CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022
CALL TO ORDER Al Rios, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:56 p.m.
INVOCATION Pastor Lawrence Doss, Community of Faith Bible Church
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Wendy O'Kelly, Deputy 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; City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Counsel Raul F.
Salinas
1 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council considered the list of new and promotional full-time employees hired or promoted during July 2022.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS Jesus Miranda questioned why Council made the decision to hire a new trash hauler. He was happy with Waste Management and hopes that he gets better service and prices with the new trash hauler.
Mario Dominguez would like a phone meeting with the Vice Mayor and Councilwoman Diaz next week regarding some projects he would like to ask the Council Members to incorporate into the city's master plan.
Explains that he is unable to do that if the council members are unaware of what those projects are and what they entail, how he is going to fund them and feasibility.
Liz Ruiz inquired about the tree planting that was previously proposed.
She talks about other projects that are planned that include planting trees like the Long Beach Conservation Core.
Virginia Johnson, South Gate resident asked if the city clerk can mention at 6:30 when it is completely silent that council is in closed session. So, people don't think their computers are not working. Also, would like to know if they could get the agendas to their emails because the website is not user friendly. She gave a shoutout to Cassie Garage now called Rosa Trucking Auto Repair, because every morning there is an employee out there sweeping the corner and provides the address. Wishes all businesses would do the same. She thanks her neighbor Andrea Paulino for going out daily and calling the city on messes that are made like graffiti, trash, and REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS CONT'D other items. Talks about all the illegal handmade signs that are put on gates and fences, would be nice if the city department can be more active in this area. Explains that from 2003 - 2015 there were many times that a lot of people were speaking on one item that the mayor would request to take 1-2 minutes. Says this practice was great but it was stopped.
Thomas Buckley stated that Thursday, August 25th is supposed to be a Brown Act meeting and would like more information. He also asked if the meeting will be available on zoom. Thanks, the Chief of Police Darren Arakawa for everything he does and the department. Explains that there was a disturbing video of a dog being beaten and a lot of residence are wondering if there are any updates to this situation. To the nominees he says he is glad that there is not a lot of old school attacks going on and is glad that they are not attacking people, he is hopeful that they can start off on the right foot and without any attacks.
Frank Rivera commented regarding water conservation rules. He proposes a suggestion and one of them is to produce grant funding to get one of those rebates that are being given out to water districts explains that the Metropolitan District pays out two dollars per square foot for residents to replace their lawn. He understands that this is not possible for a lot of residents but encourages the council to investigate the grants opportunities so that they can be able to supplement some of these programs to give the community an opportunity to make sustainable changes in terms of water conservation. This is a continuing issue that has been going on for some time and would like to find a long-term solution for these problems.
Andrea Paulino addresses the new nominees she would like to know if everyone is going to go on social media to get the opportunity to see what is being said. Says it would be nice to hear from all the nominees on sites that everyone is welcomed.
Jovanna Laborin thanked South Gate Police Department and the parks staff for all the great work they have been doing at the park. They have been seeing less graffiti and less activity, they don't see fires anymore.
Candice Esquivel asked if it is possible to have speed traps on Tweedy Boulevard by the park. She understands that the police cannot stay in one area all the time, but it is very dangerous for pedestrians to cross on cross walks that do not have light. She explained one situation that happened yesterday while she was driving down Tweedy Boulevard.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk has an email she would like to read. The resident's name is Claudia Rivera she has been a resident all her life and has just found out that Robert Montalvo is running for office and has given a very deceiving candidate statement. The resident explains that he
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS CONT'D is using a scare tactic by talking about the dirty water issue that the city cleared up. The resident thanks the city for clearing up the issue and providing information. Asks if someone from Public Works can address this tonight and would like Mr. Montalvo to explain how he plans to keep the water safe.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Chris Jeffers, City Manager speaks a little bit regarding the trees and says he is not aware of any projects now and passes it on to Arturo Cervantes to further answer the question.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works says this is something that he has gotten a lot of questions a couple of months ago. He did meet with the tree people from Parks & Recreation along with Public Works, they had a kickoff meeting to discuss the grants that was received to plant around 16,000 trees in South Gate and Cudahy. They applied for the grant and tried to get an agreement to come forward and get it approved by the Council. He doesn't have a more recent update, but he will have one very soon and will provide everyone with that.
Chris Jeffers explains that there is a different procession for those that are participating by phone and those on zoom. Sometimes they have difficulty hearing through the phone because of connection issues so it does makes things difficult sometimes to hear everything residents are saying.
Mayor Rios agrees and says that maybe they could do something to improve the hearing in the chambers.
Council Member Davila asks what streets the crosswalks were.
Chris Jeffers says that the Chief has written it down. He continues answering the questions regarding the trash contract. He doesn't want to take comments away from the Council, but he will remind the residents that it is about an 8 month process they went through, they had two meetings where they discussed the RFP and the contents of the request for proposal that had been sent out. He continues to go through the process they went through before picking the new trash hauler. Reminds residents that Council Member Hurtado recused himself from the process. Also goes over some of the changes like the amount that residents will now be paying compared with the previous hauler and discusses some of the new mandates that they must meet when it comes to trash haulers. He will be happy to answer any questions residents have regarding this subject.
Council Member Davila agrees with City Manager and explains that UWS had cheaper services which gave a better price to residents which made it the best hauler. It also included all the state mandated services.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Mayor Rios mentions that UWS is a local company and Waste Management did a good job. Explains that with UWS they got a better deal for less money, and he explains other reason why he believed that UWS was the best choice.
City Manager mentions the Brown Act meeting, says that the flyer is on the city website and reminds the residents when and where it will be held for those who want to join the meeting. He also goes over what the meeting will be about and that it will be a power point presentation.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works commented on the water conservation comments. He explains that the city has an ordinance that has a permanent water consumption, that is the goal, and the residents must help achieve that goal. The additional measure that is in effect that has had a big effect is the designated days when they are required to water their lawns. Explains they have done a lot of initial outreaches and they will continue to do so with regards to water conservation. Regarding the comment about the dirty water, there are still state and federal requirements that must be fulfilled. Since 2021 the city has flushed lots of times, he is unsure how many times they have done. Explains that there is a city-wide flushing and then a smaller flushing in different areas that are routine that the city does to ensure that the water quality is good. Says the city is applying for a grant, they were selected, it is up to 3 million dollars for water replacement.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development has nothing to report.
Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation stated receiving a call from Janice Hahn's office to do a food distribution at the South Gate Park. Explains that they did several in the park during the pandemic and they would like to bring them back, it will be held at the park on August 31' from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock noon. The LA Food bank will be coming as well to supply fruits and vegetables. The Police Department will take care of the traffic, Parks and Recs will oversee the set up. He invites everyone to be a part of it and explains they have not received the flyers yet but once they get the flyers, they will post it on social media.
Vice Mayor Avalos asks if it is possible to do it on the weekend because the families work, and they could have the opportunity to go get some food.
Steve Costly explains that the date was given to them by the Office of Janice Hahn, but he will ask if they can get it changed.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works has nothing to report.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022 I
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Kris Ryan, Director of Administrative Services explains that they will have a meeting next Monday on the proposed budget along with department presentation. That will be Monday starting at 5pm in the Council Chambers, they will be having zoom, and later this week they will be publishing the agenda. They will also extend the presentation until Tuesday at 5pm where they will ask the council to approve the budget and get any feedback regarding the budget.
Chief of Police Arakawa has nothing to report.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager has nothing to report.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney has nothing to report.
Greg Martinez, City Treasurer has nothing to report.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk named the qualified candidates that are running for Council and other elected city officials. She will be scheduling a Meet and Greet to introduce the candidates and the Department Heads.
Council Member Hurtado reminds everyone that school is back in session and safety is a top priority. Council Member Hurtado says that the Chief is giving a lot of citations to drivers, but he believes that more needs to be done, says they are doing a great job and recommends a couple of corners to keep an eye on. He talks about some of the things going on right now, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the cancelation of up to 10,000 dollars in student loans.
Councilwoman Davila has nothing to report.
Councilwoman Diaz addressed a couple of things, would like the City Treasurer to echo the same sentiments and talks about finding a solution to the homeless problem. Talks about the Inclusive Housing Act that passed and the rent control cap that other cities had. She wants to make sure that the residents stay housed. The other thing she wants to talk about is the encampments, she doesn't want to criminalize being homeless, but she expresses her concern when encampments are close to schools because they are unaware of people's backgrounds. She wants to investigate this, make the families feel safe and have an item on the agenda to discuss. A few weeks ago, she attended the screening of "If I go will they miss me," it was a great turn out rate.
Vice Mayor Avalos congratulates the qualified candidates and wishes them luck. She had the pleasure last week of going with the Mayor and the Chief to talk to Jackie Goldberg to make sure certain issues are being addressed. She indicated she is willing to work with us regarding
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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D renaming of the field for Henry C. Gonzalez. She also met with Mr.
DeWitt, and they talked about the things he and Henry did to get that property. Vice Mayor Avalos brought up an issue to the City Manager regarding the street vendors on State Street, hopes they could investigate that because they are having a difficult time servicing their clients because they are unable to find parking. Explains that they want a 20 min parking spot so that they could get their customers to come pick-up and then leave.
Finds it interesting that LAUSD is having a mobile library and South Gate is one of the cities that was chosen, they will be coming into the community to do read along with the children. Regarding Mr. Dominguez, she would reach out to him, apologizes because school is back in session making everything hectic.
Mayor Rios would like to follow up on Councilwoman Diaz concern with the homelessness around the schools and green spaces. He explains that it has been a common theme the last couple of months and talks about an LA county ordinance regarding homelessness but still thinks that it is a topic that should be up for discussion and supports Councilwoman Diaz that they move forward with looking at things the city can do.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager explains that he did receive the email from Councilwoman Diaz about the article and he forwarded it to Raul's office.
He has looked at it and is preparing a memo for them to review soon.
Mayor Rios thanked City Manager and stated the superintendent was in the city. He visited some homes to find out why some kids were not returning to school; Mayor Rios had the opportunity to spend some time with him and visit the schools in the area as well. He explains the importance of the visit and explains some of the commitments they have made to the schools in the city, and they had a meeting with other Southeast High School leaders to see how they could improve the schools in the area. He also met with Jackie Goldberg and discussed public safety along with the Chief. The one important take away is that it looks like Zipperman says they will fill some of the positions that were lost. The other thing is that the Aztec football team permit was still under consideration but now it is not, and he hopes that they could move forward in getting a field. Says they will also see about the naming of the football field and talks about the next step. The last thing he would like to say is that back to school has caused a lot of traffic and is worried about emergency vehicles being able to come in and asks the chief to investigate that.
Chief Arakawa explains that it is normal for the streets to be congested like this the first few weeks and it is nothing new. It is just a matter of informing the parents of what they can and can't do. They have already teamed up with some of the parents from some of the Eastside schools,
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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
they are addressing some of the issues they are getting emails about.
Explains that it is a slow issue because there are thousands of parents, but they are getting out there and trying to make things as safe as possible.
Councilwoman Diaz says this is an issue every school year and it is addressed during the School Safety Meetings. She understands that Chief Arakawa does a good job along with the rest of the PD staff trying to keep the traffic under control.
Mayor Rios explains that he does see crossing guards at the school, but they need a little more help getting traffic under control. Thanks everyone for their comments and concerns.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 2, 3, 4, and 5 were approved by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado. Council Member Hurtado amended the motion to include approving 2A which was accepted by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes 2 PROPERTY USE ADMIN/
PERMITS The City Council unanimously approved item A during the Consent Calendar:
a. Resolution No. 2022-57-CC entitled - Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, authorizing the Director of Community Development and Director of Public Works to extend expired plan check and permit approvals issued by the City during the period from March 1, 2020, through and including December 31, 2021, for a period not to exceed up to and including June 30, 2023; or b. Maintaining status quo and requiring applicants with expired plan check and permit approvals to comply with current codes, submit a new application, and pay applicable fees.
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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022 3 COMMUNITY
PROMOTION
The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during the Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2022-70-CC) with the South Gate Chamber of Commerce for promotion of community activities in Fiscal Years 2022/2023, 2023/24 and 2024/25 in the amount not to exceed $50,000 each Fiscal Year; and
b. Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
4 PARKING & TRAFFIC The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during the Consent Calendar:
a. Accepted completion of construction effective May 6, 2022, of the Firestone Plaza Traffic Calming Project, City Project No. 657-TRF, constructed by Sterndahl Enterprises, LLC.;
b. Appropriated $4,122 from the Measure R Local Return Fund balance to Account No. 311-790-31-9478 to fully fund the project; and c. Directed the City Clerk to file Notice of Completion with Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
5 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council unanimously rejected all bids received on June 23, 2022, in the City Clerk's Office for the Thermoplastic Striping of Streets Citywide Project, City Project No. 654-ST, during the Consent Calendar. 6 CITY MEMBERSHIPS/EMERGENCY/
DISASTER PLANNING/
PROGRAMS The City Council approved items A, B & C by motion of Council Member Hurtado and Council Member Davila. Mayor Rios was not present during the discussion of this item.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, no; Mayor Rios, recused
a. Appropriated $35,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to an account determined by the Director of Administrative Services; and
b. Resolution No. 2022-48-CC entitled - Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, approving the expenditure of ARPA funds on behalf of Hub Cities Consortium to the City of South
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2022 6 CITY MEMBERSHIPS/EMERGENCY/
DISASTER PLANNING/
PROGRAMS CONT'D
Gate for various plan checks and permit fees associated with tenant improvements at 4370 Tweedy Boulevard in an amount not to exceed $35,000.; and
c. Authorized the Director of Administrative Services to pay such invoices for plan checks and permits charged by the City of South Gate for the tenant improvement project located at 4370 Tweedy Boulevard, South Gate, CA 90280.
7 POLITICAL SUPPORT City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-49-CC entitled - Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, affirming the City's opposition to Proposition 26 on the November 8, 2022 General Election Ballot, by motion of Council Member Hurtado and Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Diaz, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, no; Mayor Rios, yes 8 WARRANTS The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for August 23, 2022, by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila.
Total of Checks:
Less: Voids
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions
Grand Total:
Cancellations: 97124, 97846, 96589
$3,670,452.70
$ (17,871.05)
$ (343,481.35)
$3,996,063.00
ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Avalos unanimously adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Davila.
PASSED and APPROVED this day of 2022.
ATTEST:
Al Rios, Mayor Yodit G1 , City Clerk