MINUTES
LAWNDALE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
February 23, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas 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 (arrived at 6:50 p.m.), Mayor Pro Tem Sirley Cuevas, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Pat Kearney, Councilmember Francisco M. Talavera Other Participants: Interim City Manager Raylette Felton, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Palomo
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute)
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute.
Rosa Hernandez Morales submitted an electronic public comment regarding the City of Lawndale v. LA Investment case.
C. CLOSED SESSION
1. Public Employee Appointment
- The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b), regarding the appointment of a City Manager.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas announced the closed session title.
The City Council convened into closed session at 6:31 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 8:59 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy indicated that Mayor Pullen-Miles arrived during the closed session at 6:50 p.m. City Attorney Murphy stated that the first executive recruitment firm was interviewed at 6:52 p.m. and thereafter the City Council had a discussion with each executive recruitment firm separately.
City Attorney Murphy reported that the City Council directed staff, by a vote of 3-2 with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and Councilmember Kearney dissenting, to negotiate a contract with one of the two executive recruitment firms and bring the matter back at a future meeting.
D. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Robert Pullen-Miles
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: March 2, 2026