Final Minutes Approved 11/04/2025
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, October 7, 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 (arrived at 6:14 p.m.), and Mayor
Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; lyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; Gerardo Marquez, Director of Community Development and 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 Acosta 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 a Certificate of Recognition to Sil Ruiz, South EI Monte Librarian, for her dedication and exemplary service to South EI Monte residents and the community.
4.b. Mayor and City Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Vietnamese Alliance Christian Church of San Gabriel Valley for their 50th Anniversary.
4.c. Bill Coffey, Regional Director, Business Development, HomeServe, provided a presentation on the National League of Cities (NLC) Water and Sewer Service Line Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado recognized and welcomed Andre Quintero, former Mayor of EI Monte, who was in attendance in the audience.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Councilmember Acosta requested to pull Agenda Item 7.d. from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced Walk -On Agenda Item 9.c. under General Business, requiring a vote to add the item.
Rene Salas, City Manager, announced staff corrections to the attachment for Agenda Item 7.e., and a copy of the attachment with those corrections is available on the dais.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, 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.
A cake was presented to Mayor Olmos and Councilmember Bojorquez for their birthdays.
1. Kimberly Valencia, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 11.a.
2. John Ventura, resident, recognized the Vietnamese Alliance Church for their 50th Anniversary, the Mayor for her birthday, spoke on an encounter among staff and commissioners at a Homeless Commission Meeting, and expressed concern on Agenda Item 11.a.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
Agenda Item 7.d. was heard at this time.
7.d. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 25-087,
APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE AND THE
TREEPEOPLE INC.
Discussion topics included grant source and amount, the number of trees and locations, and how the program will be promoted to residents.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to adopt Resolution No. 25-087, approving an MOU agreement with Treepeople Inc. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
Item 7.d.
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 Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to approve the balance of 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the September 2, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 25-085, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of September 3, 2025, through October 7, 2025, totaling $3,112,350.26.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 25-086, awarding an agreement with EPC to provide consulting services to update the City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for an amount not to exceed one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000).
7.d. This item was heard before approval of the Consent Calendar.
7.e. Approved Resolution No. 25-089, approving the first amendment with TierraWest Advisors, Inc. to provide economic development services.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONTINUED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, REGULAR CITY
COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING - CONSIDERATION
OF INTRODUCTION OF FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1284, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.64 OF THE SOUTH EL MONTE MUNICIPAL
CODE REGARDING WORKING OUT OF CLASS
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, provided a report.
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.a.
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to waive first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 1284, an amendment to Municipal Code Section 2.64.090 authorizing the City Manager, at his discretion, to approve a salary increase in excess of five percent (5%) and up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of an employee's base salary, when such adjustments are in the best interest of the City and consistent with budgetary appropriations. 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
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 25-088
APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT WITH IYOB TESSEMA AS DIRECTOR OF HUMAN
RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Rene Salas, City Manager, provided a report.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to adopt Resolution No. 25-088, approving the first amendment to Iyob Tessema's employment agreement. 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
9.c. WALK-ON ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING
COMPLETION OF THE EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS PROJECT AND TERMINATING MERGENCY
CONTRACTING ACTIONS PURSUANT TO PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE
SECTION 22050(C)(3)
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Bojorquez, to adopt Resolution 25-090, accepting completion of the emergency repairs to the City Hall Council Chambers and to terminate emergency contract actions pursuant to Public Contract Code section 22050(c)(3). 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 Southern California Edison 15th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Event, the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network Annual Mayor's and City Council Reception, the Women & Girls Empowerment Brunch, the September Night Market, the Community Bike Ride, the South EI Monte High School Homecoming Game, and a Senator Sasha Renee Perez Leadership Luncheon.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: the Community Bike Ride, the Senior Center's Mexican Independence Luncheon, the Popeyes Grand Opening, and the Women & Girls Empowerment Brunch.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado announced he attended the following: the Jerry Ortiz Memorial Boxing Gym's Friday Night Fights, the Women & Girls Empowerment Brunch, the September Night Market, and the South EI Monte High School Homecoming Game.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: the Popeyes Grand Opening, the September Night Market, and an Olympic Committee Meeting.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: the Senior Center's Mexican Independence Luncheon, the South EI Monte High School Homecoming Game, San Gabriel Valley Council of Government 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games Ad Hoc Committee Meeting, San Gabriel Valley Council of Government Transportation Committee Meeting, the Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 15 Board of Directors Regular Meeting, the Popeyes Grand Opening, the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network Annual Mayor's and City Council Reception, the Women & Girls Empowerment Brunch, the Meet & Greet with South EI Monte Sheriffs Team, the Whither Narrows Encampment Resolution Open House/Community Meeting with Supervisor Solis' team, the Healthy South EI Monte Leadership Council, a planning meeting for a Town HaII, the Vietnamese Alliance Church's 50th Anniversary celebration, and the September Night Market.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE STREET ART TOURS WYNWOOD
BUGGIES INVITING THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE OLYMPICS
COMMITTEE, CONSISTING OF COUNCILMEMBERS RUDY
BOJORQUEZ, LARRY RODRIGUEZ, AND THE CITY MANAGER, RENE
SALAS, TO A WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT TOUR IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM OCTOBER 17-21, 2025
Mayor Olmos introduced the item.
Discussion topics included trip costs, the approved travel budget, implementation of ideas from council travel, council's travel budget stipulations, local and other art district options, an Olympic Arts Committee, types of venues that other arts districts have, and considering other cities that have hosted Olympic events.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
CORRESPONDENCE (CONTINUED)
Item 11.a.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to approve the trip to Miami to explore the possibility of duplicating an Arts District here in South EI Monte. Motion passed 3-2, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Bojorquez, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Delgado
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA — None
Councilmember Rodriguez requested a moment of silence for Rudy "Rudder" Trujillo.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:28 p.m., Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) and 54956(e)(1): Three matters.
At 8:54 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Delgado absent.
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Item 13.a., a report was provided, feedback was given, and there was no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:54 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Lucio Vargas, city employee crossing guard, Eduardo V. Retamoza, long-time South EI Monte resident, Vincent Nevarez, and Rudy "Rudder" Trujillo, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Gloria Olmos, Mayor