MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 7, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. 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 Pat
Kearney, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez.
Other Participants: City Manager Sean M. Moore, Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Sergeant Justin Smith, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Ted Svoboda, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community
Development Manager Jared Chavez, Public Works Director Lea Reis, Community Services Director Mike Estes
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute. Pastor Dwight Dudley of Calvary Chapel South Bay provided the inspiration.
C. 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 Svoboda summarized the recent Fire Department enforcement activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Deena Sopko, Resident, thanked the City Council for replacing a missing street sign, paving streets, and commented on Sprouts Farmers Market.
Alfonso Fernandez, Resident, commented on a house at 15020 Burin Avenue that has been vacant for multiple years. He indicated that the health and safety issues due to rodents, overgrown weeds, and trespassing in the house are getting worse.
Holly Osborn, Resident, commented on the Metro charts that she provided to the City Council and provided information on the pipelines and trench area.
Minutes
City Council Meeting
August 7, 2023
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on the use of illegal fireworks during the July 4" holiday, asked how many citations were duplicates, and encouraged the City Council to consider a moratorium on fireworks.
Gary White, Resident, commented on Metro's safety record, illegal fireworks, and stated that illegal firework fines should be enforced instead of banning fireworks as they will negatively impact children's programs that benefit from the selling of safe and sane fireworks.
Ray Hollar, Resident, commented on an incident in the City of Inglewood near a Metro station, the Metro charts that Resident Osborne provided and commented that the train should be built on Hawthorne Boulevard.
Dee, Resident, commented that there have been several vehicle accidents on 154" street and Eastwood Avenue and she would like the City to find a solution.
Joi Richardson, District Representative from Senator Steven Bradford's Office, thanked Councilmember Kearney for assisting at the backpack giveaway event and announced that Senator Bradford is sponsoring a Jazz Festival on August 27, 2023.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman commented that she is proud of the positive things the City is doing such as paving streets and bringing a Sprouts Farmers Market to the City, She asked about the status of the vacant property.
City Manager Moore provided an update on the vacant property. He shared that the City Attorney's Office is assisting with the legal process to resolve the concerns.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked the residents that spoke and addressed each of their comments. She stated that she will discuss a fireworks moratorium and asked Resident Dee to speak directly with the Sheriff's Department and staff about the traffic safety issues.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone for speaking tonight.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and spoke on the Torrance City Councilmembers' views on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project. She requested a presentation on how residents can address safety issues with the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas thanked everyone in attendance and also thanked Resident Osborn for the Metro charts and Resident Abram for the copy of the fireworks article. She requested a report on how many incidents have occurred on 154 street and Eastwood Avenue in the last two years and asked for an update on the vacant property.
City Manager Moore commented that he will provide an update on the status of the vacant property.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone for speaking this evening and stated that he will look into the vacant property. He commented on the Sprouts Farmers Market coming to the City, thanked Minutes
City Council Meeting
August 7, 2023
Resident Osborne for preparing the Metro charts, Resident White for sharing his views on the fireworks and Metro, Resident Dee for bringing up the safety issues, and District Representative Richardson for the backpack giveaway event.
Councilmember Kearney asked about the rodent issue at the vacant property.
City Manager Moore responded that he would look into the rodent issue.
F. 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.
2. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2308-031 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,352,092.22.
Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, July 17, 2023 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
Resolutions to Approve Senior Management Analyst Position and Job Description and Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City-wide Salary and Pay Schedule Recommendation: that the City Council 1) approve and adopt Resolution No. CC-2308- 033, establishing the position and job description for the Senior Management Analyst with salary range of Range 95, $7,067 - $8,590 per month allocated to the Public Works Department; and 2) approve and adopt Resolution No. CC-2308-034, Citywide Salary and Pay Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Emergency Procurement, Special Transit Program Vehicle Lease Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file this report.
6. Resolution to Accept State Grant Funding for Youth Development Center Project Recommendation: that the City Council approve the attached resolution, CC-2308-032, Resolution of the Lawndale City Council Approving the Acceptance of General Fund Grant Funds for Lawndale Youth Development Center Project from California Natural Resources Agency.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 1202-23 for the allowance of residents to keep chickens, hens, and/or fowl in residential areas Recommendation: that the City Council accept Ordinance No. 1202-23 which allows residents to keep chickens, hens, and fowl so long as they meet standards and practices set forth by the Los Angeles County Health and Safety Code.
Minutes
City Council Meeting
August 7, 2023
City Manager Moore presented the staff report.
Councilmember Suarez asked if the ordinance only applies to single family properties.
City Manager Moore clarified that condominiums would qualify if the requirements are met.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented that she does not support the ordinance and prefers instead that the City install automated license plate readers.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented that he does not support the allowance of chickens in the City.
Dee, Resident, provided information on diseases and chickens.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:23 p.m.
Councilmember Suarez indicated that she requested this topic and made a motion to introduce the ordinance for first reading.
Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez read the ordinance by title only and waived further reading.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas to accept, introduce, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 1202-23 which allows residents to keep chickens, hens, and fowl so long as they meet standards and practices set forth by the Los Angeles County Health and Safety Code. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2. Councilmember Kearney and Councilmember Hoffman Gorman voted no.
8. An Ordinance Adopting the 2023 Los Angeles County Fire Codes and Finding of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Recommendation: that the City Council read by title only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 1203-23.
Community Development Manager Chavez presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
There were no members of the public wishing to speak.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:26 p.m.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to read by title only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 1203-23 adopting the 2023 Los Angeles County Fire Codes and Finding of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Minutes
City Council Meeting
August 7, 2023
H. ADMINISTRATION
9. Memorandum of Agreement for Administration and Cost Sharing for Implementing the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Programs and Enhanced Watershed Management Program for the Dominguez Channel Watershed Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, between the cities of Los Angeles, Carson, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the County of Los Angeles, and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments for a total of $61,933 for Administration and Cost Sharing for Implementing the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP) and Watershed Management Program (WMP) and the Dominguez Channel Watershed Management Area.
Public Works Director Reis presented the staff report.
Councilmember Kearney asked about the population threshold of 100,000 and requested a breakdown of the cost.
Discussion ensued among the City Council and staff regarding the breakdown of costs, watershed boundaries and allocation percentages.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, between the cities of Los Angeles, Carson, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the County of Los Angeles, and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments for a total of $61,933 for Administration and Cost Sharing for Implementing the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP) and Watershed Management Program (WMP) and the Dominguez Channel Watershed Management Area. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. Draft Agreement for School Crossing Guard Services
Recommendation: that the City Council 1) approve the attached an unsigned agreement between the City of Lawndale and All City Management Services, Inc. for a term of two years effective August 24, 2023 through June 12, 2025; or 2) provide further direction.
City Manager Moore presented the staff report.
Councilmember Kearney supports a two-year term agreement or else the City should consider hiring its own staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas agreed with Councilmember Kearney's comment.
Councilmember Suarez agreed with the aforementioned comments.
Minutes
City Council Meeting
August 7, 2023
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas to approve the attached and unsigned agreement between the City of Lawndale and All City Management Services, Inc. for a term of two years effective August 24, 2023 through June 12, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore attended a joint meeting with the City of Torrance, Redondo Beach City, South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and Metro staff regarding the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project. He stated that the topics discussed were encroachment permits, Hawthorne Boulevard option, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) report and costs. He commented that Metro will not hold a Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project meeting in September. City Manager Moore commented that residents have made requests to appeal their illegal firework citations.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas asked if the property owners were issued illegal fireworks citations.
City Manager Moore responded that the City mailed illegal firework citations to property owners and that the Sheriff's Department issued citations to the offenders at the scene.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked about the process for posting bail for illegal firework citations prior to requesting an appeal. He suggested that the City Council look into changing it next year to alleviate the burden of posting bail before having the opportunity to request an appeal. Mayor Pullen-Miles commented on the NEPA document.
Councilmember Kearney asked about the City's share of the cost for the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project to go through the City.
Discussion ensued among the City Council and staff regarding the City's share of the cost of the Metro project.
J. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
11. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the California Contract Cities Board of Directors meeting and the City's National Night Out event.
Councilmember Kearney attended the California Contract Cities Board of Directors meeting, the City's National Night Out event and Senator Bradford's Backpack Giveaway event.
Councilmember Suarez attended the City's National Night Out event and requested to agendize a discussion on the electronic submission of campaign reports.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas attended the South Bay Cities' Council of Governments Board of Directors meeting and announced that Jacki Bacharach is now an employee of the SBCCOG.
The League of California Cities where Sheriff Luna was the main speaker, Installation of Officers Ceremony and Dinner presented by Steve Cooley, and the City's National Night Out event.
Minutes
City Council Meeting
August 7, 2023
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman requested that the moratorium on fireworks discussion be scheduled soon.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas announced that the City of Redondo Beach is hosting a rally at Franklin Park to discuss a strategy for the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project and provided the website rightofsay.com, for more information.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority meeting, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts meeting, and the City's National Night Out event. He announced that he is partnering with the organization, Special Needs Network, to sponsor an event to give away backpacks, provide health screenings, and other activities on August 26, 2023 at Jane Addams Park from 10 am - 2 pm.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:07 pm.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Stom
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 8/21/23