CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022
CALL TO ORDER Al Rios, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
INVOCATION Pastor Marta Moscoso, Fe y Esperanza Church
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Kristopher Ryan, Director of Administrative Services ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor Al Rios, Vice Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos, Council Member Maria Davila, Council Member Denise Diaz, and Council Member Gil Hurtado; Interim City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Counsel Raul F. Salinas
LATE City Treasurer Gregory Martinez arrived at 6:44 p.m.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS Bill De Witt thinks there was a lot of comments at the previous council meeting but there was no explanation for the reason the council voted the way they voted. He thinks it is important for the council to explain what they thought about the BID.
Mario Dominguez stated submitting a request with Ms. Mares to speak with the Vice Mayor, Councilwoman Diaz, and Councilwoman Davila.
The reason is because there is a website he would like to get to there attention, it is about the LA River, and it shows dozen potential projects that they could get involved with. He would like a one-hour phone meeting with them regarding these projects and give them a tour of the website. He talks about some of the grants offered for the projects and the projects that qualify for the grants.
Virginia Johnson stated that it was miserable on July 4th because the illegal fireworks went off every ten seconds. Explains that every fourth of July her dog has been okay but this year her dog was shaking and having a hard time. She hopes that one day legally they can use drones. The city has issued licenses to vendors that insist on doing business on city streets and cooking on the pavements, they make hand made signs. This is a state law, and it must be pressed upon.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS CONT'D Thomas Buckley would like to point out something on tonight's agenda says there is no mention of public hearings and asks if we can return to the practice of acknowledging that there are no public hearings so that there is no confusion when questioning the agenda. Also, he has been in contact with street vendors who are concerned about the tickets that they are getting. It is his belief that some of the city's municipal codes are not aligned with FB946. Ultimately, he hopes that street vendors are allowed to provide services by the street of South Gate Park and maybe one day inside South Gate Park. Has been in contact with residents who are concerned about the homeless in their area. Gloria is a resident but is unable to get into the zoom meeting so he will speak on her behalf, he explains that she called the South Gate Police Department about motor homes and cars being parked on Independence Avenue. He continued by invoking the first amendment and says that last council meeting was disgraceful in the attempt to silence a resident from speaking. Says that the actions of that meeting only further express the corruption that him and other believe exist in the council chambers. Expresses that people have the right to speak and has seen them attempt to silence residents. Says that the people have the right to recall council members.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development has nothing to report.
Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation stated the Speaker of the State Assembly will be having a BBQ and Arts Fest in regional park, starting at 12 noon and they will have a total of twenty-five vendors showing up. They have received a 2 million dollar grant for Hollydale Park and an additional 15 million dollar grant for the cultural arts.
Everyone is invited to the event and as a reminder they have a celebration of life for Henry Gonzalez. Lastly, they had a very successful fourth of July carnival and fireworks at the park.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works has nothing to report.
Kristopher Ryan, Director of Administrative Services has nothing to report.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police commented on the firework enforcement that the police department engaged in these past 45 days. Along with public works they were able to communicate with the community about the dangers of fireworks. Chief Arakawa goes over the calls they received this year regarding the firework disturbance, they delivered a strong message about the fines and the dangers of illegal fireworks.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Greg Martinez, City Treasurer says that they don't know about the sales of regular fireworks, but illegal fireworks are going great. Says that the first one went off at about 7 o'clock and then at about 3am he was finally able to get some sleep. They are unfortunately slow to learn about the damage and danger that illegal fireworks can have. He continues to work at the homeless center says it is a good and humbling experience for him.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk has nothing to report.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager announces that tomorrow they are working with Delta Airline about a job fare with their subdivisions.
Mayor Rios says that they are having a meeting tomorrow at 8am and invites Councilwoman Diaz to join so that they can begin to talk about the logistics of the job fare.
Councilwoman Diaz would like to be forwarded that information.
City Manager explains that there will be two job fares one is the company they contract for maintenance they will be working with HUB Cities to get that message out. The other is directly with Delta Airlines, they are looking for a lot of people to fill empty positions. Says they will provide the information to Councilwoman Diaz.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney says that in respect of the public comments today, they have a long practice of letting the public speak regardless of their context of their comments and they will continue to adhere to that.
Explains the dangers of misrepresentation when they go unchecked, says there was another hearing today in Washington D.C. about the election and the disharmony that occurred because of misinformation. Continues to remind residents that if there are any factual bases of corruption that they have come across than they can bring it to the cities office and if they don't want to do that, he is happy to facilitate a call with the DA or the FPPC. They should adhere to this and that the opinions they have said here are not factual based, but they always allow people to express their opinions. They do allow people to express their opinions and it is important for the city to maintain the integrity of these proceedings.
Councilmember Hurtado says the fireworks were great and he spoke to a lot of people that really like it as opposed to what happens in their homes.
Explains that there have been a few foods gives aways in the city of South Gate but sadly a lot of residents were not aware, and they need to do a better job of getting that information out there. He takes a jog in Circle Park where he lives, and he saw a big truck and it was a food bank. He went over there and talked to them, and they explained that they have been doing it for 12 months.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Councilmember Hurtado stated that there are a couple of items he would like to get on the agenda, the first one is to replace one of his CAC members. She got a job that prevents her from attending because the schedule doesn't work. Also, he would like to explore the option to put a dog park and would like to get support on this. He would like to see how they make the area around Wright Road a little bit better, there are a lot of cars that go down there, and pedestrians like to cross between the vehicles, and he would like support to make that street safer. Lastly there is a beautiful park on Pinehurst and if you're there in the evening the playground area is dark, and he would like support to put lights on that.
Councilwoman Diaz says that she would like to discuss the dog park further with Councilmember Hurtado. Says that Councilwoman Davila and herself spoke to Steve about the area by the fire station. They have done this for about four or five years, and they would like to revisit that.
Had an opportunity to attend the SCAG meeting and they talked about city wide broad band. She would like to see if the parks and main corridors can have broad band. She would like to know what is happening with the city website and the app. She would like to expedite how she communicates with the community and residents. She commended the Chief and Lieutenant, she sent in an RPF to talk about mental health and talk about what we are doing when it comes to homelessness. The city of South Gate was chosen, and she thanks the Chief and Lieutenant for their help.
Councilwoman Davila updates on the Eco Rapid Transit that she mentioned last meeting. The Executive Director will be leaving next month, and they are in the process of looking for a new Executive Director. Asks if Chief can give her an update on the crossing guards on Willow and Long Beach and Santa Fe because she has been getting calls from one of the parents. One of her family was in critical condition and she passed away, her name is Alicia Ceballos and would like to adjourn in her name.
Vice Mayor Avalos missed fourth of July because she was working with her union teachers, representing them in Chicago. There was another shooting. Also asks if they can adjourn in memory of the people who died in the shooting in Chicago on the fourth of July and she highlights the mental health services that are needed not only in the city but across the nation. She is happy to know that President Biden will be allocating some funds to support mental health to address some of the ills in our society at this time. Hope everyone had a safe fourth of July with their families and hopes they remember they are still in covid because the numbers are going up.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Mayor Rios addresses some of the comments. He explains that they do have a project and some money to get broad band service so hopefully they can make something happen in the city. Notices that some of the play pens in the parks are getting upgrades which is good. Also, some of the restrooms are getting back up or they should see what they must do to get them up. They also had an event a few days ago where they had the speaker here and they have been helping them with resources in partnership with the Long Beach Conservation Corps and the CA Governor's Office. It is call Youth Corp. and they have 150 thousand dollars for Urban Orchards which will help maintain the park, so they are excited to help the community and hire some of the young people that are at risk. Would also like to mention regarding the water because it is something that has been in the news a lot. He says they hope they are reducing the use of water and cleaning up the parks and community like the city of LA and he asks Arturo if he can give an update just to see where they are because it is best to stay up on that. He would like to be kept updated on that and he also knows that they are upgrading the facilities and he is very happy about that. Mentions covid and how the rates are going up and encourages the community to be cautious. Also, thanks everyone that has arrived and for being here.
Councilwoman Davila says they investigate getting broad band for the city. She will give Nancy a call so they could have discussions and get that going.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 were approved by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes (recused from voting on item 2); Vice Mayor Avalos, yes. Mayor Rios, yes
1 WATER The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during Consent Calendar.
a. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 2021-17-CC with Tetra Tech to extend the contract term to December 31, 2022, to provide additional time to complete the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Compliance Study for City Water Wells - City Project No. 666-WTR, at no additional cost; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
2 TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING/ADMIN The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar.
Council Member Hurtado was recused.
a. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. 3333 with BCA to extend the contract term to December 30, 2022, to provide additional time to complete the preparation of the environmental documents and obtain Caltrans' approval for the 1-710/Firestone Southbound On-Ramp Modification Project, City Project No. 354-ST, at no additional cost; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
3 FINANCIAL SERVICES The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during Consent Calendar.
a. A Professional Services Agreement (Contract 2022-52-CC) with MV Cheng & Associates for the procurement of professional financial and accounting staffing on an as-needed and temporary basis through December 31, 2022, in the amount not-to-exceed $115,000; and b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Agreement in form acceptable to the City Attorney.
4 DATA PROCESSING
SERVICES The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during Consent Calendar.
a. Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. 2020-22-AC with ClientFirst Technology Consulting, LLC, retroactively effective April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, for continued project management services for the implementation of the Technology Master Plan in an amount not-to-exceed $48,775; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 4 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
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5 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar.
a. Agreement (Contract 2022-53-CC) with Human Services Association ("HSA") for Senior Nutrition Program to provide Congregate Meals at the Margaret Travis Senior Center ("Senior Center"), and home delivered meals through the "Meals on Wheels" program; and b. Authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
c. Delegating authority to the Director of Parks & Recreation, or his designee, to sign and submit any additional documents.
6 INVESTMENTS The City Council unanimously received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, during Consent Calendar.
7 INVESTMENTS The City Council unanimously received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, during Consent Calendar.
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The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar.
a. The Special Meeting minutes of May 17, 2022;
b. The Special and Regular Meeting minutes of May 24, 2022; and c. The Special Meeting minutes of June 14, 2022.
The City Council approved items A, B, C, D & E by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila. Council Member Hurtado was recused.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado recused himself; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes
a. An exclusive Franchise Agreement (Contract 2022-54-CC) for Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organic Collection and Processing Services
8 MINUTES
9 SOLID WASTE MGMT
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
9 SOLID WASTE MGMT
CONT'D
(Franchise Agreement) with UWS for a 10-year contract term, beginning January 1, 2023, through and including December 31, 2033; b. The optional Used Oil and Used Oil Filter Program, and increase the solid waste first year franchise fee by 0.25 cents, from $24.21 to $24.46 for all residential customers;
c. Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 2021-70-CC with HF&H Consultants, LLC., (HF&H) for Solid Waste Collector Transition Management Services for assistance with the implementation of the Franchise Agreement and services required for compliance with State requirements, in an amount not-to-exceed $76,600;
d. Appropriated $137,101 in SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant funds to Account No. 413-733-51-6101 (Refuse Collection- Professional Services) to fund services necessary to implement SB 1383; and e. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Franchise Agreement and Amendment No. 2 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. 10 ELECTION ADMIN The City Council approved items A, B, C & D by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos voted no on "C"; Mayor Rios, yes
a. Resolution No. 2022-34-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, for the election of certain officers and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to consolidate the election with any and all elections also called to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, and requesting the Board to render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022: and
b. Resolution No. 2022-35-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, adopting regulations for Candidates for Elective Office pertaining to Candidate's Statements Submitted to the voters at the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022; and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
11 ELECTION ADMIN
c. Resolution No. 2022-36-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, resolving a tie vote "by lot" using the Coin Toss Method for Elective Offices in the event of a tie vote at the November 8, 2022, General Municipal Election: and
d. Authorized the City Clerk to issue a notice of a General Municipal Election to be held on November 8, 2022.
The City Council unanimously adopting Resolution No. 2022-37- CC entitled A Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, reciting the facts of the Special Municipal Election held on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law, by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Diaz.
ROLL CALL: Council member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-38-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, establishing procedures for the conduct of City Council meetings and the public meetings of the City Council's associated legislative bodies, by motion of Council Member Diaz and seconded by Council Member Davila. 10 ELECTION ADMIN
I CONT'D
12 CITY COUNCIL
I ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, no; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes 13 MUNICIPAL CODE ADMIN/
BUSINESS LICENSE
ADMIN The City Council recessed this item to Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Diaz.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado was recused; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes
a. Adopting the attached Ordinance modifying Chapter 2.08 of the South Gate Municipal Code in the manner summarized above; and I
b. Adopting the attached Resolution, as necessary to comply with (i) state constitutional requirement that such an ordinance shall not take effect until approved by a vote of the electorate, and (ii) Election Code requirements pertaining to such an election.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
14 TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING/ADMIN The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Diaz.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes a. Master Cooperative Agreement ("MCA") (Contract 2022-55-CC) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority as is necessary for the implementation of the West Santa Ana Branch Light Rail Project;
b. Authorized the Mayor to sign the Master Cooperative Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
c. Authorized the City Manager or his/her designee to enter into any agreements, permits or other actions that are listed and planned within the MCA.
15 CITY CLERK ADMIN The City Council unanimously continued this item to the City Council meeting of July 26th by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
a. Providing guidance on whether the elected position of the City Clerk's salary and/or benefits should be adjusted effective at the start of the City Clerk's next term of office; and
b. Directing the City Attorney to return with a resolution based on such guidance to be presented at the City Council's July 26, 2022, Regular City Council meeting.
16 PERSONNEL-LABOR
RELATIONS The City Council unanimously approved items A & B by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Diaz.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes a. An Amended and Restated Employment Agreement
("Agreement") (Contract No. 2022-56-CC) with Chris Jeffers as City Manager, effective July 1, 2022; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2022
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WARRANTS
The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for July 12, 2022, by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes Total of Checks:
Less: Voids
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions
Grand Total:
Cancellations: 96884, 97369, 97429, 96542
$ 3,102,046.33
$(1,107,392.96)
$ (331,115.23)
$1,663,538.14
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rios adjourned the meeting in memory of Alicia Ceballos, Ricardo Monroe and the people that passed away during the 4th of July celebrations at 12:08 a.m. and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos.
PASSED and APPROVED this 27th day of September 2022.
1 ATTEST:
Al Rios, Mayor Yodit , City Clerk
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