September 8, 2026 City Council Meeting

What happened

Timestamps, item boundaries and summaries on this page come from an automatic (speech-to-text) transcript of the city’s YouTube recording, checked against the posted agenda. Times may be off by a few seconds, the transcript does not identify speakers, and names and numbers may be misheard. The approved minutes are the official record. Methods

• A joint City Council and Water Authority meeting. Lutz attended by teleconference from a Gateway Cities COG retreat.
• Proclamations honored Commissioner Paul Camacho (50 years coaching the Pico Rivera Dons youth football program) and Noel Garcia Lopez of Santo Fish restaurant.
• All 14 consent items passed 5-0. They included a $50,000 letter of intent with Syserco for an energy audit (an IBEW speaker supported it), a $760,500 well-destruction contract, and a $258,227 city yard generator contract.
• Staff gave a capital projects update and news on the Whittier Narrows Dam project and sustainability awards. The council met in closed session on two lawsuits, with nothing to report.

Agenda items, in order

1. Opening, roll call, invocation and pledge

   Roll call, an invocation by Father Alberto of St. Francis Xavier Parish, and the pledge led by a high school student.

   Outcome: All five present per the minutes; Lutz joined by teleconference (the minutes note a member joined at 6:15 p.m.).

   ▶ Watch 22:00 · Read in transcript

2. Special presentations: Paul Camacho; Noel Garcia Lopez (Santo Fish)

   A proclamation for Veterans Commissioner Paul Camacho for 50 years of volunteer coaching with the Pico Rivera Dons, and one for Noel Garcia Lopez, owner of Santo Fish restaurant. The auto-transcript of the first presentation is mostly garbled.

   Outcome: Presentations only; no vote.

   ⚠ Unclear: The start time of the first proclamation is approximate.

   ▶ Watch 24:30 · ▶ Santo Fish proclamation 35:44 · Read in transcript

3. Public comments

   Two speakers, plus four written comments read into the record (see the Public comments tab).

   Outcome: Comments only; no action.

   ▶ Watch 41:04 · Read in transcript

4. 1–14. Consent calendar (items 1–14)

   Sánchez asked a question about item 5 (ADA sidewalks) before the vote. Approved together:

   • 1. Minutes of Jul 28, 2026 (special and regular)
   • 2. 3rd warrant register of FY 2026-27
   • 3. Second reading: Ordinance 1211 (emergency preparedness chapter of the municipal code)
   • 4. Treasurer's monthly investment report (Jul 31, 2026)
   • 5. ADA sidewalk improvements (CDBG): notice of completion
   • 6. Harbor toxics monitoring cost-sharing with the Gateway Water Management JPA
   • 7. Matrix Audio Visual Designs: Smith Park Aquatic Center AV/IT, not to exceed $350,171 plus $35,000 contingency
   • 8. Letter of intent with Syserco Energy Solutions for an investment-grade energy audit, not to exceed $50,000
   • 9. Infinity Technologies: GIS consulting, sole source, five years, $382,000
   • 10. LA County Flood Control District: Slauson Ave bridge seismic retrofit, Amendment No. 2
   • 11. Southwest Patrol: armed security, +$200,000 (total not to exceed $2,025,000 through Jun 30, 2028)
   • 12. Water Authority minutes (Jul 28, 2026)
   • 13. Universal Wiring: city yard generator, $258,227 plus $39,000 contingency
   • 14. Levon Construction Group: destruction of water wells 7–10, $760,500 plus $76,000 contingency

   Outcome: Approved 5-0. The minutes list a motion by Sánchez, a second by Garcia, and a roll call (all five yes). On the video it sounds like a voice vote (“any opposed, any abstentions… hearing none”).

   ⚑ Item 8, the Syserco letter of intent for an energy audit ($50,000), led to the Oct 27, 2026 Syserco contract (C441). An IBEW representative spoke in support of item 8. · Vendor: Syserco · Contract C441

   ⚑ Item 7 is part of the Smith Park Aquatic Center project, whose main construction contract is with Swinerton Builders. Connection review FL14 found no link to a council member and noted an inconsistent vote record. · Vendor: Swinerton (FL14)

   C427 (Matrix AV) · C428 (Syserco LOI) · C429 (Infinity) · C431 (Southwest Patrol) · C432 (Universal Wiring) · C433 (Levon)

   ▶ Watch 45:56 · ▶ Vote 47:45 · Read in transcript

5. City Manager and staff reports

   Public Works Director Negrete updated 11 capital projects (for example, the Smith Park Aquatic Center at about $39 million, now in demolition and grading, and citywide resurfacing, $10 million). Director Hernandez reported on the Whittier Narrows Dam safety project and its “Walk the Dam” event. Director Ferrer reported two sustainability and energy awards.

   Outcome: Reports only; no action.

   ▶ Watch 48:11 · ▶ Sustainability awards (approx.) 1:17:51 · Read in transcript

6. Good of the Order (council reports, AB 1234)

   Each member reported (see the Public comments tab, Council reports).

   Outcome: Per the minutes, Lara asked staff to price batting cages at Rio Vista Park for girls' softball and shade over the Smith Park bleachers, seconded by Sánchez. The video has him saying “Rio Vista”; the minutes say Rivera Park.

   ⚠ Unclear: The location of the batting-cage request differs between the video and the minutes.

   ▶ Watch 1:19:09 · Read in transcript

7. Closed session and adjournment

   Two existing-litigation conferences: City of Pico Rivera v. Ari Stock et al. (LASC 26STCV11523) and Fernando Islas v. City of Pico Rivera et al. (LASC 26NWCV02102).

   Outcome: Per the minutes, the council was briefed and gave direction, with nothing to report; adjourned at 7:52 p.m. The closed session report is not in the recording.

   ⚠ Unclear: The start time is approximate (the end of the council reports).

   ▶ Watch 1:42:06 · Read in transcript

Connections, recusals and disclosures

Documented connection, not evidence of impropriety.

• Item 8, the Syserco letter of intent for an energy audit ($50,000), led to the Oct 27, 2026 Syserco contract (C441). An IBEW representative spoke in support of item 8. · Vendor: Syserco · Contract C441 (item)
• Item 7 is part of the Smith Park Aquatic Center project, whose main construction contract is with Swinerton Builders. Connection review FL14 found no link to a council member and noted an inconsistent vote record. · Vendor: Swinerton (FL14) (item)

Records for this meeting

Contracts

Public comments

Names follow the approved minutes. Home addresses are not shown.

Council member comments and reports

Several council reports are garbled in the auto-transcript, and speakers are not identified. Where a member is marked inferred, the attribution comes from the minutes' order and the content.

Full transcript

Automatic speech-to-text transcript, without speaker names; it may contain errors. Click any line or timestamp to watch that moment on YouTube. Home addresses are removed.