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Bellflower council introduces ordinance to broaden where official notices can be published
Summary
The council voted to introduce Ordinance No. 1453, which would add Chapter 1.18 to the Bellflower Municipal Code and give the city charter-based flexibility to use alternative lawful publication methods for strictly municipal affairs while preserving state-mandated notice requirements.
City officials on Monday introduced Ordinance No. 1453, a staff-drafted change that would add Chapter 1.18 to the Bellflower Municipal Code and give the city more flexibility to determine lawful publication methods for municipal affairs.
City Clerk Myra told the council the ordinance would not eliminate state-mandated notice requirements but would allow the city to use other lawful publication methods when state law does not prescribe a specific method. "The ordinance establishes a way for the city to have more flexibility in municipal affairs," Myra said, adding that staff would develop an administrative policy and procedure to implement the change.
Supporters told the council the change is intended to avoid delays arising from weekly newspaper publication schedules and to provide options — including digital postings in specified public locations — when deadlines are tight. Myra said the city currently uses the Los Cerritos Community News but may identify additional outlets that publish daily to meet time-sensitive needs.
Council moved, introduced the ordinance by title only and waived further reading. The motion to introduce Ordinance No. 1453 passed on a roll-call vote with ayes recorded by Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez, Council member Coops, Council member Morse and Mayor Santinez.
If adopted at a later meeting, the ordinance would prompt staff to adopt administrative procedures defining which municipal notices may be published by alternative means and which remain subject to state law. Staff said they will work with the city manager and city attorney on that policy and return with further direction to the council.
What happens next: the ordinance was introduced (first reading); the council may schedule subsequent readings or adoption at a future meeting when the full procedure and publication outlets are presented.
