City Council - Regular Meeting

and it muted and justice for all.

Madame Clerk, could you uh call the role? Yes, Mayor Qu is present for the city council successor agency and housing authority. I just want to check and see if uh Councilwoman Gray is online. Yes, Mr. Mayor, I am here and my assistant, Angela Maize, is in the room with me and there is no other person over the age of 18 in the room with me. Thank you. Okay. Well, we're going to have to announce the address that you're broadcasting from. No, sir. No, no, no, sir. Oh, I guess we don't. So, don't do that, sir. I mean, Aisha is shaking her head like, "Oh my goodness." I like that, mayor. Respectfully, no.

We're lucky to have you, Aisha. Oh my goodness. Okay, we are good now. Um, we're going to do a public comment. Any persons wish to address city council on any of the items on today's agenda for any of the agencies other than a public hearing may do so at this time. Mayor, there were public comments received from the city clerk's office and we pass them out to you and council members. So much appreciate that. Yes, sir. Thank you. [sighs and gasps] With that, we'll close public comment. Uh item one, CSA 1 and H1. What register will receive and file? Um madam city clerk, what's the next scheduled matter?

Yes, mayor. The next scheduled matter is a public hearing to consider zoning code amendment number 25-00002 to modify miscellaneous regulations in chapter 12 of the Englewood municipal code related to public hearing notice requirements planned assembly development requirements removal of the art deco design standards and cosmetology uses citywide. Okay. Um, has the notice of hearing been given in the time, form, and manners required by law and do you have that the affidavit on file? Yes, mayor. Notice has been given and the affidavit is on file and many communications been received. Yes, mayor. Communications have been received and passed out. Uh, is there a staff report on the matter?

There is, Mr. Mayor. It's uh the acting planning manager, Arturo Salazar. Artural, it's showtime.

Good day, Mayor Buts and council members. Over the past several months, city staff has identified provisions within the Englewood Municipal Code that are outdated, ambiguous, or obsolete, and warrant further analysis and potential amendments. Staff has identified four items for your consideration. The first issue in front of you today is public noticing. In September 2024, the state of California enacted AB 2904, which established a 20-day notice requirement for all zoning code ordinances and amendments. Previously, the city's 10-day notice requirement for such ordinances and amendments aligned with the state's requirements at the time. to maintain consistency across all noticing procedures, including those related to planning. This code amendment extends all noticing timelines to 20 days, as shown on this slide. This change ensures legislative alignment between the Inglewood Municipal Code and the California Government Code. The second item for your consideration is planned assembly development. A planned assembly development requires approval of a special use permit through a two-phase process consisting of a preliminary PAD approval and a final precise plan PAD approval. The proposed amendment to the PAD regulations would reduce the minimum site size required for a P A from 25,000 square ft to 20,000 square feet citywide. Currently, PD projects within the transit oriented development areas to require a minimum site size of 20,000 square ft. The proposed amendment would establish a consistent minimum site size standard

for P A developments throughout the city. To provide additional flexibility, the amendment would also authorize the development service services director to consider PAD applications for sites as small as 15,000 square ft. Amendments to the PAD regulations encourage creative and coordinated approaches to land development that might that may not be achievable through the strict application of conventional zoning standards. The only thing that is changing in the P A process is the minimum site size requirement. The third item is the art deco overlay. The art deco overlay applies specific design requirements to the following areas shown on the map outlined in black letters E and A only. To date, the art deco overlay hasn't materialized as envisioned with few art deco compliant designs built over the 23 years since the inception of the plan. The art deco requires that all exterior facade improvements require design review. The design review requirement includes minor exterior work like window, doors change outs, and facade improvements. As evidenced by the current building landscape along Manchester Boulevard, there has been no large influx of new art deco development within the overlay. As the city continues to experience increased development interest, the removal of the art deco would allow developers greater creativity and when proposing projects along this major commercial corridor. The removal of the overlay also reduces the regulatory time required for minor improvements, further encouraging revitalization of the building along Manchester and Krenshaw Boulevard. And the final item for your

consideration is cosmetology uses prior to November 2001. Cosmetology uses, including beauty salons, barber shops, nail salons, and similar personal care services, were permitted by right within 300 ft of a similar use in certain zoning districts. Between November 2001 and November 2016, the city adopted several ordinances restricting co cosmetology uses in order to address concerns regarding overconentration of such businesses. Since the adoption of these restrictions, economic and uh economic and development conditions within the HC and MU1 zoning districts have evolved. A number of commercial tenant spaces are currently vacant or underutilized and the districts have experienced increased residential density through the development of new multifamily housing projects both completed and in the development pipeline. These changes have reduced earlier concerns related to the overconentration and parking impacts while increasing demand for neighborhoods serving commercial uses. Due to the current development patterns, ongoing residential growth within the downtown TOD plan area, cosmetology uses have been highlighted to provide neighborhood serving services for the expanding residential population. The reintroduction of beauty and cosmetology salons, including barber shops, nail salons, and similar personal care care services, has the potential to activate vacant or underutilized commercial tenant spaces within the HC and M1 MU1 zoning districts, provide neighborhood serving services to the growing residential population in the surrounding area, support small business development and local entrepreneurship, and contribute to increased pedestrian

activity. and overall commercial vitality within the district. The proposed zone code amendment would allow cosmetology as permitted commercial uses in the HC, MU1, MU1A, MUA zoning districts. The 300 ft separation requirement, however, will remain in place, which will allow the planning commission to cons to continue considering the potential proliferation of these uses through the SUP review process. This concludes staff's presentation.

Thank you. Now [cough and snorts] we're going to open public comment. If any person has a public comment about this matter, you can do so at this time. Hearing no public comment, we'll close that portion. And is there a motion to Mayor? Uh I move number two. Second. And uh go ahead. You want to vote on that? Madame city clerk, could you [clears throat] call the role? Yes, mayor. Council members Gray I. Padilla. I. Morales. I. Mayor Buzz. I motion to wait further reading. Second.

Madam city clerk. Council members Gray. I. Padilla. I. Morales. I. Mayor Buds. I. I'll introduce the ordinance approving zoning code amendment number 25-00002. And there we go. Consent calendar items two through five. So moved. Second. Madam city clerk. Council members Gray. I. Padilla. Hi. Morales. Hi. Mayor Buds. I DR1

staff report recommending the mayor and council members authorize the city manager or his designate to execute up to $8,500,000 in grants and other expenditures associated with the scope outlined in agreement number 22-232 with CLR. Move one and two. Second, madam city clerk council members Gray I. Padilla. Hi, Morales. Hi, Mayor Buds. I DR2 and H2.

Staff report recommending the mayor and chairman and council housing authority members adopt a resolution amending the fiscal year 2025 through 2026 operating budget to appropriate $120,000 in affordable housing funds for the affordable housing program. Move to second. Guys are quick. Madam city clerk, council members and housing authority members Gray I I Padilla. Hi. Morales. Hi. Mayor Chairman Buds. I A1.

Yes, Mayor. I I just want to state for the record that Councilwoman Gray is exercising her right of just cause to appear telephonically. Just Cause allows local agency board members and council members to part participate in meetings remotely without identifying their location or making it open to the public. Um, one of the valid reasons um is caregiving, contagious illness, disability um or official travel. I'd also note that she is not appearing um on screen because of her uh current physical condition. Thank you. All right. Uh, now we'll go to um CM1. Noral report, sir. And then to CC1.

No reports, mayor. Thank you. There are no appointments to boards, commissions, and committee. We'll now go to public comment. Any persons wishing to address the city council on any matter connected with city business not elsewhere considered on the agenda may do it so at this time for one minute. Mayor, before we get started there were public comments received in the city clerk's office and passed out to everyone. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Good afternoon, council. My name is Yolanda Davidson. I just wanted to bring to the council's attention that Gloria Gray does attend the meetings at the West Basin Water Board virtually and she does give her address and she does stay where she is. Thank you. Good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Mel Lupe Palo and I am the founder of the Salaala Love Foundation, a newly established 501c3 nonprofit created in the honor of my late sister Salala. Our mission focuses on youth empowerment through creative arts, cultural expressions, and providing safe spaces where young people can grow, heal, share, and share their voices. As a Pacific Islander founded organization, we are passionate about uplifting Pacific Islander youth while standing in solidarity with all undeserved communities throughout England and Los Angeles. We are currently preparing for our founding community meeting on March 29 where we hope to bring together local leaders and organizations to build partnerships that support youth and families. I would be honored to invite the mayor, council members, or anyone from the city to connect with us as we begin this work. I also brought a short introduction packet for the council. Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Good afternoon uh to the mayor and our city council. My name is Cheryl Matthews. I am a tenant or a um stakeholder here in Englewood. What I'm bringing today is that the LAX is um now updating their insul in insulation sound contour lines early 2026. This is the community's opportunity to express their concerns and to extend these contour lines so that all of Englewood will be encompassed in the housing and sound protection program. So, uh you'll see many of us going house to house, door to door. We finished several blocks. We have others that are doing some of the blocks and uh there is information and everything available to support fair sound proofing throughout the sound insulation program. So we would greatly s uh appreciate the support of our mayor, of our city council members, and of our community in getting these contour lines changed so that we can all have peace and quiet in our homes. And I thank you.

Could I could I ask you one question? What what is the uh method that you're endeavoring to change the contours? What are you doing exactly? We are actually uh many of the residents we are going doortodoor. Yes, we are getting uh signatures for each home and we will be submitting those signatures to the uh LA uh airport and to the FHA the FA FA I'm sorry for their consideration. Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay,

with that we'll uh close public comment. Now we're going to go to the mayor and council remarks. We'll start with Councilwoman Gray.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to make sure the community was aware that there was anformational meeting on March, I think it was March 5th at the AK Center regarding uh the potential or any future development of the Big Lot site. Um I want to thank Bernard Mccroi and his staff for being there. Uh it really was an opportunity for the community to be informed about any potential development there. I know there is great interest. It was important to me that the community was informed. Uh it was well attended. You may see pictures of the folks who were there, the community that was there. So I want to thank everyone for attending. Um, I believe the presenters uh that were there, I think it was the designer, the property owner, and and the potential operator if if approved by the city for that of Chick-fil-A to be at that site. Um, so again, I want to thank the committee for coming out and giving their input and being informed about uh the potential development there. I invite or at least let everyone know that the planning commission I believe will hear this item on March 17th at 7 o'clock at the Inglewood City Hall. So, thank you very much Mayor. [clears throat]

Thank you, Counciloman Gray. Counciloman Padilla, District 2.

Thank you, Mayor. Just the young lady from the Pacific Islander thing, could you make sure you hand that information to the sergeant-at-arms so that he can get it to us? You had package you said. Yeah, please. If you could do that, we'd appreciate it. Thank you. And the young lady who talked about the contour lines for LAX FAA, those are set by FAA, by the airport, you know, it's always good to get that they they've opened up the opportunity for residents to to provide their insight, their input, you know, and thank you for to you and your team for going out there and giving your time to make sure our voices are heard. and we always appreciate uh the community support on these type of uh concerns. So, [clears throat] thank you again. Uh this morning uh I I talked about it last week, but this morning we actually had the ribbon cutting ceremony and there's a picture right there. Uh, I want to thank the mayor, councilman, uh, staff, uh, uh, and most importantly, the community that came out, uh, the families with their babies to take advantage of, uh, the organization that we've teamed up with as a city named cause with a K k A. They are set up uh as a nonprofit to work together uh with community members to provide uh clothing, diapers, formula, anything for toddlers and infants all free of charge. All that they have to do the families is register with cause and so there's a link and most of us will have those in our upcoming uh newsletters uh so that families can take advantage of these opportunities. So, I want to thank everybody that came out today, uh, not only from the city staff, but the community that came out and that came out with their their, uh, kids and stuff, and there's a IPD folks out there, including the mayor. Um, so,

moving on, I also want to invite folks, the office of uh, emergency management is having a uh, disaster preparedness uh, presentation being done. and the flyers right there. Uh this uh not this coming Wednesday, but a week from this Wednesday on March 18th from 6:00 to 7:00 at the Vincent Park Vets building. Uh it's really important for folks to come out to receive information on how to be best prepared for you and your family and and when a disaster hits. It's not if, it's when because these things happen, right? And so we all just need to make sure that we're all as prepared as we can be, not only at home, but at work and also in your car. And when you're visiting folks, make sure you understand how these disasters can impact you and your family. [clears throat and cough] I'm hosting an event with our emergency preparedness folks as well. It's an outreach again to talk about emergency planning. Uh, it'll be at my District 2 community center on Thursday, March 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Again, that's Thursday, March 26. Save the date, 6:00 to 8, so we can talk again about emergency preparedness. Uh, so I want to thank uh uh Brian Walker and all his staff for helping us put these critical uh information gathering uh events together.

[snorts] And then also I had the uh if I can just get 30 seconds, Mayor. Okay, you can have some of Dion's time. I'll take it. [snorts]

I had the the great pleasure this uh past Sunday of going to uh Rogers Park for Little League Baseball. And it's it's it's so much fun to go out there and see these young kids, boys and girls, uh out there playing baseball and having just a great time seeing the families over at Rogers Park, the younger siblings playing in the playground area. Just a really good uh family environment. And so, uh, kudos to our parks and rec staff and even more so to Little League Baseball's volunteers that were out there cooking up, uh, the hot dogs and hamburgers and all the munchies for the kids and us adults to grub on. And so, if you get a chance, come out and support our little league uh, baseball. All of us have newsletters. If you'd like to receive the newsletters, please just get a hold of us. If if you'd like to get my newsletter, I put it out every Thursday. Uh give me a call at 310412861. Provide your contact information with your email and we'll uh get you our newsletter so you will know what's happening here in the beautiful city of Inglewood. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your week.

Councilman uh Morales,

thank you. Just uh brief comments. I do want to piggyback on the uh event that uh Councilman Padilla mentioned for the Office of Emergency Services. We're each going to be hosting one of those uh uh events where you get to come in and kind of chime in on the disaster preparedness. Mine will be here at Community Room A on December 23rd uh in the evening. So, we'll hopefully you guys will come out and and you know, give us your thoughts. Uh, I want to thank uh, Councilman Padilla for his event this morning. Of course, bringing out those resources to needy families. Amazing. Great to the nonprofit extending thank yous to staff there. Amazing. They just continue to to open the doors and really get things done for us. Thank you, Thomas. Uh, had the opportunity to walk over to the preschool there. I'm always impressed. We have one of the best preschools for kids. People love it. Uh, and I see why. There's two teachers in the room, small amount of kids. I mean, a great great environment for them. Uh, so thank you for that. And then I do want to touch on the contour. Thank you for doing that. Uh, it's been a uh, it's a rough situation. I mean, we we as a city have tried, so I'm glad to see they're opening the door. I know the mayor stays in constant contact with the FAA. That's always been one of the conversations, right? That growing up in Englewood, you know, if your house isn't covered, you could still hear the airplane. So, I don't know what the problem is. Uh, but, you know, obviously it's about resources. So, whenever we could chime in, it's a good thing. Uh, from your avenue, it's very important. So, thank you for that time. Uh, that's it, mayor. Thank you.

Okay. And just a couple uh things to talk about. I guess they'll show me whatever picture they put up. But Kaiser opened up a uh sports medicine clinic in the in it dome

and they had the ribbon cutting yesterday morning and it's really a beautiful facility and it's available to anyone that's covered by Kaiser that uh has a sports injury. That means you could injure yourself running, working out in the gym or what have you. But it is the most amazing Kaiser I have ever seen in my life. And it's here in the city of Inglewood. Um, what else we got back there, Thomas? Guess he'll show me. Let me see. Oh, that was our employee uh March Madness day appreciation day. And uh we had a basketball contest uh and we gave out prizes and I want to uh really applaud uh Sevir Hernandez and Jose and the city manager for putting on such a a great event and uh it just there's a lot of u agency pride now and I was just uh glad to be there. Council Padilla was able to make it and it was it was just a really nice time. Now I wanted to talk about um the uh contours and that's why I asked you know what you how you were going to go about it so so so everybody understands the deal for the contours was set I think around 1993 and uh basically the FAA came out with sound equipment and they measured in decibb how much aircraft noise could be heard in different neighborhoods and They look a little map. It looks like a bunch of bananas actually. And they call them contours. And if you're in the contours, you got um federal funds to sound ills at your home. If you were a

block over, you didn't. Now, they did modify that to an end the block program so that if you were on a block where the contours slash the block in half, you would be eligible. if you were within that block. And this is a, you know, it's a very difficult thing. But this agreement uh stated that, you know, it's been worth close to, I think, $300 or $400 million by now to the city and residents and if we ever challenged it, then first the city would have to pay back the money that was in the agreement. And that's why the city has been loathed to challenge the FAA. But I will tell you this that uh we would definitely support any resident uh effort to you know gain signatures and and and present a case to the FAA. But we we cannot uh challenge it legally because we'd first have to give back all that money. And um with that we're adjourned.

Thank you. Thank you.