20260818
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 18, 2026
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Perez called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call in person were Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez , and Councilmember Ramirez via videoconference. Vice Mayor Rios arrived after roll call also participating via videoconference. 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 LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.9(d)(1) – West Coast Arborists, Inc. vs. City of Norwalk, et al. Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 26STCP03027.
II. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property - Assessor Parcel Number 8045-008- 902 (Norwalk Transit Village); Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and State of California; Under Negotiation; Price and Terms of Payment.
III. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property Acquisition for the following properties: 13219, 13223, 13227, 13233, 13303, 13307, 13313, 13317, 13323, 13329, 13333, 13403, 13407, 13413, 13419, 13423, 13427 Markdal e Avenue; Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and the California Department of Transportation; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 6:17 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
August 18, 2026
2 REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Perez called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. Responding to roll call were Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez. Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios were absent. Also present were Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager; John Lam, Deputy City Attorney; and Theresa Devoy, City Clerk.
The invocation was delivered by Pastor Danny Casas, Remnant Church; followed by the flag salute, led by Lucas Azurin, St. Linus 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 Valencia welcomed all school districts back to school; reported on her attendance at the Summer Concert Series ,National Night Out event, Door of Hope’ s Annual Community and Volunteer event , a Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Soroptimist Meeting, and the Southeast Water Coalition Meeting where they unanimously agreed to support Norwalk’s work on the water wells. Mayor Perez reported on her attendance at the State of the Nation, the League of California Cities Annual Installation, and the Summer Concert Series and National Night Out event where she thanked staff, the Public Safety Department, the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s, Los Angeles County Firefighters, and the Santa Fe Springs Police for making the night a success.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Gomez invited all to attend Lattes and Leashes event, held every Saturday through September 26, at Bob White Park; Rita Ruiz, Director of Public Safety, provided a brief report on School Safety and a video was shown. Videos were shared highlighting the United States of America National Junior Olympic Championships, National Night Out 2026, Summer Concerts 2026, and the “Bi -Weekly Review”. He also shared resources available to residents for those impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
August 18, 2026
3 Consent calendar items are considered routine matters which may be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. Mr. Gomez requested Item No. 8 to be continued to September 1, 2026. Mayor Perez 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, and Mayor Perez* NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios
MEETING MINUTES
City Council approved the minutes of the meeting of August 4, 2026. 825-04
PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD JULY 19, 2026 – AUGUST 1, 2026
City Council approved gross payroll wages in the amount of $1,492,763.14; the payroll register with Check Nos. 38853 – 38887 and Voucher Nos. 362397 – 363003 in the total net amount of $1,133,916.04.
630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period July 28, 2026 to August 10, 2026, in the total amount of $17,723,765.23. 640
*Mayor Perez abstained from taking action on Warrant Nos. 172, 181, 204, and 216.
PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - AUGUST 12, 2026
No action taken.
320
PROJECT NO. 7870 - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR LAKESIDE PARK
LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
City Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Little Lake City School District; and authorized the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding 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.
1005-04-7870
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
August 18, 2026
4 AMENDMENT NO. 4 – HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT AND FUNDING ADMINISTRATION SERVICES/REOPEN PROJECT NOS. 7228, 7229, AND 7230 FOR FINAL CLOSEOUT SERVICES/RESOLUTION NO. 26-47 BUDGET AMENDMENT, ENGINEER'S REPORT NO. 26-22
City Council:
a. adopted Resolution No. 26-47, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE STREET RENOVATION FUNDS TO HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CYCLES 6, 7, AND 8 – PROJECT NOS. 7228, 7229, 7230, 7232, 7233, 7234, 7237, 7238, 7239, AND 7240, in the amount of $100,000; and
b. reopened Project Nos. 7228, 7229, and 7230 to complete final project close- out activities, including payment of outstanding invoices to Avant-Garde; and c. approved Amendment No. 4 with Avant -Garde to provide additional program management and funding administration services in the amount of $100,000; and authorized the City Manager to execute the amendment, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
1005-04-7228,7229,7230/1005-06
RESOLUTION NO. 26 -49 - FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 4 AND STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE ARTICLE 6.5
FUND ALLOCATIONS
City Council adopted Resolution No. 26- 49, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORWALK ADOPTING THE USE OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 4 AND STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE ARTICLE 6.5 FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27.
1105-02
TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION SERVICES
PROJECT
Item moved to September 1, 2026.
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
Councilmember Ayala moved and Mayor Perez seconded to reappoint Victor Juan and Briana Martinez to the Parks and Recreation Commission and to appoint Laura Valenzuela to the Public Safety Commission. Councilmember Valencia moved and Mayor Perez seconded to appoint Karen Ayala to the Historical Heritage Commission.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
August 18, 2026
5 AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios 200
RESOLUTION NO. 26-51 – APPOINTING A BOARD MEMBER TO THE GOVERNING
BOARD WITH THE LOS ANGELES GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED REGIONAL
WATER MANAGEMENT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Ayala seconded to adopt Resolution No. 26-51,
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK APPOINTING
A BOARD MEMBER TO THE LOS ANGELES GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED
REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD. Albert Mendoza, Director or Public Services/City Engineer was the appointee.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez NOES: None
NOES: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios
1070-10
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. 26-50 - AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 ADOPTED BUDGET ALLOCATING $174,700 OF THE LOW AND
MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING ASSET FUND FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION AND
RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES
Following a report by Bethani Cardenas, Housing Manager , Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Valencia seconded to:
a. adopt Resolution No. 26- 50, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 ADOPTED BUDGET ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL $174,700 OF THE
LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING ASSET FUND FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION AND RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES; and
b. approve an agreement with Kingdom Causes Bellflower for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing services in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with up to four additional one- year extensions; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any additional amendments on behalf of the City, 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
August 18, 2026
6 AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez NOES: None
NOES: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios 315-10
REPORTS
PROJECT NO. 7921 – AWARD OF CONTRACT – CONSTRUCTION, CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR ALONDRA BOULEVARD
PAVEMENT REHABILITATION FROM GRIDLEY ROAD TO WEST CITY LIMITS RESOLUTION NO. 26-44 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, ENGINEER'S REPORT NO. 26 - 33 Following a report provided by Albert Mendoza, Director of Public Services/City Engineer, Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Ayala seconded to:
a. adopt Resolution No. 26-44, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 ADOPTED BUDGET TO DE -OBLIGATE FUNDS FOR PROJECT NO. 7921 – ALONDRA BOULEVARD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION FROM
GRIDLEY ROAD TO WEST CITY LIMITS, in the amount of $600,000; and b. award a contract to Gentry Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $2,353,343 with a contingency in the amount of $586,581 for construction services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract and any amendments within the contingency, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez NOES: None
NOES: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios
1005-04-7921
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP COMMISSION APPROVAL OF PROPOSED TRAVEL
AND ACTIVITIES IN ZACATECAS, MEXICO IN SEEKING A FRIENDSHIP CITY
Jesus Gomez, City Manager provided a report. The City Clerk shared that an email comment was received inquiring about the benefit to the City. Following brief discussion, Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Ayala seconded to:
a. approve the proposed travel and activities of the International Friendship Commission in Zacatecas, Mexico for the purpose of seeking a Friendship City that aligns with the Vision and Mission of the Commission; and b. approve the budget of $17,838.10 for expenses including flights, lodging, and transportation.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
August 18, 2026
7 MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios 245/610
ACCEPTANCE OF 2025 WATER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN
Mr. Mendoza, Director of Public Services/City Engineer, introduced Jeff Helsley, Project Manager, and Stan Chen, Project Engineer, from Stetson Engineers, Inc. who provided a report. Mayor Perez moved and Councilmember Valencia seconded to accept the 2025 Water System Master Plan as complete. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala and Valencia, and Mayor Perez NOES: None
NOES: Councilmember Ramirez and Vice Mayor Rios
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Addressing City Council was Paki Matael.
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:
____________________________
JENNIFER PEREZ
MAYOR