Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
April 23, 2024
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:36 p.m. by Vice Mayor Rogers in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Kim, Trinity United Methodist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 134
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Vice Mayor Todd Rogers
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Cassandra Chase
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Jeff Wood
. . .
FILLING THE VACANCY OF OFFICE OF MAYOR
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and stated that the City had recently held elections for City Council Districts 3 and 4 respectively, the result of which was the election of Council Members Arellano and Wood, as well as the vacation of the office of Mayor. He added that accordingly, the City Council should open nominations for offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor and noted that subsequently, staff be directed to bring back the reorganization of Council offices on July 9, 2024, to correspond with the previously established annual reorganization of offices.
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, explained the process of nominating the mayor and vice mayor.
ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT NOMINATED TODD ROGERS TO SERVE AS MAYOR.
THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, TODD ROGERS WAS DECLARED MAYOR BY ACCLAMATION.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD NOMINATED CASSANDRA CHASE TO SERVE AS VICE MAYOR. THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, CASSANDRA CHASE WAS DECLARED VICE MAYOR BY ACCLAMATION.
ADOPTION OF SIGNATURE RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Skolnik advised that the proposed resolutions were procedural documents that were legally necessary to enable the City’s financial transactions and could be enacted with a single motion and vote.
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
ADOPTION OF SIGNATURE RESOLUTIONS - Continued
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-7; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE CITY TREASURER TO DEPOSIT FUNDS FOR
SAFEKEEPING AND INVESTMENT AND AUTHORIZING WITHDRAWAL OF
FUNDS FROM DEPOSITORIES
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-8; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE MANUAL, FACSIMILE AND/OR
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE OF TODD ROGERS, MAYOR, IN THE EXECUTION OF
PUBLIC SECURITIES AND INSTRUMENTS OF PAYMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-9; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE MANUAL, FACSIMILE AND/OR
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE OF CASSANDRA CHASE, MAYOR PRO TEM, IN THE
EXECUTION OF PUBLIC SECURITIES AND INSTRUMENTS OF PAYMENT
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS NO. 2024-7, NO. 2024-8 AND NO. 2024-9. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Rogers announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Mary Elizabeth Strange, a longtime resident and the niece to longtime city commissioner Kirk Real. The Mayor thanked Lakewood community members for their participation in the Make-Up Day for Volunteer Day, which had been rescheduled due to an unusually late season storm two weekends earlier. He commended staff for their efforts on the success of the Family Movie Night event celebrating Lakewood’s 70th anniversary since incorporation. The Mayor stated that he was honored to proclaim April 2024 as “Autism Acceptance Month” in Lakewood and encouraged residents to show their support by educating themselves on understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and the ways to celebrate and empower autistic individuals.
Council Member Wood stated that he had attended a Zombie Apocalypse event hosted by Scout Pack 134. He announced that with the recent closures of local 99¢ Stores and Rite Aid Pharmacies, the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board staff had visited impacted stores to provide information on their various assistance programs.
Council Member Arellano reported that he had attended the League of California Cities conference and met with Sacramento lobbyists and legislators regarding housing and homelessness issues.
Mayor Rogers introduced Captain Dan Holguin, commander of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, who provided the quarterly public safety report.
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS: - Continued
Mayor Rogers welcomed Maria Jimenez, longtime Lakewood resident and an ambassador for One Legacy-Donate Life, who shared her story about the positive impacts of organ donation.
The City Council presented her with a proclamation declaring April to be “DMV/Donate Life Month” in Lakewood.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 14.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held March 26, and April 9, 2024 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Approval of Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-5 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - March 2024 RI-6 Approval of Quarterly Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2024 RI-7 Approval of Quarterly Budget Report of Major Funds as of March 31, 2024 RI-8 Approval of Purchase of Microsoft Office 365 Software RI-9 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-10; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING DISABLED PERSON DESIGNATED
PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF CLARK AVENUE
RI-10 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD ADOPTING THE 2021 EDITION OF THE STANDARD
PLANS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION
RI-11 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-12; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD ADOPTING THE 2024 EDITION OF THE STANDARD
SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION
RI-12 Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Michael Raneses for Administrative Hearings
RI-13 Approval of Master Services Agreement with OpenGov for Implementation of Electronic Plan Review Software
RI-14 Approval of Agreement with Elite Special Events for 2024 Civic Center Block Party Attractions and Games
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
1.1 • INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE BACKYARD
BEEKEEPING OF HONEYBEES
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack stated that staff was requesting continuation of the item to a future meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024.
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • APPOINTMENT OF MEASURE L CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS; AND RESOLUTION NO. 2024-13; APPROVING APPOINTMENTS TO
CITY COMMISSIONS
Mayor Rogers called for appointments to the Measure L Citizens Oversight Committee and to the City’s commissions.
MEASURE L CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Ron Piazza by Council Member Wood
Ahmed Rafi by Council Member Croft
Hendrick Robertson by Council Member Arellano
Valerie Youell by Vice Mayor Chase
Crystal Jones-Duncan by Mayor Rogers
COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION
Linda Manis by Council Member Wood
Robert Nelson by Council Member Croft
Norman Nelson by Council Member Arellano
Bradlee Crihfield by Vice Mayor Chase
Sarah Mendoza by Mayor Rogers
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
Diego Garcia-Salas by Council Member Wood
Vicki Stuckey by Council Member Croft
Jerry Rowland by Council Member Arellano
Terry Cole by Vice Mayor Chase
Bill Baca by Mayor Rogers
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
2.1 • APPOINTMENT OF MEASURE L CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND APPOINTMENTS TO CITY COMMISSIONS - Continued
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
Dave Allen by Council Member Wood
Veronica Lucio by Council Member Croft
Kristie Larison by Council Member Arellano
Anitza Valles by Vice Mayor Chase
Ted Spaseff by Mayor Rogers
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-14; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD APPOINTING MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS COMMISSIONS OF
THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-51. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
It was requested that staff survey other cities to analyze the considerations of appointing commissioners at large or by district.
. . .
3.1 • APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES
Mayor Rogers presented the list of appointments to governmental associations, organizations and committees.
ORGANIZATIONAL APPOINTMENTS
California Contract Cities
Association Wood - Representative Chase - Alternate
California Joint Powers
Insurance Authority Croft - Representative Wood - Alternate So. Calif. Association of Governments (SCAG)
General Assembly Arellano - Representative Chase - Alternate Gateway Cities COG Board Arellano - Representative Rogers - Alternate Greater Los Angeles County
Vector Control District Croft - Representative
Job Training Partnership Act Wood - Policy Board
SELACO WDB
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
3.1 • APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES - Continued
League of California Cities
L.A. County Division Chase - Representative Arellano - Alternate City Selection Committee Croft - Representative Chase - Alternate Annual League Conference Chase - Representative Arellano - Alternate L.A. County Sanitation
District #3 & #19 Rogers - Representative Wood - Alternate Southeast Water Coalition Rogers - Representative Chase – Alternate Southeast Resource Recovery
Facility (SERRF) JPA Wood - Representative Croft - Alternate
STANDING COMMITTEES
Intergovernmental Relations Rogers - Chair Chase - Member Lakewood Schools Arellano - Chair Rogers - Member
Environmental Management Croft - Chair Arellano - Member Public Safety Rogers - Chair Wood - Member
Park Development Wood - Chair Croft - Member
Water Resources Croft - Chair Chase – Member
Community Promotion Arellano - Chair Wood – Member
Economic Development Rogers – Chair Croft – Member
Hall of Fame - Board of Wood - Chair
Electors
Audit Chase - Chair Arellano - Member
Capital Improvement Plan Chase - Chair Croft - Member
Race, Equity, Diversity and Chase - Chair Rogers - Member Inclusion
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
3.1 • APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES - Continued
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE THE ORGANIZATIONAL APPOINTMENTS, AS PRESENTED. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF HOWARD L. CHAMBERS MEMORIAL TENNIS
COURT MONUMENT SIGN
Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and reported that staff had received a proposal for the manufacturing and installation of new monument signage for the Howard L. Chambers Tennis Courts at Mayfair Park. She stated it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council authorize staff to issue a Purchase Order to Trade Signs of Anaheim for the purchase and installation of the monument sign in the amount of $12,862.51.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.3 • PAN AM FIESTA PREVIEW
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She stated that the annual Pan Am Fiesta would be held at Mayfair Park beginning Thursday, May 9 and concluding on Sunday, May 12, 2024. She reported that this year’s Pan Am Fiesta would continue with special event elements, including amusement rides, food booths, a cultural mix of live entertainment, the Children’s Cultural Booth, a shoppers circle, and a display of Lakewood’s Pan American history.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
April 23, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. to Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Mary Elizabeth Strange.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk