil.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Olmos closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, 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 18, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 25-032, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of March 19, 2025, through April 1, 2025, totaling $2,065,553.54.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 25-033, authorizing the sale of five (5) obsolete City Vehicles and directed the City Manager to hire an auction company to dispose of the obsolete vehicles.
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 15, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
No action was taken on this item.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS - None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: Coffee with a Deputy at Starbucks, the San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus, the 65th Anniversary of Epiphany School & Casino Night, the League of California Cities Los Angeles County Division Government Connections Networking Seminar, the South EI Monte State of the City, and the T -Ball Opening Day.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: the T -Ball Opening Day, and the CultivaLA Farm's Cesar Chavez Day of Service.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado announced he announced he attended the following: the Foothill Transit Governing Board Meeting, the T -Ball Opening Day, the South EI Monte State of the City, and the CultivaLA Farm's Cesar Chavez Day of Service.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: Coffee with a Deputy at Starbucks, the T -Ball Opening Day, the South EI Monte State of the City, and the CultivaLA Farm's Cesar Chavez Day of Service.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: the Planning Commission Meeting, the Community Services Commission Meeting, the T -Ball Opening Day, the 65th Anniversary of Epiphany School & Casino Night, the Los Angeles County
COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS (CONTINUED) Sanitation District No. 15 Board of Directors Regular Meeting, Coffee with a Deputy at Starbucks, the San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus, and the State of the City.
11. CORRESPONDENCE - None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER RUDY BOJORQUEZ
1. Discussion/action to video and audio record planning commission meetings and post to city website similar to city council meetings.
Councilmember Bojorquez summarized his item.
Staff was directed to post video and audio of the Planning Commission Meetings to the City's website.
No action was taken on this item.
2. Discussion/action to extend invitation to planning commissioners to attend contract cities conference in Indian wells.
Councilmember Bojorquez summarized his item and expressed that after further thought, there are better -suited conferences for the Planning Commissioners to attend other than the California Contract Cities Association conference.
Discussion ensued regarding budget restrictions, other conference types, and options relating to Planning Commissioners' attendance.
Staff was directed to research appropriate conferences for Planning Commissioners to attend.
No action was taken on this item.
12.b. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Discussion/action to fix the pad mount on Santa Anita and Central Avenue.
Mayor Olmos summarized her item and directed staff to fix the electric box at Santa Anita Avenue and Central Avenue.
No action was taken on this item.
2. Discussion/action to sponsor the Spiritt Family Services' Blooming Minds event on May 8, 2025, at the Double Tree Hilton Rosemead.
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
Item 12.b.
Proceeds will go towards the programming of the mental, social, and physical well-being of children and their families.
Mayor Olmos summarized her item and provided examples of services that SPIRITT Family Centers provides to the South EI Monte community.
Motion by Mayor Olmos, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to donate $500 to the SPIRITT Family Centers' Blooming Minds event.
Motion passed by consensus.
12.c. MAYOR PRO TEM HECTOR DELGADO
Discussion/Action/Direction on adding cameras to the following areas (New Temple Park, Mary Van Dyke Park, Community Center, Shively Park and City Hall).
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado summarized his item and requested looking into options to enhance safety and prevent vandalism issues at the parks and centers.
Staff was directed to create a list of areas not covered by cameras and to work with Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Valle Lindo School District Principal, on grant funding options for high-tech cameras.
No action was taken on this item.
12.d. COUNCILMEMBER LARRY RODRIGUEZ
Discussion/Action to change the Homeless Commission meetings from quarterly to monthly.
Councilmember Rodriguez summarized his item and provided a pamphlet to the City Manager that was created by the City of EI Monte's Veterans and Homeless Commission.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado to have monthly Homeless Commission meetings.
Substitute Motion by Mayor Olmos, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to have quarterly meetings for a year or two to find out how it will affect the budget before moving to monthly meetings. Substitute motion failed 2-3, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA (CONTINUED)
Item 12.d.
Main Motion passed 33=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
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:54 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
13.c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 subdivision (d)(4) (two potential cases).
At 8:54 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.c., reports were provided, feedback was given, no reportable action. Regarding Item 13.b., the City has agreed to enter into a Request for Dismissal with Prejudice, the City shall dismiss the citation and $5,000 owed in full consideration and settlement of any and all claims by the Plaintiff. 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
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:56 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of John Aguinaga to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia. MMC, City Clerk
( IEbrY—IL 47111 —
oria Olmos, Mayor