Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
February 13, 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 Pastor Chris Kirish, Renovate Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Pack 134 and Scout Pack 21 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 first Donut with a Deputy event of the year would be held on Wednesday, February 21st, at the Albertsons supermarket on Del Amo Boulevard and Clark Avenue.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 10.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held January 23, 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 Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - January 2024 RI-6 Approval of Agreement for 2024 Pan Am Fiesta Amusement Rides RI-7 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for Public Works Project No. 2023-7, Watermain Replacement FY24, All Cities Engineering, Inc.
RI-8 Approval of Water Main Easement Grant Deed, 3120-3180 Carson Street City Council Minutes
February 13, 2024
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-9 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-1; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ADDING A JOB CLASSIFICATION AND AMENDING EXISTING PAY RATE IN ATTACHMENT B OF RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32 RI-10 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-2; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIFIED
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR IMPROVEMENTS
AT THE WEINGART SENIOR CENTER
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
1.1 • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACTION PLAN FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024, SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NO. 1
Abel Avalos, Director of Community Development, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He explained that the City was seeking a Substantial Amendment of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 Action Plan to shift funds dedicated to the Weingart Senior Center Project to a Curb Replacement Project. He stated that staff recommended that the City Council conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed Action Plan Amendment and following the public hearing, approve the FY 2023-2024 Action Plan, Substantial Amendment No. 1 and authorize the City Manager to direct staff to submit to HUD the approved Action Plan Amendment.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
Mayor Pe opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. and called for anyone in the audience wishing to address the City Council on this matter. There was no response.
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
. . .
3.1 • FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2023-24 MIDYEAR BUDGET REVIEW & ADJUSTMENTS AND PRESENTATION OF THE FY 2024-26 TWO-YEAR BUDGET PREPARATION
CALENDAR
Finance and Administrative Services Director Jose Gomez displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda.
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2024
3.1 • FY 2023-24 MIDYEAR BUDGET REVIEW/ADJUSTMENTS AND FY 2024-26 TWO-YEAR BUDGET CALENDAR - Continued
He reviewed the overall budget status; noteworthy revenue changes and noteworthy expenditure changes of the General Fund and Water Utility Fund budgets; American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds; budget summary; and budget process calendar. It was recommended that the City Council adopt the noted changes for inclusion into the City’s FY2023-24 Revised Budget and direct staff to make all related adjustments to the City’s budget appropriations; and receive and file the FY2024-26 Two-Year Budget Preparation Calendar and provide direction to staff regarding the preparation of the upcoming budget.
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, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • AWARD OF BID FOR PW PROJECT 24-01, HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HSIP) TRAFFIC SIGNALS, 12 LOCATIONS, STATE FUNDS
Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She reported that bids had been received for a project to modify traffic signals at twelve intersections and stated that staff recommended the City Council award a contract for HSIP Traffic Signals, 12 locations, State Funds, in the amount of $1,525,888 to Elecnor Belco Electric of Chino and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney; authorize staff to approve a cumulative total of contract change orders, as needed, not to exceed $200,000; authorize staff to approve Willdan’s proposal to provide construction inspection for the project under their existing Agreement for Engineering Services, in an amount of $135,317 to be funded with Measure M funds; and adopt the plans, specifications and working details for the project.
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, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members. . . .
3.3 • MEALS ON WHEELS OF LONG BEACH UPDATE
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed a video and made an oral presentation based on the report in the agenda.
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2024
3.3 • MEALS ON WHEELS OF LONG BEACH UPDATE - Continued
She provided an update to the Meals on Wheels Long Beach meal delivery program. She introduced Rhonda Fox, Volunteer Manager, who discussed some of the program highlights and upcoming events.
MAYOR PE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
3.4 • REVISIONS TO ADMINISTERING THE RECREATION CONTRACT CLASS PROGRAM AMID CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 506 AND INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1; REGARDING TAX FREE CERTIFICATE PROVISIONS The Recreation and Community Services Director displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She described the new State regulations pertaining to the contract classes program. She stated it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council require Lakewood’s independent contract class instructors to obtain Live Scan fingerprint background checks, obtain general liability insurance for incidents occurring within the scope of their class offerings, and obtain business licenses to operate their contract classes within Lakewood; and introduce the proposed ordinance amending the Lakewood Municipal Code regarding tax-free certificate provisions.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members.
Philip Norris, Lakewood, spoke about the Live Scan process and community groups.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD AMENDING THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TAX FREE CERTIFICATE PROVISIONS was read by title by the City Clerk.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO WAIVE FURTHER READING; INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1; AND 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
. . .
3.5 • LAKEWOOD YOUTH HALL OF FAME PROGRAM
The Director of Recreation and Community Services displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the 42nd Annual Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame Banquet to be held on Monday, February 26, 2024, honoring Lakewood’s young athletes for achievements in sports seasons concluding in the 2023 calendar year.
City Council Minutes
February 13, 2024
3.5 • LAKEWOOD YOUTH HALL OF FAME PROGRAM - Continued
MAYOR PE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Carol Brown, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding the Weingart Senior Center.
Sophia Tse, President of the ABC Unified School District Board, spoke regarding declining enrollment.
Sarah Comfort, Iacoboni Library Manager, provided information on library programs.
Bert Johnson, Lakewood, conveyed suggestions regarding gophers.
Philip Norris, Lakewood, spoke about the auditing process.
William Bush, Lakewood, spoke about traffic safety issues. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m., to Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk