CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:51 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE: Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police
ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
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 Rob Houston, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS Elder Arandula spoke on the the'ft that occurred to him in South Gate. He spoke to Officer Jay Gonzales about the incident and stated that South Gate PD did not want to take any further action.
Paul Cook, attorney who helped Elder Arandula, he echoed frustrations on the theft incident with Elder Arandula.
Lizzette Ruiz expressed disappointment on losing the ability to participate remotely. She also stated frustration with emails and comments not being read fully and only summarized.
Maria Valdez, 12222 Garfield Ave, spoke on the conditions of the apartments and how it is affecting her health due to not being a Section 8 Participant.
Cassildo Herrera, Ohio Ave Resident, expressed the humidity problem inside of his home and not receiving any help.
Moises Lopez, 8976 S. Hunt Ave, echoed issues with mold in his home and the same issues of landlord not helping to resolve.
Brenda, Dearborn st., spoke on renter's rights and the poor conditions of the living spaces due to landlord not wanting to fix things.
Armando Velasquez, Independence Ave., expressed support of the visual update in the city council meetings. Announced Kiwanis events happening in the city.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROMCITYOFFICIALS ArturoCervantez,DirectorofPublicWorks,spokeon4projectsthatare impacting the community in some ways. He provided the updates happening on the projects so far.
Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation, announced events in the Azalea center and the carnival happening over the weekend. He also announced upcoming events during Easter celebrations.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, addressed some of the issues and complaints coming up of people's living conditions.
Stated she is trying to see if measures can be taken on residents that are not participants of Section 8.
Wendy O'Kelly, Director of Administrative Services, announced the last LIHAP event to help residents with water and sewer bill.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, announced new positions that are open to be applied for.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police, addressed the incident with the previous resident. He announced the Jailor Nelson Rosales will be receiving the Orange Coiu'ity medal of valor. He also announced the new vehicle being delivered and the Baker to Vegas run coming up. He met with Lina Gonzales, the Senator, and spoke on the theft and Fentanyl issue.
Rob Houston, City Manager, thanked staff and the community for their efforts.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, spoke on some residents having issues with living conditions in their homes.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, encouraged the community to email their public comments if they are not able to attend council meetings.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, suggested to revisit the technology master plan for review and updates.
Council Member Avalos had nothing to report.
Council Member Barron stated that council members receive the emails for public comments and are summarized by City Clerk during the meeting. He also asked about Park repairs still needed. He also announced the Pickleball event coming up on March 29'h and asked about the food 'Jundraiser for the Baker to Vegas event.
Mr. Costley responded with more details on what repairs are happening.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Council Member Rios echoed concerns of mold that residents are battling in their homes. He also asked for Section 8 participants being helped more with their living conditions. He asked Arturo about a project happening on Long Beach Blvd and aru'iounced the Food Bank. Lastly, he echoed the Azalea festival coming up.
Vice Mayor Davila asked about security for the upcoming carnival. She also announced that the Ms. Azealita event will be rescheduled to a later date and announced the Women's conference coming up.
Mayor Hurtado asked Mr. Houston about the concern in groundwater and setting up a treatment for that. He wanted to confirm the time for the public to comment and how long they have as well as why they had to eliminate zoom.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are Consent Calendar Items.
Liz, a resident, spoke on item 9 and was not sure why the funding had to be changed.
Mr. Cervantez addressed the funding question and explained why the funding had to be changed for the project.
Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved by motion of Vice Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused from voting on items 2, 9 & 10).
l
CITY CLERK
RECORDS MGMT The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during consent calendar:
a. Resolution No. 2024-11-CC entitled A Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate authorizing the destruction of obsolete records retained in City Hall and the Police Department pursuant to Government Code 34090 of the Laws of the State of California;
b. The destruction subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024 2 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopted Resolution No. 2024-12- 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.
3 PERSONNEL RF.CRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-13- CC entitled Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to approve the following actions during consent calendar:
1) Reclassifying one of the Intermediate Account Clerk positions in the Administrative Services Department to Senior Financial Analyst; and
2) Updating the classification specification for the position of Senior Financial Analyst.
4 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-14- CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to reassign the positions of Deputy Director of Finance in the Administrative Services Department and Deputy Director of Public Works - Field Operations in the Public Works Department from Executive Management to DMA, and direct staff to update the bargaining unit assignment in the consolidated salary pay table during consent calendar.
5 PERSONNF.L RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-15- CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to approve an update to the job classification specification for the position of Associate Engineer in the Department of Public Works during consent calendar.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024 6 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-16-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to create the full-time equivalent hourly position of Crime Scene Forensic Specialist in the Police Department and direct staff to update the consolidated salary pay table during consent calendar. 7 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SELECTION The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-17- CC entitled Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to during consent calendar:
1. The update to the job classification specification and compensation for the position of Assistant Plaru'ier in the Community Development Department;
2. The job classification specification and compensation for the position of Associate Planner in the Community Development Department; and
3. The update to the job classification specification and compensation for the position of Senior Planner in the Community Development Department.
8 PERSONNEL - MOU BETW
CITY&EMPLEEGROUPS TheCityCouncilunanimouslyapproveditemsA&Bduringconsent calendar:
a. Resolution No. 2024-18-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, approving the comprehensive successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Contract No. 2024-21-CC) between the City of South Gate and the South Gate Police Officers' Association (SGPOA) for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the comprehensive successor Memorandum of Understanding in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024 9 TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING/ADMIN The City Council approved items A & B during consent calendar:
Amendment No. 5 to Contract No. 2316, Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Firestone Boulevard Southbound On Ramp Modification, Metro Project ID No. 6347, City Project No. 354-ST, de-obligating the Metro Proposition C Fund balance of $439,000 from the Project; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 5 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
PARKS The City Council approved items A & B during consent calendar:
Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 3485 with David Volz Design to revise the architectural landscape plans to meet requirements Southern California Edison ("SCE") has imposed on the Circle Park Renovation Project, City Project No. 609-PRK, at a not to exceed cost of $37,132, and extend the contract term with DVD until December 31, 2025; and
11 PUBLIC WORKS/
Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 3485 in a form acceptable to the City Attomey.
ENGINEERINGADMIN The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during consent calendar:
Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 2023-134-AC with W.G.
Zimmerman Engineering, Inc. to extend the term of the contract to September 12, 2024, to continue engineering staffing services until the vacant Engineering Technician position is filled, for a not to exceed amount of $167,000; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 in a form acceptable to the City.
PARKING & TRAFFIC The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during consent calendar:
Accepted completion of construction of the Replacement of Damaged Traffic Signal Poles Project, City Project No. 655-TRF, effective October 23, 2023; and
Directed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024 13 PARKS The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during consent calendar:
a. Change Order in the amount of $39,000 to the original Purchase Order issued to Fast Deer Bus Charter, Inc., in the amount of $50,000 (p.o. No. 0007864) to provide transportation for Parks & Recreation trips for the remainder of the current fiscal year 2023/24; and
b. Authorized the Director of Parks & Recreation to execute any additional documents.
14 COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA/SYSTEMS The City Council unanimously received and filed an update on the City's cornrnunications efforts by motion of Council Member Rios and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
Giselle Hernandez, Marketing and Cornrnunity Engagement Manager, provided a presentation on communication efforts.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
15 CITY COtJNCIL The City Council unanimously received and filed a report on Senate Bill 329 which amended Section 36516 of the Governrnent Code relating to City Council Member pay caps and information on the pay rates of City Council Members in surrounding cities by motion of Council Member Rios and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
Mr. Houston explained how the pay rates help a balance between Council Members' careers and call to service for the City.
Mayra Castaneda, Ta'ft Ave., expressed support for the pay rate increase.
Humberto Bayas, resident, stated how South Gate's revenue has increased and states support of pay rate increase.
Bishop Juan Carlos Mendez emailed stated support for compensation pay rates.
Council Member Avalos expressed thankfulness for their efforts.
Vice Mayor Davila thanked Giselle for their work in communication with the community.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024 CITY COUNCIL Council Member Barron stated that communication within departments is essential for the effectivity with communication.
Council Member Rios thanked Giselle for their efforts as well.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
WARRANTS The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for March 12, 2024 by motion of Vice Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
Total of Checks:
Less: Voids
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions
Grand Total:
$4,938,431 .26
$ (0.00)
$ (450,786.38)
$4,487,644.88
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
ADJOURNMENT Council Member Avalos unanimously adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Rios.
PASSED and APPROVED this 23rd day of April 2024.
ATTEST:
Gil Hurtado, Mayor Yodit G , City Clerk