MINUTES OF THE
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
March 17, 2025
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale, California.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor Pro Tem Kearney, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Francisco M. Talavera, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas Other Participants: City Manager Dr. 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, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Public Works Director Luis (Lucho) Rodriguez, Community Development Director Peter Kann
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Suarez led the flag salute.
Pastor Mathew 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.
D. PRESENTATIONS
2. Recognition of Outgoing Commissioners and Board Members - Recognizing outgoing Commissioners and Board Members.
The City Council recognized outgoing Commissioners and Board Members.
3. Recognition of Vilma Hall, Senior Recreation Leader
— Retirement Service Recognition of Vilma Hall, Senior Recreation Leader.
The City Council recognized retiring Senior Recreation Leader Vilma Hall.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Matthew Harbison, Pastor of Lawndale Wesleyan Church thanked the City Council for recognizing staff and residents who serve the City.
Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025
Michelle Pino, Library Manager, announced the library's upcoming events.
Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, commented on the Interstate 405 Improvement Projects, equity justice concerns related to the Interstate 405 Improvement Projects and the funding needed by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) for the projects.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, commented that he is in favor of the City recognizing staff and residents who serve the City, thanked Library Manager Pino for the updates, asked if the library events are advertised on their website, and thanked Redondo Beach Resident Osborne for the updates on the Interstate 405 Improvement Projects and for her support.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone that spoke at tonight's meeting.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Kearney thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Cuevas to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
4. 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.
5. Accounts Payable Register
— Recommendation: that City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2503-016 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,399,920.41.
6. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2025 Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
H. ADMINISTRATION
7. Discussion of the City's Sphere of Influence Expansion — Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Direct staff to a.) Initiate and introduce a General Plan Amendment to be submitted to the Planning Commission for a recommendation for consideration by the City Council to amend and expand the City's Sphere of Influence; and b.) Initiate and submit a SOI Amendment application to LAFCO; or 2.) Provide further direction to staff. 2 Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025
Community Development Director Kann presented the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Suarez's questions, Community Development Director Kann stated that the General Plan identifies areas that the city has influence over which are typically unincorporated islands or land belonging to Los Angeles County that are adjacent to the city, the city has a sphere of influence on these residents even though they are county residents because they shop in the city, use the city's open space, parks, and other resources and explained that this sphere of influence is reviewed by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and that the LAFCO map does not indicate that El Camino College is within Torrance's boundary line. CDD Kann stated that staff can inquire with LAFCO Staff.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on the history of the City of Torrance trying to annex the section of land, and the cost.
Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, asked what is considered Alondra Park.
Anonymous, Resident, commented that the address of El Camino College is Torrance.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
City Manager Dr. Moore explained that this agenda item is to discuss the Sphere of Influence General Plan amendment based on the exhibits, he learned about this project at the SBCCOG meetings, commented on possibly amending boundary lines in other parts of the City and that the Sphere of Influence expansion does not impact the City fiscally and LAFCO can reconsider the City of Torrance's application if the City were to apply.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about the effect the Sphere of Influence amendment may have on the City of Torrance's plans for annexation, the City annexing the portion of land, the positive impact, future use, cost if the City wants to annex, and residents given the opportunity to protest the City annexing the portion of land.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Kearney's question, City Attorney Murphy commented that it is in the best interest of the City to amend the City's Sphere of Influence if there is a plan to annex in the future.
In response to Councilmember Talavera's question, City Manager Dr. Moore responded that the City of Torrance is in the preliminary stage.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kearney to direct staff to initiate and introduce a General Plan Amendment to be submitted to the Planning Commission for a recommendation for consideration by the City Council to amend and expand the City's Sphere of Influence and initiate and submit a SOI Amendment application to LAFCO. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
3 Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025
8. Award of Contract Community Development Block Grant ADA Sidewalks - Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Award the construction contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $282,000.00 for the CDBG Project No. 602487-22 Various Locations ADA Sidewalks & Access Ramps Project; 2.) Approve the construction Contingency of $56,000.00 for CDBG Project No. 602487-22 Various Locations ADA Sidewalks & Access Ramps Project; and 3.) Approve the CDBG Consultant costs of $35,000.00 for Administrative and Labor Compliance costs.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
Councilmember Cuevas asked how many more sidewalks require repairing.
Public Works Director Rodriguez responded that this project addresses five locations; however, many more sidewalks need repair as sidewalk maintenance is a constant effort, and this project will repair sidewalks and install the access ramps at the corners.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Cuevas to award the construction contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $282,000.00 for the CDBG Project No. 602487-22 Various Locations ADA Sidewalks & Access Ramps Project, approve the construction Contingency of $56,000.00 for CDBG Project No. 602487-22 Various Locations ADA Sidewalks & Aceess Ramps Project and approve the CDBG Consultant costs of $35,000.00 for Administrative and Labor Compliance costs. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. Approve the Third Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for Lawndale Security Improvement Project
- Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Third 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 June 30, 2025 with no increase to the current project amount.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to approve the Third Amendment to the Lawndale Security Improvement Project Agreement with Am-Tee Total Security Inc. to extend the term for an additional three months for a new expiration date of June 30, 2025 with no increase to the current project amount. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. Approve the Second Amendment to Contract Services Agreement for FY 23/24 Citywide Sign Replacement Project
- Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Second 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 June 30, 2025 with no increase to the current project amount.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report. 4 Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kearney to approve the Second 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 June 30, 2025 with no increase to the current project amount. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
I. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Dr. Moore had nothing to report.
J. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
11. Speed Hump Policy
— Recommendation: that the City Council discuss the Speed Hump policy and provide direction for staff for potentially updating the policy if Council wants to make changes to it.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
In response to Mayor Pullen-Miles, Public Works Director Rodriguez stated that speed humps are not considered a traffic control device.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Andrew Blackney, Resident, commented on the speed hump policies of neighboring cities and collector street studies.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
Councilmember Suarez commented that she requested this item because numerous residents asked for it, she attended Traffic Committee meetings and would like the policy to be revised to align with the different modes of transportation residents' use.
Public Works Director Rodriguez commented that staff will review the speed limit on 147 Street, make mitigating efforts to find out what works best for the street, and gave an example of residents in other cities asking for speed humps to be installed then requesting for them to be removed.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff about implementing temporary policies, emergency services accessing roads with speed humps, updating street classifications via general plan amendments, discussing other traffic calming measures at a future meeting, installing raised pavement markers, bringing the item back at a future meeting and if any measure funds from the SBCCOG can be used
Public Works Director Rodriguez commented that staff would consult a Traffic Consultant for education and a recommendation on traffic calming devices.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to research various traffic calming measures as discussed and report back at a future meeting.
5 Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025
12. Letter of Support for Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Staffing- 7:54 PM City Manager Di. Moore presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pullen-Miles and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kearney to approve the attached draft letter to Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors; and 2.) Direct staff in the City Manager's Department to finalize the letter with the Mayor and City Councilmembers signature lines for transmittal to Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
13. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, attended a SBCCOG Transportation Committee meeting, Metro C Line (Green) Extension Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, the Seniors St. Patrick's Day lunch, and asked City Council to consider changing the Lawndale Blues Festival to a Latino Heritage focused event, which is celebrated that same month.
Councilmember Suarez attended a SBCCOG Steering Committee meeting, and asked to agendize a presentation by the SBCCOG Homeless Services Project Manager at a future meeting, Councilmember Cuevas announced that volunteers are needed to participate in the City's Clean-Up Day at City Hall on March 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Kearney attended the Lawndale Little League Opening Day event, California Contract Cities Association Liability Trust and Oversight Committee meeting, Los Angeles County West Vector Control District meeting, the Seniors St. Patrick's Day lunch, apologized to Public Works Staff, Senior Management Analyst Grace Huizar and Public Works Director Rodriguez for questioning them on items that staff from Republic Services should have been present to answer, and commended staff on a great job that is done.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Metro C Line (Green) Extension Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, the Seniors St. Patrick's Day lunch and met with City of Torrance Councilmember Jon Kaji regarding Metro and the annexation of El Camino Village.
K. CLOSED SESSION
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: City of Lawndale v. LA Investment, LLC (LA Superior Court Case No. 20TRCV00065).
15. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation 6 Minutes - City Council Regular Meeting
March 17, 2025
- The City Council will conduct a closed session pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d) (4), to discuss the potential initiation of litigation: three (3) cases.
City Attorney Murphy read the aforementioned Closed Session matters by title only and indicated that there are two cases, not three cases for Agenda Item K.15., Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation.
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:03 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 8:43 p.m.
Cly Attorney Murphy announced that there was no reportable action for Closed Session Item No.
K.14 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation, and that two cases were discussed under Item No. K.15 Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation and the City Council gave direction to proceed with civil litigation for one case and there was a 4-1, vote with Councilmember Suarez voting no to proceed with civil litigation on the second case.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
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