Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
January 23, 2024
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 Alidor Mikobi, St. Cyprian Catholic Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 863
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 on January 14, he and the Council Members had attended a Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration sponsored by the Lakewood Interfaith Council. He commended the Interfaith Council for their work and thanked the YMCA for hosting the event. The Mayor stated that he and the City Manager had recently attended the U.S.
Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C.
Council Member Wood stated that he, along with the Mayor and staff, had attended the Annual Contract Cities Legislative Tour in Sacramento. He announced that the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame Board of Electors had met and selected this year’s inductees.
Mayor Pe introduced U.S. Congressman Robert Garcia, who expressed appreciation in being able to represent Lakewood. He stated he would continue to advocate for the City and commended the Council Members for their strong leadership and representation.
Mayor Pe introduced Captain Dan Holguin, Commander of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, who provided the Quarterly Update on Public Safety in Lakewood. Captain Holguin reported on Part I crime statistics, trends and year-to-year comparisons in the City and at Lakewood Center. He expressed gratitude to the City Council and the Public Safety team for their continued leadership, partnership, and support.
Vice Mayor Rogers and Council Member Croft commended Captain Holguin and the Sheriff’s deputies for their responsiveness and handling of homeless encampments and recent shopping center incidents.
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City Council Minutes
January 23, 2024
ROUTINE ITEMS:
Philip Norris, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding Routine Item 7 and Routine Item 9, and spoke about Long Beach Transit routes and users of the Lakewood Equestrian Center.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 15.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held December 12, 2023, and January 9, 2024 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 - December 2023 RI-7 Approval of Proposition A Transit Fund Exchange and Assignment Agreement RI-8 Authorize Purchase of Smart Irrigation Equipment for Del Valle, San Martin and Mae Boyar Parks
RI-9 Authorize Purchase of Shavings for the Lakewood Equestrian Center RI-10 Approval of Transportation Agreement with Nada Bus, Incorporated RI-11 Renewal of Rynerson Park License Agreement with Southern California Edison Company
RI-12 Approval of Purchase of Security Camera Trailers
RI-13 Update on City Hall Office Improvements
RI-14 Authorize Letter of Intent with Southland Industries RI-15 Approval of Agreement with Bucknam for Annual GIS Support Services UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Vice Mayor Rogers noted that there were Lakewood residents who participated in programs at the Lakewood Equestrian Center, which was open to everyone interested in utilizing the facility.
City Council Minutes
January 23, 2024
3.1 • INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1; REGARDING RENT PAID
FOR FIREWORKS STAND LOCATIONS
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack stated that the item would be pulled from consideration.
Mayor Pe stated that there being no objection, it was so ordered. . . .
3.2 • AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH SALVATION ARMY BELL SHELTER UPDATE
Joshua Yordt, Director of Public Safety, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He reported that Lakewood had been contracting with Salvation Army since July 1, 2023, for four dedicated crisis shelter beds at their Bell Shelter, which were for the exclusive use of Lakewood based homeless. He discussed the shelter bed program; Bell Shelter services; the six-month review; key success stories; and proposal to increase beds. Mr. Yordt concluded by stating that staff recommended the City Council approve the first amendment to the agreement with Salvation Army for dedicated crisis shelter beds at their Bell Shelter, starting February 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024, and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
The Council Members provided positive comments and expressed support for the program.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.3 • AUTHORIZE DESIGN PROPOSAL FOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS WITH
WILLDAN
Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda stating that the consulting firm of Willdan Engineering had submitted a proposal to provide design services for street improvements. She added that while design was being completed, Public Works staff would determine priority based on available funding from Measures R, M, and SB-1, and phased scheduling of the construction improvements. She explained that recommendations contained in the report were that the City Council authorize staff to approve Willdan Engineering’s proposal dated December 19, 2023, to provide design and other services under their existing Agreement for Engineering Services, in an amount not-to-exceed $1,268,535; and requested a revision to the second and third recommendations to authorize the use of Measure R funds in the amount up to $568,535; and authorize the use of Measure M funds in the amount up to $700,000. She noted that a revision to add a fourth recommendation to authorize the use of Prop C funds in an amount up to $710,000, would allow for flexibility in using the funds which were potentially lapsing.
City Council Minutes
January 23, 2024
3.3 • DESIGN PROPOSAL FOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS-- Continued Council Member Croft stated that the Capital Improvement Plan Committee concurred with staff’s recommendation to approve the proposal and thanked staff for bringing the item to the Council for approval.
Council Member Wood requested a correction to the location cited in the report for Albury Avenue.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS OF UPDATING THE FUNDING LINES TO READ “UP TO” AND ADDING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF PROP C FUNDING UP TO $710,000, AND ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE LIST FOR STREET ADDRESSES. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.4 • ANNUAL CITY INVESTMENT POLICY AND QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
Finance and Administrative Services Director Jose Gomez displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He explained that there were no substantive changes to the proposed investment policy and that it only incorporated a recent California Government Code clarification which took effect January 1, 2024 and better aligned the policy with the current State Code language. He stated that PFM Asset Management LLC (PFM), the City’s professional investment consultant, advised the City on such matters and had indicated that there were no proposed changes in investment strategy; therefore, the current policy remained appropriate for the next 12 months. He stated that staff recommended that the Council adopt the Investment Policy and receive and file the Quarterly Schedule of Investments for December 31, 2023.
Richard Babbe from PFM displayed slides and provided a detailed investment presentation including inflation’s continuing trend lower; Federal Reserve projections; market expectations of lower rates; treasury yields; managed portfolio characteristics, sector allocation analytics and transactions and accrual basis earnings.
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Pe, Chase, Rogers and Croft NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
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City Council Minutes
January 23, 2024
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Registers of Demands
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTERS 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:
Philip Norris, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding auditing principles.
William Bush, Lakewood, spoke about crosswalks at various locations.
Marisela Santana, Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, expressed thanks for the City’s support of the business community and stated that the Chamber would be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m. to Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk