T h e C i t y o f B e l l f l o w e r
Families. Businesses. Futures.
16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA 90706
Tel 562.804.1424 Fax 562.925.8660 www.bellflower.ca.gov
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 804-1424, extension 2271 or [email protected]. Providing notice at least 48 hours before the meeting will help the City promptly review and respond to accommodation requests and make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.
Language Access: Members of the public who wish to provide or receive language interpretation during a meeting should contact the City Clerk's Office at least 48 hours before the meeting. The City will make reasonable efforts to facilitate language interpretation (e.g., arranging space for interpreters, allowing additional time for interpretation, or allowing personal equipment for interpretation). The City is not required to provide meeting interpretation services.
Agenda Items are on file in the Office of the City Clerk and are available for public inspection during normal business hours. For your convenience, the Agenda is also posted on the City’s Website at www.bellflower.ca.gov with links to each Agenda Item (unless they are too lengthy or unavailable at the time of posting). Any supplemental material distributed to a majority of the members of the City Council/Successor Agency after the posting of this Agenda will be made available for public inspection during normal business hours in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower. (Privileged documents and Closed Session documents are exempted.)
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
4:00 P.M. STUDY SESSION
BELLFLOWER CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TELECONFERENCE – ZOOM WEBINAR
MEETING ID: 883 0182 2002 / TOLL FREE (669) 444-9171
AGENDA
Bellflower City Council Special Agenda
August 10, 2026
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION VIA TELECONFERENCE
The meetings of the Bellflower City Council will be conducted in accordance with the adopted Meeting Rules of Procedure (Resolution No. 26-20, adopted June 8, 2026) available on the City’s website at www.bellflower.ca.gov .
The public may participate in City Council meetings via teleconference by using the Zoom Meeting ID and/or phone number on the first page of this agenda. Participants are encouraged to join the meeting 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.
When meetings are conducted with remote public access, the meeting may be recorded, including public comment. Audience screen names or displayed telephone numbers may be visible as part of the recording. Unless a person is called to provide public comment, participant audio may be muted and video may be disabled. Closed sessions, if any, will not be recorded.
Anonymous attendance may be permitted for audience members. Participants who wish to provide public comment may be asked to identify themselves in a manner reasonably sufficient for meeting administration before being recognized to speak. Participants using names that violate community standards, attempting to rename themselves contrary to host controls, or attempting to bypass host controls may be denied entry to, removed from, or blocked from the meeting platform.
If you wish to provide public comment at either the beginning of the meeting under Public Comments or for a particular item, you may either (a) contact the City Clerk’s Office before the meeting and provide your name to be called; or (b) utilize the “raise hand” option if participating by Zoom Webinar or dial “*9” if participating by phone. Once you click on this option you will be in the rotation to make a public comment. Remote participants will receive the same time allotment for public comment as participants attending in person. To be removed from the rotation, click on “raise hand” or “*9” again.
Please note, if you do not have an audio feature on your device you will need to call in, should you want to make a public comment. Written public comments will be accepted via email to [email protected] before the close of public comment period, and read into the record during public comment, when feasible. We request that written communications be limited to not more than 50 words.
If telephonic or internet service is disrupted so that the public cannot observe or attend through the authorized two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform, the City Council will recess open session for at least one hour and make a good faith effort to restore service.
During the recess, the City Council may meet in closed session as permitted by law. The City Council will not reconvene open session until at least one hour has passed or service has been restored, whichever occurs first. If service has not been restored when open session reconvenes, the City Council may continue only after adopting, by roll call vote, findings that good faith efforts were made to restore service and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote access.
If you have trouble connecting to the meeting, please visit the Meetings and Agendas webpage on the City’s website at www.bellflower.ca.gov for guidance or email [email protected].
Bellflower City Council Special Agenda
August 10, 2026
1 CALL TO ORDER
2 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 REQUEST TO APPEAR REMOTELY
None
4 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.3(a), the public may address the City Council on matters listed on the Agenda. Anyone wishing to address the City Council, whether attending in person or remotely, should be recognized by the Mayor before speaking. Speakers may state their name for the record. In-person speakers should come to the podium, and remote participants may request to speak using the procedures described in this agenda. Each speaker will be given three (3) minutes to address the City Council unless adjusted by the Mayor to facilitate the orderly conduct of the meeting.
5 STUDY SESSION
A Consideration and possible action to conduct a follow-up study session to discuss and provide further direction regarding the City’s economic development priorities.
Recommendation to City Council: 1) Discuss and provide direction to the City Manager regarding the City’s economic development priorities; or 2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
6 ADJOURNMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
CITY OF BELLFLOWER
I, Juliet Cerecero Management Assistant, of the City of Bellflower, do hereby declare under penalty of perjury, that the Agenda for the Special Meeting of the Bellflower City Council to be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., was posted Thursday, August 6th , 2026, at the following locations in the City of Bellflower:
City Hall Lobby and Doors, 16600 Civic Center Drive
City Website at www.bellflower.orq
Clifton M. Brakensiek Library
Executed this 6th day of August 2026 at Bellflower, California.
Management Assistant
NO MATERIALS FOR STUDY SESSION
ITEM 5-A
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SPEAKER SIGN-IN SHEET
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BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
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PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY
NAME ORGANIZATION
if applicable)
Department Update Follow-Up
August 10, 2026
Department Update
•Workshop Follow-up/Review
•How we got here
•Statistics/Metrics
•Business Assistance Programs
•Entrepreneurial Programs
•Corridor Studies
•Department Reorganization
•Econ Dev/Com Dev Corporations
Workshop Takeaways
and Directives
Workshop Big-Picture Take-aways
1.New Business/Development Attraction
a.Development/Project Support
2.Small Business/Entrepreneurial Programs
3.Maintain HOME/CDBG/SHA programs and compliance
a.support above programs where possible
4.Research Economic Development Corporation
Workshop Directives
1.Strategic Property Acquisition
2.Downtown Bellflower
3.Housing as an Economic Development driver
4.Business Assistance & Entrepreneurial Programs
5.Commercial Corridor Studies
6.Econ Dev Corp/Com Dev Corp
How did we get here?
Downtown Small Scale/Artisan
Manufacturing Recommendations
Downtown Economic Development
Recommendations
Recommendations - Implemented
Entrepreneurial/Small Business
Training Programs
Increase housing
density downtown
Move the farmers
market downtown
Zoning Standards for
Artisan Manufacturing
AUP for serving alcohol
as accessory use
Continue City ownership
of key parcels
Recommendations – In the Works
City commitment
to a Spend Local
Initiative
Use public spaces
for more
community events
Address
obsolete
zoning
Extending
Downtown
Streetscape south
to the freeway
Promote city support of
local business
(tell our story/
promote successes)
Stats and Metrics
Business Assistance Plan and Entrepreneurial Programs
Business Assistance Plan
Business Assistance Plan (BAP)
•Created in 2017 - Revised a few times since
•Initial focus on building modernization and façade
improvements in Downtown Bellflower
•12 applicants approved, only 1 did not move forward
Business Assistance Plan 2017-2026
19%
19%
6%6%
44%
6%
CHAPTER 1 - ABC CUP Grant (3 loans)
CHAPTER 2.1 - Improvement loan (3 loans)
CHAPTER 2.2 - Modernization Loan (1 loan)
CHAPTER 2.3 - Tax Assistance (1 loan)
CHAPTER 3 - Façade / Signage Loan (7 loans)
CHAPTER 5 - Microloan (1 loan)
Total funds approved: $421,000
$17,347.06 returned from Fantasy Cakes
$21,062.96 returned from Frousakis [The Nest]
($382,589.98 invested – 16 LOANS TOTAL)
Entrepreneurial Programs
Entrepreneurial Programs
•Asociación de Emprendedor@s: 2022 - ongoing
•Monica Robles – Emprendedor@s
•Maker to Market: 2024 – ongoing
•3 Advisors – Long Beach City College SBDC Office • GRANT FUNDED THRU DEC 2026 •Bellflower Entrepreneurial Academy: 2025 - ongoing
•Monica Robles – Heart Centered Leadership Coaching & Consulting Group • GRANT FUNDED THRU DEC 2026 •37 Oaks Online Retail Course: 2022 - 2024
•37 Oaks Online Small Business/Retail Scaling Courses • NO LONGER OFFERED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT
Statistics/Metrics
Participants overall:
165 Emprendedor@s
26 37 Oaks
52 BEA
49 Maker to Market
292 Total
30 23 22
18 18
24 0
30 0
10 2
9 2 2 1 0 0 0000000
31 0
21 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 10
16 0
5 10
15 20
25 30
35 Spring 22 Fall 22 Spring 23 Fall 23 Spring 24 Fall 24 Spring 25 Fall 25 Spring 26 Emprendedor@s 37 Oaks Blf Entrepreneur Academy Maker to Market
Statistics/Metrics
37 OAKS: Many did not complete the online modules, 26 signed up / 10 completed Participating Businesses: Gretel & Co., KaziRokz Skincare, La Paloma Blanca Charcuterie* Kazirokz scaled up from pop-up to Bellflower Kiosk
Bellflower Entrepreneurial Academy: Hosted two cohorts, 52 participants No new brick-and-mortar, yet
Maker to Market: Hosted three workshops, 49 participants No new brick-and-mortar yet, 24 filed business licenses, 14+ have continued with SBDC Advisors, a few have taken advantage of the program’s free Bellflower Farmers Market stall to try what they learned Emprendedor@s: Hosted seven cohorts. In 2025, shifted to once per year to make room for the Bellflower Entrepreneurial Academy. Average of 24 participants
Statistics/Metrics
165
80 47
42 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Graduates
Opened Business
Still in business (01/2026)
Opened in Bellflower
EMPRENDEDOR@S
Brick & Mortar in BLF:
1. Embroidery Trends
2. 3 J’s Kutz
3. Yen Wellness
4. PitStop Barbershop
5. Saucedo Dash & Seat Covers
6. Thome’s Bakery*
7. The Fresh Cut
8. Holland International Market*
9. Pro Match Paint*
* Established Businesses
Other home-based in BLF:
1. La Paloma Blanca Charcuterie
2. Ari’s Decorations
3. SJI Events
4. Thirty A’s Art Club
Corridors Studies
Development Potential and Feasibility of Major Commercial Corridors
Corridors Studies
Confirm Scope and Locations
•Proposed Scope
•Review existing conditions
•Examine Realistic Development Potential/Economics
•Provide Recommendations
•Proposed Locations
•Originally – Artesia Blvd./Lakewood Blvd./Woodruff
Ave./Rosecrans Ave.
•Recommend
•Status
•Request for Proposals (RFP) drafted
•Firms Identified
Department Reorganization
•Overall
•Training and Mentoring Ongoing
•Economic Development Specialist Recruitment
Economic Development/
Community Development
Corporations
Economic Development Corp
Issue Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Primary Purpose Business attraction, job creation, investment, commercial development
Typical IRS Status 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or nonprofit public benefit corporation Main Activities Real estate development, business recruitment, industrial development, downtown revitalization Funding Sources City contracts/MOUs, business memberships, grants, property revenues, development projects Housing Development Secondary focus
Business Development Core activity
Community Services Rare
Political Independence Often closely affiliated with city government Property Ownership Common
Real Estate Development Frequently commercial/industrial-focused
Anaheim Economic Development Corporation
Anaheim Economic Development Corporation promotes, supports, and funds community solutions that create economic prosperity and well-being for residents in the Greater Anaheim area. The organization generates revenue for Anaheim's recovery and business assistance activities through purchasing preference programs, identification of resources on local, state, and federal levels. In partnership with the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Canyon Hills Community Council, City of Anaheim and others, the corporation hosted the Anaheim 4th of July celebration to engage businesses, residents and city life. (subordinate org under Anaheim Chamber)
El Segundo Economic Development Corporation
The organization is dedicated to advancing Economic opportunity for employers and prosperity for the residents of El Segundo, and to establish more meaningful relationships with executives for all companies to understand their corporate situation, needs and potential issues in staying within El Segundo.
Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development
Corporation
Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation dedicates itself to supporting high-paying job creation for the trained workforce and raising the profile of Santa Clarita Valley through business retention, attraction, marketing, and data. Its mission is to encourage business and industry to remain within the region, as well as promote orderly economic growth and common economic interests. It offers business development services such as business assistance visits and information on business incentives. Additionally, it provides business attraction services including site selection, marketing the community as a desirable place for businesses, recruitment of companies from California and beyond, conducting research projects and development of effective advertising campaigns.
TeamCalifornia Economic Development Corporation
TeamCalifornia Economic Development Corporation promotes business investment and growth within California to create jobs for Californians. Their operations provide resources and expertise through internet advertising, trade shows, public relations, and business missions. Additionally, their mission involves involvement in tradeshows to further promote business investment and job retention within California.
Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) provides strategic economic development leadership to promote a globally competitive, prosperous and growing L.A..
Community Development Corp
Issue Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Primary Purpose Neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, community services
Typical IRS Status 501(c)(3)
Main Activities Affordable housing, mixed-use projects, workforce housing, social services Funding Sources Grants, tax credits, CDBG, HOME, philanthropy Housing Development Primary focus
Business Development Secondary activity
Community Services Common
Political Independence Often independent nonprofit
Property Ownership Common
Real Estate Development Frequently housing-focused
Southeast Community Development Corporation
Southeast Community Development Corporation
empowers individuals through education and
technology, promoting community development and
essential skills for confident, innovative participation.
East LA Community Corporation
East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)
advocates for economic and social justice in
Boyle Heights and Unincorporated East Los
Angeles by building affordable housing and
leading grassroots efforts towards self-sufficiency
and access to brighter economic opportunities
for low and moderate-income families. Their
mission is to strengthen existing community
infrastructure in underserved communities by
developing and preserving neighborhood assets.
Little Italy Association of San Diego
The Little Italy Association (LIA) is a public benefit
corporation, 501(c)(3) established in 1996 to oversee
and expedite the revitalization and beautification of the Little Italy neighborhood of Downtown San Diego.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for
Humanity brings people together to build homes,
communities and hope. Building affordable housing for
qualified low-income families.
(Bellflower, Ca)
Commercial development,
investment, job creation,
business attraction,
Tax alternate: 501(c)(4), or
nonprofit public benefit corp.
Business recruitment,
industrial development,
real estate development
downtown revitalization,
Funded: City contracts/mou,
business memberships,
property revenues,
development projects
Often affiliated with city government
Commercial-focused
501(c)(3)
Housing Development
Business Development
Community Services
Property Ownership
Grants
Neighborhood revitalization,
affordable housing,
community services
Affordable housing,
mixed -use projects,
workforce housing,
social services
Funded: Tax credits, CDBG,
HOME, philanthropy
Often independent nonprofit
Housing-focused
•By -laws
•Articles of Incorporation
•Board of Directors
•Annual Reporting
•Funding/Staffing
•Typically takes several months to form
Formation
Discussion
e/0(/VeAl
Economic" Development
e/0(/VeAl
Economic" Development
501(c)(3)501(c)(4)
Primary Purpose Charitable, educational,
religious, or scientific
Social welfare or civic
improvement
Tax -Deductible Donations Yes No
Political Campaigning Strictly prohibited (cannot
support or oppose any political
candidate)
Permitted (can support or oppose
candidates, provided it is not the
organization's primary activity)
Lobbying Limits Strictly limited Generally, cannot be a "substantial part" of activities
Examples Public charities, private
foundations, churches, and
museums
Civic leagues, advocacy groups,
and some homeowners
associations
501(c)(3) vs. 501 (c)(4) Comparison
Open Rewards - Shop Local Program
Customizable Community-wide rewards program
•Being used by cities throughout North America
•Incentivizes consumers to shop at local businesses
•Merchants not required to sign-up to participate
•Citizens sign-up to participate
•Use Cases
•Shift Spending in Real Time
•Support businesses impacted by disruptions (e.g. Metro) •Drive activity to specific areas
•Amplify key events and build community goodwill
Open Rewards - Shop Local Program
Customizable Community-wide rewards program
•Set the rewards fund
•Cities have invested $5K to $1M
•Decide which businesses to include
•City decides which businesses
•Businesses don’t have to sign-up
•Customize program details
•Reward %
•Limits
•Expiration Dates
Econ Dev/Com Dev Corporation
Issue Community Development Corporation (CDC)Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Primary Purpose Neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, community services
Business attraction, job creation, investment, commercial development
Typical IRS Status 501(c)(3)501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or nonprofit public benefit corporation Main Activities Affordable housing, mixed-use projects, workforce housing, social services
Business recruitment, industrial development, downtown
revitalization, real estate development
Funding Sources Grants, tax credits, CDBG, HOME, philanthropy City contracts, business memberships, grants, property revenues, development projects
Housing Development Core activity Usually secondary but still an option Business Development Secondary Core activity
Community Services Common Rare
Political Independence Often independent nonprofit Often closely affiliated with city government Property Ownership Common Common
Real Estate Development Frequently housing-focused Frequently commercial/industrial-focused