City Council
Monday, August 18, 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
LA HABRA UTILITY AUTHORITY
Monday, August 18, 2025
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.:
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Espinoza called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of 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 Nigsarian
Councilmember Lampkin
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 Legal Counsel -- Existing Litigation, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
Haichang Lu, et al. vs. City of La Habra, et al, Superior Court Case No. 24PSCV00005.
Deputy City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow with Jones Mayer Law, Deputy Director of Human Resources Lucy Coelho-LaFreniere, and Human Resources Manager Melinda Rodriguez were also present for this item. Acting City Attorney Justin F. Spearman with Bordin Semmer LLP participated via telephone.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL--ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9: One case threatening litigation under the California Voting Rights Act.
Deputy City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow with Jones May er Law and Doug Johnson with National Demographics Corporation (NDC) were also present for this item.
City Council
Monday, August 18, 2025
ADJOURNMENT: The Ci ty Council reconvened at 6:08 p.m. There were no Closed Session announcements. Mayor Espinoza adjourned the Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:08 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 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 Nigsarian
Councilmember/Director Lampkin
COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS ABSENT: NONE
OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager/Executive Director Sadro City Attorney/Legal Counsel Collins
Assistant City Manager Yap
City Clerk/Secretary Barone
Assistant City Clerk Lopez
Management Analyst II Hurt
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: None.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. RECOGNITION PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2025 AS "HUNGER ACTION MONTH" IN THE CITY
OF LA HABRA
Mayor Espinoza and City Council present a proclamation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County Sourcing Director Rachel Parris.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember/Director Gomez stated he would be abstaining from Item Consent Calendar Item No. 4.
Moved by Councilmember/Director Gomez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem /Vice Chair Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 11; AND UTILITY AUTHORITY ITEM 1 ; WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COUNCILMEMBER/DIRECTOR GOMEZ ABSTAINING FROM ITEM 4.
City Council
Monday, August 18, 2025
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano Councilmember/Director Gomez, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian, Councilmember/Director Lampkin,
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: Councilmember/Director Gomez (Item No. 4 only) 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 August 4, 2025.
3. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MS. BREANNA SABEVA
That the City Council deny the claim of Ms. Breanna Sabeva in order to set a definite six-month Statute of Limitations date.
4. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MS. MARY JO TEZAK
That the City Council deny the claim of Ms. Mary Jo Tezak in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
5. APPROVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION 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 F ROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
That the City Council approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. CC 2025-07.
6. APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USE OF MULCH PER SENATE BILL 1383, ASSEMBLY BILL 2902, AND ASSEMBLY BILL 2346
That the City Council APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025 -23 ENTITLED: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, ORANGE COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA SPECIFYING THE PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MULCH TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR PROCUREMENT CREDIT AND TO QUALIFY AS A RECOVERED WASTE PRODUCT UNDER SB 1383, AB 2902, AND AB 2346.
City Council
Monday, August 18, 2025
7. APPROVE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ROY ALLAN SLURRY SEAL, INC. FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL SLURRY SEAL & STREET REHABILITATION PROJECT FY 22-23, CITY PROJECT NO. 1-R-24
That the City Council:
A. Approve the Project Plans and Specifications for the Annual Residential Slurry Seal & Street Rehabilitation Project FY 22-23, City Project No. 1-R-24;
B. Award a construction contract to Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc., of Santa Fe Springs, California, for construction of the Annual Residential Slurry Seal & Street Rehabilitation Project FY 22-23, City Project No. 1-R-24, in the amount of $642,136.50 and reject all other bids; and,
C. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc., and authorize staff to issue a purchase order to Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc., in the amount of $788,850.15, which includes $75,000 for additional work and a 10 percent contingency.
8. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A NARCOTIC ANALYZER DEVICE USING FISCAL YEAR 2023
OPERATION STONEGARDEN GRANT FUNDS
That the City Council approve and authorize staff to purchase the "Thermo Fisher TruNarc" narcotic analyzer device under the Fiscal Year 2023 Operation Stonegarden grant program provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, administered through the California Office of Emergency Services, and distributed by the County of Riverside.
9. AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA
ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON SMOKE SHOPS
That the City Council APPROVE AND ADOPT URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025 -08 ENTITLED: AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON SMOKE SHOPS.
10. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH HdL COREN & CONE FOR PROPERTY TAX AUDITING AND
REPORTING SERVICES
That the City Council waive formal bid procedures per La Habra Municipal Code Section
4.20.080(B) and approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with HdL Coren & Cone for property tax auditing and reporting services.
11. WARRANTS: APPROVE NOS. 5199 THROUGH 5421 TOTALING $3,633,517.86
That the City Council approve Nos. 5199 through 5421 totaling $3,633,517.86.
City Council
Monday, August 18, 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:
• June 2, 2025
• June 16, 2025
• July 7, 2025
• July 21, 2025
• August 4, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
CITY COUNCIL:
1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 12.30 (DOG PARKS) TO TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND PUBLIC PLACES)
OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO REGULATIONS FOR DOG PARKS
City Clerk Barone indicated an email public comment was received from Dr. P. Susan Pritchard with copies provided at the dais for each City Councilmember.
Deputy Director of Community Services Albarian presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included consequences for park rule violations.
City Clerk Barone clarified that the second reading of the ordinance would be held at the Regular City Council Meeting of September 15, 2025.
Mayor Espinoza opened the public hearing at 6:42 p.m. There was no pub lic testimony.
Mayor Espinoza closed the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Nigsarian, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2025-09 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 12.30 (DOG PARKS) TO TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND
PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO REGULATIONS FOR DOG PARKS.
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 18, 2025
CITY COUNCIL & UTILITY AUTHORITY:
1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS REPORT - CALENDAR YEAR 2025
Director of Public Works Saykali presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: comparison report of water quality in Orange County; testing for lead levels in all residential properties in La Habra; costs for water contaminant treatment; water resiliency and cost control.
Mayor Espinoza opened the public hearing at 6:54 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Espinoza closed the public hearing at 6:54 p.m.
Moved by Councilmember/Director Lampkin, seconded by Councilmember /Director Gomez, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AND UTILITY AUTHORITY:
A. CONDUCT A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CITY'S 2025 PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS REPORT, AND; B. RECEIVE AND FILE THE CITY'S 2025 PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Medrano, Councilmember/Director Gomez, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian, Councilmember/Director Lampkin
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
CONSIDERATION ITEMS:
CITY COUNCIL:
1. CONSIDER THE DESIGNATION OF A VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATES TO THE
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Management Analyst II Hurt presented the staff report.
There was no City Council discussion.
Mayor Espinoza invited the public to testify at 6:56 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Espinoza closed public testimony at 6:56 p.m.
City Council
Monday, August 18, 2025
Moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Nigsarian, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5 -0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE MAYOR ROSE ESPINOZA AS A
VOTING DELEGATE TO ATTEND THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (CAL CITIES) ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LONG BEACH, OCTOBER 8-10, 2025.
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
Moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE CITY MANAGER JIM SADRO AS AN
ALTERNATE VOTING DELEGATE TO ATTEND THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (CAL CITIES) ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LONG BEACH, OCTOBER 8-10, 2025.
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
MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Mayor/Chair 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 , recognized community members, and thanked City staff for their work and dedication to the La Habra community.
Councilmember/Director Nigsarian spoke regarding pension liability bonds.
City Council expressed their best wishes for the recovery of Councilmember Gomez’s father and Director of Public Work’s Elias Saykali’s mother.
Councilmember/Director Gomez requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of La Habra resident and business owner Ray Martin.
City Council
Monday, August 18, 2025
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair Espinoza adjourned the meeting in memory of Ray Martin at 7:19 p.m. to Monday, September 2, 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 September 15, 2025.