Manager’s annual salary shall be $268,800.00 and the benefits paid to the City Manager are as set forth in said Second Amendment. These amounts can be updated by future action of the City Council made in public at a subsequent council meeting.
SECTION 3. The City Council further authorizes and directs the Mayor to execute the Second Amendment and take all actions necessary to appropriate, implement and effectuate the intent of the City Council as set forth in this Resolution SECTION 4. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of May 2026.
Gloria Olmos, Mayor
ATTEST:
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS:
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE )
I, Adrian Garcia, City Clerk of the City of South El Monte, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 26-034 was passed and approved by the City Council of the City of South El Monte at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 5th day of May 2026 and that said Resolution was adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
SECOND AMENDMENT
TO CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(Rene Salas, City Manager Services)
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT (“Second Amendment”) to that certain agreement titled “City Manager Employment Agreement” dated as of January 24, 2023 (“Master Agreement”), is hereby made and entered into this 5th day of May 2026 (the “Effective Date”), by and between the City of South El Monte, a general law city and municipal corporation (hereinafter, “City”) and Rene Salas, an individual (hereinafter, “Employee”). For purposes of this Second Amendment, the capitalized term “Parties” shall be a collective reference to the City and Employee and the capitalized term “Party” shall refer to the City or Employee interchangeably, as appropriate.
RECITALS
This Second Amendment is made and entered into with respect to the following facts:
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2023, the Parties executed and entered into that certain agreement entitled “City Manager Employment Agreement” to provide City Manager services; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment was approved by the South El Monte City Council (“City Council”) at its Regular Meeting of January 28, 2025, in open session as part of the Regular Meeting Agenda under Agenda Item No. 9.g. in compliance with Government Code Sections 53262, 54953(c)(3) and 54956(b); and
WHEREAS, for purposes of this Second Amendment, the Master Agreement as amended by way of the First Amendment, may be referred to collectively as the “Master Agreement”. The Master Agreement is attached and incorporated hereto as Exhibit “A”; and WHEREAS, based on the Employee’s performance, the Parties now wish to further amend the terms of the Master Agreement as set forth below; and WHEREAS, this Second Amendment was approved by the South El Monte City Council (“City Council”) at its Regular Meeting of May 5, 2026, in open session as part of the Regular Meeting Agenda under Agenda Item No. 9.d in compliance with Government Code Sections 53262, 54953(c)(3) and 54956(b).
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions herein contained, City and Employee agree as follows:
1. Subsection 2.1. COMPENSATION - The subsection set forth below shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows:
For the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, Employee’s base monthly compensation shall be Twenty Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($22,400) per month to equal Two Hundred Sixty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($268,800) annually (the “Salary”), which shall be paid on a pro-rated basis bi-weekly at the same time as other employees of the City are paid. Such Salary shall be adjusted for payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, and other payroll-related liability costs.
2. Subsection 3.2. TERM - The subsection set forth below shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows:
The term of this Agreement will be for seven (7) years following the Effective Date (“Term”) (i.e., from May 5, 2026 until May 5, 2033).
3. Subsection 3.4(b). TERMINATION BY CITY WITHOUT CAUSE (Erroneously titled “Termination by City Manager Without Cause”) – The subsection set forth below shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Termination by City Without Cause. The City Council may terminate Employee at any time without cause but rather based upon management reasons such as implementing the City’s goals or policies, including but not limited to: (i) change of administration, or (ii) incompatibility of management styles. In the event Employee is terminated without cause, Employee expressly agrees that he shall not be entitled to any severance pay as the result of the termination of this Agreement except as provided in Section 4.1 below.
City shall not terminate the employment of Employee without cause during or within any period of six (6) months immediately following any General Municipal Election held in the City of South El Monte. The foregoing notwithstanding, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the City Council, under such circumstance, from immediately terminating the Agreement and Employee’s employment with the City at any time for cause as provided under Section 3.4(a).
The City may terminate this Agreement without cause only upon the affirmative vote of at least four-fifths (4/5) of the full membership of the City Council, requiring four (4) affirmative votes of a five-member City Council. Any such termination shall remain subject to the notice, cure, and procedural requirements, if any, set forth in this Agreement.
In the event of a conflict between this provision and any other termination provision in this Agreement, this provision shall control. The City Council shall endeavor to establish an Ordinance that reflects this four-fifths (4/5) termination of Employee without cause.
4. Subsection 4.1 SEVERANCE PAY – NINE MONTHS – The subsection set forth below shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Severance Pay – Twelve Months. In the event Employee is terminated without cause and does not challenge such termination, including but not limited to by means of appeal or civil or administrative claim, then City shall pay to Employee severance in an amount equal to his monthly base Salary (as defined in Section 2 above) then in effect multiplied by twelve (12), less applicable deductions and excluding deferred compensation or the value of any other benefits.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Government Code Section 53260 provides that all contracts of employment with a city must include a provision limiting the maximum cash settlement for the termination of the contract to the monthly salary (excluding benefits) multiplied by the number of months left on the unexpired term, but not more than 18 months if the unexpired term exceeds 18 months. Accordingly, should such proposed severance payment exceed the amount authorized to be paid under Government Code
Section 53260, then the amount paid to Employee shall be reduced in the amount necessary to comply with such statute. (For example, if termination occurs with two (2) months left in the Term, severance would be equal to the monthly base salary multiplied by two (2) rather than the twelve (12) months provided in this Section.)
5. Subsection 6.15 DEFERRED COMPENSATION – The subsection set forth below shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows:
City shall contribute Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per month into a qualified 457 plan.
6. Subsection 6.19 POST-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL BENEFIT – This subsection set forth below shall be added to read as follows:
Post-Employment Medical Benefit. In addition to those benefits provided to Employee under Subsection 6.5 Health Benefits, Subsection 6.6 Vision and Dental Insurance, and 6 . 9 Retiree Health Benefits, of the Master Agreement, Employee shall also receive a post-employment medical benefit (the “Post-Employment Medical Benefit”) subject to the following terms, conditions and restrictions:
(a) Employee must be continuously employed in the capacity of City Manager for the City of South El Monte through the end of the Term which expires May 5, 2033, for the Post-Employment Medical Benefit to vest.
(b) The Post-Employment Medical Benefit shall cover Employee only. (c) Section 6.19(a), of this Second Amendment notwithstanding, if Employee is Terminated Without Cause pursuant to Section 3.4(b) of the Master Agreement, the Post-Employment Medical Benefit shall vest upon Employee’s separation date from the City.
(d) Section 6.19(a), of this Second Amendment notwithstanding, if Employee is terminated for cause or voluntarily resigns from his employment prior to May 5, 2033, the PostEmployment Medical Benefit will not vest and Employee shall not be entitled to the benefit.
(e) If, following vesting, Employee retires from the City, the Post-Employment Medical Benefit will be provided through the City’s CalPERS retiree medical benefit plan for City retirees, up to the prevailing Los Angeles County Kaiser Permanente Plan rate (one-party, two-party, or three-party; basic, combined, or Medicare supplemental; as applicable, based on actual enrollment). Should City cease to contract with CalPERS for retiree medical benefits, City shall offer a comparable medical plan that does not substantially decrease the level of coverage as determined by City. (f) If, following vesting, Employee retires from an employer other than City, then in lieu of the CalPERS medical benefit plan coverage, Employee shall instead be entitled to a monetary reimbursement from City for uncovered medical expenses incurred and paid by Employee for himself. The annual amount of the reimbursement shall be capped at an amount equal to the prevailing annual premium for the Los Angeles County Kaiser
Permanente Plan rate (one-party, two-party, or three-party; basic, combined, or Medicare supplemental; as applicable, based on actual enrollment). Reimbursement requests shall be submitted to City on a quarterly basis. All reimbursement requests must be submitted in writing and must be accompanied by proof enrollment and payment in a form reasonably satisfactory to City. The reimbursement arrangement described under this paragraph shall also be provided to Employee during any preretirement period of unemployment, if the benefit vests because of Employee having been terminated from his employment with the City without cause pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, above.
(g) Should a subsequent employer provide Employee with post-retirement medical coverage or medical reimbursement for Employee at any time after the Post-Retirement Medical Benefit or alternative reimbursement provided by the City has vested, within sixty (60) calendar days of the vesting of the benefits provided by the subsequent employer, Employee must notify the City as to whether Employee elects to: (i) forego the alternative reimbursement provided by City pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, above, and instead receive benefits provided by the subsequent employer; or (ii) forego the benefit provided by the subsequent employer and instead receive alternative reimbursement provided by the City pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, above. Employee may not receive the Retiree Health Benefits or an alternative reimbursement while also receiving a similar benefit provided by another employer. (h) Vesting of the Post-Employment Medical Benefit notwithstanding, City shall be under no obligation to pay for any medical reimbursement to Employee for medical expenses incurred by Employee when such expenses are covered by medical coverage provided by Employee’s current employer.
(i) Employee shall be required to repay City for any sums paid by City to Employee for medical expenses incurred by Employee that were paid by pre- or post-retirement medical coverage provided by any subsequent employer or any other source.
7. Except as otherwise set forth in this Second Amendment, the First Amendment and Master Agreement shall remain binding, controlling, and in full force and effect. This Second Amendment, together with the First Amendment and Master Agreement, shall constitute the entire, complete, final, and exclusive expression of the Parties with respect to the matters addressed in both documents.
8. The provisions of this Second Amendment shall be deemed a part of the First Amendment and Master Agreement and except, as otherwise provided under this Second Amendment, the First Amendment and Master Agreement and all provisions contained therein shall remain binding and enforceable. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Second Amendment and the provisions of the First Amendment and Master Agreement, the provisions of this Second Amendment shall control, but only in so far as such provisions conflict with the First Amendment and Master Agreement and no further. (SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE)
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE: EMPLOYEE:
By: _______________________________ By: _____________________________ Gloria Olmos, Mayor Rene Salas, City Manager
ATTEST:
By: ________________________________
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: ________________________________
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 9.d.
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Susie Altamirano, City Attorney
SUBJECT: SOUTH EL MONTE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION UPDATE
AND CONSIDERATION TO OPEN THE APPLICATION
PERIOD FOR APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
SUMMARY: Staff is providing an update on the formation status of the South El Monte Community Foundation and seeking City Council direction to open a three-week application period for the Foundation’s Board of Directors, after which staff will return to Council with all qualified applications for consideration and appointment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Provide staff direction to open the application period for the South El Monte Community Foundation Board of Directors for a period of three (3) weeks, after which staff will return to the City Council with all qualified applications received for consideration and appointment; and
2. Receive and file this report regarding updates on the formation status of the South El Monte Community Foundation.
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
DISCUSSION:
The South El Monte Community Foundation (“Foundation”) is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized exclusively for public and charitable purposes. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of South El Monte through contributions and investments in charitable and community programs and community facilities, including youth and senior recreation, wellness and enrichment programs, parks and facilities improvements, and cultural arts programming.
The Foundation’s bylaws are subject to adoption by the Foundation's Board of Directors and remain pending formal Board approval at a forthcoming meeting.
The City has engaged Vasquez & Company to assist with the Foundation’s tax filings.
The Statement of Information for the nonprofit corporation was filed with the California Secretary of State’s Office on February 10, 2026. On March 5, 2026, IRS Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, was filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation received confirmation of its 501(c)(3) status on April 1, 2026, with an effective tax-exemption date of February 3, 2025, which permitted the Foundation to receive donations while its application was pending with the IRS.
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 16 (Interim Designation) of the Bylaws, an Interim Board of Directors has been designated to facilitate the aforementioned incorporation and startup filings. The Interim Board’s authority is strictly limited to actions necessary to form the Foundation, and that authority will automatically terminate upon the City Council’s appointment of the permanent Board of Directors. The Interim Board currently consists of:
• Rene Salas, Interim Chief Executive Officer
• Ariana De La Cruz, Interim Secretary
• Masami Higa, Chief Financial Officer
With the formation activities of the Foundation mostly complete, the next step is to begin the process for the City Council to appoint a Board of Directors. Article VII, Section 1 of the Bylaws provides that the Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) members, who must be at least eighteen (18) years old and registered to vote in the State of California.
Article VII, Section 4 provides that eligible applicants may apply to the Foundation when a vacancy exists on the Board, that members of the Board shall be approved by the City Council, and that Directors shall serve staggered terms of four (4) years. Vacancies on the Board are filled by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the City Council pursuant to Article VII, Section 5.
To facilitate the appointment process, staff has prepared a Community Foundation Board Application (attached hereto as Exhibit “A”) for use by interested residents. Subject to City Council direction, staff proposes to open the application period for three (3) weeks.
At the close of the application period, staff will compile all qualified applications received and return them to the City Council for review, consideration, and appointment of the permanent Board of Directors. Upon the City Council’s appointment of the Board of Directors, the authority of the Interim Board will automatically terminate as provided in Article VII, Section 16 of the Bylaws.
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. Community Foundation Board of Directors Application
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
1415 SANTA ANITA AVENUE
SOUTH EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA 91733
(626) 579-6540
South El Monte Community Foundation
Board of Directors Application
The City of South El Monte requests information from prospective applicants who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the South El Monte Community Foundation. This request does not constitute an appointment, as such appointments are made by the City Council.
Please complete the entire application, using “N/A” where items do not apply. Submit completed application to the City Clerk.
Applicant Information
Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Home Address: _________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: ________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________________________________ Occupation: ___________________________________________________________________ Employer: _____________________________________________________________________ Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
Are you the spouse or child of a current City Councilmember, City Manager, or Department Head? □ Yes □ No
If yes, please identify the person and your relationship: _________________________________ Experience and Background:
Do you currently live in the City of South El Monte? □ Yes □ No If yes, how many years have you resided in South El Monte? ____________________________
Relevant Work History or Volunteer Experience:
(Include job titles, organizations, dates, and descriptions as applicable.) Educational Background:
(List institutions attended, degrees earned, or relevant coursework.) Special Skills or Licenses:
(Include any professional certifications or technical affiliations.) Community and/or Civic Organizations:
(List any groups or committees you currently or previously participated in.) Personal Statement:
Please briefly describe below, or attach a separate document, why you are interested in serving on the South El Monte Community Foundation Board of Directors, and include any additional information you believe is relevant to your application:
Acknowledgement and Certification:
By signing below, I certify that all information provided in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this application is a public record and may be subject to disclosure under applicable laws. Furthermore, I understand that if appointed, I must complete the California Political Practices Commission State of Economic Interests (Form 700) and agree to complete Ethics Training pursuant to AB 1234.
Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 11.a.
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Dianna Gomez, Sr. Executive Assistant to City Council/Community Liaison
SUBJECT: THE SOUTH EL MONTE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM BCS THEORY
AND COACH MICHAEL LEGASPE IS REQUESTING A
DONATION OF $2000 FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION AT THE
2026 INTERNATIONAL SEAPEARCH COMPETITION.
SUMMARY: Team BCS Theory earned the right to represent South El Monte High School and the Los Angeles Region by securing first place overall in the highly competitive Southern California SeaPerch Regional Challenge. Their rigorous preparation and demonstration of superior technical skills have positioned them among the top teams in the nation, making this opportunity to compete at the University of Maryland a welldeserved recognition of their dedication. The competition will be held from May 26 to June 1, 2026, at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council to discuss and provide direction.
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DISCUSSION:
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. correspondance
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 12.a.
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBJECT: MAYOR PRO TEM RUDY BOJORQUEZ
1. Discussion/action to implement a moratorium or ban on data centers in the city of South El Monte.
SUMMARY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DISCUSSION:
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 12.b.
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBJECT: COUNCILMEMBER MANUEL ACOSTA
1. CONTINUED FROM THE APRIL 21, 2026, REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Referendum on South El
Monte Measure CM
Discussion/Action: South El Monte Measure CM was on
the ballot in November 2022, allowing up to three
marijuana (cannabis) retail businesses. The measure
received 1,336 YES votes (53.6%) and 1,156 NO votes
(46.4%). Soon after, the city council approved a 1,000 foot buffer zone to protect our most vulnerable residents. The 1,000 foot buffer zone allowed four (4)potential locations for marijuana (cannabis) businesses to operate in the city of South El Monte. Since then, and after much discussion, the majority of the city council approved a jurisdictional boundary of 350 feet, which increased the number of
potential marijuana (cannabis) locations in South El
Monte to one-hundred four (104).
It is apparent, from the hundreds of comments given
during the Public Comment session of the city council
meetings from residents and concerned citizens over the last year, the topic of marijuana dispensaries and related businesses in South El Monte is of high interest and
concern. Therefore, the council should consider the
concerns wishes of it’s South El Monte residents and
place a ballot initiative to repeal and revoke Measure CM in November’s 2026 election.
2. City Manager’s Decision to Approve Unscheduled,
Unapproved Projects
Discussion/Action: The city council approved a
construction contract for the FY25-26 Pavement
Rehabilitation Project (City Project No. 644) on
September 2, 2025. The contract and the Construction
Notice, issued on November 24, 2025, identifies those
specific streets, including the date and time they were to be repaved. The re-pavement project was scheduled and
completed between December 1 thru December 9, 2025.
Allgeyer Street was not on the schedule, however, it was re-paved on December 9, 2025. The re-pavement of
Allgeyer Street was approved by the city manager, and
paid for with the construction contingency budget. Since Allgeyer street was not in the scope of the contractual budget or the Construction Notice, how was the decision made to solely re-pave Allgeyer Street, and not any other streets in dire need of re-paving and in the surrounding area?
SUMMARY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DISCUSSION:
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
City Council Agenda Report
Agenda Item No. 12.c.
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
APPROVED BY: Rene Salas, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBJECT: MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. CONTINUED FROM THE APRIL 21, 2026, REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Follow-up re-requesting
proper financials from ERA or for them to refund the City of $55, 000. That was gifted to them.
SUMMARY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
DISCUSSION:
ATTACHMENT(S):
None