MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
December 19, 2022
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:37 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, Assistant to City Manager/Director of Human Resources Raylette Felton, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Justin Smith, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, and Interim Public Works Director Ahmad Ansari.
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Suarez led the flag salute and Bishop Sylvester Washington of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
a. Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department Update
Sergeant Smith summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Lucy Milivojevic, Realtor, spoke on behalf of her clients who are selling their property located in the City. Ms. Millivojevic indicated that her clients are requesting a variance to grandfather the issues with the property at 4627 W. d Street.
Josh Standifer, Resident, commented that he is attempting to purchase the property at 4627 W. 173d Street. He requested that the City Council consider granting a variance to aid in the sale of the property.
Holly Osborne, Citizen, commented on the discrepancies with Metro's C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project's diagrams which indicated 81 feet at 170" Street. Ms. Osborne stated that she measured the location and calculated 75 feet, not 81 feet, per the diagram.
Jay Gould, Resident, commented on the Metro's C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project.
He suggested that a sound wall be built to alleviate the concerns he has about the train coming through the community.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
December 19, 2022
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
The City Council responded generally to the public comments.
Councilmember Kearney thanked the speakers. He inquired what could be done to assist the homeowner of the property on 173"d Street and suggested that a variance be considered Councilmember Kearney concurred with Mr. Gould's comments that a sound wall should be built for the Metro's C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project.
Councilmember Suarez thanked the speakers and asked staff to assist the buyer of the property at 173r° Street. She indicated that the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Metro's C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project will be distributed soon and that the City is looking at all options for the residents.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked the speakers. She asked staff to assist the buyer of the property at 173* Street and indicated that she would support a variance. Councilmember Cuevas stated that she would like a sound wall to be installed for the Metro's C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project and that Metro should host a meeting for the residents at the Community Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman requested that the City assist the homeowner of the property at 173d Street and asked what options are available for the homeowner. She commented on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project and indicated that Metro has been unresponsive to the concerns that she has raised regarding the project.
City Manager Moore responded that staff would assist the homeowner of the property at 173rd Street to determine what options are available and report back to the City Council.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that Metro is hosting a public hearing for public comments to be on record. He requested that staff determine what options are available to the homeowner of the property at 173d Street and stated that a variance is a process. Mayor Pullen-Miles indicated that the draft EIR for the Metro's C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project will be issued soon.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda
Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2212-055 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $719,667.73.
Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting - December 5, 2022 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
December 19, 2022
Second Reading Ordinance No. 1195-22 to amend certain sections in Title 17 of the Lawndale Municipal Code pertaining to accessory dwelling units within the City of Lawndale. The proposed ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 15601 (b)(3) of the CEOA Guidelines Recommendation: that the City Council read by title only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 1195-22 to amend ADU requirements to comply with recent changes in State law.
5. Recommendation of Increase to Bail Amounts for Use and Possession of Illegal Fireworks; second reading of Ordinance No. 1194-22 amending the Municipal Code Penalties for Use and Possession of Illegal Fireworks
Recommendation: that the City Council approve this proposed bail amount increase as it applies to individuals who use and possess illegal fireworks. Specifically, Staff recommends that the City Council: Approve, and read by title only (waiving further reading) Ordinance No. 1194-22 to increase penalties for violations of Chapter 8.12 of the Municipal Code.
6. First Amendment to Contract Service Agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for Professional Engineering and Public Works Oversight Services Recommendation: that the City Council a) approve the first amendment to the contract services agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for Professional City Engineer and Public Works Oversight Services in a maximum contract sum not to exceed $158,860, 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.
Consideration of Claims for Damage against the City
Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claim filed by Robert Christensen and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant. x' Amendments to the 2022-2023 City-wide Salary and Pay Schedule and Salary and Benefits Resolution for Central Management Employees
Recommendation: that the City Council 1) approve Resolution No. CC-2212-057, amending the CMT Salary and Benefits Resolution to remove the Assistant to the City Manager/Human Resources Director and replace with the Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director; 2) approve Resolution No. CC-2212-058, amending the 2022-2023 Citywide Salary and Pay Schedule; and 3) approve Resolution No. CC-2212-059 establishing the job description for the position of Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Councilmember Suarez and carried by a vote of 5-0.
City Attorney Murphy read the ordinances by title only and waived further reading.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
December 19, 2022
G. ADMINISTRATION
City of Lawndale General Municipal Election 2022 - Declaration of Results Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2212-056 reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 8, 2022.
Assistant City Clerk Hall reported on the Certification of the Canvass of the Election Returns for the General Municipal Election held on November 8, 2022.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas to adopt Resolution No. CC-2212-056 reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 8, 2022. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
10. Installation of Elected Officials
The newly elected members of the City Council and City Clerk will take the Oath of Allegiance and be seated.
Assistant City Clerk Hall announced that this is the time for the newly elected members of the City Council and City Clerk to take their Oaths of Allegiance.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, U.S. House of Representatives, 43d District, administered the Oath of Allegiance to elected Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles.
Councilmember Mark A. Waronek, City of Lomita, administered the Oath of Allegiance to elected Councilmember Bernadette Suarez.
Tabitha Gomez, daughter, and Sarah Gomez, granddaughter, of Councilmember Kearney, administered the Oath of Allegiance to elected Councilmember Pat Kearney.
Assistant City Clerk Hall administered the Oath of Allegiance to elected City Clerk Erica Harbison.
At the conclusion of the Oath of Allegiance ceremony, all elected City Councilmembers and the City Clerk were seated.
11. Annual Reorganization of the City Council
Recommendation: that the City Council appoint one of its members to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a term beginning on January 1, 2023 and ending on December 31, 2023.
Councilmember Kearney nominated Councilmember Cuevas to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman seconded the nomination.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to appoint Councilmember Sirley Cuevas to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a term beginning on January 1, 2023 and ending on December 31, 2023. Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
December 19, 2022
12. City Representatives to Intergovernmental Agency Boards Recommendation: that Mayor Pullen-Miles (a) appoint delegates and alternates to the intergovernmental agencies listed in Resolution No. CC-2212-060; (b) that the City Council confirm the Mayor's appointments by directing staff to amend Section 1 of the Resolution by filling in the names of the Mayor's appointees; and (c) that the City Council adopt the Resolution as amended.
Mayor Pullen-Miles lead a discussion on the Intergovernmental Agency Boards appointments list. The City Council came to a consensus on the following appointments:
California Contract Cities Association, Board of Directors Representatives: Delegate Pat Kearney, alternates Robert Pullen-Miles and Rhonda Hofmann Gorman.
California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Board of Directors Representatives: Delegate Robert Pullen-Miles, alternates Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Bernadette Suarez, and staff alternate City Manager Sean M. Moore.
Centinela Youth Services, Board of Directors
Representatives: Delegate Bernadette Suarez., alternate not allowed.
County Sanitation District No. 5 of Los Angeles County, Board of Directors Representatives: Delegate Robert Pullen-Miles, alternate Pat Kearney.
League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division Representatives: Delegate Sirley Cuevas, alternate Robert Pullen-Miles.
Los Angeles County City Selection Committee
Representatives: Delegate Robert Pullen-Miles, alternate Pat Kearney.
South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Board of Directors Representatives: Delegate Bernadette Suarez, alternates Sirley Cuevas and Robert Pullen-Miles.
Southern California Association of Governments, General Assembly (Business Meeting)
Representatives: Delegate Bernadette Suarez, alternate Pat Kearney.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney to confirm the Mayor's appointments by directing staff to amend Section I of the Resolution by filling in the names of the Mayor's appointees and adopt the Resolution as amended. Councilmember Cuevas seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 5-0.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore had no items to report.
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
13. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Kearney deferred his items to the next City Council meeting and wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Minutes-City Council Regular Meeting
December 19, 2022
Councilmember Suarez deferred her items to the next City Council meeting and wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Councilmember Cuevas postponed her items to the next City Council meeting and wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Mayor Pro Tem Hofmann Gorman postponed her items to the next meeting. She wished everyone happy holidays and a happy new year. She reminded the community that illegal fireworks are not allowed in the city.
Mayor Pullen-Miles wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
E Pulpani
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayo
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 01/17/2023