MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
May 20, 2024
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 14700 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, Community Development Manager Jared Chavez,
Public Works & City Engineering Oversight Contract Project Manager Ahmad Ansari, Community Services Director Mike Estes, Community Services Director Jason Minter
B. CEREMONIALS
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute. 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.
D. PRESENTATION
1. Recognition - Lawndale's 2024 Outstanding Older American Presentation of Lawndale's 2024 Outstanding Older American plaque to Josephine Gonzalez.
Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented Lawndale's 2024 Outstanding Older American plaque to resident Josephine Gonzalez. Recipient Josephine Gonzalez was not present.
By consensus, the City Council reordered the agenda and considered agenda Item D.4. Presentation to Retiring Community Services Director Mike Estes at this time.
Presentation to Retiring Community Services Director Mike Estes Presentation by the Mayor and City Council of retirement plaque and 17-year service lapel pin to Community Services Director Mike Estes for 17 years of dedication, commitment, and service to the Lawndale community.
Minutes - City Council
May 20, 2024
Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented the retirement plaque and 17-year service lapel pin to Community Services Director Mike Estes for 17 years of dedication, commitment, and service to the Lawndale community.
A video highlighting Community Services Director Estes' accomplishments was presented.
Community Services Director Estes introduced the new Community Services Director Jason Minter.
The City Council thanked Community Services Director Estes for his service and dedication.
Joi Richardson, District Representative from Senator Steven Bradford's Office, presented Community Services Director Estes a certificate on behalf of Senator Steven Bradford Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that Lawndale's 2024 Outstanding Older American recipient Josephine Gonzalez received a certificate from Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, as well.
Presentation by South Bay Cities Council of Governments: Local Travel Network (LTN) Presentation by South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Jacki Bacharach, Executive Director, Anne Tsai, Civic Spark Fellow and Jake Romoff, Project Coordinator.
Jacki Bacharach, Executive Director, Anne Tsai, Civic Spark Fellow and Jake Romoff, Project Coordinator of SBCCOG, gave the presentation.
Ms. Bacharach clarified that Measure M funds are subregional for the South Bay Cities.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented in favor of the program and asked about charging stations.
Ms. Bacharach clarified the type of charging stations that would be needed.
Councilmember Cuevas asked about the funding source for charging stations.
Ms. Bacharach responded that grants may be used for the charging stations.
Councilmember Kearney asked if 25 miles per hour (MPR) speed would be used for residential streets or major highways, who would be responsible for replacing charging stations, and the cost of the electricity.
Mr. Romoff responded that the 25 MPR speed would be used for residential streets.
Ms. Bacharach stated that residents would be encouraged to purchase electric vehicles as their second vehicle.
Minutes - City Council
May 20, 2024
Councilmember Kearney commented that some streets may not qualify for this project because they are too small.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked the SBCCOG for attending and stated that she would like to see this program move forward. She proposed that the City Council form an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee to review the project.
By consensus, the City Council received and filed the LTN project.
3. Presentation by West Basin Municipal Water District
Presentation by West Basin Municipal Water District Darryl Ramos-Young, Public Information Specialist IIl.
Darryl Ramos-Young West Basin Municipal Water District Public Information Specialist Ill gave the presentation.
Councilmember Kearney asked about fire hydrant water.
Mr. Ramos responded that the Fire Department should be provided with information on this topic.
4. Presentation to Retiring Community Services Director Mike Estes Presentation by the Mayor and City Council of retirement plaque and 17-year service lapel pin to Community Services Director Mike Estes for 17 years of dedication, commitment, and service to the Lawndale community.
This matter was reordered and previously discussed after Item No. D.1.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Dena Sopko, Resident, congratulated Community Services Director Estes on his retirement, thanked the City Council for the Neighborhood Watch Program, and commented on the LTN.
Tiyana McSwain, Resident, commented that the City does not offer youth sports.
Paul Sneider, Resident, commented on a recent shooting near his residence and provided a DVD and flash drive containing images of grooves on his roof.
Gary White, Resident, commented on the graffiti removal program and the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) timeline for the freeway retrofit project.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) to speak with Resident Sneider, and asked about the timeline of the Caltrans freeway retrofit project.
Minutes - City Council
May 20, 2024
City Manager Moore commented on the schedule for the Caltrans freeway retrofit project and indicated that it is not related to the Metro C Line (Green) Project.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, commented on the incident that occurred near Resident Sneider's residence, the Neighborhood Watch Program, graffiti removal program, and thanked residents for attending the City Council meeting at the alternate location.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting and commented on budgeting for youth sports next year.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, commented on the graffiti removal program, expressed support of a youth sports program, neighborhood watch program and thanked residents for attending the neighborhood watch meeting.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda
Recommendation: that the City Council approve.
6. Accounts Payable Register
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2405-073 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,120,609.99.
7. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024 Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
Conflict of Interest Code Notification
Recommendation: that the City Council direct staff and the City Attorney to review the City's Conflict of Interest Code to determine whether any revisions are required and submit findings to the City Council no later than October 1, 2024.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Suarez to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
H. PUBLIC HEARING
First Reading to amend language in Lawndale Municipal Code Section 12.31.010 and Section 12.31.030 to allow for additional enforcement by City Staff Recommendation: that the City Council approve this first reading of this ordinance with the new language as written.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:55 p.m.
Minutes - City Council
May 20, 2024
There were no members of the public who wished to speak.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:56 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked for an explanation of the citation process.
Municipal Services Director Reyes explained the citation process and the fines.
Discussion ensued among the City Councilmembers, City Attorney Murphy and staff regarding passive and non-passive solicitation, solicitation with signs, and freedom of speech.
In response to Mayor Pullen-Miles' question, City Attorney Murphy stated that this ordinance is narrowly tailored to solve a specific issue which is referenced on page two, subsection D.6., of the ordinance. City Attorney Murphy read this subsection which states that "loitering around a business engaged in financial services in a manner that is likely to cause a reasonable person to fear loss of property or physical or other coercion into giving up property to the solicitor." Discussion ensued among the City Councilmembers and staff regarding street performers, pedestrians on freeway on-ramps and off-ramps, safety issues and enforcement.
City Attorney Murphy read the ordinance by title only and waived further reading.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Suarez to approve and conduct this first reading, by title only, of this ordinance with the new language as written. A roll call vote was taken and the results were read by City Clerk Harbison as follows:
AYES: Suarez, Kearney, Hofmann Gorman, Cuevas, and Pullen-Miles; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. Building and Safety Permit Fee Update for FY 2024-25 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-2405-071.
Staff is withdrawing this item at this time and will bring it back at a later date.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore introduced the new Community Services Director Jason Minter and reported that the repairs to fix the lifting asphalt on various streets will commence on May 28, 2024.
Mr. Minter introduced himself and stated that he looks forward to collaborating with the community.
ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
11. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Cuevas attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting and thanked Municipal Services Director Reyes for coordinating the meeting.
Minutes - City Council
May 20, 2024
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting and the California Contract Cities Association's (CCCA) Annual Municipal Seminar.
Councilmember Kearney attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting, Los Angeles County West Vector Control District meeting, Senator Bradford's Housing Equality Summit, Liability Trust Fund and Oversight Committee meeting, and Maker's Faire event.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting, CCCA's Annual Municipal Seminar, requested Measure I sales tax funding information and consideration of forming an Ad- Hoc Subcommittee for the LTN be brought forward as agenda items.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting, CCCA's Annual Municipal Seminar, Leuzinger High School Take Part Festival, requested the Youth Advisory Committee members visit Norwalk City Hall, announced his Pancakes with Mayor Pullen-Miles event to be held at the Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 21 on May 25, 2024, and announced the Memorial Day event at City Hall scheduled for May 27, 2024.
K. CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4), because the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in two cases.
13. 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: City of Lawndale v. LA Investment, LLC (LA Superior Court Case No. 20TRCV00065).
14. 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: Corprue v. City of Lawndale (LA Superior Court Case No. 20STCV14617).
City Attorney Murphy read the aforementioned Closed Session matters by title only.
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:23 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.12 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, Item No. K.13 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation and Item No. K.14 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation.
Minutes - City Council
May 20, 2024
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Re Putter nit
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayo
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: June 3, 2024