Final Minutes Approved 07/15/2025
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 6:30 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
Mayor Olmos announced she was participating remotely via audio/visual and stated that no other individuals 18 years of age or older were present in the room at the remote location.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Bojorquez, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos (via Zoom)
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; lyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; Danilo Batson, 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 — Councilmember Rodriguez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Olmos offered a brief invocation.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s) None
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. John Ventura, resident, requested clarification on the Public Comment statement, spoke on Agenda Item 5.a. and expressed concerns on political decisions.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
2. Richard Angel, resident, spoke on public safety, cannabis buffer zones, and Agenda Item 5.a.
3. Denise Silva, resident and Community Services Commissioner, inquired on how residents are notified of calling special meetings, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 5.a.
4. Olivia, resident, expressed concerns on the calling of special meetings, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 5.a., and requested notification on the budget audit meetings.
5. Roseanne Angel, resident, spoke on the Public Safety Division, the July 1st Regular City Council Meeting, and cannabis.
6. Monica Ramos, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 5.a.
7. Ruth Escalera, resident, spoke on the July 1St Regular City Council Meeting, and Agenda Item 5.a.
8. Patricia Saucedo, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 5.a.
9. Joe Martinez, resident and Public Safety Supervisor, spoke in support of the Public Safety Division, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 5.a.
10. Pastor Patricia Garrett, spoke on hearing the public comments, and spoke on Agenda Item 5.a.
11. Hortencia Vasquez, resident and Community Services Commissioner, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 5.a.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, Councilmember Bojorquez, Councilmember Acosta, and Mayor Olmos made comments in response to the public comments received.
Councilmember Rodriguez directed questions to the City Manager and commented in response to the public comments received.
5. GENERAL BUSINESS
5.a. FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025-2026 ANNUAL BUDGET ADOPTION
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, introduced Masami Higa, Director of Finance, who provided a report.
Discussion ensued on the topics of tuition reimbursement, the forecasted deficit, savings with the proposed budget changes, insurance benefit rates for City employees, 2022 tax measures, tariffs affecting the deficit, the reserves, the Public
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 5.a.
Safety Division's services and staff numbers, current and future cuts, contracted costs vs. in-house costs, budget amendments, prior budget discussions, future revenues, and the Finance Department's transparency and awards.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to approve Resolution No. 25-057, the FY25-26 Proposed Budget.
Mayor Olmos requested clarification on the cost-cutting strategies that would be adopted in the proposed budget.
Substitute Motion by Mayor Olmos, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to amend the main motion to not include the elimination of the Public Safety Division.
Second Substitute Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Olmos, to continue the item to the July 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
Second Substitute Motion passed 4-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
The Substitute Motion and Main Motion were withdrawn.
6. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:08 p.m., Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
6.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) and 54569(e)(1):
One Matter.
At 10:09 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all councilmembers present.
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Item 6.a., a report was provided, feedback was given, and there was no reportable action.
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 10:10 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Edward Rozuk, IV and Esther De La Rosa, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A.1Vluhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor