MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 14, 2023 - 5 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor 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.
ROLL CALL
The City Council was present with Councilmember Eng, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Sarega, Mayor Pro Team De Ruse and Mayor Otero responding to roll call.
The following staff members were present: City Manager Jeff Boynton, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Anne Haraksin and City Attorney James Markman.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Finance Manager Melissa Pascual said the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget marks the return of a more normal budget with service levels set similar to pre-COVID times. She said conservative projections show General Fund Revenues at $48.71 million, a decrease of $830,582 from the budget. She said property taxes are projected to be $8.85 million and remain one of the City's most stable revenue sources.
Finance Manager Pascual reported that expenditures are projected to be $42.65 million, a net decrease of $1.14 million from the Fiscal Year 2022- 23 budgeted appropriations largely due to conservative budgeting. She said the City has been committed to providing essential services to maintain the City as a safe and well-maintained community. Additionally, she said since Fiscal Year 2019-20, the City's Fund Balance has grown from $44.8 million to an estimated $56.40 million largely due to stable revenue sources, conservative spending and pursuing federal and state grants. She said it's the City's philosophy of saving first and spending second for major projects and unplanned expenditures. She said it would also provide potential budget relief in the event the City faces economic headwinds in the near future.
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
March 14, 2023
Members of the City Council discussed the Mid-Year Budget Review for Fiscal Year 2022-23 and expressed appreciation to staff for preparing a comprehensive mid-year budget.
4.2 PROPOSED TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT ALONDRA BOULEVARD AND
PHOEBE AVENUE
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Mark Stowell provided information on the proposed traffic signal at Alondra Boulevard and Phoebe Avenue. He said a safety evaluation at the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Phoebe Avenue was conducted in January 2012. He said a spot location approach to the evaluation was chosen due to the unique pattern of collisions experienced at the project site. He said City staff has closely monitored this specific location since 2010 by analyzing collision reports, traffic volumes, and conducting speed surveys and observing traffic patterns. He said the City has taken a proactive approach to finding the appropriate solutions to address the safety concerns at the proposed traffic signal site.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Stowell said for the past five years, the consultant and staff have been working with BNSF and California Public Utilities Commission to finalize the traffic signal plans. He said City staff has made great progress and BNSF requested to prepare the design of its railroad crossing gates and lights. He said once these are complete, the City would be able to proceed and install the traffic signal and railroad crossing improvements. He said this project has been included in the Capital Improvement Program for several years, including Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Members of the City Council asked questions on the proposed traffic signal at Alondra Boulevard and Phoebe Avenue. After a thorough discussion, consensus was reached to proceed with the installation of the traffic signal.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Boynton reported on a meeting he had with representatives from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) regarding the City Council's concerns with the conditions of several at-grade railroad crossings in La Mirada.
He said BNSF responded to his recent letter and provided an update on future repairs/improvements planned for several railroad crossings. He said repairs to the Phoebe Avenue railroad crossing were being reviewed at BNSF's headquarters in Dallas, and local crews believed repairs would be completed later this year.
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
March 14, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
603 p.being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Anthony A. Otero, Mayor
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