Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting
July 20, 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 Francisco M. Talavera, Councilmember Pat Kearney
Other Participants: Acting City Manager Lucho Rodriguez, City Altorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Palomo, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Acting Captain Tania Giggles, Los Angeles County Fire Department Acting Assistant Chief Wade Kelsey, Community Services Director Jason Minter, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes, Community Development Acting/Interim Director Jose Hernandez.
B. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Talavera led the flag salute. Retired Pastor Dwight Dudley 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 National Night Out on August 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m, to 7:00 p.m. at the Lawndale Civic Center Plaza.
2. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
Acting Assistant Chief Kelsey summarized the recent fire department activities.
D. PRESENTATIONS
3. Presentation by Centinela Valley Union High School District - Presentation from Centinela Valley Union High School District to the City Council recognizing their support of educational opportunities for CUHSD students.
Centinela Valley Union High School District (CUHSD) Superintendent Dr. Stephen Nellman and School Board President Hugo Rojas recognized the City Council for their support of educational opportunities for CYUHSD students.
4. Proclamation-Parks and Recreation Month - July 2026
-Presentation of Proclamation to the Community Services Department proclaiming July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month.
Community Services Director Minter presented a video about parks.
Mayor Pullen-Miles and the City Council presented the City of Lawndale proclamation certificate to the Community Services Department proclaiming July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month.
E. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments) Kaitlin Coulter, Library Manager, announced the library's upcoming events.
Holly Osborne, Redondo Beach Resident, commented on a proposed housing project in Redondo Beach, right-of-way (ROW) measurements and provided handouts.
Linda Johnson, field representative for Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, invited the community to the 5th Annual Backpack Giveaway & Health Fair scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Crozier Middle School in Inglewood Samina Arain, Resident, commented on parking issues and short-term rentals on 153'd Street.
Edie Warwick, Resident, commented on a $500 citation that she received related to her landscaping.
Ali Zaidi, Resident, commented on parking issues on 153"° Street.
Randall Abram, Resident, commented on illegal fireworks usage, a drone surveillance program, and City job vacancies.
Deena Sopko, Resident, commented on advertising the Beautification Committee meetings for better turnout, supported the committee's efforts, and commented on the issue involving feral animals and Resident Warwicks's citation.
Matthew Harbison, Resident, commented in support of the City's Zoom meeting option, encouraged community outreach and public wareness, commented on code enforcement and property maintenance concerns, and thanked the City for allowing their organization to sel fireworks.
Anatoly Orlov, submitted an electronic comment regarding the investigation records related to Councilmember Suarez, and cominented on Southwest Patrol.
Jim Rockenbach, submitted an electronic comment regarding code enforcement practices and complaints reported by private residents.
F. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that commented on tonight's meeting, thanked Library Manager Coutler for providing the library updates, expressed support for addressing parking and property maintenance concerns on 153rd Street, and requested clarification regarding the resident's citation received.
Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that the $500 citation was voided after staff confirmed the material was mulch rather than food, and explained the City's enforcement of the ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wild animals.
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, commented on encouraging greater community participation, suggested exploring solutions to parking concerns, requested information regarding the City's ordinance on feeding wild animals, supported receiving updates from the Beautification Committee, and encouraged community outreach to increase public awareness of City services.
Councilmember Suarez thanked those attending the meeting in person and online, commented on exploring proactive solutions to parking issues related to new developments, inquired about the City's citation process for feeding wildlife, expressed support for ensuring fair municipal code enforcement, thanked staff for implementing the Zoom meeting option, and thanked the public for their comments and engagement.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas thanked those attending the meeting in person and online, encouraged residents to attend meetings and submit comments in person, by email, or through Zoom, and expressed support for increasing community engagement.
Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and providing comments, commented on parking concerns and encouraged residents to use the City's parking district process, requested staff investigate a reported illegal short-ferm rental and contact the property owner regarding parking concerns, commented on wildlife issues, and thanked a public speaker for their comments.
G. 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 5-0.
5. 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.
6. Accounts Payable Register
- Recommendation: Staff recommends that City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2607-034 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $2,562,367.10.
7. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting, June 15, 2026 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
8. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Special Meeting, June 19, 2026 - Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
2. Approval of a Public Sports Viewing Event
- Recommendation: that the City Council ratify the holding of the one-time public sports viewing event which was held on July 19, 2026.
10. Resolution Approving the Execution of a Cooperation Agreement with the Los Angeles Urban County Community Development Block Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2027-2029
Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2607-035 authorizing and approving the execution of a Cooperation Agreement with the Los Angeles Urban County Community Development Block Grant Program to receive funding for the next three fiscal years, FY 2027-2028, FY 2028-2029, FY 2029-2030.
Il. Consideration of Claim for Damage against the City
- Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claim filed by John Tripp and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant.
12. Notice of Completion for the Public Works and City Hall Facility Needs Project - Recommendation: that the City Council I.) Accept the project completion by Developers General Contracting, Inc., for the Public Works and City Hall Facility Needs Project; and 2.) Authorize staff to file the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office for the Public Works and City Hall Facility Needs Project.
13. Award of Contract for the Repair and Replacement of Doors in the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center - Recommendation: that the Cily Council award a contract to Vortex Industries, LLC, in the amount of $27,991.I1, with a contingency amount of 20%, or $5,598.22, for a total not to exceed amount of $33,589.33 for the repair and replacement of selected doors in the Harold E. Hofmann Community Center.
14. Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2026 - Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file the Quarterly Investment Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 H. ADMINISTRATION
15. Confirmation of Voting Delegate & Alternate to the 2026 League of California Cities Conference - Recommendation: that the City Council: 1.) Affirm a Voting Delegate and Voting Alternate to represent the City at the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Conference: 2.) Direct staff in the City Clerk Department to forward Resolution No. CC-2501-001, or the appropriate formal minute action, if different, of such designation to the League of California Cities and the City Manager's Department;
3.) Determine if additional Council Members will attend the full conference or one day conference; and 4.) Direct staff in the City Manager's Department to make the appropriate reservations for the approved travel.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to affirm Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas as Voting Delegate and Councilmember Kearney as Voting Alternate to represent the City at the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Conference, direct staff in the City Clerk Department to forward Resolution No. CC-2501-001, or the appropriate formal minute action, if different, of such designation to the League of California Cities and the City Manager's Department, and directed staff in the City Manager's Department to make the appropriate reservations for the approved travel. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0.
16. Request to Renew Contract with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for Kenneling and Animal Care Services for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year
Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Request to Renew Contract with SPCA for Kenneling and Animal Care Services for the City of Lawndale in the amount of $17,400 per month.
Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.
By City Council consensus, the item was continued to a future meeting.
17. Senior Activities Funding
- Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2607-36 to approve an amendment to the adopted roster for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Acting/Interim Community Services Director Hernandez presented the staff report.
In response to Councilmembers' questions, Acting/Interim Community Services Director Hernandez stated that the funding would support senior activities, including the senior nutrition program, explained that County program requirements prohibit limiting participation based on city residency, and that the proposed General Fund backfill was $37,000, with the $73,000 amount reflecting two years of funding.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to adopt Resolution No. CC-2607-36 to approve an amendment to the adopted roster for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, and reallocating both the FY2025-2026 and FY2026-2027 amounts budgeted for Senior Activities (S73,985) into the 2026-2027 Street Improvement Project. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
I. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Acting City Manager Rodriguez introduced MV Cheng & Associates Consultant Finance Director Jeannie Fortune and reported that request for proposals are being prepared for the Human Resources Director position and for design services to repave Hawthorne Boulevard. In response to Councilmember Kearney's question, Acting City Manager Rodriguez responded that an Assistant Engineer vacancy will be advertised.
JITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
18. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Kearney attended a Coffee with a Cop event, Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Castillo 502 Barbershop and the City's Soccer Watch Party.
Councilmember Talavera attended the Seniors 4 of July Luncheon, Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Castillo 502 Barbershop, Hispanic- American Contributions Festival Planning Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, Soccer Watch Party, a Neighborhood Watch meeting, and thanked staff for organizing the Soccer Watch Party.
Councilmember Suarez attended the National Association of Latino Elected Officials Annual Conference, South Bay Cities Council of Governments meeting and reported that she attended her last meeting as chair. Councilmember Suarez requested an agenda item to consider publicly releasing the investigation report related to her to be placed on the next meeting agenda Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas attended the League of California Cities meeting, Hispanic-American Contributions Festival Planning Ad Hoc Subcommittee, Neighborhood Watch meeting, Soccer Watch Party, thanked staff for coordinating the e-bike safely program with the Lawndale Elementary School District and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and expressed support for future community watch parties and the upcoming Hispanic-American Contributions Festival.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Castillo 502 Barbershop, Senior's 4* of July Luncheon, and the Business Revitalization Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting.
K. CLOSED SESSION
19. Public Employee Appointment
City Attorney Murphy read the Closed Session item by title only, announced that Councilmember The City Council convened into closed session at 8:10 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 9:00 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy reported that the City Council provided direction to negotiate an employment contract with a preferred candidate and established an ad hoe subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Pullen-Miles and Councilmember Kearney, to assist with negotiations and provide recommendations on the terms of the draft contract that will be presented to the City Council for review and approval.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
R PUller 1250
Robert Pillen-Miles, Mayor
ATTEST:
SHal
Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: August 3, 2026