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MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025
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 Dunton called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:33 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 Ray Dunton
Mayor Pro Tem Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Wendi Morse
Council Member Victor A. Sanchez
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
For the record, City Manager Smoot announced the titles of the Closed Session items.
There being no one from the public in attendance wishing to provide public comments, without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the Meeting at 5:33 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8)
Property: 9228 and 9236 Artesia Boulevard
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Yash Desai
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 5:54 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Dunton reconvened the Meeting at 7:02 p.m. with all members present and announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
7:00 P.M. - OPEN SESSION
5 CALL TO ORDER
Item No. 5
Mayor Dunton 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 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
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Tim Campen, Assistant City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Jim Dellalonga, Director of Economic Development
P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Russell, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Wendi Morse offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Public Safety Brian McNerney led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Dunton provided details relative to the Parks & Recreation Department's Leadership Experience and Development ("LEAD") Program with applications for the eight -week summer session accepted through June 6, 2025.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines provided details relative to the City's Volunteer Center's backpack drive hosted through July 7, 2025.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to the City's Certified Farmers Market held every Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Town Center Plaza.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS — Cotninued
Item No. 9-A
Council Member Morse provided details relative to the free in -person programs held in May at the Clifton M. Brakensiek Library located at 9945 Flower Street.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to VetCare affordable pet vaccine clinics hosted by the City and SEAACA, to be held at Thompson Park on June 15 and July 13, 2025.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rhiannon Lucero, Victory Outreach Church, provided information relative to a "Code Red," a special event hosted by their organization and coordinated internationally on June 5-7, 2025, to provide hope and resources to prostitutes who may be in the area, including toiletries, haircuts, manicures, noting that there are also six beds available through their program.
Oscar Villagomez, Library Manager, Brakensiek Library, provided details relative to the free summer programs hosted by the library, including the Summer Discovery/Reading Program for all ages from June 2 — August 10, 2025.
Jaydee Dizon, resident, 1) thanked the City Council for building the Butterfly Garden Park, which includes Native American plants; 2) stated that she started a Bellflower Gardening Club in August 2024 to socialize, create an understanding of better food systems, food sovereignty, and learn how to grow food in smaller spaces; and 3) advocated for the City to build a community garden within the City, noting that surrounding cities such as Lakewood, Long Beach, and Santa Fe Springs have successfully established community gardens. 11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-21 — A Resolution approving a Substantial Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 2021 Annual Action Plan to reprogram remaining Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Relief funds ("CDBG-CV") and authorizing the City Manager to reprogram unused CDBG-CV for the redesign of the public sidewalk area located at Friendship Square to encourage social distancing. (Continued from May 12, 2025)
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
For the record, 1) Council Member Morse announced that she would recuse herself from the matter as she has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; 2) Mayor Dunton announced that he would recuse himself from the matter as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; and 3) Council Member Morse and Mayor Dunton left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:19 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-A
May 27, 2025 Page 4 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-21 — Continued Director of Economic Development DellaLonga 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with Director of Parks and Recreation Mellana and Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki, responded to Council Members' questions.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Director DellaLonga stated that City staff would work with a designer to develop and bring back a few concepts to the City Council for further consideration at a future date.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to re -open the continued public hearing.
There being no one in attendance wishing to provide public testimony, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
It was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 25-21:
AYES: Council Members — Sanchez, Koops, and Santa Ines
RECUSE: Council Members — Morse and Mayor Dunton
For the record, Council Member Morse and Mayor Dunton returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 7:26 p.m.
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-18 — A Resolution to record a Notice of Special Assessment for Nuisance Abatement for the property located at 17046 Bellflower Boulevard, Bellflower, CA 90706 (APN 7109-025-002).
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Assistant City Attorney Campen 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) responded to Council Members' questions, along with City Manager Smoot, City Attorney Berger, Director of Public Safety McNerney, and Finance Manager Garan.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, City Attorney Berger, Assistant City Attorney Campen, City Manager Smoot, Director McNerney, and Finance Manager Garan confirmed that the staff rates incorporated into the lien were fully -burdened rates.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and carried without objection, to open the continued public hearing.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-B
May 27, 2025 Page 5 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS — Continued
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-18 — Continued For the record, City Attorney Berger suggested witnesses be placed under oath.
For the record, City Clerk Ochiqui administered the Oath to the following individuals wishing to present public testimony regarding this matter.
Josh Golcheh, Managing Member, Euclid Hazard Capital, LLC, 1) responded in the affirmative to the Oath to provide testimony; 2) stated that he has a different understanding of the sequence of events that what was presented; 3) wanted it to be noted that he spent tens of thousands of dollars to maintain the property and he can show proof and have his maintenance manager testify to that as well; 4) stated that the property got out of hand when the City did not allow him to board up the windows, noting that homelessness is an issue and at that point, he did not know what else to do but to call the police to have them remove the homeless individuals from his property; 5) stated that the foreclosure date and date of demolition of the building are very close, noting that the reason the lender extended the loan was based on the value of the building on the property which secured the loan and without the building, it puts the loan in jeopardy; 6) expressed the opinion that he does not think the City Council or City staff are bad people or not investor friendly, and he understand that the City has rights; 7) expressed the opinion that the City should have used concrete to address the fact that it does not allow boarding of windows, also noting that if the City really wanted to see the property developed, it should have given him the tools and resources to bring the development to fruition; 8) expressed the opinion that if the only outcome was to demolish the building, then it shows that the task given to him was impossible; 9)stated that the fees associated with the lien make it harder to get out of the financial hole and develop the property; 10) confirmed that the notices were emailed to him and he was not responsive as has a lot of problems in his personal life, but also claimed that he was never served with any notice; 11) once trucks were on site, but prior to the demolition, he offered to do a walk-through with City staff so that they can tell him what was needed, but was refused; 12) expressed the opinion that the City Council Members are smart enough to know that a brick building cannot be at risk of fire; 13) stated that he has retained an attorney to prosecute for his rights and the amount of his damages is almost $4 million, asking how much time and money would be wasted on attorney's fees in going into a lawsuit on this matter; 14) mentioned that the City may also be aware that he submitted an application to build affordable housing at this location, noting that he has many major financial constraints and retained the services of a major architect firm, KTGY; 15) stated that he did not want to get into a lawsuit with the City, his attorney sent the City Council an email stating that he is allowed to speak tonight and giving the Council authorization to speak to him; 16) stated that he has not filed a claim or summons with the City and retained services of attorney to guide him through this process; and 17) at the request of Mayor Dunton, stated that he has owned the property since 2022.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11-B
May 27, 2025 Page 6 of 10
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS — Continued
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-18 — Continued In response to comments provided by Managing Member Golcheh, Mayor Dunton 1) acknowledged that Mr. Golcheh threatened to sue the City; 2) reiterated that the item for consideration before the City Council is concerning the lien that resulted from the City complying with a judge's order to tear down the building, taxpayer dollars were used to do that, and the City is protecting the taxpayer dollars by placing the lien on the property; 3) noted that although the property owner has only owned the property since 2022, the property has been vacant for about 20 years and the City has been dealing with issues relative to this property for a long time; and 4) confirmed that this is a public hearing and so Mr. Golcheh is welcome to tell the City Council anything he would like; however, the business before them is the placement of the lien.
In response to comments provided by Managing Member Golcheh, City Manager Smoot 1) confirmed that the City sent multiple notices to correct violations, there was an abatement order issued by a judge, and the question in front of the City Council is the abatement costs; 2) if Mr. Golcheh would like to rectify the situation and pay the abatement costs, he can do so, move forward with property, and lien would not get placed; however, if not, then the City has the abatement lien to place; and 3) reiterated that the recommendation from Assistant City Attorney Campen is to place the lien for the abatement costs.
In response to Mayor Dunton, Assistant City Attorney Campen confirmed that it will take approximately two weeks to record the lien, if not satisfied by then.
For the record, City Attorney Berger clarified that the costs also include the previous lien plus interest at the statutory rate of 10%.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, Assistant City Attorney Campen confirmed that the property owner and his attorneys were properly and sufficiently notified on multiple occasions.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 25-18:
AYES: Council Members — Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Koops, and Mayor Dunton
12 13
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
Bellflower City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
Item No. 14
For the record, 1) Council Member Morse announced that she will recuse on Item 14-J (Vehicle Parking District No. 1) as she has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property, and noted that although not a conflict, she wanted to declare for the record that Item 14-I (Agreement File No. 464.4 with Good Soil Industries, Inc., dba Kingdom Causes) includes Kingdom Causes, which is a tenant of her employer; 2) Mayor Dunton announced that he will recuse on Item 14-J (Vehicle Parking District No. 1) as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; 3) Council Member Koops announced that he will recuse on Item 14-D (Capital Improvement Projects Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026) as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property. 4) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines requested that Item 14-I (Agreement File No. 464.4 with Good Soil Industries, Inc., dba Kingdom Causes) be pulled for discussion only; and 5) Council Member Sanchez requested that Items 14-C (Official Travel Report) and 14-E (Agreement with Tripepi Smith & Associates) be pulled for discussion only.
With regard to Item 14-I (Agreement File No. 464.4 with Good Soil Industries, Inc., dba Kingdom Causes), at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki a) provided a brief description of the services that will be provided under the on -call landscape maintenance agreement, including maintenance of any areas designated by City staff, such as pocket parks and the downtown area; and b) noted that this is separate from the future "mow and blow" contract that will be forthcoming with a bigger company for the larger "flagship parks;" and 2) City Manager Smoot noted that this agreement is in line the goals of the City Council's Long Term Specific Plan to partner with local non-profit organizations and increase the standard of maintenance of the City's public areas, and noted that with the passage of City's charter paying prevailing wages is no longer a requirement, so the City is now able to partner with these types of organizations.
With regard to Item 14-C (Official Travel Report), Council Member Sanchez 1) stated that he wanted to highlight the key takeaways from the California Contract Cities Association seminar which was held May 15-18, 2025, to promote local control with regard to land use; and 2) congratulated the new President of the association, Brenda Olmos from the neighboring City of Paramount.
With regard to Item 14-E (Agreement with Tripepi Smith & Associates), 1) Council Member Sanchez highlighted that this agreement also stems from the City Council's Long Term Strategic Planning Session facilitated by Tripepi Smith & Associates and this is a step closer to bridging the communications gap; and 2) Tripepi Smith & Associates President Ryder Smith addressed the City Council and thanked them for the partnership over the last ten years.
Noting the aforementioned recusals, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
Item No. 14
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 25-112, dated May 27, 2025.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 25-112.
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Treasurer's Report for the Month of April 2025.
Action: Received and filed Treasurer's Report.
C Consideration and possible action to receive and file Official Travel Report — California Contract Cities Association, 66th Annual Municipal Seminar, May 15-18, 2025 (Pursuant to AB 1234).
Action: Received and filed Official Travel Report for the California Contract Cities Association, 66th Annual Municipal Seminar.
D Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-19 — A Resolution establishing the Capital Improvement Projects Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 funded by Senate Bill 1: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-19 establishing the Capital Improvement Projects Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 funded by Senate Bill 1: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 apportionment.
E Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Tripepi Smith & Associates (TSA) amending and restating Agreement File No. 684.5, and approve the necessary budget amendment for General Communications Support.
Action: 1) Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with TSA, in a form approved by the City Attorney, amending and restating Agreement File No. 684.5; and 2) Approved a budget amendment in the amount of an additional $60,000 for Account No. 010-41317-1012 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
F Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-20 — A Resolution declaring unclaimed monies as property of the City of Bellflower and transferring it to the City's General Fund pursuant to Government Code § 50053.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-20.
G Consideration and possible action to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1446 — An Ordinance amending Bellflower Municipal Code Chapter 17 (Accessory Dwelling Units) governing maximum allowable square footage.
Action: Waived further reading and adopted Ordinance No. 1446.
H Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-17 — A Resolution adopting a Records Retention Schedule for City records and superseding Resolution No. 23-46.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-17.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
Item No. 14
I Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 464.4 with Good Soil Industries, Inc., dba Kingdom Causes, for On -Call Landscape Maintenance Services.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 464.4 with Good Soil Industries, Inc., dba Kingdom Causes, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
J Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-22 - A Resolution fixing the tax levy for the maintenance of Vehicle Parking District No. 1 for fiscal year 2025-2026.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-22.
K Consideration and possible action to award a contract to Emergency Planning Consultants ("EPC"), for the development of an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; and authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 381.2 with EPC, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Action: Awarded a contract to EPC to update our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 381.2, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
L Consideration and possible action to read by title only, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 1448 — An Ordinance amending the Transit Oriented Development Specific Plan ("TODSP") by making clerical changes.
CEQA: The City reviewed the environmental impacts of the proposed Resolution and Ordinance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq. "CEQA") and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the "CEQA Guidelines").
In accordance with CEQA and CEQA Guidelines § 15162, the City Council finds as follows: A) Resolution No. 22-04 was adopted by the City Council on January 20, 2022, approving Mitigated Negative Declaration No. MND 21-01; B) Changing the zoning designation for the properties identified in the Resolution and Ordinance is an activity contemplated by MND 21-01; C) This activity does not contemplate any changes which will require major revisions to MND 21-01 nor are there any substantial changes with respect to the circumstances under which MND 21-01 was undertaken; D) There is no new information of substantial importance, which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time MND 21-01 was approved.
Action: Read by title only, waived further reading, and introduced Ordinance No. 1448.
M Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the April 28, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the April 28, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
Item No. 14
N Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2025, Special Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the May 12, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes.
O Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the May 12, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes. 15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines and Council Member Koops made various comments and reports.
For the record and without objection, Council Member Koops requested the meeting be adjourned in honor of Roland and Barbara Rienstra. 16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m., in memory of Roland and Barabara Rienstra, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Ray Dunton, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
I I.
ayra,Ochiqui, Cit Clerk
Approved: June 9, 2025