CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022
CALL TO ORDER Al Rios, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Interim Parks and Recreation Director
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
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 Gregory Martinez, City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas ABSENT Council Member Denise Diaz
1 PROCLAMATIONS The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring October 23 through 31, 2022, as National Red Ribbon Week in the City of South Gate. 2 COMMUNITY DEV/
HOUSING The City Council approved items, A and B by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
a. Opening the public hearing and taking public comments; and b. Continuing this agenda item to the October 25, 2022, City Council Meeting to discuss and consider approving the proposed
amendments.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development explains that the item before them are the revisions for the Annual Action Plan. She explains that the actual action plan was revised by the City Council, and they have had revisions like a new forty-thousand-dollar improvement plan from the façade improvement that was never implemented. They are proposing for the city move that money to the façade improvement so that they can overlook that project. Whenever they have changes in the action plan the changes must reflect that in the consolidation plan proposing here tonight. They are requesting that they open the public hearing and continue the item to the next meeting October 25, 2022.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 2 COMMUNITY DEV/
HOUSING CONT'D
Mayor Rios asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Virginia Johnson asks if this is CDBG money and will it be going before the committee.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rios closed the audience portion.
Ms. Elguira explains that there is no actual requirement to have it brought back before the CAC. Therefore, they are only doing a request for Council to allow the transfer of funds from the Tweedy Mile Façade Improvement program to the City's Façade Improvement Program because they were not able to meet the requirements. So, this extra forty thousand is for the Council to approve that proposal.
3 MUNICIPAL CODE ADMEN The City Council at the conclusion of the public hearing, waived the reading in full and introduced Ordinance No. 2022-08-CC entitled — Ordinance of the City Council of the City of South, California, adding Section 5.04.050 (Micro trenching), to Chapter 5.04 (Street Excavations and Obstructions), of Title 5 (Streets and Sidewalks) to the South Gate Municipal Code to incorporate the requirements of Section 65964.5 to the California Government Code, which require a local agency to allow micro trenching for the installation of underground fiber, by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works explains that the Public Works Department issues encroachment permits to regulate construction in public rights-of-way. Explains that currently encroachment permits would not be issued for micro trenching because it doesn't meet the typical requirements for trenching utility cuts. He explains that they don't receive a lot of applications, but it doesn't meet the requirements and in October 2021, there was a senate bill that was signed into law that changed the requirements that the city is allowed to adopt. This change allows the agencies to allow micro trenching for underground fiber optics regulations, he explains that micro trenching is a fiber optic trenching technique it requires digging trenches. They are about 1 - 2 inches wide and about 24 inches deep and goes into detail about what this is and what it requires and that it is much less expensive than the regular trench that must be dug. Explains that the city must change their municipal code for micro trenching and says that once the ordinance is passed the Public
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 3 MUNICIPAL CODE ADMIN
CONT'D Works Department will be able to issue permits, they do not need to establish a fee because they will be applying the standard utility cut fee which is 296 dollars for the first hundred linear fee and an addition of $75 dollars per additional liner fee.
Mayor Rios asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Virginia Johnson is wondering if there is any statistics on the safety of burrowing down 24 inches as opposed to what is now 36 inches and more.
Ask if the fiber optics would be coming to the surface easier.
Thomas Buckley explains that a lot of people in the community don't understand the importance or the benefit of fiber optics. He explains that he recently upgraded to fiber optics, and he wants to trust the importance of having it in the city. He explains that he changed internet and got fiber optics which have speed up his internet, he also says that it is a very green and efficient way, and it might help with the rolling black outs that the city has.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rios closed the audience portion.
Council Member Hurtado explains that this senate bill was passed almost a year ago and asks why it has taken so long. Also, would like to know if they are in violation of anything if they don't update it and if so, are there any consequences. He can see the benefit, but he is just asking the questions.
Mr. Cervantes explains that he doesn't specifically know if the city is in violation of anything per se. The current municipal code if they had received an application, they could have considered it but because they haven't received any applications so there isn't a strict prohibition in micro trenching right now, but the City Attorney's Office determined that the city municipal code needed to be modified to eliminate any of the current prohibitions and he goes into further detail explaining the difference.
Council Member Hurtado explains that they recently had a change in the trash hauling and some laws were changed, and they finally acted because they were on the brink of being fined almost 10,000 dollars per day of violation. When they have senate bills at the state level, he just wants to make sure that they are following the rules.
Vice Mayor Avalos asks if they have any other fiber optics now.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 3 MUNICIPAL CODE ADMIN
CONT'D Mr. Cervantes explains that they have not had any companies reach out yet now. They are not sure which companies are doing that work right now.
Mayor Rios asks if they are using the telephone wiring above or is this new.
Mr. Cervantes says he doesn't know because it will depend on the provider. He explains that he is not sure but now that they are allowed to micro trench any company is going to depend on who the provider is. 4 LICENSES & PERMITS The City Council at the conclusion of the public hearing, waived the reading in full and introduced Ordinance No. 2022-09-CC entitled - Ordinance of the City Council of the City of South, California, granting a five-year franchise agreement to Torrance Pipeline Company, LLC, to use, maintain, repair and replace a single pipeline beneath specified public streets, together with related appurtenances, for transmitting and distributing oil and oil products, by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works explains that the city regulates oil pipelines in the public right-of-way through franchise agreements and the Torrance Pipeline is one of the existing pipelines that is in the city.
They operate a pipeline from the Torrance refinery to the city of South Gate. The Torrance Pipeline is asking that their franchise agreement be renewed because their current franchise agreement has expired. The recommended franchise agreement is a five-year term from September 2021 to September 2026. He talks about the recommended safety agreement that is required by state and local governments. He explains that the new franchise agreement increases the revenue to the general fund and explains the difference of the increase.
Mayor Rios asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk read an email from resident Joshua Barron asking about the annual increase. He asked if it is in line with what other cities charge for similar pipelines. He would like to know the total revenue it will generate by the pipeline that goes through our city and what is the percentage generated for the city. The resident explains that if they are asking the businesses to pay their fair share of the business license then
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 4 LICENSES & PERMITS
CONT'D these companies that are utilizing the city's land and space and have potential for large interruptions if anything bad happens. They should pay their fair share.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rios closed the audience portion.
Mr. Cervantes explains that with regards to the franchise fees the Public Utility Commission provides three options for setting the fees. These fees were set on a formula that they use to negotiate the fees. They have franchise agreements with another agency, and they negotiated this fee.
This is the highest amount that Torrance Pipeline pays to any city for the pipeline, and they believe that for both the city and the Torrance Pipeline this is good. Regarding the total revenue of the Torrance Pipeline that is not information that they received, and they do not have available because it is a pipeline that is just passing through the city. He also explains that the total fee is not related to the total revenue of the Torrance Pipeline.
The third is regarding the business licenses that they issue regarding the pipeline they charge fees in which they have the right to operate and go through the city.
Council Member Hurtado says they are working on the business licenses, and they have other areas where they are still deficient, and he provides examples. He asks if the dollar amount that they are asking for is a fair amount and is there a way that they can compare it to other cities. Again, it is important to ensure they are getting a fair amount from the people who have big companies. Asks the City Manager if they are comfortable with the amount they are receiving from these companies.
City Manager explains that they brought this item to them a few months ago and they asked for it to be continued because Torrance objected to what they were proposing. He thanks the City Attorney's Office for negotiating during this process. He explains that from the cities that this pipeline passes through they are the second highest only behind the city of Los Angeles. This is a five-year agreement and at the end of that stage it does allow for a more comprehensive view of what that fee is.
Council Member Hurtado explains that he is looking at the jump and even though it looks good he is wondering how much they lost in fees in the previous year.
City Attorney explains that he is not sure that the city lost anything the entire agreement was the subject of negotiations and Mr. Jeffers brought a new perspective and there was a delay in bringing this back because there was ongoing negotiations with the lawyers for Torrance. He believes that it will work to the city's advantage in the long term. He does believe that
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 4 LICENSES & PERMITS
CONT'D
this was a very transparent process, and it brings the city almost to the same level as the city of Los Angeles.
Council Member Hurtado clarifies his comment that it is not that they lost in the previous year but the gap that they increased it by is substantial. He asks if there was an opportunity the previous year to have had slightly a hire number because it is a big jump, and he is glad that the staff was able to achieve that.
Vice Mayor Avalos explains her concern for liability safety and how often Torrance checks their pipes to make sure there isn't any leakage.
Mr. Cervantes explains that when it comes to safety the Torrance Pipeline is required to abide by state and federal requirements and the agency responsible for that is the state federal marshal. They have a set of requirements that must be met, the franchise agreement sets the structure that they require to comply. In regard to how many times they check their pipes he is not sure but they are required to do an annual inspection of their pipes. The previous inspection the state fire marshal had no findings with regards to the pipeline, this gives some insight into the maintenance of the pipes.
Council Member Davila asks how often the pipes get checked.
Mr. Cervantes explains that by the state fire marshal, the pipeline is checked annually.
Mayor Rios asks if they have several of these pipelines.
Arturo Cervantes explains that there are several pipes. 5 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council considered at the conclusion of the public hearing:
a. Authorizing utilization of 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program Funds in the amount of $14,185 for the purchase of
communications equipment and accessories, plus installation, for the Police Department;
b. Increasing the Fiscal Year 2022/23 revenue projection in Account Number 232-541 (Law Enforcement Grants - Homeland Security Grant) to $14,185;
c. Amending the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Law Enforcement Grants Fund Budget by appropriating $14,185 to Account Number 232-541-21- 6204 (Law Enforcement Grants - Homeland Security Grant - Small
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 5 LAW ENFORCEMENT
CONT'D
Tools & Equipment) for the purchase of unit radios, portable radios, charging stations and accessories; and
d. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the State Homeland Security Grant Program Subrecipient Agreement for Grant Year 2020.
Chief Arakawa explains that the state of California has allocated funds throughout the state, and it is given to LA County and South Gate was the recipient of about $14,185. He asks that this item be continued to a date to be determined they did an inventory of the equipment, and they have enough equipment so now they would like to transition that money into a different area perhaps training.
Mayor Rios asked if anyone in the audience or zoom wished to speak on this item. Seeing no one step forward; Mayor Rios closed the audience portion.
This item was moved to a future City Council meeting by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-
AGENDA ITEMS
Virginia Johnson thanked the graffiti and public works department for their speedy removal of new graffiti and trash that is thrown in the city.
On Circle Park taking six and a half million dollars to put into a new park project doesn't make sense to her. Hopes to see Jovanni Laborin and Joshua Barron on the upcoming Council seats. She thanked Andrea Paulino and the Smiths for their continuing efforts in trying to keep area five clean and vandal free. She also praises Mary Castillo for the work she does to fix some of the things going on in her neighborhood. Lastly, she hopes the city can remind everyone that the November 8 th Council meeting will be postponed.
Sandy Rodriguez is here as the immediate past president of the South Gate Kiwanis Club to invite everyone to the next Kiwanis clean-up. It will be taking place October 17th, this Saturday from 9am - 10:30. This month they will be cleaning up the area by Dearborn and Firestone, and she explains that they chose this area because the South Gate football and cheer will be having games all day at the South Gate High School.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-
AGENDA ITEMS CONT'D Armando Velasquez is the current President of the South Gate Kiwanis Club thanked Mayor Rios, because a couple of weeks ago there was a big recognition ceremony for People Latino Heritage month. Mayor Rios was one of those that was recognized and every one that was recognized got to pick a non-profit for a 2,000-dollar donation. Explains that others picked more regional and national charities, but Mayor Rios picked a local South Gate non-profit which was the Kiwanis. He stated that this upcoming Monday is going to be a big day for the community and for the Kiwanis they will be having a hybrid meeting and it will also be the beginning for their new 501C3 non-profit the South Gate Kiwanis Club foundation.
Which they will be appointing officers' directors and it will be a separate entity that will be connected to the South Gate Kiwanis Club. He explains the positions they have and the people that will be filling those positions.
Explains that this is going to be one of the very few non-profits that are going to be 501C3 and says that it will make them very attractive. He explains there will be an installation banquet to install the general officer it will be October 22 nd in the city of Whittier, and he will be passing out the flyers about the event.
Olivia Gonzales is a property owner that has owned several properties in the city of South Gate. The reason she has come in is because they have called several divisions in the city of South Gate regarding a property they have, and the tree is so big and overgrown that the sidewalk is lifting. She explains that she and her husband see it as a potential lawsuit against the city of South Gate. Explains that they have another property on Alexander and the driveway is so narrow and there has been several traffic violations and she is scared that something will happen because the house is on the corner, and they have been living there for a long time. Explains that the bike lane makes it difficult to come in and out, she asks if they can paint the curb in front of her house red and she will be willing to do a traffic study.
Alejandro Gonzales, South Gate resident, states the current situation in South Gate is bad and not just on his property but everywhere else. He says that there are several streets that are falling apart. He explains that on Alexander there was a branch that dropped, and it was picked-up yesterday. He explained that he called regarding the tree on his property (mentioned above by his wife) and was told to call back in six weeks and they went to the property and said they might do this in October, and they have not seen anything.
Council Member Hurtado asks if he emailed all Council Members.
Alejandro Gonzales clarifies that he called public works and he assumed they would have taken notes because he left his name and information, and no one has gone to the property. He says that the property is a big risk.
I
I
I
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-
AGENDA ITEMS CONT'D Council Member Hurtado apologizes and says they are not supposed to go back and forth during this part of the meeting. He was only asking to clarify because he gets those emails, and he forwards them to staff to get someone out there and check it out and says that if he missed that then he apologizes.
Joe Pacheco asked Council to reinstate the five-minute audience time. He understands that people say things the Council doesn't like, and it takes up time, but he believes that the community has legitimate concerns and issues, they would like to make the Council aware of. Says the Council should work together with the community to answer questions on the matters that are important to the community. Says he brought up a petition two weeks ago to talk about the issues that are happening on their street.
He explains that they have been through the process that the city has put out to get things taken care of only to be told they have to pay for the application. Explains he wasted a lot of time trying to fix the traffic on the street along with vandalism or graffiti and asks that the city take up the cost of the study because the residents that know what is going on in the community. Asks that for money the city is getting, he asks that they be a good steward and use the money for things that are necessary to fix the community.
Delfino, South Gate resident, explains that in the past couple of years everything was better than it was now because drop offs at schools are difficult. Explains that now he never sees the ticket people and the person who takes care of the kids they used to put cones to protect the space but now they just look from the front door, and everyone is blocking the streets and it is a mess. He talks about a time where he got a ticket and he tried to appeal it because it was given out wrong and he was following the rules. He paid the ticket and explained that he didn't really mind. Ask the council to please send someone to enforce the rules in the morning.
Council Member Davila asks him if he can leave his phone number and name and information along with the school he is talking about and thanks him for his time.
Mario Dominguez stated last Council meeting, money was given to take care of the vets which is great, but now he would like the Council to place an item on the agenda to put two thousand dollars from the general fund to pay for the cameras in the Council Chambers. He has done research about cities that pay for cameras to be installed in the Council Chambers and he names all the cities that have cameras and goes into detail about where they have them. He speaks regarding Mr. Buckley's website and would like the City Attorney to sue them for copy right infringement because he is using that with the South Gate Police Scanner, and it is confusing for the residents because they don't know what it is, and they believe that it
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-
AGENDA ITEMS CONT'D has something to do with the South Gate PD. He would like Mr. Salinas to send a cease and desist to Mr. Buckley and rename the website because residents believe it is tied to South Gate PD.
Thomas Buckley starts of by commending Sandra from the Building and Safety Division because he emailed her regarding a neighborhood member question, and she answered promptly and warmly. To the current candidate he encourages them to remain as classy as possible this political season with that said all the candidates are trying to stay on their best behavior and the community thanks them for that. He continues by speaking for a resident, explains that this Council should learn from the LA City Council and that they are being very greedy by not wanting to step down and hopes that this does not happen to the South Gate Council.
Regarding the fiber optics he has his with AT&T and it works just fine.
Alice agrees with Mr. Dominguez regarding his comments on the cameras.
She is here because several weeks ago they voted and sent off a letter that was agree by with council and she did not agree with it. Another city has also sent a letter to Los Angeles Council condemning their comments. She thinks that as a City Council they should also come out in writing however they want condemning the LA City Council.
Liz Ruiz has been appointed to the Department of Toxic Substances Control and as a part of their mandate, they are set to approve the Hazard Waste Management Plan which is due in March 2023. She would like the public to participate by commenting and providing questions on the report via email and she provides the email. Comments need to be submitted by September 1, to be considered and comments submitted after will be considered for the next phase. She goes over the process of this management plan and explains what it consists of and includes. Speaking as a resident of South Gate she has been doing some campaigning for a member that is running for office, and she hopes that they come together and address some of the concerns that the residents are bringing up.
City Clerk Glaze has received three emails that she would like to read. The first one states that they have been a city resident for over fifty years, and she is concerned about recent rants that Mr. Montalvo has said at the defend the police rally some time ago. He and his wife along with other residents were disgusted by the remarks he made on the bullhorn like saying that the police were going to kill their children and calling the officers names. Next, he is going to call everyone liars to protect his reputation and if anyone is running for office, they should maintain a good relationship with the officers but if he is in office, it seems unlikely. He is a former police officer and veteran, and he does not speak for me or for veterans as he would like you to believe. The South Gate Scanner page is a joke talk about free speech and if you post a comment that he does not
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-
AGENDA ITEMS CONT'D agree with you are moved from the page. The second public comment explains that it is campaign season, and it should be about the issues that impact the city and candidates should campaign with their best foot forward. The resident understands that not everyone is perfect but lying should be called out. They are also concerned about the image being portrayed on the scanner page the resident had friends who thought the page was run by the city.
City Attorney Salinas interrupts and clarifies that the scanner page is not with the city and that the purpose of public comment is to talk about things that are within jurisdiction of the city so if the subject of that email relates to the public scanner, then they can just file it because it is not appropriate.
City Clerk Glaze explains that the last one is also similar.
City Attorney Salinas suggests that the City Clerk provide copies of that to the City Council so they could have it and add it to the meetings. Again, the City Manager gave a presentation of public comment at City Council meeting, and they must talk about things that are within the jurisdiction of the city, and they should be mindful of that when they made comments.
Mayor Rios thanks the City Attorney for the clarification.
Council Member Hurtado agrees and suggest that when the City Clerk get those, she should review them before they start with public comments.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS City Manager Jeffers says that with regards to the tree issue they will have staff go out and have a response and they will also inform Council. As far as the driveway issue he will talk to Mr. Cervantes, but it might be an issue of expanding the driveway just looking across the street in this picture. It looks like the other driveways in the neighborhood are wider and that may accomplish that process, but he will talk to Mr. Cervantes a little bit more about that and they will get in contact. The resident that commented about traffic issues they will give that information to the police and let them handle that issue.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development stated that the Housing Manager started yesterday and will be introduce at the next meeting.
Vice Mayor Avalos asks if they can have a little background as to who the Housing Manager is.
Mayor Rios clarifies that she will be here next meeting so they should do it then.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D
Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation stated this Saturday is their second annual Art Walk it will be in front of the civic center and they have over 45 different vendors. They also have a Mi Barrio event, and it will open the same time as the Art Walk. Secondly Halloween is coming and all the events this year will take place at South Gate Park due to the construction of Hollydale Park. They expect a large crowd, and he explains they could always use judges for the Halloween costume contests and other things. Next is Veterans Day event that will be taking place on November 11th at 10am at the Veterans Fountain. Lastly the Pageant of the Trees event is on December 3rd, it is put on by the Commission of South Gate Youth, it helps sponsor the South Gate youth and everyone is welcome to join. If anyone would like to do a tree that will be auctioned off, they are welcome to.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works nothing to report.
Kris Ryan, Director of Administrative Services nothing to report.
Chief Arakawa says they are celebrating Red Ribbon week and they will be doing a couple of presentations on fentanyl awareness one will be on Tuesday evening the 25th and the following day at Saint Helens church.
There will be another one on Saturday at the park and they are working to get live stream up for that one.
Council Member Davila says that the church across the street wanted a presentation during their service.
Chief Arakawa will reach out to them and do the best they can which is also why they are going to live stream them.
City Treasurer Martinez nothing to report.
City Clerk Glaze stated that the League of Women Voters are coming to our municipal auditorium on October 18th for a candidate forum they are hosting. If anyone would like to come it starts at 6:30pm. Also, like Virginia Johnson mentioned the Council meeting for Tuesday, November 8th will be held on Thursday, November 10th.
City Manager Jeffers explains that they are in the process of transitioning their solid waste to a new provider that will begin January Pt and they have been having meetings to ensure a smooth transitioning process. Next meeting, they will create a presentation to show where they are at and some key details that will be happening in the next six weeks as far as the outreach effort. That will be coming next meeting and they will also be having a job fair for people to fill key positions as part of this contract it will be on the 22nd and people can go to the web page and find out
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS information about that. Just a reminder that the park opening with RMC will be happening this week and thanks the investors that have invested in the park and the community.
City Attorney Salinas explains that there are things that happen outside of the community that they cannot stay silent about like what happened in the Los Angeles Council. He explains that there is nothing that they could do, and he understands there is a strong disgust and calls for them to resign.
He understands that some residents are asking why the Council hasn't said anything and he explains that it requires an agenda item but that wasn't on today's agenda.
Council Member Hurtado says that the parks are used a lot, and over the last few days there have been lots of events like a softball tournament, horseshoe competition, and the regular activities. He has had the opportunity to speak with residents and they are very impressed with the way that park staff and public works have been maintaining the parks. He explains that there are some things that can be improved, and he understands that there are lots of people that go to those parks but says the maintenance they have done has been great. Also, the graffiti removal staff, he was really impressed with the removal of graffiti in the community and explains that when it is removed the graffiti goes back up again and he would like to stress that they are doing their part in trying to address those issues. He explains that the people that see him on an iPad is because he is on the agenda because he doesn't like to waste paper. He asks the City Manager what it would take to get rid of paper agendas and he also asked in the past to look into getting cameras in the Council Chamber for the people at home to see. He asks if it is something that they can consider, and the City Attorney touched on the issues that happened in LA and he condemns the conversations they had.
Council Member Davila thanks the Kiwanis for all the work they have been doing for the last couple of years since they have started the Kiwanis Club in South Gate and praises them for everything they do for the community. She says that what happened in the LA City Council is unacceptable, she did not want to comment on this, but she thinks it is important and says that they should be accountable for the things they do.
She says it is unacceptable and condemn the things they say.
Vice Mayor Avalos concurs that disappointedly what the Council Members said is disgusting and unacceptable and dehumanizing to the community they serve. Hopes they make the right choice which is to step down. She attended Contract Cities event last week and she explains what they went over and the cities that are represented. Explains that they offer money to match what they do and says she understands they have an ELC under the Police Department but maybe they could look at that and see how they can broaden that in case of an emergency. She also attended an
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS opening of a Marsico restaurant here in South Gate and she attended Anthony Rendon's Orgullo Hispano, and he present three exceptional Hispanic professions. This weekend they will be cutting the ribbon for the Dos Rios Park and will make certain she attends and looks forward to seeing a lot of residents there.
Mayor Rio and Vice Mayor attended the School Collaborative and talks about the concerns they share at the meeting. This weekend they have a lot of events like the Azalea Bowl, Legacy will play that same day against Huntington Park. They will also be handing out the Henry Gonzalez trophy at Legacy and they will also have a parade that will happen on December 11th, if anyone wants to participate, they can join. He talks about the Art Walk that will be happening again. He also praises the Kiwanis Club of South Gate for all the work they do in the community and now they are going to be a foundation and he thinks it will help build revenue and opportunities. He complements them for all the good work they do with the youth. He works at the college, and they will be having an enrollment fair in October there will be one in the morning and another one in the afternoon. He ends by thanking everyone for their reports.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 6, 7, 9, 12 and 13 were approved by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos. Items 8, 10 and 11 were removed for separate discussion.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
6 PUBLIC WORKS/
ENGINEERING ADMIN The City Council approved items A, B and C during Consent Calendar:
a. Resolution No. 2022-61-CC entitled - Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate approving the Master
Agreement, Administering Agency-State Agreement (Contract No. 2022-89-CC) for State-Funded Projects, No. 07-5257S21
("Agreement") with the State of California Department of Transportation; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
c. Authorized the City Manager and the Assistant City
Manager/Director of Public Works to execute Program
Supplement Agreements and other related documents for state funded projects.
I
I
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 7 PUBLIC WORKS/
ENGINEERING ADMIN The City Council approved items A, B and C during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. 3340 with SAFNA Engineering & Consulting, a Division of SAFNA Corporation, formerly a Division of Heateflex Corporation, to provide additional professional services to manage the procurement process for the Integrated Electronic Security System Installation and Monitoring Services, City Project No. 692-GEN, in an amount not to exceed $10,000;
b. Appropriated $4,000 in Water Funds, $2,000 in Sewer Funds and $4,000 in General Funds for a total of $10,000 to Account No. 311-790-49-9118 to fund Amendment No. 8; and
c. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 8 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
8 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE The City Council approved items A and B by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, no; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
a. Professional Services Agreement (Contract No. 2022-90-CC) with Fiesta Taxi to provide food delivery services in an amount not to exceed $88,000 for services rendered in FY 2021/22 (November through June) and FY 2022/23 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023); and b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
9 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A and B during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2022-91-CC) with All City Management Services, Inc. ("ACMS"), for crossing guard services for a one (1) year term effective July 2, 2022 - June 30, 2023; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 10 ENERGY - GAS/
ELECTRICITY/PHONE The City Council considered:
a. Appropriating $69,000 from the AQMD Fund Balance and $60,000 in Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee ("MSRC") Grant Funds to Account No. 223-610-49- 9005 to fund construction and software services for the Project; b. Approving an Agreement with Araad Builders, Inc., for the construction of the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, City Project No. 636-GEN, in an amount not-to-exceed $131,490;
c. Approving an Agreement with Zevtron, LLC., for Software Services for the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, City Project No. 636-GEN, in an amount not-to-exceed $9,000;
d. Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreements in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
e. Approving the Notice of Exemption for the construction of the Project and directing the City Clerk to file it with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
Due to a manufacturers cost increase the contractor is not able to honor the prices and staff is recommending that all bids be rejected in accordance with the rights that the City reserves with the bid process.
The City Council approved staff's amended recommendation by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos. 11 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A and B by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Vice Mayor Avalos, yes; Mayor Rios, yes; Council Member Diaz, absent.
a. Accepting a grant of $10,000 from Marathon Petroleum to be placed in Fund 231 (Law Enforcement Grants); and
b. Approving the purchase of a LOKI Drone System with the $10,000 allocated to Fund 231 (Law Enforcement Grants) and $3,834.20 from Fund 235 (Asset Forfeiture) for a total of $13,834.20 and authorizing the Director of Administrative Services to make the appropriate budget adjustments to the revenue and expenditure accounts.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 12 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A, B and C during Consent Calendar:
a. Addendum No. 8 to Contract No. 3130 (Master Equity Lease Agreement) with Enterprise FM Trust to include the lease of a 2022 Dodge Durango for the Police Department for a term of 48 months in the total amount of $57,015;
b. Appropriated $14,348 from the unassigned balance of the Asset Forfeiture Budget to Account No. 235-570-21-6310 for the first annual lease payment; and
c. Authorized the Mayor to execute Addendum No. 8 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
13 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A, B, C, D, E and F during Consent Calendar:
a. Purchase Order Agreement with National Auto Fleet Group for the purchase of two patrol vehicles for the Police Department, in the total amount of $100,134.06;
b. Purchase Order Agreement with West Coast Lights & Sirens, Inc., for the purchase and installation of necessary emergency equipment for the two patrol vehicles, in the amount of $36,898.48;
c. Purchase Order Agreement with Northstar Graphics, for the purchase and installation of decals/graphics for two patrol vehicles, in the amount of $720.00;
d. Purchase Order Agreement with CDCE, Inc., for the purchase of Mobile Data Computers to outfit the two patrol vehicles, in the amount of $16,686.30; and
e. Purchase Order Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., for the purchase of mobile radios to outfit the two patrol vehicles, in the amount of $19,269.55.
f. Appropriated an additional $24,669.39 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund to cover the full cost for the two vehicles.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2022 14 CITY COUNCIL
15 WARRANTS
The City Council approved items A and B by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado:
a. A draft Vision Statement developed during a recent Strategic Plan workshop; and
b. Three Strategic Plan Goals of Workforce Development, Fiscal Sustainability and Communication.
The City Council approved the Warrant Register for October 11, 2022, by motion of Vice Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
Total of Checks: $2,704,135.52
Less: Voids $ (4,906.85)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (345,263.72)
Grand Total: $2,353,964.95
Cancellations: 97888, 98059, 98089, 98463, 98499, 98200
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rios adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m. in memory of the people who have lost their lives in bombings in Ukraine and seconded by Council Member Davila. Council Member Diaz was absent.
PASSED and APPROVED this 24th day of January 2023.
ATTEST:
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor