Bell Gardens — 2025-03-24

11.1 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: None.\nATTACHMENTS: None.

11.10 Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Fifth Amendment\nto Professional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group to\nProvide Additional Design Services for the John Anson Ford\nPark Regional Aquatics Center Improvements\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City Manager\nto execute a Fifth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement\nwith RJM Design Group, Inc.\nConclusion: Approving a Fifth Amendment would enable RJM to\nprovide the additional design and services necessary for the Aquatics\nCenter.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The $7,418 for additional design and the $25,000\ncontingency would result in a total contract cost of $1,689,255. CDBG\nfunds are available.\nATTACHMENTS:Exhibit 1 - Resolution No 2025-28\nExhibit 2 - Fifth Amendment with Exhibits

11.11 Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with\nABM Electrical & Lighting Solutions, Inc. for the Purchase and\nInstallation of Solar-Powered Lighting at Darwell Park\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil:\n1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving an agreement with\nABM Electrical & Lighting Solutions, Inc. for the purchase and\ninstallation of new solar lighting for a total amount not to\nexceed $20,608.45; and\n2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and\napprove change orders that may be necessary during\nconstruction to cover any unforeseen condition in an amount\nnot to exceed 10% of the agreement amount.\nCONCLUSION: If the attached Resolution is adopted, staff will\nprocess the agreement for signatures and issue a Notice to Proceed\nwith the Lighting Improvements to ABM. The Lighting Improvements\nare expected to be completed by May 30, 2025.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The agreement amount for the Lighting\nImprovements is $20,608.45. A contingency of ten percent (10%)\n(approximately $2,060.85) will be necessary to cover any unforeseen\nconditions; therefore, the total project budget for the Lighting\nImprovements will be $22,669.30. The City’s FY 24/25 budget includes\nsufficient funding for the improvements.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-29\nExhibit 2 - Purchase and Installation Agreement

11.2 Approval Minutes of City Council/Successor Agency - Joint\nMeeting\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff's recommendation that the City\nCouncil approve the minutes of the March 10, 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: Exhibit 1 - City Council / Successor Agency to the\nCommunity Development Commission Joint Meeting - Mar 10 2025 -\nMinutes - Html

11.3 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 956 amending\nTitle 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Bell Gardens\nMunicipal Code to add a new Chapter 2.74 (Electronic\nSignatures) to establish a policy for the use of electronic or\ndigital signatures\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil waive full reading and adopt Ordinance No. 956 amending\nTitle 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Bell Gardens Municipal\nCode to add a new Chapter 2.74 (Electronic Signatures) to establish a\npolicy for the use of electronic or digital signatures.\nCONCLUSION: If approved, Ordinance No. 956 would become\neffective thirty (30) calendar days after approval. Staff recommends\nthat the City Council waive full reading and adopt Ordinance No. 956.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None.\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 956

11.4 Warrant Register Successor Agency\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the Successor\nAgency members receive and file the warrant registers dated\n03/04/2025.\nCONCLUSION: If the recommendation to the Successor Agency\nMembers is approved, then the warrant register dated 03/04/2025 will\nbe received and filed.\nFISCAL IMPACT:\nWarrant 03/04/2025 12974 $8,083.08\nRegister\nTotal Bank $8,083.08\nGrand Total $8,083.08\nVouchers\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1-Warrant Register Successor Agency

11.5 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 03/04/2025, 03/06/2024, and 03/11/2025.\nCONCLUSION: If the recommendation to the City Council is\napproved, then the warrant registers, wire transfers, and net payrolls\ndated 03/04/2025, 03/06/2024, and 03/11/2025.\nFISCAL IMPACT:\nWarrant register 03/04/202 194357-194430 $593,667.11\n5\nTotal Bank $593,667.11\nWire Transfer 2051-2055 $1,584,038.9\n03/06/202 4\n5\nWarrant register 194431-194553 $523,908.97\n03/11/202\n5\nTotal Bank $2,107,947.9\n1\nNet Payroll $527,424.94\ntransfer 03/06/202\n4\nTotal Voucher $2,635,327.8\n5\nGrand Total $3,229,039.9\nVouchers 6\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1- Warrant Register

11.6 February 2025 Treasurer’s Report\nRECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council receive,\napprove, and file the February 2025 Treasurer’s Report.\nCONCLUSION: The February 28, 2025, Treasurer’s Report has been\npresented to the City Council with a recommendation to receive,\napprove and file.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1 - Treasury Report

11.7 Consideration of adoption of a Resolution Approving a Lease\nAgreement Between the City of Bell Gardens and the County\nof Los Angeles for Library premises Located at 7110 Garfield\nAvenue\nRECOMMENDATION: It is the staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution approving a lease agreement\nbetween the County of Los Angeles and the City of Bell Gardens to\ncontinue leasing 7110 Garfield Avenue for the purpose of a County of\nLos Angeles library.\nCONCLUSION: The Bell Gardens Library offers serval benefits\nincluding access to resources, cost efficiency, educational support,\ncommunity engagement, digital access, and technology, among\nothers. It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached\nResolution, approving a lease agreement between the City of Bell\nGardens and the County of Los Angeles, for the collective continued\npublic library services benefits that enhance the quality of life for\nresidents.\nFISCAL IMPACT: The presence of a County library branch is a\nvaluable community asset. The City can leverage county funding and\nresources to maintain and expand library services without bearing\nthe full financial burden, allowing high-quality services while keeping\ncosts manageable. The leasing of the site shall be free of charge. The\nBell Gardens Library shall be responsible for all utility services\nassociated with the leased premises, including but not limited to\nwater, sewer, trash collection, pest control, telephone, electricity,\nand gas, as needed for the operation and use of the premises.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-25\nExhibit 2 - Lease Agreement

11.8 Consideration of Approval of a Second Amendment to\nProfessional Services Agreement Between the City of Bell\nGardens and WSP USA Inc. for Equitable Community\nRevitalization Grant Work for 5600-5636 Shull Street (Former\nBerk Oil Site)\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil:\n1. Determine the action exempt from the provisions of the\nCalifornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State\nCEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3); and\n2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to\nexecute a Second Amendment to the Professional Services\nAgreement (“Agreement”) between the City and WSP USA Inc.\n(WSP; formerly Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions,\nInc.).\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Pursuant to the California Environmental\nQuality Act (CEQA), Guidelines Section No. 15060(c)(3), this report is\ncategorically exempt as organizational or administrative activities of\ngovernments since no direct or indirect physical changes in the\nenvironment would result and the activity is not defined as a project.\nCONCLUSION: WSP has provided valuable consulting services to the\nCity and has a deep understanding of the historical and proposed Site\nactivity. Based on their work to date, and the additional work and\ntesting required to continue helping the City coordinate the physical\nremediation of the Site, staff recommends the City Council adopt the\nresolution approving a Second Amendment to the Master\nProfessional Services Agreement with WSP.\nFISCAL IMPACT: Approval of the Second Amendment would have no\nfiscal impact to the City since Site hazardous waste cleanup activities\nare funded in full by the ECRG.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-26\nExhibit 2 - Second Amendment to PSA WSP

11.9 Consideration of a Resolution to Consent and Submit the\n2024 Bell Gardens General Plan Annual Progress Report to the\nState of California\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution approving and consenting to\nthe submission of the 2024 Bell Gardens General Plan Annual\nProgress Report to the State of California.\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Pursuant to the California Environmental\nQuality Act (CEQA), Guidelines Section No. 15306 (Class 6, Information\nCollection), this report is categorically exempt from the application of\nCEQA. Class 6 consists of basic data collection, research, experimental\nmanagement, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in\na serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These\nmay be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study\nleading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved,\nadopted, or funded. Categorical exemptions are for projects that have\nbeen determined to not have a significant effect on the environment,\nand as this report is solely for the purpose of information sharing, the\ncollection of information is exempt from the requirement for the\npreparation of environmental documentation.\nCONCLUSION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the\nAPR by adopting a resolution to consent to the APR’s submission to\nthe California OPR and HCD.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-27\nExhibit 2 - 2024 Bell Gardens General Plan Annual Progress Report\nExhibit 3- Resolution #PC 2025-08

12.1 Local Commissions 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: No fiscal impact.\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1- Local Commission Vacancies

12.2 Legislative Update\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil receive and file this update.\nCONCLUSION: The League of California Cities serves as a valuable\nresource for cities, offering legislative advocacy and educational\nsupport. Through its efforts, Cal Cities provides opportunities for\ndeeper involvement in legislation that affects local governments by\nproviding tools to help expand and protect local control. The City of\nBell Gardens can benefit from the resources and services offered by\nCal Cities to enhance its participation in the legislative process.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None.\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1 - Legislative Update Presentation

12.3 Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Denouncing\nInstitutionalized Violence Against Youth and Affirming the\nCity's Commitment to Supporting Programs That Promote\nYouth Safety, Well-Being and Success\nRECOMMENDATION: It is staff’s recommendation that the City\nCouncil adopt the attached Resolution denouncing Institutionalized\nviolence against youth and affirming the City's commitment to\nsupporting programs that promote youth safety, well-being and\nsuccess.\nBACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION: During the March 10, 2025 City Council\nmeeting, Councilmember Marco Barcena directed staff to prepare a\nresolution denouncing institutionalized violence against youth and\naffirming the City's commitment to supporting programs that\npromote youth safety, well-being and success.\nThe attached Resolution aims to affirm that the City of Bell Gardens\nstands in solidarity with those advocating for the well-being and\nrights of youth.\nCONCLUSION: Staff recommends the approval of the attached\nresolution to address institutionalized violence against youth and the\nCity’s mission to invest in youth services and preventative initiatives\nto provide a safe and supportive environment for youth.\nFISCAL IMPACT: None.\nATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1 - Resolution No. 2025-30

5.1 Arts, Culture and Creativity Advocacy Month

5.2 Certificate of Recognition - Bell Gardens High School Girls\nVolleyball Team

5.3 Certificate of Recognition - Delicias De Mexico

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\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 No. 2024-048\nfor 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, who would\nbe the licensee, and the local community addressing concerns and\nensuring the retail storefront aligns with community values and\ninterests by requiring the Applicant to submit evidence of compliance\nwith all terms and conditions to the City on an annual basis. Balance\nwould be promoted with the operational flexibility built into the DA\naddressing unforeseen challenges or changes in circumstances,\nallowing for adjustments as needed through City Council approval.\nCompliance with the DA and its terms and conditions will be subject\nto an annual review, whereby if the City determines that the\nApplicant is in noncompliance status with the DA, the City may\nmodify or terminate the 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,\nwhich would permit a cannabis retail use at the Subject Site for an\ninitial five (5)-year term, subject to an option to extend the term for\nan additional five (5) years, for a total 10-year term.\nFISCAL IMPACT: If Ordinance No. 952 is approved, the Applicant\nwould be required to make an up-front payment of $100,000 upon\nthe effective 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\n(Quarterly Community Benefit). Pursuant to the DA terms, 80 percent\n(80%) of these funds would be dedicated to the City’s youth and\nrecreational programming and the City’s housing programs. Under\nthe DA, the Applicant would also be responsible for the cost of staff\ntime spent on the negotiation and preparation of a development\nagreement and monitoring activities to ensure compliance with the\nDA, CUP, BGMC, and other applicable laws and regulations.\nATTACHMENTS:\nExhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 952 (Development Agreement No. 2024-048)\nExhibit 2 - Development Agreement No. 2024-048\nExhibit 3 - March 10, 2025, City Council Agenda Report and Exhibits\nExhibit 4 - February 19, 2025 PC 2024-048 Staff Report and Exhibits