14-L
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 September 11, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: September 25, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the September 11, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the September 11, 2023, Regular Meeting…............. ………………………… 2
1 MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 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 5:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Bellflower City Hall, 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower.
2 ROLL CALL
The following members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Santa Ines
Mayor Por Tem Dan Koops
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
For the record, 1) City Manager Stewart read the titles of the Closed Session items; and 2) Council Member Dunton recused himself from Item 3-A as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject property.
There being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Santa Ines recessed the Meeting at 5:32 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION - GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(4). Number of Cases: One.
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Santa Ines reconvened the Meeting at 7:00 p.m. with all members present and announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
2 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 5
September 11, 2023 Page 2 of 8
5 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Santa Ines called the Open Session of the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
6 ROLL CALL
The following members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Santa Ines
Mayor Pro Tem Dan Koops
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
Staff Participants:
Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Elizabeth Oba, Director of Planning & Building Services Jim DellaLonga, Director of Economic Development
Travis Sais, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Poole, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Mayor Sonny R. Santa Ines offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Economic Development Jim DellaLonga led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Santa Ines provided details regarding the City’s annual “State of the City” to be held on October 5, 2023, at the Mayne Events Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Koops provided details relative to the District 1 City Council vacancy with an application deadline of September 12, 2023.
Council Member Sanchez provided information relative to the Chamber of Commerce’s next “Monthly Morning Mingle” to be held on September 26, 2023.
Council Member Dunton provided information relative to the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan and how the public can participate in the process. 3 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9-B
September 11, 2023 Page 3 of 8
9-B PRESENTATION: Proclamation Declaring September as National Hispanic Heritage
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared the month of September as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Bellflower and presented the proclamation to Sandra Espinoza-Perry, who organizes the trip to Bellflower’s Sister City of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
9-C PRESENTATION: Proclamation Declaring September as Pedestrian Safety Month
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared the month of September as Pedestrian Safety Month in the City of Bellflower and presented the proclamation to Crossing Guard Carla Carver.
For the record, 1) Mayor Santa Ines invited all Bellflower crossing guards to breakfast with him as a personal treat; and 2) City Manager Stewart confirmed that staff would connect with the City’s contractor for crossing guard services to extend the invitation.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Darlene Palacios, resident, thanked the City Council and City staff for crosswalk improvements completed at the intersection of Rose Street and Clark Avenue , including installation of flashing crosswalk lights and moving of the bus stop, noting however, that speeding in the area was still a problem.
Steve Tamer, resident, 1) stated that he lives in the vicinity of Ripon Avenue and Flora Vista Street adjacent to Caruthers Park and grew up in the Bellflower area; 2) expressed that he has noticed a downturn in his neighborhood, such as trash on the adjacent streets, and requested extra trash cans in the area; 3) recounted concerning activity over the weekend at Caruthers Park including a drunk driver in the area of Chicago Avenue and Flora Vista Street on Friday night who drove over several residential driveways and lawns and fled the scene, an unofficial concert at the skate park on Saturday night with approximately 200 people in attendance, and a shooting at the park on Sunday involving a group of 50 people who appeared to be gang affiliated that left approximately 17 shells on the ground; and 4) requested more police presence in the area, if the budget allows for it.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines, City Manager Stewart confirmed that the current budget allows for one more car and one motorcycle cop, but those positions have not been filled due to staffing shortages at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
4 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10
September 11, 2023 Page 4 of 8
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS – Continued
Michael, resident, added to the previous speaker’s comments, stating that the disruptions adjacent to Caruthers Park were non-stop and that he has personally policed the park and repeatedly called the police over issues of concern.
Cheryl Williams, resident, expressed her appreciation for the last Streetfest event, sharing that she brought a friend from Cypress who had nothing but positive things to say about the event and wanted the City Council to know that the event is enjoyed by not only Bellflower residents, but visitors as well.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to set a public hearing for Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Case No. ZOTA 23-01 and Conditional Use Permit Case No. CU 23-01.
CEQA: The recommended action, by itself, is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA regulations (14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because it does not involve any commitment to a specific project which could result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment; and constitute an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, the proposed action does not constitute a “project” that requires environmental review (see specifically 14 Ca l.
Code of Regs. § 15378(b)(4-5)).
City Manager Stewart introduced the item.
Planning & Building Services Director Oba 1) gave a brief verbal presentation providing an overview of the Staff Report; and 2) along with City Manager Stewart and City Attorney Berger, responded to Council Members’ questions.
5 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13
September 11, 2023 Page 5 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to set a public hearing for Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Case No. ZOTA 23-01 and Conditional Use Permit Case No. CU 23-01 – Continued
City Attorney Berger stated that 1) the City Council had the ability to remand the matter back to the Planning Commission with directions in terms of how to fix the issues if they would like to; 2) this was really a final decision by the Planning Commission, so going back to the Planning Commission would be an additional opportunity for the for the Applicant to make their case in terms of what the Planning Commission should do, noting that the due process issue has been handled; and 3) if the Planning Commission makes an objectionable finding the Applicant may still appeal to the City Council.
Following brief discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that the matter should be remanded back to Planning Commission.
Jose Fierros representing Applicant JRF Collision Center, 1) requested and received clarification from Mayor Santa Ines that the matter could be heard by the Planning Commission on October 2, 2023, or at a special meeting called for that purpose on September 26, 2023; and 2) pointed out that the timeline would be delayed if the Applicant were to go back to the Planning Commission and then appeal to the City Council, putting the matter back before the City Council the last week of October or first week of November.
For the record, City Attorney Berger clarified that 1) right now the recommended action before the City Council prior to the Mayor’s observation on the matter was to set a public hearing in front of the City Council; 2) the City Council has no obligation with regard to the public hearing, as this was an appeal brought forward by the City Manager’s Office; 3) the Mayor’s observations are entirely appropriate under the circumstances and would give the Applicant an additional opportunity to plead their case in front of the Planning Commission and for the Planning Commission to do the right thing one way or another based upon the procedural requirements of the Municipal Code; 4) so the question about timing is a moot issue, as the City Council has no obligation to do anything at the moment and the Planning Commission’s decision right now stands; and 5) in an abundance of caution, the City Manager’s Office brought this in front of the City Council.
For the record, Mayor Santa Ines gave the Applicant the choice of October 2, 2023, or for the Planning Commission to hold a special meeting to consider the matter.
Jose Fierros representing Applicant JRF Collision Center, 1) stated that a special Planning Commission meeting would be fine; and 2) asked if he was able to amend the original application.
6 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13
September 11, 2023 Page 6 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to set a public hearing for Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Case No. ZOTA 23-01 and Conditional Use Permit Case No. CU 23-01 – Continued
City Manager Stewart clarified that 1) the original application would be remanded back to the Planning Commission; 2) if he wanted to amend the application, then the clock would start over again because it would involve assessment of a different set of facts; and 3) requested and received confirmation from Mr. Fierros that he understood the process, as he is a planner in another city.
For the record, 1) Mayor Santa Ines gave the Applicant the choice to move forward with the original application or start the process over with a new application ; 2) Director Oba noted that one Planning Commissioner may be out of town during the timeframe discussed, so there may only be four Planning Commissioners available to consider the matter if scheduled during that time; and 3) City Manager Stewart confirmed that the direction to staff would be to schedule it as soon as possible so that all five Planning Commissioners can consider the matter.
Jose Fierros representing Applicant Danny Frechette JRF Collision Center, confirmed that the Applicant wants to amend the application and start the process over because the buffer they originally presented to the Planning Commission was not favorable to the Applicant or the City.
For the record, 1) City Manager Stewart confirmed that the City would not be beholden to any particular date to hear the matter, since the process was starting over and they are withdrawing the application and refiling it at a later time ; and 2) City Attorney Berger, stated that since the Applicant had chosen to withdraw the application the only action needed by the City Council at th is time would be to receive and file the item.
There being no further discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to receive and file the staff report:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Sanchez, Koops and Mayor Santa Ines
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, with regard to Item 14-D (Local Streets Grind and Cap Specifications No. 22/23-01), 1) Mayor Santa Ines announced that there was a lack of a quorum on the matter due Mayor Pro Tem Koops and Council Member Dunton owning property within 500 feet of the subject areas and explained that lots would be drawn to determine which one of them would participate in the matter; and 2) City Clerk Ochiqui conducted the random drawing and announced that Council Member Dunton would participate in the matter.
7 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
September 11, 2023 Page 7 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
Noting the aforementioned recusal from Mayor Pro Tem Koops on Item 14-D (Local Streets Grind and Cap Specifications No. 22/23-01), it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the balance of the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Sanchez, Koops and Mayor Santa Ines
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Warrant Register No. 24-031, dated September 11, 2023.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 24-031.
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 23 -41 – A Resolution approving Final Map No. 83812 to allow for the subdivision of a 41,174-square foot lot into eight lots for the construction of eight, two-story, single-family residences with attached garages on property located at 10343-10351 Mapledale Street; and authorize the City Manager to execute Subdivision Improvement Agreement File No. 1010, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with KMH Paramount Investments, LLC.
CEQA: The City reviewed the project’s environmental impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15532, Class 32 (In-Fill Development Projects). No additional environmental review is required for the final map.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 23-41; and authorized the City Manager to execute Subdivision Improvement Agreement File No. 1010, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the August 28, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the August 28, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to award a contract to Sequel Contractors, Inc. for the Local Streets Grind and Cap (Specifications No. 22/23-01); and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Sequel Contractors, 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 Sequel for the Project; and authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Sequel, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
8 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
September 11, 2023 Page 8 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
E Consideration and possible action to award a contract to Transwest Truck Center LLC for the purchase of two (2) 2023 F-350 stake bed dump trucks for the Public Works Department and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Transwest Truck Center LLC, in a form approved by the City Attorney.________________________________________________________ Action: Awarded a contract to Transwest for the purchase of two (2) 2023 F-350 stake bed dump trucks; and authorize d the City Manager to execute a contract with Transwest, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
F Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 23-42 – A Resolution adjusting salary and employment categories within the City Manager’s Office (Exhibit A), effective September 11, 2023.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 23-42, approving the attached personnel and salary plan adjustments and authorizing the City Manager to implement the Plan as appropriate.
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez, Council Member Koops, and Mayor Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m., to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: September 25, 2023
9