Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
September 9, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Chase in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Pastor Candace Kelly, Acts Community Bible Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by 6925
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 retired Assistant Sheriff Michael Rothans, who spent time at the Lakewood Sheriff's Station as a lieutenant in the 2010s; and in memory of Efrain Ramirez, with EDCO Waste and Recycling, the City’s longtime trash collection contractor.
The Mayor stated that the annual Patriot Day flag-lowering ceremony would be held on September 11th in the west parking lot outside City Hall. She added that September marked two special commemorations, which were National Preparedness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month in Lakewood.
Council Members reported on meetings they had attended and extended condolences to the families of Michael Rothans and Efrain Ramirez.
Tony Mendoza, general manager of the Artesia Cemetery District made a presentation and distributed handouts highlighting the District’s boundaries, pricing sheets and upcoming events showcasing new features.
. . .
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA: None
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
VICE MAYOR WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 10.
City Council Minutes
September 9, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held April 22, May 27, July 22, and August 26, 2025
RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Approval of Report of City Council Committees’ Activities RI-5 Approval of Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-6 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions RI-7 Approval of Extension of Memorandum of Understanding for Use of City Owned Parcel for Farmers Market
RI-8 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-55; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING “NO PARKING, 10:00 PM TO 5:00 AM” ON BOTH SIDES OF 36TH STREET, BIXBY ROAD, AND COVER STREET
FROM CHERRY AVENUE TO INDUSTRY AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF
LAKEWOOD
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-56; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD ESTABLISHING “NO PARKING, 10:00 PM TO 5:00 AM” ON BOTH SIDES OF INDUSTRY AVENUE FROM 36TH STREET TO COVER
STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD
RI-9 Approval of Agreement Amendment with All City Management Services for Crossing Guard Services
RI-10 Approval of Sewer System Management Plan Update
UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
1.1 • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT
Aldo Cervantes, Director of Community Development, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and explained that Community Development Block Grant regulations required grantees to prepare an annual performance report, which summarized a grantee’s programmatic and financial accomplishments during the previous program year.
City Council Minutes
September 9, 2025
1.1 • CDBG PROGRAM CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND
EVALUATION REPORT - Continued
He stated it was staff’s recommendation that the City Council hold a public hearing to solicit citizen comments on the City’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for fiscal year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, and direct staff to take into consideration all comments received and submit them along with the CAPER to the local HUD office.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding renovation, landscaping and reimbursement costs.
Mayor Chase opened the public hearing at 8:23 p.m. and called for anyone in the audience wishing to address the City Council on this matter.
Alan Gafford, Long Beach, spoke about allowable administrative fees.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.1 • LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD – PAVING CHANGE ORDER AND WILLDAN
PROPOSAL
Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and reported on the Annual Streets and Alley Resurfacing Project.
She concluded by stating staff recommended that the City Council increase the appropriation of special restricted SB1 (RMRA) funds toward the project in the amount of $1,727,802; increase the appropriation of special restricted Proposition C funds toward the project in the amount of $1,000,938; authorize staff to approve a change order with Hardy and Harper for the inclusion of Lakewood Boulevard into the project scope in the amount of $2,315,740; authorize staff to approve a change order with Hardy and Harper for the inclusion of ten speed feedback signs into the project scope in the amount of $100,000; authorize staff to approve a change order with Hardy and Harper for the inclusion of raised median modifications at the intersection of Carson Street and Obispo Avenue into the project scope in the amount of $21,000; and increase project contingency by an additional $275,000 for a total of $2,275,000.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND VICE MAYOR WOOD SECONDED TO APPROVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
City Council Minutes
September 9, 2025
3.2 • FALL/WINTER RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda and stated that registration was now under way for programs offered through the Fall/Winter Recreation Catalog, which included over 350 classes. She highlighted some of the popular features, including after-school and school vacation supervision; college fair; Lakewood Youth Sports flag football, volley tennis and volleyball; older adult programs; Patriot Day ceremony; FUN-Tastic Family Nights and Play at Palms events; Lollipop Lane Craft Boutique; Fest-of-All; Halloween carnivals and the Project Shepherd Holiday Program. She stated it was the recommendation of staff that the City Council receive and file the report on Fall/Winter Recreation Programs and Events.
MAYOR CHASE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
SUCCESSOR HOUSING ACTIONS
1. Approval of Registers of Demands
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REGISTERS 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:
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, spoke about closing off a street; Orange County transit; junior lifeguard program and Board of Education.
David Pylman, Cerritos, inquired about Coyote Creek bridge.
Linda Whitman, Lakewood, addressed the City Council regarding a code enforcement issue.
Jonathan Byun, Lakewood, stated his concerns about homelessness near his property. . . .
CLOSED SESSION:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, Pursuant to Government Code §54957
At 9:01 p.m., the City Council recessed to a closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to evaluate the performance of the City Manager.
At 10:00 p.m., the City Council reconvened with all members present. No action was taken. . . .
City Council Minutes
September 9, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Michael Rothans and Efrain Ramirez.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk