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MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 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 5:34 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Bellflower City HaII, 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 title of the Closed Session item, requested the City Council add an additional item that arose after the posting of the agenda, and read it into the record as follows:
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8)
Property:
Agency Negotiator:
Negotiating Party:
Under Negotiation:
9228 and 9236 Artesia Boulevard
Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Yash Desai
Price and terms of payment
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION — Continued
Item No. 3
It was moved by Mayor Dunton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and carried by the following roll call vote, to add Closed Session Item 3-B to the agenda by determining that the matter arose after the posting of the agenda and there is an immediate need to take action:
AYES: Council Members — Koops, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton
For the record, 1) Council Member Koops announced that he would recuse himself from Item 3-A as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; and 2) there being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the Meeting at 5:37 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.9(d)(1). Number of Cases: One.
1. City of Bellflower v. 20434 South Santa Fe Ave., LLC (filed April 2, 2024) LASC Case No. 24NWCV01017.
B 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 6:17 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Dunton reconvened the Meeting at 7:04 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 Dunton called the Open Session of the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
6 ROLL CALL
Item No. 6
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
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Jim DellaLonga, Director of Economic Development
Dana Hang, Human Resources and Risk Manager
Anna Garan, Finance Manager
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Dakota Wallace, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Mayor Ray Dunton offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Economic Development Jim DellaLonga led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Dunton provided details relative to the City's illegal firework enforcement policy, stating that the use of illegal fireworks should be reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines provided details relative to the Parks and Recreation Department's "Summer Streetfest" concert series, highlighting that the first event will be held on June 19, 2025, in Downtown Bellflower.
Council Member Sanchez 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 free in -person programs held in June at the Clifton M. Brakensiek Library located at 9945 Flower Street.
Council Member Morse 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.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Item No. 10
None
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing regarding job vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item and newly hired Human Resources and Risk Manager Dana Hang, who would be providing the presentation for this Staff Report.
Human Resources and Risk Manager Hang 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; 2) stated that the City did not receive any written correspondence from the recognized employee organizations prior to the start of the meeting; and 3) along with City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members' questions.
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines stated that although he understands the reasoning for AB2561, expressed the opinion that the implementation of the law is flawed in that the vacancy rate is reported as a snapshot in time and does not accurately represent the rate, as a position could have been vacant for several months prior to being filled, and further expressed that a monthly vacancy rate would be more accurate.
In response to questions and comments made by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) Manager Hang confirmed the data provided in the Staff Report represents the City's vacancies as of May 29, 2025; and 2) City Manager Smoot a) confirmed that the data does not accurately represent the City's vacancy rate; and b) explained that one of the three vacancies listed is due to an internal promotion, which supports the City Council's Strategic Plan Goal #3: Continue Investing in a High -Performing and Efficient Team and City Hall.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines and without objection, Manager Hang and City Manager Smoot confirmed that staff would provide additional information relative to the City's monthly full-time position vacancy rate and how this data should be reported.
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 provide public testimony, it was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, seconded by
Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to receive and file this report, pursuant to applicable law, regarding the City's job vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS — Continued
Item No. 11-B
B Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-25 — A Resolution adopting the 2025-2029 Consolidated Action Plan ("ConPlan") and Fiscal Year 2025-2026 ("FY") Annual Action Plan ("AAP").
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
For the record, Council Member Morse noted that although not a conflict, she wanted to declare for the record that Kingdom Causes, who is a recipient of funding, is a tenant of her employer.
Director of Economic Development DellaLonga 1) introduced Consultant Ana LeNoue of Avant -Garde, Inc., who provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with Consultant LeNoue, responded to Council Members' questions.
At the request of Mayor Dunton, Director DellaLonga clarified that the HOME Investments Partnership Program ("HOME") funds in the amount of approximately two million dollars are carryover funds and will be allocated to Community Housing Development Organization ("CHDO") activities as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD").
In response to questions and comments provided by Council Member Sanchez, Director DellaLonga 1) confirmed that HOME funds may be utilized for land acquisition to create affordable housing opportunities for low -and -moderate - income persons; however, the funds must be fully expended within three years; and 2) provided an update regarding Wakeland Opportunities for Affordable Housing's ("Wakeland") potential permanent supportive housing project located at 15804 Lakewood Boulevard, noting that the proposed project "qualified and was ranked number two" for funding by L.A. County; however, Wakeland has appealed this determination in hopes of increasing their "ranking" and have a higher chance of funding, noting that the appeal process takes approximately 30 days.
Following brief discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried without objection, to open the public hearing.
There being no one in attendance wishing to provide public testimony, it was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Koops, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
It was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Morse, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 25-25:
AYES: Council Members — Koops, Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Item No. 12
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines requested that Item 14-E (Operating Budget for fiscal years 2025-2027) be pulled for comments only.
With regard to Item 14-E (Operating Budget for fiscal years 2025-2027), Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines 1) thanked staff for their work on the budget, expressing the opinion that the proposed budget is one of best in the City's history; 2) highlighted that a total of fifteen new positions have been created for fiscal years 2025-2027 (11 positions in FY 2025-2026 and 4 in FY 2026-2027), further expressing that the addition of staff to the Bellflower Enforcement and Safety Team ("BEAST") will continue to assist with the progress that has recently been made with the establishment of the "Weekend Crew" with regard to graffiti removal and the disposal of illegally dumped bulky items; 3) stated that the budget will be posted on the City's website for public viewing; and 4) requested the City Manager work closely with the Human Resources and Risk Manager to fill the fifteen new positions as quickly as possible following their effective dates, expressing the opinion that because the City is at 100°/0 capacity, a vacant position means that a job is not being done.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez,1) Finance Manager Garan confirmed that the $75,000 for citywide traffic calming measures is allocated in the General Fund Street Signs Account (Account No. 010-43180-3100); and 2) City Manager Smoot further explained that the funds for citywide traffic calming measures is allocated in the General Fund Street Signs Account to allow for the greatest flexibility in the expenditure of the funds, further stating that if the funds were allocated in the Traffic Management Projects Account, they would have to be used in accordance with Measure M guidelines.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, 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. 25-121, dated June 9, 2025.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 25-121.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
Item No. 14
B Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 27, 2025, Joint Special Meeting of the City Council, Bellflower Financing Authority, Bellflower Parking Authority, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Public Safety Commission.
Action: Approved the May 27, 2025, Joint Special Meeting Minutes.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 27, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the May 27, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to waive further reading and adopt 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: Waived further reading and adopted Ordinance No. 1448.
E Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-23 — A Resolution adopting the Operating Budget for fiscal years 2025-2027 including the Capital Improvement Budget; and approve the Five -Year Capital Improvement Plan.
Action: 1) Adopted Resolution No. 25-23; and 2) Approved the Five -Year Capital Improvement Plan.
F Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-24 — A Resolution adopting the annual appropriations limit for fiscal year 2025-2026.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-24.
G Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 956.2 with Impact Overhead Door Service, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney, for On Call Maintenance Services, Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 956.2 with Impact Overhead Door Service, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 9, 2025
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Item No. 15
Council Member Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and Mayor Dunton made various comments and reports.
For the record and without objection, Mayor Dunton requested the meeting be adjourned in honor of the birth of Council Member Sanchez's third son, Sander Xahn Dinh Sanchez.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m., in honor of the birth of Sander Xanh Dinh Sanchez, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025. \E)
Ray Dunton, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
ayr OcJSiqui, City Clerk
Approved: June 23, 2025