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. 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. Today is Tuesday, April 21st. I'm calling to order the Carson City Council Housing Authority Successor Agency and Public Financing Authority. Roll call. Madam city clerk.

Thank you, madam mayor. Council member Rojos, present. Council member Deer, present. Council member Hilton stepped away. Yes. Uh, Mayor Proim Hicks, present. Mayor Davis Holmes, present. Thank you. We'll have a flag salute by our mayor proim. Everyone, please stand. Ready, begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Thank you. Tonight we're going to have an invocation by Pastor Walter Tuck the third from Truth and Love Christian Center. Pastor Thank you so much, Madame Mayor and distinguished members of this August assembly. Let us pray. Father, we thank you so much. We thank you for being thankful. We thankful that we're in a nation where we can come and pray like this. We don't take that for granted. The scripture says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." And so, we're grateful to be able to do this as I was reminded recently that there was a time at the beginning of our nation where it looked like this nation was not going to be formed. But a man of God impressed upon Bren Franklin to remember to have clergy-led prayer. And this clergy-ledd prayer still exists today, not only here in the city of Carson, but in the halls of Congress where I once served. And we're thankful for that because if not, we would be a sunder. So, bless the mayor and all these wonderful city council people. Thank you that we have a city that is great and flourishing and prospering and yet everybody here understands that they're part of a team. No eye and team and together each achieves more. Nobody here is exalting themselves higher than the one who keeps us the one who protects us, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even as some politicians these days might think that they're him. But there's only one Christ, and he's the one who keeps this city. For if if the Lord doesn't

watch the house, those that watch watch in vain. If the Lord doesn't keep the house, those that keep keep in vain. So we thank you that this city is on the move. It is proud. It is prospering, but it is yet humble. And I thank you personally that I've come to know each and every one of the people on this council. And they're good people. and we're praying for them and their families just as we're praying for all the staff. Thank you for all the achievements that have happened. As we look back through the back door and we see where Carson has come from, we're so grateful, but we're also grateful for where it's going. And we give you these prayers and give you praise, honor, and glory in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, pastor. Uh we have close session items two through three. Madam City Clerk, is there are there any comments on the close session? No, Madame Mayor. Madame City Clerk, report on the close session, please items. City attorney, right? Because you said

Okay. I was like, wait, is that me or is that Dr. Okay. Um, the the council will meet pursuant to government code section 54956.9D2 in two active uh litigation matters. One is in the matter of Mark versus City of Corson workers comp board case number ADJ21621815 and ADJ J21667605 and the council will meet uh in as pursuant to the same section in the matter of Als versus city of Carson. Um and that concludes my report.

Thank you very much. Um, these items we should be back before 6 or by 6. Madam City Attorney, I think six is fine. Madam, six o'clock. We're going to recess into close session uh we'll return at uh by six o'clock.

What we

Tell them to go ahead and start.

Rules of decorum. No person attending a public meeting shall engage in disrous conduct including but not to applause, whistling 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 item 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 the quorum. 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.

Reconvening our city council meeting. City attorney, please report out. Madam attorney, please report out. Oh, thank you. The council met in close session pursuant to government code section 54956.9D1 to confer with legal counsel regarding pending litigation in two matters. Um, one was Mark versus City of Carson. Um, no reportable action was taken. The other one was Alver versus City of Carson and no reportable action was taken.

Thank you, madame city. I mean city attorney. Why am I calling you a city club today?

I like it though. That's okay. Okay. Captain Norman, are you here? Report from Captain Norman. Yeah, she's not. Okay. Quick announcement to make. If you On item number 31, uh, consider adoption of interimm emergency ordinance number 2626075 of the city of Carson, California. That item is going to be pulled tonight. We're not going to discuss it tonight. So, anyone that's wishing to speak, uh, the item is not going to be heard tonight. So, uh, I will bring it up. If you want to wait and speak at that time, you'll have one minute to speak, but we're not we're not going to discuss that item tonight. Okay. Now, we'll go to Captain Norman. She's not here. Is our fire chief here? No. agenda. I lost it. We're going to go to presentation. Zero emissions of vehicle readiness award from the California new motor vehicles board of the city of Carson. Mr. City Manager.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh this presentation, as you stated, for the zero emission vehicle readiness award, um is going to be presented, I believe, by uh board member Shirley Jones. Not sure if Miss Jones is here. Oh, she is. Okay. Um she's going to come forward and I believe she's going to provide this presentation and pres present any type of uh information or dialogue regarding how the city received it or the award itself. uh so that way you can and the your colleagues can hear about the great things that the city of Carson is doing in regards to um this particular award. So, thank you, Miss Jones.

Hi. Um good evening everyone. Good morning. Um good evening, Mayor. Um my name is Shirley Jones and I'm a board member of the California New Vehicle Board and today we are proud to um recognize the city of Carson with the Zeb Readiness Award recipient. It is especially meaningful um for me to present this award as a board member and also as a resident of this community. This award reflects the California Transportation AY's priorities which are safety, equity, climate action, and economic prosperity. And it acknowledged the leadership required to move them forward. Nearly half of California's climate changing pollutions comes from transportation. Addressing that requires more than innovation. It requires a commitment. The city of Carson has shown the commitment through their actions. by installing the EV charging infrastructure in accessible locations, advancing a light duty EV fleet, and engaging the community every step of the way. This work was not easy. It took long hours, collaborations, and willingness to listen and to adapt. It took leadership and understanding that was more than a one-time effort, but it was an ongoing responsibility. What makes Carson's approach stand out is its focus on equity. Ensuring that a cleaner transportation is just not available, but is accessible and inclusive for all. Your effort demonstrates the meaningful progress

um progress is built collectively and sustained through dedication and vision. On behalf of the California new motor vehicle board, thank you to the city of Carson for your leadership and your commitment to a cleaner future. The city of Carson is just not preparing for the future. You're helping to define it. And for that, we thank you. We proudly recognize you and we celebrate you today. Congratulations on an award that's welld deserved for the city of Carson. So, on behalf of the new motor vehicle board, um I was recently appointed by the governor. I'm here to present the award to the city of Carson for a job well done in um creating a cleaner future, not just for the city of Carson, but for all residents of the state of California.

We're going to come down and do a photo op. That is awesome. Thank you. Yes, Mr. City Manager.

Yes. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, and just before you take the photo, I just wanted to uh briefly give a shout out to our energy and sustainability officer, Miss Rita Culture, for uh her efforts uh in leading the uh new motor vehicle uh aspirations by changing our fleet, making it clean. Um, and so she's been really a a stalworth in this particular effort. So, we appreciate that. And I think the the award shows the fruit of her labor. So, thank you to uh our energy and sustainability officer,

Rita. Rita, thank you. Stay right there. Be and while we're coming down, could we have a photo with uh just Rita and uh what? Oh, okay. Shirley and Rita. And then we're going to come down and take a group photo. Okay. Great. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for the award. Uh let's give our Rita a round of applause for Man, she's doing an awesome job. and we'll make our way to the podium. And soon as we finish that, we'll have um recognitions for the regional mathematics competition teams from Delamo Elementary School, Amler Elementary School, and Steven White School for their achievements. Mathematics competition. Mathematics competition. That is awesome. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you. My pink mic. Yeah. So, thank you so much for recognizing the city of Carson uh for all that we do. We have uh just renamed ourselves the jewel of the South Bay and awards such as this is helping us to fulfill that dream and that mission because we're doing some positive things here in the city of Carson and I'm just just excited to be the mayor this time. Let's take a quick vote up.

Would you like me? Thank you. Tonight, oh, we're proud to recognize three outstanding Carson school schools for their incredible achievement in the distinguished inaugural math field day competition. It was hosted at Steven White Middle School this past March. students competed earning top places and advancing advancing to represent region south at the Los Angeles County Office of Education competition that happened on April 18th and they did not disappoint. Amler Elementary fifth grade team earned third place. Steven White Middle School 8th grade. Wow, they brought home the first place trophy.

And Delamo Elementary School, its fourth grade team also secured the first PLACE

right here in the great city of Carson. So, we talk about I'm looking at toe when she was running around the parks and uh this woman works around the clock. She worked around the clock when she was working for the city of Carson. And I just want to say thank you to for all you've done for our kids, for how much you've invested in them because it it takes a village to raise a child and it takes someone that loves what they're doing. and told I know for a fact and other teachers that are here tonight representing our first to first place winners and our third you to be commended. You be commended to everyone that's sitting here when you see these young people come to the stage. This is what excellence looks like. These students are not only demonstrating academic achievement, but discipline, teamwork, and the kind of focus that will carry them beyond the classroom. As we declare 2026, and if you saw my state of the city, 2026 is the year of the child here in the city of Carson. And I Yes. Uh each year I since I've been mayor I decide I have certain initiatives but I want all of our faith uh based um leaders, our students, our teachers. You're here tonight and all of us when you see a young person reach out and say a kind word to them. Reach out and let them know that you are our future leaders and we're looking for you. We're looking for you to do bigger and better things because one day somebody is going to be sitting and filling up one of those five seats and some of those director seats there. And I wanted to be Carson residents. I'm, you know, I make no bones about uh my love for the city and the uh young people that's here. And I'm just so proud to honor you tonight.

So on behalf of the city of Carson, all of us standing before you, I want to say job well done. Job well done. Uh we're looking for bigger, better, and greater things from you and we're going to be cheering you on every step of the way to toe. I want and and the other I call toe because I know her, but I want to send this message out to all of the teachers that are here tonight. Um I want all of these kids to come and visit city hall and to tour city hall. And then I'm gonna select uh you know at each one of my council meetings someone to be mayor of the city for the day. I think I think and you guys make that selection, but I think it's important for our young people to know about city government. It's important for them to come see how their government works. Even though it'll be one, we want the whole team here cheering on the mayor for the day because I I just think it's important. Um, I spent my life in the parks, came up through the parks and told testified uh testified to that. I love the people I serve and I serve the people I love. And you Carson residents, I love all of you and you know that and that's evident by what's going on in this great city. We're moving. We're making the city the true jewel of the South Bay. But I want to recognize that 2026 is the year of the child. Okay. Thank you. Mason Rio, first place, fourth grade, Dal Lammo Elementary, in recognition of your outstanding achievement in mathematics and exemplary performance in an inaugural math field day competition sponsored by LUSD Region South District. Your dedication, problem

solving skills and academic excellence have distinguished you among your peers and contributed to the success of this inaugural event is dated today the 21st of April signed by your mayor. Uh Lula Davis Holmes, our mayor prom. Huh? What? Oh, you guys have your own personal conversation. Something was happening back here.

Okay. uh our mayor pro Tim Cedric Hicks, Councilman the Bishop, the doctor Jawan Hilton, Jim Deer, and our councilwoman Arlene Roas. We're so proud of you, and I think uh I'm going to make one of these winners. One of them are going to be the mayor of the day. You guys can select another one, but this is my selection. All right. Okay. Is your family here or your teachers? Come on up. Let's take a photo up this way. That way we can see your nice shirt, too. Okay. Hold it down here.

Parents the middle there. family. Come on down. Where's the teacher? That's you. Congratulations.

Perfect. Thank you. Yay. First place, fourth grade, Evan Ruiz Dammo Elementary. WOO! and it says the same thing, but we're just so proud of you for your academic achievement and how you represented the city of Carson is dated today the 21st is signed by your mayor, me, and the rest of these folks, the our city council. Okay, come on. Parents, teachers, family,

you again. Oh, you just I know dama.

Oh, wow. Thank you. You have a principal has to be up. behind right behind

uh can I get a a photo with the principal and the teacher for this young man and the other winner? So, we're gonna council is gonna step out of the photo because I want to You're the mom. I just want the Yeah, the two have You can do them both because they're going to the same school. Yeah. We're going to be out of this one. Council,

just them. Yeah. Come on, Damo kids. I know, but I want to do these two. Oh, it's more from dumb. Oh, you want all of them? Okay, let's do the other winner. The fourth place. No, no, no. They were all first place. Oh, it's a lot more. I'll get them later.

This Nathan Lopez. Yes. Jalammo Elementary. Hey, Nathan. Okay, congratulations, Nathan, on your first place for the fourth grade and for all your academic achievements. Okay, it says the same thing. It's signed by all of us, your elected officials. Okay,

there you go. Thank you. Family of Nathan, come on.

Stand right here. Mom,

where's the rest of the family? Come on down. Back. Back. Show his shirt. Oh, this is a big family here. It takes a village. It takes a village. Come on, grandma. Oh my god. Let grandma get in the center. Great grandma. Oh my god. This is great grandma. Two more.

Let great grandma get in here. I am so impressed. There we go. in the window

here. Yes. Thank you. Have a seat. We're gonna get you all all the winners up. Okay.

Is that Delama? Where's the family? Come on, family and principal and teacher. Come on, little one.

Come on, guys. Stand in the front. Stand in the front. I want to see the family. I want to see the family. Excuse me. Who's next? One more. Which one? One more for Gabriel. Gabriel Mendoza. First place. Come on, Gabriel.

Damo Elementary in the house. Signed by all of us. And it says, "Congratulations on all your academic achievements and we're so proud of you." Show your shirt. There you go. Just like there. Thank you. Is that it for Delmo? Family. Come on, pretty ladies. Oh, yes. Come over here, Mom. right here next to your baby.

Thank you. Is that it for Delmo? Okay, wait a minute. Be I want and I'd like you guys to stay for all the presentations, too. Okay. Uh, all the Delamo winners come up and take a photo with your principal and your teacher. Just them. I'm going out. All the winners. Principal and teacher. So, you guys can put this on your wall at home.

We have our math team. Your math team. All right. No, really.

Smile. You're on candid camera. Smile. Let me see you smile.

Let's get out of Hi. How you doing? Oh, that's a nice one. Okay, ready? Here we go, my friends. Okay, big smiles. Say first place. Looking right here. Look right here. Okay, good job. Thank you. Thank you. Who's the next school? Am I coming to visit you? I know. I'll be waiting for Amler Elementary School. What district is that in? Mighty District One. Am B3 is the llama.

Bailey Younger. Third place. Fifth grade. Bailey Amber Elementary School. Where's Bailey? Hey. Hey, beautiful. Come on over here. Sit on this side.

And this says, "In recognition of your outstanding achievement in mathematics and exemplary performance in inaugural math field day competition sponsored by LUSD. Congratulations on a job well done and we look forward for great things from you." And it's signed by your mayor and the entire city council. Family here. Family. Family. Come on down. Family. Family. Oh, do you? Are you the coach?

Come on, family. We gonna do Yes. Thank you. Next one is Sydney Porter. Third place, fifth grade, Amber Avenue. Absent. Okay. Elijah Ali.

Hi there. How are you? You're almost taller than me. I take off my shoes. You will be. Congratulations from all of us. your elected officials.

Teach your family. Teach your family. Come on down. Come here, little mama. Congratulations family.

Thank you.

Third place, EDEN SIMS. FIFTH GRADE, AMLER Avenue Elementary. All right. Hey, beautiful. Congratulations from the entire city council. Thank you. Family, family, friends, teachers, neighbors.

Come on. Come on. Come on, little one. Stand on this side, sweetie. Can I see you? Got you. The family right up here in front. All right. Twins. Yes, ma'am. Oh my goodness. Thank you. Honorable mention. She's absent. Christina Murdoch. Christian.

Not here. Honorable mention. Oh, she's third place. Fifth grade. Awesome. in recognition of her outstanding achievements in mathematics. Thank you. So, let's get all the Amler students up here, the winners with the teachers. Come on. And the principal and the friends and the family. Just the kids. Just the kids. Is that okay? Kids, teacher, principal. certificate. That's nice. Now you look good.

Beautiful principal. Can you scoot out of it? There it is. Right there. Perfect. That's it. Here we go. Big smiles. Lovely. One more. Beautiful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to everyone. Awesome. Congratulations. Is that it? No. Steen White. Steven White. Words for the certificates. Oh, okay. I didn't want you getting mixed up. Teamwork. Teamwork makes the dream work. Naomi RS, first place, eighth grade, Steven White Middle School. Right. yourself

in recognition of your outstanding achievements in mathematics and exemplary performance in the inaugural math field day competition sponsored by LA USD. We are so proud. Eighth grade, that is awesome. So proud of you. Yes. And it's dated today the 21st and it's signed by all of us. You want me to read our names? Lula Davis Holmes. Okay. Mayor Pro Tim Cedric Hicks, council members uh Dr. Jawan Hilton, Jim Deer, and our councilwoman Arlene Rojas. We are so proud of you.

Thank you. Eighth grade folks.

Thank you. Don't go anywhere. We're going to do a group shot. What you have a seat for? Oh, teacher, principal, and teacher, principal, parents, family, friend. Come on up here. Oh, this is the one we're out of, I think. Oh, did we get one? This one. We're in this one. Then we're here. Okay, teacher principal. Oh, no. No. We're going to the next one. We got some more. We got some more.

Sandra Silva. First place, eighth grade, Steven White Middle School. No. Oh. Honorable mention. Oh, your parents. No. Teacher, come on up here. fit in. You can fit in as a eighth grade student.

Okay. You're the what teacher? You're the what? Take a picture. Just the two of you. All right. Just Jacob and then we'll do one here. Jordan. Jordan's not here. What's his last name? Jordan. Jordano. Steven White Middle School. First place. Chandler's not here. Okay, then let's Oh, Steven White, come on up. Take a picture. Where's Jonathan? Where's Jonathan? Chandler Miller's not here. Mills,

come on down, honey. Jonathan Jacob. Jonathan Jacobs. Hi, Jonathan. How are you? We'll get the one for you. Okay. Uh Jonathan Jacob. Jonathan. He doesn't have one. We'll get it. We'll replace it. Don't worry. Turn around. The real deal, right? Show your shirt. Don't hide your shirt. There we go. Parents, family,

parents, principal, teacher, parents, friends, neighbors, come on down. Stand right next to your son, honey. I'll go through the back

Jacob. We have one more. No, that's it. All the students. All the students and the principal. All Steven White winners come down. Students, principles, come on down.

Thank you so much.

Look at that beautiful smile. Look at these smiles. Yeah. Just hold put your hand on her. Is that Yes. I Yeah. I'd like a photo of all the students from all the schools and the principles. We're going to do one big photo. Okay. Amler, Steven White, principles, come on over. Come on down. Damama,

one big photo. Come on down. Principles, students, teachers. And then after she takes that, I want one by myself.

She's our assistant principal for one. I'm gonna take it real quick. Let me squeeze her head. Okay, stay right there. Stay right Well, stay right there. Stay right there. You know, we like to take pictures.

Down a little bit. Down a little bit. Oh, you want me to move?

All of these are your schools, Jim. Or which one? Steven White. Steven White. Stay up. The U. Councilman. We'll take everyone down with Steven White. MPT Delmo. Okay, great. You take one.

Okay. Safety. Safety. Smile.

Okay. Wait, wait, wait. I want Steven White to stay. Uh, Councilman De wants a picture with Steven White. Delo, step over here for a second. Then, uh, MPT wants a picture with you. Okay, Steven White, stay right there. Stay right there, Stephen White. You You have a Where are they? Okay. and blurp everyone.

Damo, come on down. Damo MPG. Damo, come on. Damo, come on. Oh, this Who is this? Stay right there. We're not We're just doing teachers and students now.

Okay. Damo MPT. Come on up. You got all the prizes. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. All right. MP uh Bishop, where are you?

Where's your school?

Thank you. Cute. Beautiful. Thank you. Come on. The mighty D. What? Amler, come on down. Amler. Teachers and principal, come on down. Thank you. Let's do it. Let's do it. certificate around

Thank you everyone. Thank you. Thank you principles, student, teachers, and parents. Okay, now we'll get down to some serious business. Thank you. Okay, let me know. Get it on my calendar. I will. I'll do it. You're welcome. Hey, come on. Let's say thank you to Mayor Lula. Well, thank you my future leaders. There we go. Thanks, guys.

All right. Bye. Bye. You're welcome. Did you We did. We just got one this evening. Uh oh. Okay. Hernandez, uh I'll pull it up right now.

Okay. Okay. Captain Norman is here. You saw him?

Don't think so. Okay. All communications for matters listed on the agenda. Madam City Clerk. Thank you, Madam Mayor. My apologies. Um, I do have several comment cards um for items 31 and 25. Uh 31. We'll take up the uh oral communications after we finish finish the agenda. Uh go through get to that item because it's not going to be heard. What is item 25?

Um yes. So items uh 25, 32, and 36 are the other uh Okay. Let's call for listic on the agenda. Yes. Okay. So not 31. Okay. Uh German Seria. Sora. Sora. First name German. They left. He left. Left.

Oh, okay. He left. Uh not 31. Next is slide to 31. Melissa Wickman. Item 32. Hello. How many do you have for 31? I'm sorry. How many? How many speakers?

Yes, ma'am. How are you?

Wickman and I'm here speaking on behalf of Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson where I serve as vice president of development and marketing. I'm here to thank the city of Carson for its past support and share why Boys of Girls Clubs of Carson continues to be a good investment for CDBG funds. First is access. Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson removes financial barriers for families. 97% of our members are from lowincome families and 49% live in single parent or guardian households, but we never turn a child away due to inability to pay. And this past year alone, we provided $49,000 in scholarships for summer camp to participate at our main street clubhouse. Second, essential services. Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson doesn't replace schools or other services. We fill a critical gap offering academic support and workforce development programming during the highest risk hours after school. And when disruptions happen like the recent LA USD strike threat, we are prepared to expand hours and meal services to meet community needs. Third is positive outcomes. Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson has served local youth since 1992 and we continuously evaluate our programs to ensure real results. And behind those numbers are real young people whose lives are being transformed. One of them is Sophia. Sophia struggled with dyslexia and bullying. Her grades dropped and she became withdrawn. At our Main Street clubhouse, she received academic support and mentorship. Over time, her grades improved, but more importantly, her confidence returned. She recently stood in front of hundreds of strangers to tell her story about how the club

changed her life for the better. This is what real impact looks like. In closing, Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson supports youth like Sophia early before challenges become more costly problems. For every dollar that you invest, $10 in economic benefit is returned to our community. That means safer neighborhoods, stronger schools, and a greater future here in Carson as we celebrate the year of the child. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Thank you. Um, next, Madame Mayor is Jolene Faslander. I'm so sorry if I said that wrong.

Okay, you have three minutes. Thank you.

Thank you. Hi, good evening. I'm Jolene Fostbinder. I'm a grants manager with Venice Family Clinic. Venice Family Clinic, for those who may not know, is a federally qualified healthc care center. We serve over 40 40,000 individuals across the West Side and the South Bay. were a principal source of comprehensive primary care for individuals and families who have low incomes who do not have health insurance or who are unhoused. Our healthcare program is designed to meet the physical and mental health needs of our patients and it extends beyond the traditional scope of medical um medicine and medical visits. We offer an integrative me we offer integrative medicine. We address the social needs of our patients through case management, food distributions, health insurance enrollment, and more. For over 26 years, the Carson Wellness Center has offered adolescent specific services as well as services that are available for all community members, including medical exams, family planning, and general diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as colds, flu, asthma, and more. This is done in an age appropriate, convenient, and culturally sensitive manner. Clinicians provide essential preventative care and early detection of chronic conditions. Our onampus services are available Monday through Friday and they allow students to attend appointments without missing a lot of um class time. Venice Family Clinic um has long-standing experience with school-based health centers. For over two decades, we have run the school-based centers at Santa Monica and Culver City. In 2024, we we launched our

new Maxian Waters Health and Dignity Center with York Elementary School in Hawthorne. We understand that different age groups have their own unique concerns. Our school-based clinics offer welcoming, convenient, and confidential care to meet our students needs. We are here this evening to um to request ongoing support for our work at the Carson Wellness Center. Carson students and rel and um and residents have the ability to access care in their preferred language. Um, and as the city considers the needs and the priority and their priorities, we hope that we can continue this partnership to help ensure that everyone in the community get the care that they need to get and stay well. We're grateful for this opportunity to work with the city to provide these services. On behalf of Venice Family Clinic, I thank you.

Thank you so much. Um, the next we have item 36, Lawrence Flinton.

Good evening. Three minutes, city council.

Um, in reading 36, I I support the ordinance, but I find that there's uh some maybe some errors that or areas that need to be touched upon. We have the ice cream truck every night when code enforcement leaves and everybody leaves. We have the ice cream truck go up and down the streets. And I thought that we're not supposed to have an ice cream vendor driving up and down our streets. Um the code enforcement can't enforce it if they're not there and the deputies don't enforce it because it's a code enforcement area. So we need to maybe address that a little bit. I don't know. And then we have people that drive golf carts near the schools with the sodas, drinks, all that other stuff that I didn't see addressed here as well. And then the vendors that show up at a Home Depot parking lot every weekend. And that's I support the whole order, but I just didn't see any of that language in there.

Thanks, man. Mr. City Manager, I think we are our you can address those why they're not in there. The the ice cream trucks, the vendors, uh or is it our assistant through the assistant city manager?

Thank you, Madame Mayor, Council. Yes, the some of the items that the speaker was addressing are actually part of the existing code. Uh we can certainly have uh code enforcement double down on the enforcement uh during this the targeted time windows uh to address some of the community concerns. Um my concern is also with uh Mr. Commissioner Flint is the uh the uh vendors. I don't think we have jurisdiction over them unless they have a license is on private property and they also need a business license and a health permit. That's how we

Madame Mayor that is correct. Uh private property and some of what uh this ordinance covers allows us to do additional enforcement on those areas. However, we work with private property owners to ensure that they uh provide uh the appropriate no trespass letters and other uh requirements that will allow officers on their property to do that enforcement. Okay. And the ice cream trucks. Yeah. After hours. Correct. After hours. So, that's a tag team effort between code enforcement and sheriff's department. You had one more golf carts near the school and just going up and down the street. staff has taken note of that. Uh, commissioner, uh, you're on which commission? Public safety.

Yes, ma'am. But I'm here as a resident today. You can be here as a commissioner. Okay. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Uh, Dr. uh, Lennox, mayor, I've got a question before we go on. Just a second. Dr. Lennox, it will contact you if he has your information and discuss your concerns. But as a public safety commissioner, these are the things you're supposed to be doing. So, you're not here as just a resident, Mr. Commissioner Touch, madam. Okay. Yes. Uh, Councilman, thank you, Mr. Commissioner. Is this an actual traditional ice cream truck, a full truck, or are they the carts? It's a full on truck. Full-on truck. I see. Okay. I think

And he And he to be honest, he waits till he knows when code enforcement is done. And then he waits till they're done and then he shows up. Yeah. And it's only one. No surprise, huh, right? Thank you. Thanks. Thank you for coming out. Thanks, Mayor. Thank you. Um, last call for German Zora. Nope. Okay, Madame Mayor, that concludes uh public comment for agendaized um items and then I have three cards for non-aggenda.

Uh, I'm going to ask the city council to indulge me. We need to go back down and take a photo with Chandler Mills from Steven White. He's a first place eighth grade winner. So, we're going to give him the opportunity also because he's just soaring up. It's not my penguin. Chandler Mills, first place, eighth grade, Steven White Middle School in recognition of your outstanding achievement in mathematics and exemplary performance in the inaugural math field day competition sponsored by LUSD region South District. Your dedication, problem solving skills, and academic excellence have distinguished you among your peers and contributed to the success of this inaugural event. We are so proud of you. It's dated today, the 21st uh of April, signed by your mayor. Who's your mayor? Uh, Council Me Tim Hicks, Councilman Dear, the bishop, the doctor, Joan Hilton, and our flower on the council, Arlene Rojas.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Parents, are they here? Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. How are you? Is this Stephen White?

Oh, the group one again. So, let's do the principal and Okay. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Here you go, my friends. You guys can come up here. Just go get a little bit closer.

Who is this?

Oral communications. I'm gonna move this. Madame uh city clerk, this is a public hearing for the CDBG. That's 32. 32. I'm going to move it up because I know we going to clear out this chamber in a minute. um open the public hearing for to consider the proposed allocation of community development block grants CDBG funding for fiscal year 2026 and 2027. Uh Mr. City Manager, we're going to open the public hearing. We just had all communications. Is there a presentation?

Yes. Thank you, Madam Mayor. We're have it just turn up the uh presentation aspect here. And was it properly posted? I think they're going to have she posted item number. There we go. Yeah, it's Dwayne's gonna give the presentation for Okay. the CDBG program. Thank you. Uh I'll be very brief. Um why? Yeah.

Well, it's because it's good news. Um, in short, uh, the city of Carson anticipates receiving $78,96 in CDBG CDBG funds for the 202627 year. This is an increase uh uh over the past five years. Um, there has been a steadily steady decline in the aotment of about a little over 8% per year. Last year we received a little over $690,000 the previous year 717. So this is a a marked improvement. Um just as a reminder um for the CDBG block grant money, 15% of the grant uh must be used for public services. 20% of the grant is capped for program administration and the remaining 65% is for physical development activities here in the city of Carson. that translates into the neighborhood pride program. Uh so in this year uh in the upcoming year we're looking at having $460,788.90 available for NPP um 141,78120 utilized for program administration and a little over $16,000 um for public services. I'm here today to discuss the uh recommendations. Uh option one um option one is being recommended that we continue funding the public service providers that we are currently funding at or slightly below or at or slightly below um their current aotments. That would be fair housing housing rights center for $40,000, the Boys and Girls Club of Carson for $40,000 and the Venice Family Clinic for $20,000. We were also tasked with uh creating an

additional option that would provide for a fourth public service uh subreient. That recommendation entails Fair Housing Housing Rights Center recommendation for $36,534, Boys and Girls Club recommendation for $36,534. Venice Family Clinic for 18,267 and the Office of Samoan Affairs at 15,000. Okay. Um the third option is the option of the council's uh own delineation. The who whatever you correct.

Uh first of all, I want to commend you for coming up with these options. Uh we had discussed. And so I'm going to make a recommendation that we go with option number two with the caveat that if the funds are not expended by a certain amount of time with the Simone uh office office affairs that we come back and revisit and reallocate those funds. But I think we need to that's my motion. Second. Any further discussion? Yeah. Um, I'm curious to um hear about this Southern California Housing Rights Center. Uh, where is that?

This is the first time I heard about it in Carson. The housing rights center. It's there are current Fair Housing Foundation, Housing Rights Center. Yes. Um, so with the CDBG funding, there is a fair housing component that must be satisfied. Um pre uh previously we utilized uh Fair Housing Foundation and they were providing services, education to tenants, tenants rights issues, things of that nature. Um currently we're utilizing the housing rights center of so Southern California. They've been exemplary and timely with their administrative process and their invoices and that was why the recommendation was to continue with them at this time.

What have they particularly done for our residents? I'm just I mean I know this is a port portion we have to satisfy. I'm just saying uh I I see that we um in order to get the office of Simone affairs and I got that that we lowered um how many of our residents are using this fair housing housing rights center about 250. Okay. And they use it for evictions. So, evictions, um, it's mostly educational, informing tenants and sometimes owners of the rights and the processes of how to do fair housing business. Okay.

Um, I I want to see how I can either get my Boys and Girls Club back up to 40 or get them up to 50. I mean, it's only 4,000 away. Are we using all the housing, right? uh or we allotted them 349977 last year uh last year and they did an awesome job. Do you think they need a I mean you you have the county who participates in giving money to people who are going through evictions and all of that. So, I mean, can we figure out how we can either get the Boys and Girls Club up a little bit or I know there's a motion on the table, but I'm trying to throw myself on the mercy of my council people to see if they're willing to go uh to see how we can get the our Boys and Girls Club up. They do phenomenal work

and they gave out uh so many scholarships this year. are just trying to figure out how we can get them either close to their requests or at least allotted for what they got allotted for last year. I completely understand. If it were up to me, I would fund all of these to the fullest extent, but we're dealing with the funds that we have available and we're just trying to make the fairest uh recommendation possible. Can I make a recommendation? Of course. Well, I know I can, but anyway,

you're the mayor. You can do it. But you I I I hear what he's saying, but my request is to give the Samoan uh Office of Simone Affairs a deadline to spend their money. And if it doesn't, then you can reallocate it to the to the uh Boys and Girls Club because they have I think we putting together some kind of uh chart to say you need to have spent so much. Yes. As part of the contract, we will ensure that there will be monthly invoicing and administrative check-ins and then if and quarterly check-ins to see if we need to come before you again. You need to come before and we'll reallocate the funds to them at that time. Okay, that'll work. Okay, thank you very much.

There's a motion on the floor and then properly second. Any further discussion? I see uh that was Dr. Hilton. Uh Councilman Dear and thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh a couple questions. Um thanks for your presentation. We appreciate the good work you've done. I know it's not easy with all these applicants and they're all worthy and uh we we know it's difficult to make a recommendation, difficult for us to make a decision because we'd like to fund all of them with whatever they requested, but there's only finite amount of money coming from the federal government. So, um, um, the councilman's comments has sparked a question I had about the Fair Housing Center. They've been with us for many, many years. They do tremendous work. It's really, very important um, work. There's no doubt about that. Has it been a steady about 250 families been helped every year? Is that average or

with the housing rights center? Yeah, this is our first year with them. Oh, no, it's not. No, I remember refer referring people to them in the past years. Excuse me.

Good evening, council. Um, so fair housing rights center had a contract with the city for over 15 years. Yes. Last year we went to housing um fair housing foundation which is based in Long Beach, but we went back to housing rights center. They offer monthly clinics here um at the community center so people can walk in. They also offer two quarter two um extra sessions. We'll be having on May 28th, we'll be having an evening session for residents and it works for both landlords, tenants, anyone can come in. They also have legal services that they can refer out to. So they on average their application it's anywhere from 225 to 250 people that they do serve.

Yes. I just recall over the years referring people housing rights center. So, um, uh, often people come to elected officials or to you or to their housing rights center, you know, other staff after they're already served with a eviction notice. Uh, are they able to help the people before they get to that point uh, with education classes, legal advice? Because, you know, you can work with the landlord and maybe not be evicted. Um, you know, landlords are not all bad, not all good, but some of them uh like myself are very good and uh uh we can work with people that cooperate and and are sincere. So, um uh this housing right center is able to kind of intervene before it gets to a lawsuit where a judge is ordering someone evicted and the sheriffs are out there with the guns drawn taking the people out. I mean, you know, we don't want to get to that point. Uh could you answer that question please?

Sure. Typically the residents that we see that um need assistance with housing issues are usually at the end of a term they've already been served um some type of eviction notice. Yes.

So it's usually it may come to eviction just due to their lack of responsiveness. However, they are very important um when it comes to unlawful evictions or um people trying to get some type of relocation assistance from their landlord. We it's very common here in the city that people are renting rooms and so people that their tenants don't really know where to go and what to do with it. So since we're not able to give legal advice, we refer them to housing rights center. Um like I said, fortunately we do have the walk-in clinics that are once a month. If not, they do call them on the phone and they do have legal they have attorneys on the line as well if they need to refer them outside. Um, unfortunately LA County, well, city of Los Angeles has a lot of resources that are separate from what the county does, but the county doesn't really have a lot of services that they can offer for free.

So, that's where Housing Rights Center has come in handy for a lot of people that walk in here. That's an excellent point and that's a good reason why we have them in Carson and we need their their great service, their great work. Thank you very much. Thank you. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your vote on the recommendation.

Madame Mayor, I I apologize. I do have a question about your motion. Uh clarification on it. um it's only the office of Samoan affairs that um is going to be looked at uh for not allocating the funds. Wouldn't it normally apply to all the applicants? Well, they probably so I'm sure, but there's a specific reason why we wanted to say that they need to be looked at because last year they did not spend all of their monies. I see. Yeah. And so therefore, I wanted to make sure that we had a tracking device so that if we don't have to wait until the end of the year so we could allocate to the Boys and Girls Club of one of our other agencies if in fact Okay. And they're the only one.

They're the only I see. Okay, that makes sense. Thank you for clarification on that issue. Thank you. Cash a vote. Everybody voted. No. Motion carries.

Thank you. That item is complete. I'm going to uh take the liberty of the chair to go to item number 34. Consider approving an assignment assumption of consent agreement to transfer waste resources technologies interest in the city of Carson solace waste franchise agreement to the US waste. Mr. City Manager. Yes. Thank Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh this particular item um coming before you all uh has been uh long in its in its time. Uh we looks like we've coming to a towards an end. And so at this time, I'm going to have the city attorney give a brief update um in regards to this particular item. as the rest of the um if there's any questions that you have for the incumbents potentially um you can so forth do so but I'm going to allow the city attorney at this time to go ahead and just pres pro provide some basic general information.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you madam mayor. Um, as the council and the city uh is aware, on March 15, 2018, the city entered into a exclusive franchise agreement after an RFB for solid waste services with waste resources tank technology WRT. WRT is selling its assets um to USA Waste of California, USA Waste and uh it seeks council approval to sign the agreement with the city following its sales of operations and assets to USA waste. Uh the city conducted a comprehensive review um and has determined that USA waste is qualified um under the city's franchise agreement. The city had sole discretion in uh approving uh this transfer or not approving it. Um staff engaged consultants to look at the status of the franchise agreement uh and compliance by WRT. Staff also thoroughly um audited uh USA wastes transfer station that they own in the city and uh um in exchange for approval of the assignment assumption and consent agreement. Um, USA Waste has agreed to conduct to um over $6 million uh of um upgrades and staffing uh to uh service uh the city at no additional cost to the city of Carson's rateayers. Uh and there's an ex exhibit that explains uh all the concessions they've made and all the upgrades that they've agreed to make. uh that actually makes the city's franchise agreement better than it was before with WRT with these upgrades and additional staffing. Uh that comes at an additional cost to them at $6 million that doesn't get passed through to the residents. In addition, uh they have

agreed to pay the city a one-time payment of 12.5 uh between the two parties $12.5 million of transfer fee. And um again, that's at no cost to taxpayers or rateayers. that's not included in the franchise fees and that's uh a onetime payment to the city. And uh with that and all the upgrades and all the assessment and the audits that staff have conducted, they recommend uh approval of this um assignment assumption and consent agreement to transfer waste resources technologies interest and the city solid waste franchise agreement to USA waste.

Thank you for that report. Um, I do have Thank you. Uh, this has been I want to commend the staff for all everyone rolling up their sleeves and coming up with this uh this solution. Uh, and it didn't happen overnight. So, I want to say thank you. I do have a request uh that these funds be put in a special fund that not to go in the general fund to be used for to hire additional staff. that we used in my opinion for infrastructure improvements and not so I is come up with some kind of recommendation is that oh internal service fund for deposit of the settlement payment for purchases related to rel this says related to citywide departmental activities that can go anywhere direct staff to establish an internal service fund for deposit of the settlement payment of purchases. Is that something we need to discuss or you want to I think I made a couple.

We if you'd like, Madam Mayor, we'll have our director of finance uh Mr. Will Jefferson kind of explain how this uh specific internal service fund will be uh operating and what the recommendation would be. Good evening, Mayor Council. So we uh referred with our auditors,

external auditors to set up an account that'll be able to be specialized for the funds which was the internal service fund. The funds will be able to be used for equipment uh services and infrastructure or equipment. Those um items will be at your at your discretion on how you want to use it. So if you want to use it off infrastructure, you have the the go ahead to do it. But what we were doing was just setting up a specialized account that will keep track of one-time funds. You can use them however you would like to. And that was based upon again the external auditor's recommendation to make sure that we are in compliance with GAP and all accounting standards. So you just can't say for infrastructure.

I mean when you think about the categories in the staff report, infrastructure is one of No, I'm that's not my question is can it be just designated? Yeah, sure. That's my request because our city was falling apart and we didn't have any we were running out of money. Uh I understand what you guys are saying but I think it's uh for us to come up with equipment needs and things that we need to purchase to run this city but this infrastructure the city was falling apart and so um if it can be I want to hear from my colleagues.

No. Well, Madame Mayor, uh certainly you're right. We had deferred maintenance for like five years. It was under a previous city manager and uh he just let the streets and sidewalks and curbs go and uh so thank goodness we're corrected that. So,

and I want to make sure it doesn't go back. So, that's what I'm looking for. So, if we can I didn't say infrastructure, I'd be I'd love that. Uh I think my colleagues agree agreeing. I think we can put in the budget for equipment replacement and other things, but this infrastructure, we cannot go back to where we came from. And I'm not going to point any fingers. I know we didn't have the money to do it. But I would like to say for infrastructure, sidewalks, repairs, treat, you know, things like that if it's not a problem. It Yeah. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So, again, this particular uh internal service fund allows you to designate however you so desire. Um my only statement and caveat to your request would be you currently have a CIP project um and CIP account in which we utilize for infrastructure and so um any infrastructure improvements that need to be needed or taken care of it can be actually applied through CIP. Um and so by setting a separate account for C well really for infrastructure but you have a CIP account that's utilized for infrastructure. It actually shows up differently when it comes to your your your budget. And so I think the purpose of this was to assist in the budgetary process uh still accomplishing the goals and what you're what you're asking.

We don't have any budgetary problems right now. So my request remains the same that we leave it in infrastructure. A new council could come on board and have a different uh point of view and go and buy some tennis balls or some equipment. My thing is that we if we can do it, I would suggest that we do it because uh we still have god knows how much uh sidewalks and streets that need to be maintained and it's not going to happen if we're taking monies and putting it robbing Peter to pay Paul. Madame Mayor.

Yes. Councilman Madam, I think Council Hick is before me and then I'll speak. Well, where's Monica? Right here. I wanted to ask you a quick question before you go to the council members. So, if it's agreed to have those funds in a separate account, do you want the funds in an interestbearing account? Yes, of course. Okay. I think so. What's was what's the uh uh uh MPT?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. My question is to the staff to the city manager regarding the funds if they're being earmarked. You have the capital improvement list and I know that we have a shortfall and in that list they're prioritized every year what projects are going to be funded for that year. Many times those projects are underfunded because we don't have enough funds to cover the entire list for that particular year. This could be an offset to augment what we already put in place to make sure infrastructures are done annually versus every two or three years because you got to wait till you get enough funds. So, it's still earmarked for your CIP, but it's for CIP programs that are already in your CIP pro project or program that identifies it and those funds now been are made available to supplement what we already put in place. So the answer is no. You can't

as far as the interest bearing account. No, you can't put an interest bearing. Okay. It's internal service fund. Okay. Okay. Uh Councilman de

uh thank you. Yeah. I have two comments. One is um I agree totally with the mayor. Uh infrastructure should be primary. Um, first of all, if you go back a dozen years and and and further, city of Carson was known as the city in the South Bay with the best infrastructure of any city. Our streets, sidewalks, gutters. Uh, we had um heavyweight corridors set up for heavy trucks. Um, we revamped u intersections at Avalon Boulevard and the 45 freeway. Revamped the intersection at uh Wilmington Avenue and the 45 freeway. all major projects and uh so we were really proud of that. You know, every city has things they're proud of and if Carson's going to remain the jewel of the South Bay, I support the mayor 100% in making sure that our infrastructure maintains that high quality because um as you know, I don't want to repeat things we've gone over so many times, but when our residents or visitors uh drive over potholes and have damage to their vehicle, you know, that's a bad image for Carson. And so uh we did have deferred maintenance and we corre corrected that. So I think allocating the funds the way the mayor suggests is a good idea. Second point I'd like to make is as you outlined to us the staff outlined it's our discretion on what we use this money for. So if our intent is to use it for infrastructure that's where it will go. But if we decide as a council body uh that we want to take part of it to do something else uh that we're not thinking of at the moment but we might at the time it's still under our discretion and I think that's really important.

Yeah it is. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. So if we can do it that's my motion that we um identified for infrastructure. Okay. And you have a second already. I have a second already on that. Move the previous question on that point of clarification. Yes. Who was the second? Madame Mayor I want to say well did you who was it? Who second it? If you need a second I'll second it but I'm sure everyone will second it. I just I didn't capture it. So second. Thank you.

It's been moved and properly second to allocate these additional funds. And then did we have anything else to do? Uh was there any more discussion? Yes. Uh Mr. City Manager. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh we'll have our assistant city manager, Dr. Robert Lenn just read a brief sentence at the bottom of this uh staff report. I think it'll kind of help clarify some things as well.

Thank you, city manager. Yes. Uh, Madame Mayor and Council, the last couple sentences in the fiscal impact, just to point out that the procurement uh, I'm sorry, the funding and the funds would be set aside for the procurement of one-time non-rine equipment, vehicles, and services as it states. Again, that is purely what staff has recommended, but it sounds like council has an interest in uh, these dollars being uh, instead allocated for capital improvement. Uh so this fund as proposed by staff is not uh specifically identified for capital projects or infrastructure, but what was recommended was for the the categorical items that I just mentioned. So it is the council's perview. It's been changed. Yeah, I I know. Just want to make sure that's clear because

I read it. Yep. Okay. So it's been moved and properly second restated. Cash your vote. Okay, the V vote is unanimous. Motion carries.

Now, do we need to vote on um the staff's recommendation? This was No, we're good. No, I think we need to talk about the trash. I think there was some comments. Uh I just wanted that portion of it. uh let the monies be deposits for infrastructure. Um Dr. Hilton, I I just want to know um and welcome welcome back uh to uh to waste management. Will the senior residential billing uh on the tax role and service continue to be the same?

Yeah. Yes, it will be. I can respond to that. Okay. That's that's that was my question. some seniors was asking okay um for clarification could we briefly summarize it I think that's included on one of the pages but uh there's a list of things on here can we do a quick and dirty on that or you don't want me to do that now on items that were agreed upon I thought I already did you want me to repeat it did you yes fall asleep okay I'm good I just wanted to ask that question if we got to go so we're going to move staff's recommendation then is it read that MPG

madame mayor? Yes. Um, I think because this is a discussion item, I'll I'll make the motion to approve the assignment, assumption, and consent agreement, thereby consenting to the transfer of WRT's interest in the city's franchise agreement to USA Waste and direct staff to establish an internal service fund to the deposit of the settlement payment and for purchases related to citywide department on capitalized activities with the amendment or the suggestion that you made to be included in this motion the way we have discussed it over the past 10 minutes. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Any further discussion? One more comment. Yes.

I want to thank our staff, Mr. Our city manager, David Roberts, and his staff for working so hard uh and working together with U. Waste Management, USA Waste, of course, WRT, and our city attorney and her staff. um because working this out to the to the benefit of the residents of Carson is what it's all about and I want to congratulate you for doing that. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you again. Uh this process started in January. Uh to our deputy director, thank you. I know you had your arms up in to your eyeballs in this. We met several times as city manager, assistant city manager, our city attorney, everybody involved. So, thank you very much. And did we cast our vote yet? I I cast mine.

Motion carries. Thank you. Let's go to the uh consent calendar. Move the consent calendar. May there I forgot the minutes. Oh, I forgot the minutes. I lost my agenda. Oh, you want the minutes? Motion to approve the minutes. Second. We're approving the minutes right now. Yeah. My second for the minutes because it is you got Thank you. Yes. Oh, okay. And then I'll move the consent calendar if the minutes are complete. Items number 8 through 30. Okay. Motion carries for the minutes.

Thank you. Items number 8 through 30 on this consent calendar. So moved. Need to pull two items. Uh, it's been moved and probably second. Uh, who's the second? I just I just heard the motion by council member dear. I'll second it. Thank you, Dr. Hilton. She moving tonight. She ready to go. So, I'll second it to keep us going. I need to pull two items. Pull item. Uh, MPT, what items are you pulling? I think it's 23 and 24. 22 and 23. We're going to move the consent calendar with the exceptions of item number 22 and 23. Yes. 22 and 20 23 been moved and properly second. Please cast your vote.

Motion carries. Item number 22. Thank you, Madam May. I just want the staff to come up and give a overview so that the residents will know what's happening here in the city of Carson regarding our electrical clean power alliance innovative funding participation. Yes. Uh thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Uh this particular item um through the clean power alliance and innovation fund participation agreement to accept 163,000 uh in grant funding. Uh this presentation will be given by our sustainability energy officer uh Rita Culture. And so Miss Rita will present now.

Thank you Mr. City Manager, Madame Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, council members. Uh, the Clean Power Alliance Innovation Fund supports Carson's efforts to expand sustainability programs through competitive grants focused on electrification and emission reductions. In round one, the city secured just over um just under $87,000 to launch the EV charging wallet pilot program, which provides residents with rebates for charging at city stations and builds internal program experience. Um, building on that success, uh, the city, uh, submitted and was awarded another, um, uh, some additional funds in the amount of just over $163,000, which is on the agenda for today. Uh, this is round two to implement a residential lawn and garden equipment rebate program to reduce neighborhood air pollution and advance broader climate goals. Um at this time the request um the requested action is to approve the agreement and staff will return uh to the city council with full program details um um and dates for implementation guidelines before we launch the program. So again today's action is just to approve the the program um participation agreement. Um I also have some stats on the EV charging wallet pilot program if the council's interested.

Yes.

Okay. So, um, the EV charging wallet pilot program provides direct reimbursements. Again, this is the funding that the city received in round one, uh, from the Clean Power Alliance, and it provides direct reimbursement to approved Carson residents to help offset the cost of charging their electric vehicles at city approved charging stations. Um, and this program launched just a few months ago. We've had a total of 107 total applications. of the applications um 86 have been approved and the and participation is well distributed across the city. Uh district 4 is leading at 25 approved applicants and then we have um district two and three each have 20 approved applicants and district one at 21 approved applicants.

Um and we have a capacity for 80 participants or 80 approved applicants per district. So you're all neck and neck. We're gonna have a a um a running tally. Um and with that, I think that concludes my presentation.

Thank you for that. I just wanted to have the residents know what was happening with Clean Power Alliance. uh we're on the board of working very hard to make sure we bring back innovative ideas and that I think in the beginning when we actually joined the clean power alliance we were trying to do community benefits and making sure that we get community benefits coming back to this city and making sure the funds you know rotate back to us because we're paying for our electricity bill we should get something back in our in our payments. So, if you have a EV vehicle and you are we're able to give you Oh, not loud enough. If you have an EV vehicle and that you would like to be on this program, please use utilize our website to get the information on how you can be a part of the EV charging pro um envelope wallet program to get the ability to get some of your costs reimbured from you actually using a EV vehicle here in the city. But I'm just glad that we have the program in place and that as we get further and further into our clean power alliance, there will be more programs being unveiled as we move forward. And again to staff to Rita and to the city manager, thank you for this uh presentation. And I move staff's recommendation.

Second.

Moved and properly second. And uh while we're talking about clean power lines, uh to my residents, uh I want you to be mindful of uh these sales people coming through from Sunun. Uh do not buy into this because it is not I have it on my home as I mentioned before. Uh the bishop has it. Uh and I'm just finding out there's a number that you can call if you want to get out of the contract. I was told that I couldn't, but my utility bills have doubled, tripled, and it, you know, and so I want to make our residents aware, no, your mayor is not referring them that I'm not, and I don't think our bishop is not referring. We both have this. And it's like putting a second on your home,

you know, and you can't get out of the way they told us and promised us the world, but it's if you sell your house, you got to pay that solar off and people you I mean, it's just not what it was cut out to. So, it's Sunun and I was talking to him the other day, so I'm just putting that out publicly. Do not, unless you want a second on your home, uh, sign up for this sunun. Um, my bills were $300 and some dollars and they still, now they close to four. Talking about we're saving energy, stockpiling it. Yeah, right. So, be mindful, be aware. Uh, do your homework, do your research. There are some solar companies out there that some of the residents have a a zero bill, but uh like I said before, I wasn't home, but anyway, please cast your vote with me.

Motion carries. Okay, that's the consent calendar is item number 23. 23. Thank you, Madam Mayor. U just want to get a report from the staff. I have some concerns about this contract being the second. This is the second uh amendment. I'm not sure what was done during the first process. We see this the second amendment to give them some additional money.

Yes. So, thank you, Mayor Prom. I'm going to have uh actually director Whitaker is going to give a brief update on this. Um so that way there's some clarification to ensure that this is uh a separate uh contract versus I think the one in which yourself and the mayor specifically and I believe even Dr. Hilton were adamant about not uh moving forward on. So, this is actually a different contract, but um with some terminal events today, it may be different again. But I'm going to allow Dr. or Mr. Whitaker to give a brief update.

The community services department through its park maintenance division is responsible for maintaining landscape areas throughout the city, including parks, corporate yard, city hall, uh and the Carson Event Center. This work includes routine services such as mowing, grass trimming, um plants, and keeping these public spaces clean, safe, and visually appealing for residents and visitors. In recent years, the city has made significant improvements to the landscaping around the civic center and other public facilities. While these enhancements have greatly improved the appearance of these areas, they have also increased the level of ongoing maintenance needed to properly care for them. What did you do to say properly? Properly. Oh, okay.

Care for them.

To help meet this demand, the city uses a combination of contracted services and in-house staff. By utilizing contractor for routine tasks like mowing and general landscaping, city staff are able to focus on more specialized work such as maintaining irrigation systems, improving turf health, addressing safety issues, and preserving the long-term condition and appearance of city assets. to maintain this level of service and continue providing well-kept public spaces. Staff is recommending approval of amendment number two, which would exercise the final just one-year extension of the agreement with Sazer Corporation. The cost for this final year is 395,000, bringing the total not to exceed contract amount to 1.2 million. Approval of this amendment will allow the city to continue providing consistent highquality landscape maintenance across its parks and facilities. Approval amendment uh in terms of uh approval amendment number two to the contract service agreement with Sways Corporation to continue providing a recommendation providing mowing and land maintenance services from May 28, 2026 through May 28th, 2027 for total contract amount. Um, what I will say or authorize the mayor to sign amendment number two subject to final approval by the city attorney as to form. We currently have two contracts with seasers. This is um for the mow and blow contract. The issue that we have and we're dealing with right now is the medians. Um, I know right now we have our park maintenance staff along with our public works staff on the weekends working to get our meetings where they're supposed to be because what we were getting we we were not pleased with. In regards to the mow and blow contract, the article that I'm reading now, um, this has worked like a dream for us. We even have a side letter

that's also attached to this particular item um from AskMe 809 agreeing that um this is something that the employees uh want as well. Instead of having our employees riding on the mowers, cutting the grass all the time, which are um more of a mundane job, we have them doing landscaping, irrigation, and that's why we've had the huge change in regards to our parks, our facilities. Um our grass is green again. Uh and they've been able to do some of those uh bigger jobs that we have in the city. So, um it's the recommendation of the council. Uh but that concludes my report. Thank you for that report. My concern is so we have groundsman's and that they work in our parks department. So only thing they're doing now is planting flowers and cutting shrubs.

No, no, no. Uh our park maintenance, they're changing out all the back flows. They're putting new irrigation in. They're actually laying some of the side in for some of our special projects. They're helping with the assistance of the medians. Um, in my opinion, our parks look the best than they have in a very, very long time. So, they're maintaining all of the parks, even the mini parks. That is correct.

I have some concerns with the mini park. I've had residents that call me on more than one occasion about it not being mowed or it's getting high and and I've called Dr. uh Rogers on this and so I guess not probably contact you versus Dr. Rogers, but I'm just concerned that I I hear it seems staff is pleased with them. They're happy with them, but I've been receiving different calls. Do they at Mills Park and you know the park is closed down. Do they maintain the area around Mills Park because there's been issue with water retention in the curb area, mosquitoes not looking pretty much manicured on the east side of the actual park itself.

That is correct. I actually walked the park um on uh Thursday of last week. I walked it with the superintendent uh and we did discuss some of the areas that we want to clean up. I did get some calls from some of the residents as well in that particular area. Um but because we're actually um going into a new contract with a new contractor, the old contractor is actually gone. So we are maintaining the outside of that particular area as we don't have rights to actually go inside at this particular point. So this contract is the 1.2 million just for mole and blow. That's it. Mowing and blowing that I mean that they their whole scope of their work is just to mow the lawn.

They mow blow edge also. Um that's what they that's their contract. That's for the entire year. Some expensive gardeners. Okay. Um I think you guys all know my concerns with this and I would not give them a one-year contract. Uh of the medians. Are we have are we out to bid on some replacements? Who are you referencing? The medians, madam mayor? Yes. Uh what we're going out to bid for the medians up, but will they be in charge?

Who who's going to maintain the parks after we get the medians in? Maintaining the parks is going to be per that contract with this going to be ongoing ongoing for more than a year. No, once we finalize this final year, then it goes back out to RFP again. Well, I would give them six months and send it out to RFP. I am not happy.

I know we've made improvements, so uh I just would not give them a whole year contract. our we are in the position we are right now because we just kept paying and paying and uh those medians I asked for a price on what when Maria Slaughter was here and and other and then I walked in city hall today I'm

Yes ma'am I'm actually editing the uh the IFB right now we should be going out to bid within the next two weeks for a new uh median uh maintenance group so we'll have uh four different contracts. We divided the city up a little more manageable. Um like you, I haven't been happy with the services we've been getting. Um but this took some work and some doing to get done because we have a lot of medians in this city and I wanted to make sure that everything was covered. So, uh pretty happy thus far with the IFB as I'm going through. I'm making notes of other things I want to be including. I just wanted to be thorough, but we should be going out to bid really, really, really soon. Once we get those contractors in, then I don't think you would have those.

I I wouldn't give them a year's contract. Um, madame mayor, through through the city attorney based upon the amendment for the second year, does it have to be the full extent of the amendment or could it be based upon a six-month and a month a month thereafter depending upon if the needs are still there after the six months? If we go out to bid prior to that year is up. You you can do something shorter if that's the question. Yes. Yes. Something shorter. Then if it if staff is not ready to go out to bid or haven't gotten it together extended based upon monthto month. Yes.

Okay. You do the motion for the six months and then there thereafter it'll be every every month not to come back but it' be on a month to month thereafter. Dr. Hilton,

Madame Mayor, I know um I heard all of the sentiments. I don't I don't want to just uh totally throw the contractor under the bus. We did have a public works director who did let the contracts expire uh before uh that's why we were technically behind. not this public works director, but I don't want to throw uh the young contractor the median contract expire. So, I don't want to just throw the contractor under the bus, uh you know, or whatnot, but I I just wanted to put that out there. Not Not this public works director, but uh it was one that promised us Disneyland and and we got uh Don't say it. Don't say it.

Yeah. But I just wanted to make sure that you know he we were operating at a deficit. Okay. Uh so my motion is we do a six months contract and come back um and look at this. Yeah. Is that enough time or you need nine? What you need? So, I just asked staff if it's enough time for them and I think they would like a month more at least because I think they're saying they would have to literally put out the RFP now like and I said a month to month after that month to month after that or just do a month to month from now forward.

I I think what the issue is they have the staff is trying to build the art if they if you wanted this as example six months from today. Yeah, I figured that's why staff would have to put the RFP out now because it takes approximately six months, right, for the process. So, what they're asking for at least is a month that they can get this uh RFP built up so they can have it sent out in a month's time and then seven months, you know, so be it. You said you need a month, seven months. If you can't do it in seven, come back. But this can't go on forever. Well, it's only a year though.

I know. Well, that's my recommendation. I'll amend it to seven months. Seven months. Yeah. Okay. That's my motion. You second it. Second. You seconded it. Uh any Oh, Councilman De. Yes.

Yeah. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Yeah. You know, looking at this staff report, uh uh because you know, we have a rainy season and a dry dry season basically in California. seasons. Um it seems that a year is a much better amount of time for the staff to evaluate and the council members to evaluate the work that um that they do. So I'll make a substitute motion that we approve staff recommendation and then uh you know six months from now they can put out a request for proposals uh and possibly switch over uh at that time. So that's that's my uh motion that we approve staff recommendation as uh they have in the staff report.

It's been moved and probably second. Please vote on the substitute motion which is to give them a whole mad Yeah. Huh. Point of clarification. The system is has the original motion. So we can vote on the substitute motion verbally. Okay. Fine. Yes. You have to vote on it now. Correct. Seven. Yeah. all year. No, the substitute motion is verbal. The substitute motion is for the time length of one year and it's going to be a verbal vote because the system is set up for the original motion. This is for the seven month. So, no, this is for the one year. The substitute motion is for the one year. Yes, my motion is for seven months and that's what's in the system. So, if you click on

Okay, we're going to do a verbal vote on the substitute motion and the substitute motion for one year. That's correct. Substitute motion was made by council deer. That's what we're voting on now. Yes. Verbally. And it was seconded by Dr. Hilton and second by Dr. Hilton. So, roll call. Council member Rohas. No. Council member Deer. Yes. Council member Hilton. Mayor Pro Tim Hicks. No. Mayor Davis Holmes. No. Okay. The nos have it 32. No. Uh the main motion the main motion is for seven months. Correct. Yes.

It was moved by the mayor and seconded by mayor prom. Ask me to vote for you can vote uh by electronically. Please do. That's on the main motion.

The motion carries. Thank you. Uh item number which one is is that 31? 31 you continued but you just completed I have to open the public hearing for 31 and close it and if anyone wants to speak they can speak. Is that correct madam city attorney? That's correct. Okay. Because it's a notice public hearing.

It's a notice public hearing. from open uh open uh it's consideration of an interim e urgency ordinance which I said we were not going to discuss tonight but if there so we're going to open the public hearing is there anyone wanting to speak yes but um just in line oh yes was probably posted and all that

it was uh the notice of public hearing has been given pursuant to the applicable law um including but not limited to the proof of timely publication received by my office. The notice to the applicants uh via email, phone, or Zoom was confirmed by staff. The agenda posting requirements were met. The posting affidavit is on file in the clerk's office, and we received 21 written communications for this item. Okay. And you have those. Is there anyone wishing to speak? Uh this item will not be taken up tonight, but if there's someone wishing to speak, you can at this time. Yes. Okay. Um, Alfred Saddle,

Pete Marsh. Let's do it this way. Is anyone wishing to speak on this item without us going through the list because they've all left. Seeing none. Okay. Close the public hearing. This item has been removed from the agenda. Madame Mayor. Yes. Uh, so I move that we continue the public hearing to a time certain. Uh, to your choice. No, I just pulled it and I will bring it back. I don't think it We don't know when. Indefinite. No, I didn't say indefinite. It just been pulled. I'm not going to discuss it tonight. It may not come back.

No, it's okay. Just you have to um let the public know that you're either going to bring it back to a time certain or you're going to bring it back indefinitely. It could be anytime in the future or it could never be brought back. I I think the mayor was clear. She said that she's just not considering it tonight and then we'll assess if she's bringing it back or not. So, it's not going to be to a date certain. We would have to renotice it for a new public hearing if we decide if she decides to put it back on the agenda. Okay. Long as it's renoticed so the people that were here tonight will know that they could come back, of course, in the future. Thank you.

Thank you. Item number 33. 33. We did 33. Uh, conduct a public hearing and consider adopting resolution number 26035. Madame city clerk, was it properly posted?

Yes, it was. Um, the notice of public hearing has been given. Pursuant to the applicable law, um, including everything I just read for the last public hearing, everything's on file in my office. Everyone was notified. We did not receive any written communication for this item. Uh, we're going to open the public hearing. There's no one wishing to speak. Staff, you have a report.

Yes. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh, this item is, as you stated, conducting the public hearing. um for a recommendation to adopt the resolution of 26037 uh regarding the uh environmental impact report and adopting the Carson Civic Center specific plan. This information and presentation will be provided by our economic development director and community uh development director, Mr. Nathan Freeman.

Okay. Good evening. I have a presentation that should be loading. Here we go. All right. Good evening, honorable mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, and distinguished council members. Again, Nathan Freeman, your community and economic development director. Item number 33 before you tonight is a request to again conduct a public hearing and also approve an addendum to the general plan environmental impact report or EIR to adopt the Carson Civic Center specific plan and to direct staff to issue a request for proposals and qualifications a hybrid seeking a master developer to build out that specific plan. As a point of context, the planning commission reviewed this item in January and unanimously recommended approval of both the EIR addendum and the specific plan. So, let's talk a little bit about today's Carson Civic Center. What you're looking at is the Carson Civic Center campus, which is one of our most important civic assets. It's home to city hall, which anchors daily governmental operations, and the Carson Event Center, which brings in significant activity during events. But the reality is that much of the campus today is underutilized outside of those events. Large portions function primarily as surface parking lots and circulation space rather than an active year-round destination. The opportunity in front of us is not to replace what already works, but to build upon it. To transform a campus that already draws people in at times into a place that keeps people here longer, more often for more reasons, and more important, just as important, to spend some money. I want to ground tonight's conversation in something that may sound familiar. Last week after working a very long day,

I was hungry and in need of dinner and more specifically of the sitdown variety and I had a choice to stay in Carson or to go to one of our neighboring communities. Like many people here, I left not because I wanted to leave Carson, but because other communities have more sit-down restaurant options with other amenities that make it easy to stay and stay a little longer. And that rep that pattern has been articulated to me and what I've experienced for myself repeats itself every day for residents, employees, and visitors. What we're trying to do with the Carson Civic Center is to change that pattern. Create a place where people don't just come to City Hall or pass through, but actually stay, gather, and invest their time here in Carson. With that context, let me briefly walk you through the site and the plan background. Now, the Carson Civic Center campus is approximately 20 acres. It is zoned DMX or downtown mixeduse and includes again Carson City Hall, the Carson Event Center, and the surrounding surface parking lots. As the council may recall, last February, it declared portions of the site identified in red as surplus. The required 60-day period closed to last Friday and no proposals were received from affordable housing developers. In addition, the parcel shaded in green was previously declared surplus and has received HCD or state housing community development clearance for disposition. So before I continue, I want to emphasize that everything you're about to see is conceptual. It is intended to guide the vision and will be refined with the selected master developer which will be at the discretion of the mayor and city council. So the plan before you this evening sets a framework for a mixeduse civic

centered district that introduces housing, hospitality, entertainment, civic space and cultural uses which are all integrated into a connected walkable campus. So, what you are looking at is what we refer to as option number one. This is looking east. Forgive me, I'm directionally challenged. Looking east. Uh, and you will see the existing uh, city hall and some new amenities. Immediately adjacent to that would be the new city hall, a performing arts center, new housing, the Carson Event Center, and potentially a new hotel. So this is option one. And this is that same option looking west. What we refer to as option two is identical to option one in every way with the exception of what you can see here on the corner. Instead of a hotel, there could be a retail and entertainment complex instead. So let's dive into the various aspects of the specific plan. Starting off would be the new city hall. This conceptual new city hall is approximately 197,000 square feet and will be up to 13 stories. It will be designed to modernize city operations while reinforcing its role as the civic centerpiece of our new campus. And you can see few concepts here. Next up would be the performing arts theater. This is a 100 proposed to be a 100,000 square foot facility with 2,000 seats included and a 150 seat blackbox theater. Next up, mixeduse housing.

This component includes approximately 140,000 square feet of residential development with groundf flooror retail and just as important restaurant space for us hungry folks as well as an integrated ground level bus depot supporting both the housing and mobility needs. So as you're looking at this, this represents approximately 400 units and because this is city-owned property, it would be mandated to be mixed income. So at least 15% of these units would be set aside as affordable. Tying it all together would be the Jewel Plaza, which is envisioned as the central gathering space of the civic center located between city hall, the new performing arts theater, housing, and other uses. It is intended to host community events, farmers markets, farmer markets, excuse me, outdoor concerts, and everyday public life. So you can get a flavor for what that is in vision to look like. Immediately adjacent to the new city hall and between uh city hall, excuse me, the new city hall and what could be the new hotel would be the civil rights garden. This space located again between the new city hall and the hotel or entertainment district is envisioned as a civic memorial guard garden, excuse me, featuring statues, sculptures, and arts installations commemorating the civil excuse me civil rights movement. And then we're going to dive a little bit into the the hotel. Again, remember this is option number one. Option number one, the hotel includes approximately 240,000 square feet of hotel development with groundf flooror retail, dining, and entertainment uses supporting roughly 400 new rooms or keys to the downtown area and reinforcing the civic center as a regional destination. Again, the second option, which would

replace the hotel with retail and or entertainment, explores, excuse me, includes approximately 130,000 square ft of retail, 30,000 square ft of restaurant space, 30,000 square feet of museum space, and a 50,000 square foot flagship sports entertainment venue. you get a flavor for what that could look like. So with that, staff's recommendations this evening is the council conduct a public hearing. Afterwards, adopt resolution number 26-037, a resolution of the city council of the city of Carson approving an addendum to the Carson 2040 general plan update environmental impact report or EIR and adopting the Carson Civic Center specific plan and authorizing staff to issue a request for qualifications and proposals, better known as a RFQP, seeking a master developer to implement the Carson Civic Center, excuse Carson Civic Center specific plan as articulated for you this evening contingent upon full receipt of full H excuse me upon receipt of full HCD clearance for the surplus properties. Madame Mayor, that concludes my presentation. After the public hearing, I'm available for any questions.

Well, that's nice. Oh. Uh we're going to close the public hearing and then I'd like comments uh from the staff uh to see what you guys have in mind. But for me personally, I like option number two because we already have a hotel and we don't want and they're renovating that hotel and we don't want uh to build a hotel and we have one the double tree that's rebranding. uh the city manager and I and our assistant city manager have been looking at some renderings from that. So it would it would take the place of opt in option number one and then therefore we could have that entertainment center. That's my personal but you'll you already we already have a hotel and then we have entrance I hear from uh uh the bishop and I were at a meeting and there there's another hotel being proposed so we don't want to overbuild hotels but uh I I really like the sports center. I think that would be something that would really give people a reason to stay in Carson and then they could walk over to the double tree. So, I'd like to hear from my colleagues. Councilman Deer.

Uh, thank you. Yeah, the concept is uh very interesting and I think the idea of uh keeping people uh in Carson and spending their money in Carson is very important. As we all know, many of us uh residents uh go outside of the city and spend our hard hard-earned dollars in other cities where they get the tax revenue and we don't. We want to make Carson more of a destination city and this plan certainly does that. So, um I'm just glad that people uh over the years have come around to that that idea of transforming Carson from a basically we were a bedroom community slashindustrial city which is a unusual combination. Usually bedroom communities have no industry and very little commerce. Um but we of course have 54% of our land area in industrial use and um so making it a destination community has tremendous benefits for the residents of Carson. Not just amenities but it generates lots of tax money to keep keep our city financially healthy. I always look at these economic development projects as primarily public safety projects because the revenue bring being brought in by this economic development will fund our public safety programs. So Carson will be known as one of the safest cities in LA County as opposed to where we are kind of in the middle so to speak. And so, um, I'm very interested in, uh, how this can progress and, uh, develop into really a great, uh, uh, civic center development. Um, I understand not wanting the hotel, as the mayor mentioned. Um, and having a

sports complex, that that's a good idea. We do have uh uh some pretty world-class sports complexes now with the veladrome and the tennis stadium and the soccer stadium and the baseball field there for the the university. Um but we do need more hotels. Maybe not a hotel right next to our existing hotel, but the city of Carson certainly could use more hotels. uh that brings in transient occupancy tax. Toot is also known as you know hotel tax and that revenue is good for our bottom line as well as a city keeping us financially solvent. Um so either option one or two looks pretty attractive. Uh so I'll reserve my future comments for as things develop and progress. Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Outstanding presentation. Um, each time you guys bring it up is you tweak it a little bit, make it a little bit different from what it was from before. Uh, a couple of things. Wanted to make sure we talked about restaurants. We you not I don't think it's been presented to have a rooftop restaurant because we have a view of Long Beach from our area. So, I think that would be amanable to have a rooftop restaurant. Um, didn't hear anything about our seniors. If we're displacing our seniors out of our community center, are there going to be any other senior issues or senior programs at that site or they're going to be moved to another location?

No, actually with the increased size of the new city hall specifically and then the revamping of our um current community uh center, event center. It actually is going to provide more space. We're not relocating any of the senior programs. will still be consistently there. The stroke program as well as our teen center um that will soon to become will be included here. Uh stroke center will stay where where it is. Um early childhood

early childhood every single project, every pro or every program that the city has currently here at the civic center will remain here in addition to additional ones. Um this provides space more space for the city. Um and then uh as far as point of clarification, I just wanted to make it clear that the concepts and options that are there are not necessarily for you all to say um to vote on tonight. Obviously, you can have your uh preferences, but when we put the RFP out, it the developers will provide options for both so that way you can see both plans, right? Um, and it's not a it's a entertainment sports potential district, if you will, not a u sports campus or sports venue. In other words, there's not going to be a competing interest. It's not a

soccer stadium or football stadium or basketball uh arena or gym. It's it's a it's an interactive potential uh gaming entertainment type of uh district along with restaurants and retail. So, I just want to kind of clarify that point. And then my final one in rendering one did not have it, but rendering two talked about it a museum. So, that was the other part that I saw that one did not have it, but two did. So just

correct. So the the museum option is an option to uh provide and again that will be something that the developers will continue will provide and present. It's okay no worries. Um we'll present and there could be an amalgamation of both of those concepts from the options. Uh we'll see what the developers actually come up with. Um, this is just something to give you all an idea and then for us as staff to be able to send out in the RFP to give the developers an idea of what we would like to have. And so just because one option has the museum and another option may not does not necessarily mean that the developer could propose a museum on both. If that's something that uh interests

uh council when we put that out, we can advise that as well.

Okay. very excited about that. You know, I think this actually sparks excitement with our residents, you know, to know that this is potentially coming to our community. We are looking at our real estate or home values going up and idea that I tell people when you move out, you may have to move back. So, just be mindful. But, um, this is outstanding. This is something that's going, as you say, the jewel of the South Bay is a little bit bigger than that, but I'm than a jewel. It's it's bigger than that. But I'm just saying this is something that's very good for this community. Well overdue. There's been nothing I think on this magnitude has been done besides probably the mall at one point in time. But other than that, I mean, anything of that magnitude being built in the city. But again, this is uh a new day for the city. I'm I want to make the motion, but I'm going to let my colleagues speak before I I do that. Thank you, uh, Mayor Pro Tim and mayor. I I think it's incredible and I know it's kind of like a boilerplate for what we would like to um show and get developer ideas. Uh, I think uh we do need a worldass hotel here something more u four and a half starish, five starish uh you know uh that we can go and I think all of the great hotels we have now are are just hotels. Uh I think there's some more elevated hotels that we can have that come to our community and people might want an elevated experience. Uh I I love the renderings. I'm excited about the renderings. I think that um we would love to move forward. We might have to change the name from the Jewel of the South Bay to the treasure chest of the South Bay because we got more uh more jewels. uh now uh you know the jewelry box is getting pretty full and uh we

want uh want to keep moving the city forward. So hats off to you to finally bring this concept to pass and to do your due diligence of the surplus land act and to uh put it out there now that we got the roadblocks out of the way uh and we're not encumbered. We can move a little bit uh faster and farther. Thank you so much.

Thank you. So, I'm excited. All my colleagues said everything and I agree with everything that they're saying. Um, thank you, Mr. Freeman. Uh, that uh presentation was outstanding. Your DJ voice alone was impressive. So, thank you for that. Uh, thank you to the staff. Uh, everything looks great and looking forward um to the jewels of the South Bay. Maybe jewel of the South Bay 2.0. Maybe we get that. Uh so hey, you know what? Let's let's adopt resolution number 26037, a resolution of the city council of the city of Carson, approving an addendum to the Carson 2040 general plan, updating environmental impact reporting, and adopting the Carson Civic Center specific plan. authorize staff to issue a request for proposals for a master developer to implement the Carson Civic Center specific plan. Contingent upon receipt

of a full HCD clearance for the surplus. Second second the motion. All right. Thank you. If if I may, Madame Mayor. Yes, you may.

Thank you. I just wanted to uh thank our assistant city manager, Dr. Lennin, for really putting the nuts and bolts with this project. Um then we also have uh really the the fantastic architect with Larry that he came here tonight who designed we went through many iterations. Um he had we gave him a lot of timelines and pushed him to the limit. And so, but he was excited for the creativity uh and the ideas that we put together from your comments and your thoughts of what you all wanted to see for new civic center. Um and then of course uh Mr. Nathan Freeman who just came on recently but took this you know uh by the by the horns and and and pushed it through and now we're ready. Um and just excited because this has been already noised abroad and we haven't even got it out to the street yet. Um, and several developers are actually chopping at the bit, waiting for Mr. Freeman to drop this out on the street so they can actually place their bid bid. So, 60 days we'll have this uh ready to go out. Um, and this will be perfect timing. There's ICSE conference coming up.

U, but uh I can tell you there's been major major developers that have been in contact with Mr. Freeman, myself, Dr. Lennox, uh, our assistant, our deputy city manager, Armina Japerian. And so, uh, it's been, uh, it's been a very great project and excited and really it's been all hands with staff. Staff's been fantastic as far as doing what was necessary to ensure this move forward. So, just pleased for the work that's happened and looking forward to what's about to come to fruition in the city of Carson. Top notch.

Well, thank you uh, for that and uh, thank you to the team. It's called teamwork and you guys have done a a stellar job and I just want to say thank you. I know we Dr. Lennin you sometimes pull your hair out but anyway thank you to to everyone. So uh it's been moved and properly second four times. Cash your vote. The vote is unanimous, madame mayor. Motion carries.

And I thank you. Item number 35 is uh consider local and uncontested uh appointees. Madam city clerk, there was one young lady you have a application for for the Balone Park. Yes. Rental review board. I think I have a vacancy on that board. Let's double check here. Is there a vacancy? Yes, madame mayor. For alternate two,

do you have a vacancy? Um, there are also two other atlarge vacancies as well uh by council member Hilton and council member Rojos. the mobile mobile home park rental review board. You won't mind

if you Yeah, I was going to No, I I I'll point somebody. I have someone for the environmental commission. She's gonna That's fine. Susan Hernandez, right? That's a That's the person, Madame Mayor. Yes. Will be Council Member Roas is appoint. Fantastic.

I will appoint her. Yes. Thank you. Wonderful. Commission Environmental Commission Alejandro Rojas. Okay. And then uh Madame Mayor is um on the public safety commission. My um my public safety commissioner, she she retired. Public works commission. She retired. Uh Kelly Todd, she she retired. She she retired. She's on to a bigger and better Oh, yes. Yes. She just became a Delta. Congratulations. Welcome to the D9. Um, uh, Ken, as she was telling me that she was going to leave, is John a a permanent person or he alternate? Okay. All right. She's she's vacated.

Yes. And we we're on top of that. We received the the letter. Yes. 36. Madame Mayor, if you don't need a staff explanation, I'll just move uh to approve this second reading. It's been moved and properly second. Please cast your vote. Motion carries.

Okay, now we're on I'm looking at my computer. Oral communications. for matters not listed on the agenda. All communications for matters not listed on the agenda. You have any speakers? Yes, madam mayor. I have five. Um Lawrence Flinton non-aggendaized item.

Hi there.

Um why do we have traffic laws and signals? people aren't going to follow. We have people speeding, running red lights. We have three or more cars turning left on a red cell phone usage. Ebikes are out of control. Um, so if we did uh red light cameras and speed cameras in the city of Carson like our surrounding cities around us are doing that would actually create some funds for from the tickets which can go to local police city and traffic um prevention and uh I think it could go for infrastructure as well the remaining funds from the tickets. I just wanted to bring that up and bring the attention because I hear a lot of people just it's crazy driving out here. So, I think we need to pump the brakes a little bit and then release it again. I guess that's that's all I had to comment.

Thank you for bringing that to staff's attention. I know our public safety directors Norah Garcia is taking notes um of that. Go and speak with her. Nora, we Okay, very I'm just speaking as a resident mayor again, Mr. Commissioner. I know, but it's it's I I wanted that separation. Okay, separate. Yeah. Okay. Just just speaking as a res. Thank you. Thank you so much, Brandy Leuen.

Good evening. I'm so excited. You have three minutes. Thank you, Dr. Bradshaw. I'm so excited about what's coming to the city of Carson. Good evening, madame mayor Lula Davis Holmes, Mayor Pro Tim Cedric Hicks, my councilman, Councilman Dr. Jawan Hilton, Bishop as well, Councilman Jim Deer, and Councilwoman Arlene Rojas. I just have a couple of questions. The first one is in regards to the Tesla charging stations at the um at the community, the civic center. Wondering who's responsible for the maintenance on that. Um, as often when you go there, many of the charging stations are inoperable or they're not working. The other concern I have is about the

cost of the um charging stations. I don't know what that pertains to, but we're really not competitive with other cities and would really I would want to charge um in our home city. And I know we have the EV program. I've been approved for the EV program. The challenge is is the EV chargers that are attached to that are not the Tesla chargers and it's a little different with charging um with that. So I'm wondering if it's possible to include that in the EV charging um if you will. And then the last thing um that I had was on Damo and Alvo. There seems to be a dumping. It's dumping there constantly. We have a resident, Miss Terry, who goes out and cleans on her own, but there's mattresses left there, things left, and we make the calls and they come, but it happens constantly. So, I don't know if there needs to be any like perusing there. I know we have the um Say that again.

That's Tahada, not Alvo. No, no, no. It's Alovo. Both of them have it. Okay. So, for sure, I know on ALV, I'm requesting cameras through Mc Junkin and trying to work with them to get some cameras in on those corners. Okay. reclaiming my time if Okay. All right. Okay. I just

Thank you, Etsy. Maxi, no. Right. So, I do know that it happens on Tahada, but on Alvo, it's it's constant. Um, and I do want to reiterate that when we call, they come. It's just constant. Um, and then the the thing is I know that we have renewed our business licensing system. Um, I got a later notice about that because we're renewing it. I appreciate that. I just want to know if we're getting to the point where we can pay those fees online versus having to come um to the community center uh the city hall to make those uh those payments. Um, and that was the last thing.

I thought we could pay online. Is that Can you help me with that? Um, I would be grateful. Thank you so much. Okay. All righty. That's good. We're good. All right. Okay. Thank you, Brandy. Alejandro Roas. Oh, uh, good evening, Madam Mayor.

Distinguished council members and city officials. I am Alejandro Roas, a retired educator. I am here tonight to address a public safety concern. uh the the for the recent coyote attacks on children and pets in our community which have intensified fears among Carson residents in my experience particularly the elderly which I I include myself in uh the residents in North Carson. uh as a possible next step uh it is my humble suggestion uh that we build in a on a previous discussion uh which is to organize a town hall meeting uh to develop proactive solutions to this urgent matter. I actually wrote the statement because I don't want to speak from the perspective of trauma. Uh we know in North Carson that if our pets are uh leave our home accidentally, they don't come back and they don't end up in the animal shelter, they get eaten by coyotes. Uh that's one. The second one is that the last time that I presented on this matter on Carson uh to just to make it a legal matter of record uh with when Arlene uh uh in her town hall meeting uh I was very dramatic because I am personally impacted. I used to take care of thousands of pigs before I was 10 years old and I know how vicious those animals are when they're hungry. They can attack elderly. They can attack all ages. So since we have legal assistance here, it uh the the suggestion that we had was to create sounds to scare the coyotes, to sprinkle water from a

bottle, to open an umbrella, to inflate a trash bag, and the other suggestions just to let a lot of agencies know about it. Well, it's national news now, world news. Because the same the same coyote that attacked a child in front of possibly hundreds of people attacked a second child. The DNA test proved that. I stopped uh walking my pets and uh at the Dominguez Dignity Health Sports Park because I see packs of coyotes there. Uh a child was attacked there. There's a coyote roaming around our city that already attacked a child. I'm trying to make it a matter of record here because it's on on the social media and I'm here as a humble resident with a little bit of guilt because a lot of times I don't participate in my own city. I'm a first generation immigrant so I have like we always call home the home we left 50 years ago. Uh but I'm here and I'm offering myself to solve the the situation. It it is it's a legal matter now. I I believe we have lawyers here. Madame Mayor, that's three minutes

that we we're seeking your counsel so that our city is not liable if an a second child is attacked from at the dignity help from that same coyote that is roaming around there. Thank you. I think uh the town hall meeting you were trying to get fishing game and the other agencies that come out that's still take going to take place. Is there a date on it councilwoman or staff? um to through the city manager, assistant city manager. Norah, I can't hear you unless you come to the mic. Yeah, thank you, Madam Mayor. Yes, we're still waiting on uh fishing game to provide an availability date. Okay. So, when it is confirmed, we will set that up.

We'll set up that town hall meeting still going to take place. It's just that we have to go through fishing game and work around their schedule. I think it was another agency involved. So, we're working on those two agencies. We're going to uh host it, but they're going to facilitate it because it's a fishing game uh situation. The city cannot um do much. And those I think they euthanized for the coyotes already and they found the two that one that bit the child did a DNA. Yes, we're working on it. It's just so we have to go through fishing game. I need you to go become employed by fishing game.

Madam Mayor, yes. I know it's not on the agenda, so we can't discuss it, but I just had a a a simple question, yes or no answer from staff. Um, so is it confirmed that the state of California fishing game did capture the uh uh coyote that actually bit a child in Carson and uh has been euthanized as long along with I believe the report I got was three others. Is that correct? Okay. Just so the people of Carson know that this coyote who did this attack on a human is no longer going to be doing that. Correct. Thank you. He took his wings. Okay,

Madame Mayor, there's one more speaker. Uh, Jason Rap. Jason.

Hi, Jason. Good evening, Jason. You have three minutes.

Good evening, Madame Mayor and distinguished council. Uh, I'm Jay Rab and I am a new resident here in Carson. I spent 42 years on the west side of Los Angeles and six challenging months in the heart of South Los Angeles on 79th Vancouver and I'm glad to be here in Carson. I have uh Thank you. I'm I have three important connections to Carson uh from the past. Uh firstly, I did my graduate studies at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Go Toros. Uh uh secondly, my uh late aunt was a longtime teacher at White Middle School here in Carson. Uh I believe she taught sixth grade math and science. That was uh Mrs. Doris Kelly. Uh and uh thirdly, I am a frequent visitor to uh Resurrection Church. Uh and that's here in Carson. My home church though is uh home in United Methodist. And I'm sure uh Reverend Victor Cyrus Franklin sends his blessing to Pastor Holman. Um uh lastly, I just wanted to say I'm glad to be here in Carson. Uh this is a city that means a lot to me. Uh thank you for having me here. And please, if I would encourage council to do anything, continue to do everything you can possible to promote civic engagement. I have a social studies credential. Uh hopefully I'll be able to keep it for a while. I haven't found any history teaching positions in 10 years. Uh but uh I do have a social uh a substitute teacher credential as well. 30-day sub permit. But anyhow, please continue to promote civic engagement uh these times, especially at the federal level. we can see how important it is to have uh an informed electorate, how important it is to have

uh good citizens in this country. So again, thanks for having me here in Carson. Well, welcome home. Thank you, JRE. Madame Mayor, yes, I did just get a request for one more nonendise speaker. Fine. Okay. Tasha Prudent. Hi, Tashana. Hello. Good evening. You have three minutes.

Thank you. As a long-term member of Carson, I went to Steven White Middle School. I went to Carson High. Graduated from both, obviously. Um, I wanted to bring up two things. I love I also was on the youth council and middle school here, so very familiar. Missed it. Um, two things I wanted to talk about. I am in love with the new concept of what you guys are trying to bring to the city. Absolutely love that. Um, as a longtime resident in 38, so 30 years. Um, it's good to see the changes that are going on. I did have a few questions about that. Are we going to implement when we do go out for RFPs on that project? Are we going to open that to the residents of the city who do own businesses that can their services can be utilized on that project so that we're bringing the money back into the city from businesses like and helping fund businesses in the city? Um, for instance, I own a security company. So, and you have other companies in the city that have a gardening company or landscaping company. As opposed to us going outside of the community first, can we look at the residents that are in the community who have these businesses and try to open up that form for them al as well. Um, and then also take into consideration, I know most of the time it's about the money, but you also have to remember some of these are mom and pops and they can't charge the same rates because the insurance rates are high or you know minimum wage is high. So you you know the lack of the balance there. Um, second thing I wanted to bring up was the Sunun situation. Um, I do have Sunun panels um on my home and as a person who successfully sued Sunun, yes, you can own your panels and you can get out of your contract.

Thank you. If you need that information, by all means, I'm here. Um, yes. So, I will glad to give that information to you. Um, but again, I am in love with what you guys are doing. I'm looking forward to trying to join the council again at some point in time. So, I'm very interested in everything you guys have going on here as a member. I am so proud of what you guys have brought back and what you're looking to do in the future. And I can't wait. I I'd like you to see Keshan that's in the back.

Get your name and address. And also, uh, Jr., what is our next small business academy? We have a partnership with Cal State University Dominguez. Oh, Lord, wrong one. Jr. started with me. Nate, uh, we have a small business growth academy where we have our small businesses go through that free of charge, okay? To learn the who, what, when, where, and why of a small business. We're very, very, very, very interested in in uh, I have every designation that there is. Yes. Familiar.

See Nathan and he can give you uh, the information on that, but a good uh, I think it's a six week program. It is. and I'd be happy to connect with her afterwards. Madam Mayor, thank you. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Give Keshan your name because I'm gonna rope you in. I got that information. Thank you. Anyone else? No, Madame Mayor, that concludes public comment. Thank you. All communications uh council members where's my memorial?

Oh, there it is. Anyone may number one, Dr. Hilton.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I want to just uh bring up three events uh this weekend. This uh weekend two uh and then uh one during the week. Uh this uh Saturday at 9:00 am it's going to be a community cleanup day. I'm partnering with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated or these Deltas up in here. Okay. The AKA's are in the house as well. Um and we're going to um partner and we're going to clean up the Walnut Park in Centerview. So we're going to be in Centerview. We're going to be cleaning up. Uh, so come on out, volunteer with us from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Oh, you know, we're gonna have a little fiddles out there. We're gonna have some food out there. Uh, so come on out there and partner with us. And then at 1:00 is the jazz festival at the Dimeley Institute. Uh, I want to invite you uh to the jazz festival. There's still time to get you some tickets. I want to invite you to come and hang out. Uh they have reimagined the whole layout this year. It's not going to be in the stadium. It's going to be on the campus of Cal State Dominguez on the grass. Excited about that. And then on August on April 30th, I want you to mark your calendars. Uh on April 30th at approximately 6:30m uh at the Carson Community Center, the Wine Guard Foundation is having a question and answer session for the community about the Wine Guard uh project that will be taking place on Albertton at the extended stay. Um me. So I really really would love the residents to come and express your concerns, your all of these things that you have shared with this council. We want you to come share it with them. Uh

this is the Wine Guard project, the former extended stay that's on Albert Tony. Uh, we need you to show up on April 30th at 6:30 p.m. uh in uh the Cars Community Center in room B. I'm hoping that we overflow that room that we may have to open up some more rooms. Uh so please please uh let's not fall asleep at the wheel. Uh please share this with your neighbors, share this with your friends. Uh this is project homekey uh the wine guard foundation and we want to make sure that our community is heard. Um

Mr. City Manager or assistant city manager because this is of interest to the city of Carson, can we not publicize and do get the the word out? Oh, abs. Absolutely. We can because we want to make sure we uh have a full house. Sure. We'll we can have uh our PIL multimedia put together uhformational pieces and and get that out so that way we can invite the entire city the public. Okay. And when is it again? It's going to be on April 30th at 6:30 p.m. That's next week. We need to get on that right now. Okay.

And they just gave it to us. They were came then they cancelled the last one. So this one is on 6:30. I mean 4:30. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

At 6 April 30th at 6:30 at Carson Community Center, All B. That correct? Councilwoman, Madame Mayor, that's a great event. Uh I'm thinking we have a town hall meeting scheduled. Maybe we can change it. Yes. Yes. Same day, same time.

So, Kristen, let's change our town hall meeting. Try to get it either the following week or the day before. Yeah, because this is this is a last minute event here that uh Councilman Hilton is putting together. We need to make that a priority. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Councilman. you.

Yeah. Thank you. Um on the uh project home key, just want to remind everyone that uh this type of project was proposed for the city of Torrance. They brought it to the Torrance City Council and it was roundly rejected and the housing project sponsored by the county of Los Angeles was cancelled. So, the reason I bring that up is we may or may not have this project in Carson, but it gives us leverage to be sure that it's a project that um suits our community. And uh the idea we brought up earlier about students at Cal State Dominguez, there's quite a number of students that are actually homeless, but they're college students. And we want to emphasize that if the city of Torrance was able to stop it completely, uh we should be able to get uh a project that works for our community, not just a project that the county of Los Angeles wants us to have or for that matter the Wangart Foundation because they want it doesn't mean that it has to be the way they outline it. It should be the way that we accept it. Secondly, um I want to ask the staff about uh the Earth Day Kids Fest. I know it was cancelled uh postponed to uh uh to what date. Uh I never got any information and my Elsa hasn't been able to get any information about when we're going to redo that because remember that was children's day combined with Earth Day. So the new name is Earth DayKidsfest and it's uh Dolphin Park is where it was planned.

Yes. During that time um we had some uh some inclement weather and so um we weren't able to bring our uh equipment that we had set up for that particular day onto the grounds. Um they would have gotten stuck in many places. But we are working right now um with staff on another date. But we're working with the vendors that we had from before also in order to secure those dates and times. So we should have some information um by the end of this week in regards to the new date that we're going to do update. We're still planning on it. I've been I talked with uh our sustainability officer Rita Cooer the other day in regards to that. And so um some people were really disappointed. We've been really consistent with that particular event. Um we want to make sure that we continue to have that event year after year. So I will have some information upcoming.

Yeah, Earth Day is very important because it teaches young people to preserve the environment and also teaches adults that you know the people that come after us should have a clean uh planet to live on. Um so thank you for that. And then thirdly, um Reflections Mini Park. Uh the residents around there have spoken to me about a service request. First uh pretty simple one. The lights need to be operational. If it's too dark, it becomes a like a hidden little corner and and the teenagers take advantage in not so positive ways. The other thing is regarding the maintenance of that park. I got a report from the people in the neighborhood that the city of Carson maintenance crew went out there, trimmed the bushes and left all the trimmings and branches in the park in piles and scattered around. Actually, um I I took pictures and I can text you the photographs of the debris that's left around. So, I don't know why that happened, but apparently the residents um told me that the staff allegedly said, "Well, we're going to come back and pick it up." And that's been a few weeks and they haven't picked it up yet.

So, can we pay attention to that park? Yeah, that's not uh normal practice for for our staff. Of course.

Um I will get some additional information in regards to that and I'll have a crew uh stop by there tomorrow morning. Um but for that particular park, we are working to revamp that park. Uh initially we had a plan for that park. They are breaking the lights out. It's not that the lights are not working. The lights are being broken out. So we see glass on the ground, the bulbs are broken and things like that, but I think they do that to deter um for other people to see things that are happening in that particular area. And so my staff and I are working right now um with a developer to actually to come up with a different design for that particular park. And um just like we we've done in the past, we're trying to make sure that this is a shelf ready project that we will be able to do um as soon as we find the funds for it, we can make those changes as quickly as possible. But we have been working on it. We are aware of that particular facility.

Oh, very good. Because obviously you can put protective shields over the lights. So rocks and BB guns and stuff are not able to uh put the lights out if you protect it correctly. Correct.

And um so the word on the street there in that neighborhood is when the park was first built it was beautiful and now it looks terrible. So that's not the transition that we want. We want to maintain the beauty and the functionality and the utilitator use of that park for the residents. Thank you for through the city manager and and Mike uh for your attendance that if you contact uh if you send staff out there tomorrow, I think that'll impress the the residents of Carson. Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Thank you. Um just to piggyback off what the councilman and and the bishop was saying on this project home key staff, we did send letters over trying to get out of this project. We did what we could. Uh and then also the uh 75% of those rooms will be for students at Cal State University, the Bingus Hills. We're trying to get 100%. But there has been uh work by the city attorney and our staff trying to say that we don't want the project at all. And I know uh the bishop here has been fighting this battle. Uh so it whatever we can do but we did have did do due diligence and right now we're at 75% we're working on the other 25% to for unhoused students are we sent a letter to the supervisor and if I have 1500 unhoused students why would I bring in 20 even 25 that are not students this project um housing the students at Cal State Domingus Hills would be a flagship ship uh program,

right? And so that's what we're looking at. So if we can get the 25, we're still having to get them up on the 25. We still don't want the project, by the way, but if our hands are tied, let's take our students that's sleeping in the cars. I think that's where we left off. Is that correct? That's excellent point. I think we really should go for 100% because think about this. Uh I mean we're not doctors or psychologists but uh we do know from experience in Carson that uh over 50% of homeless people have some type of uh extreme anxiety to um to extreme mental health issues and putting them in together with the students would not be the right mix. Right. Thank you very much.

We're working on that. I know Dr. Hilton has been our city attorney has been. and I've shown because it was our our ideal list as our students. So, we're working on it. Yes. But with the change in leadership, Madame Mayor, we're not for sure if they reneging on what they said. So, we want to hold their feet to the fire. Absolutely. So that's why this meeting is going

that's why this meeting is so important uh for the residents and the community uh because with the change in leadership while we had built a relationship with the uh the former CEO who was very uh empathetic to our community and understood the the nuances of Carson and what we wanted and obliged to all of that. I'm not sure about this new uh so this is why we we're sounding the alarm. We want to make sure that everybody knows about this project so that we can come we can show uh the power of

Carson said but we're watching you and our supervisor was in favor of that the 75% so that's our ally for the 70 75 students. Okay, very good. Uh, MPG,

thank you, Madam Mayor. Just had a question to staff. What is the status on the Friendship Park expansion and where are we at in that process? Friendship Park uh expansion um we currently have the 1.4 million to procure the actual land. So um our economic develop I know that um James Wyn is currently working on that particular process right now. Once he that is concluded then we'll be able to take our next step and uh getting the ground remediated in regards to that particular site. Um so it's it's just a bit of a process right now. We're going through the uh the leg work right now,

but the plan is is to once we get it up and going um we plan to make that one of our premier parks as well. It's going to be small but mighty. Hopefully we can get our second dog park there right there on for the city of Carson.

Perfect. Um, and then I just want to make note that I attended the senior spring dance that was this past uh week and it was attended by many, many, many residents from the community. Uh, there were some concerns, but I know the concerns came from those who were not residents, but our residents were actually in attendance and in full force and kudos to the staff and making sure that happened. That it okay. Uh for me uh for Seal Park, are we putting is it for Seal Park pickle ball courts? Carriage Crest Park is getting pickle ball. I know Carriage Crest is, but I had a request for for Se Park.

That is correct. We have a um a space that we already have carved out that we're working on to put a pickle ball inside of Seia Park as well.

That's what I thought. I told it was just wanted to make sure. So resident, if you're listening, it is happening. I wasn't all Um, and I also attended the spring playing. It was a lot of fun. A lot of seniors were out. Good day. And um, I had a busy weekend, but that's good. That's it for me, staff. Yeah. Memorial adjournments. Thank you, Madam Mayor. These are the names that I received. Perpetua Pet Zuniga Rojos Teresa Leette Vincent P. Miles Melvin Benson Kenneth Litster Katherine Anderson.

Wow. Wasn't one of those our commissioners? Yes. Uh Melvin Benson was a public works commissioner. Okay. make sure we uh do the certificate and the floor presentation. His home going is on May 7th. It's going to be You did? Okay. Can I ask someone, Madam Mayor? Yes, please. Real Latrice Johnson, MC Elderoy, M C A D O R Y, Vincent Miles. I know that wasn't I said

I did uh the mayor submitted that that's Vincent P Miles. Yes, I had a request to add him but I think it's that No, yours was a commission. Someone called me and asked me to add him. So I don't know. Okay, Bishop. Yes. Let's pray. Father, we thank you tonight. We pray for these bereaveved families. We pray that you would strengthen them and encourage them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Amen. Uh before I adjourn this meeting, I want to uh he's been awfully quiet, Jr. you've been working around the clock, but JR is going to be bringing back some amazing ideas for this city soon, which we cannot reveal, but uh the the uh tell them a little bit about the street. It's under construction. Yeah, Lenardo. It's been it's been a long time coming, but the street is being constructed. Dirt is being moved over there which give us a little brief quick and dirty. Breathe Jr.

Jr. Quick. Um he went over to Coachella.

Yeah. Um I still have a little brain fog. Um the dirt is being moved. Uh what the um large part in the middle that had been a sunken street called Lonardo Depression is all filled in. street is flat. Um we're um got most of the domestic water in. We've got most almost all of the recycled water in. Uh working on the gas lines, you know, all the utilities. Um still working on electrical electrical system, but the backbone uh conduit is uh scheduled to start going in I think at the end of April. Um and uh working on some uh design changes uh location of street lights and a median break um at the south end of of Lonardo. Uh but it's coming along. We're um very close to getting approval from CALR to go over the bridge and run the water line and connect the water line down the water line on Avalon. Um and uh things things are coming along. We've had a lot of rain this year, but we've had 55 weather days since um since last fall, which is we had 16 weather days in the contract. So, it's um it's been a little bit challenging, but it's uh but it's a lot of fun and it's happening. Well, I just want to thank you and also to my mayor Pro Tim because through the South Bay cog, we were able to uh receive $8 million to assist with the development of uh Leonardo Drive and and MPT, you didn't tell me about that other four that you just received. Did you forget?

It's in the works. The the last vote is coming up soon. Oh, I'm not going to do anything premature. Okay. He'll tell us next council lady. But anyway, thank you to everyone and um to our staff, city clerk, city treasure. Thank you. And this meeting is adjourned.