20240716
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
JULY 16, 2024
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 5:00 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 ; 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 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.
II. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.8: Property: 11642 Firestone Boulevard; Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and Andrew Miliotis: Under Negotiation; Price and Terms of Payment.
III. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54957.6: Negotiating on behalf of the City: Jesus M. Gomez; regarding negotiations with the Norwalk City Employees Association.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 5:59 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
2 REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. City Council was present in its entirety with Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala , and Mayor Rios responding to roll call . Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager ; Gloria V. Ramirez, Deputy City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
The invocation was delivered by Randy Bradley , Apostolic Lighthouse; followed by the flag salute, led by Marissa Sanchez, St. John of God School.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The Deputy City Attorney indicated there was no reportable action taken on the matters discussed in closed session.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Perez shared that City newsletters were distributed and highlighted the Norwalk’s Future Newsletter regarding economic development within the City, and encouraged residents to participate in upcoming events. Councilmember Ramirez recognized dignitaries in attendance, and requested staff provide an action plan regarding improvements for the intersection of the Interstate105/Studebaker. Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs 22 nd Awards Banquet, C ouncil of Governments Board of Directors M eeting, Norwalk Chamber of C ommerce Installation Gala, Norwalk Little League’s Fundraiser trip to the Angels Game, the Access to Technology event, the Senior Center “Get up and Move” exercise, the Independence Day Festival, the Water Replenishment District’s Groundwater Academy Session M aximizing Water Resources, and shared that the City Manager received a Groundwater Academy Certificate of Completion. Vice Mayor Ayala recognized Helen Diosdado for her service as a City commissioner; thanked all City staff for hosting successful and highly attended events such as Councilmember Perez ’ California Contract Cities Association Inauguration , the Norwalk 5 K, and the Independence Day Festival. Mayor Rios welcomed all i n attendance; reported on her attendance at Raising Cane’s “Rasing the Roof” Ceremony, the Soroptimist International of Norwalk/ Santa Fe Springs Installation Ceremony, Norwalk Soft Ball Fast Pitch Pizza Party, and Movie Night at Holifield Park; announced upcoming events: Meet the Mayor “Park Bench Chat” at Hermosillo Park July 25, California Transportation R oundtable July 26, and a partnership with Los Angeles County for a Health Fair in September; shared that Troy and Bob’s Auto Works contributed 80 years of service in the C ity; and announced the City was on the Channel 7 News in their Community Highlights segment showcasing Vista Verde Park.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
3 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council proclaimed Plastic Free July in Norwalk.
City Council recognized students from the Norwalk District Migrant Education Program.
City Council commended Helen Diosdado for serving on the Senior Services Commission.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
The City Manager introduced Ken Hira, President of Kosmont , who provided an update on the International Council of Shopping Centers conference.
Caren Spilsbury, Executive Director of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, provided a Quarterly Report. Councilmember Ramirez suggested they consider partnering with Public Safety and businesses to discuss the Business Watch Program.
Edward Jackson, President of Liberty Utilities , provided a Liberty Utilities report .
Councilmembers expressed concern with the rates, and requested the company provide information to the residents in order for them to prepare for the upcoming increases.
Omar Hernandez, President and Chief Exec utive Officer Global of Urban Strategies , provided a report on the CalHome Program.
Videos were shared highlighting the Independence Day Festival 2024 and the “Bi - Weekly” Review.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, provided a report and shared a video highlighting the Administration 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 Vice Mayor Ayala seconded to approve consent calendar as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
4 AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of the meeting of June 18, 2024. 825-04
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIODS JUNE 9, 2024 - JUNE 22, 2024 AND JUNE 23, 2024 - JULY 6, 2024
City Council approved:
a. gross payroll in the amounts of $1,239,394.89; the payroll check numbers 38112 - 38121 and the voucher numbers 333261 - 333837 in the total net amount of $932,921.97 for the pay period June 9, 2024 - June 22, 2024; and b. gross payroll in the amount of $1,316,277.82; the payroll check numbers 38122 - 38132 and the voucher numbers 333838 - 334416 in the total net amount of $974,149.94 for the pay period June 23, 2024 - July 6, 2024. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register for the period of June 11, 2024 through July 8, 2024, in the amount of $8,228,926.61. 640
PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - JULY 10, 2024
No action was taken. 320
RESOLUTION NO. 24 -39 - APPROVAL OF DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE THREE YEAR GOAL FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2027
City Council adopted Resolution No. 24- 39, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK ESTABLISHING AN OVERALL DISADVANTAGED
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE THREE- YEAR GOAL FOR ALL FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FUNDED PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2027. 112
AGREEMENT – REAL-TIME DIGITAL SIGNAGE FOR NORWALK TRANSIT SYSTEM’S BUS STOPS
City Council approved participation in a Cooperative Agreement with Tolar Manufacturing, Inc. to acquire 27 Waysine Real-Time Digital Signage in the amount of $249,110.98; and Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
5 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. 1120-06
AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 2 – DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES
City Council approved Amendment No. 2 with Terra Realty Advisors, Inc. to provide development and construction services for digital billboards for a two- year term in the amount of $50,000 per year beginning July 1, 2024; and authorized the City Manager to execute the amendment not-to-exceed $100,000 provided there is funding in the budget, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 925-13
DELINQUENT EMERGENCY BOARD-UP COLLECTION FEES
City Council:
a. confirmed the attached report of the Property Maintenance and Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board is adjusted to reflect the current outstanding balance; and
b. authorized the Finance Director to file a copy of this report with the County Auditor on or before August 10, 2024. 955
DELINQUENT REFUSE COLLECTION ACCOUNTS
City Council approved the lien list for the delinquent accounts that are not paid by July 31, 2024 and authorized staff to forward a final list to the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor. 626-02
AGREEMENT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY PLANS CONTINUED HOUSING
ASSISTANCE AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS 2025/30 CONSOLIDATED PLAN, FIRST
YEAR ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, UPDATED ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR
HOUSING CHOICE AND A HOUSING SUMMIT
City Council approved an agreement with MNS Engineers to continue services for the development of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, the draft Fiscal Year 2025/30 Consolidated Plan for the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program, Norwalk Housing Authority administrative plan and Project Based Voucher contracts in an amount not to exceed $98,500; and authorized the City Man ager to execute the agreement and any additional 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. 315
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
6 APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
Councilmember Valen cia moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to confirm Councilmember Vale ncia’s appointment of Evelyn Nu ño to the Planning Commission.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None 200
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Deputy City Attorney indicated that the Public Hearings may be combined for Item Nos. 13, 14, and 15. The combined public hearing is to consider:
ORDINANCE NO. 24 -1747 – ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2024 -01 TO AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO SPECIFIC PLAN AREA NO. 1;
ORDINANCE NO. 24 -1748 - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2024 -02 TO AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS; AND
ORDINANCE NO. 24-1749 - ZONE CHANGE NO. 2024-01 AND ORDINANCE NO. 24- 1750 - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2024-03, TO AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICT NO. 1
Mayor Rios opened the public hearing to consider : Ordinance No . 24-1747 to amend various sections of Title 17 of the Norwalk Municipal Code as it relates to Specific Plan Area No. 1; Ordinance No. 24-1748 to amend various sections of Title 17 of the Norwalk Municipal Code as it relates to Special Sign Districts ; and Ordinance No. 24- 1749 to amend various sections of Title 17 of the Norwalk Municipal Code as it relates to Special Sign District No. 1.
The City Clerk presented a report on legal requisites for notice of hearings. Alex Hamilton, Interim Director of Community Development , provided a report. The City Clerk shared email comment s received in opposition of the zone text amendments. Testifying in opposition of the matters were Jordan Sisson, Jesse Flores, Mayra Macias, Paloma Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
7 Sanchez, Christina Sanchez, Estefany Castaned a, Guadalupe Figueroa, Yulisa Figueroa, and Marcela Arevalo.
Mr. Hamilton provided a brief rebuttal stating that these items were not specific to any one project, and any future hotel or other projects would still require review , discretion, and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council; and indicated the housing concerns are a statewide matter that the City is actively addressing with upcoming projects and programs such as CalHome. There being no other people wishing to testify on the matters, Mayor Rios closed the public hearing. City Council discussion ensued with Councilmember Ramirez, Councilmember Valencia, and Mayor Rios express ing concern about approving a change of zoning before receiving applications for development, proper safety and review, and shared inquiries regarding previous applications from hotel companies. Mr. Gomez stated that zoning changes ahead of applications will attract developers; indicated that Covid-19 was the cause of stopping the process of any hotel being built; and confirmed that there was interest from hotel companies to rezone. Councilmember Perez reiterated that when a project comes before the Planning Commission it will still go through the review and approval process . Vice Mayor Ayala agreed with Councilmember Perez’ comments and indicated that the ordinances presented are intended to streamline the process to further facilitate development. Mayor Rios requested direction from the Deputy City Attorney on how to proceed with each item. Following a brief recess, Ms. Ramirez presented a staff proposal amending Item No. 13 to eliminate the reference to the second hotel and approve the remaining Ordinance No. 24-1747 as is. Councilmember Perez moved and Vice Mayor Ayala seconded to continue Item Nos. 13, 14, and 15 until after the Kosmont study was concluded.
MOTION FAILED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmember Perez and Vice Mayor Ayala
NOES: C ouncilmembers Ramirez and Valencia, and Mayor Rios ABSENT: None
Mayor Rios moved, and Councilmember Valencia seconded to table Item Nos. 13, 14, and 15:
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: C ouncilmembers Ramirez and Valencia, and Mayor Rios NOES: Councilmember Perez and Vice Mayor Ayala
ABSENT: None
320-05-2024-01/320-05-2024-02/320-05-2024-03/320-09-2024-01
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
July 16, 2024
8 Addressing City Council were Moctesuma Esparza, Iso Nakasato, Cheryl Gilera, Brian Tindall, and Carlos Alvarez.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
MARGARITA L. RIOS
MAYOR