City Council
Monday, December 15, 2025
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.
&
REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M.
Monday, December 15, 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: La Habra Student Dominic Orozco
COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS PRESENT: Mayor Espinoza
Mayor Pro Tem Medrano
Councilmember Gomez
Councilmember Nigsarian
Councilmember Lampkin
COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS ABSENT: None
OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Collins
Assistant City Manager Yap
Management Analyst II Hurt
City Clerk Barone
Assistant City Clerk Lopez
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: None.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. RECOGNITION OF THE 2025 HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING "LIGHT UP THE SEASON"
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Mayor Espinoza, City Council, and Community Services Commissioners Annette Limon, Richard Rojas, Denise Schmidt, and Carrie Surich presented Certificates of Recognition to the Carrillo Family, Smith Family, Pavone Family, Gallegos Family, and Pellkofer Family.
2. RECOGNITION OF THE CITY'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
Mayor Espinoza invited Director of Community Services Kelly Fujio to the podium for recognition of the City’s Centennial Celebration Committee.
City Council
Monday, December 15, 2025
Director of Community Services Kelly Fujio invited Jesus “Jess” Badillo to the podium for recognition of the committee members involved in organizing the History of Mexican American Baseball & Softball and the La Habra Camps.
RECOGNITION OF COUNCILMEMBER ESPINOZA FOR HER SERVICE AS MAYOR FROM DECEMBER 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Medrano and the City Council presented a gavel plaque to Mayor Espinoza in recognition of her service as Mayor from December 2024 to December 2025.
The following dignitaries recognized outgoing Mayor Espinoza:
• Arie Reeves, on behalf of District 64 Assembly member Blanca Pacheco’s Office. • Orange County 4th District Supervisor Doug Chaffee
• Community Services Commissioner Carrie Surich
• Community Services Commissioner Annette Limon
• La Habra City School Board President Justin Rodgers
Mayor Espinoza thanked the City Council, the La Habra community, and City staff for their support during her term as Mayor.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Richard Rojas, Community Services Commissioner, spoke.
CONSIDERATION ITEMS:
City Clerk Barone stated that Consideration Items will be held prior to the Consent Calendar with roll call votes conducted for each item on the agenda.
1. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION AND APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
AND OUTSIDE BOARDS
Mayor Espinoza opened the public testimony for at 7:19 p.m. There was no public testimony.
City Clerk Barone acted as presiding officer and conducted roll call votes for Items A through F.
A. Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for one-year terms (December 2025-December 2026).
Moved by Councilmember Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Nigsarian, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5 -0) TO ELECT JOSE MEDRANO AS MAYOR FOR ONE -YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025-DECEMBER 2026).
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, December 15, 2025
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Mayor Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO ELECT JAMES GOMEZ AS MAYOR PR TEM FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025- DECEMBER 2026).
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Councilmember Espinoza,
Councilmember Gomez, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
B. Delegate and Alternate representatives to the Orange County Sanitation District for one -year terms (December 2025-December 2026).
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPOINT JOSE MEDRANO AS DELEGATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT FOR A ONE -YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025 - DECEMBER 2026).
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Moved by Mayor Medrano , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPOINT ROSE ESPINOZA AS ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025-DECEMBER 2026).
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
C. One Councilmember to serve on the County of Orange Bridges at Kraemer Place Community Advisory Board for a two-year term (December 2025-December 2027).
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Mayor Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPOINT DELWIN LAMPKIN TO SERVE ON THE COUNTY OF ORANGE BRIDGES AT KRAEMER PLACE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025- DECEMBER 2027).
City Council
Monday, December 15, 2025
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
D. Delegate and Alternate representatives to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for the purpose of attending and voting at the SCAG General Assembly meetings held in 2026.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez , seconded by Mayor Medrano , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPOINT ROSE ESPINOZA AS DELEGATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG) FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTENDING AND VOTING AT THE SCAG GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS HELD IN 2026.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPOINT JOSE MEDRANO AS ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG) FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTENDING AND VOTING AT THE SCAG GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS HELD IN 2026.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
E. Two Councilmembers to serve on the City's Internal Audit Committee for one -year terms (December 2025-December 2026).
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Councilmember Espinoza , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPOINT JOSE MEDRANO TO SERVE ON THE CITY'S INTERNAL AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025-DECEMBER 2026).
City Council
Monday, December 15, 2025
Said motion CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Moved by Councilmember Espinoza, seconded by Mayor Medrano , and UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED (5-0) TO APPOINT JAMES GOMEZ TO SERVE ON THE CITY'S INTERNAL AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM (DECEMBER 2025-DECEMBER 2026).
Said motion CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, Councilmember Nigsarian, Councilmember Lampkin NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
F. Appointment by the Mayor of one Councilmember to serve on the City's Emergency Preparedness Council as Vice Chair for a one-year term (December 2025 to December 2026).
Mayor Medrano appointed Councilmember Nigsarian to serve on the City's Emergency Preparedness Council as Vice Chair for a one-year term (December 2025-December 2026).
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Espinoza, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 10.
Said motion CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem Gomez,
Councilmember Espinoza, 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 December 1, 2025.
City Council
Monday, December 15, 2025
3. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MR. EMILIO GARCIA
That the City Council deny the claim of Mr. Emilio Garcia in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
4. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MR. JOSE ANCHETA
That the City Council deny the claim of Mr. Jose Ancheta in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
5. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MS. AUDREY CADWELL-KOCH
That the City Council deny the claim of Ms. Audrey Cadwell -Koch in order to set a definite six-month Statute of Limitations date.
6. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MS. DONNA LUNA
That the City Council deny the claim of Ms. Donna Luna in order to set a definite six-month Statute of Limitations date.
7. APPROVE CONTINUED FUNDING APPLICATION OF THE GENERAL CHILDCARE (CCTR) PROGRAM FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL SCHOOL YEAR
That the City Council:
A. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Continued Fu nding Application for the General ChildCare Grant Program (CCTR) for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 with the California Department of Social Services; and,
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-32 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE
APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A CONTINUED FUNDING
APPLICATION FOR GENERAL CHILDCARE SERVICES WITH THE CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
8. APPROVE ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER TO OLATHE FORD SALES, INC FOR THE
PURCHASE OF FOUR NEW POLICE PURSUIT VEHICLES
That the City Council:
A. Waive formal bid procedures per La Habra Municipal Code Chapter 4.20.070 (C) and utilize the cooperative purchase provision of the contract awarded by The Interlocal Purcha sing System (TIPS) contract #240901 for the purchase of four new City vehicles to replace existing stock; and,
B. Authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order in the amount of $232,752.25 from the Fleet Replacement Fund to Olathe Ford Sales, Inc, of Olathe, Kansas, for the purchase of four new Police Pursuit vehicles to replace existing stock.
City Council
Monday, December 15, 2025
9. APPROVE A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE ANNUAL MEASURE M2 (M2) EXPENDITURE REPORT
That the City Council APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025 -31 ENTITLED: A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, CONCERNING THE MEASURE M2 (M2) EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA.
10. WARRANTS: APPROVE NOS. 6871 THROUGH 7079 TOTALING $3,943,958.54; AND APPROVE WIRE TRANSFERS DATED 12/03/25, TOTALING $8,000,000.00
That the City Council approve Nos. 6871 through 7079 totaling $3,943,958.54; and approve Wire Transfer dated 12/03/25, totaling $8,000,000.00.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None at this time.
MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Mayor Medrano announced upcoming community events and activities.
COMMENTS FROM STAFF:
City Manager Sadro thanked the Centennial Committee and City Council for their support during the City’s Centennial Celebration. He recognized Director of Community Services Kelly Fujio for her work and dedication to the La Habra Community and congratulated her on her retirement.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS:
Each City Councilmember commented and reported on their attendance to past community events and activities, and thanked City staff for their work and dedication to the La Habra community.
City Council recognized the Centennial Celebration Committee; thanked Director of Community Services Kelly Fujio for her service to the La Habra community; congratulated Councilmember Lampkin for his first year on City Council; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Medrano adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. to Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 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 January 20, 2026.