Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
May 27, 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 Gyasi Thomas, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lakewood PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by BSA Troop 134
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 Austin Patrick Fett, a Lakewood resident who attended elementary school at Bethany Lutheran and graduated Lakewood High School in 2014.
The Mayor commended those involved in the organization of the past holiday weekend’s Memorial Day program and gave a special shoutout to Scout Troop 134’s Honor Guard, who posted the colors for the first time ever at the City’s annual event. Mayor Rogers also acknowledged the vital contributions of public works professionals across North America.
He presented a proclamation to Public Works Director Kelli Pickler to recognize National Public Works Week and thanked the department for their tireless efforts.
Council Member Croft commented on his attendance at the California Contract Cities Association Municipal Seminar and the ICSC Conference.
Council Member Wood reported on his appointment to the California Contract Cities Association Executive Board. He congratulated all the recent graduates from Lakewood’s schools.
Deputy City Manager Paolo Beltran provided an update to the potential school closures at ABC Unified School District as a result of declining enrollment.
Mayor Rogers introduced Cerritos College President and Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro and Board Trustee Mariana Rios, who provided an update on the college. . . .
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA:
Philip Norris, Lakewood, spoke regarding Routine Item 3. . . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 9.
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held April 8, and May 13, 2025 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Approval of Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-5 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-15; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 92-36 PERTAINING TO
THE LOW-INCOME EXEMPTION OF THE UTILITY USERS TAX
RI-6 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-16; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING A HARDSHIP WAIVER FROM ONE OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING REGARDING
AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR PARKING CITATION
RI-7 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-17; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD DIRECTING THE PREPARATION OF A REPORT OF
DELINQUENT FEES FOR GARBAGE, WASTE AND REFUSE COLLECTION
AND DISPOSAL WITHIN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON FOR JULY 8, 2025
RI-8 Approval of 2025 Fireworks Stand Permit Applications RI-9 Approval of Reappointment of Erika Parada to Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board of Directors
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
3.1 • CATERING SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE CENTRE AND MONTE
VERDE PARK
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services displayed slides along with a video and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the proposed agreement for exclusive catering and concession services at The Centre and catering services at Monte Verde Park. She stated that based on the Request For Proposal process and by direction of the Park Development Committee, staff had negotiated an agreement with TGIS for catering and concession services at The Centre and catering services at Monte Verde Park to maximize financial performance at the two facilities, while providing first class food and beverage services for Lakewood residents, community organizations and businesses. It was recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute the City of Lakewood Recreation Agreement for Catering and Concession Services with TGIS Catering Services Inc., beginning July 1, 2025 and terminating June 30, 2036, subject to negotiated terms and approval as to legal form by the City Attorney.
Ms. Frost introduced Sofia Riley and George Marinos, who responded to questions and comments regarding number of employees, business model and basis for competitive pricing.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD MOVED AND VICE MAYOR CHASE SECONDED TO
APPROVE THE CATERING AND CONCESSION SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TGIS CATERING SERVICES, INC. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Chase and Rogers NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE
Josh Yordt, Director of Public Safety, made a presentation based on the report in the agenda regarding the update to the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). He introduced Shireen Kulkarni, Technical Consultant, Risk Management Professionals Inc., who displayed slides and discussed the process and the various phases involved in updating the LHMP. It was recommended that the City Council receive and file the report on the draft of the five-year update to Lakewood’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Mr. Yordt and Ms. Kulkarni responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding ongoing mitigation actions, transportation, places with vulnerability and individual hazard mitigation at home.
MAYOR ROGERS STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
City Council Minutes
May 27, 2025
3.3 • PURCHASE OF CITY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
Jose Gomez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the purchase of vehicles and equipment. He concluded by stating it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council appropriate $320,000 in General Funds and $140,000 in Water Funds for the purchase of city vehicles and equipment as described in Attachment A and authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of vehicles in Attachment A after gathering a minimum of three informal bids or “piggy backing” on governmental pricing that was already obtained through a competitive bidding process.
COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT
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
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT 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
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Heather Rodriguez, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding an event held by Lakewood Indivisible, for which she is an organizer.
Philip Norris, Lakewood, spoke about crime reports, trash rates, recycling and street sweeping.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. to Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Patrick Austin Fett.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk