MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 12, 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 present with Councilmember Eng, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Otero and Mayor De Ruse responding to roll call. Mayor Pro Tem Sarega 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 CREEK PARK PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCE CAMERAS UPDATE
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Public Works Manager Marlin Munoz provided an update on the Creek Park Public Safety resource cameras. He said a total of 18 AVA video security cameras were installed at Creek Park and two cameras were placed in the Imperial Highway tunnel. He said the cameras provide coverage of strategic areas, as identified by the Public Safety Team. He said the cloud-based system allows for 30 days of storage without the added cost of a digital video recorder (DVR). He said the cameras feature 4K resolution and facial recognition technology, video footage that could be viewed at any time, on any device, and a ten-year warranty.
Additionally, the cameras feature environmental sensors to detect audible disruptions with notification to the Public Safety Team.
Public Works Manager Munoz said the cameras have captured various vandalism incidents since they were installed. He said an attempt to damage a camera in the Imperial Highway tunnel resulted in the arrest of that suspect. He said overall the general response from the community has been positive.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for the installation of the Public Safety resource cameras at other City parks.
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
September 12, 2023
4.2 ENERGY CONSERVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL
PROGRAM UPDATE
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item. Senior Administrative Analyst Mark Rounds and Climatec Director Ashley Cascio were present to give a report.
Senior Administrative Analyst Mark Rounds provided an update on the Energy Conservation and Infrastructure Renewal Program. He said during roofing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and Community Gymnasium, and thermal water heating and new pool pumps at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center. He said the program also includes renewable energy solutions, such as solar carport structures and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Senior Administrative Analyst Rounds said that funding in the amount of included in the come ter $11.39 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has been included in the current Fiscal Year for this project. He said an additional $4.4. million in Capital Improvement Program reserve funds would supplement the ARPA expenditures to complete the work next fiscal year.
He said as of August, the City has expended $7.06 million of the budgeted amount on the project. He said once solar panel systems are online and producing power, the City would be eligible to apply for an approximately 30 percent rebate through the Inflation Reduction Act solar tax incentive program.
Members of the City Council reviewed and discussed the Energy Conservation and Infrastructure Renewal Program update.
4.3 PROPOSED FREEWAY COMMERCIAL (C-F) AND INDUSTRIAL (M-2)
ZONE CHANGES
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Community Development Director Manuel Muñoz provided information on possible zone changes of certain properties in the Freeway Commercial (C-F) and Industrial (M-2) zones. He said the two vacant properties to the north would be ideal for larger commercial development. He said the rezone would allow for a wide range of commercial uses that are presently found in the C-F (Freeway Commercial) zone. He said the parcels to the south would provide a balanced approach to providing Commercial zones and Industrial zones. He said those parcels do not directly face the freeway and may not be classified best as C-F (Freeway Commercial).
Additionally, at least one property owner requested the property be Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
September 12, 2023
rezoned to M-2. He said the process to rezone the parcels could take approximately six to nine months for approval under the General Plan Amendment and Rezone entitlements.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for the proposed zoning changes of certain properties in the Freeway Commercial (C-F) and Industrial (M-2) zones.
4.4 PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9 OF THE LA MIRADA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO GRAFFITI
City Manager Jeff Boynton introduced the item.
Assistant City Manager Anne Haraksin provided information on the proposed ordinance regarding graffiti. She said pursuant to La Mirada Municipal Code (LMMC) Section 9.90.070(a), private property owners are responsible for removing graffiti on their property within seven days. She said the proposed ordinance would amend the LMMC and make it unlawful for a private property owner or person responsible for maintaining the property to permit the property which is defaced with graffiti to remain defaced for a period longer than 72 hours after written notification or documented verbal notification by the City that the graffiti must be removed. She said this section would also require the private property owner or responsible person to cover the graffiti with paint that is substantially similar in shade and color to the surface upon which the graffiti is placed. Additionally, the proposed ordinance would also delete LMMC Section 9.90.090 regarding reimbursement of cellular phone costs for people reporting graffiti which is no longer needed.
City Council discussed the proposed ordinance regarding graffiti and expressed support for amending Title 9 of the La Mirada Municipal Code related to graffiti.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was no City Manager report.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Steve De Ruse, Mayor
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