MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
September 06, 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, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas
Other Participants: City Clerk Erica Harbison, City Manager Sean M. Moore, Partner, City Attorney’s Office, Joseph Montes, Assistant to the City Manager/Human Resources Director Raylette Felton, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Jose Salgado, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Ramon Valdoria, Acting Director of Community Development Jared Chavez, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Suarez led the flag salute and Pastor Matthew Harbison with Lawndale Wesleyan Church provided the inspiration.
City Manager Moore announced and introduced the new Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall.
Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall thanked the City Council for the opportunity.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
a. LA County Sherriff’s Department Update
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Salgado summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
Councilmember Suarez requested an electronic copy of the fatal bicyclist hit and run flyer to post on the City’s social media accounts to ask for the public’s assistance with information on the incident.
b. LA County of Fire Department Update
Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Valdoria summarized the recent local fire emergency activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 6, 2022
District Representative of State Senator Steven Bradford’s office, Jasmine Leon Guerrero, announced that Senator Steven Bradford will host a 6th Annual Men’s Empowerment Summit in conjunction with KJLH Radio on September 17, 2022 and commended Councilmember Kearney for his attendance and assistance with the backpack giveaway event at the school resource fair.
Randal Abram, Resident, spoke about the drought and requested City Council review the Lawndale Municipal Code, artificial turf requirements, and should encourage drought tolerant landscaping.
Michelle Pino, Lawndale Library Manager, spoke about upcoming library programs and events.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
Councilmember Kearney commended everyone for speaking.
Councilmember Suarez commended everyone for speaking.
Councilmember Cuevas concurred with Mr. Abram’s comments regarding drought tolerant landscaping. Councilmember Cuevas requested staff review the Lawndale Municipal Code and bring back the item for City Council’s review in October.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman commended everyone for speaking.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commended everyone for speaking. Mayor Pullen-Miles expressed his support for drought tolerant landscaping and requested staff review the Lawndale Municipal Code.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Notice of Completion for Inglewood Avenue Phase I Street Improvements Project Recommendation: that the City Council (a) accept the project completion by Shawnan, for the Inglewood Avenue Phase I Street Improvement Project, (b) authorize staff to file the notice of completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office for the Inglewood Avenue Phase I Street Improvement Project and (c) authorize staff to release 5% retention in the amount of $52,805.12 for the Inglewood Avenue Phase I Street Improvement Project.
2. Approve Resolution Amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and AFSCME
Recommendation: that the City Council approve 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.
3. Consideration of Claim Against the City
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 6, 2022
Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claims filed by Jose Vasquez and Josefina Andrade, and Sara Aguilar and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant.
4. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2209-044 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $670,005.58
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – August 15, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
A motion by Councilmember Kearney to approve the Consent Calendar was seconded by Councilmember Cuevas and carried by a vote of 5-0.
G. ADMINISTRATION
6. Grant Funding Agreement with Los Angeles County for Measure A Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
Recommendation: that the City Council (a) approve the attached Contract Services Agreement for Los Angeles County Regional, Parks and Open Space District Technical Assistance Program Funding between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Regional, Parks and Open Space District; and (b) authorize the City Manager to execute the attached agreement.
Community Services Director Mike provided the staff report for the approval of Contract Services Agreement for Los Angeles County Regional, Parks and Open Space District Technical Assistance Program Funding between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Regional, Parks and Open Space District.
Mayor Pullen-Miles clarified that these funds are for the development of a Teen Development Center that was allocated from the California state budget by former Assemblymember Autumn Burke.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if the funds expire.
Community Services Director Mike responded that there is not a time limit to expend the funds.
Councilmember Suarez commended the former Assemblymember Autumn Burke and Mayor Pullen-Miles for attaining these funds for the community.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the Contract Services Agreement for Los Angeles County Regional, Parks and Open Space District Technical Assistance Program Funding between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Regional, Parks and Open Space District and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Councilmember Kearney seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
7. Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County Metro to Accept Local Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 6, 2022
Return Funds for the Lawndale Beat Fixed-Route Transportation System Operations for FY 2019-2020
Recommendation: that the City Council authorize the Mayor, or City Manager to execute the required Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority accepting $37,343.00 in local return funds plus an additional $22,357.00 in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 funding for a total of $59,700.00.
Community Services Director Estes provided the staff report for the Local Return Funds for the Lawndale Beat Fixed-Route Transportation System Operations for FY 2019-2020.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to authorize the City Manager to execute the required Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority accepting $37,343.00 in local return funds plus an additional $22,357.00 in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 funding for a total of $59,700.00.
Councilmember Suarez seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore spoke about the meeting he attended with the Lawndale Elementary School District and provided clarification on the agreements with the school district. City Manager Moore indicated that the agreements are user agreements and not lease agreements and that there is no dollar exchange. He further stated that the agreements are for maintenance of the properties.
City Manager Moore commented that the City does allow drought tolerant landscaping and artificial turf and will bring the item back to City Council for a review. City Manager Moore commended the Municipal Services and Public Works Departments for working with the property owners to clear up an encampment area near the railroad tracks on Artesia Boulevard.
He noted the City continues with providing homeless outreach services and shared one success story.
Mayor Pullen-Miles requested staff provide outreach services on Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Mansel Avenue.
City Manager Moore stated that staff will address this area and provided an update on the Caltrans right of way areas that have encampments.
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
8. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Kearney attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the “We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym” organization. Councilmember Kearney requested staff prepare a moratorium ordinance for rent control and an ordinance on administrative citation fees for distribution of nonpermitted handbills and flyers.
Councilmember Suarez attended the Metro C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project open house at Leuzinger High School, South Bay Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 6, 2022
meeting, ribbon cutting ceremony for the “We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym” organization, and the Lawndale General Plan and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan Update meeting.
Councilmember Cuevas attended the Metro C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project open house at Leuzinger High School, and participated in the Relay for Life Beach Cities event with Team Lawndale, met Victor Ibarra, a Southern California Gas representative, and Diane Forte, the Southern California Edison representative.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if staff can review the pavement project on Kingsdale Avenue and 147th Street. Councilmember Cuevas reported a hazardous bump and will provide photos.
Councilmember Cuevas welcomed the new Assistant City Clerk Hall.
Councilmember Cuevas announced the City has updated the website to accept request for service online, including photos.
City Manager Moore provided additional information.
Councilmember Cuevas commended Information Technology Manager Bekim Berisha and City Manager Moore for updating the website with this new feature.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman attended the Metro C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project open house, ribbon cutting ceremony for the “We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym” organization, Lawndale General Plan and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan Update meeting and invited the residents to attend the meetings. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman reminded all residents of the upcoming Blues Festival at Jane Addams Park.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the “We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym” organization, Metro C-Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project meetings in Lawndale and Redondo Beach and voiced his concerns about the meetings. Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Lawndale General Plan and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan Update workshop and commended staff for the meeting. Mayor Pullen-Miles commended Councilmember Cuevas for attending the Relay for Life Beach Cities event.
J. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 09/19/2022