Acting Assistant Fire Chief Brian Kane summarized the recent fire department activities.

-Recommendation: that the City Council read by title only and waive further reading of all ordinances listed on the agenda.

-Recommendation: that City Council adopt Resolution No. CC-2409-091 authorizing the payment of certain claims and demands in the amount of $1,476,170.83.

-Recommendation: that the City Council approve the minutes.

-Recommendation: that the City Council adopt Resolution No.CC-2409-092, approving the requests from the City Clerk’s Department, City Manager’s Office, Finance Department and Municipal Services Department for authorization to destroy routine records as listed in the exhibit of the resolution.

-Recommendation: that the City Council re-affirm the SBWIB's nomination for appointment of Ms. Christina Q. Smith, Founder & CEO of Curly Gurl Luv Beauty Supply, as the City of Lawndale representative on the SBWIB Business Private Sector seat, for a new term beginning July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028. The exact term start date will be effective upon ratification by the City of Inglewood, currently serving as the Administrative Entity for all member cities in the SBWIB jurisdiction.

-Recommendation: that the City Council reject the claim filed by Jose A. Calderon and instruct staff to process the appropriate correspondence to the claimant.

-Recommendation: that the City Council approve and adopt Resolution No. CC-2409-094, updating the job description for the Director of Community Development position.

-Recommendation: that City Council approve the first amendment to the contract services agreement with City Solutions, Inc. for professional planning services for a maximum contract sum do not exceed $108,550 and approve the budget amendment to account 279-410-530.100 for $208,550.

City Manager Moore presented the staff report.

Councilmember Cuevas asked for clarification on the duties, timeframe, funding, if permits will be processed faster, and if someone will be hired for this position.

City Manager Moore responded that this position is a six month temporary assignment, they will do site plan reviews, zoning checks, setback checks and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) checks, funds will be directly billed out of site plan review projects, they are processing permits in a timely manner and there are no plans to hire a permanent staff for this position.

Mayor Pullen-Miles asked what the plan is when the contract expires.

City Manager Moore responded that they will evaluate the need for the position as the contract nears expiration.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) can provide some of these services and if the City has contacted them.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and City Manager Moore about the services the position will provide, processing permits in a timely manner, and hiring a Community Development Director.

-Recommendation: that the City Council approve the Extension of the Lease Agreement for 15331 Prairie Ave. Lawndale, CA between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Lawndale for an additional five years.

Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked if Los Angeles County areas receive assistance from the Service Center and how much services are provided to Los Angeles County residents.

Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that the public can visit the Service Center, and if assistance is required a deputy corresponding to their area of residence would assist.

Lieutenant Osborne responded that when residents requests services a deputy from the corresponding jurisdiction is dispatched.

Councilmember Cuevas and Mayor Pro Tem Suarez commented that they have received complaints about the Service Center being closed to the public.

Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that he will find out about public access service hours.

-Recommendation: that City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the Cooperative Agreement #D1104 for Metro Active Transport (MAT) Program.

Public Works Director Lucho presented the staff report.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if there is a draft of the plan and if residents can be involved in selecting a design.

Public Works Director Lucho responded that the project is currently in the planning phase, it will be presented once it is ready and that residents will be included in the design selection process.

-Recommendation: that the City Council that the City Council 1) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement (Attachment B) between the City of Lawndale and Los Angeles County; and 2) Authorize the appropriation of funds in the amount of $30,000.00 to the Rosecrans Avenue Traffic Signal Synchronization Project for a total project budget of $200,000.00.

Public Works Director Lucho presented the staff report.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if appropriating the requested funds would take away from other planned projects.

Public Works Director Lucho responded no.

Councilmember Kearney asked how much the City of Hawthorne is allocating towards this project.

Public Works Director Lucho responded that the cost is divided by the affected cities.

City Manager Moore commented that the SBCCOG brought this item forward.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about the amount of work that needs to be done and the cost in comparison to the City of Hawthorne.

-Staff recommends that the City Council approve staff recommendations to lower the required minimum number of Beautification Committee members from seven members to five members, and to include a provision that allow Beautification Committee members to be removed for excessive absences.

Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if exceptions are made when members are absent due to medical reasons, when are members notified when meetings are canceled due to lack of a quorum, how are members recruited and asked about restrictions for members of the same family joining the committee.

Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that exceptions to removing members for excessive absences are made for medical reasons, members are notified before the meeting when a quorum will not be met, recruitment is announced at City events and explained that there are restrictions in place prohibiting family members from serving on the same committee; however, families can volunteer at events.

Mayor Pullen-Miles opened public comments.

Olga Sierra Gonzalez, Beautification Committee Chairperson, commented in favor of lowering the required minimum number of members from seven to five and asked the City Councilmembers for assistance in promoting the Beautification Committee.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if residents would be inclined in attending Beautification Committee events if there were incentives.

Olga Sierra Gonzalez, Beautification Committee Chairperson, responded that yes, residents would be inclined to participate if incentives were provided.

Mayor Pullen-Miles closed public comments.

City Attorney Murphy commented that a new item will need to be brought forward to allocate funding to the Beautification Committee for incentives.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez commented in favor of discussing allocating funds to the Beautification Committee at a future meeting.

Mayor Pullen-Miles suggested that the Beautification Committee build a relationship with Angie Environmental Charter High School.

-Recommendation: that the City Council receive and file this staff report.

Municipal Services Director Reyes presented the staff report.

Councilmember Hofmann Gorman commented on the urgency for the Fireworks Ad Hoc Committee to meet.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked if the illegal fireworks citations that were not appealed paid, and if any citations are waived before the appeal process.

Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that 11 citations have been paid, everyone that appeals goes through the complete appeal process and commented that there is an option to appeal the citation at a court of law to bypass the City's appeals process.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and Municipal Services Director Reyes regarding the options to appeal, the appeals process, payments of citations and evidence that may be used to appeal citations.

Councilmember Cuevas asked how the outstanding citations are collected.

Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that the management system Data Ticket, Inc. processes all City citations by following regular collection procedures.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and Municipal Services Director Reyes regarding interest and penalties for non-payment, citing the same address multiple times, and notifying citation recipients of consequences for non-payment.

-Recommendation: that the City Council 1.) authorize the City Manager to execute the Transfer Agreement and related documents; and 2.) adopt the attached Resolution No. CC-2409-093 approving a Transfer Agreement between the City of Lawndale, Agreement No. 2024MP44, and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the City’s annual allocation of funds from the Safe Clean Water (SCW) Program.

Public Works Director Lucho presented the staff report.

-Recommendation: that the City Council authorize Public Works staff to recognize the grant revenues and authorize the expenditure of the grant funds in compliance with the Local Assistance Grant Program guidelines.

Public Works Director Lucho presented the staff report.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if $135,000 is the grand total of the grant, is there a deadline to utilize the funds, and if is there a plan to educate residents about the program.

Public Works Director Lucho responded that $135,000 is the grand total of the grant, grant guidelines require the City to provide receptables to residents, and that he plans to provide an educational class.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and Public Works Director Lucho about providing receptables to households, and the formats in which to provide on-going educational resources to residents.

Councilmember Kearney asked if Republic Services should be responsible for this project.

Public Works Director Lucho responded that this resource is funded by a grant awarded to the City for this purposes.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez commented that a State of California Law was passed which mandates organic waste collection, it was implemented in phases, paper bags can be used and asked City Attorney Murphy to explain the new law.

City Attorney Murphy responded that the law is SB 1383, and that grant funds were provided to cities under the implementation of the bill to assist waste haulers with outreach efforts.

Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that this resource is separate from Republic Services' obligation, waste haulers will not collect the trash if there is incorrect waste in bins and asked how City and resident compliance can be measured.

Public Works Director Lucho responded that the City will comply by providing educational resources using the grant funds and Republic Services will provide a report.

-Recommendation: that City Council approve the purchase of a vehicle for the Community Development Department and approve the budget amendment of $40,000 in account number 285-410-550.300 ARPA Vehicles.

Finance Director Manuelian presented the staff report.

In response to Mayor Pro Tem Suarez's question, Finance Director Manuelian replied that a vehicle is being replaced.

Councilmember Cuevas asked if there is another vehicle that is not in use, and is the vehicle to be replaced going to be sold.

Finance Director Manuelian responded that the vehicle to be replaced will be auctioned and the funds placed in the General Funds account, and that there is no additional vehicle available for use.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers about selling the vehicle, the amount it would sell for and the funds to be used to purchase the new vehicle.

Requested by Mayor Pullen-Miles.

-Recommendation: that City Council approve this program and the budget amendment of $100,000 in account 285-190-545.204 ARPA Rebate Program.

Finance Director Manuelian presented the staff report.

Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that this program is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, it is an incentive for residents to shop locally, and requested that the program be limited to residents.

In response to Mayor Pro Tem Suarez's question, Finance Director Manuelian responded that the reimbursement would be cumulative up to $500.00.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers and Finance Director Manuelian about qualifying individuals and limiting qualifying purchases to home improvement.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked about the deadline to spend the ARPA funds.

Finance Director Manuelian responded that the funds are to be spent by December 2026, and that there is a plan to exhaust all funds by the deadline.

In response to Councilmember Cuevas, City Manager Moore responded that a copy of the final Shop Local Rebate Incentive plan will be provided to the City Council.

Requested by Mayor Pullen-Miles.

City Manager Moore provided background information on the topic.

Mayor Pullen-Miles commented that this item would require contractors to disclose if there are any complaints or actions against their business for consumer transparency matters.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez asked for clarification on what type of complaints would qualify to be disclosed.

Mayor Pullen-Miles responded that substantiated complaints are to be disclosed.

Discussion ensued among City Councilmembers on what type of complaints would need to be disclosed, who the information would benefit, the type of impact it would have, and whether it would be a requirement.

Councilmember Cuevas attended the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Board of Director's meeting where she was recognized for completing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 2024 Contract City Council Academy, City of Hawthorne State of the City Address 2024, Town Hall Meeting: Postal Services in Our Community hosted by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, City of Lawndale 11th Annual Blues Festival, thanked staff and volunteers for organizing a great event, asked Municipal Services Director Reyes about the art themes for the utility art box project, requested an agenda item be brought forth to staff parks, incentivize residents to participate in the Beautification Committee, and requested a review of the City Manager.

Municipal Services Director Reyes responded that the Beautification Committee is coordinating the utility art box project and determining the art themes.

Councilmember Hofmann Gorman attended the CCCA Legislative Committee meeting, CCCA Board of Director's meeting, City of Hawthorne State of the City Address 2024, CCCA Fall Educational Summit, CCCA Legislative Committee meeting, Neighborhood Watch meeting, City of Lawndale 11th Annual Blues Festival, requested the Neighborhood Watch meetings be scheduled consistently on the same week day, for it to be advertised more, and thanked staff for coordinating the Blues Festival event.Councilmember Kearney attended the CCCA Fall Educational Summit, Liability Trust Fund Oversight Committee Meeting, Local Travel Network Ad Hoc Subcommittee, Los Angeles County West Vector Control District Board of Trustees Meeting, City of Lawndale 11th Annual Blues Festival and a Senior's Luncheon.

Mayor Pro Tem Suarez attended the Local Travel Network Ad Hoc Subcommittee, and the SBCCOG Board of Director's meeting.

Mayor Pullen-Miles attended the City of Lawndale 11th Annual Blues Festival, Neighborhood Watch meeting, City of Wilmington Labor Day Parade, City of Hawthorne State of the City Address 2024, Town Hall Meeting: Postal Services in Our Community hosted by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, CCCA Board of Directors meeting, thanked staff for coordinating the Blues Festival and retired Community Services Director Mike Estes for assisting.