Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
March 22, 2022
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Wood in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Reverend Tamara John, Christ Presbyterian Church Lakewood PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Girl Scout Troop 2993
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 meeting would be adjourned in memory of Sam Sachs, who was a World War II D-Day veteran of the Army and a former Lakewood resident.
Council Member Rogers and Council Member Pe shared memories and stated what an honor it had been for the community to have celebrated his 105th birthday with him.
Mayor Wood announced that with the relaxation of COVID health restrictions, the Recreation and Community Services Department was organizing many enjoyable activities for youth and families suggesting that residents visit the City’s new website to explore the various upcoming events.
Council Member Pe reported that the Park Development Committee had met recently and expressed gratitude to staff for their presentation at the meeting. He also stated that he had the pleasure of catching the first pitch from Council Member Rogers at the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce’s opening night of softball. . . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 5, 7 AND 9 THROUGH 14.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held March 8, 2022 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
City Council Minutes
March 22, 2022
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Report of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-5 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - February 2022 RI-7 Authorize Engineering Services – Update of Sewer System Master Plan RI-9 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-14; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ADOPTING A REVISED PURCHASING POLICY
RI-10 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-15; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING DISABLED PERSON DESIGNATED
PARKING ON THE EAST SIDE OF ALBURTIS AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF
LAKEWOOD
RI-11 Approval of Purchase of Avid Nexis Editing Servers RI-12 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-16; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD APPOINTING A MEMBER AND ALTERNATE(S) TO
THE LOS ANGELES GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER
MANAGEMENT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD
RI-13 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for Public Works Contract 2021-9; Well 13A Water Treatment Plant Installation (Phase 1), JR Filanc Construction Company, Inc.
RI-14 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for Public Works Contract 2021-1; Traffic Signal Modification on Lakewood Blvd at Hardwick, Belco Elecnor Electric, Inc.
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-6 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-13; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD EXTENDING A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS
Michelle Hamlin, Lakewood, spoke regarding ending the extension to the emergency.
RI-8 Approval of Agreement for 2022 Civic Center Block Party Attractions and Games Ms. Hamlin expressed support for the Civic Center Block Party event.
City Council Minutes
March 22, 2022
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack explained that the purpose of extending the local emergency due to the COVID-19 virus was to maintain the opportunity for available funding.
VICE MAYOR CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 6 AND 8. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • UPDATED TREE-RELATED SERVICES
a) AGREEMENT WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS, INC. FOR TREE TRIMMING
AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
b) UPDATE TO LAKEWOOD’S MASTER TREE LIST AND TREE PLANTING PLAN Kelli Tunnicliff, Deputy Director of Public Works, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the tree trimming and maintenance services agreement with West Coast Arborists and provided an update to the Master Tree List and Tree Planting Plan. She concluded by stating that staff recommended the City Council approve an Agreement for Tree Maintenance Services with West Coast Arborists, Inc. and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney and adopt the updated Master Tree List and Tree Planting Plan dated March 22, 2022.
Staff responded to questions from Council Members.
VICE MAYOR CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER PE 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
. . .
3.2 • UNFUNDED ACCRUED LIABILITY FUNDING POLICY
Jose Gomez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He introduced Suzanne Harrell, Managing Director of Harrell and Company, who discussed Lakewood’s prudent approach to long term obligations; the CalPERS and PARS plans; the purpose and objectives of the unfunded accrued liability funding policy; and Pension Section 115 Trust. Mr. Gomez provided some background regarding the current Governmental Fund Balance Policy and summarized the recent Audit Committee review of the proposed policy. He stated it was recommended that the City Council adopt Unfunded Accrued Liability Funding Policy and revised Governmental Fund Balance Policy.
City Council Minutes
March 22, 2022
3.2 • UNFUNDED ACCRUED LIABILITY FUNDING POLICY - Continued Staff responded to questions from Council Members.
COUNCIL MEMBER STUCKEY MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER PE 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
. . .
3.3 • PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF
COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN
Thaddeus McCormack, City Manager, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and reported on the recent uptick of high profile property crimes, of which Lakewood had not been immune. He added that while crime data for Lakewood had shown a decrease of property crimes in 2021 and thus far in 2022, the heightened sensationalism and arbitrary nature of these types of crime were of concern to the community. He stated that the Public Safety Committee had met on March 17th to discuss and develop a community safety plan.
Staff recommended that the Council review and approve the recommendations of the Public Safety Committee, make the requisite appropriation and provide appropriate direction to staff.
Council Member Rogers expressed appreciation to those advocating for legislation dealing with catalytic converter thefts and not allowing recyclers to purchase them without identifying information. He suggested that the City explore consideration of an ordinance regarding unlawful possession of catalytic converters. He provided comments pertaining to the prosecution of misdemeanor crimes, homeless outreach and street racing.
The Council Members expressed gratitude to the Public Safety Committee for their efforts in developing thoughtful and strategic options.
Ms. Hamlin spoke regarding crime statistics, community involvement, Prop 47 and body worn cameras.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION WITH THE ADDITION OF THE
SUGGESTED ORDINANCE REGARDING UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft, Pe, Rogers, Stuckey and Wood NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
In response to Ms. Hamlin’s comments, Vice Mayor Croft remarked that the City Council had been and continued to be very active in attempts to overturn some of the propositions that had been put in place that had negative impacts.
City Council Minutes
March 22, 2022
3.4 • VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda highlighting that April was recognized as National Volunteer Month, and the Recreation and Community Services Department was celebrating the hard work of Lakewood’s volunteers by offering several events to both celebrate and encourage volunteerism. She stated that staff recommended the City Council receive and file the Volunteer Appreciation Month Program Update.
Vice Mayor Croft acknowledged long time volunteers, Linda and Dale Manis, who were in attendance.
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Registers of Demands
VICE MAYOR CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER PE 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: None
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Wood adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Sam Sachs.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk