15-C
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 the November 24, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: December 8, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the November 24, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the November 24, 2025, Regular Meeting….............. ………………………… 2
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MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION / 7:00 P.M. OPEN SESSION
5:30 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
For the record, the Closed Session Meeting was cancelled.
1 CALL TO ORDER
2 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
A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2):
One Matter.
FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES: Correspondence Dated November 20, 2025 (see attached).
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN 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 7:02 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
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Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 6
November 24, 2025 Page 2 of 7
6 ROLL CALL – Continued
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 P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation
Brian McNerney, Director of Public Safety
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Dakota Wallace, Management Analyst I
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Dan Koops offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Parks and Recreation P.J. Mellana led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Dunton provided details relative to the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held on December 5, 2025, in Downtown Bellflower at Friendship Square.
Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines provided details relative to the Bellflower Volunteer Center’s Christmas food and gift drive with donations accepted through December 1, 2025.
Council Member Morse provided details relative to the City’s Holiday Home Decorating Contest with nominations accepted through December 7, 2025.
Council Member Sanchez provided details relative to Los Angeles County’s free lead-based paint hazard remediation services for eligible Bellflower residents with enrollment extended through November 30, 2025.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to the “Letters to the North Pole” program with mailbox locations placed at various City facilities and letters accepted from December 1-14, 2025.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10
November 24, 2025 Page 3 of 7
10 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Denise Hamilton, A Night at Bethlehem, submitted written materials for the record, introduced herself as a representative of the 1820 Congregation, and provided details relative to an upcoming interfaith community event to be held from December 12-14, 2025.
Joe Strapac, President, Virginia Court Homeowners Association, stated his concerns relative to aging telephone and internet connections within the City, expressing the opinion that 1) many of the buildings in the City are older, the “hard-wired cabling” is inoperable, and noted that the townhomes in his association are only thirty-five years old, but the systems in place have already begun failing; 2) members of his association have received poor service from the current telephone and internet providers; and 3) the City should look into the matter as cell phones cannot be relied upon during an emergency because they are not hard-wired.
Monica Mendez, resident, expressed concerns relative to a clogged drain and standing water in the vicinity of Artesia Boulevard and Clark Avenue, stating 1) the drain in the gutter has been clogged for approximately two to three months and is emitting a bad odor; and 2) the Manager of her apartment complex has contacted the water company; however, the water company has stated that they are unable to address the issue as it is a private matter.
In response to comments provided by Monica Mendez and at the request of Mayor Dunton, Director of Public Safety McNerney confirmed that he would speak with Ms. Mendez to better understand her concerns.
11 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
12 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
13 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
November 24, 2025 Page 4 of 7
14 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, Council Member Sanchez 1) announced that he would recuse himself on Item 14-G (Artesia and Palm Realty, LLC) as his employer received a donation from Terrace Group Holdings within the last twelve months ; and 2) requested that Item 14-D (Rotary Club, for funding support of the City’s Dog Park at Ruth R. Caruthers Park) be pulled for questions and comments only.
With regard to Item 14-D (Rotary Club, for funding support of the City’s Dog Park at Ruth R. Caruthers Park), at the request of Council Member Sanchez and Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines relative to the City’s partnership with the Bellflower Rotary Club, Assistant City Attorney Tamayo confirmed the proposed agreement stipulates 1) the City will incorporate the “Rotary” name into the dog park’s title, include the full “Bellflower Rotary Club” name and logo on all signage and recognition materials, and retain final approval authority over all signage to ensure conformance with City standards; and 2) the City will retain ownership and maintenance responsibility for all signage and park improvements.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines relative to the proposed Parks and Recreation Foundation, 1) Director of Parks and Recreation Mellana a) explained that the Bellflower Parks and Recreation Foundation (“Foundation”) would be established as a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to expand funding opportunities, promote community partnerships, and support the implementation of the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan ; and b) stated the Director of Parks and Recreation will serve as the City’s administrative liaison to coordinate formation activities; however, the Foundation will transition to an independent, community-based governing board within approximately twenty-four months, which will represent residents, service clubs, business stakeholders, and park advocates; and 2) City Manager Smoot confirmed that staff will prepare the Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to ensure the City Council’s vision is clearly defined and met.
Lauren Yokomizo, President, Bellflower Rotary Club, requested the City Council’s support of Item 14-D, explaining that the Bellflower Rotary Club approached the City of Bellflower with a desire to commemorate its 100th Anniversary with a community legacy project to benefit the City.
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines expressed support for the proposed plan for development of a Parks and Recreation Foundation in collaboration with the Bellflower Rotary Club, expressing the opinion that the Bellflower Rotary Club is unique and collaborates well with other service clubs in the City.
For the record and without objection, Council Member Sanchez requested Director Mellana look into 1) the model type for the non-profit organization and to consider having a working board model versus a CEO model which would be more costly; and 2) whether the Parks and Recreation Commissioners could serve as members of that board so that they are appointed by the elected body, noting that legal counsel would need to be consulted regarding the path forward.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
November 24, 2025 Page 5 of 7
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Morse, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members – Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Koops, and Mayor Dunton
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Warrant Register No. 26-052, dated November 24, 2025.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 26-052.
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file Treasurer’s Report for the Month of October 2025.
Action: Received and filed the Treasurer’s Report.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the November 10, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the November 10, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Bellflower Rotary Club, for funding support of the City’s Dog Park at Ruth R. Caruthers Park and a donation for a future Parks and Recreation Foundation; and approve a proposed plan for the development of a Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Action: 1) Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the Bellflower Rotary Club; and 2) Approved the proposed plan for development of a Parks and Recreation Foundation.
E Consideration and possible action to receive and file the City of Bellflower Successor Housing Agency Annual Report regarding the Low-and-Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Action: Received and filed Successor Housing Agency Annual Report regarding Low-and-Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
F Consideration and possible action to award a contract (Agreement File No. 719.2) to Bear Communications, Inc. to upgrade and modernize the City’s existing two-way radio system; and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Bear Communications, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Action: Awarded a contract (Agreement File No. 719.2) to Bear Communications, Inc. for the Project and authorized the City Manager to execute a contract in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14
November 24, 2025 Page 6 of 7
14 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
G Consideration and possible action to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1451 – An Ordinance approving Development Agreement File No. 1118, in a form approved by the City Attorney, by and between the City of Bellflower and Artesia and Palm Realty, LLC, to facilitate the development of a self-storage facility; to activate the Development Agreement Zone Layover (“DAZL”) in Bellflower Municipal Code Chapter 17.67; and to amend the zone map (ZC 25-03).
CEQA: The City reviewed the Project's environmental impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Res. Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Reg. §§ 15000 -15387; the “CEQA Guidelines”). The Project is categorically exempt from additional environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15332 as a Class 32 categorical exemption (In-Fill Development Projects). The Project consists of constructing a self-storage facility on a vacant 1.33-acre lot surrounded by existing development. After activating the DAZL, the project will conform with both the General Plan and applicable zoning. The Project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. The technical studies pre pared for the Project demonstrate there will not be any significant environmental effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. Finally, the Project can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services.
Action: Waived further reading and adopted Ordinance No. 1451.
15 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines, and
Council Member Koops made various comments and reports.
At the request of Council Member Sanchez, Assistant to the City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki provided an update regarding Constitution Park, stating that 1) there has been a delay with the property owner, Southern California Edison, and because of the delay, the equipment originally proposed must be vetted to ensure it can still be provided; and 2) work will commence between April and May of 2026 and completed within approximately 90 to 120 working days.
For the record and without objection, Council Member Koops requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Miriam Lavonne Mowl.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 16
November 24, 2025 Page 7 of 7
16 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Dunton adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m., in memory of Miriam Lavonne Mowl, to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Ray Dunton, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: December 8, 2025