City Council - Regular Meeting

Hello everyone. Good evening. Excuse us for the delay. We're going to get this meeting started. Um, any changes to the agenda, Mr. City Manager? Yes, Mayor. The only changes is we're moving in close session up uh after special presentation. Okay. Thank you. Roll call, please. Council member Garcia here. Council member Lutz here. Mayor Kamacho here.

And uh we do have excused absences for Dr. Monica Sanchez and Council Member Lada. They're called in. Thank you. Uh moving on to our invocation by Council Member Garcia led by a flag salute. So please rise. Lord, we are meeting today to conduct matters of business. Guide our hearts and our minds in the spirit of fairness, right thought and speech. Impart your supreme wisdom upon our activities so that our affairs may reach a successful conclusion. Thank you for being our source of guidance today. Amen. Amen.

Thank you. And for our flag salute, please stay standing for our flag salute. Today we have the honor of join getting joined today by our third grader from Montabella Gardens, Aikram Marquez to join us in flag. So let's give him a big round of applause. Good evening, mayor, members of the city council, and members of the community. My name is Aiker Marquez. I am a third grade student at Monabella Gardens Elementary. It's my honor to lead the pledge of allegiance. Please face the flag. Put your right hand over your heart and join as we'll begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please sit down. Thank you. Good job, Aiker. Uh, can you uh join us up front to recognize you with a certificate from the city council, please?

Good job. Got this. I would say the kids really.

Thank you foring And then they get right in the middle. We'll take a picture.

Are you as tall as me? Normal. Yeah, exactly.

Okay. Now, one Yes, you can attract. Awesome. All right, LET'S GET

I don't but I know him. He's a coach. Okay. We're going to uh just want to recognize our commissioners in attendance. We have Tommy Elisaldes, the planning commissioner. Thank you for being here. And Paul Kamacho, veterans commissioner as well. Thank you both for being here and for all you do for our city. Um as mentioned earlier, we are going to do close session before regular meeting. So, we're going to be headed to close session right now. Um we should be done quick. So, be patient with us and we'll be right back. Okay. Uh city attorney, can you lead us to close session?

Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, members of the city council. We have two items for close session, both under conference of legal counsel, existing litigation items listed as A and B on the agenda. Thank you, Dr. All right, we'll be right back.

I've never had such a warm welcome.

What is fun here. I'll follow

you goes in

the map. I'll get there. All right. Thank you everyone for your patience. Uh we this uh had to do the close session beforehand on the matter two important matters to you all. One in particular, I want to just say I have a a statement that I got to read on behalf of one of the items that we discussed today as it relates to uh what we've all been experiencing with Epic Motel or Hotel. Um and uh the city of Picora has taken decisive action. A formal cease and desist order was issued to Epic Hotel last week and the deadline expired on April 3rd. Compliance has not been achieved. As a result, the city filed a complaint last week and will be seeking a temporary restraining order through the court this week to stop any further unlawful operations on the property. This matter has moved beyond seeking voluntary compliance. The city's code enforcement officers continue to document conditions and issue citations for for ongoing violations. At the same time, the city is actively monitoring the site daily in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and our private security, Southwest patrol. We've also been in communication with our state and regional partners who are aware of the situation and supportive of the city's actions. Specifically, I have spoken to state senator Baba Chilleta, Assembly Member Lisa Caldron, and Supervisor Janice Han numerous times. They've engaged they are engaged directly and with their staff and we provide we will provide more factual details for our resident as they become available. We understand the concern and frustration of our residents and we share the concern and frustration as you all have. We're active deliberately we're acting deliberately lawfully and without delay tonight's

discussion as it took place in close session just now uh and we had to do it because it's pending allegation. So for the sake of the city's position and protecting, we are moving forward effectively in that manner. What I want our residents to know is this. We are engaged. We are taking action and we will continue to do everything necessary to protect the safety and quality of life for our community. As your mayor and I and the entire city council are fully committed to protecting the interest and safety of our residents of Picura, I thank you each and all of you for being involved and and engaging this uh in this matter. something that just came about. We were unaware of it and we're doing everything we can. The minute we found out, we have not, this has been priority number one, and we're moving aggressively. So, with that, I'm going to present it over to our city attorney to uh uh lead us back into open session for close session, but this is on behalf of the city, and behalf of the city council statement. So, thank you for that.

Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, members of the city council. Uh in close session, we discussed two items. a conference of legal counsel uh existing litigation the group 13 litigation matter uh city council received a briefing on that item there was no action taken nothing to be reported at this time regarding the other litigation the mayor has mentioned this is regarding the epic hotel and the circumstances that are involved in that site uh our office filed a lawsuit last week we are finalizing uh the necessary evidence to move forward against uh the uh Epic Hotel and the operators and the owner uh for uh seeking a temporary restraining order for the nuisance that they are creating in the community. Uh the council has provided direction to the city attorney's office to be aggressive and to follow all necessary and required steps established by law, but again we will be filing uh our necessary motion in court uh should be this week. With that uh that's my report from close session.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Attorney. Okay, with that I'm going to move us on to our next part of the agenda. We have a a special presentation today uh before public comments and uh our special presentation is for Arbor Day and Earth Day, April 22nd um 2023. The city of Puerto Vetta is proud to recognize Earth Day and Arbor Day, two important observances that highlight our shared responsibility to care for our environment and invest in a more sustainable future. Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22nd, brings communities together to raise awareness about environmental protection and encourages everyday actions that reduce waste and conserve resources. Uh, Arbor Day focuses on the importance of trees and urban forestry, remind us of the vital role trees play in improving air quality, conserving energy, and enhancing the beauty of our neighborhoods. In recognition of Earth Day, the city will host a community event on Saturday, April 18th. Uh the event will feature an educational interactive fair, a community cleanup, and a recycling drive-thru which includes paper shredding. And so you can't miss this event. This is at going to be I don't know if I mentioned Real Hondo Realondo Park, right? Real Hondo Park. Everybody knows Real Hondo Park in the north side. So with that, I want to bring up our Victor, our director of office of sustainability to receive the recognition on Arbor Day and Earth Day for April 22nd. Mhm.

Mhm.

Just your moment in the sun right here. You wouldn't Thank you. No.

Do you proceed? No.

Okay. Well, thank you. Thank you, Victor. Thank you for that, staff. Um, moving on to our next item on our agenda is a public hearing uh regarding resolution amending customer power generation rate schedule for Picodora Innovative Municipal Energy and develop a residential bill assistance program. Like to open this public hearing. Uh, any memos or written communication, Mr. Manager? None. Any oral communication? Okay, having none, I'll close this public hearing. Uh, roll call vote, please. Council member Garcia, yes. Council member Lutz, yes. Mayor Kamacho, yes. Motion passes 30.

Great. Thank you. Moving on to our public comment period. I have a few public comments here. I'll just read them out. And if you can join us at the microphone and you have three minutes. Um we have uh Anulio Mimasa regarding homeless impact on the neighborhood.

Good afternoon. My name is Anula Mima and I am a Pora resident. I'm here uh for the hotel, you know, newsance that we have. And my question to you is um you know I live on um right behind the new um Chick-fil-A and and we're ways away from the hotel there. Yeah. Last week we had a homeless lady came by by by our house and she tried to enter our property. She was trying to open the gate. Luckily our next door neighbor noticed and she chased her away. I called uh the police department and they came by you know sometime later dropped by but so my question to to the the city is are you guys do we has have something in place to protect our community while this is happening? I know I I I um listen to whatever the whatever you said about what the city is doing now but like the community itself. Uh, are you guys going to patrol the area or is it something in place other than having the security car by the um gas station?

Well, thank you for your com. I I'll make some comments right now. Appreciate it. And and just for the record that we don't get into dialogue u during public comment, but we I will address some of the questions. The the answer um to that is yes, we do have patrol going on. the sheriff is patrolling, but we want to make sure that we have presence there for eyes and ears to be able to call them right away as we can't have a station uh uh sheriff there uh at that big hotel. So, we do have them there for that purpose so they can communicate quickly. They serve that purpose throughout the city that we have this private security guard because they drive around all of the cities, the parks included, that's their primary source of visiting. So, as soon as they say they see something, sheriff come and deal with this. So, it's a quicker way to expedite it. As it relates to your issue at hand, if you can give us more information, we do have a a homeless team that is that we've had for years in the city. So, we do address them directly. Um, but if you stay after you like uh to speak to our sheriff department and get a little more specific and we'll try to look into it further. Thank you. Um, next uh we have Maria Agid going Epic Hotel. Yes, my name is Maria Giri. I live in Picor Rivera. I'm just concerned because of what's happening now. I live in the area. There's a church there. It's very unsafe for myself, for my mom and my sisters that we walk to the church. So, we just want to make you aware of that. It's not safe. You know, they're all over in the in the bus stops. You can see them. I leave early to work and I can see them already like 6:30. They're already there. So, it's I don't feel safe because I come back and they're

there, too. So, you know, it's just a concern to me. So, that's my my concern to you guys. Thank you. Okay. Uh, next is Martha P. Martha P also regarding Epic.

Hi, good evening. My name is Martha Pon and I live in the area. I am the Picora residence and I am so concerned in regards to the Epic Hotel because I see them all the times. It doesn't matter if it's day, it's night or it's evening and I'm, you know, scared for my son that he attends that middle school too and sometimes he comes home walking and I'm concerned of his safety and I'm also concerned of other kids that I see that they have to pass through that hotel. It's like what is their safety now? Are you guys going to protect those kids or you're going to protect us that we live near the Epic Hotel? because I really don't see any um I don't see the police cop cars wandering around or protecting us at at all. That's my concern. Thank Thank you,

Latisa Moreno. Epic Hotel. Hi, my name is Leticia Moreno and I live across from the Epic um hotel. I've lived there for 16 years. So, I've gone through the demolition of the building next door. So, also the expansion of the um street there. I've gone through a lot. Now, to see the homeless, it's really impacting. Why? Because they when they get off the bus, they're jaywalking across. Now, the cars are honking all day and all night. I'm letting you know they're hanging out at the bus stop. They're loitering there. My window is 30 30 feet from their 40 feet. They're smoking weed. It's coming in. I have to close my windows. I was waiting for my grandson on Saturday and one of the homeless. They walked across and she starts avoiding right in front of my home.

I was screaming and she still didn't listen. I did call the police department letting you know I did I'm the sheriff's I did do that. There's an increased trash. So, if you guys can send more people to clean. There's clothes. They're leaving clothes on the floor. Um what else are they doing? Oh, they're looking through the weeds, like if they're hiding drugs. So, if you guys can maybe clean out, send one of your departments to go clean out all the weeds because they are using the weeds to hide their drugs. Okay. And what else? It's really um important. I I like that you have the Southwest patrol there. I do see them from my window. So, thank you. I do appreciate that. But when they're not there, it just continues. So, um, if you can increase maybe keep them there longer, longer hours, not just from 7 to 9 or 7 to 10 when I see them there. Okay. Thank you so much.

Thank you,

Andrew Lopez. You're going to hotel. Good evening, mayor, council members. Um, also I'm I'm Andrew Lopez and I'm also speaking on behalf of my father. We live near the Epic Hotel and yeah, we also have concerns. My parents also walk around that area as well for exercise and everything like that. I'm worried about their safety um while I'm at work and everything. And I do see people around the laundry mat as well hanging around there. And then I see them when I go to when I go to when I leave for for work in the morning around 2:00 in the morning. So those are my concerns about safety for our parents and elderly that are getting their exercise in also. So

thank you.

Okay. I have three speaker cards by the same person, Joe. Uh now Joe, I know you've been told that you can only you only have three minutes. So okay then. Uh please Joe, whichever you want to talk about, you got three minutes. Okay, city council mayor Kamacho, my name is Joe, a resident regarding the fiber optics trenching schedule for next month. I am concerned about the environmental impact in our local trees and the lack of consumer choice in this municipal plan. I want to know what protections are in place for our property and who is being account held accountable for construction damages. Um I called Sci-Fi and they told me there's 24 cities you guys are getting government grants from the federal state and Wi-Fi is paying for it. And then I called Gateway Cities fiber project and they said that they're starting next month and they're going to be done in December. And uh I called uh um Congressman Robert Garcia's office and they're telling me it's u LA County that's doing it that's starting all this. So, um I'm real concerned about it and uh what it all ties into these fiber optics. It's it's not Wi-Fi. It's tied into uh data centers. And these data centers, they're uh people have also raised concern about the environment impact in the data centers including electricity use, water demand, and noise. Some residents feel the destruction plans have been clearly communicated and they want more transparency about what is being done and why. And that ties to to AI. It ties for race uh facial recognition and surveillance. Monterey Park, they shut

it down. Laente, they're still working on it. The La Point Mall, they want to do a data center over there. It's environ It's environmental. It's not environmental friendly. It's uh it, you know, it has uh Wi-Fi. I mean, uh, AI, smart cities, um, the frequency is bad and, um, and it's just not good. So, I I want to know what you guys are going to do about it or what you guys are doing about it. And why we why did you guys didn't give us no information on that paper that you get that you send us every uh, every month, which is this one here. Why wasn't this uh, why didn't you guys report this telling us about the um, the fiber optics? Why is it being so hush hush?

You got 46 seconds if you want to continue. Okay, I got 45 seconds. Okay, so so these uh um these um data centers um I was hearing up east they were doing them a lot of these states are canceling them because all the problems they're having. Electricity is going to go up 30%. The water the water use is is just out crazy and it's just um it it's just not good. So that's all I got to say for that.

Thank you Joe. Appreciate that. Um so Joe, if you want to know learn more about the fiber optics project, if you want to stay and talk to our city manager, I'll be there too if you want to I'll join. Okay. So but there but I just want to be clear there are no data centers coming to be

event. Okay. But I just want to be clear that there are no data centers approved or coming to Picora period. So but fiber optics is a whole different project al together. Uh next speaker we have Lauren Talbet. No you had to be either one. I just explained to you that's why I explained to you that you could only do one of the three and you chose that one. So that's the issue. Good evening, honorable mayor and members of the city council. My name is Lauren Talbett and I'm the community library manager at the Pico Rivera Library and the Rivera Library. Here are our updates for April. The Rivera Library is temporarily closed for construction. Holds can be picked up at the Pico Rivera Library. Due to the temporary closure, the Pico Rivera Library is open on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 6 pm. Teens are invited to a hands-on glassm workshop with master glass worker Anna Parkinson on Saturday, April 18th at 2 p.m. Teens will learn about the history and process of glassworking and create their own beautiful piece of art to keep. Families with babies and toddlers are invited to celebrate Dia de los Nño at the Pico Rivera Library with a family concert by Natalia Palace on Thursday, April 23rd at 11:00 a.m. She will share stories and songs about books and the joys of reading and we will be giving out free picture books and board books after the program. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, this uh concludes our public comment. We do have four written comments that were submitted. Uh one for this regarding sports arena, one regarding Epic Hotel. Uh one regarding an Airbnb operation and the other is uh uh people sleeping in vehicles and RVs. Uh they will be submitted for the record and we will address them as well. Uh thank you for that. Thank you for all the public comments and and again, you know, just a couple clarifications. fiber optics were were done for another purpose, another intent. Um, we recognize that they're connected to many multiple stuff, but there's not been any application and where at least I don't foresee any support here for for any data centers. I can't make that I can speak for myself, but uh we were well aware of Monterey Park, we're well aware of all the cities that are dealing with those data centers, but it's not something that we care to entertain here in the city of Equatora just for that. Second, um I know I read my statement uh the formal statement as it relates to Epic Hotel. Once again, the city council, everyone shares everyone's frustration with this Epic Hotel, especially I know that, you know, I don't live too far from that area. Actually, Loans Cleaners is my place where I go there all the time. And the minute I learned about it, which was on Monday of the March 30th, um they made me aware. And you know, that's how we began to address the issue, made staff aware, and since then, that's been priority number one here. We've been trying to address it. I know folks would want us to go in guns blazings. We can't do that legally, and I recognize it's been more frustrating for those who live in that immediately in that area, but I assure you that we're doing everything we possibly can within the means of ability we have following the legal procedure to to address this issue and

and address it hard. and and for the comments as it relates to security. Um definitely something we do. City manager, we need the South Post patrol as long I mean if it's not 24 hours, it has to be there a majority of time there because that's our eyes and ears. I just stated um and then just we'll look at this area about closing weeds and areas because I know the businesses in the area as residents have mentioned those complaints. Once again, thank you all for the public con for coming and sharing your thoughts because we do we will incorporate. And I will say that if if you as a resident have any specific um experiences like it was stated over there, if you want to do a declaration um because it'll go help us at in court, we welcome it, right? Because that's important for us because we can share your experience as well. If you want to just talk to us after and we'll go from there. Um, with that, we're going to continue with our with our agenda here. We're done with public comments. We're into consent calendar. Uh, we have items two through six in consent calendar. Can I get a entertain a motion to

No objection on anything? I'll move. We got a first, second, and a second. All those in favor say I. I. So move. No. No opposed. With that we go into a regular agenda item which is in relation to um uh ordinance amending chapter 3.20 purchasing and amending chapter 3.48 alternative bidding procedures for public projects for the PCOA municipal court and a resolution adopting the revised procurement policies and procedures. Uh Mr. City manager. Anything to report or nothing to report. Mayor presentation. No.

Having said none, any comments, questions? Motion to approve. You got a motion to approve. Second. We have a second. Roll call, please. Council member Garcia. Yes. Council member Lutz? Yes. Mayor Kamacho? Yes. Motion passes. 30. Thank you. Uh, city manager staff report.

Yes. Uh, mayor, just really quick, I I just want to take a moment to highlight uh a few recognitions the city has recently received. Uh, together they reflect the collaboration and work we're doing to keep PEA clean, sustainable, and moving in the right direction. Our first award that we just received as we have been designated a tree city USA for the first time. Uh, this recognizes our efforts to plant, maintain, and invest in our urban forest and in meaningful step as we continue improving our neighborhood and residents quality of life. Again, it is a first. That is the first award. Uh, another second award, we re we've been named a clean California community, one of the first 100 in the state and one of the first in the Gateway region. This reflects the work happening across the city to keep our streets clean and our public spaces well-maintained. It also speaks to the pride our residents take in their community. And lastly, the city has received the SKAG sustainability award for climate leadership. This recognized our efforts to advance energy sustainability and climate initiatives across the city. It positions Picor Rivera as a leader in this space within the region. In closing, I just want to thank the city council for their leadership and our staff and partners for their hard work and these recognitions. They're a de direct result from these efforts. Um, we started the office of sustainability a few years ago and now we're reaping the benefits and getting the accolades uh from our regional partners. So, thank you.

Well, congratulations to to you, to all of us. Appreciate that. And I mean, you're killing it with the awards over there, Victors. No pressure on the other departments or anything. But, uh, no, we got, you know, parks and reccks, we got public works, we have, you know, budget. I mean, we've we've received quite a lot of awards. I appreciate it. And thank you, Victor, if you want to say a few words.

This is Sorry. One thing that I do want to highlight that this is really a team effort. The Arbor Day uh Tree City USA was a direct collaboration with uh NOS's public works department health community and economic develop development department and uh PAM's parks and recreation department. We all to and Javier's uh innovation and communication department we all came together did different tree planting initiatives uh the maintenance this is a very a collaborative effort um on the clean clean California communities uh same this is a project that was managed by the public works department they did an incredible job to install the medians uh Pam and public works uh collaborative efforts to to ensure they were clean and and bring community to do community cleanup and then finally with the SCAG award. It really speaks on the different projects that you know I could go down the list but for the sake of time you know it's just a big uh team effort. So just very lucky to have be part of this team and with your with your leadership city manager and assistant city manager leadership to uh make these projects possible. Thank you.

Well, thank you for that and it is a team definitely. We operate as a team here. So thank you to everybody. Appreciate it. All right. Um, moving on to go to the order. I will start with Council Member Garcia.

Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, I do have something to report on AB1234. I attended the LA County Sanitation uh, meeting. And mayor, if I may add on one of the public comments uh with our sheriff's department, as we strategically um uh provide more visibility on the north end around the hotel, perhaps we can see what time the the kids are being dismissed from school and have visibility along Beverly and Roseme Boulevard when the kids are being dismissed from school. So there is high visibility during those strategic hours. Maybe we could add that at one of the briefings. Um, city manager.

Uh, I I want to several residents approached me and this is about being proactive, not reactive after the fact. Uh, when it comes to ebikes in the parks, around playground areas, on the grass, inexperienced riders, not to mention the mini bikes. Is there any ordinances that we may have that we may be able to look into this? And if not, Mr. Mayor, if we can have staff look into it and report back to us what actions we could take. I think that's good. Yeah, definitely. We'll look into that. Uh, council member, thank you. That concludes my report. Mayor, thank you, council member.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Just want to let the public know that the city added it great festival, the extravaganza, Pico Park. He was fantastic. Director Yugar and and Director Negrete and the rest of the staff, you did an amazing job. The all the families were entertained and I was too. I was like going to the petting zoo. I never make it to pet the animals. Maybe one day I will. But in any case, you know, one thing that I really enjoy about our city in Pico Rivera is that we make sure that we take care of all the families and individuals that want to get together on a nice uh weekend and enjoy quality time. And you know, we're we're a family-friendly city and we just recently received that uh uh green city award. I think that would be good to do a photo opportunity. I think that's a fantastic thing that we should do. I don't have any items for AB1234, but I do want to ask being that we just received that award there and director Ferrer, if you can put that up so that the public can see that. I think that's really really important. You know, the more trees we have in a city, cities beautify uh uh the look at when residents drive through the streets and neighboring residents drive through our streets, they see that we care about our city, how it looks, and that is a testament to the beautifification efforts that we've applied over the last couple years, the federal funds, the city funds, uh that that's all a result of that. And one item that has been somewhat of a thorn in my back has been the signage that was done many decades ago that that read uh if you lived in the city, you'd be home by now. And I think it'd be a perfect opportunity to maybe explore uh and we can have staff explore changing those signs out for something a little bit more positive. uh something like welcome to Picor Rivera a green city or

a family friendly city or any combination thereof. So if I can get a motion or a second from my colleagues that we can swap out that signage for something a little bit more positive and keeping in line with the themes of of green city I would say would be a great opportunity. I don't know. I I would I would explore the opportunity of I don't know about swapping, but maybe perhaps we can explore it. Yes. And see what names come up and what resonates.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm looking to look for a second to go along with changing out those signs that uh that have a little bit more positive message as people enter the community. So, was that a second? Is that correct? I'll I'll support you in exploring the opportunity to see what resonates. Yes. And then if we can get the public to offer their input, I think that would be uh greatly appreciated as well. And that concludes my comments. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Council Member. Mayor, I just had one more. Yes. For Council Member Lutz. Did you find the golden egg?

I'm just kidding. So, uh, with Council Member Garcia is talking about when we were, uh, MCing some of the egg hunts for all the different ages, uh, there was one that I, I was ming, there were a lot of kids that found the couple eggs. For every one of those egg hunts, we had five golden eggs hidden in the grass. Of course, if you didn't find the golden egg, you would find some chocolate or some candies. Either way, the kids had a lot of fun, and some of the adults did, too. Um, I I I had as much fun as I possibly can have, but I didn't find the golden egg.

Well, without the golden egg, I want to adjourn this meeting. Thank you everyone for being here and uh we'll take a picture, Victor, with the plaque. But thank you all for being here and uh take care. Yes, sir.