Final Minutes Approved 07/21/2026
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South EI Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Bojorquez, and Mayor/Chair Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
STAFF PRESENT: Rene Salas, City Manager; Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney; Adrian Garcia, City Clerk; Masami Higa, Director of Finance; Gerardo Marquez, Director of Community Development and Public Works; 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 — Robert Yrigoyen, Parish Council President, Epiphany Catholic Church, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Mayor and City Council presented Certificates of Recognition and Scholarships to the recipients of the 2026 South EI Monte State of the City Scholarships from South EI Monte High School.
4.b. Cristy A. Canieda, Engagement Partner, Vasquez & Company LLP, presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Results.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Staff requested to continue Agenda Item 9.a. to the next meeting, and to move Agenda Items 9.c. and 11.a. to be heard before the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Acosta requested to pull items from the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCES (CONTINUED)
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. Carmen Pena, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and opposed the project.
2. Adrian J. Erives, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and opposed the project.
3. Robert Yrigoyen, resident, spoke on Consent Calendar Item 7.a. and requested to have them pulled and corrected, expressed concerns on Consent Calendar Items 7.b., 7.c., and 7.h. not being routine items, and expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a.
4. Eduardo Almeida Sauceda, spoke on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and requested a token of appreciation, such as a certificate of recognition, for his mother.
5. Captain Meza, Los Angeles County Temple Sheriff's Station, introduced Deputy Camargo and Deputy Alcala, and announced his promotion to Commander.
6. Ashley Bustillos, resident, opposed Public Hearing Item 8.a.
7. Jonathan Aceves, resident, thanked council for not taking action on the Lexington -Gallatin project at the last council meeting, requested the item on data centers to be placed back on the agenda, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and requested that staff be directed to look further into the project's development agreement regarding the park land.
8. Jasmine Rodriguez, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item
8.a., opposed the project, and expressed speeding concerns over the speed bump installed on Andrews Street.
9. Fidel Acosta, resident. disagreed on the prior public comment on the speed bump issue on Andrews Street, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item
8.a., opposed the project. spoke on street paving issues and illegal dumping issues in the Lexington -Gallatin neighborhood, and the reputation of the City.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
10. Amanda Contreras, Library Manager, South EI Monte Library, spoke on the early closure and upcoming library programs.
11. Greg Villegas, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., spoke on the legacy of South EI Monte, requested the council to consider other options for the project, and to meet with him.
12. Marisa Pena, resident, expressed appreciation for living in the City for five generations, concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and opposed the project.
13. Ralph Velador, Southern California District Council of Laborers, Laborers' International Union of North America, expressed support for Public Hearing Item 8.a.
14. Kimberly Valencia, resident, recognized the EI Monte/South EI Monte Jets, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., opposed continuing the item without working with the residents, and requested Consent Calendar Items 7.b., 7.h., and General Business Item 9.a. to be pulled for discussion for further clarity.
15. Crystal Garza, resident, expressed concerns on Public Safety's removal of her advocacy efforts across the City on the Lexington -Gallatin project, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and opposed the project.
16. Balam Corzantes, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item
8.a., and requested transparency on the decisions for the project.
17. Pedro Pena, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., opposed the project, expressed concerns with a lack of transparency, expressed concerns with the development of the park land, thanked the unions for their help building the City, and spoke on the planning and vision of the City.
18. Brandon Angel, resident, spoke on an encounter with Parking Enforcement Officer Salvador, Code Enforcement Supervisor Rodriguez, commended Code Enforcement Coordinator Lozano, and expressed that he misses the prior staff.
19. Patricia Saucedo, resident, thanked residents for expressing concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., spoke on integrity, firing staff, and recalling the council.
20. Mario Chairez, resident, expressed concerns on Public Hearing Item 8.a., and opposed the project.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
Mayor Olmos announced Agenda Items 9.c. and 11.a. were going to be moved up.
General Business Item 9.c. was heard at this time.
9.c. DIRECTION ON STATE OF THE CITY 2026, SOUTH EL MONTE COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION FUNDS
Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Dianna Gomez, Senior Administrative Assistant to the City Council/Community Liaison, provided a report.
Updates to the report included two additional donations and a few bank charges that have been received as of June 1, 2026, bringing the updated bank account amount to $35,024.26. The remaining balance after today's scholarship distributions is $5,024. Epiphany School is requesting $1,200 due to having 12 graduates. The new recommendation is to retain $824 in the account.
Discussion topics included putting Miramonte back on the list so all six schools in the City can receive scholarships, and a $200 donation by Councilmember Rodriguez to cover the remaining balance for Epiphany's request, so each school could receive $1,000 each.
Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to accept a donation of $200 from Councilmember Rodriguez, to authorize retaining $824 in the South EI Monte Community Foundation bank account, and to distribute $4,000 equally among Shively, Epiphany, Monte Vista, and Miramonte schools.
Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
Correspondence Item 11.a. was heard at this time.
11.a. LETTER FROM EL MONTE/SOUTH EL MONTE JETS REQUESTING A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER,
SENIOR CENTER, MARY VAN DYKE PARK COMMUNITY ROOM, NEW
TEMPLE PARK FIELDS, AND SHIVELY PARK FIELD AND
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE LIGHT FEES AT NEW TEMPLE AND SHIVELY PARK FOR THEIR 2026 SEASON
Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Jose Guererro, Vice President, and Leticia Mendoza, President, EI Monte/South El Monte Jets, requested the fee waivers to facilitate the season for 150 kids.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to approve the facility reservation fee waiver request for the use of the Community Center, Senior Center, Mary Van Dyke Park Community Room, New Temple Park
CORRESPONDENCE ITEM 11.a. (CONTINUED)
fields, and Shively Park field, and to waive reservation light fees at Shively and New Temple Park. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Acosta requested to pull Consent Calendar Items 7.a., 7.b., 7.e.,
7.g., and 7.h., for discussion and clarification.
Action was taken on Item 7.g. separate from the Consent Calendar.
7.g. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1294,
AMENDING SECTION 5.24.180 OF CHAPTER 5.24 OF TITLE 5
IMPOSING A 500 -FOOT NON -SOLICITATION BUFFER AROUND K-12
SCHOOLS IN THE CITY
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, and Chelsey Ballot, Associate, Olivarez Madruga Law Organization LLP, addressed questions regarding provisions based on health and safety welfare, constitutional constraints, and political petitions versus non-political activity.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Olmos, to not approve the item. Motion tied 2-2, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced that under SEMMC 2.04.070, "Any agenda matter on which the council is unable to take action due to a tie vote or series of tie votes on the same matter shall automatically be continued to the next regular meeting, agendized under 'Unfinished Business'." This item was continued to the next meeting, under Unfinished Business.
Action was taken on Item 7.h. separate from the Consent Calendar.
7.h. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-041 AND RESOLUTION NO. 26-042 CREATING NEW CLASSIFICATIONS AND
UPGRADING A CERTAIN JOB DESCRIPTION AND COMPENSATION
By consensus, this item was continued to the next meeting to address questions directed at staff.
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
Item 7.h.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, as amended, for the City Council Meeting. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
7.a. Councilmember Acosta requested corrections to typos in the Minutes for the May 5, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Directed staff to provide an itemization report on high -dollar amount items, and adopted Resolution No. 26-035, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of April 30, 2026, through May 27, 2026, totaling $2,355,895.68.
7.c. Adopted Resolution No. 26-036, approving Amendment No. 2 to the lease agreement with Akitoi Learning Center, LLC, entering into a three-year extension to the lease agreement for premises located at 1824 Central Avenue, and authorized the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the lease amendment.
7.d. Adopted Resolution No. 26-037 calling for the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election; adopted Resolution No. 26-038 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to consolidate and service the General Municipal Election; and adopted Resolution No. 26-039 setting regulations for Candidate Statements.
7.e. Adopted Resolution No. 26-040, adopting a list of street rehabilitation projects for Fiscal Year 2026/27 under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1).
7.f. Adopted Ordinance No. 1293, approving Zone Text Amendment No. 26-01 to amend and replace South El Monte Municipal Code Chapter 17.12, Accessory Dwelling Units, to conform with State law.
7.g. This item was heard prior to approval of the Consent Calendar.
7.h. This item was heard prior to approval of the Consent Calendar.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONTINUED FROM THE MAY 5, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-031
CERTIFYING THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2024070062) FOR THE PROJECT LOCATED AT 825 LEXINGTON-GALLATIN ROAD, AND ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT NO. 23-03 TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION
FROM COMMERCIAL TO COMMERCIAL -MANUFACTURING;
ORDINANCE NO. 1290 TO APPROVE ZONE CHANGE ZC 23-01;
ORDINANCE NO. 1291 TO CONSIDER A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
DA26-01 BETWEEN THE CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE AND MAGELLAN
VALUE PARTNERS, IN RELATION TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
CUP 23-07 AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP TPM 23-01
Mayor Olmos announced the item will be continued to an uncertain date.
Mayor Olmos opened the Public Hearing.
1. Robert Yrigoyen, resident, spoke on the Levine Act and requested confirmation that special interest requirements have been disclosed on this project, and spoke on staff pulling items.
2. Eduardo Almeida Sauceda spoke on council contention, spoke on residents' topics of concern with this project, and other solution options instead of a warehouse.
3. Jonathan Aceves, resident, shared that although he received project notifications and did not attend the project meetings, he defers to his elected officials to make the best decisions for the City.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed the Public Hearing.
Gerardo Marquez, Director of Community Development and Public Works, provided a brief report that staff needs more time to address all the concerns, and another Public Hearing notice will be sent out at that time.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to continue the public hearing for Resolution No. 26-031, General Plan Amendment No. 23-03, Ordinance No. 1290, Ordinance No. 1291, Conditional Use Permit CUP 23-07, and Tentative Parcel Map TPM 23-01 to a future Regular City Council Meeting date to be determined. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED)
8.b. CONTINUED FROM THE MAY 5, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: CONSIDERATION OF FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1292 AFFIRMING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT (NO. 26-
02) TO AMEND SOUTH EL MONTE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
17.03.230 TO IMPOSE A BUFFER DISTANCE ON MASSAGE
BUSINESSES FROM THE JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES OF 350
FEET AND A 1,000 -FOOT BUFFER DISTANCE FROM ALL SENSITIVE USES
Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Gerardo Marquez, Director of Community Development and Public Works, provided a brief report that staff will need more time to create accurate maps as directed.
Mayor Olmos opened the Public Hearing.
1. Robert Yrigoyen, resident, opposed massage businesses in the City.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed the Public Hearing.
At 8:56 p.m., Mayor Olmos called for a recess.
At 9:01 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the City Council Meeting with all councilmembers present.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to continue the public hearing for Ordinance No. 1292 for Zone Text Amendment No. 26-02 to the Regular City Council Meeting of June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
9. GENERAL BUSINESS
9.a. CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED EXECUTIVE
MANAGEMENT STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS AND DIRECTION
REGARDING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT RENEWALS AND
AMENDMENTS
This item was continued during Approval of the Agenda.
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
9.b. FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026-2027 ANNUAL BUDGET STUDY SESSION Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Masami Higa, Director of Finance, provided a presentation.
Discussion topics included last year's decisions to save money, direction received at other study sessions, future direction, the impact of the City events, keeping City employees, the upcoming deficit, current investments, projected revenue from the In -N -Out property and new businesses on that property, the Community Foundation Board's ability to raise funds, offsetting the costs of event giveaways, looking at new taxes options last, using reserve funds, the amount of sport fee waivers, economic development projects and the real estate investments, requiring financials from any organization requestion donations or waivers, and to bring the budget back with revisions.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to continue the item to the next meeting. Motion passed 4-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): Delgado
9.c. DIRECTION ON STATE OF THE CITY 2026, SOUTH EL MONTE COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION FUNDS
This item was heard before approval of the Consent Calendar.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta reported he attended the following: the National Day of Prayer Breakfast, the May Night Market, the Senior Center Mother's Day Luncheon, the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, the Memorial Day Ceremony, and the Epiphany Catholic School graduation.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez reported he attended the following: the May Night Market, the Senior Center Mother's Day Luncheon, the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar, the International Council of Shopping Centers conference, the Memorial Day Ceremony, and the Flags of Valor event.
Councilmember Rodriguez reported he attended the following: the Memorial Day Ceremony, the Flags of Valor event, and the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS (CONTINUED) Mayor Olmos reported she attended the following: the National Day of Prayer Breakfast, the Senior Center Cinco De Mayo Luncheon. the May Night Market, the Senior Center Mother's Day Luncheon, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games Ad Hoc Committee, the SGVCOG Transportation Committee Meeting, the SGVCOG Governing Board Meeting, the SGV Forward Transit Ad Hoc Subcommittee, the SGVCOG SB 79 Ad Hoc Committee, the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar, the Flags of Valor event, the Memorial Day Ceremony, the Sheriffs Team Meet & Greet, the Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 15 Board of Directors Regular Meeting, the South EI Monte High School Golden Eagle Awards and Scholarship Night. the Healthy South EI Monte Leadership Council, the Epiphany Catholic School graduation, and the CIF Baseball Championship game.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.a. LETTER FROM EL MONTE/SOUTH EL MONTE JETS REQUESTING A
FACILITY FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER,
SENIOR CENTER, MARY VAN DYKE PARK COMMUNITY ROOM, NEW
TEMPLE PARK FIELDS, AND SHIVELY PARK FIELD AND
CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE THE LIGHT FEES AT NEW TEMPLE AND SHIVELY PARK FOR THEIR 2026 SEASON
This item was heard before approval of the Consent Calendar.
12. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
12.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. To give our Artist $1,000. Bonus for his art.
Mayor Olmos summarized her item and requested approval to give a bonus of $1,000 to an employee for his artwork, with the amount based on scholarship amounts that have been given out.
Discussion topics included identifying the employee, if any current bonus structure exists, if the artwork was painted "on the clock" versus being commissioned during his own time, and that this item should be discussed in Closed Session due to being in the realm of an employee performance evaluation.
2. Welcome to Soccer LA28 LA40 for arranging free soccer programs for students.
Mayor Olmos summarized her item and requested approval to offer one of the City parks as an option for FIFA's use in the free soccer programs, with FIFA and the County paying for the fee waiver costs.
By consensus, this item was approved.
13. CLOSED SESSION
At 10:02 p.m., Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
At 10:05 p.m., Mayor and City Council approved extending the meeting past 10:00 p.m.
13.a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Name of case: Gloria Olmos v. City of South El Monte, et al. Case Number:
2:26-cv-03344
13.b. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
At 10:21 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all councilmembers present.
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Items 13.a. and 13.b., reports were provided, feedback was given, no reportable action.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 10:22 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Hortencia Barrera, resident, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk. (iAq
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk Gloria Olmos, Mayor