MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
October 17, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:34 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 M. Murphy, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Jose Salgado, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Community Development Manager Jared Chavez, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Interim Public Works Director Ahmad Ansari
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute and Pastor Jimmy Orellana from Calvary Chapel South Bay provided the inspiration.
Assistant City Clerk Hall provided voting information for the November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election and encouraged everyone to vote.
C. PRESENTATION
a. Senator Steven Bradford’s Office - Legislative Update Senator Steven Bradford, 35th State Senate District, provided his annual legislative update and information on local community events.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman requested staff to post the Turkey Giveaway information on the City website.
D. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Salgado summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
Mayor Pullen-Miles inquired if illegal camping is the same as a homeless encampment.
Lieutenant Salgado responded they are both different.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman commended Lieutenant Salgado for providing the number of citations for loud vehicle mufflers and requested to continue providing the numbers.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
October 17, 2022
Councilmember Cuevas commented there has been loud and dangerous vehicle stunts on 147th Street and Mansel Avenue.
Lieutenant Salgado responded that the deputies are aware of the hazardous vehicle stunts and have been trying to catch the drivers.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Gary Adams, Resident, spoke about his concerns with the City policies and Municipal Code and commented on all visible code violations in the City.
Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, spoke about a Metro construction project due to erosion damage on the right-of-way of railroad areas, an embankment and possible retaining walls.
Jesus Armenta, Resident, spoke about recent vandalism of vehicles and loitering in his neighborhood and commented on the absence of Sheriff’s Deputies patrolling the area.
Randall Abram, Resident, spoke about his concerns with the reporting of the fireworks sales by the non-profit organizations.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
Councilmember Kearney requested staff review the erosion damage construction work being done by Metro.
Councilmember Suarez commended everyone for speaking and responded generally to the public comments. Councilmember Suarez concurred with Councilmember Kearney’s comment.
Councilmember Cuevas requested that the Sheriff’s Deputies apprehend the driver performing stunts.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman commented she was not aware of the construction work being done on the railroad tracks and noted she will bring it up in the next meeting with Metro. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman requested Ms. Osborne provide any available information.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commended everyone for speaking. Mayor Pullen-Miles requested more information on the Metro construction work and additional patrol by the deputies in the area where dangerous driving has been reported. Mayor Pullen-Miles indicated that staff is reviewing the firework reports submitted by the organizations.
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.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
October 17, 2022
2. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 1191-22 amending the Municipal Code penalties for unlawful handbill distribution
Recommendation: that the City Council read by title only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 1191-22 amending the Lawndale Municipal Code to increase the citation amounts for non-permitted handbill distribution.
3. Amendment to City’s Conflict of Interest Code
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2210-050 amending the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and Rescinding Resolution No. CC-2009-050.
4. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2210-049 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $767,220.50
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting – October 3, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to approve the Consent Calendar and was seconded by Councilmember Cuevas and carried by a vote of 5-0.
G. ADMINISTRATION
6. Potential Reschedule and/or Cancelation of Upcoming City Council Meetings Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Cancel the meeting of Monday, January 2, 2023; and 2) Determine if the November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election results and conduct of other election related matters should be declared at the Monday, December 19, 2022 City Council meeting; or 3) Cancel the Monday, December 19, 2022 City Council meeting and call for a special City Council meeting to declare the November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election results and conduct of other election related matters; or 4) Provide staff with other guidance and direction.
Assistant City Clerk Hall provided the staff report for the potential reschedule and/or cancelation of upcoming City Council meetings.
Councilmember Kearney requested not to cancel the December 19, 2022 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Cuevas concurred with Councilmember Kearney and recommended a light agenda.
The City Council reached a general consensus, without any objections, to cancel the following City Council meetings: Monday, November 21, 2022 and Monday, January 2, 2023.
7. Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
October 17, 2022
Finance Director Manuelian provided the staff report for the quarterly investment report for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented on the good financial standing of the City as indicated by the report.
The City Council reached a unanimous consensus to receive and file the report.
8. Professional Service Agreement Extension with De Novo Planning Group Recommendation: that the City Council approve to extend the professional service agreement with De Novo for the General Plan and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan Update.
Manager of Community Development Chavez provided the staff report for the professional service agreement with De Novo for the General Plan and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan update.
The City Council commended the Community Development Department for the Housing Element certification received by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired what the cost for the extension is and where is the funding coming from.
Manager of Community Development Chavez responded that the funds were allocated from leftover funds from a Request for Proposal and grant funding.
City Manager Moore added the funding was set-aside from the sale of a corner lot by the City.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez to approve to extend the professional service agreement with De Novo for the General Plan and Hawthorne Boulevard Specific Plan Update. Councilmember Kearney seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-
0. 9. Transtech Engineers, Inc. Contract Agreement Extension Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Approve the contract extension with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for staff augmentation services for the Community Development Department; and 2) Authorize the Finance Department to transfer $39,000 from the Community Development Department’s “Salaries – Full-Time” account to the department’s “Contract Services” account.
Manager of Community Development Chavez provided the staff report for the Transtech Engineers, Inc. Contract Agreement Extension.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired why it takes six months to train a new hire.
Manager of Community Development Chavez responded the department is currently under staffed due to the consultant being out on leave.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
October 17, 2022
City Manager Moore added there is not a full staff augmentation in place and the additional staff will be part-time and will focus on site plan reviews while the Manager of Community Development Chavez trains the new Planner.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired if the contract can be terminated if the staff is up to speed in less than six months.
City Manager Moore responded the contract can be terminated in less than six months for the reason that it is an As-Needed contract.
A discussion ensued among the City Councilmembers and staff regarding the staffing needs of the department and the costs.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to approve the contract extension with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for staff augmentation services for the Community Development Department; and authorize the Finance Department to transfer $39,000 from the Department’s “Salaries – Full-Time” account to the department’s “Contract Services” account. Councilmember Suarez seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
10. Update on Sales Tax Measure L Oversight Committee
Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Take no action and continue to rely on the annual audit and budget to demonstrate that the City is accountable and spending funds responsibly, or 2) Ask staff to bring back an item to City Council to create a Citizen Oversight Committee for the Sales Tax Measure.
Finance Director Manuelian provided the staff report for the update on sales tax Measure L Oversight Committee.
Councilmember Suarez commented she was not aware the Oversight Committee was optional and recommended a discussion be held at the next budget meeting.
Councilmember Kearney concurred with Councilmember Suarez and recommended recruiting residents to volunteer as members on the Oversight Committee.
The City Council reached a unanimous consensus to present this item at the next budget meeting and determine, at that time, if there are any volunteers who are interested in participating in the Citizen Oversight Committee.
11. Approval to Dispose of Two Vehicles for Public Works Department Recommendation: that the City Council approve the sale of 2006 Toyota Prius and 2008 Ford Escape - Hybrid through our standard public auction process facilitated by Ken Porter Auctions in Carson, California.
Interim Public Works Director Ansari provided the staff report for the approval to dispose of two Vehicles for Public Works Department.
Councilmember Kearney requested a breakdown of how much the vehicles are sold for.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
October 17, 2022
City Manager Moore responded staff will provide a report after the sale of the vehicles.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the sale of 2006 Toyota Prius and 2008 Ford Escape – Hybrid through our standard public auction process facilitated by Ken Porter Auctions in Carson, California. Councilmember Kearney seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore commended Community Development Department for certifying the General Plan and reminded City Council to contact him for any bulky items they see and added staff has been monitoring and picking up the bulky items.
Councilmember Cuevas spoke about a bulky item that was not picked up.
City Manager Moore spoke about staff assigned to four quadrants of the City and that the bulky item will be taken care of.
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
12. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Kearney attended the Sherriff’s Liability Trust Fund and Oversight Committee meeting, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) forum and the Retro Games Plus grand opening.
Councilmember Suarez attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) forum and recommended City Council work on strategic planning to prioritize projects as a group.
Councilmember Cuevas attended the Retro Games Plus grand opening and requested an update on the properties being built on Hawthorne Boulevard and the status of the vacant lot on Hawthorne Boulevard. Councilmember Cuevas requested staff invite the Lawndale Chamber of Commerce to provide an update at the next City Council meeting.
City Manager Moore provided an update on the properties on Hawthorne Boulevard.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman noted that she will be meeting with Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly J. Mitchell regarding the Metro C-line (Green) Extension Project. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman requested staff remove visible handbills from the trees and light poles, and reminded the public of the City’s Halloween Haunt event.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Board of Directors meeting and a lunch with the senior adult residents. He reminded everyone that the Community Center is open and serving lunch to the senior residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman reminded the residents of the Veterans Field of Honor Event and available flags for purchase.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
October 17, 2022
J. CLOSED SESSION
At 8:09 p.m. the City Council entered into Closed Session.
13. 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.
At 8:26 p.m. the City Council entered back into open session.
City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the item listed on the Closed Session agenda. The City Council was updated on the item and there was no reportable action taken.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 11/07/2022