MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 16, 2024
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 Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Councilmember Pat
Kearney, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas
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 Sheriff's Department Captain Nicole Palomino, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Public Works Director Lea Reis, Mike Estes, Community Services Director.
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Cuevas led the flag salute. Pastor George Magdalany of Hope Chapel Hawthorne provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
a. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Captain Palomino summarized the recent law enforcement activities and thanked the City for their support of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD).
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Michelle Pino, Library Manager, announced the library's upcoming events.
Giovanni Leal, Resident, commented on a parking citation that he received.
Andrew Blackney, Resident, commented on the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan (SBBMP) and a public works request he made to the City regarding the crosswalk at 147" Street.
Sandro Solorzano, Resident, commented on his pending property permits.
Matthew Harbison, Resident, thanked the Public Works Department for their prompt response to his bulky item pick up and street clean-up requests.
Gerardo Sandoval, Resident, commented on renting the Community Center facilities for weekend events.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented that Resident Carrie passed away.
Minutes - City Council
January 16, 2024
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on the firework activity in the City during the holiday season.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, asked Municipal Services Director Reyes and Public Works Director Reis to follow-up with the residents regarding the parking citation and the SBBMP, commented on the permit issues Resident Solorzano reported, the Public Works Department's rapid response time to the bulky item pick- up, the community center banquet room being considered for the public to rent, and reminded residents that Republic Services provides two free bulky item pick-ups. Councilmember Cuevas thanked Resident Sopko for commenting on the passing of Resident Carrie and asked when the illegal fireworks citation update will be presented.
City Manager Moore stated that staff is actively working on the crosswalk project, as well as with Resident Solorzano to resolve his permit issues, and reported that the illegal fireworks citation update will be provided at an upcoming meeting.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, commented that the illegal fireworks citation process is a learning curve for the City, and thanked Resident Abram for commenting on the fireworks usage during the holiday season.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that spoke at tonight's meeting and thanked Library Manager Pino for providing the library's event updates.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, asked for a timeframe of when the painting of the crosswalk on 147" Street will occur, inquired if safe routes for slow moving vehicles can be researched, inquired about the policy for not issuing permits and requested an agenda item to discuss the timely processing of permits when there are pending code enforcement violations. Mayor Pro Tem Suarez suggested contracting with Southwest Patrol to offer security services to the Community Center if it is rented to the public.
Public Works Director Reis responded that the crosswalk painting will be completed in approximately six months.
City Manager Moore explained that City policy does not allow new permits to be issued if a code enforcement violation is pending related to a land use and building code, stated that renting the Community Center banquet room will need to be presented to the Budget Ad Hoc Subcommittee to consider funding for additional staff to operate it on the weekend.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, commented on issuing permits in a timely manner, stated that staff will review the bike plan to determine what is appropriate for the City, thanked Resident Sopko for commenting on the passing of Resident Carrie and Resident Abram for commenting on fireworks.
Minutes - City Council
January 16, 2024
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.
2. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2401-053 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $945,369.29.
Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, December 18, 2023 Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
4. LIFE Program Reimbursement Agreement with LA County Metro Recommendation: that the City Council 1) approve the five-year agreement between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to join the LIFE program; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the attached five-year agreement.
EZ Transit Pass Usage and Reimbursement Agreement with LA County Metro Recommendation: that the City Council 1) approve the year-to-year agreement between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to join the EZ Transit Pass program; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
G. Resolution to Amend and Update Job Description for Director of Community Secominendation: that the City Council approve and adapt Resolution No. CC-2401-054, amending and updating the job dossipion for the Diector of Community Serviced Vector Control Appointment of Trustee to Los Angeles County West Vector Control District (Tentative)
Recommendation: that the City Council
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
G. ADMINISTRATION
8. City Council Ad Hoe Subcommittees and Standing Committees Recommendation: that the City Council review the current ad hoc subcommittee and standing committee lists and direct staff on the modification, replacement, or continued appointment of members, if so desired.
Assistant City Clerk Hall presented the staff report.
Minutes - City Council
January 16, 2024
Discussion ensued by the City Council regarding which ad hoc subcommittees and standing committees should be modified.
By consensus, the City Council made the following modifications: 1) Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Replace Councilmember Cuevas by appointing Mayor Pro Tem Suarez; and 2) Metro C Line (Green) Extension Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Replace Councilmember Hofmann Gorman by appointing Councilmember Cuevas.
9. Award of Contract Services Agreement to Am-Tec Total Security Inc., for the City of Lawndale Security Improvement Project
Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Award a contract services agreement in the amount of $146,063.23 to Am-Tec Total Security Inc., tor the City of Lawndale Security Improvement Project; and 2) Approve the contingency amount of $29,212.65 for the project to avoid delays and facilitate timely project completion.
Public Works Director Reis presented the staff report.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman asked if any other cities contract with this company.
City Manager Moore responded that the City has worked with this company in the past.
Councilmember Cuevas inquired whether a warranty is included in the cost and if American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are being used to fund this project.
Public Works Director Reis responded that she will find out if other cities have contracted with this company, commented that a warranty is included and confirmed that the funds for this project are ARPA funds.
Mayor Pullen-Miles requested staff to check if replacement parts are readily available.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to award a contract services agreement in the amount of $|46,063.23 to Am-Tee Total Security Inc., for the City of Lawndale Security Improvement Project and approve the contingency amount of $29,212.65 for the project to avoid delays and facilitate timely project completion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. Recommendation to Continue to Use Everbridge as the Citywide Emergency Notification System
Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Approve funding to retain Everbridge Mass Notification Pro as its sole provider for emergency messaging, and communications in the event of a natural or manmade disaster; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Renewal Quote for One-Year between the City of Lawndale and Everbridge.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked if neighboring cities have renewed their contracts with this company.
Minutes - City Council
January 16, 2024
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that he does not know if neighboring cities have renewed their contracts with this company, commented on privacy with respect to the private information that is provided by the residents when they register for the alerts, and commented on the type of information that should be released by the City.
Municipal Services Director Reyes stated that an emergency test alert was recently completed and that the notification alert system will be announced on the City's website for residents to register to receive alerts.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Suarez to approve funding to retain Everbridge Mass Notification Pro as its sole provider for emergency messaging, and communications in the event of a natural or manmade disaster and authorize the City Manager to execute the Renewal Quote for One-Year between the City of Lawndale and Everbridge. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore commented that staff is working on addressing the painting that is needed on the crosswalk at 147" Street.
ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
11. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Cuevas had no items to report and wished everyone a happy new year.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) 2024 Sacramento Legislative Tour, commented that residents can contact Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi to encourage him support harder penalties for retail theft and inquired about the utility art box program.
City Manager Moore responded that an item will be added to a future agenda to discuss a utility art box program.
Councilmember Kearney attended the Tesla Supercharging Station Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez attended a South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Steering Committee meeting, Tesla Supercharging Station Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project meeting, Los Angeles County City Selection Committee meeting, asked if the City can write a letter in support of virtual meetings and commented that the SBCCOG will discuss whether to take a position on the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Project.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Tesla Supercharging Station Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor MLK Breakfast, commented that Mayor Pro Tem Suarez is the new President of Centinela Youth Services, Councilmember Kearney is a new Board of Trustee Member to the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District and that he would like children to be involved in the painting of the utility art box program.
Minutes - City Council
Sagary 16, 2024
CLOSED SESSION
12. 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.
The City Council convened into closed session at 7:37 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 8:26 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy announced that no reportable action was taken and that this matter will continue to the next meeting.
J. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
R Puller maid
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Celfar
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 02/05/2024