MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 8, 2022 - 5 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Eng called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers, La Mirada City Hall, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California.
2. ROLL CALL
The City Council was present with Councilmember De Ruse, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Sarega, Mayor Pro Team Otero and Mayor Eng responding to roll call.
The following staff members were present: City Manager Jeff Boynton, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Anne Haraksin and City Attorney Craig Fox.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Finance Manager Melissa Pascual said the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget marks the return of a more normal budget with services generally provided at pre-pandemic levels. She said that total General Fund Revenues at mid-year were $17.64 million or 44.23 percent of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budgeted revenues. Conservative projections show General Fund Revenues at $45.95 million, an increase of $6.06 million from the budgeted revenue by year-end. She said property tax revenue remains one of the City's most stable revenue sources.
Finance Manager Pascual reported that General Fund Expenditures at the six-month mark were $14.19 million or 36.48 percent of Fiscal Year 2021- 22 budgeted appropriations. She said that expenditures are projected to decrease by approximately $3.61 million or 9.28 percent less than budgeted levels to $35.3 million. She said the Theatre received $3.85 million in federal funds, which would be used towards ordinary and necessary Theatre expenditures. Additionally, the City was awarded and received more than $15.37 million in federal funds from the Department of Treasury and the Small Business Administration, $11.52 million and $3.85 million, respectively. Finance Manager Pascual said the funds would be used towards eligible American Rescue Plan Act Funds projects and ordinary and necessary Theatre expenditures. She said the City continues Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
March 8, 2022
to remain committed to its prudent fiscal management practices and conservative approach to revenue forecasting.
Members of the City Council discussed the Mid-Year Budget Review for Fiscal Year 2021-22 and expressed appreciation to staff for preparing a comprehensive mid-year budget.
4.2 FENCE STANDARDS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING (R- 1) DISTRICTS
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Community Development Director Gabriel Bautista provided information on fence standards for single-family residential zoning (R-1) districts. He said the development standards that control the height, size, and location the La Mirada Municipal Code. He said pursuant to Chapter 21.62, unless specifically exempt, the construction, installation, or modification of any fence or wall requires Planning Division review and approval, as well as a Building Permit to ensure compliance with applicable land use regulations and the Building Code.
Community Development Director Bautista said the purpose of the established fence height limitations within the front yard is to ensure that such features allow for the provision of privacy, safety, and security without obstructing views, creating a public safety hazard, becoming a nuisance, changing the character of residential neighborhoods, and creating the impression of an unsafe community. He said the Code also allows for an Administrative Adjustment Application for minor modifications or adjustments to certain requirements of the Zoning Code. He said that these requests may be approved when shown such modification or adjustment meets the intent of the Code, serves the public interest and does not result in any adverse impacts on the subject or surrounding properties. He said the cost for an Administrative Adjustment Application is $1,026.00 and requires notification to the owners of property immediately adjacent to the property under application.
Members of the City Council asked questions regarding the height of fences within front yard area of single-family homes and expressec concerns with amending the Zoning Code to allow walls and fences taller than 42 inches. City Council decided not to proceed with amending the Code.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
The City Manager had no report.
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March 8, 2022
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Ed Eng, Mayor
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