South Gate council highlights new hires and promotions; presents in memoriam for Ortensia Corrales

The South Gate City Council used part of its meeting to introduce a slate of new and promoted full‑time employees covering November and December 2024 and to present an in memoriam for longtime resident Ortensia Corrales.

Mayor (unnamed) read a remembrance of Ortensia Corrales, noting her family ties, community involvement at South Gate Park and Recreation, and role as a homeowner in the city. "On behalf of the city of South Gate, I will present you with this in memoriam," the speaker said, adding that council members would adjourn in tribute.

The meeting then shifted to employee introductions under an agenda item described as a consideration to "receive and file" a list of new and promoted full‑time employees for November and December 2024. City staff introduced hires and promotions across Community Development, Engineering and the Police Department.

In Community Development, staff introduced interim Community Development Director David Crabtree and promoted Sandra Varela to special projects coordinator. John Signo was introduced as the department's new planning manager; Kimberly Hernandez was promoted from part‑time housing specialist to a full‑time housing assistant; and Joshua Valdez joined as a full‑time planner after previously contracting with the city. "Thank you everybody for the opportunity," Sandra Varela said after being introduced.

The Engineering division introduced one hire, Marshall Ramos, described by staff as an assistant engineer with five years' experience who will work on capital improvement and construction inspection duties.

The Police Department announced several promotions and hires. Esmeralda Lopez (hired October 2023, promoted to community service officer assigned to parks) and Osbaldo Madavia (hired December 2024 as a community service officer in parking enforcement) were introduced. The department also promoted a staff member identified as Kimberly to police administrative analyst; staff noted she had worked in the department since April 2023 and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Police leadership promotions included Sergio Camacho, promoted to captain in November 2024; Lieutenant Ed Bolar, promoted in November 2024; and Sergeant Roger Conseil, promoted in November 2024. Captain Sergio Camacho said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve and looked "forward to continuing to serve the community and the department in this role."

Council members and other speakers thanked employees for public service and noted the city's practice of internal promotions. At the close of the introductions, council and staff gathered for a group photograph.

The transcript shows the meeting then moved into closed session. City staff announced two closed‑session items: conference with legal counsel regarding pending litigation pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.9 (listing plaintiffs including "Sandra Garcia v. City of South Gate" and a second matter referenced as "Metal v. Darren Arakawa et al."), and consideration of the city manager's performance under Government Code sections 54957 and 54957.6. The transcript does not record a council vote on the agenda item to receive and file the employee list.

The record in the transcript is primarily introductions and presentations; no formal motion or vote to accept the employee list appears in the provided excerpt. The transcript also does not record additional details about the closed session outcomes.