CITY OF SOUTH GATE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Maria del Pilar Avalos, Mayor called a Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
ROLL C,ALL Sonia Guerrero, Recording Secretary
PRESENT Mayor Maria del Pilar Avalos, Vice Mayor Hurtado, Council Member Joshua Barron, Council Member Maria Davila and Council Member Al Rios; City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager Robert Houston, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
ABSENT/EXCUSED Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
DEVIATE FROM
THE AGENDA Mayor Avalos motioned to have item 1 considered out of its regular agenda order 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.
I
CITY COUNCIL The City Council unanimously received and filed a presentation by the City Attorney on SB 1439 (Glazer) and any relevant Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) rules related to this law which became effective January 1, 2023. The City Council may or may not have additional requests for possible follow-up by the City Attorney's Office relating to future City Council agenda items by motion of Vice Mayor Hurtado and seconded by Mayor Avalos.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Hurtado, yes; Mayor Avalos, yes.
CLOSED SESSION The Council Members recessed into Closed Session at 6:27 p.m. and reconvened at 7:33 p.m. with four (4) Members of Council present. Vice Mayor Hurtado recused himself from Item l(a) and left the Council Chambers at 7:05 p.m. 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)
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2023 a. NR Development v. City of South Gate
b. Edward Huffman v. City of South Gate (WCAB)
c. Aurelia Enache v. City of South Gate
d. Estebai'i Hernandez v. City of Soutli Gate; County of Los Angeles, et al.
On item I(a), the City Council received a report by the City Attorney and staff with a proposed settlement. At the conclusion of that report, there was a motion made by Mayor Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila and on a vote of 4-0, City Council authorized a proposed settlement in that matter and also authorized and delegated the authority to sign the agreement to our City Manager Robert Houston in order to complete the necessary documentation toward that settlement. The amount of the settlement is not being disclosed at this time because it is still pending, and it has not yet been finalized but it will be disclosed pursuant to the Brown Act.
On item 1(b), the City Council received a report by the Workers' Compensation attorney (outside counsel) representing the city in that matter. The city considered a proposed settlement and upon a motion made by the Vice Mayor Hurtado and seconded by Councilwoman Davila and on a vote of 5-0, the City Council authorized a settlement of that matter.
The amount of that settlement will be disclosed in accordance with the Brown Act.
Item l(c) is a personal injury matter which is involved in pending litigation scheduled to go to trial shortly. There was a presentation made by outside counsel assigned to that matter and upon completion of that report, there was a motion made by Council Member Rios and seconded by Mayor Avalos, and on a vote of 5-0, the Council authorized a proposed settlement in a form of 998 offer. The amount of that offer will be disclosed pursuant to the Brown Act.
Item 1(d) is a new lawsuit. There was a motion made by MayorAvalos and seconded by Vice Mayor Hurtado and on a vote of 5-0, the City Council authorized the defense of that matter by the City Attorney's Office.
ADJOURNMENT Council Member Davila adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Barron.
PASSED and APPROVED this 9" day of January 2024.
ATTEST:
Gil Hurtado, Mayor Yodit City Clerk