AVALON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 - 5:00 PM
410 AVALON CANYON ROAD
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER-5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL-Present via Teleconference and In-Person: Councilmembers Lisa Lavelle, Michael Ponce and Mary Schickling. Also present: City Manager David Maistros, City Attorney Scott Campbell and City Clerk Gabrielle Morones. Absent: Mayor Anni Marshall and Councilmember Yesenia De La Rosa.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS-None.
CONSENT CALENDAR-There were nine items on the Consent Calendar. Motion to approve made by Mary Schickling, seconded by Michael Ponce. (3 Ayes-Lavelle, Ponce, Schickling; 2 Absent-Marshall and De La Rosa)
1. City Council Minutes
Approved minutes from January 20, 2026 regular City Council Meeting.
2. Warrants
Approved warrants totaling $1,668,269.99, two payrolls totaling $ 526,853.44, seven electronic fund transfers totaling $ 3,146,043.68 for a total of $5,341,167.11 for January 5, 2026 through January 23, 2026.
3. Waterside Permit Change of Conditions of Use - Avalon Aquatic Excursions City Council made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the amended Waterside Permit to Avalon Aquatic Excursions, with the following conditions: 1. All operations to load and unload passengers will take place on the Pleasure Pier and Barbara Pearson floats with occasional use of the floats at the Cabrillo Mole. Applicant must not interfere with other commercial boat traffic including cross-town ferry and/or cruise ship tender traffic. 2. Applicant abides by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including the payment of all applicable fees. 3. Applicant meets all regulatory requirements for passenger-carrying vessels of this type, including any U.S. Coast Guard and Public Utilities Commission requirements. 4.
Prior to vessel acquisition, the applicant will provide the Harbor Master with the technical specifications, including make, model, length, beam, propulsion type, passenger capacity for approval. Any future proposed changes to these specifications will require prior Harbor Master approval in writing. 5. Applicant provides the Harbor Master with current registration/documentation of the vessel and current valid Mariner's credentials for each operator.
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4. Waterside Permit Application - Catalina Charters
City Council made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the Waterside Permit to Catalina Charters, with the following conditions: 1. All operations to load and unload passengers will take place on the Pleasure Pier and Barbara Pearson floats with occasional use of the floats at the Cabrillo Mole. Applicant must not interfere with other commercial boat traffic including cross-town ferry and/or cruise ship tender traffic. 2. Applicant abides by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including the obtaining of a business license and paying all applicable fees.
3. Applicant meets all regulatory requirements for passenger-carrying vessels of this type, including any U.S. Coast Guard and Public Utilities Commission requirements. 4. Prior to vessel acquisition, the applicant will provide the Harbor Master with the technical specifications, including make, model, length, beam, propulsion type, passenger capacity for approval. Any future proposed changes to these specifications will require prior Harbor Master approval in writing. 5.
Applicant provides the Harbor Master with current registration/documentation of the vessel and current valid Mariner's credentials for each operator.
Waterside Permit Application - Catalina Harbor Cruises
City Council made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the Waterside Permit to Catalina Harbor Cruises, with the following conditions: 1. All operations to load and unload passengers will take place on the Pleasure Pier and Barbara Pearson floats with occasional use of the floats at the Cabrillo Mole. Applicant must not interfere with other commercial boat traffic including cross-town ferry and/or cruise ship tender traffic. 2. Applicant abides by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including the obtaining of a business license and paying all applicable fees.
3. Applicant meets all regulatory requirements for passenger-carrying vessels of this type, including any U.S. Coast Guard and Public Utilities Commission requirements. 4. Prior to vessel acquisition, the applicant will provide the Harbor Master with the technical specifications, including make, model, length, beam, propulsion type, passenger capacity for approval. Any future proposed changes to these specifications will require prior Harbor Master approval in writing. 5.
Applicant provides the Harbor Master with current registration/documentation of the vessel and current valid Mariner's credentials for each operator.
6. Waterside Permit Application - Fair Wind Ocean Charters LLC Made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the Waterside Permit Application to Fair Wind Ocean Charters LLC, with the following conditions: 1. All operations to load and unload passengers will take place on the Pleasure Pier and Barbara Pearson floats with occasional use of the floats at the Cabrillo Mole. Applicant must not interfere with
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other commercial boat traffic including cross-town ferry and/or cruise ship tender traffic. 2. Applicant abides by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including the obtaining of a business license and paying all applicable fees.
3. Applicant meets all regulatory requirements for passenger-carrying vessels of this type, including any U.S. Coast Guard and Public Utilities Commission requirements. 4. Prior to vessel acquisition, the applicant will provide the Harbor Master with the technical specifications, including make, model, length, beam, propulsion type, passenger capacity for approval. Any future proposed changes to these specifications will require prior Harbor Master approval in writing.
7. Waterside Permit Application - Heidi Wilson (Boat Cleaning) City Council made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the Waterside Project Application to Heidi Wilson (business name TBD), with the following conditions: 1. Applicants abide by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including the obtaining of a business license and paying all applicable fees. 2. Applicant meets all certification requirements for this type of business.
Waterside Permit Amendment of Conditions of Use - Island Enterprises, Inc. dba Catalina Adventure Tours
Made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the Waterside Project Application to amend the current Waterside Permit for Island Enterprises, Inc. dba Catalina Adventure Tours, with the following conditions: 1. All operations to load and unload passengers will take place on the Pleasure Pier, with occasional use of the floats at the Cabrillo Mole or as otherwise directed by the Harbor Master. Applicant must not interfere with other commercial boat traffic including cross-town ferry and/or cruise ship tender traffic. 2. Applicant abides by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including obtaining a business license and payment of all applicable fees.
3. Applicant meets all regulatory requirements for passenger-carrying vessels of this type, including any U.S. Coast Guard and Public Utilities Commission requirements. 4. Allow Island Enterprises non-exclusive use of float in position "E" on the pier for their tour boat operation and the City will not charge fees for the float so long as its use is non-exclusive. 5. Applicant provides the Harbor Master with current registration/documentation of the vessel and current valid Mariner's credentials for each operator.
Waterside Permi Application - Jeffrey Tucker
Made the affirmative finding that conditions set forth in the Avalon Municipal Code have been met and granted the Waterside Project Application to Jeffrey Tucker (business name TBD), with the following conditions: 1. All operations to load and unload passengers will take place on the Pleasure Pier and Barbara Pearson floats with occasional use of the floats at the Cabrillo Mole. Applicant must not interfere
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with other commercial boat traffic including cross-town ferry and/or cruise ship tender traffic. 2. Applicant abides by the standard list of conditions for Waterside Permit holders including the obtaining of a business license and paying all applicable fees. 3. Applicant meets all regulatory requirements for passenger- carrying vessels of this type, including any U.S. Coast Guard and Public Utilities Commission requirements. 4. Prior to vessel acquisition, the applicant will provide the Harbor Master with the technical specifications, including make, model, length, beam, propulsion type, passenger capacity for approval. Any future proposed changes to these specifications will require prior Harbor Master approval in writing.
5. Applicant provides the Harbor Master with current registration/documentation of the vessel and current valid Mariner's credentials for each operator.
GENERAL BUSINESS
10. Purchase of 2026 TRUVAC HXX Paradigm Vacuum Excavator Truck City Council authorized the City Manager, or their designee, to procure, per the City's purchasing policy, a new TRUVAC HXX Paradigm vacuum excavator truck that meets the required specifications outlined by staff, for a total not-to-exceed $526,000 (13825-6781). The purchase will be made through Haaker Equipment Company located in La Verne, CA using a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement (Contract#101221-VTR).
Motion to approve made by Michael Ponce, seconded by Mary Schickling. (3 Ayes-Lavelle, Ponce, Schickling; 2 Absent-Marshall and De La Rosa)
11. Two-Dimensional Floodplain Modeling
City Council made the affirmative finding that a competitive market does not exist and the City will not gain a competitive advantage by using a formal contract bid or other competitive procedure and authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with BKF Engineers for a not-to-exceed sum of $30,000 to provide two- dimensional floodplain modeling of the area north of Tremont Street to the Pacific Ocean.
Motion to approve made by Michael Ponce, seconded by Mary Schickling. (3 Ayes-Lavelle, Ponce, Schickling; 2 Absent-Marshall and De La Rosa)
12. Change Order #3 for Cultural Resources Consultation Agreement with Montrose Environmental Services
City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Changer Order #3 for the professional services agreement with Montrose Environmental Solutions, Inc., to continue to provide cultural resource consulting for the Five Corner Site Improvement Project through February 2026, for an additional sum of $23,244.00 and a new total contract sum of $239,372.00.
Motion to approve made by Michael Ponce, seconded by Mary Schikling. (3 Ayes-Lavelle, Ponce, Schickling; 2 Absent-Marshall and De La Rosa)
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13. Ratification of Prior Actions for 2026 Waste Water Treatment Repairs
1. Adopted Resolution No. 26-07 of the City Council of the City of Avalon Proclaiming Existence of a Local Emergency. 2. Ratified prior action authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with Ovivo for a Micro Ozzy Cup Screen for a three- month period for a not-to-exceed sum of $55,000. 3.Ratified prior action authorizing the City Manger to execute an agreement with Slater Waterproofing, Inc. for the rehabilitation of the WWTP Grit Chamber for a not-to-exceed sum of $125,000.
Motion to approve made by Michael Ponce, seconded by Lisa Lavelle. (3 Ayes-Lavelle, Ponce, Schickling; 2 Absent-Marshall and De La Rosa) CLOSED SESSION-6:13 p.m. -7:06 p.m.
Following the appropriate announcement of the Closed Session items the City Council went into Closed Session to discuss the following:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of §54956.9.
Three cases.
Following Closed Session, the City Attorney announced that there was one reportable action. The City Attorney stated that the City Council unanimously directed the City Attorney's Office to file an objection to the permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the Catalina Restoration Management Project. The objection is based on the failure to comply with CEQA noticing requirements, as well as substantive grounds that the permit was inappropriately issued.
Mayor Marshall adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
1, Gabrielle Morones, City Clerk, do hereby certify that the digital recording of the regular City Council Meeting on February 3, 2026, is the official record of the Council Meeting and is on file and maintained in City Hall.
Sabille Mones
Gabrielle Morones, City Clerk