Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
September 26, 2023
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pe in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Pastor Candace Kelly of Acts Community Bible Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Pack 75
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Ariel Pe
Vice Mayor Todd Rogers
Council Member Cassandra Chase
Council Member Jeff Wood
ABSENT: Council Member Steve Croft (excused)
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Pe announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer who was tragically shot on patrol in Palmdale.
The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, extended deep appreciation to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Lakewood Mall Security and Public Safety Department staff for their teamwork over the past weekend to protect the mall and prevent a mob of youths from swarming the shopping center to shoplift and film their actions for social media notoriety.
Mayor Pe introduced L.A. County Youth Climate Commissioner Mayra Catalán-Orozco who displayed slides and gave a presentation about the commission, which included that youth advocated for the creation of the commission and that results from a youth survey would direct the commission’s actions in 2024. She encouraged youth to participate in the survey.
The Mayor announced that September was declared Service Club Recognition Month as a way to honor and appreciate all of Lakewood’s service organizations that contributed to civic life and he encouraged residents to consider volunteering. He noted that there were representatives from various service clubs and organizations in the audience and he presented each with a proclamation for Service Club Recognition Month. Mayor Pe added that September was also National Preparedness Month and emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness.
Council Member Chase thanked Commissioner Catalán-Orozco for her presentation and the service clubs in attendance for the great work that they did for Lakewood. She added that Lakewood offered many free or low cost resources for children to be active in and encouraged participation in these positive activities. She reminded residents that the City had an agreement with Care Solace to provide free mental health services to those in need. She announced that City Council Minutes
September 26, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS: - Continued
Mayor Pe, city staff and she had recently attended the League of California Cities conference and that it was a great opportunity to learn how to improve the community.
Vice Mayor Rogers extended his appreciation to all who protected Lakewood Mall and shared his disappointment that children would commit crimes for a chance to go viral online. He noted that incidents would continue until violators of the law faced more accountability.
Council Member Wood also thanked LASD, mall security and staff for their combined efforts to prevent the youth mob and suggested restitution for the incident. He also announced that Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board would be hosting a job fair on October 20 in nearby Downey.
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ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 7.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meeting held August 8, 2023 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Report of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-5 Approval of Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-6 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - August 2023 RI-7 Approval of Agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for Water Rate Study UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Chase, Rogers and Pe
NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft
. . .
2.1 • INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7; REGARDING BIRD FEEDERS Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, clarified that the recommended action for the proposed ordinance was introduction, not adoption as inadvertently stated on the agenda recommendation.
Director of Community Development Abel Avalos made a presentation based on the report in the agenda to clarify that hummingbird and backyard bird feeders were not banned in Lakewood.
City Council Minutes
September 26, 2023
2.1 • INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7; BIRD FEEDERS - Continued Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AMENDING SECTION 4328 OF THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING BIRD FEEDERS was read by title by the Assistant City Clerk.
Alan Gafford, Long Beach, addressed the City Council regarding bird types and enforcement.
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO WAIVE FURTHER READING AND INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Chase, Rogers and Pe
NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft
. . .
3.1 • FEST-OF-ALL PREVIEW
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the Fest-Of-All event to be held at Lakewood Center on Saturday, October 14th. She highlighted various event components including a multicultural food court; family fun zone; entertainment at a concert stage and a cultural stage; craft village; community display booths; children’s cultural booth; art and poetry showcase; and Passport Around the World to encourage visits to every community booth.
MAYOR PE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE ITEM WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
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3.2 • REVISED AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE SECURITY PATROLS
Public Safety Director Joshua Yordt made a presentation based on the report in the agenda stating that the private security patrols were part of the Neighborhood Safety Enhancement Plan and they had proved to be effective based on crime trends staying relatively flat while other cities experienced significant increases during the first four months of deployment. He stated that staff recommended the City Council approve the revised agreement with Southwest Patrol, Inc. for private security patrol to increase the number of security guards to four (4) effective September 27, 2023, and authorize the City Manager to sign the revised agreement in a form as approved by the City Attorney.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
Alan Gafford, Long Beach, shared his opinions about the security patrols.
City Council Minutes
September 26, 2023
3.2 • REVISED AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE SECURITY PATROLS - Continued
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Chase, Rogers and Pe
NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Chase, Rogers and Pe
NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Croft
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Jeffrey Abadilla; Kevin Lopez; and Robert Cronkleton, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding recent incidents in their neighborhood.
Bert Johnson, Jr., Lakewood, thanked the City Council and Lakewood residents for their well wishes during his recent medical procedure.
Alan Gafford, Long Beach, spoke regarding victims of crime. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. to Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer.
Respectfully submitted,
Isabelle D. Schultz
Assistant City Clerk