Council adopts urgency ordinance to implement 2025 California building code and approves park, event and IT contracts

The Bell Gardens City Council on May 11 adopted interim urgency Ordinance No. 968‑U to remove references to Los Angeles County codes in the municipal code and adopt by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) and related energy and wildland‑urban interface standards. Staff said the urgency ordinance prevents conflict between the city’s codified language and the state code while staff prepares a permanent codification. The ordinance passed the required four‑fifths vote and will terminate after 180 days unless replaced by a permanent ordinance.

In separate actions, the council approved a handful of operational and community items:

• Kaboom playground grant (Marlo Park): Recreation staff reported a Kaboom grant would replace the park’s playground with an estimated $150,000 project; the city’s cash match is $8,500 plus the cost of ADA‑compliant surfacing. Council approved a community partner agreement and asked staff to return with surfacing costs after design work.

• Fireworks and multimedia events: After issuing an RFP, staff recommended a contract with Fireworks and Stage FX America for a choreographed, music‑synchronized fireworks show (proposed 16 minutes, annual not‑to‑exceed $23,000). Staff also proposed rescheduling the contracted multimedia/laser show (TLC Creative) to the city’s Halloween event; that amendment adds a $2,500 rescheduling fee to a $33,500 base and results in a $36,000 amended total. Council approved the fireworks contract and the amended multimedia agreement.

• Workday cashiering and kiosk services (items 10.5/10.7): As part of the city’s Workday implementation, staff asked the council to approve a software‑as‑a‑service agreement for cashiering and lobby kiosks to replace legacy Eden cashiering functionality. Staff estimated the combined fiscal impact for these services at roughly $67,000 over the multiyear term; council approved the agreements through 2028.

Several council members thanked staff and departments for the proclamations and accepted ceremonial recognitions presented earlier in the meeting.