Meeting Summary
Present: Argumido, Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Cal Water 100th Anniversary
- The Mayor read a proclamation recognizing California Water Service for its 100 years of service.
- Cal Water representatives accepted the official recognition.
Homes for Heroes Program
- The Community Development Director presented the launch of a short-term rental assistance program for low-income veteran households.
- Applications are open through September 28, 2026.
- Council members inquired about eligibility exclusions and outreach methods without taking a motion.
Sheriff’s Department Update
- The Sheriff’s Department presented June 2026 arrest statistics showing an increase in arrests and felony filings compared to the previous year.
- The report included updates on the FLOX camera system, drone program considerations, and dispatch center improvements.
- No motion was taken on the presentation.
Electronic Payment Processing Agreement
- The Finance Director recommended approving an agreement with Point and Pay for electronic payment processing and a customer convenience fee program.
- The proposal shifts credit card processing costs to customers for specific transactions, excluding Parks and Recreation.
- Council members questioned the financial savings and the Parks and Recreation exemption.
- A motion to approve was made and seconded, and the motion passed.
Public Wi-Fi Expansion (Phase 2)
- The Finance Director recommended approving an agreement with BCS Consultants for Phase 2 of the Commerce Connect public Wi-Fi expansion.
- The proposal includes a total project authorization of $756,000 and recurring annual costs of approximately $61,200.
- Staff requested direction on implementing a sponsorship or advertising program to offset costs.
- A motion to approve was made and seconded, and the motion passed with four ayes and one abstention.
EV Charging Station Contract
- The Interim Director of Public Works recommended rescinding a previous contract award to Energy Smart Group due to an error.
- The recommendation was to award the construction contract for City Hall EV charging stations to VVD.
- A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded, and the motion passed.
Gateway Monument Design
- The Interim Director of Public Works presented two design options for the Gateway Monument at I-5 and Eastern Avenue.
- Option 1, "City of Commerce," was pre-approved by Caltrans, while Option 2 was not.
- Council members discussed the clarity and approval status of the options.
- A motion to approve Option 1 was made and seconded, and the motion passed.
Surplus Land Declaration
- Staff recommended declaring the property at 5440 Telegraph Road as surplus land in accordance with the Surplus Land Act.
- The recommendation authorizes staff to issue a Notice of Availability.
- A motion to approve the three-point recommendation was made and seconded, and the motion passed.
Weed Abatement Charges
- The City Clerk presented the 2025-2026 weed abatement charges as required by the County of Los Angeles Agricultural Commission.
- No public comments were received during the hearing.
- A motion to approve the charges was made and seconded, and the motion passed.
City Council Reports
- Council members provided updates on the I-5 Joint Powers Authority, including the addition of two new member cities and reimbursement efforts.
- Members offered congratulations to local sports teams and condolences to the Rivas and Arvizo families.
- Commendations were issued for Parks and Recreation staff and Coach Jesse Hernandez’s life-saving actions.
Closed Session
- The Council conferred with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, with one case discussed and no final reportable action taken.
- The Council discussed real estate negotiations for properties at 5736 East Washington Boulevard and 5733 Sheila Street, providing direction but taking no final reportable action.
- The property at 6051 Telegraph Road was not discussed.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The Council recessed to closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation and to confer with the City Manager regarding real estate negotiations for properties at 6051 Telegraph Road, 5736 East Washington Boulevard, and 5733 Sheila Street. Upon reconvening, the City Attorney reported that one litigation case was discussed with no final reportable action taken. Regarding real estate, the Council discussed the properties at 5736 East Washington Boulevard and 5733 Sheila Street, providing direction but taking no final reportable action. The property at 6051 Telegraph Road was not discussed.
Appearances and Presentations
- Cal Water 100th Anniversary: The Mayor read a proclamation recognizing California Water Service (Cal Water) for its 100 years of service. Cal Water representatives accepted the recognition.
- Homes for Heroes Program: The Community Development Director presented the launch of the Homes for Heroes program, which provides short-term rental assistance to low-income veteran households. Applications are open through September 28, 2026. Council members asked questions regarding eligibility exclusions (e.g., Section 8 recipients) and outreach methods. No motion was taken.
Public Comment
- Two members of the public addressed the Council. One speaker raised concerns regarding 9-1-1 dispatch criteria, the 20-foot parking rule, and sidewalk accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The Mayor directed the City Manager to take note of these issues and follow up with the Sheriff’s Department and Public Safety Division. A second speaker commented on state-level political issues, specifically regarding the Attorney General’s office and regulations affecting local card rooms.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1, 2, 4, and 5 were approved. Item 3 (Committee and Commission Appointments) and Item 6 (Scheduled Matters) were pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion.
Scheduled Matters
- Sheriff’s Department Update: The Sheriff’s Department presented June 2026 arrest statistics, noting an increase in arrests and felony filings compared to the previous year. The report included updates on the FLOX camera system, drone program considerations, and dispatch center improvements. No motion was taken.
- Item 6: Electronic Payment Processing Agreement: The Finance Director presented a recommendation to approve an agreement with Point and Pay for electronic payment processing and a customer convenience fee program. The proposal shifts the cost of credit card processing from the City to the customer for specific transactions (excluding Parks and Recreation). Council members asked questions regarding the financial savings and the exemption for Parks and Recreation. A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item 8: Public Wi-Fi Expansion (Phase 2): The Finance Director presented a recommendation to approve an agreement with BCS Consultants for Phase 2 of the Commerce Connect public Wi-Fi expansion, including outdoor coverage. The proposal includes a total project authorization of $756,000 and recurring annual costs of approximately $61,200. Staff requested direction on implementing a sponsorship or advertising program to offset costs. Council members discussed the potential disruption of advertising models. A motion to approve was made and seconded. One member abstained from voting due to missing part of the presentation. The motion passed with four ayes and one abstention.
- Item 9: EV Charging Station Contract: The Interim Director of Public Works presented a recommendation to rescind a previous contract award to Energy Smart Group and award the construction contract for City Hall EV charging stations to VVD (Video Voice Data Communications), citing an error in the initial award. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item 10: Gateway Monument Design: The Interim Director of Public Works presented two design options for the Gateway Monument at I-5 and Eastern Avenue. Option 1, "City of Commerce," was pre-approved by Caltrans. Option 2, "Commerce," was not pre-approved and would require additional time for approval. Council members discussed the clarity and approval status of the options. A motion to approve Option 1 was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item 11: Surplus Land Declaration: Staff presented a recommendation to declare the property at 5440 Telegraph Road as surplus land in accordance with the Surplus Land Act, authorizing staff to issue a Notice of Availability. A motion to approve the three-point recommendation was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Public Hearings
- Item 12: Weed Abatement Charges: The City Clerk presented the 2025-2026 weed abatement charges as required by the County of Los Angeles Agricultural Commission. No public comments were received. A motion to approve the charges was made and seconded. A roll-call vote was taken. The motion passed.
City Council Reports
- Council members provided reports on various topics, including:
- Congratulations to water polo teams and the Commerce Aces baseball team.
- Condolences to the Rivas and Arvizo families.
- Updates on the I-5 Joint Powers Authority, including the addition of two new member cities and reimbursement efforts.
- Commendations for Parks and Recreation staff for hosting the FIFA final watch party and for Coach Jesse Hernandez’s life-saving actions in Hawaii.
- The Mayor’s attendance at the NALEO conference and Parks and Recreation’s all-staff meeting.
- The meeting was adjourned.