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MINUTES
GARDEN GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Community Meeting Center
11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840
CONVENE MEETING
At 6:35 p.m., Mayor Jones convened the meeting in the Council Chamber.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: (7) Council Members O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen, Brietigam, Mayor
Jones
ABSENT: (0) None
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ADOPTION OF A PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING FEBRUARY AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH (F: 83.1-2023)
Mayor Jones pulled this item for action, and following the reading of the Proclamation by Assistant City Manager, Maria Stipe, it was moved by Council Member Nguyen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
A Proclamation celebrating February as Black History Month in Garden Grove, be adopted, and all residents are encouraged to celebrate diversity and work together to create a world that is more just, peaceful, and prosperous for all.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
Mayor Jones presented the Proclamation to Robert McDonald, President of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County who addressed the City Council thanking them for recognizing February as Black History Month.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT IN RECOGNITION OF JAMES NGUYEN FOR BEING ONE OF THE 100 RISE GLOBAL WINNERS FOR 2022
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT IN RECOGNITION OF PHILLIP NGUYEN FOR RECEIVING THE NSLI-Y VIRTUAL SUMMER INTENSIVE SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
SOCALGAS UPDATE
Juan Gonzalez, Public Affairs Manager with SoCalGas provided a PowerPoint presentation on the recent price increases due to pipeline deficiencies and higher demand due to colder weather.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Speakers: Rubi Garcia, Grace Lee, Teresa Tran, Nicholas Dibs.
RECESS
At 7:20 p.m. Mayor Jones recessed the meeting.
RECONVENE
At 8:16 p.m., Mayor Jones reconvened the meeting with all Council Members present.
ADOPTION OF A PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING FEBRUARY AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH (F: 83.1-2023)
This matter was considered earlier in the meeting.
APPROVAL OF FINAL PARCEL MAP NO. PM-2020-112 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 11841 MAGNOLIA STREET, GARDEN GROVE (F: 118.1)
It was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
Final Parcel Map No. PM-2020-112 for the property located at 11841 Magnolia Street, Garden Grove, be approved.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
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APPROVAL OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF ORANGE FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER (FaCT) GRANT
PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE MAGNOLIA PARK FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER (F: 97.2.99)
It was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
The Second Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Orange Social Services Agency to receive Families and Communities Together (FaCT) grant funding for the Magnolia Park Family Resource Center (MPFRC), be approved; and The City Manager be authorized to sign the Second Amendment, including making any modifications during the contract period for the operation and implementation of the contract services on behalf of the City.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO THE AGREEMENT WITH WM CURBSIDE, LLC, FOR ADMINISTERING THE CITY’S HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PROGRAM (F: 55-WM
CURBSIDE, LLC)
It was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
Amendment No. 6 to the Agreement with WM Curbside, LLC., in the amount of $12,875, from February 14, 2023 through May 31, 2023 for administration of the City’s Household Hazardous Program, be approved; and
The City Manager be authorized to execute Amendment No. 6 on behalf of the City, including making minor modifications as appropriate.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
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RECEIVE AND FILE MINUTES FROM THE MEETINGS HELD ON DECEMBER 13, 2022, AND JANUARY 10, 2023 (F: VAULT)
It was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
The Minutes from the meetings held on December 13, 2022, and January 10, 2023, be received and filed.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
WARRANTS
It was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
Payroll warrants issued on January 26, 2023, inclusive as listed on this register and have been verified by the Finance Division as properly issued and bear all proper signatures, be received and filed.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
WAIVER
It was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam that:
That full reading of ordinances listed be waived.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
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CONSIDERATION TO APPOINT TO THE CITY'S COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEE, AND BOARD (CONTINUED FROM THE JANUARY 24, 2023, MEETING) (F: 122.0)
This matter was continued to the next meeting.
RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS AND AUDITOR’S COMMUNICATION RELATED TO FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 ANNUAL AUDIT, AND APPROVE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 (F: 22.1) (F: 34.1.2022)
Staff provided a PowerPoint presentation with an overview of the findings from the auditor Davis Farr LLP that indicated a clean opinion from the auditor with a positive operating result of $71.1 million; a General Fund surplus of $49.2 million; $37.4 million unspent capital project funds carried over to Fiscal Year 2022-23 with $7.8 million additional appropriation allocated in Amended Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget; with Public Safety expenditures totaling $95.2 million, 71.8% of overall General Fund expenditures.
Following City Council comments, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam, seconded by Council Member Klopfenstein that:
The City of Garden Grove Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2021-22; Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to Appropriation Limit Worksheets; Internal Control and Compliance of the Air Quality Improvement Fund ; Auditor Communications to the City Council; and Management Letter to the City Council; be received and filed;
Additional appropriation for the tenant improvement and space study of the Purcell Building in the amount of $1.0 million, be approved;
Additional appropriation for the 2022 Statewide General Election in the amount of $106,000, be approved; and
Additional appropriation for a cloud-based data hosting service in the amount of $24,000, be approved.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
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ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION IN THE ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING GRANT PROGRAM (F: 117.15)
Following staff introduction and City Council discussion, it was moved by Council Member Nguyen, seconded by Council Member Klopfenstein that:
Resolution No. 9783-23 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Garden Grove to authorize participation in the Encampment Resolution Funding Grant Program (ERF-2-R) with the proposed budget of $3,444,000 and authorize agreements to implement the CalTrans Collaborative Project, be adopted.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2941 (F: 116.PUD-018-2022)
Following the reading of the ordinance, it was moved by Council Member O’Neill, seconded by Council Member Klopfenstein that:
Ordinance No. 2941 entitled: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Garden Grove approving Planned Unit Development No. PUD-018-2022 to establish residential Planned Unit Development implementation provisions and standards of development for property located at 9071, 9081, and 9091 Lampson Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 133-183-55, 56, 57, and 58), be adopted.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen,
Brietigam, Jones
Noes: (0) None
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND CITY MANAGER
Mayor Pro Tem Brietigam announced that on Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., he and Council Member Tran are hosting a Catalytic Converter Engraving event at the Grease Monkey garage on Knott Street. This event is free to all Garden Grove residents.
Council Member O’Neill praised the Fire Fighters who responded to a car accident involving a mother and daughter en route to a championship basketball game; the Fire Fighters went above and beyond once the accident scene was secure to take the mother and daughter to the game. Comment from OCFA was “that being there for
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the team and being there for the community is what we take to heart.” He wished his wife a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Council Member Tran thanked Dr. Gabriela Mafi, Superintendent of Garden Grove Unified School District, and students from Rancho Alamitos High School for attending the “Elder Event.” The students, who were very polite, performed songs and it turned out very nice. She is looking forward to holding more events and collaborating with Council Member Brietigam, and Council Member Klopfenstein on an art event.
Council Member Nguyen spoke about a need for additional part time staffing for the purpose of supporting council districts in order to provide more community engagement. Comparatively, she has seen other cities providing staffing assigned to council districts promoting community engagement specific to those respective districts, which is something that needs to be considered for the future. She sug
gested multiple ways in which assigned staff could be instrumental in promoting services and events specific to each district as well as citywide. She recommended that through neighborhood partnerships, creating district associations could be beneficial for community engagement, noting that many events that are held, such as community workshops might be better attended. District staff could gather data and track hot spots for crime or other issues and provide useful information to the residents within their respective districts. She would also like to have video shorts posted online and on social media following council meetings highlighting projects or milestones that were approved. She expressed concern that as she is near the end of her term as a council member, and as such she would like to leave a legacy of long term solutions for more community engagement. She felt that the council needs to be more proactive on diversity when selecting commissioners. She encouraged the council members to attend the League of California Cities General Assembly OC coming up on Thursday between 5:00 through 7:00 pm at the Irvine City Hall. She is looking forward to the upcoming opening day of Garden Grove Pony League on Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. at West Haven Park. Lastly, she wished her fiancé a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Council Member Klopfenstein spoke on the loss of Ric Lerma, an important member of the Garden Grove community, and that on February 9, 2023, the first annual Ric Lerma Memorial Blood Drive was held at the Community Meeting Center. She thanked city staff for allowing the use of the center and noted that the drive was well organized. Notably, Patti Widdicombe of McDonald’s, Kayes Kitchen, and countless civic groups and volunteers came together to sponsor and to honor the legacy and life of Ric Lerma. The American Red Cross was fabulous to work with collecting 50 pints of blood with an impact of hopefully saving over 150 lives. It was a successful event that she hopes to continue in the years to come.
Council Member DoVinh congratulated Assistant City Manager, Lisa Kim, for receiving the John H. Nail Memorial Award of 2023; this recognition is an important achievement presented to an outstanding municipal assistant who has contributed
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significantly to city government and to the advancement of the community. He noted that with City Manager Stiles leaving the City, he is happy that there will be an internal recruitment. He spoke to his expectation for a well-run city and expects City staff to be responsive to the residents. He expressed that as a council member he did not give up his rights as a resident nor a business owner and made the distinction between perceived conflicts of interest and actual conflicts of interest he must abide by as a council member. He commented he was waiting on clarification of what constitutes a conflict of interest and that he will continue to operate his business, as he has a business license to do so. He recommended training for staff who are not educated on how to work with council members and he asked the City Manager and City Attorney to compile a Do and Don’t List for the elected officials, as well as for City staff. He expressed his expectations for a new City Manager that includes ensuring staff is responsive to the public. He noted that under City Manager Stiles, the City has a surplus and he would like that to continue with a budget surplus and to protect pensions. He paid homage to Charles Mitchell, Ric Lerma, and Division Chief Ron Roberts who have all recently passed away.
City Manager Stiles spoke on meeting with Cal Optima on their Street Medicine program who will be presenting at the next City Council meeting. There will be an ADU Workshop held for the community at the Community Meeting Center on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. hosted by City staff. The RFP for a construction contractor has been released for the Navigation Center with bids due on March 1, 2023. There will be a bulky item pick event on February 25, 2023, at Skylark Elementary School in District 2 that is open to all Garden Grove residents.
Mayor Jones offered condolences to the friends and families of Ric Lerma and Chief Ron Roberts. Ric was a pillar of the community who gave unselfishly of his time.
Chief Roberts was an exemplary leader who was the Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief overseeing the Garden Grove Division.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:52 p.m., Mayor Jones adjourned the meeting in memory of Ric Lerma and of Ron Roberts. The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, California.
Teresa Pomeroy
City Clerk