MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 9, 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 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
Jack Miranda commented on the Study Session items.
4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 INTERVIEW OF A POTENTIAL MEMBER OF THE LA MIRADA
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Members of the City Council invited Penny Lopez to provide information on her interest, qualifications and experience, as they relate to the La Mirada Community Foundation.
Members of the City Council asked Ms. Lopez questions related to her potential role on the La Mirada Community Foundation. The City Manager said an item regarding her potential appointment would be placed on an upcoming City Council meeting agenda.
4.2 PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REFUSE RATE
ADJUSTMENTS
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Public Works Manager Marlin Munoz said on March 6, EDCO submitted a letter requesting an adjustment of its residential and commercial rates. He said for the residential request, EDCO is proposing an adjustment of 4.32 percent based on the CPl, fuel and disposal fees. He said the rates would be $31.39 for residential monthly service and $18.88 for monthly service for seniors, which is an increase of $.78. Additionally, a typical three-yaro bin serviced once weekly would increase by $9.62 per month for a total of $232.38 for commercial accounts. He said if approved, the new rates Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
April 9, 2024
would become effective July 1 for commercial accounts and residential accounts. A Public Hearing on these rate adjustments will be held at the regular City Council meeting on June 11.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for the proposed adjustments of residential and commercial refuse rates.
4.3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Community Development Director Manuel Muñoz said the City has begun the implementation of the Housing Element. He said the implementation consists of single and continuous actions throughout the lifetime of the Housing Element. He provided additional details on the key actions for the Housing Element program.
Community Development Director Muñoz said the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has conditionally approved the Housing Element. He said the City would be required to rezone various properties as mentioned in the City's Rezone Program. He also provided details on the continuous actions which include a combination of existing and new programs. He said the La Mirada Housing for All outreach campaign would continue through 2029 with various quarterly events and increased digital outreach via social media and online information.
Additionally, staff have been working with RRM Design Group to initiate the creation of the City's Objective Design Standards. He said the policy documents would streamline the development approval process and strengthen community character.
The City Council reviewed and discussed the implementation of the Housing Element 6th Cycle 2021-2029.
4.4 UPDATE ON THE LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING
ARTS
City Manager Boynton introduced the item
Theatre Director BT McNicholl provided an update of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. He said the Theatre has a number of initiatives underway which are designed to enhance the Theatre's revenues and programming. He said the Theatre has focused on monetizing underutilized assets to create new revenue streams for the City. He said specifically, the patio café, main lobby, and the upper lounge are being marketed to the public and performing arts organizations for 2 Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
April 9, 2024
rental use. He said the Theatre's promotional efforts and ticket pricing are data driven, and this has increased revenues over the last ten years.
However, the cost of the Broadway series productions has also increased over this same period. He said the titles for the productions series for 2024-25 have been solidified and are expected to be popular with general audiences. He said Theatre staff are currently conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for Theatrical Producer services. Additionally, the Theatre has been making plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary, which would take place September 2027.
Members of the City Council asked questions about updates to the La Mirada Theatre and expressed their appreciation to staff for the ongoing efforts to enhance the Theatre's programming.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Boynton provided an update on H.R. 6859, by Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove, which would extend federal recognition to individuals claiming ancestry to the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation. He said the City expressed its concern that pursuant to H.R. 6859, individuals seeking federal recognition would not have to disclose and/or prove their ancestry to the indigenous peoples of the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation and would be given tribal recognition and federal benefits including, concerningly, the right to build and operate gambling casinos.
He mentioned the bill had not been assigned to a committee and was not expected to proceed in the current legislative session.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
Andrew Sarega, Mayor
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