City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M.
Monday, March 16, 2026
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.: Cancelled.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Medrano 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 Medrano
Councilmember Espinoza
Councilmember Nigsarian
Councilmember Lampkin
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Gomez (excused absence) OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager Sadro
Assistant City Manager Yap
City Clerk Barone
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR CLOSED SESSION MATTERS: None.
CLOSED SESSION:
1. Worker's Conference with Legal Counsel Pending Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1); Lennar Homes of California, Inc., et al. v. City of La Habra; Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2021-01179515-CU- WM-WJC.
Lennar Homes of California, Inc., et al. v. City of La Habra; Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2021-01221710-CU-BC-WJC.
Californians for Homeownership v. City of La Habra; Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01325471-CU-WM-NJC.
Acting City Attorney Craig Steele with Richards, Watson Gershon (RWG), Interim Deputy Director of Human Resources Elvie Balderrama, and Special Advisor to City Council Steve Simonian were also present for this item.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council reconvened at 6:26 p.m. There were no Closed Session announcements. Mayor Medrano adjourned the Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:26 p.m.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M.:
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Medrano 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: Mayor Medrano
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Medrano
Mayor Pro Tem Gomez
Councilmember Espinoza
Councilmember Nigsarian
Councilmember Lampkin
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: NONE
OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager Sadro
City Attorney Collins
Assistant City Manager Yap
City Clerk Barone
Assistant City Clerk Lopez
Management Analyst II Hurt
Part-Time Clerk Martinez
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: None.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS: None at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Carrie Surich, La Habra resident and Community Services Commissioner, spoke
Ofelia Hanson, La Habra Host Lions Club, spoke.
Christine Marick, Brea City Councilmember, spoke.
Henry Lee, La Habra resident, spoke.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Lampkin requested Consent Calendar Item No. 3 be pulled fo r separate discussion. City Manager Sadro responded accordingly.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 18, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NO. 3 WHICH WAS PULLED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 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
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:
February 17, 2026
March 2, 2026 (Special Meeting)
March 2, 2026
3. REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION: APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 (FY26-27) CITY OF LA HABRA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
4. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF JOHN LUCKETT
That the City Council deny the claim of John Luckett in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
5. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF SAMUEL GARCIA
That the City Council deny the claim of Samuel Garcia in order to set a definite six -month Statute of Limitations date.
6. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF MICHELLE NGUYEN
That the City Council deny the claim of Michelle Nguyen in order to set a definite six-month Statute of Limitations date.
7. APPROVE THE CITY'S EXCESS WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE POLICY
FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM
That the City Council authorize the City Manager to renew the City's excess Workers' Compensation reinsurance policy with Midwest Employers Casualty Company and a Self-Insured Retention (SIR), or deductible, of $1 million per claim for all employees at an annual premium cost of $181,814 for the period of March 20, 2026, through March 20, 2027.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
8. APPROVE A WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,600 TO LGL COLLEGE, INC. AS A COMPONENT OF THE READY S.E.T. OC (EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING) GRANT FUNDED PROGRAM FOR FY 2025-2026
That the City Council:
A. Authorize the City Manag er to execute an agreement with LGL College, Inc. of La Habra, California; and
B. Approve a WIOA payment in the amount of $50,600 to LGL College, Inc. a component of the READY S.E.T. OC (Employment & Training) grant funded program for FY 2025-2026.
9. APPROVE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR VIN SCULLY CENTENNIAL PARK RESTROOM PROJECT, CITY PROJECT NO. 1-P-25
That the City Council approve the Notice of Completion for Vin Scully Centennial Park Restroom Project, City Project No. 1 -P-25, and authorize staff to submit the Notice of Completion for recordation.
10. APPROVE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, CITY PROJECT NO. 4-B-25
That the City Council:
A. Approve the Notice of Completion for the Community Center Parking Lot Improvem ent Project, City Project No. 4-B-25, and authorize staff to submit the Notice of Completion for recordation; and,
B. Authorize the City Manager to increase the Purchase Order with Dash Construction Company, Inc. of Woodland Hills, California, by $5,598 for a total contract amount of $197,370 to cover extra work performed.
11. APPROVE PARCEL MAP NO. 2024 -131 AT 777 SOUTH BEACH BOULEVARD, AS SUBMITTED, AND ACCEPT THE SUBDIVISION OF AN 87,685 SQUARE FOOT PARCEL
INTO TWO LOTS
That the City Council approve Parcel Map No. 2024-131 at 777 South Beach Boulevard, as submitted, and accept the subdivision of an 87,685 square foot parcel into two lots.
12. APPROVE ISSUANCE OF NOTICE TO PROCEED TO FEHR & PEERS FOR SAFE
ROUTES TO SCHOOL ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, CITY PR OJECT NO. 1-TC-24
That the City Council:
A. Approve staff to issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to Fehr & Peers of Irvine, California, for Safe Routes to School Action Plan Development Project, City Project No. 1 -TC-24; and,
B. Approve an appropriation of $320,000 from available, unencumbered Measure M2 Fair Share fund balance to fully fund the Safe Routes to School Action Plan Development Project, City Project No. 1-TC-24.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
13. APPROVE ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER TO PUENTE HILLS FORD FOR THE
PURCHASE OF FIVE NEW POLICE PURSUIT VEHICLES
That the City Council authorize City Manager to issue a purchase order in the amount of $288,151.65 to Puente Hills Ford of Puente Hills, California, for the purchase of five (5) new Police Pursuit vehicles that will be retained on hand to replace existing police vehicles, as necessary.
14. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 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 ST ORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) / NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
That the City Council:
A. Waive formal bidding requirements per the La Habra Municipal Code, Chapter 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;
B. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to the existing Agreement for Services with John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. (JLHA) to extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2027, 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 2026- 2027; and,
C. Authorize Staff to issue a Purchase Order in an amount not-to-exceed $99,980 to JLHA to fund Amendment No. 2 to the agreement.
15. APPROVE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR THE OC LOOP SEGMENT A
PROJECT
That the City Council:
A. Accept and allocate $3,000,000 of Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending (CPFCDS) grant funds; and,
B. Approve an appropriation of $344,100 from available, unencumbered Gas Tax funds as the required local match of funds for this project.
16. APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A RIGHT-OF-WAY GRANT DEED FOR 130 AND 150
WEST WHITTIER BOULEVARD
That the City Council:
A. Approve the acceptance of a dedication of additional right-of-way at 130 and 150 West Whittier Boulevard; and,
B. Approve and authorize recordation of the Grant Deed with the Orange County Clerk - Recorder.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
17. RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA GENERAL PLAN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025
That the City Council receive and file the Annual Report on the implementation of the City of La Habra General Plan for calendar year 2025, and authorize the Director of Community and Economic Development to forward the document to the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400.
18. WARRANTS: APPROVE NOS. 8121 THROUGH 8339 TOTALING $969,027.81; AND APPROVE WIRE TRANSFERS DATED 3/10/26, TOTALING $251,340.64
That the City Council approve Nos. 8121 through 8339 totaling $969,027.81; and approve Wire Transfer dated 3/10/26, totaling $251,340.64.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION:
3. APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 (FY26-27) CITY OF LA HABRA LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Management Analyst II Hurt presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: recent state legislation, compliance deadlines ; and alignment with City Council goals.
City Manager Sadro answered question accordingly.
Mayor Medrano invited the public to testify at 6:50 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE PROPOSED FY26-27 CITY OF
LA HABRA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PREPARE LETTERS OF
SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION TO LEGISLATIVE BILLS FOR THE MAYOR'S REVIEW AND
SIGNATURE, AS NEEDED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM.
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
City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONDUCT THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ZONE CHANGE 26- 0001 (ZC 26-0001) TO AMEND VARIOUS CHAPTERS OF THE LA HABRA MUNICIPAL
CODE PERTAINING TO REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC NUISANCES
Director of Community a nd Economic Development Kim introduced Code Enforcement Supervisor Bastreri who presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: clarification on excessive checking; and La Habra Municipal Code updates.
City Attorney Collins spoke regarding excessive checking.
Mayor Medrano opened the public hearing at 6:58 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Medrano closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Espinoza, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5 -0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. CC 2026-01 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE CHANGE 26 -0001 TO REPEAL CHAPTER
18.74 (NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND ABATEMENT) OF TITLE 18 (ZONING) AND CHAPTER 10.36 (ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMAN TLED OR INOPERATIVE VEHICLES) OF TITLE 10 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC), ADD CHAPTER 8.16 (PUBLIC NUISANCES) TO TITLE 8 (HEALTH AND SAFETY), AMEND CHAPTER 18.72 (ENFORCEMENT) AND SECTIONS 18.12.120 (EXCEPTIONS TO PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 18.12.100 AND 18.12.110) OF CHAPTER 18.12 (SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS), 18.16.060 (GENERAL REQUIREMENTS) OF CHAPTER 18.16 (WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING AND WATER CONSERVATION), 18.23.100 (REMOVAL OF
ILLEGAL SIGNS AND ABANDONED SIGNS -- PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT) AND
18.23.110 (NON CONFORMING SIGNS) OF CHAPTER 18.23 (SIGN STANDARDS), AND
18.62.060 (STANDARDS OF DEVELOPMENT) OF CHAPTER 18.62 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES), 18.64.040 (APPLICATIONS -- CONTENTS) OF CHAPTER
18.64 (COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION) OF TITLE 18 (ZONING), SECTIONS 13.20.030 (DESIGN) OF CHAPTER 13.20 (TEMPORARY SANITARY FACILITIES) AND 13.31.030 (IMPLEMENTATION) OF CHAPTER 13.31 (GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION AND EXPORTATION) OF TITLE 13 (PUBLIC SERVICES), AND SECTION 10.26.020 (BA IL SCHEDULE) OF CHAPTER 10.26 (BAIL SCHEDULE FOR PARKING OFFENSES) OF TITLE 10 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE LA HABRA
MUNICIPAL CODE AND MAKING A DETERMINATION THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 15378(b)(5) AND 15061(b)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 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
CONSIDERATION ITEMS:
1. RECEIVE AND FILE AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE CITY'S INCLUSIONARY
HOUSING PROGRAM AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE MINOR UPDATES TO THE
CITY'S INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE
City Clerk Barone indicated an email public comment from Ana Gromis of Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIA) was received with copies distributed to all City Councilmembers.
Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development Cole -Corona presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included availability of Inclusionary Housing information on the City of La Habra website.
Mayor Medrano invited the public to testify at 7:12 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Mayor Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
A. RECEIVE AND FILE THE FIRST UPDATE TO THE CITY'S INCLUSIONARY HOUSING PROGRAM; AND,
B. DIRECT STAFF TO MAKE MINOR CHANGES TO THE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE TO BETTER CLARIFY THE PROGRAM.
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
2. CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS AND ALTERNATES TO THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
City Clerk Barone presented the staff report.
City Council discussion included: additional time needed for review of applications; large number of applications received; and appreciation to staff for coordinating interviews.
City Council
Monday, March 16, 2026
Mayor Medrano invited the public to testify at 7:14 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Councilmember Lampkin, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5 -0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 6, 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
MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Mayor/Chair Medrano 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, public comment speakers in attendance and thanked City staff for their work and dedication to the La Habra community.
City Coun cil thanked Acting Director of Community Services Albarian and the Community Services Department staff for the success of the La Habra Races held this past weekend and thanked the La Habra Host Lions Club members for their public comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Gomez made a motion that a future City Council Meeting include consideration of financial assistant to the La Habra Host Lions Club. Motion seconded by Mayor Medrano.
Mayor Pro Tem Gomez requested the meeting be adjourned in memory Sandra Lynn Blumenthal.
Mayor Medrano requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of Linda McKenzie.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Medrano adjourned the meeting in memory of Sandra Blumenthal and Linda McKenzie at 7:34 p.m. to Monday, April 6, 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 April 6, 2026.