Final Minutes Approved 06/17/25
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 3, 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): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; 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 Rodriguez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor Charlie Corum offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition and Scholarships to the South EI Monte High School State of the City 2025 Scholarship recipients.
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition and Scholarships to the Shively Middle School State of the City 2025 Scholarship recipients.
4.c. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South EI Monte High School Varsity Softball team for their 2025 Mission Valley League (MVL) Title.
4.d. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to the South EI Monte High School Varsity Baseball team for their 2025 Mission Valley League (MVL) Title.
4.e. Mayor and City Council received a presentation by Ryan Amick, Vector Ecologist, from the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Rene Salas, City Manager, requested to continue Agenda Item 9.a. to the July 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, to provide staff additional time to review sensitive areas and to allow the parcel area maps to be reviewed more consistently.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hector 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Superintendent, Valle Lindo School District, expressed appreciation for Deputy Day with the students, thanked the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department for their quick intervention in an onsite need the past month, and formally requested the City's support in pursuing the U.S. Department of Justice School Violence Prevention Program grant to upgrade the school district's communication systems.
2. Maria Morales, resident and member of IHeart El Monte, spoke on second- hand smoke issues in public spaces and housing, and encouraged the City Council to consider clean air environment policies.
3. Guadalupe Tepox, resident and member of IHeart El Monte, expressed concerns on the dangers of second-hand and third -hand smoke for residents living in multiple -unit housing, and urged the City Council to explore policies that protect residents from exposure to smoke in multi -unit housing.
4. Rebecca Diaz, resident, thanked the City Council for their service, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
5. Vincent Diaz, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
6. Tony Ozaeta, former resident and a current Unity in the Community member, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
7. Robert Yrigoyen, Sr., resident, spoke on the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's National Drug Threat Assessment, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
8. Dolores Espinosa, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a., and suggested air purifiers in the schools.
9. Rosario Gonzales, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
10. Roseanne Angel, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a. and councilmembers who support the item.
11. Maria Heng, resident, supported the prior speakers and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
12. William Gil, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
13. Monica Ramos, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
14. David Perez, Teens Succeed Intern, South EI Monte Library, shared his Drawing for Kids program that he created with library staff.
15. Sil Ruiz, Librarian, South EI Monte Library, shared information on the Summer Discovery Reading Program.
16. Denise Silva, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a. and expressed agreement with the prior speakers.
17. Richard Angel, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
18. John Ventura, resident, spoke on the City holding a Town Hall meeting, the 2022 election results, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
19. Pastor Patricia Garret spoke on comments she hears from residents regarding marijuana issues.
20. Tammy Acosta, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 9.a.
21. Danny Olmos, resident, spoke on the dangers of marijuana and other drugs, and encouraged the council to think about their vote on Agenda Item 9.a.
22. Eduardo Sauceda, spoke on cannabis Taws, Proposition 215, Agenda Item
9.a., the Constitution, medical marijuana use, homelessness, the restrooms at the park, panhandling in the City, and California state law.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
Councilmember Acosta requested direction on setting up a Town Hall meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado shared that a Town HaII meeting was held five years ago on this topic, and expressed that the item is being continued so resident input can be considered and the item further researched.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
Councilmember Rodriguez requested clarification on the number of dispensaries in the City and the process to open a dispensary.
Councilmember Acosta further clarified that Agenda Item 9.a. is not about opening marijuana dispensaries, but to establish the legal boundaries.
A cake was presented to Councilmember Rodriguez for his birthday.
At 8:21 p.m., Mayor Olmos called for a recess.
At 8:29 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting with all councilmembers present.
Agenda Item 11.a. was requested to be moved up. There being no objection, Agenda Item 11.a. was heard at this time.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM EL MONTE/SOUTH EL MONTE JETS REQUESTING A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER,
SENIOR CENTER, MARY VAN DYKE PARK COMMUNITY ROOM, NEW
TEMPLE PARK FIELDS, AND SHIVELY PARK FIELD AND
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE LIGHT FEES AT NEW TEMPLE AND SHIVLEY PARK FOR THEIR 2025 SEASON
Blanca Villa, President, and Jose Guerrero, Vice President, requested the fee waivers to help the program save costs so they can buy equipment for the kids.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to waive the facility reservation fee for the use of the Community Center, Senior Center, Mary Van Dyke Park Community Room, New Temple Park fields and Shively Park field in the amount of $22,270.00, to waive the reservation light fees in the amount of $4,680.00, and to waive the non -waived fees in the amount of $4,784.00. 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
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:
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the Special City Council Meeting of April 29, 2025, and the Regular City Council Meeting of May 6, 2025.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 25-046, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of May 7, 2025, through June 3, 2025, totaling $1,900,212.18.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 25-047, adopting a list of street rehabilitation projects for FY 2025/26 under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1).
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 25-048, accepting the completion of the Aquatics Center Swimming Pool Replastering Project, authorized the City Clerk to send the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, released retention accordingly.
7.e. Adopted and approved the plans and specifications for the City Hall and Council Chamber's Restroom Remodel (CDBG) Project, approved Resolution No. 25-049, awarding the City Hall and Council Chamber's Restroom Remodel (CDBG) Project contract to the lowest responsible bidder in an amount of $553,000.00 to Bridgerock Construction, Inc., authorized the City Manager to execute the contract, and authorized fifteen percent (15%) of the total contract amount as contingency allowance to be used if necessary for unforeseen conditions at the City Manager's discretion.
7.f. Adopted Resolution No. 25-050, extending the term of the Professional Services Agreement with Passive Logic to complete the Project Design and Implementation Services for the City's Autonomous Building Controls Retrofit Project from July 13, 2024, to June 1, 2026, with no additional compensation.
7.g. Adopted Resolution No. 25-051, extending the term of the Professional Services Agreement with The Energy Coalition to complete the Project Design and Implementation Services for the City's Autonomous Building Controls Retrofit Project from July 13, 2024, to June 1, 2026, with no additional compensation.
7.h. Waived second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 1283, repealing Chapters 3.20 through 3.36 of the South El Monte Municipal Code.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONTINUED FROM THE MAY 6, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING - UPDATE ON CANNABIS BUFFER ZONE MAPS
This item was continued to the July 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
9.b. ON -STREET RESIDENTIAL PARKING
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, introduced Danilo Batson, Interim Director of Public Works, who provided a report.
Discussion ensued on the options of 72 -hour limits, marking tires, and further clarification needed regarding monitoring and enforcement of parked vehicles.
Staff was directed to bring this item back after further research.
9.c. FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025-2026 ANNUAL BUDGET STUDY SESSION Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, introduced Masami Higa, Director of Finance, who provided a report.
Discussion ensued on the contingency plan options, business tax options, current department budget tightening, in-house versus contracted services, reviewing collected fees, software usage, city council's benefits, revenue -generating sources, Prop A fund options, and voter -approved fees.
Staff was directed to research the options discussed and bring this item back to the next meeting.
9.d. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 25-052,
APPROVING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY AND
OLIVAREZ MADRUGA LAW ORGANIZATION, LLP
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, read terms of the agreement.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 25-052, approving the Professional Services Agreement for City Attorney Services between the City of South El Monte and Olivarez Madruga Law Organization, LLP to provide City Attorney Services to the City, City Council, the Successor Agency and the City's Boards and Commissions, and to authorize the City Manager to make nonmaterial changes and execute all implementing documents. 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he attended the following: the Senior Center's Mother's Day Luncheon, the SPIRITT Family Centers Blooming Minds event, the California Contract Cities Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, the Memorial Day Ceremony, Deputy Day, the L.A.
County Governance Reform Task Force meeting, and the T -Ball Banquet.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: the Senior Center's Mother's Day Luncheon, the California Contract Cities Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, and the Planning Commission Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado announced he announced he attended the following: the Senior Center's Mother's Day Luncheon, the Susan Rubio Town Hall Meeting, the California Contract Cities Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, the South EI Monte High School Golden Eagle Awards and Scholarship Night, the Memorial Day Ceremony, and Deputy Day.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: the Susan Rubio Town Hall Meeting, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, the T -Ball Banquet, the Memorial Day Ceremony, and the Flags of Valor event.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: the Senior Center's Mother's Day Luncheon, the Cinco De Mayo Boxing Show, the Community Services Commission Meeting, the SPIRITT Family Centers Blooming Minds event, the South EI Monte/EI Monte Chamber of Commerce's Principal for a Day event with the EI Monte Union High School District, an interview with Tony Cabrera from ABC7 for the LA28 Olympics, a Homeland Security luncheon, the Memorial Day Ceremony, an earthquake presentation by seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, the Planning Commission Meeting, Deputy Day, the California Contract Cities Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, the Memorial Day Ceremony, Deputy Day, the South EI Monte High School Golden Eagle Awards and Scholarship Night, Faith Dominion Church's 10th Anniversary celebration, the T -Ball Banquet, the California Contract Cities Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, and an Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) luncheon.
At 9:54 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Delgado left the chambers.
At 9:56 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Delgado returned to the chambers.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM EL MONTE/SOUTH EL MONTE JETS REQUESTING A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER,
SENIOR CENTER, MARY VAN DYKE PARK COMMUNITY ROOM, NEW
TEMPLE PARK FIELDS, AND SHIVELY PARK FIELD AND
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE LIGHT FEES AT NEW TEMPLE AND SHIVLEY PARK FOR THEIR 2025 SEASON
This item was heard before the Consent Calendar.
11.b. LETTER FROM SERGEANT ERIN LIU FROM TEMPLE SHERIFF'S
STATION REQUESTING A FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF
THE SENIOR CENTER TO HOST THE EXPLORER SCHOLARSHIP
AWARD CEREMONY
Councilmember Acosta pointed out that the event is at the same time as the Night Market, and councilmembers would not be able to attend both events, and parking might be difficult with both events occurring at the same time.
Motion by Hector Delgado to extend the meeting past 10:00 p.m. There were no objections.
Staff was directed to reach out and see if it was possible for the award ceremony to be moved to a different day, and Council would approve the item with the condition that the event date might be changed.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to waive the facility fee requested by Sergeant Erin Lui for the use of the Senior Center Dining Room in the amount of $300.00, and to waive the non -waived fees associated with the reservation in the amount of $896.00. 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
11.c. LETTER FROM GREATER EAST LOS ANGELES NARCOTICS
ANONYMOUS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ORGANIZATION
REQUESTING A FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE
COMMUNITY GYMNASIUM AND AMPHITHEATER TO CO -HOST A
BOXING SHOW WITH THE SOUTH EL MONTE BOXING PROGRAM
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to waive the requested fees by NASCO for the use of the Community Center Gymnasium and Amphitheater in the amount of $2,400.00, and to waive the non - waived fees associated with the reservation in the amount of $1,528.00. Motion passed 5-0 by the following vote:
Item 11.c.
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER MANUEL ACOSTA
1. Discussion/Action: As the city seeks more commercial development in the form of restaurants, it should look at a more diversified plan and attract/encourage entrepreneurial ventures to set up their businesses in South El Monte. Corporate franchises are easy to find. But where can we find non -corporate independent businesses? Is there an organization for entrepreneurs?
Councilmember Acosta summarized his item.
No action was taken on this item.
2. Discussion/Action: With passage of Proposition 36 and the plan for the closure of Men's Central Jail, the council should consider urging the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors of re -considering the plan to close the jail or provide an appropriate substitute. Attached is a draft letter for review by the mayor and council, which if agreed upon, can be sent to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Councilmember Acosta summarized his item.
There being no objection, by consensus, staff was directed to prepare the letter drafted by Councilmember Acosta.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 10:12 p.m. Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and 54569(e)(1): One Matter
At 10:34 p.m. Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all councilmembers present.
Susie A. Altamirano, Interim City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Item 13.a., reports were provided, feedback was given, no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Olmos congratulated El Paisano Restaurant for their thirty-three years of business in the City, and would like to honor them at the next meeting.
There being no further business coming before this body, at 10:34 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Wilhans Ili, former councilmember, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor