South Gate — At its Nov. 11 meeting the South Gate City Council approved several consent items covering infrastructure repairs, park maintenance and appointments while debating legal fees and the mechanics of certain contracts.

What the council approved: the council voted to award (1) a change-order/contract authorization for rehabilitation of up to 24 sewer manholes in a previously identified project area using ARPA funds; (2) a design-services agreement to study and prepare construction documents to repair a pipeline hanging beneath a bridge; and (3) a maintenance contract for the Urban Orchard stormwater/filtration facility funded initially by a three‑year regional grant and thereafter by local Measure W funds.

Manholes and ARPA: Public Works staff explained the ARPA-funded manhole/pipe work covers identified locations and said 21 manholes are specifically listed in the contract with an allowance to include up to 24 if reconciling budgets and field conditions require it. One councilmember sought to avoid voting on items that might affect property immediately adjacent to their residence; staff and the city attorney explained the listed project area defines the work and that the ARPA scope limits expansion beyond the approved project.

Urban Orchard maintenance and Measure W: staff said the Urban Orchard received a three‑year maintenance grant as part of regional Measure W programming; the grant funds operations for the project’s initial years and the city may use its annual Measure W local-return allocation afterward to sustain maintenance costs. Staff advised that the Urban Orchard’s maintenance needs are specialized, requiring equipment and crews that make contracting the practical near‑term choice.

Legal services debate: council discussed renewal terms for the city attorney arrangement and the rising costs associated with litigation. City Attorney Raul explained the proposed baseline retainer (about $22,500 per month for his in‑house time) covers day‑to‑day city attorney duties while separate litigation expenses (outside counsel, experts, reports) are reflected elsewhere. Council asked staff to provide a clearer breakdown of settlement payouts and the scale of litigation-related costs from the general fund; staff agreed to return with more detailed figures for council review.

Votes and recusals: several councilmembers recused themselves from select items where proximity to project areas raised potential conflicts. Consent items were otherwise approved by roll call as presented; council also approved the appointment of a councilmember to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control Board and approved the warrant register totaling $3,970,830.49.

Why it matters: these contract approvals move critical maintenance and infrastructure work forward (sewer/manhole rehabilitation and pipeline design), protect recently built park investments (Urban Orchard), and preserve public health and safety uses; however, the spending and legal‑services conversations underscored the larger budget pressures discussed earlier in the meeting.

What’s next: staff will finalize contract attachments (identify the final 24 manholes if needed), provide additional documentation on grants and where specific grant dollars were allocated, and return to council with more detailed litigation and settlement accounting as requested.

Sources: city staff reports and council discussion at the Nov. 11 South Gate City Council meeting.