CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order to 7:42 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreations
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreations ROLL CALL Sonia Guerrero, Recording Secretary
PRESENT Mayor Gil Hurtado, Vice Mayor Maria Davila, Council Member Maria del Pilar Avalos, Council Member Joshua Barron, 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
EXCUSED FROM
MEETING At this time, 7:44 p.m., Council Member Rios, was excused from the meeting and departed from the Council Chambers.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) Mario Dominguez expressed frustration that there is favoritism and that his request for the camera system did not go forward.
Thomas Buckley addressed some questions to Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, regarding donations/ contributions.
Bill Wallace, 8823 Beaudine Ave, reminded that there is 1 month to go in collecting signatures for the petition on low back property taxes for children and grandchildren.
Olivia Mora, 5246 Wood Ave, requests for assistance in Landlord refusing to reinstate their electricity in their home. She was not aware that the ADU she was living in was illegal since landlord did not let her know.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, stated that he will email Mr. Buckley about his question and that he will not address this issue at this time.
Mayor Hurtado asked Community Development to help the tenant who does not have electricity.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2023
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) CONT'D Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, stated they have tried to help this tenant with this issue, but the case is solely between tenant and landlord as the ADU was an illegal conversion.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROMCITYOFFICIALS ArturoCervantes,DirectorofPublicWorks,hadnothingtoreport.
Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks and Rec, went over the Holiday events that took place and thanked the staff for putting on the event.
Ms. Elguira announced that Community Development received 5 million Dollars in Cal home grants that would provide up to $200,000 for low- income first-time home buyers.
Wendy O'Kelly, Finance Director, announced the reimbursement program for residents to apply.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, announced the open positions that they are recruiting for. He also provided the dates that City Hall will be closed Dec. 22-January 2]'d
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police, stated that the Pageant of the Trees event made roughly about $70,000. He also went over how many toy deliveries they made during these past Holiday events.
Robert Houston, City Manager, provided an update on his first week working here in the City of South Gate.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Council Member Barron commended the Public Works and Parks and Rec staff for the events. He also asked Chief Arakawa if every child in attendance received a toy.
Chief Arakawa explained how the process worked with wristbands and receiving gifts.
Council Member Maria del Pilar Avalos stated that our community is very blessed and commended staff for their efforts in the events. She also announced that Northgate will be doing a toy giveaway. She asked Mr.
Cervantes if there could be filters for the water in our community to improve the quality of the water. Regarding the current war in Palestine and what to state when asked who their support is towards.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2023
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Mr. Salinas stated that this dilemma has a very complicated history. His recommendation would be to encourage people as a cornrnunity to educate themselves instead of choosing sides. He urges caution on the council when it comes to stating any position on any matter.
Council Member Barron mentioned an event he attended was the YOLA organization and highlighted 2 residents who were part of that orchestra:
Ana Rosa Vasquez and Lydia Vasquez. He is hoping that South Gate could partner with this organization to support students who like to play instruments in an orchestra.
Council Member Maria del Pilar Avalos expressed her support as there are no performing arts programs in South Gate.
Vice Mayor Davila thanked all staff for their contributions to the events that took place. She also welcomed our new City Manager Robert Houston.
Mayor Hurtado mentioned Virginia Johnson who passed on earlier in the year and Bill De Witt who were a big part of the community. He also recognized that there are a lot of active people outside of this cornrnunity and his support to the non-profit organizations. He also spoke on the Posada he attended in the city as well as the other Holiday events that happened. He also wants to look further into the video system idea. He also is in support of adding a rumors page on our city website so people can be properly informed on things happening around the city.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 1, 2 and 3 were approved by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Council Member Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Rios, excused; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused from item 1).
I
STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopting Resolution No. 2023-82- 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, pursuant to the emergency contracting procedures of the South Gate Municipal Code and the California Public Contract Code during Consent Calendar.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2023 2 INVESTMENT ADMIN The City Council considered receiving and filing the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, during Consent Calendar.
3 CITY COUNCIL The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. The cancellation of the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting of Tuesday, December 26, 2023; and
b. Authorized the City Council Auditor to review and approve the second warrant register for December 2023.
4 WAR)RANTS The City Council approved the Warrants for December 12, 2023, by motion of Council MemberAvalos and seconded by Vice Mayor Davila:
Total of Checks:
Voids:
Total Payroll Deductions:
Grand Total:
$7,081,451.18
($ 0.00)
($ 275,390.50)
$6,806,060.68
ROLL CALL: Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Rios, excused; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
ADJOtJRNMENT Council Member Barron adjourned the meeting in memory of a 1 5-year- old resident at 8:58 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
PASSED and APPROVED this 27I'1 day of February 2024.
ATTEST:
Gil Hurtado, Mayor Yodit aze, City Clerk