City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.
&
REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M.
&
REGULAR JOINT MEETING WITH THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA,
LA HABRA CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY,
CITY OF LA HABRA HOUSING AUTHORITY,
AND LA HABRA UTILITY AUTHORITY
Monday, June 2, 2025
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.:
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Espinoza called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council o f the City of La Habra to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Closed Session Room 112c, located at 100 East La Habra Boulevard, La Habra, California.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Espinoza
Mayor Pro Tem Medrano
Councilmember Gomez
Councilmember Lampkin
Councilmember Nigsarian
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager Sadro
City Attorney Collins
Assistant City Manager Yap
City Clerk Barone
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR CLOSED SESSION MATTERS: None.
CLOSED SESSION:
1. Conference with Labor Negotiator per Government Code Section 54957.6 -- Agency Representative: Jim Sadro, City Manager; Employee Organizations: La Habra Police Association Sworn and Civilian employee(s).
Deputy Director of Finance Jack Ponvanit was also present for this item.
2. Conference with Labor Negotiator per Government Code Section 54957.6 -- Agency Representative: Jim Sadro, City Manager; Employee Organizations: Professional Employees Group.
Deputy Director of Finance Jack Ponvanit was also present for this item.
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
3. Public employee performance evaluation per Government Code Section 54957 - Title: City Manager.
ADJOURNMENT: The Ci ty Council reconvened at 6:21 p.m. There were no Closed Session announcements. Mayor Espinoza adjourned the Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:21 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING & REGULAR JOINT MEETING 6:30 P.M.:
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor/Chair Espinoza called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of La Habra and Regular Joint Meeting with the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of La Habra, La Habra Civic Improvement Authority, City of La Habra Housing Authority, and La Habra Utility Authority to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, located at 100 East La Habra Boulevard, La Habra, California.
INVOCATION: City Attorney/Legal Counsel Collins
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember/Director Nigsarian
COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS PRESENT: Mayor/Chair Espinoza
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano
Councilmember/Director Gomez
Councilmember/Director Lampkin
Councilmember/Director Nigsarian
COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS ABSENT: None
OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager/Executive Director Sadro City Attorney/Legal Counsel Collins
Assistant City Manager Yap
Management Analyst II Hurt
City Clerk/Secretary Barone
Assistant City Clerk Lopez
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: None.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS: None at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Susan Pritchard, La Habra resident, spoke.
Craig Sheets, spoke.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Councilmember/Director Gomez, seconded by Councilmember/Director Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 12; SUCCESSOR AGENCY ITEM 1 ; CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AU THORITY ITEM 1 ; HOUSING AUTHORITY ITEM 1 ; UTILITY AUTHORITY ITEM 1 ; AND CITY COUNCIL & UTILITY AUTHORITY ITEM 1.
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano, Councilmember/Director Gomez, Councilmember/Director Lampkin, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
CITY COUNCIL:
1. PROCEDURAL WAIVER: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinanc es and approval and adoption of same by reading title only.
2. APPROVE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA MEETING MINUTES
That the City Council approve the City Council of the City of La Habra Minutes of May 19, 2025.
3. APPROVE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
That the City Council receive and file the Planning Commission of the City of La Habra meeting minutes for:
• January 13, 2025
• January 27, 2025
• February 10, 2025
• February 24, 2025
• March 24, 2025
• April 14, 2025
4. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MR. AGUSTIN GARCIA
That the City Council deny the claim of Mr. Agustin Garcia in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
5. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MERCURY INSURANCE FILED ON BEHALF OF MR. BRIAN SHISHIDO
That the City Council deny the claim of Mercury Insurance filed on behalf of their insured, Mr. Brian Shishido, in order to set a definite six-month Statute of Limitations date.
6. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MR. DANNY LOPEZ
That the City Council deny the claim of Mr. Danny Lopez in order to set a definite six-month Statute of Limitations date.
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
7. APPROVE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE LA HABRA POLICE ASSOCIATION SWORN AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES; AND APPROVE A
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES' GROUP
That the City Council:
A. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-04 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA ADOPTING MEMORANDUMS OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA HABRA AND THE LA HABRA POLICE ASSOCIATION FOR SWORN AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES; and,
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-05 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA ADOPTING A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA HABRA AND THE PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES' GROUP.
8. APPROVE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE EUCLID STREET REHABILITATION, CITY PROJECT NO. 1-R-21
That the City Council approve the Notice of Completion for the Euclid Street Rehabilitation, City Project No. 1- R-21; and authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion for recordation with the Orange County Clerk Recorder's Office.
9. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION LISTING CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 TO BE FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
That the City Council:
A. Approve and adopt a list of Capital Projects for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 to be Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017; and,
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-06 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.
10. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES WITH JOHN L. HUNTER AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT COMPLIANCE SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA'S MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) /
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
That the City Council:
A. Waive formal bidding requirements per the La Habra Municipal Code, Section 4.20.080(B) when a service firm has established such a successful past history of work with the City that it is clearly in the public interest not to negotiate with any other source; and,
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
B. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the existing Agreement for Services with John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. (JLHA) to extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2026, for continued support over the management of the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) / National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and,
C. Authorize Staff to issue a Purchase Order in an amount not -to-exceed $99,980 to JLHA to fund Amendment No. 1 to the agreement.
11. APPROVE AN INCREASE IN FUNDING WITH TRUE NORTH COMPLIANCE SERVICES, INC.
FOR CONTRACT PLAN CHECK AND BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES
That the City Council approve a $274,000 increase in funding for the Community and Economic Development Department's existing Purchase Order with True North Compliance Services, Inc. for contract plan check and building inspection services, which will increase the total Purchase Order to an amount not to exceed $884,000 for these services.
12. WARRANTS: APPROVE NOS. 4104 THROUGH 4321 TOTALING $1,402,527.36
That the City Council approve Nos. 4104 through 4321 totaling $1,402,527.36.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY:
1. APPROVE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF
LA HABRA MEETING MINUTES
That the Successor Agency approve the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of La Habra Meeting Minutes of:
• April 21, 2025
• May 5, 2025
• May 19, 2025
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY:
1. APPROVE LA HABRA CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
That the Civic Improvement Authority approve the La Habra Civic Improvement Authority Meeting Minutes of:
• April 21, 2025
• May 5, 2025
• May 19, 2025
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
HOUSING AUTHORITY:
1. APPROVE CITY OF LA HABRA HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
That the Housing Authority approve the City of La Habra Housing Authority Meeting Minutes of:
• April 21, 2025
• May 5, 2025
• May 19, 2025
UTILITY AUTHORITY:
1. APPROVE CITY OF LA HABRA UTILITY AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
That the City of La Habra Utility Authority approve the Utility Authority Meeting Minutes of:
• April 21, 2025
• May 5, 2025
• May 19, 2025
CITY COUNCIL & UTILITY AUTHORITY:
1. APPROVE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR EUCLID WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT, CITY PROJECT NO. 1-W-21
That the City Council and Utility Authority approve the Notice of Completion for the Euclid Water Main Replacement, City Project No. 1-W-21; and authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion for recordation with the Orange County Clerk Recorder's Office.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION: None.
CONSIDERATION ITEMS:
CITY COUNCIL, AGENCY, & AUTHORITIES:
1. PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET
City Manager/Executive Director Sadro introduced the item.
Assistant City Manager Yap provided an overview of this item.
The following staff presented the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposed Budget:
• Deputy Director of Finance Ponvanit
• Deputy Director of Community Services Albarian
• Director of Community and Economic Development Kim
• Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Mendoza • Senior Civil Engineer Luna
• Management Analyst II Hurt
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
• Assistant City Manager Yap
• Chief of Police Foster
• City Manager Sadro
Mayor/Chair Espinoza left the dais at 7:15 p.m. She returned at 7:17 p.m.
City Council/Directors discussion included: business revenue projections; Los Angeles County Fire Department fire services contract; federal and state grants; department staffing levels and vacancies; La Habra Children’s Museum visitor count ; grant funding to the Employment & Training program; engagement and outreach for unhoused individuals; 4
th of July Celebration funding; the City’s Alley
Improvement Program; Orange County Transportation Authority Measure M2 audit; California Public Records Act requests; cybersecurity; Police Department staffing; and deferred capital improvement projects list.
City Manager Sadro, Assistant City Manager Yap, and Director of Finance Shannon answered questions accordingly.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano made a motion that future consideration be given for the assessment of one additional Police Officer position. Second by Councilmember/Director Nigsarian.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano made a motion that the hiring incentive for lateral Police Officer s be doubled from $10,000 to $20,000. Seconded by Councilmember/Director Nigsarian.
Mayor/Chair Espinoza invited the public to testify at 8:45 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor/Chair Espinoza closed public testimony at 8:45 p.m.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano, seconded by Councilmember/Director Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, AGENCY AND AUTHORITIES RECEIVE AND FILE THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025 -2026 (FY 25 -26) MUNICIPAL BUDGET AS
AMENDED TO INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN THE POLICE OFFICER HIRING INCENTIVE FROM $10,000 TO $20,000.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano, Councilmember/Director Gomez, Councilmember/Director Lampkin, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
CITY COUNCIL:
1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ZONE CHANGE 25-0001 TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 18.66 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS) OF TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF THE
LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND
ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
Director of Community and Economic Development Kim presented the staff report.
Councilmember Gomez left the dais at 8:50 p.m. He returned at 8:52 p.m.
City Council discussion included: support of this item and potential impacts of a future fee study.
Mayor Espinoza opened the public hearing at 8:58 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Espinoza closed the public hearing at 8:58 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER, APPROVE, AND ADOPT THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025-03 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE CHANGE 25 -0001 REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 18.66 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS) OF TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF THE
LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURES FOR MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND MAKING A DETERMINATION
THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Lampkin, Councilmember Nigsarian NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE A RESOLUTION
AMENDING THE CITY OF LA HABRA MASTER SCHEDULE OF FEES PERTAINING TO FEES
FOR GENERAL SERVICES, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES, BUILDING SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES, POLICE SERVICES, AMBULANCE
SERVICES, PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES, UTILITY SERVICES, AND PENALTIES FOR
MUNICIPAL CODE AND VEHICLE CODE PARKING VIOLATIONS
Deputy Director of Finance Ponvanit presented the staff report.
Councilmember Nigsarian left the dais at 9:00 p.m. He returned at 9:02 p.m.
There was no City Council discussion.
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
Mayor Espinoza opened the public hearing at 9:04 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Espinoza closed the public hearing at 9:04 p.m.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Medrano, s econded by Councilmember Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) T HAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.
CC 2025-07 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA,
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE CITY OF LA HABRA MASTER SCHEDULE OF
FEES PERTAINING TO FEES FOR GENERAL SERVICES, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, BUILDING SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES, POLICE
SERVICES, AMBULANCE SERVICES, PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES, UTILITY SERVICES, AND PENALTIES FOR MUNICIPAL CODE AND VEHICLE CODE PARKING VIOLATIONS.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Lampkin, Councilmember Nigsarian NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
3. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A POLICY AND REVIEW METRICS REGARDING ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 - JOB VACANCIES AND RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION EFFORTS
Human Resources Manager Rodriguez presented the staff report.
There was no City Council discussion.
Mayor Espinoza opened the public hearing at 9:06 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Espinoza closed the public hearing at 9:06 p.m.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Medrano, seconded by Councilmember Nigsarian , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
A. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (AB 2561) TO
PRESENT INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF JOB VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION EFFORTS WITHIN THE CITY OF LA HABRA; AND,
B. APPROVE THE CITY'S PROPOSED POLICY FOR THE "PUBLIC HEARING AND REPORTING ON VACANCIES, AND RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS" IN COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3.
City Council
Monday, June 2, 2025
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Lampkin, Councilmember Nigsarian NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Mayor Espinoza announced upcoming community events and activities.
COMMENTS FROM STAFF: None.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS:
Each City Councilmember /Director commented and reported on their attendance to past community events and activities.
City Council expressed their condolences for the loss of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros killed in the line of duty, and the passing of Roman Catholic Pope Francis.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and former La Habra resident Julia Castillo.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair Espinoza adjourned the meeting in memory of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and Julia Castillo at 9:27 p.m. to Monday, June 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Closed Session Room 112c, 100 East La Habra Boulevard, followed by the Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda J. Barone, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
These Minutes were approved on July 21, 2025.