Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Breast Cancer Awareness
- A representative from FHCCGLA presented highlights of the City of Commerce Breast Cancer Walk and Resource Fair.
- The event featured 48 participants and 22 vendors, with a video presentation shown to the Council.
- The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Garcia acknowledged the event and the partnership.
Commerce College Fair
- The Teen Services Librarian announced the 21st Annual Commerce College Fair scheduled for October 17th at the Rosewood Library.
- The event includes workshops on financial aid, college preparation, and careers, along with lunch for attendees.
- The Mayor expressed support for the event and its mentorship components.
Sheriff’s Department Public Safety Report
- Sergeant Yang presented September crime statistics, noting a year-to-date decrease in total incidents and identifying the City Outlets area as a primary hotspot.
- The department reported falling slightly below the 98% compliance floor for September due to staffing shortages, though response times met all policy targets.
- Council members discussed strategic resource deployment to hotspots, and the Mayor suggested focusing additional minutes on the Veterans Park area.
- Staff affirmed the department's capacity to close the compliance gap by year-end through additional hours and crime suppression efforts.
El Niño Preparedness
- Staff presented the City’s preparedness plan, including 24/7 standby coverage, equipment readiness, and the designation of the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center as a temporary shelter.
- The city proposes increasing professional catch basin cleaning from quarterly to monthly during the El Niño season to manage stormwater.
- Council members inquired about tree inventories, Emergency Operations Center readiness, and procedures for checking on vulnerable populations.
- The Mayor emphasized the need for frequent storm drain inspections and maintaining contact with social workers at senior facilities.
Nitrous Oxide Ordinance
- The Council approved an urgency and regular ordinance prohibiting the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide and covered dispensing devices.
- Exceptions are made for medical, dental, industrial, automotive, and food propellant uses.
- Staff will visit known retailers to advise them of the prohibition, with ongoing enforcement involving compliance monitoring.
Billboard Development Agreement
- The Council approved an ordinance allowing the conversion of an on-premise digital sign into an off-site billboard at 6300 Telegraph Road.
- The agreement includes a 10-year term with extension options, minimum annual guarantees, and specific public benefits such as reduced rates for local businesses.
- Restrictions prohibit advertisements for tobacco, cannabis, firearms, adult content, and non-local gambling.
City Council and Successor Agency Reports
- Council members reported on community events, including flag football leagues, a rabies clinic, and the Pumpkin Patch ribbon-cutting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Garcia requested a meeting with the Sheriff’s Department regarding concerns in the Veterans Park area.
- Mayor Lainez addressed the proliferation of Waymo autonomous vehicles parking in residential areas, noting that the city is working with the company to find a solution.
Closed Session
- The City Clerk reported that the Council met in closed session.
- Item 1 was not discussed, while Items 2 and 3 involved staff presentations and updates without final reportable action.
Full summary
Closed Session Report
- The City Clerk reported that the Council met in closed session. Item 1 was not discussed. For Item 2, city staff provided a presentation and update; no final reportable action was taken. For Item 3, city staff provided an update and the Council provided direction; no final reportable action was taken.
Appearances and Presentations
- Breast Cancer Awareness: A representative from FHCCGLA presented highlights of the City of Commerce Breast Cancer Walk and Resource Fair, noting 48 participants and 22 vendors. A video of the event was shown. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Garcia acknowledged the event and the partnership.
- Commerce College Fair: Victoria Perez, Teen Services Librarian, announced the 21st Annual Commerce College Fair scheduled for October 17th at the Rosewood Library. The event includes workshops on financial aid, college preparation, and careers, as well as lunch for attendees. The Mayor expressed support for the event and its mentorship components.
Public Comment
- No speaker cards were received, and no hands were raised on Zoom. Public comment was closed.
Consent Calendar (Items 3–6)
- Item 6: The Mayor requested that Item 6 be pulled from the consent calendar and continued to the next meeting.
- Items 3–5: A motion was made to approve Items 3 through 5. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Scheduled Matters
- Item 7: Sheriff’s Department Public Safety Report
- Sergeant Yang presented the September Public Safety Report. Key points included:
- Crime Statistics: 6 incidents against persons (5 assaults, 1 rape) in September; year-to-date total of 63 incidents against persons (down from 72 last year). 67 property crime incidents in September (down from 106 last year). Total year-to-date incidents decreased by 19.13% compared to the previous year.
- Hotspots: The City Outlets area was identified as the primary hotspot. Peak crime times were identified as Wednesdays between 6 and 8 p.m.
- Compliance: The department reported 242,317 minutes provided against 248,386 scheduled minutes for September, falling slightly below the 98% compliance floor. Year-to-date compliance is at 98%. Staff attributed the shortfall to staffing shortages and unforeseen circumstances, noting that historical recovery occurs over the fiscal year.
- Response Times: All three tiers of response times (emergent, priority, routine) met or exceeded policy targets.
- Arrests: 48 arrests in September, a 26.32% increase from the previous year.
- Upcoming Events: A Neighborhood Watch meeting on October 14th and a "Coffee with a Cup" event on October 22nd were announced.
- Council members asked questions regarding the plan to make up the compliance deficiency. Sergeant Yang explained that additional hours and crime suppression efforts are used to supplement minutes. The City Manager noted that the city is monitoring compliance and that the new public safety manager is assisting with contract management. Council members discussed the need for strategic deployment of resources to hotspots and the importance of maintaining visibility. The Mayor asked if the department had the capacity to close the compliance gap by year-end; Sergeant Yang affirmed that they do. The Mayor suggested focusing additional minutes on the Veterans Park area due to ongoing issues.
- Item 8: El Niño Preparedness
- Senior Analyst Natalie Hernandez presented the City’s El Niño Preparedness and Storm Response Plan. Key points included:
- Timeline: El Niño conditions are anticipated to peak between December 2026 and February 2027.
- Staffing: Public Safety and Public Works will maintain 24/7 standby coverage during significant rain. LASD will have a Special Assignment Sergeant on duty.
- Public Works: Equipment and resources are being prepared. The city has 10 concrete barriers and approximately 100 barricades available. Staff will monitor roadway conditions and address potholes.
- Catch Basins: The city proposes increasing professional catch basin cleaning from quarterly to monthly during the El Niño season (November through February). This is estimated to cost approximately $4,500 per monthly cycle for ~100 identified hotspots.
- Sandbags: Approximately 500 filled sandbags are available at the Public Works yard (limit of 10 per household with proof of residency). Additional sandbags are available at local fire stations.
- Shelter: The Rosewood meeting room at the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center is designated as the temporary emergency shelter location. The American Red Cross can provide staffing and supplies at no cost to the city if activated.
- Communication: The city will use social media, Nixle, and an emergency communication toolkit to inform residents.
- Council members discussed the plan. Councilwoman Rebollo requested a recent tree inventory and proactive measures for high-risk trees, particularly in parks. She also inquired about the readiness of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), specifically regarding Wi-Fi and radio capabilities. The City Manager stated that the EOC is in the construction phase of a grant-funded project but that backup plans exist. Councilman Argumedo asked about the frequency of storm drain cleaning and the plan to keep them clear during storms. Staff confirmed that cleaning is moving from quarterly to monthly, with potential for bi-weekly cleaning if needed, and that emergency staff will be doubled during the period. The Mayor suggested more frequent inspections of storm drains, particularly in low-lying areas, and emphasized the need for procedures to check on older adults, people with disabilities, and those needing transportation assistance. Councilwoman Rebollo added the importance of maintaining contact with social workers at senior apartment facilities. The Mayor noted that the plan is a living document and that the city will continue to coordinate with county and state agencies.
Ordinances
- Item 9: Urgency and Regular Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale and Distribution of Nitrous Oxide
- Community Development Director Jessica Swartz presented an urgency and regular ordinance prohibiting the sale, offering, distribution, or provision of nitrous oxide and covered dispensing devices within the city, with exceptions for medical, dental, industrial, automotive, and food propellant uses. The urgency ordinance requires a four-fifths vote and takes effect immediately. The regular ordinance takes effect on November 26, 2026.
- Councilwoman Rebollo moved to approve the ordinance per staff’s recommendation. Councilman Argumedo seconded the motion. Council members expressed support for the ordinance, citing concerns about misuse in the community. A roll call vote was taken. The motion passed. Ordinance Number 839 was introduced by title. The City Manager stated that staff would visit the three known retailers in the city the following day to advise them of the prohibition and that ongoing enforcement would involve monitoring compliance.
- Item 10: Ordinance Approving Billboard Development Agreement Number BDA-26-01
- Community Development Director Jessica Swartz presented a request to approve a development agreement allowing the conversion of a previously approved on-premise digital sign into an off-site billboard at 6300 Telegraph Road. The applicant is 6300 Telegraph LLC. The Planning Commission recommended approval on September 21, 2026. The project is exempt from CEQA.
- Key terms of the agreement include:
- Term: 10 years, with four 5-year extension options (30 years total).
- Financials: Minimum annual guarantee of $75,000 (Years 1–10), $90,000 (Years 11–20), and $130,000 (Years 21–30), or 15% of annual gross revenue, whichever is greater. A one-time $25,000 development agreement payment was already made.
- Public Benefits: 5% rate reduction for local businesses, no-cost space for CHP/Caltrans/Amber Alerts, and integration of City of Commerce signage.
- Restrictions: Prohibitions on ads for tobacco, cannabis, firearms, adult content, and non-local gambling.
- Maintenance: Applicant must maintain poles and lighting, with strict controls on brightness and display hours.
- The public hearing was opened and closed with no comments received. Councilwoman Rebollo moved to approve the ordinance per staff’s recommendation. Councilman Argumedo seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. The motion passed. Ordinance Number 840 was introduced by title.
City Council and Successor Agency Reports
- Councilwoman Rebollo: No report.
- Councilman Argumedo: Reported on the start of flag football leagues and a rabies clinic at Roger Park with high turnout. He also attended the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and noted the positive community response.
- Mayor Pro Tem Garcia: Attended the Breast Cancer Awareness Health Fair and thanked the participating departments and residents. She requested a meeting with the Sheriff’s Department regarding concerns in the Veterans Park area.
- Mayor Lainez: Attended the Pumpkin Patch ribbon-cutting and the Citadel’s Clean Up Commerce event. He congratulated water polo athletes and soccer teams. He addressed the proliferation of Waymo autonomous vehicles in the city, noting that they were parking in residential areas without prior authorization. He stated that the city is working with Waymo to find a solution, that vehicles are being red-tagged and cited for code violations, and that the city is seeking a resolution that does not impact resident parking.