MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 21, 2023
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, Councilmember Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez.
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Sirley Cuevas, Councilmember Pat Kearney Other Participants: City Manager Sean M. Moore, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Justin Smith, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Development Manager Jared
Chavez, Public Works Director Lea Reis, Community Services Director Mike Estes
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Suarez led the flag salute. Lead Pastor Eddie Vargas, of Restoration Life Church, provided the inspiration.
PRESENTATION
Retirement Recognition
Presentation of Plaque to Sergeant Sandy Nitz of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 35 years of service.
Mayor Pullen-Miles presented the Plaque to Sergeant Sandy Nitz of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 35 years of service.
D. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Sergeant Smith summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Dee, Resident, commented on the City's Public Works Department running out of sandbags and stated that the City should be better prepared for a rainstorm.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on the illegal fireworks citations issued, Grand Jury report on fireworks in Orange County, and that he would like the City to discuss a moratorium on fireworks.
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August 21, 2023
Monica Padilla, Resident, commented on the illegal fireworks citation she received as the property owner and that she does not agree with the dispute process of paying the bail amount prior to receiving an appeal hearing. She noted that per the ordinance, the citation would be issued to the person lighting the illegal fireworks; however, in her case, she was mailed the citation.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented on local business, Rusher Air Conditioning, who donated to the Maui disaster, the upcoming Blues Festival and Car Show, and inquired about an incident that occurred on the Interstate 405 freeway off-ramp.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman inquired about the sandbags supply, illegal fireworks citations, and the incident on the Interstate 405 freeway off-ramp. Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked the Lawndale business for going above and beyond by donating to the fire disaster in Maui.
Public Works Director Reis responded that they will plan to have more sandbags next time there is a major storm event.
City Manager Moore commented that Municipal Services Department staff will address questions from residents about the illegal fireworks citations and that the appeal process is treated the same as other citations in regard to paying the bail amount before the appeal hearing.
Sergeant Smith stated that the investigation concerning the Interstate 405 freeway off-ramp incident is on-going; therefore, no further comment can be made.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting and recommended the City have a contingency plan for additional sandbags when the City runs out. She would like to know how the illegal fireworks citation monies are being spent and is interested in a report on the status of the citations.
City Manager Moore commented that the illegal fireworks citation monies will be utilized on City outreach programs, City signs, additional deputies, and other community resources.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked all speakers, commented on making additional sandbags available, illegal fireworks citations, and bail amounts, and thanked Rusher Air Conditioning for their donations to the Maui disaster. Mayor Pullen-Miles suggested that a thank you letter be sent to Rusher Air Conditioning.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
2. 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-2308-035 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $930,508.90.
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4. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, August 7, 2023 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
5. South Bay Workforce Investment Board Quarterly Summary Report Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file.
6. Second Reading and Adoption 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 waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1202-23 which allows residents to keep chickens, hens, and/or fowl so long as they meet standards and practices set forth by the Los Angeles County Health and Safety Code.
7. Amendment to extend the Service Agreement with Interwest Consulting Group for the FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvements Project
Recommendation: that the City Council approve the six-month contract extension with Interwest Consulting Group for Construction Management and Inspection Services for the FY 2021-22 Annual Street Improvement Project.
Grant Agreement for Youth Development Center Project
Recommendation: that the City Council 1) authorize the City Manager to execute the attached agreement between the California Natural Resources Agency and City of Lawndale for the award of $4,000,000.00 to be used on the eventual Lawndale Youth Development Center and adjacent skate park available on a reimbursable basis; or 2) provide further direction.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney absent.
H. ADMINISTRATION
9. Presentation on Traffic Safety
Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file.
Public Works Director Reis gave a PowerPoint presentation on traffic safety.
By City Council consensus, the presentation was received and filed with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney absent.
10. Amendment to the FY 2023-2024 CDBG Budget Allocation Recommendation: that the City Council approve the amendment to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget allocation to implement the Community Development Block Grant.
Community Development Manager Chavez presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to approve the amendment to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget allocation to implement the Community Development Block Grant. The motion Minutes - City Council
August 21, 2023
passed by a vote of 3-0-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney absent.
11. Purchase of New Special Transit Vehicles and Branding Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Determine that the purchase of two new Starcraft Allstar 27' vehicles for $263,332.92 from Model 1 Commercial Bus Sales, Inc. in Chino, California is appropriately a sole-source purchase under Municipal Code section 3.08.110(1)(b) and approve this purchase; 2.) Approve the expenditure of $3,150.00 to Decals by Design, Inc. in Corona, California to brand the two new vehicles at the Model 1 Commercial Bus Sales, Inc. dealership in Chino, California; and 3.) Appropriate a total amount of $266,482.92 in Prop A monies for the purchase of the two vehicles and the branding; or 4.) Provide further direction.
Community Services Director Estes presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented on the difference in cost for the vehicle branding.
Community Services Director Estes provided additional information on the vehicle branding vendors.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to determine that the purchase of two new Starcraft Allstar 27' vehicles for $263,332.92 from Model 1 Commercial Bus Sales, Inc. in Chino, California is appropriately a sole-source purchase under Municipal Code section 3.08.110(1)(b) and approve this purchase, approve the expenditure of $3,150.00 to Decals by Design, Inc. in Corona, California to brand the two new vehicles at the Model 1 Commercial Bus Sales, Ine. dealership in Chino, California and appropriate a total amount of $266,482.92 in Prop A monies for the purchase of the two vehicles and the branding. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney absent.
I. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore stated that there were no issues to report.
J. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
12. Discussion regarding the Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements Using an Electronic System
Recommendation: that the City Council (a) review and discuss the filing of campaign disclosure statements using an electronic system, and (b) find this item exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideline 1506l(b)(3); or (c) provide further direction.
Assistant City Clerk Hall presented the staff report.
Councilmember Suarez asked what agency adopted the policy of candidates having to submit original wet signature Forms 460 and stated she is interested in submitting DocuSign forms instead of wet signature documents.
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Assistant City Clerk responded that the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) established the policy and if the City would like to submit forms electronically, a cost would be required to adopt a digital platform approved by the FPPC.
By City Council consensus, the City Council received and filed the report with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas Councilmember Kearney absent,
13. Lemonade Day
Recommendation: that the City Council l.) Receive and file this report; or 2.) Provide further direction to staff.
Mayor Pullen-Miles provided background information on the Lemonade Day discussion.
Community Services Director Estes presented the staff report.
Councilmember Suarez commented that this event can have educational purposes for the youth and provide them with an opportunity to interact with the community.
Mayor Pullen-Miles recommended that the Youth Advisory Committee review the item and perform a cost analysis.
Community Services Director Estes commented that the Youth Advisory Committee is not currently active due to not having members and suggested that the Parks, Recreation and Social Services Committee review the project.
By City Council consensus, the report was received, filed, and sent to the Youth Advisory Committee for their comments with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney absent.
14. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended a California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Legislative Committee meeting via Zoom and a monthly CCCA meeting, asked staff to announce the Annual Lawndale Blues Festival, and Fall Clean-up Week. She inquired if American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies can be used to purchase automatic license plate readers.
Community Services Director Estes announced the Annual Lawndale Blues Festival and Car Show event to be held on September 9, 2023, at Jane Addams Park.
Municipal Services Director commented that bulky item pick-ups will be available during Fall Clean-up Week, September 16, 2023 through September 24, 2023.
City Manager Moore commented that ARPA monies can be used to purchase automatic license plate readers; however, there would be ongoing subscription costs.
Councilmember Suarez attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments' Steering Committee meeting and State of the City Address at the City of Hawthorne, and suggested the City look into a "Movies in the Park" event for next Summer.
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City Manager Moore commented that he was informed that a Metro meeting would be held in September and October; however, the meetings have not been scheduled yet.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the State of the City Address of Hawthorne and recommended that the City consider allocating funds next fiscal year to host a State of the City Address. He concurred with Councilmember Suarez's suggestion to consider a "Movies in the Park" event.
He noted the completion of the Artesia Boulevard Road Project and announced that he is partnering with the Special Needs Network, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor's Office to host a backpack giveaway and Community Resource and Health Fair on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Jane Addams Park.
Councilmember Suarez asked if Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) applications can be distributed at the backpack giveaway event.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked if a document shredding event can be scheduled.
City Manager Moore responded that he would check with Public Works on the shredding event and follow up with the City Council.
K. CLOSED SESSION
15. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
The City Council will hold a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b), to conduct an employee evaluation concerning the City Manager.
By City Council consensus, the City Council continued item K.15. to the next meeting, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney absent.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
I Pathanit
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Stal
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 9/18/2023