Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
March 11, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:34 p.m. by Mayor Rogers in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Reverend Andrew Chung, Saint Pancratius Catholic Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 6925
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 event honoring the newest inductees as Legends of Lakewood had just concluded. He thanked staff and the Ad Hoc Council Committee, which included Vice Mayor Chase and Council Member Arellano, for their efforts on the entire process.
Council Member Croft announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Mayor Rogers’ mother, Joan Reiner, who had recently passed away.
Each of the Council Members expressed their condolences to Mayor Rogers on the loss of his mother.
Council Member Wood reported on the various events he had attended including State of the City, celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Pathways, Lakewood Run, Eagle Scout event of Troop 134, Contract Cities Board meeting, Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council meeting.
Council Member Arellano stated appreciation for the Sheriff’s Academy sessions provided to new council members, which he recently attended.
Vice Mayor Chase highlighted the celebration of Women’s History Month and reported on her attendance at the Lakewood Run in support of Soroptimist of Lakewood/Long Beach.
Mayor Rogers introduced Dr. Emily Kiresich, a Lakewood resident and Professor of Nutrition and Food Science at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and presented her with a proclamation declaring March to be National Nutrition Month. Dr. Kiresich expressed gratitude for the support.
. . .
City Council Minutes
March 11, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 10.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meeting held February 25, 2025 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Report of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-5 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-8; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL SIGNATURES IN LIEU OF WRITTEN “WET” SIGNATURES ON
LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND GOVERNMENT TORT CLAIMS
RI-6 Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Wood Rodgers, Inc.
RI-7 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE PUBLIC HEALTH
SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AND THE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
RI-8 Approval of Agreement for 2025 Civic Center Block Party Attractions and Games with Elite Special Events
RI-9 Approval of Agreement for 2025 Pan Am Fiesta Amusement Rides RI-10 Approval of Agreement with MCM Management Co. for Program Management Services for the Operation and Maintenance of Two Stormwater Capture Facilities UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • 2024 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Aldo Cervantes, Director of Community Development, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report. He stated it was the recommendation of the Planning and Environment Commission that the City Council receive and file the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the same to the Department of Housing and Community Development and to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
City Council Minutes
March 11, 2025
3.1 • 2024 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT - Continued
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
. . .
3.2 • PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES LONG RANGE PLAN
PROGRESS REPORT
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, and Jose Rodriguez, Director of GIS Services with MIG, Inc., displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the development of a long-range plan for park planning, capital projects and delivery of recreation programs. Ms. Frost concluded by stating it was the recommendation of staff that the City Council receive and file the report.
Staff responded to questions and comments from the Council Members regarding community engagement, identification of priorities and consideration of protection from the elements.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
3.3 • VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT
The Recreation and Community Services Director displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She reported that April was recognized as National Volunteer Month and that the Recreation and Community Services Department was celebrating the hard work of Lakewood’s volunteers by offering several events to both celebrate and encourage volunteerism. It was the recommendation of staff that the City Council receive and file the Volunteer Program Annual Update.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE 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
March 11, 2025
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Sarah Comfort, Iacoboni Library Manager, stated that the library would remain open while minor construction was being done.
Matthew Swantek, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding parking enforcement on trash pickup days.
Jennifer Illingworth, Lakewood, expressed appreciation for the Mayor’s and the City’s response denouncing the violence that had occurred during the recent protest held in front of city hall.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m., to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Joan Reiner.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk