Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
October 14, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 7:7:31 p.m. by Mayor Chase in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
INVOCATION was offered by Council Member David Arellano PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Girl Scout Troop 823
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 Mark John Macaulay, brother to longtime CityTV staff member, Christina Macaulay; in memory of former California State Long Beach President Dr. Robert C. “Bob” Maxson, who led CSULB from 1994 to 2006, and can be credited with coining the phrase, “Go Beach.” The Mayor recounted the successes of the recent Matcha with the Mayor event and the Fest−Of−All multicultural food and music festival. She stated that October marked Filipino American Heritage Month; noted the traditional shirt worn by Deputy City Manager Paolo Beltran; and marked the attendance of Commissioner Catherine Tolentino, co-owner of Gemmae’s Bake Shop in Long Beach, Luz Banayad, owner of Kainan Sa Kanto, whose restaurant was celebrating its 25th anniversary. Mayor Chase also announced that she had signed a proclamation honoring the commemorative month, along with the certificate honoring Kainan’s milestone.
Vice Mayor Wood remarked on his attendance at recent events including the Biz Fed Annual Freshman Policymakers, Scout Troop 134 Eagle Court of Honor, SELACO Workforce Development Policy Board meeting, L.A. County Sanitation District meeting, League of California Cities conference and the City’s Fest-of-All festival. He congratulated Mayor Chase on being re-elected as President of the Women’s Caucus and City Manager Thaddeus McCormack on being recognized for his leadership as President of the City Manager’s Department with the League of California Cities.
Council Member Arellano reported on his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce car show and shared recent success stories related to homeless outreach efforts.
City Council Minutes
October 14, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Chase introduced Lynsey Russell of the Rotary Club of Lakewood, who made a presentation regarding Project Shepherd. She concluded by requesting Mayor Chase serve as Honorary Chairperson and that the City continue as co-sponsor of the program. . . .
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA
Phillip Norris, Lakewood, spoke regarding compensation comparison and Equestrian Center usage.
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO
SECONDED TO APPROVE ROUTINE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 12.
RI-1 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-2 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-3 Approval of Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-4 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - September 2025 RI-5 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-59; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2024-25 PERTAINING
TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND THE CLASSIFICATION AND
COMPENSATION OF CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, AND
ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, DEFINING THE CONDITIONS AND
HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT, AND ADOPTING A CLASSIFICATION AND
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
RI-6 Approval of Renewal of Southern California Edison Company License Agreement for Lakewood Equestrian Center
RI-7 Approval of the First Amendment to the Recreation Lease Agreement for Lakewood Equestrian Center
RI-8 Approval of Cooperative Agreement with Smart Compliance for Recycling Tracking and Recordkeeping Software for CalRecycle SB 1383 Compliance RI-9 Approval of Third Amendment of Memorandums of Understanding with Gateway Region Integrated Water Management Joint Powers Authority RI-10 Approval of Cooperative Agreement for Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at Intersection of Del Amo Boulevard and Claretta Avenue City Council Minutes
October 14, 2025
ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-11 Approval of Annual Streets and Alleys Resurfacing Project – Change Order for Rtc Equipment for Speed Feedback Signs
RI-12 Approval of Agreement with Robert Toyer for Homeless Services Liaison UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
2.1 • INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-2 AND RESOLUTION 2025-60; ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
Aldo Cervantes, Director of Community Development, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda explaining that in order to comply with State law, the City Council was asked to consider the adoption of updated building and safety codes based on the California Building Standards Commission. He stated that the Building Division recommended that the City Council introduce the proposed ordinance and schedule the second reading and adoption for the next regular City Council meeting.
Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members regarding substantial Statewide changes, regulations pertaining to solar panels and construction restrictions on weekends and holidays.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-2; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 50022.2 AND 50022.9, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE, AND ADOPTING LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO was read by title by the City Clerk.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-60; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKEWOOD ADOPTING LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS SUPPORTING
AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE AS CONTAINED IN THE LAKEWOOD BUILDING AND
RESIDENTIAL CODES
VICE MAYOR WOOD MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO SECONDED TO WAIVE FURTHER READING AND INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 2025-2 AND RESOLUTION NO. 2025-60. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
City Council Minutes
October 14, 2025
3.1 • CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL AND ON-CALL
AGREEMENT FOR PALMS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS
Kelli Pickler, Director of Public Works, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda explaining that a Request-For-Proposals had been issued for construction management and labor compliance services in support of the Palms Park Community Center Improvements project. It was staff’s recommendation that the City Council authorize Ardurra Group, Inc.’s proposal dated August 7, 2025, to provide construction management and labor compliance services for the Palms Park Community Center Improvements, under their existing Agreement for Engineering Services, in an amount not−to-exceed $1,058,319.75; and authorize the on-call professional services agreement with Griffin Structures, Inc in a form approved by the City Attorney Staff responded to questions and comments from Council Members pertaining to a timeline for projects and outside construction management firms.
COUNCIL MEMBER CROFT MOVED AND COUNCIL MEMBER ROGERS
SECONDED TO APPOVE STAFF’S RECOMMENDATIONS. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers and Chase NAYS: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
. . .
3.2 • QUARTERLY BUDGET REPORT OF MAJOR FUNDS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
Jose Gomez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda providing a quarterly budget review as of September 30, 2025, where revenue and expenditure amounts for the first three months of the fiscal year were compared to budgeted amounts. He concluded by stating that staff recommended that the City Council receive and file the report.
MAYOR CHASE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
. . .
3.3 • 2025 HALLOWEEN CARNIVALS
Valarie Frost, Director of Recreation and Community Services, displayed slides and made a presentation based on the report in the agenda highlighting that the Halloween carnivals were featured at eight parks throughout the city and were among the most well attended city events of the year. She reported on the various carnival elements, including game booths and decorations, and described some of the new enhancements that would be introduced at Halloween Carnivals across the City to improve overall appeal and enhance participant experience.
MAYOR CHASE STATED THAT THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE REPORT WAS ORDERED RECEIVED AND FILED.
City Council Minutes
October 14, 2025
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE GREATER LOS ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR
CONTROL DISTRICT REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF CITY REPRESENTATIVE
MAYOR CHASE MOVED AND VICE MAYOR WOOD SECONDED TO RE-APPOINT
STEVE CROFT TO THE GREATER LOS ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM. 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 capital improvements and handicapped parking.
Heather Rodriguez, Lakewood, Lakewood Indivisible, addressed the City Council regarding peaceful protests and protecting the Constitution.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m. to Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. A moment of silence was observed in the memory of Mark Macaulay and Dr. Robert Maxson.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry, CMC
City Clerk