City Council - Regular Meeting

We're calling to today is Tuesday, May 5. I'm calling to order the city of Carson Housing Authority, successor agency. Oh, successor agency, public financing authority, the city council. Roll call, madam city clerk.

Thank you, madam mayor. Councilmember Rojas? Present. Councilmember Dier?

Present.

Councilmember Hilton? Present. Mayor Pro Tem Hicks?

Present.

Mayor Davis Holmes? Present. Thank you.

We'll have a flat sloop by bishop. And we are pleased to have pastor Harold Mitchell from Emmanuel Street Rest Baptist Church for the invocation. What? Emmanuel. That's not what they say.

Thank you so much, madam mayor. God bless all of you. Let us pray. Father god, in the name of Jesus, we love you. We thank you for allowing us this day, this privilege, this opportunity, waking us up one more day to give us another chance. We ask you, God, to continue to bless our city. God, we thank you for the work that our city has done and what they're doing. We pray, God, for every council member. We pray for treasurer. We pray for the every city official, city clerk.

We pray for our mayor, god, that you will continue to guide her as she leaves this city. We pray for our sheriffs, our fire department, this city as an entirety. God, we pray that you will continue to bless this city, that we will be a leading city in our nation. We thank you, God, that you have blessed this city. We thank you that you watched over this city and watched over all of us. We thank you for every leader. We thank you for every official. We thank you for every officer. We thank you for all of those who serve in this city. God, we thank you that we have a great city.

We thank you for the leadership, and we ask you to cover them in the blood of Jesus. Bless everybody in this room. Meet every need. Most of all, god, guide the hands of our leader. Keep her, god. Keep her and protect her and cover her is our prayer in the mighty, mighty name of Jesus, the Christ, the son of the living god. We pray. We thank him. We love you, god. Amen. Amen.

Thank you. I think there's a correction to this. It's Emmanuel and Saint Rest Baptist Church. Oh, you're two. Congratulations, and keep praying for me. Thank you. Closed session items two through three. Madam city clerk, are there any public on closed session items? No, madam mayor. Madam city attorney.

Thank you, madam mayor. The council will meet in closed session pursuant to government code section five four nine five six point nine d two or d three and e one because there's a significant exposure to litigation in three cases. The council will meet pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven point six to discuss labor negotiations with AFSCME local eight zero nine part time. The city manager just informed me that staff need two subsequent need items added under potential litigation. So can the council vote on

that, Second.

It moved improperly. Second.

Roll call vote. Council member Rojas? Yes. Councilmember Deere? Yes. Councilmember Hilton?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Hicks?

Yes.

Mayor Davis Holmes? Yes. Thank you. Unanimous motion carries.

Thank you. So we have items two through four that will be in closed session. So we're gonna recess into closed session with an anticipated time of coming back within an hour. Is that correct? Is that long enough? Two, three, four, and five, isn't it? It's two.

It's four or so four total? Four total.

No. It's three cases under number one. Oh. And then two under the subsequent need. That's five. And then you've got the labor negotiations, so six items total. Okay. 15. It's it's a big agenda.

It's a big we'll be back in an hour and a half.

We

will. We will.

No. Not too much.

Rules of decorum. No person attending a public meeting shall engage in disorderly or boastrous conduct, including but not limited to applause, whistling, stamping of feet, booing, or making any loud, threatening, profane, abusive, personal, or slanderous utterance that disturbs, disrupts, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting. All remarks by members of the public shall be addressed to the mayor or the chair and not to any other member of the public or any other single council, board, or commission member unless in response to a question from the member. Signs, placards, banners, or other similar items shall not be permitted in the audience during a public meeting if the presence of such 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 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.

You have a report out?

Reconvening the city council meeting, from closed session. City attorney, please report from closed session.

Thank you, mister mayor pro tem. The council met in closed session pursuant to government code section five four nine five six point nine d two d three and e one, to discuss three potential cases and added two subsequent need items, so five items in total. No reportable action was taken in four of those cases. In one of the one of the cases, the council authorized the filing of a complaint as a way of defending itself. Once the complaint is ready, it will be available. The council also met pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven point six to discuss labor negotiations with AFSCME local eight zero nine, and no reportable action was taken.

Thank you. And now we'll have a report, from my captain Norman of the Carson Sheriff Station. Good evening. Good evening. Everyone.

Glad to be here.

Okay. Just wanna share some of the things that's been going on here at Carson Station. On the sixteenth, we've represented a memorial ceremony for deputy Julius Boyd Loving, who was recognized as the first African American, deputy sheriff in the history of Los Angeles County sheriffs. On the eleventh April 12 through the eighteenth through and also April 22 as well as May 3 through May 9. We've recognized, several different, appreciation days, which is National Dispatchers Day, administrative administrative professionals day, as well as National Jailers Week, in which we honored all of our employees and recognize their hard work and determination.

April 22, we actually attended the Carson City of Carson town hall meeting at Carson Park hosted by council member Jim Dear. Thank you for, inviting us.

Love to have you in attendance, captain.

Right. And on the April 27, we graduated 15 civilian academy students, and that's, actually an academy that is hosted by the city of Carson's sheriff's department. We have about ten weeks in which the students were provided an instruction and information regarding several station department specialized units, policies, and facilities. April 28, Carson Station, Carson Sheriff Station, LA and our Los Angeles County emergency operations bureau, as well as the city of Carson's public safety team participated in a tabletop ex exercise all in preparation for FIFA and subsequently as well as LA twenty eight, and that went real very well. On May 2, Myself as well as our Carson team Parks team as well as our SAL teams, attended and participated in the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Carson Park.

On I wanna advise of an event that we have in which I would encourage the citizens to actually sign up for. We have a catalytic converter etching event that will be held at Mission Ebenezer Church. It is with Carson Sheriff's Station. It's being hosted by Carson Sheriff's Station as well as our trap. And Falcon Falcon Toying, is also participating.

It requires that you actually register for this event, and, it's open to the city of Carson residents. You must also have a valid California driver's license. In any event, if you're interested in actually or any other residents are in interested in actually participating, please contact our community relations and or go to our social media in order to, scan the QR code in order to register. May, we will have our summer enforcement team that will be implemented for the summer months. That will consist of an additional one sergeant and four deputies that will be on the summer crime enforcement program.

Within the city of Carson, we are continuing to turn down as far as our part one crimes are concerned. We're at negative 14.3%.

Very good. Thank you, captain.

Absolutely. Do you have any questions, ma'am?

Anyone have any question? Councilman Deer.

Yes, sir. Captain, the catalytic converter event is a free event. Is that correct?

It is.

Okay. So I wanna oh, you got a flyer on

it. Mhmm.

Yeah. I wanna encourage people to get the catalytic converter etched because the the criminals that are stealing these from us, when they get caught because they're dealing with LA County sheriffs, they're gonna get caught. You could actually get your converter back if your driver's license is thatched on it.

Right.

Thank you.

Any more questions? Thank you. Next, we have a report from our assistant chief Kane of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Good evening, madam mayor, members of the council. Assistant chief Brian Kane from Los Angeles County Fire Department with your public safety report for the month of April. During April 2026, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a high volume of incidents with the majority involving fire related calls. Over 40 fires were reported, most of which were small outside rubbish or vegetation fires frequently associated with encampments and occurring along roadways, freeways, and vacant lots. Crews also handled several vehicle fires, including a major compressed natural gas vehicle fire that required freeway closures and five structure fires primarily caused by electrical malfunctions.

All structure fires were contained quickly with minimal damage and no major civilian injuries reported. In addition to fire responses, personnel managed hazardous conditions such as gas leaks, electrical issues, as well as a wide range of public service calls, including down wires, water leaks, and public safety assistance. There were 1,440 total responses for the month of April. Eight hundred and sixty seven patients were transported. Six hundred and two of those calls were bay basic life support in nature, and three hundred and sixty five were advanced life support in nature or required interventions from our paramedics. And that is the end of my public safety report unless there are any questions.

You couldn't hear him, councilwoman? Yes. She did. Captain, does anyone have any questions? Thank you. You. Seeing you.

Very good to

see you

as well.

Thank you. The next time, I have my colleagues to join me down front so we can do these proclamation presentations real quick. So, to my colleagues, don't read the whole thing. Keyshawn, who's receiving this? Of course.

Can we have the fire department come down, please?

Assistant Kane and his crew. Assistant

Kane and his crew. And the crew. Brought the whole station. I love it. I love it. This is our fire department. On the other side, captain Kane. Come close to me. The city of Carson and other surroundings have declared May as fire prevention month, and so we have our fire station. What station is this?

36. 36. On time. You guys did an excellent job. We were at the schools. Hi there. We were at the school this past week and we did a fire prevention. It was just awesome. Over 200 kids were out talking about safety and the importance of fire safety. So this is a resolution for fire prevention month, whereas the safety and well-being of the residents of Carson is top priority and fire prevention plays a critical role in protecting lives, property, and community.

And whereas the city of Carson, in partnership with local fire departments, public safety agencies, and community organizations, is committed to proactive fire prevention efforts through education outreach and emergency preparedness initiatives. And whereas the Observers of Fire Prevention Month provides an opportunity to engage the community through school program, public awareness campaigns, and citywide initiative that reinforce the importance of fire safety. Now, therefore, the mayor, Lula Davis Holmes, and the Carson City Council do hereby proclaim May 2026 as fire prevention month in the city of Carson, and we encourage all residents, businesses, and community organization to participate in fire safety education efforts and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families. This day today, the fifth, is signed by the entire city council and attested to by our city clerk. And would you like to have a few words there?

Thank you very much, the city of Carson. On behalf of fire chief Anthony Moroney and Los Angeles County Fire Department, I would like to extend this a sincere thank you to the city of Carson for recognizing the local first responders as it relates to fire prevention. As we all knew, the steps that we take at home can make a huge difference on an impact or an incident, keeping it small, keeping it within containment limits before the fire department should have to arrive. So thank you very much for this recognition.

Thank you. We'll do a quick photo op. Come up, captain, young man, so we could see you. Okay. Oh, you're the captain? I'm promoting you. Okay? I'm with the cap on. Doris? Hey, captain. Captain Jones. How are you, captain? How are you? Five 36. You guys did an awesome job at the school the other day. Just awesome. Kids. You did an awesome job. So thank you. Captain, you should be over here.

Oh, well, you promoted him.

So Well, that's okay. Oh, that's just my own little promotion. This is the official promotion. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I am proud to thank you. You. Thank you. Introduce the general manager from Anne Shields Entertainment Group, our Dignity Health sports comp's manager, general manager, new kid on the well, he's been around. No kid. Adam Duveneck. Yes. Dignity Health Sports Complex. We're so pleased that you're in our community, and we just want to introduce you to to the public.

They did a wonderful unveiling, what, a week ago? Adam.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for welcoming here. Sure.

Yeah.

Alright. Thank you for welcoming me here tonight. You know, while I'm new in this role, I'm not new to AEG and to, this community. In fact, I've been coming here from a for a very long time. I grew up in Santa Barbara and fell in love with the sport of cycling from a very young age and, you know, been coming to Carson to train at the original 1984 Olympic Velodrome.

And what started out as as one trip ended up becoming a weekend event where I would come down here nearly every weekend. And through that dedication and commitment ended me being with the opportunity to represent The United States in two Olympic games. So it's not now that we are just two years away from welcoming the world back to the city of Carson, I couldn't have more pride and excitement to represent our facility in partnership with the city of Carson to welcome the world back to Carson. And I'm very excited for that. You know, we have a lot of other events that are coming up very soon, the Galaxy Play every weekend.

But we have in just a few weeks, we have FIFA World Cup. We'll we will be the host training site for all of the teams playing at SoFi. Awesome. And in addition to that, the Galaxy has largely been focused on building the game within the community and finding ways to bring people all from all of Los Angeles back to Carson. We'll be doing that through a soccer celebration, activity where during the round of 16, which will be July, we will host soccer celebrations here at Galaxy Park in the city of Carson. It's a free event that's open to the public, give you the opportunity to view the game, to meet Galaxy alumni, and we're very excited for that. So

Thank you. Let's give our general manager a round of applause. And, Adam, I I wanna thank you personally because we're gonna be hosting because there's no fireworks, fourth of July. So Dignity has allowed the city of Carson to have a drone show at the Dignity Sports Complex where our residents can come out and, have entertainment at Dignity. Yeah.

It's gonna be a big we have over 200 drones that's gonna be coming out doing a nice show for our residents. So make sure you pass the word on even though there won't be fire, there'll be drones and it'll it's a beautiful show. And, the staff will be getting out flyers and information. And I just wanna thank you personally for allowing the city of Carson to host this fourth of July celebration because you won't be able to have your normal celebration because

Well, because we will be hosting teams for the, you know, for the World Cup. But that will be the first day of our soccer celebration activities. So we hope that that will lend itself and play into the evening where the community will come out and really get to experience our site. If you haven't been to Galaxy Park, it's really fun. Great for the community, open to the public, and we're excited to have everyone out.

And thank you. And I'm gonna bite you back every three months.

Alright. Perfect.

And she he has with her Tamla Lewis. Of course. Come here, Tamla. Tamla, don't you wanna say something to your residents? No. Oh, please. I

I did not expect to speak, but the madam mayor says speak, you speak. But I just wanna say, you know, I've been here from day one, twenty three years since the stadium. So I was here when the ground break broke, and I've been here ever since. So I was 12 and everybody on TV and everybody going with that. So I'm just happy to be here and we're gonna be very excited to celebrate with you on July 4, and I hope everyone comes out. It's gonna be great. So thank you.

Let's do a quick photo Adam. Thank you. Next, have a proclamation recognizing Public Works Week, May 17 through the twenty third. The doctor the bishop Hilton, councilman.

Thank you, madam mayor. Public works, if you would come. You heard the mayor. She said don't read it all because we got a long night. So whereas public works, professionals play a vital role in maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors in the city of Carson through the planning, construction management, and maintenance of its central infrastructure and services. Whereas Public Works Week serves to recognize the hard work, dedication, and contribution of public work employees who work did diligently, often behind the scenes to keep our city running smoothly and safely and to keep our roads repaired.

Our roads.

Whereas the city of Carson acknowledges and appreciates the commitment of its public works department and all public works personnel whose efforts help bring a stronger, cleaner, and more connected city. Now, therefore, be it proclaim the mayor and the city council of the city of Carson hereby proclaim May 17 through the twenty third twenty twenty six as public weeks work public works week in the City Of Carson and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions of public work professionals. Dated this day, the May. And, also, assembly member Mike Gibson, he sends the same thing, but he sends it personally to doctor Arlington Rogers. He sends you something, and he says keep on achieving.

Yo. Alright.

Thank you.

Sure. Sure. Sure. On behalf of the public works department, I am just the person that gets out front. It is, my staff that actually is out there doing the hard work. So all the work that you see that's happening in the city of Carson, it is all due to their hard work. They're the ones who put it together. They're the ones who are out there, making it happen for you all. So when you see them out there working hard, you know, blow your horn at them. Tell them thank you because they're doing it because they really care about this city, and they're doing it rain, sleet, or snow. So please just pat them on the back every now and then let them know how much you appreciate their hard work.

We appreciate you.

Appreciate that, Thank you. You.

Is there a certificate for Child

child care

providers recognition. This says Teacher appreciation. Teacher appreciation. And who do we have receiving this one?

Miss Garcia.

Miss Garcia. Where's miss Garcia? Hi. Come on up. Yo.

Come on over, miss Garcia. Well, if you have children, you know you need to have someone to take care of them, that loves them and that you can leave your little trusted angels too while you're at work away at work. And mothers, we know what it is to have someone that we can depend on. And so we wanna recognize child care providers appreciation day on May 8. And whereas childcare awareness of American organization nationwide are recognizing childcare providers on a provider appreciation day, 05/08/2026, to honor the vital contributions to children, families, and communities.

And whereas childcare providers are essential to the health and well-being of the city car of Carson by fostering safe, nurturing nurturing, welcoming environments, supporting working families, and creating enriching early learning experiences where children develop lifelong skills. Whereas the city of cars Carson acknowledges the importance of childcare resources and referral organizations serving Carson and the surrounding Los Angeles County region, which play a vital role in strengthening the childcare system by helping families locate care, supporting providers through coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance, and building both the supply and quality of child care available in our communities. Now, therefore, the mayor and the city council of California do hereby proclaim May 8 as Child Provider Appreciation Day in the city of Carson. Encourage all of our residents to recognize and celebrate childcare providers for their dedication, professionalism, and invaluable service to our children and our community. It's dated today, the May 5, and it's signed by all of us, your elected officials.

Thank you. Thank you very much

for having me here. Thank you. And I just so proud of the work that I do. I helping the parents to go back to work, to find a job, and to have a place to leave their children safe.

We want to say thank you. We appreciate you. We're gonna do a quick photo. Thank you. Thank you. The next one is a proclamation recognizing CalFresh Awareness Month. Doctor Hilton?

We have James Bolden here. He's from the Department of Social Services. Cal CalFresh is very important whereas access to nutritionist food is essential to the health, well-being, and dignity of all residents of the city of Carson. CalFresh California supplements nutrition assistance program SNAP plays a vital role in reducing food insecurity by helping low income individuals and families afford healthy and balanced meals. I'm a jump down to the bottom because I wanna give James about sixty seconds to do a commercial on CalFresh.

There's not a lot of people who there are lot of people who are eligible for benefits in the city of Carson but have not taken advantage of those benefits. And, I run into James all the time in the gym, and he tells me how Carson needs to be, to increase their CalFresh count. So we really need to do that, especially with food prices on the rise, and especially our seniors and our children. Be it further resolved that the city of Carson reaffirms its commitment to promoting food security, improving public health, and ensuring that all residents have access to nutritionist food. Say it sign this day, the May.

Real quick. I've been we've been going to a lot of city council meetings. I this one is the bomb. I I am a proud resident of the city of Carson. I'm proud to see this meeting here today. Oh my gosh. A lot going on. Anyway, on behalf of my director, doctor Jackie Contreras, the 14,000 DPSS employees, and, just all our community partners, thank you for allowing us to come here and share this information with people who need it because people really need this information, especially now. I just wanna say that, I just want you to follow us on our on our website, follow our social media platforms, share this information with somebody in the community who needs it. Because don't you think let me tell you something right now.

I know some people I've been working with for years. They just they're down right now, and and they called me on the low and in confidence to tell me they need, how do I sign off for Calfresh? So let's not take this. Let's take it serious. And if you know somebody who needs it, give them the information. I have flyers in the back. Call me if you ever run into it. I got a partner in the city of Carson right now. If you guys need us, you need something for a constituent, call me. Please.

Thank you.

Feel free to call me. Thank you, guys. Appreciate you all.

Awesome. Let's take a photo. Oh, you're just checking me. The next, we have small business week, and we wanna recognize Monique Fisher. Small business week.

This city hi. Where's my lemonade? Recognizes and she's a commissioner, Monique Fisher, an entrepreneur, mentor, and dedicated community leader whose work reflects the very best of Carson. As the founder and CEO of multiple service based business including contented nail barber, Monique has built strong structured enterprises that prioritizes quality opportunity and creating jobs for more than 20 local residents. Through her nonprofit, Our Teen Dream, she continues to invest in Carson youth with mentorship, education, and community give back programs.

Her commitment to excellence, discipline, and long term vision is a shining example of why Carson remains the jewel of the South Bay. Small business week is May, where small business are the backbone of the American economy and play a vital role in the growth, innovation, and prosperity on of local communities, where small business owners demonstrate resilience, creativity, and dedication to overcoming challenges and adapt to changing economic conditions. And whereas National Small Business Week observed from May 3 through May 9 provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of small business owners and recognize their critical contributions to our community. Whereas recognizing and supporting small business helps promote economic resilience and ensures continued opportunities for innovation and prosperity within the city of Now, therefore, the mayor and the city council of Carson, California do hereby proclaim May as National Small Business Week in the city of Carson and encourage all our residents to support local small businesses and celebrate their invaluable contributions to our community. Be it further resolved that the city of Carson reaffirms it make its commitment to fostering a strong, inclusive, and thriving business environment for small business.

And it's stated today, May 5, and is signed by all of us.

Thank you, madam mayor. I would like to start by first giving honor to God. I could not have done this alone. Thank you to my wonderful family, my wonderful staff, and the beautiful city of Carson. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Next is item number 12. We have one more after this one, And it's teacher appreciation week. Toe Toe.

Teacher appreciation. Awesome. Toe came up through our programs and she has been around teaching and and the kids just love her. If you go into her classroom, they're so disciplined and well mannered. They were here just in the council chamber at our last council meeting and I just wanna commend you for what you're doing. So we're proud to celebrate and recognize you today, teachers appreciation week. Well, she put it in here. I already said it. She's one of my babies. For more than twenty six years at Del Alma Elementary School and a lifetime of teaching, mentoring, and impacting lives in our community, miss To has dedicated herself to inspiring students through real world learning, creativity, and compassion.

Her recent environmental stewardship award project is just one example of how she empowers students to use their gifts to make a meaningful impact. We thank you, miss To, for your unwavering commitment and education to the countless young people that you continue to mold and shape. And the good part about it, she's right here in the city, of course, and she has given back all of her time and her talent, to our residents. And we appreciate you so much because you love the people you serve and you serve the people you love. And I just wanna say commend you for an outstanding job.

Thank you very much, madam mayor, city council, and staff. It's my great honor and privilege to teach children. Each and every one of you here would not be where you are without teachers throughout your lives. Who are your first teachers? I ask my students every year, your parents. And I, as an educator, wanna support the work that we do in not only teaching from the classroom, but helping support our families so they can teach from home as well. So thank you for this great honor. Thank you because I represent the teachers at Delamo, here in Carson, and throughout all of LA Unified. So thank you for this great honor.

Now therefore I'm not gonna read it because she just said it all. The mayor of the city council of Carl Carson, California, do we abide, proclaim May 2026 as Teacher Appreciation Week in the city of Carson and encourage all our residents to honor and celebrate the dedication of teachers who enrich the lives of students every single day. It let it be further resolved that the city of Carson extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the teachers in their tireless work, unwavering commitment, and lasting contributions today in our communities dated today, the May 5, and is signed by all of us again. Did we get your picture already? Can I bring Toll's family up for a photo?

Where's your daughter? That's you.

Yeah.

The Minnie family. Works at the post office. Works at the post office. Come on this side, miss Minnie. Right here. Right here. Right here. Thank you. Thank you. You. Thank you, guys. The next one is the last one for our presentations. It's a proclamation recognizing city clerk's week by doctor Hilton.

We're gonna ask our city clerk's, city clerk to come and the clerk's office if she would like to come. Our clerk will be appreciative if I make this brief. So, whereas Whereas municipal clerks serve as the cornerstone of local government, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the effective administration of public service for the residents of the city of Carson. Municipal clerks are entrusted with maintaining official records, preserving the integrity of government proceeding, and safeguarding the democratic process through accurate documentation and public access to information. Whereas, municipal clerks demonstrate a high level of professionalism, dedication, and expertise in serving both elected officials and the public with fairness, accuracy, and integrity.

Municipal Clerk's Week is observed nationally each year to recognize and celebrate the vital contributions of municipal clerks. Whereas in 2026, municipal clerk week will be observed May 3 through the May 9, providing an opportunity to honor the essential role of city clerks playing play in maintaining the foundation of local democracy. And now, therefore, the mayor and the city council of Carson, California do hereby proclaim May, answer that, 2026 and municipal clerk's week in City Of Carson and encourage all residents to recognize and appreciate the important contributions of municipal clerks to the effective functioning of local government. Be it further resolved that the city of Carson extends its sincere gratitude to the city clerk and her staff for their continued dedication and exemplary service to the community dated this day, of May 2026.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, doctor Hilton, and thank you, madam mayor and council. I really do feel incredibly blessed to represent the city of Carson. Looking forward to continuing to doing the work that we've started. I can't do any of this without my incredible team, so I'm very grateful for my staff.

Courtney serves as our chief deputy city clerk. Joy is our deputy city clerk. And we have Shaveh, Tommy, and Melissa who assist, not only residents, but internal staff here within city hall as well. So incredibly grateful for the staff that I'm able to do this work alongside and also grateful for the opportunity that Courtney and I have recently had to present at the statewide conference and then upcoming international conference. So happy to represent Carson on a big stage and learn to love what I've been doing for the city of Carson. So I'm grateful. Thank you.

Thank you. And that concludes our presentations. Okay. We're gonna take a quick recess. My city attorney just mentioned I need a five minute break for something.

Five minutes in the kitchen. They're here from where you're going? Oh.

Okay.

For nonagendized items? City clerk, you have speaker cards for various items. Item number 32? Yes. And item number?

Item 32 is the only one for agendized items, and then there are four non agendized speaker cards.

Madam mayor, I just wanna report out that we reconvened, in closed session pursuant to government code section five four nine five six point nine d two or d three and e one to discuss one of the items further, and no reportable action was taken.

Okay. Thank you. I'm gonna take the liberty of the chair because you have been waiting some time to move up item number 32. And mister city manager.

Thank you, madam mayor. Item 32 is to consider appeal of Planning Commission decision to deny design overlay review number 1935Dash23 and conditional use permit CUP number 1128Dash23 in the Planning Commission's recommendation to the city council regarding denial of development agreement DA number 32Dash23 for the development of an approximately 100 megawatt battery energy storage system, BESS, located at 18800 Broadway, APN 7339 Dash 014 Dash 009 for, city council. This particular, public hearing, for you, madam mayor, is is asking for several recommendations. And so we if you'd like, we would have a, brief presentation and then as well as, potential discussion from city council. Thank you.

So forgive me. I'm I'm catching my breath. I ran up the stairs. So one moment. Anyway, good evening, madam chair, MPT Hicks, and honorable, counsel. As mentioned excuse me. As mentioned, what's being considered this evening is an appeal to, various entitlement applications, DRR, a CUP in the development agreement in relations to the Griffiths the Griffiths Street Battery Energy Storage System at 1800 Broadway. Jesus.

Thank you.

Before we jump into the, appeal, I want to make sure that there's an understanding of what is the best, equipment or project. So bat basically, a battery energy system stores, stores electricity and, produces, produces it and makes it available for the, the grid or the substation. It's a stationary individual and group metal containers enclosures that houses various sales modules, server, and server server racks. It also houses the lithium ion batteries, which is considered hazardous material, and this is also most widespread and affordable technology that's being used today. This is a closer look of a BEST, and, basically, it's also showing that, the container will group the cooling and control safety systems, various inverters, and other equipment, and typically used in combination with, other materials such as iron.

On March 10, the planning commission heard the applications for the Entolamus to, for the proposed 100 megawatt battery storage, again, located at 18018800 Broadway. During that hearing, the planning com commission, with the recommendation of denial by staff. The planning commission voted at a five two vote, agreeing with staff and adopt the resolution number twenty six twenty nine hundred, which denied the entitlement application deal that the design overlay review as well as the conditional use permit. Also recommending to the city council to deny the development agreement number 3323. Subsequently, the applicant did submit an appeal on March 23, FESE LLC, which is timely similar to the city clerk's office.

In response, the city clerk's office deemed the review deemed the application sufficient and complied, and then compliance with the with the, city code section ninety one seventy three point four. The appeal period has a expiration of May. And the, city the city clerk also confirmed today's meeting with the applicant, in terms of the appeal being presented before the council. And this evening, the council has various options, for the appeal. One is either to affirm the presented draft resolution twenty six zero four seven, or they can opt to or you can opt to modify it, which means staff would need to prepare a resolution and relay the ordinance and bring it back to the city council by, May 20.

You can also refer it back to the planning commission if there's any significant issues that requires additional analysis. And if the council decides to reverse the same as the modification, we would need to prepare a new resolution and related ordinance and bring it back to the city council. Unless unless the council refers to the planning commission, the council's decision on the the appeal must be supported by written findings. And that goes back to preparing a resolution and ordinance and bring it back to the council for for consideration. There is a state option that the applicant has a potential option.

It's it's called the opt in program by the California Energy Commission or CEC. This process does not alter the council's responsibility to evaluate the proposed project or appeal based on the applicable local regulations, findings, and administrative record. To give you a bit a bit more insight regarding the CEC process, it's based off of assembly bill number two zero five, which was adopted in 2022 by the state. In this process, the state would be the lead agency. It allow for them to have expanded oversight of permitting energy storage systems and holding various public meetings for local input.

It will be set to seek to CEQA. The agency will prepare an EIR. Also needs to certify and comply with community benefits agreement and project labor agreements. The this is not a slam dunk type of process. It is a process by the state, which also includes, deeming the application complete.

Once the application is deemed complete, the nine month process for the environmental review, starts. Within this process, the state also requires some and advise the local government to a mandatory pre filing meeting with the applicant. As I mentioned earlier, this is a process. The state does with their with their process, they consider if the best project is located at the right place socially, environmentally, and legally. So they're they're they're making evaluations based off of laws, ordinance, regulations, I'm looking for findings regarding public health and safety.

Again, seeing if there's any historical environmental justice impacts. Sequa equivalent environmental review that goes back to the EIR process. Seeing if the emergency response is adequate, and also evaluating if there's any cumulative impacts to nearby sensitive receptors, like schools, parks, hospitals, so forth. To share, background, the subject site is located adjacent to industrial industrial uses, but it's also surrounded by sensitive receptors like Kaiser Permanente. You also which is about 300 odd feet away.

You also have homes that are less than 500 feet away. You have a park that's about 375 feet away. And then we have a critical city facility, which is our corporate yard, which is roughly 350 feet away. So we're now so the analysis is not only looking at what's adjacent to the site, but also the surrounding the uses within the surrounding areas. This is a site plan of the project showing the various battery enclosures.

It's a 100 megawatt best facility that will have also a substation on-site that will be shared or have shared access by the adjacent Edison facility. Also, I have operations and maintenance yard and access, driveway throughout the site. Here's a closer look of the two properties. The property to your left, it would be the site for the best. The property to the right is the adjacent Edison.

And this is showing the underground, the underground gentile lines connecting to the Edison as well as the fiber optic line that connects to Edison as well. And the fiber optic is so that the two sides can communicate with each other. This is a rendering of the project. Going by a little fast, but there's a rendering. In terms of fiscal impact, there's a operation maintenance payment of a one time fee a a little over $700,000, a battery fee, a minimum payment of 250,000, and there's also a dev payment of nearly I believe it's 190,000.

Some of the key considerations that was made by the planning commission and staff was land use compatibility and public safety, whether or there's an accumulative impacts impacts to the public health and safety and welfare. Considering, again, the nearby sensitive receptors, the homes are less than 500 feet away. The Kaiser Medical Service that has over 30 services that it provides, including surgeries, OBGYN, pediatrics, family, vision, and so forth. We also have our public facilities, the city public facilities that's just north of the site and a school that's further southeast. Another consideration is emergency response.

Recognizing that this type of product differs from would differ from conventional fires, which would mean that there's a there's difference or specialized response strategies in terms of evacuation and any extended incident duration. So, many times when if there was a fire, incident or casualty like that, the fire department would need to allow that to burn off before addressing it. And also looking at the and and that goes again along with the emergency response adequacy. Other key considerations are related to the general plan consistency. So we're looking at, first, let's let's let's acknowledge that the use, that they proposed best will support energy innovation and sustain That's one portion of it.

We're looking at this project holistically as a whole. So looking at that from that approach, we're looking at objectives, policies, uses, and programs, not just one aspect of the project. So, again, we're looking at land use compatibility and community health, the scale, the location, operational characteristics, and potential hazard. As you know, Carson has a historical environmental is a historical environmental justice community, so we're looking at that as well, the cumulative impacts to our city. We're looking at the hazardous materials and public safety.

Going back to environmental justice, looking at the cumulative impacts to our vulnerable community with existing air quality challenges and just so land use concentration and noise export exposure. And similar to the state, we wanna make sure that the use is complying with the with our local laws, ordinances, regulations, standards. The plan commission made their findings, based off the general plan, consistency and found out it was that the project was inconsistent with it. The use and development did not was not compatible with into the character of the area. That was a CUP finding.

Also determining that the project development is incompatible with the surrounding uses, which is a DOR finding. They couldn't find the they there was a they couldn't find the project would be would not be detrimental to the public health safety and general welfare. That's a development agreement finding. And then also listed various policies from our general plan in terms of inconsistencies, incompatible land uses, inadequate buffers between the uses, public health concerns, and, again, restricting hazardous materials within our city. In response to these findings, the appellant, submitted their letter request that included their their concerns, which included three major ones that the planning commission disregarded community support, climate, and community benefits, contradicting evidence in the record, and relied on the staff report containing material errors.

And this is a summary. And so, staff and response staff is showing that the PC denial decision was based on a full review of the material, public input, applicable findings, general plan policies, and weigh the project's potential benefits against its risk and identify valid concerns regarding land use compatibility and public health and safety. This goes in for to further details in terms of staff's response to those three items. I'll go over it really quickly. Again, we had duly public duly public notice hearing.

The plan commission considered the benefits and risk in terms of the scale and location, including seeing if there and also and, providing analysis of the use and development and any adverse effects that that are not justified by the benefits to the public interest. Going back to the general plan, inconsistencies, yes, we understand that this is an innovative and renewable energy, but, but there are other general plan policies that are not met. And, again, some of the errors that were identified, the the appellant appellant, mentioned that the Kaiser was in the hospital. We acknowledge that. It is a medical facility, and that doesn't diminish the services that it provides to the city.

We're talking about, to a vulnerable population that provides services to the elderly or pregnant, women, children, and, again, health care, services like surgeries, imaging X rays, vision, behavioral, and pharmacy. The adjacent uses identified. Yes. The adjacent uses are industrial. Again, we need to also consider the surrounding uses.

In terms of the toxic smoke and plume modeling potential impacts, we're not the plan commission wasn't didn't believe that the modeling may not consider the impacts to these sensitive receptors and does not eliminate the risk of of hazardous hazardous emissions. Yes. We acknowledge that there's other facilities that are in urban areas like Pomona. That's one of the cities that the applicant identified. We go back to environmental justice.

That does not confirm that the new use at the proposed location is appropriate in a community that have cumulative environmental and public health concerns. CEQA, there's an exception to the to the appeal subject to one five zero six one. That and also in terms of staff's recommendations to uphold the planning commission decision and adopt the resolution, and that concludes staff's presentation. I'm available for questions.

Thank you for that report. Madam city clerk, was, it properly posted?

Thank you, madam mayor. Yes. The notice of public hearing to consider an appeal of the March 10 decision of the planning commission designing denying design overlay review number nineteen thirty five dash twenty three has been given pursuant to the applicable law, including but not limited to the proof of timely publication received by myself. The notice to the appellant via email and mail was confirmed by staff. The agenda posting requirements were met by the individuals and the organizations. The posting affidavits are on file in my office, and we received 56 written communications for this item.

56?

Yes. 56.

Support of or opposition? It's a

combination of the two. Those are the only options, obviously. So yes. The original hearing before, there were items that I spoke of in the last meeting. And then this this particular meeting, we received 50 opposition letters and six letters of support.

Okay. Don't go far. We're we're gonna, to everyone that's standing here tonight, we're going to I'm gonna call you. But to the union representatives, you don't all have to speak, But if you we're gonna cut the speaking down to one minute per person because there's quite a few that want to speak. So unless everyone has to speak, Yeah. That's sixty minutes. So

Madam mayor? Yes. Point of order?

Yes.

We're have opportunity as council members to question the staff's

Yes.

Report? Okay. Thank you.

I want the

Thank you.

Communications are on the agenda. So the first person I have up is Tommy Fave.

Madam mayor, we set in the timer

for Yes, please. You have a timer?

Yes. I have a timer, but minute. A time.

Alright. Good evening, everyone. Good good evening, mayor, city council, city staff, and the public that's here today. I want all of our folks that's here that supports, the project moving forward. We're here tonight, to make a statement, and that's to keep, better energy storage systems in the city of Carson.

The developer, the applicant has done everything, that the city, has asked of them. They went above and beyond with the LA County Fire Department, and have the fire department has approved the MMMR policy, and they have done everything that they have done with this community as well. So I just wanted to, on behalf of IBW Local eleven and the building trades and then the carpenters that are here to, tonight that supports this project moving forward, We urge the city council to reverse the planning commission's ruling

Madam mayor, that's okay.

To bring this project forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Tommy. Pete Marsh. What is he? Long Beach.

Hey, Pete. You have one minute.

Thank you. Good evening, madam mayor, city council members, fellow public. My name is Pete Marsh. I'm a neighbor. I'm from Long Beach.

I live, just a couple miles on the other side side of the, I 710 corridor, and, we share the same air. I'm, served twenty five years in the coast guard, active duty, and then became a solar contractor to try to, use do my part to create renewable energy to solve the climate climate crisis. And batteries are critical to, making solar and wind, as effective as fossil fuel has been for a couple of centuries. So they are, batteries are magic. I've heard it said they stick energy where the sun doesn't shine.

But the they also have, gotten a bad reputation, a smaller amount of issues, which are tiny compared to the issues with fossil fuels for, decades.

Madam mayor, that's a minute.

Thank you,

mister Marsh.

Steve?

Gantrell?

Yes. Gantrell.

Yes, ma'am.

Hi, Steve. You have one minute.

Okay.

Thank you very much for, giving me an opportunity to speak. I, came through here, you know, and spoke before. The main thing is I'm an apprentice through the carpenter's union. I was down out with my luck, with working. I had to shut down my school that operated for, you know, basically twenty three years straight. And the carpenter's union has trained me and given this opportunity. My last site was all the way on Thousand Oaks. So there's a lot of brothers and sisters over here that, could really use this work to be able to work close in their community, and, also, all of our taxes would stay in this community. So it'd be very helpful, and I just appreciate you thinking about that. And, thanks so much for everything else you do.

Thank you.

Christie Carrick?

Hi, Christie. You have one minute. Good evening. Mayor Davis Holmes and his team council members, I'm Christie Carrick. I'm the community school coordinator at Town Avenue Elementary School, and I'm here today in support of the Ormat Griffith project.

We are the closest school to the project, and I wanna just say that over the past year, we've had the opportunity to build a strong relationship with the Ormat team through their consistent engagement with our parents, students, and staff. And they had shown a genuine commitment to our school community, not through just words, but through action and partnership. Their commitment to getting our solar kitchen built, one of only two in the whole LAUSD, as well as coaching kids through an esports competition with the UN sustainability goals in mind. The Ormat project represents an important step towards the greening of our community. Reliable energy directly impacts our students' ability to learn in a safe, stable, and healthy environment.

We want our students to grow in a up in a community that values sustainability, innovation, and long term environmental responsibility. Thank you so much. Thank you, Christy.

Lauren Miles.

Good evening.

Good evening. You have one minute.

I respectfully urge you to affirm the planning commission's denial of this project. This is not about opposing clean energy. It's about public safety and responsible review. We know the risks are real. The Moss Landing battery fire showed that thermal runaway events can burn for days and release hazardous emissions.

Placing that kind of facility within a few 100 feet of homes, school, a park, medical service at simply the wrong location. What's more concerning is that this project was advanced without a full CEQA analysis. The applicant's own consultant admitted the facility could reach four 45.5 decibels with over a 100 fan units running just below the city's 50 decibel limit. That's not a comfortable margin. That's a red flag. Without CEQA, there's no thorough analysis of noise, air quality, or emergency scenarios. The applicant's legal counsel claims Carson imposed unreasonable standard, but that argument fails apart.

Madam mayor, that's one minute.

Thank you, Laura. Very much. Michael Stewart.

Good evening, sir. You have one minute.

I'm Michael Stewart. I support the OMAD project, madam mayor and council. Good to be here with you this this evening. I'm finding out that good information is given out. We have an opportunity for economic development for our community with a legacy project, which you bring in between a 150, a $175,000,000 of investment, jobs for our community, logical growth for our community.

Let's look at this as an opportunity, not as a and make it a stepping stone, and don't set up barriers. We're here to work with you. I'm, been a long term resident of Carson, and I am very proud to say that. And I'm very proud of you that are elected here and all our people that came here. We have opportunity. Let's grow with Carson. Thank you.

Thank you. Savro George.

Hey, Sal. You have one minute.

Good evening, mayor Lou Davis Holmes and members of the Carson City Council. My name is Salvador George, and I'm speaking on behalf of the union carpenters and skilled construction workers that are present here today. Some that who have left already because they do have to wake up at two in the morning to go to work. We recognize and respect the concerns raised by the residents regarding the safety. Public public safety should always come first, and we appreciate appreciate the thoughts this thoughtful discussion surrounding this project.

At the same time, we also believe that it is important to recognize the extensive measures that this developer has taken to go above and beyond the industry expectations. The proposed battery system includes advanced safety technology, self contained suppression systems, early monitoring capabilities, and enhanced coordination with fires, fire authorities. Due to the time, I'm not gonna read the rest of the information I had here, but, it's an opportunity to put up a lot of our cars and residents to work. We always appreciate everything you all do for our city. We thank you, and, we hope that this project

gets sold. One minute.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Torah Hopson? Hopson?

You doing? Minute. I'm Torah Hopson for the D Local ninety one Carpenters Union. I'm a resident born and raised in Carson, California. I support this project because it's a local a local job, and plus the residents around us. And then I previously experienced a bunch of blackouts in Carson from Yahi to now. I know my grandma support it, my household support it because, when I when electricity go out, the food go spoiled. We gotta find somewhere to put it somewhere for them for neighbors and everything like that. And, also, just electricity is important. You know?

So I know no no other residents want the blackout to happen as well. So that's that's that's my opinion on that. Thank you.

Thank you. Gerald Durant. Gerald.

Good evening, sir. You have one minute. You have one minute when you

Oh, thank you.

Yeah. You're welcome.

I don't think I need the whole minute, but what I'll say, I appreciate everybody here. I definitely don't wanna put anybody out of work. I was in the fire service for approximately four decades. I understand that the response for anything that goes wrong in this facility needs to be prepared in a way that it limits or make sure that it doesn't happen. Obviously, with the schools and the other things close, we should maybe look at how this is going to work in response if there is a fire there or something goes wrong.

I definitely want my brothers and sisters in Carson, my Carsonite people, to always be safe. And those who have jobs, I appreciate that fact that they can get a job this way. I say, really, this decision is gonna be a challenging one because you want to do the right thing. And as long as you believe in your heart that the right thing is being done, I'll have the support. But make sure all the information comes to you properly. Thank you.

Madam mayor, that's one minute. Thank you.

Lisa Burnett. Lisa Burnett. Sandra Triello. She had to wake up early?

She had to go. Sandra.

Thank you. Sandra?

Good evening. You have one minute.

Okay. Good evening, mayor and city council member. Thank you for listening to me. I, as a resident of in that neighborhood, in that picture where we're out, I think this is every year, we're experiencing something new and learning new stuff to live in this new world, technology, Wi Fi, all that stuff. This whole battery storage, I know it can be risky and it's scary, but as a resident, I really think we should move forward. Because just this year in February, like this young man earlier said, we experienced a two and a half day blackout. Like, our food spoiled. We went we woke up to no electricity. We went to bed with no electricity. Woke up again to no you know?

It I just think this is really great. The my neighbors who had sun solar panels, everyone was looking at them like, wow. They have light. So, I really hope you please come together as a council and truly decide what is best for our Carson residents. Thank you.

Thank you. Raymond Robertson.

Good evening, Raymond. You have one minute.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the council. My name is Raymond Robertson. Not only am I a union carpenter, but I'm also a Carson resident of over 30. I was raised in Carson. I raised my children here. This project will benefit our communities with backup power and provide opportunities for job and work for residents within our own community to provide for our families within our own community. With that being said, I request that you council members please support this project. Thank you, and have a great evening.

Thank you. Jesus Martinez.

Good evening, Jesus. You have one minute.

Okay. Alright. Hello, ma'am. My name is Jesus Martinez. I'm a proud resident. I'm actually a resident of that neighborhood right there, and I actually went to Town Avenue Elementary. I graduated right there. So I'm a fellow tiger, and I feel like it will support the kids. And last but not you know, for sure, like, it'll give us backup energy because I went through multiple blackouts from I've been living there for twenty six years, so, you know, we had a quite a few. And, most importantly, this is Carson's opportunity to continue leading by example, to invest in working families, clean energy, and economic growth, and truly stand out as a crown jewel of Los Angeles. I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.

Thank you. Robert Leslie.

Good evening, mister Leslie. You have one minute.

Good evening, madam mayor. Good evening, council body. The issue this evening is not about the welfare of trying to say that the company don't have a right to bill. The issue this evening here is health and safety. And the health and safety, if you're looking at the project in itself, then therefore it's adjacent not only to a medical center, to a resident, as well a quarter of a mile away from elementary school.

It is gonna be an impact to anyone that gonna have any type of vulnerable respiratory type of illness whether you're looking at child or elderly. The thing what we must understand that we got to look at the safety aspect. I've been a union person for years before I retired, and I'm just saying to you that the community is the issue. Quickly and lastly, your job here is make sure you protect

One minute.

Make sure that you protect the welfare, the safety of the community. That's what we're asking you to do.

Thank you. Ben Ben Tortino Gino. Ben? Ben? Is this Corey?

Good evening, sir. You have one minute.

Appreciate you. Good evening, madam mayor and esteemed council members. My name is Corey Crockerham. I am a member of a proud member of Local ninety one Carpenters Union, and I'm here to represent these fine young men and women standing behind me. This developer there's there's not often you find a developer like this, an developer who commits to making an investment in the community, a developer who who commits to local hiring local folks or making sure the local folks have a have opportunity to access to good jobs, commits to apprenticeship.

So considering this project and and considering all the health and safety issues, thinking about the the holistic approach with this community, folks need to be able to provide, housing for themselves. They need to be able to pay for electricity and, have a job to where they can keep the lights on. So I am here in support of the project. I hope you, reconsider the planning commission's, recommendation and, again, approve this project. Thank you.

Madam Mayor.

Alex Perez.

Good evening, Alex. You have one minute.

Thank you. It's an honor to be able to speak with you guys. Miss, mayor, I was able to speak to you at the training center a couple years ago. I told you, born and raised here, Dominguez Elementary, Carnegie Middle School, car Carson High. Being a carpenter gave me a a purpose. It got me out of the streets. It's allowed me to provide for my family. I've been able to buy a home right here in the Delamo neighborhood on Tillman Avenue. I think this is an opportunity for us to continue to, to provide for our families in a safe way. I know there's a lot of concerns, but we can do this.

Carson has always led the way, and, I just hope that you guys make the decision for us to to have reliable energy. Thank you.

Wendy Sanchez. Wendy?

Hi, Wendy. You have one minute. Thank you. Good evening, honorable mayor and, esteemed council members. My name is Wendy Sanchez. I am the proud principal of Town Avenue Elementary. Safety is a priority for me every single day. I have to be ready to go into action at the drop of a hat for any safety concern that might come up. And so I've been very interested in the conversations around safety and had the opportunity to be here a few meetings back when the fire marshal spoke and answered many of your questions and and concerns. I would like to just, draw attention to my colleague, Christy Carrick.

She really said everything that I wanted to say, but I wanted to touch on the fact that Ormat has had actionable, impact on my school already, bringing our community, our students, and our parents to, Carson council meetings, to Carson events, making the connections between the community, our council people here, and our residents and our school.

Madam mayor, that's one minute.

Thank you. Thank you.

Diane Thomas. You have three more.

Good evening, miss Thomas. You have one minute.

Thank you. Safety. We have will will this company be here once it's completed? The way they will track whether anything happens at that location will be from Pennsylvania. Three hours different from here. They will be gone, and we will still have to live here. There are alarms that will be a part of this project. Alarms to do what? If the residents don't have an escape route, should something happen, where will they go? What do you do when you hear an alarm at night if you don't know what you're supposed to do?

We need to be cognizant of the fact that Carson is not a dumping ground. And, oh, by the way, the planning commission already approved the best, facility over on Alameda just a year ago. So it's not like we don't have one. We have two as a matter of fact. So this would be another case where we need to stand firm and be safe for the residents. Jobs will go away. Thank you.

The next is we have Lopez. This is Jeron. Jerzan. Jerzan.

Good evening, sir. You have one minute.

Good evening, city city mayor, council members, and staff. We understand the responsibility you carry in making decisions that impact public safety, economic growth, and the future of Carson. We also appreciate that every council member here wants what is best for this community. At the same time, this project represents major investments into Carson, construction careers, apprenticeship opportunities, local hire commitments, and long term tax revenue for the city. As union carpenters, we build projects safely and professionally every single day across California.

We believe Carson has opportunity to approve a project that combines accountability, modern infrastructure, and economic opportunity. We respectfully ask all council members to support moving this project forward with strong oversight and community protections. Thank you.

Thank you. This is Stephane and Christian Morell. Missus Sykes? Oh, that's you? Okay.

Hello, madam mayor.

How are you?

Yeah. My name is Stefan. I heard earlier the the name Moss Landing mentioned. Mentioned. That Moss Landing was built in 2019. This project is being considered and built in, hopefully, in 2026. You can't compare apples to oranges. The, technology in 2019 was nothing compared to the technology today. In 2019, AI didn't exist. Look at it now.

This place is safe. It's all new technology, and it's good for Carson, and it's good for the construction workers. Thank you. Thank you.

This one left us more real. Sykes. Celeste Sykes.

Good evening. You have one minute.

Thank you. To piggyback on the Moss Landing, I know a lot of people are talking about the air. I did a lot of research. I participated in a bunch of q and a's. My kids go to school here. Lot of family member, etcetera. Grew up here my whole life. The EPA found with the moss fire that burned for, like, seven days because, you can't put it out. It just has to burn out. It's there's no extinguishing it.

But the EPA, found that there was no, risk to public health after they sampled the air after that. So that was really big for me when I was wondering whether I was gonna be for or again. So I'm totally for it. I've been at several of the community events. I listened to all of the experts that they brought in. I trust the fire marshal. I trust the data, and I'm just urging the city council to vote based on the data and not on emotions. Thank you.

Jonah Henry is our last speaker.

Hi, Jonah. You have one minute.

Thank you. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is Jonah Henry, and I'm a volunteer organizer with Sunrise Movement Los Angeles. We are a youth led organization that is fighting to stop the climate crisis and develop a more equitable economy. I'm here on behalf of several of our members who are Carson residents, and I'm here to voice our strong support for the Griffith project and to urge city council to reverse the planning commission's denial of the permit.

The city of Carson has set really, really ambitious goals about how to accelerate the renewable energy transition in theory. And, mayor Davis Holmes, I wanna personally praise you for your leadership on this issue. And I think this project is a really great opportunity to prove that commitment in practice by building this critical renewable energy infrastructure in your own backyard and providing labor opportunities to our local union members. Thank you for considering my perspective, and I strongly urge you to approve this facility. Thank you.

Thank you. We're gonna close the public hearing. Oh, one more? Yes. Yes. Hey,

madam mayor, this is and council members, this is a letter that I would like to submit on behalf of a member who's working in Idaho right now. He wasn't able to make it. His wife submitted this and gave it to me. I told her we were coming down, mister Darren Everidge and Debbie Everidge. I also gave a speaker card, and I'm not gonna run this thing up a lot for you guys. Right? I'm gonna just keep this real short. Everybody here today that came out, we told them about the project that's happening. We do this with every project that comes up. We monitor these city council meetings because why?

This is the why right here. The faces behind every job site that gets built. Putting these boots on in the morning is tough. We up there, the same ones, getting on our knees, praying to come home safe to our families. We're popping Vicodins because our backs and sciatic nerves is kicking in. And what do we do it for? We do it all for our families. We come home. We just hope to put a little bit of food on the table to feed every belly button in the household. These guys right here that came up to us and said, hey, man. We're gonna put folks to work with labor agreements. It's gonna ensure apprenticeship programs. We're jumping all over that every time. Why? Because it's putting folks to work.

Thanks to everybody out here, and thank you all too for just your passion. Y'all are the the labor city of Los Angeles, the real crown jewel, and we appreciate you, mayor. Every time council members, shout out to them real quick. Shout out

to everybody in this room that came out here tonight. Thank y'all. Thank you. Thank you.

You. We're gonna close the public hearing. Is there anything anything else staff would like to add? Okay. Is that the who's that? Who? Oh, this is my last speaker.

Mayor Lola Davis. Council members, my name is Vernon Clark. I'm a proud parent of Ethan and Evan who goes to Curtis, Middle School. I went to Ambler Elementary. I went to Curtis Middle School. I went to Banning High School. I'm a proud pilot. I am a grandson of Albert Lewis Jackson. I approve this project. And, again, I wanna say all accidents are preventable.

The wages that this pro that this project will bring will be spent in Carson, and it'll be spent among the business owners in Carson. And it'll also improve the quality of life for my children because, again, I'll be less than a mile from from the house. I can help them with homework, I don't have to commute to Bakersfield. That's where I was for the last two years. I appreciate you all, and all accidents are preventable.

Thank you. We're gonna close the public hearing. I want conversation from my colleagues. Councilman Deer, you're queued up.

Thank you. Mister city manager, could you bring your planning manager up, McKenna Alexander?

Sure.

Thank you. McKenna, you had a great presentation, very clear, easy to understand, very professional. I'm very impressed with your presentation.

Thank you.

One of your slides up on the screen mentioned local ordinances. I don't I don't I don't have it memorized, but I think resolutions, rules, policies. Is there anything about this project that violates any written doctrine of the city of Carson?

Well, I would say, yes. If you say violate, I would say that the words that we use to make our findings is whether or not it's consistent consistent with our general plan and whether or not it's it's also has consistency with our zoning code. So when you saw those references, it was showing that in order to make findings, we have to say assuredly that these findings can't be met. And there were, identified inconsistencies with the general plan as well with the zoning code in terms of incompatible uses within the within the surrounding area. So that's my very long way of saying, yes.

There's written information regarding this in our zoning code as well as our general plan.

You mentioned the zoning. I believe it's zone heavy industrial. That's exactly what this project is, heavy industrial. Why is it inconsistent with the general plan?

It's inconsistent with the general plan. I'll go to the slide.

That's it. Oh, that was the one I was referring to, Quebec. One more.

This is towards the beginning. Okay. So we'll start with this slide. Excuse me. So when we're talking about the general plan, we're talking about whether or not the the uses within the area is consistent for this project.

So we're not only looking at the adjacency properties, which are, as you mentioned, industrial. We're also looking at the uses there in the surrounding area, and that will call into place the, medical facility, the park, the homes, and, they'll further further ease the school. So we're looking at the compatible uses, consistent with the general plan.

The medical facility, I think it's at something around $303,175 feet away. Isn't that property line to property line distance? That's correct. Not battery storage to structure. Correct. Probably more than twice that distance away.

That's correct.

Alright. Okay. Thank you very much. You answered my question. Thank you, mister city manager, for your staff.

Doctor Hilton.

Thank you, madam mayor. I do wanna ask a question. If this, is not approved here, is there a possibility that they can go to the state? Does it meet the BTU standards to go to bypass the city?

Well, it's they can. There is this, there's assembly bill two zero five that allows the applicant to go through the state. The state has a rigorous process itself. It's not an automatic, you know, approval process. There's they're going to require an EIR. They're going to also have to make certain findings, which I listed on on a couple of the slides. So, yes, there is an opt in process for the applicant if they chose to to go through the state.

Another question is, so if we we don't approve the project, will we lose, our local control to, to dialogue with them if they go bypass us and go to the state? Will the state give us a a seat at the table?

The state absolutely gives us a seat at the table. They allow they require us to have a local government pre filing meeting with the applicant. And as well, part of their findings is also looking at the local regulations, ordinances, and policies. They're not going to go strictly by their process. They're also looking at the local rules and regulations as well.

Thank you. I'm I'm complete.

Councilwoman. Yes.

Thank you. I think you answered part of my question regarding the state requirement. So everything here is all about, safety and the safety of the residents. What are the state requirements, if there are any, for the proximity of these projects to a resident, any living, breathing body?

Okay. So a part of their analysis is that they do look at the cumulative impacts to sensitive receptors. So, basically, okay, How are the we're so for instance, we already have certain impacts within our city because we're environmental justice community. They're looking at that. So what's the cumulative impact? So we add this third one or this other best facility. Are there any impacts to these sensitive receptors? They also look at and that goes back to in relationship to the environmental justice impacts. Those two are kind of are married together, a part of their analysis. So

there is no proximity?

There's no specific distance. There is there is consideration of the impacts of sensitive receptors.

Yes. And this project was approved by our fire marshal?

The prod the not approved. The project was not approved by the fire marshal. What they provide us is a, AMMR, an alternate means and methods report that they provide to the city to show, you know, the different, steps and, requirements that are needed for this facility to move forward. So they did provide a cleared AMMRR report to the city for our consideration.

And thank you for that. Okay. You're welcome. So, I mean, my my my paper is bleeding here with red. So pretty much whatever happens, anything happens, it's our fire department. They're our first responder, and they're also the last. They're the last people that allow us to come back in and render the location safe if anything does happen. So I read this project. I I saw the site. I read all the reports.

I did a, rinse and repeat is what I call it on this project. So thank you everyone for coming out. So I have a substitute motion because it's not exactly here on the recommendation. So I'm gonna go under all alternatives to take another action with the city council. Just point of clarification, councilwoman.

You're making a motion. It's not there's no motion on the ground.

Okay. That that's fine. Okay. So I'm gonna make a motion. I would like to make a motion to reverse the planning commission's decision to deny and approve the requested site plan review, design review, and conditional use permit, and to approve the development agreement to adopt the CEQA exemption consistent with con with the attached previous resolution that was provided on March 10 that was given to the the planning commission consistent with with that report outlining a resolution of the city council of the city of Carson finding a sequel in exemption approving site plan and design review, number 1935Dash23 and conditional use permit number 1128Dash23 that the city council adopt and approve the development agreement number 33Dash23 for the proposed battery energy storage system best facility located at 18800 Broadway Avenue, APN 7339 Dash 014 Dash 009.

In addition, I wanna direct, the staff to meet with the applicant, to discuss additional community benefits agreement and to prepare a resolution by May 20. Now I do have some, madam mayor, that I have some as part of my motion, I would like to add and put on the record in regards to some conditions that were on the original report. And that is approval in regards to approvals 19 c and 71 b. I would like to increase the height of the CMU block wall from 10 feet to 13 feet for additional safety precautions. I would like to add condition number 19 g, which should read as follows.

Following issuance of the final certificate of occupancy, developer should conduct an annual safety meeting to be held at a public location within the city, which shall be conducted in coordination with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Notice of the annual safety meeting shall be provided at least ten days before the meeting, mailing to all owners and occupants within 2,500 feet of the project. In addition to the annual safety meeting, developers should hold two safety meetings to be held at least thirty days apart prior to the project becoming operational. Notice for these two safety meetings shall be provided in the same manner as for the annual safety meeting, which covers items such as alarm testing, protocols, evacuation routes, and general battery storage safety information. I'd like to also add sorry.

This is this is a lot. Prior to issuance of the final certificate of occupancy, developer shall prepare a written evacuation plan to be reviewed by the LA County Fire Department and the sheriff's department. The evacuation plan shall identify primary and secondary evacuation routes, staging and assembly areas, traffic control measures, and communication protocols with emergency responders. This evacuation plan shall be shared with all attendees during each annual safety meeting. And and finally, condition number 19 I, another added one.

Following the issue of the first permit, developer shall establish and maintain a telephone hotline through which members of the public may obtain information about the project and may report concerns, complaints, or safety related issues. The project hotline shall be available and monitored on a twenty four seven three hundred sixty five days a year. The safety measure should be paid by the applicant. And I do want a new section. This is of course, I I would like to direct staff to add to this, which should include a point of sale.

But this is something that's important, I think, for our community benefits and our community and kids. So a new section 3.4 to the development agreement entitled community benefits, whereas section 3.4 will state that the developer agrees to provide the following community benefits prior to issuance of any building permits for the project, and such payment is a condition precedent to such permit issuance. These are things that I personally, feel, passionate about. Section three four, $40,000 to be used for paid summer internship with companies. Intern renewable energy battery technology, zero emission, and technology, and electric energy storage and battery management system for high school students for the schools in the City Of Carson.

Another is Towne Avenue Elementary, a one time payment to either the Los Angeles LAUSD or directly to Towne Elementary in the amount of $25,000 to be used for community gardens and or environmental related educational programs at Towne Elementary School. I know somebody said here we already started that. And, another one time fee for the City Of Carson's Department of Recreations and Parks in the amount of $35,000 to be used for youth sports programs such as soccer, baseball, softball, and boxing. Again, like to direct staff to meet with the developers to get additional community benefits projects. So all I need is a second.

Point

of order, madam mayor. I just wanna clarify. You said to bring back a resolution to adopt the Right. Development agreement. It's an ordinance that needs to be brought back to introduce a development agreement. And just so staff is clear, you have made some specific request, but you want the staff to explore other issues that staff has recommended during this two week period with respect to the DA. Correct?

Yeah. It's correct. I don't have enough room on my paper.

We will explore those issues with the applicant. Thank you.

Yes. It's been moved and probably second.

Madam mayor, for the point of discussion, just for a second before we take the vote.

No. We're gonna talk some more.

Oh, okay.

Yeah. I

just wanted to make sure she was clear with the point of sale and Yes. Then make sure that was incorporated.

Thank you. Thank you for clarifying that. So you you want staff to negotiate and put in the development agreement that the point of sale will be the city of Carson.

Correct. Yes.

Okay. Any discussion? I have, MPT Hicks.

Thank you, madam mayor. To the applicant, I'm questioning based upon what's been discussed, are you in agreement with any of those requests that's been stated this evening?

Edgar Claudian, on behalf of the applicant, thank you very much for your time and your consideration. From day one, Ormat has been committed to the community and to the city as all of the testimony today, was evidence of that fact, and we are more than happy to agree to all the conditions placed in front of us today and continue to be members of proud members of the community for years to come.

Councilman Deer.

As a public school class classroom teacher, if you make that $25,000 donation in Town Avenue, do not make it out to LAUSD. Make it to Town Avenue Elementary School directly. Otherwise, it'll go into a big pit. So I'm just very happy that so many people turned out, so many people care about the future of Carson. That's why you're here tonight, and I think the city is ready to move forward. Thank you.

Councilman Hicks. Oh, you're done? Let me say this to it appears that this item is gonna pass, but I am concerned, like I said before, when I met with everyone about safety of our residents. It's in close proximity. When I met with the developer, I said, why not find another location?

It's not that I am opposed to the project, but it seems like to me is systemic racism. This city has will have three sites that services more than Carson. Okay? Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach has nothing. We're gonna be providing power to them.

Okay? So my concern is, why didn't you go there and ask them to have take some of this burden? We have faced and we have faced numerous challenges until this my brothers and sisters that are out there. You know, I I speak what I feel. When Oxy came, there was 200 of my union brothers and sisters here saying they wanted Oxy here in the city for drilling against the homes that are here in the city of Carson.

I said no. I'm not gonna have any drilling, any fracking in this community. It didn't happen. They sent me a letter saying that the price price of gas had dropped, but you always turn these over to the good lord. And I said, thy will be done, and Oxy went away. I hear you talking about jobs. Where's the developer? How many jobs are we talking about? Where where's the developer? How many jobs? Because I'm hearing construction job. How many are you having? What do you say? Oh, how many jobs are we talking about?

Approximately a 150.

For how long?

It's probably an eighteen month process.

An eighteen month project. And then after that, what? Hopefully,

more renewable power, more business. One of the advantages that battery provides, and and I wanna take a little bit of a step back, but a comment, made earlier, you know, the city of Burbank just last week itself announced the completion of a battery storage project for its residents, and there are battery storage projects popping up everywhere. This location is perfect because of the adjacency to the existing station. Renewable energy I'm I'm answering your question, Anamir. Renewable energy is not just for the residents and ensuring refrigerators stay on and alarm clocks go on in the morning.

It's also for the businesses in the city. So when we're talking about jobs, we're not just talking about the union construction jobs. We're talking about ensuring businesses are able to turn late their lights on in the morning, employees can clock in for their jobs so Carson can continue to remain the business friendly city that it has a great reputation for being.

We just got that. Thank you. I just wanna say, Avocet will approve that with no comment. It's not in a residential area. Dignity Health Sports Complex has a battery storage facility. We have an application for another storage facility. Am I supposed to be the dumping ground because of these storage facilities, or am I gonna be the jewel of the South Bay? We've won several awards for what we have done as far as any renewable energy. I was just at Pologics on their rooftop, talking about the solar panels that they put up there. This city is very, very, very progressive.

I do not oppose the project. I oppose the location. And I tell you, all of you, when it comes down to the safety of my residents, that's what I'm all about. Okay? You have 50 letters from people that oppose this project, residents that came in. Oh, you had 20 more that oppose this project because they're concerned about safety. I'm concerned that there is no ERI or CEQA. I'm very concerned about that. Why didn't you get that to make me this city feel comfortable? You're bypassing the process.

You're bypassing the process. Local red regulations, we spoke about those. They're not all being met. And I think it's an environmental injustice, and we just had the Domingos channel. I was just at a meeting, Thursday, Bishop, where we talked about extended stay coming here. Okay? This is not a dumping ground for everybody that wants to come through here. It's

not a

dumping ground.

It is not. It is not a dumping ground for every project. And I want my union brothers and sisters to realize where I'm coming from. These jobs, you're gonna get jobs. I have a 159 acres that's being developed. Okay? I push for those union jobs. I have a 130 some apartment buildings that's going up on our our Carson Street. I push for those the unions to be involved in that. I have another 30 acres.

We got we got development all over the city that's calling for union jobs, but they don't impact the quality of life for my residents. They're not nestled into a community. So if I don't agree with you on this time, think of the number of times that I will agree with you because there are jobs that I have pushed that you would not believe. But this one, I've asked him, why not another location? Because we have dignity, we have Avocet, we have, this project is, gonna be approved with the conditions, that the councilwoman has laid out, and we got another one looming. When is enough enough?

Are you gonna be

back down here when they come and say, oh, I wanna build this project. I want another one. Let other cities share the burden, not just Carson. We cannot become the jewel of the South Bay that if everyone wants to drop into this because you know why? People thought we were not going to read this. That's why they didn't go to Manhattan Beach. That's why they didn't go to Seal Beach. You say you have one in Pomona in the desert. Okay? The developer. I'm concerned. Rightfully so, I'm concerned. I understand you went to the town elementary school and you built a a solar kitchen. Yeah. But it wasn't an expensive solar kitchen.

I understand that you did your your community outreach. Kudos for you. Understand that? But at this point in time, it is not in the right location even though my colleagues will pass it. It's not in the right location. It is not in the right location for my union. As I I spoke to some of you, it's not in the right location. I stand on what I'm about. I'm about safety, and if I vote and I vote vote along, you will know where my vote comes from. And I said, why would we burden councilman Hilton's district, that's his district, with this?

Why don't we find another location like Avocet did? Why? Why do the land is cheaper. That's why you didn't go to Manhattan Beach or Homosa Beach or Redondo Beach. That's why you didn't go. We are not the dumping drowned here in the city of Carson. We're just this council turning this city around, but people wanna come. We have developers knocking on the door, knocking down the door that would not come here before. Okay? So understand where I'm coming from, and there's been a motion, a second. Did you have anything to say? As councilman Hicks.

To the applicant, can can the applicant come back up? I need to ask a couple of questions in regards to the potential risk. What is high hydrogen fluoride or carbon monoxide or volatile organic components or compounds? What are those?

So I'm gonna call up somebody who can actually answer that question.

Okay.

Good evening, mayor and council members. Could you please repeat the question?

What? Okay. Can you provide me further information regarding the risk of exposure to hydrogen fluoride or carbon monoxide or volatile organic comp compound or fine particle matters?

Yep. Absolutely. So my name is Christian Ng. I'm a senior fire production engineer with Fine Risk Alliance. I'm also a licensed professional engineer in the state of California.

So, my employer and my colleagues, we have prepared several technical study documents for this project that were reviewed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. As a part of their alternate methods and methods materials review process, a technical study that was conducted included a plume model. This plume model analyzed, toxic constituents that may be released during a battery fire. Now the results of that analysis deemed that the project sensitive receptors were outside of the boundaries of any worst case scenario. So that analysis analyzed carbon monoxide, which is a released gas when there is a fire within these lithium phosphate lithium iron phosphate batteries.

So with this proposed project with the lithium batteries in the event of a fire I think I asked a question when we had another applicant come before us, and it's been stated this evening. If it catches on fire, there's nothing that you can extinguish that with. It has to just burn until it burns out, and they talked about, I guess, moss, one that happened last year. It burned for seven days. And I think someone came and said there was no air quality issue.

I don't think that is the case because if it's burning, something is in the air. My concern is the city of Carson sits in the valley because Egg Torrance is to our west, and this is just some side information. So if there was a fire at the Exxon station, the city of Carson would be the actual for the actual, cloud to come over and actually harm our residents in the city. We have had too many issues of air quality in our community, and I think being in close proximity to either Kaiser Permanente, the corporate yard, the Public Works yard, the residents and the housing, Victoria Park, and the golf course is too close of an a proximity to something of this magnitude. For me, being sitting on this council, I think I'm one of the more environmental persons that's always been around dealing with new energy and making sure that we have the technology in the community.

I'm not really supporting the location of this one because the one that we do have is actually in my district, in District 3 off of Alameda. So I'm real happy to have these in our community. But, again, because of the fire and because of other effects, someone talked about the fans. They were talking about so many of them being on at one given time. Can you tell me about the humming noise and the vibrations that may be affected in the area and how that's going to affect the residents of the community?

So, mayor Hicks, I would like to state that this project has no comparison to Moss Landing. In fact, if it did, the Los Angeles County Fire Department would not have approved it through their AMR process. In fact, in their best guidelines, indoor facilities such as Moss Landing are not permitted within the county. So I wanna just make sure that that comparison to Moss Landing is at as previously stated by another participant here.

So that technology is no longer being utilized, but at the time that it was built in 2019, that was a cutting edge state of the art in 2019. Here we are in 2026, seven years later, it's defunct. So we're at a new level, so we're gonna be looking at seven years from now if that's the same that happened in malls that happened here in the city of Carson because now the technology has increased greatly. I just wanna I don't want us to be where, at some point in time, what we have is obsolete and my residents are being affected by fires.

Your concerns are totally valid, and I would like to respond with that. In 2019, when Moss Landing was permitted, there were no actual battery safety codes. In fact, it was not until 2020 where National Fire Protection Association standard eight fifty five was developed, and that is the standard for stationary storage systems. Since then, there have been two further iterations, the 2023 and 2026 edition. Furthermore, the California fire code is the most advanced state fire code, And Los Angeles County fire department has developed the most rigorous approval process for any best project in the country.

How much time he'll

So there's been improvements as we as we go forward, but there's no guarantees because it's always evolving.

Three minutes?

So there's no guarantees at any facility that may be built on this property. Three minutes. No matter what you're building here, gas station, a warehouse, a home, you can't guarantee that there won't be a fire. But what you can do is ensure that mitigations are properly taken prior to installation and construction of these facilities, which is done and been approved by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

My

biggest concern is that, you know, for Carson to have as many of these battery storage facilities in a close proximity to so many the residents and my surrounding cities have nothing but gonna benefit from what we are producing in our community and we get nothing from it, I just think that's, an unleveling playing field because of providing us with the liability, the health hazards, asthma, and other things in place. But I think at this point in time, it's going to pass. But I just said, you know, Carson is only in the city that's around me that, if we have more than one, two, three, or four, now my residents are at ground zero. We are at ground zero for if anything goes wrong. And god forbid, we have a massive earthquake or anything happens in in this in this community, we are ground zero.

So but thank you for that. Just call for the vote. I'm a say it.

Okay. Let's call for the vote. We've had dialogue long enough. It's been a first and a second on the floor. Cash your vote.

And just to be clear, we're bringing this back on the twentieth to properly adopt the resolutions and the ordinances. To finalize the development agreement based on the terms discussed and other issues staff need to address, and we'll put it in the document and bring it back with the ordinance. Thank you.

To my colleagues, I'm for all of these amenities, but I'm not for overturning, the the planning commission's decision. I think we could have gotten to that in another way because it could've gone back to the commission and something. But, anyway

Madam, I'm I'm queued up on discussion.

We already discussed. You have one minute. I called for the but I called for the vote.

For the question.

I called for the vote. Cash a vote.

If she called for the vote, it's over. You called

for the called for the vote already.

It's over.

Well, it's not parliamentary procedure, but go ahead.

You gotta vote.

You gotta vote.

I voted. Somebody didn't. Oh. I voted yes Thank for the

you. So this will come back. Everybody, the next meeting is on the '20 what? Twentieth. The twentieth?

Yeah. On Wednesday, the twentieth. Wednesday.

Wednesday. It'll be a Wednesday meeting. Items number fifteen third 31 on the consent calendar.

Madam mayor? Yes. Approval of the minutes, item 14.

Motion to approve.

Can we have your outside voice?

Quiet in the council chambers, please. Can we please have quiet in the council chambers?

Quietly as you leave. Motion to approve the minutes. Second.

If it moved improperly, second, please cast your vote.

One correction. What? One correction. On the page under council comments under vice chair Hicks, I think it was director

Whitaker. She she

Director Whitaker made a statement about Friendship Park and one of the concerns it was not a golf park. It was a dog park.

It was not a golf park. It was

a dog d o g. Dog.

Oh, dog.

Yes. That's all.

That's get AI ed.

That's the only correction. So

dog park, not

a golf park. Not yes. Okay.

Oh, you read all that.

Thank you. You can always count on your eye, mayor pro tem. Thank you.

It's been moved in properly second to approve the minutes. Cash your vote. Yeah. You do, don't you?

You didn't hit it, mayor. You didn't hit it hard enough. It's stuck.

Motion carries.

Items number 15 through 31, the consent calendar.

Motion to approve and sync. Second.

Been moved improperly second. Would someone like to pull an item? No.

Thank you.

Hearing none, cast your vote.

Push hard.

Thank you. I know you

have four. I know you have four. Thank you. Motion

carries.

Item number 32, we can plead it already. Item number 33, a public hearing to consider multiple economic development subsidies for commercial far facade improve. This is a special order of the day?

Yes. It's a public hearing, which Yeah. Everything was met. The agenda. The people No comment. It's on file. No written comments.

Staff, then, we're gonna open the public hearing.

Thank you, madam mayor. The public hearing is to consider multiple economic development subsidies, commercial facade improvement program, grant agreements, citywide round two, and, no match East Carson corridor projects to provide certain commercial businesses with grant funding with recommendation for your discussion. We can have a brief staff report if you like,

madam mayor. Please.

We'll have our economic development, director, mister Nathan Freeman, provide that briefly.

Good evening, honorable mayor, mayor Potem, and distinguished council members. I do have a very brief presentation that looks to be coming up. There we go. So very quickly, as I was, preparing for our presentation this evening, I was thinking about what do a small storefront upgrade and a corridor transformation have in common. And as I was thinking about it, the answer is they both change how people feel about Carson the moment they drive by.

Tonight, what you're seeing isn't just a list of projects. It's a coordinated reinvestment in our commercial corridors, one storefront, one property, and one block at a time. Because in my world, in economic development, perception is reality. So right now, we are on the precipice of reshaping that reality. We're doing that in two distinct approaches for you this evening.

First, our traditional citywide program where property owners are required to match the city's investment that ensures shared commitment and leverages private capital alongside public funding. Second, our East Carson Corridor initiative where we've removed the match requirement entirely. Why, you might ask? Because in that corridor, the barrier isn't willingness, it's financial feasibility. And if we wanna catalyze that change at scale, we have to meet where the market is.

So let's dive into this. Let's start small, but let's start impactful. At the soon to open Ding Tee located on the Southwest Corner Of Carson Street and Main Street, we're taking a dated storefront and replacing it with clean, modern glass, new doors, and durable finishes. It's a $12,000 project, but with the city stepping in at about 7,600, we're helping a new business in our community elevate its presence and attract more foot excuse me, attract more foot traffic. Now let's scale up.

At 21839 To 21855 South Avalon Boulevard, located on the corner of Avalon Boulevard in 219th Street, we're gonna see a full facade transformation, including new materials, new signage, new lighting, and new landscaping, which once completed, will turn this aging center into a place that feels active and reinvested. And it's a flavor of what the building looks like from 219th Street. Same story at 1329 To 1347 East Carson Street located on Carson Street near Vera Street. Major upgrades also will include new materials, new signage, new lighting, new landscaping. Again, once completed, is gonna turn an aging center into a place that feels active and reinvested.

So let's transition to East Carson Street and what I call the the domino effect, or we're hoping along East Carson from Harborview Avenue to Santa Fe Avenue. As I go through this, property after property, including businesses such as fragrances for less, Irene's hair, Kathy's Bakery, Nitzi Salon, Santa Fe Medical, and others are all making targeted upgrades.

Rob's Liquors. We can leave Rob's Liquors out there.

As we go through this, each one of these locations is going to be the recipient of new signage, fresh paint, new lighting, landscaping, and architectural enhancements. Individually, these are 50 to 50,000 to a $140,000 projects. But collectively, they will transform this corridor. They will change how it how safe it feels, how active it looks, and whether the next customer decides to come in or keep driving. So this is exactly what the facade improvement program that you all approved is designed to do, leverage city dollars to unlock private investment, improve safety through lighting and site upgrades, support small businesses while strengthening property values, and create corridors that attract, not repel future developments.

We're not just funding projects tonight. We're setting a new baseline for what our commercial areas are going to look like. So as you can see on the screen, staff's recommendation is to open the public hearing and take public testimony and accept any written and or oral communication to approve the multiple funding agreements that were included in your council packet and authorize your city manager to execute the funding agreements to facilitate these projects. With that, madam mayor, that concludes my presentation. I'm available to answer any questions the council may have.

Thank you. You did a wonderful report. We're gonna close the public hearing. Any staff deliberation questions? I see doctor Hilton is queued up.

I won't steal Cedric's thunder and, be the first on this, but I'm excited to see that corridor of that part of, District 3, improved and, be able to replicate a portion of the city. So many times, we get a bad rap sitting here saying that we only take care of the North, and that's not true. We take care of the whole city. You know? So I'm excited about it. Looking forward to, when we move, back to the mighty District 1 too.

Sounds m p g x.

Thank you, madam mayor staff. Thank you for that outstanding presentation. I just didn't know that my truck was gonna be in one of your slides, but that's okay. That's just to let you know how much I'm over there that you guys took a picture of the back of the truck. But oh, Rob, you took it?

You took it. But, again, thanks to the staff because as as you can see in the photos, they have been remiss in not having the resources available to them for the businesses and was really frank that even though it may look that way, they're still making money. So the idea of having them to now get it up a facelift, make it look even better to attract businesses or residents or customers from other communities to come to our city makes it even better. So that's one of the main things I'm just wanting to do and make sure that, seamlessly, when you drive through the city of Carson, it all looks the same. You should not go north, south, east, or west and think you're in another city.

It should all look as you're in the same city, Carson. And I think at this point in time, once we get this up and operational, no one can say we only take care of the North End or we only take care of certain parts of the of the community. We're taking care of the entire city. And that was one of the reason why I was so adamant of pushing and making sure that we got this facade improvement program in place because what they see, my resident District 3, we see things are happening over in this community. We see things happen in this community.

And they go outside, we still look the same. It has not changed in over twenty plus years. So they're saying, when is it gonna change for us? So I just say to the staff, thank you for, allowing this to move forward and to the city manager and the staff to to making sure this come to fruition. And with that being said, my motion should approve the funding agreement, authorize the city manager to execute all documents including the funding agreement in a form acceptable to by the city attorney. Second.

Yeah. It's been moved improperly second. Councilor Madea, you

Another question for, our staff, Nathan. You know, there's also a liquor store in the corner. I think the name is Della Liquor, but it seems they have a new name on the on the facade. Is it a new owner, or and are they participating in the facade project that you just outlined? I don't see them on the list.

So staff has done a a very comprehensive job in interacting with the businesses, specifically on the East Carson Corridor. If they were not included in this one, which I will have to research councilman, that doesn't wouldn't preclude them from future funding opportunities for additional facade program initiatives.

Okay. So when you say future, meaning not this this program.

But Again, sir, I I need to go back and and research to see if if under a different name, they are part of the program. If they're not, I would anticipate that additional monies with council approval could be available in the future for facade improvements, and they could theoretically participate.

Very good. Thank you.

Okay. It's been moved improperly. Second. Cash your vote.

Madam Mayor. Motion carries.

Thank you. Item number 34, fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven budget workshop number one, mister city manager.

Yes. Thank you, madam mayor. Our fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven budget workshop Number one is going to provide a a staff report and and presentation. We're gonna have two of our staff from our finance department, mister Antonio Velasco and mister Ashton Watts, they'll be, tag teaming going through the presentation. And so we'll be able to complete the budget workshop number one.

I'm just gonna restart it off.

Excuse me. Our director of finance, mister William Jeff Jefferson is gonna start off, and then he's gonna pass the baton.

Good evening, madam mayor. Good evening, madam mayor, mayor pro tem. I didn't I didn't hear you. I'm good, dear. I'm sorry.

Oh, make it higher. Okay. Sorry about that. Good evening, madam mayor, mayor pro tem, and members of the of the city council. Tonight's staff is pleased to present budget workshop one for the fiscal year 2627.

This workshop marks the beginning of the city's annual budget development process and provides an opportunity to review the city's financial outlook, guiding principles, and key priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. This presentation provides an overview of key components guiding the the development of fiscal year twenty six, twenty seven budget. Staff will begin by outlining the core principles used to ensure the city's financial stability and long term sustainability followed by a summary of current financial performance trends. We would then highlight proposed budget revenues and expenditures, providing insight into how resources are allocated to support essential city services. Additionally, staff will present departmental and citywide requests with particular attention to staffing needs, salaries and benefits, and current vacancy rates.

The proposed fiscal year twenty six twenty seven budget is built upon a foundation of fiscal responsibility and strategic planning. The city remains committed to maintaining a fiscal sustainability and economically viable organization while continuing to deliver the high quality municipal services that the residents expect. A key priority in this budget is maintaining a structurally balanced financial plan, ensuring that the ongoing expenditures are supported by reoccurring revenues rather than one time funding sources. This approach strengthens long term financial stability and reduce future budgetary risk. Additionally, the proposed budget aligns with the city council established priorities, ensuring the funded decision will reflect the community's needs and policy direction.

Staff looks forward to receiving council's input direction as we continue refining the proposed budget in alignment with the city's priorities and long term financial stability. My first slide is a slide presenting the general fund balance. The first the first thing that I would like bring to your attention is just a five year progressive growth of the city's fund general fund balance. As of today, 2020 fiscal year twenty twenty five audit conducted by Vasquez and Company, our general fund balance is 252,500,000. Of that 252,500,000, we have five categories that make up that total fund balance.

First being a the reserve policy of 31,000,000, the second being the capital projects of 50,000,000, self insurance of 10, oil tax of 70, surplus of 91,000,000. Again, the total components of those general fund balance of those five components makes up to 252,500,000. Our mayor, counsel, it is my honor and and privilege to present to you for the sixth consecutive year a structurally balanced budget.

Can you say that one more time?

It is my honor and privilege to present to the mayor and city council for the sixth consecutive year of fiscally structured balanced budget. History.

First time in history.

And who was mayor?

Before I have before we go on, I just want I do wanna take the opportunity to just discuss a little bit what it means to have a structurally balanced budget and the benefits. A structurally balanced budget is when your forecasted revenues exceed your expenditures. If your revenues don't exceed your expenditures and your expenditures happen to exceed your revenues, then what what is needed is for you us to have to go into other revenue sources to make that whole. In this diagram, you can see where our revenues forecasted revenues are a 156,900,000, and our expenditures are 156,400,000, leaving a structured balanced budget or a surplus of 470,000. Now the benefits of having a structured balanced budget is, for one, that proves that we have financial stability.

So for having six straight years of a balanced budget shows that the city is is is in a financial good position. And what that does is it helps with interest rates. It helps with increasing our our interest our interest, our triple a rate credit rating. So those are the benefits of having a structured balanced budget. So I just want to point that out. But as we move along in in our presentation, we wanna move kinda quickly but give you some good detail. I'm gonna bring up mister Antonio Velasquez, our revenue manager, who will go into detail about proposed city revenues.

Thank you, dear there we go. Thank you, director Jefferson. Good evening, madam mayor, mayor Proterm, members of council. As director Jefferson mentioned, we're gonna go in further detail, this year's next year's city's, revenues. So right off the bat, as you could see, we are increasing our city overall city revenues from 155,000,000 to 156,900,000, which is a 1.1 increase.

So we're gonna take a deeper dive into each one of these categories. Right off the bat, we're gonna look at sales tax. So sales tax, we are forecasting for $2,740,300,000 dollars, which is a 3.1 increase from the previous year. The major reason for that increase has to do with, geopolitical tensions that are going on that are affecting sales tax at this moment. Next step is property tax, which is at 26,300,000 for '27, which is a 2.8% increase.

The factors affecting this is the sales of property and the property dollars are actually going up every single year on this. Next step is franchise fees. We are forecasting $16,800,000 for '27, which is a decrease of 20%. The reason for that decrease has to do with lower franchises fees, which we received in the previous year or this year for gas and electric franchises. Next step is our measure k, transaction user tax.

We are forecasting 18,900,000 for fiscal year twenty seven, which is a decrease of 4%, and this is connected to sales tax, which is also related to geopolitical tensions, more of the use tax associate with it versus sales tax. Next step is our UUT or utility users tax, which we have forecasted for fiscal year twenty seven at $12,000,000, and that is actually an increase of 4.3%. And that is a result of utility rates increasing every single year, which we have seen that on the chart right up there, and that continues that same trend. Next step is license and permits, which we have forecasted at 9,400,000, for '27, and this is a decrease of 3%. And the main reason for this decrease has to do with the fluctuation of permit activity across the city, mainly encroachments we have seen.

Next step is our oil business tax, our oil tax, our measure c. We have forecasted at $10,000,000 for '27, which is an increase of 16.9%. This is a result of the ongoing audits that we're doing for the oil companies, and so that continues on for this year as well.

We were at 24 and what is that? '24, '25. What was that from? One time?

That was one time. We had major audit findings for for that year that came back from previous years.

The the that's part of the Phillips

Phillips settled with us and paid all of their audit fees. But

they hadn't at that time. And

They paid it all. Right.

Marathon is

Not paying.

They're not paying anything?

Well, not that they're not paying anything, but they're just not paying what should be paying based upon the apportionment and the what our auditors have decided.

Just just a quick update. The the lawsuit, as as you know, has been appealed all the way to the California Supreme Court. The hearing is gonna be in June. So This year? This year. Yes. And I'll send the hearing date to all the council members. It's actually in Pasadena. So if you wanted to attend, you could attend.