MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting
June 19, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. in the City Hall Main Conference Room, 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.
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute)
Councilmember Kearney led the flag salute.
C. CLOSED SESSION
1. Public Employee Appointment - 8:43 PM
- The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b), regarding the appointment of a City Manager.
2. Public Employee Appointment - 9:13 PM
City Attorney Murphy announced the closed session matters by title only.
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:09 a.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 3:49 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy reported that there was no reportable action taken regarding Closed Session Item No. C.l. - Public Employee Appointment of a City Manager.
City Attorney Murphy reported that, for Closed Session Item No. C.2., Public Employee Appointment, the City Council voted 4-1-0 to offer the position of Interim City Manager to a candidate, with one Councilmember voting no. City Attorney Murphy stated that he will notify the City Council and staff if the candidate accepts the offer:
City Attorney Murphy announced that the City Council Special Meeting scheduled for June 20, 2026, is canceled by City Council consensus due to no additional business requiring City Council consideration.
D. ADMINISTRATION (OPEN SESSION)
3. Approval of Professional Services Agreement with MV Cheng & Associates for Financial Consulting Services - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Professional Services Agreement with M.V. Cheng & Associates for professional financial consulting services, pending the recruitment of Director of Finance/City Treasurer, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Interim City Manager Felton presented the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Kearney's question, Interim City Manager Felton responded that the consultant's rate is $150 per hour and that the total compensation of the agreement is not-to-exceed $49,500.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas' question, Interim City Manager Felton stated that the consultant has over 30 years of public service experience including some experience in human resources and risk management.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to approve the Professional Services Agreement with M.V. Cheng & Associates for professional financial consulting services, pending the recruitment of Director of Finance/City Treasurer, in a form approved by the City Attorney. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0-0.
E. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 3:54 p.m.
A Puller-misto
Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: July 20, 2026