Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
February 27, 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 John Woolway, Saint Pancratius Catholic Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by 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 42nd annual Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame banquet, honoring the 2023 Athlete of the Year as well as more than 25 other deserving athletes and coaches, had been held the previous evening. He also announced that the City would be celebrating Women’s History Month in March. The Mayor stated that a new series, entitled, LeadHer Lakewood, aimed at empowerment, education and wellness for the women of the community, would be held each Wednesday in March.
Council Member Wood commended Recreation and Community Services and CityTV staff and the organizers on a successful Hall of Fame event.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4 AND 6 THROUGH 9.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held February 13, 2024 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Report of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-6 Approval of Contract for 2024 Civic Center Block Party Fireworks Display City Council Minutes
February 27, 2024
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-7 Award of Bid for Public Works Project No. 2024-2, FY 23/24 Community Development Block Grant ADA Ramp Replacements
RI-8 Purchase of Desktop Computer Replacements
RI-9 Renewal of Information Technology Cybersecurity Services Provider Agreement UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-5 Appointment to Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board Council Member Wood introduced Erika Parada, a local business owner and Chamber of Commerce Board Member, who was in attendance and stated she looked forward to serving the youth of the community through the SELACO WDB.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHASE SECONDED
TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF ERIKA PARADA TO THE SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD. 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. 2024-1;
REGARDING TAX FREE CERTIFICATION PROVISIONS
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, advised that the proposed ordinance had been introduced and read by title at the February 13th City Council meeting, and, that the ordinance was presented for second reading and adoption at this time.
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
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2024
3.1 • ADOPTION OF 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Paolo Beltran, Deputy City Manager, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda stating that the City Council’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee had completed its discussions, and thereby recommended the City’s Legislative Platform for 2024. He explained that the Legislative Platform established the work program of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and City staff for the year. It was recommended that the City Council adopt the Legislative Platform for 2024.
Vice Mayor Rogers commented on the necessity to remedy some flawed State legislation.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM. 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 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TETRA TECH, INC. TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR PIPELINE
ASSESSMENT AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN
Director of Water Resources, Derek Nguyen, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda reporting that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) in partnership with Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, were planning the Pure Water Southern California Program, a project that would deliver highly treated recycled water from Carson to four groundwater basins within Los Angeles and Orange Counties for injection, spreading grounds and MWD treatment facilities. He added that part of the project called for an 84-inch diameter pipeline to be installed within portions of Del Amo and Paramount boulevards, South Street and Palo Verde Avenue. He noted that the Water Resources Committee had discussed the item at its February 27, 2024 meeting and supported staff’s recommendation that the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with Tetra Tech Inc. for a not to exceed amount of $68,000, to provide engineering services for pipeline assessment and preliminary design within proposed Pure Water Southern California project alignment; and appropriate $68,000 from the General Fund for Water Infrastructure Upgrades and authorize the Mayor to sign the corresponding agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding minimizing the impacts to the City’s system and the possibility of seeking reimbursement.
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
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2024
3.3 • PREVIEW OF 2024 EARTH WALK EVENT
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She stated that Earth Walk was a family friendly event which educated the public on protection of the environment and natural resources as well as general conservation, and was scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at Monte Verde Park. She highlighted the year’s vendor and display booths and noted that in addition to the learning stations, the event would feature take home crafts and a special visit from Woody the Tree. It was the recommendation of staff that the City Council receive and file the report on the Preview of 2024 Earth Walk Event. . . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS 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:
Carol Brown, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding accessory dwelling units.
Ben Chavez, Lakewood, spoke about safety, security and parking issues.
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, voiced opinions regarding laws.
Vice Mayor Rogers commented on the City’s efforts regarding SB9 and the necessity of rules and regulations in City government.
Council Member Wood suggested a reminder be sent to residents on the State’s attempts to address the housing crisis with SB9 and its impacts on cities. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m. to Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk