CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022
CALL TO ORDER Al Rios, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:43 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Acting Director of Parks & Recreation
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor Al Rios, Vice Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos, Council Member Maria Davila, and Council Member Gil Hurtado; City Treasurer Greg Martinez, City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Counsel Raul F. Salinas EXCUSED Council Member Denise Diaz
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS Jose Miranda explains last time he came, and the council decided to cut the time that the public could speak from five minutes to three minutes. He would like to know who had the idea to cut the time because last time they did not respond to his question. He expresses his discontent with this and says it is the United States it is not Venezuela, Russia, or North Korea.
Henry Gonzalez says that April of last year he came to the Council meeting asking for help regarding a field or working with the school district to get a field for their games. Here he is a year later, and they have no home, and they reside in the equestrian area of South Gate Park. He explains that he has reached out several times and has not received a response. City Manager requested that he speak at Council meeting at four o'clock. He has invited the Council Members to the events and only Vice Mayor Avalos and Council Member Davila have shown up and it says a lot about them.
Claudia Layton was here back in April to talk about the noise of the dairy company. Explains that nothing was ever done, and she spoke with one of the executives and they have stopped the noise at night for two weeks and then they continued. She called them again and it stopped, it has been four months of this. There was an accident in front of her window, says that that area has a lot of speeding problems. She would like help to get a stop or a slow sign on her street because there is no light or anything and they speed.
Which makes her house shake and it happens day and night and is worse at night.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS CONT'D Carlos Amador says he spoke about his issues previously and would like to get them fix and he trust the Council will take care of his problems. Today he is here to talk about the inability to listen to the issues of residents, explains the trouble he had to go through to get his issues fixed. Now they have shortened the time for residents to speak, says the Council gets paid to be here.
Robert Montalvo wants to echo a lot of the things that people have been saying regarding the reduction in time. Says Council doesn't respond to calls or emails which is why it is important for people to come to the Council meetings and speak. Also says that there is a 45 min cap which only allows fifteen people to speak and is wondering if they were aware of this. Another problem he finds is how they determine people to speak first if the in person or the zoom goes first. Thinks the Council should revisit the time of public speech.
Liz Ruiz expresses her discontent with the new time limit, and she understands why they did it. She has a couple of things she wants to share, the first is the Air Quality Management District met last week and they are still working on the Community Commission Redevelopment Plan, there will be an annual report and it will be finalized soon and will provide council with updates. One thing that did come up is a presentation on a company in Vernon that sanitize a lot of medical equipment, and this company has been having big violation due to emissions from a chemical that increases a workers cancer risk. They are working on an agreement with the Air Quality District to fix a lot of those violations. She tried to speak on behalf of the community members who work at the factory and are being exposed to the hazardous conditions in addition to all the chemicals they are already exposed to in our community. The Environmental Safety Board will be having a meeting on the 25th of August in Sacramento, but they can log on online if they are interested. They will be discussing some of the changes that will be happening with the hazardous waste management plan, and they want to invite public.
Irene Dates is here to talk about the way things are on California Street. For the past month the avenue has been taken over by racers and it is happening in front of the police department. Asks if they can have additional patrols in the area because it is making it difficult to sleep with all the noise.
Thomas Buckley says campaign season is coming up and he hopes that they all remember their campaign promises and invitations to speak that were made to residents. Explains that many residents feel rushed to speak now because of the reduction in time to speak at Council meetings. He says this creates animosity between the residents and the Council because communication is key in any relationship. He hopes they can reconsider building and mending that relationship by inviting the residents to speak.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS CONT'D Mario Dominguez asked Chief Arakawa regarding the shooting in Monterrey Park. He says that he has never had any problems in Downey, but this is the second instance where he recalls another shooting involving an officer.
Adolfo Varas currently serves as the Executive Director for Chamber of Commerce for Bell and he has an announcement. They have been working with the Senator Lena Gonzalez planning her first State of the 33 rd District Address. It is scheduled for September 24th at 10am - 1 1 pm. He invited the Members of the City Council and the constituents that reside in the district to get to know her better and the things she has done for the community. He explains where everyone can go to RSVP for the event if they would like to attend it will be held at the Bell Community Center.
Virginia Johnson thanked them for adjourning last Council it meant a lot to her. Also, thanked Liz Ruiz because she always has something pertinent to say to the community about events and meetings that concern everyone.
Jose Gonzales is a resident of South Gate and would like to express his concern that he shares with some of the other residents. The first one regarding overgrown trees in the community. Trees that have not been cut, sidewalks that are cracked, and roots that are coming out of the sidewalk.
Continues to talk about the city wasting money for measures and that the city should do their part to maintain the city and the residents will maintain their houses.
Andrea Paulino doesn't understand people being offended by having a certain amount of time to speak. She proceeds to give advice on how to get through everything in the amount of time they are given.
Ana, South Gate Chamber of Commerce thanked everyone for attending the grand opening of a Mexican restaurant right off Independence and Long Beach. She would like to extend an invitation for the grand opening tomorrow of Nova Storage, the ceremony will be held between 11 am — 12pm.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk read an email from a resident who requested to remain anonymous. Resident is complaining about cars parking on Otis, they have flat tires and have been there for years. The resident has reached out to code enforcement, but nothing has been done and would like to know when the PD and code enforcement is going to enforce parking on unpaved surfaces.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Chris Jeffers, City Manager apologized to Mr. Gonzalez if he reached out regarding the football. Mr. Jeffers stated the mayor reached out to an LAUSD representative regarding an agreement with South Gate High School, and they are waiting for a response. Mr. Jeffers responded to the resident who spoke about the noise on the street, says he is unaware of the posted speed limit but that they do have a four-lane street and a lot of truck traffic goes through there and they could look at some speed enforcement.
The city received a request to put up signs. Mr. Jeffers explained that the city cannot just put-up signs anywhere because they must follow state regulations. For the resident on Park Avenue, he had a conversation with the Public Works Director and is doing a follow-up tomorrow. The street sweeper is a more complex issue, but he will follow up with the Public Works Director. Mr. Jeffers will ask the Chief to look into the speeding on California. Mr. Jeffers took this moment to talk about what occurred at Monterrey Park and he expresses his condolences and willingness to help in any way they can. He refers to the resident who is concerned about the trees, he explains they are in the middle of a BID fund with the street tree.
When the process is back maybe they can bring that process back by the 23rd or the P t. Tells the Council that the price of street cleaning is going up and that is something that should be asking for substantial funds to make that possible. Says if there are any trees or sidewalks, he encourages them to email him. Mr. Jeffers is going to have engineering look at any engineering issue on Southern Avenue and PD to look at parking violations.
Mayor Rios says that the reduction in speaking time has been discussed a lot in the public comments. He explains that the Council has been looking for ways to reduce the time the meetings and they still have a chance to talk at the end of the meeting. Explains that neighboring cities have an overall three minutes and are not allowed to talk at the end of the meeting.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development announced that they accept credit card now as a form of payment at the Community Development counter.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works nothing to report.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police nothing to report.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager explained that the Chair does have the ability to extent the time to speak depending on the need or the topic. He would like to note for the record that it was only 28 minutes for the oral communication that occurred today. Explains that if this is a problem the Council does have the ability to change the procedures and rules moving forward from that standpoint.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney spoke on the timing issue says he understands the Council took that issue to heart. Says this subjecting is going to be constantly monitored by the City Council. Explains all the time that people are allowed to speak aside from the public comments and compares to other cities that limit the public speaking and explains it is balancing act and they will continue to monitor it to see how everything works out.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager would like to add that he and the City Attorney will be hosting a meeting on the Brown Act on August 25th at 6:30 and it will be held in person and zoom. The intent is to educate the public about the Brown Act.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk explained that if they are unable to attend the meetings in person or through zoom, they can email the city clerk and she can read the comments.
Greg Martinez, City Treasurer spoke regarding the limitation on the time of speaking. Explains that if an outside person came to speak like the State Assembly Member, then they would take up the time of the residents because of the 45-minute time block. Says that some residents get frustrated and sometimes they feel they are not being heard and might walk out.
Council Member Davila recalls that for the past two years some of the comments have not been related to city business and sometimes they got out at one or twelve thirty. The reason they are trying this is to allow the residents to have a voice because sometimes they have twenty speakers and five minutes. Some of the speakers that speak have nothing to do with city business, explains that they are here to listen to the concerns of the residents regarding streets, sidewalks, or other city issues. Says if this something very important like the accident example provided by the City Treasurer, they will of course listen because it is a priority. Explains that they will not stop them from speaking and hopes that they understand they are trying this out.
Council Member Davila stated that City Manager receives many calls, but she has not received any calls about the reduction in time.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works explained that there are two types of contracts the one they used to do the long term one and the as needed services. When they don't have the first contract, they use the as needed service contract. They are currently going through the RFP process to get a longer contract; they currently have a contract in place for as needed services when emergencies arise.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Council Member Davila explained that those are some of the issues that they need to take care of, and she wants to hear from the residents. To follow up on her reports, she mentioned that the Executive Director for Eco- Rapid Transport is leaving, and they are still in the process of filling the position. They do hope that by next month they have someone to fill that position.
Council Member Hurtado stated on Saturday, August 18th will be a backpack give away at the ELAC campus. Hopes everyone is save with the school year coming up and covid. Says the golf course is a great place to make it a football field because they are not getting many visitors.
Expresses that he did not agree with the reduction in time for public comments and explains some of the reasons why. Council Member Hurtado says that when people come in and talk about the street cleaning or other things that need to be fixed and we say we are going to fix it, but we do not that should not be happening.
Vice Mayor Avalos agree with Council Member Davila. She explains she listens to every constituent when they email her or call her and tries to help when she can. She says it would be nice if things could be handled in a timely matter and the fact that it is not is disappointing and does not sit well with her. Another thing that does not sit well with her is when people say there is corruption and explains that they can call their local officials to get to the bottom of things. Explains that they are doing the peoples work and the reduction in time is to see if it will work, it can be changed but they are trying to serve the people of South Gate as best as possible. Says it is sad that there is a lot of misinformation especially because elections are here and would like to clear up one thing and put it on the record. She speaks regarding the matter of a candidate running for office, her name is Crystal Tapia, and she works at the same school district as Vice Mayor Avalos.
Vice Mayor states she does not know Ms. Tapia and did not tell her to run.
She attended a water board meeting last Thursday with the Southeast Water Coalition, and two issues came up, she will be directing the issue to the Director of Public Works. The first issue is regarding the possibility of joining a lawsuit against 3M and other manufacturers that have contributed to the toxic contamination with Downey and Pico Rivera. The other issue is about the possibility of securing a grant to address the payoffs the timeline for the grant is August 15th, 2022.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works explained that he did receive the email but did not get the opportunity to review it, but he will provide Vice Mayor Avalos information. Regarding funding for remediation, the city took initiative about a year or year and a half ago and they have already obtained between 2 -3 million dollars. If she is referring to the 1 billion dollars funding that is available, it is available for the state funding the city
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
will not be applying for that grant, but he can give her more information as to why.
Vice Mayor Avalos thanked Mr. Cervantes for that information. She explains that at her school district they have something called professional development and she attended it today. It has to do with emotions of the students and teachers and how those emotions are transmitted. The issue of respect was brought up and she read something on the meaning of respect.
Vice Mayor has respect for her community and will always respect her community.
Mayor Rios says communication in terms of the new reduction in time, he would like people to know that they can call, email, contact the city clerk or other staff members and make appointments to meet with council. Explains that there are other ways of getting into contact with the city staff or council and that coming to council meetings to speak should be a last resort. Part of the reason they changed the time is because they have businesspeople here waiting, contracts to sign, and they were getting to them late. Council Member Hurtado mentioned the event at the ELAC campus, and he stated it is a drive thru event. They will start lining up at 8 and beginning giving out backpacks at nine until the supplies runs out. Mentions that school will be starting on the 15th and that ELAC starts the 29th they will be having an enrollment day on August 20th. Also reminding people of the new water regulations and they have a meeting schedule with Jackie Goldberg regarding school safety with school officers getting cut. Wants to highlight one thing that they did, the council funded a tutorial for the kids that have fallen behind and the Vice Mayor was also in attendance. Describes that he is proud of the council for all their hard work and, they plan to do it again in the fall.
Council Member Davila asked if she could attend the meeting with Jackie Goldberg. She also asked if crossing guards can be placed on Willow Place and Santa Fe Avenue.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police explained they did investigate getting a crossing guard increase to have those two intersections covered. There is a cost for that.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager explained that they were going to bring it up during the budget meeting to discuss this.
Council Member Davila says this is worth it because the children need to be kept safe.
Mayor Rios says it is also important to have the conversation regarding crime and homelessness in the community and along the river.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Council Member Davila would like to be included in that meeting and asks if they can enlighten them regarding the collaborative.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager informed the public that Council Member Diaz's father had a heart attack and that is the reason she is unable to attend.
He asks that they keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were approved by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos. Item 5 was pulled for separate discussion.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes
1 MUNICIPAL CODE
ADMIN The City Council waived the reading in full and adopted Ordinance No. 2022-07-CC entitled Ordinance of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, amending Chapter 11.33 (Parking Standards), of Title 11 (Zoning), of the SGMC to include parking requirements and standards for land uses serving children, older adults, community assembly or people with disabilities, during the Consent Calendar.
2 CITY MEMBERSHIPS The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-46-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California designating a member of the City Council as the voting delegate for the Annual Business Meeting/General Assembly during the 2022 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo and up to two (2) alternate voting delegates should the primary designee be unable to represent the City, approved during the Consent Calendar.
3 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-47-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to update the job specifications and salary range for the position of Housing Administrator to Housing Manager in the Community Development Department and reassigning the Housing Manager position as an Executive Management Contract Employee, update the job specifications and salary range for the Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation and Parks Superintendent in the Parks & Recreation Department and to update the salary range for the position of Deputy City Engineer in the Public Works Department, during the Consent Calendar.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
4 WATER ISSUES/SYSTEM
ADMIN
The City Council approved items A & B during the Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2022-63-CC) with John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. ("Agreement"), for storm water management services required by the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, for a three-year term, in an amount not-to-exceed $334,155, or $111,385 annually; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
5 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE The City Council approved items A, B, C, D & E by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, no; Mayor Rios, recused
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2022-64-CC) with Hub Cities Career Center ("Agreement") to perform an inventory of newsracks and pay phones in the public right-of-way for a not-to-exceed amount of $34,500; b. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney;
c. Approved appropriation of $45,000 from the Refuse Collection Fund to fund the Agreement and all anticipated staff costs with implementation of the described program;
d. Directed staff to begin notification to permittees of abandoned, unpermitted, and unmaintained newsracks and pay phones in accordance with Chapter 5.07 (Newsracks) and 5.34 (Pay Phones in Public Right-of-Way.) of Title 5 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the South Gate Municipal Code (SGMC); and
e. Authorized staff to begin removal of any noncompliant devices as provided for in SGMC Chapters 5.07 and 5.34.
RECESS The City Council recessed for five minutes and reconvened with 4 Members of Council present.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
6 BUILDING CODE
REGULATIONS
The City Council approved items A, B & C during the Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2022-65-CC) with Melad & Associates, Inc., to provide building plan check and inspection services in the amount not to exceed $750,000 for a three-year term;
b. Agreement (Contract No. 2022-66-CC) with True North Compliance Services to provide building plan check and inspection services in the amount not to exceed $750,000 for a three-year term; and c. Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreements in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
7 CITY FACILITIES MGMT The City Council rejecting all bids received and opened on April 12, 2022, in the City Clerk's Office for the SGPD HVAC Installation Project, City Project No. 667-GEN, during the Consent Calendar.
8 MINUTES The City Council approved items A, B, C, D & E during the Consent Calendar:
a. Special Meeting minutes of May 9, 2022;
b. Regular Meeting minutes of May 10, 2022;
c. Regular Meeting minutes of June 14, 2022;
d. Special Meeting minutes of June 28, 2022; and
e. The Continued Regular Meeting minutes of July 14, 2022. 9 MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM
ADMIN The City Council approved items A & B by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes
a. Giving staff direction to bring back a formal resolution to the City Council to consider dedicating and naming the South Gate Park Municipal Auditorium as the Henry C. Gonzalez Municipal Auditorium; and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
9 MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM
ADMIN CONT'D
10 CITY CLERK DEPT
ADMIN
b. Placing a plaque stating the role former Mayor Henry C. Gonzalez played and contributions he made to the City of South Gate during his nearly three decades of service.
Council Member Hurtado made a substitute motion to look into building a football stadium in South Gate Park in place of the current golf course to honor Mr. Gonzalez. Motion died due to lack of a second.
The City Council approved item B by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, no; Mayor Rios, yes
a. Directing staff to prepare a Resolution which would adjust the City Clerk's compensation based on salary and/or benefits stated in a City Council motion and placing said Resolution on the August 23, 2022, regular City Council meeting agenda for consideration.; or b. Approving the existing salary and benefits for the next term of office of the elected City Clerk and no further action is needed. 11 HEALTH SERVICES/EMERGENCY/
DISASTER PLANNING/
PROGRAMS The City Council:
a. Approving Agreements (Contract No. 2022-68-CC) with Compatior, Inc., and Alta Med (Contract No. 2022-69-CC) to implement a Mental Health Assistance Program, subject to any final changes by the City Attorney that are not substantive in nature nor increase the monetary commitment by the City of South Gate;
b. Appropriating $175,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Recovery Funds ("ARPA") funds to an account determined by the Director of Administrative Services to fund the administration of the Mental Health Assistance Program; and
c. Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreement, consistent with this report, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
Mayor Rios motioned to move this item to the next City Council meeting and seconded by Council Member Davila.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 2022
11 HEALTH SERVICES/EMERGENCY/
DISASTER PLANNING/
PROGRAMS CONT'D Motion died due to lack of Council support.
Council Member Davila made a substitute motion to allocate an additional $175,000 to award the contract to both Alta Med and Compatior to implement a Mental Health Assistance Program and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes
12 WARRANTS The City Council approved the Warrant Register for August 9, 2022, by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila.
Warrant number 97846 was pulled.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes
Total of Checks: $6,249,655.46
Less: Voids $ (0.00)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (299,917.75)
Grand Total: $6,549,573.21
Cancellations: 97823, 96336, 96836
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Avalos adjourned the meeting in memory of Monterey Park Police Officer Gardiel Solorio at 10:51 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Davila.
PASSED and APPROVED this 25th day of October 2022.
ATTEST:
Qte CL,-,
Al Rios, Mayor Yodit G , City Clerk