CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:46 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE. Giselle Hernandez, Marketing & Community Engagement Manager 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, Special Legal Counsel Jerry Ruiz
EXCUSED/ABSENT City Attorney Raul F. Salinas
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS Amy, Library manager, announced events coming up at the Leland Library on Tweedy.
Omar Pichardo, Field Organizer, requested for a resolution of expanding the San Gabriel Mountains.
Email: Mario Dominguez spoke on a past statement from the Amazon facility on Rayo and how they would create parking. He would like an update of when that will be completed and the location of the parking space.
Email: Claudia Rivera asked how much of property taxes paid in the city go into the city.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY opptcui.s Arturo Cervantez, Director of Public Works, provided an update on the CIP of the Tweedy Mile Project and Water main replacement project.
Giselle Hernandez, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager, provided a video to show the Earth Day event that occurred.
Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation, announced a secondary Earth Day event and Baseball opening Day. He also provided information on Wi-Fi access in the Parks.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, responded to a prior question regarding the Amazon parking access and provided the location: 9208 Atlantic Ave. and is currently under construction with no date of completion yet.
Wendy O'Kelly, Director of Finance, extended gratitude for the acknowledgement of the Customer Service department. She responded to the question regarding property taxes and stated 6.15% is what is the current percentage.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, announced new job openings available.
Darren Arawaka, Chief of Police, went over the Autism Awareness event that occurred at the park and how much the community enjoyed it. He also spoke on the Press Conference of a homicide that occurred in September 2023.
Rob Houston, City Manager, informed the public about the Instagram page and how to stay up to date with events.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, had nothing to report and thanked the IT department for the new video installations.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, had nothing to report.
Council Member Avalos attended the swearing in of a new council member in the city of Bell. She also attended the Southeast Water Coalition Board and explained what the meeting entailed.
Council Member Banon directed a question to Mr. Cervantez on the completion of the street resurfacing project. He also spoke on a few meetings he attended in ELAC and LA USD with Council Member Rios.
He went over the Earth Day event he attended with his daughter. Also announced that registration is still open for the 5K event at the South Gate Park and the Zela Kiwanis Banquet in Huntington Park. He also highlighted some students in South Gate.
Mr. Cervantez provided the update on the construction.
Council Member Rios expressed how he enjoyed the Earth Day event. He encourages the public to try to recycle and help decrease the amount of trash in the ocean. He also went over Do enrollment for students to be able to receive college credit in High School.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Vice Mayor Davila attended the Stanford Elementary School Career Day.
She also spoke on appointing a Parks and Recreation Commissioner. She also went over the Earth Day event and thanked the Public Works Department.
Mayor Hurtado went over the events he attended. He spoke on the lack of communication from cornrnissioners and the community. He requested information on Southern Ave and the cars parked under the wire and what could be done to prevent unpermitted parking. He addressed the Homelessness situation and asked Mr. Houston to provide a brief update on a court ruling.
Mr. Houston responded by stating that the parking is not owned by the city and limited by certain powers and parking is not permitted there. He stated that the court ruling was that no city can move a homeless encampment without providing proper shelter first.
DEVIATE FROM
THE AGENDA At this time, there being no objections, Mayor Hurtado stated that item 10 would be considered out of its regular agenda order.
10 CITY COUNCIL The City Council unanimously received and filed an update and demonstration of the new City of South Gate mobile application ("app") by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Council Member Barron.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
Chris Castillo, Water Division Manager, explained the new features for the app that will be available to residents.
Ms. Hernandez demonstrated how to download and navigate the app through an iPhone and it is the same process through android and google phone.
Liz Ruiz, Kauffman Ave, commended the city for creating more features on the app as she was an avid user of the former app. She provided feedback of being able to contact SEAACA and ability to report air quality lssueS.
Council Member Barron asked what the process looks like when the status is set to "process" on the app.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024 10 CITY COUNCIL CONT'D Council Member Rios thanked the department for the app. He asked if there will be a staff capacity to withstand the demand for the requests. He also asked for the cost of the app and to maintain it.
Council Member Avalos thanked the team for the service this app will provide for the community and other features that could be useful.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are Consent Calendar Items.
Liz Ruiz, Kauffman Ave, spoke on item 3 with the issue of the oil pipeline and her concerns. She also spoke on the dangers of the crosswalks Email: Mario Dominguez cornrnented on item 3 and asked council members to include a provision to the contract of the pipeline that there be funds from them to create the splashpad at Hollydale Park. On item 7, to make it mandatory to have a traffic analysis report before making decisions on projects.
Mr. Cervantez explained that some of the issues mentioned have no correlation with each other. He also explained item does not specify crosswalks and stated that traffic reports are required now when undergoing new projects.
Mayor Hurtado asked if Mr. Houston can clarify some questions a resident had.
Mr. Houston provided an explanation on the process of beginning a project.
Council Member Avalos asked how much money the city has received in the past 10 years that we've had this franchise agreement.
Mr. Cervantez provided some of the costs and examples but will get more information to further provide that.
Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were approved by motion of Vice Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Rios.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes (was recused from voting on items 1).
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024 l
STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopted Resolution No. 2024-26- 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.
2 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council unanimously approved items A & B during consent calendar:
a. Resolution No. 2024-27-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, preliminarily approving the Engineer's Report as required for the proceedings of the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Annual Levy and Collection of Assessments for the Street Lighting and Landscape Maintenance District No. I ; and
b. Resolution No. 2024-28-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, declaring the City's intention to levy and collect assessments under the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Aru'iual Levy and Collection of Assessments within the Street Lighting and Landscape Maintenance District No. I and setting a Public Hearing for May 28, 2024.
LICENSES&PERMITS TheCityCouncilunanimouslyapproveditemsA&Bduringconsent calendar:
a. Resolution No. 2024-29-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate declaring the City's intention to grant a ten (10) year franchise renewal to Pacific Pipeline System, LLC., to lay and use pipes, ditches, flumes, conduits and appurtenances for transmitting and distributing oil or products thereof, for any and all purposes in, along, across, upon and under the public streets, ways, alleys and places, as the same now or may hereafter exist, within the City of South Gate;
b. The schedule of a Public Hearing for May 28, 2024, to consider the introduction of an Ordinance granting the proposed franchise renewal.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024 4 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
& SF.LECTION The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-30- CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) by taking the following actions during consent calendar:
1. The reclassification of one full-time Housing Specialist position in the Community Development Department to one full-time Housing Assistant position;
2. The classification specification for the full-time position of Housing Assistant; and
3. Directed staff to update the Consolidated Salary Pay Table for the City of South Gate by adding the full-time position of Housing Assistant at Pay Grade 518 ($4,505 - $5,476 monthly), aNon- Exempt Classification assigned to the Municipal Employees Association ("MEA").
5 PERSONNEL RECRlnTMENT
& SELECTION
The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-31- CC entitled Resolution amending Resolution No. 6454 (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) to approve the following actions during consent calendar:
1. Reclassified the Transportation Planning Manager position in the Parks and Recreation Department to Transit Services Coordinator;
2. Updated the classification specification for the position of Transit Services Coordinator; and
3. Directed staff to update the Consolidated Salary Pay Table by adding the Transit Services Coordinator title, pay grade, and pay range (Pay Grade 512, $4,332 to $5,265 per month).
PERSONNEL ADMIN The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-32- 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 updates to the job classification specifications for the positions of Equipment Operator, Water Meter Reader I, and Water Meter Reader II in the Department of Public Works during consent calendar.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024 PARKuNG & TRAFFIC The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-33- CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, adopting the latest version of the "Los Angeles County Public Works Transportation Impacts Analysis Guidelines" as its Traffic Manual to set engineering policies, procedures, and traffic engineering practices to assist in applying the laws contained in Title 8 (Traffic),of Chapter 8.02 (General Provisions), of Section 8.02.020 (Traffic Manual) in the South Gate Municipal Code and in the California Vehicle Code for the review of development and transportation projects during consent calendar.
PARKING & TRAFFIC The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during consent calendar:
a. Cooperative Agreement (Contract No. 2024-35-CC) with the City of Downey to participate in the implementation of the Uncontrolled Marked School/Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety Enhancement Project, CIP No. 22-10 ("Project") necessary to make pedestrian safety improvements at two uncontrolled marked school/pedestrian crosswalks located on Gardendale Street, at no cost to the City; and
b. Appropriated $10,000 in Proposition C Funds to fund the City's administrative costs; and
C. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
MINUTES The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during consent calendar:
a. The Special and Regular Meeting minutes of March 12, 2024; b. The Special and Regular Meeting minutes of March 26, 2024; and c. The Special Meeting minutes of March 28, 2024.
RECESS City Council recessed at 9:01 p.m., and reconvened at 9:07 p.m., with all Members of Council present.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OFAPRIL 23, 2024 11 CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMENTS The City Council unanimously received and filed a report on the City Council appointed Commission and Committee stipend rates, determining whether a review of any of the stipend levels should be conducted and returning at a later date with the survey results by motion of Mayor Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Barron.
Mr. Houston provided the current commission rates for appointed COrIlIIllSSlOnerS.
Mayor Hurtado stated some commissioners sacrifice family time or taking care of their children in order to attend meetings.
Council Member Avalos stated in support of increasing stipend rates as an incentive for commissioners to attend meetings.
Council Member Barron questioned the cornrnitment of the commissioners for their absence and feels the commissioners should be surveyed to see what the issue is.
Council Member Rios said he feels the increase will not make a difference on why cornrnissioners are not attending the meetings.
Vice Mayor Davila echoed Council Member Barron's statements.
Ms. Elguira explained how far ahead the commissioners are informed for the upcoming meeting.
- -1
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, 12 WARRANTS
yes.
The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for April 23, 2024, by motion of Vice Mayor Davila and seconded by Mayor Hurtado.
Total ofChecks: $5,794,004.16
Less:Voids $ (1,563.89)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (408,879.85)
GrandTotal: $5,383,560.42
Cancellations: 101446, 102563, 103002, 3373, 3460
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes. LJ
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2024 ADJOURNMENT Council MemberAvalos unanimously adjourned the meeting in memory of Ivan Leonardo Torres at 9:33 p.m. and seconded by Mayor Hurtado.
PASSED and APPROVED this 28'h day of May 2024.
ATTEST:
J!.,@
Gil Hurtado, Mayor laze City Clerk