MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
June 21, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:32 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
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember Sirley Cuevas
Other Participants: City Clerk Erica Harbison, City Manager Sean M. Moore, Assistant City Attorney Alondra Espinosa, Assistant to the City Manager/Human Resources Director Raylette Felton, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Duane Allen, Battalion Fire Chief Ramon Valdoria, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Acting Director of Community
Development Jared Chavez.
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Pat Kearney led the flag salute and Pastor Dwight Dudley with Calvary Chapel South Bay provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
a. LA County Sherriff’s Department Updates
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Duane Allen summarized the recent law enforcement activities and reminded everyone of the Illegal Fireworks Suppression plan in effect. b. LA County Fire Department Updates
Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Ramon Valdoria summarized the recent local fire emergency activities and reminded everyone to celebrate the 4th of July holiday responsibly and provided safety instructions.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Samuel Cruz, Resident, spoke about concerns with the Community Development Department and the permit approval turnaround time for upgrades on his properties.
Cynthia Gonzalez, Resident, spoke about delays with the approval process for work permits and commented other cities provide faster turnaround times for permit approval.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
June 21, 2022
Randal Abram, Resident, spoke about illegal fireworks concerns on the environment and the suppression plans in other counties.
Deena, Resident, inquired why vehicles with limousine tint do not get pulled over by the Sherriff’s; commented Sherriff’s could potentially locate illegal firearms if they did; and noted a resident obtained a permit for concrete walkway, used it as parking pad and questioned if this is allowed.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
Councilmember Pat Kearney inquired on the reason for the delay in the permit approval.
City Manager Sean M. Moore responded he was recently apprised of the permit situation with Samuel Cruz and Cynthia Gonzalez and requested detailed information from Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez and Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes.
Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez provided a detailed timeline for the release of a comment letter, conditional approval letter and the hold on Mr. Cruz and Ms.
Gonzalez project for architectural changes.
Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes added code enforcement is only involved in the property located at 15641 Mansel Ave. due to a complaint received in May from Los Angeles County Building Inspector Kumar for demolition, electrical, and plumbing work being done without approved permits. Mr. Reyes added code enforcement issued a Stop Work Order and requested plans be submitted to obtain permits for the work.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez requested a list of the popular permits issued for basic home improvements and compare the costs and permit requirements with other cities to streamline the City’s process.
Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman concurred with Councilmember Bernadette Suarez and requested the same permit information. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman requested more information on the walkway that is being used as a parking pad.
Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes responded he will look into permit for concrete walkway.
City Manager Sean M. Moore commented in his past experience working in Community Development Department, staff will not approve decomposed granite on any driveway areas because they become parking pads. City Manager Sean M. Moore added staff will review what was approved and how it is being used.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles commented the City will continue to monitor the permit process and reminded the City is doing its best to streamline the permit process and make sure staff does its due diligence to ensure the projects are completed safety for the occupants and community.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles also commented he is interested in reviewing the permit fees in Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
June 21, 2022
comparison with other cities'. Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles commented the tint on vehicles may not be a common practice for Sheriff Department but did not want to speak for them.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Citywide Pay Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022-23
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2206-031 approving the 2022-23 Citywide Salary and Pay Schedule.
2. Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget List of Road Repair Projects and Accountability Act of 2017 – Senate Bill (SB) 1
Recommendation: that the City Council (a) adopt Resolution CC-2206-032 approving the local streets and road repair project list in Exhibit A and (b) direct staff to include additional funding necessary for these projects in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget process.
3. Delegation of Authority for Executing Caltrans Documents Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution CC-2206-033 authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute agreements with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to receive federal and/or state funding for transportation projects.
4. Approve the Second Amendment to the Contract Service Agreement with Prudential Overall Supply for Public Works Department Uniform Services Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Second Amendment to the Contract Service Agreement with Prudential Overall Supply for an annual fee of $2,498 and extend the agreement term to June 30, 2023.
5. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2206-029, authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $701,537.50
6. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – June 6, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
7. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Special Meeting – June 10, 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 4-0, with Councilmember Sirley Cuevas absent.
G. ADMINISTRATION
8. Award of Contract for Construction and Construction Inspection Services for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project Recommendation: that the City Council (a) award the construction contract to Kalban, Inc., in the amount of $1,404,095.00 for the FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
June 21, 2022
Project, (b) award the construction inspection services to Interwest Consulting Group in the amount of $107,980.00 for the FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project and (c) approve the construction contingency of $210,615.00 for FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project.
City Manager Sean M. Moore provided the staff report on behalf of Public Works Director Julian Lee for the Award of Contract for Construction and Construction Inspection Services for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project.
Councilmember Pat Kearney commented the underestimate cost error of $600,000 by the City engineer was not a minor mistake.
City Manager Sean M. Moore responded he agrees and noted the numbers do change due to inflation.
A motion by Councilmember Pat Kearney to award the construction contract to Kalban, Inc., in the amount of $1,404,095.00 for the FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project, award the construction inspection services to Interwest Consulting Group in the amount of $107,980.00 for the FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project and approve the construction contingency of $210,615.00 for FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project. Councilmember Bernadette Suarez second the motion which carried by a vote of 4-0, with Councilmember Sirley Cuevas absent.
9. Amendment to contract for Professional Service Agreement with Michael Baker International Contract Services Agreement
Recommendation: that the City Council approve the amendment to contract for Professional Service Agreement with Michael Baker International Contract Services Agreement for CDBG Administration and Labor Compliance Services.
Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez provided the staff report for an amendment to contract for Professional Service Agreement with Michael Baker International Contract Services Agreement.
City Manager Sean M. Moore added in order to be compliant with the block grant street funding the City must provide for labor compliance reporting.
A motion by Councilmember Pat Kearney to approve the amendment to contract for Professional Service Agreement with Michael Baker International Contract Services Agreement for CDBG Administration and Labor Compliance Services. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman second the motion which carried by a vote of 4-0, with Councilmember Sirley Cuevas absent.
10. Fiscal Year 2022-23 Appropriations Limit
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2206-034 approving the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2022-23
Finance Director Hrant Manuelian provided the staff report noting the City is in compliance with the Gann Initiative.
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June 21, 2022
Assistant City Attorney Alondra Espinosa read the Resolution No. CC-2206-034.
A motion by Councilmember Bernadette Suarez to adopt Resolution No. CC-2206-034 approving the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2022-23. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman second the motion which carried by a vote of 4-0, with Councilmember Sirley Cuevas absent.
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY/LAWNDALE HOUSING
AUTHORITY/ LAWNDALE CABLE USAGE CORPORATION
11. Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2206-035, approving the citywide budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 as amended based on direction provided by City Council.
Finance Director Hrant Manuelian provided the staff report for the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Councilmember Pat Kearney inquired if the budget Resolution will be adopted then amended with the updated wage and salary changes.
Assistant City Attorney Alondra Espinosa recommended City Council approve the Resolution as presented and any changes be made through an amendment.
Discussion ensued between City Council and Assistant City Attorney regarding the process for approving amendments to the Annual Budget can be made tonight before or after the Closed Session item.
Assistant City Attorney Alondra Espinosa responded that with a motion to move the item down to after Closed Session.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles commented with the unanimous consent from the City Council to move this item to after the Close Session.
City Manager Sean M. Moore inquired if City Council wanted to add direction provided regarding the an estimate of $12,000-$14,000 to the budget for the second Music Festival.
Mayor Robert Pullen- Miles responded City Council will consider the amount for the second Music Festival and any other items related to wages to after the Closed Session meeting.
Without objection, the City Council tabled Item No. 12 to be heard after Item J. Closed Session.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
No items to report.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
June 21, 2022
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
12. Letter of Support and Personal Note to Legislators of the City Council Supporting South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) State Funding Request Requested by Councilmember Bernadette Suarez.
Recommendation: that the City Council authorize the City Manager to draft a letter of support to be signed by the Mayor and City Council and a personal note from the City Council to be sent to local legislatures for the SBCCOG $5,000,000 Budget Request from the California Legislatures to create a Center for Sustainable and Resilient Neighborhoods to implement various carbon reduction programs for the benefit of South Bay cities.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez spoke about the letter of support to local legislatures for the SBCCOG $5,000,000 Budget Request from the California Legislatures to assist the City meeting the unfunded mandates related to the compliance requirement of Senate Bill 1383.
Councilmember Pat Kearney inquired on the Senate Bill 1383.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez commented the Senate Bill 1383 has a requirement that the City will need to comply with as it relates to organic waste in addition to the residential components.
Councilmember Pat Kearney commented that the City residential side has been recognized as being in the top three cities complying with organic waste components.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez mentioned there is a City component and inquired how staff is assuring the City is adhering to themandate.
City Manager Sean M. Moore responded the City has a climate action plan and commented on the SBCCOG’s recommendation letter of support to local legislatures for $5,000,000 to create a Center for Sustainable and Resilient Neighborhoods on a regional level.
Mayor Robert Pullen- Miles requested more information on the request and budget request for resilient neighborhood centers.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez responded the budget is shared with other South Bay cities, it is not guarantee the City will receive funds, and requested staff review information on the neighborhood centers to bring forward to City Council at a subsequent meeting. Councilmember Bernadette Suarez commented that there may be a time limit associated with this item due to budget and recommended that if individual City Council members would like to support this item they could send individual letters of support to the legislatures.
City Council reached a unanimous consensus to allow City Council to send individual letters of support to state legislature.
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June 21, 2022
13. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Pat Kearney attended the Sherriff’s Liability Trust Fund Oversight Committee, the City Council Special Meeting with Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department, and the Health, Safety and Pet Fair.
Councilmember Bernadette Suarez attended the same events as Councilmember Pat Kearney and noted the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will review an item to remove school resource law enforcement personnel from Lawndale Schools on June 28th.
Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman added the school resource law enforcement officer is paid through the school districts, not Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman attended the City Council Special Meeting with Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department, Health, Safety and Pet Fair and commended staff for the leadership and requested a report on how many pets were serviced. Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Hofmann Gorman inquired if the General Plan and Hawthorne Blvd Specific Plan Update meeting will be tonight.
Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez responded the General Plan and Hawthorne Blvd Specific Plan Update will be scheduled and announced for an in-person meeting.
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles attended the City Council Special Meeting with Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department and the Health, Safety and Pet Fair.
J. CLOSED SESSION
At 7:45 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
14. 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.
15. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code sections 54956.9(d)(2) and (d)(3), because there is a significant exposure to litigation in one (1) case. The facts and circumstances giving rise to exposure to litigation are unknown to the potential plaintiff.
At 8:41 p.m. the City Council entered back into Open Session.
Assistant City Attorney Alondra Espinosa reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the items listed on the Closed Session agenda. The City Council was updated on the items and there were no reportable action taken.
G. ADMINISTRATION (CONTINUED)
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
June 21, 2022
11. Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2206-035, approving the citywide budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 as amended based on direction provided by City Council.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between City Council and staff regarding City wages, amending the budget for a second day of the Music Festival, possible sponsorship and Parks and Recreation Commission assistance with the funding of the event.
Assistant City Attorney Alondra Espinoza commented based on the discussions and questions City Council has the options to move forward with the budget as is with changes or have a budget amendment item returned at a later date for City Council consideration.
A motion by Councilmember Pat Kearney to approve the budget with a set aside budget line item for $12,000 from the general fund to fund an additional day of the Music Festival and a budget line item for $300,000 from the general fund for wages in the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Mayor Robert-Pullen Miles second the motion which carried by a vote of 4-0, with Councilmember Sirley Cuevas absent.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 07/18/2022