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MINUTES
GARDEN GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Community Meeting Center
11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840
CONVENE MEETING
At 6:39 p.m., Mayor Jones convened the meeting.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: (7) Council Members O’Neill, Tran, DoVinh, Klopfenstein, Nguyen-Penaloza, Mayor Pro
Tem Brietigam, Mayor Jones
ABSENT: (0) None
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT IN RECOGNITION OF THE GARDEN GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ON NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2023 (F: 83.1-2024)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Speakers: Teresa Wright, Kyle Mason, Adam Zaki, Moses Castillo, Patti Martinez
CONSIDERATION OF A WRITTEN REQUEST FROM WEST GARDEN GROVE YOUTH BASEBALL FOR CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE 2024 OPENING DAY PARADE (F: 77.1) (F: 74.27)
Following staff introduction and City Council comments, it was moved by Brietigam, seconded by Council Member Klopfenstein that:
Co-sponsorship for the 2024 Opening Day Parade be approved, with an in-kind contribution in an estimated cost of $5,800 for Police service, Public Works Street Division service and equipment required to close city streets; and
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An additional co-sponsorship be approved in the amount of $750 for the use of the City’s Showmobile stage.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
CONSIDERATION OF A WRITTEN REQUEST FROM LITTLE SAIGON TV TO EXTEND THE OPERATING HOURS AND MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO THE CITY’S NOISE ORDINANCE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024, AT THE GARDEN AMP (F: 87.5)
Following staff introduction and City Council discussion it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tran, seconded by Council Member Brietigam that:
The request from Little Saigon TV to extend the operating hours and to make an exemption to the Noise Ordinance from 10:00 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Garden Amp to celebrate the Lunar New Year, be approved.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
RECESS
At 7:08 p.m., Mayor Jones recessed the meeting.
RECONVENE
At 7:11 p.m., Mayor Jones reconvened the meeting in the Council Chamber with all council members present.
ADOPTION OF A PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING JANUARY 13, 2024 AS KOREAN AMERICAN DAY (F: 83.1-2024)
Following the introduction by City Manager Kim, it was moved by Council Member Klopfenstein, seconded by Council Member Nguyen-Penaloza that:
A Proclamation be adopted celebrating January 13, 2024, as Korean American Day in Garden Grove.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
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Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
Follo
Mr. John Ngo representing the Korean American Foundation of Orange County received the proclamation and thanked the City Council for their support.
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER TO MOTOROLA
SOLUTIONS FOR PORTABLE RADIOS
It was moved by Council Member Brietigam, seconded by Council Member Nguyen- Penaloza that:
Dispensing with bidding for sole source purchase pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.50.060(C), be approved; and
The Finance Director, or designee, be authorized to issue a purchase order in the amount of $72,899.47 to Motorola Solutions for the purchase of portable radio equipment.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS AND AUDITOR’S COMMUNICATION RELATED TO FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 ANNUAL AUDIT (F: 22.1) This matter was considered later in the meeting.
RECEIVE AND FILE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 28, 2023 (F: Vault)
It was moved by Council Member Brietigam, seconded by Council Member Nguyen- Penaloza that:
Minutes from the meeting held on November 28, 2023, be received and filed as submitted or amended.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
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WARRANTS
It was moved by Council Member Brietigam, seconded by Council Member Nguyen- Penaloza that:
Demands covered by wires numbers 00001857 through 00001899, EFT numbers 00043169 through 00043192, and check numbers 00690345 through 00690448 inclusive and have been verified by the Finance Division as properly issued and bear all proper signature, be received and filed;
Demands covered by EFT numbers 00043193 through 00044252, and check numbers 00690449 through 00690650 inclusive and have been verified by the Finance Division as properly issued and bear all proper signatures, be received and filed;
Demands covered EFT numbers 00044253 through 00044283, and check numbers 00690651 through 00690700 inclusive and have been verified by the Finance Division as properly issued and bear all proper signatures be received and filed;
Demands covered by EFT numbers 00044284 through 00044338, and check numbers 00690701 through 00690812 inclusive and have been verified by the Finance Division as properly issued and bear all proper signatures, be received and filed;
Demands covered by EFT numbers 00044339 through 00044384, and check numbers 00690813 through 00690907 inclusive and have been verified by the Finance Division as properly issued and bear all proper signatures, be received and filed; and
Demands covered by EFT numbers 00044385 through 00044424, and check numbers 00690908 through 00691055 inclusive 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) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS AND AUDITOR’S COMMUNICATION RELATED TO FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 ANNUAL AUDIT (F: 22.1) Following a PowerPoint presentation provided by Finance Director Patricia Song, it was moved by Council Member Brietigam, seconded by Council Member O’Neill that:
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The City of Garden Grove Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2022-23, be received and filed; and
The Auditor Communications to the City Council, be received and filed.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
ANNUAL APPOINTMENT TO THE ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS (F: 46.1) (F: 61.1A)
Following City Council discussion, it was moved by Mayor Jones, seconded by Council Member Brietigam that:
Council Member O’Neill be re-appointed to serve on the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND CITY MANAGER
In response to a speaker under Oral Communications, Council Member Brietigam stated that he supports establishing a reward for an unsolved murder in Garden Grove if deemed appropriate by the Police Chief. He encouraged residents to participate in the community clean-up days. The next one scheduled will be at Pacifica High School on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with more information on the City’s website.
Council Member O’Neill stated there will be a community clean-up in District 2 in March, and he encouraged people to use this opportunity for spring cleaning. He offered condolences to the family of Georgia Lewis, who passed away on November 22, 2023. Georgia and her husband were married for 56 years, and together they moved to Garden Grove in 1955. She was a long-time member of St. Columbine’s church where she started the Girls Sports Program and the Health Clinic both named for her. She leaves behind her son Jeff and daughter Mary Michelle and grandchildren CJ, Jimmy, and Tom.
Council Member Tran thanked the City Manager’s Office for assisting her with multiple requests she has received covering many different kinds of issues. She
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asked that residents be patient and that gathering as much information necessary helps with resolving issues. She commented on a recent shopping trip where she witnessed multiple people trying to steal from the local Stater Brothers Grocery Store. She was told by the store manager that this takes place almost daily. She also went to a boba tea place nearby and encountered a similar situation with someone stealing. She expressed her dismay, and noted she has asked the City Manager and the Police Chief to take some action. She thanked both Council Member Brietigam and Council Member O’Neill for helping her to deliver 500 Christmas gifts she donated and wrapped for Garden Grove students, who were happy to have received Christmas gifts.
Council Member DoVinh congratulated Council Member Nguyen-Penaloza and her husband on the birth of their daughter. He stated that he was happy to see the upcoming use of the Garden Amp for the Lunar New Year festivities, and he hopes to see more events at the Garden Amp; he also praised the Flower Event organizers for their Tet event on Main Street last year that drew in a very good crowd. He encouraged uploading the Garden Grove App to learn about the current events happening in Garden Grove. He expressed appreciation for and would hope to see other cities celebrating Korean American Day. He commented on tonight’s community spotlight of the Garden Grove Unified School District and all of the accomplishments the district has achieved thanking Dr. Mafi and the members of the Board who came to the meeting. He encouraged collaborating with and inviting other agencies to speak at Garden Grove’s council meetings. He noted that soon the City Council will be meeting to discuss priorities of which he would like to focus primarily on the budget. He stated that last year’s goals and priorities have predominately been achieved.
Council Member Klopfenstein announced that following the selection process in November, she was appointed to the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors. She was sworn in and attended her first meeting yesterday, and stated that she is honored to serve and will be reporting at council meetings on OCTA Board activities. She stated that in conversation with the City’s K9 support team, she learned that there is no training facility in Orange County. The City’s K9 team program currently collaborates with the Garden Grove Unified School District, and with the City and District’s joint use of Pioneer Park, the park has been identified as a potential site for a pilot K9 training facility program. With that, Council Member Klopfenstein moved to add the K9 training facility program pilot program to the agenda to be listed on a subsequent agenda for discussion and action for utilizing Pioneer Park for a pilot K9 training facility program, seconded by Council Member Nguyen-Penaloza. (F: 73.18) (XR: 82.1)
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote as follows:
Ayes: (7) Brietigam, O’Neill, DoVinh, Klopfenstein,
Nguyen-Penaloza, Tran, Jones
Noes: (0) None
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Council Member Nguyen-Penaloza thanked Pam Haddad, Council Liaison, for her assistance on a homeless issue on Cardinal Avenue, and she requested clean up on the CalTrans property located near the Motel 6 on Trask Avenue at Harbor Boulevard from Newhope to Fairview that continues to be an increasing problem. She announced the birth of her daughter Penelope Luna Penaloza on January 4, 2024, at 2:43 a.m. weighing in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces and 19.7 inches long, and that in spite of her fractured tailbone, she attended tonight’s meeting, noting the importance of her commitment to the residents of Garden Grove. She thanked everyone who have sent their well wishes to her and her husband.
City Manager Kim introduced the Interim Assistant City Manager Matt West who will be filling in during the recruitment for an Assistant City Manager.
Interim Assistant City Manager West introduced himself and noted he worked for the City of Tustin for 22 years and served as Tustin’s City Manager. He is excited about this opportunity to get to know the community and to assist City Manager Kim.
Mayor Jones congratulated Council Member Nguyen-Penaloza on the arrival of her daughter Penelope Luna. He announced tonight’s meeting is to be adjourned in memory of the passing of Loreen Berlin and Mary Selz. Loreen was a photojournalist and news reporter for several Orange County newspapers writing thousands of articles and covering numerous community events, many in Garden Grove. Mary and her husband Bernie founded Thomas House Family Shelter in 1986 with a vision to provide safe shelter for families with children and to equip them with resources to be self-sufficient and independent. Her vision and action to help others has provided life-changing support for countless people. In conclusion, Mayor Jones stated that words cannot express the loss of these two very special women.
At 7:54 p.m., Mayor Jones adjourned the meeting in memory of Loreen Berlin and Mary Selz. The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, California.
Teresa Pomeroy
City Clerk