15-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 April 29, 2025, Special Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: May 12, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the April 29, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the April 29, 2025, Special Meeting… ........................ ………………………… 2
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MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025, 2:00 P.M.
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dunton called the Special Meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.
2 ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Ray Dunton
Mayor Pro Tem Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Wendi Morse
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
Staff Participants:
Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Justin A. Tamayo, Assistant City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Tae Rhee, Director of Finance
Anna Garan, Finance Manager
P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
Brian McNerney, Director of Public Safety
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Dakota Wallace, Management Assistant
3 PUBLIC COMMENTS
For the record, there was no one in attendance wishing to provide public comments.
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
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Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 2 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
For the record, this is a continuation of Budget Study Session #1 held on April 21, 2025. The discussion followed each Department’s budget as listed on the PowerPoint presentation provided by Finance Manager Garan.
Parks and Recreation Department
Director of Parks and Recreation Mellana 1) provided a report of the Parks and Recreation Department’s proposed budget; and 2) along with City Manager Smoot and Finance Manager Garan, responded to Council Members’ questions.
For the record, and without objection, Mayor Dunton requested that staff look into utilizing potential grant funding to connect Caruthers Park North to Butterfly Garden Park to Riverview Park in the future.
Relative to the Park Development Project fund, Director Mellana 1) explained that the goal is to utilize the Measure A funds allocated in the proposed budget for the development of “pocket parks” or “mini pitches” in various areas of the City, noting that they are potential concepts and not included in the proposed budget, may be brought back to the City Council for consideration; and 2) at the request of Director Mellana, confirmed that he would check where the source of electricity would be for these types of developments.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Dunton and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) Director Mellana confirmed that the proposed budget includes the addition of the annual edition of the City News (4th publication); and 2) City Manager Smoot a) highlighted that “Goal #2: Increase Public Outreach, Education and Connection” of the Strategic Plan is to bring a unified and consistent voice to the City’s communication channels and platforms, noting that this has recently been implemented among staff with that specific goal in mind; and b) confirmed that a communications assessment on the City’s current platforms and processes will be conducted by Tripepi Smith & Associates in the future.
Relative to Slide 62 of the PowerPoint presentation (Parks & Recreation Department Proposed Structure) and at the request of Council Member Koops, Director Mellana stated that programming will continue at Simms Park during the construction of the Bellflower Youth and Senior Center and Stormwater Capture Project, further explaining that although facility rentals will be temporarily paused during the construction, full-time staff will focus on the implementation of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan while also “activating” other parks located throughout the City.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 3 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
For the record, 1) discussion ensued relative to Bellflower Sister City organization; 2) Council Member Sanchez requested a Parks and Recreation staff member attend the meetings, as it is sometimes difficult for Council Members to attend; and 3) it was the consensus of the City Council to restore the budget for the Bellflower Sister City, Inc. Cultural Exchange Program (Account 010-41570-4250) in the amount of $4,045 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and $8,085 for Fiscal Year 2026-27 with the funds to be disbursed in accordance with the terms outlined in the City-approved Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Bellflower Sister City, Inc.
Relative to Slide 63 of the PowerPoint presentation (Major Department Changes – Year 1 Parks and Recreation) and at the request of Mayor Dunton, Director Mellana 1) clarified that the $50,000 allocated in contract services for holiday downtown and tree decorations is only for the installation of the decorations for the Tree Lighting Ceremony held annually in the Downtown, further clarifying that the proposed budget allocates $30,000 for the purchasing of additional holiday decorations; 2) confirmed that the proposed budget is sufficient to install and decorate the Downtown area for the Tree Lighting Ceremony as done in the past ; 3) stated that if additional decorations are desired, the budget would need to be amended accordingly, highlighting for comparison purposes that the City of Paramount conducts a holiday event which includes a decorating budget of approximately $200,000 annually; and 4) stated that staff can issue a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for holiday decorating and installation services in the Downtown area if that is the direction of the City Council.
Following brief discussion, 1) Mayor Dunton expressed support for issuing an RFP for holiday decorating in the downtown area up to the 91 freeway, expressing the opinion that he would like to see holiday decorating year -round in the Downtown area, which may include programable café lighting that change colors, simulated gas lanterns, twinkle lights in the trees, and/or decorative banners; and 2) Council Member Koops suggested adding additional decorations to the Los Angeles County Fire Museum and The Edgeway to enhance the aesthetic of Bellflower Boulevard.
For the record, and without objection, Mayor Dunton requested staff issue an RFP for holiday decorating and installation services in the Downtown area year-round with different options for levels of decorating, and return to the City Council with a recommendation.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 4 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, relative to concerns regarding the quality of park facilities, 1) City Manager Smoot confirmed that there is a work capacity that has been reached with current staffing levels across all departments; however, the focus has now shifted to the quality of work, not the quantity of the work, expressing the opinion that with the shift of focus and the addition of staff, the quality of City facilities will improve; and 2) Director Mellana stated that staff is working on leveraging technology to enhance the communication and tracking of work orders for park facilities between the Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Works Department, further explaining that there are funds allocated in the proposed budget for the implementation of a new system; however, internal policies and procedures must be in place prior to the implementation of the technology.
Recess: For the record and without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the meeting at 3:48 p.m. for a brief break.
Reconvene: For the record, Mayor Dunton reconvened the meeting at 3:59 p.m., with all Council Members present.
Public Works Department
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki 1) provided a report of the Public Works Department’s proposed budget; and 2) responded to Council Members’ questions, with City Manager Smoot and Finance Manager Garan.
Relative to Slide 67 of the PowerPoint presentation (Strategic Plan Goals/Objectives Public Works), Council Member Koops 1) expressed the opinion that the Public Works weekend crew dedicated to addressing graffiti removal and the disposal of illegally dumped bulky items has significantly enhanced the visual appeal of public spaces, which has made the City more attractive to residents and visitors alike; and 2) further expressed that the addition of two new Maintenance Worker I positions to the Bellflower Enforcement and Safety Team (“BEAST”) will continue to assist with the progress that has been recently made.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Dunton and Council Member Koops relative to the proposed funding for a landscape maintenance contract, Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki 1) explained that the goal is to remove landscaping tasks from current staff to focus on higher priority and detail-oriented tasks, such as repainting City facilities, irrigation changes, or leveling brick; 2) reiterated that the Department reached capacity with current staffing levels and the focus shifted to quality of work, not quantity of work; 3) confirmed that if a contract is awarded, Public Works staff will quality check the work; 4) stated that approximately one-hundred-fifty hours to one-hundred-eighty hours per week are dedicated to landscape maintenance of City facilities, noting that approximately nine staff members will be reassigned to different duties; and 5) stated the Request for Proposals will include all City parks, “setbacks”, and medians, and he will look into adding freeway on/off-ramps in the proposal.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 5 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
Relative to page 273 of the Budget (Public Works – Recycling Programs) and at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki clarified that zero funding has been allocated for the Organic Waste Recycling Program in Fiscal Year 2026-27 as the program is fully funded by a CalRecycle Grant; however, if the grant funding is not received, staff will request a budget amendment at a later date.
For the record, Council Member Sanchez 1) left the dais and Council Chambers at 4:52 p.m.; and 2) returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 4:54 p.m.
For the record, and without objection, Council Member Sanchez requested that “Goal #2: Increase Public Outreach, Education and Connection” be added to the strategic plan goals and objectives listed on Slide 67 of the PowerPoint presentation (Strategic Plan Goals/Objectives Public Works), expressing the opinion that Goal #2 should be actively considered and achieved by the Public Works Department.
Relative to “Goal #4: Improve Quality of Life & Visual Appeal in the City” listed on Slide 69 of the PowerPoint presentation (Strategic Goals/Objectives Public Works), Council Member Sanchez expressed frustration with the establishment of a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) line item to fund studies for traffic calming and safety improvements, 1) expressing the opinion that multiple studies were conducted in past years, which demonstrate extensive traffic patterns in certain areas of the City, however, no traffic calming measures have been implemented to alleviate the issues identified; and 2) suggested funding specific to the implementation of traffic calming measures be allocated in the proposed budget.
Council Member Koops expressed support in creating a separate line item in the proposed budget specific to traffic calming measures, expressing the opinion that changes to the current traffic patterns must be made to keep children in the community safe.
Following discussion, City Manager Smoot 1) confirmed that funding for traffic management projects (Account No. 51606) in the amount of $75,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and $75,000 in Fiscal Year 2026-27 is allocated in the proposed budget; and 2) clarified that the proposed funding is sufficient to conduct the required studies and/or implementation of certain traffic calming measures, such as “bulb-outs” or signage; however, funding would be insufficient for implementation of large traffic calming measures that require modification to infrastructure.
Following lengthy discussion relative to traffic calming measures, and without objection, Council Member Koops suggested the City Council visit the City of Montclair to view the traffic calming measures recently implemented there to be used as a potential model for what could be implemented here.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 6 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
For the record, Council Member Sanchez, 1) stated that he did not want to be told following this budget cycle that traffic calming measures are not budgeted, as he was told this in past years; 2) at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, stated that he did not have a specific street where he would like traffic calming measures tested as he did not want to appear bias; 3) expressed the opinion that $75,000 is not sufficient to assist with traffic calming and does not demonstrate that the City is actively working on addressing the concerns of residents, highlighting that the community has voiced in the 2024Community Satisfaction Survey that unsafe driving and traffic congestion is a “very/somewhat serious problem;” and 4) proposed a budget of $500,000 annually be dedicated to traffic calming measures.
Following discussion, 1) Mayor Dunton a) expressed the opinion that traffic enforcement conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) could assist with traffic calming and safety; b) expressed the opinion that if a traffic calming measure is implemented on one street, it will have to be duplicated on other streets as well; and c) expressed that he cannot support the allocation of $500,000 if he does not know what it will be used for; and 2) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines expressed the that he cannot support the allocation of funds towards a non-specific project, further explaining that the budget may be amended in the future if additional funding for a specific project is needed.
Recess: For the record and without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the meeting at 5:47 p.m. for a brief break.
Reconvene: For the record, Mayor Dunton reconvened the meeting at 5:57 p.m., with all Council Members present.
For the record, 1) Council Member Sanchez requested a traffic calming study be conducted on the block of Park Street to Flower Street and Ardmore Avenue to Clark Street to run a “proof of concept” sampling; 2) it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to use the $75,000 allocated for traffic calming measures to complete a site-specific concept for the designated block of Park Street to Flower Street and Ardmore Avenue to Clark Street that examines the entire geographical area to mitigate and solve the problems identified in previous relative studies; and 3) City Manager Smoot noted that some Council Members may need to recuse on specific projects when this matter comes back for further consideration.
For the record, Council Member Morse 1) left the dais and Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.; and 2) returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 6:01 p.m.
Capital Improvement Projects
For the record, 1) supplemental material was distributed to the City Council and made available to the public prior to the start of the meeting; and 2) City Manager Smoot a) provided a brief overview of the Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”) Master Plan; and b) along with Director of Public Works Gorecki and Finance Manager Garan, responded to Council Members’ questions.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 7 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
Relative to slide 74 of the PowerPoint presentation (Capital Improvement Projects Streets) and at the request of Mayor Dunton, Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki confirmed that $3,600,000 is allocated in Fiscal Year 2027 -28 and Fiscal Year 2028-29 for the Lakewood Boulevard Complete Streets Project, which encompasses the entirety of Lakewood Boulevard to the southern City limits, noting that the design renderings will be brought back to the City Council for direction and consideration at a future date.
For the record, Council Member Koops 1) left the dais and Council Chambers at 6:10 p.m.; and 2) returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 6:12 p.m.
Relative to the Tree Master Plan on slide 74 of the PowerPoint presentation (Capital Improvement Projects Streets) and at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki 1) stated that the $1,000,000 grant awarded to the City in 2024 for the development of an Urban Forestry Management Plan (“Plan”) was frozen by the Federal government, confirming the Plan programmed the planting and maintenance of 500 trees; and 2) explained that the Public Works Department plants approximately thirty to thirty-five trees each year.
Following brief discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines expressed the opinion that the City should execute the tree master plan as previously presented, despite the freeze of the grant funding, and plant more trees than done in the recent past.
For the record, it was the consensus of the City Council to 1) direct staff to look into how to obtain the Tree City USA designation ; and 2) allocate an additional $100,000 in the Tree Management fund (Account No. 011-42329-9000) for additional tree planting over the next two fiscal years.
At the request of Mayor Dunton, Finance Manager Garan clarified that the Simms Park field renovation is funded by Measure A grant funding in addition to the proceeds of the Municipal Water Sale.
Relative to the Council Chamber Improvements Project (Account No. 040-53603- 9000) and at the request of Mayor Dunton and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, City Manager Smoot clarified that the proposed project is fully funded by the Public, Educational, and Government funds (“PEG”), which must be used for capital expenditures related to the upgrade of audiovisual systems, lighting, and/or Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) accessibility.
For the record, and without objection, Mayor Dunton and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines requested that staff look into utilizing PEG funding for upgrades to the William and Jane Bristol Civic Auditorium.
Following brief discussion, at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) City Manager Smoot confirmed that the Bank of the West is a potential location for the new public safety building; and 2) Finance Manager Garan confirmed that the current public safety substation rent payments have been unclaimed, clarifying that an amount of $180,679 was escheated in February 2024, and an additional $54,855 may possibly be escheated in May 2025.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4-A April 29, 2025 Page 8 of 8
4 BUDGET STUDY SESSION – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a City Council Study Session concerning 2025-2027 Proposed Budget – Continued
For the record, and without objection, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines suggested transferring the escheated amount related to the unclaimed substation rent checks to the General Fund Capital Projects Fund (Account No. 011-39000) to fund the future Public Safety Facility Project (Account No. 011-53607-9000).
For the record, Council Member Sanchez 1) left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:04 p.m.; and 2) returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 7:05 p.m.
Relative to the City Hall Restroom Remodel, Council Member Morse suggested installing higher toilets for accessibility.
Relative to the Bellflower Boulevard Lighting Replacement Project, 1) Mayor Dunton expressed the opinion that the City should program the funds in Fiscal Year 2025-26 instead of Fiscal Year 2027-28; and 2) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines asked if the Public Works Department has sufficient staff to complete the project in Fiscal Year 2025-26, and if so, agreed that the funds should be programmed in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
For the record, it was the consensus of the City Council to transfer the Bellflower Boulevard Lighting Replacement Project (Account No. 011-53803- 9000) funds in the amount of $100,000 from Fiscal Year 2027-28 to Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Following discussion, and without objection, Mayor Santa Ines requested that Finance Manager Garan provide a list of the proposed changes to the 2025-2027 Proposed Budget to the City Council for review and consideration prior to May 6, 2025.
For the record, there was no formal action taken on this item.
5 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Ray Dunton, Mayor Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
City of Bellflower Approved: May 12, 2025