CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order to 6:59 p.m.
INVOCATION Pastor Ismael Martin del Campo, Empower Apostolic Assembly Church
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Evelyn Garcia, Police Lt.
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Vice Mayor Gil Hurtado, Council Member Maria Davila Council Member Joshua Barron, and Council Member Al Rios; City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
ABSENT Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos and City Treasurer Jose De La Paz
PERSONNEL BENEFITS/
RETIREMENT ADMIN The City Council waived the reading in full and introduced Ordinance No. 2023-02-CC entitled Ordinance of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, authorizing an amendment to the contract between the City and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) implementing Section 20516 (Employees Sharing Additional Cost) to provide employee cost sharing of 1% for local miscellaneous members in the South Gate Municipal Employees Association, South Gate Professional Mid-Management Association, and South Gate Division Management Association, and 1% for classic local police members in the South Gate Police Officers Association beginning Fiscal Year 2023-24, by motion of Council Member Rios 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, absent.
Kristopher Ryan, Director of Administrative Services, described the city's ontract with CaPERS. In order to amend the city's contract wit 'alPERS and implement the program. CaPERS requires the city t complete a series of steps in order to amend the contract. He explainer hat today this part of the meeting was to introduce the ordinance an Council Member Barron asked whether the program is cautionary for only 2 years.
Mr. Ryan responded with how the cost sharing process would go.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
MUNICIPAL CODE
ADMIN Following the conclusion of the Public Hearing, the City Council approved items A & B by motion of Council Member Davila and seconde by Council Member Rios
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, no; Mayor Avalos, absent.
a. Waived the reading in full and introduced Ordinance No. 2023- 03-CC entitled Ordinance repealing Chapter 6.42 (Smoking prohibited in all city-owned, city-operated and city-controllec buildings and vehicles, and at each municipal park) in its entirets and adopting new Chapter 6.42 (Smoking Prohibited) and Sections
6.42.010 (Purpose), 6.42.020 (Definitions), 6.42.030 (Posting of signs required), 6.42.040 (Enforcement) and 6.42.050 (Other applicable laws); and
Determined that the proposed Ordinance is Exempt pursuant to Sections 1506(b)(2) and (b)(3) and 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Vice Mayor Hurtado motioned to amend the Ordinance by adding designated areas. Motion died due to lack of a second.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager, states a request to delete the current ordinance covering the prohibition of smoking and replace it with the proposed ordinance. He explains the difference between the proposed ordinance and what is defined as smoking. States this would be a total ban of smoking on all city parks, property, and vehicles.
Mario Dominguez states frustration of the ban on all city properties and suggests that council rejects this proposal.
Council Member Barron expresses that the smell of smoking should not be normalized around the public area children play in.
Council Member Davila states that parks should be a place of health and a place where smoking should not be allowed.
Council Member Rios states that there have been many complaints from Residents, and it is an issue that should be addressed
Vice Mayor Hurtado suggests an amendment to have designated areas for cigarette smoking instead of a complete ban of smoking on city properties.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
MUNICIPAL.CODE:
ADMIN CONT'D Steve Costley, Interim Parks & Recreation Director, states that smoking should be either allowed or not allowed instead of having designated areas.
STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING Following the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-33-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, ordering the levy of the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Annual Assessment for the Street Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District No. 1, by motion of Council Member Davila and ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, absent.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works, states that the city is in the third step of adopting a resolution to order and levy the annual assessment.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) The city's fellow residents and business owners wanted to thank the council for the gift card program.
Mr. Pacheco began by thanking the council for addressing local schools omeless situation. He requested that the council reinstate the five-minut race period for audience members to state their concerns. He voiced hi concerns about unpermitted street vending and how it affects local businesses.
Ana E. Herrera from South Gate Chambers of Commerce extended an invitation to celebrate men's mental health at South Gate Park on June 10.
An estimated 100 vendors and health specialists/resources will be at the event.
Mario Dominguez stated his concerns regarding UWS property and the odor surrounding the property limits.
Thomas Buckley briefly shared some recommendations for Zoom meetings for individuals calling into the meeting.
Resident Angie voiced her concerns regarding South Gate Scanner page.
She felt that the page is not correctly representing the city or officials in the best light. But instead, spreading false information.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works, addresses the concerns presented to the council regarding Universal Waste Systems and the odors coming from the facility. He reassured the public that UWS would be working on bettering services and mediations taking place. Mr. Cervantes ontinued by explaining that recent rainfall led to an exacerbation o smells.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager, addressed Mr. Pacheco's concerns regarding street vendors. Mr. Jeffers mentioned that there would be a special Mr. Cervantes stated that a presentation would be presented soon to the council regarding the CIP program "Planning and Financial Program document forum," presenting the improvements on recent developments of the fractures in the City.
Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation, updated the council and the public on the success of the 5k run at the park. He also mentioned the excellent turnout for Senior Prom Event at the Commerce Casino. Lastly, he wanted to remind the public of the Memorial Day event that will take place at the park to recognize the fallen soldiers.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, reported attending a few conferences on topics ranging from homelessness, the City's divide, and Clean Technologies.
Kris Ryan, Director of Administrative Services reported that the finance department is finalizing the proposed budget for the new fiscal year. The proposed budget will be presented to all departments and posted on the City's website.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, announced the available positions with the City of South Gate.
Chief Arakawa announced that the police department had granted 28 scholarships to local youth. He thanked Steve Costley for hosting the event and Council Member Davila and Council Member Rios for ttending. Lt. Garcia visited the Martin Luther King Exodus Crisis Civilization. This program helps people experiencing homelessness ir need of rehabilitation and provides resources for long-term care facilities and employment opportunities.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Chris Jeffers, City Manager, thanked the council. He continued by reassuring the public of the concerns of the Universal Waste System. He briefly spoke about the recent changes to LA County's criminal justice system, such as cash bail procedures and jail population capacity Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, had nothing to report.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, had nothing to report.
Council Member Davila took the time to thank the Youth Commission for meioned. one also toda he time to ate reso Mi. Pacheco s concerns about the council's activeness.
Council Member Rios began his report by thanking the Youth Commission for their help with Scholarship Dinner Event. He also mentioned attending Contract Cities Meetings to discuss current issues that all our local cities face.
Council Member Barron inquired about clarification on the street pavement and how it would affect the residential parking district.
Mr. Cervantes reassured him that the street pavement project would have a limited impact on the residents. He is currently having conversations with the police department and engineering department on street closures and parking enforcement.
Council Member Barron requested that information on street closures be updated on social media for the residents.
Mr. Cervantes stated that all information regarding street closures will be posted on the City's Website.
Council Member Barron also wanted to address Mr. Pacheco's concerns and reassure him that the council is proactively taking the initiative to solve the issues in the City.
Vice Mayor Hurtado stated that he attended a few neighborhood watch meetings. He reports that the turnout is getting better. Vice Mayor also took the time to remember a Southeast LA member and former Mayor of Cudahy, Chris Garcia passed away. Mr. Hurtado requested that the meeting be adjourned in his memory.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 were approved by motion of Council Member Rios and seconded by Council Member Davila. Item 5 was pulled for separated discussion. Item 8 was continued to a future meeting.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused for Items 4, 7 and 12). Mayor Avalos was absent.
STREETSIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopted Resolution No. 2023-34- 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 Gat Tunicipal Code and the California Public Contract Code was approve during Consent Calendar.
COMMERCIAL ASSESSMENT
DISTRICTS The City Council amended to appropriate $250,000 instead of the original amount of $150,000 by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Rios:
a. Resolution No. 2023-36-CC entitled Resolution to continue the Shop Local Digital Gift Card Program (sometimes referred to as "Program") for an additional funding cycle with: (1) Yiftee, Inc. ("Yiftee"), for the continued operation of the Digital Gift Card Program, in the amount of $140,000, under existing Contract No. 2022-87-CC, and (2) Hinderliter, de Llamas and Associates, Inc. ("HdL."), in the amount of $10,000, under Contract No. 2022-86- CC, for marketing, administrative and other services associated with the Program; and
b. Appropriated $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") funds for the purpose of continuing a program to support local businesses located in the City of South Gate.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, absent.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
COMMUNITY DEVI
HOUSING The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Renewal of the Reimbursement Agreement (Contract No. 2023-63- CC) between the LCAl Cities and the City of Bell for shelter beds in the Salvation Army Bell Shelter in an amount not to exceed $31,379 provided that the LCA1 cities have each approved the Agreement; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, subject to the required approvals stated above.
WATER The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2023-64-CC) with CSI Services Inc., to provide construction management and inspection services for the construction of the Hawkins North and South Tank Rehabilitation, City Project No. 645-WTR in an amount not to exceed $113,390; Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
PUBLIC WORKS/
ENGINEERING ADMIN The City Council continued this item to a future City Council meeting:
a. Approving an Agreement with ACMS Group, Inc., for a 5-year term to provide its Dossier on-Demand Solution fleet maintenance management software, in an amount not to exceed $132,433; Approving an appropriation of $10,822 from Fleet Funds to fully fund Year One service fees of the five-year Agreement; and c. Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
WASTEWATER MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2023-65-CC) with Pipe Tec, Inc., for a 3- year term to perform CCTV inspections services of the City's sanitary sewer system for an amount not to exceed $347,000; and Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
STREETSISIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A, B, C & D during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2023-66-CC) with WGJ Enterprises, Inc. ("Agreement"), for the construction of the Thermoplastic Striping of Streets Citywide, City Project No. 654-ST ("Agreement), in an amount not-to-exceed $100,860;
Declared the Thermoplastic Striping of Streets Citywide, City Project No. 654-ST, categorically exempt under Title 14 ot the California Code of Regulations, Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA");
c. Notice of Exemption for the construction of the Thermoplastic Striping of Streets Citywide, City Project No. 654-ST and directing the City Clerk to file it with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
STREETSISIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A, B, C, D, E, F & G during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2023-67-CC) with Sequel Contractors, Inc. ("Agreement"), for the construction of the Long Beach Boulevard Street Improvements Project, City Project No. 515-S 1, in an amount not-to-exceed $7,578,763;
Appropriated $780,000 in Road Mitigation Funds from the tund balance to fully fund construction on the Long Beach Boulevard Street Improvements Project, City Project No. 515-ST;
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
11 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING CONT'D
c. Authorized the City Manager to approve change orders administratively up to a cumulative amount of $500,000 to avoid delaying construction if change order work is needed;
Authorized the City Manager to approve pre-payments of
construction progress payments for the construction contract to meet compliance with state legislation that requires payments within 30 days;
e. Declared the Long Beach Boulevard Street Improvements Project, City Project No. 515-ST, Categorically Exempt under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA");
f. Notice of Exemption for the construction of the Long Beach Boulevard Street Improvements Project, City Project No. 515-ST; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
12 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Memorandum of Understanding (Contract No. 2023-68-CC) with the City of Downey for the Garfield Avenue Complete Street Project, City Project No. 564-ST; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of
Understanding in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. 13 CITY FACILITIES MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Purchase Order with Herc Rentals for HVAC equipment rentals to serve as a backup during the 2023 summer months to mitigate the potential for service interruptions at the South Gate Police Station in an amount not to exceed $70,000; and
Appropriated $70,000 in General Funds from the Undesignated General Fund Reserve to fund the Purchase Order.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
PARKS The City Council approved an added amount of $18,500 to an existing Purchase Order Agreement with NADA Bus, Inc., to include bus services for community/senior trips during Consent Calendar.
15 HEALTH SERVICES The City Council accepted and appropriated the 2022-2023 Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant amount of $51,954.12 to implement the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Program during Consent Calendar.
MUNICIPAL CODE ADMIN The City Council approved items A, B & C by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Barron:
a. Received and filed the Annual Military Equipment Report; 'ound this matter to be exempt under CEQA per Section 1506 b) (3) of the CEOA Guidelines; an
Renewed South Gate Municipal Code 1.39.010 (Military
Equipment Policy).
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila res; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos absent.
=
WARRANTS The City Council approved the Warrant Register for May 23, 2023, by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Barron.
Total of Checks: $3,555,735.51
Less: Voids $ (21,882.88)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (391,242.98)
Grand Total: $3,142,609.65
Cancellations: 100343, 100722
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, absent.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2023
ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Hurtado adjourned the meeting in memory of Ted Noudis (a long-time resident of South Gate and former business owner of T and C's Restaurant on Tweedy Blvd), Gloria Molina (former County of Los Angeles Superintendent and long-time representative of South Gate) and Southeast LA member and former Mayor of Cudahy, Chris Garcia at 9:20 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Rios.
PASSED and APPROVED this 11" day of July 2023.
ATTEST:
Mari alidea al
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor Yodit Glaze, City Clerk