1 CITY OF SOUTH GATE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor called a Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
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 City Council presented Certificates of Appreciation to:
PRESENT
1 CERTIFICATE OF
APPRECIATION
1 1
a. Anaheim High School for winning the Musical Sweepstakes Award; b. South Gate Aquatics for winning the Mayors Award;
c. Waite Leadership - Colorguard for winning the JROTC Sweepstakes Award;
d. A&J - Dance Studio for winning the Santa Award;
e. Legacy High School for winning the Rudolph Award;
f. Royal Storm Elite for winning the Cheer Squad Award; g. Independence Elementary for winning the Woodcraft Rangers Award; h. Linda Marquez High School for winning the Dance Group Award; i. Charros de Compton for winning the Charro Award;
j. The Clown Group for winning the Marching Unit Award; k. Compatior Counseling for winning the Auto Award; and
1. Nova Storage for winning the Floats Award.
2 PROCLAMATION The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring the month of January 2023, as National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention month in the City of South Gate.
3 PROCLAMATION
4 PROCLAMATION
The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring the month of January 2023, as National Mental Wellness Month.
The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring the month of January 2023, as National Mentoring Month.
5 PROCLAMATION The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring the month of January 2023, as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in the City of South Gate.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 2023 CLOSED SESSION The Council Members recessed into Closed Session at 5:44 p.m. and reconvened at 6:39 p.m. with all 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. Jane Doe, etc. v. LAUSD, etc., et al.
b. Maria Heredia v. City of South Gate
c. Alisha Woodward v. City of South Gate
d. City of South Gate v. Albert Robles
e. NR Development Inc., v. City of South Gate
On item 1(a), the City Council received a report from the City Attorney with respect to that litigation. On a motion made by Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Barron and on a vote of 5-0, the City Council authorized the City Attorney to defend that case.
Item 1(b) is a claim for injuries over a trip and fall on a city sidewalk. The city received a settlement proposal which was discussed in closed session and on a motion made by Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Rios and on a vote of 5-0, City Council rejected that settlement offer.
Item 1(c) is another trip and fall over a city metal gate. The city received a settlement offer. On a motion made by Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila and on a vote of 5-0, City Council rejected that offer.
Item 1(d) a matter that is the subject of an ongoing appeal from a judgment entered in favor of the city. The city considered a request to proceed to mediation and provided guidance to the City Attorney with respect to that request. The City Council also considered a request by the City Attorney to substitute out of that case this matter is now in appeal and will be handled by a law firm that specializes in appeals. The motion was made by Council Member Davila and seconded by Mayor Avalos and on a vote of 5-0.
On item 1(e), the city received a report by city staff regarding ongoing issues of a project at the Urban Orchard, this land is between the 710- freeway and LA River just south of the 710-freeway exit going south and upon completion of that report, questions were asked, guidance was given but no action or motions were taken in connection with that item. Vice Mayor Hurtado recused himself from this item because the property is within 500 feet of his residence.
I
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 2023
CLOSED SESSION
CONT'D 2. CONSIDER THE EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
a. City Manager
Item 2 was not discussed in closed session. The City Council will return to closed session after the Regular City Council meeting precludes.
Mayor Avalos asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Mario Dominguez asked when will the city be done with the Albert Robles case. He also asked for the names of the prior Councilmembers involved with Mr. Robles.
City Attorney Salinas stated that the city on January 28, 2003, held a historic recall election. Eighty percent of the voters recalled three Councilmembers (Raul Moriel, Maria Benavides & Xochilt Ruvalcaba) and City Treasurer Albert Robles.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Avalos closed the audience portion.
RECESS
Prior to the conclusion of item 2(a), the City Council recessed at 6:46 p.m., in order that the Council might hold its Regular City Council Meeting. The meeting reconvened at 10:06 p.m. with all Council presents.
CLOSED SESSION The Council Members recessed into Closed Session at 10:06 p.m. and reconvened at 11:47 p.m. with all Members of Council present. City Attorney Salinas reported the following:
2. CONSIDER THE EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
a. City Manager
On item 2(a) Council had a discussion but there was no reportable action taken.
Mayor Avalos asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Mario Dominguez questioned how there can be no reportable action taken if this item was discussed in closed session.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 2023
CLOSED SESSION
CONT'D City Attorney Salinas stated that this is the standard Brown Act permitted way for having these discussions about the performance of a City Manager and it allows for a certain degree of freedom in closed session.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Avalos closed the audience portion.
ADJOURNMENT Council Member Rios unanimously adjourned the meeting at 11:55 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Davila.
PASSED and APPROVED this 28th day of March, 2023.
ATTEST:
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor Yodit I aze, City Clerk