MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 12, 2024 - 5 P.M.
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.
ROLL CALL
The City Council was present with Councilmember Eng, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Andrew 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 Craig D. Fox.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Finance Manager Melissa Pascual provided information on the mid-year budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24. She said the General Fund Revenues have been conservatively forecasted at $50.96 million. She said property taxes are projected to be $9.2 million and remain one of the City's most stable revenue sources.
Finance Manager Pascual reported that expenditures are projected to be $44.92 million, a net decrease of $1.47 million from the Fiscal Year 2023- 24 budgeted appropriations largely due to conservative budgeting.
Additionally, contract law enforcement positions, such as the motor deputy, were vacant for a few months and the County's moratorium on adding deputies remained. She said the City is committed to providing essential services to maintain the City as a safe and well-maintained community. She said it is the City's philosophy to save first and spend second for major projects and to set aside funding for unplanned expenditures. She said this practice also provides potential budget relief in the event the City faces economic headwinds in the near future.
Members of the City Council discussed the Mid-Year Budget Review for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and expressed appreciation to staff for preparing a comprehensive mid-year budget report
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
March 12, 2024
4.2 PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO LA MIRADA MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 21.30 WITHIN THE ZONING CODE PERTAINING TO THE
FARM ANIMAL OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Community Development Director Manuel Muñoz provided information on the proposed modifications to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the animals has become an emerging trend for various reasons including the production of fresh eggs, pest control, and companionship. He said staff has received inquiries from several residents who have expressed interest in raising chickens or support for their neighbors to raise chickens.
Community Development Director Munoz said the proposed modifications would establish a new overlay within the Farm Animal Overlay Zoning District for Poultry (P). He said the overlay district would apply to all residential properties that have a detached residential dwelling unit. He said residents in the overlay district would be permitted to have a maximum of six poultry animals. He said this classification includes chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, and turkeys. However, the keeping of roosters and exotic animals would be prohibited. Additionally, the proposed modifications to the Farm Animal Overlay Zoning District would facilitate the establishment of this type of use while preserving maintenance requirements and operational standards to mitigate any potential negative impacts on the community.
Members of the City Council asked questions regarding the proposed modifications pertaining to the keeping of chickens and asked for additional feedback from the community and surrounding cities.
4.3 PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE
LA MIRADA COMMUNITY SHERIFF'S STATION
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Assistant City Manager Anne Haraksin and Public Safety Supervisor Jose Amaya were present to give the report.
Assistant City Manager Haraksin said the Station's front desk is operated by two City staff members, typically consisting of one full-time Public Safety Assistant (PSA) and one hourly part-time Public Safety Officer (PSO). She said during non-operating hours, all incoming telephone calls are forwarded directly to Norwalk Sheriff's Station. She said the Station's operating hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
March 12, 2024
3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. She said the Station closes on City observed holidays, except the Fourth of July.
Assistant City Manager Haraksin said that staff conducted an analysis of the community's use of the Station from August 28, 2023 through October 8, 2023 and from January 18, 2024 through February 25, 2024.
She said based on the analysis of Station activity, it is recommended consideration be given to close the Station on Sundays due to low counter visits and call volumes. She also recommended modifying the operational hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays for similar reasons. She said while some cost savings might be generated, the modification to hours could allow more time for the PSO position to spend in the field.
Members of the City Council asked questions about the proposed modifications to the Station's operating hours. The City Council requested additional data be collected to provide further analysis.
5. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was no City Manager report.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 5:56 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Steve De Ruse, Mayor