MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING January 18, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:53 p.m. in the City Hall council chamber, 14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale, California.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Pat Kearney, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas
Other Participants: City Clerk Erica Harbison, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Duane Allen, Interim City Manager Raylette Felton, Interim Finance Director John Downs, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez, Assistant City Clerk Matthew
Ceballos, Public Works Director Julian Lee
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez led the flag salute.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Captain Duane Allen summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Randal Abram, Resident, spoke about the changes in the use of illegal fireworks, a recent crime incident in the City, and the departure of the Assistant City Clerk, Matthew Ceballos.
Pam London, former Lawndale Resident, spoke about the changes and roles of City staff.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council and staff responded generally to the comments.
Councilmember Sirley Cuevas inquired on the incident Mr. Abram stated.
Captain Duane Allen responded he will have an update on the incident by the next meeting.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 1 through 4, will be considered and acted upon under one motion unless a City Councilmember removes individual items for further City Council consideration or explanation.
1. Accounts Payable Register
Minutes-City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting January 18, 2022
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2201-002, authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,467,494.87.
2. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – December 6, 2021 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
3. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Special Meeting – January 11, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
4. Minutes of the Lawndale Successor Agency Special Meeting – June 28, 2021 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
Councilmember Sirley Cuevas inquired on multiple payments for street sweeping service listed on item no. 1.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded there was a delay in payments and the multiple payments are towards 3 months of street sweeping service.
Councilmember Pat Kearney inquired on the large sum of graffiti removal supplies.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded that graffiti has increased in the City.
A motion by Councilmember Kearney to approve the consent calendar was seconded by Councilmember Cuevas and carried by a vote of 5-0.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Continuance of Public Hearing for an Appeal Request (Case No. 21-25) Appealing the Planning Commission’s Decision to Deny Case No. 20-17 for the Development of a New 7,779 Square Foot Express Carwash Facility on a GC (General Commercial) Zoned Property Located at 15413-15425 Hawthorne Boulevard Recommendation: that the City Council (a) conduct a public hearing, (b) hold a final discussion regarding the project, (c) and either approve, deny, or revise the project based on the proposed motions on page 2 of this report.
The public hearing continued at 7:11 p.m.
Anonymous Resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed car wash project.
Pam London, former Resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed car wash project.
The public hearing was closed at 7:26 p.m.
A dialogue ensued between City Council and staff regarding a meeting date for a continuation of the public hearing item.
Minutes-City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting January 18, 2022
A motion by Councilmember Kearney to continue the Public Hearing listed on Item No. 5 to the February 7, 2022, meeting was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman and carried by a vote of 5-0.
H. ADMINISTRATION
6. Contract Amendment No. 1 for the Local Road Safety Plan Study Recommendation: that the City Council approve the First Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for the Local Road Safety Plan Study for additional traffic count services amount of $3,373 and preparation of the technical specification for the amount of $6,910 in the total amount of $10,283.
Public Works Director Julian Lee reported on the Contract Amendment No. 1 for the Local Road Safety Plan Study.
A motion by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the First Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for the Local Road Safety Plan Study for additional traffic count services amount of $3,373 and preparation of the technical specification for the amount of $6,910 in the total amount of $10,283, was seconded by Councilmember Suarez and carried by a vote of 5-0.
7. Authorize the Purchase of Beverage Container Recycling Receptacles and Urban Renaissance Litter Receptacles
Recommendation: that the City Council (a) authorize the purchase of Urban Renaissance Litter and Recycling Receptacles from Forms and Surfaces, a sole source vendor, for the total price of $120,856.25, (b) approve the transfer of Department of Conservation Grant Fund in amount of $8,496 from fund 227 (Department of Conservation Grant Fund) to fund 283 (Solid Waste), (c) approve the transfer of AB939 Fund in amount of $54,504 from fund 276 (AB939) to fund 283 (Solid Waste) and (d) appropriate $63,000 to Budget Account Number 283-330-540.505 within the Solid Waste Fund.
Public Works Director Julian Lee reported on the authorization Purchase of Beverage Container Recycling Receptacles and Urban Renaissance Litter Receptacles.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if the funding for the receptacles will be come from the City’s General Fund account and if all litter and recycling receptacles will be replaced.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded the funds will not come from the City’s General Fund and the receptacles located at bus stops and all through the City will be replaced.
Councilmember Pat Kearney inquired who will provide the maintenance for the receptacles.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded Republic Services will service the receptacles and City staff will respond to any overflow.
Councilmember Pat Kearney inquired how the containers will be secured from scavenging.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded they will be open and not protected.
Minutes-City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting January 18, 2022
Councilmember Cuevas inquired how often the pick-up service is.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded two times a week.
Councilmember Cuevas requested local businesses obtain an extra bin.
Public Works Director Julian Lee responded he will look further into it.
A motion by Councilmember Cuevas to authorize the purchase of Urban Renaissance Litter and Recycling Receptacles from Forms and Surfaces, a sole source vendor, for the total price of $120,856.25, approve the transfer of Department of Conservation Grant Fund in amount of $8,496 from fund 227 (Department of Conservation Grant Fund) to fund 283 (Solid Waste), approve the transfer of AB939 Fund in amount of $54,504 from fund 276 (AB939) to fund 283 (Solid Waste) and appropriate $63,000 to Budget Account Number 283-330-540.505 within the Solid Waste Fund, was seconded by Councilmember Suarez and carried by a vote of 5-0.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
8. Consideration of the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and the Administrative Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Recommendation: that the City Council (a) approve and direct staff to submit to the Los Angeles County Oversight Board and California Department of Finance the ROPS 22-23 and Administrative Budget FY 2022-2023 and (b) authorize staff to make any changes requested by the California Department of Finance.
Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez and Interim Finance Director John Downs reported on the Consideration of the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and the Administrative Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Mayor Robert Pullen –Miles inquired if the Los Angeles County Oversight Board provided any comments.
Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez responded no comments were provided.
A motion by Councilmember Suarez to approve and direct staff to submit to the Los Angeles County Oversight Board and California Department of Finance the ROPS 22-23 and Administrative Budget FY 2022-2023 and authorize staff to make any changes requested by the California Department of Finance, was seconded by Councilmember Kearney and carried by a vote of 5-0.
I. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Interim City Manager Raylette Felton spoke about the reopening of the Community Center and bringing the item back at a later City Council Meeting date. Interim City Manager Raylette Felton sent well wishes to Assistant City Clerk Matthew Ceballos on his departure.
Minutes-City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting January 18, 2022
J. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
9. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Kearney attended the Sherriff’s Liability Trust and Oversight Committee, the South Bay Workforce Investment Board 21st Annual Awards Ceremony, Lawndale City Employee Recognition Lunch, and the Lawndale Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
Councilmember Suarez attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments Legislative Committee meeting and two other meetings. Councilmember Suarez commended Assistant City Clerk Matthew Ceballos for his achievements before his departure and she announced The Greater Los Angeles County Homeless Count has been postponed for February.
Councilmember Sirley Cuevas attended the 2022 Donate Life Float Rose Parade decoration, the 8th General Plan Update Workshop, the Lawndale’s Santa Sleigh, the City of Lawndale Employee Recognition Luncheon, the South Bay Workforce Investment Board 21st Annual Awards Ceremony, the Lawndale PTA Christmas Baskets Giveaway, League of California Cities general meeting, spoke with L.A. County Public Health regarding COVID-19, attended South Bay Cities Council of Governments task force meeting and commended Assistant City Clerk Matthew Ceballos for his years of service to Lawndale and wished him well. Councilmember Sirley Cuevas inquired if staff can arrange special Christmas tree pick up near January 6 dates from the trash pick-up service. Public Works Director Julian Lee responded that is the arrangement but due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, Republic Services have had trouble with staffing that created a delay.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the South Bay Workforce Investment Board 21st Annual Awards Ceremony, the installation of the new president at the South Bay Chamber of Commerce and Lawndale’s Santa Sleigh.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended South Bay Workforce Investment Board 21st Annual Awards Ceremony, the Sanitation District of Los Angeles County meeting, the Lawndale City Employee Recognition Lunch, participated in the Lawndale’s Santa Sleigh, and attended the Lawndale and Hawthorne sports league toy giveaway. Mayor Pullen-Miles congratulated Assistant City Clerk Matthew Ceballos for his new venture and commended all that he’s done for the City Clerk’s office and for the City.
Assistant City Clerk Matthew Ceballos thanked the Councilmembers and the City.
K. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:33 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
10. Conference with Labor Negotiator
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6, with the city manager, the city attorney and the City's negotiators, regarding labor negotiations with Local 1895, Council 36, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, representing the City's mid-management and classified employees.
Minutes-City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting January 18, 2022
11. Conference with Labor Negotiator
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6, with the city manager, city attorney and the City's negotiators, regarding labor negotiations with unrepresented employees, the central management team.
12. Public Employee Appointment
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b), regarding the appointment of a City Manager.
At 8:14 p.m. the City Council entered back into open session.
City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the 3 items listed on the Closed Session agenda. The City Council was updated and there was no reportable action taken.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 2/7/2022