MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
May 1, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale, California.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor Pro Tem Sirley Cuevas, Councilmember Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Councilmember
Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Pat Kearney.
Other Participants: City Clerk Erica Harbison, City Manager Sean M. Moore, Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez, Special Counsel Lona Laymon, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Justin Smith, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Ramon Valdoria, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Development Manager Jared Chavez
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute. Mayor Pullen-Miles provided the inspiration.
C. PRESENTATION
Recognition of Service - Outgoing Parks, Recreation and Social Services Committee • Presentation of Certificate of Commendation to Parks, Recreation and Social Services Committee members Jessica Martinez and Sylvia Hathaway-Chavez. • Presentation of City Plaque to Parks, Recreation and Social Services Committee member Christina Carroll.
Mayor Pullen-Miles announced the names of the outgoing committee members, presented them with their plaques and thanked them for their service. Christina Carroll was in attendance.
D. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
a. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Sergeant Smith summarized the recent law enforcement activities. b. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
Battalion Chief Valdoria summarized the recent local fire emergency activities.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
May 1, 2023
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Rose Rodriguez, Resident, commented on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project and asked that the City Council choose the Hawthorne Boulevard option.
Karen Ruby, Resident, commented on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project, agendizing the City Council choosing an option, transportation fund for residents to attend the Metro meetings, and the City's Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) response letter.
Lisa Francois, Resident, encouraged the City Council to choose the Hawthorne Boulevard option for the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project and expressed concerns with the possibility of the train running through her neighborhood.
John Schreiber, Resident, commented that he has created various forms of communication about the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project to distribute to the community and he invited the Metro Board of Directors to visit the neighborhood. He requested that the City choose an option.
Josh Standifer, Resident, stated that he lives near the Right-of-Way (ROW), and encouraged the City Council to choose an option related to the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project.
Collen Villegas, Resident, asked that the City Council choose an option related to the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project. She does not support the ROW option.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on the lack of an agenda item to discuss taking a position on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project. He indicated that the community has expressed their desire to have the City Council choose an option
Ray Hollar, Resident, asked the City Council to choose the Hawthorne Boulevard option. He spoke on the construction costs for the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project and indicated that the Hawthorne Boulevard option would only be 14 percent more than the ROW.
Morrison Lucas, Resident, spoke on the parking citations, displayed a photograph of a recent citation being issued, and stated that the City is violating the California Vehicle Code.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked everyone that attended and spoke about past Metro actions and the history of the meetings. She indicated that it was possible that Metro would discuss the options at a meeting in August 2023 and September 2023. Councilmember Hofmann Gorman asked City Manager Moore to add comments about the Metro meetings.
City Manager Moore responded that he was informed by Metro that the public hearing meeting had not been scheduled, however, it may be held in August 2023 or September 2023.
Councilmember Kearney commented that he was ready to decide on taking a position on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project and stated that he believed the City Council would take a position after the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) made their decision.
Mayor Pullen-Miles clarified that the agendized Closed Session Item No. 12 is to discuss a litigation matter regarding the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
May 1, 2023
Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez stated that the City's outside Special Counsel would need to advise the City Council on the Closed Session litigation matter.
City Manager Moore provided clarification about the closed session litigation matter.
Councilmember Suarez commented that she does not want to wait to take a position on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project and suggested that the matter be agendized by June 5, 2023.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas thanked the community for attending and agreed with Councilmember Suarez's comment to agendize taking a position by June 5, 2023.
Mayor Pullen-Miles stated that he never supported the plan for the City Council to wait to choose a Metro option until after the SBCCOG made their decision and supports adding the matter on the next City Council meeting agenda.
Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez stated that the City Attorney's Office has a conflict of interest and therefore cannot advise the City Council on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project.
City Manager Moore commented that the City Council will discuss the City's DEIR response letter and options in Closed Session with the City's outside third-party attorney.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that the City Council is interested in funding a bus to take residents to the upcoming Metro meeting, a response should be received by the City from Metro next year after the DEIR is finalized and asked about the status of the parking citation issues.
City Manager Moore responded that the City is working with the school district and Municipal Services Department to ensure that the City is following the vehicle code.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 2 through 6 will be considered and acted upon under one motion unless a City Councilmember removes individual items for further City Council consideration or explanation.
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-2305-019 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $511,937.53.
Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting -April 17, 2023 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
Mad 1, 2023
Second Reading - Amend the Lawndale Municipal Code Establishing Rules and Regulations to Provide for Urban Dwelling Units and Urban Lot Splits for Single family Lots in Accordance with Senate Bill y
Recommendation: that the City Council Determine that draft Ordinance No. 1199-23 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and conduct second reading by title only Ordinance No. 1199-23, an ordinance amending the Lawndale Municipal Code regarding Single Family developments and subdivisions to reflect recent changes in state law to comply with Senate Bill 9 and waive further reading.
6. Consideration of Claims for Damage against the City
Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claim filed by Juan Salas and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1. Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas abstained in reference to Consent Calendar Item No. 5.
H. PUBLIC HEARING
7. Building and Safety Permit Fee Update for FY 2023-24 Recommendation: that the City Council conduct a public hearing to receive testimony regarding the City's Building Code Fee Schedule and adopt Resolution No. CC-2305- 020.
Community Development Manager Chavez presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m.
There were no members of the public who wished to speak.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m.
Councilmember Suarez asked City Manager Moore to clarify the Los Angeles County Building and Safety fees.
City Manager Moore provided the background on the Los Angeles County Building and Safety fees and indicated that their services are the most cost effective.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to conduct a public hearing to receive testimony regarding the City's Building Code Fee Schedule and adopt Resolution No. CC-2305-020. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
ADMINISTRATION
8. Lawndale Beat Fixed-route Transportation Service Agreement Recommendation: that the City Council approve the attached agreement for Lawndale Beat Fixed-route Transportation Service between the City of Lawndale anc Transportation Concepts for a total amount of $2,397,400 for a term of three-years Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
May 1, 2023
commencing on July 1, 2023 for FY 2023-24, plus 45 days for FY 2022-23 commencement May 15, 2023 through June 30, 2024; or provide further direction.
Community Services Director Estes presented the staff report.
Ray Hollar, Resident, commented on the proposal, Transit Access Pass (TAP), and the fees collected for the non-senior riders.
Councilmember Kearney asked if Metro receives the fees from the TAP program and for clarification about the number of buses.
Community Services Director Estes replied that Metro does not receive revenue from the TAP program and that there is a spare bus for the City to use if needed.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas asked if the buses are wheelchair accessible.
Community Services Director Estes confirmed that the buses are wheelchair accessible.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas inquired about the routes and if bus transfers will be accepted.
Community Services Director Estes stated that there will be two routes; one residential and one express route, and that bus transfers will be accepted.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked what is being done to build ridership.
Community Services Director Estes replied that the service will be announced to all residents via mail and expects higher ridership when gas prices increase.
City Manager Moore commented that the budget for this service comes from Proposition A Funds and that staff is looking into expanding the route to provide door to door services.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to approve the attached agreement for Lawndale Beat Fixed-route Transportation Service between the City of Lawndale and Transportation Concepts for a total amount of $2,397,400 for a term of three-years commencing on July 1, 2023 for FY 2023-24, plus 45 days for FY 2022-23 commencement May 15, 2023 through June 30, 2023.
The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
9. Award of Construction Contract to G2K Construction, Inc., for the Public Works and Los Angeles Sheriff Department Facility Improvement Project Recommendation: that the City Council award a construction contract in the amount of $239,907.25 to G2K Construction, Inc. for the Public Works, and Los Angeles Sheriff Department Facility Improvement Project.
Interim Public Works Director Ansari presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked why the City only received one bid.
Interim Public Works Director Ansari explained that there could be a number of reasons why only one bid was received, including one being that the project is too small.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
May 1, 2023
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to award a construction contract in the amount of $239,907.25 to G2K Construction, Ine. for the Public Works, and Los Angeles Sheriff Department Facility Improvement Project.
The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
10. Notice of Completion- Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue, project No. 2021-02 Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Accept the project completion by Hardy & Harper, Inc., for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue; 2.) Authorize the City Clerk's Office to file the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue; and 3.) Authorize staff to release 5% retention in the amount of $108,236.40 for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue.
Interim Public Works Director Ansari presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas to accept the project completion by Hardy & Harper, Inc., for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue, authorize the City Clerk's Office to file the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue and authorize staff to release 5% retention in the amount of $108,236.40 for the Redondo Beach Boulevard Street Improvement Project from Artesia Boulevard to Prairie Avenue. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore thanked staff, the City Council, and the community for attending and supporting the Lawndale Youth Day Parade. He also thanked Congresswoman Maxine Waters' Office for the presentation of the check ceremony. He reported that staff continues to do daily homeless services outreach. He also asked residents to call the Municipal Services Department when they see that a bulky item pickup is needed.
K. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
11. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked the Community Services Department, Sheriff's Department, and volunteers for putting on a successful Lawndale Youth Parade.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) farewell meeting for President Jeff Wood, CCCA Legislative Zoom meeting, as well as the Lawndale Youth Day Parade and SBCCOG meeting via Zoom.
Councilmember Kearney attended the Liability Trust Fund Claims Board Oversight Committee meeting, CCCA farewell meeting for President Jeff Wood, Lawndale Youth Day Parade, and announced that Congresswoman Maxine Waters presented the City with two symbolic checks in the amounts of $4,000,000 and $1,000,000.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
May 1, 2023
Councilmember Suarez attended the Lawndale Youth Day Parade and thanked the Community Services Department and the Sheriff's Department for coordinating a successful event. She attended the SBCCOG meeting and noted that a City of Redondo Beach Councilmember mentioned litigation.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas attended the Lawndale Youth Day Parade and thanked the Community Services Department, volunteers, and the Sheriff's Department for a successful event, and noted that she would like to use the same route next year.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Lawndale Youth Day Parade and thanked staff for a successful event. He would like to keep the same route next year. He thanked Congresswoman Maxine Waters for the $4,000,000 and $1,000,000 symbolic check presentation to be allocated towards the City's Youth Center.
L. CLOSED SESSION
12. Conference with Legal Counsel - Litigation
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4): One (1) case.
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.
Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez announced both of the aforementioned Closed Session titles.
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:13 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 9:22 p.m.
Special Counsel Lona Laymon reported that the City Council voted 3 ayes, 1 no, and 1 abstention on Closed Session Item No. 12 Conference with Legal Counsel - Litigation to make the following statement:
The City of Lawndale stands behind its comment letter completely in terms of the environmental deficiency in LA Metro's Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Green Line Extension i.e., C-Line Extension without waving or abrogating any of Lawndale's claims of environmental deficiency in the Draft Environmental Impact Report whatsoever, Lawndale would prefer the Hawthorne alignment option as stated in that Draft EIR, subject to such option actually being sufficiently analyzed in terms of environmental review.
Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez reported that there was no reportable action for Closed Session Item No. 13, Conference with Labor Negotiator.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
May 1, 2023
M. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
thal
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 5/15/2023