City Council Meeting — October 20, 2021

Recording in Progress. Thank you. Hi, everyone. This is Yvonne Yu, Mayor of Monterey Park. And City Council of Monterey Park is the council acting on behalf of the successor agency of the former redevelopment agency, the housing authority, the Monterey Park Financing Authority, and the Monterey Park Geologic Hazard Abatement District and agenda. Okay. Regular City Council meeting is called to order. Today's Wednesday, October 20th. 20th, 2021. And now it's at 630. Okay, so let me go to Assembly Bill number 361. This meeting will be conducted pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, Premise E, as implemented by City Council resolutions. Accordingly, Council member will be provided with electronic meeting locking information. They will not be physically present at Council Chambers. pursuant to city council resolutions the public may provide public comments utilizing the method set forth below notes that city hall is currently closed to the public you will not be admitted to city hall general information documents related to agenda item are okay document related to agenda item are available to the public in the city club's office located at 320 west new mark avenue in Monterey Park, California 91754 during normal business hour and city website at www.montereypark.ca.gov. The public may watch the meeting live on the city's cable channel MPKTV, AT&T U-Burst channel 99 or charter communication channel 182 or by visiting the city website at www.montereypark.ca.gov. The agenda may include items considered by city council acting on behalf of the successor agency of the former Monterey Park redevelopment agency which dissolved February 1st, 2012. Successor agency matters will include in the notation of SA, next to agenda item number, public participation. In accordance with government's code sections 54953-Primacy E and city council resolutions, remote public participation is alLod in the following ways. Via email, written communications, public communications will be accepted up to 24 hours before the meeting and get emailed to mpclark at monorepark.ca.gov. Written communications, if any, will be briefly summarized and included in the name of each individual that submit a comment. The summary will be read via pre-recorded video and played during the public comment sections of the City Council meeting. To view the full text of written communications, please visit www.monorepark.ca.gov slash agenda center. All written communications are provided to City Council and file as part of the city administrative records. Via telephone, public comments will be submitted via telephone during the meeting before the close of public comments by calling 888-788-0099 or 877-853-5247

and enter Zoom meeting ID number 289-222-5995, then press pound.

When prompt to enter participation ID number, press pound again. If participants would like to make a public comment, they will enter star 9, then the clerk office will be notified, and you will be in a rotation to make public comments. Press star 6 to unmute yourself when called on to speak. Participants are encouraged to join the meeting 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. You may speak up to 5 minutes on an agenda item. Speakers will not be alLod to combine time. The mayor and the city council may change the amount of time alLod for speakers. As part of the virtual meeting protocol, anonymous persons will not be alLod to provide public comments. Important disclaimer, When a participant is calling to join the meeting, their names and phone number will be visible to all participants. Note that all public meetings will be recorded. So, okay, so, City Clerk, Vincent, would you have the flag ready? And let's do the flag. Let's all stand up and put your...

So would you please call real?

Thank you. All right. Council member Peter Chan. Here. Council member Hansen. Here. Council member Fred Sernoso. Here. Mayor pro tem Henry Lo.

Here.

And Mary Yvonne Yu. Here.

Thank you. ! ! ! ! ! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And before the city manager and city attorney, ! Then we have announcement that public hearing item number 4A regarding redistricting ! Will begin promptly at 7 o'clock in accordance with the election code section 21601. We will proceed with public communications, then presentations. At 7 p.m. we will finish up on the item we are at and transition to the public hearing. At the conclusions of the public hearing, we will revert back to where we left off. the public hearing we will revert back to where we left off so um city manager or city attorney do we have any agenda addition deletion change or adoptions none from the city manager's office madam mayor and from the city attorney madam mayor okay thank you and public communications while our comment comments are welcome the brown act does not allow the city council to take action on any item not on the agenda the council may briefly respond to comments after public communications is closed. Persons may, in addition to any other matters within the City Council subject matter jurisdictions, comment on agenda items at this time. If you provide public comments on a specific agenda item at this time, however, you cannot later provide comments at the time the agenda item is considered. So Deputy City Clerk, do we have any public communications?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Audience, if you want to speak during public communications, This is the time to do so. Please use the raise hand feature or if you're on the phone, please press star nine.

Madam Mayor, we do not have any speakers for public communications.

Thank you. Do we have any written communications? None registered. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. So next for stop communications, introductions of the interim director of community and economics development, Steve Steinmore.

Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, tonight we'll be introducing our Interim Director of Community Development, Steve Sizemore. He will be serving as an interim basis while the city hires for vacancies in the Planning and Building Division. He has retired from the public service after serving public for over 30 years. His work includes service to cities such as Pasadena, La Puente, Irvine, DeWardy, and Monrovia. He retired from the city of Monrovia, where he served as the planning manager and the director of community development. Since retirement in 2018, he has served the city of San Dimas as an interim community development director. Madam Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmembers, please welcome Steve Sizemore. Steve, you have the floor.

Thank you, Ron. Good evening, Mayor, Councilmembers. It's a pleasure to be here. I'm glad to be able to serve the residents of Monterey Park as well as the businesses and community service organizations. I'm here to help out, to mentor the staff, to help them get organized and to help out whatever I need to do to make the city run efficiently. So I'm glad to be here. If anybody needs to get in touch with me, feel free to call me or by my cell phone or along my emails. I'd be glad to get back to you guys and work with Aaron. I'm really happy to be here and I'm glad to be working with Ron again.

Oh, great. Thank you. Welcome to the big family. Look forward to meeting you in person soon. Sounds good. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.

Madam Mayor? Yes.

May I? You're on mute, Ron.

Mayor, I think you have some comments from your fellow colleagues?

Sure. Mm-hmm. Let me see. I'm sorry that I need to change. That's me. Yeah. So speak up, please.

Okay. Just want to welcome Steve Sizemore. Mr. Sizemore. Yes, I'm Sizemore, just like it sounds. because the name is so small in the screen. Looking forward to meet with you personally and want to note you and welcome you to the city of Monterey Park. I understand that you're just in an interim basis, but still it's an important period of time during this recovery period. And so it's a lot of work for you and your staff. So thank you for coming to the city and welcome and looking forward to working with you. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member.

Thank you. Council Member Personoso?

Just want to welcome, Steve, to the Monterey Park family question. Are you related to Ted Sizemore?

Somewhere along the family tree we are. You are? Not immediately, no. Pretty much all Sizemores are related.

For those of you who don't know who Ted Sizemore is, He used to play for the Dodgers back in the 60s and 70s. So rookie of the year.

So I moved to California the year he was rookie of the year. So he was a very popular name back then.

Sounds like you're a Dodger fan. So you're a good guy. Thank you. Good hire. Thanks.

Thank you. And Council Member Alain?

Yeah, just a really quick welcome, Steve. I like your haircut there.

So if you're not related, at least directly to Ted Sizemore, how about Tom Sizemore? Same answer, I guess. Welcome, welcome, and look forward to working with you.

Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Potem-Low?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. And Steve, please let us know what we as the City Council can do to help you with your work, because we all have common goals of moving our city forward. So welcome on board. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Steve.

I look forward to working with everyone.

Thank you. Thank you. So next will be Recreations and Community Service. Yes, Robert DeFoycer.

Hello, everyone. Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Potem, and City Councilmembers. I just want to come on tonight to talk about some upcoming events that we have in the city AND ONGOING THINGS. SO I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT CURRENTLY WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY ALTER OVER AT THE LIBRARY. RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LIBRARY ARE COLLABORATING ON A COMMUNITY ALTER FOR DIA DE LOS MARTOS. SO IF THERE'S ANYONE THAT HAS A FAMILY MEMBER OR LOVED ONE THAT THEY'D LIKE TO HONOR THAT'S PASSED AWAY, YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO TO EVENTS AT MONTEREYPARK.CA.GOV. AND WE'LL INCLUDE THAT ON OUR COMMUNITY ALTER. If you're interested in stopping by, the altar is going to be on display until November the 3rd. And so all the pictures and display will be up until November the 3rd. Also very excited to remind everyone about tomorrow's Monster Mash. We have a huge event planned for the community. This event is completely free. It's going to be at Barnes Park from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and you're going to be having some carnival games, trick-or-treating, a costume parade. There's going to be entertainment provided by juggler Fantastic Patrick and also a magician Artie Loon.

So we look forward to seeing everyone out at Barnes Park tomorrow

from 4 to 7 for Monster Mash HalLoen event.

Also this week, it's a busy week, we are having a health fair over at Langley Senior Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Now, there's no insurance required for this event.

It's completely free. Folks can stop by and get some information about services, and there's even going to be some screenings provided.

So definitely stop by. This isn't a completely outdoor event, so no one has to worry about being indoors for that. It'll be outdoor in the parking lot in a safe environment. And then finally, I wanted to remind everyone, there's a few spots left in our pickleball tournament coming up on November the 6th.

Our beginners division is completely full. Our intermediate division is completely full,

but we do have 10 slots left in our advanced division.

So the pickleball tournament is November the 6th, and that will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. If anyone is interested in signing up,

you can sign up at montereypark.ca.gov backslash pickleball.

The registration fee is $40 per team.

so act now so you can get those last thoughts for the advanced category um if anyone wants to have

any more information on upcoming events or future events definitely encourage you to continue to

check the website and follow us on social media we look forward to seeing everyone and we are excited about having some in-person events uh coming up so thank you thank you i know me and

And Mayor Pro Tem Henry Lo signed up for the pickleball tournament. That's right. Yeah, interesting to watch.

And so, Council Member Fresenoso, you have a question?

Yeah, I have a question for the Monster Mash tomorrow. Does the city council have a booth for that?

You do have a booth. So, we do have a spot right next to the stage. If you guys want to come by and we got some candy for you. lots of folks may have seen us today in Costco buying up all the candy I've got I've definitely got a lot of questions when they saw us with cartful cartfuls of candy ready for tomorrow's event so we're all excited to see all the little kiddos dressed up and feel free to wear your

costume council members okay thank you thank you all right so next we will move to move to consent calendar item 3a to 3g is there any council member would like to pull any item may have

to pull item 3c I would like to pull item 3C and council member Chen !

we would like to pull 3E !

and F and F

okay

okay I was supposed to pull item E2 and me and Chen

so I make a motion to approve 3A 3B

and 3D I want to pull an item. I want to have item 3D as in Dodgers pulled. D as in Dodgers.

Okay. Right. Okay. 3D. And then, so yes, Deputy Clerk, do we have any public communications? Right? Yes, we do. I believe the city treasurer wants to speak on item 3B. Okay.

Okay. Did you want me to call him now? Do you see me? Sure, yes. City Treasurer Leon, you are on. Please proceed. Okay, thank you.

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council Members, staff and residents. Joseph Leon, City Treasurer, Monier Park. Tonight, I'm here to provide an update on our review into possibly diversifying our city funds from Laif, County, and CDs. And also an update on our current investments. I agree that we can diversify our idle funds to longer term investments with an outside company that will bring a higher return to our city that are safe investments. And I will make a recommendation to the council for approval. However, at this time, we are seeking additional information, and I hope to be able to bring my report to council next month. The investment committee has met with three different investment companies so far. We have spent many hours not only listening to their presentation, but also discussing among ourselves what additional information we need to make an adequate decision so we can make a full report to counsel. Always keeping in mind, of course, security as priority. At our last investment committee, which took place yesterday, we agreed that Martha Garcia, our Director of Management Services, and Michael Bush, the Special Consultant hired by our City Manager, Rambo, would collaborate while we wait for the additional permission that we are seeking to determine if it would be prudent to move some of our funds from late to the county pool. As you can see from the investment report presented tonight that you have in your, I believe, in your file, The county pool return is higher than life. As a city treasurer, I directed Martha to move as much of the funds into the county pool as she felt adequate. She knows more than anyone else in our city how much funds are needed for immediate liquidity. Martha was able to provide the credit rating for the county to me the day after the last council meeting, which is a triple A minus, almost the highest rating being a triple A. I provided Martha's information to our mayor and she had asked me for the information right after the last council meeting. And I told her I would provide her the information the next day, which I did. I also instructed Martha to provide the information to the other council members as soon as possible. I'm not aware of all the council have the information. I would request that this information be posted on the city website so that we are transparent and all our residents have access to this is public information. Anyone can go online, just type in LA County investment pool credit rating and a triple A minus, which is extremely strong, will appear. And if you type in an online California local agency investment fund, which is LAIF, it will direct you to the state treasurer's office. And there you'll find the most current rating that I found was for August 2019, which was a double A minus, which is very strong. So the county rating is actually slightly higher. based on what I could find. Just to be clear, all I'm trying to do is the job that the residents elected me to do as a city treasurer. I'm working with the authority delegated to me by council. Again, I urge the council and our residents to please go online and look at the September 21st, 2016 council meeting, item 5A, in which there's a brief discussion of the council reaffirming the city's treasurer delegate authority to invest city funds. Bonnery Park is very fortunate to have an elected city treasurer that has to answer to its residents. Again, I'm not seeking any direction from council tonight, but if any council members have any questions or concerns, I urge them to ask now so they can be addressed. Thank you.

And that's all. Thank you.

Council Member Chen, you have any questions? Well, not much of a, yeah, maybe a question as well. But thank you, Treasurer Joseph Leon, appearing and telling us, you know, the financial strengths of the city.

And I can see that, yeah, it seems like the interest rate is going up a little bit.

And so I think we are doing fine. But one question, simple question, is what's the purpose of getting an outside consultant to help the finance committee to do the financing? Do you know what's the goal of that?

The purpose of looking to an outside agency is to diversify our investments. Because right now our investments are in LEIF, which is a state pool, the LA County pool, and CDs. And, you know, it's always the same saying we shouldn't have all our eggs in one basket. So and and I understand that we should diversify if we can and if it benefits the city. But I know this and I bring this up every time every every time one of the one of the companies have come up to us. First thing I tell them is our concern is security. And liquidity. That's why I asked Martha to look in to see how much we can move to to to from Lake to County, because she knows much how much we need for liquidity. So it's an investment policy. Security, liquidity, return. So if we can have an outside company that we can diversify long-term, because short-term, it looks like they can't compare to the county or the return. But long-term, it looks like there may be a higher return for the city. So we need to find out if it's a long-term, how much we can invest long-term, and if it's secure.

I see. But still, regardless of who, eventually, if we do hire a consulting company, they still will be bound by the investment policies that is adopted by the city, isn't it?

Correct. And if we do decide an investment company, outside investment company, before we hire them or contact with them, we will come before the council. And I will make a full report to the council, and they will be there to answer any questions you have. Okay. Thank you. And then we can direct them where we want the investments to go. Like it was brought up before that some cities don't want the investments in fossil fuels, you know, for some reason. So there's certain areas that the council doesn't want this particular company to invest in, then we can let them know. Okay. But once we decide if we're ever going to use an outside agency, we're not going to A CONTRACT WITH THEM UNTIL, OF COURSE, BEFORE WE GO TO THE COUNCIL FIRST. AND THEY BETTER BE THERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE AT THE TIME.

AND OF COURSE, I UNDERSTAND THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH. SO THEY DO HAVE CHARGES FOR THE CITY AS WELL, RIGHT?

CORRECT. AND THAT'S A NEGOTIABLE ISSUE. AND ONCE WE NEGOTIATE, ONCE WE DISCUSS WITH THEM AND WE COME DOWN TO THE FINAL FIGURE, OF COURSE, WE'LL BRING THAT BEFORE THE COUNCIL. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

City manager, you have anything to comment?

No, it wasn't a comment. I was just going to advise us that this is getting a little bit outside of the agenda item that we have. So as the treasurer has stated, we will be coming back to the city council with the possibly recommendation. So all the questions that you may have right now or even Councilmember Chan, we'll be able to address that at that time.

Okay, I look forward to reading those reports. Thank you.

Thank you.

And may I get the motions to approve item? Actually, okay, first of all, we may get a motion to approve item 3A, then maybe 3B. Actually, the city chair just had a comment. So, yeah, 3A and 3B, that's it. So, may I get the motion? So moved. Okay. Vincent, would you please call it?

Thank you. Council Member Peter Chan? Yes. Council Member Hans Liang?

Yes. Council Member Fred Sonoso? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Henry Lo?

Yes.

And Mayor Yvonne Yu?

Yes. Thank you. Vote's unanimous.

Okay. And so, okay, Item 3C that pulled by the Mayor Pro Tem Law, wait for the reading and adopt an ordinance approving development agreement DA-21-XX by and between the City of Monterey Park and the recantant, sorry, 005 LLC, enacting the business recovery development zone, BRDZ overlay zone, permitting developments of 509,295 square foot, multi-story mixed use residential commercial project over three subterrain parking level located at 114 East Garvey Avenue. So Mayor Pro Tem Lo, would you like to have staff report?

The only reason why I pulled it from the consent agenda item is because since I had abstained at the previous council meeting for the item, I just want to be consistent. That's all.

Yes, actually, I did confirm with the city manager that we don't need to pull the item and it will be the same result as me and you were abstaining on the issue.

I see. Okay. Okay. All right. Okay. That's fine. Well, thank you.

So unless we wanted to put that up and or maybe change the vote, but then otherwise it will just keep the same as the first reading.

I see. Okay.

Okay. Any other questions? Council Member Yang?

I was just going to move to approve 3C.

Okay. Any second? Yes, I will second the motion. All right. So Vincent, please call vote.

Thank you. Council Member Peter Chan? Yes. And Council Member Hanse-Yang? Yes.

Council Member Fred Stenoso? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Henry Lo? Yes. And Mayor Yvonne Yu?

Yes.

Motion carries. Thank you.

Thank you.

And, oh, actually, you know what? Now then I have questions.

Maybe City Attorney can help. So I was answering the Mayor Pro Tem Lo questions that if we approve the consent calendar, that we will carry on the previous vote, like we both abstained.

But now if we say yes, did that change the vote?

I was wondering, Madam Mayor, if that's what you intended.

So yes, it did actually change the vote and makes it a 5-0 vote. So if you wish to move for reconsideration, you may move for reconsideration and have a re-vote to make sure that it's entered into the record correctly. Okay, so now we have to move forward.

Okay, reconsideration, right, of the vote? So is that... That's correct, yes. Okay, and so, Vincent, would you please call real quick in? Sure, okay. There we go. Council Member Peter Chan?

Before we do that, can you explain what are we voting on? what exactly what we see it's the same as we see can you can you clarify that because we have finished this item and now uh we have to be vote on it or do we need another motion or another what is the procedure on this one so really uh madam mayor members of the council

ordinarily a motion for reconsideration may be made at the same meeting directly after a vote Here it was plain that both the mayor and the mayor pro tem intended to abstain from the to the vote and I think there was some confusion on the vote. Ordinarily a motion for reconsideration requires a motion, a second vote on that particular motion and then re-vote on the original motion.

I think it's pretty plain though that that's the intent was to simply re-vote on this particular item in order to enter the abstentions that we just discussed.

It's certainly up to the mayor and to the city council of whether you want the formality of the actual motion, a second, and then a vote on the motion for reconsideration and then a re-vote on the other item. I suspect without knowing that it will turn out with two abstentions and a majority approval of the item. That's a very long explanation, but that's what your council protocols provide.

Thank you.

Thank you. So, Vincent, would you please call roll again?

Okay. Council member? Hello? Mr. Steele, city attorney?

Yes, sir.

I think...

I think, let me interject. I will second the mayor's motion for reconsideration of vote.

Did the mayor make the motion, first of all?

Yeah, she made the motion, yes.

Okay, thank you. Yeah, just I just want to make clear that don't want anything that will come back.

There's now a motion and a second with regard to the motion for reconsideration and the

city clerk can take roll call on that particular motion.

And then subsequently he will take the roll call on the vote for the actual item.

Thank you.

Okay. Council member Peter Chan. Yes. Council member Hans Leung. Yes. Council member Fred Cernoso. Yes.

Mayor pro tem Henry Lo. Yes. Yes. And there, Yvonne, you?

Is that supposed to be yes or abstain? I'm confused now.

Is that yes first and then abstain?

No, this was a motion for reconsideration, right, Dr. Vogt? That's correct. Okay.

Okay, so the motion for reconsideration carries.

Okay. Now you have to do the roll call for the previous motion, right? The reconsideration. Yeah.

Right. Now there needs to be a motion and a second motion to approve three C.

And I will second the motion again.

Council member Peter Chen. Yes. And council member Hansley Allen. Yes. Council member Fred Ternoso. Yes. Mayor Potem Henry Lo. abstain Mayor Yvonne Yu abstain okay so we have two abstentions motion carries

Mayor just to just to let you know it is now 7.02

yes okay thank you so let's go to item 4a public hearing to receive testimony regarding redrawing council district boundaries pursuant to elections code section 21601. Okay. And let me, okay. So confirmation city clerk was the notice of this public hearing given in accordance with California law. Yes, mayor. Okay. Okay. The city, okay. Is that the city has created a dedicated website on the subject matter? All information regarding redistricting, including the notice, are available on the City website at www.monterrypark.ca.gov slash redistricting 2021. And open public hearing. So, may I get a staff report?

Thank you.

So, in 2019, the City transitioned to a district-based election.

In accordance with the Fair and Inclusive Redistricting for Municipalities and Political Subdivisions, or the Fair Maps Act, following the federal decennial census every 10 years, district boundaries must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. It is important in ensuring that each City Council member represents about the same numbers of constituents. The map must meet certain requirements and has a total deviation of less than 10% difference. The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 census data on August 12, 2021, and the statewide database adjusted its data set and released its adjusted census data on September 22, 2021. Demographer National Demographics Corporation, or NDC, performed the still-balanced analysis and found that the existing district map meets the Fair Maps Act criteria with a deviation of 2.84%. The City Council may choose to adopt the existing district map after having the statutory hearings and that will include the redistricting process or choose to redraw the election area or district if it desires to do so. The City Council held its first public meeting on July 21, 2021. This is the second public meeting. The City Council will meet to schedule two additional public hearings to meet the statutory requirements of four public hearings.

So following each decennial federal census, the City Council must adopt boundaries for

all council districts so that the districts will substantially equal in population. According to the Fair Maps Act, districts must meet several requirements. There are district map criterias

that complies of certain federal requirements.

areas must be contiguous and it also keeps geographic integrity. Areas must be easily identifiable

and also encourages geographical compactness and does not favor or discriminate against any

political party. There must be public hearings. There must be notices. There must be outreach as well as translation.

So the timeline for the submitted of the adopted map

is 205 days before the next regular election.

Los Angeles deadline for submitted of final map

is November 5th, I'm sorry, November 8th, 2022.

Election is May 12th, 2022.

So, what is the next step?

The NDCE performed the analysis using the 2020 census data and the state of California's adjusted data. The finding concludes that the existing maps remains population balanced and is in compliance with the Fair Map Act requirements. The City Council has an option to accept the existing map, which is option A, or proceed to redraw the election area map, which is your option B. Option A includes the following. Open the public hearing and seek public input.

• Discuss the benefits of adopting the existing map.

• Provide directions to amend the existing map with minor changes or no changes. • At the third public hearing scheduled for November 17, 2021, to seek public input and to make additional amendments if needed. At the fourth public hearing, scheduled for December 1, 2021, to include first reading of an ordinance for adoption of the final map, and the final map posted on the city's website seven days prior to the adoption. On December 22, 2021, adoptions of the ordinance and the final map. In regards to option B, which is to redraw council district map, procedures are open public hearing and seek public input.

Discuss the benefit of drawing new maps.

Provide directions with guidelines and make available the public participation kit, which are blank maps for drawing new boundaries for an additional map. Now this will cost $3,000.

Third public hearing scheduled for December 1st, council will seek public input and review

proposed maps. At the fourth public hearing scheduled for January 19, 2022,

Council is to introduce the first reading for adoption of the ordinance and the final map.

Final map posted on the city's website for seven days prior to adoption.

On February 2nd, 2022, meeting for an adoption of the ordinance and the final map.

So those options are overview of the process and the tenant timeline.

The city council has the adopt, that's the option, excuse me,

to schedule additional public hearing if needed.

However, the final adopted map must be submitted

to Los Angeles County by May 12th, 2022

for the November 8th, 2022 election.

That's my report, happy to answer any question. You may have the demographer is also present,

as well as my city clerk, who may have some additional information if needed.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, city clerk.

Clerk, are there any speaker on this item?

Did you want us to go through the PowerPoint first?

Oh, okay.

Okay, give me one second.

Mayor members of the city council, before I turn this over to our demographer, Dr. Justin Levitt, vice president of National Demographic Corporation.

let me provide you an overview of the outreach efforts conducted by the city clerk's office.

So looking at the slides, the city clerk's office created a dedicated website,

www.mariopark.ca.gov slash redistricting 2021.

This website contains all the information relating to the redistricting,

including staff reports, information on the redistricting,

PowerPoints, comments, and if there are any maps that will be drawn

or proposed maps, it will be posted on this site as well.

The City Clerk's Office also published an article

in the July-August edition of the Cascades regarding the redistricting in three different languages, that is English, Spanish, and Chinese. We also hosted two in-person events in August. That was the concert at Elder Park and movie at Barnes Park.

We also mailed a citywide mailer to the 23,500 businesses and residents regarding information on the redistricting.

We attended most of the commission meetings to convey the message and also to seek assistance from our commissioners to spread the word. We also posted social media information regarding the redistricting, the Zoom information, and then also the council meeting for tonight.

So for the city council meetings, April 7, 2021, that was the initial meeting where we provided general information to our city council.

July 21st, we had our first public hearing, and then this is our second public hearing.

Next slide, please.

So between August through November, we have and we will be hosting two virtual informational meetings via Zoom.

In those meetings, basically we're providing general information as far as what is redistricting and how the community can get involved. This is basically general information and education for the community about the redistricting process.

So in August, we had two meetings.

September, we had two meetings. We just had a meeting this past Saturday.

And next Saturday, we will be hosting another meeting. And in November, two additional meetings. So depending on council's decision tonight, the previous meetings were basically just providing information.

And then the following meetings, depending on the council's decision, if the council decided to choose the option one, which option A, I'm sorry, which is the existing map, then we will convey that message.

If the council chooses option B, then basically we will provide information as far as how to draw the map and submission and information relating to submittal of maps.

And so now I am going to turn it over to our demographer, Dr. Justin Levitt.

Justin?

Thank you, Mayor Yu, members of the council and members of the community who are here tonight.

My name is Dr. Justin Levitt with National Demographics.

I also want to introduce a colleague of mine who is here as well, Shannon Kelly.

And she is also going to be helping out tonight, especially, you know, with the rest of the process as well.

And so we're both here to answer questions and listen to the community feedback as part of the process. If we go on to the next slide, I don't want to repeat. I think that's a lot of community feedback and community feedback as part of the process. If we go on to the next slide.

If we go on to the next slide. I don't want to repeat everything that your city clerk and the deputy have already said. But just to reiterate, Our deadline in April is kind of our drop-dead deadline. We've had a public hearing. We've had informational sessions and we are well underway in terms of the districting process. The only reason we are not even further along in the process

is because of that delay in getting the state adjusted census data.

That was released about approximately a month ago. And really, you know, what we wanted to do tonight is really go through that and explain what the options are coming out of that, which your city clerk has done. So if we go on to the next slide, we just want to kind of remind you of the criteria. I know your city clerk has talked about this as well, but just as a refresher, in redistricting, we care about following federal law, first and foremost. This is the whole purpose of doing the redistricting once every 10 years, to make sure that our

districts continue to have equal population and follow the Federal Voting Rights Act. In particular, we want that population deviation, the difference between the largest and smallest, to be under 10% of total population of a district. And in terms of Voting Rights Act,

although four of the five districts currently are Asian American, the fifth is also a Latino majority district. And while race is not the predominant factor or wasn't the predominant factor in the creation of those seats, looking at protected class communities and other communities that have historically faced

discrimination or barriers to registration and voting,

was part of our analysis. In the middle column, we have the new criteria introduced in the Fair Maps Act. And when I say new, they're not so much new ideas, but they're new that we have to follow them in a specific order to a specific degree. Geographic contiguity is the idea that districts have to be one piece, that all parts of the districts must touch each other. We aim for UNDIVIDED NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST, RECOGNIZING THAT BOTH THE SMALL SIZE OF THE CITY AND THAT THE ODD GEOGRAPHY, THE CENSUS BLOCKS THEMSELVES IN MONTEREY PARK OFTEN FOLLOW ODD BOUNDARIES. WE ALSO HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE EASILY IDENTIFIED BOUNDARIES AND THAT THE DISTRICTS ARE COMPACT IN THAT THEY DON'T BYPASS ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE TO GET A MORE DISTANT GROUP OF PEOPLE. AND FINALLY, WE'RE ALSO PROHIBITED UNDER the Fair Maps Act from considering or discriminating against a political party.

Then in addition to that, once we have looked at the Fair Maps Act criteria, we can look at other traditional districting principles, minimizing voters shifted to different election years, respecting the voters' choices. That's the principle that the voters of the city have elected a council, and that the districting process shouldn't be used as a way of particularly targeting a board member

or protecting a board member.

um preserving the core of existing districts it's another something relating to minimize voter shifted if people are expecting to have an election in 2022 um it could be denying them six years between elections um if they would go from 2018 or sorry 2018 until 2024 when they would next hold an election um now we have to analyze these criteria

look at these criteria with respect to any map, including the current map, if we decide to go along that route. And so part of our analysis, we're going to be looking at this with respect to those federal criteria and ask for your guidance and direction and from the community guidance and direction on the California criteria. So turning to the next slide, what do those federal laws mean for the city of Monterey Park? Well, if we look at the current districts, we find that the total deviation, that's the difference between the largest district and the smallest district, is 2.8%. So it's still well under that 10% deviation, almost perfectly balanced. And we see that we continue to have one majority Latino district in District 3 and four majority Asian American districts in the four remaining areas.

And so this is the newest data, the updated data set reflects your current numbers.

If we go on to the next slide, I know we showed you these maps before, but we can see that the core of the Latino community is really along Interstate 60 in the more gridded parts of the city along the southern portion is really kept together in District 3.

And if we go on to the next slide, we see that Asian Americans predominate throughout the rest of the city. And so however you divide up the rest of the city, you're likely to get four majority Asian American districts.

If we go on to the next slide, tonight we are really talking about what those neighborhoods and communities are, particularly how well the current districts comply with the fair maps act in terms of those communities of interest neighborhoods compactness contiguity um and so we want to know what works

or what doesn't work at the current uh about the current boundaries and what we can bring you at the next board meeting um either toward um as the city clerk mentioned adopt you know the current districts again um that were just adopted a few years ago when the city went through this process

or 2018 or anything new that you would like to see at the next board meeting. And so with that, myself and my colleagues, Shannon Kelly, will be happy to answer any of your questions and listen to your comments and take direction to the next meeting.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Deputy Clerk, do we have any public communications?

Yes. Let me check with the audience.

Audience, if you want to speak on this item, this is the time to do so. Please use the raise hand feature, or if you're on the phone, press star 9 at this time.

I do not see anybody in the audience. However, we do have one written communication.

Written communication from Bill Lamb.

Tuesday, October 19th. Hi, my name is Bill Lamb, and I'm a current resident of Monterey Park and a student at CSUN.

And I'm here to talk about item 4A regarding about the redistricting from 2020 census data. Based on these two choices, I'm in favor of option B to let people draw the redistricting map using the public participation kit based on the 2020 census data on what the new lines would look like in the next decade.

Those are my brief comments. Thank you.

Thank you.

So next will be opened up to other council members.

Do we have any questions from any council members?

Council member Liang?

Sorry, really quick. I just want to speak about the numbers

with that 2.84% difference.

So given, it sounds like with the way the census came back

that the shift was not really that much, is that correct?

I mean, it doesn't really look much different than the way it was when we drew them earlier.

Is that correct? That's correct. Okay, thank you. okay and the other council member okay okay council member chen yeah thank you and uh just

want to clarify if we go with option a that means adopting the existing lines uh we are in compliance of all the criterias that's created due to this districting laws and everything right

option A is not, you know, violating anything at all. Is that the understanding?

We certainly believe that it is population balanced meets the Federal Voting Rights Act. And, you know, what we would hope to have is hear from the council and, you know, the community if possible on how it meets the other criteria in the fair maps act it certainly is a viable option in terms of the basic legal requirements and we would just want to make sure that we are in compliance by stating publicly for the record how we think it captures the communities

of interest within the city i see okay thank you that's the most important thing that i would like to see. And I incline to use the, you know, the old lines. That means option A because that will give everyone a chance to vote because there's a district 1 and 5. Residents or voters in these two districts does not have the option to vote because they are out of the district 2, 3, and 4. So if we change the line and some may not have a chance to vote again in like four years. So I think that's, and so long it's complies with all the ordinance and all the regulations and the criterias. So I will go for option A. Thank you.

Thank you. Mayor Pro Temlo.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Mr. Levitt, good to see you again. So just to clarify, based on the presentations we've heard already, so when the city initially adopted the districts, which led to the election of 2020, that was under the California Voting Rights Act, right? And that was to ensure that particular community of interests were met and enfranchised. Now, for this current route of redistricting after the census, are we still bound to the California Voting Rights Act, which created these districts in the first place? Or if I recall, you said that in many ways it's preempted now by the Federal Voting Rights Act?

Yes. So the California Voting Rights Act only applies to the transition to districts. But I'll just be clear that the California Voting Rights Act itself does not contain any instructions for how to draw districts, only a general provision that the issues raised by, you know, the person who sent the district, the city, the demand letter must be addressed. in terms of actually drawing districts both the districting process and the redistricting process rely heavily on the federal voting rights act which talks about the protected classes and and all of that and the fair maps act is a new act it would have applied had the district made a you know had the district switched in 2020 after the fair maps act took effect it would have applied then AS IT DOES NOW. BUT THAT APPLIES TO EVERYONE MOVING FORWARD AFTER JANUARY 1, 2020.

MEANING THAT SHOULD WE PROCEED WITH, SAY, OPTION B, WE WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN MAKING SURE WE ADHERE TO THE FAIR MAPS ACT, WHICH IS WHAT WE DID BEFORE WITH THE CALIFORNIA

VOTING FOR EXACT, RIGHT? AND SO IF WE DID MAKE SURE WE COMPLIED with the spirit of the California Voting Rights Act and the letter of federal law when we went and switched to districts, as well as the recommended criteria at the time. If we, you know, and this is sort of the big question, just because we have a new law, the Fair Maps Act, doesn't mean that our districts are invalid for now, but it does mean we have to review them. And that's what the law requires. Okay. All right. Thank you for that

clarification. Okay. Thank you. And I do have a question that for your information, for your experience, are we in Monarch Park having 2.84 deviation percentage is actually very low?

It is. And I've only seen a couple of other cities and, you know, they're not surprisingly in very similar parts of the state. So La Mirada and Downey and BellfLor also have very low deviations because, well, there is growth, but it's just even. It's not concentrated in a new growth or a new specific area.

Oh, wow. Yeah, so it seems like we have a very good OMAP. I mean, that, yeah, very evenly distributed and also the deviation is really low. So and just statistic-wise, how many or how many cities that are around here that they really need to redraw the lines? How many percentage of Southern California may be citywide?

So, I mean, we're seeing that most cities do have to redraw their boundaries somewhat. You know, it's only a handful that are still population balanced and meet all of the terms of the Federal and State Voting Rights Act. because, of course, the Federal Voting Rights Act requirements, we have to analyze again every 10 years. And so that may change over the course of 10 years for certain cities. And, of course, the Fair Maps Act adds that new layer of review that every city has to go through. I see. A lot of cities have to then look at their maps and say, well, we have to make some adjustments in order to comply with one of those issues.

Right. And so for those handful cities, if there's deviation is within the limit. So for those handful of cities, if the deviation is within the limits, do they usually choose not to change the map?

! I would say that unless there is a very good reason to, and of course the Fair Maps Act may be a good reason to comply with that. ! Then it may be a good reason to comply with that. ! Then it may be a good reason to change the map. And whether or not it would further confuse voters, confuse residents by, you know, we haven't even held a full election cycle in these districts. you know, we haven't even held a full election cycle in these districts, and you're already going to be changing them.

And so I think the Fair Maps Act certainly, and I want to be very clear about this, really invites us to review the lines and ask the community and ask the council whether or not the lines work, but it doesn't necessarily require a big change or even a change at all. if it still complies with the Fair Maps Act and state and federal law. Thank you. And so that's all the question I have. And Council Member Leung, you have to.

Thank you, Mayor. Just really quick. I just want to also give my sentiment. I believe that option A, given the low deviation, would be the best option for us at this time. And to the point that Mr. Levitt made,

We just created districts last time. And throughout the 100 years of the city of Monterey Park, it's the first time that that kind of change had occurred. And during that election, you know, there was a lot of questions. People were upset because they couldn't vote like they normally would. You know, some people were upset that they had to wait four years to vote, et cetera, et cetera. Some people don't even know, you know, what district they're in. so i think at this point in time at least it's my opinion that option a would be best not only

because it complies with all of the legal requirements and not only because the deviation

is less than three percent but for our residents and our voters um i don't think it's uh if it's not necessary to change that we shouldn't it's just going to create more confusion for the community and that's the last thing that we want. So I along with Council Member Chan favor option A.

Thank you. I think I don't have any questions for option A as well. So just to clarify one more thing is that because on 4A that we will choose option A or option B. I think most of the PEOPLE ACTUALLY ALREADY HAVE THEIR INDICATIONS. AND SO FOR RECEIVING AND FOLLOWING THE MAYOR ROTATIONS, IS THAT SHOULD WE DISCUSS THAT AT THE SAME TIME OR SHOULD WE ACTUALLY HAVE A DIFFERENT VOTE ON IT? SO CITY MAYBE CITY ATTORNEY CAN HELP.

THANK YOU, MADAM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

CERTAINLY IF YOU WANT TO PUT THIS ONTO A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, I RECOMMEND THAT.

but the mayoral rotation is an actual resolution.

And so that would need to be on a future agenda

in order for full consideration to be given to it.

But if somebody at the end of the agenda wishes to put that onto a future agenda, that's certainly something we can work on.

I see that's supposed to be on the separate future agenda instead of just looping into the 4A, right?

Correct, because this is strictly redistricting. this is required by California law and public hearing for that specific purpose. The mayoral rotation is related, but it is a completely separate legal issue.

Okay. So then, okay. Councilman Blian.

Really quick. I just want to get some clarity. So what we would be doing tonight then if we're approving either option is we would be receiving and filing the mayor rotation schedule. and then at the end of the meeting, if there's going to be further discussion, that we would provide direction to have that brought back to the council. Is that correct?

That's my recommendation, yes. Okay, thank you.

Okay. So then maybe, Council Member Leung, do you want to make a motion?

Sure. Move to provide direction on option A to move forward with the existing map and to receive and file the mayor rotation schedule and perhaps provide direction at the end of the meeting for any other discussion on the rotation item. I second. I second.

Fred will second. Okay. City clerk, please, Carmel.

Thank you. Council member Peter Chen? Yes. Council member Han Seang? Yes. Council member Fred Cernoso?

This is yes on option A, correct?

Correct.

Okay, yes.

Okay. Mayor Pro Tem Henry Lo? Yes. And Mayor Yvonne Yu? Yes. Okay, motion carries. Thank you.

Thank you. So, okay, so let's go back to the original progress that we have on the consent calendar. Since we have already approved 3A, 3B, and okay, and then 3C, we also taking care of, and then okay, now move to 3D on the consent calendar. public hearing for considerations of resolutions of the city council of the city council of monoclonia california confirming the 2021 annual reports and a levy of assessment for downtown business improvement district number one for program year 2022 so um council member first

and also um i actually have some questions on this i don't know if we need a presentation but can I mention my questions? Sure. Okay, on page 181, it shows the 2022 new BID fee schedule. Can someone explain how that works?

Anyone? Anyone can.

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem,

Council Member and Council Member Cernoso.

I'll be happy to explain or answer your question.

And would you please repeat your question? Okay, on page 181, there's 274 pages altogether.

Page 181 shows the 2022 new EID fee schedule. Can you explain how that works?

Yes, the bid schedule is an assessment fee that the district charges its members,

business members that are in the downtown improvement district. It is set by the type of business and the number of employee or seat in that particular business. For the most part, the basic fee is $105.17 per business.

there are some variations based on excuse me the number of seats if it's 20 seats or less

no seat assessment fees and so forth there are some separate charges for for instance

contractors commercial rentals residential rentals hotels and laundromat as an as an example

the Business Improvement District Advisory Committee is not seeking to increase the annual assessment fee for 2022 program year to help the downtown business,

whether the financial burdens brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

So it's staying the same as it has been for the last two or three years.

Okay, so the fee, I understand that's like a base fee.

The employee slash seat column, or the first one says $13.52.

What does that mean? Is that per, like you mentioned, employee?

Yes.

So $26 or less, for instance, for retail or for restaurant, for instance, without liquor or with liquor license, there are separate rates per employee or per seat.

For restaurants with liquor license, it's $6.57 per employee.

For restaurants with an ABC license, it's $7.87 per employee.

On some retail establishments, it goes up as high as $13.52 per employee.

Okay, so let's use like Staples, for example. or Staples is not a bit. I mean, I don't know. Let's say one of the – let's say like Bank of America down there. So that would be like a service financial, right? So $105 base fee. And then say there are over 20 employees. Let's say 20. So it would be 20 times $13.52? Correct. Okay. So that answers that question. And then on these different schedules, starting on page 186, in the paragraph that towards the bottom of page 186, it says janitorial services. says the first sentence and it says the contract was terminated on november 31st

2020 so there's a typo there it actually is just providing a history that is not a typo council member the the bid used to have a an extremely high cost for its maintenance for street maintenance. It was provided at the time by Chris Ellis Enterprises,

and they continued to perform those janitorial services for the bid area until their contract was terminated

on November 31, excuse me, 2020, to offset that growing cost.

So effective December 1, 2020,

through December 31 of this year,

the bid janitorial services was added

to the city's contract or existing contract with Valley Maintenance Corporation, providing

the bid area with janitorial services four days a week at a significant cost savings of 64% year over year.

Yeah, I understand that, but November only has 30 days. You have November 31 here. Oh, I'm sorry.

That was a typo, yes. Okay.

And then if you go to page 190.

So this is the estimated budget for 2022. So they added street banners. Can you give a little bit of an explanation what the street banners are going to be for?

The street banners have been a project of the Downtown Bid Advisory Committee to help bring in more customers, more traffic to the downtown businesses. It has been an intent of the advisory committee to install those banners for the last couple of years.

However, because of the escalating cost of the street maintenance, it's been prohibited for them to pay for the street banners. Now, this year, since their maintenance cost has gone down 64%, they now have a budget to purchase and install those street banners. And so that's why they've included that in the budget. Okay. And these banners, are they going to be similar to the one that's out?

There's a banner on Garvey and Garfield.

It talks about saving water, and it's like in three languages.

So are these banners going to be in multiple languages like that one is? No, council members are not.

So the bid advisory committee is still in discussion as to what those banners are going to look like.

Staff has recommended to include whatever they decide on on the design of those banners.

a picture or maybe an image of our Monterey Park Rewards program to help promote that in the downtown district area.

But at this point, the downtown BID Act or business improvement district advisory committee is still in discussion as to how those banners are going to look like.

But they're going to be to promote the businesses in the downtown area, correct?

Correct. That is to attract more customers to the downtown area.

Okay. So I don't have a problem with the presentation of the fees and the 2022 budget. I have a problem with the different past year schedules that were presented. So like, for instance, on page 198, the 2018, and it says estimated expenditures. Why is it that not final expenditures? Why is it estimated?

Because at the time, council member, while developing this 2021 annual report, it was brought to staff's attention that the annual budgets for the 2020, 2019, and 2018 program years may not have had approval from council due to a combination of staff turnovers and the unprecedented demands, disruptions, and... and the unprecedented demands, disruptions, and priorities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. ! Therefore, as an overabundance of caution, we are including the 2020, 2019, and 2018 annual budgets, ! The way it would have been presented to you with estimates and actual expenses in this 2021

! Annual report, as additional exhibits for Council's retroactive approval.

! Okay.

But on this one on page 198, it says 2018 estimated expenditures, but then in the column

expenditures, but then in the column where the numbers are,

says 2017 estimated expenditures, shouldn't that be 2018?

Shouldn't those two dates agreeing, those two years?

Let me just go over to page 198.

Council member, would you repeat that statement again, please?

So the column, the right-hand most column where it says 2017 estimated expenditures, where it has the numbers, postage, $500, business card, $60, et cetera. It says 2017 estimated expenditures, but in the heading of the schedule, it says 2018 estimated expenditures. Shouldn't those two dates, those two years agreeing, shouldn't it be 2018 estimated expenditures?

You are correct, the council members. So that should have been 2018. What we did was we took exactly the exhibits that should have been presented to you by staff at that particular time. And we didn't make any revisions on it because we wanted to present it to you the way that previous staff had put it together. Because it was presented this way. we thought it would be best to present it the way it was put together by previous staff.

Okay, so this wasn't really proofread for errors and stuff, so it was just presented just as it was, because at the bottom of that same page it says reserves as of September 1, 2018. So isn't this like on calendar? Should it be reserves as of 12-31-18?

That would be the reserve at the time that this report was put together. So that would have been September 1st, 2018.

Okay.

So that would be correct, Council Member Zonosa, because September 1, 2018 would have been the date that previous staff put this report together.

And it was $157,100 at the time that it was put together.

All right. And if you go to page 199, so here there's two line items for office supplies. It's $300 and $200. So why wasn't that combined for $500? And then on halfway in that schedule, there's a number, 11,154. There's no description there what that's for. so the numbers aren't appearing on the lines with a description. So that's a little bit confusing. So my recommendation is that these go back to whoever prepared these and make the necessary corrections so they are more readable, I guess, to people. I mean, this isn't really a good presentation of their financial situation.

Sure. We will go back. if that's the request of council member. And we will label it accordingly.

Again, we took these reports and these exhibits

from the reports that were put together by previous staff. And we decided not to make any changes because, first of all, we didn't put it together. AND WE WANTED TO KEEP WHATEVER WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED INTACT BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD

HAVE BEEN REPORTED AT THE TIME. OKAY. WELL, MY RECOMMENDATION TO MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS IS THAT THESE SCHEDULES GO BACK TO WHEVER PREPARED THEM AND THAT THEY GET PREPARED CORRECTLY SO THEY GIVE US CORRECT INFORMATION RATHER THAN HAVING ALL THESE ERRORS.

it on so sure we can go back and make the proper corrections the necessary corrections and the

proper labeling okay council member liam you have a question yeah i just want to have some clarity

definitely what council member son also said especially regarding item line items that have amounts that are not described as what what was it being spent on i think that that needs clarity I think I'm understanding a little bit of what Mr. Torres is saying is that 17, 18, and 19 reports were not brought to the council. Is that correct? Because of circumstances, COVID, et cetera, that those were not presented for approval. Is that correct?

I believe that was the reason or one of the reasons.

Some of them may have been brought to council but were not fully approved. for whatever reason, but there were some years that may not have been presented to council. Again, not being with the city during those years, I'm not really in a position to answer that question. so you know all i can do is go back make the revit make the revisions that council is requesting

and present it to you again yeah i would suggest in terms of the line items especially that have no description those needs to be uh clarified uh in terms of the multiple reports i think that when it's brought back that you could explain um you know like okay this is 2017's report and you may have some estimates and then the actuals uh 2018 report estimates and actuals 2019 estimate and actual since those have already passed and then uh we can go to the the current one from there so i think that um i think that creates the confusion that that we're trying to put all those years together in one so i am not opposed to uh to continuing it and bringing you know breaking it up a little bit more so that it's a little bit easier for us to understand, as well as addressing any line items in the budget that don't have descriptions. I think that needs to be addressed.

Yeah, I can see that some of them may have been skewed where the description was put on the line previously

or the line above the actual amount. So, yeah, there's a lot of corrections that need to be made.

And it's newly noted, we'll make the corrections and present it again to council.

Thank you. So really quick, I just want to make sure that I know that what we are doing on this one was receiving and filing the report and then also to set a public hearing for the consideration of the assessments.

but is there any timeline or deadline issues that we have regarding having to have that public hearing?

I believe, yes, there is a timeline, Council Member Leung,

and I believe it needs to be ratified by Council before the end of the year.

Okay, then that's fine. We have time for that.

Thank you.

If I can just have the City Attorney confirm that, please.

That's correct. In order for the county to pull the assessments, all the fees from the bid, we need that done by the end of the year.

All right. Thank you, city attorney. Thank you. So, city manager, do you have anything to say?

I just wanted to provide some additional information. um you know joe torres was put in a situation where position was vacant for quite some time and there were other staff members that were there that are no longer there he had to pick up economic development from where it was at and gathered the documents as is so i don't want this to be reflected on joe's ability to do his job but i just want this to be reflective on just the housekeeping that we had from vacancies that were here. If there's anybody to accept any responsibility on the inaccuracy, I will accept that responsibility because Joe worked for me, and we'll make sure we do a better job. But I do not want this to be reflective of his ability to do his job. I just wanted to make that comment because all these little bit of errors here and there, they were done throughout the bid, and it wasn't Joe that did it himself. So we'll make sure we get it corrected. Thank you. Thank you.

I have a comment. In fact, Joe, don't take it personally. I mean, what that means to, you know, or embarrass you or anything, I just wanted to get these reports cleaner. I mean, being an accountant, you know, I look at the numbers and stuff, making sure everything's on the right line and stuff. So don't take it as a slam on you. I just want to see the reports a little bit cleaner. Thank you, council members. So none taken personally. Those are very valid points.

It was a decision I made to present it the way it was presented or the way it was put together by original staff.

But again, your request has been duly noted. we'll work on it and we'll make sure that it conforms to your request thank you thank you

so council member first and also would you like to make a motion to actually um uh actually we

need to correct that right we need to correct some of the line items so should we make a motion

yeah do we need a motion or can we just give direction on that right um the attorney i don't

I think you can give direction with regard to making those corrections. And it's certainly up to the city council whether to continue it.

I believe just in terms of timing that I would encourage the council to

consider adopting with the, with the,

or taking the recommended action based upon the comments that have been received tonight.

And I know that Mr. Torres will clean it up for the next meeting so that you

can see it, but taking the recommended action tonight,

it will start the clock moving forward to where we need to be by the end of the year.

So that would be my recommendation.

Okay. So then to set the public hearing for November 17th and then to bring back the revised documents at that time. Is that what I'm hearing? Okay.

What I'm hearing is that the council is agreeable in substance with regard to the reports and understands the context in which they are being brought forward. and most of the comments that I've heard appear to be editorial and are asking for additional information and those are mainly administrative that Mr. Torres can bring back to this council's satisfaction. And if at the end of the day the council isn't satisfied, you can always postpone the public hearing at the time that it comes around.

Okay. Sure. Council Member Leung, you want to make that motion?

Or did you want to do it, Fred? Okay, so I make the motion that we get those corrections made and have it on a future agenda.

Specifically November 17, 2021 for public hearing. Okay, if that's possible. And I will second that.

Okay, City Clerk, please go.

Thank you. Council Member Peter Chan? Yes. Council Member Hans Leung? Yes. Yes. Council member Pretoroso? Yes. Mayor Proton Henry Lo? Yes. And Mayor Yvonne Yu?

Yes.

Motion carries.

Thank you. Thank you. So moving down to item 3E, approval of response letter to Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury reports entitled diets for landfills cutting down on foot waste. Council Member Chen.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. And I think this item is for Frank Nopis, Public Works Director. And now I, by reading the staff report, this is a response letter and it's not some kind of action that we're going to take on the foot waste. and I have no problem in approving the letter to the county and to the grand jury. That is not an issue, but my question is how are we going to deal with the food waste? Not just, will that be on the future agenda? If it's on the future agenda, then we don't have to talk about it tonight.

City Manager, you want to chip in?

Yes, Mayor, Mayor Prutam. Council Member Chan. You're correct. The letter that we drafted in accordance with our Deputy City Attorney Joaquin Vasquez, who's on the call right now, was in response to what we are doing with Athens Services, who is our provider. We are working on how we will redirect our organic waste, our food waste from the waste stream that we're collecting right now to a composting site that they have. There's a lot of details that we have to work through with Athens, and we will have a report further down the road, probably within the next month, on how we will be doing that with Athens, because that will be a requirement that Athens has to comply with. And that has to be done by i think it's january 2020. nd that has to be done by I think it's January 2022. !

And Madam Mayor, members of the council, if I could tag team on the city manager's comments. ! We do already have a draft ordinance that's being reviewed by the public works ! Department

of the council, if I could, I would like to make a motion to adopt the resolution approving

Okay, then I would like to make a motion to adopt the resolution approving the City of Monterey Park's response letter to the LA County Civil Grand Jury's report entitled,

A Diet for Landfills Cutting Down on Food Waste. Okay, I see that.

And City Clerk, please cover.

Council Member Peter Chan? Yes. Council Member Hans Leang? Yes. Council Member Fred Sinoso? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Henry Lo. Yes. And Mayor Yvonne Yu.

Yes.

Motion carries. Thanks.

Thank you. Okay, next will be 3F, Resolution declaring the month of November as Movember to raise awareness of prostate and other male cancers. Council Member Chen.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. As always, I would like to hear from our Fire Chief Matt Halleck. Matt, please take over.

Thank you, sir. Good evening, Madam Mayor, Mayor of Portem, and Council Fire Chief Matt Halleck with Agenda Item 3F, which is your resolution declaring the month of November as Movember to raise awareness of prostate cancer and other male cancers. The Movember Foundation is the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men's health, literally. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and other health issues. The foundation challenges men to grow mustaches during November to spark conversations and raise vital funds for men's health programs. The mustaches are a symbol to promote awareness regarding men's health issues and to encourage yearly checkups regarding prostate and testicular cancer. The growth of a new mustache prompts the conversation, which in turn generates awareness and educates people on the health issues men face. The vision of the Movember Foundation is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men's health. That concludes my report, and I'd be happy to answer any questions or begin the challenge of who's going to grow the best mustache in Movember. Thank you, Chief. Yeah, and I just want to have everyone be aware, regardless male, female, cancer is something that we don't want to have.

Everyone wants to have good health, so go out there, do some exercise, and I follow the advice of our council member, Fred Zanoso,

and I've been doing the exercise in the Lange Center

and been feeling well. And I've also been swimming. I hope I'll be in good health, but I feel good though. So thank you for its recommendation and thank you, Chief Hallig for the presentation. And one question for the Chief is that this year,

I know last year you have a mustache, but that's fate. So this year, are you going to have a real one? Absolutely. I plan to join the challenge.

Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Council Member Fresenoso.

Yeah, so I just wanted to command Chief Matt and the Fire Department for doing this November. I don't know what the statistics are now. Now, I provided Matt with a sheet that I got the last time I was at City of Hope, but I believe they recommend starting at age 50. It might even be 40 now. I don't know, but when I was back in my 50s, it was 50. Every year you get a regular physical exam and have your PSA checked. So that's how they determined mine. I had no symptoms. I was healthy. didn't show any signs that I had prostate cancer, but because of the routine physical, they saw that my PSA was elevated and told me that I should get it checked out by a urologist, and that led to the discovery that I had cancer. So the earlier that you could determine that, the better you have of living a normal life and not going through complications. So I recommend or implore our residents, males 50 and over to get their yearly exams. Don't put it off. Do it for your families and your loved ones. For me personally, I just want to give an update what's been happening with me the last year. I take a blood test every three months to check my PSA level, and thank God it's been undetectable each time. so I'm doing okay. Also, the doctors took me off the medications that I was taking, and every three months I was getting a shot, and they stopped the shots too. He said, you're doing so well, you don't have to take the medications or do the shots. A couple of weeks ago, I met with a surgeon that performed the surgery on my liver, and he said, But you're one of the very few people that had what you had and are doing so well. Usually the outcome's not favorable like it's happening for you. So I'm just very thankful that my health is doing well. I thank Peter for going and working out. I haven't been working out lately. I've got to get back to that. But I'm glad to hear that Peter's exercising and taking care of himself. So I recommend that to my fellow council members, Hans and Henry, to take care of themselves and make sure you get that physical. And everybody, you know, all your people listening, all your department heads, males, that you go get that done. So thank you again for what you're doing, Matt, and pray that everyone, you know, takes care of themselves and gets those physicals done annually.

Thank you. Great. Thanks. Council Member Liang, do you have anything to say? No? Okay.

Okay.

And so do we get the motions to approve item 3F?

Yes, I will make the motion to adopt resolution

the current month of November as Mo Voo member. I would like to second that.

City clerk, would you please cover?

Thank you. Council member Peter Chen? Yes. Council member Hans Yang? Yes. Council member Fred Sardoso? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Henry Lo? Yes. And Mayor Yvonne Yu? Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. Thank you. So move down to your item 3G, three memorial program nominations. So that would be Council Member Chen.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. And I know that our Recreation Director is ready to say something. So Robert. Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members.

Yes, Robert DeGuerre, your Director of Recreation and Community Services.

As you'll recall, at the September 15th Council meeting, City Council did nominate Mr. William Sanchez and also Johnny Thompson for tree memorials for their dedication and service to the community. So following that meeting, we folLod our normal protocol and we had a tree memorial ad hoc committee meeting that consisted of three members of the Community Participation Commission and two members of the Reckon Park Commission. So at that meeting, the commissioners reviewed the nominations and the biographies of Mr. William Sanchez and also Johnny Thompson, and they voted unanimously to recommend the city council consider both these gentlemen for a tree memorial. So based on their volunteerism, their service to the community and contribution to Monterey Park, staff is tonight recommending that city council consider a tree memorial both for William Sanchez and also Johnny Thompson. That completes my staff report. I'm available for questions. Thank you.

Thank you for the report. And I want to thank you, yourself, and your staff, and the committee member to approve this tree memorial

for our two distinguished gentlemen, William Sanchez and Johnny Thompson. Of course, we grieve their departure, but their legacy will continue as the tree memorials who memorialized what they did throughout the years in the city of honorary park. So thank you for doing that. And I'll be happy to make the motion after any other council, after they make the comments, and then I will make the motion. Thank you. Okay, council member Fresenoso.

So both these gentlemen, I never met Mr. Sanchez, although I did participate in the drive along, I guess that's what you call it,

on the fire engine that honored him on his last birthday, I believe it was.

I believe it was his 103rd birthday.

Yeah. Yes. So, I mean, that was awesome to see someone survive so long after. I mean, I'm sure what he went through during the war was horrendous. I think it was a Japanese prison.

Yeah, he was a POW in the World War II, was in a prison camp for, I believe, about four years,

and was a well-decorated POW from World War II. Yeah. Many, many medals. I believe that was the Bataan March. I believe he was in the Philippines. That's correct. So that was pretty horrendous. Actually, my Uncle Frank's older brother did not survive that march. He was part of that. perished, but we want to honor Mr. Sanchez, not only for that, but also for his dedication

to the city and especially to veterans and the part that he took in Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations. I remember hearing him speak.

I think it was on Memorial Day one time. So I just want to thank him and his family for all they did. And for Johnny Thompson, I actually met him when I took office. I went to go meet the people in BIDAC and spoke with him. And then when he told me that he started his business, like right after he graduated from Mark Keppel, I think was like in the mid or late 60s, I was floored. I mean, I couldn't even think of starting a business like right after I graduated from high school. But he did it and he was successful for all these years. So congratulations to him and his family. So, you know, I support both these gentlemen and the tree that's going to be dedicated to them. So thank you for those that nominated him and I fully support these nominations. Thank you. So, Council Member Chen, would you like to make a motion?

Yes, thank you. I would like to make the motion to approve to honor William Sanchez with a memorial tree and also approve to honor john john c thompson with a memorial tree thank you any second

I'll second it okay so um city clerk please call roll yep that's the member Peter Chan yes

Council member Hans Yang? Yes. Council member Fred Ternoso? Yes. Mayor Pro Temp Henry Lo?

Yes.

And Mayor Yvonne Yu? Yes. Motion carried. Thank you. Thank you.

So, all right. So, we're going down to the bottom, city communications. So, Council member Chen?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. And I attended the Metro Service Council meeting, and at that meeting, the council approved to establish, create a new council, a youth council. and I think it's good for Monterey Park residents that's in the age of 14 to 17 14 to 17 high school students to be part of this council so that they can make recommendations and learn the process and so forth and the application for that council members is open now from October 18th and it's a one-month application process. So please write down this phone number or if the city court can put it on our city website as well. It's 213-922-2852. That's the Metro Youth Council information telephone number. Again, it's 213-922-2852. So anyone youth in the city of Monterey Park between the age of 14 to 17, please call them and find out if you are qualified or, you know, send in the application. You will learn a lot from that and also contribute to the public transportation. And I also attended the Boy Scouts of America banquet in honor to distinguish persons. One is John Fasana, who is a retired mayor council and metro member in the school. mayor council and metro member in the city of giuati and also mayor pro- ! ! also city of giuati for the distinguished work for the Boy Scope of America. ! ! I also attended the ! Mr. ! Mr. Mr. Don

that haven't seen for like two years. So that was good. So thank you and good night. Stay healthy. Thank you.

Thank you. Council Member Lam?

I have nothing to report this time. Thank you and have a wonderful week.

Thank you. Council Member Farsinoso?

Yeah, so I want to mention a few things.

So looking forward to tomorrow's Monster Mash. So hopefully my fellow city council members will join me at the booth and pass out candy to the kids. It's great to see the community coming back again

after this COVID thing, and hopefully that will stay low

and allow more and more community events to happen. So looking forward to tomorrow.

Also on Monday, I took a tour of the Athens Material Recovery Facility in Sun Valley, and it was really interesting. And right after the Dodger giant series was over, Council Member Lo set out a text to us saying that the librarians were talking trash between LA and San Francisco. So we really talked trash on Monday. And it was a different, the actual trash.

But it was interesting.

I think a few have already gone to go see that, but how they separate all the different trash and put like the recyclables and cardboard and paper all together so they could be used again.

So it's just really interesting.

So those of you haven't gone to see that, I highly recommend that you go take that tour. And I think they're actually trying to open that up to groups, too.

So, you know, I guess like the service clubs, Kiwanis, Rotary, Boy Scouts, whatever, if they wanted to go see a tour, you know, I guess they could contact us.

We could put them in contact with people that arranged that.

Another thing that happened that I'm excited about is I was asked to sit on the committee for the Laura Scudder grant scholarship, grant slash scholarship.

So that's awarded to college students who are majoring in culinary arts business or what's the third one I can't remember? Business, culinary arts and nursing. That was one of the areas that Laura Scudder, where she had her expertise.

So the grandson, John Scudder, through his foundation, is going to present two $3,000 scholarships to the deserving students. And I'm part of that selection committee.

So look forward to that. I think the presentation is actually going to be done next June. Also looking forward to Monday's ceremony honoring Chief Gordon. So that should be fun at El Encanto. Looking forward to all the pomp and circumstance of seeing a police chief get properly, I guess, sworn in.

And also been passing by a lot by Fire Station 62. Took down the channeling fence and the landscaping's in.

Looks like they're pretty much ready to go. So maybe Matt could come back on and let us know what the latest is on the fire station.

Absolutely. Thank you, sir. We are slated. We have a few delays, of course, as anybody who's done a room addition knows. You get to the very end, and there's just those last few things that seem to always come up. Then you had COVID and the supply chain issue. So we're 99.9% there. So most likely the middle of next week is when we should be able to fully occupy it. Everything up and running, everything in, everything working. It was supposed to be this Saturday, but those delays, of course, pushed off until next week. So we're all but there. We're just as excited as the community is to see a fire engine pull out of there. So just a few more days. We waited this long, so we can certainly wait a few more days.

Okay. So is there going to be any kind of a ceremony or just going to start rolling out the trucks like next week?

Yeah, we're going to we're going to just start responding from the station. And then as COVID hopefully continues to slow at some point in the near future, we'll do an actual open house event where we can have members of the community come and take a look and see what see what their new fire station looks like.

So I know the community or the neighborhood is excited about it.

I've seen some posts on Facebook and people are really putting some positive comments on it.

So congratulations on a beautiful fire station.

Hope it serves our community for years to come.

I will. Thank you.

All right. So that's all I have.

Thank you. Mayor Pro Temlo?

Yes. Thank you so very much, Madam Mayor. Let's see. Well, I will see people at tomorrow's HalLoen Monster Mash. And, of course, go Dodgers. As I know, our colleague, Councilman First, also likes to always remind us to show that blue pride for the Dodgers. I'd like to announce that this coming Sunday, I will be attending the 2021 commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Chinese massacre of 1871. And what a lot of people may not realize is actually one of the worst incidences of racially motivated lynching took place here in Los Angeles in the 19th century, in 1871, when a mob attacked a community enclave of Chinese residents in the Los Angeles area now 150 years ago. and the event is being will be held at the Chinese American Museum and are organized by the Friends of the Chinese American Museum which is a foundation that supports the museum but the connection to Monterey Park is actually the president of the Foundation, the Friends of the Chinese American Museum is actually a long time resident and commissioner of our city Dr. Gye Yuan and I think all of us on the city council probably know Dr. Gye Yuan but I will be attending and if anyone wants to also attend the event it is a Sunday October 24th 2021 from 5pm to 6.30pm at the Chinese American Museum that is located at 425 North Los Angeles Street at Los Angeles code 90012 again that's 425 North Los Angeles Street, LA, code 90012. And that location is actually El Pueblo, which is considered the birthplace of Los Angeles. And the Chinese American Museum is also there because that was where one of the earliest settlements of Chinese were in the Los Angeles area. So I'll be there and hope to see some of you there as well. So thank you very much and that's my report for tonight.

uh mayor uh and mayor pro tem uh Henry Lo uh to add to it is that i i am going to that function and but also this function is by invitation only because it's limited uh person allowance because of the covet uh pandemic situation so if anyone i don't know if it's filled up yet i understand it's 50 persons only and it's outdoors and so if anyone wants to go, better check with the museum before you go because you may not be needed if you don't have your reservation. So I just want to add that into your comments. Thank you.

Thank you for clarifying that. Thank you.

Okay. So any more? May I pretend though?

Oh no, that's it for me.

Okay, so, okay. For me, I actually attended a fashion show last Sunday. Amazingly, the modeling teacher was my classmate 20 years ago at the modeling school. I attended one year of modeling school learning catwalk when I was 30 years old, right after I had my first kid. I have no idea why I did that after having kids, but maybe I want to get back in shape so desperately at that time. So we were both laughing about how, you know, 20 years passed and we still keep in shape quite well. And so I encourage, you know, women, you know, do the modern school that actually help people, you know, posture wise. You know, the way you walk is a lot more elegant. So I just heard that also one of my best friends, you know, we're the same age and we went to the same high school and same college. which she diagnosed breast cancer last month. I feel that this is getting closer to me. So I'm happy and relieved to hear that Council Member Fresno is recovering very well. And everyone, you know, stay positive and healthy, enjoy life as much as we can. And also at the end, I would like to bring up the item for future agenda, as you all discussed about it previously at item 4A, about the mayor rotation. and I would like to bring up the red meditation on this council meeting agenda, knowing that we have extended before due to change of election year from odd year to even number year. We each have additional about three to four months mayor term. But in July, we're changing the elections month from March to November. So there's another extension of eight months. So as all of you know, my mayor term will end in two months. So on December 27, unfortunately, all my mayor pro tem and two-thirds of my mayor term are under pandemic. So I hope to get some extension, you know, in order to serve the community as mayor. So and I don't want to propose anything that is unfair to all council members. So I would like to propose to share extensions, you know, among all of us. And, you know, we want to hope to have an agenda item to discuss that next time. So if it's okay with all the council members to put on the next city council agenda, is it okay? Then can we get a thumbs up or, you know, any other comments from anyone?

Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. So far we get majority. So maybe city manager or city attorney that we wanted to put it on the agenda to discuss it next time. So any other last minutes, comments?

Yes, Madam Mayor, I do. And I'm sorry I didn't say it earlier. I was wondering also at the future discussion item, can we discuss a law that was recently enacted by the state, AB 1276? And what that legislation Subsequently does is In the future Catch-up packets, plastic utensils Will only now come With takeout orders if requested By a customer under Califera law And I bring this up because Actually I have brought this up Even before knowing there was a bill That was being put forward But I brought it up because I think it's Especially during the pandemic When we just launched uh uh dine uh for take out and because oftentimes they include plastic utensils but that contributes to the landfill um accumulation of plastics and and so and so i had actually had an interest in

seeing if we could adopt a similar ordinance as a city regarding um asking customers to have to ask

for utensils but i guess the state actually um in its infinite wisdom path the legislation

that now requires cities to actually implement it.

And again, the bill is AB 1276. And I hope that in future we can have a discussion about how we can implement and codify the state law into our own ordinances here in Monterey Park.

Oh, sure. And by maybe show hand, is that okay for us to put on the future agenda for the utensil?

Okay, okay. Okay, we get the majority. Okay, good, good, good. So we're all very supportive of environmental issues. So sure. So you do want to put it on maybe future the next one or any time you have any time restrictions?

No. Well, I mean, I think it will be an interesting discussion. But understand that even if we don't have a conversation, it is now a state statute. We have to actually follow the law now.

And so even if we don't have a discussion, I imagine at some point as a council, it would come before anyway.

to discuss how we would implement the new state law, especially because, yeah, we are two months away from 2022. And so I'm sure there will be a whole list of new laws that this city will have to follow or enact in the new calendar year.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. No problem. City Manager, Ron, do you want to?

Yeah, just to add to Mayor Pro Tem's request is there are several other state requirements that will be mandated that will maybe not take action as soon as the plastic utensils and those items, but also comes into effect in 2024. it has to do with two-stroke gasoline leaf bLors that gardeners use. They have to transition to a more eco-friendly type of motor. And everything is trying to move into the electric phase, battery-operated. I do know that there is a state law that is going to come into effect in 2024.

so there's several of them if i would just ask council's patients that we would probably not be able to do this at the next council meeting but we will shoot for the 17th november 17th

okay okay is that the mayor pro tem okay a mayor pro tem we can do at the next council meeting all right thank you okay oh whatever rotation excuse me oh the mayor rotation

it was calendar how about that i mean it seems like we're pushing everything november 17th it's not like it's gonna be a very lengthy meeting thank you thank you thank you

then the meeting will be adjourned thank you so much good night good night everybody