20240206
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Perez and Ramirez and Mayor Rios. Councilmember Valencia arrived after roll call; Vice Mayor Ayala was absent. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; Arnold M. Alvarez, City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR CLOSED SESSION MATTERS
There were no persons wishing to address City Council on the matters to be discussed in closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
City Council immediately convened to closed session for discussion on the following matters:
I. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property: Assessor Parcel Number 8047-006-925; Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and Arturo Sneider, Primestor Development, Inc.; Under Negotiation; Price and Terms of Payment.
II. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property: Front Street properties, Assessor Property Numbers 8056- 015-014, 8056-015-016, 8056-015-900 and 8056- 015-901; Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and Arturo Sneider, Primestor Development Inc.; Under Negotiation: Exchange Agreement.
III. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property: Assessor Parcel Number 8045- 008-902 (California Youth Authority); Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and State of California; Under Negotiation; Price and Terms of Payment.
IV. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9(d)(1), City of Norwalk vs. City of Cerritos, Case No. 22STCV33737.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
February 6, 2024
2 RECESS
City Council recessed at 6:04 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, and Mayor Rios. Vice Mayor Ayala was absent. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez , City Manager ; Arnold M. Alvarez , City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
The invocation was delivered by Pastor Myrna Brito, Spirit Life Community Church, followed by the flag salute, led by Dominic Ortiz Olivas, Earl E. Edmon dson Elementary School.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Attorney indicated there was no reportable action taken on the matters discussed in closed session.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
City Council thanked Public Safety, E mergency Operations Center, Social Services, Public Services, Communication and Public Affairs, the Los Angeles Sheriffs, and the Los Angeles County Fire D epartments for all their hard work keeping residents safe and informed during the recent storms. Councilmember Perez shared that City newsletters were distributed and urged residents to review them for important information and programming; and requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Lou Banas, former City Council Member and Mayor. Councilmember Ramirez shared that employee David Plaza, Community Worker, was recognized by Little Lake School District for his contributions in helping our youth; highlighted the start of the Y outh Intervention Academy; congratulated former employee Erika Pena for graduating from the Fire Academy; announced that Lions Club International is hosting a speech contest February 7 in Council Chambers; and invited all to attend the Norwalk L ions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex February 11. Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at the Third-Gen Nursing Academy Grand Opening and the Southeast Water Coalition Board of Directors meeting where she announced the city will host the meetings. Mayor Rios shared that she was part of a p ublic service announcement made for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program; reported on her attendance at the Santa Sleigh Appreciation dinner, Angel Tree Appreciation event, Greater Los Angeles Homeless C ount, Youth Sports and Fitness Exposition, and thanked all who volunteered for the various events ; participated in the Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
February 6, 2024
3 ceremony for the City of Bellflower’s outgoing Mayor; and shared an update to the 105 Freeway concerns discussed with Gateway Cities Council of Governments.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council proclaimed February as National African American History Month in the City of Norwalk.
City Council proclaimed February 5 – 9, 2024 as National School Counseling Week in the City of Norwalk.
City Council recognized Angel Tree sponsors and a video was shared highlighting the event.
City Council recognized the Stuff-A-Bus sponsors.
City Council recognized Holiday Decor Contest Winners.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Jana Stuard, Director of Finance/Treasurer, shared a video and provided a presentation on the Finance Department.
Videos were shared highlighting the Youth Sports & Fitness Expo, the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority Pet Adoption Update, the 2024 Homeless Count Recap, and the “Bi-Weekly Review”.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Mayor Rios requested Item Nos. 8 and 9 be removed for a separate vote. Councilmember Valencia moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to approve the remainder of the consent calendar as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, and Mayor Rios NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Ayala
MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of January 16, 2024. 825-04
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
February 6, 2024
4 PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 7, 2024 – JANUARY 20, 2024
City Council approved gross payroll in the amount of $1,219,612.88; the payroll check numbers 38058 - 38061 and the voucher numbers 327739 – 328240 in the total net amount of $899,726.25 for the pay period January 7, 2024 – January 20, 2024. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period January 9, 2024 – January 29, 2024, in the total amount of $4,508,021.84. 640
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
City Council denied the claim filed by Andrew Cubero. 830-03
PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - JANUARY 24, 2024
No action was taken. 260
PROJECT NO. 7936 – A WARD OF CONTRACT AND RESOLUTION NO. 24- 07 – BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR CURB RAMP REPLACEME NTS – ENGINEER’S REPORT NO. 23-24 - City Council:
a. adopted Resolution No. 24- 07, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO PROJECT NO. 7936 – CURB RAMP REPLACEMENTS, in the amount of $615,267; and
b. awarded a contract to Kalban, Inc. in an amount of $573,400 for Project No. 7936, Curb Ramp Replacements; and authorized the City Manager to execute the amendment including potential change orders, up to the approved retention amount, provided there is funding in the budget, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 1005-04-7936
APPROVAL OF NORWALK SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER, INC. BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
City Council approved the nomination of the Norwalk Senior Citizens Center, Inc. Board of Directors for a term expiring December 31, 2024. 425-02-04
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
February 6, 2024
5 AWARD CONTRACT FOR RE -ROOF PROJECT - SPROUL MUSEUM AND
HOLIFIELD PARK MAIN SNACK BAR
City Council awarded a contract to Associated Construction Services Group in the amount of $116,770 for replacement of roofs at the Sproul Museum and the Holifield Park Main Snack Bar; and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract and change orders or amendments up to the approved contingency amount, provided there is funding in the budget, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 920-02-02/920-03-04
RESOLUTION NO. 24-08 – APPROVING THE ENGAGEMENT OF FINANCING TEAM
COMPRISED OF A MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND A BOND COUNSEL FOR
THE PROPOSED ISSUANC E OF FINANCING OF TH E ENERGY SUSTAINABIL ITY
PROJECT AND THE SELECTION OF AN UNDERWRITER/PLACEMENT AGENT FOR THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS; AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED ACTION City Council:
a. adopted Resolution No. 24- 08, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING THE ENGAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL ADVISORS
AND BOND COUNSEL FOR THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF FINANCING OF THE ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT; AND THE SELECTION OF AN
UNDERWRITER FOR THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS; AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED ACTIONS; and
b. approved an agreement with Harrell & Company Advisors, LLC to provide the City with Municipal Financial advisory services; and
c. approved an agreement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. to provide the City with Underwriter/Placement Agent services; and
d. approved an agreement with Norton Rose Fulbright, LLP to serve as Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel, and
e. authorized the City Manager to execute the agreements and any amendments, provided there is funding in the budget and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in forms approved by the City Attorney.
RESOLUTION NO. 24 -09 – APPOINTING AN ALTERNATE TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT NOS. 2 AND 18 BOARD
City Council adopted Resolution No. 24- 09, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK APPOINTING COUNCILMEMBER RICK RAMIREZ TO REPLACE VICE MAYOR AYALA AS THE CITY’S ALTERNATE TO THE LOS ANGELES Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
February 6, 2024
6 COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT NOS. 2 AND 18 AND RES CINDING RESOLUTION NO. 24-04.
ITEMS PULLED FOR SEPARATE VOTE
Councilmember Ramirez and Valencia indicated they serve as volunteer Board Members for the Norwalk Lions Club.
REQUEST FOR USE OF CIVIC CENTER LAWN FOR ANNUAL CARNIVAL AND
REQUEST FOR USE OF CIVIC CENTER LAWN FOR A FLAG FOR HEROES EVENT
Mayor Rios moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to approve the special event permit for the Norwalk Lions Club Carnival scheduled to take place from May 23 through May 27, 2024 on the Civic Center lawn, including the set-up and breakdown dates; and the special event permit for the Flag for Heroes event scheduled to take place on May 27, 2024 on the Civic Center Lawn.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, and Mayor Rios NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Ayala
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
None 200
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEA RING - RESOLUTION NO . 24 -02 - APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DENIAL OF PRECISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN NO. 2023- 02 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2023-03 - 11642 FIRESTONE BOULEVARD
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing to consider the appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of the Precise Development Plan No. 2023-02 and Conditional Use Permit No. 2023-05 for 11642 Firestone Boulevard. There being no persons wishing to testify in this matter Mayor Rios closed the public hearing. Councilmember Perez moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to continue the item to March 5, 2024. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
February 6, 2024
7 AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, and Mayor Rios NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Ayala
REPORTS
NORWALK 5K RUN SPECIAL EVENT UPDATE
Sonia Batres, Parks and Recreation Superintendent provided a report . Following discussion and a request to include the Adaptive Program participants, City Council received and filed.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Addressing City Council Frank Yokoyama and Adrian Montecinos.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m., in memory of Lou Banas.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
MARGARITA L. RIOS
MAYOR