MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
LA MIRADA, CALIFORNIA
SEPTEMBER 23, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. on September 23, 2022 in Conference Room 1, La Mirada City Hall, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California. City Sargi, ayor rot Trem De Rise, and Mayor uter respondenis Col can eye Sarega, Mayor Pro Tem De Ruse,
Manager Jeff Boynton and Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Anne Haraksin were also present.
Call to Order
Mayor Otero called the meeting to order.
Roll Call
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Haraksin conducted roll call.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
City Council Workshop
(1) Code of Ethical Conduct & Council Procedures.
City Manager Boynton led the discussion regarding the Code of Ethical Conduct.
He said that the Code of Ethical Conduct is annually reviewed by the City Council during the retreat meeting.
The City Council reviewed and discussed the Code of Ethical Conduct and the appointment process for advisory body members. The City Council requested the appointment process be further discussed at a Study Session meeting. It was also suggested the Councilmembers meet with the Commissions annually. (2) 2022 Community Satisfaction Survey Results.
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Bryan Godbe of Godbe Research provided an overview of the results of the Community Satisfaction Survey. He said a total of 697 interviews were conducted during the survey period via landline interviews, cell phone interviews, texts and emails. He provided information on the respondents' answers related to their perception of the overall City climate; level of importance and satisfaction with City issues and services; sense of community including challenges and opportunities; interactions with City staff; and City communications. He said residents were also offered the opportunity to provide their contact information for follow-up by City staff
Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 23, 2022
Annual Workshop
The City Council discussed the results of the Community Satisfaction Survey.
Councilmembers expressed an interest in assembling focus groups to share their comments and experiences with the Council.
(3) City of La Mirada Strategic Plan Development.
City Manager Boynton gave an overview of the strategic plan process. He said the 2020 Strategic Plan was supported by five core strategies with specific goals and actions to monitor progress. The five core strategies were: ensure a well- managed city government; provide a safe community; promote a high quality of life; provide quality planning and infrastructure; and support a strong local economy. He said most of the goals identified in the Strategic Plan were achieved by 2020. He said now may be an ideal time to begin developing an In to id t one cly s updated strategic plan to set the City's future direction. He said the process would incorporate results from the recent Community Satisfaction Survey and additional outreach to the community to gather input and ideas from La Mirada's various stakeholders.
The City Council discussed the strategic plan process and recommended the following modifications to the five core strategies: provide a safe community; ensure a well-managed and transparent city government; promote community engagement and quality programs; provide quality planning and infrastructure; and support a strong economy.
Members of the City Council recommended a section be added to the strategic plan to provide information on accomplishments, new conditions and drivers of the specific strategies and goals. The City Council also suggested the City's Mission Statement and Vision Statement be discussed at a Study Session meeting.
(4) City Financial Update
City Manager Boynton presented a review of the recently closed Fiscal Year 2021-22 with a primary focus on the General Fund. He said the City's financial condition is presently very strong. He said absent budget transfers, General Fund revenues exceeded expenses by more than $16 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.
He said $7,138,355 has been set aside within the General Fund for economic uncertainty pursuant to City policy. An additional nearly $46 million is available as undesignated fund balance, which exceeds anticipated General Fund expenditures in Fiscal Year 2022-23. He provided information on the Section 115 Benefit Trust and the California Employer Retiree Benefit Trust.
The City Council reviewed and discussed the financial update. (5) Grant Funding & Capital Projects Status Update
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Annual Workshop
City Manager Boynton provided information on projects currently under construction, projects pending construction, and projects currently in design. He said grant funding has been secured to complete some of the projects including Neff Park improvements ($475,000 from Congresswoman Sanchez and $200,000 from Los Angeles County Measure A) and Behringer Park improvements ($2,750,000 from Senator Bob Archuleta). He said significant General Fund revenues will likely be needed for both projects in at least an equal amount depending on the level of work performed. Additionally, Congresswoman Sanchez has secured $2,500,000 in funding for Leffingwell Road landscape median improvements, which have been approved by the House and are awaiting concurrence from the Senate. He said the County has a similar funding request being pursued by Congresswoman Sanchez, which would complete various bikeway/roadway improvements along Leffingwell Road.
Members of the City Council discussed the capital projects status update and the grant funding. Members of the City Council suggested a comprehensive matrix be developed identifying each project, status of the project, and source of funding.
*Items 6, 7 and 8 were discussed out of order.
(8) Theatre Strategic Planning Project
City Manager Boynton reported that the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has managed to position itself well, relative to other regional theatres in the nation. He said the current season is one of the Theatre's biggest yet, and it has already reached 40% of its revenue goal before the first performance. He said as part of the process of looking ahead to what the Theatre's future might hold, a series of input sessions were held with Theatre employees and volunteers, conducted by a consultant with extensive experience working with municipalities and arts institutions. He said the staff and volunteers formulated a strategic plan mission statement which articulates the Theatre's purpose and serves to guide its choices in programming and other activities. Mr. Boynton presented the two proposed mission statements.
Members of the City Council expressed support for the following mission statement: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, the nation's only municipally owned, self-producing theatre, inspires audiences of all ages with professional performances and educational opportunities as part of a welcoming, patron-centered experience.
City Manager Boynton said McCoy Rigby Entertainment was selected in 1994 to perform production services. He said it's been nearly 30 years since the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the services of a production company.
He said periodically issuing an RFP is a best management practice to ensure the value. He sai City is receiving optimal value. He said the Theatre has begun to issue RFPs for all of its other vendors, beginning with the ticketing service (2017), 3 Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 23, 2022
Annual Workshop
concessionaire (2020), marketing consultant (2021), and graphic design services (2022).
Members of the City Council expressed support for issuing an RFP for production services.
(7) State of the Departments
City Manager Boynton presented a report on the State of the Departments. The report included information on Department strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats (SWOT) for Administration and Administrative Services, Community Development, Community Services, Public Safety, Public Works, and The City Council reviewed and discussed the Department SWOT analyses.
Members of the City Council expressed support for the following Department projects to enhance services:
• Community Development - Pursue specialty software to process plans and permits.
• Community Development - Scan/digitize and digitally archive Building and Safety plans and documents.
Community Services - Review program offerings to the community. : Public Safety - Provide more social and educational opportunities for Block Captains.
• Public Safety - Purchase iPads for Code Enforcement to use in the field. (6) City Priorities, Projects, Programs
City Manager Boynton presented some of the proposed project and program ideas that would require additional capital, and potentially ongoing operational, funding.
The City Council reviewed and discussed the presented ideas. Members of the City Council expressed support for further exploring and/or moving forward with the following proposed ideas:
• Regional Park Sports Field (Soccer/Football east of Community Gymnasium)
• Public Statues/Sculpture Garden Incorporating Civic Center Fountain • La Mirada Incubator (Virtual Enterprise/Start-up Competition) • Creek Park Renovations (Construction)
• Comprehensive City-Funded Repairs of Privately Owned Block Walls • Expand Dial-a-Ride Service to Trader Joe's in La Habra • Community Broadband (Fiber Optics Infrastructure) Improvements • International Food Day/Taste of La Mirada
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• Potential Real Estate Acquisitions of School District Properties for Open Space
• Gardenhill Park Amphitheatre Upgrades
• Santa Claus Holiday Float
• Acquisition of Additional Radar Speed Signs
• Dashboard Apps for Public Works and Public Safety Items • Senior Self Defense Classes
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Otero adjourned the meeting at 2:25 p.m.
Anne Haraksin, City Clerk
Attest:
Anthony Otero, Mayor