MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
May 16, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:31 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 Manager Sean M. Moore, Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez, Assistant to the City Manager/Human Resources Director Raylette Felton, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Duane Allen, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bennett, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian,
Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Acting Director of Community
Development Jared Chavez, Public Works Director Julian Lee B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Sirley Cuevas led the flag salute and Jimmy Orellana, Calvary Chapel South Bay, provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Duane Allen summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman expressed pleasure for the list of vehicles being stolen for the residents’ knowledge.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bennett summarized the recent local fire emergency activities and noted the department will provide a monthly report moving forward.
D. ITEMS FROM CITY CLERK
City Clerk Erica Harbison provided voting information for the June 7, 2022 Primary Election and encouraged everyone to vote.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Arnie Carrillo, Branch Manager of RJ’s Construction Supply, provided an update on the business’ code violation corrections and noted corrections will be completed by June.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
May 16, 2022
Stavro Antoun, Resident, spoke about his front yard landscaping, the Lawndale Municipal Code and recommended a change to the ordinance to all for drought tolerant material.
Jay Gould, Resident, spoke of a meeting with Metro that City Council attended and commended the councilmembers and staff for their support and expressed his concerns with Metro C Line (Green) Extension project.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
City Manager Sean M. Moore clarified the City’s ordinance allows artificial turf and drought tolerant landscaping and the City is required to adopt water efficient ordinance requirements.
City Manager Sean M. Moore noted a list of compliant landscaping plants are available on the City’s website.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez commented she was informed by Metro staff of the new completion date of year 2033 for the Metro C Line (Green) Extension project and added the City continues to monitor the project.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda
Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
2. Consideration of Claim Against the City
Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claims filed by Maddison McKinnieBennett and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimants.
3. Annual Review and Update to the Citywide Records Retention Schedules for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2205-022, Updating City Council Policy No. 77-04 Exhibit “A” Records and Retention Schedule for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
4. Federally Funded Employment and Job Training – South Bay Workforce Investment Board Activities Summary
Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the report.
5. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2205-021, authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,841,547.28
6. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – May 2, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
A motion by Councilmember Pat Kearney to approve the consent calendar was seconded by Councilmember Bernadette Suarez and carried by a vote of 5-0.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
May 16, 2022
H. PUBLIC HEARING
7. Case No. 22-09 Consideration of an Urgency Ordinance Establishing Rules and Regulations for Car Wash Facilities within the City of Lawndale Recommendation: that the City Council (a) conduct a Public Hearing; (b) determine that Ordinance No. 1190-22 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, as the activity will not result in a direct or reasonable foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and also exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is not possibility that the adoption of this ordinance may have significant effect on the environment and (c) adopt by four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council, Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1190-22, extending 45- day Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1189-22 by 10 months 15 days.
Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez provided the staff report for the Case No. 22-09 Consideration of an Urgency Ordinance Establishing Rules and Regulations for Car Wash Facilities within the City of Lawndale.
The public hearing was opened and closed immediately at 7:01 p.m., there being no one wishing to testify.
A motion by Councilmember Bernadette Suarez to determine that Ordinance No. 1190-22 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, as the activity will not result in a direct or reasonable foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and also exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is not possibility that the adoption of this ordinance may have significant effect on the environment and (c) adopt by four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council, Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1190-22, extending 45-day Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1189-22 by 10 months 15 days. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman second the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
I. ADMINISTRATION
8. Mid-Year Budget Update Report
Recommendation: that the City Council approve all recommended budget amendments noted in the Mid-Year Update for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, as outlined in Attachment A.
Finance Director Hrant Manuelian provided the Mid-Year Budget Update Report.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez commented it is good to see a healthy budget but cautions regarding inflation and need to be mindful of future when looking at upcoming budget for next year.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles commented in concurrence with Councilmember Bernadette Suarez and the City will continue to take a conservative approach towards spending.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
May 16, 2022
City Manager Sean M. Moore commented the City will continue to monitor the City’s finances and staff will bring forward the final 2022 budget before July 1st deadline.
Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez recommended City Council allow for public comment regarding the Mid-Year Budget Update Report item and approve recommended budget amendments.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles allowed for comments from the public on this item.
Public Comment
Stavro Antoun, Resident, inquired on the City’s overall cost of risk (taking liabilities and expenses and divided into overall budget).
Finance Director Hrant Manuelian responded he will look into it.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles and City Manager Sean M. Moore noted the California State Auditor’s and the City’s independent auditor rated the City high in meeting its financial obligations and financial reporting.
A motion by Councilmember Pat Kearney to approve all recommended budget amendments noted in the Mid-Year Update for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, as outlined in Attachment A. Councilmember Bernadette Suarez second the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
J. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Sean M. Moore provided a summary regarding the meeting with Metro and Lawndale residents and noted Metro provided no new information.
City Manager Sean M. Moore noted staff will schedule meetings with the FY 22-23 Budget Subcommittee members to begin budget discussions in preparation for new fiscal year.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez requested staff review the City investments and look at taking a conservative approach.
City Manager Sean M. Moore responded staff will review the investments.
City Manager Sean M. Moore commented the City is waiting for direction from the Golden State Water regarding water conservation mandates and should have direction by June 1st.
City Manager Sean M. Moore noted cameras were placed by a public works contracted consultant, without the City’s approval, to measure pedestrian and vehicle traffic and were removed immediately due to complaints and the public not receiving notice.
City Manager Sean M. Moore introduced the Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez.
Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez introduced herself.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
May 16, 2022
K. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
9. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Bernadette Suarez requested staff review a policy for public event sponsorships to relieve costs on the General Fund.
Councilmember Pat Kearney attended the Sherriff’s Liability Trust Fund and Oversight Committee meeting, California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar conference in Indian Wells.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez attended the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar conference, completed Sexual Harassment training, and attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments Board of Director annual conference.
Councilmember Sirley Cuevas requested staff return with the cost of risk at a subsequent City Council meeting, requested the City be proactive with a water conservation mandate due the drought, and electric charging units for electric cars. Councilmember Sirley Cuevas attended the League of California Cities Speakers Series with Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Centinela Valley Union High School District 3rd Annual Safety Summit, and California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar conference.
Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman attended meeting with Metro and California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar conference. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman provided reminders for the May 30th Annual Memorial Day event, Annual Health, Safety and Pet Fair, and the City of Lawndale General Plan and Hawthorne Blvd. Specific Plan Update 5th Virtual Workshop on June 22nd.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles attended the California Contract Cities Association Annual Municipal Seminar conference and reminded everyone to attend the Memorial Day Event.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 06/06 /2022