MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 14, 2022 - 5 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Otero called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. in Conference Room 1, 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 and Mayor Pro Team Otero responding to roll call. Mayor Eng was absent.
The following staff members were present: City Manager Jeff Boynton, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Anne Haraksin and City Attorney James Markman.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL
POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Assistant City Manager Anne Haraksin said the City has experienced an increase in thefts of catalytic converters over the past year, similar to most cities in California. She said in 2021, 112 catalytic converters were taken from vehicles and 58 catalytic converters were stolen since the beginning of this year. She said this accounts for approximately 60 percent of the 97 total grand thefts this year.
Assistant City Manager Haraksin said the proposed ordinance would amend the La Mirada Municipal Code (LMMC) and establish regulations prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City of La Mirada. She said the Public Safety Team would not be required to identify a victim in order to establish a person is unlawfully in possession of a catalytic converter. She also provided details on how a person in possession of a catalytic converter would be required to provide documentation or other proof that clearly identifies the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for the proposed ordinance to prohibit the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City of La Mirada.
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
June 14, 2022
4.2 AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERA SYSTEMS
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Assistant City Manager Anne Haraksin provided information on the automated license plate recognition camera systems. She said cities, homeowner associations, and private commercial centers are using automated license plate recognition (ALPR) systems to capture vehicle information, solve cases, and deter crime. She said staff met with representatives from Vigilant Solutions and Flock Safety to learn more about these camera systems and their capabilities. She said both camera systems allow deputies to search ALPR data by vehicle type, make and color; identify the state of the license plate; and capture temporary plates, paper plates, and vehicles without plates.
Assistant City Manager Haraksin proposed that the City enter into an agreement with Vigilant Solutions for the installation of ten L6Q cameras.
She said Vigilant Solutions currently works with the Sheriffs Department and they would install the cameras on County of Los Angeles traffic signals/poles, maintain the system and move the cameras when needed; additional poles would not be required; alerts would be provided directly to the Station desk and MDCs; Deputies are familiar with the system; and data is retained for five years. She said the ten cameras would cost approximately $20,850 per year for five years.
The City Council discussed the automated license plate recognition systems and expressed support in entering an agreement with Vigilant Solutions for the purchase and installation of ten cameras on various traffic signals or poles in La Mirada.
4.3 COMMUNITY SATISFACTION SURVEY
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Senior Administrative Analyst Jorge Orozco said that a community survey was conducted in 2015 by Godbe Research. He said the survey provided feedback from residents on ways to enhance the overall appearance and cleanliness; public safety services; recreational opportunities; maintenance of park facilities; conditions of streets and roads; and arts and cultural opportunities. He said the results showed an 80 percent or above satisfaction rating in all of these categories, and also helped shape the City's priorities and goals for the 2020 Strategic Plan.
Senior Administrative Analyst Orozco said since the last community survey, several enhancements have been made to the City's facilities, programs, services, and events. He said enhancements include comprehensive infrastructure improvements in many neighborhoods, new Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
June 14, 2022
additions to Buccaneer Bay, an upgraded sound system and new seating at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and the addition of a new Community Garden and Farmers Market. He said Godbe Research submitted a quote for services ranging from $29,000 to $36,000 depending on the length of the survey.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for a community survey to be conducted by Godbe Research team.
4.4 POTENTIAL ACQUISITION, TRANSPORTATION, AND DISPLAY OF A
HISTORICAL OLIVE PRESS
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Senior Administrative Analyst Jorge Orozco provided information on the potential acquisition, transportation, and display of a historical olive press.
He said at the April 14 Historical Preservation Advisory Council (HPAC) meeting, staff presented a report regarding a historical olive press owned by Leonardo DiChiara that resided near the La Mirada Train Depot. He said this olive press was used to make olive in La Mirada from approximately 1898 through 1933. He said the olive press moved to the City of El Cajon where branded olive oil was made until the 1950's, and subsequently moved to the Motor Transport Museum in Campo, where it remains today.
Senior Administrative Analyst Orozco said the granddaughter of Mr. DiChiara, Cathy Weisner, informed members of HPAC that she would like to donate the olive press to the City for public display. He said a letter was received from the Motor Transport Museum indicating its release of ownership of the equipment. He said staff contacted Dunkel Bros. for transportation services and the cost to transport the olive press to La Mirada is approximately $7,825. Additional funding would be required to construct a concrete pad to display the equipment.
Members of the City Council asked questions about the potential acquisition, transportation, and display of a historical olive press. City Council expressed concerns regarding the olive press and requested additional information and options about acquiring the olive press for historical purposes.
City Manager Boynton said staff would research additional information on the olive press and propose options at a future City Council meeting.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
The City Manager had no reports.
3 Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
June 14, 2022
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Anthony Otero, Mayor Pro Tem