14-C
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the March 11, 2024, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: March 25, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the March 11, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the March 11, 2024, Regular Meeting… .................... ………………………… 2
1 MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024
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 Koops called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:34 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 Dan Koops
Mayor Pro Tem Ray Dunton
Council Member Wendi Morse
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
Council Member Sonny R. Santa Ines
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Smoot announced the Closed Session items.
For the record, Council Member Morse announced that she would recuse herself from participating in Item 3-A, as she has economic interests within 500 feet of the subject properties.
There being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Koops recessed the Meeting at 5:35 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
2 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3
March 11, 2024 Page 2 of 10
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: Assessor Parcel Nos. 7109-013-800, 7109-013-801, 7109-013-900, 7109-013-036, and 7109-013-037
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Jonathan Dadourian, Newmark; Christopher Beck, Newmark
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
B CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION - GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(4). Number of Cases: One. (multiple defendants)
C THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES – Government Code § 54957 - Consultation with: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office; Captain Daniel Holguin
For the record, Closed Session recessed at 7:01 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Koops 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 Koops called the Open Session of the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with all members present. For the record, Closed Session was continued after Council Reports.
6 ROLL CALL
The following members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Dan Koops
Mayor Pro Tem Ray Dunton
Council Member Wendi Morse
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
Council Member Sonny R. Santa Ines
3 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 6
March 11, 2024 Page 3 of 10
6 ROLL CALL – Continued
Staff Participants:
Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Timothy E. Campen, Assistant City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Travis Sais, Deputy City Manager
Wangsu Lee, Management Analyst
Joel Hockman, Director of Public Safety
Jennifer Poole, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Public Safety Joel Hockman led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9 CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Koops provided details relative to the Small Business Kisok Program with applications for Kisok B accepted through April 19, 2024.
Mayor Pro Tem Dunton provided details relative to the City’s weekly Farmers Market operating on Mondays from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Town Center Plaza.
Council Member Morse provided details relative to the Economic Development’s E- Citizen newsletter and monthly small business spotlight program.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the Chamber of Commerce’s “St. Patrick’s Day Chamber Chat” event to be held on March 13, 2024, at The StandUp Comedy Club, and the “Business to Business Casual Connections” event to be held on March 21, 2024.
Council Member Santa Ines provided details relative to the Fair Housing Foundation’s 2024 Youth Poster Contest with a submission deadline of April 16, 2024.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
For the record, there was no one in attendance wishing to provide public comments.
4 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-A
March 11, 2024 Page 4 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to consider granting an oil pipeline franchise to SFPP, L.P., and read by title, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1427 – An Ordinance granting to SFPP, L.P. (“SFPP”) a Delaware Limited Partnership, an oil pipeline franchise within the City of Bellflower.
B Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to consider, read by title, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1428 – An Ordinance granting to Air Products Manufacturing, LLC (“Air Products”), a Delaware Limited Liability Company, an oil pipeline franchise within the City of Bellflower.
CEQA: The proposed ordinance is exempt from additional environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA regulations (14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because the granting of the oil pipeline franchise fits within the definition of the Class 1 exemption, “Existing Facilities,” as defined in Section 15301(c) of the CEQA regulations. The proposed grant of franchise involves no or negligible alteration of existing facilities and involves no or negligible expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the determination that the Categorical Exemption applies. Furthermore, the proposed grant of franchise will not adversely impact air quality or any other environmental area, as it will be subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
For the record, 1) Items 11-A (Ordinance No. 1427) and 11-B (Ordinance No. 1428) were considered simultaneously; and 2) Mayor Koops recused himself from Items 11-A (Ordinance No. 1427), 11-B (Ordinance No. 1428), and 11-C (Ordinance No. 1429), as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject properties.
For the record, Mayor Koops left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:14 p.m.
Management Analyst Lee 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the items; and 2) along with Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki, City Attorney Berger, and City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members’ questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried without objection, to open the public hearing.
5 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-A & 11-B
March 11, 2024 Page 5 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS – Continued
A&B Consideration and possible action to conduct public hearings to consider, reading by title, waiving further reading, and introducing Ordinance Nos. 1427 and 1428 – Continued
Mohsen Ahmadi, General Manager of Operation Planning and Logistics, Paramount Petroleum, 1) stated that he had over 37 years of combined experience at Paramount Petroleum and Air Products, highlighted his expertise in operating within a refinery and pipeline environment, mentioned that while he didn't have the exact dollar amount of insurance confirmed that all of their pipelines are insured, and offered to provide further information on the insurance coverage; 2) explained that Air Products recently acquired assets including the Paramount Refinery and pipeline, and former employees of Paramo unt Petroleum and World Energy are now part of the Air Products organization; 3) noted the company’s ownership of 47 miles of pipeline; and 4) responded to Council Members’ questions.
There being no one else in attendance wishing to present testimony, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
For the record, City Manager Smoot read the titles of Ordinance Nos. 1427 and 1428 into the record.
It was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by
Council Member Morse, and carried by the following roll call vote, to read by title only, waive further reading, and introduced Ordinance Nos. 1427 and 1428:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines RECUSE: Council Members- Mayor Koops
C Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to consider granting an oil pipeline franchise to SFPP, L.P., and read by title, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1429 – An Ordinance granting to SFPP, L.P. (“SFPP”), Delaware Limited Partnership, an oil pipeline franchise within the City of Bellflower.
CEQA: The proposed ordinance is exempt from additional environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA regulations (14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because the granting of the oil pipeline franchise fits within the definition of the Class 1 exemption, “Existing Facilities,” as defined in Section 15301(c) of the CEQA regulations. The proposed grant of franchise involves no or negligible alteration of existing facilities and involves no or negligible expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the determination that the Categorical Exemption applies. Furthermore, the proposed grant of franchise will not adversely impact air quality or any o ther environmental area, as they will be subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
6 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-C
March 11, 2024 Page 6 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS – Continued
C Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to consider granting an oil pipeline franchise to SFPP, L.P., and read by title, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1429 – Continued
For the record, 1) Council Member Sanchez recused himself from the matter as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject properties and left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:32 p.m.; 2) Mayor Koops previously recused and remained outside of the meeting; and 3) following a drawing of lots at the February 12, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting between Mayor Koops, Council Member Morse, and Council Member Sanchez, it was determined that Council Member Morse would participate, and Mayor Koops and Council Member Sanchez would remain recused on the matter and all future discussions regarding this matter.
Management Analyst Lee 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the item; and 2) along with Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki, responded to Council Members’ questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried without objection, to open the public hearing.
Guy Bremer 1) inquired about the age of the pipelines, expressing concern regarding their longevity and highlighting the importance of having accurate information about the age of the pipelines, especially considering the various locations they traverse; and 2) raised questions about the tracking and marking of the pipelines' paths, emphasizing the necessity of clear surface markings to ensure their visibility and safety.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki 1) confirmed that he would contact the franchisee to obtain information regarding the age of the pipelines; 2) regarding the margins and markings of the pipelines, explained that at certain locations, such as along bike trails, stakes are used to indicate the presence and path of the gas lines, noting a recent example of pipeline markings at the Butterfly Garden during its grand opening, and explained that pipeline companies are responsible for installing these markers on the ground; 3) clarified that pipeline testing and management are typically regulated by the stat e; and 4) confirmed that he will gather more detailed information about the testing procedures, insurance requirements, and the age of the pipelines and provide that information to the City Council at a future date.
There being no one else in attendance wishing to present testimony, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
7 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-C
March 11, 2024 Page 7 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS – Continued
C Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to consider granting an oil pipeline franchise to SFPP, L.P., and read by title, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1429 – Continued
For the record, Council Member Santa Ines read the title of Ordinance No. 1429 into the record.
It was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse and carried by the following roll call vote, read by title only, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1429:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Santa Ines
RECUSE: Council Members - Sanchez and Mayor Koops
For the record, Mayor Koops and Council Member Sanchez returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 7:40 p.m.
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A 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 Jefferson Street at Leahy Avenue and Linden Street at Leahy Avenue (C.E.# 24-03).
For the record, Council Member Sanchez announced that he would recuse himself from the matter as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject areas and left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:41 p.m.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki 1) provided a brief verbal presentation of the item; and 2) responded to Council Members’ questions.
For the record, Council Member Santa Ines 1) stated that he had read the draft minutes of the meeting in which the Public Safety Commission (Commission) took action on this matter and confirmed that the draft minutes did not include a reason why the Commission denied the 4-way “Stop” controls on Linden Street at Leahy Avenue; and 2) as such, recommended the City Council approve the 4-way “Stop” controls on Jefferson Street at Leahy Avenue and remand the matter as to the 4-way “Stop” controls on Linden Street at Leahy Avenue back to the Public Safety Commission for reconsideration.
8 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13-A
March 11, 2024 Page 8 of 10
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A 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 Jefferson Street at Leahy Avenue and Linden Street at Leahy Avenue (C.E.# 24-03) – Continued
Chrissy Padilla Birkey 1) generally expressed support for the City's installation of four-way stops in various neighborhoods, which she believes contribute to improved safety; and 2) while acknowledging potential challenges for residents, advocated for measures that could mitigate speeding in residential areas, expressing the opinion that requiring drivers to come to a full stop would enhance overall neighborhood safety, especially on Leahy Avenue.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried by the following roll call vote, to 1) authorize the Director of Public Works to convert the existing 2 -way ‘Stop’ controls to 4-way ‘Stop’ controls on Jefferson Street at Leahy Avenue; and 2) send back for further consideration by the Public Safety Commission the Linden Street at Leahy Avenue 2-way ‘Stop’ controls to 4-way ‘Stop’ controls conversion:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Santa Ines, and Mayor Koops
RECUSE: Council Members - Sanchez
For the record, Council Member Sanchez returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 7:56 p.m.
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 24 -14 – A Resolution adopting the Bellflower Bail Schedule and requesting the presiding judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court approve the Bail Schedule for misdemeanor and infraction violations of the Bellflower Municipal Code.
CEQA: Adoption of this Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under CEQA Guidelines § 15601(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Resolution may have a significant effect on the environment.
Assistant City Attorney Campen 1) provided a brief verbal presentation of the item; and 2) along with City Attorney Berger, responded to Council Members’ questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, seconded by Council Member Morse, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 24-14:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Koops
9 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
March 11, 2024 Page 9 of 10
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, seconded by Council Member Santa Ines, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Koops
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 24-091, dated March 11, 2024.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 24-091.
B Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the February 26, 2024, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the February 26, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes.
C Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 781.2, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with KTU&A for Parks and Recreation Design Services.
Action: 1) Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 781.2; and 2) Authorized the budget amendment as detailed in the Fiscal Impact Section .
D Consideration and possible action to Adopt Resolution No. 24-13 – A Resolution amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to provide additional funding for the Bellflower Gateway Sign Project (Specifications No. 22/23-06).
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 24-13.
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Santa Ines, Council Member Sanchez and Mayor Koops made various comments and reports.
Without objection, Council Member Santa Ines requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Fredrick Beu.
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
For the record, 1) Mayor Koops recessed the Meeting at 8:21 p.m. to continue the Closed Session meeting regarding the matters listed below; and 2) Council Member Morse had previously announced that she would recuse herself from participating in Item 3-A, as she has economic interests within 500 feet of the subject properties.
10 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3
March 11, 2024 Page 10 of 10
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: Assessor Parcel Nos. 7109-013-800, 7109-013-801, 7109-013-900, 7109-013-036, and 7109-013-037
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Jonathan Dadourian, Newmark; Christopher Beck, Newmark
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
B CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION - GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(4). Number of Cases: One. (multiple defendants)
C THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES – Government Code § 54957 - Consultation with: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office; Captain Daniel Holguin
For the record, 1) Closed Session adjourned at 9:34 p.m.; and 2) Mayor Koops reconvened the Meeting at 9:34 p.m. with all members present and announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Koops adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. in memory of Fredrick Beu, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Dan Koops, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: March 25, 2024
11