Final Minutes Approved 07/21/2026
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 6:00 PM
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Mayor Olmos called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmember/Board Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Member(s): Tem/Vice Chair Bojorquez, and
Mayor/Chair Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember/Board None
Member(s):
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 — Councilmember Larry Rodriguez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INVOCATION — Pastor Patricia Garrett, Faith Dominion Church, offered the invocation.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a. Deputy Favela presented the Sheriffs Department Report for the month of May 2026.
4.b. Code Enforcement Officer Pitones presented the Code Enforcement and Parking Enforcement Report for the months of April and May 2026.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF
ORDINANCES
Mayor Olmos requested to pull items 10.a., 10.b., and 10.c., and announced that Agenda Items 14.a., 14.b., and 12.a. will be heard after Public Comment.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCES (CONTINUED)
AYES: Councilmember(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, and Mayor Olmos
NAYS: Councilmember(s): None
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Olmos opened Public Comment.
1. Dianna Gomez, Senior Administrative Assistant/Community Liaison, provided an update on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
2. Amanda Contreras, Library Manager, South El Monte Library, spoke on upcoming library closures and library programs.
3. Henry, resident, spoke on enjoying the completed Merced Greenway project, and shared improvement ideas.
4. Carmen Pena, resident, opposed the Lexington -Gallatin project, expressing concerns on the findings, and Code Enforcement visits to her home.
5. Adrian Areves, resident, spoke on concerns in the Lexington -Gallatin neighborhood, recent petitioners and canvassers in the neighborhood, opposed the project, and spoke on the upcoming elections.
6. Maria Vidrio, resident, spoke on being misinformed on the Lexington - Gallatin project through canvasser flyers, requested the collected signatures to be voided, and requested the average response time of the Sheriff's station.
7. Francisco Alex Duarte, resident, thanked the Sheriff's for their response times and action, thanked Senior Services for the senior rides to get to appointments, expressed concerns on warehouses in cities.
8. Amy Smith, resident, expressed concerns on transparency with the Lexington -Gallatin project and concerns with a warehouse in the community.
9. Eduardo Almeida Sauceda, spoke on the Lexington -Gallatin project, developers investing in the City, residents involvement, the Sheriff's increasing presence, the Starlite project, and changes needed in the City.
10. Frank Villegas, resident, spoke on the Planning Commission's role with the Lexington -Gallatin project, expressed concerns with flooding issues in the neighborhood, expressed concerns on Presentation Item 4.a. missing data about drunk drivers around Legg Lake or e -bikes.
PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED)
11. Greg Villegas, resident, opposed the Lexington -Gallatin project, spoke on the developer's petitions that are being circulated in the neighborhood, councilmember's social media posts on the project, and spoke on electing new councilmembers.
12. Kimberly Valencia, resident, spoke on signatures collected opposing the Lexington -Gallatin project, expressed concerns on the project, spoke on the financial deficit in General Business Item 10.d., and shared ideas on revenue.
13. Crystal Garza, resident, expressed concerns on the Lexington -Gallatin project, opposing the project.
14. Patricia Saucedo, resident, expressed concerns on budget cuts and spending in General Business Item 10.d., expressed concerns on the Lexington -Gallatin project, spoke on the cannabis recall initiative, expressed her support for candidates in the upcoming election, and encouraged residents to check their voter registrations.
15. Brandy Cruz, resident, expressed concerns on the Lexington -Gallatin project, and requested council listen to residents' concerns on the project.
16. Troy Valencia, resident, expressed concerns on the Lexington -Gallatin project, and expressed council find other ways to address the deficit issues.
17. Sarah Villegas, resident, expressed concerns on the Lexington -Gallatin project, and opposed the project.
18. Pedro Pena, resident, spoke on the Planning Commission's responses to the Lexington -Gallatin project's pollution issues, expressed concerns on the project, opposed the project, spoke on how the project will affect the future budget shortfall, how the City will fund the proposed park, and expressed concerns with the developers.
19. John Ventura, resident, spoke on the upcoming election, expressed concerns with Presentation Item 4.a., expressed concerns with the Sheriff Meet & Greet locations, expressed concerns with Presentation Item 4.b. and increasing Parking Enforcement harassment, expressed concerns on General Business Item 10.d. and salary raises versus the deficit, and expressed concerns on the Lexington -Gallatin project.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed Public Comment.
Closed Session Items 14.a. and 14.b. were heard at this time.
At 7:28 p.m., Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
14.a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager Rene Salas Employee organization: South EI Monte Employee's Association ("SEMEA")
14.b. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with a quorum present.
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Items 14.a. and 14.b., a report was provided, feedback was given, a report will be provided with the annual budget on Agenda Item 10.d.
Correspondence Item 12.a. was heard at this time.
12.a. LETTER FROM FAITH DOMINION CHURCH REQUESTING A FACILITY
FEE WAIVER AND CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE ALL THE FEES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESERVATION FOR THE USE OF THE
SOUTH EL MONTE COMMUNITY CENTER AMPHITHEATER
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Mayor Olmos, to discuss and consider the facility reservation fee waiver for the use of the South EI Monte Community Center Amphitheater in the amount of $1,925.00 and discuss the request to waive the staff time and damage deposit in the amount of $1,116.00.
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. CONSENT CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Acosta, to approve the Consent Calendar for the City Council Meeting. 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
CONSENT CALENDAR (CONTINUED)
7.a. Approved the Minutes for the April 21, 2026, Special City Council Meeting, the April 21, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting, and the May 5, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
7.b. Adopted Resolution No. 26-043, authorizing payment of City expenditures for the period of May 28, 2026, through June 10, 2026, totaling $1,737,881.22.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR - SUCCESSOR AGENCY
Motion by Board Member Delgado, seconded by Board Member Acosta, to approve the Consent Calendar for the Successor Agency Meeting. Motion passed 5-0, by the following vote:
AYES: Board Member(s): Acosta, Delgado, Rodriguez, Vice Chair Bojorquez, and Chair Olmos
NAYS: Board Member(s): None
ABSENT: Board Member(s): None
8.a. Approved the Minutes for the April 21, 2026, Successor Agency Meeting.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9.a. CONTINUED FROM THE JUNE 2, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE FULL READING AND
INTRODUCE 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 AND OTHER MASSAGE BUSINESSES
Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Gerardo Marquez, Director of Community Development and Public Works, provided a report.
Discussion topics included clarification on the map revisions and the number of businesses that can fit per map, the application process to deny, by -right versus conditional use permits, city ban options, state regulations on massage businesses, litigation issues versus reasonable health and safety justifications, definitions of spas versus massages, spot zoning issues. anticipated litigation, and changing the map boundaries to a 1,000 -foot buffer and jurisdictional buffer.
Mayor Olmos opened the Public Hearing.
1. Patricia Saucedo, resident, agreed with Mayor's recommendation to have a 1,000 -foot buffer and jurisdictional buffer.
PUBLIC HEARING (CONTINUED)
Item 9.a.
2. Eduardo Saucedo spoke on the permit process for physical therapists and the difference between the prior massage parlor tenant issue.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Olmos closed the Public Hearing.
By consensus, this item was continued to the next meeting.
10. GENERAL BUSINESS
10.a. CONTINUED FROM THE JUNE 2, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 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
Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Chelsea Ballot, Associate, Olivarez Madruga Law Organization LLP, provided a report.
Discussion topics included why consistency between a 350 -foot buffer for cannabis and massage parlors and 500 -feet for schools, Code Enforcement's experience with the traffic backup locations, the purpose of this ordinance, the permit application process, campaign activities, permits only during the 30 minutes before and after school, safe environments around traffic, regulating persons running in the street, and the effect on vendors.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to find that Ordinance No. 1294 is a constitutionally permissible and necessary time, place, and manner regulation, waive the full reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 1294 by title only to amend the South El Monte Municipal Code Section 5.24.180 ("Manner of Solicitation") to prohibit solicitation activities within 500 -feet of K-12 schools. Motion passed 3-2, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember(s): Delgado, Rodriguez, and Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez
NAYS: Councilmember(s): Acosta, and Mayor Olmos
ABSENT: Councilmember(s): None
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
10.b. CONTINUED FROM THE JUNE 2, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO.
26-041 AND RESOLUTION NO. 26-042 CREATING NEW
CLASSIFICATIONS AND UPGRADING A CERTAIN JOB DESCRIPTION
AND COMPENSATION
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to adopt Resolution No. 26-041, approving the upgrade of the Community Services Analyst classification to Senior Community Services Analyst, and to adopt Resolution No. 26-042, approving the creation of the Community Development Manager classification. 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
10.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS NO. 26-044, 26-045 AND 26-046 CONSENTING TO THE CONTINUED APPOINTMENT OF THREE
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AND APPROVAL OF THREE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to adopt Resolution No. 26-044, approving the Employment Agreement renewal between the City and Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community & Senior Services, to adopt Resolution No. 26-045, approving the Employment Agreement renewal for Masami Higa, Director of Finance, to adopt Resolution No. 26-046, adopting the updated class specification for the position of City Clerk/Director of General Services and approving the First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Adrian Garica, City Clerk/Director of General Services, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all three Employment Agreements. 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
10.d. FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026-2027 ANNUAL BUDGET ADOPTION Mayor Olmos announced the item, and Masami Higa, Director of Finance, provided a report.
Discussion topics included tax options on businesses, getting tax measures on the ballot, and which accounts the taxes are allowed to fund.
GENERAL BUSINESS (CONTINUED)
Item 10.d.
Motion by Councilmember Delgado, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, to adopt Resolution No. 26-047, adopting an annual budget for FY26-27. 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
10.e. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 26-048, ADOPTING THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026-27 GANN APPROPRIATION LIMIT Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to adopt Resolution No. 26-048 establishing the City's Appropriation (Gann) Limit at $204,620,656 for FY 2026-27. 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
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
Councilmember Acosta reported he attended the following: the South EI Monte High School Graduation Ceremony, the New Temple Elementary School Kindergarten Graduation, the Miramonte Elementary School Graduation Ceremony, the Dean L. Shively Middle School Promotion Ceremony, the SPIRITT Family Services Blooming Minds: Growing Hope, Cultivating Wellness Fundraising Luncheon, the California Junior Golden Gloves Tournament, the International Soccer Watch Parties, the Summer Night Market, and the WELL (Water Education for Latino Leaders) SoCal Water Summit on Policy, Scarcity, and Resilience: The Future of Local Water Systems.
Mayor Pro Tem Bojorquez reported he attended the following: South EI Monte High School Graduation Ceremony, the Dean L. Shively Middle School Promotion Ceremony, the Community Bike Ride, the Summer Night Market, and the International Soccer Watch Parties.
Councilmember Delgado reported he attended the following: the California Contract Cities Associates Annual Municipal Seminar, the ICSC Conference, Deputy Day, the Foothill Transit Executive Board Meeting, the South EI Monte High School Graduation Ceremony, the Dean L. Shively Middle School Promotion Ceremony, the Summer Night Market, and the International Soccer Watch Parties.
Councilmember Rodriguez announced he attended the following: the Summer Night Market, the International Soccer Watch Parties, and the Dean L. Shively Middle School Promotion Ceremony.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS (CONTINUED) Mayor Olmos reported she attended the following: the Greater EI Monte Community Hospital Board Meeting, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) Transportation Committee Meeting, the SGVCOG 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games Ad Hoc Committee, the SGVCOG SB 79 Ad Hoc Committee, the SPIRITT Family Services Blooming Minds: Growing Hope, Cultivating Wellness Fundraising Luncheon, the South EI Monte High School Graduation Ceremony, the Monte Vista School Promotion Ceremony, the Epiphany Catholic School Graduation Ceremony, the Miramonte Elementary School Graduation Ceremony, the Dean L. Shively Middle School Promotion Ceremony, the SGVCOG SGV Forward Transit Ad Hoc Subcommittee, and the International Soccer Watch Parties.
12. CORRESPONDENCE
12.a. LETTER FROM FAITH DOMINION CHURCH REQUESTING A FACILITY
FEE WAIVER AND CONSIDERATION TO WAIVE ALL THE FEES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESERVATION FOR THE USE OF THE
SOUTH EL MONTE COMMUNITY CENTER AMPHITHEATER
This item was heard before approval of the Consent Calendar.
12.b. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL
DISTRICT, IN SUPPORT OF THE TASTE OF RIO EVENT JUNE 18, 2026,
FUNDS FROM THE TASTE OF RIO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS
Mayor Olmos announced the item and requested clarification on Mountain View School District's request.
Motion by Councilmember Acosta, seconded by Councilmember Delgado, to approve purchasing tickets for every councilmember available to attend the event.
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
13. COUNCILMEMBERS' AGENDA
13.a. MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
1. Request that staff provide more context and definitions to the Minutes.
Mayor Olmos summarized her item and requested Public Comment descriptions having more information on being for or against items.
This item was received and filed.
14. CLOSED SESSION
At 10:05 p.m., Mayor and City Council recessed into Closed Session.
14.a. This item was heard after Public Comment.
14.b. This item was heard after Public Comment.
14.c. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
14.d. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of case: GLORIA OLMOS, an individual, Plaintiff v. CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE; SOUTH EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL; RUDY BOJORQUEZ, an individual and in his official capacity; HECTOR DELGADO, an individual and in his official capacity; LARRY RODRIGUEZ, an individual and in his official capacity; and DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE, Defendants.
At 10:18 p.m., Mayor Olmos reconvened the meeting with all councilmembers present and announced the meeting would continue past 10:00 p.m.
Susie A. Altamirano, City Attorney, announced City Council discussed Item
14.c., a report was provided, feedback was given, no reportable action, and no update on Item 14.d.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business coming before this body, at 10:18 p.m., Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting in honor of Teofilo Maldonado and Jonathan Saldana, lifelong residents, and Dr. Fausto Barragan, resident and Monte Vista Principal, to a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Sabrina A. Muhne, Deputy City Clerk.
Adrian Garcia, MMC, City Clerk
Gloria Olmos, Mayor