Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
March 14, 2023
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Croft in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Pastor Mary Ann Pickard, Lakewood First United Methodist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Boy Scout Troop 140
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Steve Croft
Vice Mayor Ariel Pe
Council Member Cassandra Chase
Council Member Todd Rogers
Council Member Jeff Wood
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Croft announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of former Lakewood resident and four-time Olympic gold medalist diver Patricia McCormick.
The Mayor commended staff for their hard work and success of the recent Earth Walk event.
He also encouraged residents to submit their nominations for the Lakewood Beautiful program which was accepting nominations through March 29.
Mayor Croft also commented on the recent opening day event for Lakewood Little League which was attended by two team members from the 1960 East Lakewood All-Stars team that won third place in Little League World Series. It was a great event and the little leaguers enjoyed kicking off their season in such a memorable way.
The Mayor announced the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) which had been requested by staff to provide guidance on the amendment of the City’s ordinance regarding ADUs to bring it into compliance with State laws and regulations that had changed over the past year. He appointed Vice Mayor Pe and himself to the committee.
Council Member Chase acknowledged that it was Women’s History Month and a time to celebrate the important role that women have in our society. She recognized the five female council members who served before her as well as the current female commissioners, committee members, school board members and City of Lakewood directors.
Council Member Rogers noted that over 200 new businesses opened in Lakewood in 2022 and he encouraged residents support them.
City Council Minutes
March 14, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS: - Continued
Mayor Croft welcomed Mayra Garza, Bellflower Unified School District (BUSD) Board President, who introduced new BUSD Board Members Amie Stewart and Brad Crihfield.
Ms. Stewart and Mr. Crihfield shared their enthusiasm for serving on the school board, collaborating with the City Council in the future and doing the best job possible for education.
Board President Garza introduced new Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati, who stated he was looking forward to his partnership with Lakewood and working with the City Council on the success of BUSD students. The Mayor welcomed the new Superintendent to the community and congratulated the Board Members on their new roles and presented them with City pins . . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR PE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 9.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held February 28, 2023 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Report of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-5 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-12; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THERE IS A NEED
TO CONTINUE TAKING EMERGENCY ACTION REGARDING THE NEED TO
MAKE REPAIRS TO THE BOLIVAR PARK STORMWATER CAPTURE
BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT
RI-6 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-13; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY
OF LOS ANGELES FOR GENERAL SERVICES
RI-7 Adoption of Revised Senate Bill 998 Policy - Discontinuation of Residential Water Service
RI-8 Approval of General Services Contract for Abatement with HDR Construction, LLC RI-9 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-14; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE DASH
ZERO-EMISSION BUS ROLLOUT PLAN
City Council Minutes
March 14, 2023
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Pe, Chase, Rogers and Croft NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • 2023 ILLEGAL FIREWORKS PUBLIC EDUCATION & ENFORCEMENT PLAN Joshua Yordt, Director of Public Safety, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He summarized the comprehensive plan to suppress illegal fireworks in the City, which included public education with an emphasis on reporting illegal fireworks; proactive patrols in areas with historical illegal fireworks use; and enforcement operations on July 3 and 4. He stated it was recommended that the City Council receive and file the report.
Staff responded to comments and questions from Council Members.
MAYOR CROFT STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE ITEM WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
3.2 • 2022 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Abel Avalos, Director of Community Development, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the General Plan Annual Progress Report. He noted that a significant change during 2022 was that Lakewood’s Housing Element was adopted and certified as being in full compliance with State Housing Element Law. He concluded by stating it was recommended that the City Council receive and file the 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the same to the Department of Housing and Community Development and to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
MAYOR CROFT STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS WERE APPROVED.
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS MOVED AND VICE MAYOR PE SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Pe, Chase, Rogers and Croft NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
March 14, 2023
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Croft adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. to Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Patricia McCormick.
Respectfully submitted,
Isabelle D. Schultz
Assistant City Clerk