Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
October 10, 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 Father John Woolway, Saint Pancratius Catholic Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 134
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Ariel Pe
Vice Mayor Todd Rogers
Council Member Cassandra Chase
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Jeff Wood
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Pe announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of the victims killed in the recent terrorist attacks in Israel. He announced that on October 23rd, the City would be holding the next public roundtable discussion on race, equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI) at the Youth Center in Del Valle Park. He also stated that the City joined communities around the nation in honoring Disability Awareness Month as well as Filipino American History Month in October.
Council Member Wood stated that the Long Beach Unified School District had named Lakewood High School’s Thomas McNamee as Teacher of the Year.
Mayor Pe introduced Mario Vargas, President-elect, of the Rotary Club of Lakewood, who made a brief presentation regarding Project Shepherd.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 6.
RI-1 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-2 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-3 Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Funding Agreement with Metro - Lakewood Boulevard Regional Corridor Capacity Enhancement Project City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-4 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-65; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD RESCINDING A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS DESIGNATED PARKING SPACE
WITHIN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD
RI-5 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for PW Project No. 2023-6, Carpet Replacement Improvements to the Existing Centre
RI-6 Approval of Special Event Permit for Public Display of Fireworks - Lakewood High School
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7;
REGARDING BIRD FEEDERS
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, advised that a presentation on the proposed ordinance had been made at the City Council’s previous meeting and the ordinance was presented for second reading and adoption at this time.
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
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • UPDATE ON LEGAL ACTION REGARDING ZERO BAIL POLICY City Manager Thaddeus McCormack made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and provided an update on the legal action regarding zero bail policy, which took effect on October 1, 2023, for all criminal courts in Los Angeles County. He stated that under the new schedule, suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors would be immediately released without bail. The list of non-violent crimes was extensive and included theft, vandalism, drug sales, forgery, false imprisonment, burglaries, and shoplifting. It was staff’s recommendation that the City Council receive and file the report.
City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
3.1 • UPDATE ON LEGAL ACTION REGARDING ZERO BAIL POLICY - Continued Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
MAYOR PE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
3.2 • AUTHORIZATION OF PURCHASE OF SUPER ULTRA-LOW EMISSION AND
SERVICE BODY VEHICLES
Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the purchase of super ultra-low emission and service body vehicles. She concluded by stating it was recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase eleven (11) Chevy Equinoxes in the amount of $350,000, provided there were at least three informal/formal bids or be able to piggy-back on a cooperative purchasing contract that was awarded by another government agency through a competitive bidding process; authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase five (5) service body trucks in the amount of $353,000, provided there were at least three informal/formal bids or that the City could piggy-back on a cooperative purchasing contract awarded by another government agency through a competitive bidding process; and approve an additional 15% to the replacement cost of each vehicle on the equipment replacement list for FY 2023-2024 in view of inflation and the volatility of material prices.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.3 • MEASURE L CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING #7 UPDATE Paolo Beltran, Deputy City Manager, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and explained that Measure L included a requirement that an advisory committee be created to review, on a semi-annual basis, the City’s expenditure and revenues generated by the measure. The Committee held its third meeting on September 27, 2023, and received a report from City staff regarding the mid-cycle budget update that was adopted by the City Council in June. Staff also reported on the status of capital improvement projects that were made possible by funds from Measure L. The recently adopted Vision, Mission and Values statements were also presented to the committee. He stated it was recommended that the City Council receive and file the report.
MAYOR PE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
City Council Minutes
October 10, 2023
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding oil cleanup, hazardous waste, transit routes and stops, driveway clearance, speed limits and emergency response times.
Sheri Perales, Lakewood, expressed gratitude for the City’s handling of unlawful residents and requested patrol surveillance.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. to Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims killed in the recent terrorist attacks in Israel.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk