Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Regular Meeting held
May 26, 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 Candace Kelly, Acts Community Bible Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Scouting America Cub Scout Pack 247 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 a) former Maintenance Carpenter Ted Pflug; and b) the victims of the Islamic Center of San Diego; 2) highlighted the Memorial Day Commemoration held on May 25, 2026, at the Lakewood Veterans Memorial Plaza at Del Valle Park; and 3) declared May 2026 as a) Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, highlighting that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up about 15% of Lakewood’s population; and b) Mental Health Awareness month, further noting that the City contracts with Care Solace to help residents connect with mental health and substance use resources.
Vice Mayor Wood 1) sent his condolences to those affected by the Garden Grove chemical leak; 2) reported on his attendance at the a) California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Webinar, noting that he was asked to serve on the Executive Board; b) Public Works Week Event; c) Chick-fil-A grand reopening; and d) Memorial Day Commemoration; and 3) requested staff contact the City of Long Beach regarding bike share bicycles that are abandoned in the City.
Council Member Rogers 1) provided a verbal report of the crime trends and statistics from the Public Safety Committee; 2) explained that the City must follow the State of California’s mandates relative to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), noting that the City cannot deny an ADU permit if it meets Statewide requirements; 3) requested an update relative to the Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) installations; and 4) encouraged residents to report warning signs of an active shooter.
At the request of Council Member Rogers, Director of Public Safety Yordt confirmed that the 1) Flock ALPRs are scheduled to be removed; and 2) Motorola Vigilant ALPRs will ship within the next few weeks.
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS - Continued
Council Member Arellano 1) reported on his attendance at the a) ICSC Las Vegas Conference; and b) Silver Award Ceremony held at Lakewood High School, further congratulating the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles for their hard work and dedication; and 2) expressed gratitude for serving as a member of the City Council.
At the request of Council Member Arellano, Director of Community Development Cervantes provided a brief verbal report of the meetings and discussions held during the ICSC Las Vegas Conference.
For the record, Mayor Chase introduced Eddie Witt Jr., Chair of Lemonade Day, and Jesse Gilgoff, Vice President of the Lakewood Jaycees, who provided a verbal report on Lemonade Day.
. . .
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA - None
. . .
ROUTINE ITEMS:
It was moved by Council Member Arellano, seconded by Council Member Rogers, 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 May 12, 2026 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 Meeting Reports and Authorizations Pursuant to AB1234 RI-6 Approval of Resolution No. 2026-13 - Requesting the Adoption of a List of Proposed Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Funded by Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
RI-7 Approval of Resolution No. 2026-14 - Consenting to the Inclusion of Properties within the City in the California Statewide Communities Development Authority Open Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs; Authorizing the California Statewide Communities Development Authority to Accept Applications from Property Owners, Conduct Contractual Assessment Proceedings and Levy Contractual Assessments within the City; and Authorizing Related Actions
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2026
ROUTINE ITEMS - Continued
RI-8 Approval of the Reappointment of Michael Segura to Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board
RI-9 Approval of Monthly Report of Investment Transactions - April 2026 RI-10 Approval of Resolution No. 2026-15 – Directing the Preparation of a Report of Delinquent Feesfor Garbage, Waste and Refuse Collection and Disposal within the City, and Setting a Public Hearing Thereon for July 14, 2026
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3.1 • SUMMER PROGRAMS, CIVIC CENTER BLOCK PARTY AND RECREATION
CATALOG PREVIEW
Mayor Chase introduced the item.
Director of Recreation and Community Services Frost provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Agenda report.
For the record, and without objection, the report was received and filed. . . .
3.2 • RESOLUTION NO. 2026-16 - ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION OF
TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE BILL 707
Mayor Chase introduced the item.
Deputy City Manager Beltran 1) provided a PowerPoint presentation of the Agenda report; and 2) along with City Manager McCormack and Deputy City Attorney Skolnik, responded to Council Members’ questions.
At the request of Council Member Croft and Vice Mayor Wood, 1) Deputy City Manager Beltran confirmed that Senate Bill 707 does not apply to the State Senate and/or State Assembly; and 2) City Manager McCormack explained that if telephonic or internet service is not operational at the meeting location, the City Council is not required to provide remote access; however, the City would make a good-faith attempt to establish telephonic or internet connection for remote participation.
In response to questions and comments provided by Council Member Rogers and Council Member Arellano, 1) Deputy City Manager Beltran a) clarified that in the event of disruption of telephonic and/or internet service, the City must call for a recess of the open session for at least one hour following the disruption, or until the service is restored, whichever is earlier; and b) confirmed that staff can look into supplemental technology systems that can be used in the event of a service disruption of the main system; and 2) Deputy City Attorney Skolnik clarified that remote access applies to all open and public meetings of the City Council as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act.
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2026
3.2 • RESOLUTION NO. 2026-16 - ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION OF
TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE BILL 707 - Continued
Following discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Wood, seconded by Council Member Arellano, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-16:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS – Wood, Croft, Arellano, Rogers, and Mayor Chase . . .
LAKEWOOD HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY
1 • REGISTER OF DEMANDS
It was moved by Council Member Rogers, 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:
Ben Chavez, resident, 1) thanked the City Council for the Memorial Day Commemoration held at the Lakewood Veterans Memorial Plaza; 2) highlighted that with the recent street marking on the south side of Centralia Street, residents have been able to walk safely in the area; and 3) requested the City look into conducting a parking study in the vicinity of 215th Street and Nectar Avenue, further explaining that individuals regularly park their vehicles within fifteen feet of the intersection which causes safety concerns.
Philip Norris, resident, 1) suggested the City consider a) utilizing Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Search Dogs for drug enforcement; b) relative to Ordinance No. 2026-1, requiring wider parking spaces at an angle to accommodate larger vehicles; c) utilizing Orange County Transportation Authority or Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for transportation services, expressing the opinion that very few residents utilize Long Beach Transit within the City; d) strict enforcement of not allowing parking within one hundred feet of a driveway; and e) reconfiguring the lanes on Harvey Way, Pioneer Boulevard, and Centralia Street, similar to the lane reconfiguration recently completed on Palo Verde Avenue; and 2) requested an update on the Palms Park Community Center Improvements Project.
Tom Swanner, resident, expressed concerns relative to an active code enforcement case at 5902 Premiere Avenue, stating 1) the existing “granny flat” has been in existence since 1951; 2) the subject property was reassessed with the “granny flat” by the County of Los Angeles; 3) the “granny flat” has been memorialized with plot maps and setbacks; and 4) an amicable resolution has not yet been found.
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2026
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Continued
In response to the comments provided by Tom Swanner, Mayor Chase 1) stated that this is an active code enforcement investigation; and 2) suggested he speak with Director of Community Development Cervantes.
David Olson, expressed concerns relative to an active code enforcement case at 5902 Premiere Avenue, stating 1) as a contractor and former City of Arcadia Planning Commissioner, he is well versed in zoning and building codes; and 2) he inspected the subject property and found the structure in compliance with relative codes.
Hector Vargas, resident, expressed concerns relative to an active code enforcement case at 5902 Premiere Avenue, stating 1) his in-laws reside with him and the subject property due to health issues; 2) the City inspected the property and noted that it is “permit exempt as used”; however, the City later described the property as “dilapidated” and “improperly maintained”; 3) he met with Code Enforcement Manager Carter relative to the Notice to Abate received but there has yet to be a resolution; and 4) the process has raised a “broader concern” on how code enforcement matters are being handled in the City.
In response to the comments provided by Hector Vargas, Mayor Chase suggested he speak with Director of Community Development Cervantes.
. . .
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Chase adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m. to Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Ted Pflug and the victims of the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Respectfully submitted,
Dakota Wallace, CMC
City Clerk