MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 15, 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.
Sean
Gorman, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Pat Kearney, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas.
Other Participants: City Clerk Erica Harbison, City Manager Sean M. Moore, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, Assistant to the City
Manager/Human Resources Director Raylette Felton, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Jose Salgado, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Acting Director of Community
Development Jared Chavez, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes.
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute and Pastor Jeffrey M. Lewis with New Antioch Church of God in Christ provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Jose Salgado summarized the recent law enforcement activities
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Gary Adams, Resident, spoke about concerns about continuous potential code violations and unpermitted repairs at RJ’s Construction Supplies, a business located at 4505 Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
Juan Carlos Alvarado, Resident, inquired on the status of repairs to the water overflow onto his property from the neighboring school off of Prairie Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
Councilmember Kearney requested an update on the water overflow at Juan Carlos Alvarado’s property. City Manager Sean M. Moore responded the items is on tonight’s agenda for review.
Councilmember Suarez commented that RJ’s Construction Supplies business is an ongoing case; therefore, City Council is limited to comment on the matter.
Councilmember Cuevas commended everyone for speaking.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
August 15, 2022
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman noted that City Council is limited to comment on the ongoing code enforcement case of RJ’s Construction Supplies business and requested that the City Attorney provide further clarification on this matter.
City Attorney Murphy clarified staff is currently taking action on the case with RJ’s Construction Supplies business and it is not appropriate to discuss this matter.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commended everyone for speaking.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Federally Funded Employment and Job Training – South Bay Workforce Investment Board Activities Summary
Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the report.
2. First Amendment to Contract Services Agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants
Recommendation: that the City Council approve first amendment to Contract Services Agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants extending the term of the agreement for a six (6) month period.
3. Approval of Contract Services Agreement for Public Works and City Engineering Oversight Services with Transtech Engineers, Inc.
Recommendation: that the City Council a) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Contract Services Agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for public works and city engineering oversight services in an amount not to exceed $60,160 in a form approved by the City Attorney and (b) authorize the Director of Finance/City Treasurer to transfer salary savings for the Director of Public Works/City Engineer to the contract services line item in the Public Works Department budget.
4. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-040, authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $771,698.45
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – August 1, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
A motion by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the Consent Calendar was seconded by Councilmember Kearney and carried by a vote of 5-0.
G. ADMINISTRATION
6. Approval of Resolutions to Amend the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and AFSCME, amend the Salary and Benefits Resolution for Central Management Employees and amend the Citywide Salary and Pay Schedule for FY 2022-23
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
August 15, 2022
Recommendation: that the City Council (a) adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-041, approving the First Amendment to the 2020-2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1895, Council 36; (b) adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-042, approving the Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Schedule of Salary and Benefits for the Central Management Employees; (c) approve budget adjustment to reorganize the Community Development Department by reclassifying the Senior Planner position to Community Development Manager and defunding the Community Development Director position in the department's budget; (d) adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-043, approving the amendment to the 2022-2023 City-wide Salary and Pay Schedule; and (e) approve budget transfer from the General Fund to the various special revenue funds as noted above and approve a budget amendment of $39,424 for the various special revenue funds.
Assistant to the City Manager/Human Resources Director Felton provided the staff report for the approval of Resolutions to Amend the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and AFSCME, amend the Salary and Benefits Resolution for Central Management Employees, and amend the Citywide Salary and Pay Schedule for FY 2022-23.
A motion by Councilmember Kearney to adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-041, approving the First Amendment to the 2020-2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1895, Council 36; adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-042, approving the Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Schedule of Salary and Benefits for the Central Management Employees; approve budget adjustment to reorganize the Community Development Department by reclassifying the Senior Planner position to Community Development Manager and defunding the Community Development Director position in the department's budget; adopt Resolution No. CC-2208-043, approving the amendment to the 2022-2023 City-wide Salary and Pay Schedule; and approve budget transfer from the General Fund to the various special revenue funds as noted above and approve a budget amendment of $39,424 for the various special revenue funds. Councilmember Cuevas seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
7. 2020 General Plan & Hawthorne Blvd. Specific Plan Update-Workshop Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the report.
Acting Director of Community Development Chavez provided the staff report for the 2020 General Plan & Hawthorne Blvd. Specific Plan Update-Workshop.
City Council commented that new development of entertainment attractions surrounded with eateries, boutique family shops, hotels, banks, restaurants, and mixed-use development would benefit the City and community.
A question and answer session ensued between the City Council and staff regarding the future growth of the City.
Mayor Pullen-Miles inquired on the response time from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (CDHCD) to respond to the Housing Element.
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August 15, 2022
Acting Director of Community Development Chavez responded that the CDHCD will respond in 60 days.
.
Public Comment
Gary Adams, Resident, recommended a different use for the address of 4505 Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
Juan Carlos Alvarado, Resident, recommended modern housing units for local commercial and industrial employees and underground parking for large commercial buildings.
City Council reached a unanimous consensus to receive and file the report.
8. Lawndale Coyote Management Plan
Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Lawndale Coyote Management plan.
Municipal Services Director Reyes provided the staff report for the Lawndale Coyote Management Plan.
Councilmember Suarez requested that staff will research this component of feral cats.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded staff can implement it to the plan.
Councilmember Suarez inquired on protective gear and equipment for a pet’s safety.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that pet protective garments, roll top fencing, spiked fencing and repellents are some protective methods that can be used.
Councilmember Suarez recommended that staff include an appendix of how to respond to coyote behavior similar to a surrounding city’s plan.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that staff can implement an appendix into the plan.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired how the state is managing the expansion of coyotes.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that the state is not capturing the coyotes.
Mayor Pullen-Miles inquired if residents can trap the coyotes.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded the residents can hire a licensed coyote trapper if the residents feel threatened by coyotes.
Public Comment
Gary Adams, Resident, commented that feral cats located at a local college may be attracting coyotes.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
August 15, 2022
A motion by Councilmember Suarez to approve the Lawndale Coyote Management plan, with the addition of an Appendix on how to respond to coyote behavior. Councilmember Cuevas seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
Councilmember Cuevas requested that staff research the cost to translate the Coyote Management Plan in other languages in addition to Spanish.
City Manager Moore responded that staff would research the cost for translation of the plan.
9. Condition of Drainage Channel at Roger-Anderson Park Recommendation: that the City Council (a) approve the additional Public Works and Landscape Maintenance funding to clean out and flush existing debris and obstructions in channel. Provide consistent maintenance of channel and landscaping to provide drainage and prevent ponding; or (b) approve the construction of a retaining wall in the amount of $5,000/parcel (Based on Engineer Estimate); or (c) approve the removal and replacement of existing drain channel to improve flow in the amount of $40,000.
City Manager Moore reported on the condition of the Drainage Channel at Roger-Anderson Park.
Councilmember Kearney concurs with remediation option Number 1.
A discussion ensued between the City Council and staff regarding the general agreement with the Lawndale Elementary School District, capital improvements on school district property, building retaining walls, a possible hydrology report, and proposed cost sharing with the school district.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman concurs with remediation option Number 1 and requested to have a discussion with the school district about the cost.
Councilmember Cuevas and Councilmember Suarez support remediation option Number 1 and revisiting remediation option Number 3, if needed.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Hoffman Gorman to approve the additional Public Works and Landscape Maintenance funding to clean out and flush existing debris and obstructions in the channel, with further discussion with the Lawndale Elementary School District and, if needed, revisiting remediation option Number 3. Councilmember Kearney seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 3-1. Councilmember Suarez, No and Councilmember Cuevas abstained.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore spoke about scheduling a meeting with Lawndale Elementary School District to discuss the maintenance responsibilities of the parks. City Manager Moore indicated that he is overseeing the Public Works projects and that Transtech will begin assisting the Public Works Department by providing engineering management services. City Manager Moore commented that staff is working on educating the public about the process for bulky item pick- Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
August 15, 2022
ups with Republic Services and stated that graffiti has been an ongoing issue. City Manager Moore provided an update on the homeless outreach services that are offered by Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) and indicated that staff is working closely with this program. City Manager Moore commented that there is a need for mental health services for the homeless in the City and that he has been working with the Homeless Solutions Subcommittee to come up with additional solutions.
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
10. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Kearney attended the Sherriff’s Liability Trust Fund and Oversight Committee meeting and Senator Steven Bradford's Back to School Resource Fair & Backpack Giveaway.
Councilmember Suarez attended the Homeless Solutions Subcommittee meeting, South Bay Cities Council of Governments Steering Committee meeting, Metro C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project zoom meeting. Councilmember Suarez reminded everyone that the next meeting with Metro will be at Leuzinger High School, on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if residents can upload photos of bulky items for pick up on the City’s website. City Manager Moore responded that staff is working with the website company to add this feature to the City’s website.
Councilmember Cuevas commended all Municipal Services Department staff for helping homeless individuals by working with the PATH program.
Councilmember Cuevas attended the Homeless Solutions Subcommittee meeting, League of California Cities Los Angeles County Division Board of Directors' Installation Ceremony, Relay for Life Beach Cities meeting and noted she is representing Lawndale and invited everyone to participate on August 27, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Alta Vista Park in Redondo Beach for a fundraiser for cancer research, Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) meeting that celebrated their 100th year anniversary and BIASC will be participating in the Rose Parade with a float.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if Public Works can provide a report on future street projects for the public’s information.
City Manager Moore responded that he will request Public Works staff to provide a report at the City Council meetings.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired when the Youth Advisory Committee will resume meeting.
City Manager Moore responded that he and Community Services Director Estes have begun discussing the application process for the terms that will be expiring.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman attended the Metro C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project zoom meeting, voiced her concerns with the meeting, and encouraged all residents to Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
August 15, 2022
attend the upcoming meeting at Leuzinger High School on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the (Green) Extension to Torrance Project zoom meeting and voiced his concerns about the project and its effects on the City. Mayor Pullen-Miles inquired on the status of the road repair project on Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Inglewood Avenue.
City Manager Moore responded that he will provide an update for the City Council.
J. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 09/06/2022