Bellflower council adopts package of charter-implementing ordinances to streamline permitting, public-works contracting and business-assistance rules

The Bellflower City Council on Monday adopted a set of ordinances and resolutions implementing powers in the city’s new charter, moves city officials said are intended to speed permitting and public‑works delivery and preserve local control.

The council voted to reaffirm use of the California Fire Code rather than the Los Angeles County fire regulations, approved amendments to the municipal code that allow broader use of design‑build and ‘‘best value’’ procurement for public works, and adopted a resolution declaring that projects funded through the city’s economic-development business assistance plan are not subject to prevailing‑wage requirements under the charter. Council members also approved contract awards and an abatement plan for a vacant commercial parcel and amended two executive employment contracts.

City officials framed the package as a direct implementation of voters’ direction when Bellflower adopted a city charter last November, and as a tool to reduce delays in building and rebuilding after recent statewide wildfires.

“This is simply the enactment of or the implementation of the voters’ intent with regard to adopting the city charter,” City Manager Ryan Smoot said as staff presented the measures. Smoot and City Attorney Carl Berger both described the actions as reaffirmations and clarifications of authority the council has exercised since 2019.

Berger stressed that applying the California Fire Code is a city choice intended to streamline permitting. “There’s nothing that prohibits applicants from coming in and complying with the LA [County] code; it’s simply not a legal requirement within the city of Bellflower that they do so,” Berger said, explaining the practical effect is to reduce duplicative or slower county processes.

What the council approved

- Fire code:…