Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Closed Session
- The Council recessed to discuss five real property and legal matters under Government Code 54956.8 and 54956.9.
- Staff presentations and feedback were provided for four of the five items, with no final reportable action taken.
- One item regarding real estate negotiations for 6300 Telegraph Road was not discussed.
Commerce Advantage Small Business Expo
- Community Development Director Jessica Serrano presented details for the upcoming expo scheduled for September 2nd.
- The event is free and open to small businesses with 99 or fewer employees to provide resources and networking.
- Flyers were mailed to approximately 1,500 businesses, and no motion was taken.
Sheriff’s Department Presentation
- Natalie Hernandez introduced Sergeant Joseph Yang, the new LASD liaison, and Deputy Chopin to the Council.
- Sergeant Yang expressed his intent to strengthen the partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Commerce.
- Council members welcomed the new liaison, and no motion was taken.
Commerce Advantage Business Grants Program
- A resolution was presented to establish a grants program funded by the Food and Brewery District Fund with approximately $1.4 million.
- The program offers up to $50,000 for existing businesses and $25,000 for startups, with repayment required if the business closes within three years.
- Discussion focused on tenant eligibility, repayment mechanisms, and potential exceptions to the funding cap.
- The motion to adopt the resolution establishing the program passed.
Committee and Commission Appointments
- Mayor Lainez appointed Melissa Vargas to the Youth Advisory Commission to fill a vacancy.
- Council Member Argumido requested to appoint John Seto Garraza to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
- The decision regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission appointment was continued to the next meeting.
Zoning Text Amendment 25-02 and Conditional Use Permit 25-12
- A request was presented to waive the 500-foot separation requirement for off-sale alcohol sales along designated commercial corridors.
- The applicant outlined security measures including STAR-certified staff, ID scanning, and camera systems to ensure compliance.
- The City Attorney recommended a condition requiring the applicant to prevent on-premises consumption and remove individuals consuming alcohol.
- The motion to approve the Zoning Text Amendment and Conditional Use Permit, including the recommended condition, passed.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The City Council recessed to closed session to discuss five agenda items pursuant to Government Code 54956.8 and 54956.9.
- Item 1: Conference with real property negotiator Ernie Hernandez regarding negotiations with WalshTel Commerce LLC for properties at 6233-6241 Telegraph Road and 6329 Washington Blvd.
- Item 2: Conference regarding real estate negotiations for 6300 Telegraph Road.
- Item 3: Conference with real property negotiator Ernie Hernandez regarding negotiations for 2143 South Atlantic Boulevard.
- Item 4: Conference with real property negotiator Ernie Hernandez regarding negotiations for 421 Meat Bus Street, Santa Barbara.
- Item 5: Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case Lila Leon v. Eduardo Sarmiento.
- Upon reconvening, the City Attorney reported that staff presentations were made and feedback was provided for Items 1, 3, 4, and 5. No final reportable action was taken on these items. Item 2 was not discussed.
Appearances and Presentations
- Commerce Advantage Small Business Expo: Community Development Director Jessica Serrano presented details for the upcoming expo scheduled for September 2nd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Commerce Senior Center. The event is free and open to small businesses (99 or fewer employees) to provide resources, financial guidance, and networking opportunities. The presentation noted that flyers were mailed to approximately 1,500 businesses. No motion was taken.
Public Comment
- One speaker, Frank Martinez, addressed the Council regarding concerns about data centers, citing potential impacts on water usage, power consumption, noise, and job creation. The City Attorney clarified for the record that no data center project was on the agenda; the related item was a state-mandated report regarding a previously adopted moratorium.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2 through 7: A motion was made by Council Member Argumido and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed.
- Item 4 (Second Reading): Following the consent approval, the City Clerk read the second reading of Ordinance No. 835, amending Chapter 15.13 regarding electric vehicle charging stations.
Scheduled Matters
- Item 8: Sheriff’s Department Presentation: Natalie Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst, introduced Sergeant Joseph Yang, the new LASD liaison, and Deputy Chopin. Sergeant Yang addressed the Council, expressing his intent to strengthen the partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Commerce. Council members welcomed the new liaison. No motion was taken.
Consideration of Resolutions
- Item 9: Commerce Advantage Business Grants Program: Community Development Director Jessica Serrano presented a resolution to establish the Commerce Advantage Business Grants Program, funded by the Food and Brewery District Fund (approximately $1.4 million). The program includes two grant tracks:
- 1. Existing Businesses: Up to $50,000 for retail, restaurant, or service-oriented businesses operating before January 1, 2025, with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees. 2. Startup Businesses: Up to $25,000 for similar businesses operating on or after January 1, 2025. Both tracks require repayment if the business closes within three years. Priority consideration was noted for businesses on Washington and Atlantic Boulevards.
- Council discussion focused on eligibility for tenants versus property owners, the mechanism for collecting repayments if businesses close, and the potential for exceeding the $50,000 cap in special circumstances. The City Manager indicated that guidelines would be refined to allow for tenant eligibility and that any amounts exceeding the standard cap would require individual City Council approval.
- A motion was made to adopt the resolution establishing the program. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Committee and Commission Appointments
- Item 10: Mayor Lainez appointed Melissa Vargas to the Youth Advisory Commission to fill a vacancy. Council Member Argumido requested to appoint John Seto Garraza to the Parks and Recreation Commission, with the decision to be continued to the next meeting.
Public Hearings
- Item 11: Zoning Text Amendment 25-02 and Conditional Use Permit 25-12: Community Development Director Jessica Serrano presented a request to amend the zoning code to waive the 500-foot separation requirement for off-sale alcohol sales along designated commercial corridors (Washington and Atlantic Boulevards) and to approve a CUP for off-sale beer and wine sales at 6100 East Washington Boulevard (AM/PM store). The applicant, Jacques Massachi, addressed the Council, stating the business has operated since 2008 and has sought this license for years. He outlined security measures, including STAR-certified staff, ID scanning, and camera systems, to prevent consumption on the premises and ensure compliance.
- Council discussion addressed concerns regarding alcohol consumption in the parking lot, potential impacts on neighboring businesses and residents, and the proximity of other alcohol sales locations. The City Attorney recommended adding a condition of approval requiring the applicant to prevent consumption on the premises, remove individuals consuming alcohol, and call law enforcement if necessary.
- A motion was made to approve the Zoning Text Amendment and the Conditional Use Permit, including the recommended condition regarding consumption on the premises. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
City Council Reports
- Council members provided reports on recent community events, including the Scholarship Breakfast, the Teen Art Fest, the Back-to-School Bash (featuring Lucha Libre), and the LAFC game. Members expressed condolences for the recent passing of community members Gabe Hannah and Santiago Medina. The Mayor recognized former staff member Gina Piero for her 27 years of service.