CITY OF SOUTH GATE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor called a Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:54 p.m.
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos, Vice Mayor Gil Hurtado, Council Member Maria Davila, Council Member Joshua Barron, and Council Member Al Rios; City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
The Council Members recessed into Closed Session at 5:55 p.m. and reconvened at 6:38 p.m. with all Members of Council present. Vice Mayor Hurtado was recused from participating on Item 1 due to the proximity to his primary residence. 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. NR Development Inc., v. City of South Gate
Item 1(a) has to do with the Urban Orchard Project which is between 710 Freeway and the Los Angeles River just south of Firestone Boulevard.
2. CONSIDER THE EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
a. City Manager
Item 2(a) was not discussed in closed session.
Mayor Avalos asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Mario Dominguez asked what item 1(a) is about and why can't Vice Mayor Hurtado participate. What would happen if Vice Mayor Hurtado did participate.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2023 Having no one else come forward, Mayor Avalos closed the audience portion.
City Attorney Salinas stated that NR Development is a contractor, and a dispute has arisen between the contractor and the city over whether certain expenses concerning excavation and soil removal are within the context of the contract or other aspects and whether the contractor is entitled to additional compensation.
Mr. Salinas stated that on the issue of Vice Mayor Hurtado's decision to recuse himself is that state law requires that a councilmember recuse himself if a project is within 500 feet and while Vice Mayor Hurtado's residence is slightly more than 500 feet it's in close proximity of the site.
The city has often encouraged councilmembers on an abundance of caution to recuse themselves if they felt that their personal interests or property interests would potentially be impacted. Mr. Salinas deferred to Vice Mayor Hurtado if he would like to add.
Vice Mayor Hurtado stated he resides at a mobile park and its adjacent to the project.
ADJOURNMENT Council Member Davila unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. and was seconded by Council Member Barron.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
PASSED and APPROVED this 13 th day of June 2023.
ATTEST:
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor Yodit e, City Clerk