MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
October 20, 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, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Francisco M.
Talavera, Councilmember Sirley Cuevas
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Pat Kearney
Other Participants: City Manager Dr. Sean M. Moore, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Services Director Michael Reyes
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Talavera 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 and invited the community to attend the Halloween Haunt event on October 31, 2025 at the Lawndale Civic Center Plaza.
D. PRESENTATIONS
2. 2025 Deputy and Firefighter of the Year Awards
- Presentation of City Plaque to Deputy Johnny Cardona and Firefighter Captain Jason Cameron City Manager Dr. Moore presented the staff report.
City Clerk Harbison presented brief summaries of the professional backgrounds of Deputy Cardona and Captain Cameron.
Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented the 2025 Deputy and Firefighter of the Year Award plaques to Deputy Johnny Cardona and Firefighter Captain Jason Cameron.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Matthew Harbison, Resident, thanked the City Council for hosting the Halloween Haunt event and giving him an opportunity to host a booth, asked what the permit fees cover and thanked the City Clerk's Office for their assistance.
Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, commented on the Metro C Line (Green) Project and right-of-way (ROW) measurements, and referenced a handout she submitted.
Annette Owens, Resident, commented that the Hermosa Beach City Council approved a letter supporting the Hawthorne Boulevard option for the Metro C Line (Green) Project and played an audio recording of a Redondo Beach Commissioner's comments on the project.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting, thanked Redondo Beach Resident Osborne and Resident Owens for the information about the Metro C line (Green) Project, thanked Resident Harbison for his involvement in City events, asked City Manager Dr. Moore to address the question about permit fees.
City Manager Dr. Moore explained that planning fees are deposit-based and the unused portion is refundable, while building and safety fees cover inspections and operations with no direct cost to the City.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
Councilmember Cuevas thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked Redondo Beach Resident Osborne and Resident Owens for the information about the Metro C line (Green) Project.
G. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to approve the consent calendar: The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Kearney absent.
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-2510-052 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $670,863.21.
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting - October 6, 2025 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
H. ADMINISTRATION
6. Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2025 - Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Finance Director Manuelian presented the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Cuevas's question, Finance Director Manuelian stated he would provide a list of accounts nearing maturity.
By consensus, the City Council received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
7. Approval of Budget for Community Services Officer
- Recommendation: that the City Council approve an increase in the annual budget for the creation of a Community Service Officer Position.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff regarding the proposed establishment of a Community Services Officer (CSO) position, including who the position would report to, the CSO's role and duties, and a funding request for the position, noting that the CSO would not have arrest powers, would coordinate with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for crime reporting, and could potentially be authorized to issue citations as the position is intended to support the community and relieve LASD Deputies from non-urgent calls, with direction to bring the item back for City Council consideration of a job description.
Councilmember Suarez commented on the City of Norwalk's public safety program.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented in favor of hiring a CSO.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented in opposition of the CSO position.
Matthew Harbison, Resident, commented in favor of hiring a CSO.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
candidate selecion by star with LASs involved as appropriate, and the program to start gradually wis the goat of. covering all City quadrants.
In response to Mayor Pullen-Miles' question, City Manager Dr: Moore responded that staff will coordinate with the City of Norwalk or another City, to attend a meeting to discuss their program, and prepare a CSO job description to be brought In response to Councilmember's questions, Lt. Osburn clarified the training that would be provided by LASD.
By consensus, the City Council agreed to bring the item back with a presentation from the City of Norwalk or anther City, and a Community Services Officer Job Description.
8. Independence Day Celebration in 2026
- Recommendation: that the City Council provide direction for a potential Independence Day Celebration in 2026.
Community Services Director Minter presented the staff report.
Councilmember Cuevas commented on forming a committee to review the costs and potentially coordinate with the school district to determine whether facilities such as Jane Addams Park or Rogers-Anderson Park could be used.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.
Matthew Harbison, Resident, commented on possible event locations.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.
Community Services Director Minter commented that site selection must meet fire code requirements.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about creating an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee.
By consensus, the City Council approved and established an Independence Day Celebration Ad Hoc Subcommittee, and the Mayor appointed Councilmember Cuevas and Councilmember Talavera to serve on the ad hoc subcommittee.
I. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Dr. Moore deferred his time to Municipal Services Director Reyes.
Municipal Services Director Reyes invited the community to a Municipal Services and Community Development Department Workshop on October 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center:
J. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
2. Plant-A-Tree Memorial Program for Youth
- Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Approve using the proposed cost for the dedication of a living tree and memorial plaque of $1,000; and 2.) Provide direction to staff about the future of the Program.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff regarding potential tree planting locations including the Youth Development Center, maintenance of the memorial plaque, the development of program guidelines, alternative ways to honor the passing of youth, and bringing the item back for further consideration.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to return in December with proposed program guidelines and memorial locations for consideration.
10. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Talavera attended the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, thanked the program sponsors, participated in the Hawthorne Lawndale Ministerial Association meeting, and attended the Senior Halloween Luncheon.
Councilmember Suarez met with executive members of surrounding Councils of Governments attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Steering Committee meeting and SBCCOG Board meeting.
Councilmember Cuevas attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference and the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, invited the community to the annual Halloween Haunt event on October 31, 2025, at the Civic Center Plaza.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, the Senior Halloween Luncheon, and the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
K. CLOSED SESSION
11. 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.
City Attorney Murphy read the Closed Session matters by title and noted he would recuse himself from one of the two items, with Special Counsel participating in that matter:
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:04 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 8:38 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy reported on one Closed Session item and stated that the City Council unanimously directed staff to join the amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court in the Huntington Beach v. Newsom case, and stated that the City Manager would contact the attorneys the following day to confirm the City's participation. the CLine (Green) Extension Proiect. Councilmember Suarez and Councilmember Cuevas voted no.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
P Paler se
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: November 3, 2025