CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024
CALL TO ORDER Gil Hurtado, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:27 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation
PLEDGE OF
ALLE(JANCE Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor Gil Hurtado, Vice Mayor Maria Davila, Council Member Maria del Pilar Avalos, and Council Member Al Rios; City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager Rob Houston, City Attorney Rail F. Salinas EXCUSED/ABSENT Council Member Joshua Barron
l
PERSONNEL BENEFITS/
RETIREMENT ADMIN The City Council waived the reading in full and introduced Ordinance No. 2024-04-CC entitled Ordinance of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, authorizing an amendment to the contract between the City and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System implementing Section 20516 (Employees Sharing Additional Cost) to provide employee cost sharing of an additional 1% for the local miscellaneous members in the DMA (for a total of 2%), an additional 1% for the classic local police officers in the PMA (for a total of 2%), and for an initial 1% for new ("PEPRA") local police members in both the POA and PMA by motion of Mayor Hurtado and seconded by Vice Mayor Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources provided a presentation.
Mayor Hurtado asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on this item or if any emails were received. Seeing no one step forward nor emails received; Mayor Hurtado closed the audience portion.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024 2 SCE PRESENTATION The City Council received a presentation by Francisco Martinez, Government Affairs Representative at Southern California Edison (SCE).
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE - NON-AGENDA
ITEMS Jennifer Daly, Los Angeles Resident - Issue with illegal truck yards operating without permits in the city of South Gate.
Mario Dominguez, Resident - Questions City Attorney regarding City Manager's issues with foul language on emails, comments on YouTube meetings, and losing call-in feature during meetings.
Gaby Gutierrez, Resident of Echo Park- Issues with traffic and illegal truck yards operating in the city.
Eddie Rivas, Resident - Introduces himself to the council and would like to open a Speech Therapist business. Seeing red tape from the city, children 4-10 would benefit.
Amy Lui, Representative for County Libraries - Events: Beloved Cover to Cover Book Club sponsored by In & Out until November 16fh.
Henna Art demonstration Saturday 11-26-2024 at 2pm.
Syl Gonzalez, 2024 Chairman Rotary Club for the Thanksgiving Dinner.
Requesting the support of the City Council.
Maria Moreno, Resident - Requesting a crosswalk on Orchard and Long Beach Blvd. Son was killed in that area and have seen 2 other accidents.
Also, requesting traffic bumps due to cars speeding through city streets.
EMAILS: NONE
RECE)SS City Council recessed at 8:58 p.m., and reconvened at 9:05 p.m., with four (4) Members of Council present.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
puoxcnyoppicxhrs ArturoCervantes,DirectorofCornrnunityDevelopment-Addressthe crosswalk requested on Orchard and Long Beach Blvd. Due to a traffic study prepared by the school this area was not a good, designated area.
Speed bumps on Long Beach Blvd are not designed for a high speed's streets. A petition can be submitted by contacting the Engineering Department.
Update on the I-710 Freeway/Firestone Blvd Southbound Onramp Realignment
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CON'TD Presentation - Update on CIP. Approval was received from the County to move forward with the Urban Orchard Project. BIDs open. Construction proceeding on schedule.
Update on Tweedy Mile Project. On schedule and completion is expected March 2025.
Update on the AMR Water Meter Replacement Projects Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation - Events: Hollydale Elementary School Trunk & Treat on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Halloween Event at the South Gate Park- Expecting 6,000-10,000 kids.
Special Olympics Fall Games being held November 2, 2024 Meredith Elguira, Director of Community Development - Following up with Ms. Daly regarding illegal truck yards. The 5211 Southern has been shut down since 2023. - Investigations being done at this time for all other locations.
Wendy O'Kelly, Director of Administrative Services - Currently working on end of year financial statements. Will provide to council and publish on city's website.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Services - Various employment opportunities available on our city website.
Darren Arakawa, Chief of Police - Email sent regarding a letter received from the FBI Director regarding a trucking company from Mexico. Large drug trafficking bust by our narcotics team. Proud of our team.
Trunk O' Treat Event, Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5pm-8pm.
Regarding speed complaints on Orchard and Long Beach Blvd - Will be meeting with the traffic team and addressing the issue.
Rob Houston, City Manager - Sharing the Student Goverent Day returns to our city as they participate in city roles. Great experience and plans on bringing it back annually.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney -Addresses Mr. Dominguez questions regarding the power of the City Manager with a Yes and explains under law he has the duty to protect the city employees. During city council meetings it is considered a public forum. Outside of council meetings there are laws against harassment and bullying.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer - Thanks the social platforms for their feedback that tide into our earlier conversation.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CON'TD Yodit Glaze, City Clerk - November 5, 2024, Election Day. Voting places will soon be published for residents on our social media.
Maria Del Pilar Avalos, Councilmember - Thanks the audience still present at this late hour.
Attended the Vector meeting to educate the public to not leave standing water,
Attended the League of Cities Expo.
Daylight Savings is coming - Be Safe.
Al Rios, Councilmember - Thanks those present at this meeting.
Speaks about Insurance crisis in the State of California Will attend the Campaign Para Todos at Hub Cities 10/23/2024 6pm Encourages everyone to exercise their right to vote on November 5'l1.
Maria Davila, Vice Mayor -Attended the League of Cities Expo. Very educational.
Will attend Hub Cities Meeting 10/29/2024
Good news - Groundbreaking for the New South Gate Gateway Line October 30fh at 2pm in Artesia
Mayor, Gil Hurtado - Thanks all present today. Also, thanks Vice Mayor Davila for her hard work on the South Gate Gateway Line.
Attended the college fair at South Gate Park and the participants.
Regarding our City Attorney. Mr. Salinas has done amazing things within our city and does what it takes to abide by the law. He is unable to discuss legal matters to maintain the integrity of the legal system.
Regarding blocking comments - We are to provide a service to our community but when someone acts in a bad manner against our staff - We have the obligation to protect our staff.
Freedom of Speech is protected by our Constitution. A City Council meeting is an open forum. You can say anything you want. Once the meeting ends, we will protect our staff.
The law is on our side!
Mayor Hurtado announced Fernando Valenzuela, former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher passed away today. He was sixty-three years old.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024 CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were approved by motion of Council Member Rios and seconded by Vice Mayor Davila. Council Member Avalos pulled items 6 & 8 for separate discussion.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes (no on items 6 and 8); Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes (recused from item 10); Mayor Hurtado, yes (recused from items 3 and 9).
Mayor Hurtado asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on any of these items or if any emails were received.
Mario Dominguez, Jr. is not content on the Orchard Project.
Having no one else come forward nor emails received, Mayor Hurtado closed the audience portion.
3 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council made a finding and adopted Resolution No. 2024-72-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.
4 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. 3563 with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc., to provide additional engineering services and to extend the term of the Agreement through March 31, 2025, for the Long Beach Boulevard Street Improvements Project, City Project No. 515-ST, for an amount not to exceed $68,582; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024 WASTEWATER MGMT The City Council approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 5 to Contract No. 2020-09-CC for On-Call Municipal Water and Sewer Systems Maintenance Services with W.A. Rasic Construction Company, Inc., to fund emergency repairs completed on the municipal sanitary sewer system, and to perform urgent repairs needed on the municipal water system, in an amount not-to-exceed $201,191;
b. Appropriated $136,000 from the Water Fund to fund the water system repairs; and
c. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 5 in a form acceptable to the City Attomey.
6 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
L.NDSCAPING The City Council approved items A, B, C & D during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2024-82-CC) with Mariposa Landscape, Inc., to provide Annual Citywide Landscape and General Maintenance Services for a three-year term, for a not-to-exceed an amount of $1,361,016, or $453,672 per year;
b. Appropriated$l98,254inMeasureRFunds,tofullyfundservicesfor Fiscal Year 2024/25;
c. Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Agreement with Mariposa Landscape, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
d. Authorized the City Manager to approve two contract amendments each to extend the term one year, for a total of two years.
Councilwoman Avalos does not feel comfortable authorizing City Manager to approve contract amendments. She agrees with A, B & C but not D. This item should return to Council and have Council vote on that item.
WATER The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Groundwater Pumping Water Rights Lease Agreement (Contract No. 2024-83-CC) with the City of Cerritos to lease 1,000 acre-feet of the City of South Gate's unused water rights annually for a three-year term effective July 1, 2025; and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024 b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
8 PUBLIC WORKS/
ENGINEERINGADMIN The City Council approved items A, B, C, D, E & F during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreements for As-Needed Engineering Services with Interwest Consulting Group (Contract No. 2024-84-CC), NV5 Inc. (Contract No. 2024-85-CC) and SAAssociates (Contract No. 2024-86-CC) for a three (3) year term, with an option to extend each contract for two (2) additional years;
b. Agreement (Contract No. 2024-87-CC) for As-Needed Professional Engineering and Project Management Services with Willdan Engineering to provide for a three (3) year term, with an option to extend the contract for two (2) additional years;
c. Authorized the use of purchase orders in directing work to Interwest Consulting Group, NV5 Inc., SAAssociates and Willdan Engineering in an amount not-to-exceed $448,000 in the aggregate all four contractors for As-Needed Engineering Services;
d. Authorized the use of purchase orders in directing Willdan Engineering to provide As-Needed Project Management Services an amount not-to-exceed $300,000 per year;
e. Authorized the City Manager to administratively approve amendments up to the aggregate sum of $100,000 for each agreement not to exceed $400,000 in total; and
f. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreements in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
Councilwoman Avalos does not feel comfortable authorizing City Manager to approve contract amendments. She agrees with A, B, C, D & F but not E. This item should return to Council and have Council vote on that item.
PARKS The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Accepted completion of construction of the South Gate Park Fence Project, City Project No. 550-PRK by Quality Fence Co. Inc., effective October 22, 2024; and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024 b. Directed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
PARKING&TRAFFIC TheCityCouncilapproveditemsA,B&CduringConsentCalendar:
a. Accepted completion of the construction of the Tweedy Boulevard Signal Synchronization Project, LAMTA ID F7309, City Project No. 514-TRF, completed by California Professional Engineering, Inc., effective May 31, 2024;
b. Authorized the City Manager to approve Change Order Nos. 4 and 5 to Contract No. 2023-01-CC, which is necessary to apply costs and credits to the contract and to perform additional construction work, in the amounts of $49,350 and $83,081, respectively; and c. Directed the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office.
11 DATA PROCESSING
SERVICES The City Council authorized the issuance of a Purchase Order with Pulsiam to renew the Software Maintenance and Support Services for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 for the Police Department in the amount of $125,525.02 during Consent Calendar.
MINUTES The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Special and Regular Meeting minutes of September 10, 2024; and b. Special and Regular Meeting minutes of September 24, 2024.
CITY COUNCIL The City Council received and filed an update of the Council Strategic Priority Projects by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Vice Mayor Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
Rob Houston, City Manager stated that in March 28, 2024, the City Council and Director staff had a strategic planning session. He gave an update to City Council and the community.
Mario Dominguez, Jr. informed Council how the City of Downey include their residents during strategic meetings. Mr. Dominguez feels the City of South Gate excludes the residents from participating in any strategic MEETINGS.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024 13 CITY COUNCIL
CONT'D Staff's recommendation was approved.
Mayor Hurtado thanked City Manager for his presentation. 14 WARRANTS The City Council approved the Warrant Register for October 22, 2024, by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Vice Mayor Davila.
Total of Checks:
Less: Voids
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions
Grand Total:
Cancellations: 107010, 107281
$4,626,859.19
$ (26,055.79)
$ (438,711.89)
$4,162,091.51
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Davila, yes; Mayor Hurtado, yes.
ADJOURNMENT Council Member Avalos adjourned the meeting in memory of Fernando Valenzuela, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher at 9:36 p.m. and seconded by Vice Mayor Davila.
PASSED and APPROVED this 26" day of November 2024.
ATTEST:
Gil Hurtado, Mayor Yodit laze, City Clerk