MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
December 4, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:30 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, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Hall, Deputy City Manager/Director of Human Resources Raylette Felton, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Sergeant Justin Smith, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Nicole Palomino, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Development Manager Jared Chavez, Public Works Director Lea Reis
B. CEREMONIALS
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas led the flag salute and Pastor Matthew Harbison of Lawndale Wesleyan Church provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
a. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Captain Palomino summarized the recent law enforcement activities and announced that there will be a Coffee with a Cop event on December 13, 2023. b. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
City Manager Moore gave a summary of recent Fire Department enforcement activities provided by the Fire Department.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Ray Hollar, Resident, commented on the City's fast response to graffiti removal, the City's automatic license plate recognition program (ALPR), requested additional information on data access, metrics, how much crime is solved, and how the City will evaluate the ALPR program.
Matthew Harbison, Resident, thanked the City for the Angel Tree Lighting event and commented on recent red-light infractions he has witnessed.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented in favor of ALPRs and in disapproval of tinted windows.
Minutes - City Council
December 4, 2023
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked everyone for attending the meeting tonight, asked City Manager Moore to address Resident Hollar's comments on ALPRs, commented on the large attendance at the Angel Tree Lighting event and invited residents to attend the Coffee with a Cop event to discuss their concerns. Councilmember Hofmann Gorman commented in favor of ALPRs.
City Manager Moore responded that Municipal Services Director Reyes will follow up with Resident Hollar regarding the ALPRs.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that spoke at the meeting tonight and commented that the Angel Tree Lighting event was fantastic.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone for attending the meeting tonight and commented that she would like to see the ALPR's long-term data and statistics.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, commented on the graffiti removal program, stated that he would like to see the ALPRs long-term data and statistics and commented on red light infractions.
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.
Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2312-050 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $308,379.86.
3. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, November 20, 2023 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Selection of Projects for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 (50") Program Year of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Conduct a public hearing; 2.) Adopt the FY 2024-25 budget for the CDBG program; and 3.) Adopt Resolution No. CC-2312-047 Approving the City's participation in the FY 2024-25 CDBG Program.
City Manager Moore informed the City Council that this item will be rescheduled to the next meeting due to a noticing requirement.
Minutes - City Council
December 4, 2023
By consensus, the City Council postponed item No. G.4 9 to the next City Council meeting.
Case No. 23-19, Consideration and Adoption of a Comprehensive Update to the City's General Plan (2045) and Adoption of an Associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Recommendation: that the City Council A.) Approve Resolution No. CC-2312-49 Approve and Certify the Final Environment Impact Report; and B.) Adopt Resolution No. CC-2312-048 recommending that the City Council approve the General Plan 2045 comprehensive update.
Community Development Manager Chavez introduced Principal Amanda Tropiano and Senior Planner Ashley Brodkin of De Novo Planning Group.
Principal Tropiano and Senior Planner Brodkin presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Community Development Manager Chavez presented the staff recommendation.
City Manager Moore noted that adopting the General Plan and the final EIR together is appropriate.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas inquired if the 2019 potential build out number is a State of California requirement.
Senior Planner Brodkin responded that the build out numbers are based on the land use element and within the EIR, which is based on requirements.
Mayor Pullen-Miles requested an example of significant and unavoidable environmental impacts related to air quality and greenhouse gases and inquired what the goal is for environmental justice.
Senior Planner Brodkin responded that both air quality and greenhouse gases are viewed as being potentially significant and unavoidable impacts with a programmatic EIR because there is no specific project. She stated that the goal for environmental justice is to mitigate potential environmental justice impact issues by creating better access to healthy foods, better healthcare and public transportation to low income and disadvantaged communities.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas asked if a business is sold and the zoning is changed, does the business lose the zoning category.
Community Development Manager Chavez replied that there are no anticipated changes planned for the zoning update. She explained that if the zoning changes for a business, they would keep the same designation, but they would be non-conforming.
Senior Planner Brodkin clarified that the General Plan updated the land use designations.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
Minutes - City Council
December 4, 2023
Ross Donaldson, President and CEO of Critical Innovations LLC, introduced his company, commented on the proposed land use designation updates, requested that the General Plan Update and any future zoning updates continue to allow the currently permitted uses and thanked staff Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m.
Councilmember Suarez requested to continue this item to a future meeting to allow more time to review the General Plan and EIR
City Attorney Murphy commented that a motion is necessary to continue this matter to the next City Council meeting.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to continue Item G.5. - Case No. 23-19, Consideration and Adoption of a Comprehensive Update to the City's General Plan (2045) and Adoption of an Associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the next City Council meeting of December 18, 2023. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
H. ADMINISTRATION
6. Award One-Year On-Call Traffic Engineering Services Contract Recommendation: that the City Council award an On-Call Traffic Engineering Services agreement to W.G. Zimmerman Engineering, Inc., Advantec Consulting Engineers, Inc., and Transtech Engineers, Inc. for a term of one-year, with an option to extend up to four one-year extensions.
Public Works Director Reis presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas asked if traffic related items brought forth will be presented to the City Council
Public Works Director Reis responded that traffic reports are presented to the Traffic Commission and, when necessary, they will be presented to the City Council for discussion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to award an On-Call Traffic Engineering Services agreement to W.G.
Zimmerman Engineering, Inc., Advantec Consulting Engineers, Inc., and Transtech Engineers, Inc. for a term of one-year, with an option to extend up to four one-year extensions. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore thanked staff for a great Angel Tree Lighting event and commented that it was well attended.
Minutes - City Council
December 4, 2023
J. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
7. Discussion of Three (3) Letters Distributed at the November 16, 2023 South Bay Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors' Meeting from Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell Regarding Metro C-Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project Funding Gap Requested by Councilmember Kearney Councilmember Kearney presented the three (3) letters distributed at the November 16, 2023, South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board of Directors' Meeting and commented in opposition to the letters.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, referenced a written comment she submitted in regard to the Metro C-Line (Green) Project.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
8. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the Angel Tree Lighting event and thanked staff for the event.
Councilmember Kearney attended Senator Bradford's Drive Thru Turkey Giveaway, Angel Tree Lighting event, and The Experimentally Structured Museum of Art (ESMoA) Open-House.
Councilmember Suarez attended a Homeless Solutions Standing Committee meeting, and the Angel Tree Lighting event.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas attended a Homeless Solutions Standing Committee meeting, ESMoA Open-House, Angel Tree Lighting event, and asked if the snow and skating rink can be kept the day after the Angel tree Lighting event for the community to use. She thanked staff for their outreach efforts on working with the unhoused and for a great Angel Tree Lighting event.
City Manager Moore responded that having the snow and skating rink on the day after the Angel Tree Lighting event can be discussed during the next budget meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the ESMoA Open-House, Angel Tree Lighting event, and thanked staff and volunteers for a great event.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas announced that Santa's Sleigh will be visiting Lawndale on December 4-8, 2023, and December 11-14, 2023.
Minutes - City Council
December 4, 2023
K. CLOSED SESSION
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.
City Attorney Murphy read the aforementioned Closed Session matter by title only in conjunction with Closed Session Item No. K.10 and Closed Session Item No. K.11.
10. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), to discuss existing litigation: Name of Case: Abdul R. Pasta V. The City of Lawndale, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STLC07381.
11. 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.
The City Council convened into closed session at 7:38 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 8:56 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy announced that there was no reportable action for Closed Session Item No. K.9. Conference with Labor Negotiator, no reportable action for Closed Session Item No.
K.10. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation and no reportable action for Closed Session Item No. K.11. Public Employee Performance Evaluation.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Pullen-mit
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
AHar
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 12/18/2023