Inglewood, California
April 11, 2023
1 The City Council of the City of Inglewood, California held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 , in the Council Chambers in City Hall of said City.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our Country, Mayor Butts called the City Council into joint session with the Successor Agency, and Housing Authority at the hour of 2: 03 p.m.
The City Clerk/Successor Agency Secretary/Housing Authority Secretary announced the presence of a quorum as follows:
Present: Mayor/ Successor Agency Chairman/Housing Authority Chairman Butts, Council Members/Successor Agency Members/Housing Authority Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, and Faulk; and
Absent: None.
City/Successor Agency/Housing Authority officials and personnel present were as follows:
Aisha L. Thompson City Clerk/Secretary*
Artie Fields City Manager/Executive Director*
Ken Campos City Attorney/General Counsel*
Angela Allen Deputy City Clerk
* Serves as indicated for the Successor Agency, and Housing Authority .
PUBLIC COMMENTS – AGENDA ITEMS. Mayor/Successor Agency Chairman/Housing Authority Chairman Butts inquired if there were any persons present who wished to address the City Council/Successor Agency/Housing Authority on any item on the Agendas, other than the public hearing.
Speaker (Name Unknown) spoke concerning a matter not on the Agenda, and was advised to speak towards the end of the meeting to address his concerns. 142.9 PAYMENT OF WARRANTS AND BILLS. It was moved by Council Member/ Successor Agency Member/Housing Authority Member Morales , and seconded by Council Member/Successor Agency Member/Housing Authority Member Faulk that the demands presented to the City Council/Successor Agency/Housing Authority dated April 7, 2023 , in the amount of $ 7,020,586.47 are hereby allowed, and the City Clerk/Successor Agency Secretary/Housing Authority Secretary is hereby authorized to certify upon said registers that said demands are so approved. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members/Successor Agency Members/Housing Authority Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor/Successor Agency Chairman/Housing Authority Chairman Butts; and
Noes: None.
183 RESOLUTION NO. 23-84 ADOPTED – INGLEWOOD TRANSIT CONNECTOR
PROJECT, AS MODIFIED EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; RESOULTION NO. 23-85 ADOPTED –
APPROVED MODIFICATION OF THE INGLEWOOD TRANSIT CONNECTOR
PROJECT, A LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION. Staff report dated April 11, 2023 , was presented recommending that the Mayor and Council Members adopt a resolution affirming that the Inglewood Transit Connector Project, as modified, is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; approving and adopting the first Addendum to the Certified Final Environmental Impact Report SCH #2018071034 for the Project; approving and adopting the California Environmental Quality Act Findings of Fact; and approving and adopting revisions to Project Design Feature CUL-1 included in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project.
April 11, 2023
2 It was moved by Council Member Morales, and seconded by Council Member Faulk that the City Council does hereby: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 23-84 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
INGLEWOOD AFFIRMING THAT THE INGLEWOOD TRANSIT
CONNECTOR PROJECT AS MODIFIED IS STATUTORILY
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT; APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE FIRST ADDENDUM TO THE
CERTIFIED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT SCH #2018071034 FOR THE PROJECT; APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS OF FACT; AND
APPROVING AND ADOPTING REVISONS TO PROJECT DESIGN FEATURE CUL-1 INCLUDED IN THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM FOR THE PROJECT
and; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 23-85 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
INGLEWOOD APPROVING MODIFIED PROJECT AS THE
INGLEWOOD TRANSIT CONNECTOR PROJECT LOCALLY
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE FEDERAL
TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION AND APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE
DESIGN STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR THE INGLEWOOD
TRANSIT CONNECTOR PROJECT
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
132 CLAIMS DENIED. Letters from the Office of the City Attorney recommending the following:
A. Reject Claims Pursuant to Government Code Section 913:
1) Tameka Burnett for alleged personal injury; dangerous condition at Edward Vincent Park on August 6, 2022.
2) Roland Burts for alleged vehicle damage; fallen tree on February 14, 2023. 3) Rafael Espinoza for alleged tire damage; pothole on January 16, 2023. 4) R C Jones for alleged personal injury; vehicle collision with an MTA bus on June 18, 2022.
5) Ricardo Lara for alleged tire damage; pothole on January 16, 2023.
B. Reject Late Claim Pursuant to Government Code Section 913:
1) First Evangelical Lutheran for alleged personal injury; water leak on August 25, 2022.
It was moved by Council Member Padilla, and seconded by Council Member Morales that the City Council does hereby: 1) Reject claim s listed as A- 1 through A-5 ; and 2) Reject late c laim listed as B-1 . The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
178 PAYMENT AUTHORIZED – AMERICAN BIKE PATROL SERVICES (ABPS).
Staff report dated April 11, 2023 , was presented recommending that the Mayor and Council Members authorize payment of an invoice submitted by American Bike Patrol Services (ABPS) for bicycle parts and services.
It was moved by Council Member Padilla, and seconded by Council Member Morales that the City Council does hereby authorize payment in the total amount of $1,579.25. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
April 11, 2023
3 178 PAYMENT AUTHORIZED – MEDICO HEALTHCARE LINEN SERVICE (MEDICO). Staff report dated April 11, 2023, was presented recommending that the Mayor and Council Members authorize payment of invoices submitted by Medico Healthcare Linen Service (Medico) for linen rental services.
It was moved by Council Member Padilla, and seconded by Council Member Morales that the City Council does hereby authorize payment in the total amount of $3,431.09. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
178 PATRICK LEAHY BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP (BVP) FUNDS ACCEPTED . Staff report dated April 11, 2023 , was presented recommending that the Mayor and Council Members accept Fiscal Year 2022 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Funds.
It was moved by Council Member Padilla, and seconded by Council Member Morales that the City Council does hereby accept funds in the amount of $8,453.90. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
178 CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT OUTLINING PROPOSED TOW FEE DECREASE – RECEIVED AND FILED ; DECREASE OF FEES FOR CITY REFERRED TOWS AND DAILY STORAGE FEE APPROVED; AND INCLUSION OF NEW FEES (RATES ) IN THE CITY ’S MASTER FEE SCHEDULE APPROVED . Staff report dated April 11, 2023, was presented outlining the following proposed tow fee decrease by the Chie f of Police:
1. Decrease the fee for City referred tows by $5.35 from the current rate of $179.35 to $174.00; and
2. Decrease the daily storage fee by $7.16 from the current rate of $57.00 to $49.84.
It was moved by Council Member Padilla, and seconded by Counc il Member Morales that the City Council does hereby: 1) Receive and file the proposed tow fee decrease; and 2 ) Include new rate s in the City ’s Master Fee Schedule when applicable. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
183 PUBLIC HEARING HELD – ADOPTION OF THE RELOCATION PLAN FOR THE INGLEWOOD TRANSIT CONNECTOR PROJECT. The City Clerk announced the next schedule matter was a public hearing to consider adoption of the Relocation Plan for the Inglewood Transit Connector Project, notice had been given in the time, form, and manner as required by law, an affidavit was on file, and communications were received.
The City Clerk, Aisha L. Thompson received communications via email from Sikivu Hutchinson, Marvin McCoy, and David Nottingham who all opposed the Adoption of the Relocation Plan for the Inglewood Transit Connector Project.
Mayor Butts ordered the communications received and filed.
Artie Fields, City Manager presented the staff report dated April 11, 2023.
April 11, 2023
4 Lisa Trifiletti, Project Manager for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) Project, presented an update on what the Inglewood Transit Connector's addendum included and how the relocation plan had been modified to reflect the project's modifications. She reviewed the ITC's reasoning, including the critical first-last mile gap between the K-Line and the sports and entertainment center. She stated that the ITC was home to future housing growth and employment. This would include work with the Clippers, Intuit Dome, and the robust activity at the KIA Forum and SoFi Stadium, potentially holding up to 450 events annually. In addition, she outlined what the ITC achieved, such as creating thousands of jobs, enhancing mobility, and reducing traffic congestion. Lisa emphasized concern about having all the major and minor arterial streets congested during events and taking hours to get through traffic.
She also stated that they have been working for over five years on a comprehensive master plan that entails more than the ITC. They have looked at improving transit across the board under the City ’s direction.
She added that they have worked closely with the Planning Department, the Public Works Department, Metro, and South Bay COG on improving transit.
Furthermore, she discussed what was being done besides the ITC, including getting residents ready for transit opportunities. They looked at an intelligent transportation system that synchronizes traffic lights and connects to the City of Los Angeles, Cal Trans freeway on and off ramps, and the county. Lisa also stated that they had spearheaded IRide to do micro-mobility and IPark and Go, another initiative the city has taken to get people out of their cars on days of the events and improve the bicycle network. Lisa also discussed ITC being the centerpiece of three stations. One of the stations at Market Street, one across the street from the KIA Forum, and one across from SoFi Stadium at Hardy to alleviate neighborhood and air quality congestion.
In closing, Lisa reviewed reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the area, creating local job opportunities, the positive transformation of Inglewood, and the project's benefits. This included the achievement of $765 million in federal, state, and local funds. She discussed Vons Supermarket's current location and the well-designed, fully enclosed, integrated maintenance facility at the first stop. She also mentioned that the acquisition of Manchester, Vons, the gas station, and neighboring retail space would no longer be needed. Finally, she said the 12-foot shift would allow parking reconfiguration on Market Street.
Mayor Butts inquired if there were any persons present that wished to address the City Council on the Public Hearing.
Steve Cotton, a local small business owner, spoke in favor of the ITC Project . He stated that change was inevitable and would happen. He also stated there have been many changes in the City of Inglewood, and they must learn how to ride the wave. He mentioned that SoFi and other prominent organizations like the Clippers took time to reach small businesses such as his . He also mentioned that the big organizations included small businesses in community engagements, projects for people experiencing homelessness, and giving back.
Further more , he stated that people should consider the bigger picture when referring to the people mover. Mr. Cotton noted that the people mover could bring people to and from small businesses to shop and eat . When travelers land at LAX, they can get on the transit, visit local companies, and get souvenirs. Finally, he said people would walk away, saying they had a chance to visit Inglewood, California.
Owen Smith, Miracle Theatre owner, spoke in favor of the ITC Project. He stated that the theatre has become a cultural event theatre that hosts concerts and comedy shows and serves the community's needs. He mentioned the Rams football team before announcing SoFi Stadium being their home and the embrace of change. He stated that evolution is about change, and the ITC is the latest representation of change. He also said they would embrace this change because it would bring business to Market Street. Mr. Smith recommended establishing a business owner association that helps engage with new developments.
April 11, 2023
5 Speaker (Name Unknown) welcomed Council Member Gloria Gray. She stated that the project had bidders, but the community didn ’t know what type of train it would be. She addressed ITC's projected amount but questioned the project's actual cost. Additionally, she mentioned the K-Line not having many riders and challenged the idea of having many riders come for 1.6 miles. Finally, she asked whether the project would serve the community.
Mayor Butts closed the public comment portion at the hour of 2:21 p.m.
After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Morales, and seconded by Council Member Padilla that the City Council does hereby a dopt the Relocation Plan. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Gray, Padilla, Morales, Faulk, and Mayor Butts; and Noes: None.
REPORTS – CITY MANAGER . The City Manager, Artie Fields, welcomed Council Member Gloria Gray to the City of Inglewood Family. He also presented her with flowers from him and the Department Heads.
Council Member Morales left the dais at the hour of 2:42 p.m.
REPORTS – CITY CLERK. The City Clerk, Aisha L. Thompson, welcomed Council Member Gloria Gray to the dais and said she looked forward to working with her. She also reported attending the Tree Planting Event hosted by Aspiration & the Los Angeles Clippers at Edward Vincent Park. She stated she learned a lot about trees and touched the soil. The City Clerk reminded women to register for the Women Rock Empowerment Summit hosted by herself and Council Member Faulk. Finally, she requested that the City Council Meeting be closed in memory of her dad, Bibe Lorenzo Phillips, Sr.
PUBLIC REMARKS. Mayor Butts inquired if there were any persons present who wished to address the City Council on any matter connected with City business not elsewhere considered on the Agenda.
Pedro (Last Name Unknown) spoke concerning the changes in the City of Inglewood, such as the Clippers Arena and the Daniel Freeman Hospital being changed into condominiums. He also stated that Inglewood is not being erased but replaced with good things. Additionally, he addressed the Inglewood Transit Connector cost and the funding gap.
He questioned whether the gap would be filled with grants or bonds because it wasn ’t made clear in communications via Facebook or Instagram. Finally, he asked if a measure was in effect that only grants would be used for the project.
Council Member Morales returned to the dais at the hour of 2:44 p.m.
Phyllis Weatherspoon spoke about the need for more electric car charging stations downtown. She asked if a budget had been established for the ITC.
Speaker (Name Unknown) congratulated the great City of Inglewood members. He stated that he was repeating what he said earlier regarding the city of champions, which is what the Lakers were. He also indicated that he hoped the Clippers would be champions and expressed his displeasure with the name. He also expressed his displeasure with the Clippers owner and requested a name change.
Sandra Wilson spoke concerning her experience as a homeowner in the Inglewood Crossroads. She stated that Lisa Trifiletti was kind enough with her team to explain everything going on. She spoke on behalf of the Inglewood Crossroads owner to thank them for keeping Vons Supermarket in its current location.
April 11, 2023
6 Nick Tolson thanked the Council for everything that has happened in Inglewood. He stated that he has always been proud to be a native of Inglewood, and it ’s great to see people who are pleased to visit. He mentioned purchasing a home in the city and discussed his accomplishments. Additionally, he stated that he was ready to bring his talents back to his hometown. He asked if any public-private partnerships existed on any City-owned property.
Furthermore, he mentioned meeting the Mayor and thanked Emory for connecting him with Maria in administration. Finally, he said he wanted to introduce himself in person.
There being no further business to be presented, Mayor Butts declared the meeting adjourned in memory of Bibe Lorenzo Phillips, Sr. , father of City Clerk Aisha L.
Thompson and Dorothy R. Davidson at the hour of 3 :11 p.m.
Approved this 1 st day of August , 202 3.
_________________________
Aisha L. Thompson, City Clerk
________________________
James Butts, Jr., Mayor