CITY OF SOUTH GATE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2025
CALL TO ORDER Maria Davila, Mayor called a Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.
INVOCATION Steve Costley, Director of Parks & Recreation PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources 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 PRESENTATIONS- CITY'S
BUDGET/FISCALFUTURES The City Council unanimously received and filed a presentation on the City's Budget and Fiscal Future by motion of Vice Mayor Barron and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
RECESS The City Council recessed at 9:03 p.m., and reconvened at 9:11 p.m., with all Members of Council present.
COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE-NON-AGENDA
ITEMS - EMAIL Mario Dominguez stated that South Gate lacks bike friendly infrastructure compared to nearby cities and encouraged the city to pursue grants to develop a bike trail. He also requested updates on the fiber optic project timeline and expected completion date for the Frontage Road East Re- pavement Project.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROMCITYOFFICIALS ArturoCervantes,DirectorofPublicWorks,statedthefiberopticis nearing start of construction. The improvements to Frontage Road are largely completed.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 11, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM (ITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Carol Averell, Housing Manager stated the Community Development added on the city's website food bank resources.
Luis Frausto, Director of Administrative Services, stated that the recent legislation related to the requirement to provide broadcast or call-in features to the City Council Meetings is being researched by city staff.
Vendors were brought in to look at options the city has. One of the options being looked at is going to allow for a call-in feature. This is an unfunded mandate.
Jon Hamilton, Director of Human Resources, wished everyone a happy Veterans Day.
Manny Arana, Chief of Police, reminded everyone that on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., is the Family Day at the Park at South Gate Park.
Rob Houston, City Manager, clarified why the Finance Director is talking about IT. Mr. Fausto oversights is both Finance and IT.
Raul F. Salinas, City Attorney, had nothing to report.
Jose De La Paz, City Treasurer, stated that outside the Legacy Complex the schools are creating a public safety issue on Legacy Lane and Tweedy.
He has provided the information to City Manager and Chief of Police.
Yodit Glaze, City Clerk, stated that Rotary will be serving Thanksgiving dinner to needy families in the community. She may be reached for tickets.
Council Member Avalos expressed appreciation and gratitude to veterans for their service, noting that military service can have a lasting impact on individuals. She emphasized the importance of showing returning service members patience, kindness and understanding. While recognizing that although veterans may return changed, they remain the same individuals deserving of respect, particularly in light of the freedoms their service helps protect.
Council MemberAvalos also reported attending the State of the City event, describing it as informative and expressing appreciation for the presentations by city leadership and the mayor. Additionally, she noted that the Southeast Water Coalition meeting was scheduled but subsequently canceled and aru"iounced that a Vector Control meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 11, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D Council Member Hurtado thanked the veterans for their service. He mentioned that on Tuesday, November 25'h from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or while supplies last, Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache, Jr., is having a turkey giveaway for residents of Huntington Park, Maywood, Walnut Park, South Gate, Lynwood, Paramount, Bellflower, and Lakewood at the South Gate Park.
Council Member Hurtado stated the JAA is purchasing 100 turkeys from Walmart. They are also purchasing 40 additional turkeys thanks to the $400 donation from Liz Ruiz.
Council Member Rios thanked the veterans for their service. He too attended the State of the City.
Steve Costely, Director of Parks & Recreation, stated having a great veteran's event last Saturday. There was also a Special Olympic event. He stated Assemblymember Solache will be giving away one thousand turkeys and one thousand pumpkin pies. He reminded everyone of the Pageant of the Trees and is looking for tree makers and sponsors for that event.
Mayor Davila asked Mr. Costley to reach out to KIPP Corazon.
Vice Mayor Barron asked Mr. Costley if tickets are still available for the Brealdast with Santa event for December 13fh.
Mr. Costley responded that there are some tickets available. There are some dedicated tickets for commissions and coiu'icil.
Vice Mayor Barron stated that on November ISt the South Gate Junior Athletic Association held their fifth annual toy drive in partnership with the South Gate Police Department. They were able to get over 400 toys donated. Two police cruisers were filled up.
Vice Mayor Barron stated that over hundred players participated in a mini tournament. He donated championship rings to the kids that participated.
He mentioned that each player, parents and businesses donated toys. A special shoutout to Javier Zamora, South Gate resident, that each year shows up with a car full of toys and Vice Mayor Barron's father, who spends $1,000 dollars on toys.
Vice Mayor Barron promoted the South Gate Kiwanis' monthly cleanup event on Saturday, November 15th starting at 9:00 a.m. Lastly, November 21s', the SELA Kiwanis is hosting their second annual Taste of SELA banquet and asked to visit their Instagram page at selakiwanis.org to
REGtJLAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 11, 2025
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM CITY OFFICIALS
CONT'D purchase a ticket. Fifteen restaurants in the SELA region have sponsored the event.
Mayor Davila thanked her colleagues for attending the State of the City and city staff for their great presentations.
CONSENTCALENDAR AgendaItems2,3,4,5,6,and7wereapprovedbymotionofMayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Rios. Items 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were pulled for separate discussion.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes (voted no on item 7); Council Member Hurtado, yes (voted no on item 2 and recused from voting on item 6); Council Member Rios, yes (voted no on item 2); Vice Mayor Barron, yes (recused from voting on item 4); Mayor Davila, yes. 2 CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMENTS The City Council introduced Ordinance No. 2025-02-CC entitled Ordinance of the City Council of the City of South Gate, California, amending Section 1.25.020 (Membership) of Chapter 1.25 (Citizens' Advisory Committee), of Title l (Administration and Personnel), of the South Gate Municipal Code to reduce the number of appointed committee members to ten (10) entitling each Council Member to appoint two (2) committee members from among qualified residents of the city who are eighteen years of age or older. Before taking office, each committee member shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council during Consent Calendar.
3 COMMUNITY DEV/
HOUSING The City Council unanimously approved items A, B & C during Consent Calendar:
a. An'iendment No. 3 to Contract No. 2023-130-AC with Willdan Engineering, Inc., through November 30, 2025;
b. The use of Housing Authority administrative funds for as-needed services totaling $61,000; and
c. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreements in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 11, 2025 WASTEWATER MGMT The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. ContractChangeOrder8toContractNo.2024-100-CCwithVortex Services, LLC, dba Sancon Technologies, to rehabilitate 24 manholes at various locations under the Sewer Lining Project, City Project No. 709-SWR, in the amount of $133,800; and
b. Authorized the Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works to execute Contract Change Order No. 8.
WATER The City Council unanimously approved items A, B, C & D during Consent Calendar:
a. Professional Services Agreement (Contract No. 2025-78-CC) with SA to prepare design and construction documents for the Firestone Boulevard Pipeline Replacement Project, City Project No. 737-WTR, for an amount not to exceed $356,000;
b. Appropriated $100,000 in Water Funds to :tully fund the budget for the Firestone Boulevard Pipeline Replacement Project, City Project No. 737 -WTR;
c. Authorized the City Manager to approve and execute amendments up to a cumulative amount of $100,000; and
d. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
6 STREETS/SmEWALKS/
LANDSCAPING The City Council approved items A, B, C & D during Consent Calendar:
a. Agreement (Contract No. 2025-79-CC) with o.c. Vacuum, Inc. to provide operations and maintenance services for the storm water diversion system located at the Urban Orchard Park, for a three-year term, for an amount not to exceed $450,000, or $150,000 per year; b. Authorized the City Manager to approve and execute amendments for a cumulative amount of $100,000;
c. Authorizedthetransferof$l90,000inMeasureWFundsfromthe Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program, Urban Orchard Project budget to the Fiscal Year 2025/26 0perating Public Works Budget to fund first year services and contingency funds; and d. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 11, 2025 LEGAL OPERATIONS The City Council approved items A & B during Consent Calendar:
a. AttorneyRetainerAgreementswiththelawfirmsof(l)Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (Contract No. 2025-80-CC); (2) Aleshire & Wynder (Contract No. 2025-81-CC); (3) Lewis Brisbois (Contract No. 2025- 82-CC); (4) Rothans, Carpenter & Dumont (Contract No. 2025-83- CC); and (5) Frost Brown Todd LLP (Contract No. 2025-84-CC) to continue to provide legal services to the City related to consulting, representational and legal services; and
b. Authorized the City Manager to execute such agreements in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
8 CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMF:NTS The City Council unanimously re-appointed Council MemberAvalos to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control Board for a 2-year term of office commencing on January 5, 2026, by motion of Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Avalos, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Rios, yes; Vice Mayor Barron, yes; Mayor Davila, yes.
WARRANTS The City Council unanimously approved the Warrant Register for November 11, 2025, by motion of Mayor Davila and seconded by Council Member Avalos.
Total of Checks: $ 4,507,83 1.68
Less:Voids $ (0.00)
Less: Employee Payroll Deductions $ (537,001.19)
GrandTotal: $ 3,970,830.49
Cancellations: None
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 NOVEMBER 11, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Council Member Hurtado unanimously adjourned the meeting at 10:22 p.m. and seconded by Council MemberAvalos.
PASSED and APPROVED on this 27' day of January 2026.
ATTEST:
Yodit G , City Clerk