City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.
&
REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M.
Monday, August 4, 2025
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.: Cancelled.
REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M.:
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Espinoza called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of La Habra 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 Collins
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Gomez
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Espinoza
Mayor Pro Tem Medrano
Councilmember Gomez
Councilmember Lampkin
Councilmember Nigsarian
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: NONE
OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Collins
Assistant City Manager Yap
Management Analyst II Hurt
City Clerk Barone
Part-Time Clerk Martinez
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: None.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS: None at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Craig Sheets spoke.
Susan Pritchard, La Habra resident, spoke.
City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 14.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
1. PROCEDURAL WAIVER: Waive reading in full of resolutions and ordinances 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:
Regular Meeting of July 7, 2025
Regular Meeting of July 21, 2025
Special Meeting of July 28, 2025
3. APPROVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025 -04 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA,
CALIFORNIA, FINDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND TERMINATING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 20 -01 BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA HABRA AND PINNACLE WELLNESS GROUP, LLC FOR A CANNABIS DISTRIBUTION FACILITY AT 536 WEST MOUNTAIN VIEW AVENUE
That the City Council approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. CC 2025-04.
4. APPROVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025 -05 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE CHANGE 25-0002 TO AMEND SECTION 18.04.030 (TERMS DEFINED) OF CHAPTER 18.04 (DEFINITIONS) AND REPEAL AND REPLACE SECTION
18.12.150 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS) OF CHAPTER 18.12 (SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS) OF TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND
MAKING A DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17
That the City Council approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. CC 2025-05.
City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
5. APPROVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025 -06 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA,
CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
That the City Council approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. CC 2025-06.
6. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF CHRISTINA DUARTE
That the City Council deny the claims of Christina Duarte in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
7. APPROVE A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025 -15 PERTAINING TO
COMPENSATION FOR MANAGEMENT, POLICE MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE
MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
That the City Council APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025 -20 ENTITLED: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-15 PERTAINING TO A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT, POLICE MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES.
8. APPROVE A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITYWIDE RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE
AND AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS
That the City Council APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025 -21 ENTITLED: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING
AN UPDATED RECOR DS RETENTION SCHEDULE, AUTHORIZING DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN CITY RECORDS AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 5785.
9. PROPOSED RESPONSE TO THE ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT: "LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO SHORT-TERM RENTALS"
That the City Council:
A. Receive and file this report;
B. Authorize the Mayor to sign the attached response letter to the Orange County Grand Jury; and,
C. Direct staff to submit the signed response letter to the Orange County Grand Jury.
10. APPROVE A RESOLUTION AND THE ISSUANCE OF A LIVE ENTERTAINMENT USE PERMIT FOR THE LA HABRA 300 BOWL AT 370 EAST WHITTIER BOULEVARD FOR A ONE- YEAR PERIOD
That the City Council:
A. Consider and approve the Live Entertainment Use Permit for the La Habra 300 Bowl at 370 East Whittier Boulevard for a one-year period, subject to conditions; and
City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-22 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT USE PERMIT FOR 370 EAST WHITTIER BOULEVARD FOR A ONE- YEAR PERIOD, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
11. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH TRANSPORTATION CONCEPTS, INC. FOR SPECIAL EVENT
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Transportation Concepts, Inc. for special event transportation services.
12. APPROVE AND ACCEPT THE PASSFIRE BURN PAN FROM THE COUNTY OF ORANGE THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM
That the City Council approve and accept the PassFire Burn Pan equipment awarded to the La Habra Police Department through the Fiscal Year 2022 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP); and authorize the City Manager to execute the Transfer Agreement and all documents necessary to accept the equipment.
13. TREASURER'S INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 2025
That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2025.
14. WARRANTS: APPROVE NOS. 4975 THROUGH 5198 TOTALING $3,105,130.02; AND APPROVE WIRE TRANSFERS DATED 7/28/25, TOTALING $8,307,308.23
That the City Council approve Nos. 4975 through 5198 totaling $3,105,130.02; and approve Wire Transfers dated 7/28/25, totaling $8,307,308.23.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE
PERTAINING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MOBILITY DEVICES
Chief of Police Foster presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: clarification of the types of electronic devices regulated; coordinated efforts with parents and local schools; educational programs that would be offered; and types of online and social media resources.
Councilmember Gomez made a motion that staff provide City Council with an update on this ordinance and procedure in one year. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Medrano.
Mayor Espinoza opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. There was no public testimony. Mayor Espinoza closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m.
City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
Moved by Councilmember N igsarian, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025-07 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 10.46 ("ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICES") OF TITLE 10 ("VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC") OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO THE USE OF
ELECTRONIC MOBILITY DEVICES IN THE CITY AND FINDING THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
CONSIDERATION ITEMS:
1. APPROVE INITIATION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED
TO SMOKE SHOPS AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A
MORATORIUM ON SMOKE SHOPS IN THE CITY OF LA HABRA
City Clerk Barone announced an email public comment in support of this item was received, with copies provided at the dais for each City Councilmember; and stated a Spanish language interpreter would be used during this item.
Director of Community and Economic Development Kim presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: the number of smoke shops in the city; distancing future smoke shops from existing smoke shops ; moratorium impacts on current smoke shop owners; Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations; compliance with current City regulations; length of the moratorium; and potential litter created by smoke shop products.
City Manager Sadro spoke regarding this item, and the next steps should City Council direct staff to move forward with the item.
City Attorney Collins stated that the City Attorney’s Office could prepare an ordinance within 45 days, however if City Council wanted to deliberate the terms and provisions further, the moratorium could be extended for a permissible amount of time.
Mayor Espinoza invited the public to testify at 7:02 p.m.
Maria Norma Perez, La Habra resident, spoke in support of this item.
Adela Chavarria, La Habra resident, spoke in support of this item.
Mayor Espinoza closed public testimony at 7:05 p.m.
City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
Moved by Councilmember Gomez , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
A. DIRECT STAFF TO INITIATE AMENDMENTS TO THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO SMOKE SHOPS; AND,
B. DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AN URGENCY ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON SMOKE SHOPS IN THE CITY OF LA HABRA.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
2. CONSIDER DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CIVICS ACADEMY FOR
LA HABRA RESIDENTS
Management Analyst II Hurt presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: process for selecting participants; participant incentives; and support of the suggestions made by the Student Government Day participants.
City Manager Sadro spoke regarding possible incentives for participants who remain for the eight-week program.
Mayor Espinoza invited the public to testify at 7:19 p.m.
Adela Chavarria, La Habra resident, spoke.
Mayor Espinoza closed public testimony at 7:20 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Lampkin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5 -0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF A CIVICS ACADEMY FOR LA HABRA RESIDENTS TO BE NAMED “LA HABRA 101” WITH THE BYLINE “BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH KNOWLEDGE,” TO INCLUDE A PROGRAM OUTLINE, CURRICULUM AND OUTREACH PLAN.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem Medrano,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council
Monday, August 4, 2025
MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Mayor Espinoza announced upcoming community events and activities.
COMMENTS FROM STAFF:
None.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS:
Each City Councilmember commented and reported on their attendance to past community events and activities, recognized community members, and thanked City staff for their work and dedication to the La Habra community.
Councilmember Lampkin requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Mayor Pro Tem Medrano’s uncle Roscendo “Chendo” Rebelin.
Councilmember Gomez offered his condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Medrano and his family.
Councilmember Nigsarian offered his condolences to Mayor Pro Medrano and his family.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Espinoza adjourned the meeting in memory of Roscendo “Chendo” Rebelin at 7:48 p.m. to Monday, August 18, 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
These Minutes were approved on August 18, 2025.