MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
December 2, 2024
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:32 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 Chief Ramon Valdoria, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Services Director Jason Minter, Public Works Director Lucho Rodriguez, Interim Planning Manager MBI Consultant Peter Kann
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Cuevas 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.
2. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
Fire Chief Ramon Valdoria reported the recent fire department activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Andrew Blackney, Resident, commented on a traffic study recently conducted by the City, and referenced a handout he provided the City Council about setting speed limits.
Frank Talavera, Resident, thanked City Officials, first responders and his neighbors who offered him support during a recent incident he suffered.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on the dangers of outdated and recalled electrical panels and referenced a handout he provided to the City Council about recalled electrical panels.
Matthew Harbison, Resident, thanked the City for hosting the Neighborhood Watch meetings and asked about community involvement in the Angel Tree Lighting event.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting and that spoke, thanked Resident Abram for the information on recalled electrical panels and asked if the information can be made available on the City's webpage.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, thanked Resident Abram for the information on recalled electrical panels, asked if the information can be made available on the City's webpage, and commented in favor of the City hosting the Neighborhood Watch meetings.
City Manager Moore responded that information about recalled electrical panels will be made available on the City's webpage.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that spoke at tonight's meeting, asked Resident Harbison to speak to staff about getting a booth at City events and commented that the handout about setting speed limits, provided by Resident Blackney, would be provided to Public Works staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, commented that she would review the handout about setting speed limits, congratulated Resident Talavera on his recent election to the City Council, and is glad to know that the community supported him during the incident.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone that spoke at tonight's meeting, and Resident Blackney for providing the information on the traffic study He congratulated Resident Talavera on his recent election to the City Council, is relieved that everyone is doing well after the incident, and is glad that on one was injured.
Mayor Pro Tem commented in favor of the Neighborhood Watch meetings, and thanked Resident Abram for providing the information about recalled electrical panels.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR - CITY COUNCIL
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
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 City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2412-105 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $318,870.08.
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, November 18, 2024 -Recommendation: that City Council approve the minutes.
6. South Bay Workforce Investment Board Quarterly Summary Report -Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR - SUCCESSOR AGENCY
7. Minutes of the Lawndale Successor Agency Meeting, June 3, 2024 -Recommendation: that the Successor Agency approve the minutes.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
H. ADMINISTRATION - CITY COUNCIL
8. Award of Purchase to All Traffic Solutions, Inc. for Construction and Delivery of Radar Trailers to be Used for Traffic Calming
-Recommendation: that the City Council approve this additional cost for the purchase of two (2) SpeedAlert 18 radar message signs and trailers.
Municipal Services Director Reyes provided the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to approve this additional cost for the purchase of two (2) SpeedAlert 18 radar message signs and trailers. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. Purchasing Policy Reorganization and Amendment to Authorize City Manager Purchases in Specified Situations
-Recommendation: that the City Council review the proposed changes and adopt Resolution No. CC2409-095 making the changes to the purchasing policy.
City Attorney Murphy presented the staff report.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Suarez's and Councilmember Cuevas's questions, City Attorney Murphy commented that the policy will be revised to define emergency purchases, and clarified that micro purchase threshold's are based on Federal regulations.
By Consensus. the City Council directed staff to define emergency purchases on the City's Purchasing Policy.
10. Amendment to Agreement for Public Works and City Hall Facility Needs Project -Recommendation: that the City Council approve the First Amendment to the Public Works and City Hall Facility Needs Project agreement with Developers General Contracting, Inc. to change the contractor’s name and organization type, and extending the term of the agreement for a new expiration date of September 15, 2025, at no increase to the current project cost.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
In response to Mayor Pullen-Miles's questions, City Attorney Murphy responded that the contractor changing from a Limited Liability Company designation to a Corporation does not affect the City's liability.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Hofmann Gorman to approve the First Amendment to the Public Works and City Hall Facility Needs Project agreement with Developers General Contracting, Inc. to change the contractor’s name and organization type, and extend the term of the agreement for a new expiration date of September 15, 2025, at no increase to the current project cost. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
I. ADMINISTRATION - SUCCESSOR AGENCY
11. Consideration of the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) 2025-26 and the Administrative Budget for 2025-26
-Recommendation: that the Successor Agency 1.) Approve and direct staff to submit to the Los Angeles County Oversight Board and California Department of Finance the ROPS 25-26 and Administrative Budget FY 2025-26, and 2.) Authorize staff to make any changes requested by the California Department of Finance.
Interim Manager MBI Consultant Kann presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the ROPS 25-26 and Administrative Budget FY 2025-26, and directed staff to submit it to the Los Angeles County Oversight Board and California Department of Finance, and authorizes staff to make any changes requested by the California Department of Finance. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
J. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore deferred to Community Services Director Minter to make an announcment.
Community Services Director Minter announced the activities planned for the Angel Tree Lighting event scheduled to be held on December 6, 2024, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at City Hall and commented that the Tree Lighting will be at 5:15 p.m.
K. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
12. Contractor Transparency
-Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Consider the Contractor Transparency Policy and direct staff to update the City's forms to implement the policy; or 2.) Provide further direction to staff.
Interim Planning Manager MBI Consultant Kann presented the staff report.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Suarez's questions, Interim Planning Manager MBI Consultant Kann responded that final investigation results would be reported.
Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that this new requirement is an added layer of protection for consumers.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Mayor Pullen-Miles to direct staff to update the City's forms to implement the policy. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
13. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events- 7:19 PM Councilmember Cuevas attended the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Board meeting, and asked if the Beautification Committee is hosting a holiday decorating contest.
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the CCCA Board meeting, announced the Angel Tree Lighting event and commented that route information for Santa's Sleigh is available on the City's web page.
Councilmember Kearney attended the CCCA Board meeting, South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Annual Volunteer Reception, and requested that a City Clerk salary discussion be agendized.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez attended the SBCCOG Annual Volunteer Reception, and asked if a Homeless Solutions Ad Hoc meeting be scheduled.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Swearing-In Ceremony for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Janice Hahn.
L. CLOSED SESSION
14. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation -The City Council will conduct a closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4), to discuss the potential initiation of litigation: one (1) case.
15. Conference with Legal Counsel – Potential Litigation -The City Council will conduct a closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), to confer with legal counsel regarding a significant exposure to litigation, the facts and circumstances of which are not known to the potential plaintiff.
City Attorney Murphy read the aforementioned Closed Session matters by title only.
The City Council convened into closed session at 7:28 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 7:56 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy reported that there was no reportable action for Agenda Item L.14, Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation and Agenda Item L.15, Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation.
M. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m. _________________________________
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: December 16, 2024