CITY OF SOUTH GATE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022
CALL TO ORDER Al Rios, Mayor called a Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor Al Rios, Vice Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos, and Council Member Gil Hurtado; City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas ABSENT Council Member Maria Davila, and City Treasurer Gregory Martinez LATE Council Member Denise Diaz arrived during closed session at 6:26 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION The Council Members recessed into Closed Session at 5:34 p.m. and reconvened at 6:31 p.m. with four (4) Members of Council present. City Attorney Salinas reported the following:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — PENDING
LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), 54954.9(b)(3)(C) a. Ruiz, et al. v. City of South Gate, et al.
b. NR Development Inc., v. City of South Gate
c. Stephanie Ann Elledge v. City of South Gate
Item 1(c) is a tort claim that the city considered in closed session. After presentation of that tort claim, there was a motion made by Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos and on a vote of 3- 0 to deny the claim. Shortly after the vote, Councilwoman Diaz joined the meeting.
RECESS
Item 1(b) was not discussed in closed session. This will be continued as an agendized item to the next regular city council meeting.
Item 1(a) was not discussed, and Council will be adjourning back into closed session following the regular council meeting to address the case.
At this time, 6:34 p.m., Mayor Rios stated that the closed session meeting be recessed in order that the Council might hold its Regular City Council meeting.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 29, 2022
CLOSED SESSION
The closed session meeting recessed at 9:58 p.m. and reconvened at 10:30 p.m. with four (4) Council present. City Attorney Salinas reported the following:
Council met in closed session to discussed item 1(a). This is a federal court case involving a claim of excessive force by the South Gate Police Department. The City of South Gate defended that action and entered into a mediation to try to resolve the matter. The matter did resolve, and a proposed settlement was received. The City Council approved this evening subject to the approval by the City's insurance are cooperative (ICRMA).
The amount of the settlement is not being disclosed at this time because is subject to approval by others and there is no formal agreement that has yet been entered. The motion approving the settlement was made by Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Vice Mayor Avalos and the vote was 4-
0. Mayor Rios asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Mario Dominguez inquired if Chief Arakawa could comment on this item.
Mayor Rios stated that Chief Arakawa is no longer in the Chambers.
City Attorney Salinas stated that it was a use of force case brought by the Estate of Ruiz. It was an officer involved shooting. The City defended the action and continue to defend the action vigorously and the matter is being settled with the cooperation of the city's insurance company (ICRMA).
ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Avalos adjourned the meeting at 10:32 p.m. and seconded Council Member Hurtado.
PASSED and APPROVED this 24th day of January 2023.
ATTEST:
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor Yodit 1 e, City Clerk