Final Minutes Approved 04/08/2026
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Gerardo Marquez, Director of Community Development and Public Works; Sabrina Muhne, Deputy City Clerk; and Jayson Espejo, Public Works Analyst.
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 Benjamin Garrett, Faith Dominion Church, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS — None
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced a request to continue Public Hearing Agenda Item 8.a. and General Business Agenda Item 9.a.
Mayor Olmos announced her recusal from voting on the request.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, there being no second, motion failed Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4-1, by the following vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmember(s): Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem
Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
Councilmember(s): Acosta
Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. Irma Colin, resident, expressed concerns on the business Rustic & Chic Co., shared statements that Council was accepting bribes from the business to keep their permits, and that the business is still advertising online with a revoked CUP.
At 6:14 p.m., Councilmember Delgado requested a recess, and Mayor Olmos called for a recess.
At 6:15 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting with all councilmembers present.
2. Edward Duong, GoSGV Program Manager, Active SGV, shared details on the GoSGV Equity E -Bike Membership program.
3. Richard Angel, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a., and expressed support for the Mayor.
4. Pastor Patricia Garret, resident, expressed concerns for what she observes going on in the City, that all are welcome at her church, that she prays for everyone on the Council, and shared scripture.
5. Nancy Mendez, expressed concerns on the business Rustic & Chic Co., the business blaming the City for shutting them down, and requested information to see if they are committing fraud.
6. Roseanne Angel, resident, spoke on Agenda Item 8.a., concerns with transparency, and expressed support for the Mayor.
7. Angel Aguilar, resident, expressed concerns on the City politics occurring, shared scripture, expressed support for the Mayor, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
8. Kimberly Valencia, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a., concerns on resident surveys and campaign talking points.
9. Arthur Kingsbury, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a., requested a clear explanation of why, quoted the Brown Act, and requested a redacted version of the findings to be released so the Council can explain its reasoning and so the public understands.
10. John Ventura, resident, read a letter from the residents of Leafdale Ave and Hage Street regarding the paving rehabilitation project, spoke on the In -N - Out pylon, concerns on campaign activity,
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
11. Raul Pardo, resident, requested clarification on Brown Act and addressing the body as a whole, expressed concerns on the pylon, spoke on cannabis, affordable housing, and expecting professionalism from the Council.
12. Danny Olmos, resident, spoke on previous Public Comments, expressed with campaign activity, and expressed support for keeping professionalism.
13. Amanda Rodarte-Contreras, Library Manager, South EI Monte Library, shared upcoming library closures and program updates.
14. Joe Martinez, resident, shared his experience as a former Code Enforcement Supervisor for the City, and thanked the Mayor for her service.
15. Ingrid Aguilar, resident, expressed concern on Agenda Item 8.a.
16. Jacqueline Rubio, Valle Lindo School District Board Member, shared the upcoming Read Across America Week.
17. Eduardo Saucedo spoke on Rustic & Chic Co., public corruption, campaign finance investigations, fighting Measure CM, the In -N -Out pylon, and the budget.
18. Heidi Carillo, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
19. Oreo, resident, expressed support for the Mayor, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
20. Brandy Cruz, resident, expressed concerns on a councilmember, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
21. Tammy Acosta, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a., requested to know details on the investigation, and expressed support for the Mayor.
22. Robert Becerra, resident, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a., and requested to have as much information as legally possible released so the public isn't trying to fill in the gaps.
23. Kevin Salvador, South EI Monte High School coach and community member, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
24. Elizabeth Hernandez expressed support for the Mayor.
25. Jose Trujillo, resident, expressed support for the Mayor, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
26. Tony Ozaeta, community member, spoke on selfishness and division, shared scripture, and expressed concerns on secrecy.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
27. Delia Ringor, community member, expressed support for the Mayor.
28. Natalia Vasquez, community member, expressed support for Council working together, and expressed concern for Agenda Item 8.a.
29. Carlos Fuentes, business owner, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
30. Troy Valencia, resident and high school student, expressed concerns on community politics, expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a., and expressed support for the Mayor.
31. Yvette Trujillo, resident, expressed support for the Mayor, and expressed concerns on Agenda Item 8.a.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to approve the Consent Calendar. 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
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the February 3, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 26-011, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of February 13, 2026, through February 25, 2026, totaling $2,285,782.44.
7.c. Waived the full reading and adopted Ordinance No. 1289, amending South El Monte's Municipal Code sections 2.48.020 of chapter 2.48 to decrease the number of commissioners on the Community Services Commission from seven to five commissioners.
7.d. Approved Resolution No. 26-012, approving a First Amendment to the Contract Services Agreement with Council for Watershed Health (CWH), dated July 25, 2024, to increase the not -to -exceed contract sum in the amount of Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand Five Hundred Four Dollars ($219,504), for a new total not -to -exceed sum of Nine Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Nineteen Dollars ($976,019), and to extend the term of the agreement by one (1) year, and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the amendment, approved as to form by the City Attorney.
At 7:57 p.m., Mayor Olmos called for a recess.
At 8:13 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting with all councilmembers present.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 26-013 OF THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE CENSURING MAYOR
GLORIA OLMOS
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Taylor M. Anderson, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, provided a report and facilitated the Public Hearing.
Mayor Olmos was provided 10 minutes to provide remarks and announced her recusal on this item.
Mayor Olmos opened the Public Hearing.
1. John Ventura, resident, requested the Council waive the Closed Session information and share it with the public, expressed concerns on the Mayor Pro Tem and campaign activity, expressed support of taking no action on this item, expressed concern on the three -vote majority, and expressed concerns on the City Attorney's office.
2. Danny Olmos, resident, expressed concern on lack of information and the Mayor's need for attorney representation.
3. Frank Villegas expressed concerns on this item and its potential violations, and expressed concerns on e -Bikes introduced earlier during Public Comment.
4. Pastor Don Antelo, community member, encouraged Council to do the right thing and expressed support for the Mayor.
5. Denise Silva, resident, asked for transparency in what the Mayor is being charged with so the people can have a better understanding.
6. Lisa Chung, South El Monte teacher, spoke in support of the Mayor.
7. Eduardo Saucedo spoke on the Levine Act, Rustic & Chic Co. bribes, Closed Session violations, and consequences.
8. Rosio Flores Conchella, Valle Lindo School District employee, spoke in support of the Mayor and against the censure.
9. Bernardo Flores, community member, spoke in support of the Mayor.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED)
Item 8.a.
Council discussion included waiving the confidentiality of the Closed Session topics, how the Closed Session topics were transmitted to Council, the Mayor's prior access to the report and her knowledge of the investigation, the Mayor's due process, the investigator being a third -party separate from the attorney's office, remarks made during Public Comment that were only disclosed during Closed Session, agendizing the Closed Session topics at a future meeting, and inadvertent mistakes by the Mayor.
Mayor Olmos responded to the discussion, stating that she did not violate the Brown Act, that the report is inaccurate, that she wouldn't put the City at jeopardy, would like to finish reading the report, and requested that the Council not censure her.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta to take no action. There being no second, the motion failed.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to adopt Resolution No. 26-013, censuring Mayor Olmos. Motion passed 3-1-1, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Delgado, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Mayor Olmos
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-014 OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON MAYOR
GLORIA OLMOS
Mayor Olmos introduced the item, and Taylor M. Anderson, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley. provided a report.
Discussion topics included proposed sanctions diminishing Mayor's role and duties, the option to choose penalties and for length of time, and the severity of the sanctions.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to adopting Resolution No. 26-014, revoking privilege of travel and access to public funds for the remainder of her term. Motion passed 3- 1-1 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Delgado, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta
ABSTAIN: Councilmember(s): Mayor Olmos
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta announced he had nothing to report.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: Read Across America at New Temple Elementary School.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez announced he attended the following: Read Across America, and the Independent Cities Association (ICA) Winter Seminar.
Councilmember Delgado announced he attended the following: the Independent Cities Association (ICA) Winter Seminar.
Mayor Olmos announced she attended the following: scheduled for Read Across America Week, the Senior Center Lunar New Year Luncheon, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) Governing Board Meetings, the SGVCOG Transportation Committee Meetings, the SGVCOG 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games Ad Hoc Committee Meetings, and the Senior Center Valentine Luncheon.
11. CORRESPONDENCE — None
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA — None
13. CLOSED SESSION — None
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 9:57 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor