Final Minutes Approved 02/03/2026
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South EI Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:13 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, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services; lyob Tessema, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management; and Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Zoom was provided for the public to participate during Public Comment via teleconference.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Gloria Olmos 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 EI Monte/South EI Monte Jets Football teams for participation in the 2025 SGV Junior All-American Football Season.
4.b. This item will be presented in January.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced a Walk -On Agenda Item under Correspondence Agenda Item 11.a., "pursuant to Government Code 54954.2(b)(2), a Letter from VFW Post 10218 Requesting a Donation of $500 for their Holiday Events Serving Veterans with Food, Housing, and Needed Benefits, the letter is available at the dais and for the public to view at the side table." Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve walking on the item. Motion passed by consensus.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES (CONTINUED)
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, 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
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. Eduardo Saucedo congratulated the teams for their CIF Championship win, spoke on obedience with the Pledge of Allegiance and to the Bible, a 150 - page investigative memo he sent to the City Clerk, expressed condolences for the councilmember who lost his father, and wished a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
2. Helen Kuan, Public Affairs Specialist, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, provided an overview of the district's services and how they protect public health in the environment.
3. Diana Rosas, South El Monte Acting Library Manager, spoke on December library programs, the bookmark contest winners, and holiday hours.
4. Danny Olmos, resident, expressed condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado on the passing of his father.
5. John Ventura, resident, expressed condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado on the passing of his father, expressed concerns on the agenda item regarding electioneering and campaign practices discussed at the last meeting, and wished a safe Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
6. Pastor Patricia Garrett expressed condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado on the passing of his father.
7 Pastor Ben Garrett expressed condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado on the passing of his father.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, 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 November 4, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 25-104, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of November 13, 2025, through November 26, 2025, totaling $1,371,060.50.
7.c. Introduced for first reading by title only and waived full reading of Ordinance No. 1286, amending the South EI Monte Municipal Code by modifying Title 15 thereof adopting by reference the 2026 Los Angeles County Building Code (Title 26), Electrical Code (Title 27), Plumbing Code (Title 28), Mechanical Code (Title 29), Residential Code (Title 30), Green Building Standards Code (Title 31), and Existing Building Code (Title 33), thereby adopting by reference Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations with certain amendments, additions and deletions thereto, scheduled a public hearing for January 20, 2026, to consider adoption and second reading of the said Ordinance, and moved to read by title only and approved Urgency Ordinance No. 1285-U, amending the South EI Monte Municipal Code by modifying Title 15 thereof adopting by reference the 2026 Los Angeles County Building Code (Title 26), Electrical Code (Title 27), Plumbing Code (Title 28), Mechanical Code (Title 29), Residential Code (Title 30), Green Building Standards Code (Title 31), and Existing Building Code (Title 33), thereby adopting by reference Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations with certain amendments, additions and deletions thereto.
7.d. Approved Resolution No. 25-105, adopting the City of South EI Monte Policy Manual.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 25-106, accepting the DOJ Tobacco Grant, and authorized the City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to further the award acceptance and compliance with the terms of the grant.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Adrian Garcia, City Clerk, provided a report.
Mayor Olmos nominated Councilmember Acosta.
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.a.
Councilmember Rodriguez nominated Councilmember Bojorquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delgado, to select Councilmember Bojorquez as Mayor Pro Tem. 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
9.b. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT/RE-
APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GREATER LOS
ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to appoint Councilmember Delgado as representative to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees with a two-year term. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
9.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY'S 2026 SPECIAL
EVENTS CALENDAR
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services, provided a report.
Mayor and City Council requested that the 4th of July Celebration be moved back to New Temple Park.
Staff was directed to further research the speaker timing and agenda format for the State of the City and to provide a proposed program, to conduct more outreach to promote the National Day of Prayer to all denominations, and to quarterly adjust the Meet & Greet hours around Daylight Saving Time.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to approve the City's 2026 Special Events Calendar as amended. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 9.c.
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, 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 Annual 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Thanksgiving Annual Boxing Show, the South EI Monte Community Outreach Church turkey giveaway, the EI Monte/South EI Monte Gives Thanks food drive and turkey giveaway event with Faith Dominion Church, and the CIF Southern Section Division 14 South EI Monte High School Varsity Football Championship game.
Councilmember Bojorquez announced he attended the following: Supervisor Hilda Solis' Annual Operation Gobble Gobble turkey giveaway, a turkey giveaway to the seniors at the Senior Center, the Annual 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon's Holiday Toy Drive, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Mayor Pro Tem Delgado announced he had nothing to report, but shared that he had received a number of phone calls complimenting the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Supervisor Hilda Solis' Annual Operation Gobble Gobble turkey giveaway, the South EI Monte Community Outreach Church turkey giveaway, the EI Monte/South EI Monte Gives Thanks food drive and turkey giveaway event with Faith Dominion Church, thanked the library, and expressed condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Delgado on the passing of his father.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: the Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 15 Board of Directors Regular Meeting, the CIF Southern Section Division 14 South EI Monte High School Varsity Football Championship game, the Greater EI Monte Community Hospital Board Meeting, the Healthy South EI Monte Leadership Council, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) Transportation Committee Meeting, the SGVCOG Olympic & Paralympic Games Ad Hoc Committee Meeting, the Annual 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot, the Thanksgiving Annual Boxing Show, the Senior Center Thanksgiving Luncheon, the South EI Monte Community Outreach Church turkey giveaway, the EI Monte/South EI Monte Gives Thanks food drive and turkey giveaway event with Faith Dominion Church, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM VFW POST 10218 REQUESTING A DONATION OF $500
FOR THEIR HOLIDAY EVENTS SERVING VETERANS WITH FOOD,
HOUSING, AND NEEDED BENEFITS
CORRESPONDENCE (CONTINUED)
Item 11.a.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to approve a donation of $500 to VFW Post 10218. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. COUNCILMEMBER MANUEL ACOSTA
1. Donate $10,000 to Marian Outreach at Epiphany Church in South EI Monte.
Discussion/Action: Marian Outreach serves between 70 to 80 families, comprising of more than 260 individuals, with weekly food distribution within the South EI Monte community. Given current economic conditions and the present uncertainty of government programs, food insecurity is keenly felt by our families. Lately, there has been a surge of more families coming to their door for assistance. A $10,000 donation will help them continue serving our families in need. Marian Outreach is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Discussion topics included the organizations' membership with the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul, their 501(c)(3) non-profit status, distribution days and times, a letter verifying the organization's information, staff verifying their nonprofit status, receiving more support from agencies in the area that address food insecurities, the organization's location being at Epiphany Catholic Church, and their focus on South EI Monte residents.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to donate $10,000 to Marian Outreach at Epiphany Church in South EI Monte, pending a letter stating its non-profit status, an introduction of the Director, and hours and days. Motion passed 55=0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): None
13. CLOSED SESSION — None
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 8:09 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in memory of Rosario Delgado, resident, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MC, City Clerk � Gloria Olmos, Mayor