CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
INVOCATION Pastor Marta Moscoso, Faith and Hope Lutheran Church
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Thurman Green, Risk Manager
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos, Vice Mayor Gil Hurtado, Council Member Joshua Barron, Council Member Maria Davila, and Council Member Al Rios: City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) Susan Castro Valenzuela a representative from Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District introduced a technical assistance program. Also known as "Tap." The "Tap" program is available to help cities by getting park projects started.
A resident mentioned his continuous struggle with the current waste management system servicing the city. The resident states that he has issues with pick-up delivery for bulky items.
Mario Dominguez is requesting that City Hall officials should not have a contributing opinion on art murals in the city but rather speak to the city's Art Commission should they oppose a project idea.
Resident, Alice echoed similar concerns regarding the Universal Waste System's lack of assistance when called for routine pick-up service.
Cyndi Esquivel agreed with fellow resident Mario Dominguez regarding mural projects. She hopes that the Art Commission does not move forward with the graffiti-style artwork for the water towers.
Thomas Buckley thanked the Public Works Department and City Attorney for their continuous help. Thomas wanted to note his disappointment with Universal Waste System. He also requested that the council reinstate the five-minute rule for audience members.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, spoke brietl bout the Christmas lights complaints and how code enforcement officers cited 300 violations. In addition, the city also conducted the third sweep of illegal dumping city-wide to inform community members about illegal lumping. Ms. Elguira also explained how she also attended a plannin onference in which she felt that our community development can stil have some form of improvements, such as implementing more greener type developments and multiple functional infrastructures.
Steve Costley, Acting Director of Parks & Recreation, shared the successful turnout for the Easter Day weekend. He also wanted to share some of the upcoming events at the park, such as the Earth Day and Bike Event on April 29th. The Star Wars Event is on May 5th. And on May 6th Junior Athletics Association opening day celebrations at the park.
Art Cervantes, Director of Public Works also wanted to take the time to promote South Gate's 18th Annual Earth Day celebration. It will be taking place on April 22nd at the park. The celebration will have activities for the community to get involved. For more information, community members can visit the City's website or contact our Public Works Department.
Kris Ryan, Director of Administrative Services reminded the community that the City of South Gate has partnered with the state of California's Low Income Water Assistance Program. It provides one-time assistance for residents with past or current balances ranging from $2,000 to $15,000.
For more information on the program, please visit the program's website or call.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, announced the open positions for the City of South Gate.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police, reminded the public and council members that there would be an Autism Awareness Event held on the 27th at 5 pm. He also wanted to note the importance of community support for our law enforcement officers.
Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos echoed the Chief of Police's message and thanked our police department for their selflessness.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager, had nothing to report.
Raul F. Salina, City Attorney, responded to the audience member's comment and clarified the Universal Waste System's contract with the City.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer briefly spoke on the comment from the udience regarding the art project for the water tank. As a resident of th ity, he suggests that the city should integrate the City's logo Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, states that we should continue to process She encourages our residents to call to
passports in the City Cent's office.
Council Member Barron thanked the parks and recreation staff for a successful Easter Egg Hunt. Mr. Barron also took the time to note the Alvarado for receiving a $50,000 SoCal Edison Scholarship Award in STEM. Lastly, Council Member Barron asked if the meeting could be closed in honor of a fellow resident Enrique Ruiz who had an impactful presence in the community's youth.
Council Member Al Rios began congratulating Joshua Alvarado on the scholarship. Mr. Rios noted his attendance at the Easter Egg Hunt and how he appreciated the successful turnout. He mentioned and addressed the concerns of the comments made by audience members regarding the Universal Waste System. Council Member Rios wanted to also remind the public of the Gift Card program and its benefits to our local businesses. He took the time to mention the importance of guiding our youth. He is currently working with Los Angeles Unified School District on creating supervised activities for adolescents in our community. Lastly, he mentioned some events that will be taking place in the city, such as the Career Day Event on the 18th and Jaime Escalante Program sign-ups on the 15th at the ELAC campus in South Gate.
Council Member Davila noted that she also attended the Easter Egg Hunt and thanked Steve Costley and the staff for organizing the event. She also asked if the meeting could be adjourned in honor of Jonathan Gonzalez.
Vice Mayor Hurtado addressed the audience's comments regarding Universal Waste Systems. He states that the contract decision was made as a whole. Vice Mayor Hurtado also mentioned the LA County Board of Supervisors' decision of plans to pull jail depopulation and asked Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police, to elaborate more on the effects of this process.
Lastly, Mr. Hurtado spoke briefly about the need for change in administering citations for violations relating to Christmas lights, unpermitted vendors, and parking restrictions.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
FROM CIT DEALS
CONT'D Mayor Avalos thanked Steve Costley and other staff members from the Parks & Recreation Department for the Easter Egg Hunt. She briefly spoke about her concerns with the carnival cancellation and how some council members, along with herself, will be working with LAUS to combat these outbursts in our youth today. Mayor Avalos also wanted to grant Joshua Alvarado a certificate of appreciation for his accomplishment with the SoCal Edison Scholarship. She also mentioned attending a closed meeting with HUB Cities and a Southeast Water Coalition. During the meeting with Southeast Water Coalition, it was shared that the Wate replenishment district is considering raising the City's water rates. Mayor Avalos states that members from other cities are joining to oppose the rates. She took the time to thank the chief of police and briefly discussed CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are Consent Calendar Items were approved by motion of Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila.
Council Member Davila. Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused for Item 1).
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused for Item 1); Mayor Avalos, yes.
STREETSISIDEWALKSI
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopted Resolution No. 2023-19- CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, State of California, declaring an emergency still exists and authorizing repair, replacement or maintenance activities of public facilities related to the Urban Orchard, City Project No. 539-PRK, without public bidding, ursuant to the emergency contracting procedures of the South Ga Tunicipal Code and the California Public Contract Code during Conser Calendar.
2 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. The purchase of a 2022 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Police motorcycle in the total amount of $41,796 from Orange County Harley-Davidson along with the necessary equipment to outfit the motorcycle in the amount of $11,753;
Appropriated an additional $19,608.53 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund to cover the full cost of the motorcycle and necessary equipment; and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
LAW ENFORCEMENT
CONT'D
Authorized the Police Chief or his designee to execute the associated documents for the purchases in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
3 HEALTH SERVICES The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 2022-69-CC with AltaMed to administer a free Mental Health Assistance Program for two years commencing July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025;
Appropriated $400,000 from the American Rescue Plan funds to an account determined by the Director of Administrative Services to fund the administration of the free Mental Health Assistance Program; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
4 HEALTH SERVICES The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 2022-68-CC with Compatior, Inc., to administer a free Mental Health Assistance Program for two years commencing July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025; Appropriated $400,000 from the American Rescue Plan funds to an account determined by the Director of Administrative Services to fund the administration of the free Mental Health Assistance Program; and
C. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
ENERGY AND CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS The City Council unanimously approved items A, B, C, D & E during Consent Calendar:
a. Authorized the purchase from Elk Gove Auto/Winner Chevrolet of one 2023 Chevy Bolt EV LT vehicle for the Community
Development Department, Code Enforcement Division, in an amount not to exceed $33,99.76;
b. Approved the purchase of related equipment in an amount not to exceed $7,988.89;
Appropriated $33,997.76 in unreserved South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Subvention Funds for the
purchase of the electric vehicle
d. Appropriated $7,988.89 in General Fund monies for the purchase of the necessary equipment; and.
e. Authorized the Community Development Director or her designee to execute the associated documents in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION
The City Council considered adopting a Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) by creating the position of Marketing and Community Engagement Manager, reclassifying a Management Analyst to a Community Engagement Management Analyst. The City Council will also consider approving the Job Classification Specifications for the two positions: Marketing and Community Engagement Manager classification and Community Engagement Management Analyst in the City Manager's Office.
Additionally, the City Council will consider updating the Salary Pay Table for the City of South Gate Professional and Mid-Management Employees by adding the Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Pay Scale 616 ($6,608 - $8,032 monthly), an Exempt Classification, and the Community Engagement Management Analyst at Pay Scale 610 ($6,147 - $7,472 monthly), a Non-Exempt Classification. Finally, the City Council will consider authorizing the City Manager to eliminate the Management Assistant position in the City Manager's Office when the position becomes vacant was unanimously continued to the City Council Meeting of May 9 2023, by motion of Council Member Barron and seconded by Vice Mayor Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION
The City Council considered adopting a Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) by reclassifying the City Hall Receptionist position in the City Manager's Office to an Office Assistant position was unanimously continued to the City Council Meeting of May 9, 2023, by motion of Vice Mayor Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Rios.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
CITY COUNCH. The City Council considered continuing this item to the next Regular City ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
CITY COUNCIL The City Council unanimously adopted the City's 2023 Legislative Platform containing the City's state and federal legislative priorities by motion of Vice Mayor Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
10 WARRANTS The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for April 11, 2023, by motion of Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Rios.
Total of Checks: $1,613,429.24
Less: Voids $ (3,295.50)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (328,043.30)
Grand Total: $1,282,090.44
Cancellations: 97988, 100182, 2456, 2540, 99303, 100462 ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2023
ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Hurtado adjourned the meeting in memory of Juana Hernandez Alvarado, lifelong resident, Porfirio Varas, lifelong resident, Enrique Galindo Ruiz, South Gate resident and Jonathon Noe Gonzalez, owner of Amy's Cafe at 9:19 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Rios.
PASSED and APPROVED this 11* day of July 2023.
ATTEST:
Mai Meantala Un
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor