CITY OF SOUTH GATE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

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1 steps in the clean-up effort related to the two superfund sites at the proximity of Rayo and Southern Avenues. They will begin door to door solicitation of the installation of filter monitoring devises in an area of about 2 or 3 blocks near or adjacent to Salt Lake and Southern Avenue. They are testing the air. Secondly, last night was the second meeting of the Community Health Assessment Team (Councilman De Witt attended the meeting). Representatives from the US EPA, the California CITY OF SOUTH GATE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Henry C. Gonzalez called a Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. INVOCATION Steve Lefever, Director of Community Development led the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Virginia Johnson, City Commissioner led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Carmen Avalos, City Clerk PRESENT Mayor Henry C. Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Jorge Morales, Council Member Maria Davila, Council Member Bill De Witt and Council Member Gil Hurtado; City Treasurer Maria Belen Bernal, City Manager Michael Flad, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Virginia Johnson, 5751 McKinley Avenue is very impressed with the City s new website. She called the City Clerk s Office for instruction on accessing the staff reports and Debbie easily walked her through it. She mentioned that Angel Gonzales owner of Pyramid Press, now called Pyramid Printers, does political piece flyers for our surrounding cities is at it again. Nick Godoy, 8611 San Gabriel Avenue stated that the residents don t having parking at the San Gabriel Elementary School. He also mentioned that the corner of Ardmore and California gets flooded. REPORTS AND COMMENTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works provided an update on the construction projects at Firestone & Rayo and Firestone & Atlantic. Paul Adams, Director of Parks and Recreation stated that the new Vista and Recreation Guide is available. Steve Lefever, Director of Community Development stated that last night the City met with the U.S. Environment Protection Agency on their next

2 nothing REPORTS AND COMMENTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS CONT I) Department of Public Health, and the LA County Department of Public Health, representatives from Community for Better Environment, the Department of Toxic Substance Control, and LA Unified had a representative, Tweedy Mile, Chamber of Commerce and a number of residents. Jackie Acosta, Director of Administrative Services stated that at the last City Council meeting, City Treasurer brought up an issue about a company that was soliciting business in South Gate trying to get residents to change gas providers. A Council Member asked if that company had a business license and they do not. The City has mailed out an application. She also mentioned that the sales tax for the quarter July September 2014 sales was up about 19.3% over that same quarter in 2013 and about 80% of those sales are attributable to the azalea shopping center. Darren Arakawa, South Gate Captain mentioned that a long time member of the Police Department, Captain Hupp is retiring and his retirement dinner is this Friday in Long Beach. Mike Flad, City Manager stated that the LA Times newspaper ran an article on the Mayor of South Gate. He also stated that it was a pleasure working with Mayor Gonzalez. Maria Belen Bemal, City Treasurer to report. Carmen Avalos, City Clerk nothing to report. Council Member Davila stated that she will be in Sacramento for the legislative day for Vector Control in March 25. She and Vice Mayor Morales attended the International Learning Center celebrating the new years. She mentioned that about fifteen students from China stayed in South Gate for about a week. On Saturday she attended the ground breaking of the last high school in Maywood that LAUSD will be building. Council Member Hurtado stated that it was a real pleasure sitting next to and working with Mayor Gonzalez. Council Member De Witt stated that the LA County Sanitation District will be meeting tomorrow and an issue is coming before them to raise the recycled water rates to the Central Basin and other customers. Council Member De Witt asked City Attorney if the City Seal is copyrighted and if the name of the City of South Gate copyrighted. City Attorney does not know, but will check into it. Page 2 of 9

3 Report for the District, during consideration of the Consent Calendar. Page 3 of 9 REPORTS AND COMMENTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS CONT D Vice Mayor Morales attended the California Cities Contracts Association Board meeting with the Director of Public Works. He and Council Member Davila attended the International Chinese New Year s celebration. He also attended the HUB Cities meeting and South East Region High School #8. Mayor Gonzalez stated that March 24 will be his official last meeting to conduct business. On the first meeting in April Vice Mayor Morales, Councilwoman Davila and Elected City Councilwoman Bernal will be installed on that day. Mayor Gonzalez will open the meeting, the Council will get installed and then leave the dais for the last time. th City Council meeting will be Mayor Gonzalez stated that the March 24 held at the South Gate Park Auditorium due to a lot of people wanting to be present. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Gonzalez asked if any member of the City Council or the public wished to remove or pull an item from the Consent Calendar. There was no request from the public, staff and Council to remove any items on the consent calendar. Agenda Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were unanimously approved during Consent Calendar by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado. I POLITICAL SUPPORT The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No entitled - Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate opposing the closure or relocation of the Los Angeles Air Force Base and the Space and Missile Systems Center, during consideration of the Consent Calendar. 2 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/ LANDSCAPING The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No entitled - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate initiating proceedings necessary to establish a levy and collect assessments in Fiscal Year 2015/2016 from the Street Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District No. 1 (District), and to order the preparation of an Engineer s

4 3 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT The City Council unanimously adopting Resolution No entiteld Exercise of Powers Agreement with the Orangeline Development Calendar; and to the City Attorney. 4 Angeles County Department of Public Works (the County) to perform preventative maintenance improvements on the Firestone Boulevard mitigate homeless encampments, during consideration of the Consent Calendar. 5 STREETS/SIDEWALKS/ No. 2926), during consideration of the Consent Calendar; and Angeles County Recorder s Office. 6 Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate amending Calendar. 7 MINUTES The City Council unanimously approved the Joint Special Meeting minutes of January 13, 2015, during consideration of the Consent Calendar; and a. Approved the Special Meeting minutes of January 13, 2015; and b. Approved the Regular Meeting minutes of January 13 and 27, Page 4 of 9 Resolution of the City of South Gate approving the Fourth Amended Joint A Authority, dba Eco-Rapid Transit, during consideration of the Consent a. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable HIGHWAYS/FREEWAYS The City Council unanimously approved a Purchase Order with the Los Bridge over the Rio Hondo Channel at a not-to-exceed cost of $90,000 to LANDSCAPING The City Council unanimously accepted completion, effective February 6, 2015, of the Street Lighting Improvements at Various Locations, Circuit Conversion for Circuits 31, 41, 44, and 69 Project, City Project No LT, CDBG No. 544, performed by Sully-Miller Contracting, Co. (Contract a. Instructed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the Los A PERSONNEL ADMIN The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No entitled Resolution No (Salary Resolution and Position Classification Plan) creating the Deputy Director of Administrative Services/Finance position and job specification in the Administrative Services Department and updating the Salary Pay Table, during consideration of the Consent

5 and all members would vote on the candidate. The candidate would need to meet the qualifications of the position as set forth in the Municipal Code. A majority vote would appoint the candidate. Page 5 of 9 8 ELECTION ADMIN The City Council considered: a. Deciding when to conduct a process for filling the unexpired term of the City Treasurer and who will participate in the selection process; and b. Directing Staff to implement the process for filling the vacancy based on one of the five (5) options presented in the Staff Report. Mayor Gonzalez asked that this item be placed on the agenda because in the year 2005 Council used this process and it worked great. Mayor Gonzalez asked City Manager if there is anything to add. Mr. Flad stated that there are two actions. 1) When Council wants to conduct the process and make a selection; 2) what is the structure of that process. Staff provided examples. Mayor Gonzalez asked if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on this item. Virginia Johnson, 5751 McKinley Avenue likes Option 3. Ms. Johnson is also in favor of abolishing the Treasurer position as the City already has a Finance Director. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Gonzalez closed the audience portion. Council Member Davila prefers Option 3. Council Member Hurtado likes either Option 2 or 3, but prefers Option 2. Council Member Hurtado read Options 2 and 3 for the public. Mayor Gonzalez asked the City Clerk to read the options. Ms. Avalos stated that there are five options: Direct Option 1 Council Appointment If the members of the City Council have an individual that they believe could successfully fill the position, a motion would be made at a Council meeting wherein the appointment would be on the Agenda

6 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, ELECTION ADMIN by Council Majority Vote CONT D Option 2 Appointment Interested candidates would submit an application to the City Clerk prior to a predetermined closing date. Once all applications were filed by the closing date, the City Clerk s Office would verify both residency and voting status for all individuals. At a scheduled City Council meeting, Council Members would vote on each candidate who submitted an application and met the qualifications. by Council Majority Vote following Presentations and Interviews Option 3 Appointment Interested candidates would submit an application to the City Clerk s Office by a predetermined closing date. Once all applications were filed by the closing date, the City Clerk s Office would verify both residency and voting status for all individuals. Each candidate would then have the opportunity to do live, five minute presentation at a City Council meeting. Council Members would have the ability to ask questions of each candidate after the live presentations. The City Council, by majority vote, would appoint the candidate which they feel had the best qualifications for the position. Option 4 a Special Election Hold The City Council would call a special election. Interested candidates would pull the necessary paperwork to show interest in running for the elected office. All interested individuals would need to file all of the necessary paperwork by a predetermined date. Once all applications are filed by the closing date, the City Clerk s Office would verify both residency and voting status for all individuals. The City Clerk s Office would hold a special election. Position Vacant Option 5 Leave A Council Member will make a motion to leave the position of City Treasurer vacant and not fill the position. The City Council, by majority vote, would elect to not fill the position of City Treasurer. Page 6 of 9

7 Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC), by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado. Mayor Gonzalez asked City Manager if there s anything else to add. Mi. Flad stated that this is a project that was recommended for finding by the COG that represents 23 cities in the region. Page 7 of 9 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, ELECTION ADMEN CONT D Council Member De Witt favors Option 3. Vice Mayor Morales favors Option 3, but has an issue with the five minute presentation because Council doesn t know how many applications will be received. Vice Mayor Morales read the City Treasurer Application for Appointment for the public? Vice Mayor Morales asked City Clerk if there is a requirement on the amount of time a person lives in the City of South Gate. Ms. Avalos stated just that a person is a registered voter in the City. Vice Mayor Morales prefers that the question Years lived in the City of South Gate be a yes or no answer. Ms. Avalos asked Vice Mayor Morales how he would like it stated. Vice Mayor Morales stated, Have you lived in the City for more than 30 days? Yes or No. And maybe add How long. Council Member Dc Witt asked if the Treasurer s position is bonded. Mayor Gonzalez asked City Attorney if the Mayor and Treasurer are currently bonded. City Attorney doesn t know if both positions are currently bonded. Per the Municipal Code both positions are required to be bonded. Mayor Gonzalez stated that in his twenty-seven years there has never been an appointment for the office of Treasurer. Council Member Davila motioned, Council Member De Witt seconded and on a unanimous vote, Option 3 was selected, the deadline to submit an application for appointment was set for March 31, 2015, and a Special City Council meeting was called for April 21, ROLL CALL: Mayor Gonzalez, yes; Vice Mayor Morales, yes; Council Member De Witt, yes; Council Member Davila, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes. 9 COMMUNITY DEV/ HOUSING The City Council unanimously received and filed the Business Management Training, Phase II program logistics by the Los Angeles

8 9 COMMUNITY DEV/ HOUSING CONT D Marina Urias, Management Analyst for the Community Development Department and Michael Daniels, Director of SBDC stated that it is their goal to recruit over thirty business owners to participate in the free training that SBDC will be putting together with the City. It is scheduled for the April 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in South Gate Park Auditorium s Banquet Room. Ms. Urias will be working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and Tweedy Mile Association to promote the workshop. Michael Daniels, Director of SBDC and owner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate factories will be teaching marketing strategies, web developments, legal issues and lease negotiations. It s a four day seminar series in the morning. Last time was during the evening. Council Member Hurtado stated attending a couple of the evening sessions. The sessions were well done, but not many people attended the evening sessions. Ms. Urias stated she will be working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and Tweedy Mile Association to promote the workshop. Council Member Hurtado mentioned other business on Garfield, Paramount, Long Beach Boulevard and other areas. Mayor Gonzalez asked if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on this item. Seeing no one step forward; Mayor Gonzalez closed the audience portion. 10 WATER The City Council unanimously received and filed a presentation from John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc., the City s storm water quality consultant, on the new Watershed Management Programs and Storm Water Funding Options, by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila. Mayor Gonzalez asked City Manager if there s anything else to add. Mr. Flad stated that Mr. Hunter is here tonight to make a presentation. There are a couple of big changes with regards to rain and what happens to rain after it hits the ground. There are also judicial and legislative mandates cities to do something with storm water. Cities across Southern California are trying to figure how to cover the cost of capturing and utilizing this new discovered asset. Page 8 of 9

9 Carmen Avalos, City Jorge Ioes, Mayor LI Page 9 of 9 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, WATER CONT D John L. Hunter spoke on the water shed management program. This is all based on the federal clean water act that applies to all water in the United States. This also includes streets, curbs, gutters and catch basins often referred to NPDES Permits, but getting used to calling it the M54 program. Mayor Gonzalez asked if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on this item. Seeing no one step forward; Mayor Gonzalez closed the audience portion. 11 WARRANTS AND The City Council unanimously approved the Warrants and Cancellations CANCELLATIONS for February 24, 2015, by motion of Council Member De Witt and seconded by Vice Morales. Total of Checks: $1,335, Voids $ (379.38) Total of Payroll Deductions: $ (257,566.79) Grand Total: $1,077, Cancellations: 55074, Mayor Gonzalez asked if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on this item. Seeing no one step forward; Mayor Gonzalez closed the audience portion. Council Member Hurtado unanimously adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m. ADJOURNMENT and seconded by Council Member Davila. th day of April, PASSED and APPROVED this 28 ATTEST: