20260407
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 7, 2026
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Perez 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 Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez.
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:
I. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9(d)(2) – Significant exposure to litigation in one case.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 5:58 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Perez called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez.
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 Pastor Danny Casas, Remnant Church; followed by the flag salute, led by Ricky Ramirez, New Harvest Christian School.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
The City Attorney indicated there was no reportable action taken on the matters discussed in closed session.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 7, 2026
2 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Perez commented on the Mayor’s Clergy Meeting, reported on her attendance at the Athens Services Irwindale Materials Recovery Facility Grand Opening and ribbon cutting, ABC Adult School Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony, and the Egg- Stravagant Egg Hunt; highlighted that Angela Tasker and Lidia Sanchez were recognized by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco for the 2026 Women of the Year; and encouraged all to follow current events on the City’s Social Media. Vice Mayor Rios thanked staff for all the behind the scenes preparation to ensure the Egg-Stravagant Egg Hunt was a success; reported on her attendance at the California Association of Council of Governments’ meeting and highlighted success stories of Norwalk citizens facing housing insecurity; reported on her attendance at the Community Breakfast Partnering for Student Success, the Public Safety Wellness Day, and shared that the she alongside the Norwalk La-Mirada Unified School District Leadership Academy initiated a Prom Boutique at John Glenn High School, and gave a special thanks to Illusion Bridal for donating brand new dresses; and requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Jose Ruben Barrios.
Councilmember Ayala invited all to attend the Soroptimist International of Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Award Luncheon April 19 at the Santa Fe Springs Town Center.
Councilmember Valencia reported on her attendance at the Annual Artastic Art Festival, the Southeast Water Coalition Meeting, and the Norwalk Elks Lodge Fundraiser for two Public Safety Officers who experienced the loss of their father.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Norwalk.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Gomez introduced Alex Hamilton, newly promoted Deputy City Manager.
Congresswoman Sanchez presented funding for Holifield Park in the amount of $500,000 to be used for the parking lot. Iso Nakasato, Senior Government Affairs Director of Athens, introduced Aileen Salmeron, Municipal Account Manager, and presented a brief report on the Athens Disposal Annual Community Clean Up. Jim Parker, Executive Director of Regional Transportation, shared Norwalk Transit System’s Roadeo Competition Win. Videos were shared highlighting Opening Day 2026, Artastic 2026 and the “Bi-Weekly” Review. Mr. Gomez shared resources regarding those impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 7, 2026
3 CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Councilmember Ayala asked for reports on Item Nos. 8 and 11.
Councilmember Ayala moved and Councilmember Valencia seconded to approve the consent calendar as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez*
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez
WAIVE 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 March 17, 2026.825-04 *Mayor Perez abstained from taking action on Warrant Nos. 395 and 564.
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1, 2026 – MARCH 14, 2026
City Council approved gross payroll in the amount of $1,308,262.04; the payroll Check Nos. 38639 – 38643 and the Voucher Nos. 356875 – 357392 in the total net amount of $975,431.30. for the payroll period March 1, 2026 – March 14, 2026.630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period March 10, through March 30, 2026, in the total amount of $6,034,578.39. 640
ORDINANCE NO. 26-1768 - ADDING CHAPTERS TO TITLE 16 AND TITLE 17 OF THE
NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ZONING DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS AND USES
City Council accepted for second reading by title only and adopted Ordinance No. 26- 1768, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK ADDING CHAPTERS TO TITLE 16 (“SUBDIVISONS”) AND TITLE 17 (“ZONING”) OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF SENATE BILLS 9 AND 450 AND Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 7, 2026
4 AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 (“ZONING”) AS IT RELATES TO ZONING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND USES.320-05-2026
EMERGENCY WATERLINE WORK FOR POTTER STREET STORM DRAIN REPAIRS City Council confirmed emergency service repair work at 11701 Potter Street and Alburtis Avenue, completed by Stephen Doreck Equipment Rentals, Inc., in the amount of $57,057.19. 955
CONFIRM EMERGENCY WORK PAYMENT FOR POTTER STREET STORM DRAIN
REPAIRS
City Council confirmed emergency repairs at 11701 Potter Street, 14507 Alburtis Avenue, and other associated work on Potter Street, and approved payment of the invoices submitted by Mike Bubalo Construction Co. Inc., in the amount of $142,480.86 for the emergency work performed. 955
PROJECT NO. 3302 – AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CITYWIDE
SIDEWALK/CONCRETE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT FISCAL YEAR 2025/26, ENGINEER'S REPORT NO. 26-14
Following a brief report provided by Albert Mendoza, Director of Public Services/City Engineer, City Council awarded a contract to CJ Concrete Construction, Inc. in the amount of $305,150 with a 60% contingency in the amount of $183,671 for Project No. 3302 Fiscal Year 2025/26; and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract with any amendments within the contingency, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 1005-04-3302
CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 - PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL AUDITING
SERVICES TERM EXTENSION
City Council approved Amendment No. 1 with Vasquez Company, LLP to provide financial auditing services for two additional years for a total of $194,900; and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement amendment and any additional amendments, provided there is funding in the budget, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 606
APPROVAL FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT TO PREPARE AN
ADDENDUM TO THE HEART OF NORWALK SPECIFIC PLAN FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
City Council approved an agreement with Impact Sciences to prepare an addendum to the Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report in the amount of Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 7, 2026
5 $37,740; 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.325-03
AWARD CONTRACT FOR SAFETY AND TENANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
SECURITY OFFICE AT THE NORWALK/SANTA FE SPRINGS TRANSIT CENTER -
METROLINK STATION
Following a brief report provided by Mr. Mendoza, City Council awarded a contract to Genesis Builders, Inc. for the term of April 7, 2026 through October 21, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $74,626 to make improvements to the security office at the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Transit Center; and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract and any necessary amendments, provided there is sufficient funding in the budget and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 920-10
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Perez moved and Vice Mayor Rios seconded the appointment of Phyllis Barth to the Senior Citizens Commission. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios and Mayor Perez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez 200
REPORTS
APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF AN ATHLETIC NETTING SYSTEM FOR
ZIMMERMAN PARK
Allan Perdomo, Director of Recreation and Parks Services provided a report. Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Ayala seconded to approve an agreement with Judge Netting for an amount not to exceed $84,800; 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, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 7, 2026
6 AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez 955
AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT FOR
THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE NORWALK TRANSIT VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN PLANNING AREA NO. 1
Alex Hamilton, Deputy City Manager, provided a report. Addressing City Council was Andy U. Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Ayala seconded to:
a. find that the approval of the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement is exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) – Common Sense Exemption because the approval of the ENA does not have the potential for creating a significant effect on the environment and therefore it is not a project as defined by the CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(a).
Furthermore, the ENA does not involve a “physical change” to the environment and is a strictly administrative activity under the previously certified Final Environmental Impact Report for the Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan; and b. authorize the City Manager to execute the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Dual Brand Hotels LLC. for the real property within the Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan, Planning Area No. 1, located at 13200 Bloomfield Avenue, along with amendments, and any other ancillary documents, in a form approved by the City Attorney. 1400
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez
MAY 2026 MEETING SCHEDULE
Following a brief report provide by Mr. Gomez, City Manager, Councilmember Ayala moved and Mayor Perez seconded to authorize staff to adjourn the May 19 meeting to May 26, 2026. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
April 7, 2026
7 AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez 825
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Addressing City Council were Anthony Tabares, Jose R., Patti Delgadillo, and Paki Maetel.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. in memory of Jose Ruben Barrios.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
JENNIFER PEREZ
MAYOR