MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
JULY 11, 2023 – 5 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor De Ruse 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 pres ent with Councilmember Eng, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Otero, Mayor Pro Te m Sarega and Mayor De Ruse 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 2023 FIREWORKS ENFORCEMENT
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Public Safety Supervisor Jose Amaya said that the regular Public Safety Team proactively enforce d fireworks regulati ons by can vassing the community. He said that the July 4 fireworks d eployment consisted of seven deputies, 11 Public Safety Office rs, and two Code Enfor cement Officers. He said the same number of vehicles were depl oyed from 2022 .
He said the Public Safety Team issued 43 administrative citations which is the same number of citations issued in 2022. He said all of the cit ations were issued for possession or discharge of illegal fireworks.
Public Safety Supervisor Amaya said field observations indicated that the number of ind ividuals celebrating the F ourth of July with fireworks were similar in most areas comp ared to 2022. He said c alls for service were consistent throughout the night and subsided at approximately 10 p.m. He said the City continue d its fireworks education campaign that included an article in the La Mirada Living newsletter, information on E-Watch, and on the City’s website, marquees, and social media sites.
Members of the City Council asked questions regarding the 2023 fireworks enforcement and expressed appreciation to staff for enforcing fireworks regulations.
4.2 PROPOSED SANTA’S HOLIDAY CARAVAN
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
July 11, 2023
2 Community S ervices Director Olive r Osuna provided information on the proposed Santa’s Holiday Car avan. He said the event would consist of a procession of vehicles decorated in a Christmas holiday theme traversing through pre-determined residential streets over multipl e evenings. He said Santa’s Holiday Caravan would be intended to spread holiday cheer through Christmas music projected from a loudspeaker, City officials and special guests waving to residents, and a viewing of Santa Claus riding his sleigh through La Mirada.
Community Services Director Osuna proposed the event to take place over three nights starting December 5 through December 7 at 6 p.m. He also proposed three routes through various nei ghborhoods. He said t o assist residents with tracking when the caravan would pass near their home, staff is proposing a third-party service be used that would equip a caravan vehicle with geo-location tracking technology. Additionally, t o inform residents of this proposed holiday event, the Santa’s Holiday Caravan would be promoted in the La Mirada Living newsletter, social media, and the City’s marquee. He said the Santa Holiday Caravan event is estimated to cost approximately $16,000.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for moving forward with the proposed Santa’s Holiday Caravan event.
5. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Boynton reported on AB 1679 Transaction and Use Taxes: County of Los Angeles : Homelessness. He said a letter was prepared expressing the City’s concerns with the C ounty of Los Angeles imposing a transaction and use tax of up to .50 per cent if approved by voters for hom eless serv ices. He said allowing an increase in the rate i n Los Angeles by as much as .50 percent would increase some local sales tax rates to 11 perc ent which would affect local economics and wo rsen already -strained affordability for many La Mirada residents.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 5:38 p.m.
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Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Steve De Ruse, Mayor