Bell Gardens — 2025-03-10

10.1 General Motion to Waive Full Reading and Approve\nOrdinances by Title Only Pursuant to California Government\nCode Section 36934 with Support from the Majority of the\nLegislative Body.\nRecommendation: To Approve Ordinances by Title Only.\nConclusion: Allowing ordinances to be read by title only, according\nto California State Law, will expedite the conduct of business at\nCouncil Meetings.\nFiscal Impact: No fiscal impact.\nATTACHMENTS: None

10.10 Consideration of the Approval of a Second Amendment to a\nProfessional Services Agreement between City of Bell Gardens\nand Norris Realty Advisors for Appraisal Services for Fair\nMarket Rent and Administrative Proceeding Services\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil:\n1. Adopt the attached Resolution; and\n2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to the\nProfessional Services Agreement between the City of Bell Gardens\nand Norris Realty Advisors.\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Pursuant to the California Environmental\nQuality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), the Agreement is\ncategorically exempt because it is not considered a project.\nProfessional Services Agreements are considered organizational or\nadministrative government activities that result in no direct or\nindirect physical changes to the environment.\nCONCLUSION: Given the additional services required based on an\nappeal being heard by the third-party hearing officer, staff\nrecommends that the City Council approve a Second Amendment to\nthe Professional Services Agreement with Norris Realty Advisors and\namend the not-to-exceed amount from $11,000 to $16,000.\nFISCAL IMPACT: Funds to cover these services have been budgeted\nfor FY 2024-2025 as part of the Housing Division’s budget.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-21\nExhibit 2 - Second Amendment to PSA for Norris Advisors with\nExhibits Final.pdf

10.11 Acceptance of the Purchase and Installation of Additional LED\nLighting At Veterans Park as Complete\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil:\n1. Accept the Purchase and Installation of Additional LED\nLighting Project at Veterans Park as complete; and\n2. Authorize staff to file the Notice of Completion.\nCONCLUSION: The City Council’s acceptance of the Project as\ncomplete is required to allow the City Clerk to file the Notice of\nCompletion with the LA County Registrar-Recorder.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The work performed by ABM was funded by Prop 68\nas part of the Veterans Park Refurbishment Project. The total cost of\nthe project was $237,391.61.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Notice of Completion

10.12 Consideration of a Resolution approving a Fourth\nAmendment to an Agreement with Greentech Landscape for\nLandscape Maintenance Services\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager\nto execute the Fourth Amendment with Greentech Landscape, Inc.\nCONCLUSION: Approving the Fourth Amendment would extend the\nGreentech contract services agreement term for three (3) additional\nmonths at the same terms and conditions currently provided for\nunder the existing agreement, which will allow staff to complete the\nprocess for a competitive landscape maintenance services\nprocurement without interruptions in landscape maintenance\nservices.\nFISCAL IMPACT: Funding for landscape contract maintenance\nservices is available in the FY 2024/25 budget.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 – Resolution No. 2025-22\nExhibit 2 – Fourth Amendment with Exhibits

10.13 Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Second\nAmendment to an Agreement with Ardurra for Construction\nManagement and Inspection Service for the Aquatic Center\nProject\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager\nto execute a Second Amendment to the Professional Services\nAgreement with Ardurra Group, Inc.\nCONCLUSION: Approving a Second Amendment to the Agreement\nwould enable Ardurra to provide the necessary additional\nconstruction management, inspection, and soils and materials\ntesting services necessary to complete the Project.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The $316,886 for additional construction\nmanagement, inspection, and soils and materials testing services\nwould result in a total not to exceed amount of $2,040,352.08. CDBG\nfunds are available to cover these costs.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-23\nExhibit 2 - Second Amendment with Exhibits

10.2 Approval Minutes of City Council/Successor Agency - Joint\nMeeting\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City\nCouncil approve the minutes of the February 24, 2025, City\nCouncil/Successor Agency Joint Meeting.\nCONCLUSION: If approved, the minutes of the City Council/Successor\nAgency Joint Meeting will be archived in the City Clerk’s Office.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Closed Session - Feb 24 2025 - Minutes - Html\nExhibit 2 - City Council / Successor Agency to the Community\nDevelopment Commission Joint Meeting - Feb 24 2025 - Minutes -\nHtml

10.3 Warrant Register and Wire Transfer\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City\nCouncil receive and file the warrant registers, wire transfers, and net\npayrolls dated 02/13/2025, 02/18/2024, 02/20/2025, and 02/25/2025.\nCONCLUSION: If the recommendation to the City Council is\napproved, then the warrant registers, wire transfers, and net payrolls\ndated 02/13/2025, 02/18/2024, 02/20/2025, and 02/25/2025.\nFISCAL IMPACT:\nWire transfer 02/13/202 2044 $2,098,613.\n5 80\nWarrant register 02/18//20 194189-194276 $443,011.37\n25\nTotal Bank $2,541,625.\n17\nWire transfer 02/20/202 2045-2050 $486,474.74\n5\nWarrant register 02/25/202 194277-194356 $\n5 750,351.32\nTotal Bank $1,236,826.\n06\nNet Payroll $523,885.19\ntransfer 02/20/202\n5\nTotal Voucher $\n1,760,711.2\n5\nGrand Total $\nVouchers 4,302,336.4\n2\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1- Warrant Register

10.4 January 2025 Treasurer's Report\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil receive, approve, and file the January 2025 Treasurer’s\nReport.\nCONCLUSION: The January 31, 2025, Treasurer’s Report has been\npresented to the City Council with a recommendation to receive,\napprove and file.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None\nATTACHMENTS: Treasurer's Report - January 2025.pdf

10.5 Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Employment\nAgreement with John Ramirez for Appointment as Interim\nDirector of Community Development Pursuant to\nGovernment Code Section 21221(h)\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution, approving an employment\nagreement with John Ramirez for appointment as Interim Director of\nCommunity Development pursuant to Government Code Section\n21221(h).\nCONCLUSION: It is necessary for the City to retain a seasoned Interim\nDirector of Community Development to continue the planning,\norganizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, and budgeting\nactivities of the Department of Community Development to ensure\ncontinuity of leadership and quality services to the public, while the\nCity undergoes a recruitment process for a permanent appointment.\nFISCAL IMPACT: A cost savings of approximately $5,100 per month is\nanticipated during the interim appointment due to no employer\nportion CalPERS retirement contributions and employee benefits\nassociated with the retired annuitant interim appointment.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 – Resolution No. 2025-17\nExhibit 2 – Employment Agreement Between the City of Bell Gardens\nand John Ramirez

10.6 Consideration of a Resolution Implementing Provisions of the\nGeneral Fund-Based Reopener Articles as Provided by the\nMemorandum of Understanding Between the City of Bell\nGardens and the Bell Gardens City Employees Association, the\nBell Gardens Public Works Employees Association, and the\nBell Gardens Public Works Supervisors Association\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution, implementing the provisions\nof the general fund-based reopener articles as provided by the\nmemorandum of understanding between the City of Bell Gardens, the\nBell Gardens City Employees Association, the Bell Gardens Public\nWorks Employees Association, and the Bell Gardens Public Works\nSupervisors Association.\nCONCLUSION: It is necessary for the City to implement the reopener\nprovision to advise and discuss with the employee associations\nexpected impacts and discuss possible solutions to resolve\nanticipated fiscal shortfall.\nFISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact adopting the resolution to\nimplement the reopener article of the respective MOUs.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 – Resolution No. 2025-18

10.7 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 955\nAmending Title 9 (Zoning and Planning Regulations) Bell\nGardens Municipal Code to extend Public Noticing for Zoning\nOrdinances from 10 to 20 days in Compliance with new State\nLaw\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil waive full reading and adopt Ordinance No. 955 amending\nTitle 9 (Zoning and Planning) of the Bell Gardens Municipal Code\n(BGMC) to amend public noticing provisions for zoning ordinances to\ncomply with Assembly Bill 2904.\nCONCLUSION: If approved, Ordinance No. 955 would become\neffective thirty (30) calendar days after approval. Ordinance No. 955\nwould comply with AB 2904, a state mandate, expanding noticing\nrequirements and promoting public participation. Staff recommends\nthat the City Council waive full reading and adopt Ordinance No. 955.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None. State law previously required the City provide\n10 days notice for a public hearing. The proposed Ordinance would\nbe carried out by staff in the normal course of business.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 955

10.8 Consideration of a Professional Services Agreement between\nServiam by Wright LLP and the City of Bell Gardens for a\nNeutral Third-Party Hearing Officer for Services Pertaining to\nthe City’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Eviction Protections\nOrdinance\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution approving a Professional\nServices Agreement with Serviam by Wright LLP, for a neutral third-\nparty Hearing Officer for services pertaining to the City’s Rent\nStabilization and Tenant Eviction Protections Ordinance.\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Pursuant to the California Environmental\nQuality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), the PSA is\ncategorically exempt because it is not considered a project.\nProfessional Services Agreements are considered organizational or\nadministrative government activities that result in no direct or\nindirect physical changes to the environment.\nCONCLUSION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the\nattached Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement\nwith Serviam by Wright LLP for neutral third-party Hearing Officer\nServices pertaining to the City’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant\nEviction Protections Ordinance.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The neutral third-party Hearing Officer Services to\nbe provided are based on an hourly rate of $275 with a not-to-exceed\namount of $90,000 for the entirety of the Professional Services\nAgreement. Funds to pay for these services were approved as part of\nthe City’s Adopted FY 2024-2025 Budget for the Housing Division.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-19\nExhibit 2 - PSA with Serviam by Wright for Hearing Officer Services\nFinal.pdf

10.9 Consideration of Approval of an Eighth Amendment to a\nProfessional Services Agreement with Michael Baker\nInternational for Approval of Continued Consulting\nAdministration Services of Permanent Local Housing\nAllocation (PLHA)\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil:\n1. Adopt the attached Resolution; and\n2. Authorize and direct the City Manager to execute an Eighth\nAmendment to the Professional Services Agreement between the City\nand Michael Baker International for approval of use of continued\nconsulting administration services of PLHA program services.\nCONCLUSION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the\nEighth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between\nthe City and Michael Baker to authorize the use of continued\nconsulting administration services of PLHA Program Services.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The consulting services to be provided by Michael\nBaker are based on hourly rates and an annual not-to-exceed price.\nThe new total annual not-to-exceed costs will be $348,914. These\nconsulting services will be reimbursed with CDBG, CDBG-CV and PLHA\nfunds. Therefore, there will be no impact to the City’s General Fund.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-20\nExhibit 2 - Eighth Amendment to Michael Baker PSA with Prior\nAmendments and Master AgreementAgreement.pdf

11.1 Local Commission Appointment List\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City\nCouncil review the Commissions Appointments List and by motion,\nremove commissioners and/or make appointments to the posted\nvacancies.\nCONCLUSION: After an appointment is made, Commission members\nwill receive their Oath of Office before beginning service with their\nrespective Commission at the next regularly scheduled Commission\nmeeting. The City Clerk's Office will arrange for the proper filing of\nConflict of Interest Code forms and schedule trainings for AB 1234\nand AB 1661.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Notice of Vacancy

11.2 Consideration of Ordinance No, 956 to amend Title 2\n(Administration and Personnel) of the Bell Gardens Municipal\nCode to add a new Chapter 2.74 (Electronic Signatures) to\nestablish a policy for the use of electronic or digital signatures\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City\nCouncil approve:\n1. Find the proposed Ordinance No. 956 (Exhibit 1) categorically\nexempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);\nand\n2. Waive the full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 956, by\ntitle only, amending Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of\nthe Bell Gardens Municipal Code to add a new Chapter 2.74\n(Electronic Signatures) to establish a policy for the use of\nelectronic or digital signatures.\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The proposed ordinance is exempt from\nCEQA (Pub. Res. Code § 21000 et seq.) under the common sense\nexemption set forth at California Code of Regulations, Title 14 §\n15061(b)(3)(CEQA Guidelines) because it can be seen with certainty\nthat there is no possibility that the adoption of this proposed\nordinance would have a significant effect on the environment.\nCONCLUSION: Staff is recommending the proposed ordinance to\nhelp the City execute instruments in a more expedited and efficient\nmanner.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 956

11.3 Aquatics Center Project Quarterly Update\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City\nCouncil receive and file the March 2025 John Anson Ford Park\nRegional Aquatics Center Improvements update report.\nCONCLUSION: Staff will keep Council informed of the progress we\nare making during construction and will continue to seek outside\nfunding sources to minimize the impact to the general fund.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The Project budget is $31,270,000, consisting of the\nfollowing funds:\n Land and Water Conservation Fund - $6 million (Federal)\n Supervisor Janice Hahn - $4 million (County)\n Assemblymember Cristina Garcia - $2 million (State)\n Congresswoman Roybal-Allard - $1.5 million (Federal)\n General Fund - $14.6 million (City)\nThe current estimated total Project costs are as follows:\nDesign (RJM Design Group) $1,045,100\nLabor Compliance (Michael Baker International) $224,200\nConstruction Management & Inspection (Ardurra) $2,040,400\nConstruction Cost (Bernards) $26,334,000\nConstruction Change Orders (Bernards) $258,500\nRemaining Construction Contingency $1,304,500\nPublications & Misc. Costs $1,200\nTOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $31,270,000\nAnnual staffing and operating costs of approximately $2,700,000 will\nneed to be included in future general fund budgets.\nATTACHMENTS: None

11.4 City Water System Update and Recommended Next Steps\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil:\n1. Receive and file the staff report; or\n2. Provide direction on the options under consideration to move\nthe project forward.\nCONCLUSION: Staff continues to pursue construction funding from\nthe State and federal agencies. At this time, construction funding is\nnot secured. Engineering staff recommends turning the well back on\ndue to the continuing debt increases due to the purchase of MWD\nwater, while continuing to prepare the construction documents to\nconstruct the IX PFAS Treatment Plant along with the new Water Rate\nstudy.\nFISCAL IMPACT: As part of Amendment No. 2, staff secured grant\nfunding for the design of the IX PFAS Treatment Plant. Continuing\nwith the purchase of MWD water would result in an annual cost of\napproximately $1.5 million. Turning the well back on in lieu of\npurchasing MWD water would result in an annual cost of\napproximately $475,200, a difference of $1,024,800.\nATTACHMENTS: None.

11.5 Selection of Strategic Planning\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil approve:\n1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a\nProfessional Services Agreement with MIG, Inc. for the\ndevelopment of the City of Bell Gardens Strategic Plan in the\namount not to exceed $59,996; or\n2. Receive and File.\nCONCLUSION: The facilitation and preparation of a Strategic Plan\nwill result in a documented roadmap of the City’s mission and goals\nalong with planned projects and objectives that will ensure\nsuccessful and measurable attainment of the City’s mission and\ngoals. In doing so, the options are to hire an external consultant or\ntake no action and receive and file.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of hiring a firm is estimated not to\nexceed $59,996.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-24\nExhibit 2 - Agreement

5.1 Certificate of Recognition - Alfredo’s Mexican Food

5.2 Certificate of Recognition - Gustavo Romo

5.3 California Arbor Week Proclamation

6.1 Consideration of Ordinance No. 952 to Authorize a\nDevelopment Agreement by and between The City of Bell\nGardens, Flora Hospitality Group, LLC and James N. Tate III\nTrust Relating to the Property located at 6638 Eastern Avenue\nin the City of Bell Gardens (MECCA)\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 952, by title\nonly, to approve the proposed Development Agreement (DA) No.\n2024-048 for a cannabis retail storefront at 6638 Eastern Avenue.\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: In accordance with the California\nEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Res. Code § 21000 et seq.)\nand CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.),\nOrdinance No. 952 has been determined to be categorically exempt\npursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and\nSection 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). The Project would\nauthorize a cannabis retail use within an already existing commercial\nstructure, inclusive of tenant improvements, to support a new\ncommercial use for up to 10 years. No additional floor area is\nproposed. Additionally, a cannabis retail use has similar impacts as\nother typical commercial uses and would be subject to the same or\nmore restrictive development and operating standards as other\ncommercial uses. This Project would comply with building, energy\nefficiency, and land use and development standard provisions.\nTherefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility\nthat the activity in question may have a significant effect on the\nenvironment.\nCONCLUSION: The DA is designed to facilitate ongoing\ncommunication and collaboration between the Applicant and the\nlocal community, addressing concerns and ensuring the retail\nstorefront aligns with community values and interests by requiring\nthe Applicant to submit evidence of compliance with all terms and\nconditions to the City on an annual basis. Balance would be\npromoted with the operational flexibility built into the DA addressing\nunforeseen challenges or changes in circumstances, allowing for\nadjustments as needed through City Council approval. Compliance\nwith the DA and its terms and conditions will be subject to an annual\nreview, whereby if the City determines that the Applicant is in\nnoncompliance status with the DA, the City may modify or terminate\nthe DA.\nAdoption of Ordinance No. 952 and the execution of the proposed DA\nwould ensure vested development rights in exchange for community\nbenefits dedicated to revenue for youth programs, housing and\nhomelessness issues, and other discretionary items. Therefore, staff\nrecommends approval of the proposed development agreement and\nadoption of Ordinance No. 952, which would permit a cannabis retail\nuse at the Subject Site for an initial five (5)-year term, subject to an\noption to extend the term for an additional five (5) years, for a total\n10-year term.\nFISCAL IMPACT: If Ordinance No. 952 is adopted, the Applicant would\nbe required to make an up-front payment of $100,000 upon the\neffective date of the DA and renew the contribution annually\nfollowing the execution of the DA, every January (Annual Community\nBenefit). The Applicant would also be required to make quarterly\ncontributions equal to seven percent (7%) of gross receipts (Quarterly\nCommunity Benefit). Pursuant to the DA terms, 80% of these funds\nwould be dedicated to the City’s youth and recreational\nprogramming and the City’s housing programs. Under the DA, the\nApplicant would also be responsible for the cost of staff time spent on\nthe negotiation and preparation of a development agreement and\nmonitoring activities to ensure compliance with the DA, CUP, BGMC,\nand other applicable laws and regulations.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1- Ordinance No. 952 - DA 2024-048.docx\nExhibit 2 -February 19 2025 PC 2024-048 Staff Report and Exhibits.pdf\nExhibit 3 - Signed Resolution PC 2025-02.pdf\nExhibit 4 - Signed Resolution PC 2025-03.pdf\nExhibit 5 -Proposed Development Agreement No. 2024-048.docx\nExhibit 6 - 500 600 and 1500 Radius Maps .docx\nExhibit 7- Public Hearing Notice pdf.pdf