PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
City of Paramount, 16400 Colorado Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723 CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Paramount City Council was called to order by Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings
at 5:02 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 16400
Colorado Avenue, Paramount, California.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE:
Councilmember Annette C. Delgadillo led the pledge
of allegiance.
ROLL CALL OF
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Present: Councilmember Annette C. Delgadillo
Councilmember Peggy Lemons
Councilmember Brenda Olmos
Vice Mayor Isabel Aguayo
Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings
STAFF PRESENT: John Moreno, City Manager
Elizabeth Martyn, Assistant City Attorney
Andrew Vialpando, Assistant City Manager
John Carver, Planning Director
Adriana Figueroa, Public Works Director
David Johnson, Community Services Director
Margarita Matson, Public Safety Director
Kim Sao, Finance Director
Rafael Casillas, City Engineer
Pauline Aguayo, Management Analyst
Sol Bejarano, Management Analyst
Rebecca Bojorquez, Management Analyst
Chris Callard, Public Information Officer
Steve Coumparoules, Community Preservation Mgr.
Jaime De Guzman, Senior Accountant
Danny Elizarraras, Management Analyst
Anthony Gonzalez, IT
Yecenia Guillen, Assistant Community Serv. Director
Sarah Ho, Assistant Public Works Director
John King, Assistant Planning Director
Nicole Lopez, HR Manager
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
Wendy Macias, Public Works Manager
Anthony Martinez, Senior Management Analyst
Ivan Reyes, Associate Planner
Johnnie Rightmer, Building & Safety Manager
Celina Sanchez, Management Analyst
Eric Wosick, Assistant Public Safety Director
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 2
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC COMMENT UPDATES
CF 10.4 City Manager Moreno responded to comments made
by Tracie Ragland at the February 14, 2023 City
Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
CF 10.3 The following individuals addressed the City Council and provided public comments: Andrew Castillo with
Tree People, Yesenia Cuarenta, Jose Estrada, and
Patricia Garcia.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Councilmember Olmos and
seconded by Councilmember Lemons to approve
Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, 3, and 4. The motion
was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Delgadillo, Lemons,
Olmos; Vice Mayor Aguayo; and
and Mayor Cuellar Stallings
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1. AWARD OF
CONTRACT
City Yard Fence Repairs
(City Project No. 9377)
CIP 9377
Awarded the contract for the City Yard Fence Repairs
to A&G Sales, Downey, California, in the amount of
$44,750, and authorize the Mayor or her designee to
execute the agreement.
2. ORDINANCE NO. 1168
(Adoption)
Amending Chapters
8.04.010 and 8.04.040 of
the Paramount Municipal
Code regarding
incorporation of the
County Health and
Safety Code
CF 61.23
Adopted Ordinance No. 1168.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 3
3. ORDINANCE NO. 1169
(Adoption)
Amending Chapters
10.04.010 and 10.04.020
of the Paramount
Municipal Code
regarding incorporation
of the County Traffic
Code
CF 98.1
Adopted Ordinance No. 1169.
4. APPROVAL
Second Amendment to
the Amended and
Restated City Manager
Employment Agreement
CF 43.1026
Approved the Second Amendment to the Amended
and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement
between the City of Paramount and John Moreno.
NEW BUSINESS
5. ORAL REPORT
Community Service
Organization Update –
Unity in the Community
CF 62
CF 30
Dr. Linda Timmons from Unity in the Community
presented a PowerPoint presentation providing an
update on the role and purpose of Unity in the
Community.
6. AWARD OF
CONTRACT
Home Improvement
Program Construction
Services at 16601
Garfield Avenue #702
CF 54.9
Associate Planner Reyes gave the report and
presented a PowerPoint presentation.
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Councilmember Olmos to award the
contract for construction services to P.M.R. in the
total amount of $30,325.00 from Federal HOME funds
and property owner contributions for Home
Improvement Program construction services at 16601
Garfield Avenue #702. The motion was passed by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Delgadillo, Lemons,
Olmos; Vice Mayor Aguayo; and
and Mayor Cuellar Stallings
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 4
7. RESOLUTION NO.
23:006
Opposing State Ballot
Measure Initiative No.
21-0042A1 Restricting
Voters’ Input and Local
Taxing Authority
CF 62.2
Assistant City Manager Vialpando gave the report
and presented a PowerPoint presentation.
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Councilmember Delgadillo to read by
title only and adopt Resolution No. 23:006, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PARAMOUNT OPPOSING STATE BALLOT
MEASURE INITIATIVE NO. 21-0042A1
RESTRICTING VOTERS' INPUT AND LOCAL
TAXING AUTHORITY.” The motion was passed by
the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Delgadillo, Lemons,
Olmos; Vice Mayor Aguayo; and
and Mayor Cuellar Stallings
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. RESOLUTION NO.
23:007
Approving and Adopting
the Fiscal Year (FY)
2022-2023 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 2022-2023
CF 28.1
Finance Director Sao gave the report and presented
a PowerPoint presentation. Assistant City Manager
Vialpando provided information on the Pride of
Paramount Beautification Awards Program and Public
Works Director Figueroa provided information on the
proposed major Capital Improvement Projects.
Discussion ensued concerning the awards associated
with the Pride of Paramount Beautification Awards
Program. Staff was directed to revise the awards to
include VIP Access to the Tree Lighting Ceremony
and a ride on the Christmas Train for the top Home
Beautification Award winner. It was also suggested
that the program include a process to encourage
removal of the older beautification award lawn signs.
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Vice Mayor Aguayo to read by title only
and adopt Resolution No. 23:007, "A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARAMOUNT, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE
FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022-2023 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
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 5
MAINTAIN STANDARDS AND LEVELS OF
SERVICES AND ACHIEVE THE INTENT OF THE
CITY COUNCIL IN PROVIDING MUNICIPAL
SERVICES FOR FY 2022-2023." The motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Delgadillo, Lemons,
Olmos; Vice Mayor Aguayo; and
and Mayor Cuellar Stallings
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY NEW
BUSINESS
9. APPROVAL
Agreement between the
City of Paramount and
Central Basin Municipal
Water District for Turf
Replacement Rebate
Program
CF 43.1194
Public Works Manager Macias gave the report and
presented a PowerPoint presentation.
It was moved by Councilmember Olmos and
seconded by Councilmember Lemons to approve the
agreement between the City of Paramount and the
Central Basin Municipal Water District for the turf
replacement rebate program. The motion was passed
by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Delgadillo, Lemons,
Olmos; Vice Mayor Aguayo; and
and Mayor Cuellar Stallings
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. RESOLUTION NO.
23:008
Consenting to the
Inclusion of Properties
within the Territory of the
City in the CSCDA Open
PACE Programs;
Authorizing the California
Statewide Communities
Development Authority
to Accept Applications
from Property Owners,
Conduct Contractual
Planning Director Carver gave the report and
presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued concerning the process by which
the assessment is placed on the homeowner’s
property tax bill. Rachel Hobbs with Home Run
Financing further explained how the assessment is
processed and the methods by which homeowners
are informed of the assessment process.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 6
Assessment
Proceedings and Levy
Contractual
Assessments within the
Territory of the City; and
Authorizing Related
Actions
CF 46.1
It was moved by Councilmember Lemons and
seconded by Councilmember Olmos to read by title
only and adopt Resolution No., “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARAMOUNT CONSENTING TO THE INCLUSION
OF PROPERTIES WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF
THE CITY IN THE CSCDA OPEN PACE
PROGRAMS; AUTHORIZING THE CALIFORNIA
STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPENT
AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM
PROPERTY OWNERS, CONDUCT CONTRACTUAL
ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS, AND LEVY
CONTRACTUAL ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE
TERRITORY OF THE CITY; AND AUTHORIZING
RELATED ACTIONS.” The motion was passed by
the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Delgadillo, Lemons,
Olmos; Vice Mayor Aguayo; and
and Mayor Cuellar Stallings
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
COMMENTS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmembers
Councilmember Delgadillo reported that she attended
the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA)
event where Brandon Tsay was recognized for his
heroic act of bravery during the recent tragedy in
Monterey Park. She commented that she also
attended PUSD’s first Black History Month
Celebration and the Paramount Chamber of
Commerce State of the City event. She commended
City Manager Moreno for the State of the City
presentation.
Councilmember Olmos commented that she echoes
Councilmember Delgadillo’s comments.
Councilmember Lemons clarified her response to a
comment made during the public comment part of the
meeting. She also provided a brief summary from the
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 7
recent SEAACA board meeting and commented that
she attended the Lion’s Club speakers’ event where
students spoke on the topic of social media.
Lastly, she commented that she also attended the
State of the City event and gave kudos to the Mayor
and City Manager for their presentations.
Vice Mayor Aguayo reported that she also attended
the Lion’s Club speakers’ event and the PUSD Black
History Month celebration event. She commented that
she also attended the Paramount Homeless Plan
community input meeting and appreciated seeing so
many residents there to participate. She reported that
she also attended the State of the City event and
reminded residents about this week’s Friday Night
Paramount event.
Lastly, she thanked Public Safety Director Matson
and the public safety team for giving the Girl Scouts a great tour of the Paramount Sheriff’s Station.
Mayor Cuellar Stallings reported that she also
attended the CCCA meeting where Brandon Tsay
was recognized and the PUSD Black History Month
Celebration. She commented that she visited the Star
Program at Jackson School to observe the program
and also attended the Lion’s Club speakers’ event.
She expressed appreciation to the City Manager and
staff for an excellent job at the State of the City event and for all they do for the community. Lastly, she
reported that she attended the MUSA Zumbathon.
Staff
City Manager Moreno expressed appreciation for the
positive comments about the State of the City
presentation and commented that it was a team effort
and couldn’t be done without the talented staff.
CLOSED SESSION
At 6:45 p.m. Mayor Stalling recessed the meeting for
a brief break to be followed by closed session
commencing at 6:55 p.m. to discuss the matters listed
below.
THREAT TO PUBLIC FACILITIES
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2023; Page 8
Government Code §54957
Preparation for threat to public facilities presented by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to the
City Council, City Attorney and Management Staff
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL –
EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code §
54956.9(d) (1) - Two (2) cases
1. Communities for a Better Environment; East Yard
Communities for Environmental Justice; and
Center for Biological Diversity v. City of
Paramount – Case No. 22STCP01875
2. Shadowood Development Company v. City of
Paramount – Case No. 22STCV09407
Mayor Stallings called back to order in open session
at 8:11 p.m.
Assistant City Attorney Martyn reported that the City
Council held a duly authorized closed session to
discuss the matters listed above and there was no
reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the
City Council, Mayor Cuellar Stallings adjourned the
meeting at 8:12 p.m. in memory of Bryan Valenzuela.
The next City Council meeting will be held on March
14, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
/s/ Vilma Cuellar Stallings
Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Heidi Luce
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
APPROVED March 14, 2023
H:\CITYMANAGER\AGENDA\MINUTES\2023 MINUTES\02-28-2023 MINUTES CC.DOCX; 3/15/2023 2:39 PM