Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Still in progress
This meeting hasn't been fully processed yet. You can watch the video and read what's here — we're still adding sections as we work through the archive.
Money Approved This Meeting
$29.0M
What Happened
The Compton City Council approved a $322,105 citywide parking rate study after debate over why a higher-priced vendor was selected over a lower bid, with staff explaining the lowest bidder's six-month timeline was deemed impractical for a comprehensive 18-24 month study. The council tabled a resolution to terminate preferential parking in Richland Farms for two weeks despite a petition with over 50% of residents' signatures that had sat unprocessed in the city clerk's office since March. A $4.77 million road repair contract (Phase 10) with All American Asphalt was approved covering streets across all districts. In closed session, the council authorized a $95,500 settlement in the Guzman v. City of Compton lawsuit and approved initiating litigation in one additional matter. New City Controller Lawrence Chu was introduced, and multiple residents voiced concerns about repeated business break-ins, city cleanliness, sewer maintenance failures, graffiti, and inconsistent code enforcement.
Meeting Sections
Call to Order and Roll Call
0:15:43The special meeting was called to order on September 1, 2026. Roll call confirmed a quorum with three council members and the mayor present. Two council members were absent.
Watch this section ▶Closed Session on Litigation Matters
0:17:40The council went into closed session to discuss eight litigation items, including six existing lawsuits and two anticipated litigation matters. This session lasted roughly three hours.
Watch this section ▶Closed Session Report and Reconvening
3:20:07The council reconvened and reported on closed session actions. A settlement of $95,500 was authorized in one case. Litigation was authorized for one anticipated matter, and the remaining items were tabled or received updates with no further action. Residents should know that city funds are being used for legal settlements.
Watch this section ▶Special Meeting Explanation and New Controller
3:24:17The city manager explained the meeting was designated as a special meeting due to technical difficulties uploading the agenda on time. The city's new controller was introduced, filling a position the city had been without. Residents now have a financial officer responsible for overseeing city finances.
Watch this section ▶Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation
3:27:16The council proclaimed September 2026 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Compton. City Hall will be illuminated in blue during the week of September 19. A prostate cancer awareness walk is planned at Compton College on September 19.
Watch this section ▶Public Comments on Agenda Items
3:30:34Residents spoke on multiple issues including support for keeping preferential parking in Richland Farms, city cleanliness and graffiti, business break-ins, sewer maintenance concerns, El Niño preparedness, and the parking rate study cost. A local artist also displayed Compton-themed artwork. Because this was a special meeting, comments were limited to agenda items only.
Watch this section ▶Consent Agenda Approved with Exceptions
4:17:30The consent agenda was approved with items 16 and 19 pulled for separate discussion. Item 16 was tabled. Item 19 regarding Gateway Cities Council of Government planning activities for the I-710 corridor was discussed and approved separately. Item 20 regarding League of California Cities delegate appointments was also handled separately, with delegates and alternates designated for the upcoming conference.
Watch this section ▶Congressional Black Caucus Travel Authorization
4:24:29The council approved travel authorization for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 55th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., September 16-20, 2026. Only one council member indicated plans to attend.
Watch this section ▶Citywide Parking Rate Study Approved
4:26:36The council approved a contract not to exceed $322,105 for a comprehensive citywide parking rate study. The selected firm scored highest in technical evaluations despite not being the lowest bidder. The study will take 18-24 months and will examine on-street and off-street parking, parking meters/kiosks, technology solutions, and will prioritize Richland Farms first. This matters because Compton hasn't done a comprehensive parking study in over a decade.
Watch this section ▶Richland Farms Parking Permit Termination Tabled
4:50:18A resolution to terminate preferential parking in Richland Farms was discussed but tabled for two weeks. A petition with over 50% of residents' signatures requesting termination had been submitted in March but was not acted upon until the new city manager discovered it. Council members expressed interest in finding a middle ground, possibly modifying restrictions rather than eliminating the program entirely. This directly affects Richland Farms residents' daily parking and quality of life.
Watch this section ▶Road Repair Project Phase 10 Approved
5:04:43The council approved a $4,766,000 contract with All American Asphalt for citywide road repairs (Phase 10), covering 10 streets in each council district. Streets were selected using the pavement management plan, resident input, and council direction. The city's current pavement condition index is 60 out of 100, and this work aims to improve conditions for residents dealing with deteriorated residential streets.
Watch this section ▶Council Member Comments and Updates
5:14:57Council members shared updates on community events attended during the August recess, including National Night Out, school supply giveaways, senior events, and the Miss and Mr. Compton Scholarship Pageant. Announcements included a third district town hall on September 12, an entrepreneurial workshop series, a senior citizen prom on September 25, a human trafficking awareness event on September 23, and concerns about copper theft affecting street lighting. A nonprofit's lease compliance issue was also raised.
Watch this section ▶Adjournment
5:37:56The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM. City Hall will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
Watch this section ▶Agenda Items
Approval of Minutes: February 10, 2026
Approval of Minutes: March 17, 2026
Approval of Minutes: July 7, 2026
Approval of Minutes: July 20, 2026
Resolution to Illuminate City Hall for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Resolution Amending City-Wide Salary Schedule for All Employees
MOU with LA County and CUSD for School-Adjacent Improvements on Compton Boulevard
MOU with Metro for Southeast Los Angeles Transit Improvement Project
Purchase Order to Gateway Cities COG for I-710 and 91/605/405 Corridor Planning, FY 2026-2027
$45,000
Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and League of California Cities Delegates
Authorize Travel for Elected Officials to Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference
Resolution Authorizing Contract Negotiations for Citywide Parking Rate Study Services
$322,105
Closed Session — Legal Matters
Cases the council discussed in closed session. The public agenda only lists "Closed Session"; these specifics come from the agenda packet. Litigation tracker →
Anticipated Litigation: Initiation of Litigation in Two Cases
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding the initiation of litigation in two cases, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4).
Anticipated Litigation: Significant Exposure to Litigation in Two Cases
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation in two cases, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(e)(1) or (d)(2) and (e)(1).
Existing Litigation: City of Compton v. Aaron Kadosh, et al. (LASC Case No. 23CMCV00874)
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of City of Compton v. Aaron Kadosh, et al., pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(c) or (d)(1).
Existing Litigation: City of Compton v. Arturo Flores, et al. (LASC Case No. 23CMCV00797)
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of City of Compton v. Arturo Flores, et al., pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(c) or (d)(1).
Existing Litigation: Cristina Media Guzman, et al v. City of Compton (LASC Case No. 24CMCV01385)
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of Cristina Media Guzman, et al v. City of Compton, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(c) or (d)(1).
Existing Litigation: Elida Cardoza, et al. v. City of Compton (LASC Case No. 23NWCV00990)
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of Elida Cardoza, et al. v. City of Compton, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(c) or (d)(1).
Existing Litigation: Maurice Gibbs v. City of Compton (LASC Case No. 24CMCV01828)
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of Maurice Gibbs v. City of Compton, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(c) or (d)(1).
Existing Litigation: Rickey Hammond, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al. (LASC Case No. 24CMCV00686)
The City Council will meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of Rickey Hammond, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al., pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(c) or (d)(1).
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