MINUTES OF THE REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING
OF THE LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 - 5 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Otero called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, La Mirada City Hall, 13700 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California.
ROLL CALL
The City Council was present with Councilmember Bean, Councilmember Eng, Councilmember Lewis, Mayor Pro Tem De Ruse, and Mayor Otero The following staff members were present: City Manager Jeff Boynton, Assistant City Manager Anne Haraksin, City Clerk Leticia Revilla, and City Attorney James Markman.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jack Miranda commented on the funding request for non-profit organizations and inquired about the vacant businesses at the Albertsons shopping center.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
4.1 LA MIRADA SYMPHONY FUNDING REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026- 2027
City Manager Boynton introduced the item. Theatre Director Jason Daunter and La Mirada Symphony President David Derks presented the report.
Mr. Derks provided information on the Symphony's upcoming concerts for Fiscal Year 2026-27. He said the Symphony plans to present four free concerts, including The Phantom of the Opera, An Afternoon of Chamber Music, Sketches of Spain, and Ode to Joy. He said the Symphony submitted a funding request totaling $45,000 which includes $35,000 for in-kind funding for rehearsals at the La Mirada Activity Center and performances at the Theatre, and $10,000 in direct funding to support the Symphony's operations.
The City Council reviewed and discussed the La Mirada Symphony's funding for Fiscal Year 2026-27. Members of the City Council expressed support tor the La Mirada Symphony's funding request in the amount of $10,000 for direct funding and an in-kind contribution of $35,000 for a total of $45,000.
4.2 PHANTOM PROJECTS FUNDING REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026- 2027
AGENDA NO. 7.1
Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
September 8, 2026
City Manager Boynton introduced the item. Theatre Director Jason Daunter and Artistic Director Steven Cisneros were present to give a report.
Artistic Director Steven Cisneros provided information on the upcoming 2026-27 season, which includes three productions "The House on Mango Street," "The Outsiders," and "#TheSocialMediaPlay." He said Phantom Projects would also conduct its annual "Young Artist Project" workshop at the Theatre. He said Phantom Projects is requesting in-kind funding in the amount of $202,720, which is an increase from last year due to the increase in value of the Phoebe warehouse. He said the warehouse space is valued Members of the City Council expressed support for Phantom Projects' Fiscal Year 2026-27 in-kind funding request in the amount of $202,720.
4.3 REVIEW OF DISCOUNT STORE ORDINANCE FRAMEWORK
City Manager Boynton introduced the item.
Community Development Director Manuel Muñoz provided information on the preliminary framework for the proposed Discount Store Ordinance. He said on December 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Interim Ordinance No. 739-U, establishing a temporary moratorium on the establishment, operation, and expansion of discount stores. He said the moratorium was intended to provide the City sufficient time to evaluate the potential impacts of these establishments and determine whether permanent land use and operational regulations were warranted. He said during the moratorium period, staff conducted research to better understand the characteristics, concentration, operation, and maintenance of discount stores within La Mirada and to evaluate regulatory approaches used by other jurisdictions. He said this effort included a review of existing businesses, field observations, coordination between the Planning Division and Code Enforcement Division, and evaluation of potential standards that could be incorporated into a permanent ordinance.
Community Development Director Muñoz also provided detailed information on the framework to maintain Discount Sales as an allowable retail use while establishing standards addressing concentration, daily operations, property maintenance, and accountability. He said the next step of the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment would be to proceed through the required public review process, including consideration by the Planning Commission at a duly noticed public hearing. The Planning Commission would provide a recommendation to the City Council, after which the City Council would introduce and consider the proposed ordinance at a separate noticed public hearing.
Members of the City Council reviewed and discussed the preliminary framework for the proposed Discount Store Ordinance.
2 Minutes of the Study Session Meeting
September 8, 2026
4.4 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
There was no City Manager report.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:21 p.m.
Leticia Revilla, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Anthony A. Otero, Mayor