MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE,
CALIFORNIA HELD APRIL 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Alex Vargas called the City Council meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 4455 W. 126th Street, Hawthorne, California.
INVOCATION
City Attorney Kim gave the evening’s invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Manning led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
ROLL CALL-Present: Councilmembers Katrina Manning, Alex Monteiro, L David Patterson, Mayor Pro Tem Reyes English, Mayor Alex Vargas.
Absent: None.
Also Present: City Manager Vontray Norris, City Attorney Robert Kim, City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter, City Treasurer Marie Poindexter-Hornback.
PROCLAMATIONS/CERTIFICATES/PRESENTATIONS
1. Assistant Engineer DJ Torado gave a presentation on the My Civic “311” Application.
2. Human Resources Director Erika Lampkin presented the Good Neighbor Award for the month of March to employees Samuel English, Ebony Johnson, and Michael Grajeda.
3. Planning Director Gregg McClain gave a presentation on the effort to rebrand the City with a new logo.
4. Officer Ami Yoshida and Officer Santos Jimenez gave a presentation on distracted driving. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Dana provided comments regarding a vacant property at 11818 Wilkie and speeding on 119th Street. Andrew provided comments on trash in the community. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Herminia Balboa announced the upcoming Art Show on Thursday at the Memorial Center. District Representative Jasmine Leon Guerrero from Senator Bradford’s office announced the Senator’s upcoming Annual Earth Day Clean Up Event on April 26th at the I-105 Crenshaw Blvd on/off ramps. Kyle Orlemann provided comments regarding Item 16.
CITY CLERK'S CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Vargas presented a Proclamation in honor of National DMV/Donate Life Month to OneLegacy.
6. Approval of waiver of full readings of resolutions and/or ordinances on Tuesday, April 9, 2024’s agenda.
7. City Treasurer requests approval of the warrants.
Warrant Nos.: 25279 – 25609; 485550 – 485717; 72770 – 73109: 10951 – 10952:
196019 – 196031;
Totals: $989,656.99; $2,683,099.28; $963,858.45; $1,193.48;
RESOLUTIONS
8. RESOLUTION NO. 8455 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1869.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 8456 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN
OFFICERS CONSOLIDATED WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2024 AND REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE REGISTRARRECORDER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY FOR THE HOLDING OF THE CONSOLIDATED ELECTION. .
10. RESOLUTION NO. 8457 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING APRIL 2024 AS “SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH” AND WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024 AS “DENIM DAY” IN
HAWTHORNE
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English to approve the City Clerk’s consent calendar (Items 8 - 10).
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
CITY MANAGER'S CONSENT CALENDAR
11. Progress Payment #10 in the amount of $393,765.50 due to Elecnor Belco Electric of Chino, CA for Highway Safety Improvement Project Traffic Signal Upgrade and Reconstruction 120th St Improvement Project – Prairie Ave to Felton Ave (Project # 21-06).
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve this Progress Payment #10 to Elecnor Belco Electric of Chino, CA.
12. Progress Payment #5 in the amount of $625,347.57 due to GRBCON, Inc of Baldwin Park, CA for Sewer Main and Miscellaneous Storm Drain Improvement Project 2023 (Project # 23-04).
13. Progress Payment #2 in the amount of $494,656.57 due to Sequel Contractors of Santa Fe Springs, CA for Northeast Hawthorne Mobility Improvement Project (Project # 21-05)
14. Progress Payment #3 in the amount of $319,298.27 due to Klassic Engineering & Construction, Inc of Orange, CA for Hawthorne Housing Rehabilitation of City Owned Properties 2023 (Project #23-09) RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve this Progress Payment RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve this Progress Payment #5 to GRBCON, Inc of Baldwin Park, CA.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve this Progress Payment #2 to Sequel Contractors of Santa Fe Springs, CA. #3 to Klassic Engineering & Construction Inc of Orange, CA
15. Progress Payment #1 in the amount of $31,682.50 due to Martinez Landscape Inc. of Sylmar, CA for Alley Improvement Project (Project #24-06).
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve this Progress Payment #1 to Martinez Landscape Inc. of Sylmar, CA.
16. Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program 2024-2025 Annual Plan.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council:
Item 16 was pulled for separate consideration.
Councilmember Monteiro oved, seconded by Mayor Vargas to approve item 16.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
17. Agreement between the City of Hawthorne and Coffman Associates, Inc. for providing On-Call Planning Consulting Services at the Hawthorne Municipal Airport.
Item 17 was pulled for separate consideration.
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Monteiro to approve item 17.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
Councilmember Monteiro moved, seconded by Mayor Vargas to approve the City Manager’s consent calendar (Items 11-15) Items 16 & 17 pulled for separate consideration.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
CITY ATTORNEY'S CONSENT CALENDAR
18. Claim for Damages from Jessica Nieves.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Deny the Claim of Jessica Nieves.
19. Claim of Juan J. Razo.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Deny the Claim of Juan J. Razo.
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Manning to approve the City Attorney’s consent calendar (Items 18-19).
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
1. Approve the 2024-2025 Annual Plan.
2. Direct staff to file the required Annual Plan and supportive documents with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on or before the due date of April 17, 2024.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Master Consultant Agreement with Coffman Associates, Inc. and authorize the City Manager or his designee to enter into and execute the agreement.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
20. Charter Provisions – Timeline for Ballot Measure (A. Monteiro) Councilmember Monteiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to make sure there is a vote to move forward for a ballot measure for November 5, 2024. If so, a consultant who is an attorney would be hired to guide Council on the ballot measure language so we could have a future City Council study session where the people in Hawthorne can come in and voice their opinion and then hold a second public hearing to approve that language.
For the record, Mayor Vargas stated he was completely and 100% opposed to the city charter being placed on the ballot again in any shape or form.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English.
NOES: Mayor Vargas.
21. External Boards/Committees Assignments, Appointments and Rotation of Mayor Pro Tem (A.
Monteiro)
Council concurred to keep present appointments to outside boards and committees as is.
Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English, to approve Councilmember Manning as the Mayor Pro Tem.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Manning, Monteiro, Patterson, Reyes English, Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.
ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
City Treasurer Poindexter-Hornback reported on attending the Women’s History Luncheon and the First Annual Autism Walk. Congratulated the recipients of the Good Neighbor Award and Katrina Manning on being the new Mayor Pro Tem. Expressed appreciation for City staff that give up their personal time and their personal weekends to attend weekend City events. Announced that the tax deadline is April 15th.
City Clerk Williams-Hunter reported on attending the Women’s History event. For anyone interested about upcoming events, announced that they are posted in the Clerk’s office. Announced that there are notary services are available in the Clerk’s office by appointment.
Councilmember Monteiro provided comments on democracy. Congratulated the recipients of the Good Neighbor Award. Expressed appreciation to City staff that have been working weekend City events. Reported on attending the Autism Walk and the Small Business Administration Workshop. Announced the upcoming Earth Day/Provider Fair event for April 20th, the Hawthorne Presidents Council Volunteer Appreciation Day for April 28th, the Hawthorne Presidents Council K9 Dinner on May 16th, the Historical Society Pancake Breakfast on April 13th, and the Juneteenth Celebration on June 22nd.
Councilmember Patterson thanked DJ Tornado for the presentation on the 311 app. Congratulated the Good Neighbor Award winners. Agrees with putting speed humps on 119th Street. Provided comments on the solar eclipse and on City Commissions. Directed Staff to bring in an ordinance concerning the handling of policy violations within the City whether it be staff or elected officials.
Councilmember Reyes English provided comments regarding the Public Utilities Commission Edison rate increases, on solar power, and the 311 app. Reported on attending the Business Connect event, the Women’s event, and the 126th and Hawthorne Blvd. sewer improvement project groundbreaking. Announced the upcoming CERT training classes beginning October 26th, November 2nd and Nov 9th at the Memorial Center, and the Service Provider Fair on April 20th. Thanked Senator Bradford for his Earth Day cleanup and thanked the Commissioners who attended the Women’s event.
Councilmember Manning congratulated all the Good Neighbor Award winners. Reported on attending the Autism Walk. Asked that the City Attorney give a quick update on 11808 Wilkie. Directed the City Manager to look into getting speed humps on 119th Street and to look into applying for a grant that could assist with getting a mental health and urgent care facility. Announced the Mother’s Day event being held on May 11th.
Thanked Council for the Mayor Pro Tem opportunity.
Mayor Vargas thanked Councilmember Reyes English for having served as the previous Mayor Pro Tem.
Inquired on the status of the minutes of the Council meetings. Provided comments on the new light poles, the eclipse, the 99cent store closures and shoplifting laws. Requested a letter in support of Big Lots saving the 99cent stores.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vargas adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 8.38 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
Passed and approved this 9th day of July 2024.
Dayna Williams-Hunter
City Clerk