MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
March 2, 2026
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 Sirley Cuevas, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Pat Kearney, Councilmember Francisco M. Talavera Other Participants: Interim City Manager Raylette Felton, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Palomo, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Ricky Osburn, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Services Director Jason Minter, Public Works Director Luis (Lucho) Rodriguez, Community Development Director Peter Kann, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Talavera led the flag salute. Pastor Dwight Dudley provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
1. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Lieutenant Osburn summarized the recent law enforcement activities and invited the community to attend the Neighborhood Watch meeting on March 18, 2026.
2. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
Assistant Fire Chief Kane summarized the recent Fire Department activities.
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Gary Adams, Resident, commented on an incident that occurred during a Senior Luncheon.
Kaitlin Coulter, Library Manager, announced the library's upcoming events and commented that Los Angeles County has installed a Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box in front of the library.
Andrew Blackney, Resident, commented on the closing times of Larry R. Rudolph Park.
E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Kearney asked Interim City Manager Felton for an update regarding the incident that took place during the Senior Luncheon, and commented on park closure times.
Interim City Manager Felton responded that staff are reviewing the incident that occurred during the Senior Luncheon.
Community Services Director Minter commented that he would review the park's closure times.
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, commented that he was present auring the incident at the Senior Luncheon, and thanked Community Services for promptly addressing the situation.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, and asked about the time-frame for addressing situations in which an individual feels unsafe.
Interim City Manager Felton responded that accommodations would be made for individuals.
Community Services Director Minter responded that there are multiple options available to accommodate seniors' needs.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and thanked residents who provided public comments in person and submitted them electronically.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone that made public comments.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
Rosa Hernandez Morales, Resident, submitted an electronic public comment regarding agenda item F.4.
Accounts Payable Register, regarding the City of Lawndale v. LA Investment case.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney 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-2603-003 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,369,972.29.
5. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting - February 2,2026 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
6. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Special Meeting - February 23, 2026 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
7. Consideration of Claim for Damage Against the City
- Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claim filed by Leslie Cisneros and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant.
8. Beautification Committee Appointment for 2025-2027 Term — Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Approve the Mayor's appointment by directing staff to insert the appointee's name in Section 1 of Resolution No. CC-2603-005; and 2.) Adopt Resolution No.
CC-2603-005 as amended.
9. Request for Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Executive Recruitment Services with Bob Murray & Associates
- Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Professional Services Agreement with Bob Murray & Associates for Executive Recruitment Services in an amount not to exceed $35,000 in a form approved by the City Attorney's Office.
G. PUBLIC HEARING
10. Public Hearing to Consider Republic Services Proposed 2026 Refuse Collection Rates and Adopt Resolution No. CC-2603-004 Establishing 2026 Refuse Collection Rates - Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Open the public hearing, receive testimony, and close the public hearing; and 2.) Adopt by title only Resolution No. CC-2603-004.
Public Works Senior Management Analyst Huizar presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles announced that all written protests must be submitted by the closing of the public hearing.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas; question, Assistant City Clerk Palomo responded that 169 protest ballots were received.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 6:54 p.m.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented in protest of the proposed 2026 refuse collection rates.
Mayor Pullen-Miles issued the last call to receive written protests.
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 6:57 p.m.
In response to Councilmember Suarez's questions, City Attorney Murphy responded that the City Council is being asked to adopt the new rate because an insufficient number of ballot protests were received, and the franchise agreement provides an opportunity for the public, staff, and the City Council to review the agreement and understand the proposed rates.
Councilmember Suarez asked about the status of the new trucks included in the agreement.
Republic Services Operations Manager Eddie Heredia responded that the new trucks are being procured.
Republic Services Municipal Sales Manager Dawn Benton responded that they are expecting a few trucks to be delivered in the coming months.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff regarding setting funds aside to assist qualifying seniors with the rate increase.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas requested that staff research other cities to find out if they offer a subsidy for seniors.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo announced that 171 valid protest ballots were received, which was insufficient, as 5,258 ballots were required to constitute a majority protest.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to open the public hearing, receive testimony, and close the public hearing and adopt by title only Resolution No. CC-2603-004. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Il. Case 26-01 - Ordinance No. 1212-26 - To Adopt by Reference 2025 Los Angeles County Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Residential, Existing Building Codes, and the California Green Building Codes.
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Open the public hearing and take testimony from the public; 2.) Determine that the Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3); and 3.) Hold the Second Reading of Ordinance 1212-26, by title only to adopt by reference the various 2025 Los Angeles Building Codes as referenced above.
Community Development Director Kann presented the staff report.
Mayor Pullen-Miles opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
Gary Adams, Resident, commented in opposition to the determination that the Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Mayor Pullen-Miles closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
Councilmember Kearney commented in favor of adopting the 2025 Los Angeles Building Codes by ordinance.
City Attorney Murphy read the Ordinance by title only.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to open the public hearing and take testimony from the public, determine that the Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), and hold the Second Reading of Ordinance 1212-26, by fitle only to adopt by reference the various 2025 Los Angeles Building Codes as referenced above. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
H. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
12. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Kearney attended a Community of Schools Advisory Council meeting, the American Red Cross Blood Drive, a Neighborhood Watch meeting, funeral services for resident Charles "Bob" Robert Givens, the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Liability Trust and Oversight Committee meeting, a CCCA update from law enforcement on immigration policies via Zoom, a Lawndale Special City Council meeting, and the South Bay Workforce Investment Board's (SBWIB) Black History Month Celebration. Councilmember Kearney briefed the City Council on contract negotiations with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and asked City Attorney Murphy to explain a case regarding the City of San Jose.
City Attorney Murphy responded that a City of San Jose Public Records Act case requires elected officials, appointed officials, and staff to review personal devices for communications related to public business. He stated that the case arose after residents questioned council members' use of cell phones during meetings, prompting Public Records Act requests. City Attorney Murphy commented that some cities have considered limiting device use during meetings to avoid similar concerns.
Councilmember Kearney requested that an agenda item be added to discuss including a cell phone policy in the City Council Code of Conduct.
In response to Councilmember Suarez's questions, City Attorney Murphy stated that, in past practice, individual City Councilmembers are able to request that agenda items be added for discussion.
Councilmember Talavera met with the Lawndale Elementary School District Community of Schools Advisory Council Director and the English Language Development Department at Lawndale High School and Leuzinger High School, attended the Seniors Valentine's Day Luncheon, the American Red Cross Blood Drive, the Hawthorne Lawndale Ministerial Association meeting, a CCCA update from law enforcement on immigration policies via Zoom, the Billy Mitchell Elementary School Black History Month Celebration, and a Senior Luncheon, thanked staff for their work during the Senior Luncheons, suggested that seniors be dropped off in front of the green space at City Hall, and asked when Hawthorne Boulevard would be repaved.
Councilmember Suarez attended a South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board of Directors meeting, and a SBCCOG Joint meeting with other Council of Governments.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas attended a South Bay Environmental Justice Alliance event, SBCCOG Homeless Service Task Force via Zoom, Lawndale Special City Council meeting, requested that an update on the Youth Development Center be provided at the next meeting, and invited the community to the Neighborhood Watch meeting scheduled for March 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center, and recommended that the community visit and support Pedroca's Burguer restaurant located at 14405 Prairie Avenue in Lawndale
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the SWIB Black History Month Celebration, Billy Mitchell Elementary School Black History Month Celebration, the Sanitation District Board of Directors meeting, the South Bay Environmental Justice Alliance event, and a Lawndale Special City Council meeting, and requested that an agenda item be added at a future meeting to recognize residents who helped shape Metro's decision regarding the C Line (Green) Project.
I. CLOSED SESSION
13. 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.
By consensus, the City Council cancelled agenda item I.13 Public Employee Appointment.
J. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. in memory of Charles Robert "Bob" Givens, Sr., longtime Lawndale resident and former Inglewood School District bu triver who also served on the City of Lawndale Personnel Board and Cable Commission as read by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: March 16, 2026