SOUTH EL MONTE NEWS
MEASURE SEM ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT
The sales tax people pay when they shop in South El Monte is comprised of twelve different smaller taxes. Most of these taxes go to the State of California, Los Angeles County, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The state, the county and the MTA use these taxes to fund their own priorities.
One of the twelve sales tax increments is the County’s ¼ cent Measure H tax, approved by voters in 2016. This Measure H tax will be ending in 2027 and could end even sooner.
In August, the South El Monte City Council voted unanimously to place Measure SEM on the November ballot. If South El Monte voters adopt Measure SEM, a ¼ cent sales tax funding local services in South El Monte would begin when the Measure H ¼ cent sales tax ends.
By increasing local control over sales taxes paid in South El Monte, Measure SEM would increase the resources available to fund local services.
Measure SEM would allow the City of South El Monte to receive approximately $1.6 Million annually, without increasing the current overall sales tax rate, to help pay for local general services, such as South El Monte’s efforts to respond to crimes and thefts, prevent and fight fires, increase affordable housing, operate city parks and recreation services, remove graffiti, address homelessness, and maintain and repair local streets.
The new revenue, generated for the City of South El Monte by Measure SEM, would be deposited in the City’s general fund, with annual independent fiscal audits and public disclosure of all spending.
If Measure SEM is not approved, then Los Angeles County would have room under state law to seek voter approval to collect a ¼ cent sales tax generated in South El Monte to fund programs outside the City of South El Monte.
More information on Measure SEM is available at www.cityofsouthelmonte.org/MeasureSEM Measure SEM will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. For information on registering to vote, how to return your ballot by mail or via a local official drobox, or casting your ballot in person at a Voting Center near where you live or work is available at www.lavote.gov
CITY ENCOURAGES THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL GREAT SHAKEOUT SET FOR OCTOBER 17, 2024
Following FEMA’s “National Preparedness Month” in September, the City of South El Monte is encouraging the community to take part in this year’s “Great ShakeOut” earthquake drill at 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, to practice what to do in the event of a major earthquake.
During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:
1. DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
2. COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
3. HOLD ON until shaking stops
• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
To take part in the Great ShakeOut, South El Monte community members can register online at shakeout.org.
SOUTH EL MONTE CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR GLORIA OLMOS
MAYOR PRO TEM RUDY BOJORQUEZ
COUNCILMEMBER MANUEL ACOSTA
COUNCILMEMBER RICHARD ANGEL
COUNCILMEMBER HECTOR DELGADO
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The City Council holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Regular meetings start at 6 p.m.
Questions or Assistance
For additional information, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 579-6540 ext. 3280.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
October 8 & 22
To view Agendas or Agenda packets use the side QR Code, scroll down to the current and upcoming events section.
CITY MANAGER
RENE SALAS
INTERIM CITY CLERK
SABRINA MUHNE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
GUILLERMO ARREOLA
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
ARIANA DE LA CRUZ
HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
IYOB TESSEMA
FINANCE DIRECTOR
MASAMI HIGA
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
JOHN POEHLER
CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS
ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN/GIRLS(Commissioner Vacancy)
Meets Quarterly / Upcoming Meeting October 16
COMMUNITY SERVICES - Meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 P.M.
PATRIOTIC - Meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:00 P.M
PLANNING - Meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 P.M
Agenda and Meeting Minutes are available on the City’s website at cityofsouthelmonte.org
CONNECT WITH US
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS
Presentation of Appreciation to Transtech Engineers, Inc. and Spiritt Family Services for their sponsorship of the Healthy South El Monte Produce Stand at the 2024 Night Markets. (Top Right & Left photo)
Certificates of Recognition presented to South El Monte Library Student Volunteers for their contributions to the South El Monte community.
Certificates of Completion presented to South El Monte High School students for successfully completing the South El Monte Internship Program.
General Election Voting Center
Recognition of Mrs. Sonia Ayala, 2024/2025 El Monte Union High School District Teacher of the Year from South El Monte High School. (Left photo)
Proclamation presented to the South El Monte Senior Center proclaiming the month of September as National Senior Center Month. (Middle photo)
CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
1415 N. SANTA ANITA AVENUE
SOUTH EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA 91733 (626) 579-6540
NOTICE OF NOMINEES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following persons have been nominated for the offices designated to be filled at the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of South El Monte on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
For Mayor Vote for One
Gracie Retamoza
Gloria Olmos
For Member of the City Council
Hector Delgado
Richard Angel
Salvador “Sal” Ramirez
Larry Rodriguez
Measure to be Voted On:
Vote for No More Than Two
SOUTH EL MONTE LOCALLY-CONTROLLED SERVICES MEASURE. Shall the measure that replaces the county-controlled “Measure H” 0.25% sales tax with a locally-controlled, independently audited, City of South El Monte revenue source generating approximately $1.6 million annually for South El Monte general services such as public safety, housing programs, parks/recreation, homelessness prevention, and road repairs, by creating a one-quarter cent (0.25%) sales tax that starts when the “Measure H” tax ends and continue s until repealed by voters be adopted?
/s/Sabrina Muhne
Interim City Clerk/Elections Official
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
ANIMAL CONTROL (SEAACA) (562) 803-3301
ANONYMOUS NARCOTICS TIP LINE (626) 292-3375
BUSINESS LICENSES (626) 332-5797
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (626) 443-0180
GREATER EL MONTE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (626) 579-7777
HOUSING RIGHTS HOTLINE (800) 477-5977
LA COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE (626) 258-6001
LA COUNTY SOCIAL PROGRAMS 211
LA COUNTY WHITTIER NARROWS (626) 575-5526
LIBRARY (626) 443-4158
POST OFFICE (800) 275-8777
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SERVICE CENTER (626) 575-5431
SUPERVISOR HILDA L. SOLIS OFFICE (626) 350-4500
VECTOR CONTROL (562) 944-9656
UTILITY COMPANIES
ATHENS SERVICES (TRASH/STREET SWEEPING) (888) 336-6100
EDISON (800) 655-4555
GAS COMPANY (800) 427-2000
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER COMPANY (626) 448-6183
SPECTRUM (888) 369-2808
CITY HALL
CITY YARD
COMMUNITY CENTER
SENIOR CENTER
SHERIFF’S TEMPLE
LAS TUNAS DR., TEMPLE CITY, CA 91780 (626) 285-7171 • LASD.ORG/TEMPLE 911 FOR LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES OR IN-PROGRESS CRIMES
HOMELESS RESOURCES
LAHSA (LOS ANGELES HOMELESS SERVICES AUTHORITY) MAKE A HOMELESS OUTREACH REQUEST AT LA-HOP.ORG OR DIAL 211
October Multicultural Calendar 2024
S T R E S S
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024
HONORING ALL WHO SERVED 11 NOV 11 AM
PARKS & RECREATION DIVISION
The Parks and Recreation Division enriches the quality of lives for our community through the variety of events and programs they provide.
COMMUNITY CENTER
1530 CENTRAL AVE. • (626) 579-2043
MONDAY-FRIDAY • 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. CLOSED ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS
• ADULT SPORTS
• AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
• PARK & FACILITY RENTALS
• SEASONAL DAY CAMPS
• SPECIAL EVENTS
• YOUTH & RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
*Programs, events, and fees are subject to change.
CONNECT WITH US SEM_PARKSANDREC
SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFY ME AT CITYOFSOUTHELMONTE.ORG
REGISTER FOR PARKS & RECREATION ONLINE S O U T H E L M O N T E Y O U T H B A S K E T B A L L C O - E D L E A G U E
SPACE IS LIMITED AND REGISTRATION IS ON A FIRST-COME,
RESIDENTS: NOW OPEN - OCTOBER 18, 2024
FEE: $60 PER PARTICIPANT (SIBLING DISCOUNT AVAILABLE)
NON-RESIDENTS: NOW OPEN - OCTOBER 18, 2024
FEE: $90 PER PARTICIPANT
REGISTER AT THE SOUTH EL MONTE COMMUNITY CENTER, 1530 CENTRAL AVE MONDAY - FRIDAY FROM 1:00 PM - 8:30 PM
REGISTER ONLINE AT HTTPS://TINYURL COM/SEMCAPARKS OR SCAN THE QR CODE
*PROOF OF GRADE LEVEL AND SOUTH EL MONTE RESIDENCY IS REQUIRED FOR FEE
SENIOR SERVICES
SENIOR SERVICES
The Senior Services Division provides community based senior programs to enhance the quality of life, independence, and well-being of South El Monte citizens age 55 and older.
SENIOR CENTER
1556 CENTRAL AVE. • (626) 448-0131
MONDAY-FRIDAY • 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. CLOSED ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS
• NUTRITION PROGRAM (60+)
• TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
• SOCIAL/EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
• HEALTH/WELLNESS PROGRAMS
• EXCURSIONS
*Programs and events are subject to change. Must be registered at the Senior Center to participate in any programming.
Scan QR Code for Senior Services Webpage.
SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFY ME AT CITYOFSOUTHELMONTE.ORG
CLUB MEETINGS & CASH BINGO
3L CLUB • OCTOBER: 1, 3, 15, 17, 29
1:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
CLUB LATINO • OCTOBER: 8, 10, 22, 24
1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Halloween Luncheon*
Thursday, October 31, 2024
FESTIVITIES INCLUDE: JOIN US FOR OUR
*NOTE: THIS SPECIAL EVENT IS FOR SENIORS 60+ WHO ARE REGISTERED MEMBERS MEAL TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 8:00 AM, ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST 10:00 AM: PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST 10:30 AM: COSTUME CONTEST 11:30 AM: LUNCH IS SERVED 12:15 PM-12:30 PM: RAFFLES & DOOR PRIZES 12:30 PM-2:30 PM: DANCING (DJ MUSIC)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ELI MAYORGA AND MARIA OLVERA for being selected 2024 Prom King and Queen by their peers at the annual Senior Prom held on August 21,2024 at the South El Monte Senior Center. Over 150 seniors enjoyed an evening of great company, food, and dancing.
