20240319
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 19, 2024
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 5:01 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 arrived after roll call. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; Arnold M.
Alvarez-Glasman, City Attorney; Gloria V. Ramirez, Deputy 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 LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1) FCG Consultants, Inc. vs. City of Norwalk; Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 241NWCV00016.
II.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – TORT LIABILITY CLAIMS PURUSANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54954.9(d): Claimants: AFNI (Maricela Cortez), Erika Barrero, Julianna Canchola, Julio Gutierrez, Sal Medina, Fernando Mendoza, Linda Porter, Ammeriah Quintero, Teresa Scott, and Jose Luis Vieryra.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 6:08 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; Arnold M. Alvarez, City Attorney; Gloria V.
Ramirez, Deputy City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
March 19, 2024
2 The invocation was delivered by Danny Casas, Remnant Church; followed by the flag salute, led by Private Jimenez, LCpl Kenneth L. Worley Young Marines.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Attorney indicated that a briefing was provided and City Council direction was given for Item No. I. He reported that City Council received a briefing for Item No. II and unanimously voted to reject all claims and directed staff to bring a resolution to City Council to consider delegating denial responsibility to California Joint Powers Insurance Authority.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
City Council reported on their attendance at the various baseball and softball league opening day ceremonies. Councilmember Perez reported on her attendance at the Norwalk Education Alliance mock interviews, and thanked those that volunteered and participated; thanked the Public Safety staff and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their continued dedication to keep the City safe. Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department City Council Academy; announced that the John Glenn High School Marching Band was invited to participate in the 2025 Rose Parade; commented on her attendance at Artastic, thanking the Parks and Recreation Department for its success; and shared that she attended the Kiwanis 605 Dinner and Show Fundraiser. Councilmember Ramirez recognized the Parks and Recreation Department for the continued success of all City events; commented on the Veteran Villas and Park Improvement projects; announced the upcoming Home Beautification Contest; requested staff consider establishing a Veterans Commission; encouraged all to attend the Egg-Stravagant Egg Hunt on March 30; and shared that Norwalk High School is hosting a Prom Outlet to assist teenagers who plan to attend prom. Vice Mayor Ayala commended the Public Safety and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments for their continued efforts to keep the community safe and thanked Ozzie Ramos, Director of Public Safety, and Lieutenant Garcia, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, for their successful collaborative efforts. Mayor Rios reported on her attendance at Read Across America, the New River Park Playground Ribbon-Cutting ceremony, CivicWell Policymakers Conference, Los Alisos Middle School Career Day, and Norwalk High School’s Top Out event; commented on her granddaughter’s participation on Norwalk’s soccer team and thanked all the Parks and Recreation coaches who coach exceedingly well, and encouraged residents to register for the 5K run occurring June 2.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
March 19, 2024
3 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council presented a proclamation declaring March as National Social Services Worker Month. Addressing City Council was Martha Mesa.
City Council presented a proclamation declaring March 21, 2024 as World Down Syndrome Day.
City Council presented a proclamation declaring March 25-29, 2024 as First Responder Wellness Week in the City of Norwalk.
City Council recognized the Distinguished Bus Operators of the Year; Joseph Ho, Hector Hernandez, Jose Moran, and Kindria McLemore.
City Council recognized the following employees for Zero Preventable Accidents and Safe Drivers: Nathan Barbosa, Sonia Gonzalez, and Janet Sims for 5-years; and Lorena Velasco for 10-years.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Videos were shared highlighting the Sports Complex Early Opening, Norwalk Education Alliance mock interviews, Baseball/Softball Leagues’ Opening Day, Veterans Villas, and the “Bi-Weekly Review.”
DIRECTOR’S REPORTER COMMENTS
Gabriela Regalado, Director of Social Services, provided a report and shared a video highlighting the Social Services Department.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Councilmember Perez moved and Councilmember Valencia seconded to approve consent calendar as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
March 19, 2024
4 MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of the meeting of March 5, 2024. 825-04 PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 18, 2024 – MARCH 2, 2024 City Council approved gross payroll in the amount of $1,183,768.43; the payroll check numbers 38069 – 38071 and the voucher numbers 329241 – 329743, in the total net amount of $874,473.52 for the pay period February 18, 2024 – March 2, 2024. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period February 27, 2024 – March 11, 2024, in the total amount of $5,261,153.23. 640
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
City Council denied the claims filed by AFNI (Maricela Cortez), Erika Barrero, and Teresa Scott. 830-01/02/19
PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - MARCH 13, 2024.
No action was taken. 320
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2024
City Council authorized the Executive Director of Regional Transportation to execute the Fiscal Year 2024 Certifications and Assurances Federal Transit Administration Assistance Programs/Affirmation of Applicant, file grant application(s) on behalf of the City and execute a grant agreement(s); in concurrence with and execution of the Affirmation of Applicant’s Attorney Certification by the City Attorney. 1105-01 NORWALK TRANSIT SYSTEM TITLE VI 2024 COMPLIANCE UPDATE
City Council approved the 2024 Title VI Program Update for submittal to Federal Transit Administration. 1120
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
March 19, 2024
5 CITY OF NORWALK TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM RULES AND REGULATIONS – AMENDMENT
City Council adopted the "City of Norwalk Transportation Department Drug and Alcohol Program Rules and Regulations," as amended, March 19, 2024. 1120-01 2023 NORWALK GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
City Council received and filed the 2023 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report and directed staff to transmit the report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development prior to April 1, 2024. 320-02
RESOLUTION NO. 24-14 - COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL AND LEGAL
OBLIGATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDING ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE UNITED
STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION WATERSMART PROGRAM FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE
PROGRAM
City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-14, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING A COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL AND
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDING ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE UNITED
STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION WATERSMART PROGRAM FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE PROGRAM. 1070-09
SHOPPING CART RETRIEVAL SERVICES AGREEMENT – AMENDMENT NO. 3 City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-15, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE SHOPPING
CART RETRIEVAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORWALK AND NATIONWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, A DIVISION OF JOE’S SWEEPING INC.; and authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 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 a form approved by the City Attorney. 735-02
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
None. 200
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
March 19, 2024
6 PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 ANNUAL
ACTION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing to consider Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program. The City Clerk presented a report on legal requisites for notice of hearing.
Following a report by John P. Ramirez, Director of Community Development, and Gabriela Regalado, Director of Social Services, Damante Watson from the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse testified in favor of the item. There being no other persons wishing to testify in this matter, Mayor Rios closed the public hearing. Following comments from City Council, the report was received and filed.315
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Addressing City Council were Richard Lambert, Paki Matael, and Serena Liu.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
______________________________
MARGARITA L. RIOS
MAYOR