14-I
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
FROM: Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the April 10, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: April 24, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the April 10, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the April 10, 2023, Regular Meeting… ....................... ………………………… 2
11 MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION / 7:00 P.M. OPEN SESSION
5:30 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Santa Ines called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2 ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
For the record, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection to excuse the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Hamada.
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
For the record, City Manager Stewart read the title of the Closed Session item .
There being no one in attendance wishing to provide public comments, without objection, Mayor Santa Ines recessed the meeting at 5:33 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
2 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3 April 10, 2023 Page 2 of 8
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 16824 Bellflower Boulevard
Agency Negotiator: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Jeric Rivera
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Santa Ines reconvened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. For the record, there was no reportable action.
7:00 P.M. – OPEN SESSION
5 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Santa Ines called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
6 ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
For the record, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection to excuse the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Hamada.
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
PJ Mellana, Director of Parks & Recreation
Travis Sais, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Poole-Eidd, Management Assistant
3 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 7 April 10, 2023 Page 3 of 8
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Ray Dunton offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Len Gorecki led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
For the record, Mayor Santa Ines stated that supplemental material was received from the City Attorney’s Office regarding the opting into a settlement agreement to participate in the National Opioid Settlement with Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. The City Attorney’s Office had been informed of the matter after the posting of the agenda and the deadline for the City to opt-in is April 18, 2023. The supplemental material was provided to the City Council as potential agenda item 14-H (Resolution No. 23-13 – National Opioid Settlements) and made available to the public prior to the start of the meeting.
It was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried without objection to determine that there is an immediate need for action and add Item 14-H (Resolution No. 23-13 –National Opioid Settlements) to the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Santa Ines provided details relative to the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board’s regional job fair to be held on June 3, 2023, at Simms Park.
Council Member Dunton provided details relative to the “Drug Take Back Day,” which will be facilitated by Kaiser Permanente and held on April 22, 2023.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to the Bellflower Honors Program and its deadline of May 1, 2023, to order street pole banners recognizing past and present military veterans.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the Chamber of Commerce’s next Monthly Morning Mingle to be held on April 25, 2023.
9-B PRESENTATION: National Law Enforcement Month Proclamation
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared April as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in the City of Bellflower and presented the proclamation to Lakewood Sheriff’s Substation Officer James Short.
Officer Short accepted the proclamation and thanked the City Council for allowing the Sheriff’s Department to serve the City of Bellflower. 4 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9-C April 10, 2023 Page 4 of 8
9-C PRESENTATION: Fair Housing Month Proclamation
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Bellflower and presented the proclamation to Martha Torres of the Fair Housing Foundation.
Martha Torres accepted the proclamation, thanked the City Council, and stated that they were proud to serve the City of Bellflower.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Darlene Palacios, resident, 1) expressed appreciation to the City Council for the good job they do; 2) thanked Public Works for immediately fixing a large pothole that she recently reported; 3) expressed concern with the lack of rent control in the City, stated that she is an advocate for groups such as the mentally ill and disabled, and feared that rent gouging could exacerbate the homelessness crisis; 4) stated that she is waiting on a response regarding the installation of flashing lights on Rose Street and Clark Avenue; and 5) requested a follow up on the process for bulky item pick-up.
In response to comments provided by Darlene Palacios, 1) City Manager Stewart recommended she contact Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki regarding bulky item pick-up concerns; 2) at the request of City Manager Stewart, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki confirmed that they had previously explained to Ms. Palacios that flashing lights would be installed at Rose Street and Clark Avenue and were currently in the design phase; and 3) Mayor Santa Ines clarified that there was no limit for bulky item pick-up requests under CR&R (current hauler) and requests must be submitted 48 hours prior to the regularly scheduled pick-up day.
Esther, resident, expressed concerns with the election process, stated that Shasta County opted for paper ballots recently due to a discrepancy with ballots, and suggested the City consider adopting similar measures, as well as eliminate mail-in voting and ballot harvesting.
In response to the comments provided by Esther, Mayor Santa Ines clarified that the City’s elections are conducted by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office and should an issue arise with the voting machines, it would need to be addressed with that agency.
At the request of Mayor Sana Ines, City Clerk Ochiqui clarified that the voting machines are not connected to a live network, noted that election laws are set by the State Elections Code, and provided the speaker with her contact information for any further questions or concerns.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
5 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 12 April 10, 2023 Page 5 of 8
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, 1) Council Member Dunton announced that he would recuse himself on Item 14-G (North Downtown Bellflower Parking Analysis) as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject property; 2) Council Member Koops announced that he would recuse himself on Item 14-E (4-way ‘Stop’ controls on Coke Avenue at Rose Street) as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject property; 3) Council Member Dunton pulled Item 14-B (Resolution prohibiting discrimination & harassment) for separate consideration; 4) Mayor Santa Ines pulled Item 14-F (Thompson Park Playground Improvements) for discussion only; and 5) Council Member Sanchez pulled Item 14-G (North Downtown Bellflower Parking Analysis) for separate consideration.
With regard to Item 14-F (Thompson Park Playground Improvements), at the request of Mayor Santa Ines, 1) Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki shared the artist’s rendering of the proposed playground improvements to the Thompson Park playground and confirmed that the playground equipment being replaced was believed to be approximately 30 years old; and 2) Director of Parks and Recreation Mellana confirmed and highlighted wheelchair accessibility and inclusive play features that would be included as part of this playground and any future playgrounds in the City.
Noting the inclusion of additional Item 14-H (Resolution No. 23-13 –National Opioid Settlements), the aforementioned recusals, and separate consideration of Items 14-B (Resolution prohibiting discrimination & harassment) and 14-G (North Downtown Bellflower Parking Analysis), it was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the balance of the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Koops, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
ABSENT: Council Member - Mayor Pro Tem Hamada
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Warrant Register No. 23-101, dated April 10, 2023. _____
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 23-101.
6 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14 April 10, 2023 Page 6 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
B [Pulled for separate consideration]
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the March 27, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council. _____________________ Action: Approved the March 27, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to appro ve the Minutes of the March 27, 2023, Special Joint Meeting of the City Council, Bellflower Financing Authority, Bellflower Parking Authority, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Public Safety Commission. __________ Action: Approved the March 27, 2023, Special Joint Meeting Minutes.
E Consideration and possible action to authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to convert the existing 2-way ‘Stop’ controls to 4-way ‘Stop’ controls on Coke Avenue at Rose Street (C.E.# 23-03).
Action: Authorized the Director of Public Works, or designee, to convert the existing 2-way ‘Stop’ controls to 4-way ‘Stop’ controls on Coke Avenue at Rose Street.
F Consideration and possible action to award a contract to R.E. Schultz Construction, Inc. for the Thompson Park Playground Improvements (Specifications No. 22/23-07); and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with R.E. Schultz Construction, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney.
CEQA: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq.) and CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, §§ 15000, et seq.), the City conducted an environmental assessment. Based on the environmental assessment, the project was determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15303 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).
Action: Awarded a contract to R.E. Schultz for the Project and au thorized the City Manager to execute a contract with R.E. Schultz, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
G [Pulled for separate consideration]
H Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 23 -13 – A Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to enter into National Opioid Settlements with Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.____ Action: Adopted Resolution No. 23-13.
7 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14 April 10, 2023 Page 7 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
14-B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 23-12 – A Resolution prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace, and superseding Resolution No. 16-17.
Council Member Dunton expressed the opinion that Sacramento passes rules that they do not necessarily abide by and stated that his “no” vote was symbolic.
Following brief discussion, it was moved by Mayor Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried by the following roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 23-12:
AYES: Council Members - Koops, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
NOES: Council Member - Dunton
ABSENT: Council Member - Mayor Pro Tem Hamada
14-G Consideration and possible action to receive and file the 2022 North Downtown Bellflower Parking Analysis.
For the record, noting his aforementioned recusal, Council Member Dunton left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:32 p.m.
Director of Economic Development DellaLonga 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.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried by the following roll call vote to 1) receive and file the 2022 North Downtown Bellflower Parking Analysis; 2) authorize the City Manager to update the Parking Analysis based upon changes to California law; 3) authorize staff to conduct an environmental assessment of the various parking options listed in the updated study; and 4) within 90 days, place the item on a future agenda for consideration and possible action:
AYES: Council Members - Koops, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
RECUSE: Council Member - Dunton
ABSENT: Council Member - Mayor Pro Tem Hamada
For the record, Council Member Dunton returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 8:02 p.m.
8 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15 April 10, 2023 Page 8 of 8
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Dunton, Council Member Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
For the record and without objection, Council Member Dunton requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Carol Moffit-Rogers.
For the record and without objection, Council Member Sanchez reques ted the meeting be adjourned in memory of Carol Alice Rusting.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m., in memory of Carol Alice Rusting and Carol Moffit-Rogers, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: April 24, 2023
9