Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
August 12, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:32 p.m. by Mayor Chase in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Reverend Louis Chase, Holman United Methodist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scout Troop 113/3433
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Cassandra Chase
Vice Mayor Jeff Wood
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Todd Rogers
. . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Chase announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Beverlee Perez, daughter of George Nye Jr., one of Lakewood’s first five city councilmembers following the community’s incorporation in April 1954; and in memory of Julia McCormack, formerly Julia Stiles and Julia Ross, an original incorporator, who was the secretary for the incorporation team. The Mayor highlighted the past weekend’s Lemonade Day events held across Lakewood. She also stated that the first Matcha with the Mayor event had been held a few weekends earlier providing an opportunity for residents to meet the Mayor and discuss various issues.
Vice Mayor Wood reported on the various meetings and events he had attended including Nieghborhood Watch Quarterly Seminar, 88 for 28 Convening Committee, Miss Bellflower pageant judging, 59th anniversary celebration of F&M Bank, Lakewood Leadership Academy, 100th birthday celebration of Mary Alonzo, Lakewood Youth Sports Award Ceremony, Unity Ice recital, National Night Out, Summer Concert in the Park, and the Lemonade Day event.
Council Member Rogers reported that he had been honored to join colleagues from the City of Paramount (and Sheriff Luna) to present at the California Contract Cities Association Educational Seminar about a public safety partnership noting that the joint powers authority formed with Paramount and Bellflower was enabling bringing more public safety resources to Lakewood at a lower cost.
Council Member Arellano commented on Vice Mayor Wood’s and his attendance at a recent event celebrating local resident Anthony Eyanson’s selection as a professional baseball pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization.
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS: - Continued
Mayor Chase introduced Captain Dan Holguin, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, who provided public safety statistics over the past quarter. He identified some of the recently implemented programs and highlighted their successes. He concluded by thanking the City Council, City Manager, and the Public Safety team for their continued leadership, partnership, and support.
Council Members thanked the Captain for the report and expressed appreciation for the hard work of the Sheriff’s Department personnel.
. . .
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA
Brian Spongberg, 2929 E. Carson Street, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding Item 2.2, Amending Car Wash Special Event Resolution, and requested consideration of changes to the requirements.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 11.
RI-1 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-2 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-3 Report of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-4 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions – June 2025 RI-5 Approval Of Quarterly Schedule of Investments as of June 30, 2025 RI-6 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-43; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION MORE
THAN TWO YEARS OLD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-44; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MORE THAN TWO YEARS OLD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-45; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY CLERK MORE THAN
TWO YEARS OLD
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-46; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MORE THAN TWO YEARS OLD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-47; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL MORE THAN
TWO YEARS OLD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-48; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY MORE THAN
TWO YEARS OLD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-49; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES MORE THAN TWO YEARS OLD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-50; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES MORE
THAN TWO YEARS OLD
RI-7 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-51; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING DISABLED PERSON DESIGNATED
PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF ELAINE AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF
LAKEWOOD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-52; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING DISABLED PERSON DESIGNATED
PARKING ON THE EAST SIDE OF MCNAB AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF
LAKEWOOD
RI-8 Acceptance of Notice of Completion for Public Works Project No. 2025-6, Improvements to Existing Mayfair Park
RI-9 Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Proposition A Discretionary Grant Program for Collecting and Reporting Data for the National Transit Database for Report Year 2023
RI-10 Appointment of Measure L Citizens Oversight Committee Member RI-11 Approval of Encroachment Permits for 3954 Ann Arbor Road and for 4176 Fleethaven Road
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • APPOINTMENT TO COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION
Thaddeus McCormack, City Manager, stated that the retirement of Commissioner Linda Manis created a vacancy on the Community Safety Commission.
Vice Mayor Wood thanked Ms. Manis for her service and nominated Catherine Tolentino to fill the vacancy.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-53; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD APPOINTING CATHERINE TOLENTINO TO THE COMMUNITY
SAFETY COMMISSION REPLACING LINDA MANIS
VICE MAYOR WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-53. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.2 • AMENDING CAR WASH SPECIAL EVENT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-38 Jose Gomez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and provided background information regarding Resolution No. 2024-38, which established a permit requirement for special events held at properties occupied by commercial car washes. He stated it was recommended that City Council adopt the proposed resolution pertaining to the modification of Resolution No. 2024-38 and adding further parameters for special events at properties occupied by commercial car washes.
Staff responded to questions and comments regarding the duration of events, hours of operation, neighborhood disruption, noise and traffic issues and providing a balance of the various factors involved.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-54; REAFFIRMING AND AUGMENTING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A PERMIT FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AT
PROPERTIES OCCUPIED BY COMMERCIAL CAR WASHES
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
2.2 • AMENDING CAR WASH SPECIAL EVENT RESOLUTION - Continued
COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT
SECONDED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-54, AS AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE TEN-DAY MAXIMUM FOR SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Vice Mayor Wood requested that the issue be revisited after the new year. . . .
3.1 • ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR THE
PALMS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENT
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and explained that the City of Lakewood had received the executed grant agreement for the Congressional Federal earmarks for use towards the Palms Park Community Center Improvement Project. She concluded by stating it was recommended that the City Council accept the award of the Federal Community Project Funding in the amount of $850,000 for Palms Park Community Center Improvement.
VICE MAYOR WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES LONG-RANGE PLAN The Director of Recreation and Community Services displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda pertaining to the development of a Parks, Recreation and Community Services Long-Range Plan in collaboration with the contracted landscape architecture firm, MIG, Inc. She introduced Jose Rodriguez, MIG Senior Project Manager, who provided a brief presentation on the plan. It was the recommendation of staff that the City Council receive and file the completed Parks, Recreation and Community Services Long-Range Plan for the public record and reference the document as needed to reaffirm alignment with city goals, priorities, available resources and community needs.
Additionally, it was recommended that the Park Development Committee undertake a systematic review of the Plan’s recommendations and, where applicable, collaborate with the Capital Improvement Program Committee.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding the importance of the plan as a tool in securing grants and encouraged public participation and engagement.
MAYOR CHASE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
3.3 • APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES
Mayor Chase presented the list of appointments to governmental associations, organizations and committees.
ORGANIZATIONAL APPOINTMENTS
California Contract Cities
Association Wood - Representative Chase - Alternate
California Joint Powers
Insurance Authority Croft - Representative Wood - Alternate So. Calif. Association of Governments (SCAG)
General Assembly Arellano - Representative Chase - Alternate Gateway Cities COG Board Arellano - Representative Rogers - Alternate Greater Los Angeles County
Vector Control District Croft - Representative
Job Training Partnership Act Wood - Policy Board
SELACO WDB
League of California Cities
L.A. County Division Arellano - Representative Chase - Alternate City Selection Committee Croft - Representative Chase - Alternate Annual League Conference Chase - Representative Arellano - Alternate L.A. County Sanitation
District #3 & #19 Chase - Representative Wood - Alternate Southeast Water Coalition Rogers - Representative Chase – Alternate 88 for 28 Committee Wood - Representative Chase - Alternate
STANDING COMMITTEES
Intergovernmental Relations Chase - Chair Wood - Member Lakewood Schools Arellano - Chair Rogers - Member
Environmental Management Croft - Chair Arellano - Member Public Safety Rogers - Chair Wood - Member
Park Development Wood - Chair Chase - Member
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
3.3 • APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS & COMMITTEES - Continued
Water Resources Croft - Chair Chase – Member
Community Promotion Wood - Chair Arellano – Member
Economic Development Chase – Chair Rogers – Member
Hall of Fame - Board of Wood - Chair
Electors
Audit Chase - Chair Arellano - Member
Capital Improvement Plan Chase - Chair Croft - Member
Race, Equity, Diversity and Chase - Chair Rogers - Member Inclusion
VICE MAYOR WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO SECONDED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS AS PRESENTED. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Register of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTER OF DEMANDS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Heather Rodriguez of Lakewood Indivisible, requested support and donations of food and hygiene supplies on behalf of a sister project, Lakewood Mutual Aid.
Jennifer Illingworth, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding unlawful raids by ICE agents.
Laura Sanchez Ramirez, Lakewood, stated that as a member of the Lakewood Women’s Club, they had been honored to support Lemonade Day.
City Council Minutes
August 12, 2025
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: - Continued
Philip Norris, Lakewood, spoke regarding a food truck at Pioneer Boulevard and Carson Street; marked intersections for public parking; and accessory dwelling units. . . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Beverlee Perez and Julia McCormack.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk