MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 8, 2025 - 5 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lewis 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 Bean, Councilmember De Ruse, Councilmember Otero, Mayor Pro Tem Eng, and Mayor Lewis responding to roll call.
The following staff members were present: City Manager Jeff Boynton, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Anne Haraksin, and City Attorney D. Craig Fox.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REFUSE RATE
ADJUSTMENTS
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Public Works Manager Marlin Munoz reported that on March 14, EDCO submitted a letter requesting an adjustment of its residential and commercial rates. He reported that transportation costs and the reduction of landfill options in Los Angeles and Orange Counties has resulted in an immediate negative impact on disposal rates throughout Southern California. He said that these circumstances satisfy the requirements of an extraordinary rate adjustment request described in the franchise agreement.
Mr. Munoz said that to limit the increase of residential and commercial rates, EDCO has proposed to defer this year's CPI, fuel, and organics adjustment to next year, not adjust the transportation cost, and reset the carry-over of the disposal component from previous years to zero, thereby reducing the impacts of future adjustments. He said that EDCO is proposing an increase of $4.43 per month for a total of $35.82 for residential accounts. For senior accounts, the proposed adjustment would result in an increase of $2.61 per month for a total of $21.49. For commercial accounts, a typical three-yard bin serviced once a week would increase $33.93 per month for a total of $266.31. He said that the new rates would become effective July 1. He said a properly noticed 45-day Public Hearing will be conducted at the regular City Council meeting on June 10.
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
April 8, 2025
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for the proposed adjustments of residential and commercial refuse rates.
4.2 GREATER LOS ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
UPDATE
City Manager Boynton introduced the item. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Communications Manager David Pailin and Board Member Matthew Wight were present to give a report.
Communications Manager David Pailin provided an update from the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD). He said GLACVCD is the largest of five vector control special districts in Los Angeles County and serves approximately six-million residents. He also provided a detailed report on how the District follows a comprehensive, integrated vector management strategy that includes surveillance prevention and control, source reduction, environmental control, biological and chemical control and public education and outreach.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed appreciation to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District for the update.
4.3 SUBURBAN WATER SYSTEMS TURF RENOVATON PROPOSAL
City Manager Boynton introduced the item. Suburban Water Systems Communications Director Lauren James, Suburban Water Systems Conservation Consultant Maureen Erbeznik and Echo Tech Services Project Manager Matthew Peterkin were present to give a report.
Suburban Water Systems Communications Director Lauren James said that in 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board approved new regulations establishing the Urban Water Use Objective (UWUO), which sets compliance standards for all areas. She said Assembly Bill 1572 introduced a phased prohibition on the irrigation of non-residential areas.
She said non-functional turf is effectively grass that is maintained for aesthetic purposes and not used for sports, activities, and civic gatherings and is not needed for immediate health, safety, sanitation, or fire protection.
Suburban Water Systems Conservation Consultant Maureen Erbeznik said that the new UWUO requirements involve complex performance benchmarks that are aimed at reducing overall water use. She said that beginning in 2027, cities, state agencies, and other government entities would not be allowed to irrigate non-functional turf with potable water on their properties. She said while the City has removed non-functional turf from its landscaped center medians in recent years, several other grass Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
April 8, 2025
areas on City property or within its right-of-way would be subject to the new regulations.
Echo Tech Services Project Manager Matthew Peterkin proposed to remove non-functional turf from two locations, the area north of City Hall driveway and the area northeast of Stage Road at Escalona Road. He said after the turf is removed, these areas would be relandscaped with California friendly plants and other design features with the cost borne by Suburban Water Systems. He also said he could provide design options to present at a future meeting.
Members of the City Council asked questions and expressed support for moving forward with the turf renovation proposal presented by Suburban Water Systems.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Boynton reported about concerns with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department staffing crisis. He said that the City was requested to send a etter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors requesting to reduce th umber of Deputy Sheriff vacancies and support retention efforts. City Counc expressed support for submitting the letter.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
John Lewis, Mayor