Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
April 22, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:33 p.m. by Mayor Rogers in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Kim, Trinity United Methodist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Council Member Steve Croft 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 the step-mother of Council Member Jeff Wood, Elaine Chapla-Wood, who was a passionate volunteer, giving her time to organizations including Meals on Wheels of Long Beach and The Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The meeting would also be adjourned in memory of Deborah Leimbach, the mother of Veronica Copeland, Special Events Assistant in the Communications Department. The Mayor added that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Pope Francis, who passed away after a lengthy illness.
Mayor Rogers commended those involved in Volunteer Day, which had been held on April 12th noting the over 300 volunteers whose efforts went towards the cause of community beautification and helping neighbors in need.
Council Member Wood reported on his attendance at “A Walkthrough Pathways” event, Volunteer Day sites, Southeast L.A. County Workforce Development Policy Board meeting, California Contract Cities Association April Board of Directors meeting and a recent Neighborhood Watch seminar. He congratulated Vice Mayor Chase on receiving the 2025 Trailblazer Award at the Visions of H.O.P.E. (Honoring Our People Everyday) celebration.
The Mayor introduced Captain Dan Holguin, commander of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, who provided the quarterly report on public safety. Captain Holguin reported on some of the decreases in Part I crimes for the City as well as for Lakewood Center and highlighted some of the strategies used. The Captain explained that despite continued interest from residents in becoming volunteers requesting clerical duties, the current need was for field duties. He applauded the City’s commitment to using state-of-the-art technology that enhanced public safety. He reminded residents that April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month. He concluded by thanking the City Council, the City Manager and the Public Safety team for their continued leadership, partnership, and support.
City Council Minutes
April 22, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA: None
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4.
RI-1 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-2 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-3 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - March 2025 RI-4 Approval of Quarterly Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2025 UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
1.1 • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2029, ONE YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, AND ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO
FAIR HOUSING CHOICE
Steve Skolnik, for the City Attorney, explained that staff was recommending that the City Council continue the item to the meeting of June 10, 2025.
Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 8:01 p.m. and called for anyone in the audience wishing to address the City Council on this matter.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO JUNE 10, 2025. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • AGREEMENT WITH MNS ENGINEERS FOR PREPARATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE, RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13
Aldo Cervantes, Director of Community Development, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the City entering into an agreement with MNS Engineers to update the General Plan in the amount of $1,062,506 which would be spread over the three fiscal years required to prepare and adopt the new General Plan update.
City Council Minutes
April 22, 2025
3.1 • AGREEMENT WITH MNS ENGINEERS FOR PREPARATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE, RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13 - Continued Staff recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution approving the proposed Professional Services Agreement with MNS Engineers for the update of the City’s General Plan.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD APPROVING THAT CERTAIN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD AND MNS ENGINEERS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE 2025 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND MAYOR ROGERS SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-13. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • QUARTERLY BUDGET REPORT OF MAJOR FUNDS AS OF MARCH 31, 2025
Jose Gomez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda providing a budget status report which included third quarter review specifics, general fund expenditures, general fund revenues, water utility fund expenses, and water utility fund revenues. He stated that next steps included preparation of the revised budget and presentation to the City Council in early June.
Mr. Gomez responded to questions and comments from the Council Members regarding sources of revenue and collection of sales and property taxes.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
3.3 • PAN AM FIESTA PREVIEW
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda. She stated that the Pan American Fiesta was Lakewood’s oldest community special event and this year’s event would include amusement rides, food booths, a cultural mix of live entertainment, the Children’s Cultural Booth, a shoppers’ circle, and a display of Lakewood’s Pan American history. She noted that shuttle service would be provided for Civic Center parking and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department along with Community Safety Officers would provide a greater sense of safety and security for all event attendees throughout the four-day event.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
City Council Minutes
April 22, 2025
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Lo Alkire stated she was a member of Lakewood Indivisible and addressed the City Council regarding appreciation and recognition of Social Security Administration staff. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Elaine Chapla-Wood, Deborah Leimbach, and Pope Francis.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk