Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
February 22, 2022
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:32 p.m. by Mayor Wood in the Weingart Ballroom at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Rabbi Karen Isenberg, Congregation Shir Chadash PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Girl Scout Troop 70133
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Jeff Wood
Vice Mayor Steve Croft
Council Member Ariel Pe
Council Member Todd Rogers
Council Member Vicki Stuckey
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Wood announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of nine-year-old Lexi Bella Luna, daughter of DASH Transit Dispatcher, Michelle Cervantes; in memory of Michael Gilligan, the father of Personnel Clerk Deborah Giemont; and in memory of Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicolas Vella who died in a police helicopter crash.
Mayor Wood stated that the Lakewood Run, a partnership between the Lakewood Sheriff's Station and Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach, would be on Saturday, March 5th.
The Mayor provided information on a recent incident, which received television coverage, where it appeared that a stranger tried to walk into a Lakewood home just after a mother and her children had entered. He explained that the Sheriff’s Department indicated that the evidence strongly indicated that the man was at the wrong address and that he thought that he was approaching a home of someone he knew. Mayor Wood thanked the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station and their Special Assignment Officer Team for their diligence on the matter.
Council Member Rogers informed his Council colleagues and asked staff to place an agenda item at the next City Council meeting to consider a vote of “no confidence” in the policies of District Attorney George Gascón.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
At the request of Council Member Rogers, Mayor Wood stated that Routine Item 5 would be considered separately. He added that Routine Item 6 and Routine Item 7 would also be considered separately.
City Council Minutes
February 22, 2022
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held January 25, and February 8, 2022 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Monthly Report of Investment Transactions
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-5 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-10; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD OPPOSING BALLOT INITIATIVE 21-0042A1 WHICH RESTRICTS VOTERS’ INPUT AND LOCAL TAXING AUTHORITY
Paolo Beltran, Deputy City Manager, provided a brief overview of the resolution to oppose the ballot measure restricting voters’ input and local taxing authority.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
VICE MAYOR CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-10 TO OPPOSE INITIATIVE 21-0042A1. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Stuckey and Wood
NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Rogers
RI-6 Authorize Additional Paving for Public Works Project No. 2022-1, Major & Collector Street Paving FY22
Alan Gafford, Long Beach, addressed the City Council regarding the recusal of the Vice Mayor; change orders; Prop C and Measure R funds; and ADA improvements.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY
SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEM 6.
Vice Mayor Croft clarified that he had recused himself on the vote of the bid award item at the previous Council meeting since he owned property at one of the proposed project locations. He noted that since different street locations in which he did not own property were under consideration at this time, there was no need to recuse himself.
City Council Minutes
February 22, 2022
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-7 Ratify Purchase and Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalk Beacons Alan Gafford, Long Beach, commented on the identified intersections; signatures collected for consideration of traffic controls at Lakewood Boulevard and Michelson Street which would be submitted to the City Clerk at a later date; and guidance from staff.
VICE MAYOR CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER PE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEM 7. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • AWARD OF BID FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NO. 2021-3, PICNIC
SHELTER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING RYNERSON PARK
The Public Works Director displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the picnic shelter improvements to the existing Rynerson Park project. She concluded by stating it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council adopt the plans, specifications, and working details for the project; award a contract for the “Picnic Shelter Improvements to the Existing Rynerson Park”, Public Works Contract 2021-03, in the amount of $375,867 to the low bidder Fleming Environmental, and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney; authorize staff to approve a cumulative total of change orders, as necessary not to exceed $75,000; appropriate $238,199 from the reserve for Capital Improvements for the project; authorize staff to purchase park furniture from Dave Bang Associates Inc., as necessary not to exceed $75,000; and authorize construction management, materials testing, and labor compliance services for the project under Willdan Engineering’s on-call agreement in the amount of $96,015.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
VICE MAYOR CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
February 22, 2022
3.2 • ADOPTION OF 2022 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
The Deputy City Manager made a presentation based on the report in the agenda explaining that the Legislative Platform established the work program of the City Council’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee and City staff for the year. He stated it was the recommendation of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee that the City Council adopt the Legislative Platform for 2022.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
COUNCIL MEMBER PE MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY SECONDED TO ADOPT THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR 2022. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Brian Cuaron, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding a vote of no confidence in District Attorney George Gascón, dangerous intersections and street racing in neighborhoods.
Michelle Hamlin, Lakewood, spoke about the quality of education in the Long Beach Unified School District; mask mandates; and homelessness issues. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Wood adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. to Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Lexi Bella Luna, Michael Gilligan and Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicolas Vella.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk