[0:20] The regular meeting of the Belfar City Council is called to order on Monday,

[0:23] February 23, 2026 at 5:37

[0:29] p.m. Roll call, please. >> Council member Morse,

[0:33] » here. >> Mayor Prom Sanchez,

[0:34] » here. >> Council member Denton,

[0:36] » here. >> Council member Coops,

[0:38] » here. Mayor Santine >> here. Uh, close session. Mr. Smoot.

[0:42] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The council recess to close session for two items as listed

[0:46] on the agenda. Items 3A and 3B. >> Mayor,

[0:51] » uh, any any conflicts? >> Yeah, I need to recuse myself from item

[0:54] 3A due to a property conflict. >> I also have to recuse myself on item 3A

[0:59] for a property conflict. >> All right. So, we have to recuse on item

[1:02] 3A. uh anyone who would like to well there's

[1:07] no no one else to speak on this item from the public. So with that we will uh

[1:10] recess to close session.

[1:27] » All right. Good evening.

[1:30] Welcome everyone. Uh welcome to the um uh regular meeting of the Belfara City

[1:35] Council. It's called to order on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 at 7:05 p.m. We are

[1:41] reconvening to the regular meeting and there's no reportable action taken

[1:45] during the close session. Roll call, please.

[1:49] » Council member Morris >> here.

[1:51] » Mayor Prom Sanchez >> here.

[1:53] » Council member Dutton >> here.

[1:55] » Council member Coops >> here.

[1:57] » Mayor Santine >> here. Uh, tonight's invocation will be

[2:00] led by council member Dan Coops and the pledge of allegiance will be led by

[2:04] Elizabeth Oba, director of planning and building services. Please rise.

[2:11] » Please bow your head with me. Our gracious heavenly father, we come to you

[2:15] this evening to give you thanks for all the blessings you've given to our city

[2:18] and for all those that are in our city. Be with us as we deliberate the items in

[2:22] front of us. Give us the wisdom to do what's correct and right for our city.

[2:27] We're always thinking about safety for our first responders, both the sheriff

[2:31] and fire. Please keep them in the realm of your hand for sa safness and safety.

[2:36] Also remember our armed forces who protect us from national enemies and

[2:42] make sure that everybody came comes home tonight safe. In his name we pray. Amen.

[2:47] » Amen.

[2:51] » Please face the flag and join me for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge

[2:55] allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[3:00] for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[3:06] justice for all.

[3:11] » Thank you, Dan and Elizabeth. Uh uh there's no request to appear remotely

[3:16] and we're going to proceed with the city council announcements.

[3:21] Let me start. Um, the Bellflower Volunteer Center is committed to caring

[3:27] the ch caring for children in our community, especially those facing

[3:31] economic hardship. Through the spring basket program, the Belfflower Volunteer

[3:36] Center brings hope, comfort, and joy to children in our community with

[3:40] thoughtfully prepared baskets filled with essential items and special treats.

[3:45] To participate, you can sponsor a child and receive a few details about them to

[3:50] create a unique personalized basket. Once your basket is ready, we'll

[3:55] coordinate a drop off at the volunteer center at Sims Park located at 16614

[4:00] South Clark Avenue by Monday, March 23. You can also participate by donating new

[4:07] items to help complete baskets. Suggested items include books, games,

[4:12] toys, candy, snacks, school supplies, gift cards, and toiletries. The donation

[4:18] deadline is Thursday, March 5. This is simple but meaningful way to show a

[4:23] child that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Your kindness can make a

[4:28] lasting difference and brighten a child's day. If you're interested in

[4:33] participating or having any questions, please call 5628041424

[4:40] extension 2331 or email siega. That's s n o r i ga at

[4:48] bellflower.ca.gov.

[4:52] Mayor Prom Sanchez. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening,

[4:55] Belfflower. The city of Belfflower in partnership with the Fair Housing

[4:58] Foundation invites residents to attend a free housing mark uh workshop on

[5:03] Wednesday, March 4th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the green room at Belf City Hall.

[5:09] That is at 16600 Civic Center Drive. This workshop is open to the public and

[5:15] is designed for tenants, landlords, property managers, attorneys, realtors,

[5:19] and management companies. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of their

[5:24] rights and responsibilities under federal and state fair housing laws,

[5:28] including guidance on nav navigating tenant and landlord disputes. Prior

[5:34] registration is required. For registration, please call 1800446

[5:39] 3247 or for registration assistance, please email croto again cra c as in cat

[5:46] prao at fhfca.org.

[5:50] org. For more information on the Fair Housing Foundation, please visit

[5:55] fhfca.org. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[5:58] » Thank you, Victor. Council member Ray Dun.

[6:00] » Thank you, Mayor. The Clifton M. Brackasen Library is hosting events for

[6:05] all ages this March and invites the community members to participate in a

[6:10] series of creative hands-on workshops designed to inspire artistic expression

[6:16] and connection. Think it, Inc.

[6:20] Um, it think Inc. It comics basics will take

[6:27] place on Saturday, March 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. where children ages 6

[6:34] through 12 will be accompanied by a parent or caregiver will learn how to

[6:39] create their own comic book by exploring the writing process, character

[6:44] development, and panel drawing. On Tuesday, March 17th, from 5 to 6 PM,

[6:51] teens ages 13 to 17 are invited to attend Book Page Roses, a workshop that

[7:00] explores the language of flowers while participants craft a boutique of paper

[7:06] roses uh from a book pages to give as a gift or keep as a personal keepsake. The

[7:13] series concludes with a uh beading workshop on Tuesday, March 24th from 6

[7:19] PM to 7:30 p.m. where participants ages 18 and over will explore bead work as a

[7:27] practice. For the wellness and relaxation of community building, all

[7:32] workshops are free and open to the public and space may be limited. To

[7:36] register, please visit www.visit.lacount

[7:41] laounty library.org uhvents.

[7:47] Thank you, Mayor. >> Uh thank you, Ray. Council member Dan

[7:50] Coops. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Belfflar Chamber

[7:53] of Commerce encourages local businesses and community members to connect and

[7:58] collaborate at two upcoming networking events hosted at the Belfar Chamber of

[8:05] Commerce office. That's all one sentence. That's a run-on sentence,

[8:08] isn't it? Yeah, join the St. Patrick's Networking Bingo

[8:13] Game Night on Thursday, March 12th. That'll held from 5:30 to 7:30 at the

[8:17] Chamber Office located at 16730 Belefflower Boulevard here in

[8:22] Belfflower. That'll be for an evening of building connections, winning prizes,

[8:27] and enjoying festive refreshments. This month's concludes with a monthly mingle

[8:32] on Tuesday morning, March 31st, and that'll be from 9:00 to 10:00 in the

[8:36] morning. And the chamber offers conference room and that's located at

[8:39] 16730 Belfflower Boulevard where attendees can start their day with

[8:44] motivating conversations, coffee, pastries, a raffle and new connections.

[8:49] You'll probably get to meet the mayor because he usually attends with and meet

[8:52] with other fellow businesses. For more information, please call 562-8671744

[8:59] or visit belfflowerchamber.org. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[9:02] » Thank you, Dan. Council member Wendy Morris.

[9:04] » Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Belfflower. Belfflower's citywide waste

[9:08] card exchange program is now underway. As part of a citywide effort to comply

[9:13] with California's SB 1383 requirements, residents will soon receive new waste

[9:19] carts. From February through May, CRR will conduct a residential cart exchange

[9:24] for all current customers. Each household will receive a new landfill,

[9:29] recycling, and organics carts at no additional cost. On the scheduled

[9:34] collection day, residents must place all existing carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m.

[9:40] CRNR will empty the carts and replace them with new ones by 6:00 p.m.

[9:45] Replacement carts will be the same size as those currently assigned to the

[9:49] address. To know when you are scheduled for the cart exchange, please visit the

[9:54] trash and recycling services page on the city's website. Scroll to the bottom and

[10:00] select card exchange schedule and enter your full address. For more information,

[10:06] please email Melanie Paws at mp pause. That's mpazbellflower.ca.gov.

[10:15] Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Wendy. Uh, tonight we have

[10:18] one presentation uh by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District, Mr. Smoot.

[10:24] Uh, >> thank you, Mr. Mayor. I believe he's

[10:26] coming up to handle this one for you.

[10:33] » Thank you, uh, Mayor San Andmbers. Um, my name is Matt Eaton. I'm the

[10:38] deputy assistant chief engineer for the sanitation districts and I'm here today

[10:42] to talk about our proposed sewer rate increase uh that we are proposing for

[10:47] this spring to take effect in July. So, a little bit about us. We we provide

[10:53] sewer service for a large part of LA County uh both up in the northern part

[10:57] of the county as well as the southeastern part of the county. And the

[11:00] rates we're talking about uh as part of this rate increase are the ones that

[11:05] cover the southeastern part of the county, including the city of

[11:08] Belfflower. And uh just as a point of uh

[11:13] clarification, we do not manage the small sewers like in your street. We

[11:17] manage the large what we call trunk sewers that the cities feed into and we

[11:21] manage seven treatment plants that treat the wastewater.

[11:27] So if you're a parcel owner in the city of Bellflower or any place in our our

[11:32] territory, uh you should have received a what we call a Proposition 218 notice

[11:37] which explains the rate increase. It explains why we need the rate increase

[11:42] and the factors that go into it. It also has parcel specific information that

[11:50] gives the exact rate of that particular parcel. So if you have this uh if you

[11:55] save this, you can look at it and see what your rate's going to be. If you

[11:58] don't have it, you can go on our website and I'll have that information at the

[12:01] end where you can look it up as well. So again, a little bit about what we do.

[12:08] We serve uh the sanitary needs of 5.5 million people uh again throughout the

[12:14] county. Uh the services we pro provide are essential for public safety and the

[12:20] environment. They have to operate 24/7 uh year round. Um requires constant

[12:25] maintenance upkeep and upkeep. We treat about 400 million gallons a day of waste

[12:29] water. Um and of course that upkeep and the maintenance and the new projects and

[12:35] just the operations costs uh obviously uh require a significant amount of

[12:40] funding. Um we also must must attract uh skilled labor. Um we have about 1,800

[12:47] employees across all types of um all types of specialties, scientists,

[12:52] engineers, operators, maintenance people, truck drivers and uh we need to

[12:58] maintain that staffing level. Um, in particular, the last five years, our

[13:02] costs for certain things have gone up significantly, especially, and I'll talk

[13:05] a little bit more about this, but especially chemicals and utilities, um,

[13:10] have gone up a lot faster than in inflation, and we do utilize a lot of

[13:14] those, uh, raw materials for our operations. We also have some

[13:19] significant capital projects underway and planned to maintain reliability and

[13:23] improve our treatment processes. So again, as I mentioned, we are we are

[13:29] seeking a rate increase at this time uh for a number of reasons. One is we're

[13:34] doing some catchup. We uh implemented a fairly modest rate increase back in 2022

[13:40] and uh we were trying to be uh trying to impose as little as small of a rate

[13:47] increase as we could because it was the middle of COVID. Unfortunately,

[13:51] inflation has caught up with us and surpassed what our rates could could

[13:55] handle. So our costs have gone up 20% in the last 5 years. Our rates have only

[13:59] gone up 10%. And as I mentioned before, chemicals and utilities are a big part

[14:04] of that. Those have doubled in the last five years. And that is a big part of

[14:07] our operating expenses. Uh we also have major upgrades under

[14:12] underway. We are ensuring that we have complete reliability of our system,

[14:17] minimize sewer spills, minimize any upsets or any impact to the environment.

[14:22] We also have a project plan um and right now it's in the planning phase and it

[14:27] won't be constructed for at least five more years but it's to increase the

[14:31] treatment at our Carson facility so that we could potentially expand our

[14:36] production of recycled water uh and increase and provide a new source of

[14:41] water for the region that would potentially uh treat up to 150 mill

[14:46] million gallons a day that would be available for um water recycling.

[14:55] So, in terms of a rate increase, um, and I meant to mention this before, our

[14:59] rates do not go on water bills. Um, residents will not see it except on

[15:04] their property tax bill. So, only property owners will see our rates and

[15:08] see the rate increase. Any renter will not not see that directly. Um, so it's

[15:13] build once a year on the property tax bill. In terms of a monthly cost of how

[15:18] much our rates are going up in the city of Bellflower, it's in between between

[15:22] $2.67 and $2 $2.92. Um, the city actually encompasses two

[15:30] separate districts. We're we're a group of 24 districts, but the city of

[15:34] Belflower actually has two districts that are overlapping the city the city.

[15:38] So, it's either $2.67 a month or $2.92 a month. and it's a 5-year rate increase

[15:46] starting July 1st of 26. So, we don't take these rate increases

[15:52] lightly. We understand they do impact uh homeowners and business owners and we

[15:57] all always try to endeavor to keep our costs down. One thing we look at every

[16:01] year is how our costs compare to other agencies. Now, this this is not just our

[16:07] charge. This is the all-in price of sewer service. So, it includes local

[16:11] costs as well. And you can see that we are about half of a lot of other local

[16:17] agencies. Um, in particular, in particular, the city of LA is very

[16:22] similar in size to us and very similar treatment level. And you can see they're

[16:27] about double what our charge is. Um, and we take pride in being efficient and

[16:31] cost-effective and and keeping our rates low.

[16:37] Um, and you know, to do that, we have a a number of efforts that we're always

[16:41] pursuing. One is low interest uh loans and grants when they're available.

[16:47] Taking on debt when it makes sense and it's feasible. Uh we're always looking

[16:51] at ways to reduce our chemical and electricity costs. Um we have a number

[16:55] number of successful projects that have have done that. I mentioned we're a

[17:00] group of 24 districts, but by combining our efforts in terms of administrative

[17:05] staff and purchasing, we can keep our costs down. And then we always are

[17:10] looking for additional re revenue sources. So we do sell reclaimed water.

[17:14] We sell clean energy in the form of renewable bio gas and electricity. Uh we

[17:19] also sell bioolids. So those help offset our costs.

[17:25] Um we also have what we call low low water rebate program. And again it's a

[17:30] little confusing. This is not to get a rebate on your water bill. to get to to

[17:34] get a lower charge or a rebate on our bill that goes on your tax bill, but we

[17:41] need your water bills to implement this. So, it's a fairly simple application.

[17:45] You can go on our website, you can call us, but we do need 12 months of water

[17:49] bills. And if we see that your water use is less than average, you'll get a lower

[17:55] sanitation district's charge and potentially a rebate on your charge,

[17:59] too.

[18:03] Um, we also have what we call industrial weight industrial wastewater

[18:08] searchcharges. Uh, what I've mentioned before applies to businesses, commercial

[18:13] businesses, and homeowners. Industrial users, we actually measure what they

[18:18] discharge um because typically they're very large and there will be a similar

[18:22] rate increase for those facilities as well.

[18:28] So in conclusion, um we are recommending a rate increase uh to cover the higher

[18:34] operating costs we've seen um our our capital projects to keep up with our

[18:38] aging infrastructure and our increased treatment that we uh will be

[18:43] undertaking. Uh we do have that low water rebate program um for low water

[18:49] users. And um also I should have mentioned this

[18:53] before, we do have a process for public comment and a pro process for protests

[18:58] and it's in the 218 notice and it's on our website as well.

[19:04] Uh so we are we are doing outreach to the cities such as my my presentation

[19:09] today, but we have public meetings as well. We have a couple Zoom

[19:13] presentations coming up. We also have a in-person presentation on April 25th,

[19:18] uh, along with a tour of our largest facility, and I do recommend that. The

[19:23] tour is very interesting. You can see exactly what we're doing and and where

[19:27] where the money is going um, from your rates.

[19:34] And ultimately, to approve the rates, we need to go to our board and solicit

[19:39] approval. There will be a public hearing in advance of that that vote. Um, you

[19:44] can see depending on what dis district you're in, uh, it's either May 13th or

[19:49] May 27th, uh, and it's at our headquarters in

[19:53] Whittier. And there's also a protest process where

[19:56] you can sub submit a protest and don't have to be there in person.

[20:01] But if you need more information, we do have customer service uh, staff that are

[20:05] very responsive. they will pick up the phone and help you with any questions

[20:09] about the rates, about the rebate, uh, or anything you need. Uh, you can see

[20:15] the phone number here, our email rates at lacsd.org.

[20:19] You can go to our website that also has information. You can get a sample of

[20:23] that Prop 218 notice. If you can't find yours, you can look yours up there. U,

[20:28] you look, you can look up specific information about your parcel as well to

[20:32] see the charge. So that uh concludes my presentation.

[20:37] I'm happy to answer any questions if there are.

[20:39] » Thank you Matt for your very informative presentation. Just a couple of

[20:42] questions. In your chart we just said um the rate for Belfar is about 26 less

[20:47] than three about $3. It >> it's going up by 267 each month.

[20:50] » So it says uh for five years. Can you explain that? Is it flat for now for the

[20:55] next five years or there's going to be some kind of escalator?

[20:58] » Yeah, every every year the rates going up $2.67.

[21:02] So right now uh per month on a monthly basis. So right now um I don't have it

[21:07] off top of my head but the rates for most of the people in the city of

[21:10] Bellflower are on the like the $180 per year to $200 per year range.

[21:15] » So they'll be going up about $25 $30 per year um or the $250 to $3 per

[21:23] » every year. So the second is going to be 60 and then correct 90 and then Okay.

[21:26] Correct. All right. Good. And then um in the previous chart previous to this you

[21:32] me district. So how will our residents know where to go whether they're

[21:37] district 3 or district 18. >> Okay. It would be on their notice. So if

[21:40] they have their notice it'll give the exact hearing date and their exact

[21:43] district or you can go to our website to look up your parcel or you can give us a

[21:47] call. >> Ah okay. Very good. And I think there's

[21:50] one project that I would like you to discuss and talk about is the pure water

[21:54] project. >> Okay.

[21:54] » Can you talk about it? So, the pure water project we're doing in partnership

[21:58] with Metropolitan Water District. Um, it'll it'll potentially be constructed

[22:03] at our uh plant in Carson. We just got approval of the environmental impact

[22:09] report and uh over the next five years, we'll be

[22:13] doing additional planning and engineering. But what this project is,

[22:17] it's a two-part project. Our part is to build additional treatment to feed water

[22:24] to their potential project. Their water will take the cleanup even further and

[22:29] treat it into water that can go into the Metropolitan Water District system

[22:34] initially just as groundwater recharge >> but potent potentially eventually be

[22:39] integrated into their portable water system. Um and we are undertaking our

[22:46] part of it uh in in part to provide that new source of water and in part to

[22:52] address potential future regulations that are going to require us to provide

[22:58] additional treatment anyways. So it's kind of a two-fold purpose um from our

[23:02] perspective. But again, uh potential uh size of 150 million gallons per day,

[23:10] which is very significant. And uh the value of this water isn't just in the

[23:14] water. The value is in that it's going to be available no matter what the

[23:18] drought situation is. So you have Colorado River water, which may not be

[23:24] available, and in fact, right now, it's at very low levels. and and you know

[23:29] there's there it may it may impact deliveries to the MET system. Right now

[23:34] California is doing pretty well with water. The reservoirs are full, but

[23:37] there's no guarantee that'll happen in the future. We've seen we've seen how

[23:41] it's been in the past. But our system, our proposed system will be able to

[23:46] operate straight through drought periods. As long as people are using

[23:49] water, it'll be coming to us. We'll be able to turn it around and recycle it.

[23:54] » Ah, okay. Very good. Thank you. >> Sure. Any question of Mr. Eden?

[23:59] » No, >> I do.

[24:01] Council >> member Coops.

[24:03] » As you know, state of California has mandated all the cities to accept

[24:06] additional housing. ADUs are pretty popular and more intense properties.

[24:12] » Sure. >> And I'm always worried about the

[24:14] infrastructure, although you've mentioned that you're not responsible

[24:16] for the smaller lines, but the big trunk lines are yours. Do we need to be

[24:20] concerned that we're going to overload the system? So right now, no, because

[24:25] water use has dropped off through water conservation. So even though we've seen

[24:29] growth in the county, we haven't seen a growth in the amount of gallons of waste

[24:33] water coming to us. In fact, we've been flat for about 20 years even though

[24:37] we've seen growth. Um so we don't see a particular issue with um with ADUs.

[24:44] Now, um there could potentially be impacts with growth on our treatment

[24:50] plants, and we've seen that a little bit because the more growth you have, even

[24:54] if water is being conserved, you still have the same um constituents in the

[24:59] wastewater. So, the same solids and chemicals and and biological material in

[25:04] the wastewater that require treatment. But in terms of over overloading our

[25:08] sewer system, we do not um we do not anticipate an issue there

[25:13] » because that's always a concern. You know, we keep adding and we need more

[25:17] plumbing, electrical, >> sewer. It all goes together.

[25:21] » Yeah. the uh

[25:26] several years ago, the sanitation district was involved with a lawsuit

[25:31] having to do with the farming acres up north where the solids were going to be

[25:36] placed. And the result of that was I think the sanitation district lost the

[25:41] case. >> Mhm.

[25:42] » And was that a 30 or $40 million loss? >> Uh yeah, approximately. That's what the

[25:49] final number. How much is that impacting the price of our water going up?

[25:52] » So that that um that case is related to the wastewater service that we provide

[26:00] to this area. So yes, the the the rates here do contribute to toward that

[26:05] settlement or toward toward that verdict. Um, for a for a sense of scale,

[26:11] we have uh for a single family home that works out to maybe

[26:18] um a total cost of uh we'll call it $10. So spread over time, both the past and

[26:25] in the future. Um we're talking maybe a dollar out of the $200 charge. Uh

[26:31] » okay. Over the five years that you >> over the five years that Sunny talked

[26:34] about. >> Yeah.

[26:36] Do you have knowledge also of this? I know sanitation district has to do with

[26:41] uh moving of trash components. >> And several years ago there was a deal

[26:46] where we going they were building a train and that going to dispose of the

[26:50] solids out in the desert in any reservation. Whatever happened to that?

[26:54] So we built out the system um and it was built and ready to go but then the

[26:59] recession hit and the volumes of trash in the county declined. Um, and that

[27:05] combined with additional recycling meant the amount required for disposal

[27:09] declined significantly. So when we first planned the system back in the '9s, we

[27:16] anticipated, not just us, but everyone else anticipated

[27:20] uh landfills closing, waste volumes going up, and a lot of that didn't

[27:25] materialize. Um, so we still have the system ready to go for when it is

[27:30] needed. Um but we don't anticipate running it anytime in the near future.

[27:36] » Okay, that's all my questions. >> All right, thank you.

[27:39] » Thank you very much. Okay, >> customer Don, any question?

[27:42] » No questions. And to a footnote, is that property out in

[27:47] » Sanwalking Valley. >> So yeah, is leased out, right?

[27:50] » Uh the one in Imperial County. >> Yeah, leased out. So we get they're

[27:54] getting income on the dirt and dirt that they're leased out anyway. Yeah, we we

[27:57] get we have facility we have the inner moto facility in industry which is

[28:01] leased out and the facility in >> and how many acres was that farm?

[28:06] » Uh the farm or the landfill? >> The the well the the the farm

[28:12] » landfill the case. The case >> the case the case that one uh

[28:16] » I believe that's 14,000 acres something like that. It's it's a large huge piece

[28:21] of land. >> Yeah. It's a big composting facility as

[28:23] well as farmland. I once heard there was 80 truckloads of waste brought out of

[28:28] the plants here taken northward. Is that number still?

[28:31] » That's probably about right. It's about a thousand tons per day.

[28:34] » Yeah. >> Of human waste.

[28:35] » Yep. >> Yep.

[28:37] » Thank you. >> All right. All right. Thank you. Thank

[28:39] you, Matt. >> Thank you, Mayor.

[28:43] » All right. Next item. Uh public comments. Mr. Smooth.

[28:51] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is the time set aside for the public to address the

[28:54] city council on matters not listed on the agenda. Anyone wishing to address

[28:58] the city council should come to the podium, be recognized by the mayor, and

[29:00] state your name for the record. If you wish to address the city council on an

[29:03] agenda item, you may do so by approaching the podium as we review that

[29:07] particular item, and you'll be given three minutes to address the city

[29:09] council. >> Okay. If you have um like to talk about

[29:14] anything other than agenda items, please come up, sign up, sign your name, and

[29:20] state your name for the record.

[29:34] Hello, my name is Sophia Partida. Uh, I just had a quick question. Are we able

[29:38] to ask y'all questions about the close session?

[29:42] » Um, >> no. No.

[29:43] » No. Oh, okay. That was it. I was just curious.

[29:46] » Yeah, it's close session. So, >> yeah, close session. All right.

[29:48] » Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Anyone else?

[29:53] All right, moving along. There are no public hearings tonight. There are no

[29:58] ordinances or resolutions for consideration. There's no consideration

[30:01] item. Uh moving on to consent calendar. Uh any conflicts on the consent

[30:08] calendar? >> Mr. Mayor, I am out on 13C. I have a

[30:13] property adjacent to this property being discussed.

[30:16] » 13C for Mr. Coops. >> Yeah.

[30:19] » 15. Oh, 15 C. 15. 15 C. 15C. >> All right. Any any other recuses?

[30:26] » Mr. Mayor, I'd like to uh recuse myself on item 15D out of the abundance of

[30:31] precaution. >> 15D. Okay. For count mayor prom Sanchez

[30:37] and any anyone who would like to pull an item for separate discussion?

[30:42] » No. >> Okay. I'd like to pull item 15 15D.

[30:47] » Sorry about taking another break. Okay,

[30:51] » get your cough under control. >> All right, 15D.

[30:55] Is there anyone here from uh Modern Vegan Cuisine LLC DBA Elri Ricky?

[31:06] » Nobody wants to admit to it. >> Okay, please come forward. We have some

[31:10] some questions for you.

[31:14] Uh, let me just say the reason I I pulled this item, I'm very excited when

[31:17] I saw the lights on El Ricky. I thought it's going to be opening very soon

[31:22] because it's been a it's been a long time since that restaurant's been uh

[31:26] it's been closed under construction and um I must admit that um a couple of

[31:32] times several months ago I I dropped in. I talked to the contractor. I asked him

[31:38] what's going on here and oh uh we're doing some tile work and things like

[31:42] that. So, so I asked him why why it's kind of seems like it's kind of stop and

[31:46] go, stop and go and >> so explain to me about the the finances

[31:50] of the restaurants >> and if you can confirm also I I

[31:55] understand that the property is also uh for sale. Maybe you can just kind of

[31:59] confirm that. >> And again based on my early statement I

[32:03] was very excited when I saw the lights on uh promoting basically El Ricky. So,

[32:08] can you give us the status of El Ricky because I'm really wanted to open.

[32:13] » Okay. Sure. Uh, you know, we got uh we had another project that we were working

[32:17] on and we got a little tight moneywise. >> Can you state your name and what's your

[32:23] relationship? >> Yeah, my name is uh Jose Burrito. I'm

[32:25] the owner of the property. Okay. But owner of the business, too.

[32:29] » Um, we have a few other projects and we got a little tie with the money. Uh, and

[32:33] we're two brothers. So, um, my brother want to sell. I don't want to sell it.

[32:39] But finally, we've got some cash flow and, uh, we'll decide to move forward

[32:43] and open it. >> So, you're not selling it anymore?

[32:45] » No, no, no. We'll we'll figure it out. >> That is good news, sir.

[32:48] » All right. >> Good news. Okay.

[32:49] » No, we will open. >> Okay.

[32:51] » So, what's your what's your timeline now in terms of opening?

[32:54] » Uh, probably like two months at the most.

[32:58] » Two months. >> Yeah.

[32:59] » Okay. Soon. >> Wow.

[33:01] » Yeah. >> You surprised me.

[33:02] » Well, we get the license. It's a good surprise though. It's a good surprise.

[33:06] Don't get >> I know it. It took a little while, but

[33:08] we want to make sure that we move forward fast if we can't.

[33:11] » Okay. So, are you set with your menu? Because if I understand it's going to be

[33:14] seafood. >> Yeah, it's like a seafood. Yes, we can

[33:17] get your menu uh later on for sure. >> Okay. Okay. In two months. Okay.

[33:22] » So, um in terms of the encroachment um encroachment permit or license here,

[33:29] what do you plan to do with that encroachment with that area? Um, we just

[33:34] want to finish uh remodeling and and get ready to open after we're get the

[33:38] license. >> Okay. And do you have your uh beer and

[33:42] wine license already? >> Yeah, we do have it. Yes. Waiting.

[33:44] Uh-huh. >> So, you're ready to go?

[33:46] » Yes. >> Oh, okay. All right. Very good.

[33:49] » Right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir. And and uh are you

[33:52] related to uh what's name now? Uh >> yeah, we're part of Calas and Roas.

[34:00] » Yeah, your brother. your brothers or >> uh I think you probably saw my nephew is

[34:06] my nephew. >> Another one. Um

[34:08] » Frank Daniel >> Daniel

[34:10] » Daniel is my nephew. He's my brother's son.

[34:12] » All right. Okay. >> Uhhuh.

[34:14] » And Noreli is >> uh my niece.

[34:16] » Your niece. Okay. >> Uhhuh.

[34:18] » All right. Okay. Very good. >> Well, thank you.

[34:20] » Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much.

[34:21] » Let us know when you when you're ready to open. When

[34:24] » we'll get the license, then we'll move forward.

[34:26] » Okay. Very good. Thank you. All right,

[34:31] » move the consent calendar. Oh, we got a Victor back.

[34:34] » Victor. >> Victor.

[34:37] » He's not far.

[34:45] » That's safe.

[34:48] » That was quick. >> All right, go ahead.

[34:53] » I'd like to move the consent calendar. >> Second. Uh motion by council member

[34:57] Coupe, seconded by council member uh Dunton to calendar with the two um

[35:03] recuse. >> Uh roll call, please.

[35:09] » Council member Morris, >> I.

[35:11] » Mayor Pro Tim Sanchez, >> I.

[35:13] » Council member Dutton, >> I.

[35:14] » Council member Coops, >> I.

[35:16] » Mayor Santine, >> I council reports. Uh council member

[35:20] Morris, >> I have none.

[35:21] » Uh thank you, C. Mayor Prom Sanchez. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh just want to

[35:26] report out that uh this weekend myself, council member Coops, and uh Council

[35:31] Member Wendy Morris attended the uh Greater League Belfar Greater League um

[35:36] ribbon cutting or opening ceremony day. It was a fun event, fun day. Uh well

[35:41] spent. Uh made sure to recognize the entire council and uh yeah, they they're

[35:47] ready to go and they're going to have some fun. So

[35:49] » Oh, awesome. Very good. Thank you, Council Member Dun.

[35:53] » Uh nothing to report today. All right. Council member Coops.

[35:56] » No, I'm green with council vice chair >> mayor prommeritus

[36:03] all the >> we had a you know every year we go out

[36:08] and welcome the new crop of kids to play baseball. There's usually five six

[36:12] hundred kids. The president told us that there were 60 more signed up this year

[36:16] than last year. And so that's very encouraging. They keep a great diamond

[36:20] there. A lot of enthusiasm, a lot of help from the parents. Um, that league's

[36:24] been in existence over 70 years. I know that because 65 years ago I played in it

[36:29] and uh for four years and never got a hit, but that's another story. That's

[36:33] like a no hitter. >> Yeah,

[36:36] it ruined my group sports forever. I never played again. But, uh,

[36:39] nevertheless, it's a great organization. It's a great part of our fabric of

[36:42] Bellflower. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. Thank you, Council Member

[36:45] Coops. I just want to thank uh public um parks and rec staff for the nice very

[36:51] nice uh Valentine's party for seniors last last week. It was well attended. It

[36:56] was pleasant surprise with so many attendees. A lot of seniors came to that

[36:59] party. So uh they know how to throw a party. Uh and also I talked about

[37:04] parking at the last meeting. I'd like to ask staff to look into our parking

[37:09] permit district if we can kind of review that. Uh I think it's been a long time

[37:14] and I look at it uh recently um in terms of the number of cars being allowed per

[37:18] household. It is a big number of cars. So if we can update that um that policy

[37:24] or whatever you call it for parking district and make a report a

[37:28] recommendation to the council. >> Certainly we can take a look at that.

[37:31] » All right. Very good. With that uh this meeting is adjourned to the next regular

[37:34] meeting of the BPA city council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2026. This

[37:41] meeting is now adjourned. >> 10 to 8.

[37:45] » No. 1:30.

Bellflower City Council Regular Meeting February 23, 2026

Transcript