CITY OF SOUTH GATE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Mayor called a Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL City Clerk Yodit Glaze
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, Acting City Manager Steve Costley, City Attorney Rail F. Salinas
EXCUSED/ABSENT City Manager Rob Houston
1 PERSONNEL RECRUITMF,NT
& SELECTTON The City Council unanimously received and filed the list of new and promoted full-time employees hired or promoted during July and August 2024.
CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PENDING
LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a),
54954.9(b)(3)(C)
a. Oscar Ortiz v. City of South Gate, et al.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Representation: Rob Houston, City Manager
Employee Organizations: SGPMMA, SGMEA
Mayor Hurtado asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak and any emails received on any of these items.
Johanna Monterroza, representative for the South Gate Professional Mid- Management Association with over twenty years of dedicated service to the City of South Gate stated the members are not just employees we have a personal and professional interest in the success of the city. The members feel under value and there's a growing concern that the city of South Gate is becoming the city to work for to gain experience and training before moving on to other organizations. Negotiations have been ongoing for months without progress. The members respectfully ask council to urge city management to negotiate in good faith.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 Chris Castillo, board member of the South Gate Professional Mid- Management Association. He has worked for the city for twenty-two years. It has been very rewarding and grateful for the opportunity South Gate has provided to him. He stated the members feel the proposals have been disappointing and are undervalued. The members are committed and dedicated to the city.
Osie Harrell, President of the South Gate Professional Mid-Management Association represents body of workers that have stood with the city through many challenges are present tonight seeking support and recognition of our commitment with a new contract.
Emails: Cynthia Cypert addressed contract negotiations for city employees.
Ashford Ball stated as a new member of the City of South Gate and PMMA Union recognizes the dedication and comradery among our workforces. The employees are essential to the city's progress and ask for fairness in wages that reflect our commitment and contributions.
Anonymous, hopes council supports city employees.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Hurtado closed the audience portion.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney stated that council has limitations on the closed session items. Labor negotiations are handled by the City's representatives.
CLOSED SESSION The Council Members recessed into Closed Session at 5:58 p.m. and reconvened at 6:42 p.m. with all Members of Council present. City Attorney Salinas stated City Manager Houston participated via telephone.
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)
a. Oscar Ortiz v. City of South Gate, et al.
Item I(a) is a matter of a truck that ran over an open man cover that is owned and operated by the LA County Flood District. The City is named as a defendant in that case. The City Council on a motion made by Council Member Avalos and seconded by Council Member Rios and on vote of 5-0, authorized the City Attorney to find counsel to represent the City's interest in that matter.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Representation: Rob Houston, City Manager
Employee Organizations: SGPMMA, SGMEA
On item 2, City Manager and Human Resources Director were present.
There was discussion and given time constrains required to start the Regular City Council Meeting, the City Council elected to continue the discussion in closed session by having a Special City Council Meeting next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., so the City Council Members can continue to discuss labor negotiations.
Mayor Hurtado asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on any of these items.
Michael Ramirez, MEA President stated the MEA members are aware of negotiations. The members feel the offers that the city has proposed are not in good faith or not applicable for us. A certain item the members feel is holding the negotiations which is the meet to clause.
Brandon Williams, MEA Vice President stated earlier council heard from managers and supervisors but behind him are the actual frontline workers that have contact with the public. The members are asking council to review our latest proposals and have city representatives at the bargaining table negotiate in good faith.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Hurtado closed the audience portion.
ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Davila unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
PASSED and APPROVED this 22nd day of October 2024.
ATTEST:
Gil Hurtado, Mayor Yodit , City Clerk