Minutes for City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE,
CALIFORNIA HELD FEBRUARY 11, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Alex Vargas called the City Council meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 4455 W. 126^th Street, Hawthorne, California.

INVOCATION

Councilmember Faye Johnson gave the evening's invocation.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Angie Reyes English led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Present:: Council Member Faye Johnson; Council Member Alex Monteiro; Council Member Angie Reyes English; Mayor Pro Tem Katrina Manning; Mayor Alex Vargas
Also Present:: City Manager Vontray Norris; City Attorney Robert Kim; City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter; City Treasurer Marie Poindexter-Hornback

PROCLAMATIONS/CERTIFICATES/PRESENTATIONS

Tim and Loreta Hagerty - A. Monterio

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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

There were twenty-three emails received by the City Clerk's office in favor of keeping Leaps N Boundz as a tenant at the Hawthorne Aquatic Center.

Patricia Donaldson announced on March 13, 2025 is St. Patrick's Day mixer and requests to keep Rick Carver in prayer.

Carol Maston expressed concerns about illegal dumping, and needed a good phone number to call.

Rob Williams expressed sentiments regarding enjoyment of city events

Kathy Gore requests to keep the current pool schedule.

Catherine Grey expressed concerns regarding the swim program

Cynthia Allen expressed concerns regarding the swim program

Citizen #1 expressed concerns regarding the swim program

Shani Farro expressed concerns regarding the swim program

Sean Concrahn provided information on Leaps N Boundz and expressed concerns regarding the swim program.

Gordon Micheal Mego requesting a tribute to former Mayor Guy Hocker.

Liz Mantel requesting the reconsideration of banning gas leaf blowers.

CITY CLERK'S CONSENT CALENDAR

City Treasurer requests approval of the warrants. Motion to approve the warrants.

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff Recommends that the City Council approve the warrants issued for the period of 01/29/2025 to 02/11/2025 in the total of $6,196,421.84.

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Approval of the minutes for the regular City Council meetings of December 12, 2023, January 09, 2024 and January 23, 2024.

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that Council approve the regular City Council meetings minutes for December 12, 2023, January 09, 2024 and January 23, 2024.

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Approval of waiver of full readings of resolutions and ordinances on Tuesday, February 11, 2025’s agenda. Motion to waive full readings.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 8510, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hawthorne, California, Adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code Containing Revised Designated Positions and Disclosure Categories and Repealing All Previously Adopted Conflict of Interest Codes.

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 8510.

Councilmember Monteiro moved, seconded by Mayor Vargas to approve the City Clerk's consent calendar (Items 2,4 and 5). Item 3 was tabled.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Johnson, Monteiro, Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem Manning and Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.

Item 15 was discussed at this time.

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PUBLIC HEARINGS

Public Hearing on the Draft Substantial Amendment to the 2024-2025 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
The staff recommends the City Council:
1.   Conduct a public hearing and receive comments on the draft substantial amendment to the 2024-2025 Action Plan for the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds.
2.   Adopt the amended 2024-2025 Action Plan and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to submit the plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
3.   Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate, execute, and amend contracts with subrecipients or professional service providers as necessary to implement the CDBG and HOME projects identified in the 2024-2025 Action Plan.
4.   Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute, amend, and submit to HUD all plans and documents necessary to administer the 2024-2025 CDBG and HOME programs.

No members of the public expressed the desire to speak.

Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Monteiro to approve Item 6.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Johnson, Monteiro, Reyes English Mayor Pro Tem Manning and Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None

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GENERAL MATTERS

A Year in Review: December 2023-24 in the City of Hawthorne "Communication Initiative"

Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English to accept Item 7.
ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Johnson, Monteiro, Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem Manning and Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.

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CITY MANAGER'S CONSENT CALENDAR

City of Hawthorne’s Investment Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive, approve and file the City of Hawthorne’s Investment Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 of FY 24-25.

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Approval of Agreement with Tripepi Smith to provide General Communication Support Services

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the amended agreement with Tripepi Smith to provide General Communication Support Services

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10.

Distribution of a Community Survey

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council provide recommendations and approval

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11.

Hawthorne Police Department Roof Replacment Project (Project #25-09) - Out to Bid.

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Plans and Specifications and authorize the Director of Public Works to advertise for construction bids with a return date of March 11th, 2025.

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12.

Telehealth Committee Report

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
The staff recommends that the City Council:

1. Provide direction for future meetings regarding the Telehealth Van Project given the limited funding remaining for services.

2. Receive and file report

Councilmember Reyes English moved, seconded by Mayor Vargas to approve the City Manager's consent calendar (Items 8-11). Item 12 was pulled for discussion by Mayor Vargas.

ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Johnson, Monteiro, Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem Manning and Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None

Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Monteiro to accept Item 12.

ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Johnson, Monteiro, Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem Manning and Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.

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DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

13.

Town Hall Meeting with Local, State, and Federal Officials to Discuss Legislations Affecting Our Communities. (K. Manning)

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14.

Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem and Council Representatives to Various Committee's and Organizations

RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that City Council discuss appointments for the position of Mayor Pro Tem as well as delegate and alternate positions to represent the city in various organizations and committees.

Mayor Vargas nominated Councilmember Monteiro for Mayor Pro Tem.

Mayor Vargas moved, seconded by Councilmember Reyes English to appoint the next Mayor Pro Tem

ROLL CALL AYES: Councilmembers Johnson, Monteiro, Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem Manning and Mayor Vargas.
NOES: None.

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15.

Decorum - Code of Conduct During Council Meetings - K. Manning

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ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS

City Treasurer Marie Poindexter Hornback stated interest rates are still on track, staying over 4%, the FED is not looking to change rates this quarter. The $5 million treasury bond investment has now yielded $5.6 million and is on track to yield $5.8 million, and will come to term in March, but looking to roll it over for an additional six months. Kudos to SouthBay swim team. Thank you to the HMEA (Hawthorne Municipal Employees' Association) pre-super bowl tail gate. Congratulations to Erick Chavez.

City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter encouraged the public to subscribe to receive the council agendas, remarks to Guy Hocker and his family, thanked the Hagertys for being Mr and Mrs Claus, and announced the City's Black History Month February 28, 2025. Also attended a records management conference, becoming more versed in what exactly a record is and when to get rid of one based on the legal retention schedule.

Councilmember Faye Johnson attended the California League of Cities conference, learned a lot of good information and made a lot of good contacts. Thanked Erick Chavez and the Cable department for their outstanding work. Thanks to Mr and Mrs Claus. Also shared recommended the MyHawthorne311 app with a citizen who had good results.

Councilmember Alex Monteiro thanked Mayor Vargas for nominating him to be Mayor Pro Tem for 2025-2026, thanked Hagertys, thanked the City Manager Vontray Norris and Erick Chavez for all of their efforts, and shared sentiments regarding both Guy Hocker's and Pablo Catano's celebration of life.

Recommendations:

Review the phone numbers for illegal dumping

Councilmember Angie Reyes English congratulated the Hagertys for all they do, prayers for Rick Carver and his recovery, and expressed condolences to the family of Guy Hocker, looking forward to the Black History Month Celebration, Community Clean-up, and Homeless Count. Thanked Rob Williams, who suggested that the city should have a carnival or parade in the future.

Recommendations:

Bring back ordinance regarding illegal dumping, including additional fines.
Beautification Event
Status of Ramona Park
Find partnerships with CHIRLA and other organizations to make resources available for families

Mayor Pro Tem Katrina Manning, had the opportunity to attend Guy Hocker's memorial and appreciated the opportunity to speak at his memorial. Announced the Business Expo, Job fair, and panel discussion on April 24th and encourages the public to attend. Women's History Month Event March 29, 2025 and Mother's Day Event May 10, 2025, both events at Memorial Center.

Recommendations:

Pasadena Parade Council participation, and a Council parade for the groundbreaking or grand opening of the Civic Center
Look into citizen complaint of a resident off of Imperial and Van Ness (in Culdsack) people blocking him in
Memorial Center, Women's restrooms lock on the door missing needs to be fixed and cracked tile outside the restroom.
Ensure the phone numbers we have listed are working
Discussion Action Item next meeting: Virtual public comments
Discussion Action Item: City Manager's Employment agreement

Mayor Alex Vargas expressed condolences to Guy Hocker's family and shared sentiments regarding Guy Hocker. Supports and agreed that there should be a service to honor Pablo Catano. Sends his thoughts and wishes to Rick Carver and his recovery. Thanked the residents that brought their children out to voice their concerns about the Leaps N Boundz swim program. He also announced the Hawthorne Moose Lodge's Valentine's Day dinner on February 14, 2025.

Recommendations:

Discussion Action Item: City Manager's Employment Agreement
Discussion Action Item: FY 25-26 Travel, Conference, and Training Budget increase for City Council, City Clerk and City Treasurer
Review the phone numbers listed on the City's site

Mayor Vargas closed the meeting in honor of Guy Hocker and Councilmember Reyes English's loved ones.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Vargas adjourned this meeting at 9:35pm.

CERTIFICATION

Passed and approved this 10th day of June 2025.

___________________________
Dayna Williams-Hunter
City Clerk