14-H
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 May 8, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: May 22, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the May 8, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the May 8, 2023, Regular Meeting… ......................... ………………………… 2
1 MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, MAY 8, 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 5:34 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 Dunton, 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 titles of the Closed Session items.
There being no one in attendance wishing to provide public comments, without objection, Mayor Santa Ines recessed the meeting at 5:36 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Negotiator: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
Employee Organization: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO; AFSCME-
represented mid management employees
(Local 1511); Bellflower City Employees Association
(BCEA) represented full-time executive assistant
employees; and Bellflower City Employees
Association (BCEA) represented part-time community
service officers and maintenance workers
2 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3 May 8, 2023 Page 2 of 8
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
B CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION - GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(4). Number of Cases: One
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Santa Ines reconvened the meeting at 7:03 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 7:03 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 Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Dunton, 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 Bernardo Iniguez, Public Works Manager
Jim DellaLonga, Director of Economic Development
Joel Hockman, Director of Public Safety
Travis Sais, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Poole-Eidd, Management Assistant
3 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 7 May 8, 2023 Page 3 of 8
7 INVOCATION
Mayor Sonny R. Santa Ines offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Public Safety Joel Hockman led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Santa Ines provided details relative to the Bellflower Connect program which will provide free high-speed internet connectivity for all Bellflower residents, businesses, and visitors.
Council Member Dunton 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 Koops 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 Sanchez provided details relative to the Chamber of Commerce’s next Monthly Morning Mingle to be held on May 30, 2023.
9-B PRESENTATION: National Public Safety Week
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared May 14-20, 2023, as National Public Safety Week in the City of Bellflower and presented the proclamation to Community Services Officer Daniel Hester.
Community Services Officer Hester accepted the proclamation and thanked the City Council.
9-C PRESENTATION: National Public Works Week
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues 1) declared May 21-27, 2023, as National Public Works Week in the City of Bellflower; and 2) presented a certificate of achievement to Public Works Manager Bernardo Iniguez for 22 years of dedicated service with the City of Bellflower, noting that he was hired by the City of Bell Gardens as the Director of Public Works.
Public Works Manager Iniguez thanked the City Council and accepted the proclamation and certificate of achievement.
4 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9-D May 8, 2023 Page 4 of 8
9-D PRESENTATION: Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared May as Asian American and Pacific Islander month in the City of Bellflower and presented the proclamation to Somerset High School Teacher and Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Brian Ahumada
Commissioner Ahumada accepted the proclamation and thanked the City Council.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lee Squire stated that he, along with Fernanda Hernandez, were presenting a framed picture of National Police Week with a postage stamp depicting a Purple Heart Medal, in honor of National Police Week May 14-20, 2023, and Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, 2023, to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lakewood Division.
Fernanda Hernandez thanked police officers for freedom and safety and presented the framed picture to Officer Schorr of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Cheryl Williams, resident, stated that she recently became aware of the mural located at Speedy Auto Tint & Detail and wanted to go on record to express the opinion that 1) it was impressive; and 2) the City should utilize this opportunity to draw people in from surrounding communities.
Vaughn Hausmann1)stated that he spoke with Council Member Sanchez regarding the need for a three-way traffic signal in the vicinity of Clark Avenue and Cedar Street, as this area tends to have one to two accidents per month and requested that it be expedited; and 2) expressed the opinion that whether the mural was liked or not was irrelevant if it is not up to code and that municipal codes uphold the quality of life in the City.
In response to comments provided by Cheryl Williams and Vaughn Hausmann, Mayor Santa Ines stated that the City Council could not provide comment on the mural, as it is an active Code Enforcement case.
Darlene Palacios, resident, 1) stated that she lives a block away from Mr. Hausmann and agreed with his assessment of the traffic conditions in the area as she has a similar problem at Rose Street and Clark Avenue and is still waiting on the installation of flashing lights; 2) expressed her appreciation that the City moved the crosswalk at that intersection; 3) stated that she sent the City Council a photo of a car crash at Clark Avenue and Cedar Street; and 4) requested rent control be considered for Bellflower, expressing concern that rent increases will have more people fleeing the City and California.
5 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10 May 8, 2023 Page 5 of 8
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS – Continued
In response to comments regarding street improvements, Mayor Santa Ines stated that any work of this nature needs to have a traffic study completed and certain requirements met before any work can commence.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki, stated that 1) Public Works is planning to bring forward a number of traffic enchantment projects to the City Council which will analyze some intersections to determine if they warrant further analysis; 2) the items addressed and other locations in the City will be assessed along with the implementation of radar feedback signs and he anticipated them being discussed at the next City Council Meeting or first meeting of June; 3) the pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of Rose Street and Clark Avenue was moved and the design for the rapid flashing beacon is awaiting procurement and installation from the City of Santa Fe Springs; and 4) the project would also entail moving the transit bus stop to the south side so as not to inhibit the flashing beacon signs.
Joe Cvetko 1) with regard to the mural at Speedy Auto Tint & Detail, stated that Bellflower does not need to glorify sports stars or announcers ; and 2) expressed concern since the location is public facing on a busy street and could cause an accident and potential lawsuit.
Andrew San Nicolas, Executive Director of Kingdom Causes Bellflower, introduced himself to the City Council and stated that the more he learns about Bellflower, the more excited he is to work with the City.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan (AAP) and adopt Resolution No. 23-17 – A Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan (AAP); authorizing the City Manager to submit the AAP to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and authorizing the City Manager to take
City Manager Stewart introduced the item.
Consultant Akensa Ananikyan of Avant-Garde, Inc. 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the item; and 2) along Director of Economic Development DellaLonga and City Manager Stewart, responded to Council Members’ questions.
6 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-A May 8, 2023 Page 6 of 8
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan (AAP) and adopt Resolution No. 23-17 – Continued
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines, Consultant Ananikyan confirmed that there would be a correction made to pages 21 and 27 to reflect the proper amounts for Code Enforcement and the Volunteer Center.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to open the public hearing.
There being no one in attendance wishing to present testimony, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
It was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 2 3-17, as amended to include corrections on pages 21 and 27 of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Koops, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
ABSENT: Council Member - Mayor Pro Tem Hamada
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Koops, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
ABSENT: Council Member - Mayor Pro Tem Hamada
7 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14 May 8, 2023 Page 7 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 23-111, dated May 8, 2023.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 23-111.
B Consideration and possible action to approve the reappointment of Chamber of Commerce’s nominee Aaron Drake to the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO WDB) for the term ending June 2025.
Action: Approved the reappointment of Chamber of Commerce’s nominee Aaron Drake to the SELACO WDB for the term ending June 2025.
C Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 23 -16 – A Resolution amending Resolution No. 23-06 adopted on April 24, 2023, as to development impact fees for residential projects in accordance with Chapter
3.40 of the Bellflower Municipal Code.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 23-16.
D Consideration and possible action to ratify the Amended 2023 Mayor’s Appointments to the various City-associated organizations.
Action: Ratified Mayor Santa Ines’s Amended 2023 Appointments to the various City-associated organizations.
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 Ibbetson Avenue at Rose Street (C.E.# 23-04).
Action: Authorized the Director of Public Works, or designee, to convert the existing 2-way ‘Stop’ controls to 4-way ‘Stop’ controls on Ibbetson Avenue at Rose Street.
F Consideration and possible action to authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to relocate the existing bus stop on Clark Avenue at Rose Street (C.E.# 23-05).
Action: Authorized the Director of Public Works, or designee, to relocate the existing bus stop on Clark Avenue at Rose Street.
G Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the April 24, 2023, Special Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the April 24, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
H Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the April 24, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the April 24, Regular Meeting Minutes.
8 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15 May 8, 2023 Page 8 of 8
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez, Council Member Koops, and Mayor Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
For the record and without objection, Council Member Koops requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Barbara Liberator.
For the record and without objection, Mayor Santa Ines requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Rey Lucas.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m., in memory of Barbara Liberator and Rey Lucas, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: May 22, 2023
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