MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
September 19, 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, City Attorney Greg Murphy, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Jose Salgado, Manager of Community Development Jared Chavez, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Interim Public Works Director Ahmad Ansari
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Cuevas 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 Salgado summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
Sergeant Ricky Osburn introduced new motorcycle officer, Deputy Rodriguez.
Deputy Edwardo Rodriguez provided background information on his experience with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Councilmember Cuevas requested a monthly data report on crimes reported and arrests.
Lieutenant Salgado responded he will provide a monthly crime report.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman commended Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for locating the vehicle involved in the fatal bicyclist hit and run incident. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman spoke about safety concerns with the youth on electric bicycles and spoke about vehicles with loud exhausts. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman inquired if the Lawndale Service Station receives reports on the subjects.
Lieutenant Salgado responded the two concerns are important and he will review them further to educate the youth and their parents about riding electric bicycles. Lieutenant Salgado added he is not aware of any reports and noted enforcement can be applied to both matters by the new motorcycle officer.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022
Mayor Pullen-Miles commended Lieutenant Salgado and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on the investigated work to locate the vehicle that fled the hit and run incident.
Deputy Edwardo Rodriguez noted Detective Garcia and other deputies were working steadily to gather information.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Michelle Pino, Lawndale Library Manager, reported California state park passes are available at the library and commended Councilmember Cuevas for her donation to the Lawndale library for programs.
Elena Meloni, Executive Director of New Star Family Justice Center, provided information on the services the domestic violence agency provides.
Marilyn Sanabria, Program Director of New Star Family Justice Center, provided information on the various services and resources available at New Star Family Justice Center.
Randall Abram, Resident, spoke about the organizations providing late or incomplete fireworks financial reports.
Samuel Cruz, Resident, spoke about his concerns with gang related shootings and graffiti in the City and insufficient surveillance from Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies. Mr. Cruz reminded all residents to register and vote in the November 8th General Municipal Election.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
Councilmember Kearney commended everyone for speaking. Councilmember Kearney inquired if the City can bring on additional Sheriff Deputies.
City Manager Moore responded that the budget has been adopted and there are vacancies within the Sherriff’s Department, however, he will keep the City Council updated on this matter.
Councilmember Kearney inquired if staff is reviewing the financial reports submitted by the fireworks organizations for compliance.
City Manager Moore responded that the Finance Director is completing audits of the fireworks organizations to determine if they comply with the Lawndale Municipal Code.
Councilmember Suarez commended everyone for speaking. Councilmember Suarez requested that the fireworks report forms be updated and that staff provide a training session for the organizations.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired that she would like to know which fireworks organization did not provide financial reports and requested staff to review safety information for e-bikes.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022
Municipal Services Director Reyes inquired if staff should provide information on scooters as well. Councilmember Cuevas concurred.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman concurred with Mr. Abram’s and Councilmember Suarez comments regarding the firework’s organizations.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commended everyone for speaking. Mayor Pullen-Miles noted he will visit the New Star Family Justice Center.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Biennial Review of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code Recommendation: that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the 2022 Local Agency Biennial Notice no later than October 3, 2022, finding that an amendment is required to the City's Conflict of Interest Code.
2. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2209-045 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $221,183.80
3. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – September 6, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
A motion by Councilmember Suarez to approve the Consent Calendar was seconded by Councilmember Kearney and carried by a vote of 5-0.
G. ADMINISTRATION
4. Notice of Completion - FY 2020-21 Annual Street Improvements Project (Project No. 2021-7 & 2021-8)
Recommendation: that the City Council a) accept the project completion by Sequel Contractors Inc., for the FY 2020-21 Annual Street Improvements Project (CDBG and SB1 FY 2020-21) and b) authorize staff to file the notice of completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office for the FY 2020-21 Annual Street Improvements Project.
Interim Public Works Director Ansari provided the staff report for the Notice of Completion - FY 2020-21 Annual Street Improvements Project (Project No. 2021-7 & 2021-8).
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to accept the project completion by Sequel Contractors Inc., for the FY 2020-21 Annual Street Improvements Project (CDBG and SB1 FY 2020-21) and authorize staff to file the notice of completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office for the FY 2020-21 Annual Street Improvements Project. Councilmember Suarez seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
5. 2022 Pavement Management Program Update and Presentation Prepared by Bucknam Infrastructure Group, Inc.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022
Recommendation: that the City Council a) approve the Final Report of the 2022 Pavement Management Program (PMP) Update and b) adhere to the City's goal of achieving a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 80 by FY 2027.
Interim Public Works Director Ansari introduced Peter Bucknam of Bucknam Infrastructure Group, Inc. to provide the 2022 Pavement Management Program Update and Presentation.
Peter Bucknam provided the presentation for the 2022 Pavement Management Program Update.
Councilmember Suarez inquired if the City will have to budget annually for the improvements.
Mr. Bucknam responded there are various options for the PCI Budget schedule.
Councilmember Kearney inquired how much would the PCI percent increase by if the alleys are completed at 60.1%.
Mr. Bucknam responded that the PCI would increase by one or two points.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commended the City’s road conditions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to approve the Final Report of the 2022 Pavement Management Program (PMP) Update and adhere to the City's goal of achieving a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 80 by FY 2027. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
6. Adopt Resolution authorizing a Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest and Conviction of the Criminal Suspect in the August 28, 2022 Fatal Hit-and-Run Traffic Collision in the City of Lawndale
Recommendation: that the City Council a) adopt Resolution No. CC-2209-046 authorizing a reward in an amount up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the criminal suspect in the August 28, 2022 fatal hit-and-run traffic collision in the City of Lawndale; and b) authorize the Finance Director/City Treasurer to appropriate funds from account number 100-110-540.310 in an amount up to $10,000 to pay such reward as may be appropriate, should a suspect be identified and convicted in this fatal hit-and-run traffic collision, within the requirements and timelines noted in this report and attachments.
City Manager Moore requested to withdraw item No. G6. due to the suspect’s vehicle being discovered.
The City Council reached a unanimous consensus to withdraw item No. G6.
7. Agreement for Geographic Information System (GIS) Services Recommendation: that the City Council approve the agreement with Lightbox.
Manager of Community Development Chavez provided the staff report for the Agreement for Geographic Information System (GIS) Services.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if there is a fee for the GIS Service.
Manager of Community Development Chavez responded the fee is $17,338 per year and is included in the Contract Services account budget.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the agreement with Lightbox.
Councilmember Kearney seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
8. Revise 2021-2029 General Plan Housing Element Sixth Cycle Resolution as per State Department of Housing and Community Development’s request Recommendation: that the City Council approve revisions to Resolution No. CC-2022- 004 adopting the Sixth Cycle General Plan Housing Element Update with HCD’s required edits.
Manager of Community Development Chavez provided the staff report for the revision of the 2021-2029 General Plan Housing Element Sixth Cycle Resolution as per State Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) request.
City Manager Moore commented that during his long time experience with HCD, this is the first time that this level of review has been done by HCD.
Manager of Community Development Chavez added that there is only one city from the South Bay Cities that has been certified by HCD.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez to approve revisions to Resolution No. CC2022-004 adopting the Sixth Cycle General Plan Housing Element Update with HCD’s required edits. Councilmember Kearney seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-
0. H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore spoke about the recent encampment cleanup completed by Caltrans. City Manager Moore indicated that the Governor has lifted the COVID-19 Emergency Executive Orders and, as a result, staff will reach out to the restaurants with outdoor seating areas to request that the outdoor seating be removed by January 31, 2023.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented the City should consider allowing businesses to retain the outdoor dining areas.
City Manager Moore indicated businesses can request a special use permit for outdoor dining and commented the City is flexible.
Councilmember Cuevas requested staff include the special use permit option on the notice to the businesses.
City Manager Moore responded that the notices will include the alternatives for the businesses.
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022
9. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Kearney attended one day at the League of California Cities 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition and the Attorney’s Meet and Greet segment.
Councilmember Suarez attended the swearing ceremony for the newly elected Assemblymember for the 62nd District, Tina McKinnor. Councilmember Suarez attended the 8th Annual Environmental Justice Conference hosted by South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
Councilmember Cuevas attended the League of California Cities 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition and the City of Carson’s Cajun & Blues White Linen Affair Dinner, City Cleanup Day and commended Olga Sierra Gonzalez, Blanca Cueva and the Beautification Committee.
Councilmember Cuevas requested electric mobile signs be used for future advertising.
Councilmember Cuevas requested staff provide a monthly report of the work related to homelessness efforts by staff.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that staff will provide a monthly report and he commented that staff helped a homeless woman by calling Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) for services.
Councilmember Cuevas requested that councilmembers occasionally attend the Youth Advisory Committee meetings for support and requested a financial report of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman attended the League of California Cities 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition, the Attorney’s Meet and Greet segment, the swearing ceremony for the newly elected Assemblymember for the 62nd District, Tina McKinnor, and a meeting with Metro’s Transportation Deputy of the Chair of Metro.
Mayor Pullen-Miles added the City Council is conducting meetings with as many Metro Board Members to voice the City’s concerns regarding the Metro C-Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project and attended the City of Hawthorne’s Touch A Truck and Children's Book Fair, the League of California Cities 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition, and the swearing ceremony for the newly elected Assemblymember for the 62nd District, Tina McKinnor.
J. CLOSED SESSION
10. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4), because the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in one case.
City Attorney Murphy indicated the Closed Session item has been canceled due to insufficient facts needed for a closed session.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 10/03/2022