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825-04
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 5, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Perez and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala , and Mayor Rios .
Councilmember Ramirez was absent. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; Gloria Ramirez, Deputy City Attorney; and Camille Moreno, Assistant City Clerk.
The invocation was delivered by Dr. George Bojorquez, New Creation Church; followed by the flag salute, led by Evie Gomez, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Perez wished everyone a happy Election Day, announced the polls close at 8 p.m. , encouraged the community to go out and vote; and shared that the Norwalk Now newsletter is out, in which it highlights the Norwalk Public Safety Department’s 35 years of service . Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at the Norwalk High School J unior Varsity and Varsity softball games and the Norwalk Little League Opening Day Ceremony. Mayor Rios acknowledged dignitaries in attendance; thanked staff and residents for the success of the E -Waste/Shred-a-thon event; and reported on her attendance at the Read Across America event; invited everyone to the upcoming Meet the Mayor event at El Baja Grill, as well as the ribbon cutting ceremony at New River Park for the new playground on March 11.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council presented a proclamation declaring March as National Red Cross Month in the City of Norwalk, accepted by Chris Sanchez, National Red Cross.
City Council recognized the Norwalk Lady Vikings for winning the Jamz Nationals Cheer and Dance Championship.
City Council presented a proclamation declaring March as Women’s History Month in the City of Norwalk, accepted by Norma Amezcua, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
A video was shared highlighting the “Bi-Weekly Review.”
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Norwalk City Council
March 5, 2024
2 DIRECTORS REPORT
Christine Roberto, Public Services Manager, provided a report and shared a video regarding the Park Projects Master Plan Update.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Mayor Rios requested Item No. 4 be discussed. Councilmember Valencia moved and Councilmember Perez seconded to approve consen t calendar as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez
MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of February 20, 2024. 825-04
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD February 4, 2024 – February 17, 2024
City Council approved gross payroll in the amount of $1,164,047.01; the payroll check voucher numbers 328738 – 329240 in the total net amount of $860,763.83 for the pay period February 4, 2024 – February 17, 2024.
630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period February 13, 2024 through February 26, 2024, in the total amount of $4,016,507.70. 640
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
City Council discussion ensued, Mayor Rios requested the claims items be moved to Closed Session for future meeting dates and that staff provide a report regarding claims to be discussed. City Council denied the claims filed by Andrea Beltran, Ricardo Garcia, Moises Munoz, Antonio Orozco, Abel Trinidad, and Leonardo Vasquez. 830-02/07/13/15/20/22
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Norwalk City Council
March 5, 2024
3 RESOLUTION NO. 24 -13 - APPROVING THE TERMINATION OF THE FRONT STREET PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT - City Council
a. found that the proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) under common sense exemption which provides that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA;
b. adopted Resolution No. 24- 13, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING THE TERMINATION OF THE FRONT STREET PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, which does not authorize any specific development; and
c. authorized the City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to terminate the Participation Agreement and such other ancillary documents reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent of Resolution No. 24-13. 1405-06
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
None.
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PUBLIC HEARING
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION NO. 24 -02 - APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DENIAL OF PRECISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN NO. 2023- 02 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2023-05 - 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. The Assistant City Clerk presented a report on legal requisites for notice of hearing. Following a report presented by Jill Ann Arabe, Development Services Manager, the applicant Andrew Miliotis spoke and presented a letter in opposition o f the matter . Dora Sandoval testified in person in opposition of the project, and the Assistant City Clerk shared that an email was submitted by Steve Contreras in opposition of the project. There being no other persons wishing to testify in this matter, Mayor Rios closed the public hearing. Councilmember Perez moved and Vice Mayor Ayala seconded to adopt Resolution No. 24- 02, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK SETTING FORTH ITS FINDINGS Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Norwalk City Council
March 5, 2024
4 OF FACT AND DECISION OF UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S DECISION TO DENY PRECISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN NO. 2023 -02 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2023-05. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala , and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez
320-01-2023-05/320-04-2023-02
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no persons wishing to address City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
____________________________
CAMILLE MORENO
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
MARGARITA L. RIOS
MAYOR