20240416
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 16, 2024
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California . Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Perez and Valencia and Mayor Rios; Vice Mayor Ayala arrived after roll call. Councilmember Ramirez was absent. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman, 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:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING ANTICIPATED LIT IGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9(d)(2): Significant exposure to litigation in one case.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 6:02 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 6:16 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; Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman, City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
The invocation was delivered by Matt Penalber, New Harvest Church; followed by the flag salute, led by Daniella Mercado, Lampton Elementary School.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Attorney indicated there was no reportable action taken on the matter discussed in closed session.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 16, 2024
2 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at Assemblywoman Pacheco’s birthday event, the Southeast Water Coalition, Friends of the Norwalk Library Fundraiser, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s City Council Academy; and invited all to attend the Thinkers 4 Autism 6 th Annual Autism Awareness Fair being held at the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex April 21. Councilmember Perez urged residents to check their homes for standing water to prevent mosquito breeding; shared that Public Safety’s social media platforms feature various safety announcements; and highlighted that playground grand openings are scheduled at 3 p.m. to accommodate children getting out of school. Vice Mayor Ayala reported on his attendance at the Vista Verde Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Mayor Rios invited everyone to participate in the Park Pals Art Workshops happening at various parks throughout the City as part of Earth Week celebrations; she highlighted the importance of recycling, noting that only nine percent of the 380 million tons of plastic used is recycled; encouraged residents to participate in upcoming events including the City Wide Cleanup Event hosted by Athens Services at City Hall April 20, the Rose Garden Beautification Project at Norwalk Park April 20, the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Doubletree Hotel April 17, Eco Gardener Workshop at the Senior Center April 22, Holifield Park Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and Meet the Mayor following the ceremony April 22 ; shared the Norwalk High Top 20 Student Awards Ceremony will be held April 17; and reported on her attendance at the Southeast Japanese School Award Ceremony where she presented a proclamation for Asian American Pacific Islander Month.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council presented a proclamation declaring April 26, 2024, as Arbor Day in the City of Norwalk.
City Council recognized Norwalk High School Wrestling Teams for Qualifying for the Masters and States Tournaments.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Gomez introduced Iso Nakasato , Athens Services Director of Government Affairs, who presented an Athens Services report.
Mr. Gomez shared updates regarding raising the standard s and expectations for shopping centers to be cleaner with better lighting; and Caltrans improvements for the intersection of the Interstate105/Studebaker.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 16, 2024
3 Videos were shared highlighting the Egg -Stravagant Hunt, Vista Verde Park Ribbon Cutting, the “Bi-Weekly Review,” and SEACCA.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Allan Perdomo, Director of Parks and Recreation , provided a report and shared a video highlighting the Parks and Recreation Department.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Councilmember Valencia moved and Councilmember Perez seconded to approve consent 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 the meeting of April 2, 2024. 825-04
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 17, 2024 – MARCH 30, 2024
City Council approved gross payroll in the amount of $1,203,742.63; the payroll check numbers 38076 – 38078 and the voucher numbers 330240 – 330734 in the total net amount of $892,532.49 for the pay period March 17, 2024 – March 30, 2024. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period March 26, 2024 – April 8, 2024, in the total amount of $5,156,854.14. 640
RESOLUTION NO. 24 -16 – BUDGET AMENDMENT – RESIDENTIAL
REHABILITATION PROGRAM
City Council adopted Resolution No. 24 -16, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM, in the amount of $600,000. 315-13/610
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 16, 2024
4 RENEWAL OF GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
City Council approved renewal of the General Services Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for a five-year term ending June 30, 2029; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 125
RESOLUTION NO. 24 -19 - FINDING PARK LANDS AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND
AND APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF PARKS LAND FROM THE CITY OF
NORWALK AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE SOUTHEAST RECREATION AND
PARK DISTRICT TO THE CITY OF NORWALK
City Council adopted Resolution No. 24 -19, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK MAKING FINDINGS UNDER THE SURPLUS LAND ACT
AND APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF PARK LANDS FROM THE CITY OF NORWALK
AS SUCCESSOR -IN-INTEREST TO THE SOUTHEAST RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT TO THE CITY OF NORWALK. 905-03
APPROVE SELECTION OF PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD MEMBERS FOR
UPCOMING APPEAL HEARING
City Council approved the Mayor’s Personnel Appeals Board selections of Kim Apodaca, Olga Avina, and Gloria Rodriguez. Jalna Boltz will be utilized should anyone from the board resign. 255
AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - 2025 STORM WATER
MASTER PLAN STUDY
City Council awarded a professional services agreement to BKF to provide professional engineering services for preparation of the City of Norwalk’s 2025 Storm Water Master Plan Project, for a not -to-exceed-fee of $377,952; and authorized the City Manager t o execute the agreement 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. 1040-06
AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - 2025 WATER SYSTEM
MASTER PLAN AND WATER RATES STUDY
City Council awarded a professional services agreement with Stetson Engineers, Inc., to provide professional engineering services for preparation of the City of Norwalk’s 2025 Water Master Plan and Water Rates Study Project, for a not -to-exceed-fee of $389,400; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments, Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 16, 2024
5 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. 1070-05
AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - 2025 SANITARY SEWER
SYSTEM MASTER PLAN STUDY
City Council awarded a professional services agreement with Psomas to provide professional engineering services for preparation of the City of Norwalk’s 2025 Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan Study, for a not -to-exceed-fee of $328,165, and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement 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. 1040-07
APPROVAL OF INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PURCHASE
City Council approved a software agreement with Juvare through CDW -G to provide incident management software in the amount of $38,543.91 from April 16, 2024 to April 16, 2025; and authorize d the City Manager to execute the agreement 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. 634-04
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
Councilmember Perez moved and Mayor Rios seconded to appoint Kim Apodaca to the Public Safety Commission. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez 200
NORWALK HOUSING AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Rios moved and Councilmember Perez seconded to re-appoint Councilmember Valencia to a four -year term ending April 30, 2028. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 16, 2024
6 AYES: Councilmembers Perez and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez 425-02-04
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Addressing City Council were Rose Romero, Chantel Smith, Brian Tindall, and Richard Lambert.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m., in memory of Evelyn Schalkle and Martin Greenidge.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
MARGARITA L. RIOS
MAYOR