MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE,
CALIFORNIA HELD JANUARY 25, 2022
1. Mayor Vargas called the City Council, meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. via Zoom in City Hall Offices, 4455 W. 126" Street, Hawthorne, California.
ROLL CALL-Present: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
Absent: None.
2. Treasurer Fallon gave the evening's invocation. Councilmember Patterson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Councilmember Patterson presented a Certificate of Recognition to Planning Commissioner Jason Caraveo, Jr. for his excellence and commitment to the profession of Planning and service to the City of Hawthorne.
4. Councilmember Valentine introduced Elena Meloni, Executive Director, and New Star Family Justice Center, who spoke on the anti-bullying contest that they do each year with the Hawthorne School District.
5. Airport Manager Guido Fernandez gave an overview of what Hawthorne Airport is doing in relation to the Super Bowl 2022 event. Captain Tomatani went over some of the preparatory plans are for the Police Department in relation specifically to the Super Bowl event.
6. Under oral communications, we received (2) two emails in regards to supporting the green energy and power lines and (5) speakers.
Raymond Vergara addressed his concerns to the Council in regards to Cannabis dispensaries.
Doug Choskey addresses his concerns to the Council regarding Cannabis dispensaries and high crime John Capoccia former Mayor of Sierra Madre encouraged Council in support to change to 100% green renewable power.
Brenda was not available at the time to speak.
Michelle Ellison in support of in support to change to 100% green renewable power.
7. CITY CLERK'S CONSENT CALENDAR
8. Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Valentine, to waive full readings of resolutions and ordinances on January 25, 2022's agenda.
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English.
ROLL CALL-AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
9. 2/08/2022
The City Treasurer submitted a financial statement regarding warrants.
Warrants Nos.: 8112-8394; 476325-476493; 10783-10785;
195073-195078;
Warrant Totals: $813,848.68; $1,716,115.30; $18,164.04; Councilmember Reyes English moved, seconded by Councilmember Monteiro, that the warrants, properly audited and signed, be paid.
ROLL CALL-AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
10. BIDS
Publicly receive, open and declare sealed bids for Holly glen Park and Jim Thorpe Park Improvement (Project#22-03)
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English to declare bid.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
12. RESOLUTIONS
13. RESOLUTION NO. 8333
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION FOR CALRECYCLE LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM (SB1383) FOR WHICH THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE IS ELIGIBLE.
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Valentine, that Resolution 8333 be approved and adopted.
ROLL CALL-AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
14. PUBLIC HEARINGS (None at this time).
15. ORDINANCES
16. ORDINANCENO. 2229 (1stReading)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION 2.46.070 OF THE HAWTHORNE MUNICIPAL CODE ADDING
JUNETEENTH, CESAR CHAVEZ DAY, AND PRESIDENTS' DAY AS A MUNICIPAL HOLIDAY.
Introduced by title only by Councilmember Monteiro.
2/08/2022
17. GENERAL MATTERS (None at this time)
18. CITY MANAGER'S CONSENT CALENDAR
The City Manager, Von Norris, presented the following agenda and requested approval of the indicated recommendations:
19. Approve Agreement Between the City of Hawthorne and Harris & Associates for Hotel Financial Feasibility and Public Revenue Peer Review and Analysis.
20. Amendment number two to the Agreement between the City of Hawthorne and Telehealth Van LLC for providing daily virtual tele-health resources and family support to low income and homeless residents in the City.
Councilmember Monteiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Patterson, to have all vans tested until June 30th, 2022 and come back and see how things worked out.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: Valentine
21. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update
22. Appropriation of $67,407.00 from the Police Department Asset Forfeiture Fund for the Purchase of Leica RTC360; and Approval of a Purchase Order in the Not to Exceed Amount of $67,407.00 to Great America Financial Services for the Purchase of Leica RTC360 from Precision Survey Supply for use by Hawthorne Police Department Staff.
23. Receive and file City-Wide Centennial Committee Update.
24. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Option to set the Default Rate for all Community Choice Aggregation Accounts in Hawthorne at the 100% Renewable Energy (Green Power) Level
25. Approve grant and authorize City Manager to execute funding for Measure M Funding Agreement MM5508.08 between the City of Hawthorne and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to Design Signal Improvements for the Crenshaw Boulevard Signal Improvement and Intersection Project and Appropriation of $260,000 from the General Fund Balance for this Project.
Approve of Memorandum of Understanding between the South Bay Cities Council of Govemments and the City of Hawthorne.
27. Approve of Unsecured Predevelopment Loan to Skid Row Trust from Excess Surplus of the Low/Mod Funds To the Successor Agency. Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Monteiro. Councilmember Reyes English voted no.
2/08/2022
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English, to approve item 19, 21, 22, 25, and 26 of the City Manager's consent calendar.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
28. CITY ATTORNEY'S CONSENT CALENDAR
29. Approval of Worker's Compensation self-insurance plan assessment by the California State Department of Industrial Relations for fiscal year 2021-2022 and approval of purchase order in the amount of $70,848.68.
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Monteiro, to approve item 29 of the City Manager's consent calendar.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
CITY COUNCIL'S DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
31. Councilmember Reyes-English recommended how to make existing monies available for existing city owned properties maintenance/repairs. Make assessments and rehabbing properties and increasing rents.
Councilmember Patterson stated if the Selection of Mayor Pro Tem would be annually. Mayor Vargas will put it on the agenda for next meeting.
33. ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
City Treasurer Fallon mentioned he enjoyed the "Stop Bullying" presentation. He comments on how he looks forward to the PARS Pension and how the City of Hawthorne can put its money in something other than fixed investments and he is currently working on the cash management policy.
Councilmember Patterson commented on the public's attention and calling in and making their voices heard. He appreciates the staff for all their hard work. He addressed the City Attorney's on his Charter City presentation and would like to get some specifics in regards to zoning, electing city officials, and how to pass ordinances, etc. He mentioned he received a call from a community member Gordon Michael Amigo. He would like for City of Hawthorne Council meetings to resume to in-person, for the city to look into Charter City, consider what our neighbor cities are doing such as suing the city on SB 9 and 10. Also take decisive action on shopping dining entertainment. Councilmember Patterson asked on obtaining results for said audit from City Attorney and present it to the council.
Councilmember Reyes English spoke in regards to the Covid -19 testing at the Memorial Center Parking lot as it is required for City employees to test weekly. She congratulated Sr. Deputy City Clerk Carmen Avalos on her new position and wished her well on her new endeavors. She spoke in regards to the Cannabis program is moving along and next step would be outreach. She asked about the business that have been boarded up with no glass on the boulevard and how we can get those businesses to comply.
Work on providing mail to our seniors between other organizations to provide it as a Valentine event for our seniors.
Councilmember Monteiro congratulated Jason Caraveo from the City of Beverly Hills on his outstanding leadership. Then, spoke about Ms. Meloni from the Hawthorne School District on the anti- bullying contest every year. Lastly, Guido and Captain Tomatani on his overview of safety for the Super bowl event on February 13, 2022. He thanked Alan Leung from Public Works for the ride to look at the street intersections and street lights and spoke about the accidents that have been happening on some streets and T Parking so he can better understand and have answers and apply for the Cal recycle grant. Bids for Holly Park and Jim Thorpe for Park Improvement Project coming soon. Covid -19 vaccines being held at Zela Davis school on Jan 26"h and Feb 19th, 2022.
2/08/2022
Councilmember Valentine spoke in regards to the South Bay Association Chambers of Commerce considerable new supervisorial districts have already taken effect. Janice Hahn lost some South Bay cities which were moved from District 4 to District 2 and Holly Mitchell gained some cities. The U.S Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the build back better proposed legislation which it views as inflationary and cradle to grave of government and it also opposes changing the filibuster rule. She continued to speak in regards to the League of California cities report from the SBACC meeting it was given by Jeff Kiernan.
The Cal City strategic priorities for 2022 will include increasing the supply of affordable housing tow attaining investments to strengthen and sustain critical infrastructure three increasing funding to prevent homelessness and strengthen disaster preparedness and recovery. The West Basin Municipal Water District Meeting the snowpack is at 151 percent of normal but the drought is not over our storage capacity is still lower than normal. Hawthorne Business Expo is planned to be held outdoors due to the surge of the Omicron variant. Event is postponed the new dates are April 26th and 27th, 2022. The West Basin have a Rain Barrel Distribution Jan 29th, ', 2022. The Edward C Lytle Facility in El Segundo will be handing out rain barrels for free. West Basin is also hosting a Student Art Contest and is now open for submissions.
Students in grades 3-12 due by March 18 for them the theme is "Water is Life".
Mayor Vargas stated that Charter Cities are suing on Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) is a new (California State Law taking effect January 1, 2022. Similar to previous state legislation on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), SB 9 overrides existing density limits in single-family zones. ) He would like to get more insight on what the financial commitment would be and what would it entail if the City of Hawthorne would like to move forward. City Attorney Robert Kim stated he would look into it and inform Council by the next meeting.
Mayor Vargas commented on the leatlets being lett on people's vehicles which has become a nuisance.
City Attorney Robert Kim stated they have tried to do something about before but due to a specific case on the constitutional right there isn't much the City can do. Food stands opening up on residential streets that sell fresh fruit are not permitted and stated he has received calls from residents who are concerned.
Housing Rights Center, LA County Health Department are available to help residents who run into situations with tenants and owners.
34. Mayor Vargas adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 9:29 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED on this day _ of 2022.
ATTEST:
Allyades Vargar Paul fing
Alejandro "Alex" Vargas, Mayor
2/08/2022