MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA HELD SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vargas called the City Council meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 4455 W. 126th Street, Hawthorne, California.
INVOCATION
City Manager Von Norris gave the evening's invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Treasurer Greg Fallon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
Absent: None.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Dawn Harris-Benton, Municipal Service Manager from Republic Services, provided an
update on the implementation of Senate Bill 13 83 in the City ofHawthorne.
2. Mayor Pro Tern Patterson provided a recap of the 1st Annual Hawthorne Police Department Basketball Academy.
3. Councilmember Monteiro provided a recap of the 2nct Annual World Fest Event.
4. Mayor Vargas provided a recap of the Touch a Truck Children's Book Fair Event.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rosendo Gomez spoke about speeding cars near his home on Gale between ll8'h and 120th Street where his son was hit by a car. Gordon Mego provided comments regarding the Hawthorne Mall and RFK Hospital. Sue Messenger provided comments regarding flight patterns in the City and noise pollution.
Joseph Geumlek spoke about the City's bicycle ordinance and Assembly Bill 1909. Ralph Lawson provided comments regarding the renovations at Hollyglen Park and people loitering at the park. Cathy Lawson provided comments regarding the renovations at Hollyglen Park, people loitering at the park, graffiti, and people smoking. A resident provided comments regarding the renovations at Hollyglen Park.
Amie Shepard invited the public to Mi California, provided comments regarding coyotes, and debris in Moneta Gardens. Kyle Orleman spoke about the speed humps being installed on Cordary Ave. and cars double parking on the street.
CITY CLERK'S CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Approval of waiver offull readings ofresolutions and ordinances on Tuesday, September 27,
2022's agenda.
6. City Treasurer requests approval of the warrants.
WarrantNos.: 13309-13590; 479217-479319; 66736-66738; 10827-10831
195294-195315
Warrant Totals: $857,583.72; $3,482,331.26; $992.26; $20,931.65
7. Approval of City Council meeting minutes forthe Regular Meeting ofAugust 9, 2022.
RESOLUTIONS
8. RESOLUTION NO. 8378
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2022 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 8379
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION(S) FOR ALL CALRECYCLE GRANTS IN WHICH THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE IS ELIGIBLE.
Councilmember Reyes English moved, seconded by Mayor Vargas to approve the City Clerk's consent calendar.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
BIDS: OPENINGS & RESULTS
10. Publicly receive, open and declare sealed bids for Housing Maintenance 2022 Rehabilitation of City
Owned Properties Various Locations (City Project #22-06)
Public Works Department submitted declaration of publication, which was ordered filed. Bidder's bonds were required.
No bids were received for this project.
11. City Clerk Jimenez announced that sealed bids were publicly received and opened for the Highway
Safety Improvement Project Traffic Signal Upgrade and Reconstruction 120th St. Improvement
Project- Prairie Ave to Felton Ave (City Project #21-06).
Public Works Department submitted declaration of publication, which was ordered filed. Bidder's bonds were required.
Three bids were received (all were accompanied by bidder's bond).
The prices are as follows:
COMET ELECTRIC, INC. $3,929,711
ELECNOR BELCO ELECTRIC, INC. $4,593,245
SELECT ELECTRIC, INC. $4,582,493
Councilmember Reyes English moved, seconded by Mayor Vargas to accept bids and refer to staff for study and recommendation.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Valentine, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
ORDINANCES
12. ORDINANCE NO. 2234 (2nd Reading)
An Ordinance ofthe City Council ofthe City ofHawthome, California, Amending Sections 2.32.010 (Positions not included) and 2.32.020 (Positions included) ofChapter 2.32 (Classified Service) of Title 2 (Administration, Civil Service and Personnel).
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Valentine, to adopt Ordinance No. 2234.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
GENERAL MATTERS
13. Hawthorne Economic Development and Retail Recruitment Services Discussion Item 13 was pulled.
14. Overview ofthe South Bay Cities Council of Governments FY 2022-2023 Membership Dues
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Valentine, to approve item 14.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: Reyes English.
CITY MANAGER'S CONSENT CALENDAR
15. Progress Payment #3 in the amount of$1,094,366.75 due to Sequel Contractors, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, CA for Local Street Improvement Project 2022 (Project # 22-04)
16. Construction of Speed Humps on Cordary Ave. between 135th St. and Rosecrans Ave.
Item pulledfor discussion.
Councilmember Valentine inquired how this project was brought before the City Council for consideration and the status of the project. City Manager Norris confirmed this project had been voted on to move forward and staff came back with a report for approval. Councilmember Monteiro commented there are cars speeding on this street. Mayor Vargas commented he was supportive ofthis project.
Councilmember Monteiro moved, seconded by Mayor Vargas, to approve item 16.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
17. Construction of Speed Humps on Cedar Ave, Freeman Ave, Menlo Ave, Oxford Ave, and York Ave between !26th St and Railroad Right ofWay.
Item pulledfor discussion.
Councilmember Patterson inquired how this project was brought before the City Council for consideration. City Manager Norris confirmed this project had been requested by the City Council.
Councilmember Reyes English commented that cars are speeding on these streets near the railroad tracks.
Councilmember Reyes English moved, seconded by Counci!member Patterson, to approve item 17.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
18. Appropriation of$150,000 in funds to Non-Profits in the City of Hawthorne Item pulled for discussion.
Councilmember Monteiro recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest.
City Manager Norris provided a brief report on this item.
Councilmember Patterson moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English, to approve item 18.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Monteiro.
19. Amendment to the current Agreement/Contract Hawthorne Police Management Supervisory Group Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Patterson, to approve the City Manager's consent calendar with the exception of items 16, 17, and 18.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
CITY ATTORNEY'S CONSENT CALENDAR
20. Settlement oflawsuit: Mary Ann Millerv. City ofHawthorne, Hawthorne School District Councilmember Valentine moved, seconded by Councilmember Patterson, to approve item 20 on the City Attorney's consent calendar.
ROLL CALL A YES: Councilmembers Monteiro, Reyes English, Valentine, Patterson, Mayor Vargas NOES: None.
ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
City Treasurer Fallon expressed the importance of the City having strong reserve funds.
City Clerk Jimenez provided information on the Holly Park candidate's forum taking place virtually on Zoom on October 6, 2022, congratulated everyone on the success of World Fest, reminded everyone to register to vote, thanked the volunteers for the food distribution event, and announced the next food distribution event is taking place October 8, 2022 in front of City Hall.
Councilmember Valentine reminded everyone they can attend the KKHR Community Network Committee meetings to voice their concerns regarding aircraft noise and directed City Manager Norris to reach out to residents residing near Hollyglen Park regarding concerns pertaining to the exercise equipment installed at the park.
Councilmember Monteiro thanked the public for attending the City Council meeting and voicing their concerns, thanked everyone for assisting and helping with the World Fest Event, attended the Centinela Valley Union High School District for the Community Partner Breakfast Event, attended an event celebrating twenty years of the Community Choice Association, attended an event hosted by the California Bizfed PAC, and provided information on a food drive taking place September 28, 2022 at the Betty Ainsworth Sports Center parking lot.
Councilmember Reyes English congratulated the recipients of the nonprofit funds, commended the Hawthorne Police Department and the Hawthorne Police Officers Association and the other groups who had events and functions, will be volunteering in Operation Gobble, and commended the City Clerk's Office on the food distribution events.
Councilmember Patterson thanked the public for attending the City Council meeting, thanked staff for their work, commended everyone for the various City events taking place, thanked the Police Department, requested a presentation on the City's mobile application, expressed a desire to not cancel the November 22nd City Council meeting, requested to have a notice on the City's website of closed Fridays and closed Holidays, requested to have a meeting with Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, expressed a desire to work with businesses to facilitate processes for businesses, and requested to explore options for a women's basketball program/academy.
Mayor Vargas provided a recap of the Economic Development Study Session that took place September 20, 2022, congratulated the North Hawthorne Community Association on their picnic event, congratulated other organizations for their events, expressed a desire to promote the City's mobile application, visited the exercise equipment at Hollyglen Park, met with residents ofthe Ramona Tract regarding a homeless encampment, met with Holly Park residents regarding people loitering in the park, thanked everyone for attending the City Council meeting and voicing their concerns, and expressed a desire to work with the FAA to address aircraft noise.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Vargas called for oral comments. No public comments were received.
The City Council recessed into Closed Session at 8: 11 p.m.
21. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9(c): Administrative Appeals)
Name of Case: 1. M&A Gabaee v. City ofHawthorne - Business & Film License Revocation -JAMS (Honorable Candace Cooper [Ret.])
2. M&A Gabaee v. City o(Hawthorne - Code Eriforcement Citations - Barbara Craig Mayor Vargas called the City Council meeting back to order at 8:41 p.m. following recess with all Councilmembers present.
City Attorney Kim reported the City Council was provided with a report for the Closed Session item and there was no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT .
Mayor Pro Tern Patterson adjoumed·the regular meeting at 8:41 p.m.
CERTIFICATION