CITY OF SOUTH GATE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 22, 2015 9/22/2015 - Minutes I. Call to Order/Roll Call with Invocation & Pledge Mayor Jorge Morales called a Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. Nick Garife, Gateway Assembly Church led the Invocation. Steve Costley, Acting Parks & Recreation Director led the Pledge of Allegiance. II. City Officials Present: Mayor Jorge Morales, Council Member Maria Belen Bernal, Council Member Maria Davila, Council Member Gil Hurtado; City Manager Michael Flad, City Attorney Raul F. Salinas Absent/Excused: Vice Mayor W. H. De Witt, City Clerk Carmen Avalos Late: City Treasurer Gregory Martinez arrived at 6:38 p.m. III. IV. Meeting Compensation Disclosure Public Hearings 1. Consolidated Annual Performance And Evaluation Report For Program Year 2014-2015 The City Council conducted a Public Hearing and received and filed the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for program Year 2014-15, by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado. Mayor Morales asked City Manager to summarize this item. City Manager stated that every year Council approves our federally funded programs in the area of housing. Mayor Morales asked if the City received any comments verbally or written. Paul Adams, Interim Director of Community Development asked Vivian Garcia, Housing Administrator to speak on this item. Vivian Garcia, Housing Administrator stated that the City did not receive any comments from the public. Mayor Morales asked Ms. Garcia to highlight the report. Ms. Garcia stated that the funds were used wisely. The CDBG was used for park programs and street programs.
funds were used wisely. The CDBG was used for park programs and street programs. The home funds are for the CHDO on the San Gabriel property and have assisted six homeowners to rehabilitate their homes. Council Member Davila thanked Ms. Garcia for helping South Gate residents and the Community Development Department. Council Member Bernal asked about the Priority Community Needs Table. Ms. Garcia stated that this was done by a survey that was sent-out to various public agencies, opened up to the community and CAC members. Council Member Bernal asked how many surveys were received. Ms. Garcia stated 150 surveys were received and all the CAC members also participated. V. Comments from the Audience VI. Virginia Johnson, 5751 McKinley Avenue received her requested Planning Commission meeting CD since she could not make it on September 1st. She stated that the sound was so whispery soft that no one could decipher it. Mayor Morales asked Mr. Cervantes if this is also happening to the Council meeting recordings. Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works stated that this has not been brought to his attention. He has spoken directly with the City Clerk s Office about a month and half ago when this issue came up and nothing was reported to him. Nick Godoy, 8611 San Gabriel Avenue stated calling public works this morning about the sweeper not going by, but his wife informed him that the sweeper did go by. Ana Maria Colato, 5214 Batavia Road is concerned about a cell phone tower across from her house, Wal-Mart does not sell healthy food and brown is not the new green. She asked if anyone knows what Agenda 21 is. She said that Agenda 21 is Depopulation of America. Jose Cervantes, Walnut Park resident stated that last month he brought a flyer of a casino that s in South Gate and opened 24 hours a day. Mayor Morales stated that the Chief of Police will be getting the information. Jose Cervantes stated that he reported it; he was informed someone would be out to check it out and no one has done anything. South Gate resident residing at 9735 San Juan Avenue is concerned about firework polluting the air and harming children and animals. She is asking that fireworks be illegal. Reports and Comments From City Officials Mayor Morales asked if City staff have anything to report. Steve Costley, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation informed Council and the public of the Blessing of Animals event on October 3rd at the Hollydale Dog Park. He also stated
VII. the Blessing of Animals event on October 3rd at the Hollydale Dog Park. He also stated that South Gate Park and Hollydale Park will be having carnival events for Halloween. Gregory Martinez, City Treasurer stated that a couple of weeks ago there was an electrical power outage of houses by the park. Council Member Bernal attended the HUB Cities meeting where it was voted for employees to pay into their PERS benefits. She attended the NALEO citizenship workshop. Council Member Davila stated that the NALEO citizenship workshop was well attended. The City of South Gate received a Certificate of Appreciation from Supervisor Hilda Solis. On Friday she and Mayor Morales visited Madison Elementary school where Tierra Mia was acknowledged for donating backpacks to the Pre-K classes. On September 18th she visited Liberty Elementary school where visitors from Beijing, China were present and an agreement was signed becoming sister schools. She mentioned that Eco-Rapid Transit will be having a tour to the LA Port. Council Member Davila stated that last Wednesday at the METRO meeting the Santa Ana Rancho item which includes the Eco-Rapid Transit was approved. She thanked everyone for participating and donating to the Multi-Cultural Women s Club Baile del Revoso event. Mayor Morales stated that he, Vice Mayor De Witt and the Chief of Police visited Sheriff Jim McDonnell to discuss the issue of illegal fireworks. Consent Calendar Items Mayor Morales 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 and staff to remove any items on the consent calendar. Council Member Davila requested to pull item 8. Agenda Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved during Consent Calendar by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila. 2. Resolution Approving Destruction Of Obsolete City Records The City Council adopted Resolution No. 7684 entitled A Resolution of the City Council of the City of South Gate authorizing the destruction of obsolete records retained in City Hall, Parks & Recreation Department and Police Department pursuant to Government Code 34090 of the laws of the State of California, during consideration of the Consent Calendar; and a. Subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney. 3. Retainer Agreement With The Law Firm Of Carico Johnson Toomey, LLC For Specialized Areas Of Law The City Council approved attorney retainer agreement (Contract No. 3150) with the law firm of Carico Johnson Toomey, LLP for specialized areas of law, during consideration of the Consent Calendar; and a. Authorized the Mayor to execute the retainer agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. 4. Agreement With Dekra-Lite For The Decorative Street Tree Light Installation
On Tweedy Boulevard The City Council approved an Agreement (Contract No. 3151) with Dekra-Lite for the Decorative Street Tree Light Installation on Tweedy Boulevard from State Street to Hunt Avenue, City Project No. 534-LT (Tree Lighting Project), in an amount not-toexceed $199,919 necessary to purchase and install decorative lights on street trees located within the Tweedy Mile Shopping District, during consideration of the Consent Calendar; and a. Received and filed the $220,000 cost estimate to maintain and replace the tree lights on a six-year lifecycle to be funded by the General Fund, as noted in the fiscal impact; and b. Approved the Notice of Exemption for the Tree Lighting Project and directed the City Clerk to file it with the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office; and c. Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. 5. Letter Of Intent From The Trust For Public Land For The Urban Orchard Project The City Council received and filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) from the Trust for Public Land which is a proposal to partner and facilitate the implementation of the Urban Orchard Project, during consideration of the Consent Calendar. 6. Investment Report For The Quarter Ending June 30, 2015 The City Council received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for June 30, 2015, during consideration of the Consent Calendar. 7. Appropriations From The Park Enhancement Fund (General Fund) And Prop A Maintenance And Servicing Fund For Park Improvements The City Council appropriated $15,000 from the Park Enhancement Fund (General Fund) and $488,816 from the Prop A Maintenance and Servicing Fund (General Fund) for park improvements, during consideration of the Consent Calendar; and a. Authorized the Director of Administrative Services to amend the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget as needed and authorize these expenditures in accordance with the City's Purchasing Ordinance and restrictions of the individual funding sources. 8. Minutes The City Council approved the August 25th Special and Regular Meeting minutes by motion of Mayor Morales and seconded by Council Member Hurtado. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bernal, yes; Council Member Hurtado, yes; Council Member Davila, abstained; Vice Mayor De Witt, absent; Mayor Morales, yes. The City Council approved the September 8th Special and Regular Meeting minutes by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila. VIII. Reports, Recommendations and Requests
9. Proposed Resolutions For The 2015 League Of California Cities Annual Conference The City Council supported all the League of California Cities proposed Resolutions by motion of Council Member Hurtado and seconded by Council Member Davila. a. Supporting OR opposing the League of California Cities proposed Resolution 1 relating to the League Bylaws amendments regarding succession of League offices to fill vacancies; and b. Supporting OR opposing the League of California Cities proposed Resolution 2 calling for legislation to preserve therapeutic environments for group homes and avoid impacts of overconcentration of alcohol and drug abuse recovery and treatment facilities in residential neighborhoods; and c. Supporting OR opposing the League of California Cities proposed Resolution 3 supporting SB 593 (McGuire) and continued local flexibility for cities as they address neighborhood and fiscal impacts of temporary rentals of residential units; and d. Supporting OR opposing the League of California Cities proposed Resolution 4 calling upon the Governor and the Legislature to work with the League of California Cities to enact legislation or to otherwise compel Southern California Edison to create a program to automatically provide direct compensation to its customers affected by prolonged electrical power outages under specified circumstances. Mayor Morales stated that he is the delegate for the City over at the League of California Cities and will be attending a conference. Mayor Morales asked City Manager to summarize this item. City Manager stated that the City is represented by the League of California Cities which is an association of cities within California. The League of California Cities represents statewide interest. The League has a board and Mayor Morales serves as a voting member. The League is asking, as part as their legal conference to vote on these items. 10. Presentation Of The Imperial Highway Median And Roadway Improvement Project, Appropriation Of Funds And Final Design Phase The City Council received and filed a presentation of the Imperial Highway Median and Roadway Improvement Project, which is comprised of two Capital Improvement Program projects; (1) Highway Safety Improvements Program, Cycle 5, Firestone Boulevard and Otis Street Improvements and Imperial Highway Center Median, City Project Number 496- ST, and (2) Garfield Avenue and Imperial Highway Street Improvements, City Project No. 413-ST, by motion of Council Member Davila and seconded by Council Member Hurtado; and a. Appropriating $300,286 in Surface Transportation Program Local (STPL) Funds to Account No. 311-790-31-9433 to program additional funding for the Garfield Avenue and Imperial Highway Street Improvements, City Project No. 413- ST; and
b. Authorizing the Director of Public Works/City Engineer to begin the final design phase for the Imperial Highway Median and Roadway Improvement Project. Mayor Morales asked City Manager if he would like to summarize this item. City Manager stated that Mr. Cervantes will cover everything in the short presentation. Mayor Morales stated that the presentation will be heard first and then he ll open for public comments. Arturo Cervantes, Director of Public Works stated that the City has a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) with approximately $80 million in its budget. This project is a consolidation of two CIP projects that are in the program. These goals are preliminary safety, congestion, aesthetics and pavement. He stated that the City s Capital Improvement Program projects are intended to address particular issues and facilities that are proposed upon. In the case of Imperial Highway between the L.A. River and the east City limits are a number of issues that the engineers were able to identify, including an accident history of 125 reported accidents over a five year period. The pavement is deficient and issues on sidewalks. He stated that the CIP project that s before Council contains an analysis by the engineers of all the possible improvements that we can implement to address the issues of the roadway. Staff is proposing raised landscape medians in the center of the road to address the issue of traffic circulation. Staff is looking at landscaping the medians with drought tolerant planting, repaving the roadway and reconstructing some of the damage sidewalks and driveways. Mr. Cervantes stated that there is a funding shortfall of $903,450 and they are looking into funding. The project is currently under design. The design will probably be completed in early 2016 and start construction in late 2016. Mayor Morales asked if anyone in the audience wishes to speak on this item. Linda Parsonson, 5780 Main Street is suggesting barricades. Ana Maria Colato, 5214 Batavia Road would like to know who was in charge of putting cell phone towers and are they legal. Mayor Morales apologized and informed Ms. Colato that her comments must be related to this item. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Morales closed the audience portion. Mayor Morales is requesting not having large plants in the medians. Council Member Bernal asked if staff had a presentation of the Firestone/Otis project. Mr. Cervantes stated that tonight s item brings many elements. The roadway medians are one of the elements of that particular project. This item is being brought before Council because of its impact. The Firestone and Otis improvements are only to add right turn lanes and a student pick-up and drop-off zone. Council Member Bernal asked to see the Firestone and Otis improvements
IX. Council Member Bernal asked to see the Firestone and Otis improvements presentation. 11. Warrants The City Council approved the Warrants and Cancellations for September 22, 2015, by motion of Council Member Auditor Bernal and seconded by Council Member Davila. Total of Checks: $2,636,431.90 Voids $ (262.00) Total of Payroll Deductions: $ (279,215.94) Grand Total: $2,356,953.96 Cancellations: 59063, 59634, 60137, 59336 Council Member Auditor Bernal is requesting staff include a list of reoccurring conferences that Council and staff attends on the next budget. Adjournment Council Member Hurtado adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m. and seconded by Council Member Davila. Vice Mayor De Witt was absent. PASSED and APPROVED this 13th day of October, 2015. For a signed copy of the minutes for this meeting please contact the City Clerk's Office: 8650 California Avenue, South Gate, California 90280 (323) 563-9510 * fax (323) 563-5411 * www.cityofsouthgate.org