Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
January 28, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:31 p.m. by Mayor Rogers in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Pastor Terence Brooks, One Church Lakewood PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Pack 21
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 he had recently signed a proclamation commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day. He stated that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Ken Pun, who founded the Pun Group, the City’s independent auditor for a number of years.
He added that the people and communities of Southern California continued to deal with and recover from the devastating fires that the region suffered over the past three weeks. The Mayor encouraged residents to take a survey to help update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Responding to Council Member Arellano’s concerns regarding homelessness and the challenges associated with the issue, Mayor Rogers noted the Public Safety Committee’s discussion and proposals.
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack introduced the new Director of Community Development, Aldo Cervantes.
Mayor Rogers introduced Sheriff’s Station Commander, Captain Dan Holguin, who provided the Quarterly Report on Public Safety citing the increase in Part 1 crimes. He reported on the efforts of the Crime Strategy Unit and the SAO Team, which included increased patrols and visibility, public and business awareness campaigns, enhanced surveillance and monitoring, and data-driven policing. Captain Holguin noted some progress in reducing theft from Proposition 36 and that Sheriff’s Department personnel would continue to be assertive in enforcing all theft related crimes. He identified the goals he set for 2025 to reduce Part 1 crimes with aggressive enforcement and crime prevention strategies; to work with the Public Safety Department to create and implement a drone program for the City; and to enhance the volunteer program by campaigning and recruiting residents to assist in public safety. The Captain expressed thanks to the men and women of Lakewood Station who responded to the recent fires and to the City Council and Public Safety staff for their continued leadership, partnership, and support.
City Council Minutes
January 28, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS:
Mayor Rogers stated that Routine Item 7 would be considered separately.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 6.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held November 12, 2024, and January 14, 2025 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 Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - December 2024 RI-6 Approval of Reassignment of Service Agreement with Sunstone Management, Inc.
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-7 Approval of Agreement Amendment with Southwest Patrol, Inc.
Joshua Yordt, Director of Public Safety, made an oral presentation based on the report in the agenda. He stated it was recommended the City Council approve an agreement amendment with Southwest Patrol, Inc. to increase the number of unarmed private security guards to six, for a term commencing January 30, 2025 through June 30, 2025, and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement in a form as approved by the City Attorney.
Mr. Yordt responded to questions and comments from the Council Members and Philip Norris, Lakewood, regarding level of enforcement and patrol cars’ visibility and flexibility.
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, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
January 28, 2025
2.1 • SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1;
REGARDING SHOPPING CARTS
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, advised that a presentation on the proposed ordinance had been made at the City Council’s previous meeting and the ordinance was presented for second reading and adoption at this time.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD ADDING SUBSECTION 4323 Q. TO THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL
CODE TO REQUIRE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES TO HAVE A PROGRAM FOR
SHOPPING CART IDENTIFICATION, RETENTION, AND RETRIEVAL AND TO FIND
THAT ABANDONED CARTS ARE A PUBLIC NUISANCE
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • ANNUAL CITY INVESTMENT POLICY AND QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF
INVESTMENTS
Jose Gomez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, displayed slides and made an oral presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the annual review and adoption of the City’s investment policy. He stated that the City’s investment objectives continued to be safety, liquidity and yield in the investment of public funds. He stated that it was staff’s recommendation that the Council adopt the attached Investment Policy and receive and file the Quarterly Schedule of Investments for December 31, 2024.
Richard Babbe, PFM Asset Management, displayed slides and provided an investment update highlighting the broader market and economic policy factors.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND MAYOR ROGERS 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
. . .
City Council Minutes
January 28, 2025
3.2 • REVIEW OF ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR) FOR YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024, AND PRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT
FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (GFOA) AWARD
The Finance and Administrative Services Director displayed slides and made an oral presentation based on the report in the agenda and explained that the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was a set of City financial statements that complied with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). He concluded by stating that staff recommended the City Council receive and file the City of Lakewood Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2024; and accept the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2023.
Mr. Gomez introduced Sophia Kuo from The Pun Group who displayed slides and provided an overview of the ACFR and presented the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Registers of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTERS OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Colleen Champlin, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding homelessness issues.
Philip Norris, Lakewood, spoke about the L.A. County website related to the fires and about grass trimming at the parks.
Ben Chavez, Lakewood, inquired about the home improvement loan program and street vendors in the vicinity of Lakewood Regional Medical Center. . . .
City Council Minutes
January 28, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m. to Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Ken Pun.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk