AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5000 CLARK AVENUE
LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA
March 8, 2022
ADJOURNED MEETING: 6:00 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-11; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD ROOM
OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD REGARDING THE USE OF FORCE POLICY OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - Staff recommends City Council adopt proposed resolution.
Review of Tree Trimming Contract
CALL TO ORDER 7:30 p.m.
INVOCATION: Reverend Olu Harding, Lakewood First United Methodist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Cub Scout Pack 208
ROLL CALL: Mayor Jeff Wood
Vice Mayor Steve Croft
Council Member Ariel Pe
Council Member Todd Rogers
Council Member Vicki Stuckey
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
ROUTINE ITEMS:
All items listed within this section of the agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion. Any Member of Council may request an item be removed for individual discussion or further explanation. All items removed shall be considered immediately following action on the remaining items.
RI-1 MEETING MINUTES - Staff recommends City Council approve Minutes of the Meetings held February 22, 2022
RI-2 PERSONNEL TRANSACTIONS - Staff recommends City Council approve report of personnel transactions.
RI-3 REGISTERS OF DEMANDS - Staff recommends City Council approve registers of demands.
RI-4 MEETING REPORTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS PURSUANT TO AB1234 - Staff recommends City Council receive and file the report.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a qualified individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the City Council meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office, 5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA, at 562/866-9771, ext. 2200; or at [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting.
Agenda items are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, 5050 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, and are available for public review during regular business hours. Any supplemental material distributed after the posting of the agenda will be made available for public inspection during normal business hours in the City Clerk’s Office. For your convenience, the agenda and the supporting documents are available in an alternate format by request and are also posted on the City’s website at www.lakewoodcity.org City Council Agenda
March 8, 2022
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-5 PERMIT FOR STREET CLOSURE FOR BLOCK PARTY ON SCHROLL STREET - Staff recommends City Council approve permit be issued to responsible applicant authorizing temporary closure at the requested location on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
RI-6 AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF PARK FURNITURE FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NO. 2020-03, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING SAN MARTIN PARK - Staff recommends City Council authorize staff to purchase park furniture from Dave Bang Associates Inc., as necessary not to exceed $40,000.
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTED ITEM:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-12; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AFFIRMING A VOTE OF "NO CONFIDENCE" IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY GEORGE GASCÓN - Staff recommends City Council consider proposed resolution.
REPORTS:
3.1 2022 LAKEWOOD YOUTH HALL OF FAME - Staff recommends City Council receive and file the report.
AGENDA
LAKEWOOD HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY
1. REGISTER OF DEMANDS - Staff recommends Housing Successor Agency approve register of demands.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
ADJOURNMENT
COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Resolution of the City Council on Findings and Recommendations in the Review of the Use of Force Policy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
INTRODUCTION
In June 2020, the City of Lakewood began a review of the Use of Force Policy utilized in Lakewood by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Such a community review is considered a best practice by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.
The city is now ready to conclude the process, with a final review by the City Council of the Findings and Recommendations related to the Use of Force Policy.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
Under the guidance of the council’s Public Safety Committee, the city has now carried out three of the four steps in the Use of Force Policy Review. Those steps are:
1. REVIEW the police use of force policies in our community.
2. ENGAGE our community by including a diverse range of input, experiences and stories in our review.
3. REPORT the findings of our review to our community and seek feedback.
4. REFORM our community’s police use of force policies based on findings.
The final step is number 4 and, because Lakewood is a contract city, would entail the City Council deciding whether to make any recommendations to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department related to the Use of Force Policy. It should be noted that the Use of Force Policy is utilized countywide by the Sheriff’s Department in all of its service areas, and is not a policy of the City of Lakewood.
The Public Safety Committee approved draft Findings and Recommendations on the Use of Force Policy at its October 21, 2021 meeting, and that draft was shared with the full Council shortly afterwards. Per step 3, the draft Findings and Recommendations were then shared with the Lakewood community asking for feedback, starting with an eMagazine on November 17 and including several follow-on eMagazine articles and a Lakewood Community News story on December 1.
Thirty public comments were received by the December 8 deadline. The 30 comments closely mirrored the 60 public comments received in the first round of community feedback carried out in late 2020, including the percentage of comments that were critical or supportive the Use of Force Policy and LASD actions and policies.
Council Agenda
March 8, 2022
The City Attorney recommends that a Resolution be considered by the Council that would adopt the Findings and Recommendations, and that would include the Findings and Recommendations as an attachment. At its February 15, 2022 meeting, the Public Safety Committee approved the Findings and Recommendations and recommended that the Council approve the Resolution. The Findings and Recommendations are identical to the draft previously shared with the public except for minor clerical changes.
If the Council approves, the City Clerk would forward the Resolution and attached Findings and Recommendations to the Sheriff of Los Angeles County.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council approve the Resolution and related Findings and Recommendations on the Use of Force Policy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Thaddeus McCormack
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAKEWOOD REGARDING THE USE OF FORCE POLICY OF
THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby adopts the “Findings and Recommendations” attached hereto as Exhibit A, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase in this Resolution, or any part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections or portions of this Resolution. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase in this Resolution irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ________________, 2022. ___________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
Findings and Recommendations
of the Lakewood City Council
in its Review of the Use of Force Policy
of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Whereas, as part of the City of Lakewood’s ongoing Community Dialogue on race, equity, diversity and inclusion, the city has been conducting a review of the Use of Force Policy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which is the law enforcement agency for the City of Lakewood; and
Whereas, cities around the nation have been conducting such a community review as part of a best-practice recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing;
Whereas, the Use of Force Policy is utilized county-wide by the Sheriff’s Department in all of its service areas, and is not a policy of the City of Lakewood; and Whereas, the City of Lakewood posted on its website the Sheriff’s Department Use of Force Policy and asked for resident input, and 60 residents provided comments in the initial community review process, and 30 residents provided comments in the second community review process; and
Whereas, of the 60 responses received from Lakewood residents in the initial community review of the Use of Force Policy, 12 responses (20% of the total) expressed some type of concern or needed improvement with the Sheriff’s Department’s policy, actions or training. Those areas of concern or needed improvements focused primarily on topics such as: there not being enough emphasis or training on de-escalation techniques, implicit bias, and approaches for safely interacting with people with mental illness or in a mental health crisis; and Whereas, 43 residents (72% of the total) expressed strong support for the existing Use of Force policy, Lakewood deputy sheriffs, the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, and the Sheriff’s Department as a whole, with five residents (8% of the total) providing comments that were more neutral in character; and
Whereas, a similar type and percentage of responses were received by the 30 residents in the second community review; and
Whereas, a committee of the Lakewood City Council carefully reviewed the comments, studied the Use of Force policy, and requested additional information from the Sheriff's Department on the training it provides its personnel in the areas of de-escalation techniques, implicit bias, and approaches for safely interacting with people with mental illness or in a mental health crisis.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Lakewood City Council makes the following findings and makes the following recommendations to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department related to the Use of Force Policy:
The Lakewood City Council finds that:
1. There is a high degree of positive feedback from a large percentage of Lakewood residents about the performance of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station and its deputy sheriff personnel, with which the Lakewood City Council concurs, and the City Council is very supportive of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station personnel’s continued efforts to make Lakewood a safe community for all; and
2. The Sheriff’s Department is to be commended for posting its Use of Force Policy and related materials as well as a host of other policies, reports and documents on its website at https://lasd.org/transparency/; and
3. The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station was in the first wave of Sheriff’s Stations to receive bodyworn video cameras for its deputies, and the City Council is impressed with reports from the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station’s captain that the cameras have led to improved feedback to deputies on performance, with resulting improved training, and that the implementation of the cameras has correlated with a reduction in service complaints from the public; and
4. Within the limits of their scope, the Council and its Public Safety Committee performed their own review of the Use of Force Policy and find the policy to be very reasonable and very professionally based, and the Council and Committee also find that Sheriff’s Department personnel receive an extensive amount of training, including training above the national average in important areas such as implicit bias.
The Lakewood City Council recommends that:
1. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continue to look for ways to enhance the training provided to deputy sheriffs in the important areas of de-escalation, implicit bias, and safe interactions with those suffering from mental illness or mental crisis. The City Council believes that continually improving training and performance in these key areas is vital for maintaining and enhancing the community-wide public trust that is so essential for effective public safety; and
2. The Sheriff’s Department and the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station continue to look for ways to positively utilize the body-worn cameras and improve the feedback that deputies receive on their performance from the cameras.
RI-1
Routine Item 1 – City Council Minutes
will be available prior to the meeting.
RI-2
COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Report of Personnel Transactions
Effective
Name Title Schedule Date
1. FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
A. Appointments
None
B. Changes
None
C. Separations
None
2. PART-TIME EMPLOYEES
A. Appointments
Brian Morrison Maintenance Services Aide III B 02/22/2022 B. Changes
Noah Jones CATV Production Assistant A to 03/06/2022
Center Event Specialist B
C. Separations
None
Thaddeus McCormack
City Manager
CITY OF LAKEWOOD
SUMMARY ACH/WIRE REGISTER FEB 2022
ACH date Amount Recipient Purpose Period
2/4/22 $12,501.35 Project Shepherd Online Contributions Apr-Jun & Oct-Dec 2021 2/4/22 $844.80 LEF Online Donations Oct-Dec 2021
2/4/22 $2,482.30 Meals on Wheels Online Donations Oct-Dec 2021 2/4/22 $112,037.10 CalPERS Employee Medical Premiums Feb 2022 2/4/22 $105,051.78 CalPERS Payroll - Retirement Plan Jan 9-22, 2022 2/9/22 $99,686.92 IRS via F&M Payroll - Federal Taxes Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/10/22 $3,530.00 F&A Fed C/U Payroll - Employee Deposits Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/10/22 $6,200.00 Southland C/U Payroll - Employee Deposits Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/10/22 $27,714.13 EDD Payroll - State taxes Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/10/22 $105,489.75 CalPERS Payroll - Retirement Plan Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/11/22 $2,498.31 MidAmerica Retiree Medical Benefit Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/11/22 $13,060.24 VOYA Payroll -Deferred Compensation Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/11/22 $3,425.00 PARS via U.S. Bank Payroll - Retirement Plan Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/11/22 $5,013.24 PARS via U.S. Bank Payroll - Retirement Plan Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/11/22 $31,155.70 VOYA Payroll - Deferred Compensation Jan 23-Feb 5, 2022 2/16/22 $26,132.65 MidAmerica Retiree Medical Benefit Feb 2022 2/23/22 $99,108.18 IRS via F&M Payroll - Federal Taxes Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $61,127.55 City Light & Power Street Lighting Services Feb 2022 2/24/22 $3,530.00 F&A Fed C/U Payroll - Employee Deposits Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $6,200.00 Southland C/U Payroll - Employee Deposits Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $27,602.46 EDD Payroll - State taxes Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $2,746.35 MidAmerica Retiree Medical Benefit Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $12,486.42 VOYA Payroll -Deferred Compensation Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $8,447.58 PARS via U.S. Bank Payroll - Retirement Plan Feb 6-19, 2022 2/24/22 $30,854.70 VOYA Payroll - Deferred Compensation Feb 6-19, 2022 2/25/22 $2,000.00 LCEA Employee paid dues Feb 2022
2/25/22 $106,353.32 CalPERS Payroll - Retirement Plan Feb 6-19, 2022 Council Approval
Date City Manager
Attest:
City Clerk Director of Finance & Administrative Services
RI-4
COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: California Contract Cities Association Annual Legislative Tour Summary
INTRODUCTION
As a founding member of the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA), the City of Lakewood participates in their annual Legislative Tour, whose primary objective is to advocate state representatives on legislative issues of importance of the Association and its 75 member cities. The meeting took place on March 2-4, 2022, in Sacramento. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1234, this report provides an update on the advocacy activities that Lakewood officials participated in during the tour.
STATEMENT OF FACT
Mayor Jeff Wood (who also serves on the CCCA Executive Board), Council Member Ariel Pe, Council Member Vicki Stuckey, City Manager Thaddeus McCormack and Deputy City Manager Paolo Beltran attended the Legislative Tour. On the first full day, Lakewood officials attended a CCCA-organized press conference on catalytic converter thefts and street racing. Officials also attended panels hosted by several legislators on a wide range of issues, including public safety, homelessness, climate change, the state budget, among others. Legislators that hosted the panels include Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell, Senator Bob Archuleta, Assembly Member Mike Gipson, Senator Steven Bradford, Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo and Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi. Speaker Anthony Rendon provided keynote remarks. In the afternoon, Lakewood officials attended a meeting with Senator Lena Gonzalez, whose 33rd Senate District includes Lakewood.
On the second day of meetings, officials attended an Assembly Floor session. Lakewood officials met with Speaker Rendon, whose 63rd Assembly District includes Lakewood. On the meetings with Senator Gonzalez and Speaker Rendon, city officials reiterated the city’s concerns related to the following:
· Public safety and the spate of smash and grab property crime incidents, and the need to look at the unintended consequences of Assembly Bill 109, Propositions 47 and 57 and the current legislative proposals amending some or all of the provisions; · The current Housing Element approval process by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The City has been fully compliant with meeting required statutory deadlines but the City is concerned with HCD’s review process and how it affects timelines.
· And other issues such as homelessness, housing, and transportation.
Council Agenda
March 8, 2022
In conclusion, the advocacy trip served to inform Sacramento of the issues that are most important to CCCA and its member cities, including Lakewood. This trip also helps reinforce the city’s legislative platform, which guides the city’s advocacy efforts for 2022.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council receive and file this report.
Paolo Beltran Thaddeus McCormack
Deputy City Manager City Manager
RI-5
COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Application for Street Closure (Block Party)
INTRODUCTION
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2008-5, establishing rules and regulations pertaining to the temporary closing of local City streets. The resolution was adopted pursuant to provisions of the Vehicle Code authorizing the City Council to adopt rules and regulations for the temporary closing of a portion of the street for celebrations or special events when the City Council finds such closing necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.
STATEMENT OF FACT
The City Clerk's Office was contacted by a resident, Jason Fronke, with a request to hold a block party at 7075-7080 Schroll Street, including adjacent 4100-4124 Stevely Avenue and 7068 McManus Street, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022. A copy of the resolution outlining the rules and regulations pertaining to the temporary closure of local City streets was given to the applicant, together with the formsfor obtaining signatures of all residents within the area to be closed (map attached).
The staff of the Public Works Department has reviewed the map and canvassed the area of proposed closure for traffic safety conditions. They will provide a determination regarding the appropriate types and placement of barricades and warning devices to be utilized at the location.
Should the Council approve the request for temporary street closure, the Public Works Department will arrange for the placement and removal of the barricades for the event. Notification of said closure will be provided to the Sheriff's Station and the appropriate Fire Station.
SUMMARY
A resident has complied with all the necessary requirements to obtain a street closure permit for a block party to be held on April 2, 2022. Such closing would provide a measure of safety and protection for persons who are to use a portion of the street during the temporary closure.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that a permit be issued to the responsible applicant, Jason Fronke, authorizing temporary closure at 7075-7080 Schroll Street, including adjacent 4100-4124 Stevely Avenue and 7068 McManus Street, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.
Thaddeus McCormack
City Manager
7076
7080
4100
4106
7075 4110
4114
7068 4120
4124
REDLINE
HARVEY
ST
EV
E
LY
CARSON
SCHROLL
MC MANUS
LOS COYOTES DIAGONAL
SAN
GAB
RIEL
RIVE
R
LOS COYOTES DIAGONAL
LOS COYOTES DIAGONAL
BLOCK PARTY
APRIL 2, 2022
12 P.M. - P.M.
7075-7080 SCHROLL ST, 4100-4124 STEVELY AVE
& 7068 MC MANUS
6 BARRICADES
8 DELINEATORS
2 FULL CLOSURE POINT "ROAD CLOSED" SIGN
1 "NO RIGHT TURN" SIGN
0 "NO LEFT TURN" SIGN
1 ADVANCED WARNING "ROAD CLOSED AHEAD" SIGNS
RI-6
COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Authorize Purchase of Park Furniture for Public Works Project No. 2020-03 Improvements to the Existing San Martin Park
INTRODUCTION
Staff needs authorization for the purchase of park furniture for San Martin Park.
STATEMENT OF FACT
New picnic tables, concrete barbeques, trash cans, and prep tables will be required to be purchased to furnish the new picnic shelters at San Martin. The bulk of the furniture will be purchased through Dave Bang & Associates Inc., who is the dealer for our park furniture standard Wabash. Dave Bang utilizes purchasing coop pricing through their Colton Joint Bid discount. Staff needs authorization to purchase the park furniture from Dave Bang as part of the Improvements to the Existing San Martin Park project. There are adequate funds in the project account for this purchase.
SUMMARY
Staff recommends authorizing the purchase not-to-exceed $40,000 in park furniture, fixtures, and equipment from Dave Bang and Associates.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
(1) Authorize staff to purchase park furniture from Dave Bang Associates Inc., as necessary not to exceed $40,000.
Lisa Ann Rapp Thaddeus McCormack
Director of Public Works City Manager
COUNCIL MEMBER REQ.
COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Resolution of the City Council affirming a vote of “No Confidence” in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón
INTRODUCTION
The City Council has written three times over the past year to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, and Council Members have met with him and his leadership staff on multiple occasions to express concerns about the impact on public safety in Lakewood and Los Angeles County from his criminal justice policies and his leadership of the District Attorney’s Office. At the council’s February 22 meeting, Council Member Todd Rogers requested that staff return to the March 8 meeting with a resolution for council consideration affirming a vote of “No Confidence” in District Attorney Gascón.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
The City of Lakewood has witnessed a disturbing trend in the criminal justice system in the 15 months of George Gascón’s leadership of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with the D.A.’s Office now declining to prosecute suspects in a large number of misdemeanor criminal cases that have a direct effect on the quality of life in Lakewood and other communities.
District Attorney Gascón has also ordered the D.A.’s Office to ignore state law that requires prosecutors to seek sentencing enhancements if certain criteria are met in serious felony cases, such as a suspect using a gun and causing severe injury during the commission of a crime. District Attorney Gascón has also ordered the D.A.’s Office to no longer represent victims during probation and parole violation hearings.
The misdemeanor cases in Lakewood referred by the Sheriff’s Department to the D.A.’s Office that District Attorney Gascón has declined to prosecute include disturbing and brazen criminal activity such as: vehicle theft and shoplifting while on probation, assisting a co-defendant with escape after a firearm was discarded, and a convicted felon illegally in possession of a weapon.
The City Council has written to District Attorney Gascón three times, starting in early 2021, and has met with him and his leadership staff on multiple occasions to explain the Council’s concerns for the impact of his policies and to hear his thoughts and rationale for his policies.
The District Attorney’s new policies include routinely not prosecuting, but instead referring many misdemeanor criminal suspects to diversion programs in hopes that the suspects will not commit new crimes within a 12-month period.
Council Agenda
March 8, 2022
The District Attorney’s leadership staff has acknowledged that only a small number of these suspects not prosecuted in a sample of Lakewood-related criminal cases have “succeeded” in not being re-arrested for another offense, and that a disturbingly high number of these suspects have instead committed new crimes or failed their diversion program within a short period of time, thereby unnecessarily victimizing additional residents of our community.
Ninety-eight percent of the D.A. Office career Deputy District Attorneys recently voted “No Confidence” in District Attorney Gascón’s policies and leadership, and District Attorney Gascón declined to speak to a meeting of Deputy District Attorneys before the vote.
Despite the questions and concerns raised by the city and the extensive criticism from other quarters, District Attorney Gascón has not modified his policies substantively, save for one narrow exception he recently made to a policy related to trying youth as adults in extraordinary circumstances.
The city councils of 33 cities in Los Angeles County have now voted “No Confidence” in District Attorney Gascón’s policies and leadership, including the neighboring cities of Cerritos, La Mirada, Norwalk and Whittier.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the council consider the proposed resolution affirming a vote of “No Confidence” in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
Thaddeus McCormack
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAKEWOOD AFFIRMING A VOTE OF "NO CONFIDENCE"
IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY GEORGE
GASCÓN.
Whereas, the City of Lakewood prides itself in being a family-oriented, diverse community made up of residents of varying ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who share a common desire to live in a peaceful community with low crime rates and a respect for everyone under the law; and
Whereas, the City of Lakewood has witnessed a disturbing trend in the criminal justice system in the 15 months of George Gascón’s leadership of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with the D.A.’s Office now declining to prosecute suspects in a large number of misdemeanor criminal cases that have a direct effect on the quality of life in Lakewood and other communities; and
Whereas, District Attorney Gascón has also ordered the D.A.’s Office to ignore state law that requires prosecutors to seek sentencing enhancements if certain criteria are met in serious felony cases, such as a suspect using a gun and causing severe injury during the commission of a crime; and
Whereas, District Attorney Gascón has also ordered the D.A.’s Office to no longer represent victims during probation and parole violation hearings; and Whereas, the misdemeanor cases in Lakewood that District Attorney Gascón has declined to prosecute include disturbing and brazen criminal activity such as vehicle theft and shoplifting while on probation, assisting a co-defendant with escape after a firearm was discarded, and a convicted felon illegally in possession of a weapon, to unfortunately name just a few; and
Whereas, the Lakewood City Council has written to District Attorney Gascón three times starting in early 2021 and met with him and his leadership staff on multiple occasions over the past year to explain our concerns for the impact of his policies and to hear his thoughts and rationale for his policies; and
Whereas, the District Attorney’s new policies include routinely not prosecuting, but instead referring many misdemeanor criminal suspects to diversion programs in hopes that the suspects will not commit additional crimes within a 12-month period, thus effectively giving criminal suspects a “free first pass” for criminal activity; and Resolution No. 2022-12
Whereas, the District Attorney’s leadership staff has acknowledged that only a small number of these suspects not prosecuted in a sample of Lakewood-related criminal cases have “succeeded” in not being re-arrested for another offense, and that a disturbingly high number of these suspects have instead recommitted crimes or failed their diversion program within a short period of time, thereby unnecessarily victimizing additional residents of our community and thereby supporting the view that the District Attorney’s policies amount to “giving a free pass” and that not prosecuting people for a wide range of misdemeanor criminal actions is not working; and
Whereas, an astonishing 98% of the D.A. Office career Deputy District Attorneys recently voted “No Confidence” in District Attorney Gascón’s policies and leadership, and District Attorney Gascón surprisingly declined to even speak to a meeting of Deputy District Attorneys before the vote; and
Whereas, the city councils of 33 cities in Los Angeles County have now voted “No Confidence” in District Attorney Gascón’s policies and leadership; and Whereas, the Lakewood City Council has approached this issue carefully and judiciously, having rational and reasonable dialogue with District Attorney Gascón and his leadership staff, and we have now regrettably reached the conclusion that District Attorney Gascón is not open to substantively changing or modifying his policies, despite one recent exception he made to one policy, which was not a broader change to the full range of his policies; and Whereas, we believe that District Attorney Gascón’s policies have now been shown to be detrimental to public safety in Lakewood and Los Angeles County, and also detrimental to the goal, which we share, of rehabilitating people away from criminal activity, as shown by the high failure rate of District Attorney Gascsón’s policy of not holding people accountable for their criminal acts; and
Whereas, the Lakewood City Council supports intervention, prevention, diversion and rehabilitation but that does not preclude the need, which we also support, for constitutionally sound law enforcement; and
Whereas, it is an essential role of government to protect those who live, work and visit in our community, and the criminal justice system must work to protect the innocent and ensure justice for victims;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Lakewood affirms a vote of no confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and his policies and hereby directs staff to Resolution No. 2022-12
transmit said resolution to applicable and interested offices and organizations.
Section 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and is directed to forward a copy hereof to the Office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 8th day of March, 2022.
____________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
City Clerk
3.1 COUNCIL AGENDA
March 8, 2022
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: 2022 Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame
INTRODUCTION
The 40th Annual Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Thursday, March 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at The Centre. The annual program recognizes the athletic achievements of high school and collegiate athletes who live in Lakewood or attend school in Lakewood. Awards will be presented for Performer of the Year in each sport, various Special Achievement awards, including Scholar Athlete of the Year, and the highlight of the event, the crowning of the CoAthletes of the Year. The Hall of Fame Board of Electors convened Thursday, February 3, 2022, to select the 2021 Athlete of the Year and honors for other athletes and coaches.
STATEMENT OF FACT
The Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame event is a prime example of combining the resources and efforts of public, private and non-profit organizations for a community sports recognition program.
The program is sponsored primarily by the City of Lakewood and Piazza Family McDonald’s Restaurants. More than a dozen other local businesses and service organizations such as the Rotary Club of Lakewood, and Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach participate as additional sponsors.
Each year, representatives from Lakewood-based high schools and area colleges, as well as members of the community, are invited to submit nominations and detailed information on athletes’ achievements for the consideration of awards. The selection of awards is done by a volunteer panel of community members and school administrators. In addition to Athlete of the Year, the Board of Electors considers nominees for Performer of the Year in 18 sports and seven additional Special Achievement categories. Every year, new honorees are added to the display at the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame gallery located in the Piazza Family McDonald’s restaurant on Woodruff Avenue. In addition to being immortalized in the Hall of Fame at the McDonald’s restaurant, state and local elected officials recognize the honorees with certificates of commendation for their accomplishments.
The pandemic altered the 2021 high school sports calendar, creating two distinct sports seasons of athletes to be recognized. Four (4) Athletes of the Year were selected at the annual Board of Electors meeting. The recipients selected for the Athlete of the Year recognition in 2021, sports season #1 are Arianna Jalomo, of Saint Joseph High School and Kassandra Murguia of Artesia High School. For 2021, sports season #2, the Athletes of the Year are Nick Adimora of Mayfair High School and Laura Williams of Lakewood High School. 2022 Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame
March 8, 2022
In recognition of the 40th annual Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame program, a commemorative 40th year logo was commissioned and is showcased on all marketing materials. The logo will also be prominently displayed at the awards banquet on Thursday, March 31. Further recognition of this milestone, includes the distribution of a commemorative pen to all award recipients and a reusable sports bottle to all guests in attendance.
SUMMARY
On Thursday, March 31, 2022, the 40th Annual Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame Banquet will be held at The Centre honoring young Lakewood athletes for notable achievements in sports seasons concluding in the 2021 calendar year. In total, 14 Performers of the Year, 19 Distinguished Nominees, 16 Special Achievements and League Champions will be recognized. It is anticipated that this year’s banquet will draw more than 400 members of the community to recognize the inductees for 2021. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Banquet are on sale for $43 for adults and $33 for students through March 24.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file this report.
Valarie Frost, Director Thaddeus McCormack
Recreation and Community Services City Manager