20241203
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 3, 2024
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Vice Mayor Ayala 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 and Ramirez, and Vice Mayor Ayala. Mayor Rios arrived after roll call. Councilmember Valencia 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:
I. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATIO N PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9(d)(1) – State of California vs. City of Norwalk, Case No. 24STCP03551.
II. 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.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 5:37 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Rios called the meeting to order at 6:04 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; Arnold M. Alvarez, City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
December 3, 2024
2 The invocation was delivered by Pastor Myrna Brito, Spirit Life Community Church ; followed by the flag salute, led by Young Marine Corporal Avery Camacho LCpl Kenneth L. Worley Young Marines.
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 all staff, residents, and first responders who volunteered and worked the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon, as well as highlighting the upcoming Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony at the City Hall Lawn December 7 and City Council Reorganization December 10 . Councilmember Ramirez shared that Santa Sleigh Foundation Float starts December 12; encouraged all to visit the City website and social media platforms for more upcoming events this holiday season ; and reminded all to be mindful of their surroundings and safe . Councilmember Perez shared that the City newsletters and bulletins were distributed and highlighted that the Norwalk Now includes the Santa Sleigh schedule ; and thanked the Transportation Department for their route updates. Councilmember Valencia shared that she , alongside Mayor Rios toured the Veterans Villas and announced that occupancy will begin in January; reported on her attendance at the Norwalk Lions Club Thanksgiving event and Senior Thanksgivin g Luncheon; and thanked Gabriela Regalado, Director of Social Services, who assisted in providing Thanksgiving meals to two cadets. Vice Mayor Ayala mirrored comments made about the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon and thanked Carina Montes, Director of Human Resources; Jesenia Sanchez, Human Resources Manager ; Theresa Devoy, City Clerk ; Richard Newton, Emergency Preparedness Manager; Rita Ruiz, Public Safety Manager; Gabriela Regalado, Director of Social Services ; and Daniel Abrego, Senior Center Manager, for their time and dedication. Mayor Rios thanked all for their pie donations for the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon ; reported on her attendance at various businesses throughout the City and present ed them with Business Spotlight Awards and shared members from the Norwalk Chamber of Com merce attended; thanked Ms. Devoy, for coordinating and hosting a successful Holiday Window Painting event; and reported on her attendance at the Milagro Cinemas Public Service Announcement Competition event, and the Norwalk High School’s New Gym Ribbon Cutting event.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Gomez thanked City Council for their continued support of programs such as the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon and reminded all to shop local to support small Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
December 3, 2024
3 businesses in Norwalk. Videos were shared highlighting Veterans Villas Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and the Bi-Weekly update.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Item No. 6 was continued and the City Clerk indicated there was a revision made to Item No. 7. * Councilmember Perez moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to approve the consent calenda r with the exception of Item No. 6 .
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
WAIVED READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES ON THE AGENDA
City Council waived reading in full of all ordinances on the agenda and declared that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of the meeting of November 19, 2024. 825-04
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 27, 2024 – NOVEMBER 9, 2024
City Council approve d gross payroll in the amount of $1,213,975.85; the payroll check numbers 38283 – 38287 and the voucher numbers 338629 – 339127, in the total net amount of $891,838.16 for the pay period October 27, 2024 – November 9, 2024. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approve d the warrant register period November 12, 2024 – November 25, 2024, in the total amount of $4,214,859.35. 640
PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - NOVEMBER 25, 2024
No action taken. 320
ORDINANCE NO. 24 -1754 - ZONE TEXT AMENDM ENT NO. 2022 -02 (202 4-02) ESTABLISHING SPECIFI C PLAN AREA NO. 17, THE "NORWALK TRANSIT VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN"
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
December 3, 2024
4 The City Attorney indicated the item would be continued to the January 21, 2025 City Council meeting. 320-02-01-2022-01(2024-01)/320-09-2022-01(2024-02)/320-05-2022-02(2024-04)/1005-04-7859
ORDINANCE NO. 24-1755 - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2024-05 - TO AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 OF THE NORW ALK MUNICIPAL CODE T O UPDATE THE CITY’S DE NSITY BONUS ORDI NANCE AND UPDATE THE DEFINITION OF “FAMILY”
City Council:
a. adopted Ordinance No. 24 -1755, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO DENSITY BONUS ORDINANCE AND UPDATE THE DEFINITION OF “FAMILY”; and
b. Considered and found the project exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). 320-05-2024-05
*Revision to the staff report to reflect the ordinance effective date of January 3, 2025.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-60 – APPROVING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN INTERAGENCY
MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING TEMPLATE
City Council:
a. adopted Resolution No. 24 -60, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK APPROVING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN INTERAGENCY MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING TEMPLATE; and
b. authorized the City Manager to execute Interagency Memorandums of Understanding between the City and the Communications, Community Development, and Public Safety Departments, on behalf of the City, in forms approved by the City Attorney.
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ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE AS PART OF THE 2025- 2030 CONSOLIDATED PLAN PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP FUNDS
City Council adopt ed the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice to be in compliance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development rule 24 Code of Federal Regulation 91. 315
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
December 3, 2024
5 CHARGE READY CHARGIN G INFRASTRUCTURE AND REBATE PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT AND VEHICLE CHARGERS OPERATOR AGREEMENT
City Council:
a. approved an agreement with Southern California Edison; and authorize d the City Manager to execute the Charge Ready Charging Infrastructure and Rebate Participation Agreement; and
b. approved an agreement with EvGateway; and authorized the City Manager to execute the Electric Vehicle Chargers Operator Agreement on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney 1060-01-01
THIRD AMENDMENT - LEASE EXTENSION AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 12405 ROSECRANS AVENUE – NORWALK AUTO AUCTION
City Council approved Amendment No. 3 to the agreement with Aquirecorp extending the ground lease to a month -to-month rental term in the amount of $71,776.58 per month through March of 2025; and authorize d the City Manager to execute the amendment on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 925-02
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 24-61- APPROVING A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND CITY OF NORWALK FOR REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13200 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE (APN NO. 8045-008-902)
Following a brief report provided by Alex Hamilton, Inter im Director of Community Development, Mayor Rios moved and Councilmember Perez seconded to:
a. adopt Resolution No. 24-61 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NORWALK APPROVING THE PURCHA SE AND SALE AGREEMEN T BY AND BETWEEN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND CITY OF NORWALK; and b. authorized the City Manager to make any non -substantive minor modifications and execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None 1405-02
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
December 3, 2024
6 REPORTS
EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH BREAK – CLOSURE OF SOME CITY OPERATIO NS FROM DECEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 27, 2024
Following a brief report provided by Carina Montes, Director of Human Resources , Councilmember Perez moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to:
a. allocate 35 hours of Mental Health Break to full -time employees and 12 hours of Mental Health Break to part-time employees; and
b. approve the closure of City Hall and other City facilities from December 23 to December 27, 2024, with the exception of some essential City services in the Public Safety, Public Services, Transportation, Recreation, and Social Services Departments.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None 135-01-04
JANUARY 2025 MEETING SCHEDULE
Following a brief report provided Jesus Gomez, City Manager , Mayor Rios moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to cancel the January 7, 2025 meeting and hold one regularly scheduled meeting on January 21, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None 825
605 ALL STAR BAND PARADE REHEARSAL – REQUEST TO CLOSE STREETS
Following a brief report provided Richard Newton, Emergency Preparedness Manager, applicants Thomas Phillips , and Frank Hinojoz spoke on the matter. City Council discussion ensued with concerns over timeframe of the proposed date of December 22, and the lateness of the request and budget being discussed. Councilmember Ramirez moved and Mayor Rios seconded to continue to the December 17 City Council meeting.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
December 3, 2024
7 AYES: Councilmembers Perez, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Ayala, and Mayor Rios
NOES: None
ABSENT: None 1050-07
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There was no one wishing to address City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
MARGARITA L. RIOS
MAYOR