Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Adjourned Regular Meeting held
November 11, 2025
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 6:12 p.m. by Mayor Chase in the Executive Board Room, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Cassandra Chase
Vice Mayor Jeff Wood
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Todd Rogers
. . .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack provided a brief introduction noting that the meeting was a follow up to the economic development strategic plan previously discussed.
Aldo Cervantes, Director of Community Development, introduced Sunstone Cities, LLC representatives including John Keisler, CEO and Managing Partner; Giselle Melendez-Cruz, Research and Management Analyst; and Ryan Phong, Associate Project Manager.
Mr. Keisler displayed slides, provided an overview and highlighted key updates to the Economic Development Strategic Plan including refined recommendations, economic development committee research, expanded financing tools and workforce integration.
The Community Development Director identified next steps stating that once the Economic Development Strategic Plan was completed and feedback and comments had been incorporated into the final draft, staff would request Council adoption of the Plan. Following review and adoption, implementation and outreach would commence and include engaging regional partners, coordinating financing programs and beginning Year 1 deliverables. He stated that staff recommended the City Council review and discuss the Draft Economic Development Strategic Plan and provide any final comments before final approval at a subsequent meeting; and provide direction on the creation of an Economic Development Commission/Committee.
Staff and the consultants responded to questions and comments from the Council Members citing the document as a road map; amending inconsistencies such as with usage of acronyms, population and density; targeted industries; document and database accessibility; benefits of investments; concrete deliverables; uncertainty with formation of, structure and cost elements associated with an economic development commission or committee and its effect on staff workload; maintaining Council authority; other cities as a model or case study; impacts of 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics; business relocations; highlighting the streamlined business process; City incentives; business districts; economic partnerships with neighboring cities; home based businesses; convening of a task force with representation from each district; and the expectation of tangible outcomes.
City Council Minutes
November 11, 2025
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - Continued
Community Safety Commissioner Catherine Tolentino, co-owner of Gemmae Bake Shop in Long Beach, commented on her positive experience with the Long Beach Economic Development Commission and the impacts the programs had on her business successes particularly with the streamlined permit process and the availability of grants.
COUNCIL MEMBER ARELLANO MOVED AND VICE MAYOR WOOD SECONDED
TO DIRECT STAFF TO DETERMINE COSTS, STAFF TIME, ASSIGNMENTS AND
OUTLINE GOALS ON ESTABLISHING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION AND PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION. UPON FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS WITHDRAWN.
City Manager Thaddeus McCormack stated that staff would take into consideration Council Members’ feedback, conduct a study to obtain additional information and return for their consideration in future.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Mayberry
City Clerk