MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
December 16, 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 Hofmmann Gorman, Councilmember Pat Kearney, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas
Other Participants: City Manager Sean M. Moore, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Mangeil tadi or Asian siu cok rete Palom, Los An ity
County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Ricky Osburn, 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
Councilmember Hofmann Gorman led the flag salute. Pastor George Magdalany of Hope Chapel Church provided the inspiration.
By consensus, the City Council reordered the agenda and considered Agenda Item D.2. Recognition of Outgoing City Council Member Rhonda Hofmann Gorman; Agenda Item H.8. City of Lawndale General Municipal Election 2024 Declaration of Results; and Agenda Item H.9. Installation of Elected Officials at this time.
D. PRESENTATION
2. Recognition of Outgoing City Council Member Rhonda Hofmann Gorman Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented a plaque to Councilmember Hofmann Gorman in recognition of her service to the City of Lawndale.
The following agency offices presented Councilmember Hofmann Gorman certificates of recognition:
Congresswoman Maxine Water's Office, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Los Angeles County Assessors' Office, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
City Clerk Harbison announced the elected officials in attendance.
Councilmember Kearney thanked Councilmember Hofmann Gorman for her service on the City Council.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked Councilmember Hofmann Gorman for her service on the City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked Councilmember Hofmann Gorman for her service on the City Council.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
December 16, 2024
ADMINISTRATION
8. City of Landale General Municipal Election 2024 Declaration of Results Recommendation: Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2412-109 reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to adopt Resolution No. CC-2412-109 reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. Installation of Elected Officials
The newly elected members of the City Council will receive the Oath of Allegiance and be seated.
City Clerk Harbison announced the order of presentations for the Oath of Office.
Samara Lena Pullen provided the Oath of Office to Mayor Pullen-Miles.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone for their support.
Jose Angel Cuevas presented the Oath of Office to Councilmember Cuevas.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone for their support.
Reverend Joshua B. Canales presented the Oath of Office to Councilmember Talavera.
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for their support.
Mayor Pullen-Miles announced a break for the reception.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
1. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
There was no report provided.
D. PRESENTATION
2. Recognition of Outgoing City Council Member Rhonda Hofmann Gorman Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented a plaque to Councilmember Hofmann Gorman in recognition of her service to the City of Lawndale.
This matter was moved and previously discussed after the Ceremonials.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, commented that the Metro C Line (Green) Project has been renamed Metro K Line (Pink) Project and referenced the printed charts she provided to the Councilmembers.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
December 16, 2024
Deena Sopko, Resident, thanked Councilmember Hofmann Gorman for her service and congratulated the Mayor and Councilmembers.
Anette Owens, Resident, commented on house fires, and electrical wire municipal codes.
Andrew Blackney, Resident, commented on the City's traffic study.
Ray Hollar, Resident, congratulated the elected officials, commented on the Metro C Line (Green) Project options and costs.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Cuevas thanked Redondo Beach Resident Osborne for the information on Metro C Line (Green) Project and other Metro projects.
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone that attended tonight, thanked Councilmember Hofmann Gorman for her years of service, commented on the house fire he suffered and thanked his neighbors for assisting him.
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that spoke tonight.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meetings, congratulated Councilmember Talavera, Councilmember Cuevas and Mayor Pullen-Miles for being elected, and thanked Residents Hollar and Redondo Beach Resident Osborne for advocating against the Metro C Line (Green) Project and requested that an updated on the Local Travel Network Project be agendized.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone that spoke tonight, congratulated Councilmember Cuevas and Councilmember Talavera on their election, and commented on the Metro C Line (Green) Project funds.
G. 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: that City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2412-108 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $925,221.78.
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, December 2, 2024 Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
6. Approve the Second Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for Lawndale Security Improvement Project
Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Second Amendment to the Lawndale Security Improvement Project Agreement with Am-Tec Total Security Inc. to extend the term for an additional three months for a new expiration date of March 31, 2025, with no increase to the current project amount.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
December 16, 2024
7. Approve the First Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for FY 23/24 Citywide Sign Replacement Project
Recommendation: that the City Council approve the First Amendment to the FY 2023/24 Citywide Sign Replacement Project Agreement with J&E Asphalt Maintenance to extend the term for an additional three months for a new expiration date of March 31, 2025 with no increase to the current project amount.
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 H. ADMINISTRATION
8. City of Lawndale General Municipal Election 2024 Declaration of Results Recommendation: Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2412-109 reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024.
This matter was moved and previously discussed after the Ceremonials.
9. Installation of Elected Officials
The newly elected members of the City Council will receive the Oath of Allegiance and be seated.
This matter was moved and previously discussed after the Ceremonials.
10. Annual Reorganization of the City Council
Recommendation: that the City Council appoint one of its members to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a term beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2025.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Cuevas to appoint Councilmember Kearney to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for a term beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
I. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Moore reported that he and staff attended the Metro C Line (Green) Project meeting, final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be released in the second quarter of 2025, commented that there is an opportunity to expand the service route of the Lawndale Beat and announced that a few requested items by the City Council will be brought forward.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked if staff can look into expanding the service route of the Lawndale Beat to the beach during the summer.
ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
18. Mayor/City Councilmembers Report of Attendance at Meetings and/or Events Councilmember Cuevas attended the 2024 City of Lawndale Employee Recognition and Holiday Dinner event, Angel Tree Lighting event, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's swear-in ceremony, City of Hawthorne Councilmember Angie Reyes-English swear-in ceremony, and wished everyone happy holidays.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
December 16, 2024
Councilmember Talavera attended the City's Angel Tree Lighting event, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Councilmember Kearney attended the 2024 City of Lawndale Employee Recognition and Holiday Dinner event, the City's Angel Tree Lighting event, Senior Christmas Lunch, Liability Trust Oversight Committee meeting, City Council's Santa Sleigh event, and thanked staff for assisting him in retrieving personal belongings after hours, announced the Neighborhood Watch meeting on December 17, 2024, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Municipal Services Director Reyes announced that the Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held on December 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Suarez attended the 2024 City of Lawndale Recognition and Holiday Dinner event, the City's Angel Tree Lighting event, Coffee-With-A-Cop event, and South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board of Directors meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the 2024 City of Lawndale Employee Recognition and Holiday Dinner event, Angel Tree Lighting event and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's swear-in ceremony.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: January 6, 2025