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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2022
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION / 7 P.M. OPEN SESSION
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The City Council Chambers will be open to the public. Per the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order effective March 4, 2022, it is strongly recommended, but not required, to wear a face covering when inside Bellflower City Hall. 5:30 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION
1 Call to Order
Mayor Dunton called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. 2 Roll Call
The following Members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Ray Dunton
Mayor Pro Tem Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Raymond Y. Hamada
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
3 Recess to Closed Session
City Manager Stewart read the titles of the Closed Session items.
For the record, Mayor Dunton recused himself from Items 3-A (1991 Jacquelyn S.
Connolly Revocable Living Trust) and 3-B (APN 7161-008-905), as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject property.
There being no one in attendance wishing to provide public comments, without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the Meeting at 5:36 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — THREAT OF LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): One Matter
Facts and Circumstances: Letter dated March 14, 2022, sent on behalf of 1991 Jacquelyn S. Connolly Revocable Living Trust; on file with the City Clerk's Office
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3 • March 28, 2022 Page 2 of 8
3 Recess to Closed Session — Continued
B CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: APN 7161-008-905
Agency Negotiator: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager Negotiating Party: 1991 Jacquelyn S. Connoily Revocable Living Trust Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
C CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 16720 Bellflower Blvd. (APN 7109-013-012) Agency Negotiator: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager Negotiating Party: Heart Realcorp, Inc.
Holland International Market, Inc.
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
4 Reconvene for Open Session
Mayor Dunton called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. For the record there was no reportable action.
7:00 P.M. - OPEN SESSION
5 Cail to Order
Mayor Dunton called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 6 Roll Call
The following Members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Ray Dunton
Mayor Pro Tem Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Raymond Y. Hamada
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 6 March 28, 2022 Page 3 of 8
6 Roll Call — Continued
Staff Participants:
Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/ Director of Public Works Jim DellaLonga, Director of Economic Development
Karla Pineda, Management Assistant
Jennifer Poole-Eidd, Management Assistant
7 Invocation
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez offered the Invocation. 8 Pledge of Allegiance
Jim DellaLonga, Director of Economic Development, led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A City Council Announcements
Mayor Dunton provided details relative to the return of in-person Council Meetings, which was approved at the March 14, 2022 Council Meeting, following the Los Angeles County Health DepartmenYs Health Officer Order which went into effect March 4, 2022, revising guidance on masking.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines provided details relative to the business support opportunities available through the Economic Development Department, including the monthly E-Citizen Newsletter and free ribbon cutting ceremonies.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to the Buy Bellflower Digital Gift Card Program.
Council Member Hamada provided details relative to The Chamber of Commerce's next Monthly Morning Mingle to be held on March 29, 2022.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the Fair Housing Foundation's 38"' Annual Youth Poster Contest and its deadline on April 16, 2022.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10 • March 28, 2022 Page 4 of 8
10 Public Comments
Mr. Whitehead. Resident, 1) thanked Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki and Public Works Manager Iniguez for providing additional Cal-Recycie Green Waste Recycling Program information; 2) requested and received confirmation from Mayor Dunton that a call from a resident should preferably be answered by City staff or returned within approximately four hours; and 3) noted that he left a message for a City employee and waited two business days to receive a response from the Public Works Department.
John Williams, Resident, addressed the City Council relative to the parking structure, 1) noting that he is building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) adjacent to the structure and witnessed approximately 15-20 cars rapidly exiting the Pacific Avenue side during the day; and 2) suggesting implementing ticketed parking with validation as a way to address this issue.
In response to Mr. Williams' comments, 1) Mayor Dunton stated that the City did not anticipate the issues that would arise from building a parking structure; 2) City Manager Stewart stated that although the matter continues to be a work in progress, the City placed temporary barricades and is working on installing permanent gating in tandem with increased patrol; and 3) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines stated that the wiring for a ticketing gate was installed within the structure when it was built and is ready to activate when the time comes.
Hugh McLarnon, Resident, addressed the City Council regarding a home he purchased on Rose Street, which was built and occupied without completed building permits, 1) stating that his home did not align with the Planning and Building and Zoning codes and inquired why the codes were not enforced by the City when it was built; and 2) inquiring why the homeowners were responsible for bringing the property up to code, rather than the builder, Mr. Wassif, being held accountable; and 3) questioning why Mr. Wassif was allowed to continue building in Bellflower when he hasn't finished this project.
In response to comments provided by Mr. McLarnon and at the request of Mayor Dunton, City Attorney Berger reminded the City Council that this was an active Code Enforcement matter and strongly urged them not to comment on it.
For the record, City Clerk Ochiqui stated that written public comments by Hugh McLarnon were received prior to the start of the meeting, which were provided to the City Council and made available to the public.
Cheryl Williams, Resident, addressed the City Council relative to the parking structure, 1) stating that she loved going to the top of the structure on a clear day for the beautiful view; and 2) expressed the opinion that although there are some problems with cars and trash, she felt it was an asset to the City and requested the City keep it accessible to the public.
Bellflower it n 'I
C y Cou ci Minutes Item No. 11
March 28, 2022 Page 5 of 8
11 Public Hearings
None
12 Ordinances and Resolutions for Consideration
A Consideration and possible action to read by title only, waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. 1412 — An Ordinance amending the Beliflower Municipal Code ("BMC") by amending Section 10.10.020 titled "Definitions;" and amending Section 10.70.160 titled "Designation of Specified Areas." City Manager Stewart 1) read the Ordinance title into the record; 2) provided a brief verbal presentation of the Staff Report; and 3) responded to Council Members' questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to read by title only, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1412:
AYES: Council Members - Sanchez, Santa Ines, Hamada, Koops, and Mayor Dunton
13 Consideration Items
A Consideration and possible action to select two Members of the City Council to serve on an Ad Hoc Subcommittee authorized to meet with City staff to discuss various matters related to Downtown Bellflower parking and circulation.
Director of Economic Development DellaLonga 1) provided a brief verbal presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with City Manager Stewart, responded to Council Members' questions.
For the record, Mayor Dunton 1) noted that there is an existing Economic Development Ad Hoc Subcommittee comprised of Council Member Koops and himself, and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines as an alternate when one of them is conflicted on a matter; 2) stated that in discussion with City Manager Stewart, he had recommended that this new subcommittee be consistent with that one; and 3) expressed the opinion that the Downtown Bellflower Parking Ad Hoc Subcommittee should be comprised of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines and himself and requested his City Council colleagues' input.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13 March 28, 2022 Page 6 of 8
73 Consideration Items — Continued
A Consideretion and possible action to select two Members of the City Council to serve on an Ad Hoc Subcommittee — Continued
Council Member Hamada stated that 1) he understood the recommendation to continue with the Economic Development Subcommittee, however believed this to be a focused issue; and 2) other Council Members have previously stated an interest in parking issues and asked if his Council colleagues would be willing ask if there are other Council Members interested in participating on the subcommittee.
Following discussion, City Manager Stewart stated that the parking issue was being re-studied as there was a request from the City Cou�cil to conduct a more professional study; however, iYs a matter that is at the discretion of the City Council, if there's a desire to do so.
Council Member Sanchez stated that he would appreciate the opportunity to be a part of that conversation, noting that he is invested in the idea and would like to see it through at least at the subcommittee level and be able to explore the options.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines disclosed that he was the Council Member that requested the additional study and his reason for doing so was that businesses were being allowed to transfer parking responsibilities to the City, and as such he believed parking availability needed to be re-assessed through a comprehensive study.
Following discussion, and without objection, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines suggested that a focused study session be held to discuss the 2014 parking study data and the concepts of angled parking and parklets.
Following discussion, Council Member Sanchez requested that angled parking be added to a new study in order to have updated data to discuss, expressing the opinion that a lot has changed since 2014.
City Manager Stewart reminded the City Council that they previously provided direction to staff to move forward with a new parking study and the question from a staff perspective is whether the angled parking concept should be added to that study.
Council Member Koops requested and received clarification from City Manager Stewart that the conclusion of the last study relative to angled parking was that it can be accommodated in the downtown area if traffic was reduced to two lanes.
Following lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to add angled parking and parklets to the downtown parking demand and traffic study.
• Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No.13 March 28, 2022 Page 7 of 8
13 Consideration Items — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to select two Members of the City Council to serve on an Ad Hoc Subcommittee — Continued
Followin discussion it was moved b Coun I
g , y ci Member Sanchez, seconded by
Council Member Hamada, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to direct staff to include an led arkin and arklets to the downtown arkin 9 P 9 P P 9
demand and traffic study and bring the matter back to the full City Council for consideration at a future study session upon completion of the study:
AYES: Council Members - Sanchez, Santa Ines, Hamada, Koops, and Mayor Dunton
14 Consent Calendar
For the record, 1) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines requested Item 14-C (Certified Farmers Market at Town Center Plaza) be pulled for discussion only.
Relative to Item 14-C (Certified Farmers Market at Town Center Plaza), at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) Management Assistant Pineda listed the proposed contractor's surrounding city clients, which include South Gate, Huntington Park, Bixby Knolls, Downtown Long Beach, Cerritos, and the Long Beach Marina; and 2) Director of Economic Development DellaLonga stated that since the City's percentage is being lowered from six percent to one percent it will be a push during the first year to equal what was being produced in sales at the Simms Park Farmer's Market ($7,000 per year), but the goal was to bring the market and people to downtown, and staff is hopeful that with a marketing campaign the estimated 40 vendors will be filled within the first year and a half.
For the record, 1) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines stated that his main goal is to make the City a destination and attract people from the neighboring cities to the City's downtown; and 2) Mayor Dunton stated that the City has been building downtown as residential-commercial area and there are a lot of people that live within walking distance of Town Center Plaza.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members - Sanchez, Santa Ines, Hamada, Koops, and Mayor Dunton
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Warrant Reqister No. 22-092, dated March 28, 2022.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 22-092.
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Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14 ' March 28, 2022 Page 8 of 8
14 Consent Calendar— Continued
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Treasurer's Report for the Month of Februarv 2022.
Action: Received and filed the Treasurer's Report.
C Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 930, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Harbor Area Farmers Markets to manage and operate the Certified Farmers Market at Town Center Plaza.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 930, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
D Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the March 74, 2022, Reqular Meetinp of the Citv Council.
Action: Approved the March 14, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes. 15 Council Reports
Council Member Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Council Member Hamada, Council Member Koops, and Mayor Dunton made various comments and reports.
For the record, 1) Council Member Hamada announced that he was recently reappointed to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council; 2) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines noted for the record that Council Member Hamada was doing a fantastic job and as such was uncontested; and 3) Council Member Koops congratulated Council Member Hamada for his appointment, noting that he appreciates his participation on the SCAG Regional Council.
16 Adjournment
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m., to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, A�I 11, 022.
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Ray u n, Mayor
City of Bellflower
Attest:
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May a O iiqui, City Clerk
App�oved: April 11, 2022