MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
November 4, 2024
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:31 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 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 Palomo, Deputy City Manager/Director of Human Resources Raylette Felton, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Nicole Palomino, Los Angeles County Fire Department Acting Assistant Fire Chief Brian Kane, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Services Director Jason Minter, Public Works Director Lucho Rodriguez B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute. Pastor Matthew Harbison of Lawndale Wesleyan Church provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
1. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Captain Palomino summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked about increased graffiti in the City.
Captain Palomino responded that they are aware of the increase in graffiti and are addressing it.
2. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
Acting Assistant Fire Chief Kane reported the recent fire department activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Matthew Harbison, Resident, thanked the City for the Halloween Haunt event and for their efforts to remove graffiti.
Norman Masson, Resident, commented on a loud house party, noise restriction hours as indicated on the City's ordinance and the information he received from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) when he reported the loud party.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented on campaign flyers and the City Council pay increase.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on public comments made at the September 16, 2024, City Council meeting against the City Manager and on campaign flyers.
Annette Bowens, Resident, thanked Mayor Pullen-Miles and Councilmember Hofmann Gorman for their support against the Metro C Line (Green) Project, and commented in disapproval of the tension among the City Councilmembers.
Pam London, Former Resident, provided a public comment via e-mail about dog licensing, code enforcement matters and disapproval of campaign strategies by candidates.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked everyone that made a public comment at tonight's meeting.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that made a public comment at tonight's meeting, thanked Resident Harbison for his positive remarks about the Halloween Haunt event, and asked staff to speak with Resident Masson about the loud party.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked Resident Harbison for recognizing staff's efforts on the Halloween Haunt event, graffiti removal, Southwest Patrol and thanked everyone for voicing their concerns.
City Clerk Harbison announced that in-person voting for the General Municipal Election is available tomorrow at Jane Addams Middle School from 7:00 am to 5:00 p.m., located at 4535 W 153rd Place, Lawndale, CA and an official ballot drop-off box is located at Hogan Park, located 16605 Osage Avenue, Lawndale, CA.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked staff to find out details about the noise ordinance and effective hours.
Councilmember Kearney commented that only street parking is available during the day when visiting Jane Addams Middle School to vote.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda -Recommendation: that the City Council read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the agenda.
4. Accounts Payable Register
-Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2411-102 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $412,825.63.
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, October 21, 2024 -Recommendation: that City Council approve the minutes.
G. ADMINISTRATION
6. City Council Meeting Dates for Calendar Year 2025
-Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Cancel the scheduled City Council meetings on January 20, 2025; February 17, 2025; and September 1, 2025, due to the City observed holidays; or 2) Cancel the scheduled City Council meetings on January 20, 2025; February 17, 2025; and September 1, 2025; and reschedule all meetings to the next day on January 21, 2025; February 18, 2025; and September 2, 2025; or 3) Provide the City Manager and staff with alternative direction.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers on whether the meetings should be cancelled or rescheduled to the following day.
By consensus, the City Council canceled the scheduled City Council meetings on January 20, 2025, February 17, 2025, and September 1, 2025; and rescheduled all meetings to the next day on January 21, 2025; February 18, 2025; and September 2, 2025.
7. Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 -Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
Finance Director Manuelian presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about the long-term interest in fixed rates on bond investments, and how the City is affected when rates drop.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Cuevas to receive and file the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
8. Authorization to Allow Residents to Bid on City's Used Furniture, Donate Used Furniture to Charity, and Discard Remaining Used Furniture
-Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Authorize City staff to prepare a plan that will allow residents of the City of Lawndale to pick up used furniture from the City Maintenance Yard; 2) Approve the donation of used furniture to Habitat for Humanity after City residents are given the opportunity to bid on it; and 3.) Approve discarding the used furniture pieces that are not selected by the public or Habitat for Humanity, through Republic Services.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about the best options.
By consensus, the City Council authorized City staff to prepare a plan that will allow residents of the City of Lawndale to pick up used furniture from the City Maintenance Yard, approved the donation of used furniture to Habitat for Humanity after City residents are given the opportunity to bid on it, and approved discarding the used furniture pieces that are not selected by the public or Habitat for Humanity, through Republic Services.
H. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore had no items to report.
I. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
9. Update on Clean Up Week Incentivizing Public Participation -Requested by Councilmember Cuevas.
Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file this staff report.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked staff for their efforts to increase public participation in City events and provided additional food vendor ideas.
Councilmember Kearney asked if City Councilmembers can use their discretionary funds to purchase gift certificates from restaurants to give to participants.
City Attorney Murphy responded that he would research whether discretionary funds could be used for gift certificates.
Mayor Pullen-Miles asked if contests can be created to encourage participation.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that staff would explore the ideas.
By consensus, the City Council received and filed the staff report.
10. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Cuevas attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) South Bay Regional Roundtable on Climate Resiliency via Zoom, the City's Halloween Haunt event, March Forward Inglewood Women's Rights March, and the 1st Annual ESMoA Day of the Dead Festival.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the City's Halloween Haunt event, thanked the Community Services Department, Public Works and LASD for making the event possible, congratulated the Dodgers for winning the 2024 World Series, and thanked the residents that celebrated responsibly. Councilmember Hofmann Gorman announced the City's gth Annual Field of Honor event and sale of flags, the next Neighborhood Watch meeting scheduled for November 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center, and requested an annual update of code enforcement cases.
City Attorney Murphy responded that the report would be provided.
Councilmember Kearney attended the Seniors Halloween Themed Lunch, the City's Halloween Haunt event, 1st Annual ESMoA Day of the Dead Festival, and announced that the month of November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez attended SBCCOG Board of Directors meeting, SBCCOG - Redondo Beach Functional Zero Celebration, requested that a Homeless Solutions Standing Committee meeting be scheduled, and commented that SBCCOG voted no on Measure MInglewood Transit Connector Project and asked what Southwest Patrol's responsibilities are.
City Manager Moore and Municipal Services Director responded that Southwest Patrol's responsibilities include reporting graffiti and illegal activities to LASD.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the City's Halloween Haunt event, the 1st Annual ESMoA Day of the Dead Festival, Lucille Smith Elementary School Halloween Parade, Seniors Halloween Themed Lunch, and thanked Community Services staff and Public Works staff for their efforts on the City's Halloween Haunt event.
J. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
Erika Harbison, City Clerk
November 18, 2024