PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
MAY 13, 2025
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 Peggy Lemons at 6:03
p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 16400
Colorado Avenue, Paramount, California.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE:
Blake Ganaway and Giselle Roman Fonseca, led the
pledge of allegiance.
INVOCATION: Mayor Peggy Lemons delivered the invocation.
ROLL CALL OF
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Present: Councilmember Isabel Aguayo
Councilmember Annette C. Delgadillo
Councilmember Vilma Cuellar Stallings
Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos
Mayor Peggy Lemons
STAFF PRESENT: John Moreno, City Manager
Nicholas R. Ghirelli, City Attorney
Grissel Chavez, Assistant City Manager
Lana Dich, Finance Director
Adriana Figueroa, Public Works Director
Yecenia Guillen, Community Services Director
John King, Planning Director
Margarita Matson, Public Safety Director
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
Danny Elizarraras, Management Analyst
Ivan Reyes, Associate Planner
Celina Sanchez, Management Analyst
PRESENTATIONS
1. VIDEO
Adaptive Recreation
Soccer Clinic and
Paws & Present
CF
Videos highlighting the Adaptive Recreation Soccer
Clinic and Paws & Present, SEAACA animal adoption
opportunities was presented.
2. CERTIFICATE OF
RECOGNITION
Student Mayor for the
Day
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
recognized Student Mayors for the Day Blake
Ganaway, 5th Grade Student at Keppel Elementary
School and Giselle Roman Fonseca, 5th Grade
Student at Tanner Elementary School.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 2
3. PRESENTATION
2025 Pride of
Paramount Beautiful
Property Awards
CF
Mayor Lemons presented the 2025 Pride of
Paramount Beautiful Property Awards to the following
property owners:
• Outstanding Landscape
8110 Madison Street
• Water Wise
8039 Second Street
• Beautiful Business
GoStore It, 15932 Minnesota Avenue
• Model Apartment
Downey Avenue Apartments,
16619 Downey Avenue
• Most Beautiful Home, Third Place
15705 Indiana Avenue
• Most Beautiful Home, Second Place
15543 Orizaba Street
• Most Beautiful Home, First Place
8527 Chester Street
4. PROCLAMATION
National Building
Safety Month
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May as National Building Safety Month.
City Building Official Scott Fazekas with Fazekas &
Associates was present to accept the proclamation.
5. PROCLAMATION
National Small
Business Week
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May 4th through May 10th as National Small
Business Week. Staff members from Paramount small
business Van Diest Bros, who has been in the City
since 1932, were present to accept the proclamation.
6. PROCLAMATION
National Police Week
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May as National Police Week. Members of
the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special
Assignment Officer team assigned to Paramount were
present to accept the proclamation.
7. PROCLAMATION
National Water Safety
Month
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May as National Water Safety Month.
Ryan Larson, Chief Operating Officer from Premier
Aquatics, was present to accept the proclamation.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 3
8. PROCLAMATION
National Military
Appreciation Month
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May as National Military Appreciation
Month. Representatives from the Los Angeles County
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and Veteran
Peer Access Network were present to accept the
proclamation.
9. PROCLAMATION
National Senior Health
and Fitness Day
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May 29th as National Senior Health and
Fitness Day. Claudia Quinones, Vice Chair of the
Senior Services Commission and Ron Roberson,
senior fitness instructor, were present to accept the
proclamation.
10. PROCLAMATION
National Mental Health
Awareness Month
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May as National Mental Health Awareness
Month. William Sinko, Executive Director for
Community Family Guidance Center was present to
accept the proclamation.
11. PROCLAMATION
National Public Works
Week
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
proclaimed May as National Public Works Week.
Public Works Commission Chair Jaime Abrego and
Commissioner Alvin Parks were present to accept the
proclamation.
12. RECOGNITION
City of Paramount
Retiree – Clyde
Alexander – 17 Years
CF
Mayor Lemons, on behalf of the City Council,
recognized City of Paramount Retiree Clyde
Alexander for her 17 years of dedicated service to the
City of Paramount.
At 6:47 p.m., Mayor Lemons recessed the meeting for
a brief break. The meeting was reconvened at 6:54
p.m.
CF 10.4 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC COMMENT UPDATES
City Manager Moreno responded to comments made
by Residents of Elijah Mobile Home Park, Nelson
Sanchez, Concepcion Sanchez, Jose Sanchez at the
April 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 4
PUBLIC COMMENTS
CF 10.3 The following individual addressed the City Council and provided public comments: Andrea Crow,
Paramount Library.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Councilmember Cuellar Stallings
and seconded by Vice Mayor Olmos to approve
Consent Calendar Items 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, and 24 as shown below. The motion was
passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
13. APPROVAL
Minutes of April 1,
2025 (Special
Meeting), April 8, 2025,
April 10, 2025 (Special
Meeting), and April 22,
2025
Approved.
14. APPROVAL
Register of Demands
April 2025
CF 47.2
Approved the Register of Demands for April 2025.
15. APPROVAL
Treasurer’s Report for
the Quarter Ending
March 31, 2025
CF
Received and filed the Treasurer’s Report.
16. RESOLUTION 25:013
Appointing Cristina
Cota as Interim Human
Resources Manager
CF
Adopted Resolution No. 25:013, appointing Cristina
Cota as Interim Human Resources Manager.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 5
17. RESOLUTION
25:014 AND 25:015
Approving the
Engineer’s Report and
Declaration of Intent to
Levy and Collect
Assessment for
Landscaping and
Maintenance
Assessment District
No. 81-1
CF
A. Adopted Resolution No. 25:014, Approving the
Engineer’s Report for Certain Landscaping
Improvements for Landscaping and Maintenance
Assessment District No. 81-1.
B. Adopted Resolution No. 25:015, Declaring the
City’s Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments
within Landscaping and Maintenance Assessment
District No. 81-1 for FY 2025-2026 and Setting a
Time and Place for a Public Hearing.
18. RESOLUTION 25:016
Affirming the Fiscal
Year 2025-2026
Budget for the Use of
Funds Provided by the
Road Repair and
Accountability Act of
2017 (SB 1)
CF
Adopted Resolution No. 25:016, Affirming the Fiscal
Year 2025-2026 Budget for the Use of Funds
Provided by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of
2017 (SB 1).
19. APPROVAL
Amendment No. 1 to
the Engineering
Services Agreement
with Hazen and
Sawyer for Well 16
Support
CF
Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Engineering
Services Agreement with Hazen and Sawyer for Well
16 support in the amount of $26,370 and authorized
the Mayor or her designee to execute the amendment.
20. APPROVAL
Parade Permit
Application for Hynes
D.E.S. Inc. – June 22,
2025
CF
Approved the parade permit application with the
understanding that Hynes D.E.S. Inc. will reimburse
the City approximately $2,900, acquire appropriate
liability insurance, and contract with a third-party
motorcade agency to provide eight motorcade units for
the event.
21. APPROVAL
Right-of-Way Use
Agreement for the
Gateway Cities
Regional Fiber Optic
Network
CF
1) Approved the Right-of-Way (ROW) Use Agreement
between the City and the Gateway Cities Council of
Governments for the installation, maintenance, and
operation of the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic
Network on the City’s rights-of-way; and 2) Authorized
the City Manager or his designee to administer the
Agreement, including approving finalized plans and
any other actions in connection with the Agreement.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 6
22. APPROVAL
Legal Services
Agreement between
the Paramount Public
Financing Authority,
the City of Paramount
and Anzel Galvan LLP
CF
Approved the Legal Services Agreement between the
Authority, the City and Anzel Galvan LLP and
authorized execution of the agreement.
23. APPROVAL
Declaration of Surplus
Tangible Property
CF
Declared the items listed as surplus tangible property
and authorized the Mayor or her designee to dispose
of the property by appropriate means
24. AWARD OF
CONTRACT
Downtown Electrical
Upgrade (City Project
No. 9573) – Approval
of Plans and
Specifications, Finding
the Project Exempt
from the California
Environmental Quality
Act Pursuant to the
Class 1 Categorical
Exemption, and Award
of Contract
CF
1) Approved the plans and specifications as detailed in the bid documents, with respect to design criteria; 2)
Find the project exempt from CEQA; 3) Approved an
additional amount of $137,025 from the available
Capital Project Fund Balance; and 4) Awarded the
contract for the Downtown Electrical Upgrade project
(City Project No. 9573) to Innovative Engineering
Systems, Inc DBA Agilitech, Bakersfield, California, in the amount of $442,750 and authorized the Mayor or
her designee to execute the agreement.
NEW BUSINESS
25. PRESENTATION
Greater Los Angeles
County Vector Control
District
CF
Caroline Gongora, Public Information Coordinator with
Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
gave a presentation providing information on the
Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
and the services the organization provides to
Paramount residents.
26. PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE 1199
Approving Zone
Change No. 250,
Changing the Official
Planning Director King gave the report and presented
a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Lemons opened the public hearing and asked if
there was anyone in the audience wishing to testify.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 7
Zoning Map from R-1
(Single-Family
Residential) To M-2
(Heavy Manufacturing)
on vacant land North of
13900 Orange Avenue
identified as APNS
6236-003-901 and
6236-003-902
CF
There being no one in the audience wishing to testify,
it was moved by Vice Mayor Olmos and seconded by
Councilmember Aguayo to close the public hearing.
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
It was moved by Vice Mayor Olmos and seconded by
Councilmember Aguayo to read by title only, waive
further reading, introduce Ordinance No. 1199, "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PARAMOUNT, APPROVING ZONE CHANGE
NO. 250, CHANGING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP
FROM R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO M-2
(HEAVY MANUFACTURING) ON VACANT LAND
NORTH OF 13900 ORANGE AVENUE IDENTIFIED
AS APNS 6236-003-901 AND 6236-003-902," and
place it on the May 27, 2025 agenda for adoption. The
motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
27. PUBLIC HEARING
Adoption of the Fiscal
Year 2025-26 OneYear Action Plan for
the Community
Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and
Home Investment
Partnerships (HOME)
Programs
CF
Planning Director King gave the report and presented
a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Lemons opened the public hearing and asked if
there was anyone in the audience wishing to testify.
There being no one in the audience wishing to testify,
it was moved by Councilmember Cuellar Stallings and
seconded by Vice Mayor Olmos to close the public
hearing.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 8
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
It was moved by Councilmember Aguayo and
seconded by Councilmember Cuellar Stallings to
adopt the One-Year Action Plan (FY 2025-26); and
authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and
submit all required certification and related documents and agreements to implement the One-Year Action
Plan in compliance with HUD regulations. The motion
was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
28. RECEIVE AND FILE
General Plan Annual
Progress Report –
Calendar Year 2024
CF
Planning Director King gave the report and presented
a PowerPoint presentation on the General Plan Annual
Progress Report for Calendar Year 2024.
The report was received and filed.
29. ORAL REPORT
2025 Summer Concert
Lineup
CF
Community Services Director Guillen gave the report
and presented a PowerPoint presentation providing a
preview of the 2025 summer concert lineup
30. PUBLIC HEARING
Status update on staff
vacancies in
compliance with
Assembly Bill 2561
(2024)
CF
Assistant City Manager Chavez gave the report and
presented a PowerPoint presentation providing a
status update on staff vacancies in compliance with
Assembly Bill 2561 (2024).
Mayor Lemons opened the public hearing and asked if
there was anyone in the audience wishing to testify.
There being no one in the audience wishing to testify,
it was moved by Councilmember Cuellar Stallings and
seconded by Vice Mayor Olmos to close the public
hearing.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 9
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The report was received and filed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY NEW
BUSINESS
None.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY FOR THE PARAMOUNT
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY – CONSENT
CALENDAR
It was moved by Councilmember Cuellar Stallings and
seconded by Councilmember Aguayo to approve
Consent Calendar Item1 as shown below. The motion
was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aguayo, Delgadillo,
Cuellar Stallings; Vice Mayor Olmos;
and Mayor Lemons
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SA1. APPROVAL
Register of Demands –
April 2025 (Successor
Agency)
CF 47.2
Approved.
COMMENTS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmembers
Councilmember Delgadillo reported that she attended
the City of Bellflower BRAVO Awards, the Pathways
volunteer recognition event and the Paramount Unified
School District Star Awards. She congratulated
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 10
Classified Employee of the Year Angie Medina from
Paramount High School and Teacher of the Year
Nicole Bottomley from Odyssey STEM Academy
Councilmember Aguayo reported on her attendance at
the SCAG Regional Conference & General Assembly
and provided a brief overview of the sessions she
attended.
Vice Mayor Olmos reported on her attendance at the
CalCities City Leaders Summit in Sacramento and
shared information on the press conference regarding
funding for homelessness that was held during the
event and the panel discussion she participated in
about how elected leaders build trust in their
communities. Lastly, she urged residents to call the
Sheriff’s Department when they see or hear street
takeovers occurring.
Councilmember Cuellar Stallings reported on her
attendance at National Day of Prayer, the Gateway
Cities COG Transportation Committee meeting and
the Community Family Guidance Center volunteer
recognition event. She asked staff to provide an
update on the two former Guillen market properties.
City Manager Moreno and Planning Director King
provided an update on both properties.
She also asked staff to explain how the senior
transportation program works because she ran into a
resident at Walmart that waited a considerable amount
of time for her ride. Community Services Director
Guillen provided information on the various
transportation programs and explained that there
should not be long wait times. Lastly, she thanked staff for all they do.
Mayor Lemons reported that she attended various
committee meetings and the events mentioned by her
colleagues. She expressed appreciation to the City’s
social media team for the excellent work they do.
Staff
City Manager Moreno announced that there will be a
road closure on Wednesday morning on Somerset
Boulevard by Fire Station 31. He reported that staff will Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 11
be attending a Gateway Cities COG workshop on June
11 to learn about what the region will be doing with
regard to Olympic and World Cup watch parties. He
also reminded the City Council that there will be
several upcoming Neighborhood Watch meetings.
Lastly, he introduced the City’s new Finance Director
Lana Dich.
Mayor Lemons recessed the City Council meeting at
7:53 p.m. to conduct the Paramount Public Financing
Authority meeting
Mayor Lemons called the City Council meeting back to
order at 7:54 p.m. and recessed the City Council
meeting to Closed session to discuss the matter listed
below.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -
EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – One (1)
case
Case Name: City of Paramount v. Paramount
General Hospital Co., et al., Los Angeles County
Superior Court; Case No. 25CMCV00662
Mayor Lemons called the meeting back to order in
open session at 8:15 p.m.
City Attorney Ghirelli reported that the City Council met in closed session, with all five Councilmembers
present, to discuss the matter listed above and
provided direction to staff regarding the case.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the
City Council, Mayor Lemons adjourned the meeting at
8:16 p.m. to a meeting on May 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 16400 Colorado
Ave., Paramount, CA
/s/ Peggy Lemons
Peggy Lemons, Mayor
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
PARAMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 2025; Page 12
HTTPS://PARAMOUNTCITY1957.SHAREPOINT.COM/SITES/CITYMANAGERS/SHARED DOCUMENTS/CITY CLERK/AGENDA/MINUTES/2025 MINUTES/01-14-2025 MINUTES-CC.DOCX; 6/12/2025 10:07 AM
ATTEST:
/s/ Heidi Luce
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
APPROVED: June 10, 2025