Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
September 24, 2024
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:51 p.m. by Mayor Rogers in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Bishop Lary Carlton, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 823
Mayor Rogers announced that Council Member Steve Croft would be attending the meeting via teleconference, pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code Section 54953(f)(2)(A)(i), for “just cause,” as set forth in Section 54953(j)(2). The just cause was a current and temporary physical disability involving the recovery from surgery making him temporarily unable to attend this meeting in person, as described in California Government Code, Section 12926.1.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Todd Rogers
Vice Mayor Cassandra Chase
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Jeff Wood
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Rogers announced that the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Expo would be held Saturday, September 28th. He stated it was a well-timed event because September was National Emergency Preparedness Month, the national month of outreach and education to residents on how to be prepared for natural and human-made disasters.
Mayor Rogers announced that this would be the last City Council Meeting for Director of Community Development, Abel Avalos, who would be transitioning to his new position as City Manager with the City of Artesia. The Council Members commended Mr. Avalos on his many accomplishments during his time with Lakewood.
Council Member Arellano reported on his attendance at the Gateway Cities Council of Governments Regional Conference and his travel with the City Manager to Washington D.C. as part of a Gateway Cities Council of Governments delegation. . . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
Mayor Rogers stated that Routine Item 6 would be considered separately.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 5, 7 AND 8.
City Council Minutes
September 24, 2024
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meeting held June 25, 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 Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-7 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - August 2024 RI-8 Approval of Updated Capital Financing and Debt Management Policy UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-6 Approval of Revisions to Conflict of Interest Code Phillip Norris, Lakewood, requested the posting of the Conflict of Interest Code on the City’s website.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO
APPROVE THE REVISIONS TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • RESOLUTION NO. 2024-58; EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE
HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT
(PROPOSITION 36)
Joshua Yordt, Director of Public Safety, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He reported that the “Californians for Safer Communities” Coalition’s Proposition 36, also known as the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act” had qualified for the November 2024 statewide ballot. He stated that the measure would increase penalties for trafficking of hard drugs including fentanyl, increase penalties for those who repeatedly engage in theft, add new laws to address the problem of smash and grabs and organized retail theft, and provide diversion programs for repeat offenders. Mr. Yordt added that both the City’s Public Safety Committee and the Intergovernmental Relations Committee recommended support for the proposition. He concluded by stating it was recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution to support the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act (Proposition 36).
City Council Minutes
September 24, 2024
2.1 • RESOLUTION NO. 2024-58; SUPPORT FOR THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT (PROPOSITION 36) - Continued Mayor Rogers and Council Member Wood stated that the proposition had the support of the League of California Cities as well as the California Contract Cities Association.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-58; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT (PROPOSITION 36)
MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-58. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
The Public Safety Director displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He provided a brief overview on the collaborative efforts by the cities of Bellflower, Lakewood and Paramount to develop a concept of expanding upon and increasing shared public safety resources with the formation of a Public Safety Joint Powers Authority. It was staff’s recommendation that the City Council approve an agreement to form a public safety Joint Powers Authority with the cities of Bellflower and Paramount, and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement in a form as approved by the City Attorney.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding the draft agreement, contract termination provisions and board appointments and structure of the joint powers authority.
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, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
MAYOR ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO
APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
City Council Minutes
September 24, 2024
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Mike Befeler, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding permanent pickleball courts.
Steven Anderson, Lakewood, spoke about regulations pertaining to e-bikes.
Ben Chavez, Lakewood, stated his thanks for City staff’s efforts at Mae Boyar Park.
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, voiced concerns with regards to public safety, homelessness and security cameras on light poles.
John Briscoe stated he was running for the 42nd Congressional District.
Bert Johnson, Jr., Lakewood, remarked on the traffic control issues at Obispo Avenue and Carson Street.
. . .
CLOSED SESSION:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, Pursuant to Government Code §54957
The City Council recessed to a closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to evaluate the performance of the City Manager.
At 9:55 p.m., the City Council reconvened with all members present. No action was taken. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. to Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk