Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
July 9, 2024
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Rogers in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Elder Charlene Van Nostran, Christ Presbyterian Church Lakewood PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Pack 134
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Todd Rogers
Vice Mayor Cassandra Chase
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Jeff Wood
. . .
ANNUAL REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, explained that due to the unusual circumstance of the timing of the election in March and the vacancy of the Mayor’s office in April, which created the need to fill the seat, City Council reorganization was being considered again at this time when it would normally occur.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Rogers expressed gratitude to the residents of Lakewood and nearby communities who came to the Veterans Memorial Plaza the previous day to raise the American and POW/MIA flags for the first time since an arsonist had damaged them on the night of July 4th. He announced that July was Parks Make Life Better month.
Council Member Wood stated that the Lakewood High School Alumni Association picnic would be held on July 14th at Del Valle Park.
The Mayor welcomed Hector De La Torre, Executive Director of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, who provided an update on their activities.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS: - Continued
Mayor Rogers introduced and presented a proclamation to Jalesia Duran of the Lakewood Jaycees who highlighted the upcoming Lemonade Day event, an educational effort teaching young people about operating a business.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 3 AND 5 THROUGH 7.
RI-1 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-2 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-3 Approval of Permit for Street Closure for Block Party on Greenmeadow Road RI-5 Approval of Agreement with Los Angeles County for Helicopter Patrol Law Enforcement Services
RI-6 Approval of Agreement with Macerich Lakewood LP for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services at Lakewood Center Mall
RI-7 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-40; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD DECLARING JULY AS PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER!® MONTH
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-4 Designating Voting Delegate for League Annual Conference City Manager Thaddeus McCormack stated that the League of California Cities would be holding its Annual Conference in October and that League bylaws required that the City Council designate a representative and alternate to vote on behalf of the City of Lakewood at the Annual Business Meeting. He explained that Vice Mayor Chase would be attending and was willing to serve as the voting delegate. He added that the City Manager could serve as the alternate, if needed.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO
APPOINT VICE MAYOR CHASE TO REPRESENT THE CITY AS THE DELEGATE
AND CITY MANAGER MCCORMACK AS ALTERNATE FOR VOTING PURPOSES AT THE LEAGUE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 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 • CONFIRMING REPORT OF DELINQUENT FEES AND CHARGES FOR
GARBAGE, WASTE AND REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Jose Gomez, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the Report of Delinquent Fees and setting a public hearing date. He stated it was recommended that the City Council conduct a public hearing and adopt the proposed resolution confirming the Report of Delinquent Fees.
Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 7:59 p.m. and called for anyone in the audience wishing to address the City Council on this matter. There was no response.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-41; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD CONFIRMING THE REPORT OF DELINQUENT FEES AND
CHARGES FOR GARBAGE, WASTE AND REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
WITHIN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, MAY 31, 2024
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-41. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
1.2 • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACTION PLAN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Abel Avalos, Community Development Director, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the Community Development Block Grant Action Plan. He concluded by stating that staff recommended that the City Council conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed Action Plan and following the public hearing, approve the FY 2024-2025 Action Plan, and authorize the City Manager to direct staff to submit to HUD the approved Action Plan along with the required CDBG certifications.
Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 8:08 p.m. and called for anyone in the audience wishing to address the City Council on this matter. There was no response.
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
1.2 • CDBG ACTION PLAN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 - Continued
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2024-4; CODE
TO AUTHORIZE BACKYARD BEEKEEPING FOR HONEYBEES
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, advised that the proposed ordinance had been introduced at the previous City Council meeting and was presented for second reading and adoption at this time.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-4; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD AMENDING THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE TO AUTHORIZE
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING FOR HONEYBEES ON NO MORE THAN TEN LOTS AT ANYTIME CITYWIDE WITHIN BOTH THE R-1 (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL)
AND R-A (RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE) ZONING DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2024-4. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • APPOINTMENT OF MEASURE L CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Deputy City Manager Paolo Beltran made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and reported that two vacancies had recently become available on the Measure L Citizens Oversight Committee and an appointment needed to be made to fill the vacated seats. He stated that it was recommended that the City Council approve the appointments of Catherine Tolentino and Joy Janes for the Measure L Citizens Oversight Committee.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO
APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS OF CATHERINE TOLENTINO AND JOY JANES FOR THE MEASURE L CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
City Council Minutes
July 9, 2024
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Mary Monroy, and Lisa Carter, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding consensus related to accessory dwelling units.
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, spoke about parking issues at Carson Street and Los Coyotes Diagonal, security cameras and water efficient landscaping.
Ben Chavez, Lakewood, expressed thanks for the prompt action taken at the Veterans Memorial Plaza and stated concerns pertaining to crosswalks and speed bumps.
Mike Diedrich, Lakewood, commented on State actions regarding accessory dwelling units and multi-unit complexes.
Carl Glens, Lakewood, spoke about tree sap and berries on streets in the neighborhood of Paramount Boulevard between Candlewood Street and Del Amo Boulevard. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk