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 the December 8, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: January 12, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the December 8, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the December 8, 2025, Regular Meeting…................ ………………………… 2
MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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 5:32 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
For the record, Council Member Victor A. Sanchez was absent.
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
For the record, 1) City Manager Smoot announced the titles of the Closed Session items; 2) Council Member Morse announced that she would recuse herself from Item 3-A and 3-B as she has property interests within 500 feet of the subject properties; 3) Mayor Dunton announced that he would recuse himself from Item 3- B as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject properties; and 4) there being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Dunton recessed the Meeting at 5:34 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8)
Property: 9849 Flower St.
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: David Pai Trust
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3
December 8, 2025 Page 2 of 7
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
Recess: Mayor Dunton recessed the meeting at 5:46 p.m. for a brief break due to a lack of quorum on Item 3-B.
For the record, Council Member Sanchez arrived and attended Closed Session at 6:06 p.m.
Reconvene: Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines reconvened the meeting at 6:06 p.m. with all members present except Mayor Dunton and Council Member Morse due to the aforementioned recusals on Item 3-B.
B CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8)
Property: APN 7161-008-906 (9818 Artesia Boulevard) and 7161-008-905
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Jeff Hopkins, Hopkins Real Estate Group Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Dunton reconvened the Meeting at 7:03 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 7:03 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
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 6
December 8, 2025 Page 3 of 7
6 ROLL CALL – Continued
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
Brian McNerney, Director of Public Safety
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Dakota Wallace, Management Analyst I
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Wendi Morse offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Economic Development Jim DellaLonga led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
City Manager Smoot introduced the item and turned the meeting over to City Clerk Ochiqui to conduct nominations for the Office of Mayor.
Mayor Dunton opened nominations for the Office of Mayor. Mayor Dunton nominated Mayor Pro Tem Santa Ines for the Office of Mayor; seconded by Council Member Sanchez.
There being no further nominations, without objection, nominations for the Office of Mayor were closed. The nomination of Sonny R. Santa Ines as Mayor of the City of Bellflower unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Santa Ines
City Clerk Ochiqui congratulated Mayor Santa Ines and turned the meeting over to him to conduct nominations for Office of Mayor Pro Tem .
Mayor Santa Ines opened nominations for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Santa Ines nominated Council Member Sanchez for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem; seconded by Council Member Koops.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 9
December 8, 2025 Page 4 of 7
9 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION – Continued
There being no further nominations, without objection, the nominations for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem were closed. The nomination of Victor A. Sanchez as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Bellflower unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
Council Members made various comments relative to the City Council reorganization.
Mayor Santa Ines 1) thanked his City Council colleagues for the opportunity to serve as Mayor and expressed gratitude to immediate past Mayor Ray Dunton for his service, further commending his steady leadership that guided that City toward improvements and a safer community; 2) recognized his family and staff for their support and work; 3) highlighted the accomplishments of the City Council, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and the continued work ahead for the benefit of the community; and 4) detailed his “wish list” for staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez 1) thanked the residents of Bellflower for their trust and allowing him to serve; 2) expressed gratitude to immediate past Mayor Ray Dunton for his service; and 3) introduced his family and friends in attendance and thanked them for the support, especially acknowledging his wife, Suzie Dinh Sanchez.
Council Member Koops 1) recognized and thanked immediate past Mayor Ray Dunton for his leadership; 2) stated he is proud of the accomplishments of the City; and 3) congratulated Mayor Santa Ines and Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez.
Council Member Morse concurred with previous comments and congratulated Mayor Santa Ines and Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez.
Council Member Dunton thanked his City Council colleagues for their support during his term as Mayor.
10 CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
11 PUBLIC COMMENTS
For the record, written public comments were received from Joe Cvetko prior to the start of the meeting and were provided to the City Council and made available to the public.
Jennifer Gonazlez, resident, 1) expressed traffic safety concerns in the vicinity of Alondra Boulevard and Woodruff Avenue , stating that her elderly neighbor lost his life in a fatal pedestrian-vehicle accident approximately two to three weeks prior and suggested a crosswalk with flashing lights or traffic study be conducted to alleviate the concerns for pedestrians in the high traffic area; and 2) congratulated Mayor Santa Ines and Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 11
December 8, 2025 Page 5 of 7
11 PUBLIC COMMENTS – Continued
In response to comments provided by Jennifer Gonzalez, Mayor Santa Ines confirmed the City is aware of the accident that occurred and is looking into the matter.
Miguel Casillas, resident and business owner, expressed public safety concerns in the vicinity of Dunrobin Avenue and Belfair Street, including vehicles speeding at various hours of the day and night, stating 1) he has contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Public Safety Department regarding the matter, but has yet to find a resolution, further expressing the opinion that there is a lack of communication between both agencies; and 2) he has video footage that demonstrates the speeding that occurs in his neighborhood on a daily basis.
In response to comments provided by Miguel Casillas, Mayor Santa Ines suggested he speak with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Ferguson, who was in attendance, to better understand his concerns regarding speeding vehicles near his home.
Fred Taylor, resident, congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez.
12 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A Consideration and possible action to conduct the annual public hearing to consider whether the 5% Utility Users’ Tax (“UUT”) should continue in effect or be modified or repealed.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Director of Public Safety McNerney 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) along with City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members’ questions.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines and Council Member Koops, and for the benefit of the public, 1) Director McNerney stated that the Public Safety Department’s budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2027 is approximately $21 million; and 2) City Manager Smoot confirmed that approximately 1/3 of the City’s budget is allocated for Public Safety related matters.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez, Director McNerney confirmed that approximately 80% of the revenue generated from the UUT goes towards public safety efforts, with most funding utilized for implementation of technology to enhance services.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez, and carried without objection, to open the public hearing.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 12-A
December 8, 2025 Page 6 of 7
12 PUBLIC HEARINGS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to conduct the annual public hearing to consider whether the 5% Utility Users’ Tax (“UUT”) should continue in effect or be modified or repealed – Continued
For the record, the following individual did not state a position in favor or against approving the continuance of the UUT and funding the Community Policing Program with revenues generated from the UUT, but made comments and asked questions generally related to the subject of the public hearing:
• Larry Wehage
Following brief discussion, it was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried without objection, to close the public hearing.
It was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Morse, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the continuance of the UUT and fund the Community Policing Program with revenues generated from the UUT:
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
13 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
14 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
15 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, it was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file City Council Warrant Register No. 26-061, dated December 8, 2025.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 26-061.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15
December 8, 2025 Page 7 of 7
15 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
B Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the November 14, 2025, Special Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the November 14, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes.
C Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the November 24, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the November 24, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
D Consideration and possible action to receive and file the City’s Development Impact Fee Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 -25 pursuant to Government Code § 66006.
Action: Received and filed the Development Impact Fee Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25 pursuant to Government Code § 66006.
E Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 10 to Agreement File No. 548.2, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with O’Neil Ventures, Inc., to extend the term for one year and provide compensation for business consulting and restaurant and retail food establishment broker services.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 10 to Agreement File No. 548.2, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
16 COUNCIL REPORTS
The City Council Members made various comments and reports.
17 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: January 12, 2026