City Council - Regular Meeting

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you require a disability related modification or accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the city clerk's office at 310-9521720 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Government code section 54954.2 Two, public information. The public may address the members of the city council on any matters within the jurisdiction of the city council or on any items on the agenda of the city council during the designated public comment periods. There will be two oral communication sessions, one for agendaized items, comments about items on the agenda, and the other for non-aggendaized items, comments about items not on the agenda. The all communication portion of the agenda is limited to a duration of 1 hour unless otherwise approved by the city council. Comment time is normally 3 minutes depending on the number of speakers. Public viewing available by live stream on the city's website. The meeting will be streamed live over the internet via www.carsonca.gov YouTube www.youtube.com. youtube.com/ city of Carson, California, cable TV, Spectrum channel 35, and AT&T channel 99. Carson TV app. You may also download the Carson TV app to stream the meeting. App availability. The Carson TV app is available in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Roku, and Amazon platforms. If you're not able to attend the meeting in person, public comment can be

submitted before the meeting via email to city clerk at carsonca.gov. The cutoff time to submit any email communication is 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Written comments can be dropped off at the city clerk's office at city hall. The cutoff time to submit any written communication is 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Written comments dropped off at the city clerk's office or any email received will not be read aloud at the city council meeting but will be circulated to the city council and incorporated into the record.

Good afternoon everyone. Evening. Today is Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. I'm calling to order the city council successor agency housing authority. A roll call. Madam city clerk. Thank you madam mayor. Council member Rohos, present. Council member Deer, here. Council member Hilton, present. Mayor Prom Hicks, present. Mayor Davis Holmes, present. Thank you.

Salute by Councilwoman, please. And we're honored to have Bishop Brian Smith from the what's pronounced Gas Amenity Christian Love Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor

council let us pray. Almighty heavenly father, we come on this evening to first of all say thank you. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to gather here in the city and we come before you today God with gratitude for the city of Carson and for the opportunity to gather in service to this community. We thank you for the people who live here, the families who build their lives here, and the leaders who have accepted responsibility to serve. Today, God, we lift up uh in prayer our mayor, Lula Davis Holmes. Grant her wisdom, strength, and discernment as she leads the city. Surround her with peace, and guide her steps as she works for the well-being of the residents of Carson. We also pray for her staff and for those who support the work of mayor's office. Give them unity of purpose and spirit of service. We pray for mayor promp Cedric L. Hicks senior and for council member Jawan Hilton, council member Jim Dar and council member Arlene Rios. Bless each of them with clarity in mind and integrity of heart and deep commitment to the common good. Help them to work together in mutual respect, listening carefully to one another and the voices of the community they represent. Oh Lord, we ask for blessings upon all city employees and staff who serve behind the scenes every day to keep the jewel of the South Bay running for public safety personnel, first responders, the public works employees, administrators, and community service workers. Strengthen them in their work. Remind them that their service matters. We also lift up in prayer residents of Carson, its families, children, youth, elders, business owners, educators, and community leaders. May this city continue to be a place where people feel

safe, where opportunity grows, where neighbors care for one another, where the challenges in this city, whether economic, social, or personal, bring wisdom, cooperation, and solutions. Where there is a need, bring provision. Where there is division, bring understanding and unity. As the leaders of Carson, the jewel of the South Bay, gathered to deliberate and make decisions were asked you to guide them and their conversation and every choice. Oh merciful father, may there be work led to justice, opportunity, and flourishing for all who call Carson their home. We entrust this city, its leaders, and its future into your hands. And as you bless the mayor and the city council members and each every person that resides within this city, I promise Lord, we promise to bless you back by blessing your name and your people. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Thank you so much. Uh are there any comments on closed session items, Madam City Clerk? No, Madame Mayor. Uh close session items, Madame City attorney.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. The council will meet in close session pursuant to government code section 54956.9 D2 or D3 and E1 because there's a significant exposure to litigation in two cases. That should take us to hopefully by six o'clock we'll recess and uh reconvene at six o'clock everyone. Oh yeah. Come back and turn your phone off. Rules of decorum. No person attending a public meeting shall engage in disorderly or boisterous conduct including but not limited to applause, whistling, stamping of feet, booing, or making any loud, threatening, profane, abusive, personal, or slanderous utterance that disturbs, disrupts, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting. All remarks by members of the public shall be addressed to the mayor or the chair and not to any other member of the public or any other single council board or commission member unless in response to a question from the member. Signs, placards, banners, or other similar items shall not be permitted in the audience during a public meeting if the presence of such items disturbs, disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting. All persons attending a public meeting shall remain seated in the seats provided unless addressing the body at the podium or entering or leaving the meeting. All persons attending a public meeting shall obey any lawful order of the proceeding officer to enforce the rules of decorum. Treat everyone courteously. Listen to others respectfully. Exercise self-control. Give open-minded considerations to all viewpoints. Focus

on the issues and avoid personalizing debate. Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights that are inherent components of an inclusive public process and roles for forging sound decisions. That was fast. We're reconvene into open session. U madam city attorney, report out on closed session items, please.

Thank you, madame mayor. The council met in close session pursuant to government code section 54956.9 D2 or D3 and E1 because there is a significant significant exposure um to litigation in two cases. No reportable action was taken. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh now we'll go to item number three. Is our captain here? Captain No, captain is not here. Is our assistant chief Kane, members of the council, Assistant Chief Brian Kane, Los Angeles County Fire Department with your public safety report for the month of February. During February 2026, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department responded to multiple fire and hazardous condition incidents, including outside fires, structure fires, transportation fire, as well as utility related incidents with the city of Carson.

Outside fires made up the majority of the calls with numerous rubbish and trash fires reported citywide, particularly along the Interstate 110 corridor near Carson Street and Sulova Boulevard. Several incidents were attributed to persons experiencing homelessness, including encampment warming fires extinguished upon arrival. Other notable incidents included a couch fire near a dumpster, burning mulch in a backyard, and a tire fire, and a residential shed fire that was quickly contained without injuries. Structure fires primarily involve cooking related uh smoke incidents, a lithium ion battery fire in a residence were also handled with several vehicle fires on city streets and freeways all extinguished without injury. Additional non-fire hazardous calls included arcing electrical wires and abandoned oil drum with utilities notified as well. Overall incidents were mitigated promptly with no significant injuries reported. There were 911 responses recorded for the month of February. We saw 747 patients. We transported 470 of those patients. 342 were basic life support in nature and 128 required ALS interventions by the paramedic squad. That is the end of my public safety report for the month of February, unless there's any questions.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Very thorough. Does my colleagues have any questions, comments? Hearing none. Thank you very much for coming. Did our captain arrive yet? Where is she? Oh, she has a broken wrist. What are you doing, Captain? Good evening, everyone. All right. I just want to First of all, how are you? I'm good. I'm good. your wrist. I've had worse. Really? Yeah. But you're okay. I'm okay. Okay. I am okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

All right. Want to just share some things that's actually been going on. On the 14th of February, our SA team conducted a street racing operation and we recorded for arrest. Five vehicles towed. Four were impounded for 30 days. Four reckless driving arrests were made. We had two sight and release with m misdemeanor warrants and two uh infraction citations. Last year due to our street break racing operations we had calls for services actually decreased at about 70%. On the 18th we attended the uh and actually hosted the community advisory committee meeting. On the 19th, uh, I participated in the sheriff's department's Office of Constitutional Policing Black History Month celebration. On the 21st, I attended the 30th annual parent conference rising star event hosted by the city of Carson's human relations commission. It gave me an opportunity to honor Carson's uh high achieving youth. On the 23rd, uh we welcomed our civilian academy. That's a 10-week academy that gives residents of Carson and neighboring uh cities the opportunity to learn about several areas within the sheriff's department. It's hosted by our Carson's community relations ch team. On the 24th, our LA County District Attorney, Nathan Hawkman, visited Carson Station and engaged in an open discussion about uh ADA filings. That's a assistant DA filings and training with the assistant DAS. On on February 25th, Lieutenant Lumpin and his south team deputies attended the town hall meeting in Facia Park. On Feb February 27th, I attended

the 10-year memorial vigil for Carson homicide victims, Michelle Kelly Love and her son, Jordan. Uh, joining with the Love family gave me the opportunity to renew our commitment to find justice for the Love family. Also want to thank the city of Carson City Council for their commitment of the $100,000 award that you've offered. Um, I encourage anyone that has information regarding this homicide to please contact homicide LA County Sheriff's homicide or Carson Sheriff's and uh help us move forward with solving this case. On February 27th, the city of Carsten hosted their Black History Month celebration event and Lieutenant Lumpin at the city Carson's uh SAL teams actually attended the event with some of our team deputies. There were some locations of concern regarding traffic and our motor deputies have been deployed out. Some of those locations were broad acres and Termont and University and and Wilmington. And if you're seeing any type of uh results, I'd like you to let me know um positive or negative. Um part one crimes are continuing to trend down at about 12.3%. Do you have any questions?

No. Thank you, Captain, for that report. Um, and I'm hoping that you your wrist, your arm heals. We got to keep you healthy. Thank you, ma'am. MPT Hicks. Thank you, Madame Mayor. To the to the captain, thank you for responding to those areas with the motor officer. Uh, he has been seen and uh he has been very effective in the area and I'm just thanking you for putting that in place so quickly. Of course. Thank you. I'll let him know, Dr. Hilton. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Captain, thank you. Hope you feel better. We know you're fighting for Carson, you know. U literally, huh?

Literally. U that's what I would have came in and said. I've been fighting for you. Um, I wanted to just bring to your attention there has been a string of breakins in cars on Coltman in the Victoria Park area uh on the back side of Maine uh right off um over on Coltman in that area right there. If you can uh people have reached out and asked could they increase patrol u number of vehicles that have been end up missing. catalytic converters have been gone missing. Uh so if you can bring the sense of awareness to that area, it will be great. Okay. Absolutely. Thank you so much. Keep fighting for us.

Thank you. Thank you, Council Mander. Thank you, Captain. Another good re good report. We appreciate how thorough you are and we do hope that your arm heals quickly. That's Thank you.

important you do stay stay healthy. the u uh street racing uh ordinance that you're able to use as a tool. I'm glad your your department, your station is able to utilize that and and make it work to protect the citizens of Carson. It's really important. And um uh I'm often asked by constituents for speed humps or stop signs to be installed in mid block. And um you know that may or may not work uh for traffic in general, but having the uh motorcycle officers placed in strategic locations where there is a high incidence of violation of speeding and and other even reckless driving and so forth. That's really really important. So right now are we at um the strength of two motorcycle officers uh and four shifts or like What what is our motorcycle officer situation?

We have two med motors that that actually deploy two motorcycles and from what I can see they're very effective. Uh I hope that's the case. I know you don't want to reveal all the secrets of the department but uh I do know that uh that is a good way to stop people who are habitual speeders especially if there's children uh playing uh on that block or they're speeding. So, uh, I really, uh, want you to extend, uh, our gratitude from the city council to those officers that are doing that very important work. I mean, all the work of the department is important, but that particularly deserves a thank you. You're very welcome. They actually enjoy it. Thank you.

Okay. You're welcome. Okay. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Nothing. Okay. Okay. But good. Uh the next we have um item number six. We're not he's not here tonight from the An Schultz Dignity Health Sport. So we're going to continue that item. Um but we do have a number of certificates of recognition. And let's go to item number seven and come back so we can make one trip down to the podium at one time. So, uh, building and safety division update by Trans Tech Engineers. Then we'll come back and do 6 8 9 10 11 five. We're going to do Trans Tech and go and then we'll do

Yes. Thank you, Madame Mayor. At this time, we'll have uh an update uh in regards to Trans Tech from our building and safety division. They're going to provide uh information to you, Madame Mayor and Council, as well as the public. Just giving everyone um constituents in particular, an idea as to where um Transc is in regards to our building and safety and how everything has been progressing thus far after the past couple of years. So, with that, I'll allow um none other than Melissa Deiri to go ahead and provide her update for Trans Tech. Appreciate it. Good evening, honorable Madame Mayor, uh, Mayor Prom and City Council members. On behalf of Transc and the building and safety division under the leadership of our community and economic development director, Nathan Freeman, um, it's an honor to be here this evening. My name is Melissa Deiri. I'm the CEO of Transc. And I just want to start by saying it's been a true honor to serve this community for over three years. And on behalf of our team, we thank you for your leadership, the opportunity, and getting the chance to work with your incredible city staff to serve this community and work together with the city team as well as applicants, both residents and the community, um, businesses, developers that we get to interact with every day. This evening, I'm joined by my colleagues, Jason Robbins, one of your building officials, as well as Raphaela Diaz, one of the directors here at Transc. Um, and with that, we've prepared a short presentation for you that highlights all of the incredible things happening in the city um of Carson when it relates to building and safety. So, with that, I'll go and begin with the first slide. Um, a quick overview um in the Do I control it? I get to control it. Um, a quick overview of what this department does. So, the building and safety department operates within the community and economic development department

under your director, Nathan Freeman, and Transc provides full building official planch checking, building inspection, and permit technician services on behalf of the city to the community. We've included a screenshot of the building and safety page that's directly from your city website as it is today. Um, where applicants can also apply for their planch checking online, electronically, comfortably from their homes. um or places of work. And one of the priorities that this department has um under the director is really customer service turnaround times with the goal to make sure that your community members can move into their new homes, their ADUs, their remodels, and the businesses can open. So now the fun stuff. So your building and safety by numbers. In this slide, we're really excited to share building and safety division by the numbers um and achievements for the year 2025. So, we're covering a 12-month period from January 1st, 2025 to December 31st, 2025. So, here you go. They're really big numbers. Um so, the city has issued a total of 3,513 permits. Um, the team has conducted 7,185 individual building inspections and reviewed a total of 1,244 projects which include a review of over 7,500 individual documents. And collectively, these projects represent an estimated value of $131.8 million in project valuation of issued permits. I wanted to just take a brief moment to refocus on what that number actually translate to and what that means for the city of Carson. So what the valuation um number represents is in order to calculate the appropriate permit fees,

the building code requires applicants to input an estimated construction cost. So that's what's referred to valuation of issued permits. So that amount represents the estimated total of construction for each project. And this includes everything, time, material, value of the work, labor, um, gas, electrical, mechanical, the whole everything. And so, as you can see, for the year 2025, the city of Carson's total valuation of issued permits is $131.8 million. A lot of these projects are nearing completion of their construction, already constructed, or will be constructed and completed in this year. So, the numbers reflect a very active year and there's so much to look forward to in this amazing city and it's truly a testament to the leadership, the incredible city team um and the staff that you have here um in the department. Uh in this next slide, we wanted to talk a little bit about customer service and staffing. So, the department's commitment is always customer service at the forefront. And what we mean by that is quick turnaround times, um, responsiveness, whether that be to our city team colleagues or outward to applicants, which include residents, business owners, developers, contractors that come either to the counter in person, are communicating with us via phone, email, Teams meetings. So, we're really committed to making sure that the applicant community feels heard and is taken care of in the city. So currently you have 10 staff members reporting on site at city hall. So this includes a combination of your building official, building inspectors, permit technicians, and plan checkers with an additional 35 staff members providing electronic plan checking literally around the clock for a total of approximately 45 staff members servicing your city. And this is why we're able to achieve that twoe turnaround time. So trying um taking it back to the theme of customer service again your average plan check turnaround

time is two weeks and we're really proud um over this past year to have received a lot of positive feedback from developers and applicants and residents and business owners and we just always want to be better. Um in this next slide is just some upcoming large projects. So these are projects that we wanted to highlight that have um that are currently in various stages of the building department. Um so I wanted to first highlight the popular Dutch Brothers coffee development in Avalon. Um this represents continued commercial investment of trending hotspots that are really interested in opening up in the city of Carson. Another exciting future project on the horizon that the city can look forward to is a 315 unit housing development commonly referred to as the triangle project on Avalon. So more housing opportunities for people that want to come live in the jewel of the South Bay. Um, and also I wanted to highlight the large facade upgrade that's going on right now. It's a remodel um, at the shopping center on Avalon and University Drive. This is also where the new Sprouts is coming in. So, really exciting things right now in the pipeline. In this next slide, um, want to take an opportunity to review what the 2025 look like in terms of completed projects. There are actually dozens and dozens of amazing projects and we just wanted to highlight these two. One of them is the 35 new single family home um on 427 220th Street. This had four different plan types um contributing to even more additional housing in the community. And also we wanted to um highlight the new uh brand new In-N-Out that opened on Avalon. I've had an opportunity to eat there. I'm sure many people here have as well. So together these slides really show the full life cycle of the development activity from projects entering plan review permits issued and ultimately successful completion um for more businesses um in the city. So this is my last slide um and what this is is we

wanted to share something exciting that's really further enhancing the customer service. So, at the direction of your director, Nathan Freeman, we've been working with it and starting tomorrow, actually, applicants can now see their daily live inspection schedules in terms of time frames online. So, they're already notified of this the day um that they make their inspection. But now, applicants, homeowners, contractors, they can actually go online and they're going to see what their time slot is for their inspection of that day. We also wanted to share that currently we're doing over-the-counter plan check Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. And in the future, we'll also be implementing and setting up a calendar. So, not only are we going to be able to take walk-ins, but also calendar-based appointments um for applicants that want to actually have a designated time to meet with one of our plan checkers. Um, so these programs are really all focused on customer service, accessibility, making sure that the business community, applicant community, and residents have access um and that the building department is there. Um, from there, you know, it just really reflects our continued um goal of customer service and I know um one of the main u priorities of the director at the department. And with that, um, in closing, just on behalf of the building and safety team and Trans Deck, we're so proud to serve this community. Truly, um, it's a great great city to be part of and we look forward to our continued partnership. Thank you so much for your time this evening.

Thank you for that very, very thorough report. uh really appreciate what you have brought to the city. Uh we were in gridlock in that department for so many years and the number that you posted is staggering. Uh we didn't do that in 10 years. Uh so we are grateful that you're here and what you've done for the city. Our phones are not ringing off the hook the way they used to be. That our plans are still somewhere lost in La La Land. But I just want to say thank you. uh job well done. We appreciate you very much. And I also appreciate the fact that you are a part of this community. When we call, you respond. And I I just want to let you know how much we appreciate that you're not just doing business here. You you're part of this community. So, thank you to the entire Transex team for uh becoming a part of the Carson, the jewel of the South Bay, our family. Thank you. Uh Dr. Hilton.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just wanted to echo what the mayor said. Uh oftentimes when you go through communities and you see businesses, they talk about the permitting process as well as residents. And I just want to applaud you all for getting the job done. Uh because in business, time is money. Uh and people are spending money on plans. People are spending money on plan checks trying to get infrastructure in place. So I want to applaud you all. uh people are developing their homes and uh as Carson is on the rise. I was reading an article today. I won't tell you what the article was, but I was excited because I know some of the things that are on the horizon. It talks about when things come into the community, it's a sign that the community is getting ready to move into another uh atmosphere or another tax bracket at least. Uh so I'm super excited about it.

Um and just just excited about what you guys bring to So, thank you so much and hats off to you,

Councilman Dia.

Well, it's a great report. Uh it's very clear that uh your company interacting with the the city is you really blend in together perfectly with our great staff and uh the constituents uh whether they're corporate citizens or residents are very appreciative. I I get lots of comments about uh Transec being professional and helpful and um uh such a change. Uh Nathan might not know this because he hasn't been here that long, but what Trans Tech does in two weeks, the previous operator um it took two to 10 months to get a plan check. And that was really, you know, when you're in business or even on your own home, you're trying to improve something in your home, uh time is money. So, you've saved the residents of Carson a lot of time, therefore a lot of money and a lot of grief is no longer uh the case. So, uh I'm saying that to show our appreciation for your your company. You do a great job, very professional, and very efficient. And uh so, we have a great relationship. Thank you very much for being here. MPG Hicks.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Well, Melissa, you know, when you came, I had already knew of your company back Palm Springs area back in the day, and when we decided by the request of Councilwoman Arlene Rojas to go after and to do a change in the city, I was very pleased. But to learn over the three years you've been here and the amount of turnover because at the time many of the different developers were trying to get their pro projects done as uh councilman dear stated 10 months but sometime it was years and what end up happening many people they lost their actual information so they would have to do it all over again two or three times. So to do a two-eek turnaround is an outstanding process and I just want to say thank you to Trans Tech for being with this city. As the mayor has stated, you guys have come in here not just to be a part of the team as an employee or a support for this team. You became a part of the family with all of the different activities that go on here in the city. Your name resonates in the city. Your name is known in the community. So again, I just want to applaud you for being here in the city of Garson. So thank you for being here.

Thank you. And uh I do want to echo and I want to give my council woman a round of applause. I think she was on the city council about six months or less than a year when she made the recommendation for us to get rid of what we had and bring in something new. And that was a bold step. And so to the council woman, thank you for the vision. Thank you for bringing this to the city council and we it's a team effort. She brought it to us. We said, "Oh, okay." Because we had so many complaints. So, Arlene Bogate Roas, our council woman.

Thank you. Thank you. And congratulations everybody said all the great things that you've already heard. Um, but I just want to remind everybody I actually I think I chased you in the restroom. I met you in the restroom. I didn't know what you did, but later I found out and I had my executive team with me and I think they just I don't know, did they kidnap you or something? But it was a great partnership and you really can tell the difference here in the city of Carson. So, thank you Transc uh for turning uh the city of Carson into the jewel of the South Bay. Thank you so much and congratulations to you and to us

and to us. Council, do you want to speak again?

Sure. Um, you know, I'm a history teacher and those of you who remember your history classes, there's a term called revisionism and uh I tried for five years to bring a a change uh from the county of Los Angeles. Uh, you know, we incorporated 1968. We had the county doing our plan check building and safety for all those years. As our city grew and got more sophisticated and more complicated, the staff with the county still operated the same way they did 50 years earlier. And that's why it took two to 10 months and and the councilman mayor prom mentioned sometimes an entire year to get a building permit. So u I tried for five years to bring that change. I couldn't get it on on the agenda because the uh agenda ordinance in the city of Carson, only the mayor can put something on the agenda. But I noticed the mayor was courting the councilwoman, Arlene Rojos. So councilwoman didn't know anything about your company, didn't know anything about what you were doing, but uh she was my friend at the time. And I brought it to councilwoman Arlene Rojos. I said, "Look, it the mayor won't let me put this on the agenda, but she's courting you, so she'll let you put it on the agenda." So, Arlene Rojas asked it to go put it on the agenda. Then the mayor agreed and then we had the three votes to pass it. So, uh that's how it really happened. Uh revisionism is not very nice when you try to change history from what it really was. But I just wanted the public to know and Nathan particularly to know the reason you came here is I fought five years to get you here and that's why you're here today. Thank you. Thank you, Melissa, for doing all that you have done for the city of Carson. Thank you again, Councilman Roas, for your leadership on this item. And we're

going to continue being the great city and the jewel of the South Bay that we've come and we don't need to revisit anything. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much. And I I do want to say it's been such a pleasure to work with your director, Nathan, and the whole city team. Thank you so much. Thank you. Um, next we're going to have my colleagues to join me down front. Um, we have certificates of recognition for Oh, we uh proclamation recognized Women's History Month. Uh, the te how do you pronounce this name? Dakaria building and safety. We just did proclamation recognizing Red Cross month. Proclamation recognizing Red Cross read across America. That will be by Councilman Hilton. A proclamation recognizing Caesar Chavez Day. That's Rojas. And I will be doing the proclamation recognizing women's history month. So could my colleagues join me. Is this going to be presented later? Is this going to be discussed later? This

Hello. Hello. They are. This is a certificate recognizing Takaria, a new business here in the city. Come on down. All right. A new business. And you're having a ribbon cutting tomorrow.

They have me working. So my colleagues are going to represent me because you know I'll be there in the afternoon. Put it like that. We'll save the best for last. Okay. But thank you so much for choosing Carson as your home.

We love our small businesses here in Carson. So this is going to be presented by our mayor pro Tim uh Cedric Hicks. There you go. In celebration of your grand opening and in recognition of your commitment to en enriching the local community with quality services, culture and authentic cultural cuisines. We continue congratulate you on this exciting milestone and extend our best wishes for continued success, growth, and prosperity. Your presence adds uh vibrancy and value to our business community and we want to thank you for being one of our small business here in the city of Carson. Dated today March the 3, signed by the entire city council. We want to say welcome, welcome, welcome.

I just want to say thank you very much you guys. You're very welcome to come tomorrow to the grand opening. Um, and I'm very very happy. Give them the address. Uh, the address is 816 Carson Street, uh, Jun 104 in serial Carson, California. Right next to McDonald and right next to McDonald next to the Starbucks in Yes. Ex of the the excess of the curs. Come on out and get a Okay. Is the ribbon cutting is tomorrow at what time? At 10 a.m.

at 10:00 a.m. Wake up. Come support this business. Come get some tacos. Come get some tacos. Thank you. Chosen Carson as their home. Thank you so much. Let's do a photo op. Thank you. Thank you.

Now, ladies, don't take the privilege. This is Women's History Month, and I don't need anyone to tell me about Women's History Month. Come on now women. Come on now ladies. They gave us a month but we celebrate all year. Okay. We'll we'll we'll go along with the program about the month. But ladies, we celebrate all year. Every day we wake up and say, "Look, you woke me up again today. Good Lord. Thank you." And we look at our families because we're so nurturing. We take care of everyone. But ladies, this is our month. Although we say it's all year, take time for yourself. Treat yourself. U my ladies, my Lulu girls, they're not here. I got a new Lulu girl. Had the nerve to call me in here today at 12:00. Talk about a state of a city address. Well, that's the day I get my nails done, my hair done, my massage. I said the nerve of you. Everybody knows I don't do anything before council meeting but take care of Lula. They had the nerve to call me in but you know I did what I had to do. Duty calls and so I said okay ladies just for you because like I tell them all the time you plan in advance and the uh delay on their part is not an emergency on my part. So but I I you you didn't plan properly but I came in because it's so important. And if you have not, ladies, signed up for our state of the city address on the 19th. You need to be in the house. Woohoo. You You may have to go on a waiting list because we sold out 800 tickets in the first week. They want to see me.

It's my month. It's our month. So we want to make sure you come out but please take time to take care of yourself because we send spend so much time taking care of others that we forget about ourselves. So I always take that Tuesday before council meeting to take care of me. Okay. And then I go and finish taking but this month I'm dedicated. I have done so to take care of me uh a little more than I normally do. But I do take time for myself and I encourage you to do the same. And so we have so many wonderful ladies here tonight. Normally we take and present one uh proclamation for a group, but you know it's women's month. So I'm the mayor, so I I picked up three or four. Clock it. So

clock it. So who do we have first up? We have Dr. Rita Good. Come on down, Dr. Rita Good. Come on over here in the middle, honey, with that beautiful pink on. One of my favorite colors. We honor Dr. Rita and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in California for over 60 years of service. 60 years of adv advocacy of 60 years of policy influence 60 years of standing in the gap for women and girls who deserve deserve opportunity, protection and a voice. She has been that voice. This is not small work. This is legacy work. Dr. Good's career for reflects what women's history month is truly about. lifting as you climb. Her leadership in education, civic engagement, women's advoc advocacy has impacted Carson at its roots. She has invested in women not just as participants in society, but as architects of his own. She has worked to strengthen access to elevate voices and ensure that our daughters grow up seeing possibility, not limitations. That's what you see here tonight. possibilities and not limitations. Through decades of service, Dr. Good has exemplified the very spirit of women's history. Resilience, scholarship, service, and courage. And we are even more proud of Dr. Good because her roots. Guess where they began? Here in the great city of Carson, the jewel of the South Bay. I'm I'm so honored that you're here tonight. Uh doctor, and I'm going to have our councilwoman to read this

proclamation and then we'll let you say a few words. Is that okay? Thank you. Okay. In recognition, Dr. Gallardo Good. Okay. Whereas Dr. Marita Gallardo Good has dedicated more than 35 years to exemplary exemplary public service providing visionary leadership across California's higher education institutions, state agencies, the California State Senate, the local government agencies, and Southern California. And whereas Dr. currently serves as vice president of partnership and policy engagement for a campaign of college opportunity where she plays a vital role in building strategic partnerships with coalitions, funders, student groups, trustees, and advocates to advance equitable access and success with California's higher education system. Prior to her current role, Dr. Good served as senior associate vice president of public affairs at California State University, Sacramento, where as the highest ranking Latina on campus, she led statewide advocacy efforts, straightened policy engagement, elevated the university's public profile, and championed student success and access for diverse communities. Her distinguished career career includes leadership role with California state teachers retirement system, the California public employees retirement system uh legislative consultant to California state senator Alex Padilla where she provided strategic leadership to outreach, stakeholder relations, public

advocacy, public policy and higher education initiatives. Dr. Good began her career at Southern California as senior adviser to elected officials and public agencies, exemplifying a lifelong commitment to public administration, advocacy, and community engagement. She is proud firstg generation college graduate of Los Angeles Harbor College, the University of Leverne and California State University, Sacramento. And in May 2020 24 earned her doctorate in educational leadership, demonstrating her steadfast commitment to academic excellence and lifelong learning. Dr. Good continues her service as a commissioner for the California Commission of the Status of Women and Girls, an AD advisory board member of Leadership California and advisory council member for the Cresente Latinex leadership program, leadership California policy and trans leadership program and the Nhema and Marriaging Leaders Program and has served for more than a decade in the board of directors. of the CHO Latinos Youth Leadership Project. Dr. Good and her husband Ross proudly call Long Beach their home, remaining deeply connected to their family, friends, and the Southern California community. She has faithfully served. And so therefore, the mayor and our city council do hereby recognize and honor Dr. Berita Gallardo good for her extraordinary leadership, unwavering commitment to public service, and a steadfast advocacy for educational opportunity and equity throughout the state of California. Congratulations. And happy Women's History.

Mucho Gusto. Mucho Gusto. You know, before we let her speak, let me tell you what she did when she received the call. She flew down from Sacramento to be with us tonight. Now, how awesome is that? So, reach out. I'd like to present her uh with a certificate or proclamation because she is homegrown. She could have said, "No, I'm in Sacramento. Mail it to me." Showed up. She showed up. She showed up. So, let's give her another round of applause because she didn't have to be here tonight.

Honorable mayor and council, I just wanted to thank you, city manager. Just wanted to thank you uh wholeheartedly for this recognition. I have to say that I am born and raised and proud to be from Carson. Uh I grew up here as an infant all the way to my teenage years. I often joke with Assembly Member Mike Gibson that I was that kid uh when I was about nine years old riding my little Lady Schwin bicycle up and down Carson Street when they were building city hall. My grandparents still have their home. They've been gone for a long time and it's over on 234th and Main Street. Grew up off of Archbald Avenue off of Manetta. Yes,

I will tell you that I have steadfast been a supporter of the city of Carson. I have seen the transition, the investment, the growth, the expansion of Carson and I am so proud, so proud. I uh I have to say that what I am most proud of is that my inspiration for public service and I'm at uh um with count with uh the various commissions that I've been on 37 years was sparked by the volunteerism at Carson City Park. I was able as a 13-year-old child, lied and said I was 14, uh was able to give out lunches and work one summer and the and I I just got bit by that public service bite and I have to tell you I have never looked back. Never looked back because if you can dream it, you could see it. And I am my ancestors wildest dreams. So, thank you so much for this recognition. Uh I have to thank you uh honorable mayor. Uh you may not remember this, but my 98-y old aunt uh Thasa Vjo from the senior clubs, the rolling 50s or something, she loved you and you always shook her hand and hugged her and talked to her and um she she's passed on, but I know she's with us tonight.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Right here. Right here. Well, that's a testament. Everybody know I love my seniors and my kids. I stand on their shoulders and I my kids are my future and so we never forget them. Uh I say we invest now or pay later and I just love my seniors. I visit them every week. So, and good thing about it, they got to love me too. Thank you so much and thank you. No, it's an honor for you to be here tonight. Are you going back home tonight or

actually I live in Long Beach tomorrow, right? and to see how we can continue to focus on the priorities of growing the next generation of women leaders. And tonight I have my granddaughter Ila here and she's a future leader. We need to continue investing and I'm steadfast. Um Laya, you want to come here? M mama want to take a picture?

Come here, baby. Um so I'm I'm heading back to Sacramento tomorrow because it's important that we continue these conversations. Uh, and I'm grateful as a as a woman, a diverse woman in leadership to be able to have my voice there. We're blessed to have you there.

Safe travels. This is so awesome. She flew down. Let me feel honored. The next is Dr. Regina Smith. Come on, Doc. President of the Yes. President of the LA County Commission for Women. Dr. Smith leads one one of the most influential advisory bodies in our region, serving all 88 cities in LA, including the city of Carson. The commission works directly with the county board of supervisors to advance policies that impact women's economic security, safety, health care, healthc care access, and overall equity. Equity equity. Under her leadership, the commission has eval elevated crit critical conversations around domestic violence, prevention, workplace equity, why this not falling off my lips, and opportunities for women and families ensuring that advocacy translates into action. Dr. Smith Carson is proud to stand alongside leaders such as you who are shaping policy and progress at the county level. Thank you, Dr. Smith for being here tonight to celebrate Women's History Month with us.

Thank you so much. Would you like to say a few words? Thank you very much. Um, first of all, I just want to give honor and thanks to my ancestors and my mom who's right there. She's 92 years old. Oh, ma.

Raise your hand so they can see you. um she'll be 93 in July. And um my mom who grew up in Louisiana um well she early years Louisiana then came later to California always told me as a black woman be prepared. You're going to have to work twice as hard, get twice as much education, and be prepared to maybe only get half the recognition if you get the recognition. So with that said, I always wanted to be the change I wanted to see. So, she made sure while I was in high school, I worked in high school in Southwest College and El Camino. I got my AA. I got two bachelor degrees, one in political science, one in sociology. I got two master's degrees, one at Cal State Dominguez Hills and in counseling, our very own. I got one at UC Santa Barbara in policy and organizational studies and my doctorate from USC because I knew

I had to be educated and I had to be prepared because I know that you have to stay ready if you want to be ready. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready.

So that's right. If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready. So I say that to say that um I stand on her shoulders and all my ancestors because she reminded me of why I do this equity work. Because I do this work because I want to make sure that women know we're not going to be erased. We're not going back to where we were. We are going to maintain who we are and what we have. Credit cards, student loans. There was a day when we didn't have credit cards 50 years ago. There was a day when we couldn't get a home loan to purchase a home. So, I wanted to make sure as president of LA County Commission for Women that we still had those same opportunities available to all women. And that's why I came to the Carson Commission. I go visit other commissions to let them know who we are and what we're doing and the opportunities that are available to them. We have initiatives, the violence against women and girls initiative to make sure that women know you do not have to stay in that relationship. There are opportunities and resources available. We raise over $100,000 a year for resilient scholarships. We have our um gayla coming up on March 9th at the Builtmore to give scholarships back to young women and girls for their education that you can continue to get these scholarships until you term out your PhD, your MD, your JD. So, I say that to say health inequities. We are there because we know there are disparities among people of color and health needs and what's available. There's disparities of how we treat our elders. And I want to make sure that we are not erased, that we're not misunderstood, that we're not taken for granted anymore, and that we're not silenced, that we have a voice, and that we use our voice.

So, I thank you, honorable Madame Mayor, for this wonderful opportunity. I am very grateful because you also are historical as the first African-American black woman mayor. Yes, you are, and we thank you for that. Well, I don't have to read all of this because she just said it all. So I say now therefore be it proclaimed that the mayor and the city car council of Carson, California do hereby recognize March 2026 as women's history month in the city of Carson and encourage all its residents to celebrate the achievements and contributions that women have made in the past. Be it further proclaimed that Sunday, March 8th, listen to this ladies, because we're the only city in the United States doing this. On March 8th, 2026 is hereby recognized as International Women's Roll the Parks Day in the city of Carson. Honoring the enduring legacy of Rosa Parks and the countless women who encourage and leadership continue to inspire progress and positive change. Ladies, we're off that day. City Hall's closed. It's a n It's a holiday for the city of Carson. Okay, they were thanks to you, mayor. But no, uh I thought it was important that we recognized Rosa Parks. I thought it was important that we recognize Women's History Month based upon everything that we do. We are the backbone, ladies. We are the families. We take care of families. Um I What did it say? I can fry the bacon.

Fry it up in a pan.

Fry it up in a pan cuz I'm a woman. But we are the only city that uh recognizes to the extent that we do. And I felt it was important because there were so many other holidays and you did not recognize Rosa Parks. Well, my colleagues gave me the vote. I brought the idea. They voted. So, city city hall will be closed. Well, well, city hall will be closed on Monday in honor of Rosa Parks and Women's History Month. Oh, wait a minute. Mom needs to come up. Can you come can mom come up and take a picture?

We have someone watching your purse. Look at her, will you? Girl, please. Girl, please. How old is she? 92. 92 years young. July 4th. July 4th, she'll be 93. July 4th. What a blessing.

Thank you. Come on up here, Michelle Henderson. Come on up here, Michelle. She's been busy, busy, busy. We got to take a picture. Who else do you recognize? We gonna put everybody in this picture. Thank you. The next Next, we're going to recognize the Honorable Kimberly Dodson of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. We brought out the heavyweights tonight. Well, it is our month, isn't it?

I just wanted to show you what we were working with. Oh, I'm so honored for you to be here with us tonight. Thank you very much.

And we're proud to recognize you. She represents excellent excellence in leadership within our justice system, serving on one of the largest trial court systems in the nation. She carries the weight of decisions that impact lives, families, and futures every single day. Her presence on the bench is more than a title. It's a representation. It is leadership. It's a powerful reminder that women belong in every room where decisions are made, especially in our justice system. Judge Dodson has built a career grounded in fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. And through her service, she strengthens not just the courts, but trust in our communities. Carson is honored to celebrate you tonight, Judge.

And thank you for coming out. And I want you to give that whole feel so

No, I want you to Thank you guys for coming. My friends, my family, and other members. Thank you, mayor, and council member and pro Tim. I talk every day, so um I'm gonna try to make this brief. This is national um for women's month, I stand on the shoulders of women who you don't know, women who you have never heard of who've led my path. I stand on the shoulders of people who you know and that you read about and they're in our history books. But today, I want to be able to have other people stand on my shoulders, the young ones looking up to me. So, I'm in court every day. I'm seeing the families. I'm seeing people that need our help. So, I'm proud to thank take this proclamation, thanking the city of Carson for recognizing Women's History Month. Um, and I'm proud to say that I stood on many shoulders and I'm still standing day after day. Thank you. Thank you, judge. Before uh now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor, the the mayor and the city council, Carson uh city of Carson do hereby recognize March 2026 as Women's History Month. Be it further proclaimed that Sunday, March 8th, is hereby recognized as International Women's Rosa Parks Day in the city of Carson, honoring the enduring legacy of Dr. parks and the countless women whose courage and leadership continue to inspire progress and positive change is dated today the 3rd of March and it's signed by all of us but it more importantly signed by

yours truly and you know what I really every hold this for a minute um I really everybody know I have Lulu girls that help me move in the direction that I want to move in and that have been so instrumental in me getting my message out. But I have a new Lulu girl, Keshan Graves, and I just want to thank her because when I said we were recognizing Women's History Month, she went outside the box and said, "Well, what do you want?" I said, "I want something that I haven't had before. I want something different and unique. I want all the heavy hitters here, you know, cuz we can recognize. But isn't it wonderful to see that someone flew in from Sacramento that we have a judge here, young ladies, if you're watching this, if just look at look at this leadership, okay? And that's what I'm about. And the ladies that have come before us, and I'm going to bring my last group of ladies here, that's what it's all about, ladies. We're not We're to be heard and reckoned with. Okay, let's say it the way it is. And I'm just excited that we're here and I want to thank Kishan for putting making my dream my wishes a reality. Uh because you know we take all the credit but the people that's working behind us that's doing what we you know I just throw out an idea is theirs to take it and run with it. And I want to say you did your mayor you made us proud. Thank you.

Thank you. Oh, Mayor Pro Tim um Hicks is saying I have to give a shout out to all my supporters. I have my third grade teacher here, Miss Glasber. I have my mother-in-law, Julia B. Williams. And then come on down. My mother-in-law, Julia B. Williams, and my husband.

Come on, husband. Oh, and then everybody who's here to support me, if you guys want to come down and take a photo, they said don't leave them out. Third grade teacher. Yes. My third grade teacher, my friend. I want a picture with the third grade picture teacher before we get anyone else. Come on over here and mom. No, I want you and mom. Come on, mom. Okay. Come on. Yeah. What a blessing. This is our Delta Deer. Julia B. Williams. Julia B. Williams Foundation. Look at you, girl. Julia, my sority sister. Yes. Yes. She always represents Delta any day.

Any day. Thank you. Now, the other family that want to come down and get it. Come on, hubby. Oh, come on. Yeah, there's hubby. There's my buddy. Yeah. Dr. Jones, come on down. Soon to be. All right. I'm loving this. Phenomenal women.

Okay. Could you guys spread out a little bit to my left? And yeah, just spread out a little bit. She has a wide lip. Not you, baby girl. No. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Is that a Delta? We got Deltas in the house. Delta. Delta.

All right. What you need, babe? Delta picture. You want a Delta picture? Okay. Can you stick around for a minute after I do this last one? All right. All Deltas in the house. We're going to take a quick photo after this. But matter of fact, stay here. Do it real quick. Yeah. The Deltas. Deltas.

All Deltas come to the floor. Calling all deltas. to the floor. And we want some more.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Be safe.

Thank you. And last but not least, I want to recognize the Women's Issues Commission here in the city of Carson. I call them the wind beneath my wings. Uh the Women's Health Conference. Come on up. Women issues Commission. Come on down. Don't be scared. Sharer Carolyn Foster, Yolanda Fielder, Sheila Trespant, Dr. Greta Price, Monnique Fisher, Honey Manuel, Susan Odum, House, Maria Williams, Veronica Johnson. Come on down, ladies. Come on down, ladies. The Carson's Women's Issues Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the city council and the city manager's office on matters impacting women and families. These commissioners are strategic. They are thoughtful and they are intentional about ensuring Carson's women and families are heard, supported, and celebrated during Women's History Month. We want to recognize you. We want to recognize you for all the work that you do. They take blankets to our senior living facilities. They collect food and they help me spear or run the women's health conference entitled it's all about me. You know, I was criticized for it, but it's not all about me. I like all of them to say when they get up in the morning, it's all about me. It's about me and how I'm going to live my life and how I'm going to give back. It's about me taking care of me. So, it wasn't about me, the mayor. It was about every

woman that comes to this conference. And we have nothing. We have a waiting list of doctors now that's trying to get in. We have about 800 uh women that attend this and they all dressed in pink. And we have now 300 young adults ages um 18 to 30. They have their own separate conference. It's three of them that show up because we're talking about things that affect us ladies. It's not about what somebody tells you. I tell them all the time, they well I they have this person who want to speak. I say, "Do they have an MD behind their name?" No, they can't speak at our conference because when you leave there, I want to empower you with knowledge and not what I think. It comes straight from a doctor and we have them lined up that want to participate in this conference. There are two to three doctors that ran run each session. So when you leave, you leave empowered. You leave with knowledge that'll help you. And we uh the topics that we discuss are topics that the ladies that attend previous conference uh want to hear about. So I don't sit up and say okay this is what we're going to do. We do surveys. So the topics that are discussed are issues that affect you ladies. And it's always the third October a third Friday in in October. and this group here and the staff did a phenomenal job with our that was our 11th annual uh conference and it was just awesome. I think some people they when they miss it they come for the quote book. They'll say I didn't come but I got to have my quote book. I got to have my quote book. So we uh compile different quotes from women uh that you they sit on their desk and I didn't realize how important this was. They read it every day for 30 days ahead. It's month of October and they read it and it's been we just keep adding on to it every year. Every year. So ladies, this commission I want to say thank you. Thank you for making this dream because

I woke up one morning at 12:00 and I said I got to do something to celebrate women. I got to do something to um let the world know because sometime we keep secrets to ourselves. And I tell everybody, I'm a 35-y year breast cancer survivor. Um, and this conference came out of me saying, "What can I do to tell my story? What can other women do to tell their story?" And we have a breast cancer survivors walk. The first year that I did it, I had about 20 people to walk the walk. There's over 200 people now that's telling their story that does the breast cancer walk with us every year. So the message is that you're not alone in this fight. You're not alone. I didn't volunteer for this army. I was inducted into it. So now that I was inducted into it and I've been around 35 years to preach and tell my story, I want other people to tell their story. So ladies, Women's Issues Commission, thank you for helping me to tell that story. Thank you for being a part of my journey uh as we travel this road together. I want to say thank you. And to our chair, how are you?

Great. How are you? I'm great. Would you like to a few words and introduce your board?

Thank you, Madame Mayor and M and city council members. It is a pleasure and a privilege for us to serve as commissioners in the city of Carson for women's issues. We meet the fourth Monday of each month at 6 pm and all of you are welcome. Our agenda is published at least seven days in advance so you know what is going to be on the agenda and what we're going to discuss. I'd like to meet I'd like to introduce these fabulous ladies that I have the privilege of working with. This is Commissioner Susan Odmhouse, Commissioner Yolanda Fielder, Commissioner Sheila Tresvant

Delta Commissioner Dr. Greta Price, Commissioner Connie Dela Cruz Manio, and I hope I don't mess this one up. This is our newest commissioner, Commissioner Stephanie, Clemente,

Clemente Finley, and I'm Carolyn Foster. Thank you. So ladies, now therefore, let it be proclaimed. I'm not reading all this. You guys notice that the that the mayor and the city uh council of the city of Carson do hereby recognize March 26 as women's history month in the city of Carson and encourage all residents to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women past and present. Be it further proclaimed that Sunday, March 8th, 2026 is hereby recognized as International Women's Rosa Parks Day in the city of Carson. Honor the enduring legacy of Rosa Parks and the countless women who encourage and leadership continue to inspire progress and positive change. Thank you to the Women's Issues Commission. Thank you for giving so freely of your time and your talent. and it's dated today by all of us and more importantly who me.

Thank you. Oh, The next one is a proclamation recognizing Red Cross Month and that's by our mayor pro Nancy Perez, the board of directors, and Cindy Kodski, the regional philanthropy partner to come on up.

Hey Nancy, I saw you in the back hiding. Red Cross Awareness Month. Whereas for more than a century, the American Red Cross has provided compassionate care to those in need, responding to disasters, supporting members of the armed forces and their families, collecting life-saving blood, and delivering vital preparedness and health and safety education. Whereas March is nationally recognized as Red Cross Month and to a time to honor the dedicated volunteers, employees, blood donors, and supporters who make the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross possible. Whereas the city of Carson recognizes the invaluable services of the American Red Cross provides to our community in assisting families affected by home fires and other emergencies, supporting disasters relief efforts across California and the nation, and helping residents prepare for emergencies. And whereas the city of Carson encourages all residents to support the life-saving mission of the American Red Cross by volunteering, donating blood, learning life, learning life-saving skills, and taking steps to prepare their households for emergencies. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor and the city council of the city of Carson do hereby recognize the month of March as Red Cross month in the city of Carson and call upon all residents to join in honoring the humanitarian spirit and dedicated services of the American Red Cross. Be it further proclaimed that the city of Carson expresses its sincere appreciation to the volunteers, the supporters who unrave commitment bring hope and relief to those facing emergencies and disasters. dated today, the 3rd day of March, 2026, signed by the entire city council.

Thank you. Good to see you, Nancy. You still hanging around. Say a few words.

Good evening, everyone. Um, thank you so much. Uh, my name is Nancy Perez. I am a proud board member of the American Red Cross, Long Beach, and South Bay chapter. Um we are very very um grateful for this recognition and applaud the city for its commitment to public safety and emergency preparedness. Um in the past three years we were able to host two blood drives. The most recent one in November where we had about 25 donors that were able to save many lives. Um and we again thank you so much for this recognition. Thank you mayor prom for yes she's also with the American Red Cross. Cindy. Yes, she was uh she had to make sure that she took the picture for us. Yeah. But thank you so much for selecting us in in this really great recognition. We appreciate it so much.

Thank you. The next one is uh proclamation read across America by bishop the doctor Jawan Hilton. Thank you madame mayor for Carson librarian uh librarian. Thank you so much for coming tonight. Here's your proclamation um

proclamation and recognition of red read across America week. The city of Carson proudly joins communities across the nation in celebrating ReadAcross America week observed March 2nd through the 6th. Whereas ReadAcross America is a nationwide initiative of the National Education Association that promotes literacy encourage a love for reading among children and adults and highlights the importance of access to diverse and engaging books. And whereas fostering strong reading skills is essential to academic achievement, lifelong learning, and the development of informed, engaged, empowerment residents, the city of Carson is committed to supporting educational excellence through partnerships with local schools, families, libraries, and community organizations, including the Los Angeles County Library and the Carson Library. ReadAcross America Week uh provides an opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading, honor and the contributions of educators, librarians, inspire readers of all ages to explore new ideas, cultures, and perspectives through books. And now therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor and the city of council of the city of Carson do hereby recognize March 2nd through the 6th as Readacross America week in the city of Carson and urge all residents to celebrate by reading with a child, visiting a local library, supporting literacy programs and promoting the lifelong value of reading. Be it further proclaimed that the city of Carson expressed its gratitude to educators, librarians, volunteers, parents, and community partners whose dedication strengthened literacy, enriched the lives of our residents every day. Dated this day the third day of March 2026, signed by all of us. Thank you for coming tonight.

All right. Thank you. I'm I'm a little sick, but I did not want to miss this opportunity. That's why Oh,

I'm wearing a mask. Um, I I'm just so honored and privileged for uh this opportunity to come here and be recognized to speak on behalf of all librarians in Carson. It's truly a privilege to be able to receive this award. Um, my name is Funwin. I'm a teacher librarian at Carson High School, which is right in the city, not too far. I've got about 200 kids and I serve all three schools and it's such a privilege to um be a teacher librarian at the school and be able to give every student a book and I've had mayor um madame mayor come to the library as well as Jim Dear uh countless times. So the support from the city is so wonderful to see um that our city leaders are promoting reading and promoting the love of literacy. So this year's theme as we know we just said in the proclamation is um read across America this week. It started yesterday and it also coincides with Dr. Seuss's birthday. As we know he's written a lot of books. He's written many books um just promoting literacy but also uh promoting uh inclusivity amongst their cultures. And this year's theme is um champion kindness which we need so much right now in the climate that we have and the books that we have that I try to purchase diverse books books that will um that the kids can see themselves in the stories. You know I came at in this country um to this country when I was six years old um and escaped during the Vietnam War. So coming here never having read never having heard the English language. One of the first things that um I was treated with kindness. We were treated with kindness by the US military and they provided us with shelter and uh taught us how to survive here in the US.

Um and then the churches were so instrumental in in giving us um you know hope. I was given I remember at the age of six given a stack full of books and I you know I didn't know what it meant how to read it but I knew that this was the key to success and I poured myself going to libraries and reading and really trying to educate myself just as much as I could and standing here today as a teacher teacher librarian having the privilege to do that for students who you know they they don't have that hope they don't have that encouragement as much and I appreciate the city for um always supporting our schools. Um seeing your presence is so um impactful for uh for me and my students. So thank you and I just want to say thank you again for this opportunity and um yes. So God bless and have a wonderful night everyone. Thank you very much.

Oh I forgot to go. Yes. Shout it out David, Debbie, and Gerald for supporting me and encouraging me. Hi beautiful. Thank you. Thank you for coming. And our last one is um a proclamation recognizing Caesar Chavez Day by our council woman Arlene Betier Roas.

Yes. Buenos, please. Please look at our recipient this year is Sarah Zapata Miharees. Thank you so much. Yes, please. and your daughter Mihares.

Okay. So Sarah Zapata Mihares has dedicated more than 30 years to inspiring communities especially women and young women through her unwavering work in advocacy, business, philanthropy, arts and culture. the proud daughter of a brasero from the Mayalan of Yucatan, Mexico. Sarah's father, Enrique, known as Henry in the California fields, instilled in her the values of hard work, dignity, and service. At just 18 years old, Sarah met Cesar Chavez in the tomato fields, an encounter that would shape her life's mission. As a student at California State University, Los Angeles, where Chavez was frequent visitor, she deepened her commitment to social justice. She later joined forces with Dolores Werta, becoming a strong advocate for the human and labor rights of farm workers. Sarah ensured her advocacy became at began at home. Her children stood alongside her in the movement, even picking grapes, watermelon, and tomatoes in the Metler farm fields near Bakersfield, learning firsthand the grueling conditions farm workers endured, often without proper restrooms or access to portable drinking water. Today, Sarah continues her community healing work in the city of Carson, actively participating in free healing circles at Bixby Marshland. She is a respected culture bearer and a passionate advocate for arts, culture, and mental health. As president Yes. Yes. As president and founder of the 25-year-old Mundomaya Foundation, she promotes, preserves, and shares her Maya Yucatech Heritage

with pride and purpose. Her lifelong dedication has earned her numerous honors including the women's motivational award by LA Times women of the year by La Pon recognition for Munda Maya Day 2018 and t tour tourism promoter by the secretary of tourism of the government of Mexico. Congratulations and thank you so much. Thank you for being here. What an honor. Yes. So I actually have a a long yes for Cesar Chav day and I do want to uh read it uh in recognition of March 31st 2026 as Cesar Chavis day. Whereas in the city of Carson proudly recognizes March 31st as Cesar Chavez Day, honoring the life, legacy, and enduring contributions of Cesar Chavez, a civil rights leader and champion of social justice who dedicated his life to improving the working and living conditions of farm workers and their families. Cesar Chavez, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers, leading nonviolent campaigns that brought national attention to the struggles of agriculture workers and secured his historic labor protections through collective bargaining strikes, boycots, and grassroots organizers. Cesar Chavez legacy reflects the values of service, perseverance, and community empowerment that resonate deeply within the diverse and vibrant community of the city of Carson. The city of Carson will host a tribute to Cesar Chavez day on Friday, March 27th, 2026 at 6 pm at the Carson Event Center. would love for you to be there providing an opportunity for residents, families, and community

leaders to come together in celebration of his life and legacy. Cesar Chavez provides an opportunity for residents to reflect upon the importance of standing up for workers rights, promoting equality, and engaging in acts of service that strengthen our community. and we honor you as a recipient of Cesar Chavez Day. And on behalf of the mayor and city council, we hereby proclaim March 31st as Cesar Chavez Day. And thank you so much for being here and being our recipient also. There you go. And please, can you hold this? Thank you. As mentioned um I'm from Yugatan Mexi Mexico and I want to I want to share a salutation from our our Mayan elders and it says in Can you please repeat

I am you I am you. You are me. We're one one community.

So, it is with that that I want to say thank you. And you said almost everything I wanted to say, but there's a couple paragraphs in here that I I want to um read. Let me get my glasses. And then city of Carson and I share something significant that I heard that you incorporated in 1968 and I arrived in the United States on 92868. So we we share that important day. So well good evening Mayor David Holmes, council members, guests, family and friends. As you heard my name is Sara Sapata Miharees. I was 15 when I came to this country to join my father in the in the forums. I'm honored to be recognized as the Cesar Chavez Day 2026 recipient by uh Mayor Carson Lula Davis homes and council member Arlene Bokeatiah Roas District 4 for my community participation and involvement for the last 50 years related to Cesar Chavaris and the forest worker movement the moento campino as the daughter of a brasero from the Mayan land of Yugatan Mexico who work in the California fields I had the privilege, yes, of meeting Cesar Chavis when I was 18. My dad's hard work and listening to Cesar Chavis and then Dolores work that inspire me to be involved and become an advocate for the human and labor rights of farm workers and their families just like my dad Enrique aka Henry in the fields. Cesar Chavez famous cis pue are inspirational words that have survived time and generations and is used not only by chicanos latinos but everyone that cares for a cause. My children were also part of this movement and as you mentioned they we had to pick grapes and

tomatoes and they they experienced that so that they know the hardships of the farm workers and to be grateful every time they ate grapes. Okay. The farm workers are the most indispensable workers and we saw that during COVID 19 to prevent crops and produce spoilage and to keep food on our tables. They continue their work in the field so that each one of us and families could survive. Yet, they're one of the most vulnerable and dispensable groups based on an infer and humane immigration policy. Let's remember to say prayer, express our gratitude every time we sit comfortable to eat at home. and voice your discontent and take action against this immigration policy. Remember, our voice is our vote. Carson is a beautiful, vibrant, multicultural, proactive city with 40% of Latinos that are involved and love their city and love soccer. It is home to the LA Galaxy in the Dignity Hell Sports Park, a beautiful stadium that welcome locals and people from all over. On July 21st, 2025, our family was here to watch our 13-year-old Ugo Mera and hundreds of children and youth, boys and girls be part of the 2025 AYSO National Games opening ceremony and parade of teams and in teams kicking off a week of soccer. Ugo proudly play with the sertos region 54. We were at this beautiful park and on a personal level I'm Abu Laasa Sarah Mihades and I do the healing circles at the marshland at the Bixby marshlands. If you have not been there I recommend that you come and see this beautiful natural park. It is um it

is the traditional ancestral and unseated territory of the Tonga Gabilino people. In closing, my gratitude to council member to all of you uh council member Roas for this recognition Jose Beltran my friend that couldn't be here today for his nomination. All my friends that are here today, Ben Ortiz that is a proud owner of El Pascador Bar and Gr and Grill in Avalon at Carson, the city of Carson. Again, if you haven't been there, I invite you to go and taste the the the delicious food. Okay? And I look forward to continued working with the city of Carson. Thank you, Cesar Chavez, Dolores Wuerta, and gracias Papy Enrique Sapata Cook, known by their grandkids as Leto Enrique. This one is for you, for my siblings in Mexico, my mother, my children, and grandchildren. May the legacy of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Werta continue. Thank you so much. How are you?

Hi friends on this side. The best selfie. Thank you. I look forward to coming in and visit with you and do some work with you guys. Thank you so much, Mayor.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, daughter. We got a special city. Yes, you do. I get to meet some of those students at Okay. special place. Thank you. Thank you. How are you, dear? Thank you. Thank you. I have to come get my mark.

Oh, thank God we have a slight small agenda. Whose glasses? Whose glasses?

Uh oh. Mommy. I remember to bring it back. Okay. While we're before we go into our um business of the city, I'd like all of our female staff, elected officials. This is women's history month. I have to keep this photo. City attorney, city treasurer, city clerk. It's our night, right, Bishop?

City attorney Here I am. I feel reps female. Come on down, ladies.

Rita, Rita, get in this photo. Are you kidding? Where is Christian?

Where my city clerk surround us? Elected. Come on. Cat. Cat. Lee. Christian. We got a lot of room to my left. Yeah. And so we have I'm trying to get Elizabeth. Come on, Elizabeth. Uh oh. Well, okay. Elizabeth, what is going on?

Our heads will be cut off. Okay, this way. We all like

should Yes. You guys can take a photo.

No, no, he's got it. He got it. Okay. All right. Good job. I don't know what day. Okay,

where are we? Oral communications. Okay, next on the agenda is all communications for matters listed on the agenda. Madam City Clerk. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I only have one comment card and it's for a non-aggendaized item. Oh, really? Yes. It's our It's our lucky night. It's a lucky night. Can reclaim our time. Okay. I'm going to move that one person up tonight. I'm gonna Who is it? It is Bruce Douglas.

Bruce. My name is BJ Douglas. I'm an actor, comedian, and a philanthropist and um one of the original Power Rangers. We're having a great time. Um it's good to have Reed Across America. I was supposed to admit that we are going to a special program at Carson High at the end of the month and we wanted to discuss doing fundraisers because um with Councilman Jim De I have three base school by background. I am also a Air Force veteran. So um I run the United Range of America just like the military run. We have a strategic plan and that is to motivate and educate children. Um, we had a meeting with the mayor a few weeks ago and we're going to do the follow-up meeting with um, Councilman Juan Hilton and KW Tulis. I was hoping Rodney Alen Rippy was here. He's supposed to commit to be, but if you want to help us out, you're going to have to commit, you're going to have to show up and put boots on. It's about boots on the grounds now. And I'm having a great time, especially over at Carol. And um we are going to um celebrate the 34th year anniversary of United Rangers of America here in the wonderful city of Carson. Um I launched Operation American Dream in 2014 in the LA Unified School District and I plan on landing it here in Carson um at the Carson Mall which um is my favorite spot here in Carson. Once again, I want to thank you, mayor, for having that meeting with me, and I look forward to work with um Councilman Juan Hilton and Jim Dear still doing schools with me. He's doing a great job. So, as a team, we are a team and um I want to keep this team going and motivated, but we must start doing fundraisers and get

the um nonprofit funding and put it into the schools. Once again, Carson High Library will be the my um number one focus and we will be doing more um things with um Carson High kids because I we have to keep that door open where I'm listening to the teenagers and um we have to keep them motivated. Once again, God bless you all and thank you for your time. Mayor, um, Councilman Hilton and Councilman Jim Der. I really appreciate you guys working with me in the field, but we've got a lot of work to do and we will complete it and we're going to help educate and motivate these children here in the wonderful city of Carson. Thank you all.

Thank you. Thank you, sir. Madame Mayor, that concludes uh public comment. Approved of the minutes. Motion to approve. Second move and properly. Second discussion. Cast your vote. Oh, can I get the No, everyone's looking. What? Sorry, everyone's looking at me. It was on the wrong screen. Um, can I get the motion again? Okay, thank you.

I got it from the chief deputy. Thank you so much. Motion carries. Oh, consent calendar items 13 through. Motion to approve consent calendar. Second. Moved and properly second. Would anybody like to pull an item? You're a non-casher vote.

The vote is unanimous. Motion carries. Um public hearing. Public What is this? Item number 17, special order of the day is a public hearing uh to consider Adoption of an interm or city ordinance ordinance extending a temporary moratorum on the establishment and expansion of restaurant drive-thru operation within city limits during the during the pendency of the city review and adoption of permanent zoning regulations for such uses for an additional 10 months and 15 days. Uh staff, anything to report?

Uh yes, thank you, Mr. City Manager. Uh notice of public hearing to consider adopting the interim emergency ordinance uh with the number and title that Madame Mayor just mentioned, number 26-2604U. The public hearing has been con been given pursuant to applicable law, including but not limited to the proof of timely publication received by myself. The agenda posting requirements were met for the individuals and the organizations. The posting affidavit are on file in the city clerk's office and we did not receive any written communication for this public hearing. Thank you. We're going to open the public hearing. Is there anyone wishing to speak on this item?

Yes, the public hearing. Come on down. You fill out a speaker card

after you speak. Um I uh good evening, Madame Mayor. Uh Mayor Pro Tim Cedric Hicks, Councilman Dr. Joan Hilton, Councilman Jim Dar, and Councilwoman Arlene Rojos. Um really informal as you are aware, University and Central is being developed, the five acres that's there. Um I have been um invited along with Mr. John Holloway to help consult on that project, which we're grateful for because it allows us to have a seat at the table to understand what's happening there. There are um or there is one drive-thru that is considering that area, but I believe it would be something really good for our city. It offers great health choices. They make their own breads. They make their own teas. Um, and sometimes we need certain kind of drive-throughs in order to um appeal to our our demographic, if you will. However, I do want to also state that I agree with the council on the moratorum. I understand what council's doing with the moratorum is to protect us because to be quite frank, we're not looking at another burger joint. We don't want another taco joint. And and I say that when I say that, I say that humbly because we have many of those restaurants here. We're looking at doing something that's going to now diversify our pallet outside of those kind of foods. So my hope is that in this moratorum, we would consider and uh Dr. Councilman Joan Hilton brought this up. If there is something within that 10 and a half months that we present to council that council is on board with that it can at least be considered. so that we can bring something to the community

that I believe the community will love. Does that come across, mayor? Yeah, that came across loud and clear. Say it again for me. Came across loud and clear. Okay. All right. Okay. Thank you very kindly. Thank you. Appreciate your time. Anyone else? Uh well, any council? Yes, Dr. Hilton. Then Councilman Dear,

I was going to just echo Mrs. uh Luen's comments because all drive-throughs aren't bad. Uh we just want to be able to control which ones that go there. Um so it is my hope that if something is presented in a a meaningable way that this council will examine it or come back to examine all of those things that may come up and if it works for the community then it'll work for Carson. But if it doesn't work for the community then we push it the other way. So um I I know that Jim wants to talk, but I'm ready to make a motion whenever u make it and then I'll see you.

Oh. Oh, okay. Well, I'd like to wave further reading and adopt an ordinance number 26-260 for you, an intermittency ordinance of the city council, California, extending the emergency ordinance number 26-2602U, which uh instituted a 45day temporary moratorum and establish an expansion of drive-throughs through restaurants operations within the city limit. The pendants of the city review adoption of permanent zoning regulations for such uses for an additional 10 months and 15 days and declaring the urgency. Therefore, second been moved and probably second. Councilman dear

on discussion of the motion. A question for um first city attorney and then the city manager. Um, if this moratorum is put into effect and there's a business that the city council wants to entertain, how does that work legally? Can they suspend the moratorum? Can the city council vote to suspend it? Or I mean, it it might not seem fair to the business community to say no drive-through restaurants can can initiate their their business program into Carson during this moratorum. and then someone comes up and asks a council member who asks the mayor to put it on the agenda to suspend it. Is that legal? Can that be done or

Well, the council can always resend a moratorum. It's up to the council. You have to resend the entire moratorum and open it up to everyone. Yes. Not just that one. Exactly. Yeah. That's what I wanted to make clear. Uh that's that's absolutely neutral.

Yeah. Uh the other thing uh that I'd like to mention and this is the staff. You know, we all know that if you have a drive-in restaurant, a drive-through restaurant, they have to make the food quickly because it's a drive-thru. So, it's another name for a fast food restaurant. They've got to prepare the food very quickly. So, it's very fast. So that's why we're concerned about these drive-throughs. We have so many fast food restaurants in Carson right now. We're like overwhelmed with them. And um it really discourages the types of restaurant that the mayor and the council members uh are trying to attract to the city. Sitdown name brand table service restaurants where you can, you know, enjoy a a meal when you order it. They prepare it after you order it and uh and you get uh quality quality food, not fried food necessarily. So um um what does the staff intend with this moratorum? What is what is the what's the vision? What's the plan of the city management on the on this moratorum?

Sure. Thank you, council member dear. So I think the plan is one based on the direction of the council is to work and see and find that which uh mayor and council is asking for. I think you all have made your uh points clear as far as I've heard um you know development of bringing sitdown restaurants to the city. Um, I've heard of, uh, retail that would benefit the community, that would activate the area. Um, and I believe that's something that the team, economic development department, as well as staff, um, looks to do. Uh, working with those that are entitled and have rights to that property. Um, working with them to ensure that what it is that you all would like to see is what actually comes to the community in that particular area. And so, um, that is exactly what we're looking to do. Um, the city doesn't want to see something that the council doesn't want to have, which is a project that doesn't meet what the community wants, what you all are desiring. So, our goal is to ensure that what you all are asking for is what would be delivered as to what your con constituents are asking for within that particular area and within the city. And so that's that's the that's really the only goal and that's what our team is working on and they'll be doing that diligently. ICSE is coming up. It's one of the largest um seminars, the largest conferences uh for big box in that in that nature. And so that's something that will be looked into as well. So the Dutch brothers that was on the screen at the beginning of the council meeting uh today, they're already approved and they're not going to be affected by this moratorum. Is that correct?

That's correct. Okay. All right. So um when we are going to go to ICSC, I think most of the council members will be going to that and staff because I believe we have a booth this year. Is that correct?

Yes, sir. Okay. So um Um, you know, so often our constituents are complaining not enough sit down restaurants in Carson to choose from. And I brought this up before, but I'll bring it up again. For example, city of Lakewood, they have virtually a restaurant row around um around their mall. There's so many restaurants to choose from. And when you have a lot of sit-down table service restaurants, you attract people from many, many miles away. In Carson, we do have some. We started that program with Chili's, which was the first sitdown table service name Brown Restaurant to open in 20 years in Carson when it opened in 2003. And then we brought in other restaurants. Um, we even had um besides u Buffalo Wild Wings and Olive Garden, we had uh the um Scissor Restaurant was purchased by the corporation from a franchisee in order to improve it because they weren't able to compete with Chili's and and u Olive Garden. Well, Chili's actually was the impetus to get them to improve their restaurant and now it's a it's a really good si sizzler before it had much to be desired. So that change was was a good one, but then we we kind of stopped and we started going for fast food restaurants again. So I just want to make sure that this moratorum that the council members uh that we want is used as a tool by economic development director and your your staff Mr. city manager uh use this tool to get some sitdown restaurants in Carson. I think it's really important.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you. And I and I believe um and I'm looking forward to the day uh that's coming very quickly that our community development director is going to be announcing. Um I can tell you there is a very wonderful sitdown restaurant that is going to be coming to the city of Carson. Uh he's very close. Uh so I can't make mention of the name. uh but once he's able to uh confirm and solidify uh contractually all those aspects uh I think you all will be pleased for the direction in which him and the team are moving in. Um and I think to your point that's going to really add um to the legacy of the city with the with true sitdown restaurants. Um not to slight the wonderful Chili's Tony Romas or Sizzlers are out there. uh this particular restaurant would be more of a fourstar, five-star type restaurant. And so that's something that I believe that the residents wanted to have and want to see and uh Mr. Nathan Freeman has expeditiously worked on this particular aspect and we'll see that come to fruition here very shortly.

Well, that's really good news. Uh, that's what we need. And I understand the logic of not mentioning the name because if we're working on it and that corporation changes their mind, they're going to say, "Oh, you didn't tell us the truth." But, uh, we'll be happy when it's, uh, when the the letter of intent is signed and they actually apply for building permits and so forth and, uh, their plan checks go through and we actually get get that new restaurant because, as you know, the development directly across the street, the Union South Bay, they had planned to put in two table service sitdown restaurants at that site uh, on the first floor, but neither one came into fruition. and uh we're a little disappointed in that, but uh if we can get started again and move forward on it, I'll be be very happy and I think the people of Carson would be happy. So, thank you for answering the question.

Comments. No one else is queued up. Uh is it moved and properly second? Please cast your vote.

The vote is unanimous. Motion carries. Item number 18, discussion item, consider an update on the city projects. Yes, thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh, item number 18 is an update of the city projects as you would uh stated, and we'll have uh a brief presentation uh by our economic development director, Mr. Nathan Freeman. Well, good evening, honorable mayor, mayor prom, and distinguished council members. Again, Nathan Freeman, your community economic development director. My very quick update this evening, madame mayor. As you may recall, at our last meeting, you requested staff put together a list of all of our most desirable and developable properties here in the city.

Awesome. I am happy to report that staff was already working behind the scenes to identify those sites and uh working with our PIO team to put together the pamphlet that you have in front of you and is shown on the screen. So, this is invaluable to us as staff. Uh, in my short four months here, I've met with a lot of developers, a lot of business owners who are really interested in the city. And so, this is invaluable to myself and my team and my colleagues and other departments as we articulate what are the opportunities here in our city.

So, uh, as our city manager mentioned, we have ICS coming up. We go to trade shows, etc. throughout the year. And this is our uh opportunities list. So, we have lots of copies of these. If the mayor and council would like uh we will give you as many as you want. So, uh this is our quick update. Mayor, we did hear you at the last meeting and we've been working very diligently collaboratively across departments to make sure this is ready for us as we go out and hit the street to make sure that everybody knows about all of the amazing opportunities here in Carson. So, uh, happy to answer any questions relative to this or any projects that are on the list.

Well, we'll go through the projects, but I just want to say thank you. Uh, this is something that's needed because anywhere we go out, we I was just meeting with a developer that want to know where the properties were, and I think we're going to be meeting with him soon, but he wants to know what properties are available because he's so interested in coming to the city of Carson. Uh, and so this is uh this is awesome. Thank you for hearing my cry. I thought you had forgotten, but thank you so much to my colleagues. Uh, Councilwoman Arlene.

Yes, thank you so much. I I feel like I was bugging staff all the time um looking for places. I think uh Tio Filos was one of them where we didn't have this list and we drove around looking for available real estate and we finally did get it and then we have another restaurant that wants to come in. We were doing the same. So I actually see the property that we're interested in and it's on this list. So thank you so much staff. Uh congratulations on your hard work. This is just amazing. I just have one request. Can I get this like on a map where I can put like those colorful pin points and you know and every time we we have a spot we could put like a a red pin or blue a yellow you know that would be great to see it on a city of Carson map

so that we know where these locations are. Yes, absolutely we can. And you can hang it in my office. Yeah. come on in anytime. Okay. No. Well, we we can get that provided for you. Yes, ma'am. So, uh, council member, great question. There is a QR code on that flyer that takes you exactly to that map you requested. Yes, you're way way ahead of Wow, that's amazing. Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Dr. Hilton. Yes, I was just going to applaud just say incredible work. Uh we've been looking for something like this for quite some time. Uh while I have this portion of economic development, I did we also couple weeks ago made a request for funding for those people who are at university in Avalon. Uh do we have any updates for that?

Uh great question, Councilman. I know we've had multiple conversations uh with some folks that even come here council uh to articulate some of their concerns like the gentleman from Carson Kebab as an example. So when they came, myself and my building team went out there, we met with them, we were able to address a lot of their concerns relative to construction, etc. with the property owner. Uh I don't know that uh we've identified any funds, but myself and my team have met with several of the uh businesses owner out there, excuse me, business owners in that shopping center and we continue to and make ourselves available uh for any questions, concerns, etc. they may have. So I know uh we do have facade program funds. Uh those were not taken up by that property owner. Uh but at some point with council directive um certainly we could consider grant funds for that shopping center.

Uh no this is for the uh university. I know that the one on 184th needs facade funds too but I thought we had said we wanted to bring something back. So I just wanted to kind of figure out where that was and just kind of just fell in line with it. Awesome. Uh, MPT. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Nathan, for this widget that we have because I think this is well overdue. Uh, we talked earlier, what you said this is your fourth month. You can have another four months.

You got four months in. Four months in. My question um over in district three in the president's track and wanting to look at having a supermarket in that location and I wasn't sure was that address in this pamphlet for the location of a property that's available. I believe it is sir but I'll have to confirm.

Okay. My question is to make sure that we look at getting that market back at that location um in addition to doing the facade improvement. I know funds have been identified for that shopping center and just wanted to make sure it comes back before this body based upon what needs to be approved if there's anything additional to it. But um to the staff just those are the two requests I know I made some time ago. I just wanted to make sure we get back a status report on both of them. Thank you.

Well again staff thank you for all of your hard work. we we're getting where we need to be as a city. Uh and I'm so excited when we go we'll have something from the jewel of the South Bay. So, thank you very very very much. Job well done, madame mayor. Jewel has a lot of good places to eat. The jewel the jewel is going to be for real. The jewel you have to try to make that happen.

We gonna make it happen. We have a can do attitude, right, Mr. City Manager? This is a Is there any questions on any project? Did you have anything else that we need to know about the public? I don't think so. Madame Mayor, I I have a question. Uh, it says featured listing Carson Civic Center. Um, is that going to be presented at ICSC to prospective developers? Yes, sir. It will be in this pamphlet. You'll have a whole box of these, right? Available. Sorry, can you repeat that? Right. Yes. Yes.

So, uh, do we want to tell the public a little bit about what the plans are for the civic center? It will be my ready to do that or not? Not yet. We will be looking here shortly to advertise the RFP. Um, and so our economic development team is working along with the city's broker to have that packaged up and once that time is ready, they'll go ahead and have that publicly announced and because I've seen some artist renderings on various places. But I after ICS is when something maybe will be announced. Yes. By the time we get to ICS, we should be well in the process if not even Okay. Thank you. completed but the RFP to be out.

Thank you. And this is a receiving and file. Uh the next one is consideration of local uncontested appointees. Uh I have one to appoint to the public relations commission and uh my vacant alternate spot and that will be none other than alternate number two uh public relations uh Shirley Smith. That's my motion and my recommendation. Does anyone else have anything to change, add, delete?

No. Is that a I'll make a motion to ratify your appointment. It's been moved and properly second. Please cast your votes. Madame Mayor. Oh. Uh, the vote is unanimous. May I add something, Madam Mayor, in regards to um CCBs?

I would like to encourage or request that anyone that you all um want to appoint or intend to appoint, if we can get an application for them. It's been a Oh, look. Come on. Modeling already. I appreciate it. It's really challenging when um someone's appointed and then we need to follow up with them and we don't have any contact information. It delays our ability to get the communication to them, their letter and then get them, you know, get their oath and get them um get them on board. So, that would be really helpful. And then also, um there are constituents and residents who ask about um what the CCB process is if they have an application on file. So we let them know even if there's not a vacancy if you just express an interest you can have an application on file we send it up to you know Val and Ginger and those are there for you all to consider if an appointment or if a vacancy becomes available. So just so you know that that's the information that we're putting out so that would be you know more helpful in the future. Um, and then the last thing I will say is looking at the application, it might be time for a refresh um, just to kind of build that document out um, a little bit. I'm not sure

who originated or created that um, application, but it could be a little bit moreental. Happy to provide a draft for you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. And just to let you know, I keep all those applications when you send them up. That's how I fill my appointments a lot of times. Call them in for an interview, do a Zoom meeting, and move forward. Yes, we keep copy. Yeah, you always send up a copy, and I appreciate that. I keep Thank you.

Okay, we did all communications for matters not listed. Council members request to add future items. All communications council members and uh Bishop.

Yes, Madame Mayor. I want to remind everyone of our town hall meeting that's going to be on Thursday, March 12th. Thursday, March 12th at Stevenson Park, uh at 6:30 p.m. So, please come out. Uh you should have received it in the mail. um want you to come, want to hear your concerns. Also was uh at a a town hall the other night. Madame Mayor, I know you showed up about the wall on um Avalon and

Twin University. I would like for us to kind of do a little better advertisement on that because I know that everybody's concerned about the wall, but very few people knew about it. In fact, I wouldn't know about it if it wasn't for uh Madame Mayor. Uh so, please uh I would love for us to to do that and um I just want to say uh just want to say that. So, thank you.

Yes. Thank you. Um we've already discussed that. I think the next meeting is going to be at Anderson Park Thursday. Yes. said, I want to remind everyone there's only 50 homes or so on the university, so it wouldn't have the same impact as one of our regular town hall meetings. I've I met with them and said, you know, this has to be the flyer needs to be developed at a I always say I speak to people in the fifth grade, who, what, when, where, and why. And we discussed that. So, we'll see how this one at Anderson Park uh turns out. But there was five people there and there's a lot of good information and I my idea is your wall is falling down and put the address there. I can relate to that. So we've already discussed it. So we'll see how the one is at Anderson Park. How many homes on are we talking about?

24 uh that are close to the central wall in question. Yes, it's only 24 homes. Madame Mayor, if I may, um we had a lot of success. public works department did uh Monday and Tuesday this week, yesterday and today uh walking the streets passing out surveys and flyers ensuring the residents received them. We had good pretty good turnout so far. We're having residents complete the survey in the field. So we've had about 50 of the total or 50% of the residents so far fill out the survey. Is that the one for Anderson or the one for DMA? For both of them. Good.

Yes. and uh we invited everyone who was not able to attend last Thursday regarding the Avalon wall to uh the meeting this Thursday. So we're expecting a good crowd.

Thank you. Uh even at that 50 it's you're not going to get a 100 people there. If we can get 50% of those, we're doing good. But they've been calling us. So thank you for doing taking that a little further. Um because it was a lot of good information. Uh let's see. MPT. Yeah, just wanted to make a quick uh congratulatory to the community services department, to the Carson Citizens Culture Art Foundation, to the staff, the volunteers for the Black History Month program. Outstanding event. One of the most I guess participants that actually showed up. I was the hall A, B, and C was packed. I was really really surprised and very pleased behind that. So kudos to all who put that together. And you guys just got through talking about the um March the 5th, the Anderson Park, the central wall meeting at 6 PM. So if you live near that wall area, you should have gotten some type of notification. Please show up and be there on time for 6 PM because I do start on time.

Oh, Jesus. You Councilwoman Arleene.

Yes. Uh thank you. I just wanted to publicly thank uh Council Member Ray Jackson from Hermosa Beach, the president of Independent Cities Association, ICA, uh for inviting me to speak um as a keynote speaker at the AAA conference on the power of social media for elected officials. Uh, so I want to thank um our Lula girls, Maisha and uh Raven, they're not here tonight uh for preparing my curriculum. And uh for those of you who uh are just tuning in, we now have a multidia division in the city of Carson. Uh so I used their curriculum uh to share with other elected officials and other cities and it was just uh an outstanding presentation. Uh for those of you who who follow City of Carson on Instagram, Facebook, uh I believe we're also on YouTube, but if you go in there, you can see the difference that it has made. It's it's not 43 views or 23 views or 500 views. Uh one of their views is 143,000 views. That is a significant step up. Yes, I think we need to Yes, we really are stepping it up. City of Carson is is um is on its way. We are the jewel of the South Bay. So, I want to publicly thank ICA and their executive staff for allowing me to speak on that and on behalf of the city of Carson and sharing our outstanding

social media expertise. So, thank you and thank you, Madame Mayor, for and uh our new Lulu girl uh Keshan Graves for accompanying me and being my backup uh that day. So, thank you.

Thank you. um to my Lulu girls. That's affectionate. Uh you know, I was asked like it was an insult at an event. Uh but that's my way of showing appreciation. Um they term themselves the Lulu girls, not me. I just ran with it. But it was not is not intended to be anything uh to demean you or anything. It's just that we want to make sure that our team keeps growing. You know, we got applications of folks want to be on that team. The original two Lulu girls got promoted because of their work they were doing here in the city. Just working with me, they were uh recognized for what they've done for the city. Now, they're going to take it to another level. And my new new Lulu girl is going to take it to another level. And we soon will have a I don't know what we going to call him. We'll think of it. Come up with a new name.

We'll leave that one alone for right now.

He mustn't be okay. We'll let him come up with his own tag. Uh but black history program was outstanding. Uh very very very very well attended and that's what partnership does. Uh you know I can't say enough about the Carson Citizens Cultural Arts Foundation. Um, I told her she should be on staff, the team, but they worked well with our city staff, Michael Whitaker. They worked well with your staff, and making it uh this a reality. It was a fantastic event. Just fantastic. Ni, oh my god. Oh my god. She sang Jennifer Hudson. And I was trying to find a spot on my state of the city, but I mean the girl that song I've heard her sing before, but she just if you have not seen the tape, you need to see it. We did not We're not videotaping these events anymore. Is there a reason? We do. We did. Okay. And I And the photos, I'd like to have copies of the uh uh Seems like when my girl isn't here, I don't see I don't get any pictures. So I don't go online. I'm what she sends me. I make a click and they pop up. Okay. But it was great. Um our council woman did an outstanding job at a conference and um talking about social media and what the uh jewel of the South Bay is doing. They're so jealous. You know, I I really feel good when I go to conferences now. We're no longer the

laughingtock of the South Bay. We are now the jewel of the South Bay. And everywhere we go, here comes that jewel. I I feel good, you know, because before I was like, are you kidding me? Here comes Carson. It was embarrassing. So now we're moving and we're doing what the people of Carson want. So, I just want to thank this wonderful staff, Mr. City Manager, that you've assembled to help make um this dream that we have a reality. We're doing some great things and like you said, developers are knocking down the door now and I just love it. Um the multimedia division, thank you. Uh we're looking for great things from them and I'm just excited about where we're going. Councilman Deer,

thank you. Yes, I'm also looking forward to the multimedia division and that was a good idea to create it and I think it fits right into the future of the city. So, that's that's great. I want to mention as well that I attended the last week at the uh African-American History Month celebration and it was really well done. A compliments to the staff and to the cultural arts foundation. uh um it was a good theme. It was very educational and entertaining at the same time and that's that's really the key to education. Make it interesting and it was a very interesting program. I I agree with my colleagues. It was really worthwhile attending and maybe it'll encourage more people to attend next year and more than the year after that. And that's all I have for tonight. But good night everyone. Thank you. Just and I'd also like to mention that the council woman and I held a town hall meeting at Forsa Park. Very well attended. Uh very well very well attended. So thank you councilwoman. We'll be looking forward to other town hall meetings. Um because the one thing that I'm finding out that which I knew before is the residents like us to come to them and uh so they can ask us questions and these town hall meetings is a way of us doing that. So to all my colleagues that thank you thank you thank you uh for doing these town hall meetings. All I need to do is show up and say hello then I leave sometime I hang around. So thank you. I know uh council de you're having a town hall meeting.

Yes. I uh have a tenative date so I don't want to announce it till it's locked in. Yeah. Till it's locked in. Okay.

But it'll be in March. Thank you. Memorial adjournments. Thank you, Madam Mayor. These are the names that I received. Deputy Brian Sneed, Tyrone Dao, Isaiah Lorenzo Atua Tasi, Lenora Wells, Castellano, Carstella Marx, Miller, Sirlo, Elaine, Lyman, Batist, Willie Clyde, Berscie, Rodrigo, Rudy, Orca, Punda, Maria, Dwayne Singleton, Thank you. Deira,

can I add one, Madame Mayor? Vincent Miles.

Vincent Miles. And I would like to add one. Uh, we just found out today that my new council aid, she lost her cousin around 2:00 today. Um, yeah, around a young man, Dean Pooie Hart. and uh our prayers are with the family and I didn't she wanted to continue working today but I think this is around 2:00 when she got the call that uh he would had taken his wings and um our condolences to you and let us know all the particulars bishop

yes bow our heads father tonight we submit all of these names and these families amilies to you and we pray that you would bless them and you would keep them in perfect peace in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Amen. Staff, any comments? Uh I have one more I forgot to announce. My the city's state of the city address is on the 19th. I know we'll have another meeting. If you have not signed up, you're on a waiting list. 800 tickets have already been allocated for this event. you don't have a table. So, uh we're going to see who we can accommodate. I know they've already started the waiting list, but it's um we opened it up one week and the next I think next week they were gone. Uh thanks to social media, thanks to us reaching out to all the people that attended and the chamber of course for uh their support. My city manager told me they have to find another location because his waiting list is we can't accommodate them. So, thank you. Uh that means we're doing something right here in the city of Carson. Those events used to have 200 people there. So, now we're we have over 800 and I'm excited business community and our residents. Okay. Without any further information or conversation, I'll adjourn this meeting.