'ROWING TOG.
MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL
WILLIAM AND JANE BRISTOL CIVIC AUDITORIUM
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION I 7:00 P.M. OPEN SESSION
5:30 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION
1 CALL TO ORDER
None
2 ROLL CALL
None
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
None
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
None
7:00 P.M. - OPEN SESSION
5 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Koops called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 6 INVOCATION
Pastor Ken Goodban of Calvary Bellflower Church offered the Invocation.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
December 9, 2024
7 SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Item No. 7
For the record, 1) Downey High School's Army JROTC presented the Colors; 2) Santiago Sanchez, Vera Birkey, Angel Tigchelaar, and Aaliyah Tigchelaar led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance; and 3) Vivian Parra and Kayla Williams of Bellflower High School Vocal Ensemble provided the National Anthem. 8 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
Jennifer Russell, Management Assistant
Dakota Wallace, Management Assistant
9 CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS
A Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 24-63 — A Resolution reciting the facts of the Special and General Municipal Election consolidated with the General Election held on November 5, 2024, declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, seconded by
Council Member Santa Ines, and carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 24-63:
AYES: Council Members — Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Dunton, and Mayor Koops
Bellflower City Council Minutes
December 9, 2024
10 OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY
Item No. 10
For the record, Mayor Koops turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Dunton for the Oath of Office Ceremony.
Mayor Pro Tem Dunton requested that Council Members -Elect Wendi Morse, Dan Koops, and Victor A. Sanchez join Pastor Ken Goodban, Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache, Jr., and their families in the presentation area for the Oath of Office Ceremony.
Pastor Ken Goodban administered the Oath of Office to Council Member -Elect, District 1, Wendi Morse.
Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache, Jr. individually administered the Oath of Office to Council Member -Elect for District 2 Dan Koops and Council Member -Elect for District 4 Victor A. Sanchez.
City Clerk Ochiqui presented Council Members Wendi Morse, Dan Koops, and Victor A. Sanchez each with their Certificate of Election.
For the record, 1) Mayor Koops a) stated he was honored to represent the City of Bellflower; b) thanked his wife, Judy, for her support and dedication; c) recognized the presence of his family in the audience, noting that he wanted to have his grandchildren witness him be sworn in to instill memories they can pass on; and d) expressed gratitude for the community; 2) Council Member Morse expressed gratitude and thanked her City Council colleagues and family for their support during the election; and 3) Council Member Sanchez a) thanked his colleagues; b) recognized the presence of his family in the audience and thanked them for their support; c) noted the prior accomplishments of the City Council during his last term; d) recounted that his first Oath of Office Ceremony was done virtually in 2020, further noting that he is grateful for this experience; and e) recognized City staff for their work and dedication.
11 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
City Manager Smoot introduced the item and turned the meeting over to City Clerk Ochiqui to conduct nominations for the Office of Mayor.
City Clerk Ochiqui opened nominations for the Office of Mayor.
Council Member Santa Ines nominated Mayor Pro Tem Dunton for the Office of Mayor; seconded by Council Member Morse.
There being no further nominations, without objection, nominations for the Office of Mayor were closed. The nomination of Ray Dunton as Mayor of the City of Bellflower unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members — Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Santa Ines
City Clerk Ochiqui congratulated Mayor Dunton and turned the meeting over to him to conduct nominations for Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
December 9, 2024
11 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION — Continued
Item No. 11
Mayor Dunton opened nominations for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Dunton nominated Council Member Santa Ines for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
There being no further nominations, without objection, the nominations for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem were closed. The nomination of Sonny R. Santa Ines as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Bellflower unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members — Koops, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton
For the record, Mayor Dunton 1) expressed gratitude and humility for being elected Mayor for the fifth time, acknowledging the journey that led him to this point and his deep connection to Bellflower, where he has lived for over 60 years, built a business, and raised a family; 2) shared his personal story of unexpectedly entering public service thanks to the encouragement of others who saw potential in him; 3) thanked his wife, Dawn, for her unwavering support as his business partner, wife, and mother of their children; and 4) reflected on aging and the memories he's created, pondering how his service may have made a positive impact on the community.
For the record, Mayor Santa Ines 1) thanked the immediate past Mayor Dan Koops for his service, commending his steady leadership that guided the City toward improvements and a safer community; 2) congratulated newly -elected Council Member Wendi Morse and re-elected Council Members Dan Koops and Victor A. Sanchez; 3) congratulated Mayor Dunton on his nomination of Mayor; 4) shared his personal connection to Bellflower, recalling how he and his wife chose to live in the City of Bellflower and fell in love with the community; 5) recognized his wife, Irma, and expressed pride in becoming first-time grandparents, reaffirming that they are committed to staying in Bellflower; and 6) emphasized the importance of collaboration on the City Council, noting the progress made and the continued work ahead for the benefit of the community. 12 CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCMENTS
None
13 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Patricia Camacho, Field Representative for Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragan, 1) congratulated the new Mayor and newly -elected City Council Members; and 2) presented a certificate of recognition from Congresswoman Barragan to Council Member Victor A. Sanchez acknowledging his election to the Bellflower City Council and commitment to public service, noting that the 44th Congressional District overlaps with Council District 4.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
December 9, 2024
18 Council Reports
Item No. 18
Page6of6
Mayor Dunton, Council Member Koops, Council Member Morse, Council Member Sanchez, and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
19 Adjournment
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025.
[Note: The Bellflower City Council will be recessed on the fourth Monday in December pursuant to Bellflower Municipal Code Section 2.04.020.] Ray Dunton; Mayor
City of Bellflower
Attest:
•
ayra c i ui, Cit
Apprgfved: January 13, 2025
Bellflower City Council Minutes
December 9, 2024
14 PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item No. 14
Page5of6
A Consideration and possible action to conduct the annual public hearing to consider whether the 5% Utility Users' Tax (UUT) should continue in effect or be modified or repealed.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Interim Director of Public Safety McNerney provided a brief verbal presentation.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by Mayor Dunton, and carried without objection, to open the public hearing.
There being no one in attendance wishing to present testimony, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
Following brief discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the continuance of the UUT and funding of the Community Policing Program with revenues generated from the UUT:
AYES: Council Members — Koops, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton
15 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
16 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
17 CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried without objection, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members — Koops, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Warrant Register No. 25-061, dated December 9, 2024.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 25-061.