Victoria Burl

The City Council conducted various business, including approving payment claims and demands. The council authorized a lease renewal with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10218, approved a contract services agreement for on-call electrician services, and authorized a request for proposals for electric vehicle charging stations. A public hearing was held to adopt resolutions for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program and to commit funds to the El Monte Homekey Program. Additionally, the council heard an immigration ad hoc committee report and discussed various community interest items and reports from council members.

The meeting commenced with a Closed Session where the City Council approved a settlement agreement totaling $105,000 for existing litigation, Jesus Sanchez vs. City of El Monte, et al. During the Open Session, the Council approved the Demand Resolution No. D-743 for claims and demands totaling $12,065,879.10 related to a specified payroll period. The Consent Calendar included accepting two capital improvement projects (Nevada Avenue and Bodger Street Sewer Replacement Project and Pavement Improvement Project) as complete, approving an amendment to the professional services agreement with Michael Baker International for $35,288, and approving a three-year contract with Atlas Backflow, Inc. for $90,000. A Public Hearing resulted in the approval of an Urgency Ordinance adopting several 2026 Los Angeles County Building Standards Codes. Regular Agenda items included approving a $1,500,000 Community Project Funding Grant Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for the MacLaren Community Park Project, approving a contract extension and increase for Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. to $262,000, and approving the acceptance of the 2025 FY25 COPS Grant to increase police staffing by five sworn officers and appropriating $1,030,000 in total funds. The Council also approved the use of funds for the purchase of six new patrol vehicles and associated equipment. City Attorney agenda items regarding the Code of Conduct for Councilmembers were tabled to the next meeting.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included a Closed Session to address anticipated litigation with legal counsel. The Open Session featured several recognitions, including presentations to a student for leading the Pledge of Allegiance, a resident for a judicial appointment, and community organizations. Key discussion items involved a presentation and adoption of a resolution affirming the City's Code of Conduct. Financial matters included the approval of Demand Resolution No. D-744 for claims and demands totaling $5,693,959.17, covering transactions from the January 1, 2026 through January 15, 2026 payroll period. Consent Calendar items covered waiving full reading of ordinances, approval for wine/spirits sales at Grace T. Black Auditorium, authorization to advertise an RFP for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, approval of a Community Service Program Monitoring Agreement with Los Angeles County, and renewal of a lease agreement with VFW Post 10218. The Public Hearing addressed opening a hearing to consider and adopt resolutions related to the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) funds and committing those funds to the El Monte Homekey Program. The Regular Agenda included approval of a contract services agreement for on-call electrician services not to exceed $120,000, and a report from the Immigration Ad Hoc Committee regarding potential policies and a proposed petition to the US Congress concerning immigration reform. Council Communications noted a vacancy for the District 5 Planning Commission and requests for discussion on the matter.

The meeting agenda included a study session for the Pioneer Park Concept Design, which incorporated community feedback regarding safety, access to nature, recreation opportunities, cultural celebration, and historical recognition, resulting in a terraced design with various amenities and sustainable features. A public hearing was scheduled for Code Amendment (AMEND) 3-2026, which proposes to amend regulations for Significant Tobacco Retailers by lowering the threshold for definition, prohibiting new significant retailers, establishing amortization periods for existing ones, and imposing new development and operating standards, such as a 1,000-foot buffer from sensitive uses and restricted hours of operation. The Director's Report included elections for the Planning Commission Chair, Vice-Chair, and Zoning Review Committee Member/Alternate.

The meeting commenced with a Closed Session covering conference with legal counsel regarding four existing litigation cases (Tate, Urias III, Gonzalez, and Ramos) and one anticipated litigation matter. The Open Session included acknowledgments for community participation in 2025 giveaway events by the Police Officers Association and Foundation. Business items included receiving and filing the Treasurer's Cash and Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and the approval of Demand Resolution No. D-742 totaling $15,737,929.80. The Consent Calendar involved approving the waiver of full reading of ordinances, receiving and filing the Q4 2025 contract listing, approving the Successor Agency budget and payment schedule for FY 2026-27, waiving fees for the Parkview Elementary School parade, approving a contract amendment for DNA Overhead Doors, Inc. to increase the not-to-exceed amount to $150,000, and approving the lease of an LVT Safeware Mobile Surveillance Camera System for $89,675.02. The Regular Agenda addressed contract approvals for Aquatic Center pool maintenance with Horizon Mechanical ($120,000), construction contracts for two Pedestrian Safety Improvements Projects (CIP 040 with Global Road Sealing, Inc. for $1,472,952 and CIP 070 with Select Electric, Inc. for $1,016,712), a professional services agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. for Zone 9 Street Improvement Project management ($364,236), and a construction contract with CJ Concrete Construction, Inc. for the Parkway Drive/Denholm Traffic Calming Project ($9,089,653.35). The City Attorney's Agenda included a presentation on the elimination of the Directly Elected Mayor Office, which resulted in direction for community outreach and scheduling a special election measure for June 2026 to eliminate the City Clerk and City Treasurer offices, and placing a measure on the November 2026 Election to eliminate the elected Mayor.