CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025
AMENDED
CALL TO ORDER Maria Davila, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:56 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks and Recreation PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE WendyO'Kelly,DirectorofAdministrativeServices ROLL CALL Yodit Glaze, City Clerk
PRESENT Mayor Maria Davila, Vice Mayor Joshua Barron, Council Member Maria del Pilar Avalos, Council Member Gil Hurtado and Council Member Al Rios; City Treasurer Jose De La Paz, City Manager Rob Houston, City Attorney Rail F. Salinas
CERIIFICATES Recognition of Chief Darren Arakawa as outgoing President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association and Honoring the incoming President, Chief Maru'iy Cid.
2 COMMUNITY DEV/
HOUSING Following the conclusion of the Public Hearing, the City Council unanimously continued items A & B to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting of February 28, 2025, by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Rios.:
a. Adopting Resolution approving Substantial Amendment No. 7 to the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan; Substantial Amendment No. 2 to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan; Substantial Amendment No. 4 to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan; Substantial Amendment No. 1 to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Aru'iual Action Plan; and Substantial Amendment No. I to Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan programming Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") fiinds to the Street Improvement Project and South Gate Park Improvement (Attachment A); and
b. Authorizing the City Manager or the Community Development Director to initiate appropriate action necessary to implement projects and programs as noted in the FY 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OFJ ANUARY 28, 2025
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) Ernesto Gomez, Field Representative for Nanette Barragan - 44'h District - Sharing resources for the community regarding the immigration and deportation issues with this new administration.
Mayor, Davila - LAUSD meeting regarding irnrnigration on Thursday, January 30, 2025, 4:30pm at Legacy High School. A very important meeting regarding your rights.
Council Member, Hurtado - Spoke about an issue he had years ago with immigration. To our community, please be vigilant.
We need to be aware of all the potential cuts that might come to our city and state.
Council Member, Avalos - Thanks Mr. Gomez for attending this meeting to inform our community.
Inform Congresswoman Barragan that she has full support of the City of South Gate.
Ernesto Gomez, Field Representative for Nanette Barragan - 44"1 District - Keep us in mind with those that are arrested and held. We will continue to provide information as we receive it. Information will be placed on the city website.
Vice Mayor, Barron - We stand in solidarity with our residents, and we will not use the police department to enforce any immigration laws.
Mario Dominguez, Resident - Requesting the splash pad item to be placed on the next agenda meeting.
Jennifer Daley, Advocate - Speaks on behalf of residents who have concerns opposing illegal truck yards at 8530 Alameda st., 4552 Ardine st., and 9313 Rayo Ave. Asking city to uphold the law and enforce environmental protections and shut down these toxic truck yards.
Joanne Kim, Cancer Research Advocate - Expressing concerns and opposing illegal truck yards, particularly the one near 8530 Alameda Street. States levels of contamination found near South Gate are a public health crisis.
Kirby Blanton, Works in Early Education and Mental Health - Believes damage is being caused by deals between City Council and truck yards.
Asking the city for transparency, enforcing environmental protections, and ensuring money meant to serve our community.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF J ANUARY 28, 2025
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) CONT'D Gabriela Gutierrez, Educator - Speaks on behalf of residents who have concerns opposing illegal truck yards at 8530 Alameda st., 4552 Ardine st., and 9313 Rayo Ave. Asking city to uphold the law and enforce environmental protections and shut down these toxic truck yards.
Roger Satti, Volleyball Coach at Southeast High School - Requesting sponsorship from council and local business for an opportunity to compete in the Volleyball Games in Hawaii. This sponsorship will cover travel, accommodations, transportation fees, and other essential costs.
Marisol Carpinteiro, Resident/Mother - Requesting support/funds for students to travel to Hawaii and compete in the Volleyball Tournament April 13-18, 2025.
Lizette Ruiz, Resident - Thank you for providing space to speak about the immigration issues. Glad to see signs within the community.
Previously we had isSues with the park playgrounds and equipment at several parks. Recently, I visited some parks with my minor child and was happy to see many improvements made to the parks. Very thankfiil.
Amy Lu, Leeland R. Weaver Librarian - Currently closed for renovations.
Effective immediately, Hollydale Library will be open on an additional day, which will be Saturdays from 10am-6pm.
Introduction of Stephanie Lin overseeing Hollydale in the meantime. The upcoming programs are Storytime for ages 2-5-year-old. Book Club for Adults in English/Spanish. Ceramic Mugs, etc.
Omar Ruiz, Student/Resident - Opposing illegal truck yards at 8530 Alarneda st., 4552 Ardine st., and 9313 Rayo Ave.
Armando Velasquez, Resident/Kiwanis Club - Aru'iouncement/Events:
February 13, 2025, Valentine's Bingo Card. February 15, 2025, Clean Up Day. $7000 in scholarships applications will be accepted in a couple weeks.
Javier, Resident - Upset that nothing is being done regarding the truck yard issue. Thank you to Chief Arakawa for not being involved in immigration issues. Interesting in knowing how prepared the city is for wildfires?
EMAIL: Veronica Figueroa, Resident - Ongoing request for a crosswalk on Long Beach Blvd and Orchard Place. Progress is slow and it is a remains a safety concern for students/parents.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OFJ ANUARY 28, 2025 EMAIL CONT'D Claudia Rivera, Resident - Reminder that Council Member Al Rios is unable to vote on the SoFive project when the issue of alcohol is discussed. He has openly been campaigning against it by meeting with people and sending emails about his opposition.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works - Responds to the request for a crosswalk on Orchard Place. KIPP Elementary School did not choose this intersection to be a safe intersection for student access. It is not safe for the city to install a crosswalk due to a traffic signal close by. It is currently not safe to do so.
Regarding the recent wildfire preparedness questions. The city is prepared and has a reliable water system and water reservoirs with over 14 million gallons of water storage and interties with other cities.
Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation - Thursday, January 30, 2025, is the Grand Opening for Hollydale Park at 4pm. The public is welcome to join us. Residents were notified via door hangers and social media. 12221 Industrial Avenue South Gate.
Wendy O'Kelly, Director ofAdministrative Services-Nothing to report.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources - Open positions available within the City of South Gate. Informing the public to go to our city website and apply.
Darren Arakawa, Police Chief - We are currently working on a report but with respect to speeding, in 2024 we issued 2300 violations. Speeding is county wide issue. We are doing our very best.
Rob Houston, City Manager - Update on progress regarding illegal truck years. Mr. C's Towing is working with the city regarding zoning permits.
Some items we are unable to speak on this time. Know that we are currently working on these issues.
Council Member Avalos - Thank you to Congresswoman Barragan and the community that are present at this council meeting.
Council Member, Hurtado - Frustrating to see drivers disregard for public safety. Drivers are out of control. To those that are here regarding environmental issues. You are not being ignored. We hear you and understand this issue.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Council Member, Rios - Thank you to the resident and public present at this meeting. Understands the concerns of our residents. Start day for the East Los Angeles College is February 10, 2025. There are plenty of classes available.
Jaime Escalante Math Program are available at the college. Gift cards are still available for our city. Please support small businesses.
Vice Mayor, Barron - Thank you to Wendy O'Kelly for your hard work and time at the city.
Thank you to Teddy's Red Tacos for feeding firefighters and the community affected by the fires.
South Gate Junior Athletics Association - February 8'h we have softball and baseball sign-ups 9-12pm.
Congratulations to 7 student athletes who were chosen by the City Sectional CIF List - IS' Team All-League representing South Gate Schools.
Congratulations to the Aztec Cheerleaders who also won Ist & 2nd place.
Mayor, Davila - We must keep an eye on our seniors. Will be visiting two schools and would like to inform them about the immigration issues.
Thank you to residents and visitors for being here and speaking on several issues. We have an open-door policy and welcome anyone at our city hall meetings.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 3, 4 and 5 were approved by motion of Council Member Rios and seconded by Mayor Davila.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes (recused from items 3 and 4); Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2025 3 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-05-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, authorizing the application for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant Funds (Proposition 1 Lower Los Angeles River Program Grant Funds) requesting $1,100,342 in grants to :tund construction of the Urban Orchard, City Project No. 539-PRK, and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute, on behalf of the City of South Gate ("City"), all documents required to submit the application and implement the grant during Consent Calendar. 4 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A & B during consent calendar:
a. Amendment No. 5 to Contract No. 2021-147-CC with BKF Engineers, Inc., (Agreement) for additional design and construction support services necessary to prepare design and construction documents to repair Industrial Avenue as a part of the Citywide Residential Resurfacing Project, Phase IV, City Project No. 699-ST, in an amount not-to-exceed $6,226; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 5 to Contract No. 2021-147-CC in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
MINUTES The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during consent calendar:
a. Special and Regular Meeting minutes of November 12, 2024; b. Special and Regular Meeting minutes of November 26, 2024; and c. SpecialandRegularMeetingminutesofDecemberlO,2024.
6 SOUTH GATE MOBILE
APP The City Council unanimously continued receiving and filing a presentation on the South Gate mobile application ("app") to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting of February 28, 2025, by motion of Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council MemberAvalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2025 7 LAND USE PLANNING
ADMIN The City Council approved items A, B & C by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Vice Mayor Barron:
a. Discussing an ordinance amendment regarding industrial uses; land use improvements surrounding two future transit centers; and enhancements to commercial corridors to encourage new businesses and development;
b. Providing direction to staff on releasing a request for proposal ("RFP") to obtain a planning and environmental consultant qualified in addressing the items above, including preparing an environmental document; and
c. Directing staff to release the RFP to qualified consultants to solicit planning and environmental services.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, no; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, 8 CITY COUNCIL/VIRTUAL
yes.
PLATFORM OPTIONS The City Council continued receiving and filing a report on virtual platform options for public participation at City Council and Commission meetings, including the costs involved and factors weighing in favor and against such use and providing direction to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting of February 25, 2025, by motion of Council Member Rios and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, no; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
WARRANTS The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for January 28, 2025, by motion of Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
Total of Checks:
Less: Voids
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions
Grand Total:
Cancellations: 108079, 108270
$ 4,735,621.84
$ (200.00)
$ (817,699.04 €
$ 3,917,722.80
REGTn,AR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OFJ ANUARY 28, 2025 WARRANTS CONT'D ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
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ADJOURNMENT Mayor Davila unanimously adjourned the meeting in memory of the Hortencia Corrales, South Gate resident of over 55 years at 10:47 p.m., and seconded by Council MemberAvalos.
PASSED and APPROVED on this 25" day of February 2025.
ATTEST:
ulaDavlla,MadayorJ Yodit G , City Clerk
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