Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
February 11, 2025
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 Council Member Jeff Wood
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 4513
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 meeting would be adjourned in memory of longtime resident, Patricia Lewis, the mother of Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services.
The Mayor stated that the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame banquet would be held on February 24th, with a deadline to purchase tickets on February 13th. He added that the annual State of the City luncheon would be held on February 26th, where attendees would hear about the City’s upcoming opportunities and challenges along with a viewing of CityTV’s Annual Report video. Mayor Rogers also announced the Donuts with a Deputy event, which was part of Lakewood’s ongoing work to provide opportunities for residents to meet and get to know Lakewood’s law enforcement personnel, would be held on February 19th at Fresh Donuts on 4140 South Street.
Council Member Arellano and Council Member Wood commended staff on their responsive efforts pertaining to accessory dwelling units and homelessness.
Council Member Wood noted the 40th anniversary of the Centre. He stated that he had attended the first meeting of the Lakewood Leadership Academy as well as the first planning meeting of Lemonade Day.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
Mayor Rogers stated that Routine Item 3 would be considered separately.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1, 2, 4 AND 5.
City Council Minutes
February 11, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held December 10, 2024, and January 28, 2025 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-4 Approval of Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-5 Approval of Reinstatement and Amendment #1 to County of Los Angeles Lease No. 78352 for City Property Located at 6600 East Del Amo Boulevard, and Commonly Referred to as George Nye, Jr. Public Library
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, inquired about various line items listed on the registers.
Mayor Rogers responded by stating that the City had recently completed an audit and had received an award for excellence in financial reporting. He noted that one of the line items in question was for tickets for an upcoming excursion.
. . .
3.1 • ADOPTION OF 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Paolo Beltran, Deputy City Manager, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda stating that the Intergovernmental Relations Committee had completed its discussions, and recommended the city’s Legislative Platform for 2025. He explained that the Legislative Platform established the work program of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and City staff for the year. It was staff’s recommendation that the City Council adopt the Legislative Platform for 2025.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding the League of California Cities’ exclusion of public safety from their priorities, local control, local revenue sources and economic development.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO ADOPT THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR 2025. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
February 11, 2025
3.2 • LAKEWOOD YOUTH HALL OF FAME PROGRAM
Kevin Bright, Assistant Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. He reported that the 43rd Annual Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame Banquet would be held February 24th at The Centre. He stated that the annual program recognized the athletic achievements of high school and youth athletes who lived in Lakewood or attended school in Lakewood and that awards would be presented for Performer of the Year in each sport, various Special Achievement awards, including Scholar Athlete of the Year, and the highlight of the event, the crowning of the Athlete of the Year. Staff recommended that the City Council receive and file the report.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding commercial trucks, paramedic calls, the State of the City and the Brown Act. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. to Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Patricia Lewis.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk