Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
November 14, 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 Andrew Chung, St. Pancratius Catholic Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 67
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 four Sheriff’s Department personnel and retirees who died the previous Monday. He reminded residents to take advantage of the mental health resources available such as Care Solace, a mental health coordination group.
The Mayor noted that the time of year was approaching when many Lakewood residents of different faiths would be celebrating some of their holiest days and offered good wishes to those observing the various upcoming holidays.
He added that he had signed proclamations on behalf of the City Council commemorating November as Native American Heritage Month and Diabetic Alert Dog Awareness Month.
Mayor Pe introduced Lakewood resident, Pamela Jesse, who spoke regarding raising awareness and increasing understanding and acceptance of individuals with diabetes and their service dogs.
The Mayor introduced Zechariah Jauregui, field representative for U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Steel, who had recognized Lakewood resident Victor Thompson as a 2023 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) of Distinction. Mr. Thompson played a ukulele and sang a Hawaiian song. Mr. Jauregui encouraged residents to contact Congresswoman Steel’s local field office for information and assistance regarding issues or concerns with Federal agencies.
. . .
City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 8.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held June 27, July 11, September 26, October 10, and October 24, 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 Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - October 2023 RI-6 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-69; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ADDING A JOB CLASSIFICATION TO SCHEDULE B OF RESOLUTION NO. 2023-33 PERTAINING TO HOURLY-RATED PART-TIME
EMPLOYEES AND ENACTING A PERSONNEL RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING
THE COMPENSATION, RULES AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO
HOURLY-RATED PART-TIME EMPLOYEES
RI-7 Authorizing Consulting Services with Ardurra Group for Palms Community Center Improvements
RI-8 Authorizing Purchase of Horse Feed and Shavings for Lakewood Equestrian Center UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • ESTABLISH A GENERAL FUND BALANCE RESERVE CATEGORY -
LEGAL FEES CONTINGENCY FUND
Finance and Administrative Services Director Jose Gomez made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to a contingency fund for legal fees. He stated it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council formally establish a Legal Fees Contingency Fund in the amount of $1.3 million within the General Fund Assigned Fund Balance category to be reflected in the FY 2022-23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO ESTABLISH A LEGAL FEES CONTINGENCY FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.3
MILLION WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND ASSIGNED FUND BALANCE CATEGORY TO BE REFLECTED IN THE FY 2022-23 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT.
City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
3.1 • LEGAL FEES CONTINGENCY FUND - Continued
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR HVAC AND REFRIGERATION
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES WITH SOUTHLAND INDUSTRIES Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding a contract service provider for HVAC system maintenance and repair. She concluded by stating that staff recommended that the City Council approve the HVAC and Refrigeration maintenance service agreement with Southland Industries for a one-year period ending November 14, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per year, and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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 • HOLIDAY RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She highlighted the various holiday activities including the annual tree lighting ceremony; older adult and seniors celebrating the holidays; Pathways Light Up a Life; winter holiday community events and activities; holiday fun for Special Olympians and adaptive recreation participants; and Project Shepherd holiday distribution. She outlined the holiday programs and park hours of operations and concluded by stating that the Recreation and Community Services Department would end 2023 with a variety of activities for all residents and that the activities would provide opportunities to celebrate the holiday season and prepare for the new year, in a safe manner with loved ones. . . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS.
City Council Minutes
November 14, 2023
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS - Continued
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Carol Brown, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding the exercise program and trees at the Weingart Senior Center.
Ben Chavez, Lakewood, stated concerns about speeding vehicles and traffic safety in the neighborhood.
Vanessa Horton, Lakewood, and Rudy Dias, Lakewood, spoke regarding rent stabilization in the mobile home community.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. to Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the Activity Room at Burns Community Center. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the four Sheriff’s Department personnel and retirees who died on the previous Monday.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk