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 February 23, 2026, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
DATE: March 9, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
None
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the February 23, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
Minutes of the February 23, 2026, Regular Meeting of the City Council …………..…… 2
1 stafJeport_~
MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026
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 Santa Ines called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:35 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 Sonny R. Santa Ines
Mayor Pro Tem Victor A. Sanchez
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Wendi Morse
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
For the record, 1) City Manager Smoot announced the titles of the Closed Session items; 2) Council Member Dunton announced that he would recuse himself from Item 3-A as he has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; 3) Council Member Morse announced that she would recuse herself from Item 3-A as she has property interests within 500 feet of the subject property; and 4) there being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Santa Ines recessed the Meeting at 5:36 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A 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
2 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 3
February 23, 2026 Page 2 of 6
3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – Continued
B CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8)
Property: 9030 Somerset Boulevard and
9108 Somerset Boulevard
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: LA Metro
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Mayor Santa Ines reconvened the Meeting at 7:03 p.m., with all Council Members present, and announced that no reportable action was taken during Closed Session.
7:00 P.M. – OPEN SESSION
5 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Santa Ines 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 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 Elizabeth Oba, Director of Planning and Building Services Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Russell, Management Assistant
3 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No.7
February 23, 2026 Page 3 of 6
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Dan Koops offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Planning and Building Services Elizabeth Oba led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9 REQUEST TO APPEAR REMOTELY
None
10 CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Santa Ines provided details relative to the Bellflower Volunteer Center Spring Basket Program, which provides personalized baskets to children in need , noting that community members may sponsor a child or donate new items, with donations due by March 5, 2026.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez provided details relative to the City of Bellflower’s partnership with the Fair Housing Foundation to host a free workshop on March 4, 2026, in the Green Room at Bellflower City Hall.
Council Member Dunton provided details relative to free March programming at the Clifton M. Brakensiek Library, featuring creative workshops for children, teens, and adults.
Council Member Koops provided details relative to upcoming networking events hosted by the Bellflower Chamber of Commerce including the St. Patrick’s Networking Bingo Game Night on March 12, 2026, and the Monthly Morning Mingle on March 31, 2026.
Council Member Morse provided details relative to a citywide residential cart exchange to comply with California’s SB 1383, noting that the City’s waste hauler (CR&R) will replace existing landfill, recycling, and organics carts at no cost.
10-A PRESENTATION: Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts
Matthew Eaton, Deputy Assistant Chief Engineer at Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation; and 2) responded to Council Members’ questions.
4 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10-A
February 23, 2026 Page 4 of 6
10-A PRESENTATION: Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts – Continued
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:25 p.m.
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez retuned to the Council Chambers and dais at 7:30 p.m.
11 PUBLIC COMMENTS
For the record, written public comments were received from Martha Torres, Fair Housing Foundation, prior to the start of the meeting, which were provided to the City Council and made available to the public.
Sophia Partida, resident, requested and received clarification from Mayor Santa Ines that the Closed Session portion of the meeting was confidential and the Council Members could not disclose details.
12 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
13 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
14 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
None
15 CONSENT CALENDAR
For the record, 1) Council Member Koops announced that he would recuse himself on Item 15-C (Award Contract to Integrated Demolition and Remediation, Inc.) as he owns property within 500 feet of the subject area; 2) Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez announced that he would recuse himself on Item 15 -D (License Agreement File No. 1103 Modern Vegan Cuisine LLC dba EL Riqui) in an abundance of caution; 3) Mayor Santa Ines requested that Item 15-D (License Agreement File No. 1103 Modern Vegan Cuisine LLC dba EL Riqui) be pulled for questions only; and 4) Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez left the dais and Council Chambers at 7:32 p.m.
5 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15
February 23, 2026 Page 5 of 6
15 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
With regard to Item 15-D (License Agreement File No. 1103 Modern Vegan Cuisine LLC dba EL Riqui) and at the request of Mayor Santa Ines, business owner Jose Brito came forward to address the City Council.
Jose Brito, business owner, 1) stated that he and his brother own the property and business; 2) explained that they had been experiencing financial constraints, but have recently improved their cash flow situation ; 3) noted that the menu was not ready yet, but he would provide it when available; 4) stated that he would proceed with the remodel and opening of the business once the encroachment approval was obtained; 5) confirmed they have obtained their alcohol license; and 6) confirmed that he is related to the owners of Kalaveras and Rokka Grill & Whiskey Bar also located in the City.
For the record, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez returned to the Council Chambers and dais at 7:36 p.m.
It was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Dunton, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the actions stipulated on the Consent Calendar:
AYES: Council Members – Morse, Sanchez, Dunton, Koops, and Mayor Santa Ines
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 26-082, dated February 23, 2026. _____
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 26-082.
B Consideration and possible action to receive and file Investments Report for the Month of January 2026.
Action: Received and file the Investments Report.
C Consideration and possible action to award a contract to Integrated Demolition and Remediation, Inc., for the abatement and maintenance of City property for City Project No. 52612 and authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 1082.2 in a form approved by the City Attorney.________ Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement File No. 1082.2 with Integrated Demolition and Remediation, Inc., in a form approved by the City Attorney.
D Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute License Agreement File No. 1103, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Modern Vegan Cuisine LLC dba El Riqui for encroachment of outdoor seating and decorative railing into the public right-of-way for property located south of 16641 Bellflower Boulevard.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute License Agreement File No. 1103, with Modern Vegan Cuisine LLC dba El Riqui, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
6 Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15
February 23, 2026 Page 6 of 6
15 CONSENT CALENDAR – Continued
E Consideration and possible action to receive and file Travel Request to Sacramento, California, to attend California State University Advocacy Day between February 24 - 25, 2026 (the “Program”).
Action: 1) Received and filed this Travel Request; and 2) Acknowledged that the Program is related to an important governmental function, i.e., advocating for the region’s education needs.
16 COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez, Council Member Koops, and Mayor Santa Ines made various comments and reports.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines, and without objection, City Manager Smoot confirmed that he would look into the City’s permit parking districts to update the policy and provide recommendations to the City Council.
17 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. to the next Regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: March 9, 2026
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