CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Vice Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order to 6:39 p.m.
INVOCATION Pastor Ernesto Trejo, South Gate Church of Christ
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Ana Elizarraras, Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Vice Mayor Hurtado, Council Member Joshua Barron, and Council Member Maria Davila; City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager Chris Jeffers, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
ABSENT/EXCUSED Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos and Council Member AI Rios
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) Bill Wallace, 8823 Beaudine, reminded the public about collecting signatures on the proposition to revise the rules that will allow property transfers and retain the same tax rate that their family members currently pay.
Jose Silva,10340 VirginiaAve, spoke on an ongoing issue he's had with his neighbor's dog and his complaint to code enforcement. He's questioning code enforcement as there are many cars blocking fire hydrants and driveways.
Sandra Hernandez, 10336 PinehurstAve, spoke on her rising water bill and the lack of response she has received from the water department.
Juliet Reyes, 10312 Bryson Ave, echoed the water bill issues and the petition she created with signatures of residents going through the same situation. She also voiced her concerns with tree trimming and potholes in the city.
Benito de los Santos, Southern and Santa Fe, voiced concerns of auto theft that has been ongoing and if there was any update or plan to resolve that issue. He also echoed his issues with the rising water bill.
Roberto Pichalvo, 9210 San Gabriel Ave, echoed the same issues for the water bill.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2023
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) CONT'D Elias Luna, resident of Paramount, echoed the water bill rising.
William, 9304 San Gabriel, echoed the water bill issues and concerns of cleanliness around the city.
Ernesto Cortez, 9727 San Juan Ave, spoke on the lack of maintenance on Tweedy Blvd and expressed frustration on the lack of help for issues that other residents are facing.
Erica Velasques, 9201 San Juan Ave, echoed similar concerns of the water bill rising.
Rudy Chacon, 9207 San Juan Ave, echoed similar concerns of the water bill rising.
Antonio Sanchez, 9214 San Gabriel Ave, echoed similar concerns of the water bill rising for their church location and lack of maintenance in the streets around the city.
Manuel Barrajas, 9237 VictoriaAve, echoed similar concerns of the water bill rising.
Mario Dominguez echoed the water issues and requested an update on Hollydale Community Park construction.
Thomas Buckley listed out the names of the council members so the residents can see who they can vote in or out. He also echoed the water billing issues.
Armando Velasques made some aru'iouncements as a representative for the Kiwanis Club of South Gate.
Silva Soto echoed issues of the water bill.
Council Member Barron commented on the water bill issues as he also has faced some issues with his water bill.
Vice Mayor Hurtado responded to the public and said that our staff is trying to find an answer to this issue.
Chris Jeffers, City Manager, stated there will be an investigation into this matter,
Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, provided an update on the Hollydale Park construction.
RF,GULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2023
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) CONT'D Arturo Cervantez, Director of Public Works, provided an update to the Tweedy Mile beautification project that will begin sometime in March of 2024.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Wendy O'Kelly, Director of Finance, provided a link for customer service issues that residents can use.
Nellie Cobos, representing HR Director Jon Hamilton, provided a list of current job openings.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police, reminded the public about the Trunk or Treat and Family Day at the Park event.
Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation showed a video from the Parks and Recreation Department showing the pumpkin plunge day.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, spoke in honor of Matt Hansen who passed away due to heart attack.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, had nothing to report.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, spoke on the water bill issues that are happening
Council Member Davila spoke on the events she attended and echoed the concerns of the water bill.
Council Member Barron expressed his support for the community and there will be a push to resolve the water bill issue. He spoke on his attendance at the art walk and his experience. He also announced the Softball camp he will be hosting in support of the Toy drive. He ended with speaking on the topic of mental health and the loss of Officer Ortiz from the West Covina Police Department.
Vice Mayor Hurtado also touched on the topic of mental health and the loss of two young adolescents to suicide. He also spoke on the issue of rising reckless driving and asked Chief Arakawa what could be done to help this issue. He also emphasized on the curb painting programs that there is no obligation for residents to pay for the painting.
Chief Arakawa went over the data of tickets being given and the operations happening to help with public safety.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2023 CONSENTCALENDAR Agenda Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 were approved by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Barron. Item 1 was recessed.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, absent; Council Member Rios, absent.
2 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
3 PERSONNEL ADMIN
a. Resolution No. 2023-73-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, approving Agreement Number 23-APP46 accepting grant funds in the amount of $34,455 from the State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to participate in the ABC GAP forABC enforcement and compliance for Fiscal Year 2023/24; b. Appropriated $34,455 in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget under Fund 231 Law Enforcement Grants and increasing grant revenue by the same amount; and
C. Authorized tlie Chief of Police to execute the Grant Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-74-CC entitled Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to approve the update to the job classification specification for the position of Code Enforcement Supervisor in the Department of Community Development during Consent Calendar. 4 PERSONNEL ADMIN The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-75-CC entitled Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to approve the following actions during Consent Calendar:
1) Retitled the Transportation Supervisor position in the Parks and Recreation Department to Transportation Planning Manager; 2) Updated the classification specification for the position of Transportation Planning Manager; and
3) Updated the salary range for the Transportation Planning Manager on the City's Consolidated Pay Table.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2023 5 PARKS The City Council approved items A, B, C & D during Consent Calendar:
Agreement (Contract No. 2023-154-CC) with Quality Fence Co., Inc., to construct the South Gate Park Fence Project, City Project No. 550-PRK in an amount not to exceed $1,785,000; Appropriated $650,000 from the Park Enhancement Fund to cover additional costs for the project;
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
Authorized the Director of Parks & Recreation to approve any change orders needed up to the amount designated in the contingency funding.
6 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
Agreement (Contract No. 2023-155-CC) withAll City
Management Services, Inc. ("ACMS"), for crossing guard services for a one (1) year term effective July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024; and Appropriated an additional $32,099.16 from the General Fund unallocated fund balance for the Crossing Guard Program; and Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
7 DATA PROCESSING
SERVICES The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
Microsoft Enterprise License Agreement (Contract No. 2023-156-CC) with SHI for Microsoft Office 365, a cloud-based electronic mail system, for a three-year term, in the amount of $483,012.42, or $161,004 annually; and
Authorized the issuance of a Purchase Order to SHI for the purchase of this 3-year Microso-it Enterprise License Agreement.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2023 8 WASTEWATER MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Accepted completion of construction of the Sanitary Sewer Project, City Project No. 629-SWR, constructed by Southwest Pipeline & Trenchless Corporation, effective August 16, 2023; and b. Directed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
9 CITY COtlNCIL/ PUBLIC
ACCESS coupanmix The City Council continued this item to the next City Council meeting of November 14, 2023, by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Barron:
a. Approving an Agreement with Granicus to install video and broadcast equipment in the Council Chambers in City Hall and provide video production services for a three-year term; b. Appropriating $57,400 in one-time costs from the ARPA Fund and $55,400 in on-going costs from the Public Access Fund; and C. Authorizing tlie Mayor to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, absent; Council Member Rios, absent.
10 LAW ENFORCEMENT The City Council approved items A & B by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Vice Mayor Hurtado:
a. The South Gate Police Department Grand The'ft Auto Awareness Campaign; and
b. Appropriated $17,500 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund to fund the program.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, absent; Council Member Rios, absent.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2023 WARRANTS The City Council approved the Warrants and Cancellations for October 24, 2023, by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Barron:
Total of Checks:
Voids:
Total Payroll Deductions:
Grand Total:
$4,978,345.77
($ 945.73)
($ 332,554.92)
$4,644,845.12
Cancellations: 98562, 99392, 99770, 99780, 99799, 99804, 99854, 99875 l
STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council considered making a finding and adopting Resolution declaring an emergency still exists and authorizing repair, replacement or maintenance activities of public facilities related to the Urban Orcliard, City Project No. 539-PRK, without public bidding, pursuant to the emergency contracting procedures of the South Gate Municipal Code and the California Public Contract Code was recessed to the next City Council meeting of November 14, 2023 by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Barron.
ADJOtlRNMENT Council Member Davila adjourned the meeting in memory of Matt Hanson, attorney who worked with the City Attorney's law firm and assisted the City on various difficult cases at 9:25 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Barron.
PASSED and APPROVED this 9f" day of January 2024.
ATTEST:
Yodit Gl City Clerk