Advancement of Women and Girls Commission

Sara Gaeta-Anguiano, Chair Ariana De La Cruz, Evelyn Briones, Vice Chair Executive Director Cindy Flores, Commissioner Elizabeth Gutierrez, Commissioner Sophia Sosa, Commissioner CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION AGENDA July 15, 2026, 6:00 PM 1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733 GENERAL COMMENT Those wishing to participate during Public Comment may do so in person at the South El Monte City Hall Council Chambers, or may submit written public comments by emailing adelacruz@soelmonte.org. Emailed public comments are due by 5:00 p.m., and should be limited to no more than 250 words. Written public comments will be provided to the Community Services Commission and will be part of the record but will not be read aloud. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you require a disability-related modification or accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please call the City Clerk’s office at (626) 579-6540 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. MEETINGS The Advancement of Women and Girls Commission holds regular meetings quarterly. Regular meetings start at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California. Special and Adjourned Regular meetings start time are to be determined. POSTING LOCATIONS OF AGENDA AND/OR CANCELLATION NOTICES Regular meeting agendas will be posted at least 72 hours before the meeting (GC 54954(a)(1)). Agenda and Cancellation Notices can be viewed online and are also posted at the following three (3) locations: City Hall located at 1415 Santa Anita Avenue, Senior Center located at 1556 Central Avenue and the Community Center located at 1530 Central Avenue, South El Monte, California. Page 1 of 9  VIEWING OF AGENDA PACKETS Full agenda packet can be viewed either at https://www.cityofsouthelmonte.org/129/Meeting-Agendas-Minutes or in the Community Center during normal business hours Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on Fridays and major holidays. ISSUES RELATED TO AGENDA For issues related to the agenda, including a disability-related accommodation necessary to participate in this meeting, please contact: Ariana De La Cruz, Executive Director Ph (626) 652-3109 AGENDA BEGINS ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE Page 2 of 9 1. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Flores, Gutierrez, Sosa, Vice Chair Briones, and Chair Gaeta- Anguiano 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Sosa 3. PRESENTATIONS 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA By motion of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission, this is the time to notify the public of any changes to the agenda, remove items from the consent calendar for individual consideration and/or rearrange the order of the agenda. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT Speakers may provide public comments on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission, including items on the agenda. Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. Unless a majority of the Commission objects, the Chair may provide speakers more or less time to speak. All comments or queries shall be addressed to the Commission as a body and not to any specific member thereof. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a)(2), the Ralph M. Brown Act, no action or discussion by the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except to briefly provide information, ask for clarification, provide direction to staff, or schedule a matter for a future meeting. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR Items on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and customary and are enacted by a single motion with the exception of items previously pulled by a member of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission during "Approval of the Agenda" for individual consideration. Any items pulled shall be individually considered immediately after taking action on the Consent Calendar. 6.a. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2026 Staff is requesting approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2026, Advancement of Women and Girls Commission Meeting. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff is requesting approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2026, Advancement of Women and Girls Commission Meeting. 7. GENERAL BUSINESS 7.a. CONTINUED FROM THE APRIL 15, 2026, REGULAR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING — WOMEN AND GIRLS EVENING OF EMPOWERMENT EVENT Page 3 of 9  The Advancement of Women and Girls Commission will continue the discussion regarding the City Council approved gala event, scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, and provide direction to staff. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends the Commission continue the discussion regarding the City Council approved gala event, scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026. 8. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS AB 1234, section 53232.3(d) requires Members of a legislative body to provide brief reports on meetings attended at the expense of the local agency (i.e., Conferences, seminars, training etc.) at the next regular meeting of the legislative body. 9. CORRESPONDENCE 10. COMMISSIONERS AGENDA 11. ADJOURNMENT NEXT REGULAR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CERTIFICATION I, Ariana De La Cruz, Executive Director of the City of South El Monte Advancement of Women and Girls Commission, or my designee, hereby certify under penalty of perjury that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on this July 9, 2026, seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting per Government Code 54954.2 at the following locations: City of South El Monte City Hall, Senior Center and Community Center and made available at www.cityofsouthelmonte.org. __________________________ Secretary Page 4 of 9  Commission Agenda Report Agenda Item No. 6.a. DATE: July 15, 2026 TO: Honorable Chair and Members of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission FROM: Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2026 SUMMARY: Staff is requesting approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2026, Advancement of Women and Girls Commission Meeting. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff is requesting approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2026, Advancement of Women and Girls Commission Meeting. FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT: DISCUSSION: ATTACHMENT(S): A. DRAFT April 15, 2026 Minutes Page 5 of 9  CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE REGULAR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING – MINUTES Wednesday, April 15, 2026 1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, California 91733 Commissioner Briones called the meeting at 6:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioner(s): Briones, Flores, Sosa ABSENT: Commissioner(s): Gaeta-Anguiano and Gutierrez STAFF PRESENT: Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services, Nancy Rodriguez, Community Services Analyst, and Noelia Saucedo, Senior Recreation Leader 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Commissioner Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. PRESENTATIONS – None 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Sosa to approve the agenda as amended and moved 7a. to the end of the agenda. Motion passed 3-2, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner(s): Briones, Flores, and Sosa NAYS: Commissioner(s): None ABSENT: Commissioner(s): Gaeta-Anguiano and Gutierrez 5. PUBLIC COMMENT Commissioner Briones opened Public Comment. There being no public comments, Commissioner Briones closed Public Comment. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by Commissioner Briones, second by Commissioner Flores to approve the consent calendar. Motion passed 3-2, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner(s): Briones, Flores and Sosa NAYS: Commissioner(s): None ABSENT: Commissioner(s): Gaeta-Anguiano and Gutierrez 7. GENERAL BUSINESS Page 6 of 9  7a. SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Commissioner Briones nominated Commissioner Gaeta-Anguiano as Chair of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission. Vote passed 3-2: AYES: Commissioner(s): Briones, Flores and Sosa NAYS: Commissioner(s): None ABSENT: Commissioner(s): Gaeta-Anguiano and Gutierrez Chair Gaeta-Anguiano nominated Commissioner Briones as Vice Chair of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission. Vote passed 3-2: AYES: Commissioner(s): Briones, Flores and Sosa NAYS: Commissioner(s): None ABSENT: Commissioner(s): Gaeta-Anguiano and Gutierrez 7b. CONTINUED FROM THE MARCH 19, 2026, SPECIAL ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING – WOMEN AND GIRLS EVENING OF EMPOWERMENT EVENT Chair Gaeta-Anguiano introduced the item, and the Commission provided input and discussed various ideas and implementation strategies they would like to see incorporated into the Women and Girls Evening of Empowerment event. 8. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS, INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS Commissioner Flores has nothing to report. Commissioner Sosa has nothing to report. Commissioner Briones has nothing to report. 9. CORRESPONDENCE – None 10. COMMISSIONERS AGENDA Commissioner Gaeta-Anguiano joined the meeting at 6:34 p.m. 10a. COMMISSION GUTIERREZ 1. Consideration to implement a Maya Meditation Session taught by Itzapalotl Patino for the Women and Girls Mental Health Class in May. Page 7 of 9  On behalf of absent Commissioner Gutierrez, Executive Director Ariana De La Cruz presented the proposed agenda item to implement a Maya Meditation and Sound Bath Workshop on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Item was received and approved. 2. Review and consideration of DJ and Photo Booth bids for the Women and Girls Evening of Empowerment Event. On behalf of absent Commissioner Gutierrez, Executive Director Ariana De La Cruz presented the proposed agenda item regarding DJ and photo booth bids for the Women and Girls Evening of Empowerment event. Item was received and approved. 1. ADJOURNMENT At 6:51 p.m., there being no more business before the Commission, Chair Gaeta- Anguiano adjourned the meeting to be a Regular Advancement of Women and Girls Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ________________________________________ ______________________ Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services Sara Gaeta-Anguiano, Chair Page 8 of 9  Commission Agenda Report Agenda Item No. 7.a. DATE: July 15, 2026 TO: Honorable Chair and Members of the Advancement of Women and Girls Commission FROM: Ariana De La Cruz, Director of Community Services SUBJECT: CONTINUED FROM THE APRIL 15, 2026, REGULAR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS COMMISSION MEETING — WOMEN AND GIRLS EVENING OF EMPOWERMENT EVENT SUMMARY: The Advancement of Women and Girls Commission will continue the discussion regarding the City Council approved gala event, scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, and provide direction to staff. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends the Commission continue the discussion regarding the City Council approved gala event, scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026. FISCAL/FINANCIAL IMPACT: DISCUSSION: At the October 15, 2025, Regular Advancement of Women and Girls Commission meeting, commissioners deliberated from the past Women and Girls Empowerment Conference and recommended to staff to propose a Gala in lieu of the conference. Subsequently, staff presented the commissioner's recommendation to host a Gala at the December 2, 2025, City Council meeting and obtained approval to host this event on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the South El Monte Community Center. Lastly, at the March 19, 2026, Special Advancement of Women and Girls Commission meeting commissioner deliberated and provided preliminary ideas for the proposed gala event. Staff is requesting to finalize details and provide staff with direction to proceed. ATTACHMENT(S): None Page 9 of 9