Minutes
Lakewood City Council
Adjourned Regular Meeting held
September 8, 2026
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Wood in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, California.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Jeff Wood
Vice Mayor David Arellano
Council Member Cassandra Chase
Council Member Todd Rogers
Council Member Rudy Villarreal
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA – None
LAKEWOOD TOWN SQUARE UPDATE
Mayor Wood introduced the item.
Director of Public Works Pickler 1) introduced a) Mark Lewis, Project Director, Ardurra Group, Inc.; and b) Daniel Berghauser, Principal Architect, Dahlin Architecture, who provided a PowerPoint presentation of the item; and 2) along with City Manager McCormack, Director of Recreation and Community Services Frost, and Director of Public Safety Yordt, responded to Council Members’ questions and comments.
For the record, Council Member Rogers 1) expressed excitement for the proposed project, noting that it has been a topic of discussion before the City Council for many years and will serve as a symbolic center of the City and a gateway to the Civic Center.
At the request of Council Member Rogers, 1) Principal Architect Berghauser stated a) the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) noise study showed that the proposed design would reduce sound from Del Amo Boulevard, explaining that a sound wall, in addition to trees on both sides of the sound wall, will reduce sound transmission for neighboring residents; b) electrical connections will be located at all four corners of the town square; and c) the proposed design includes measures to deter vandalism and loitering, such as benches that do not allow for long-term stays and gates to protect access to the town square; and 2) Director Frost explained that staff will work with The Centre staff and implement security measures to make the space available for private events, such as weddings.
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City Council Adjourned Minutes
September 8, 2026
LAKEWOOD TOWN SQUARE UPDATE – Continued
For the record, 1) Council Member Villarreal expressed excitement for the proposed project, further suggesting the City consider hosting viewing parties for the 2028 Olympics; 2) Council Member Chase expressed excitement for the proposed project, expressing the opinion that the town square will be a valuable space for the community that will last for generations; 3) Vice Mayor Arellano thanked the City Council and staff for their work on the proposed project and expressed excitement for its endless possibilities; and 4) Mayor Wood expressed excitement for the project, stating that he can envision many City events occurring in the space.
Following brief discussion, in response to questions and comments provided by Vice Mayor Arellano, 1) Principal Architect Berghauser explained that removable umbrellas and child play features will be located in the open space area, emphasizing that those items can be removed by staff when not in use; 2) Director Pickler stated that the light-emitting diode (LED) screen is commonly used and can be repaired quickly if needed, highlighting that the Cities of Garden Grove and Anaheim have similar screens; 3) Director Yordt confirmed that the town square will be patrolled regularly by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Southwest Patrol, and City staff; and 4) City Manager McCormack stated that surveillance cameras could be installed throughout the town square for security purposes.
At the request of Mayor Wood, Director Pickler stated that the project is tentatively scheduled for completion in September 2027.
For the record, there was no formal action taken on this item.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought before the City Council, Mayor Wood adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dakota Wallace, CMC
City Clerk