CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Joshua Valdez, Contract Planner
ROLL CALL Sonia Guerrero, Records Coordinator
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, Assistant City Manager Arturo Cervantes, City Attorney Raúl F. Salinas
ABSENT/EXCUSED City Manager Rob Houston and City Clerk Yodit Glaze
PROPERTY USE ADMINI
PERMITS Following the conclusion of the Public Hearing, the City Council approved the live entertainment permit for the 1951 Banquet Hall to have live entertainment at 9849 Atlantic Avenue, Unit H ("Project Site") subject to the conditions set forth in the permits and any limitations and/or conditions the City Council may wish to impose.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development stated Joshua Valdez will be presenting the item.
Mr. Valdez presented a correction to the Conditional Use Permit ("CUP").
It states 23-0040 and it should state 24-0040. Mr. Valdez stated the applicant Liliger Damasco, and the property owners are present. He continued to present the item.
Ms. Damasco with Liquor License Brokers explained is looking forward to opening a business in South Gate. Ms. Damasco explained that the location has been vacant for many years. She informed the Council that it would not be a bar. It is not a nightclub.
Raúl F. Salinas, City Attorney requested the applicants be identified.
Jasmine Lymon and Merecedes Raffulls are the property owners.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
PROPERTY USE ADMIN
PERMITS CONT'D Mr. Valdez and Ms. Raffulls clarified Council Members' questions.
Mayor Hurtado asked if anyone in the audience or emails received wished to speak on this item.
Email received from Mr. Mario Dominguez requests that the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit for live entertainment at the banquet hall. He emphasizes the city's lack of nightlife and places for adults to socialize and have fun at night. Mr. Dominguez criticizes the Council for potentially denying the permit, expressing frustration and disappointment with their perceived lack of consideration for residents' needs and desires Mayor Hurtado motioned granting the CUP and allow the applicant to operate for a period of six months when ever they start operating and bring ack this matter to the City Council to determine whether to remove the six-month limitation and allow to continue and seconded by Counci Member Avalos.
City Attorney Salinas stated that the South Gate Municipal Code requires a resolution. This item will be brought back at some point in the future which will be consistent with the Mayor's findings and motion.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
Ms. Damasco informed the City Council that the owners are ready to sign a five-year lease.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) Eddie Mangum, Resident - Lives on Wood Avenue. Complaining about fireworks. Has called the PD for 4 years with no response. Needs City Councils Assistance.
Amy Lou Library Manager - Lealand R. Weaver Library Tweedy Blyd.
Library serving free lunches to children under 18 until August 9, 2024.
Hilda Cabrera, Resident - Lives on San Juan Avenue. Thanking the Police Department & Fire Department for doing a great job. Complaints about bad street conditions (e.g. potholes, trash, etc.
Ernesto Delgadillo, Resident - Lives on Main Street. Past 16 years has complained about neighbor's dogs. Since ADU's have been approved.
Neighbors have moved more people into their homes. Noise is worse. No one has been able to assist.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) CONT'D Lizette Ruiz, Resident - Kauffman Avenue. Appreciates the city working to fix potholes and trees. Has an issue with areas on the border of Lynwood. Trees make it impossible for residents to walk.
Bash Chaudhry, President of Tweedy Mile Association - Complaints about fireworks. Needs assistance in limiting the usage within the City of South Gate.
Email received from Mr. Mario Dominguez criticizes Parks and Recreation Commission due to lack of staff, blames City Hall of being disorganized. He states council and city manager are excluding residents from decision making processes.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation, 4th of July event was a 14,000 and received good reviews. Concerts i
he Park-proxime in attendanen food vecks devicts Con -erts Day. Fun Run scheduled for July 20, 2024.
Wendy O'Kelley, Director of Administrative Services, July 16th and 17th water, and business counters will be closed due to software training between 8:30am-10:30am.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, Job opportunities are available on our city website. Several full-time and part-time employment opportunities.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police, Citations have been issued in the past but unfortunately there has been no change. The only option would be to and fireworks completely. Residents on Hildreth/Missouri area can park on Permit Parking stalls during construction by Edison Co.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works, City of South Gate collaborates with neighboring cities regarding potholes and trees issues.
Please contact us. Urban Orchard Project -PCLUP has been submitted to the county. Potholes address daily. Various projects being worked on - more information on the city website.
Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development, had nothing to report.
Raúl F. Salinas, City Attorney, had nothing to report.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, Fireworks situation urges a full city ban due to the danger. Over 100 pets ended at SEAACA due to fireworks.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Council Member Avalos spoke about seniors enjoying the city's event. She has the Vector Control meeting coming up.
Council Member Barron enjoyed the 4*" of July event and congratulated staff on a job well done. The park was clean at the end of the event. We appreciate their hard work. Various organizations benefit from Fireworks sales during the 4th of July. Can we consider having a higher fine to prevent banning 4" of July as a whole?
Council Member Rios referred residents to our city app to report any potholes and/or issues. Hollydale Park Community should have events along the river. Pool was up and running and was very happy that was taken care of. Cool center is a great idea.
Vice Mayor Davila, Fireworks situation is very difficult to control. She will be out of the country and will miss a few upcoming events & the next council meeting.
Mayor Hurtado, Missed last meeting due to Covid. Please be safe out there. The City of South Gate is unable to clean up areas owned by Edison, DWP, and Union Railroad Pacific due to their restrictions. The fireworks situation is bad and have complained about how it affects seniors.
RECESS The City Council recessed at 8:23 p.m., and reconvened at 8:30 p.m., with all Members of Council present.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Menda ends and seconded by we proved by in one
ulled for senarate discussiol
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes (recused from 10); Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes (recused from 5 and 6); Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused from 2, 4, 5, 6 and 10).
Bash Chaudhry, President Tweedy Mile Association, Car Show on July 28th, 2024. All are welcome. Item #5 - Due to struggling businesses on Tweedy Mile - Spending the additional $350,000 for the 145-day completion schedule option is worth it. We will all win.
Lizette Ruiz., Resident lives on Kauffman, Item #3 Will the project be expedited? Item #4 Why has it taken so long? These projects have dragged long enough and have caused pollution and business losses.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
CONT'D Comments - Mr. Dominguez Items #8 and #10 Criticizes the retainer hourly rate. Questions his commitment to the city. He criticizes Item #10 due to the amount spent from the general fund for something temporary.
STREETS/SIDEWALKSI
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopted Resolution No. 2024-54-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, ursuant to the emergency contracting procedures of the South Gate Municipal Code and the California Public Contract Code during Consen Calendar.
HOLLYDALE PARK
ADMIN The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. 2022-77-CC with Z&K
Consultants, Inc., ("Agreement") to provide additional construction management and inspection services for the Hollydale Community Park Renovation, City Project No. 607-PRK, at a not to exceed cost of $180,570;
Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 4 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
c. Authorized the City Manager to approve and execute subsequent amendments for a cumulative amount of $100,000, to streamline approval of additional services should they be needed.
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING/
ADMIN The City Council approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. Funding Agreement (Contract No. 2024-55-CC) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("Metro") o accept $1,450,000 in Measure R Funds for the 1-710/Firestone Boulevard Southbound On-Ramp Modification Project ("On Rami Project"), City Project No. 354-ST;
Appropriated $1,450,000 in Metro Measure R Funds to the On Ramp Project; and
c. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Funding Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
STREETSSIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items B, C, D, E, F & G by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Council Member Rios.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes, Vice Mayor Davila, recused; Mayor Hurtado, recused.
a. Approving an Agreement with Sequel Contractors, Inc., for the construction of the Tweedy Mile Complete Streets Project, City Project No. 614-ST, in an amount not to exceed $7,745,175, with a construction completion schedule of 180 working days; or b. Agreement (Contract No. 2024-56-CC) with Sequel
Contractors, Inc. ("Agreement"), for the construction of the Tweedy Mile Complete Streets Project, City Project No. 614-ST, in an amount not to exceed $8,095,175, with a construction completion schedule of 145 working days;
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney;
d. Authorized the City Manager to approve change orders administratively up to a cumulative amount of $800,000 to be funded with project contingency funds, to expedite approval of change order work to avoid construction schedule delays; Authorized the City Manager to approve pre-payments of
construction progress payments for the construction contract to comply with state legislation that requires payment of invoices within 30 days;
f. Declared the Tweedy Mile Complete Streets Project, City Project No. 614-ST, to be Categorically Exempt under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"); and
g. Approved the Notice of Exemption for the construction of the Tweedy Mile Complete Streets Project, City Project No. 614-ST, and directing the City Clerk to file it with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
STREETS/SIDEWALKSI
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A, B & C 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, recused; Mayor Hurtado, recused.
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2024-57-CC) with Gannett Fleming, Inc., to provide Construction Management and Inspection Services ("Agreement") for the construction of the Tweedy Mile Complete Streets Project, City Project No. 614-ST in an amount not-to- exceed $551,900;
b. Authorized the City Manager to approve and execute amendments up to a cumulative amount of $100,000; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Transit Services Agreement (Contract No. 2024-58-CC) - Phone-A-Ride program ("PAR") to Administrative Services Cooperative d/b/a Fiesta Taxi ("Fiesta"); and
Authorized the Mayor to execute a professional services agreement for vendor in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Council Member Avalos inquired how many taxis are available for the City of South Gate.
Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation, stated Mr. Soto from Fiesta Taxi is present and may answer questions.
Marco A. Soto, Vice President stated 817 taxes available to South Gate residents.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
8 LEGAL OPERATIONS The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
a. Attorney Retainer Agreement (Contract No. 2024-59-CC) with the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to provide legal services to the City related to consulting, representational and legal services pertaining to employment relations matters; and
Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
PARKS
The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, a. Purchase Order with Mike Cabrera Printer in the amount not-to- exceed $75,632 to print, fold, and mail the City "Connect" brochure;
Authorized the City's Purchasing Division to issue a Purchase Order for this process in accordance with the City's purchasing ordinance and policies; and
Authorized the Director of Parks & Recreation to execute any additional documents as may be required for future issues of The Connect.
10 CITY FACILITIES MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, recused; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, recused.
a. Authorized the City Manager to approve a Purchase Order with HERC Rentals to fund equipment rentals needed to operate the HVAC systems at City Hall, the Police Station and Sports Center for up to a seven-month period, in an amount not to exceed $454,000; and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 2024
CITY FACILITES MGMT
CONT'D Appropriated $479,000 in General Funds to fund the Purchase Order with HERC Rentals.
EXCUSED FROM
MEETING At this time, 9:20 p.m., Vice Mayor Davila, was excused from the meeting and departed from the Council Chambers.
11 WARRANTS The City Council approved the Warrant Register for July 9, 2024, by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Council Member Rios.
Total of Checks: $ 2,001,954.67
Less: Voids $ (1,489.46)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (517.410.53)
Grand Total: $ 1,483,054.68
Cancellations: 100137, 100541, 100707, and Various Stale Dated Checks as Listed in the Staff Report.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Barron, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, absent; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hurtado adjourned the meeting in memory of all victims of the hurricane at 9:26 pm and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
PASSED and APPROVED this 27%h day of August 2024.
ATTEST:
Gil Hurtado, Mayor Yodit Glaze, City Clerk