Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
March 26, 2024
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:37 p.m. by Mayor Pe in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Father Mina Ghebrial, Christ the Redeemer American Coptic Orthodox Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Girl Scout Troop 113/3433 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 long-time Lakewood resident Jack Corcoran, the husband of Linda Price, who was an original CityTV staff member from the channel’s launch in 1984 and served for over 30 years.
The Mayor also announced that Daddy-Daughter Date Night would be held on Friday, April 5th at the Centre.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 12.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held March 12, 2024 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Approval of Interim Appointments to Community Promotions, Park Development and Water Resources Standing Committees
RI-5 Approval of Street Closure for Block Party on Greenmeadow Road RI-6 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for Public Works Project No. 2023-3, Civic Center Modular Office Trailer Site Work and Interior Improvements City Council Minutes
March 26, 2024
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-7 Authorize Facility Condition Assessment for Burns Community Center RI-8 Authorize Dahlin Design Proposal for Weingart Senior Center Roof Improvements RI-9 Authorize Purchase of Lobby Furniture for Centre
RI-10 Authorize Mayfair Pool Filter Replacement
RI-11 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for Public Works Project No. 2023-5; Ceiling Lighting & Ceiling Tile Replacement to the Existing Center RI-12 Authorize Design Services for Cherry Cove Playground and On-call Agreement with Hirsch and Associates, Inc.
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • RESOLUTION NO. 2024-5 AND SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2024-2; REGARDING AMOUNTS PAID FOR RENTING A
LOCATION FOR PLACEMENT OF A FIREWORKS STAND
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, explained that the item before the City Council was for the second reading of the proposed ordinance. The item had previously been presented for introduction at the March 12th City Council meeting. A new resolution referenced in the ordinance was proposed establishing the specific rent amount an organization was required to pay for a temporary fireworks stand. He stated that both the proposed resolution and ordinance could be adopted by a single motion. It was recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution and ordinance.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-5; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD REGARDING THE AMOUNTS PAID FOR RENTING A LOCATION
FOR PLACEMENT OF A FIREWORKS STAND
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-2; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AMENDING SECTION 3105.5(H) OF THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL
CODE REGARDING THE AMOUNTS PAID FOR RENTING A LOCATION FOR
PLACEMENT OF A FIREWORKS STAND
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-5 AND ORDINANCE NO. 2024-2. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
City Council Minutes
March 26, 2024
3.1 • PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SUNSTONE
MANAGEMENT, INC. FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
Abel Avalos, Director of Community Development, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the proposal to create a formal economic development strategic plan.
Such a plan would help City staff understand key economic needs, trends and strategies that could be used to shape the City’s economic future. He stated that staff recommended that the City Council approve the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Sunstone in an amount not to exceed $36,000. The funds for the PSA were approved as part of the FY 2023-2024 budget.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding economic development strategies and approaches.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED
TO APPROVE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SUNSTONE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $36,000. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • 2023 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
The Community Development Director displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He reported that the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report had been submitted to the Planning and Environment Commission for its review. The Planning and Environment Commission recommended that the City Council receive and file the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the same to the Department of Housing and Community Development and to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE 2023 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT AND
DIRECT STAFF TO SUBMIT THE SAME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
March 26, 2024
3.3 • CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING APPROPRIATIONS Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda stating that staff had been working with the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Committee to develop a seven-year CIP Plan for FY 23-24 through FY 29-30 that listed the known projects to date, estimated budgets, and funding information. A plan had been developed to recommend a suite of repair and maintenance projects for the City’s facilities, parks, streets, water, storm water, and fleet improvements. She concluded by stating that staff recommended that the City Council pursuant to Government Code 65401, per the recommendation of the City’s planning division of the Community Development department, find the seven-year CIP plan to be in conformance with the City’s General Plan; adopt the seven-year CIP plan; and appropriate funds pursuant to the CIP plan for FY 23-24, FY 24-25, and FY 25-26.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding staff’s and the CIP Committee’s efforts.
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
. . .
3.4 • AUTHORIZE PURCHASE FOR BISCAILUZ AND BOYAR PLAYGROUNDS The Public Works Director displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and explained that the in August of 2023, the City had signed a contract to received two Prop 68 Grants totaling $226,876 from the California Natural Resources Agency to specifically fund improvements at Biscailuz Park. In addition, the City had an annual allocation of Measure A funds administered by Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to cover the replacement of Boyar Playground. The project included the purchase and installation of a new tot lot playground at Biscailuz Park, and the purchase and installation of the playground at Boyar Park. It was the recommendation of staff that the City Council authorize staff to issue a purchase order for the purchase of playground equipment for Biscailuz Park to Gametime, in an amount not-to-exceed $130,236, as part of the Improvements to the Existing Biscailuz Play Area project, and authorize the Mayor to sign the proposal; and authorize staff to issue a purchase order for the purchase of playground equipment for Boyar Park to Gametime, in an amount not-to-exceed $262,062, as part of the Improvements to the Existing Boyar Play Area project, and authorize the Mayor to sign the proposal.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding the summer schedule and public information communications.
City Council Minutes
March 26, 2024
3.4 • PURCHASE FOR BISCAILUZ AND BOYAR PLAYGROUNDS - Continued
VICE MAYOR ROGERS 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
. . .
3.5 • SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
The Director of Public Works displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She stated that the 2022 Pavement Management plan recommended $3.5 million annually for pavement maintenance. The City received approximately $5 million annually from Measures R, M, and SB-1, leaving $1.5 million annually to be allocated to projects such as city-wide signage replacement, striping, sidewalk repairs, or larger street improvement projects. From the balance, approximately $685,000 was typically programmed annually for sidewalk improvements. While Willdan worked on the design for the larger street improvements project, which would be inclusive of improvements on street segments totaling 16 miles in the City, staff recommended utilizing a portion of available pavement improvement funds to address sidewalk vertical displacements, targeting those greater than ¾ inch. Staff recommended that the City Council authorize Measure R funds in the amount of $1,000,000 to be utilized for sidewalk repairs citywide; authorize Measure M funds in the amount of $1,000,000 to be utilized for sidewalk repairs citywide; and authorize Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds in the amount of $2,500,000, inclusive of a contingency of $500,000, to be utilized for sidewalk repairs citywide.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding funding, bid pricing, photo documentation, and future opportunities.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO AUTHORIZE MEASURE R FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 TO BE UTILIZED FOR SIDEWALK REPAIRS CITYWIDE; AUTHORIZE MEASURE M FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 TO BE UTILIZED FOR SIDEWALK REPAIRS CITYWIDE; AND AUTHORIZE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND
REHABILITATION ACCOUNT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500,000, INCLUSIVE OF A CONTINGENCY OF $500,000, TO BE UTILIZED FOR SIDEWALK REPAIRS CITYWIDE. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
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City Council Minutes
March 26, 2024
3.6 • RELEASE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR FIVE YEAR UPDATE TO
THE LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Joshua Yordt, Director of Public Safety, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), which required local governments to develop and adopt pre-disaster mitigation plans, known as Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, in order to minimize property damage and the risk to public health and safety that might otherwise result from the effects of a natural or man-made disaster. It was recommended that the City Council direct staff to release a Request for Proposal to solicit for professional services to conduct an update of Lakewood’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO
DIRECT STAFF TO RELEASE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO SOLICIT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT AN UPDATE OF LAKEWOOD’S LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Chase, Rogers and Pe NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.7 • AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER CAMERA AND PROPOSAL TO
UPGRADE AGING EQUIPMENT
The Public Safety Director made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and stated that Lakewood had a comprehensive network of Automated License Plate Reader cameras comprised of a mix of fixed mounted and mobile vehicle mounted. The cameras had been an invaluable crime-fighting tool, alerting the Sheriff’s Department of stolen or otherwise “wanted” vehicles and providing crucial information for criminal investigations. The system aided Deputy Sheriff’s in arresting numerous criminal suspects over the years. Staff recommended the City Council approve the purchase of a 5-year subscription service of twenty (20) Automated License Plate Reader cameras and eight (8) communication hubs with warranty and installation at the proposed price of $280,200.95 from Vigilant Solutions, LLC.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding providing access for Sheriff’s personnel and helping solve crimes.
VICE MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD 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
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City Council Minutes
March 26, 2024
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Lisa Morissette, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding recommendations for the Lakewood Equestrian Center.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Pe adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m. to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Jack Corcoran.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk