City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. We are going to go ahead and get started with our meeting. First, we're going to have the city of Norwok Housing Authority meeting for March 17th. Teresa, can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Coun, excuse me, Commissioner Zella here. Ramirez here, Valencia here, Hernandez here, Vice Chair Rios, and Chair Perez here. We have two items on the consent calendar. Can I get a motion, please? I'll move it. We have a first and a second. Can we have the roll call, Commissioner Zella? I, RmIrez, I.

Valencia Hernandez, I abstain item 692 63. I'm sorry. 692 63. Thank you. Vice Chair Rios. Hi. And Chair Perez. Hi. Do we have a community development director's report tonight? No report. Thank you. And do we have any oral communications for the housing authority? None for housing.

All right. Thank you. We'll adjourn this meeting at 6:17. And in just one second, we're going to start with our successor agents. All right. Okay, we will call to order the city of Norbach successor agency to the Norbach redevelopment agency meeting of March 17, 2026. Terresa, can we have a roll call, please?

Agency members Ayella I. Ramirez here. Valencia I here. Yeah. Vice chair, right? Vice chair Rios here and chair Perez here. We have two items on the consent calendar. Can I get a motion? I'll move it. Second. We have a first and a second. Roll call, please. Agency members. Ayella. I. Ramirez. I. Valencia. I. Vice Chair Rios. I. Chair Perez.

I. Moving on to reports. Uh, the first one is number three, resolution number SA2603. Jesus. Can we have the staff report, please?

Yes. Chair Perez and members of the um successor agency. Um tonight before you we have uh two items. Um the first one is u the proposed uh refinancing of existing um 2005 bonds and the purpose of this is really to release the uh debt service and be able to use that for economic development purpose purposes here in the city. As you um can see, we have lots of um uh projects that are in the works and this would just um be uh favorable for the projects that we are in uh the middle of u of u constructing. So with that we'll have uh Miss Jana Stewart present.

Thank you Mr. Gomez, Chair Perez, members of the successor agency. Um yeah, today staff will be presenting two items that are related to possible refinancing of our existing 2005 tax allocation refunding bonds. Um in 2005 as a way of the the background um the former redevelopment agency issued tax allocation refunding bonds in series A that were non-T taxable and series B taxable for a total amount of $64 million. These bonds are about to the term of these bonds is the year 2035 and as of today the successor agency still has over $32 million outstanding. Um section 34117 of the health and safety code um authorizes successor agencies to refinance outstanding debt obligations to produce debt service savings while not increasing the overall indebtness of the successor agency. staff together with Cosmon Financial Services uh has identified such an such an opportunity for the successor agency to refund the 2005 bonds and realize savings um that as of today are estimated at about $49,000 to the successor agency and respective taxing entities that are uh in merged project area. And at the same time also we have an opportunity to release the existing debt service reserves uh about $5.3 million that are currently paid held by the trustee. These bond proceeds will cover the cost of boundary refunding about $973,000

and the remainder can be released to uh and transferred to the city about $43 million for eligible capital improvement projects such as housing, infrastructure, and economic development in merge redevelopment project areas or uh areas adjacent that would benefit these um these project areas. Um, the city on behalf of the successor agency has identified the redevelopment projects listed on the slide as eligible for funding with unspent bond proceeds about $4.3 million. in addition to already uh transferred uh bond proceeds of $17.9 million of other unspent bond proceeds that were previously transferred uh per authorization from department on finance back in 2014. The list of these projects uh may be updated with additional information when additional information becomes available. You may see there's a variety of projects uh housing projects as well as redevelopment projects and infrastructure improvements within the uh redevelopment area. The next slide demonstrates the the restructuring of existing debt if we um continue if we are approved and authorized to go forward with the refinancing project. Um as you know the market situation changes uh daily. So uh we we definitely would have to realize savings in order to be able and approved by other entities um to go forward with the refinancing. that as of the latest information that has been provided by our municipal advisor

um Kosmon financial services we would realize about $49,97 in savings the board approves the if if the board meaning you um approves the issuance of 2006 bonds the Los Angeles County for supervisorial district consolidate oversight board or county oversight board will consider approving the refunding and use of unspent bond proceeds at its regular meeting of April 21st, 2026. Additionally, there are other steps that are needed to that we need to go through. staff will return to the board for approval of the preliminary meaning to to you to city um to the board of successor agency um to approve pre preliminary official statement and continuing disclosure certificate related to the 2006 bonds. If the oversight board approves the issuance of the 2006 bonds, then oversight board action will be subject to the approval of department of finance uh which is the state board and um that will that can take up to 65 days. Tonight, um, we are requesting for your approval resolution number SA26-03 and that would authorize the 2026 refunding bonds related documents and authorize certain actions that will also set the terms set forth the terms of the bonds. It will hire the financing team and authorize uh officers of successor agency to take certain actions necessary to complete the transaction. In addition, a variety of forms and documents are also part of the

resolution that uh would require your approval. There are proforma um uh documents such as indenture of trust, escrow agreement and bond purchase agreement. Uh this slide summarizes the bond refunding timeline. If all goes well, the bond sale is applicant is anticipated to happen by the end of June or beginning July. And this concludes this part of the staff report. Um, successor agency uh would like to make a recommendation to the board to adopt resolution number SA26-03 authorizing the issuance and sale of tax allocation refunding bonds in the principal amount of not to exceed $35 million and approving a form of indenture of trust, a form of escro agreement and a form of bond purchase agreement and authorizing certain actions in connection therew within. Um I am here uh with Cosmon's financial services representative Mr. Dan Masiello and um Mr. Juan Galvan who represents our our um bond council from Azel Galvan LLP. Um so and of course staff Mr. Gomez and our city attorney's office um are also here to answer any questions council may have. That conclude my Thank you, Yana. Any questions from councel? Seeing none, I'll move the item. We have a first and a second. Can we get a roll call, please?

Madame Mayor, before we take roll call, just for the record, we want to make sure that um we acknowledge uh council member Ayala because he is participating. So before we take that vote, so pursuant to government code section 54953 and 54954.2 subsection B4 given that a forum of the successor agency board is present in person on behalf of member Ayala we will be appearing remotely for just call due to a physical disability as a result of a medical condition thank you thank you Norma our microphones are are very special now so next time move your microphone over I'll be able to hear you very well

awesome thank you we have the report for council member Ayola first and a second. Can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Uh, agency members Zyella. Hi, Ramirez. I, Valencia, I. Vice Mayor and Vice Chair Rios, hi. And chair Perez. Hi. Thank you very much. Moving on to item number four. That's resolution number SA2602. Sus, can we have the staff report?

Yes, Chair Perez and members of the successor agency. So to do all what uh Jana presented uh we need a specialized team um we need an underwriter we need a financial adviser and so the next report is to do just that to hire the financing team. So with that mission Stewart

thank you Mr. Gomez, chairman Paris, members of successor agency agency oversight board. Um this item is really to it takes a lot of uh um professional team to accomplish all that I described uh in the previous staff report. So just move to the key members that um are helping us along the way. Um that would be uh municipal advisor uh Cosmon financial services bone council uh Anzel uh Galvvin LLP everybody has their role um municipal advisor would advise us in as all the aspect of the bond issuance and acts as fiduciary capacity for the city. uh bond council make sure that all the legal requirements and aspects of bond issuance are met and everything is as it needs to be. Underwriter will help us to uh market or purchase the securities and market u them and um uh to is a resale to investors. Disclosure Council is another legal um advisor uh that makes things happen and that would help us with matters uh relating to preparation of preliminary and final official statements that are necessary for all the investors and also fiscal consultant that will um provide all the run all the numbers related to tax increment and and any revenue streams um that are related to to this transaction with um there are also So other team players that have been that will be hired um along the way as a trustee, a rating agency and and other um you know other services. Um all the costs related to bond issuance will be

covered from the bond proceeds and there will be no um transactions coming out of the city or former successor agency. And with all that I would like to um board uh to consider authorizing su resolution of successor agency 26-02 engaging uh of a municipal advisor, fiscal consultant, bond council and disclosure council for the proposed issuance of 2006 tax allocation refunding bonds and the selection of the underwriter and taking certain related actions. That concludes my um report and you know uh Cosmon Financial Services representative and Anzel Galvan LLP are here also um for you if you have any questions. Thank you.

Thank you Jana. Any questions at this time? Right. See none, I'll move the item. Second. Can we have a roll call, please? Agency members. Hi. Ramirez. Hi, Valencia. I, Vice Chair Rios, and Chair Perez. I thank you, Jesus. Do we have an executive director's report tonight? No, just thank you for the approvals. It'll give us more flexibility for our projects. So, thank you for that. Thank you. Do we have any oral communications for successor agency? No, none for successor agency.

All right. Thank you. That portion of our meeting is adjourned at 6:31. We will now move to our regular Norwok City Council meeting six. Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone. I love seeing all the green in the audience. Um we will officially call to order our meeting um for for our Norwok City Council meeting. Um tonight, this evening, we are honored to welcome Pastor Michael Gutierrez, who has served the Norwok community for over seven years. He became the senior pastor of Redeemer Convent Church in 2023 after previously serving as a youth pastor since 2017. In addition to leading the church, he serves as an executive director for the Barnaby Community Center and actively collaborates with local organizations and schools to support and uplift the Norwok community. We are also pleased to welcome young Marine Corpal Cassidy Sanchez, a 12th grader student who has proudly served the Norvok community. As an exampler of her dedication, Young Marine Corpal Sanchez has recently been selected as, are you ready for this? The Unit Marine of the Year for 2026. She continues to display her leadership skills and commitment to giving back to the community as a manager for her high school volleyball team. Pastor Gutierrez and young Marine Corpal Sanchez, you are already ready to lead us. If everyone could please stand and afterwards, we'll invite you both up to join council in the photo.

Thank you. Would you pray with me? Dear God, we thank you. We thank you for this great city of Norwok. We thank you for all the different pieces that make it what it is. God, we thank you for our first responders. We thank you for our local businesses. We thank you for our local churches and we thank you for our schools and we thank you for our city council. Lord, God, I believe that you have put each of them there in their seats to be used by you, God. So I pray as they meet tonight to discuss and process and learn and work towards a better Norwalk, God, I pray that you would bless them with wisdom and discernment, with encouragement and strength and peace, Lord, and that you would lead them to make the best decisions for all those who live, work, and play. Here God, we thank you in Jesus name. Amen. Put your right hand over your heart. Ready?

Aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. One, two, three. Again, welcome everyone and thank you for being here tonight. I will have you know that when we first walked into chambers at 5:00, council member RmIrez thought that it was too cold in here. I thought it was very refreshing. So, I hope you're

enjoying the cool air. Um, sorry, Rick. All right. Um, again, thank you all for joining us tonight. Teresa, can we have a roll call, please? Council member Zella, here. Ramirez here, Valencia here, Vice Mayor Rios here, and Mayor Perez here. Uh, Norma, can we have the close session report, please?

Yes. Thank you, Mayor Perez. And just as a reminder again, pursuant to government code sections 54953 and 54954.2 subsection B4. Given that a quorum of the city council is present in person at roll call on behalf of council member Ayala, he will be appearing remotely for just calls due to a physical disability as a result of a medical condition. Relating to the close session report, city council convened into close session at 5:07 p.m. Uh present were all members of the city council. Uh council member Ayala participated remotely. As to items I uh one, two, and three, uh members of the council were provided with briefings and updates. No reportable final actions were taken on any matter. Uh close session discussions concluded at 6:08 p.m. And that concludes my report.

Thank Thank you, Norma, and thank you for being here with us tonight. All right, moving on to council comments. We'll go ahead and start this evening with council member Ayella. Tony, uh no comments tonight, mayor. Thank you. Next to Council Member Ramirez. Rick, no comments. Thank you, Council Member Anna Valencia. Well, I'll take up their time of that. No, I won't.

Lots of events. No, I'm kidding. Um, just it's it's um it's women's month. It's March, so I know that we've we've all been to several um events and we're celebrating Las Mueres, the women. So congratulations all women on on a month that's welld deserved. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Because as you know women we don't just celebrate a day, an hour week. We celebrate all month long. Right. It's great. All right. So um some of the things that I did uh went to the girls fast pitch Saturday, March 7th. I know that I got there a little bit after the throwing of the ball and what have you, the opening pitch, but um still I was able to talk to some of the girls, hang out, and the little queen bees, I guess, won with their um with their um banner that was oh my god, they were so cute. They had the little antennas and stuff of the bees and how could they not win, right? The little ones. Um but that was really great and we wish them the best of luck. Then also uh Sunday, March 8th was International Women's Day and I was able to um you know I was very honored and and proud to be a part of the phenomenal women at the Norwok Lions Club um which held the second annual women's empowerment tea and that was at the Norwok Arts and Sports Complex. Um I want to just acknowledge um she's schoolboard member Norma Amesa. It was kind of her her and a few other people um La Commissioners Laa Valenuela and Marcel Greenage also commissioner of Norwok who just kind of had these ideas and had this great idea to put a pet together empowerment speakers to inspire our our young ladies and all of us. I

was inspired being there. We had um speakers, congratulations to to the committee for a great, you know, tea uh that they put together. And I want to say also the some of the speakers were our very own uh Mercedes Kintania, the executive director of Door of Hope. Great event. She spoke from the heart and very inspiring. A lot of these uh people have gone through a great deal and I think it shows um how much more they can do. And to those young ladies that were there from Norwok High School, from the lady program and from all over Norwok and and other places too that joined us, they were all leaving very inspired. We also had Stephanie Valenuela, and she's um she used to be just stay-at-home mom, taking care of her kids, and now she's the um I think the teacher of the year over in the Rancho Cukamonga area. Just a wonderful lady. Um there was a Yes. Yes. Oh, Lara, you're here. I didn't see you. I was looking for you. So, Commissioner Valenuela, your daughter has accomplished so much personally. you sometimes, you know, we go through some some dark spots in our life, right? And sometimes we could just can't get over the the little humps, but she did. And she she didn't just go over it. She jumped and she leaped and she's just done amazing. So, congratulations. I've had the honor of being able to call her my friend since probably before co, right? And just a wonderful lady. She's got three boys who keep her very busy, but she's also just a burst of energy all the time. So, and again, congratulations to her. And we also had I couldn't remember her name. She was a doctor who came and talked to us about her life and what

she's gone through and how she's now um got her own family practice. Amazing. Amazing. Um, and then our very own assembly woman, Blanca Pacheco, spoke about her life and and the struggles and and where the struggles and the tribulations as to what she had to go through to be our current um assembly woman and she spoke very well as well. So, Lauda, it was uh fabulously decorated, fabulous. The food was amazing. Thank you so much because I know that you are one of the heart and soul of that team. So, thank you Laa. Yes. And then Saturday, March 14th was the Norwok Little League opening day at Gertie Park. And then right after we had the Pony League pony league at Hollyfield Park and our mayor was great at throwing the ball and yelling out play ball. That was a lot of fun. And then um our colleague uh vice mayor, excuse me, Margarita Rios was also at the Pony League at Hollyfield Park uh right here. She jumped the fence and then just kind of went over. It's she lives right by there. Um but it was so great to see all of the K all of the young ones and uh teens and and the parents just go out there and and get ready for an exciting league, exciting time. and we wish them all well because there's going to be some winners and there's going to be some people that are not going to win, but it's all in good fun and a lot of exercise and just a lot of camaraderie. So, I applaud them and I I hope to be at some of the games as well. Um, then later on that afternoon, I went uh along with Commissioner Greenage, we went to support Blanca Pacheco on an event that she had and met lots of influential and helpful and

resourceful people. So weworked a little and that was um and we had some delicious ceviche. Never had a ceiche that good. Um and actually it was the restaurant of the council member of Downey. Um it's one of the El Pescador and it was fabulous. Um then I Oh, what I'm going to say is I look forward to this Friday. We're going to have Artastic and where we're going to feature all sorts of artics that I really look forward to. I mean, there's so many that we have. Wonderful. But Artastic is just great and there's going to be performances and I'm sure there's going to be talk about it. So, that's this Friday uh at the Norwok Sports and Arts and Sports Complex from 6:00 to 9:00. Alan? Yes. Okay, great. And then I'm also going across the street, crossf fire to go over to the Norwok Elks Lodge. So we have some um you know, we have our young cadets, what have you. Two of them lost their dad. He suddenly had a heart attack. So the Elks is having a fundraiser um to, you know, support the family through this hard time. So, if you do get a chance to stop by this Friday uh at the Norwok Elks, you're more than welcome join them and and just to kind of, you know, uh help out because there's always expenses when those kinds of things happen. But we want to be supportive of our young um cadetses and um just know that let them know that we are there for them. Okay. And uh that's all I have for now. Thank you.

Thank you, Anna. And now to Vice Mayor Rios Margarita. Thank you, mayor. I want to welcome everyone to our meeting today. Just a couple of things and uh that I wanted to share. So, I do want to congratulate all the ladies, all the women. Um it is March is women's history month. So, to all of you um who work day in and day out, you have many very different roles that you play. Sometimes you play them all. So, congratulations to all of you. And I I hope that you uh have an enjoyable not just month, but rest of the year. I did participate in Congresswoman Sanchez's Women's History Month uh summit. And so that was um really nice to just be able to collaborate and network with other like-minded um women who are working really hard to improve their communities uh and raise really good families. So um I can definitely appreciate that. As far as the opening ceremony, that was really really nice. Um good planning by our park and wreck. I just I do want to share um so I walk um the park at Hollyfield specifically um at least once a day and I can I want to share that to our public services uh I saw them there very regularly working so hard to get the fields ready. Um so I just want to give them a special shout out. you know, them working behind the scenes to to get the fields, the grass, playgrounds, the park just looking spectacular. So, please give them a a thank you on our part. Also wanted to share that we um Jesus, myself, and Azie, who else did Oh, and Gabby, we took a tour to our West Coast Arborist facility in the city of Anaheim. And if you haven't already heard or hopefully you are aware that we are working on updating our urban forest

management tree plan. And so we want to make sure that as we move forward with this plan um we're working very closely with West Coast Arborist to determine where are we going to plant our trees, what type of trees are we going to plant, um how are we going to miticate some of the infrastructure issues because unfortunately sometimes trees are not planted in the right location. But as I like to say, that's not the treere's fault. That's poor planning. So, we want to um do all of that and increase our tree canopy. We have about 9,000 um locations where we have missing trees that we've either removed and not replaced um or have removed and are not there for uh other reasons. So, um the environment is something that I I really um I push for and so um we want to make sure that as we update our urban forest management tree plan that we learn from the past and and do things um a little bit differently this this time around. So, that was a really nice tour. West Coast Arborist uh hosted us. um our young men's group, young men's support group for ages 15 and 25. For those of you that are don't know, the city does have a young men's support group, again between the ages of 15 and 25. They do meet every second and fourth Tuesday. And I want to thank Miguel Ooa for his positive feedback. I recommended a speaker, one of our local business entrepreneurs, um, motivational speaker. He's overall a really, really nice guy. And so he took time out of his very busy schedule to go and speak and present during one of the um, group meetings and um, Miguel shared. Miguel, you're here, right, Miguel? Raise your hand. There he is.

Um, he leads our young men's group. Is that right, Miguel? Yes. Okay, perfect. And um thank you for the feedback uh that the group shared as as far as um Mark being a very inspirational and motivational speaker and contributing um to the group. So if you're interested or know of a young young man between the ages of 15 and 25, let them know that there's a place in Norwalk where they can um continue their growth professionally and personally and we would love to help with that. Um also, let's see what else do I have here. Oh yes, one more thing. So LA County Care Community Village is the new um care and housing center that's going to be housed at Metropolitan State uh hospital location. They had a groundbreaking. That is something that the Norwok uh city of Norwok, the team has been working very diligently with LA County um to do something there that would benefit the community. So when they did have their groundbreaking, they definitely affirmed that uh Norwok, the city of Norwok, our residents and those members, individuals that um are going through housing and security or other um maybe they need health care, mental health support, whatever that case may be. Uh that we will have first dibs and we are going to hold them to it. I know Karen from our Norwok Business Chamber was there. She heard it. So I got a witness. Yes, we are going to hold them to it. Um, one of the the really neat pieces about this, I mean there there's several neat pieces besides obviously having another resource location for the city of Norwok to be able to um refer to, but part of this new housing um that

they're building there at the LA um care village is for transitional age youth. Those are youth that come out of the foster care system once they turn 18. they no longer have that support and unfortunately often end up homeless. So part of what's going to be take place there is is supportive housing for the Tay tradition transitional age youth. And so that I'm really excited about that because um we don't need our young people to suffer through you know homelessness. So there they'll be able to have housing, they'll have support for job, training, education, etc. So it's a very very positive positive thing. Um and um so we're we're again, as I said, working very closely with LA County, make sure that we Norwok gets continues to have a seat at the table. Okay. And uh with that, that's all I have. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Margarita. Just to add on a few additional events that I attended, uh we recently had the Norwok Education Alliance mock interviews where we partner with the Norwok Chamber, our school district, um Celico Web, and we give the opportunity for junior, seniors in high school both in Norwok, John Glenn, Lamarada, and Santa Fe High School a chance to prepare a resume and do their very first interview. Some of them have never ever um been in an interview at all. And so this is an opportunity for us to give them that chance, get rid of the the initial shock and the butterflies from sitting in front of somebody and asking questions, but really to then take feedback, improve, and go on to the the next one. Um so I'm always excited that I'm able to participate. Thank you Karen and the entire team um from Norwok Education Alliance for consistently partnering with the recreation department and all the high schools to put this event on each year. Um you heard about opening days. Again, I wanted to echo the sentiments that Margarita shared. The fields look amazing. Um Albert, thank you very much. Um Alan, we talked about it earlier today. I was really impressed on both Gerties um and Hollyfield Park how the fields looked amazing. It was really great to to see and to be there with all of the families. Um, and the last event that I wanted to bring up, we did hear different events that we've attended with Women's History Month. Uh, the Norwok Chamber has brought back for the second year in a row the Women's Leadership Breakfast. Um, it was held on uh this past Friday and it has grown. It's bigger than what it was last year. Um last year we were able to sponsor about 20 students um ages uh seventh and eighth grade and then Southeast Academy

um young female students to come and listen to these powerful leaders. And this year we had over 40 students there and they got to hear the theme of be bold, be brave and be event. Um, we had a vice president from Southern California Edison. Uh, we had a representative from LA County Chargers there to speak to the young ladies. Um, we also had Patty Yun from Yun Family Restaurants who owns three McDonald's here in the city of Norwok. Um, it really was a great day and Karen, I'm I'm always blown away with this event and I just want to thank you again for always bringing it to our community, our business members, and now to our students because I really think um it truly makes an impact. So, thank you for that. Um, I do have another event, but I'm going to hold that comment um until after Jesus um makes some comments of his own. But before we get there, we do have a few special projects uh special presentations this evening. And the first is always is one that I'm proud to celebrate each and every year. And that is to proclaim the 2025 Norwok Transit System Distinguished Operators of the Year. Tonight, the city of Norwok is pleased to recognize several individuals and employees for their outstanding contributions to our community with the Norwok Transit team. First, we're going to proclaim National Norwok Transit System Appreciation Day, recognizing the dedicated transit professionals who provide safe, reliable, and essential transportation services to our residents each and every day. And second, we're going to congratulate

two of our very own. First, Jose Tanokco and Joseph Hoe, who have been selected as the 2025 Norwok Transit System Distinguished Operators of the Year. And in recognition of their exceptional customer service and commitment to safety and to serving the Norwok community. On behalf of the Norwok City Council, we thank you all for your service and congratulate you on this welldeserved recognition. At this time, we want to invite the entire Norwok Transit team that is here with us tonight, including Mr. Jim Parker, to the front so with council we can celebrate your accomplishments. Congratulations. Hello beautiful. You're gonna stand right here. Okay.

All right. We're going to go behind I was her teacher. I was her teacher. And one more.

Perfect. Thank you all. All right, moving on to our next special presentation. Tonight, the city of Norwok is pleased to recognize the CD Cobras soccer team for their outstanding achievements. This team has won the winter season championship at the Cypress meet. Congratulations. The CD Cobras is a local youth soccer organization dedicated to developing young athletes through teamwork and a passion for the game. Through their commitment, the team continues to represent Norwok and the community with pride. Their recent championship win reflects the hard work of the players as well as the dedication and leadership of their coaches, staff, and their families who support them both on and off the field. On behalf of the Norwok City Council, we congratulate the CD Cobra soccer team on a remarkable accomplishment and wish them continued success for the future. And at this time, if we can invite the team and the coaches uh to the front so we can take a photo and celebrate your success.

So you guys can line up here all the way. Congratulations there. All right, we're gonna go behind you. lost certific Oh, this is ready. Congratulations today. Awesome.

Spell everything. Nothing. I I want to congratulate you all again for uh your championship. Thank you so much uh for working so hard towards that and thank you to all the parents, the coaches that are here supporting your youth. You know, this is all about youth leadership, all about supporting our youth in the city of Norwok. So, thank you for for coming and presenting here with all of us today. And I know that we have one of our commissioner Ray, right? You're one of your Yes. Let's now hear Ray's son was the one that made the winning, right?

All right. Two. Thank you. And Ray, you've been in the city of Norwok for how long now? Long time. All right. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Moving on to our city manager comments. I'm going to go ahead and turn it over to Mr. Gomez. Jesus.

Yes. Mayor, members of city council, and those who are visiting us and our residents, um, first of all, happy St. Patrick's Day and, um, hope you're celebrating uh, all day uh, safely. Um, next, uh, I have, uh, two introductions of, uh, promotions that we've had in our city. And so, tonight I would like to start off with to introduce our new housing leazison, Miguel Ooa. And if you could stand Miguel Ooa has promoted to his role as of March 2nd, 2026. He has been a valued member of the team for almost four years and has made meaningful contributions to the department. Miguel started as a part-time office assistant one for public safety, then moved to the social services department as a social services worker one moved up to a full-time social services worker two and has now been promoted as the new housing leaison. Miguel graduated from the from Cal State University Fullerton alma mater with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Miguel will be conducting street outreach to assist people who are experiencing homelessness and connecting them to services. Fun facts, Miguel in his free time trains in kickboxing and competes. He also enjoys going to the movies. And Miguel, congratulations. I would also like to introduce our new management analyst, Albertina Arsate, also known as Tina. Tina was promoted to this role as of February 4th, 2026. She has been a valued member of the team for 10 years.

As of next week, Tina started off as a recreation leader two, moved up to assistant office assistant one, moved up to office assistant two, and has now been promoted as a new management analyst. Tina will continue to oversee the nutrition team and social services complete city, county, and state reporting. Fun facts, Tina enjoys spending her summers camping at Yusede National Park with her family. These promotions reflect not only their hard work and professionalism, but also their dedication to the community we serve. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and look forward to their continued contributions in their new roles. Please join me in congratulating them on this welldeserved achievement. Thank you. Next, um just want to announce that we have cooling stations as our temperatures rise. Um we have our cooling stations. Um and please attend. Uh we they are airond conditioned for you to uh spend some time there if you have no other place uh to um have air conditioning. Next, um, some great news, uh, that we received today. Um, earlier today at the Kenneth Han Administration building in Los Angeles, the city of Norwok was awarded a $4 million grant for the Hermosio Park rehabilitation, infiltration, and storm water capture project. The grant was in the category of natural lands, local beaches, water conservation and protection through the regional park and open space district which is administered to the county of Los Angeles parks and recreation department. A total of four of $78

million were awarded to numerous public agencies and nonprofits, including the city of Norwok for $4 million. Alan, congratulations to you and your team for continually to look for funding for our parks. Uh the parks are are a priority for the city council and um the continued success uh of getting funding will be able to provide uh much more beautiful parks here in the city of Norwok. So with that, thank you very much. Appreciate it. Next, we have um a video uh related to mock interviews uh that Karen um helps uh lead and the uh school district. Uh we'd like to show you um some um experiences that the uh uh students had u a great great program here in the city of Norwalk. So, with that, we'll go ahead and play the video. On March 5th, 2026, the city of Norwok in partnership with the Norwok Education Alliance hosted the annual mock interviews event at the Norwok Arts and Sports Complex. Local high school students have the opportunity to participate in real world interview practice with community leaders and professionals gaining valuable experience to help prepare for their future.

Is the Norwok Education Alliance mock interviews. It's an opportunity that we give to our juniors and seniors in our high schools here in the city of Norwok to come and experience a fullfledged interview. The mock interviews are so important because it gives our youth the opportunity to share about themselves, really think about what they're doing in their life, their education, and how they're planning for their future. Throughout the event, students received guidance, feedback, and encouragement from business leaders and professionals in various fields, helping them build confidence, and strengthen their professional skills.

Today's event's a great event. It is a positive for the city, the city of Norwok. Great opportunity for them to learn life skills and possibly when they're looking for a new job. This event is very important because we get to practice together, doing some of the things that are a little more challenging like interviewing for a job. Uh having that hope, knowing that that job is going to come, but feeling where we're ready, uh we're practiced uh when we step into those interviews. Students also wrote thank you cards for their interviewers, showing appreciation for the time and mentorship they received.

Check it out, guys. Jason, Mr. Rosewood, your chamber board president. Today is mock interview day here at the Norwok Sports Complex. And it's great to see the community come together, the high schools come in. I believe we have four to five high schools here, and it's good to see the kids, the the the students come in and want to make a difference on their interview. students should participate in this event because they don't know what they don't know. So, if you've never interviewed for a job, um it's really hard to prepare for that and it also demystifies the process. It gives them um feedback and hopefully prepares them for really doing well when it actually counts for a job. Thank you to the Norwok Education Alliance, our dedicated volunteers, and the Recreation and Park Services Department for making this event possible and continuing to invest in the future leaders of Norwok. It's a great great program for our young youth at um probably their first interview in their life and it gets the jitters out of them and hopefully they'll um uh a road to success beginning with these interviews. Um the next is a bi-weekly re review video activities that have occurred here in the city. Please uh participate. summer is starting and we have lots and lots of uh programs for you, for your kids, family members, for everyone in our community. So, we'll go ahead and play this uh bi-weekly video. On March 2nd, the city of Norwok's social services department hosted a game time event to recognize the dedication and hard work of the department's social workers at the senior center. Thank you to our social workers for the compassion

and commitment you bring to our community. In celebration of ReadAcross America Week, the Norwok Public Safety and the Norwok Sheriff's Department visited Edmonson Elementary on March 5th to read with students and celebrate the power of books and learning. The Norwok Aquatic Pavilion kicked off its spring swim lessons on March 14th. Recreation swim instructors helped new swimmers build confidence in the water while learning floating techniques and developing their strokes. Thank you very much. Lots of activities here in city of Norwok. Um, next, um, if I may, um, I would like to request to pull item number 14 from the agenda. Um, to a future date. Um, no specific date yet. Um, and then, uh, my last item would be the, uh, update on my ICE activities. Uh so tonight I want to update the council and our community on the city's efforts to provide outreach, counseling, and legal services to Norwok families impacted by ICE activities. Since our last council meeting on March 3rd, 2026, Chir will continue to educate residents about their legal rights and available community resources this month. Um the next u know your rights outreach session will be held at the senior center tomorrow, March 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Um our food pantry, we have served um 115 um individuals uh this the from the last uh meeting, city council meeting. Uh the city also encouraged families impacted by ICE enforcement

activities and homelessness to reach out to the social services department for assistance. Um we have calls related to ICE. We have one walk-ins, zero referrals, zero hotline messages, zero and red cards, 14. That concludes my city manager reports. Thank you very much. Thank you, Jesus. Moving on to our consent calendar. We have eight items. Can I get a motion? I'll move it. Second. Have a first and a second. Can we have a roll call, please? Council members Ayella. I. Ramirez. I. Valencia. I. Vice Mayor Rios. I.

Mayor Perez. I abstain on the list of trucks and commercial demands that I gave to Teresa already. All right. Moving on to appointments. Do we have any appointments this evening? Great. Seeing it. Yeah. Uh Jennifer, I do have one appointment. Okay, Tony, go ahead. I'd like to appoint uh Bora Venuela to the Historical Heritage Commission. Wonderful. I'll second that.

Do we have any other appointments or is that the only one? Right. Can we have a roll call? Council member Zella. Hi, Ramirez. Hi, Valencia. Hi, Vice Mayor Rios. Hi, and Mayor Perez. Hi. And I think Laura's here. Yep. Would you mind coming up to the podium and uh doing your oath for us? There's a button right there to press for the speaker.

Thank you. Please raise your right hand. Um I and state your name. Valenuela. do solemnly swear do solemnly swear do you that I will support and defend that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies foreign and domestic against all enemies foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and allegiance that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States to the Constitution ution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California

and the Constitution of the State of California. that I take this obligation freely That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion and that I well and faithfully and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties discharge the duties upon which I'm about to enter upon which I am about to enter.

Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Okay, we are moving into our public hearings. Um item number 10, public hearing, proposed activities for fiscal year 2026 27 annual action plan for the community community development block grant and home investment partnership program. Jesus, can I will open the public hearing and Teresa, can we have the public notice report, please? Yes, mayor, members of the city council, notice of the um public hearing was posted on two, I'm sorry, two, February 26 at the city's three official sites and on our website. It was also published on February 27th in the city's adjudicated newspaper as well as laon. Uh we received one communication today from Melanie FAR from a an organization called upwards in support. That's my report. Thank you. Jesus, can we have the staff report?

Yes, Miss Bethany Cardinas will present. Thank you, Mr. Gomez.

Good evening, honorable mayor and members of the city council. We are here to present public hearing item number 10 which outlines the proposed activities for the fiscal year 2627 annual action plan for the community development block grants and home investment partnership programs both funded by the US department of housing and urban development. The purpose of tonight's hearing is to allow the council and the public to review and provide input on these proposed activities before the formal public review period begins. CDBG and home are federal entitlement programs. Each year, the city is required to submit an annual action plan to HUD outlining how it will use these funds. The programs come with important federal requirements, including caps on administrative and social services spending, requirements for public private partnership, and mandatory compliance with HUD's national objectives. All activities funded through CDBG and home must meet at least one of HUD's three national objectives. Decent housing, a suitable living environment, or expanded economic opportunities. Funds can benefit individual households that meet income limits such as by repairing a specific home or provide areawide benefits in census tracks where at least 51% of residents are low to moderate income. CDBG funds can support a range of community development activities, including capital improvements, economic development, and certain public services like counseling and job training. Home funds are more restricted and may only be used for housing related activities. Federal regulations cap CDBG public services at 15% of the entitlement which comes to approximately 141,000 this year and cap program and administration at 20% for CDBG and 10% for home.

The city notified 89 nonprofit agencies in November 2025 to announce the availability of CDBG public services funding. 12 applications were received by the December deadline. On January 8th, the Social Services Commission reviewed and discussed all applications and together with the Social Services Director made funding recommendations for council's consideration. The full list of recommended agencies and funding amounts is included in the draft annual action plan attached to tonight's staff report. This slide shows how CDBG funds will be utilized based on funding estimates. The city anticipates approximately $1,65,871 in CDBG funds for fiscal year 2627. These figures include $940,871 entitlement funds and $125,000 in carryover in program income from prior years. It's important to note that HUD has not yet confirmed final entitlement amounts. If there are cuts to the city's allocation, the figures will be adjusted accordingly and the annual auction plan will reflect the actual funding reality. The funding details are breakdown for various projects and activities supported by CDBG. Allocations include 175,000 for program administration, 13,000 for fair housing, 75,000 for the emergency services program, $20,000 each for community legal aid, Hovveness, Inc. and the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, $622,000 for capital improvement, $100,000 for economic development activities, and $20,000 for Upwards, Inc., a child care business microenterprise. Here are the funding recommendations from the social services commissioners

and director. For the emergency services program, we have $75,000 to target 25 households. Community legal aid, the recommendation is $20,000 for 50 households. COVID, $20,000 targeting 15 individuals. and the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, $20,000 for 200 individuals. The next few slides serve as a reminder of council's questions from the February 3rd meeting regarding the services offered by the emergency services program. This program administered by the social services department provides crucial support to individuals and families in crisis to prevent homelessness, homelessness and displacement. They offer rental assistant assist rental utility assistance for up to three months as well as lodging vouchers for temporary shelter lasting up to three days for those experiencing homelessness. To be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Norwok for at least six consecutive months and have a total gross household income at or below 80% of the area medium income. The council also inquired about which services were provided to the 19 Norwok households. The pie chart illustrates the percentages of the 19 families that received assistance, some of whom received multiple types. 63% of the services were for utility assistance, 29 were for rental assistance, and 8% were for lodging and emergency housing. The social services department conducts community outreach through school events, workshops, city events, resource fairs, and social media to promote. Council inquired about the specific services that legal aid provides. Community legal aid offers legal assistance for domestic violence, elder abuse, tenant landlord disputes, debt collection and bankruptcy, consumer

protection, tax laws, wills for seniors, and family law. These services are for Norwok residents with incomes below 80% of the area medium income. This slide illustrates the services that legal aid provides and outreach. Out of 87 individuals assisted, the pie chart illustrates the specific services provided. Again, some residents may have received more than one type of assistance. The breakdown of services is as follows. domestic violence or elder abuse at 31%, tenant landlord issues at 26%. Debt collection at 14%, and miscellaneous services, including small claims, assistance for disabled clients, and consumer issues at 29%. Residents can request help on their website, by calling the hotline, or scheduling an in-person consultation. Their outreach methods include municipal materials, local events, and social media. Inc. supports transition age youth who are experiencing homelessness. They provide short-term motel vouchers for stays of up to two weeks with longerterm housing placements arranged through the coordinated entry system. To be eligible for assistance, the youth must be residents of city of Norwok and are presumed to be primarily low to moderate income. Lacata offers behavioral health and substance use treatments tailored specifically for individuals experiencing homelessness. Their services include outpatient and residential care, outreach programs, afterchool programs, job development, overdose prevention, and community education. They must be residents of the city of Norwok and have low to moderate income. This slide outlines the breakdown of home funds. The estimated grant

entitlement is $242,049 and the carryover and program income total $1,23,732. The program administration cap is set at $24,24 and there is a 30 $30,000 allocated for security deposit assistance and $200,000 designated for affordable housing rehabilitation. Over $1 million is also earmarked for affordable housing projects. In total, the home funding amounts to $1,265,781. The draft annual action plan activities reflect estimated funding amounts for entitlement, carryover, and program income. The city will adjust these amounts as necessary and prepare a final AAP that reflects the actual funding. The city council has the authority to modify or council funding for activities, but cannot add new activities without a 30-day public review period. The final public hearing for the adoption of the AAP is scheduled for May 5th, 2026, followed by a May 15th deadline to submit the plan to HUD. A substantial amendment can be considered for future changes to approved activities. There is no fiscal impact to the city's general fund. CDBG and home programs are funded by HUD. Staff recommends that city council and members of the public provide input on the proposed activities tonight before the formal 30-day public review period begins on March 30th. After that period, no new activities can be added without restarting the process. This concludes my report and staff is happy to answer any questions that council may have. Thank you.

Thank you, Bethany. All right, I do have one speaker card for this item. Miss Shelby Knox, community legal aid. Shelby, are you still here? Step forward to the podium. You have three.

Good evening. Um, thank you, Madame Mayor, Madame Vice Mayor, city council members. I just wanted to come tonight to thank you on behalf of the board and staff and clients of community legal aid for your support of our work and for your consideration of our proposal for next year. I don't have much to add to your lovely presentation that you gave. Um although I do want to clarify that we do not handle tax law but um besides that everything that was on the list is something that we provide free civil legal services. And I also would like to uh thank you for your continued support from your social services center which partners with us to offer a clinic over their um voice on Wednesdays each month. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I know we had one email that was put into public record that was received. Any other cards for this item? No.

All right. We'll go ahead and close the public hearing. I'll bring it back to council. Any questions, comments? So Bethany, I I know we are just looking for comments and input and this is going to be a continued work in progress. I want to thank you for really answering the questions and some of the specifics that we were work looking for from the previous report. Um again I think this year when we originally looked at it is great to see the numbers of how many families were helped. Um and then answering the questions that we did have. So, I appreciate you getting that additional information. Any other comments? All right, then we will see you on the next one.

Thank you. Thank you, Bethany. All right, moving on to item number 11 and that is a public hearing ordinance number 26-1768, zoning tax amendment number 2026-01 adding chapters to title 16 subdivisions in title 17 zoning of the Norwok Municipal Code to implement the provisions of Senate bills 9 and 450 and amending various sections of title 17 zoning as it relates to zoning development substandards standards and uses. is we will officially open the public hearing. Teresa, can we have the report, please?

Yes, mayor, members of the city council. Notice of this item was posted on the city's three official sites and the website on February 20th. Was also published on the same date in the city's adjudicated newspaper and we have received no communications. Thank you. Jesus, can we have the report, please?

Yes. Thank you, mayor, members of city council. This is one item that um the state has um legislated to the uh cities um and that's um across uh the state of California and um this is related to our housing zoning laws uh that have made them in in my opinion probably the easiest way to explain it much more laxed to develop on single family properties and so we are having to adopt um those laws into our code. Um so this uh presentation and this um ordinance will do that. Um so with that we have Miss Nancy Lee that will present.

Thank you Mr. Gomez. Good evening uh mayor and members of the city council. So uh the ordinance being uh presented before you. Um you're probably already familiar with it. Um um in order to codify uh the S SP9 and SB450 um as mandated by the state um the this act will consist of adding chapters to ch title 16 or subdivisions and title 17 uh under zoning of the Norwok Municipal Code. Um just as a uh brief uh background um SP9 uh was adopted by the state and allows single family residential zones to be subdivided into two parcels which also is known as an urban lot split for the development of up to two dwellings on each newly created parcel. Upon completion of a lot split, up to four dwellings total, also called urban dwellings, can be built on a lot that was previously zoned for one lot. Uh local agencies are required to approve SB9 projects administrative. Sorry for context. Um the zoning map for the city of Norwalk is shown here. The yellow color represents the R1 single family residential zones in the city. As you can see it's the most uh predominant zone in um predominant land land use in the city. According to the housing element, the city has 21,826 single family residential units with 63% of those units being occupied. On January 6, uh, 2025, SB50, I'm sorry, SB450 became effective, which further reduce local control, uh, as it relates to SB9 units. Generally, cities may not impose standards on urban

dwellings that do not apply uniformally to developments in the underlying zone. For example, um imposing a a maximum lot size for the urban dwellings. As such, staff has prepared the code amendments to be as conservative as possible while also complying with SB9 and SB50. Uh for the urban lot splits, uh chapter 16.02 02 article 8 was is recommended to be added uh which allows for by subdivisions under SB9. Uh general procedures uh development and design standards and explorations are among state standards being codified. Uh the chapter also provides standards for urban lot splits in relation to zoning, number of parcels, minimum lot sizes, parcel configuration and specifies that separate uh utilities and services are required. Further uh owner occupancy requirements and limitations to urban lot splits are specified. This new section, this is a just a simple example of an urban lot split. um without dwellings uh for clarity of an interior lot for a proposed with under the proposed urban lot split standards. The top um illustration shows um an existing parcel at 5,000 square ft originally in size. um if it's proposed to be split under the new uh urban lawn split standards. Uh underneath um for the second illustration below uh shows new parcel number one located at the front what was the front of the parcel at 3,000 ft in size with an access easement for the rear parcel. New parcel number two is located at the rear and is required to

be a minimum of 2,000 square ft in size or 40% of the lot size. Um in this example, it's a a corner lot that's um 10,000 square ft in size. Uh, new parcel number one would be created at 4,000 square feet in size or a minimum of 40% of the original lot size with the street frontage of 60 ft being met along the longer street side. Parcel a new parcel number two is 6,000 square ft in size with the frontage of 60 ft being provided at the street frontage the short the shorter side. Um staff is also recommending new a new section which um would provide for development standards for urban dwellings and uh specifies definitions of key terms, application processes, uh design standards, occupancy and limitations and exemptions. Notably, some limitations include no short-term rentals of urban dwellings, which would be rentals for less than 30 days. Um, also accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units would also uh not be allowed to be constructed in conjunction with urban dwellings or urban lots. Um, this chart just shows the um new section that's in the zoning code for urban dwellings. Um we're uh noting minimum and max floor area ratio, building height, front and street side setbacks um to follow the underlying zoning as it does not prohibit as long as they don't prohibit a maximum of two new 800 foot urban dwellings. The setbacks for the rear and interior site are 4 ft. Open space is required at 200 square ft per unit. Parking will be required in the form of

a onecar garage unless the site meets certain criteria to be exempt from parking on site. Um staff also is recommending um design standards as they pertain to uh primary single family dwellings, one urban dwelling on the site and also for um two new urban dwellings being developed. Um the goal of these standards is to uh ensure that there's high quality materials being used and that the uh exterior appearances appearances are compatible with each other. Um so this site just illustrates the typical single uh single family residential building footprint in Norwok. The top is a single family residence with an attached garage and the bottom illustrates a single family residence with a detached garage in the rear portion of with the recommended urban dwelling standards. Properties in the R1 zone are allowed two dwelling units which can be one primary unit with an urban dwelling and also um I'm sorry with an urban dwelling um in the rear with without the lot split. So up to two units scenario with an urban lot split. Um the footprint of what can be built is shown on these slides. Uh properties in the R1 zone would be allowed to split into would be allowed to split into two lots with two urban dwellings um up to two urban dwellings being constructed new lot. Um, also in addition to the proposed um, amendments to the code, uh, staff is also including the following text amendments in order to comply with housing element obligations. Um, they include updating the emergency shelter

definition. Um, allowing Byite approval of multif family projects with at least 20% affordability. uh adding group homes um with seven or more residents as a permitted use with the cup in the R2, R3, R4, and RH zones and adding group homes with six or fewer uh residents as permitted in the R2 as a use permitted by right in the R2, R3, R4, and RH zone. Um eliminating the sliding scale for maximum allowable density based on lot size in R2 and R3 zones. and then also reducing the minimum lot size requirements for the for the R4 zone. Uh staff is also just for some code cleanup. Um uh revising the illustration for lot coverage and then also just clarifying the minimum density of 30 dwelling units per acre for mixeduse development. On February 25, 2026, the planning uh commission reviewed the proposed ordinance. Um during the meeting, the planning commission did hear from uh one resident who was in support of the zoning text amendment uh for the construction of SB9 unit. Uh following the public hearing, the planning commission unanimous uni unanimously recommended um that city council approve um the proposed order as presented by um so with that the um staff recommends that city council consider and find that um ordinance number 26-17- I'm sorry 1968 um exempt from the

California Environmental Quality Act and introduced by title only ordinance number 26-1768 um and schedule for adoption. That concludes my presentation. I can answer any questions of council. Thank you, Nancy. Teresa, do we have anybody wishing to speak on this item? No, not that I'm aware.

Thank you. you'll go ahead and close the public hearing and bring it back to council for comments or questions. The the only the only com I have lots of comments on this one. I think everybody has heard me talk about SB9 before. Um and I really hope our residents understand that that what this is and Jesus said that the state created and gave us legislation. Well, they didn't give us legislation. They gave us a state mandate. Um, and I think there's a really big difference. And what the state is saying is that you can take your home, your single family home, and you can subdivide it into two, and you can put two new houses on each of those subdivisions to create four brand new housing units on your single family home and not allow this the city to have requirements in regards to parking, setbacks, anything of that nature. So when you see this happening, I really hope our residents understand and realize that it is not the city but it is coming from a state mandate. Um so with my comments on what you have done as making it as clear as possible and to protect the city as much as possible by putting these new text amendments in there. I truly appreciate it because this really can go sideways sideways quickly. Any other comments, questions? We need a vote on this one. Correct, Teresa? All right, I'll make a motion.

Second. We have a first and two seconds. We'll go Margarita because I heard her first. Can we have a roll call, please? Council members Ayella. I, Ramirez. Hi, Valencia. I, Vice Mayor Rios, Mayor Perez,

I. Thank you, Nancy. All right, moving on to our next item. Number 12, resolution number 26-15, terms and conditions of the employment for the city of Norwok and the Norwok city employees association, general and hourly units and resolution number 26-16, adoption of a n-step salary schedule for the Norwok City Employees Association. We'll now open the public hearing. Teresa, can we have the public notice report? Yes, mayor, members of the city council. Notice of this item was posted on the city's three official sites and our website on March 6th. Was also published on the same date in the city's adjudicated newspaper and we've received no communications.

Thank you, Teresa Jesus. Can we have a staff report? Yes, mayor, members of the city council. Mr. Azie Ramos will present.

Uh, thank you Jesus. Mayor, vice mayor, and honorable members of the city council. Um, I'd like to report that the city has completed all the required negotiation impass procedures with the city of Norwok's employee association and is now authorized to implement the one-year last best and final offer issued on a August 6 of 2025. But before I begin, I want to take a brief moment to acknowledge our employees for the incredible work that they do every day that aligns to our city's mission. I also want to acknowledge the leadership team on both sides, the union. They too play an important role in the labor process. And I want to acknowledge their efforts in over a year's process. And I also want to acknowledge our city staff who have also contributed to this important process today. But I want to be able to spend the next couple minutes to walk you through two important resolutions that are before you for your consideration. Resolution 26:15 and 2616 authorizes the city to implement the new employment term and conditions including a n-step salary schedule increasing employees to market levels effective the starting pay period of March 29. our employees will see on their paycheck

April 17th the increase of those adjustments. But I think what's important is to communicate to all of you that this action does not prevent the ongoing negotiation on behalf of the union. instead establish a new salary structure as a f as a foundation for ongoing and future bargaining sessions. Just to give a little context to my presentation, I'd just like to go back how we all got here today. As many of you know, the agreement, our agreement between the city and the union expired on June 30th, 2025. And in January 15th, we started the negotiations. And I've got to be honest with all of you, these negotiations, while important, have been challenging at times. And we haven't always agreed on everything with the union, but in the 19 meetings that we held, we agreed tenatively on 18 agreements during those negotiation sessions. On August 6, the union and its memberships declined the city's best and final offer. And while I respect their position, that action led us to an impass in September of 2025 due to some of the unresolved issues.

Now, when two parties disagree on issues, two parties who are committed and align with the city's mission, we rely on what we call an impass procedure. And those mediations started in September 19th and concluded on the 22nd. And later as a final step of those impass procedures, we relied on what we called the impass factf finding procedures. And in complying with the law and the transparency that the community demands from all of us, we made that report public on February 11th. I want to spend the next couple minutes to talk about the legality about this process. The MMBA and the implementation of these terms are governed by government code section 3500 through 3511 which outlines clearly the negotiation and impact factf finding processes and implementation procedures. And after mediation and factf finding as a publicly a public agency we have to adhere to government section 350.7 in which we did but I also want to let you know that the uni unilateral implementation of this adoption of these two resolutions does not and the rights of unions and they certainly do not end the continued negotiations on subsequentus.

Now I want to talk about what is the factf finding process. I have a photograph depicting the process in a big picture if I will. The number one process of it is the submitting of evidence. The panel consists of a chairperson who's a neutral arbitrator. The union gets to get one representative and so does the city. That factf finding panel reviews the evidence submitted to them. Second part is they carefully review the evidence before them for compensation fiscal and compatibility data. They also probably do another important part of the process is to assess the legality of the factf finding requirements. The panel then makes a recommendation that is advisory to the council and despite those efforts and which I've said to all of you a factf finding report was made public on February 11th but despite those efforts and ongoing negotiations with the union we were not able to come to an agreement. the compensation study on the ninestep schedule structure. Want to spend a little bit of time talking about that. Before I I get into that, I want to

remind all of you that in November of 2024, the city hired a neutral consulting uh firm to conduct a comprehensive market analysis of our pay. Both the city and the union agreed to compare our salaries with the salaries of six other cities in the surrounding area. Those cities were the city of Carson, the city of Downey, city of Pico Rivera, the city of Torrance, and the city of Whittier. Members of the city council, our goal by the city has always bring is was always to bring our employees to market level rates and to address pay compression and differences between job levels. The ninestep salary schedule is different than what we have today. We currently have a five-step salary schedule. We have about 177 full-time employees that are at the last step. This salary structure is intended to bring employees to market levels. With the pay increase effective on March 29th, our employees on their April 17 check will see an increase in pay. But I also want to remind all of you that this adjustment in the pay scale is not the same as cola. The cost of living increase is a

separate item that still is yet to be negotiated. So the city has completed the required impass process procedures, but we not have been able to reach a full agreement. The city council can now lawfully implement the last best and final offer issued on August 6. There's a couple actions for you to consider if you decide to adopt this resolution today. By doing so, you implement the ninestep salary schedule. You approve 18 tenative agreements. You get to bring our employees to market. And more importantly, you will continue to keep negotiations so that we can resolve the unresolved issues with our union. I've got to tell you just like our mission there's about 35 boards in there. I think you've had visited some of our offices you get to opportunity to see them. There's about 35 words in there. I can tell you the honesty, the efficiency, and the fiscal leadership, the is important words in that mission statement, but there's one word that in my opinion is the most important, and that's committed. We are committed in bargaining with our union in good faith as we continue in these negotiations. What's it going to cost us to bring our employees to market? And I want to spend

a couple minutes on that. Many of you guys, many of you have seen the uncertainty in the markets. I don't have to say it's been been on social media. It's been on news reports. The things we're facing in Norwok are not exclusive to Norwok. They're happening throughout the region. But I just want to give you the costs of implementation to implement the terms and conditions of employment. I can bring your attention to the red arrow. We're now about a quarter way through the year. Bringing our employees to market is going to cost us about 448979 the first year. That means tonight if you adopt these resolutions effective March 29th we bring our people to market the following year there's a significantly paid adjustment. It's going to cost us The increase substantial to 2,572 is largely in part to what I mentioned earlier. We've got 177 employees who are at full-time. Bringing them to market this year, we've got to pay their next step increase. And so it goes on on the following subsequent years. The assumptions of the numbers that I provide up there are conservative numbers that I'd like all of you to consider. But there's a couple things that it does not include. It does not include cola increase

and it does not include any costs for medical that are still yet to be negotiated. These resolutions are a big deal for our city. I think we have the best employees and staff. Tonight I the staff recommends that the city council adopt resolution 2615 resolution of the city council of this city of Norwok implementing the terms and conditions of employment for the city of Norwok and the Norwok city employees association general and hourly units and resolution 26 2616 resolution of the city council of the city of Norwok implementing and adopting the nine steps salary schedules for the the general unit hourly and at willill employees including the tenative agreements. That concludes my report. Thank you.

Thank you Azie to speak for the public hearing on this item. Uh no, mayor. Thank you. I'll go ahead and close the public hearing and bring it back to council for any questions, comments. Anybody? None. I'll move it. I'll second. We have a first and a second. Can we have a roll call, please? Council member Zella. I. RmIrez. I. Valencia. I. Vice Mayor Rios. Hi. Mayor Perez. I.

Thank you. All right. Moving on to report number 13, and that's 2025 Norbach General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report. Jesus, can we have the staff report, please? Yes. Mayor, members of city council, Miss Nancy Lee will present.

Good evening again, uh, mayor and members of the city council. Um so uh for the uh 2025 general plan and housing element annual report um as it's required by government code section um 65400 that every jurisdiction must prepare an annual progress report on the jurisdiction status and progress in implementing a housing element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development or HCD. This report was presented to the planning commission on February 25th and is now being presented to city council for review and consideration. Um it is due to HCD by April 1st. Um and also to the government's uh governor's office of land use and climate innovation. Um the Norok general plan consists of 10 elements. Those 10 10 elements are the land use element, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, community design, educational and cultural resources, and utility infrastructure. For the circulation element in 2025, um the city continued annual construction work uh to repair and replace damaged curbs, gutters, sidewalks throughout the city. The city also continued uh design of intersection improvements at major intersections such as Imperial Highway, Bloomfield Avenue, and at Carmeita Road and Excelsior Drive. Um and also also in 2025, the Norwok Transit System completed installation of uh tap fair validators on all fixed route route buses to support the region's transition to contactless fair payment. continued efforts uh to achieve progress in fleet modernization and sustainability,

mobility um and technology also with capital improvement projects were also made in 205. For the housing element um the city issued building permits for the creation of 123 residential units. Of the 123 units, two were allocated for affordable housing. In 2025, the housing authority assisted an average of 613 families by paying their rent through the housing choice vouchers, 15 individuals with mainstream vouchers, and 36 individuals with emergency housing vouchers. In addition, through the home program, funds were allocated for an affordable housing development of 55 units in the Norwok Entertainment District, also known as the walk, uh to benefit those at or below 80% of the area median income. The illustration up on the top right uh shows a home purchased with the Cal under the Cal Home grant in 2025. And the illustration at the bottom is a ribbon cutting ceremony that occurred in 2025 for a mobile home that was purchased through uh Cal Grant Cal Home Grant. The city continues multiple public uh programs to align with the city's commitment of going green and promoting a public awareness on the importance of recycling and offering programs for its residents. Um these programs include uh used oil block grants, energy efficiency conservation, e-waste and shredding events, battery recycling programs, sharps disposal programs, and mandatory commercial recycling. The illustration up above uh shows um a citywide cleanup event that occurred in April of 2025.

And the illustration below is uh a quarterly newsletter um that's issued um in relation to uh sustainabil going green or I'm sorry the conservation element under the o open space element. Um notable accomplishments in 2025 include uh Hermil Hermicillo Park ground break groundbreaking, field lighting renovations for Zimmerman Park and Gertis Park and athletic netting for Zimmerman Park. The city also uh welded signs at all parks except Glazier Park and Hermasilo Park in 2025. Annual landscape maintenance is also conducted at various city parks. Uh pictured on the top right is the Hermaceillo Park uh community center openhouse meeting that occurred in November of 2025. And the illustration below is a groundbreaking um for for the park that occurred in December uh 2025. Other elements in the general plan includes uh the safety element um which public safety provided programs educating the public uh served as the interface with other law enforcement agencies and organized emergency preparedness plans and uh training. Utility infrastructure element ensures that adequate utility levels are provided on both the sewer system and the water system and routine maintenance are performed at these two uh for these two services. The educational and cultural resources element um helps maintain and enhance the quality of education. In 2025 alone, over 50 workshops were hosted in collaboration with LA County agencies, local community colleges, and community- based organizations.

Um, as previously mentioned, the planning commission did consider um the report on February 25th and did uh by minute motion recommend the city council to receive and file um the 2025 report. Um, as such, uh, staff recommends that the city council receive and file the 2025 general plan and house annual progress report and direct staff to transmit the report to the governor's office of land use and climate innovation and the department of housing and community development by April 1st, 2026. That concludes my I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Nancy. Um, once again, I know these are all reports and things that we need to do in order to stay um, compliant to some degrees. Council, any question on the housing element? All right, feel free to submit and and send it over by April 1st. Thank you so much. Thank you.

All right. Um, so we did pull item number 14. Jack, I know you had a speaker card for that, but because the item is cold pulled, I'm going to um hold that until it comes back. Um and with that, we are going to oral communications this evening. I do have several cards. We do have a three minute um time limit for each speaker. Thank you for bearing with us tonight. I'm going to go ahead and get started. The first one is Miss Delia Delgado and following is Katan Grace. I think you need to turn the mic on.

It's on, I think. Um, hold on one second. Alphabetical order. We're just clarifying some strategic workarounds here. Okay, go right ahead. Thank you. So,

could you repeat the name? I just want to make sure I didn't take anybody. Delia Delia Deo. Okay, thank you.

So, um we just want to start off by how all this started November 19th when we went to the park and there was only two soccer fields, right? We asked where everything's at. There's no budget. We contacted the state of California. They told us there's 8.5 million. That was one lie. Another lie is the community wanted this. We've established that the community did not want this and we weren't aware of this. Okay, that was the second lie. Third lie is, okay, we're going to keep some of the trees, all the trees around the wall. That didn't happen. Another lie is, okay, we're going to work with the community to see if we can keep some of the field the grass, bring back the organic grass, not the synthetic fields. That is also not happening. According to Jesus, measure W uh required synthetic fields because they were paying for it, reached out to measure W. That didn't happen. going back to the fact that community members did not know about this. There were a few back in the back back in 2019 that were vaguely familiar with this. Um, however, they were shut down. Um, Anthony Chvaris here was one of the people who tried to voice their opinion. Well, not opinion, uh, let the community know uh, what was going on and Margarita Rios decided to post that he was harassing her and stalking her. Therefore, he began to get threats. His family, his children were threatened. You know, Anthony is is a member of the community now because of him and his outreach that he does to the

community. Our community has changed a lot. You know, he he comes out here. He's a he's a business owner. He does a lot of outreach for the for the risk community. And why Margarita wasn't held accountable for her actions, I don't know. Why is she still there? I'm I'm surprised you're answering because there's Yeah, it it is. And and it's true. And what his family went through was horrible. This is what what what all our research has brought forth, right? It's like the community knew, the community didn't know, and those who did were were shut down by by things like this. And that's just not acceptable. And there was no accountability for it. And there still isn't any any accountability for it.

All right. Our next speaker is Katen Grace. Following Katen will be Patty Dougado. Good evening, mayor, council members, one who stayed to the end. Uh, several months now, perhaps even longer, city council has seemingly been stringing along the Hermio Park community. The council would like us to believe that in 2019, the people within that very community designed a soccer league's dream. Uh, yet when the current design was presented to the community surrounding the park, it was met with anger and disbelief. These public meetings became so overwhelming that the council members uh decided to meet with a controlled group that would serve as a go-between so that we could uh bring things to the community before these public meetings would take place again. That was proved to be nothing more than the city pretending to be listening to the community while running out a clock until no more changes could be made to the designs. A clock that the small steering committee was not made aware of until it slipped out in a recent discussion. The city would like the community to believe that they are working to compromise. But is it really a compromise to put back what they took from us in the first place? You ripped out the trees, the basketball courts, the handball courts, the playground, the amphitheater, the picnic tables, basically everything. Now, we're meant to be so grateful and giddy that you're returning the basketball court, the handball courts, and the trees. Why should you be patting yourselves on the back for putting back what you took in the form? To say nothing that the splash pad, most picnic tables, and natural grass are actually not being you failed to truly listen to the community, failed to put the community over the city's desire to have an additional source of income in the form of two rentable soccer fields and a banquet hall that will surely be more use for the leagues than to the Hermosio community. They're taking a lovely little community park, one that was actually a huge part of why my family

chose to move into just around the corner and trying to shove an artificial turf monstrosity down. You can't call it a park if there's only a little strip of grass here. Not a park. It's a soccer complex. We don't want that. We've made that abundantly clear, but you've refused to listen. We as a community even agreed to Ben to have one artificial turf field long as the second section would be left as natural grass multi-purpose field. It made it seem as if you were considering it just to appease us when really it's one excuse after another as to why it can't be done end quote. But the fact is the city had no intention of giving the community back park and instead plans to give the soccer leagues the soccer complex they want. We do understand the city wanting to have another source of revenue, but this was a small neighborhood park and it should have been left as such. As taxpaying registered voters within this community, none of us will forget this lack of respect, the lies, the misdirection, the bait in switch, or the greed and apathy that was shown. Thank you for your time. Patty, Patty, you're next. And Caitlyn C will follow. So, this definitely goes back to the soccer, why the city is catering to these outside soccer leagues. Um, during one of our meetings, we asked that our school be opened for our community, our children, since there's nowhere to go for the next two and a half years. We were told no. And it's interesting that Sanchez is currently used by the soccer leagues. Um, they have a key to Sanchez Elementary. They let themselves in. It's like I I keep saying, you guys keep

taking and taking from these neighborhood kids, okay? They have their goalpost. They have their generators there. They have their stadium lights there. But yet our kids are not allowed to go in there. Even during school time, half the field, they can't run because their the soccer equipment is left there. I know that this is not a question for you. It's a question for your husband since he's in charge of Sanchez, which is not hard to connect the dots here. He's in charge of district three. Yes. Okay. It's not very hard to connect the dots to the things that are going on here. We have the schools catering to this particular league. Now we have our gifted as a thank you for what? For don donations. What is really going on here? Aside from our part being taken. Honestly, it it's it's it's all all we hear is the soccer the soccer leagues, the soccer leagues. Well, you know what? Norwok has been asking for softball fields for for the for the girls for years. That's never happened. This is honestly Norwok's a this is a side but Norwok has always been a soft norwok community. How is it that all of a sudden these people come in and within a span of a couple years get gifted a park and a school. We we we will not we will not give up. We will continue to meet with with Azie. We will continue to fight. Um, we will vote you people out. If not, we're we will term you out. We will file

with her and we will start gaining the signatures that we need and we will set term limits because you stop working for your for for the people of Norwok and you start working for yourselves. And it's clear that that's what's happening here. Not all of you. I'm not sure all of you, but one for certain. Our next speaker is Caitlyn C, followed by Raphael Molina.

Can you hear me? Okay, there you go. Okay, perfect.

Just for note, make sure everybody stands right in front of the microphone so we can hear you. Okay, perfect. Um, I am normally a little bit loud, too, so I try not to be too loud. Uh, my name is Caitlyn and first and foremost, I am a resident. Um, but second, I am a mother and I have an 11-year-old little boy and he loves to play soccer, so I'm a big fan. Um, but I do understand how he has ADHD, so he likes soccer, he likes baseball, he likes handball, he likes running around in circles like a crazy person for no reason. Um, which is great because that's what the playgrounds and parks are for, right? for parents like myself who's a single mom who I can't afford to take him down to the beach. Gas price is over $5 a gallon and I drive a 2006 Honda Pilot and not as good on gas mileage as you would think. Um I really rely on these parks to be able to take him to enjoy living in California. You know, I've lived here my entire life and everything has just skyrocketed and we are all suffering. And I just rely so much on the fact that I've been here my whole life. I know that as California residents, we really take care of each other and I know there's so much going on with funding in so many places, all over the state, all over the country. I do not want to see my city become one of those. I don't want to see the city that I love so much putting money into places it doesn't need to be and not putting it where it needs to be, which is the future residents, which is the kids. It's the kids. You know, they're the ones who hype it up to people who don't live here and and then they move here cuz they're like, "Oh, I saw somebody at summer camp who loved Norwok and I decided to move there." You know, you you want them to have multiple options here. And this city is so beautiful. It's so beautiful. The residents are beautiful, everything. And the fact that you have residents coming to you and asking you, please, please hear us as people, as parents, as as humans who

just are advocating for our kids to have an opportunity to make those really cool memories, you know, summertime at the park until 8 or 9:00, you know, when it wasn't as great. Um, but just being able to make those memories because we're so blessed with such beautiful weather. But if you put that black turf stuff down, we are just gonna die. I am already sweating so much right now. I was like something degrees. Thank you for keeping that. Um, but I just want our kids to be able to run around and feel that grass between their toes and feel the breeze from the tree that's collecting the oxygen. I just want that for them. I don't want them walking around in this weird concrete California because that's not what we are. We have every type of environment in California and it is phenomenal and we are so blessed and I just want my city to stay with that. So please, please hear us out on this park. Thank you so much, Raphael Molina. And following that, Anthony Taris. Uh, thank you to everyone. Uh, thank you to the previous speakers and the organizers that got us out here to advocate for Edmmo Park and to keep it a community park. Uh, I grew up there, stayed there as a little kid. I have a four and a 5-year-old. Right now, I don't have anywhere to take them to be honest with you. Oh, the park's under construction. Can we go to the school? No, sorry, you can't go. Oh, but there's other kids playing at the school and they don't understand why there's other kids playing there, but they can't play. There's no park to take them to. Then when I heard about it, I thought, "Oh, that's great. They're going to re renovate the park and we're going to have, you know, a better space than what we had and a whole walking compound to to go walk around the park. There's no exercise stations walking, you know,

you're just going to walk in a circle like it's a track, but you could have could have a greenery area there. Then the proposed playground that's there, which is in my opinion the main reason for the park, it's just an afterthought. It's like just to check the box that there's a playground there, but it's not really something that can really enjoy like they were able to with the splash pad, with the different parks, and with the greenery that's there, too. It's so important to have that greenery there. You were talking about the tree replant all that and there's 9,000 spaces for planted. There's a whole lot of space in Ed Park to have really good trees. It would just really stand out that it's difficult for us to come out here and be here at this late at night when we all have jobs and we have to be up early. Have all these other commitments and I'm inviting my neighbors to come out here. They're saying I wish I could go out there but I have other commitments. So I know from my behalf I'm speaking for a lot of households that weren't able to come, weren't able to be have that luxury. Please reconsider and listen to other speakers that have spoken so passionately. They know way more about it than I do, but I already know that this isn't what I want. I live there. This isn't I want something that the neighborhood can use and you know grow up there in the afternoon and not be excluded from this because some soccer club is coming somewhere else. Anthony Taris and the next speaker following him I believe is Lorraine maybe Ramirez. We'll we'll check I'll try to clarify this.

Great. I got three minutes, but the representatives have 2025. See, I'm a representative for the community. See, I give out of my time and my money. I don't have to sit up there and wait for a paycheck or to try to fight the union so I could get finances to go feed my family. See, I go hustle that. See, the community means a lot to me. It goes back to back in the 60s and the 70s when my family would be redlined to try and buy property when it was mostly Caucasian. We would fight with city uh members. Ceil Green, you guys know all them. Same old same old. See, we're out here coming together for an agreement. It might not mean nothing to you that little park, but to us it means a whole heart. See, when you're part of the community, you give out of your heart. It's funny how you guys speak about programs this, programs that, this, and that, that, and this. Yet, you guys been up there for over 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 years. And this is the first time I hear this speaking. I never seen a council member go out there and go knock on my door. Hey, this is a new program for the juvenile uh delinquents. This is this, this is that. Never. I've always hear the negative side. Back in our days, it was Norwok on the move. What kind of move are we in right now? Most of the members up there are rasa. Yes, we have our set our setbacks. We fought with the sheriffs. They got their bones in their skeletons and their closets. We know that. But can we come together as a group as a city of Norwok? And for the record, the walk, we invented that. Our generation, that's related to our gang. Yeah, it was brought up through the juvenile house system. Where you from? We're from the walk. So, next time you want to take pride in that, make sure

you know where that name came from. We got to take pride on the new generation that's coming up. Understand that the new kids that are coming up, they're going to look up to us 30, 40 years from now. They're going to say, "What did the city council, what the city leaders did for our community?" You got to understand what it really means to be part of Norwok. And for the record, what young lady Patty said, yes, it is true what happened through the social media. But am I a scar am I scared of the threats? I'm not. It's okay. People make mistakes. But don't keep on making the same mistakes. be like me. Grow. Don't go back to prison. Develop a business. 50C3s, LLC's. Explain that to us. But we could all grow together. And that is our park. I hope I'm reading this correctly. Lorraine. Thank you. Following her will be Martha Lopez. Thank you so much for um giving us the opportunity for you guys. This is my first council meeting. I went to one of the community meet uh I met the representative there. Um again I'm new and I was thankful that they were hearing us and we were hearing them and it sounded like we were coming in agreement very close to Hermaceio Park. I was in in Norwok years old. So I live very close to Hermasu. I participated there. I walk my dogs there. We have to see the beautiful trees there, the pines that down that even see go to Oregon, see all the pine cones down there. It was just a

wonderful park for the elderly, the children, people to just go have some fresh enjoy the and it was attended the maintenance maintenance here in Norwok is exceptional. Well, now that this is all under construction, renovate, got new plans and during these, they should all be our plans because not only do we have children and grandchildren, you don't want to find yourself in a place where you don't want you want your get aart. You want to have your elderly walk around sit by a tree. And now that this renovation is done, the maintenance longer going over. No trash can. Nodding. Um I'm Sanchez. No trash can. No doggy bag. Not fair to the kids that come out elderly. Not fair to the people that walk around the park. No mash. there's kit dog. um they do their and we don't want to that looks bad on Norwalk that looks bad in our that's not good for our elderly that's good for the school buses I've already addressed it to to some of these gentle I think it's a very a very great concern that we need to get some trash cans you know while this is going to be on for how long and however we come in agreement we should come in agreement Because this is Norwok, our community. You guys serve a great community. You make it great. We want to make it great. We also have it attended to what what who lives here? The elderly, the children, and the growing community. That's what I want. I still have time.

So, I I pray about this. I pray for you. I pray that you go home and think about what um what's being out, what we talked about. and as as well as I what I heard.

Thank you. All right, Martha Lopez and following Martha Bonita Lucero. Good evening. My name is Martha Lopez. My family has lived in the mosio park community for over 30 years. I'm a graduate of John Glenn High School. I taught in the Norwok Lamarada School District for several years. I want to begin by addressing the way today's meeting was handled. I find it concerning and reflective of a lack of consideration for all of us here present um that we were left until the very end. You've known that many community members would be here today to speak on this very issue. And yet today's agenda was overly ambitious and packed. I understand you guys have issues to deal with, but I also understand that changes could be made to reflect your consideration and your care for what is pressing the community here today and now. Why wasn't this matter prioritized? Why wasn't a special meeting called? At the last meeting, I remember, Miss Rios, that you called for information regarding turf fields versus grass fields, and none of that came up today. Was that forgotten? We haven't forgotten. We've been addressing this very issue for quite a while now. Not being proactive with today's agenda to prioritize an issue that is um very concerning to us speaks volumes to us here today. I'm here to respectfully speak against the callous oversight and mishandling of this park's renovation. What we are asking for is fairness, transparency, and a park design that genuinely reflects the needs of our community, especially the needs of a diverse working family. And a unit that need depends on a park for just daily visits. A park that really reflects a neighborhood um that wants a park to go

to. Grass, splash pad, barbecue, picnic areas, a place to gather and pray, meet up with friends. Not a not a soccer revenue park or a soccer revenue field or a hall that can be rented out on the weekends and leaves the residents to deal with the mess and the afterthought. I was part of a core group of Norwok residents who met with city officials over multiple meetings on our own time at our own expense and in good faith. However, it became clear that the outcome had already been decided. two soccer two turf soccer fields with the removal of key community amenities to our park. So to date, the city has failed to provide adequate records demonstrating fair and appropriate representation of verified community members at those interest meetings going back years. Park is a small neighborhood park. It serves a working class. We're not opposed to a soccer field, but we we do ask for input in the design. As it stands, this proposal removes um pivotal spaces such as barbecue spaces, meeting areas, handbook courts, basketball courts, and all of that is just uncertain. Through my research and other park renovations, other parks, including those under the same construction company, have not lost amenities. They've gained amenities. They've enhanced their amenities. We're the only park that is losing amenities. And in in theory, we're actually losing um an entire park and we're gaining just Thank you, Bonito Lucero. And following is Martin N. I didn't finish. So, I'm going to take um Bonita with her consent. Um, I think I left off saying that the park

serves a working-class family. As it stands, it removes um, pivotal areas, picnic, barbecue spaces, leaves the basketball and hamill courts in an uncertain state. We keep getting told that that's going to be part of phase two. So, phase one is just turf fields. That's what we're getting. Um, we're losing a park. In return, we're being given what appears to function more like a for-profit soccer center and event facility. And this is important, too. My family's home borders Sanchez Elementary and for years I've observed that there's there's always soccer practices going on there and on the weekends it's always packed there and parking is always chaotic because there's always tournaments and league play and all of that going on. Though I find it concerning that when funding became available for a neighborhood park, the selected concept uh was heavily centered around soccer. Just feet away from Park, Sanchez Elementary has been consistently rented out as a soccer tournament practice center for years. And now, hmio Park is being turned into a soccer center. Now, I've already mentioned that the city has failed to provide proof that actual residents from the direct park community were involved in the design process. But equally concerning is what um our resident Patty brought up to to today's uh meeting and that's the fact that Miss Rios, your husband is in fact a member of the board for the Norwok Lamarada School District and the area that he is entrusted with is area three and public information on Normada Unifi's website list Sanchez Elementary as part of his designated area. So I find that really suspicious, deeply concerning and worthy of investigation. From an outsers's perspective, I would even raise the concern that there is a

serious conflict of issue going on here. Thank you. The next speaker is Martin N. Martin N. No longer here. We'll go to our last speaker is Paky California before Columbus 55% California 35% by the ocean in Mexico for Columbus that's ours remember I told you I'm supposed the chief I did not come here for that. Look at the European Asian rules. I did not come here for that. We are the owner of the resurrection. Nobody in the Middle East owner the resurrection. We hold the key. God bring a European

to Easter Island, right? He stopped them outside. Killed the six of them. That's when Jesus was born. Brave was open. Righteous people come out in the island. The people are trying to come out from the grave. Some people like that. Some people like that. Some people like that. Some people like that. Right? And some tomb is open. They're not walking out. Right? And when you look at those statue, first three is Peter, James and John. The second president, the 12 quarrel is true council. Why do they stand on top of that red standing in the air and call the resurrection? Come, come, come. Call them to come up. They have the key mark on their back. We have the key. We have it. one who don't know I want to tell you we family with everybody look what do you think I was right on the chief thank Thank you. With that our meeting is adjourned.