20250401
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 1, 2025
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
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 Councilmember Ramirez, Vice Mayor Perez , and Mayor Ayala . Councilmember Rios arrived after roll call and 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 REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8, Assessor Parcel Numbers 8047- 006-924 and 8047-006-925 (The Walk Project); Negotiating on behalf of the City: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; Negotiating Party: Primestor; Under Ne gotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
II. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property: Front Street properties, Assessor Property Numbers 8056- 015-014 and 8056- 025-020; Negotiating Parties: Jesus M.
Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and Arturo Sneider, Primestor Development Inc.; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
III. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9(d)(2) – Significant exposure to litigation in one case.
IV. PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54957.6; CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR. Negotiating on behalf of the City: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; regarding negotiations with the Norwalk City Employees Association.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 1, 2025
2 V. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1): FCG Consultants, Inc. vs. City of Norwalk, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24NWCV00016.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 5:56 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Ayala called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. City Council was present in its entirety with Councilmembers Ramirez, Rios, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Perez, and Mayor Ayala responding to roll call . Also present were Jesus M. Gomez , City Manager ; Arnold M. Alvarez, City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
The invocation was delivered by Jackeline Vives , Norwalk United Methodist Church ; followed by the flag salute, led by Jeremy Erick Nocon, Downey Adult School.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Attorney indicated there was no reportable action taken on the matters discussed in closed session.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Rios reported on her attendance at the Long Beach GEAR UP Agents of Change Symposium, the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Soroptimist event, the Norwalk Lions Club Woman Empowerment Tea Party and thanked them for inviting her to be the Keynote Speaker; encouraged all to attend upcoming events and be good neighbors.
Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco’s 3
rd Annual Woman of the Year Awards and congratulated Historical Heritage Commissioner Claudia Pavon for receiving a Woman of the Year award; reported on her attendance at the Norwalk Lions Club Woman Empowerment Tea Party, Leadership and Advocacy for the Direction of Young Women event , and thanked Mr. Alvarez -Glasman, City Attorney, and Arturo Sneider from Primestor for sponsoring the event. Vice Mayor Perez shared that City newsletters were distributed; reported on her attendance at the Los Angeles County Executive Committee for Regional Homeless Alignment and emphasized the importance of Measure H funding; and reported on her attendance at the Kids and C ops Footgolf Tournament. Mayor Ayala recognized Helen Diosdado as receiving a Woman of the Year award and requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Anthony Mendez.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 1, 2025
3 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council declared April as Autism Awareness month in the City of Norwalk.
City Council declared April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Norwalk.
City Council recognized students from Norwalk High School for participating in the Utility Box Art Program.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Videos were shared highlighting the Little League & Softball Opening Day in Norwalk, Artastic 2025, and the “Bi-Weekly Review.”
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Vice Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Rios seconded to approve the consent calendar as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ramirez, Rios, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Perez, and Mayor Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of the meeting of March 18, 2025 . 825-04
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 16, 2025 - MARCH 1, 2025
City Council approve d gross payroll in the amount of $1,258,560.04; the payroll check Nos. 38322 – 38331 and the voucher Nos. 342640 – 343143, in the total net amount of $942,786.30 for the pay period February 16, 2025 – March 1, 2025. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period March 12, 2025 – March 24, 2025, in the total amount of $4,964,272.25.
640
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 1, 2025
4 PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - MARCH 26, 2025
No action required. 320
PROJECT NO. 7940 – AWARD OF CONTRACT – CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CONCRETE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT IMPROVEMENTS 2025, ENGINEER'S REPORT NO. 25-06
City Council awarded a contract to DT Stellar General Engineering in the amount of $499,950 for construction services for Project No. 7940; and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract with an 8.21% contingency allowance, provided there is funding in the budget in a form approved by the City Attorney.
1005-04-7940
MAY 2025 MEETING SCHEDULE
City Council authorized staff to adjourn the May 20 meeting to May 27, 2025. 825
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
Councilmember Rios moved and Mayor Ayala seconded the appointments of Alondra Santos and Angeles Honorato Cerezo to the Social Services Commission. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ramirez, Rios, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Perez, and Mayor Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Ayala moved and Vice Mayor Perez seconded the appointment of Natalie Legaspi to the Art in Public Places Committee. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ramirez, Rios, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Perez, and Mayor Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
200
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 1, 2025
5 PUBLIC HEARING
RESOLUTION NO. 25 -12 - UPDATING AND ESTABLISHING USER AND REGULATORY FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26
Mayor Ayala opened the public hearing to consider and discuss updating and establishing User and Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2025/26. The City Clerk presented a report on legal requisites for notice of hearing. Jennifer Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst, and Brian Brown from ClearSource Financial Consulting, provided a report. There being no persons wishing to testify on the matter, Mayor Ayala closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Rios request ed staff research charging a fee for owners of vacant properties. Councilmember Ramirez moved and Vice Mayor Perez seconded to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 25-12, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORWALK UPDATING AND ESTABLISHING USER AND REGULATORY FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 -2026. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ramirez, Rios, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Perez, and Mayor Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. 25 -13 - APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO EXCHANGE AGREEMENT AND JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS FOR 12124 FIRESTONE
BOULEVARD
Following a brief report provided by Alex Hamilton, Interim Community Development Director, Vice Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to:
a. adopt Resolution No. 25-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NORWALK APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT AND JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORWALK AND FIRESTONE LOFTS, LP; and
b. find this action to be exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and none of the exceptions to the Categorical Exceptions under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply; and c. approve the First Amendment to the Exchange Agreement by and between the City of Norwalk and Firestone Lofts, LP; and authoriz e the City Manager to prepare, execute, or record (cause to be recorded) the First Amendment and any other ancillary documents, in forms approved by the City Attorney, that are reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent of the Resolution.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 1, 2025
6 MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ramirez, Rios, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Perez, and Mayor Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Addressing City Council was Brian Tindall.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m., in memory of Anthony Mendez.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
TONY AYALA
MAYOR