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MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 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, 1) City Manager Smoot announced the titles of the Closed Session items; 2) Council Member Koops a) announced that he would recuse himself from Item 3-A as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; and b) did not participate in Item 3-B; and 3) there being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the Meeting at 5:33 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 5:39 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Item No. 4
Mayor Dunton reconvened the Meeting at 7:01 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 7:01 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
Justin A. Tamayo, Assistant City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
Brian McNerney, Director of Public Safety
Jim DellaLonga, Director of Economic Development
Rowena Genilo-Concepcion, Planning Manager
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Dakota Wallace, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Sonny R. Santa Ines offered the Invocation. 8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Parks and Recreation P.J. Mellana led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Item No. 9-A
Mayor Dunton provided details relative to the Parks and Recreation Department's "Summer Streetfest" concert series in Downtown Bellflower.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines provided details relative to the City's illegal firework enforcement policy.
Council Member Morse provided details relative to the City's Volunteer Center's backpack drive hosted through July 7, 2025.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to the free in -person programs held in July at the Clifton M. Brakensiek Library located at 9945 Flower Street.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to the City's New Business Welcoming Program, which covers the cost of a one-year membership with the Bellflower Chamber of Commerce.
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Toni Veltri, Bellflower Manor Homeowners Association, with regard to the approval of a new McDonald's in the vicinity of Alondra Boulevard and McNab Avenue, 1) stated her concerns relative to traffic congestion and public safety in the area, expressing the opinion that the new McDonald's will increase traffic and further disrupt the neighborhood; and 2) requested a traffic study be conducted in the subject area.
In response to comments provided by Toni Veltri, Mayor Dunton suggested that she speak with Director of Public Safety McNerney to discuss the matter, noting that there are some traffic improvement projects pending in that area.
Cheryl Williams, resident, 1) stated that she attended the recent "Summer Streetfest"; and 2) inquired if the parking structure had a two-hour parking restriction and whether that was enforced in the various City -owned or controlled parking lots only during the day.
In response to comments provided by Cheryl Williams, 1) Mayor Dunton suggested that she speak with Director of Public Safety McNerney to discuss the matter; and 2) Director McNerney a) confirmed the parking structure does not have a two-hour parking restriction and the issuance of citations is avoided during City held events; and b) stated that two-hour parking in the various City -owned or controlled parking lots is enforced until 6:00 p.m.; however, some lots are enforced until 9:00 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS — Continued
Item No. 10
Kelly Torres, resident, expressed noise concerns in the vicinity of 9900 Potter Street, explaining that 1) live bands and parties occur in her neighborhood at all hours of the day and night, noting that recently three parties occurred within one week; 2) she talked to Council Member Sanchez regarding the matter; 3) she called the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department to report the noise disturbances, but her concerns were not addressed; and 4) she is frustrated with the lack of response and is considering moving out of the City due to the noise disturbances.
In response to comments provided by Kelly Torres, 1) Mayor Dunton suggested that she speak with Director of Public Safety McNerney to discuss the matter; and 2) Council Member Sanchez apologized for his delayed response and suggested she speak with Council Member Morse regarding the matter.
Jennifer Gonzalez 1) thanked the City Council for protecting the taxpayer dollars by recently placing a lien on the property located at 17046 Bellflower Boulevard; and 2) stated that she attended the recent "Summer Streetfest" and had a wonderful time.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to consider a Right -of -Way Use Agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Government ("GCCOG") for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic Network with the City of Bellflower.
CEQA: GCCOG informed the City that the Fiber Network is exempt from additional environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") or the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq., the "CEQA Guidelines"). Public Resources Code § 21080.51 (attached). Construction of the project will occur within existing trenches and/or previously disturbed areas and require minor trenching and backfilling. Installation will take place within city rights -of -way which are currently occupied with existing utilities, including fiber network lines with no expected expansion of physical footprint. The Fiber Network consists of underground and aerial fiber infrastructure and any small structures will be buried underground. Any above -ground fibers will be placed on existing utility poles. The City has not independently examined GCCOG's determination.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
Item No. 13-A
A Consideration and possible action to consider a Right -of -Way Use Agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Government ("GCCOG") — Continued
For the record, Council Member Koops 1) announced that he would recuse himself from Item 13-A as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject areas; and 2) left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:22 p.m.
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki 1) introduced Hector De La Torre, Executive Director of Gateway Cities Council of Governments ("GCCOG"), who provided a PowerPoint presentation of the item; and 2) responded to Council Members' questions along with Executive Director De La Torre, City Manager Smoot, and Assistant City Attorney Tamayo.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Executive Director De La Torre 1) stated the design and construction of the Fiber Optic Network ("Fiber Network") must be completed by December of 2026, as required by the State of California; 2) explained the "High Density Unserved Areas" detailed in Exhibit A of the Right -of -Way Use Agreement were determined by the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") as areas that do not have sufficient wireline broadband service, so those are the areas that will be fully connected to the Fiber Network by December of 2026; 3) clarified that if they would like to connect the entire City to the Fiber Network at a later date, the City would be responsible for any required electronics, connections, improvements and equipment to do so; and 4) confirmed that the GCCOG obtained a $46.1 million grant from the CPUC and entered into a Joint Build Agreement with the California Department of Technology ("CDT") to design and construct the Fiber Network.
In response to questions and comments provided by Council Member Sanchez, 1) Executive Director De La Torre reiterated that the "unserved areas" determined by the CPUC must be fully connected by December of 2026, further noting that if they desire to connect the entire City at a later date, grant funding may be available; and 2) City Manager Smoot confirmed that Director of Economic Development DellaLonga and IT Manager Todorov have attended workshops provided by GCCOG regarding the Fiber Network and are looking into potential funding sources to fully connect the City.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) Executive Director De La Torre a) explained that the Fiber Network will interconnect with sections of the Statewide Middle Mile Backbone Network which is governed by the State of California; and b) stated that once the Fiber Network is installed, the GCCOG will release a Request for Proposals for internet provider services, noting that the City will pay approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per month for the internet service and maintenance of the Fiber Network once installed; and 2) Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki stated that he anticipates the City will incur costs for the construction and repair of the affected public rights -of -way; however, GCCOG must abide by the City's standards.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
Item No. 13-A
A Consideration and possible action to consider a Right -of -Way Use Agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Government ("GCCOG") — Continued
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines and relative to the City Attorney's concerns detailed in the Staff Report regarding the proposed Right -of -Way Use Agreement, 1) Assistant City Attorney Tamayo confirmed that in the event of a lawsuit, the law will prevail, not the provisions of the agreement; and 2) Executive Director De La Torre a) explained the "perpetual" clause is included because once the Fiber Network is installed, the City will own it and can continue its operation under a joint powers authority of the twenty-four cities included, not of the GCCOG as not all member cities will be included; and b) clarified that the contractor that will install the Fiber Network is provided by the CDT.
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines 1) expressed concern with the indemnity clause in the Right -of -Way Use Agreement, expressing the opinion that since the construction of the Fiber Network is to be done by CDT, the City should not need to indemnify GCCOG as the City is not constructing or installing the Fiber Network; and 2) requested and received clarification from City Manager Smoot and Executive Director De La Torre that the indemnification clause applies to the ongoing ownership and maintenance of the infrastructure, not the installation of it.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, 1) Assistant City Manager/Director Gorecki stated that the plan for the installation of the Fiber Network from Clark Avenue to Artesia Boulevard west to Downey Avenue and up to under the 91 freeway has been received and reviewed by staff; however, the plan for the installation of the Fiber Network on Lakewood Boulevard has not yet been received and could present concerns as there are major utilities and substructures underground; 2) City Manager Smoot clarified that Bellflower Connect is a Wi-Fi network while this fiber network being discussed is a hardwired network, and the City could opt to extend beyond the designated areas on the map to hardwire connect the whole City if the Council wanted to; and 3) Director DellaLonga explained that the Fiber Network can augment Bellflower Connect by projecting the wireless signal through transmitters, saving money by not using an external provider.
Mitch Haack, resident, inquired 1) if residents in the "unserved areas" will have access to only the Fiber Network, not the citywide wireless network; and 2) if the internet service provider for the Fiber Network in the "unserved areas" will also be able to provide service to the other areas of the City.
In response to comments provided by Mitch Haack, Mayor Dunton and City Manager Smoot explained that an internet service provider can provide service wherever fiber is installed, noting that the "pink squares" on the map are likely areas that currently have limited or no providers.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
Item No. 13-A
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider a Right -of -Way Use Agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Government ("GCCOG") — Continued
Following brief discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Dunton, and carried by the following roll call vote, to 1) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Right -of -Way Use Agreement between the City and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, in a form approved by the City Attorney; and 2) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to administer the Agreement:
AYES: Council Members — Santa Ines, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Dunton
RECUSE: Council Member — Koops
For the record, Council Member Koops returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 8:06 p.m.
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, 1) Council Member Morse announced that she would recuse herself from Item 14-D (Foster Road Traffic Signal Upgrades Project), as she has property interest within 1,000 feet of the subject property; 2) Council Member Koops announced that he would recuse himself from Item 14-H (Bellflower Youth and Senior Center Facility) as he has property interest within 500 feet of the subject area; 3) Council Member Sanchez and Mayor Dunton announced that they also have conflicts on Item 14-H; however, were selected by a random drawing on February 10, 2025, to participate in all future discussions regarding the matter; and 4) Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines requested Item 14-J (GovBuilt software application services) be pulled for discussion only.
With regard to Item 14-J (Agreement File No. 1094), Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines thanked staff for implementing a new online permitting system, noting for the benefit of the public that the current system will no longer be supported and highlighting that this is one of the objectives detailed in the Strategic Plan with the goal of providing streamlined permitting and plan checking services to constituents.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Planning Manager Genilo-Concepcion 1) explained that the new software will allow for online permitting and integrate with other online platforms, such as electronic plan checking services, allowing staff, licensed professionals, and property owners to access a web portal to submit plans, track plan review status, and review redlines and other comments; and 2) stated that staff is currently in negotiations with a company that provides online electronic plan checking and once an agreement has been reached it will take approximately nine months to build the workflow for the software.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
Item No. 14
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and without objection, Planning Manager Genilo-Concepcion confirmed that the new software will include a feature to allow applicants to schedule their inspections online.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, 1) Planning Manager Genilo-Concepcion confirmed that she would look into integrating Artificial Intelligence ("Al") into the online permitting software to assist applicants with the permitting process in the future; and 2) City Manager Smoot a) emphasized that staff is working to ensure that the workflow is seamless and efficient prior to the public's utilization of the online permitting system; and b) confirmed that staff can look into incorporating other functions once the system is fully implemented, highlighting that IT Manager Todorov is currently exploring the use of Al and how it can be utilized to enhance City operations.
Following discussion and noting the aforementioned recusals, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members — Santa Ines, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Dunton
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 25-122, dated June 23, 2025.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 25-122.
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Treasurer's Report for the Month of May 2025.
Action: Received and filed the Treasurer's Report.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the June 9, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the June 9, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to execute Measure M — Amendment No. 1 to Agreement File No. 51.93, with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for Foster Road Traffic Signal Upgrades Project.
Action: Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement File No. 51.93, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
E Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 25-26 — A Resolution authorizing the submittal of Used Oil Payment Program Applications to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery ("CalRecycle") for the next five fiscal years.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-26.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
14 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
Item No. 14
F Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement File No. 714.4, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Advanced Avant -Garde Corporation for Housing Consultant Services.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement File No. 714.4, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
G Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to AFN 230.3 with West Coast Arborists, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney, for tree maintenance services.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to AFN 230.3, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with West Coast Arborists, Inc.
H Consideration and possible action to consider a request from Cal -City Construction to substitute the plumbing subcontractor (Line Tech Plumbing, Inc.) for the Bellflower Youth and Senior Center Facility (Specifications No. 23/24-07) and to clarify and correct clerical errors related to the Waterproofing (Roger H. Proulx & Co.) and Drywall (Schmitt Drywall Contracting) subcontractors.
Action: 1) Approved the requested substitution of the Drywall Plumbing subcontractor from Line Tech Plumbing, Inc. to So Cal Sewer Construction, Inc.; 2) Approved the request to clarify that the Waterproofing subcontractor will be Roger H. Proulx & Co., not Proulx Company, Inc.; and 3) Approved the request to correct the name of the Drywall subcontractor from Schmitt Contracting Inc. to Schmitt Drywall Contracting.
Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement File No. 966 for Specifications No. 20/21-01, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., for additional work for the Lakewood Boulevard Traffic Signal Improvements — Part 1: Lakewood Boulevard (4) Intersections and consolidate all the approved change orders related to the contract.
Action: Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement File No. 966 with Belco for Specifications No. 20/21-01, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
J Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 1094 with MCCi, LLC, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for GovBuilt software application services that include the subscription, installation, and technical support for a comprehensive permitting system.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 1094, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 23, 2025
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Item No. 15
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, Council Member Koops, Council Member Morse, Council Member Sanchez, and Mayor Dunton made various comments and reports.
For the record and without objection, Mayor Dunton requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Earl Jones.
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m., in memory of Earl Jones, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Ray Du on, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayr= O iqui, City Clerk
Ap • ov : July 14, 2025