Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
March 24, 2026
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 Pastor Brayboy, The Way Christian Fellowship
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Was led by Cub Scout Pack 134
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
Mayor Cassandra Chase
Vice Mayor Jeff Wood
Council Member David Arellano
Council Member Steve Croft
Council Member Todd Rogers
. . .
For the record and without objection, Mayor Chase recessed the meeting at 7:37 p.m. to continue the Adjourned Regular Meeting.
For the record, Mayor Chase reconvened the meeting at 11:19 p.m. with all members present. . . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Chase 1) shared that she and Council Members Arellano and Rogers attended the Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach “Live Your Dream” awards event which supported women pursuing higher education while being the head of their household, and have had, or are in the process of overcoming adverse personal circumstances; and 2) noted that the third annual LeadHer Lakewood women’s empowerment, health seminar and mixer will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
. . .
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA
- None
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
It was moved by Council Member Croft, seconded by Vice Mayor Wood, and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote, to approve the balance of the actions stipulated on the Routine Items:
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase RI-1 Approval of Minutes of the Meetings held March 17, 2026 ROUTINE ITEMS: - Continued
RI-2 Approval of Personnel Transactions
RI-3 Approval of Registers of Demands
RI-4 Approval of City Council Committees’ Activities
RI-5 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions – February 2026 RI-6 Approval of Renewal of Agreement for On-Call Hazardous Waste Removal Services and Increase of Not to Exceed Amount with Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc.
RI-7 Approval of Substitution of Subcontractor - PW Contract 22-7 . . .
1.1 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2026-4;
AMENDING THE LAKEWOOD MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO
PROVISIONS FOR THRIFT STORES AND AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 3 ARTICLE IX (DEFINITIONS) INCLUDING AN EXEMPTION
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(b)(3)
City Manager McCormack stated that City staff requested that the City Council continue the item to the meeting of April 14, 2026.
Deputy City Attorney Skolnik advised that since no one signed up to address the City Council for this Public Hearing, it would be appropriate for a motion to be made to continue 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 continue the public hearing to April 14, 2026:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase . . .
3.1 • 2025 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Mayor Chase introduced the item.
Director of Community Development Cervantes provided a verbal report of the Agenda report.
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
For the record, and without objection, the report was received and filed. . . .
3.2 • AWARD OF BID - PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT 23-1 PALMS PARK COMMUNITY
CENTER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Mayor Chase introduced the item.
Director of Public Works Pickler provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Agenda report.
For the record, Council Member Croft stated 1) he is a member of the Capital Improvement Plan Committee that has worked on this project for years; and 2) he is excited about the proposed project and how the design will improve the park.
At the request of Vice Mayor Wood, Director Frost explained that County funding was being used for playground improvement projects.
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 1) adopt the plans, specifications, and working detailsfor the subject project; 2) waive the immaterial irregularities in the Nazerian Group’s bid proposal; 3) award a contract for the “Palms Park Community Center Improvements Project,” Public Works Contract 23-1, in the amount of $7,022,415 to the low bidder The Nazerian Group and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney; 4) authorize staff to approve a cumulative total of change orders, as necessary not to exceed $1,155,000; and 5) authorize staff to execute lease agreements for temporary mobile office and restroom facilities and associated temporary utilities in a combined amount not to exceed $155,000:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase
LAKEWOOD HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY
1 • REGISTER OF DEMANDS
It was moved by Vice Mayor Wood, seconded by Council Member Arellano, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the register of demands:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase . . .
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Kay Ewing Donato, resident, 1) shared her satisfaction with the discontinuation of the Flock contract; and 2) noted that the Lakewood Mutual Aid Society held a Spring craft sale the past Saturday, further thanking the crafters for their donations which resulted in raising over $1,900 to support the people of Lakewood.
. . .
City Council Minutes
March 24, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 11:36 p.m. to Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Isabelle Schultz, CMC
Assistant City Clerk