MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 27, 2023 – 6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor De Ruse called the meeting to order at 6:3 0 p.m. in the Council Chambers, La Mirada City Hall, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California.
2. INVOCATION
The invocation was delivered by Pastor Ralph Miley of La Mirada Foursquare Church.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by representatives of the F riends of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
4. ROLL CALL
City Council was prese nt with Councilmember Eng, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, and Mayor De Ruse responding to roll call.
The following staff members were also present: City Manager Jeff Boynton, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Anne Haraksin, and City Attorney Craig Fox.
5. APPEARANCES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
5.1 RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES FOR YEARS OF SERVICE
The City Council recognized Melissa Pascual and Liza Soto for their years of service and the Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, presented them with a service award pin and a certificate of appreciation.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Elaine Sanchez addressed the City Council regarding her block wall in the rear of her yard. She said she would send the Councilmembers a letter regarding her property concern.
7. APPOINTMENTS
7.1 CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS AGENCIES
Mayor De Ruse made the following appointments of delegates and alternates to the various organizations on which mem bers of the City Council participate:
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
2 • California Contract Cities Association
Delegate: Mayor Pro Tem Sarega / Alternate: Mayor De Ruse • Chamber of Commerce
Liaison: Councilmember Otero/ Alternate: Councilmember Eng • County Sanitation District No. 18
Delegate: Mayor De Ruse
• Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
Trustee: Councilmember Lewis
• Joint Powers Insurance Authority
Delegate: Councilmember Eng/ Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Sarega • League of California Cities
Delegate: Mayor De Ruse/ Alternate: Councilmember Eng • League of California Cities City Selection Committee
Delegate: Mayor De Ruse/ Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Sarega • Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority (SASSFA) Delegate: Councilmember Lewis/ Alternate: Mayor De Ruse • Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Delegate: Councilmember Otero/ Alternate: Mayor De Ruse • Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG)
Delegate: Councilmember Otero/ Alternate: Councilmember Lewis • I-5 JPA Consortium
Delegate: Mayor De Ruse/ Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Sarega • City Council/NLMUSD Board Committee
Mayor Pro Tem Sarega and Councilmember Eng
• La Mirada Audit Committee
Mayor De Ruse and Councilmember Otero
• La Mirada Athletic Council Appeal Board
Mayor Pro Tem Sarega and Councilmember Lewis
Mayor Pro Tem Sarega moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to affirm the Mayor ’s appoi ntments of delegates and alternates to the various organizations on which members of the City Council participate.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Te m Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
3 8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Lewis moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to approve the following consent calendar items:
8.1 APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
The City Council approved the minutes of the Study Session meeting of June 13, 2023 and the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 13, 2023.
8.2 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTER
The City Council approved the warrant register dated June 27, 2023 in the total amount of $2,246,155.36.
8.3 LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION AGREEMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24
The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2023-24 agreement between the City of La Mirada and the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Foundation and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
8.4 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LA MIR ADA THEATRE FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
The City Council received and file d the Annual Report of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Foundation.
8.5 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE CITY OF LA MI RADA FOR THE MONTH ENDING MAY 2023
The City Council recei ved and filed the City’s Investment Report for the month ending May 2023.
8.6 MONTHLY TREASURER R EPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING APRIL 2023
The City Council received and file d the City of La Mir ada Monthly Treasurer Report for the period ending April 2023.
8.7 CAPITAL IMPROV EMENT PROJECT NO. 2021 -11, LA MIRADA BOULEVARD DRAINAGE I MPROVEMENTS – APPROVAL OF
CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NO. 2
The City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Contract Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $83,889.35.
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
4 8.8 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PHIL MARTIN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN INI TIAL STUDY
AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT FOR THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY M ASTER PLAN
AMENDMENT
The City Council authorized the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Phil Martin and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $64,050 for the preparation of a complete Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Environmental Assessment and authorized the City Manager to approve additional costs for work, not exceeding 15 percent of the authorized proposal amount to complete the environmental assessment.
8.9 SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH HINDERLITER, DE
LLAMAS AND A SSOCIATES (HDL) FOR SALES, USE AND
TRANSACTIONS TAX SERVICES
The City Council approved the second amendment to the agreement with HdL for sales, use and transactions tax services and authorized the City Manager to execute the amendment on behalf of the City.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor P ro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9. PUBLIC HEARING
9.1 RESOLUTION NO. 23-17 ADOPTING THE PRO POSED FI SCAL Y EAR 2023-24 BUDGET
Finance Manager Melissa Pascual reported that since the Study Session meeting on May 9, the proposed budget reflects changes recommended in the proposed Employee Benefits and Salary Rates Resolution for Fiscal Year 202 3-24 and an i ncrease in the Theatre activity for additional production costs . She said t he Proposed Budget for all funds, includin g transfers, is $106,638,854 for revenues and $117,311,892 for expenditures. She said the Proposed General Fund Budget, without transfers is $ 50,272,505 for revenues and $ 46,400,387 for expenditures resulting in an operational surplus of $ 3,872,118. She said i ncluding transfers, the General Fund Budget is $ 56,565,005 for revenues and $66,103,887 for expenditures. She said the projected deficit of $9,538,882 Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
5 is a result of using savings for planne d infrastructure improvements and depositing additional funds in the pension trust.
Mayor De Ruse opened the Public Hearing. No members of the public spoke on the item. Mayor De Ruse closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Lewis moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-17 approving the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9.2 RESOLUTION NO. 23-18 APPROVING A RATE ADJUSTMEN T FOR
REFUSE SERVICE AND ESTABLI SHING RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL REFUSE RATES IN THE CITY OF LA MIRADA
Public Works Manager Marlin Munoz reported that the request for the annual rate adju stment for refuse services was reviewed and discussed at the April 11 Study Session meeting. He said that for residential accounts, the proposed adjustment would result in an increase of $1.22 per month. With the deferred increa se of $1.01 from last year , the monthly total will be $30.09. For senior accounts, the proposed adjustment would result in an increase of $0.74 per month. W ith the deferred increase of $0.61 from last ye ar, the monthly total will be $18.10. For commercial a ccounts, a typical three -yard bin serviced once a week would increase $ 10.01 per month for a total of $222.76.
Mayor De Ruse opened the Public Hearing.
Jack Miranda spoke in support of EDCO’s proposed rate adjustment.
Mayor De Ruse closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Lewis moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-18 approving the propos ed rate adjustment and establishing res idential and commercial refuse rate s in the City of La Mirada.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
6 ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9.3 RESOLUTION NO. 23-19 APPROVING THE ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT APPLICATION FOR SPORTSMAN’S LOUNGE LOCATED A T 13902
IMPERIAL HIGHWAY
Public Safety Specialist Michael Alfonso reported the City received an application for an Entertainment Permit from Alfonso Gutierrez, the owner of Sportsman’s Lounge located at 13902 Imperial Highway. He said the applicant is requesting a permit for live entert ainment consisting of live music or DJ, dancing, and karaoke on Friday and Saturday evenings and occasional Sunday evenings before o r after holidays from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. He said t he Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Depar tment’s Major Crimes Bureau performed an investigation o n the applicant . The investigator reported t hat the applicant successfully passed the background investigation . He said staff also reviewed the call s for law enforcement services at the location for the 12-month period of June 2022 through May 2023. He said based on the investigation and review of calls for service, it was recommended the Entertainment Permit be approved.
Mayor De Ruse opened the Public Hearing. No members of the public spoke on the item. Mayor De Ruse closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Pro Tem Sarega moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-19 approving the Entertainment Permit application of the Sportsman’s Lounge located at 13902 Imperial Highway subject to the Conditions of Approval.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
10.1 RESOLUTION NO. 23-20 ESTABLISHING TH E APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24
Finance Manager Pasc ual reported that s taff prepared the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Appropriations Limit. She said the local assessment roll addition of local non -residential new construction for Fiscal Year 20 23-24 was 1.17 percent. The California Per Capita Personal Income percenta ge for Fiscal Year 20 23-24 was 4.44 percent. She said t he California Per Capita Personal Income percentage was the inflation factor selec ted for the Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
7 Appropriations Limit. She said the population factor used was the growth of the County, which was -.75 percent, in comparison to -1 percent for the City.
She said the City is well below the Fiscal Year’s Appropriation Limit of $170,884,671 and has only $ 36,067,312 of appropriat ions subject to limitations. She said that a lthough the City’s total revenue is $ 73,224,339, excluding transfers and the sales tax sharing agreement, only $36,067,312 is supported by tax proceeds subject to the limitation.
Councilmember Lewis moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to select the percentage change in the California Per Capita Personal Income as the inflation factor for Fiscal Year 2023-24; select the growth of the County as the population factor for Fiscal Year 2023-24; and adopt Resolution No. 23-20 establishing an A ppropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 20 23-24 pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10.2 RESOLUTION NO. 23-21 REGARDING EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND
SALARY RATES FOR ALL CL ASSES OF EMPLOYMENT, AND
SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION NO. 22-15
Human Resources Manager Cecilia Benavides reported that the proposed modifications to salary and benefits were discussed by City Council during Closed Session meetings on April 25 and May 23 . She said the proposed resolution adopts a two -year cycle for the benefits committee to hold compensation reviews and develop proposals on salaries, benefits, and other employment related items. She provided information on the proposed Cost of Living Adjustments for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25. She also provided information on the proposed reduction in the City’s payment of the CalPERS member contribution, the adoption of the State Retirement Vesting Model, and proposed modifications to salaries and job titles.
Mayor Pro Tem Sarega moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-21 regarding employment benefits and salary rates for all classes of employment, and superseding Resolution No. 22-15.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
8 ABSTAIN: None
10.3 RESOLUTION NO. 23-22 REGARDING PAYING AND REPORTING T HE
VALUE OF EMPLOYER PAID MEMBER CON TRIBUTIONS TO THE
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Human Resources Manager Benevides reported that the pr oposed resolution would reduce the City’s payment of the employees’ CalPERS member contribution to two percent and increase the employ ees’ contribution to five percent for full -time employees who were hired before July 1, 2017 and are considered CalPERS classic members for Fiscal Year 2023-24. She said the reduction in the City’s contribution would reduce retirement costs by approximate ly $ 51,700 per year. She said that the resolution would also reduce the City’s payment of the employees’ CalPERS member contribution to one percent and increase the employees’ contribution to six percent for full -time employees who were hired before July 1, 2017 and are considered CalPERS classic members for Fiscal Year 2024-25. She said t he reduction in the City’s contribution for Fiscal Year 2024-25 would further reduce retirement costs by approximately $28,300 per year.
Councilmember Eng moved and Councilmember Lewis seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-22 regarding paying and reporting the value of e mployer paid member contributions to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10.4 RESOLUTION NO. 23 -23 ADOPTING THE STATE RETIREMENT
VESTING MODEL PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVE RNMENT CODE
SECTION 22893
City Manager Boynton reported that the pr oposed resolution would adopt the State Ret irement Vesting Model for full -time employees hired on or after August 1, 2023. In adopting the State Retirement Vesting Model, an employee eligible at the age of service retirement (minimum age 50), must have at least 10 years of CalPERS service credit, five years of which must be from the City. He said the medical benefits vesting percentage is 50% at 10 years and increases by 5% each year until the employee becomes 100% vested at 20 years of CalPER S service. He said that MacLeod Watts conducted an actuarial study and determined an estimated benefit decrease per future employe e from 9.2% to 9.7%. He said that d epending on the Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
9 retirees’ years of CalPERS service upon retirement and qualifying Medicare supplement coverage, there is a potential savings to the City of 6% to 8% over the course of 30 years.
Councilmember Lewis moved and Councilmember Otero seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-23 adopting the State Retirement Vesting Model pursuant to California Government Code Section 22893.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10.5 RESOLUTION NO. 23-24 APPROVING PARTI CIPATION IN THE LOS
ANGELES URBAN COUNTY PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING
ALLOCATION PROGRAM
City Manager Boynton reported that the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) issued a bulletin to cities for participation in Year 3 of the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA). He said PLHA is an SB 2 funded program that provides an ongoing permanent source of funding through state property transfer fees to increase t he affordable housing supply in California. He said LACDA receives the funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and then allocates funding to cities that request to participate. He said La Mirada’s allocation for Year 3 is $ 262,839. He said funding could be used for accessibility modifications to sing le-family homes . He s aid t he City ’s approval for part icipation in Year 3 of the PL HA prog ram, must be submitted to LACDA no later than June 30, 2023.
Councilmember Lewis moved and Councilmember Eng seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-24 approving the City’s participation in t he Los Angeles Urban County Permanent L ocal Housing Alloc ation Program and authorizing the Ci ty Manager to execute the d ocuments required for participation in the program.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
10 10.6 RESOLUTION NO. 23-25 WAIVING THE FORMAL BID PROC ESS AND
AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE COMMUNITY SERVICES
VEHICLE
City Manager Boynton reported that the proposed r esolution would waive the formal bid process and allow the purchase of one vehicle for the Community Services Department. He said there is a need to purchase one 2024 Chevrolet Equinox for the Community Services Department. He said the vehicle would be used by the department for daily operational needs and special events. The new vehicle would be purchased from National Auto Fleet Group using the City’s Equipment Replacement Fund. He said the estimated cost of the vehicle is $31,000.
Councilmember Lewis moved and C ouncilmember Eng seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-25 waiving the formal bid process and aut horizing the purchase of one Community Services vehicle.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10.7 RESOLUTION NO. 23-26 AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT 5307 FUNDS AND
CORONAVIRUS RESPON SE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATIONS ACT 5307 FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
City Manager Boynton reported that in Fiscal Year 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu rity Act (CARES ) provided additional funding to support the transit industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Fiscal Y ear 2021, the American Resc ue P lan Act (ARPA) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) were enacted to provide additional transportation funding. He said in May 2023, the City was awarded and executed the following federal grants: CARES 5307 (2020) - $123,097 to fund Fiscal Year 2021- 22 operations; ARPA 5307 (2021) - $180,680 to fund F iscal Year 2022- 23 operations; and CRRSAA 5307 (2021) - $112,423 to fund F iscal Y ear 2022-23 operations . He said the grants would be used for funding the contract services provided by MV Transportation to operate the City’s Dial- a-Ride program. He said the CARES 5307 is included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2022 -23. He said a budget amendment would be needed for the ARPA 5307 and CRRSAA 5307 funds in the total amount of $293,103.
Minutes Regular Meeting June 27, 2023 La Mirada City Council
11 Councilmember Eng moved and Councilmember Otero seconded to adopt Resolution No. 23-26 authorizing a budget amendment for American Rescue Pl an Act 5307 Funds and Coronavirus Re sponse a nd Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 5307 Funds for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Eng, Lewis, Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Sarega, Mayor De Ruse
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
11. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Members of the City Council reported on meetings and events they attended.
12. CITY ATTORNEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no City Attorney announcements.
13. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no City Manager announcements.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being n o fur ther business to come before the Council, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
______________________________
Anne Haraksin, City Clerk
Attest:
______________________________
Steve De Ruse, Mayor