1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Pullen-Miles called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 14717 Burin Avenue, Lawndale, California.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor Pro Tem Sirley Cuevas, Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, Councilmember Francisco M. Talavera, Councilmember Pat Kearney
Other Participants: Interim City Manager Raylette Felton, City Attorney Gregory M. Murphy, City Clerk Erica Harbison, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Palomo, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Acting Captain Tania A. Giggles, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Brian Kane, Finance Director Hrant Manuelian, Community Services Director Jason Minter, Public Works Director Luis (Lucho) Rodriguez, Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes
2. CEREMONIALS (Flag Salute and Inspiration)
Councilmember Talavera led the flag salute. Pastor Dwight Dudley provided the inspiration.
3. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
1. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Update
Acting Captain Giggles summarized the recent law enforcement activities.
2. Los Angeles County Fire Department Update
Fire Chief Kane summarized the fire department activities.
4. PRESENTATIONS
3. Presentation to Environmental Charter High School, Lawndale - 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award
— Presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to Environmental Charter High School, Lawndale for 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award
The City Council presented a certificate of commendation to Environmental Charter High School, Lawndale in recognition of their designation as 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Public Comments)
Kaitlin Coulter, Library Manager, announced the library’s upcoming events.
Rhonda Hofmann Gorman, Resident, congratulated Environmental Charter High School on receiving the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award.
6. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Councilmember Kearney thanked everyone that made a public comment, thanked Library Manager Coulter for providing the library updates and congratulated Environmental Charter High School on receiving the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award.
Councilmember Talavera thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting and those watching on various media platforms, thanked Library Manager Coulter for providing the library updates, congratulated Environmental Charter High School on receiving the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award, and recognized teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Councilmember Suarez thanked everyone that attended tonight's meeting and congratulated Environmental Charter High School on receiving the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas thanked everyone who attended tonight’s meeting, everyone who made a public comment, and those watching on various media platforms, and congratulated Environmental Charter High School on receiving the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award.
Mayor Pullen-Miles congratulated Environmental Charter High School on receiving the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Award, congratulated Resident Hofmann Gorman on the birth of her grandchild and congratulated her daughter on earning her master’s degree. Mayor Pullen-Miles thanked Library Manager Coulter for proving the library updates and attending City Council meetings.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
4. Motion to read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the Agenda
— Recommendation: that the City Council that the City Council read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the agenda.
5. Accounts Payable Register
— Recommendation: that the City Council adopts Resolution No. CC-2605-015 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $399,313.24.
6. Minutes of the Lawndale City Council Regular Meeting April 20, 2026
— Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.
8. ADMINISTRATION
7. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 1213-26 to Amend Chapter 2.04.120 of the Lawndale Municipal Code Regarding Propriety of Conduct at Council Meetings and Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-016 Amending the “Manual of Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of City Council Meetings”
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 1213-26, an ordinance amending Chapter 2.04.120 of the Lawndale Municipal Code regarding Propriety of Conduct at Council Meetings and waive further reading; and 2) Schedule the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1213-26 for the next meeting of the City Council, and schedule the adoption of Resolution No. CC-2605-016 for the same date.
City Attorney Murphy announced that Agenda Items H.7, H.8, H.9, and H.10, are related to Senate Bill 707, are being presented to comply with new legal requirements, and were reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
Assistant City Clerk Palomo presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 1213-26, an ordinance amending Chapter 2.04.120 of the Lawndale Municipal Code regarding Propriety of Conduct at Council Meetings and waive further reading, schedule the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1213-26 for the next meeting of the City Council, and schedule the adoption of Resolution No. CC-2605-016 for the same date. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. City Attorney Murphy read by title only Ordinance No. 1213-26.
8. Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-019 Policy for Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service, Senate Bill 707
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-019 establishing a City policy for disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings; or 2.) Provide staff with alternate direction.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Suarez to adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-019 establishing a City policy for disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-017 for Reasonable Accommodations Policy for Brown Act Meetings, Senate Bill 707
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-017 establishing a City policy to offer reasonable accommodations for participation in Brown Act meetings; or 2.) Provide staff with alternate direction.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kearney and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-017 establishing a City policy to offer reasonable accommodations for participation in Brown Act meetings. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-018 Policy for Public Interpretation Assistance, Senate Bill 707
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-018 establishing a City policy for public interpretation assistance; or 2.) Provide staff with alternate direction.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to adopt Resolution No. CC-2605-018 establishing a City policy for public interpretation assistance. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
11. Award of FY 25/26 Citywide Overhead Street Name Sign Replacement Project
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Award a construction contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., in the amount of $280,986.00 for the FY 25/26 Citywide Overhead Street Name Sign Replacement Project; and 2.) Approve a construction contingency in the amount of $56,000; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Los Angeles upon project Completion.
Public Works Director Rodriguez presented the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Kearney’s question, Public Works Director Rodriguez stated that approximately 1,000 signs were replaced in 2024 and nearly 4,000 in 2025, with 66 additional signs this year completing the City’s sign replacement program.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Kearney to award a construction contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., in the amount of $280,986.00 for the FY 25/26 Citywide Overhead Street Name Sign Replacement Project, approve a construction contingency in the amount of $56,000, and authorize the City Manager to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Los Angeles upon project completion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
12. Award of Contract for Citywide Software Platform System
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) Review and discuss the Request for Proposal for Citywide Software to replace the existing software services provided by Cityview and/or Citizenserve; 2.) Approve a Subscription Service Order Agreement between the City of Lawndale and GovPilot, in a form approved by the City Attorney's Office; 3.) Authorize the City Attorney Office to make minor edits based on any direction from the City Council to the Subscription Service Order Agreement; or 4.) Provide further direction to staff.
Finance Director Manuelian presented the staff report and a presentation.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff regarding overseeing the transfer of data to the new software, storing records in compliance with retention guidelines, other cities that utilize the software, cost differences between providers, staff participation in evaluating the software, and resident-facing features, including online application tracking and notifications.
Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and staff regarding the length of time GovPilot and other providers have been in business, available software modules that could be added in the future, additional module licensing costs, the cost difference between providers, the City’s process for determining the lowest responsive proposer, feedback received from other cities utilizing GovPilot, and staff testing of the applicant portal and application process.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas and seconded by Councilmember Talavera to approve a Subscription Service Order Agreement between the City of Lawndale and GovPilot, in a form approved by the City Attorney's Office, and authorize the City Attorney Office to make minor edits based on any direction from the City Council to the Subscription Service Order Agreement. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Felton deferred her time to Community Services Director Minter.
Community Services Director Minter invited the community to attend the Heart and Soul Music Festival scheduled for May 9, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Jane Addams Park, stated that shuttle service would be available between City Hall and the park, and noted that the event would include food vendors, games, youth performances, and live music.
10. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
13. Discussion of Potential Cell Phone Policy
Requested by Councilmember Kearney.
— Recommendation: that the City Council 1) Discuss the potential for a formal policy to govern in-meeting use of cell phones; and 2) Give staff such direction as is appropriate.
Councilmember Kearney provided background information on the staff report.
City Attorney Murphy stated that in San Jose, a case arose after residents questioned councilmembers’ use of cell phones during meetings, resulting in Public Records Act requests.
Councilmember Suarez, Councilmember Talavera, and Mayor Pullen-Miles commented in opposition to forming a policy governing in-meeting use of cell phones, citing the need to research items during meetings and to communicate in the event of emergencies.
By consensus, the City Council discussed the potential for a formal policy governing in-meeting use of cell phones and provided no further direction to staff.
14. Report of Attendance at Meetings
Councilmember Kearney attended a Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, the Lawndale Youth Day Parade, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Elected Officials Summit, Water Replenishment District (WRD) Groundwater Festival, invited the community to attend the Heart and Soul Music Festival on May 9, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Jane Addams Park, and wished all mothers a happy Mother’s Day.
Councilmember Talavera attended Senior Luncheons, the Lawndale Youth Parade, thanked everyone that participated, attended the 100th year old birthday celebration for Reverend George Covarrublio, Hispanic-American Contributions Festival Planning Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, Mateo’s Ice Cream and Fruit Bar Grand Opening, wished everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo, all mothers a happy Mother’s Day, thanked former Community Development Director Peter Kann for his service to the City, commended him for the good work he accomplished during his tenure, and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Councilmember Suarez attended the Lawndale Youth Day Parade, thanked everyone that participated, attended the WRD Groundwater Festival, and South Bay Housing Trust Board of Directors meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas attended the Lawndale Youth Day Parade, thanked everyone that participated, attended the Hispanic-American Contributions Festival Planning Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting, WRD Groundwater Festival, invited the community to attend the Heart and Soul Music Festival on May 9, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Jane Addams Park and wished all mothers a happy Mother’s Day.
Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Board of Directors meeting, the Lawndale Youth Day Parade, wished everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo, all mothers a happy Mother’s Day, and invited the community to attend the Heart and Soul Music Festival on May 9, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Jane Addams Park.
11. CLOSED SESSION
15. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
— The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), to discuss existing litigation: Name of Case: City of Lawndale v. LA Investment, LLC (LA Superior Court Case No. 20TRCV00065).
16. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
— The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), to discuss existing litigation: Name of Case: Suarez v. County of Los Angeles et al. (CD California, Case No. 2:26-cv-2943).
City Attorney Murphy read the aforementioned Closed Session matters by title only.
The City Council convened into closed session at 7:50 p.m.
The City Council reconvened from closed session at 7:57 p.m.
City Attorney Murphy announced that the City Councilmembers were briefed on the closed session matters, and Councilmember Suarez recused herself from Agenda Item K.16. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation, and left the room at 7:54 p.m, after Agenda Item K.15 was concluded.
City Attorney Murphy reported that there was no reportable action for Closed Session Items K.15. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation or K.16. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Pullen-Miles adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
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Robert Pullen-Miles, Mayor
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Erica Harbison, City Clerk
Approved: 5/18/26