Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
March 10, 2026
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 Tamara John, Sharing Hope Today Ministry
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Was led by Girl Scout Troop 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 1) announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Manuel Cruz, Assistant Principal of Artesia High School; 2) thanked the community for participating in the 35th Annual Lakewood Run held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, further acknowledging the Lakewood Sheriff’s Department and Soroptimist Club for conducting the event; 3) acknowledged March 2026 as Women’s History Month, highlighting that City of Lakewood’s Community Services Supervisor Sabrina Junkin was recently selected as a Senate District 33 Women History Month honoree; and 4) noted that the last Matcha with the Mayor event will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Cassidy’s Corner located on South Street and Woodruff Avenue.
Vice Mayor Wood 1) acknowledged the Lakewood Jaycees for their partnership with the Lakewood Run organizers and Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) for allowing shelter dogs to participate in the 35th Annual Lakewood Run; 2) highlighted that a) presale tickets for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will be held on April 2 through April 6, 2026; b) the “LA28” volunteer portal is now open, noting 215,000 individuals have expressed interest in volunteering; c) all venues during the Olympics will have various amenities and programs such as food donation, composting, hydration stations, and shade zones; and d) over 15 million individuals are expected to be in the Los Angeles region during the Olympics; and 3) reported on his attendance to the a) Arbor Day event held at Gompers Elementary School; and b) Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS - Continued
Council Member Arellano 1) congratulated Vice Mayor Wood on his a) election as Vice Chair to the Southern California Association of Governments “SCAG” Community, Economic, and Human Development Committee; and b) appointment to the Los Angeles County Local Government Services Commission; 2) highlighted the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (“COG”) program for aged-out foster youth between the ages of 18 and 25 which provides stable housing, employment services, and educational support, further expressing the opinion that as a former foster youth, the program is beneficial and can assist with curbing the negative statistics that often affect foster youth; and 3) explained that he has visited local businesses in Lakewood during “March Madness” to assist with promoting businesses within the city. . . .
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA - None
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
It was moved by Council Member Arellano, seconded by Council Member Croft, and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote, to approve the balance of the actions stipulated on the Routine Items:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meeting held February 24, 2026 RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Authorization of Additional Contract Authority with Southland Industries for Citywide Infrastructure Improvements - PW 2024-12
. . .
2.1 • SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2026-2;
AMENDING THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE TO CREATE A TEMPORARY
SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT (TSEP)
Deputy City Attorney Skolnik introduced the item.
For the record, it was moved by Vice Mayor Wood, seconded by Council Member Croft, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-2:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase . . .
City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
2.2 • SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2026-3;
AMENDING ARTICLE IX OF THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD PART 24 PERTAINING TO STANDARDS FOR SHORT-TERM WASTE STORAGE ON
PRIVATE PROPERTY
Deputy City Attorney Skolnik introduced the item.
For the record, it was moved by Council Member Croft, seconded by Council Member Arellano, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-3:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase . . .
3.1 • VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT
Mayor Chase introduced the item.
Director of Recreation and Community Services Frost provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Agenda report.
For the record, 1) Council Member Rogers expressed gratitude for the efforts and dedication of the city volunteers, noting that volunteering is a core value of the City of Lakewood; 2) Council Member Arellano thanked the city volunteers for their efforts and encouraged residents to volunteer; and 3) Vice Mayor Wood highlighted that April is National Volunteer Month, further suggesting the City share how residents can become a volunteer for the City of Lakewood.
For the record, and without objection, the report was received and filed. . . .
LAKEWOOD HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY
1 • REGISTERS OF DEMANDS
It was moved by Council Member Croft, seconded by Council Member Arellano, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the registers of demands:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase . . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Lionel Jimenez, resident, expressed parking concerns in the vicinity of 21113 Seeley Place, including 1) vehicles parked on the street for 6 to 15 days without movement, further explaining that the City only issues citations after a vehicle has been parked in excess of 72 hours; and 2) vehicles blocking handicap curb ramps and corners, expressing the opinion that this has created City Council Minutes
March 10, 2026
public safety issues and traffic hazards.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Continued
Joy Carroll, resident, reiterated the concerns of the previous speaker, noting that the Los Angeles County Fire Department has visited the vicinity of 21113 Seeley Place due to the parking issues.
In response to the comments provided by Lionel Jimenez and Joy Carroll, Mayor Chase suggested they speak with Deputy City Manager Beltran.
Ron Nunnally, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provided details relative to the opening of the newly completed Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dave Montgomery, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provided details relative to special preview tours of the completed Yorba Linda California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be held on April 27 through April 29, 2026.
Philip Norris, resident, 1) thanked City staff for removing the graffiti reported; and 2) expressed support for the use of Flock cameras in the City, further suggesting the City look into the private video sharing/monitoring pilot program conducted in the City of Altadena.
Bert Johnson, resident, expressed the opinion that the public safety concerns in the vicinity of Obispo Avenue and Carson Street have been alleviated, further thanking City staff for their efforts in making the area safe.
For the record, the following individuals addressed the City Council relative to their concerns regarding the use of Flock cameras and the presence and actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the City and throughout the Country: 1) Laurel GrzesikMourad; 2) Anna Pinnolis; 3) Kimberly Esslinger; 4) Randy Donato; 5) Kay Ewing Donato; 6) Stephanie Terronez; 7) Simone Venhardt; 8) Estela Martinez; 9) Noel Heddon; 10) Irene Wood; 11) Tyler Lewis; 12) Aletha Vassilakis; 13) Tiana Flint; 14) Maegan Moo; and 15) Nancy Wilder.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m. to Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Weingart Ballroom.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Manuel Cruz.
Respectfully submitted,
Isabelle Schultz, CMC
Assistant City Clerk