Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
December 12, 2023
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:33 p.m. by Mayor Pe 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 Council Member Steve Croft 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 former longtime Public Works Director, Lisa Rapp, who recently passed away. He expressed condolences to Ms. Rapp’s many friends and former colleagues, to her husband Richard and their two sons.
The Mayor stated he was honored to have served as the Master of Ceremonies for Pathways annual Light Up A Life event held on the previous evening at the Civic Center, where dozens of Lakewood residents gathered to remember their dearly departed loved ones.
Council Members shared thoughts and spoke of Ms. Rapp’s many contributions to the City as evidenced by the work done at various parks and smooth streets.
Council Member Wood acknowledged Mayfair High School football team’s recent advancing to the CIF State championship.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
Mayor Pe stated that Routine Item 9 would be considered separately.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 8.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held November 14, and November 28, 2023 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
City Council Minutes
December 12, 2023
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 - November 2023 RI-6 Approval of Professional Services Agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments for Implementation of the Gateway Cities Local Solutions Fund RI-7 Approval of Consulting Services Authorization - Ardurra Group - Weingart Senior Center Improvements
RI-8 Approval of Lease Agreement Between the City of Lakewood and Big Ben Engineering
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-9 Approval of After Study and Design Engineering Services for Uncontrolled Marked Crosswalks
Philip Norris, Lakewood, and William Bush, Lakewood, spoke regarding various crosswalk locations.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEM 9. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • REVIEW OF ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023, AND PRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT FINANCE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AWARD
Finance and Administrative Services Director Jose Gomez displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda detailing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). He stated it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council receive and file the City of Lakewood Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2023; and accept the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2022.
City Council Minutes
December 12, 2023
3.1 • REVIEW OF ACFR AND PRESENTATION OF GFOA AWARD - Continued Mr. Gomez introduced Mr. Ken Pun from The Pun Group who displayed slides and provided an overview of the ACFR. He presented the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 ACFR.
Staff responded to comments from Philip Norris, Lakewood.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT. 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 EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH
CENTRAL BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT FOR WATER EFFICIENCY
PROJECT
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and described California’s Proposition 84 (Prop 84), the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Act of 2006, which was passed by California voters in the November 2006 general election. It was the recommendation of staff that the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Expense Reimbursement Agreement with Central Basin Municipal Water District for an amount up to $110,000 to complete water efficiency projects at San Martin, Boyar and Del Valle parks.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD 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 • EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AND CARE SOLACE, INC.
Paolo Beltran, Deputy City Manager, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and summarized the pilot program with Care Solace, Inc. to provide mental health care coordination services to all City of Lakewood residents. He concluded by stating that it was recommended that the City Council approve the five-month contract extension with Care Solace, Inc. until June 30, 2024 and appropriate $28,125 of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
City Council Minutes
December 12, 2023
3.3 • EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT WITH CARE SOLACE, INC. - Continued
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE 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
. . .
SUCCESSOR AGENCY ACTIONS
1. Approval of Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for July 1, 2024 Through June 30, 2025
Finance and Administrative Services Director Jose Gomez made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and stated that the Successor Agency was required to submit an annual Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) to the County Auditor Controller and Department of Finance no later than February 1st, with an annual amendment process. It was recommended that the City Council approve the Recognized Obligations Payment Schedule for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 – ROPS 24-25 and the Administrative Budget for FY 24-25.
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATIONS PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR JULY 1, 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025 – ROPS 24-25 AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET FOR FY 24-25. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Philip Norris, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding law enforcement, sales tax, food trucks, left turn lanes, parking restrictions and playground areas. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Lisa Ann Rapp.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk