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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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
For the record, City Clerk Ochiqui opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and recessed to 6:00 p.m. due to lack of a quorum.
Mayor Santa Ines called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:03 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 Sonny R. Santa Ines
Mayor Pro Tem Dan Koops
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Wendi Morse
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) Mayor Pro Tern Koops announced that he would recuse on Item 3-A as he owns property within 1,000 feet of the subject property.
There being no members of the public in attendance, Mayor Santa Ines recessed the meeting at 6:04 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 8833 Cedar Street, Bellflower, CA 90706
Agency Negotiator: Jeffrey L. Stewart, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Vickie Dewey, Senior Property Manager, Meltdown Management, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 4 November 13, 2023 Page 2 of 8
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Santa Ines reconvened the Meeting at 7:02 p.m. with all members present and announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session. 7:00 P.M. - OPEN SESSION
5 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Santa Ines called the Open Session of the Regular City Council 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
Mayor Pro Tern Dan Koops
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Wendi Morse
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
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 Travis Sais, Deputy City Manager
P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jennifer Poole, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Wendi Morse offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Parks and Recreation P.J. Mellana led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9 November 13, 2023 Page 3 of 8
9 CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Santa Ines provided details relative to the City's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony to be held on December 1, 2023, near Friendship Square in Downtown Bellflower.
Mayor Pro Tern Koops provided details relative to the City's Holiday Home Decorating Contest with an entry deadline of November 30, 2023.
Council Member Dunton provided details relative to the Bellflower Volunteer Center's Christmas food and toy drive with a donation deadline of November 30, 2023.
Council Member Morse provided details regarding the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and how the public can participate in the next workshops to be held on November 28, 2023, and November 30, 2023.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the Chamber of Commerce's next monthly morning mingle to be held on November 28, 2023. 9-B PRESENTATION: Family Court Awareness Month Proclamation Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues declared November 2023 as Family Court Awareness Month in the City of Bellflower. For the record, Mayor Santa Ines stated that Sandy Ross of the California Protective Parents Association was not able to attend the meeting to accept the proclamation, so it would be mailed to her directly.
9-C PRESENTATION: Care Solace Update
Chad Castruita, CEO of Care Solace, 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation; 2) along with Deputy City Manager Travis Sais, responded to Council Members' questions; 3) at the request of Council Member Dunton, stated that he would try to find data relative to how many repeat-clients utilize the system annually; and 4) stated that Care Solace is now working with the Bellflower Unified School District (BUSD) and if they contract for services, Care Solace will reduce the City's client numbers accordingly.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Esther, resident, addressed the City Council relative to the fires that occurred recently in Hawaii and offered to send the City Council evidence that directed weapons were used to start those fires, noting that she wants to make sure that this does not happen to Bellflower.
In response to comments provided by Esther, Mayor Santa Ines stated that she could provide the information to City Clerk Ochiqui.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10 November 13, 2023 Page 4 of 8
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS — Continued
Roger Mendez, owner of Mr. Menudo (restaurant located at 16203 Clark Ave.l, addressed the City Council to request an exemption for an outside dining space for his restaurant, as he has been receiving citations from the Code Enforcement Division for unpermitted outside dining.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines, 1) Mr. Mendez stated he spoke with the Planning Department once relative to the issue, but could not come to an agreement; and 2) City Manager Stewart stated that he would meet with Mr. Mendez to discuss the matter.
John Butts, resident, 1) expressed the opinion that the City's homeless situation is out of hand; 2) stated that he has submitted six reports to the Los Angeles County Sherriff regarding homeless issues and is aware of six homeless men and women that have committed crimes in the City; 3) requested that the City work with County to clean up the homeless camp located at the riverbed area; and 4) stated that he knows who committed the latest crime against him, but he's not going to submit a report to the Sheriff's station, as he and his friends are going to take care of the issue themselves.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to execute a three-year Employment Agreement (Agreement File No. 1020) with Mr. Ryan Smoot, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for City Manager services.
Fiscal impacts include, without limitation, a (1) base compensation for a total of $271,000 beginning January 1, 2024; (2) vehicle allowance of $600 per month; (3) deferred compensation at the maximum IRS amount; and (4) medical, disability, and other fringe benefits including, without limitation, CaIPERS retirement benefits. The total compensation package is approximately $408,000.
City Manager Stewart introduced the item, gave a brief verbal presentation, and recommended approval of the item.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13 November 13, 2023 Page 5 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to execute a three-year Employment Agreement (Agreement File No. 1020) with Mr. Ryan Smoot, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for City Manager services — Continued
Each Member of the City Council 1) spoke about City Manager Stewart's accomplishments during his tenure with the City and the legacy that he will leave behind upon his retirement; and 2) provided a warm welcome to Mr. Ryan Smoot on his pending agreement for City Manager services with the City, noting their excitement to be able to work with him in the near future.
For the record, Mr. Ryan Smoot and his family were in attendance as members of the public audience.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to authorize the Mayor to execute Agreement File No. 1020 with Mr. Ryan Smoot, in a form approved by the City Attorney:
AYES: Council Members - Koops, Dunton, Morse, Sanchez and Mayor Santa Ines
B Consideration and possible action to consider a Modification Application for one existing Cannabis Business Permit ("CBP") for a dispensary use for NC3 Systems, Inc. (dba "Deli by Caliva") at 9535 Artesia Boulevard.
City Manager Stewart introduced the item.
Deputy City Manager Sais 1) provided a brief verbal presentation of the Staff Report, noting that the item was deferred from the previous City Council Meeting on October 23, 2023, due to additional information needed from the Applicant; and 2) introduced Greg Garnet, Permittee Representative and Chief Compliance Officer of Gold Flora Corporation, which is a public company.
For the record, City Clerk Ochiqiui administered the oath to Permittee Representative Garnet
Permittee Representative Garnet stated that 1) he worked closely with the CEO and CFO on the ownership structure following the merger; 2) provided additional flow charts as supplemental material to make the merger easier to understand; and 3) responded to Council Members' questions.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13 November 13, 2023 Page 6 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
B Consideration and possible action to consider a Modification Application for one existing Cannabis Business Permit ("CBP") for a dispensary use for NC3 Systems, Inc. (dba "Deli by Caliva") at 9535 Artesia Boulevard — Continued
Following brief discussion, at the request of Mayor Santa Ines, Permittee Representative Garnet 1) explained that he was not certain who owns the 47% interest that was missing from the shareholders list on the flow chart [top right corner], as those listed only added up to 53%; and 2) confirmed that he understood what Mayor Santa Ines was requesting and he would be able to provide the requested information by the end of the following business day.
City Manager Stewart 1) suggested the matter be continued to the next City Council meeting on November 27, 2023, as the City Council does not have enough information to take action on this item; and 2) requested that Permittee Representative Gamet provide the information to Deputy City Manager Sais in advance so that staff can review it prior to the next meeting.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote to continue the matter to the next City Council meeting on November 27, 2023:
AYES: Council Members - Koops, Dunton, Morse, Sanchez and Mayor Santa Ines
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Stewart introduced the item.
For the record, 1) Mayor Pro Tern Koops announced that he would recuse on Item 14-B (Federal Community Project Funding grants for various projects) as he owns property within 1,000 feet of one of the subject properties [Constitution Park]; and 2) Council Member Sanchez requested that Item 14-B be pulled for discussion only.
For the record, Mayor Pro Tern Koops left the dais and Council Chambers at 8:01 p.m.
With regard to Item 14-B (Federal Community Project Funding grants for various projects), 1) Council Member Sanchez stated that he wanted to highlight the item for the community, as the City's been working on these three projects for some time and this is providing funding to complete the projects; and 2) Mayor Santa Ines stated that most of the funding is coming by way of the work of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez to make sure that the City received its fair share of funding for the community.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14 November 13, 2023 Page 7 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR— Continued
For the record, Mayor Pro Tern Koops returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 8:03 pm.
It was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Koops, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members - Koops, Dunton, Morse, Sanchez and Mayor Santa Ines
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 24-051, dated November 13, 2023.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 24-051.
B Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File Nos. 840.1, 840.2, and 840.3, in forms approved by the City Attorney, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for federal Community Project Funding grants for various projects including Constitution Park Revitalization, BRIM Fleet Vehicle Replacement, and Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool Improvements.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement File Nos. 840.1, 840.2, and 840.3, in forms approved by the City Attorney.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the October 23, 2023, Special Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the October 23, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the October 23, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the October 23, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
E Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the October 27, 2023, Special Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the October 27, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
F Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to Agreement File No. 821, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Omni Enterprise, Inc. for janitorial services.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to Agreement File No. 821, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15 November 13, 2023 Page 8 of 8
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
For the record, Mayor Pro Tern Koops requested the meeting be adjourned in Memory of Delmar E. Schenk.
Mayor Pro Tern Koops, Council Member Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m., in memory of Delmar E. Schenk, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023.
2„,....__.....,.._
Son R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Ma a . iqui,"i rCerk
Ap•ro ed: November 27 00 23