15-E
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 11, 2025, Special Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: January 12, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the December 11, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the December 11, 2025, Special Meeting… .............. ………………………… 2
MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025, 10:00 A.M.
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Santa Ines called the Special Meeting to order at 10:04 a.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 Sonny R. Santa Ines
Mayor Pro Tem Victor A. Sanchez
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Wendi Morse
Staff Participants:
Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Anna Garan, Director of Finance
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Dakota Wallace, Management Analyst I
3 PUBLIC COMMENTS
For the record, public comments were provided during discussion of Item 4-A.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 December 11, 2025 Page 2 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses:
“The Medicine Woman Group, LLC”: One CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary facility at 9058 Rose Street.
Permittee representative: Charis Burrett.
“Joint Forces, LLC”: Three CBPs to operate a cannabis dispensary; cultivation; and distribution facility at 10040 and 10042 Artesia Place.
Permittee representatives: Jonathan Barrett and Heather Alexander.
“Catalyst – Bellflower LLC”: One CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard.
Permittee representative: Elliot Lewis.
“Catalyst – Distro LLC”: One CBP to operate a cannabis distribution facility at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard.
Permittee representative: Elliot Lewis.
“Catalyst – Distro A LLC”: One CBP to operate a cannabis distribution facility at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard.
Permittee representative: Elliot Lewis.
“Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc.”: One CBP to operate a cannabis cultivation facility at 8832 Ramona Street.
Permittee representative: Berenice Cristerna.
CEQA: In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code § 21000, et seq.; “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code of Regs. § 15000, et seq.) the City determined that the applications for the CBPs consist of applications to operate businesses in existing commercial and industrial buildings that meet the definition for classes of projects exempt from additional environmental review under CEQA Guidelines § 15301 (Existing Facilities) and § 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
Mayor Santa Ines introduced the item.
For the record, City Clerk Ochiqui administered the Oath to the following individuals wishing to present public testimony regarding this matter:
• Damian Collins, representing The Medicine Woman Group, LLC • Brandon Scadron, representing The Medicine Woman Group, LLC • Ian Delaura, representing The Medicine Woman Group, LLC • Daniel Lemme, representing The Medicine Woman Group, LLC • Jonathan Barrett, representing Joint Forces, LLC
• Heather Alexander, representing Joint Forces, LLC
• Elliot Lewis, representing Catalyst – Bellflower, LLC, Catalyst – Distro LLC, and Catalyst – Distro A LLC
• Damian Martin, representing Catalyst – Bellflower, LLC, Catalyst – Distro LLC, and Catalyst – Distro A LLC
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 -A December 11, 2025 Page 3 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
For the record, it was the consensus of the City Council to consider each renewal individually and permits were considered out of order.
Assistant to the City Manager Lee stated that 1) a correction was needed on page 3 of the Staff Report to correctly reflect the date the City Council granted three renewal CBPs to Catalyst – Bellflower LLC; Catalyst – Distro LLC; and Catalyst – Distro A LLC to read as “December 12, 2024”; 2) a correction was needed on page 13 of the Staff Report to correctly the state retail license expiration date for Catalyst – Bellflower LLC; Catalyst – Distro LLC; and Catalyst – Distro A LLC to read as “June 22, 2026”; and 3) confirmed that the applicant’s state retail license is active.
Catalyst – Bellflower LLC; Catalyst – Distro LLC; Catalyst – Distro A LLC
Assistant to the City Manager Lee 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report relative to Catalyst – Bellflower LLC; Catalyst – Distro LLC; Catalyst – Distro A LLC; and 2) along with City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members’ questions.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines relative to the law enforcement calls for services at the permittee’s location on page 14 of the Staff Report, Elliot Lewis, Representative, Catalyst – Bellflower LLC; Catalyst – Distro LLC; and Catalyst – Distro A LLC (9032-38 Artesia Boulevard), 1) explained that he was unaware of the details relative to an individual pushing, hitting, and stealing the cellphone of an employee, but could inform himself of the details of the incident and provide that to the City Council at a later date; and 2) stated his business is monitored by “Night Watch Security”, which reviews video surveillance cameras surrounding the property overnight, further explaining that “Night Watch Security” reported the suspicious vehicle at the location because they were unaware it was the on-site security guard’s vehicle.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of 1) one CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard (Catalyst – Bellflower LLC); 2) one CBP to operate a cannabis distribution facility at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard (Catalyst – Distro LLC); and 3) one CBP to operate a cannabis distribution facility at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard (Catalyst – Distro A LLC):
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 -A December 11, 2025 Page 4 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
For the record, the following public comments were provided later in the meeting by Damian Martin, Representative, Catalyst – Bellflower LLC; Catalyst – Distro LLC; and Catalyst – Distro A LLC (9032-38 Artesia Boulevard), who 1) explained that the individual who pushed, hit, and stole the cellphone from the security guard at the facility was a potential customer who had left her children in a vehicle, when the security guard approached to inform her that she could not leave her children unaccompanied, she attacked him and stole his cellphone; and 2) stated that illegal cannabis operations are occurring in unincorporated areas throughout the County of Los Angeles, such as Whittier, expressing the opinion that the inability to enforce state law and regulations in unincorporated areas h as negatively impacted the legal cannabis operations, but can be remedied if the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors monitors and ceases the illegal operations, further noting that he has evidence of the illegal operations occurring in Whitter that can provide it to the City Manager.
In response to comments provided by Damian Martin and at the request of Council Member Dunton and Mayor Santa Ines, City Manager Smoot confirmed that the City can draft an informal letter with neighboring cities who also have dispensary businesses addressed to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to advocate for the enforcement of illegal cannabis operations occurring in unincorporated areas of the County.
The Medicine Woman Group, LLC
Assistant to the City Manager Lee 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report relative to The Medicine Woman Group, LLC; and 2) responded to Council Members’ questions.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines relative to the 2026, 2027, and 2028 Projected sales on page 9 of the Staff Report, 1) Damian Collins, Representative, The Medicine Woman, LLC (9058 Rose Street), explained that sales are projected to decrease due to a) the recent allowance of cannabis in the City of Artesia, noting that customers are able to receive the same product at a lower price in the City of Artesia due to the lower tax rate imposed; and b) the location of The Medicine Woman, LLC (“The Medicine Woman”), stating that because it is not located on a “main street”, it is difficult to market their business and advertise their product; and 2) Ian Delaura, Representative, The Medicine Woman, LLC (9058 Rose Street), a) stated that he represents cannabis operators throughout the State of California, expressing the opinion that the City of Bellflower has a high tax rate compared to neighboring cities, such as the City of Long Beach and City of Maywood, which makes it difficult for The Medicine Woman to survive; and b) requested the City reconsider the imposed tax rates in the future.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 -A December 11, 2025 Page 5 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
For the record, 1) Council Member Dunton expressed the opinion that the State of California plays a large factor in the tax rate imposed and overall regulations, but the City is looking into the matter; and 2) Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez thanked the permittee for maintaining the area, noting that he has not received any complaints regarding the property or operations.
In response to questions and comments provided by Council Member Koops, Brandon Scadron, Representative, The Medicine Woman, LLC (9058 Rose Street), confirmed that The Medicine Woman is taking measures to reduce expenditures to increase profit.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Dunton, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of one CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary facility at 9058 Rose Street (The Medicine Woman, LLC):
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
Joint Forces, LLC
Assistant to the City Manager Lee 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report relative to Joint Forces, LLC; and 2) along with City Manager Smoot, responded to Council Members’ questions.
At the request of Council Member Morse and Council Member Dunton relative to law enforcement calls for services at the permittee’s location on page 11 of the Staff Report, Heather Alexander, Representative, Joint Forces, LLC (10040 and 10042 Artesia Place), explained that a security guard is present at the facility twenty-four hours per day, confirmed that the facility is equipped with a burglary alarm system which is easily triggered by staff if it is not disarmed by the Manager and/or Owner(s), and if triggered, it is reported as a false alarm.
For the record, Jonathan Barrett, Representative, Joint Forces, LLC (10040 and 10042 Artesia Place), stated that he was unaware of the City Council Study Session regarding cannabis-related businesses held on November 14, 2025, expressing the opinion that lowering the City’s cultivation tax rate would be beneficial.
At the request of Council Member Dunton, City Manager Smoot confirmed that staff would provide the PowerPoint Presentation from the Study Session held on November 14, 2025, to the Permittee Representatives for Joint Forces, LLC.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 -A December 11, 2025 Page 6 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Morse, seconded by Council Member Koops, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of three CBPs to operate a cannabis dispensary; cultivation; and distribution facility at 10040 and 10042 Artesia Place (Joint Forces, LLC):
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc.
For the record, Berenice Cristerna, Representative, Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc. (8832 Ramona Street), was not in attendance.
Assistant to the City Manager Lee 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report relative to Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc.; and 2) responded to Council Members’ questions along with City Manager Smoot, City Attorney Berger, and Director of Finance Garan.
In response to questions and comments provided by Mayor Santa Ines and Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez, 1) Assistant to the City Manager Lee confirmed that Permittee Cristerna is currently behind on one quarter of taxes and has requested a payment plan for unpaid liabilities, including taxes, penalties and interest; however, despite staff’s communication efforts, Permittee Cristerna has not responded to the City regarding the payment plan request; and 2) City Attorney Berger explained that if the CBP is denied, the City can file a civil lawsuit against the permittee to recuperate outstanding debt, further explaining that because the permittee does not own the property at 8832 Ramona Street, it is difficult to place a tax lien on the property.
For the record, Council Member Koops reiterated that Permittee Cristerna was not in attendance for the matter, has failed to remit taxes to the City, and is not compliant with the requirements set forth in the CUP despite the City’s efforts.
At the request of Council Member Koops and Council Member Dunton, 1) Assistant to the City Manager Lee confirmed that Permittee Cristerna was notified of the Special City Council Meeting, noting that a) two letters providing notice of the Special City Council Meeting were sent via certified mail; and b) Permittee Cristerna submitted the renewal application and paid the associated fees; [Continued on next page]
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 -A December 11, 2025 Page 7 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
2) City Manager Smoot reiterated that City staff met with and contacted Permittee Cristerna on multiplate occasions to discuss the payment plan for the unpaid liabilities and the parking requirements relative to the Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) but the permittee’s responses to staff inquiries, both by phone and email, have been sporadic and inconsistent, and the permittee remains in violation of its CUP despite the City Council’s direction to correct the violation; 3) Director of Finance Garan stated that Permittee Cristerna owes approximately $40,800 in taxes to the City for the first quarter, highlighting that the second quarter is closing December 31, 2025, and additional taxes will be owed at that time; and 4) City Attorney Berger stated that if the CBP is denied, the City Attorney’s office will send a cease and desist letter to Permittee Cristerna to cease all operations effective January 1, 2026, noting that if cannabis operations continue after January 1, 2026, it will be treated as an unlicensed cannabis operation.
For the record, Mayor Santa Ines 1) reiterated that Permittee Cristerna was not in attendance to discuss matter; and 2) expressed the opinion that staff has done their due diligence to assist the permittee with becoming compliant with the CUP , and it is unfair to the other cannabis operators that are complying with the requirements set forth by the City Council.
At the request of Council Member Koops and Council Member Morse, 1) City Attorney Berger a) stated that if the CBP is denied and operations at the facility continue, per the Bellflower Municipal Code, the Building Official has the authority to turn off the water and electricity at the facility as it would be considered an unlicensed cannabis operation; and b) clarified that per State law, the permittee can have six cannabis plants are the facility; however, anything over that amount would need to be removed from the facility, further confirming that the City can issue an inspection warrant to verify the removal of the plants, if needed, and the permittee would be responsible for the abatement costs; and 2) City Manager Smoot a) stated that Permittee Cristerna has been notified that if the CBP is denied, all operations must cease immediately and unpaid taxes are still owed to the City; and b) confirmed that unlicensed cannabis operations are s ubject to the City’s tax requirements.
For the record, Council Member Dunton suggested the City 1) deny the renewal of the CBP until all monies owed to the City have been remitted; or 2) suspend the CBP until the parking requirements set forth in the CUP have been met.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 4 -A December 11, 2025 Page 8 of 8
4 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for eight Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
In response to questions and comments provided by Council Member Dunton, 1) Mayor Santa Ines expressed the opinion that Permittee Cristerna was given plenty of time to be in conformance with the requirements set forth in the CUP; and 2) City Manager Smoot stated that if the CBP is denied, the permittee has the ability to obtain another cultivation CBP in the future; however, a new application will need to be submitted and the applicable fees would need to be paid accordingly.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Mayor Santa Ines, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to deny the renewal of one CBP to operate a cannabis cultivation facility at 8832 Ramona Street (Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc.):
AYES: Council Members – Dunton, Koops, Morse, Sanchez, and Mayor Santa Ines
For the record, at the request of Council Member Koops, Assistant to the City Manager Lee confirmed that the permittee will be notified of the denial accordingly.
5 Adjournment
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: January 12, 2026