PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
City of Paramount, 16400 Colorado Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723 CALL TO ORDER: The adjourned meeting of the Paramount City Council was called to order by Mayor Olmos at 5:05 p.m. at
City Hall, Council Chambers, 16400 Colorado
Avenue, Paramount, California.
ROLL CALL OF
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Present: Councilmember Isabel Aguayo*
Councilmember Laurie Guillen
Councilmember Peggy Lemons
Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings
Mayor Olmos
*Participated via teleconference
STAFF PRESENT: John Moreno, City Manager
John E. Cavanaugh, City Attorney
Andrew Vialpando, Assistant City Manager
John Carver, Planning Director
Adriana Figueroa, Public Works Director
David Johnson, Community Services Director
Margarita Matson, Interim Public Safety Director
Kim Sao, Finance Director
Rafael Casillas, City Engineer
Clyde Alexander, Assistant Finance Director
Rebecca Bojorquez, Management Analyst
Chris Callard, Public Information Officer
Steve Coumparoules, Management Analyst
Danny Elizarraras, Management Analyst
Sarah Ho, Assistant Public Works Director
Nicole Lopez, HR Manager
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
Wendy Macias, Public Works Manager
Anthony Martinez, Management Analyst II
Daniel Martinez, Information Technology Analyst I
Ivan Reyes, Associate planner
Johnnie Rightmer, Building & Safety Manager
Elida Zaragoza, Information Technology Specialist
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC COMMENT UPDATES
CF 10.4 City Manager Moreno responded to comments made
by Alejandro Yanez at the February 1, 2022 City
Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
CF 10.3 The following individuals addressed the City Council and provided public comments: Claudia Castaneda,
Dolores Hurtado, and Alejandro Yanez.
City Manager Moreno provided a brief overview of the
City Council’s Rules of Decorum and Procedures
explaining what is and is not allowed during public
comment.
In response to Mr. Yanez’ comments, Mayor Olmos
commented that the City Council has had discussions
regarding handball at several City Council meetings
and individual City Council members have held
numerous meetings with handball enthusiasts and the
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2022; Page 2
Community Services Director over the last several
years to seek ways to accommodate the request for
handball. She noted that staff also provided a
comprehensive report at the March 2021 City Council
meeting and reviewed the facts presented at that
meeting. She also reviewed the efforts the City has
made over the last several years to provide handball
at the City’s existing handball courts which resulted in very limited participation. Lastly, she reviewed the
results of the adult recreation survey conducted by
the City which listed soccer, slow-pitch softball and
basketball as the top three activities requested for
adult recreation programming. In summary, she
commented that all of these actions combined, show
that there is no community-wide interest in
participating in handball in the City of Paramount.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. RESOLUTION NO.
22:012
Continuing the Declared
State Emergency and
Reauthorizing the Use of
Remote
Teleconferencing
Provisions pursuant to
Government Code
Section 54953 through
March 17, 2022.
CF 10.5
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings to read by
title only and adopt Resolution No. 22:012, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PARAMOUNT CONTINUING THE DECLARED
STATE OF EMERGENCY AND REAUTHORIZING THE
USE OF REMOTE TELECONFERENCING
PROVISIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54953 THROUGH MARCH 17, 2022.”
The motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Guillen,
Lemons; Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings;
and Mayor Olmos
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
OLD BUSINESS
2. ORDINANCE NO. 1161
(Adoption)
Amending the Contract
Between the Board of
Administration of the
California Public
Employees’ Retirement
System and the City of
Paramount to Terminate
the Police Member
Retirement Group Plan
CF 76.2
Assistant City Manager Vialpando gave the report.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings and
seconded by Councilmember Lemons to read by title
only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No.
1161, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT, CALIFORNIA
AMENDING THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT
SYSTEM AND THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT TO
TERMINATE THE POLICE MEMBER RETIREMENT
GROUP PLAN” The motion was passed by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Guillen,
Lemons; Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings;
and Mayor Olmos
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2022; Page 3
NEW BUSINESS
3. ORAL REPORT
City Attorney
Presentation of City of
Paramount’s Street
Racing Enforcement
Program
CF 79.20, 79.21
City Attorney Cavanaugh, joined by LASD Paramount
Station Lieutenant Omar Camacho, CHP Street
Racing Enforcement Lieutenant Joseph Zagorski,
Deputy District Attorney Kelly Tatman and City
Engineer Rafael Casillas, presented a series of
comprehensive PowerPoint presentations providing a
detailed overview of the City of Paramount’s Street
Racing Enforcement Program and the efforts being
undertaken to address street racing and intersection
takeovers in the City.
City Attorney Cavanaugh also reviewed several
actions that will be taken over the next several
months to further enhance the City’s street racing
enforcement program.
During the presentation, the City Council expressed
appreciation for the comprehensive local enforcement
efforts related to this regional, state and nationwide
problem, and encouraged residents to continue
calling to report these types of activities. It was
suggested that an abbreviated version of the
presentation be posted on the City’s social media
platforms. Additionally, the City Council expressed
interest in receiving a report and suggestions for
implementing some of the traffic calming items
presented.
4. RESOLUTION NO.
20:013
Approving the
Acquisition of 16247
Vermont Avenue,
Paramount, California
CF 82:Ver
Planning Director Carver gave the report and
presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Councilmember Guillen left the dais at 7:55 p.m. and
was not present during consideration of this item.
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings to read by
title only and adopt Resolution No. 22:013, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PARAMOUNT SETTING FORTH ITS
FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION RELATIVE TO
APPROVING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 16247 VERMONT AVENUE IN THE
M-1 (LIGHT MANUFACTURING) ZONE, AS SHOWN
ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT “A” AND DESCRIBED
IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT “B” IN THE CITY OF
PARAMOUNT.” The motion was passed by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Lemons;
Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings; and
Mayor Olmos
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Guillen
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Guillen returned to the dais.
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2022; Page 4
5. APPROVAL
Amendment No. 2 to
Agreement with AKM
Consulting Engineers for
Continued Construction
Management/Inspection
Services; and
Amendment No. 3 to
Agreement with
Bucknam & Associates
for Continued Program
Management for Water
Well 16 (City Project No.
9116)
CF CIP 9116
Public Works Director Figueroa gave the report and
presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Olmos called for public comment from the
speaker that submitted a public comment request for
this item. The speaker, Mr. Yanez, was no longer
present.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings and
seconded by Councilmember Aguayo to approve the
following items:
1. Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with AKM
Consulting Engineers for continued construction
management/inspection services for Water Well
16 and authorize the Mayor or her designee to
execute the amendment.
2. Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement with
Bucknam & Associates for continued program
management for Water Well 16 and authorize the
Mayor or her designee to execute the amendment.
The motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Guillen,
Lemons; Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings;
and Mayor Olmos
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. RESOLUTION NO.
22:009
Approving and Adopting
the Fiscal Year (FY)
2022 Midyear Municipal
Operating and Capital
Improvement Budget
and Authorizing the City
Manager to Administer
Said Budget and Make
Such Changes As May
Be Necessary During the
Fiscal Year to Maintain
Standards and Levels of
Services and Achieve
the Intent of the City
Council in Providing
Municipal Services for
FY 2022
CF 28.1
Finance Director Sao gave the report and provided
PowerPoint presentation. During the presentation,
Assistant City Manager Vialpando briefed the City
Council on two additional employee programs that
involve cellphone stipends and bilingual pay that will
be brought before the City Council in the coming
weeks but have been included in the midyear budget.
In response to Councilmember Guillen regarding the
steps listed in the full-time and part-time salary tables, Assistant City Manager Vialpando explained that
each step, in the five-step tables shown, represents a
12-month period of time. Councilmember Guillen
suggested that the City consider incorporating a
seniority pay system for those employees that have
longevity with the City.
Also in response to Councilmember Guillen,
regarding the proposed bilingual pay program,
Assistant City Manager Vialpando explained that the
policy is currently being drafted; but will not be based on a limit per department and the less advanced tiers
will not involve testing, rather just the ability to speak and understand Spanish..
Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings commented that she
would be supportive of incorporating a longevity pay
policy in the future.
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2022; Page 5
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings to read by
title only and adopt Resolution No. 22:009, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PARAMOUNT, APPROVING AND
ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022 MIDYEAR
MUNICIPAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO ADMINISTER SAID BUDGET
AND MAKE SUCH CHANGES AS MAY BE
NECESSARY DURING THE FISCAL YEAR TO
MAINTAIN STANDARDS AND LEVELS OF
SERVICES AND ACHIEVE THE INTENT OF THE
CITY COUNCIL IN PROVIDING MUNICIPAL
SERVICES FOR FY 2022.” The motion was passed
by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Guillen,
Lemons; Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings;
and Mayor Olmos
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7. CONSIDERATION
Approval of Amended
and Restated City
Manager Employment
Agreement
CF 43.1026
City Attorney Cavanaugh gave the report.
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings to approve
the Amended and Restated City Manager
Employment Agreement between the City of
Paramount and John Moreno The motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Guillen,
Lemons; Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings;
and Mayor Olmos
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
COMMENTS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmembers
Councilmember Aguayo encouraged residents to not
let a language barrier prevent them from coming to
City Council meetings. She also reminded residents
that the LA Kings will be hosting a hockey clinic
tomorrow followed by a watch party for the US
Women’s Ice Hockey gold medal game. She thanked
all of the presenters for the comprehensive street
racing presentation and encouraged resident to
continue call in to report these types of illegal
activities. She expressed appreciation for the strong
relationship the City shares with the various agencies.
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2022; Page 6
Councilmember Lemons reported that at the last
SEALCO meeting, it was announced that SELACO
will working with local communities in moving toward
more regionally focused job fair events that will be
supported by SELACO, but run by local entities like
chambers of commerce. She thanked all of the
volunteers that showed up for the Caltrans cleanup
event this past Saturday.
Councilmember Guillen commented that she
appreciates the collaborative effort between LASD,
CHP to address illegal street racing and intersection
takeovers. She also reminded residents to stay alert
and remain vigilant to help prevent burglaries
Vice Mayor Cuellar Stallings commented that the
Caltrans freeway clean-up was very successful and
thanked the volunteers. She also thanked the
presenters for the thorough street racing enforcement
presentation and encouraged resident to continue
calling to report street racing activity. She reported
that at the recent PUSD adhoc committee meeting
they discussed implementing a pilot pick-up program
next school year at Paramount Park Elementary
School to address traffic congestion issues.
Mayor Olmos expressed appreciation to Speaker
Anthony Rendon for his efforts in making the Caltrans
cleanup happen last weekend. She also commented
that she attended the PHIT program last weekend
and encourage residents to participate in the free
program at our local parks.
Staff
City Manager Moreno reminded residents that the
City offers live translation during the City Council
meetings, as well a translator to interpret any public
comments, and encouraged residents not to let
language be a barrier.
City Manager Moreno introduced the City’s new
Building & Safety Manager Johnnie Rightmer.
City Manager Moreno mentioned that City staff will be
meeting with Caltrans representatives on Friday to
conduct a debriefing from last weekend’s freeway
cleanup event and asked the City Council to provide
any feedback to staff to be shared with Caltrans.
City Manager Moreno also reminder the public that
City Hall and the City Yard will be closed on Monday,
February 21, 2022 in observance of the President’s
Day Holiday; but, the Sheriff’s Station will be open
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lastly, regarding environmental sustainability, he
reported that the City achieved Tree City USA
designation once again and staff presented
information on the City’s new organic waste recycling
program at a recent Paramount Chamber of
Commerce meeting.
Minutes of an Adjourned Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2022; Page 7
CLOSED SESSION
At 7:56 p.m. Mayor Olmos recessed the meeting to
closed session to discuss the matter listed below.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -
EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Govt. Code
Section 54956.9(d)(1) - State of California v. Janssen
Pharmaceutical; State of California v. Pharmaceutical
Distributors
Mayor Olmos called the meeting back to order in
open session at 8:16 p.m.
City Attorney Cavanaugh reported that the City
Council conducted a duly authorize closed session to
discuss the matter listed above and unanimously took
action to enter into the Participation Agreement with
the State of California to receive an amount of
approximately $176,000 in the settlement; and as a
result of that action, the City Manager will execute the agreement and forward to the State of California.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the
City Council, Mayor Olmos adjourned the meeting at
8:17 p.m. to a meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. on
March 1, 2022.
/s/ Brenda Olmos
Brenda Olmos, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Heidi Luce
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
APPROVED: March 1, 2022
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