SOUTH GATE CITY COUNCIL
SOUTH GATE HOUSING AUTHORITY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH GATE
SPECIAL JOINT BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor/Chairperson called the Special Joint Budget Session Meeting of the South Gate City Council to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor/Chairperson Maria del Pilar Avalos, Vice Mayor/Vice Chairperson Gil Hurtado, Council/Authority/Agency Member Joshua Barron, Council/Authority/Agency Member Maria Davila, and
Council/Authority/Agency Member AI Rios,, City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager/Executive Director Chris Jeffers, City Attorney/Authority Counsel Raul F. Salinas
BtJDGETADM The City Council, South Gate Housing Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Cornrnunity Development Cornrnission of the City of South Gate:
a. Heard the various presentations on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-24 Municipal Budget and 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for the various entities;
b. ApprovedResolutionNo.2023-47-CCentitledAJointResolutionof the City Council of the City of South Gate, South Gate Housing Authority and Successor Agency to the Cornrnunity Development Commission of the City of South Gate, California, adopting the Municipal Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 with the changes stipulated in ExhibitA and B for a total of $156,497,819 for all funds along with any additions or deletions the Legislative Bodies may enact; c. Approving the budget modifications for Fiscal Year 2022-23 as described in Attachment C; and
d. Approving Resolution No. 2023-46-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, adopting the annual Gann Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
SPECIAL JOINT BUDGET CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY & SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2023
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, goes over the budget specifically to the City Clerk's office and the current number of employees as well as accomplishments for the fiscal year 2023-24 so far.
Mayor Avalos asked where the money generated from passports goes to.
Kristopher Ryan, Director of Administrative Services, explained that the money generated goes to the general fund.
Mrs. Glaze concluded the City Clerk's presentation.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, describes the reduction in the retirement contributions and the reason for the increase is related to medical lnSuranCe0
Mr. De La Paz concluded the presentation.
Steve Costley, Interim Parks & Recreation Director, explains that the county lacks adding park space and there are not enough parks in the city.
There is an average of 6,000-8,000 people that visit the park every day.
Mr. Costley went through each program and budget that the parks and recreation center offer.
Mario Dominguez, Resident, suggested adding art to the city council chambers and adding more Parks to the West side of South Gate.
Council Member Barron asked whether there has been an increase of auditorium reservations due to now allowing alcoholic beverages.
Mr. Costley answered that yes there has been a slight increase as Residents are slowly acknowledging that alcoholic beverages are being allowed.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, asked about how the budget was explained with the new part-time positions hired from the City Clerk's office. He also stated whether the issue of residents sitting on the floor and in the hallways has been resolved. As for the Parks and Recreation budget presentation, he asked about outside companies or independent contractors using park facilities for their profit.
Mr. Costley explained those who reserve park facilities for their own classes are stopped by the Parks and Recreation employees and asked if they wish to continue, they will need a permit or if they are interested in becoming an independent contractor for the park.
SPECIAL JOINT BUDGET CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY & SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2023
City Treasurer De La Paz continued with asking about the golf budget maintenance and how the empty spaces can be utilized for Youth sports and adding a dog park.
Mayor Avalos asked about the Senior Center attendance and whether it was every day of the week. She also asked about the number of memberships and the issue of gambling and drinking at the park facilities.
Mr. Costley responded with details on the Senior Center and the meal service provided. He could not provide the number of exact memberships at this time but did say they are working with the Police Department on the issue of gambling.
Council Member Rios said how much he likes to see activities at the park for the cornrnunity. He also stated concern about the restroom cleanliness.
Mr. Costley then described the current budget for expanding the parks and the timeline for when those projects would take place.
Mr. Jeffers suggested going out into the community and seeing what the priority is on pro)ects.
Mr. Costley concluded the Parks and Recreations presentation.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, went over the current budget and their need to hire 4 more full-time employees to help the backlog of permits and documents.
Ms. Elguira concluded the Community Development presentation.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works, presented the Departments roles and responsibilities as well as Operations budgets. He followed with a presentation of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which details infrastructure funding needs.
Mr. Cervantes concluded his presentation by going over the 5-year Capital Improvement Program and the carryover Project Iist.
Mayor Avalos asked if anyone in the audience and zoom wished to speak on this item.
Fred Avis, Resident, expresses that Public Works should provide employment to youth and troubled residents.
Mario Dominguez, Resident, wanted Ms. Elguira to elaborate about the El Paseo contamination and location of townhomes that are being built.
SPECIAL JOINT BUDGET CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY & SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2023
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Avalos closed the audience portion.
Council Member Barron asked the Community Development Department about the ADU outreach in turning homes to Section 8 and to explain the stigma attached to Section 8 renters.
Ms. Elguira explained the different cost of rent for the units and inspectors make sure the units are safe for tenants to live in.
Council Member Barron asked how Public Works and Community Development work together to handle certain projects that may interact with one another.
Mr. Cervantes responded with how the replacement of traffic lights is meant to make the flow of traffic more efficient.
Council Member Barron asked about the GIS system and past due amounts on waste management.
Mr. Ryan noted that there are no pending balances on waste management.
Mr. Cervantes explains the tree preservation ordinance and the process of street improvement projects.
Ms. Elguira noted the address of 7916 Long Beach Blvd. for the construction of the Long Beach townhomes and the issue of the El Paseo parking lot that could possibly be contaminated. She mentioned there could be a grant to be able to clean up the area.
Ms. Elguira goes over the process and the reason why there is an extensive waiting list for Section 8. It is due to the shortage of units available for Section 8 applicants.
Vice Mayor Hurtado brought up the issue with the sewer rate and wants to make an education program for it. He also asked what percentage the city is in LED conversions for the streetlights.
Ms. Glaze asked about the food voucher through Section 8 and how to encourage landlords to want to participate in Section 8.
Mr. Cervantes explained the process of tree removal and the timeline of the process.
Mayor Avalos asked Ms. Elguira regarding how much the city pays a recipient of Section 8 in rent payment.
SPECIAL JOINT BUDGET CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY & SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2023
Ms. Elguira went over the documents that will be shredded from the Community Development Department after being scanned to be able to be searchable documents.
Council Member Barron motioned to modify the Administrative Services budget by adding a full-time and keeping the part-time position due to the increase of permits that will be issued and seconded by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council/Authority/Agency Member Barron, yes; Council/Authority/Agency Member Davila, yes;
Council/Authority/Agency Member Rios, no; Vice Mayor/Vice Chairperson Hurtado, yes; Mayor/Chairperson Avalos, yes.
Mr. Jeffers compared local cities in how many Code Enforcement officers they each have to explain the efficiency of the department.
Ms. Glaze asked the Community Development Department to explain the duties of Code Enforcement officers.
Mr. Ryan went over the budget and how much it would cost for a full-time position.
Vice Mayor/Vice Chairperson Hurtado motioned to approve A, B, C & D and seconded by Council/Authority/Agency Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council/Authority/Agency Member Barron, yes; Council/Authority/Agency Member Davila, yes;
Council/Authority/Agency Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor/Vice Chairperson Hurtado, yes; Mayor/Chairperson Avalos, yes.
ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor/Vice Chairperson Hurtado adjourned the meeting at 10:11 p.m. and seconded by Mayor/Chairperson Avalos.
PASSED and APPROVED this 28"1 day of November 2023.
ATTEST:
Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor/Chairperson Yodit aze, City Clerk