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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION / 7 P.M. OPEN SESSION
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The City Council Chambers was open to the public. Per the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order effective March 4, 2022, it was strongly recommended, but not required, to wear a face covering when inside Beliflower City Hall.
5:30 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION
1 CALL TO ORDER
None
2 ROLL CALL
None
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
None
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
None
7:00 P.M. - OPEN SESSION
5 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dunton called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Beliflower City Council Minutes Item No. 6 � May 23, 2022 Page 2 of 8
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
Staff Participants:
Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Timothy E. Campen, Assistant City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Joel Hockman, Director of Public Safety
P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks & Recreation
Bernardo Iniguez, Public Works Manager
Travis Sais, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Poole-Eidd, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Dan Koops offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks & Recreation, led the assembiy in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Dunton provided details relative to the Parks and Recreation DepartmenYs eight-week lineup of Summer Special Events which will begin on June 17,2022.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines provided details relative to the Neighborhood Watch Informational Session to be held on May 24, 2022, via Zoom.
Council Member Hamada provided details relative to che Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board's regional job fair to be held on July 27, 2022, at the Artesia Park Community Center in the City of Artesia.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the City's illegal fireworks policy and enforcement strategy, which is facilitated by the Public Safety Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to Chamber of Commerce's next Monthly Morning Mingle to be held on May 31, 2022.
' Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9-B May 23, 2022 Page 3 of 8
9-B PRESENTATION: Lakewood Station Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) Director of Public Safety Hockman, 1) gave a PowerPoint presentation providing an informational overview; and 2) responded to Council Members' questions.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Director Hockman confirmed that the presentation slides would be made available on the City's website, he would provide further information relative to how many program volunteers are from Bellflower, and that the program would be promoted at the City's upcoming summer events.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chrissv Padilla Birkey,l) announced that former Director Jason Barnett had left the organization and introduced the new Director, Mike Gilman, who is a Bellflower native; and 2) provided an update of the Good Soil Industries and Bellflower Homeless Prevention programs, including that 29 individuals were hired (some lodging at the New Hope shelter), CDBG grants were leveraged for 7,500 hours of paid on-the-job training over the last ten months, and 33 households within the community were supported with rental assistance.
Abdul Johnson, Field Director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Emplovees (AFSCME) District Council 36, 1) stated that he was representing the local members of AFSCME and Public Works; 2) stated that the State Auditor released a ranking of all the cities and their financial status, noting that some of the cities with the worst financial rankings still found ways to recompense employees who had worked throughout the pandemic; 3) stated that their bargaining request had been submitted and requested the City's support throughout the bargaining process; and 4) highlighted that Cal-Trans stopped picking up large items during the pandemic and the Public Works Department employees put themselves at a heightened level of risk to serve the community in that capacity.
William Zamora, President of AFSCME Local 3745, 1) requested the City Council's consideration with regards to the bargaining request; 2) expressed that he was personally terrified during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; 3) stated that members of Local 3745 were not afforded the accommodation to work from home, as they were classified as essential workers; 4) stated that maintenance workers continued to maintain parks, roads, and facilities and Community Service Officers continued to take police reports for theft, fraud, business and home burglaries, which saw in increase during the pandemic; 5) noted that staff cleaned out transient sites against the CDC and Cal-Trans orders to suspend such tasks due to the risk of Covid-19 exposure; 6) expressed that the employees appreciated the precautionary safety measures taken by the City to prevent the exposure of Covid-19 at work, as well as the three days awarded to City Staff to supplement the staff furloughed five days the previous year; and 7) stated that he looked forward to the City giving the union the professional courtesy to meet for negotiations in the future.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No.10 May 23, 2022 Page 4 of 8
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS — Continued
Mayor Dunton briefly responded to Mr. Zamora's comments relative to the three days awarded to staff, noting the $113,000 cost.
John Butts, resident, 1) expressed his disagreement with the three-minute limit for speakers, stating that his civil rights were being violated; 2) stated that the parking lot for the Dunkin Donuts located on Bellflower Boulevard is insufficient, as it is typically at capacity with no parking for patrons or staff; 3) expressed concern for the continued traffic congestion in the vicinity of Taco Nazo and provided the opinion that either the restaurant or drive-thru should be closed for safety reasons; and 4) stated that there were increased numbers of homeless individuals throughout the City and expressed the opinion that they were being imported from surrounding cities.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 22-19 — A Resolution to record a nuisance abatement lien to recover abatement costs for the property located at 9021 Somerset Boulevard (APN 6278-008-010).
Assistant City Attorney Campen 1) provided a brief verbal presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with City Manager Stewart and City Attorney Berger, responded to Council Members' questions.
At the request of Council Member Hamada, Assistant City Attorney Campen stated that with regard to this case there had been no deviation in enforcement procedures with the exception of the request to perform an abatement lien in lieu of special tax assessment.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, Assistant City Attorney Campen stated that efforts to communicate with the property owner totaled at four (one blanket notice and three additional notices) with the property address on fi�e with the county Recorder's Office, which equated to approximately 18 months of attempts to notify and two years before action was taken.
At the request of Mayor Dunton, Assistant City Attorney Campen confirmed that the property had been vacant for ten years.
� Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No.13 May 23, 2022 Page 5 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 22-19— Continued For the record, City Attorney Berger stated that supplemental material for this item was received by the City Attorney's Office prior to the meeting and noted that any speakers for this item would need to be placed under oath, as the testimony may be part of future proceedings. The supplemental material was provided to the City Council and made available to the public prior to the start of the meeting.
City Clerk Ochiqui administered the Oath to the following individuals wishing to present public testimony regarding this matter:
• Douaa Megahed
Douaa Meqahed, propertv owner, stated that 1) her family moved to Riverside in 2018 and shortly thereafter her husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment; 2) her husband had worked as a pediatrician, which was her family's main source of income, and that he had tended to most of their business, financial, and legal affairs; 3) due to their relocation and hardships in relation to her husband's illness and subsequent treatments, they were not able to deal with any issues regarding the property or received any of the notifications at their powney address; 4) after her husband passed away she began to manage their affairs that discovered the $33,440.14 due to the City for the cleaning and maintenance of the lot at 9021 Somerset Boulevard; and 5) she was willing to fix the issue and expressed that she could offer $15,000, as she felt that this was a fair market value for the materials and labor.
Mayor Pro Tem Sana Ines 1) offered his condolences to Mrs. Megahed and family, but asserted that the City wants property owners in compliance and they are not the only property owners in this situation, since the City is currently managing issues with other vacant properties as well; 2) added that when the City has to intervene it is typically costlier and more expensive due to prevailing wage requirements; and 3) confirmed that the City Council could not accept a discount on the total or negotiate the cost because it would be considered a gift of public funds, which is not legal, and an exception could not be made.
Mayor Dunton confirmed that the amount stated was the amount the City had expended on cleaning the property, so it would be due in whole.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, Assistant City Attorney Campen provided the definition of prevailing wage to help clarify the reason for the cost expended by the City. Council Member Sanchez expressed his condolence and added that the City does not control the rates with regard to prevailing wage.
City Attorney Berger stated that 1) some relief was being provided to Mrs. Megahed in that the total amount due to the City did not reflect additional City Attorney's fees that were expended for ongoing communication regarding the matter and in that the City would be processing this as an abatement lien and not placing it on the tax rolls; and 2) confirmed that consistent procedures were being followed for this Code Enforcement issue, which means it is a law enforcement issue, after other methods have been exhausted.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No.13 � May 23, 2022 Page 6 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 22-19—Continued Council Member Hamada 1) offered his condolences; and 2) stated that all work and materials provided by the City were already provided and confirmed.
At the request of Mrs. Megahed, Mayor Dunton confirmed that the final decision would be made by the City Council during this Council Meeting.
Council Member Koops reiterated that what the City is offering Mrs. Megahed is the best possible scenario, as it will not affect her life immediately, and confirmed that although the City is sensitive to her situation, a consistency in procedures is required.
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 adopt Resolution No. 22-19 imposing a public nuisance abatement lien on the property located at 9021 Somerset Boulevard to recover the City's abatement costs:
AYES: Council Members - Hamada, Koops, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, 1) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines requested that Item 14-G (Simms Park Stormwater Capture), be pulled for a question only; 2) Council Member Sanchez requested that Item 14-F (Capital Improvement Projects Budget) be pulled for comment only; 3) Mayor Dunton announced that he would recuse on Item 14-H (Permit Parking District "N") due to a property conflict within 500 feet of the subject property; and 4) Council Member Koops announced that he would recuse on Item 14-G (Simms Park Stormwater Capture) due to a property conflict within 500 feet of the subject property.
For the record, noting his recusal, Council Member Koops left the dais and Council Chambers at 8:08 p.m.
With regard to Item14-G (Simms Park Stormwater Capture) and at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Public Works Manager Iniguez explained that 1) the City will be supplementing the irrigation needs of Mayfair Park in Lakewood as part of a regional treatment and a total of 28-acre feet will be credited towards Bellflower's total amount; 2) in addition to the 9-acre feet at Caruthers Park, this will give the City a total of 37-acre feet with a remaining balance of 23-acre feet to meet the required 60-acre feet of captured water.
For the record, Council Member Koops returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 8:11 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No.14 May 23, 2022 Page 7 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
With regard to Item 14-F (Capital Improvement Projects Budget) and at the request of Council Member Sanchez for the benefit of the public, Public Works Manager Iniguez explained that this item was for the purpose of SB1 funds, which would lead to projects such as the resurfacing of Alondra Boulevard (December 2022) and Bellflower Boulevard (July 2022), and once each respective project is advertised for bids and contractors are selected, the impacted addresses would be notified.
It was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to approve the balance of the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar.
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 21-112, dated Mav 23, 2022.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 21-112.
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file the Treasurer's Report for the Month of April 2022.
Action: Received and filed Treasurer's Report.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 3, 2022, Special Meeting of the Citv Council.
Action: Approved the May 3, 2022, Special Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 9, 2022, Special Meetinq of the City Council.
Action: Approved the May 9, 2022, Special Meeting Minutes.
E Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 9, 2022, Reqular Meetinq of the Citv Council.
Action: Approved the May 9, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes.
F Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 22-20 — A Resolution establishing the Capital Improvement Projects Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 funded by Senate Bill 1: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-20 to establish and carryover RMRA project budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
G Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 22-21 — A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for, receive, and appropriate grant funds for the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) for the Simms Park Stormwater Caqture Proiect.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-21.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14 ' May 23, 2022 Page 8 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
H Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 22-22 — A Resolution adding a new Permit Parking District"N" pursuant to Bellflower Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 10.10: and supersedinq Resolution No. 20-50.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-22.
I Consideration and possible action to receive and file Official Travel Report— California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar, May 12-15, 2022 (Pursuant to AB 1234).
Action: Received and filed Official Travel Report for the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar.
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez, Council Member Koops, Council Member Hamada, and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
At the request of Council Member Koops, City Manager Stewart confirmed that staff would survey the water purveyors in the City to ask if anything needs to be done at the City level relative to the current drought.
For the record, Council Member Hamada stated that he invited City resident Richard Montejano to be recognized at a future City Council Meeting for saving a woman from a burning vehicle.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m., to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022.
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Ray Dun n, Mayor
City of Bellflower
Attest:
a ra hiqui, City er
Approv d: June 13, 202