CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025
CALL TO ORDER Maria Davila, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director Parks & Recreation PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE DarrenArakawa,ChiefofPolice
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
1 TMAB LEVY AND COLLECTION
OF ASSESSMENTS FOR
FY 2025/26 The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-19-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, declaring the City's intention to levy and collection of assessments for Fiscal Year 2025/26 for the Parking and Business Improvement Area (known as the Tweedy Mile Business District) Business License, as permitted by the Parking and Business ImprovementArea Law of 1989 (California Streets and Highways Code Section 36500 et seq.) by motion of Council Member Avalos and seconded by Council Member Rios.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor recused.
LeticiaAguilar, Community Engagement ManagementAnalyst, gave the presentation.
Vice Mayor Barron asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak on this item.
Mario Dominguez stated that he wanted $18,000 for a mural. He approached four locations on Tweedy Boulevard and nobody was interested. He attended a Tweedy Mile Advisory Board meeting, and three board members were willing to approve the $18,000 for a mural.
Having no one else come forward, Vice Mayor Barron closed the audience portion.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025 l
TMAB LEVY AND COLLECTION
OF ASSESSMENTS FOR
FY 2025/26 CONT'D Council Member Hurtado stated that the business improvement district is a self-imposed tax. It's a levy that the businesses in 1970 wanted to tax themselves to have money and decide where the money is going to go.
The levy is included in the business license renewals.
DEVIATE FROM
THE AGENDA At this time 7:25 p.m., there being no objections, Mayor Davila stated that item 10 would be considered out of its regular agenda order. Council Member Rios asked for this item to be continued to the next City Council Meeting. Mayor Davila also stated that an Ad Hoc Committee will be crepted with Council Member Rios and Councilwoman Avalos.
EXCUSED FROM
MEETING At this time 7:26 p.m., Council Member Hurtado, was excused from the meeting and departed from the Council Chambers.
BUN)GETADMIN The City Council considered:
a. Receiving and filing presentations on the Proposed FY 2025-26 Budgets and l-Year Capital Improvement Program ("CIP"); b. AdoptingaResolutionapprovingtheFY2025-26MunicipalBudgetin the amount of $304,308,267, including all funds and departments, along with any additions or deletions the Legislative Bodies may enact; and
c. Adopting a Resolution establishing the FY 2025-26 Gann Appropriations Limit in the amount of $110,869,454.
Mayor Davila stated that there will be no presentation on the budget and asked if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on this item.
Mario Dominguez stated he was trying to get some funding for the splash pad, and he received an email from Gisele Fong, Senior Program Manager for The California Endowment, stating that the regional park and open space district have competitive grants that will be available in July. He is asking the City Council to place the splash pad on the city's list of capital improvement pro3ects.
Lizette Ruiz, Kauffman Ave, is encouraging the City Council to do more outreach due to the city's deficit.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025 10 BUDGET ADMIN CONT'D Isidro Niola, 8422 Victoria Ave, stated seeing a sign at the golf course that says starting July, it will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to budget problems. He saw a poster stating, "Share your thoughts and help us shape programs that benefit our community." Keeping the golf course benefits the community. If the city opens a volunteer program, he is willing to volunteer at the golf course.
Edgar Pelayo, Mallison Ave, commended Mr. Niola for his willingness to volunteer. He is happy to hear that an Ad Hoc Cornrnittee will be able to discuss the budget. He agrees with Ms. Ruiz that the city needs to do more outreach regarding the budget. He hasn't seen any solutions in terms of how to generate revenue without taxing people.
Baltazar Rodriguez, Victoria Ave, is concerned that the South Gate pool will be closed on Fridays due to budget cuts.
Daniel Gonzalez, Dorothy Ave, is concerned about having programs for kids cut due to budget. He is requesting that the city look at the number one hole at the golf course because it is shut down due to the fence.
Jirnmy Ozaeta, South Gate resident, respects everyone that's part of the budgeting process. He stated that the deficit doesn't happen overnight. He is asking for three recommendations to balance the budget without increasing taxes on the residents. It's important to help the community understand how city council can incorporate a million dollars in salary increases into a $7 million deficit.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Davila closed the audience portion.
EMAILS Robert urging the city to explore cost savings measures.
Maria Chavez, long-time South Gate resident, expressing strong opposition to the proposed city budget.
Roberto Sanchez expressing strong disappointment with the city's spending priorities and criticizing the use of funds on non-essential items rather than core services like parks, streets, sidewalks and public safety.
Gabriel Guerrero, long-time South Gate resident, strongly opposes the proposed increases to utility costs, explaining that he is limited on social security income and barely covers food and medicine.
Mayor Davila motioned to continue item 10 and created the Ad Hoc Committee (Council Member Rios and Councilwoman Avalos) to oversee the budget and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025 BUDGETADMIN cosarn ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, excused/absent.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) Lizette Ruiz, Kauffman Ave, appreciates the city's commitment to having the Police Department not working with ICE. She is asking if tlie PD could do something similar to Huntington Park's Mayor's directive to their own Police Department to start enforcing laws on the masking law on individuals within the city that do not present themselves as ICE, don't show ID, don't show warrants.
Mayor Davila stated that after listening to Huntington Park's Mayor's comments, the City Council contacted City Manager and the Chief of Police Arakawa and asked if this was allowed to be implemented. She is going to have Chief Arakawa speak on this issue. She mentioned that the City of Huntington Park is not implementing anything.
Mario Dominguez would like to know if the city has a strategy on how to maintain plants and trees that were just planted on Tweedy Boulevard.
Francisco Gallegos, Otis Street, questioned immigration enforcement activities to undocumented residents that pay taxes. He also mentioned illegal fireworks and possibly or not to implement higher fines.
Mayra Castaneda, Taft Ave, thanked City Council for their support during these ICE raids/abductions. She also thanked the Chief for allowing the peaceful protest. There is a difference between protest and riots.
Ms. Castaneda asked if someone called 911 and said they have witnessed someone being abducted by an unidentified individual that is not wearing a uniform or badge, would the South Gate Police Department send someone to investigate or just say it's considered an ICE raid.
Maria Fausto stated she is a special needs parent, coach and parent advocate, her son's assistant, Mariana Rodriguez. They are present tonight asking for help to give everyone accessibility to the restrooms at State Street Park. The safety, inclusion and maintenance are a concern to them.
The restroom is not accessible for her son's needs.
Mayra, South Gate resident, questioned immigration enforcement activities.
Baltasar Rodriguez, VictoriaAve, questioned immigration enforcement activities. He appreciates that the City of South Gate is not working with
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE (NON-AGENDA
ITEMS) CONT'D immigration enforcement. He is concerned about the two activities scheduled at the park and how the community will be safe.
Jimmy Ozaeta, South Gate resident, suggested the city have a video on the city's social media enforcing their support for our vulnerable community.
He stated the city needs to explore options before exploring taxes on the community.
Alfonso, South Gate resident, questioned immigration enforcement activities. He stated calling 911 regarding men carrying guns at the park and the dispatcher kept asking him questions.
Edgar Pelayo, Mallison Ave, suggested the city revisit the call-in feature and the virtual option for the City Council Meetings. He spoke on the Utility Users Tax and would like the results of the survey.
Alice Cueto, South Gate resident, suggested the city revisit the call-in feature. She sympathizes with people that have a family member that might be undocumented and were deported but if people think the city is going against federal agents, she doesn't want tax money to bail City Council.
Jose Vasquez, South Gate resident, is disappointed with the City Council when it comes to protecting the community. He questioned immigration enforcement activities.
Nelson Hermosillo, Dorothy Ave, is a Special Agent with the Federal Office of Inspector General. He informed the City Council that the city can do very little against the federal government. There is a supremacy clause that a city, state, local agency cannot go against the federal government. He stated that it is not ICE but border patrol that is out there.
The U.S. Border Patrol does not belong in the city. He provided this number 1-877-246-8253 to contact for misconduct and ACLU.
Mr. Hermosillo stated residents need to vote for politicians based on what they are going to do for the people, do not keep voting for incompetent politicians.
EMAILS Thomas Buckley expressed ongoing concerns regarding the lack of response from the South Gate City Clerk's Office for two public records requests.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROMCITYOFFICIALS MayorDavilaaskedChiefArakawatorespondtopublicconcems.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D ChiefArakawa appreciates the comments from the audience about the irnrnigration enforcement activities. He assures everyone that the City Council does care. He has been receiving phone calls for the last two weeks.
The Chief explained that the federal government has the authority to come into any state in the United States. Also, the attorney general, county, and LA County District Attorney can come into the City of South Gate to investigate. He explained that the law limits what the local law enforcement can do when ICE comes to town. The chief has had communication with all the LA County chiefs, sheriff, and LAPD chief regarding the incidents that are happening and how to address them. Local agencies do not have the authority nor any enforcement on immigration.
Prior to Senate Bill 54, which was implemented in 2019, ICE would occasionally drop in the jail with a warrant for someone's removal. These are people that have been incarcerated for crimes committed in California.
The federal government shepherd all the federal agencies, which are Customs Border Protection, DEA, Homeland Security, FBI to help with the immigration enforcement. The chief does not know any requirements that requires a federal agency to identify themselves. He also explained that the federal agents are not required to show their faces.
The chief stated that when any local agency needs assistance, local agencies go out on mutual aid is public safety. People perceive that local agencies are assisting ICE, and it's the opposite.
The chief stated the city will continue to advocate for what's right. He does not agree with the way the people have been taken into custody. He agrees this must be fixed at the legislature level.
The chief does not agree that people call 911 and say a man with a riffle for the police to respond. This is dangerous. There have been no reports from the District Attorney's Office about imposters kidnapping people. He informed the public that it is the dispatchers' job to ask questions to be related to the responding police officer.
Vice Mayor Barron agrees that it is frustrating, scary and upsetting with the immigration enforcement. He agrees with the public about the City Council not publicly posting what they are doing. He respects the privacy of the families that are being helped. Council have reached out to nonprofits. He attended the Azalea protest.
Council MemberAvalos agrees with Vice Mayor Barron and her colleagues. She agrees with the community regarding changing representatives at the federal level that will advocate for us.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Council Member Avalos reminded the people that Nanette Barragan had a town hall meeting. The Chirla and Immigration Defenders are the two resources provided to them. She also stated that the new administration wants to deport US citizens. She appreciates everyone coming and expressing your concerns. We are all doing as much as we can. She too attended the Azalea protest.
Council Member Avalos asked if we would be able to share with the community any plans we have in place to make sure the community is safe during the Fourth of July events at the park.
The chief stated that a few neighboring cities have canceled their events for the next couple of months which may bring more people to the City of South Gate's Fourth of July celebration at the park. Extra police officers will be on patrol. No one knows if immigration will show up.
Council Member Rios thanked everyone present tonight. He agrees with his colleagues' comments.
Council Member Avalos thanked the community members present tonight, the community members driving around informing the public and people working behind the scenes.
Mayor Davila thanked her colleagues for their hard work during these difficult times. She has been involved with the schools for many years and has been receiving phone calls from people that need services. We all need to be united.
Vice Mayor Barrios apologized for his emotions earlier. He mentioned what the Latino economy means to the GDP of the United States. The Latino makes up over $4.1 trillion of the GDP annually.
Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works, nothing to report.
Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation, reported that Public Works will be fixing two streets around South Gate Park and Hollydale Community Park. There will be limited parking around South Gate Park tomorrow.
Gabriel Perez, Director of Community Development, nothing to report.
Luis Frausto, Director of Administrative Services, looks forward to working with the Ad Hoc Committee on the budget.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, nothing to report.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFPICIALS
CONT'D Rob Houston, City Manager, stated how stressful the events happening in the community, has seen how City Council care for this community. City staff is hurting, and the police officers are in the middle of all this.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, stated regarding public records request the City Clerk's Office does a fine job trying to respond on a timely basis.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, looks forward to the municipal budget discussion.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, nothing to report.
Council Member Avalos reported on Vector Control contacted an agency that conducted a survey to see how willing the communities were in increasing their fees from $18 to $42. That survey came back unfavorable, so Vector Control is not going to be sending out any ballots to any property owners this October.
Council Member Rios asked if it would be okay to have the City Treasurer be part of the Ad Hoc Committee.
Mr. Salinas believes the Ad Hoc Cornrnittee should stay as two Council Members. The committee can invite guests to be part of a discussion, but not part of the cornrnittee.
RECESS The City Council recessed at 9:24 p.m., and reconvened at 9:32 p.m., with four Members of Council present.
CONSENT CALENDAR Agenda Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were approved by motion of Council MemberAvalos and Coiu'icil Member Rios. Item 8 was pulled for separate discussion.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes (recused from voting on item 9a); Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes (recused from voting on item 3); Council Member Hurtado, excused/absent.
2 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-20-CC entitled Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, adopting the Local Streets and Roads Funding Program Project List for Fiscal Year 2025/26 to program (a) $200,000 in Senate Bill 1 'funds for the Annual Sidewalk Grinding Program, (b) $1,686,417 in Senate Bill 1 funds for the Citywide Residential Resurfacing Phase V, City Project No. 637-ST, (c)
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025 2 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING CONT'D $225,000 in Senate Bill 1 funds for the Citywide Residential Resurfacing Phase VI, City Project No. 738-ST, and $400,000 in Senate Bill 1 funds for the Citywide Sidewalk Improvements Phase XI, City Project No. 739- ST for a total of $2,511,417 in Senate Bill I :tunds during Consent Calendar.
3 PARKING & TRAFFIC The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Retroactively approved Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. 3408 with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to modify the agreement term and extend the '[unding lapse date to February 28, 2025, encompassing the period during which the 2013 Call for Projects Grant funds were used to fund the Tweedy Boulevard Traffic Signal Synchronization Project, LAMTA ID No.
F7309, City Project No. 514-TRF; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
CITY yacht,mys MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. 2022-41-CC with Honeywell International Inc., for a 12-month extension, to continue HVAC maintenance services for various municipal facilities through June 30, 2026, for an amount not-to-exceed $164,481; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
AMENDMENT: The contract was inadvertently referred to in the agenda bill as Amendment No. 1, and per the City Attorney, the minutes are reflected that Amendment No. 1 shall be retitled as Amendment No. 3 due to a clerical error.
CITY FACILITIES MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Amendment No. l to Contract No. 2022-42-CC with Merchants Building Maintenance, to extend the contract term for 12 months to continue custodial and maintenance services for various municipal facilities through June 30, 2026, for an amount not-to-exceed $322,910, or $26,909 monthly; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEF,TING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025 6 TRANSPORT ATION
PLANNING/ADMIN The City Council approved the Interagency Memorandum of Understanding (Contract No. 2025-41-CC) with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Administration for the Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems ("RIITS") during Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE The City Council approved items A, B, C, D & E during Consent Calendar:
a. Accepted $599,258.06 in grant funding from the State of California, OPR/California Volunteers program;
b. Entered into a General Services Agreement (Contract No. 2025-42- CC) with the Conservation Corp of Long Beach for various Workforce Development projects within the City of South Gate; c. Appropriated $599,258.06 in grant :[unds from OPR/California Volunteers, Californians for All Youth Workforce Program to account #100-460-61-6646 to pay for the General Services Agreement with the Conservation Corp of Long Beach;
d. Authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
e. Delegated authority to the Director of Parks & Recreation, or his designee, to sign and submit any additional documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests which may be necessary for the completion of the General Services agreement.
8 DATA PROCESSING
SERVICES The City Council approved (as amended) items A & B by motion of Council MemberAvalos and seconded by Mayor Davila:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2025-43-CC) with Gateway Cities Council of Governments for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic Network, at no cost to the City of South Gate; and
b. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
AMENDMENT: The Right-Of-Way Use Agreement will have minor changes to make it consistent with the agreement and authorize the city manager or his designee to execute any side agreement consistent with the direction given.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2025 8 DATA PROCESSING
SERVICES CONT'D ROLL CALL: Council MemberAvalos, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, excuse/absent.
9 MmUTES
11 WARRANTS
The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. Special and Regular Meeting minutes of May 13, 2025; and b. Special and Regular Meeting minutes of May 27, 2025.
The City Council approved the Warrant Register for Jiu"ie 24, 2025, by motion of Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
Total ofChecks: $3,136,606.51
Less:Voids $ (0.00)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (475,008.09)
GrandTotal: $2,661,598.42
Cancellations: 108048, 107871
ROLL CALL: Council MemberAvalos, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, excused/absent.
ADJOTJRNMENT Mayor Davila adjourned the meeting in memory of Senorina Rendon, long-time South Gate resident and community activist at 9:55 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
PASSED and APPROVED on this 22nd day of July 2025.
Maria Davila, Mayor
ATTEST:
Yodit laze, City Clerk