20261006
825-04
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
NORWALK CITY COUNCIL
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 6, 2026
CLOSED SESSION MEETING
Mayor Perez 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 Ayala and Ramirez, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez.
Councilmember Valencia arrived after roll call. 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 Acquisition for the following properties:
11554 Tina Street, 11541 & 11548 Beaty Avenue, 11822 Jersey Avenue, 11835 & 11913 Dollison Drive, and 11610 Allard Street; 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.
III. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54956.8: Property - Assessor Parcel Numbers 8047-007- 192 and 8047-007-193; Negotiating Parties: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager, on behalf of the City and Golden State Water; Under Negotiation; Price and Terms of Payment.
RECESS
City Council recessed at 5:23 p.m. pending the commencement of the regular meeting.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
October 6, 2026
2 REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Perez called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, California. City Council was present in its entirety with Councilmembers Ayala, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios, and Mayor Perez responding to roll call. 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 Jeff Johnston, Faith Church Norwalk; followed by the flag salute, led by Blake Evan Nunez, Hutchinson Middle 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 reported on her attendance at the Whittier Young Men’s Christian Association Awards Night and the Southeast Water Coalition Meeting; invited all to attend the Norwalk Lions Club Quarter Mania Oct 10, at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, and highlighted the upcoming Norwalk Santa Fe Springs Soroptimist Gala and Scholarship Dinner December 6. Councilmember Ayala thanked Caren Spilsbury and the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce for a successful Paint the Town Pink event; and announced an upcoming Blood Pressure Screening October 20, at the Senior Center.
Vice Mayor Rios thanked the Manager at Starbucks for hosting Norwalk’s Paint the Town Pink event; reported on her attendance at the League of California Cities Conference, the Relay for Life Walk, and shared the Teen Alliance Program participants won the “Spirit Stick Award”; highlighted Target’s Grand Reopening; shared that the Ribbon Cutting for Loaded Café and My Panecito would be held October 13; indicated a tentative date for the opening of Five Below as October 30. Mayor Perez shared that the City newsletters and the Norwalk Now were distributed; invited all to attend the Arturo Sanchez Halloween Parade, October 17, and the State and Taste of the City, October 16, at the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex; reported on her attendance at the 25th Annual Celebration Long Beach Latino Leaders Awards Gala, the 100th Anniversary of the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station, the Regional Mayor’s Summit, where they discussed the importance of communication and coordination with neighboring cities during emergencies, and participated in a California Contract Cities Meeting in partnership with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office to address street takeovers.
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
October 6, 2026
3 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
City Council proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Norwalk with Nancy Gutzmer from the American Cancer Society accepting the proclamation and speaking to thank the city for its continued support.
City Council proclaimed October 4 to October 10, 2026 as Code Enforcement Officer Week in the City of Norwalk.
City Council recognized the Norwalk Lion’s Club as they Celebrate their 80th Anniversary.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Caren Spilsbury provided the Chamber of Commerce quarterly update. Ozzie Ramos, Deputy City Manager, provided an E-Bikes and Traffic Safety Update. Videos were shared highlighting Hispanic Heritage month 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 Rios requested Item No. 6 be pulled for a separate report and vote. Councilmember Valencia moved and Councilmember Ayala seconded to approve the consent calendar Item Nos. 1 through 5 as recommended. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios and Mayor Perez*
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 meetings of September 15, 2026. 825-04 Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
October 6, 2026
4 PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD AUGUST 30, 2026 – SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 City Council approved gross payroll wages in the amount of $1,377,371.42; the payroll register with Check Nos. 38927 – 38945 and the Voucher Nos. 364124 – 364648 in the total net amount of $1,029,558.44. 630
COMMERCIAL DEMANDS
City Council approved the warrant register period September 8, 2026 through September 21, 2026, in the total amount of $6,028,075.14. 640
*Mayor Perez abstained from taking action on Warrant Nos. 147, 230, and 319.
PLANNING COMMISSION SYNOPSIS - SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
No action taken. 260-02
*The following item was pulled for a separate report and vote. Mayor Perez left the dais due to a conflict of interest.
RESOLUTION NO. 26-59 - BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
ACT FUNDED PROJECTS
Following a report by Jennifer Hernandez, Administrative Services Supervisor; City Council discussion ensued discussing the various American Rescue Plan Act projects and involving City Council in the allocation of funding. Councilmember Valencia moved and Councilmember Ramirez seconded to continue the item to the next City Council meeting of October 20, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala, Ramirez, and Valencia, and Vice Mayor Rios NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Perez 622-01/610
APPOINTMENTS
ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS
There were no appointments made. 200
Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
October 6, 2026
5 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCE NO. 26-1769 - SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR COUNCILMEMBERS
UPON COMMENCEMENT OF NEW TERMS OF OFFICE
Following a brief report provided by Mr. Gomez, Councilmember Ramirez moved and Councilmember Valencia seconded to introduce by title only Ordinance No. 26-1769, AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK ADJUSTING SALARIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, and schedule for adoption. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ramirez and Valencia, and Vice Mayor Rios NOES: Councilmember Ayala and Mayor Perez
ABSENT: None 825-11
REPORTS
PROJECT NO. 7873 – CITY HALL RECEPTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – AWARD
OF CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE NEW FURNISHINGS, FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT, RESOLUTION NO. 26-60 – BUDGET AMENDMENT, ENGINEER'S REPORT NO. 26-38
Albert Mendoza, Director of Public Services/City Engineer provided a report.
Councilmember Ramirez moved and Mayor Perez seconded to:
a. adopt Resolution No. 26-60, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR PROJECT NO. 7873 – CITY HALL RECEPTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, in the amount of $1,008,000; and
b. award a contract to KYA Services, LLC, utilizing California Multiple Award Schedule Contract No. 4-20-78-0089C in the amount of $1,198,894 with a 25% contingency in the amount of $299,724 for the City Hall Reception Improvement Project; and
c. award a contract to KYA Services, LLC and its subsidiary, TLS Choice, LLC, utilizing CivicBuys through Arvin Union School District Contract No. 000-6964, for the procurement and installation of furniture, furnishings, security screening equipment, and related improvements in the amount of $240,157, with a 15% contingency in the amount of $36,024; and
d. approve Amendment No. 4 with VCA Code to provide additional design support services, in the amount of $35,000 with a 15% contingency in the amount of $5,250; and
e. authorize the City Manager to execute the contracts with KYA Services, LLC and Amendment No. 4 with VCA Code along with contingency amounts if needed up Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Meetings
Norwalk City Council
October 6, 2026
6 to the amounts listed in the report, and any related documents, on behalf of the City, in forms approved by the City Attorney.
MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Ayala, Ramirez, and Valencia, Vice Mayor Rios and Mayor Perez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None 622-01/1005-04-7873/610
PUBLIC COMMENT
Addressing City Council were Monica Martinez-Johnson and Priscilla Mendoza.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
____________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
____________________________
JENNIFER PEREZ
MAYOR