14-D
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 June 24, 2024, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: July 8, 2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the June 24, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the June 24, 2024, Regular Meeting… ...................... ………………………… 2
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 24, 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 5:32 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
For the record, City Manager Smoot read the title of the Closed Session item.
For the record, with regard to Item 3-A (Initiation of Litigation), Mayor Koops announced that at the October 23, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, Council Member Morse, and he declared that they had property conflicts regarding this matter, lots were drawn, and it was determined that he would participate in all future discussions regarding the matter.
There being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Koops recessed the Meeting at 5:34 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. Potential defendant and property listed below is not required by applicable law; voluntarily disclosed:
1. DGSG Investment Properties, LLC; 17617-17639 Bellflower Boulevard
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Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3
June 24, 2024 Page 2 of 8
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:19 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 7:02 p.m.
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
Staff Participants:
Ryan Smoot, 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
Brian McNerney, Interim Director of Public Safety
Dakota Wallace, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Ray Dunton offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Economic Development Jim DellaLonga led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9-A
June 24, 2024 Page 3 of 8
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Koops provided details relative to the Small Business Kiosk Program with applications for Kiosk C accepted through June 27, 2024.
Mayor Pro Tem Dunton provided details relative to the City’s illegal firework enforcement policy, noting the upcoming Fourth of July Season.
Council Member Santa Ines provided details relative to the Parks & Recreation Department’s “Summer Streetfest,” noting that the next event will be held on June 27, 2024, in Downtown Bellflower.
Council Member Morse provided details relative to the Chamber of Commerce’s next Monthly Morning Mingle to be held on June 25, 2024.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) business workshop to be held on June 27, 2024, at Ironfire Workspaces.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Toni Veltri, resident, expressed public safety concerns in the vicinity of Bellflower High School, including 1) cars parking on the street on the weekend due to soccer games at the school, noting that this causes a line of sight issue on Hayford Avenue and McNab Avenue; 2) a transient that parks and leaves his motorhome unattended on McNab Avenue and Ron Yary Way; and 3) asked what the City is doing to alleviate the mail theft issue in the area.
In response to comments provided by Toni Veltri, 1) Mayor Koops suggested she speak with Interim Director of Public Safety McNerney to look into the parking issues; 2) Mayor Pro Tem Dunton explained that mail theft is a federal issue, further stating that he now sends his mail to the Cerritos Post Office; and 3) Council Member Morse informed the public that they can call the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General to report theft.
John Butts, resident, 1) expressed dissatisfaction with the three-minute limit for public comments; 2) reiterated that parking in the vicinity of Bellflower High School is an issue, further expressing dissatisfaction with the Bellflower Substation and Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s lack of enforcement in the area; 3) expressed the opinion that the City’s homeless situation is out of hand and suggested the City allow the homeless to camp and park their vehicles at a City park to assist with getting them off of the street; 4) expressed the opinion that the Sheriff’s Department is not doing anything to alleviate the homeless issue; and 5) expressed the opinion that if the homeless issue is not resolved, the demographics of the City will change and the homeless will “go away to another place.”
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 12
June 24, 2024 Page 4 of 8
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 3 to the Revised and Restated Franchise Agreement File No. 399.2 with CR&R for Solid Waste Management Services (the “Franchise Agreement”) and approve the Notice of Public Hearing for proposed adjustments to the maximum rates for solid waste collection services charged by CR&R Incorporated for a five-year period commencing on September 1, 2024.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki 1) gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members’ questions.
Mayor Koops requested and received clarification from Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki who 1) confirmed that CR&R is proposing no rate increase for residential accounts through August 31, 2025; and 2) clarified that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be utilized to establish future increases to the annual Franchise Fee with a maximum rate increase of 5% for any given year, noting that this is in accordance with surrounding cities.
For the record, and without objection, Council Member Sanchez 1) requested and received confirmation from Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki that the new CR&R two-person bulky item pick-up crew will be in addition to the pre-scheduled pick-up service provided to customers; and 2) requested that the cleanup of graffitied trash cans in a timely manner be included in the proposed Amendment.
Mayor Pro Tem Dunton requested and received clarification from Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki who 1) clarified that the annual fee of $200,000 paid by CR&R is already built into the rate structure, but will now be used for infrastructure improvements to the City parking lot trash enclosures, as required by the State of California; and 2) explained that the Proposition 218 Notice of Public Hearing is to propose a rate increase for commercial accounts starting September 1, 2024, as well as an adjustment to the maximum rates for commercial and residential accounts for the next five years.
Council Member Santa Ines requested and received clarification from Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki who 1) confirmed that if Proposition 218 fails, the current rates would stay in effect; and 2) explained that if the street sweeper cannot reach the edge of the curb, the driver is expected to get out of the vehicle to push the debris onto the street and then sweep it with the vehicle, further noting that this is already written in the current agreement.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13-A
June 24, 2024 Page 5 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 3 to Agreement File No. 399.2 with CR&R – Continued
For the record, and without objection, Council Member Santa Ines and Mayor Pro Tem Dunton requested an increase in code enforcement or an administrative citation process to ensure that the City is not attracting more illegal dumping or creating a dependence due to the additional bulky item pick-up services that may be implemented.
For the record, Council Member Santa Ines stated that when CR&R’s third bulky item pick-up crew is triggered, he will request a conversation with staff about the recently approved Public Works weekend crew and whether their tasks should be adjusted.
Chrystal Denning, Regional Vice President for CR&R, Inc., addressed the City Council and responded to Council Members’ questions.
In response to comments made by Council Member Sanchez, Council Member Morse and Council Member Sanchez, CR&R Representative Chrystal Denning 1) confirmed that repainting the cans is available in the current agreement and she would ensure drivers make company staff aware when there is a need, as they would like to be more proactive in this area; 2) stated that residential customers will have the option to downsize their cart sizes at reduced rates as of September 1, 2024; and 3) explained that advanced billing is standard in the industry and noted that an additional 30-day grace period has been included.
John Butts, resident, suggested that the City place cameras on the street sweeper vehicles and allow the drivers to issue parking citations instead of having a City employee follow the street sweeper to issue citations.
Berenice Cristerna, resident, 1) questioned how the rates are determined for the City, noting that the proposed rates are not the lowest or the highest compared to the surrounding cities; and 2) explained that piles of “mulch” have been dropped off near the dog park in the past and left for long periods of time, noting that she witnessed employees sitting on their phones instead of working.
In response to comments made by Berenice Cristerna, Assistant City Manager/ Director Gorecki 1) explained that each City has different services and needs which causes a difference in rates; and 2) clarified that the piles referenced are woodchips and confirmed that he will become more aware of when the woodchips are delivered by the City’s vendor, West Coast Arborists, so that they can be spread out sooner.
Guy Bremmer, resident, 1) stated that there is a scheduling conflict on Woodruff Place where CR&R staff takes out twelve dumpsters onto the street on the same day as street sweeping, so the sweeper vehicle has to maneuver around the bins and the street is not cleaned properly; and 2) asked how the situation can be remedied.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13-A
June 24, 2024 Page 6 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement File No. 399.2 with CR&R – Continued
In response to comments made by Guy Bremmer relative to street sweeping on Woodruff Place after the dumpsters are placed on the street, 1) CR&R Representative Denning confirmed that it appears to be a matter of timing and this can be remedied with proper scheduling; and 2) Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki stated that he was familiar with the area and would send CR&R the location.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, and without objection, Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki clarified that the painting of the graffitied cans was an inclusive service, and the recommended action includes the allowance for technical changes.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to 1) authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to Agreement File No. 399.2 for solid waste collection services in a form approved by the City Attorney; and 2) approve the Notice of Public Hearing and authorize the City Manager to make technical changes in a form approved by the City Attorney:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Koops
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 24-37 – A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Los Angeles County for Municipal Law Enforcement Services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and authorizing budget allocations to pay for such services between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2029.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Interim Director of Public Safety McNerney 1) gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members’ questions.
For the record, City Manager Smoot stated the Joint Powers Insurance Authority and California Contract Cities Association, as well as a group of City Managers, are continuing to negotiate with Los Angeles County to restructure the current Liability Trust Fund to ensure its long-term viability, further noting that the current structure is unsustainable.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 13-B
June 24, 2024 Page 7 of 8
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 24-37 – Continued
For the record, and for the benefit of the public, Mayor Pro Tem Dunton explained that the contract cities pay into the Liability Trust Fund which is then used to payout settlements against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Berenice Cristerna, resident, questioned 1) if hiring additional staff at the Bellflower Substation would be helpful instead of having an agreement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; and 2) why the City did not hire additional patrol when the homeless shelter was built in the City, further expressing the opinion that there has been an increase of crime in the vicinity of the homeless shelter.
In response to comments made by Berenice Cristerna, Council Member Sanchez explained that the City Council approved three additional deputy positions, but they have not been filled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department due to recruitment issues.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Santa Ines, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to 1) adopt Resolution No. 24-37 authorizing the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 51.41 with Los Angeles County for law enforcement services, in a form approved by the City Attorney; 2) authorize the City Manager to make such budget adjustments that may be necessary to meet the expenses of the law enforcement agreement for the period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029; and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Los Angeles County regarding temporary indemnity and distribution of liability in a form approved by the City Attorney and not to exceed a total term of 12 months:
AYES: Council Members - Dunton, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Koops
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, 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. 24-122, dated June 24, 2024.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 24-122.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
June 24, 2024 Page 8 of 8
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file Treasurer’s Report for the Month of May 2024.
Action: Received and filed the Treasurer’s Report.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the June 10, 2024, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the June 10, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 24-34 – A Resolution appointing a member and alternate to the governing board of the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority; and superseding Resolution No. 19-67.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 24-34.
E Consideration and possible action to adopt 1) Resolution No. 24-35 – A Resolution fixing the employer contribution at an equal amount for employees and annuitants under the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (Government Code § 22892); and 2) Resolution No. 24-36 – A Resolution fixing the Employer Contribution under the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (Government Code § 22892).
Action: Adopted Resolution Nos. 24-35 and 24-36.
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Morse, Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, Council Member Sanchez, Council Member Santa Ines, and Mayor Koops made various comments and reports.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Koops adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024.
Dan Koops, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: July 8, 2024