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MINUTES
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 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 5:32 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 Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Wendi Morse
It was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Dunton, and carried without objection to excuse the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez. 3 RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
For the record, there being no one from the public in attendance, without objection, Mayor Santa Ines recessed the Meeting at 5:33 p.m. to a Closed Session regarding:
A CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8)
Property: APN 7163-001-056 (no street address), 17246 Palo Verde Avenue, and 17538 Dubarry Street
Agency Negotiator: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Paul Kott
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
For the record, Closed Session adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 8, 2026
4 RECONVENE FOR OPEN SESSION
Item No. 4
Mayor Santa Ines reconvened the meeting at 7:02 p.m., with Mayor Pro Tern Sanchez absent, and announced that no reportable action was taken during the 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 7:02 p.m.
6 ROLL CALL
The following members of the City Council responded present to roll call:
Mayor Sonny R. Santa Ines
Council Member Ray Dunton
Council Member Dan Koops
Council Member Wendi Morse
It was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Dunton, and carried without objection to excuse the absence of Mayor Pro Tern Sanchez.
Staff Participants:
Ryan Smoot, City Manager
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Brian McNerney, Director of Public Safety
Wangsu Lee, Assistant to the City Manager
Jennifer Russell, Management Assistant
7 INVOCATION
Council Member Ray Dunton offered the Invocation.
8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Director of Parks and Recreation P.J. Mellana led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
9 REQUEST TO APPEAR REMOTELY
None
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 10-A
June 8, 2026 Page 3 of 8
10-A CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Santa Ines provided details regarding the upcoming Summer Streetfest starting June 18, 2026, on Bellflower Boulevard between Flower Street and Mayne Street and provided the concert schedule.
Council Member Morse encouraged the public to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday safely and responsibly and provided information regarding the City's policy on fireworks, noting that safe and sane fireworks are allowed, while illegal fireworks incur penalties beginning at $2,000.
Council Member Dunton provided details regarding the Bellflower Volunteer Center's school supplies drive, noting that donations will be received through July 6, 2026.
Council Member Koops provided details regarding the City's Summer Kick-off Event hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department on June 12, 2026, to be held at Caruthers Park.
10-B PRESENTATION: Certificate of Recognition to Planning Commissioner Bill Mendes
Mayor Santa Ines and his City Council colleagues presented a certificate of recognition to Former Planning Commissioner Bill Mendes for his years of service to the City in this capacity.
Former Commissioner Bill Mendez accepted the certificate and thanked the City Council.
10-C PRESENTATION: Update on City's Information Technology (IT) Systems For the record, City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
Information Technology (IT) Manager Todorov 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding current and future IT initiatives; and 2) responded to Council Members' questions along with Director of Parks and Recreation Mellana, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki, and Director of Public Safety McNerney.
For the record and the benefit of the public, Council Member Dunton stated that the City has a new mobile app that is available for download, noting that it is useful for faster and better responses to reports of graffiti.
For the record and at the request of Mayor Santa Ines, IT Manager explained that the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) completed penetration testing of the City's network, noting they were not able to penetrate the network but provided feedback for improvement.
Bellflower City Council Minutes
June 8, 2026
11 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Item No. 11
Cheryl Williams, resident, requested and received clarification from Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Gorecki relative to the construction projects at the Thompson Park Aquatic Center.
In response to comments provided by Cheryl Williams, and at the request of Council Member Koops and Mayor Santa Ines, City Manager Smoot confirmed that staff would include information on the website and social media outlets regarding the construction projects at the Thompson Park Aquatic Center and note that the Aquatic Center remains open during construction.
Oscar Villagomez, Library Manager, Clifton M. Brakensiek Library, provided information relative to the Summer Lunch at the Library Program for all children ages 0 — 18 years.
Fred Taylor stated that he noticed that the City of Lakewood adopted e-bike rules and regulations and inquired whether Bellflower would be doing the same.
In response to comments provided by Fred Taylor, and at the request of Mayor Santa Ines, 1) City Manager Smoot confirmed that staff had internal discussion regarding the matter and could change ordinances if the City Council would like to do so; and 2) Director of Public Safety McNerney stated that e-bikes are not too big of an issue in the City, but they have had discussions with the school district, and can bring the matter back to the City Council for further discussion. 12 PUBLIC HEARINGS
A Consideration and possible action to continue the public hearing to consider the issuance of a cannabis business permit for a dispensary use at 9535 Artesia Boulevard; and
B Consideration and possible action to continue the public hearing to consider the issuance of a cannabis business permit for a dispensary use at 8846 Alondra Boulevard.
For the record, City Manager Smoot 1) at the request of Mayor Santa Ines, confirmed that public hearing Items 12-A and 12-B could be discussed together; and 2) introduced the item, noting that staff was requesting a continuance of the hearings to the next City Council meeting.
For the record, 1) Council Member Koops announced that he would need to recuse Items 12-A and 12-B as he has property interests within 1,000 feet of the subject properties; and 2) Mayor Santa Ines requested and received confirmation from City Attorney Berger that Council Member Koops may stay in the room if the Council continues the hearings without opening them.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 12-A&B
June 8, 2026 Page 5 of 8
12 PUBLIC HEARINGS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to continue the public hearing to consider the issuance of a cannabis business permit for a dispensary use at 9535 Artesia Boulevard; and
B Consideration and possible action to continue the public hearing to consider the issuance of a cannabis business permit for a dispensary use at 8846 Alondra Boulevard — Continued
It was moved by Council Member Morse, seconded by Council Member Dunton, and carried by the following roll vote to 1) continue the public hearing to consider the issuance of a cannabis business permit for a dispensary use at 9535 Artesia Boulevard to June 22, 2026; and 2) continue the public hearing to consider the issuance of a cannabis business permit for a dispensary use at 8846 Alondra Boulevard to June 22, 2026:
AYES:
Council Members —
Morse, Dunton, and Mayor Santa Ines
RECUSE:
Council Members —
Koops
ABSENT:
Council Member—
Sanchez
13 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
14 CONSIDERATION ITEMS
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file the Senate Bill (SB) 707 Implementation Plan, establish and incorporate a Teleconferencing Disruption Policy pursuant to SB 707 into the City's existing procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings, and adopt Resolution No. 26-20 — A Resolution establishing procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings within the City of Bellflower, and superseding Resolution No. 25-13.
City Manager Smoot introduced the item.
City Clerk Ochiqui 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Staff Report; and 2) responded to Council Members' questions along with City Manager Smoot and City Attorney Berger.
At the request of Mayor Santa Ines relative to the allowed number of uses for Council Members' remote participation, City Attorney Berger stated that a Council Member would not have a right to participate remotely beyond what is allowed by law, but the Council could take action to allow them to do so; however, stated that he would discourage the City Council from granting additional allowances.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 14-A
June 8, 2026 Page 6 of 8
14 CONSIDERATION ITEMS — Continued
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file the Senate Bill (SB) 707 Implementation Plan, establish and incorporate a Teleconferencing Disruption Policy pursuant to SB 707 into the City's existing procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings, and adopt Resolution No. 26-20 — Continued
Ruth Nuno, resident, expressed the opinion that Google Translate could produce misleading translations, but acknowledged the City's efforts.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Koops, seconded by Council Member Dunton, and carried by the following roll call vote, to 1) receive and file SB 707 Implementation Plan; and 2) adopt Resolution No. 26-20:
AYES: Council Members —
ABSENT: Council Member —
15 CONSENT CALENDAR
Morse, Dunton, Koops, and Mayor Santa
Ines
Sanchez
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, Dunton, Koops, and Mayor Santa Ines
ABSENT: Council Member — Sanchez
A Consideration and possible action to receive and file Warrant Register No. 26-121, dated June 8, 2026.
Action: Received and filed Warrant Register No. 21-121.
B Consideration and possible action to adopt the following resolutions affecting the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election:
Resolution No. 26-21 - A Resolution calling for a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect City Council Members; and
Resolution No. 26-22 - A Resolution requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to consolidate the City of Bellflower's General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with the General Election to be held on the date pursuant to Elections Code & 10403.
Action: Adopted Resolution Nos. 26-21 and 26-22
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 15
June 8, 2026 Page 7 of 8
15 CONSENT CALENDAR — Continued
C Consideration and possible action to direct the City Clerk to complete the biennial review of the City's and Bellflower Public Facilities Corporation's ("BPFC") Conflict of Interest Codes.
Action: Directed the City Clerk to perform the biennial review of the City's and BPFC's Conflict of Interest Codes and report back before October 1, 2026.
D Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to Agreement File No. 245.1, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with All City Management Services, Inc. ("ACMS"), for crossing guard services for the 2026-2028 school years.
Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to Agreement File No. 245.1, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
E Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No.26-23 — A Resolution adopting the annual appropriations limit for fiscal year 2026- 2027.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-23.
F Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 26-24 - A Resolution fixing the tax levy for the maintenance of Vehicle Parking District No. 1 for fiscal year 2026-2027.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-24.
G Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the April 27, 2026, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the April 27, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.
H Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 11, 2026, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the May 11, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Consideration and possible action to approve the Minutes of the May 26, 2026, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Action: Approved the May 26, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. 16 COUNCIL REPORTS
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Bo Mouissat.
Mayor Santa Ines and Council Member Koops made various comments and reports.
Bellflower City Council Minutes Item No. 17
June 8, 2026 Page 8 of 8
17 ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, Mayor Santa Ines adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m., in memory of Bo Mouissat, to the next regular Meeting of the Bellflower City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026.
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
City of Bellflower
ATTEST:
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
Approved: June 22, 2026