MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center, 14700 Burin Avenue, Lawndale, California.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Francisco M. Talavera, Councilmember Pat Kearney
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Sirley Cuevas
Other Participants: Interim City Manager Raylette Felton, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Jerk Yvette Palomo, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Acting Captain Tania Giggles, Los Angeles County Fire Departmer issistant Chief Brian Kane, Community Services Director Jason Minter, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Public Works Directo Luis (Lucho) Rodriguez, Community Development Acting/Interim Director Jose Hernandez, Public Works Senior Management Analyst Grace Huizar
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Suarez led the flag salute. Councilmember Talavera provided the inspiration.
C. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
1. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Update
Acting Captain Giggles summarized the recent law enforcement activities and invited the Community to attend the Neighborhood Watch meeting on June 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center:
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Resident, requested regular reports on the activities of the City's committees and commissions to improve transparency and encourage volunteer participation, and asked the City Council to discuss adopting a proactive approach to addressing community issues.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on illegal fireworks during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend, asked for additional law enforcement resources for fireworks enforcement and asked the City Council to consider prohibiting the sale of safe and sane fireworks.
Den Seph, eden, seated is to try peck nonsensic, overge business, to legat community bearication efforts and E. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Kearney supports regular committee and commission reports by the chair or vice chair and encourages a more proactive approach to addressing community issues.
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, commented that he supports regular committee and commission reports to improve accountability and public awareness, commented in support of a more proactive approach to community issues such as parking, and expressed support for considering a ban on the sale of safe and sane fireworks.
Councilmember Suarez thanked those attending the meeting in person and online, commented that she supports regular committee and commission updates, and emphasized the need to review and update City policies to ensure fair and consistent code enforcement and address community needs.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and providing comments, commented that he supports periodic committee and commission reports presented by the chair or vice chair, supports seeking sponsorships for Cleanup Week, and expressed openness to further discussion regarding restricting the sale of safe and sane fireworks.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas absent.
2. Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda - Recommendation: that the City Council that the City Council read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the agenda.
3. Accounts Payable Register
- Recommendation: that the City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2606-031 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,062,579.71.
4. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, June 1, 2026 — Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
5. Resolution to Approve and Adopt Citywide Salary and Pay Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026-27 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve Resolution No. CC-2606-032 adopting the City of Lawndale's City-wide Salary/Pay Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
6. Amendment to City's Conflict of Interest Code
- Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2606-033 amending the City's conflict of interest code and rescinding Resolution No. CC-2408-092.
7. Consideration of Claim for Damage
- Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claim filed by Lilian Rivera and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant.
8. Approval of FY 2026-2028 Class Instructor Agreements - Recommendation: that the City Council approve contract service agreements with the Chapala Dance Academy ($60,000), Duncan's Soo Bahk Do ($22,000), Elysian Arts and Events ($18,000), and Just Dance Company ($35,000), for a total amount not-to-exceed $135,000.
9. Second Amendment to Agreement with Just Dance Company, LLC - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Second Amendment to the Contract Services Agreement with Just Dance Company, LLC, for Gymnastics Classes increasing the not to exceed amount from $27,500 to $31,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
G. ADMINISTRATION
10. City Council Meeting Schedule for Independence Day and Labor Day Holidays - Recommendation: that the City Council: 1) Cancel the regularly scheduled City Council meetings on July 6, 2026, and September 7, 2026, due to City-observed holidays; or 2) Cancel the regularly scheduled City Council meetings on July 6, 2026, and September 7, 2026, and reschedule some, or all, of the meetings to the following day (Tuesday); or 3) Provide the Interim City Manager and staff with alternative direction.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to cancel the regularly scheduled City Council meetings on July 6, 2026, and September 7, 2026, due to City-observed holidays. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas absent.
11. Authorize Agreement with SMART Compliance, LLC for SB 1383 Compliance Management Software and Support Services - Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with SMART Compliance, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, for the implementation, licensing, support, and maintenance of the SMART1383 compliance tracking and record keeping sofiware platform for a five-year term; and 2.) Approve a budget amendment for $100,000 from Fund 276 (AB 939 Funds) to account number 276-310-530.100 Contract Services to fund the purchase, implementation, and ongoing support services associated with the SMART1383 compliance software.
Public Works Senior Management Analyst Huizar presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff regarding the City's reliance on Republic Services' monthly SB 1383 reports, the lack of direct database access, and the proposed software's ability to independently manage and analyze the data, track compliance trends over time, and maintain records in accordance with the City's records retention policy.
A motion was made by Councilmember Suarez and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to approve a Professional Services Agreement with SMART Compliance, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, for the implementation, licensing, support, and maintenance of the SMART 1383 compliance tracking and record keeping software platform for a five-year term, and approve a budget amendment for $100,000 from Fund 276 (AB 939 Funds) to account number 276-310-530.100 Contract Services to fund the purchase, implementation, and ongoing support services associated with the SMART 1383 compliance software. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas absent.
12. First Amendment to Contract Services Agreement with Southwest Patrol for Fiscal Year 2026 Through 2028 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the first amendment to the contract service agreement with Southwest Patrol in a form approved by the City Attorney's Office to continue to provide security services for the City of Lawndale.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued among Councilmembers and staff regarding the distinction between the Public Safety Officer and Southwest Patrol services.
A motion was made by City Councilmember Talavera and seconded by Mayor Pullen-Miles to approve the first amendment to the contract service agreement with Southwest Patrol in a form approved by the City Attorney's Office to continue to provide security services for the City of Lawndale. The motion passed with a vote of 3-1-1, with Councilmember Suarez voting no and Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas absent.
13. Approval of Contract Services Agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for CDBG Program Administration and Labor Compliance Services (FY 2026-2027).
- Recommendation: that the City Council approve the contract services agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for the Community Development Block Grant Program Administration and Labor Compliance Services for FY 2026-2027.
Community Development Acting/Interim Director Hernandez presented the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Kearney's and Mayor Pullen-Miles' questions, Community Development Acting/Interim Director lernandez stated that the current agreement with Michael Baker would remain in place, the City may consider performing the work in house in the future, and staff would research whether a third-party consultant is required for compliance purposes and report back to the City Council.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to approve the contract services agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for the Community Development Block Grant Program Administration and Labor Compliance Services for FY 2026-2027. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas absent.
H. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
14. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Kearney attended the Liability Trust and Oversight Commission meeting, the City's Employee Appreciation Lunch, the City's Family & Pet Health Fair, and announced the upcoming Coffee with a Cop event at Mateo's Ice Cream and Fruit Bars on June 22, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Councinember Taler itersed touringer might shoot ciry no dip rid i So sir and gil, the Councilmember Suarez attended the City's Employee Appreciation Lunch, ESMoA's National Knit in Public Day event and the California Contract Cities Association Annual Conference.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the City's Family & Pet Health Fair, the Business Revitalization Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, Lawndale High School's Senior Awards Night, Leuzinger High School's Senior Awards Night, and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts meeting.
I. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: July 20, 2026