[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6178603,"mediaKeyId","5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee","parentId",5213543,"title","Council adopts medical opt-out benefit and administrative-leave amendment; effective Jan. 1","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",4612000,"endMs",4717000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee&start=4612&end=4717","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee/thumbnail_4612000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6178603/South-El-Monte-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-adopts-medical-opt-out-benefit-and-administrative-leave-amendment-effective-Jan-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178603-5d69e1ea9687758c5fe5b68c844304c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114872&Signature=BcsJkv1JNF4LZLsDHnR5h5u2Q3iWL6aOqkUAQ2SQJxnm2II9iIovJytAT0ibZR0qxZSONWl6gymozZfGJXICJQO~Znl40ECLhp~hy-DpJrvpl5XK7zDB08RSm5dY9MjUO5rneAZzh27KmM1smBP4m6gXsfcIl4Gf1dCly~yVC0X3e17zeOO9lkswAhz9ZgW~DSGE5EGDvO~Y5RVPwoG5XtRmeQcEbQJGg-kydG99jfiRITg4GCBq1dtph6cqIwEFhcVH-SkcDHGYuezZzkMGTN6esgG5NiflV43FWVpQt85wtkC1M1V6fgar8xdSt9nTXa7X-E0bMmJl1Z4-ksV1OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South El Monte City, CA","date","2025-07-01T00:00:00Z","article","The South El Monte City Council adopted Resolution 25‑06‑3 amending the city’s medical opt‑out benefit and administrative-leave provisions. Finance Director Masami said the change is intended “to benefit employees and at the same time reduce cost of this city.”

Under the adopted approach, employees who can obtain comparable coverage through a spouse or other employer may opt out of the city’s health plan and receive a payout set at 65% of the premium. Masami told council the health-insurance renewal process occurs around October–November and that the opt-out would be effective January 1; the city will require proof of alternate coverage before any opt-out payment is issued.

Council moved, seconded and voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution. Masami cautioned that projected cost savings depend on how many employees choose to opt out; staff will report actual participation figures after the benefit rollout and at annual renewal.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a resolution to add a medical opt-out benefit (with a 65% payment option) and to amend administrative-leave provisions; staff said the change aims to benefit employees and reduce city costs but the full savings depend on employee participation.","taxTitle","South El Monte City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",71855,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6178607,"Council approves special assessment for unpaid trash fees after Athens Services report",372,2820000,3192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee&start=2820&end=3192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee/thumbnail_2820000.jpg","/articles/6178607/South-El-Monte-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-special-assessment-for-unpaid-trash-fees-after-Athens-Services-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178607-91e8dd0483216985cba2c3fcb7e8b627/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114872&Signature=H5ij8iAfIMyaSTDdD8u39nMTNhIvDCg6EZN6niSa5ZjAwWSYb7BXx30s4swTxUTU~DZWJrwv47jHUxCp0VlznqkUMETGwjFL83L~nCQ~dw5zo6N-dVJYdDb-g1fQA~be-uXmjYBuKogXXZ0smebLd3HvgxgX7HoHW-cXEO9oys5xaUV-BlgA8qRKbDIvbazqSVgRa-tr7lGBw24y4XcKPuEZq0xamafehATbf4UayrJGtyhi-ULqKrzSn2q1OExGYlIt9xv92Qfi9okSy2-gsMat6Oj2rq7~T6keYnzpMeQFC6limBoEA8lfJtSd7UYg6t7t6Z-4bOjZszcZGy1TvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South El Monte City Council approved Resolution 25‑06‑1 to levy special assessments for unpaid trash-collection fees, covering accounts delinquent as of March 31 with outstanding balances tracked through June 1.

Danae Amaya, director of government affairs for Athens Services, told the council the company is available to help customers resolve balance issues and noted the citywide delinquency count was small: “we only have 23 accounts that are delinquent citywide,” she said. City staff explained the standard next step is to submit those unpaid balances to the county auditor-controller to place them on the property tax roll as special assessments.

Council moved and seconded the resolution and voted 5‑0 to approve the assessment. The resolution directs staff to submit the delinquent accounts to the county for collection and to coordinate notification to affected property owners.

Athens Services and city staff said they will continue outreach and customer-service contacts before the tax-roll submission to reduce unintended impacts to residents.

","The council adopted a resolution placing delinquent trash-collection fees on the county tax roll after staff said 23 customer accounts remained unpaid; Athens Services staff said they stand ready to help customers resolve delinquencies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6178613,"Council waives field fees for volunteer AYSO program",2903,1589000,4492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee&start=1589&end=4492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee/thumbnail_1589000.jpg","/articles/6178613/South-El-Monte-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-waives-field-fees-for-volunteer-AYSO-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178613-4f155f08a934c52d49e7c8102dddcb83/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114872&Signature=Y7xGnxI~QZqegk1hRVIr8v65QIc00-ogQV1iPJs66rN7vMUbfJfAJb5NsBALVDwIUFWn4Cce5QZ4tHYAr5-xX0aaAruCAX8LI7m6h8~hoPeP2VfjM7gwG95KW7IQVp-vunW3vSOFCkBZc-YrAQyDYy7Fi9FI2BiQ0-c5K6UI04JA~pemCuUh2lvJNX0R~nEgBi0blX5QSHnPNiHmcc6qjXU4Bncsliog5pE8vvu3wzla~Un0LqneeIMar1lwZK34YYwRNnxG0p5q9LFCtafOPKr2sog5zjdj1MNoqT3o8XFmcZs3WAHwPmq9AQIFbGT7KZCvdIOfs2g12XZ0-o4J9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South El Monte City Council unanimously approved a fee waiver for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to use Shively Park and the community center amphitheater for the coming season.

Lisa Ducharme, representing AYSO, told the council the organization is “a nonprofit volunteer, 100% volunteer program” that has served the community since 1996 and runs a special EPIC program for players with special needs. The council approved the waiver to support the organization's low-cost youth programming.

Councilmembers moved and seconded the motion and voted 5-0 to grant the request. The mayor congratulated the group and staff noted the item was moved up on the agenda to accommodate a speaker who also addressed the council during public comment.

The waiver applies to field and facility fees associated with the submitted usage request; staff will finalize permit conditions and any required insurance documentation submitted by the nonprofit.

","The council approved a fee waiver request from AYSO to use Shively Park and the community amphitheater for volunteer youth soccer programming, citing the nonprofit's long-standing local presence.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6178617,"South El Monte council adopts budget after split vote; directs staff to return with reserve-policy options",2006,4754000,6760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee&start=4754&end=6760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5213543-db5d4189d09d6f775efda1e9b45b64ee/thumbnail_4754000.jpg","/articles/6178617/South-El-Monte-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-El-Monte-council-adopts-budget-after-split-vote-directs-staff-to-return-with-reserve-policy-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178617-074e30d24ac4277a9c9c20583b248a79/orig.mp4?Expires=1775114872&Signature=BrWgfQlasP5vGXFlhB1ER-8NM86R-u4dblpB3-u9GHbmHIAswEJB6bWVrBB9vTT9r44S8nJGruREjdFWGBZYMdg4dIuh2VxKoTooDnJiG379AlPampQpuKH~AxTxnkMBCHIOnykyybTHgCV5~wxKXlc2SRm30uIexgDna3-r~P-T~9uFEFB95L4SVzpSc1WDon3ufrgQTdIqXTI6ONgRjkunewTxIeulGQ--tj6CFuNELIaypQvSmwmoaIlhA~PyEwAF42xkLBDK5yLbdFsiqeUl2YwPcZRyyb0ZikgSpN2N-AoemBtI6VGu81waG4LNzVZmbMyA-WUxzgYadRAvBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South El Monte City Council voted to adopt the city’s annual budget after a contentious discussion over whether to use reserves and whether to cut or contract out public-safety services.

The measure to approve the budget as amended — removing a line item described as “item 4,” which would have reduced public-safety staffing — passed by a 3-2 margin. Council members also directed staff to return at a future meeting with concrete recommendations to expand and clarify the city’s reserve policy.

The debate centered on how aggressively the city should draw down its reserves to cushion an economic downturn versus trimming recurring costs. Finance Director Masami told the council the city already “adopted a policy in 2020” and “we need to maintain it above 25% … we’re around 80% right now,” a statement council and members of the public cited during the discussion.

Supporters of keeping public-safety staffing in place said the officers provide day-to-day community stability. Michael Grijalva of Teamsters Local 986 urged the council to weigh human costs as well as dollars, saying, “I urge you to deeply consider the true cost, not only the financial cost, but the human cost of contracting now public safety.” Several parents and residents said uniformed, familiar safety staff improve drop-off and pick-up traffic and school event safety.

Council members and staff walked through alternative savings proposals that were discussed but not all adopted as part of the final motion. Options raised included a temporary hiring freeze (council discussed freezing up to five vacant positions to capture approximately $700,000 in savings), an RFP to reduce IT contract costs (current-year forecast rose from about $641,000 to a projected $760,000), trimming city events (the council discussed that events, newsletter and related outreach total roughly $675,000 annually and that a 25–50% reduction could yield significant savings), and expanding grant-seeking efforts.

Speakers also discussed the city’s Measure ES, which residents and staff said was projected during the ballot campaign to generate roughly $1,000,000 annually for essential services. Public-safety supervisor Joe Martinez noted that Measure ES was described to voters as providing funds “to maintain essential public safety services, infrastructure improvements and services for seniors, youth, residents of all ages.”

Council voted 5-0 — prior to the final budget approval vote — to ask staff to prepare a clearer set of reserve-policy options and scenario analyses for future council consideration. Finance staff emphasized that the council may amend the adopted budget at any point during the fiscal year.

The council’s action preserves services while directing staff to return with clearer thresholds and contingency language for reserve use, and to show the budget impact of specific program and event reductions the council discussed.

Staff will present the reserve-policy options and any amended budget language at a future meeting; council members said they expect those recommendations before the next formal budget amendment.

","After hours of public comment and council debate, the South El Monte City Council adopted the fiscal-year budget following a 3-2 vote on an amendment related to proposed public-safety cuts and directed staff to return with recommendations to clarify reserve-use policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts medical opt-out benefit and administrative-leave amendment; effective Jan. 1

Council approves special assessment for unpaid trash fees after Athens Services report

Council waives field fees for volunteer AYSO program

South El Monte council adopts budget after split vote; directs staff to return with reserve-policy options