City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
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, May 18, 2026
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING 5:30 P.M.:
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
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
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: General Services Employees' Group.
2. Conference with Labor Negotiator per Government Code Section 54957.6 -- Agency Representative: Jim Sadro, City Manager; Employee Organizations: Professional Employees' Group.
3. Conference with Labor Negotiator per Government Code Section 54957. 6 -- Agency Representative: Jim Sadro, City Manager; Employee Organizations: Field Services Employees' Group.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
Human Resources Manager Melinda Rodriguez and Interim Deputy Director of Human Resources Elvia Balderrama were present for all Closed Session Items.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council reconvened at 5:53 p.m. There were no Closed Session announcements. Mayor Medrano adjourned the Adjourned Regular Meeting at 5:53 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING & REGULAR JOINT MEETING 6:30 P.M.:
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor/Chair Medrano 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.
Mayor/Chair Medrano announced that Councilmembers/Directors will receive additional compensation for convening as the Housing Authority.
INVOCATION: City Attorney/Legal Counsel Collins
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Sonora High School Student Ashley Alatorre
COUNCILMEMBERS/DIRECTORS PRESENT: Mayor/Chair Medrano
Mayor Pro Tem/ Vice Chair Gomez
Councilmember/Director Espinoza
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
Senior Management Analyst Hurt
City Clerk/Secretary Barone
Administrative Clerk Martinez
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT: None.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. RECOGNITION OF THE SONORA HIGH SCHOOL CHEER AND SONG TEAM
Mayor/Chair Medrano invited Sonora High School Cheer and Song Team Coach Jennifer Galvan to speak.
Mayor/Chair Medrano and City Council/Directors presented Certificates of Recognition to the Sonora High School Cheer and Song Team.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
2. PROCLAIM MAY 10-16, 2026, AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IN THE CITY OF LA HABRA
Mayor/Chair Medrano and City Council/Directors presented a proclamation to Police Chief Adam Foster and Lieutenant Edward Torres.
3. PROCLAIM MAY 17-23, 2026, AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IN THE CITY OF
LA HABRA
Mayor/Chair Medrano and City Council/Directors presented a proclamation to Public Works Director Elias Saykali and Water & Sewer Superintendent Rick Olson.
4. PRESENTATION BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
Mayor/Chair Medrano invited California Department of Insurance Outreach Analyst Judith Pina to the podium.
Outreach Analyst Pina presented the “Wildfire Recovery Legislative Update.”
Councilmember/Director Espinoza left the dais as 6:51 p.m. She returned to the dais at 6:55 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Gomez, seconded by Mayor/Chair Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 8; SUCESSOR AGENCY ITEM 1; CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY ITEM 1; HOUSING AUTHORITY ITEM 1; AND UTILITY AUTHORITY ITEM 1.
Said motion CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Gomez, Councilmember/Director Espinoza, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian, Councilmember/Director Lampkin
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
CITY COUNCIL:
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 May 4, 2026.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
3. APPROVE DENIAL OF LIABILITY CLAIM OF PATRICK PUENTE
That the City Council deny the claim of Patrick Puente in order to set a definite si x-month Statute of Limitations date.
4. APPROVE AND ACCEPT OFFSITE GRADING AGREEMENT FOR 920 WEST LA HABRA
BOULEVARD
That the City Council:
A. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026-_ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
AND DIRECTING EXECUTION OF AN ACCESS LICENSE AND TEMPORARY OFF- SITE GRADING AGREEMENT (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church);
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute the access license and temporary off -site grading agreement; and,
C. Approve and Authorize recordation of the offsite grading agreement with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
5. APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA CHILD
DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
That the City Council:
A. Approve the purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer for the Child Development Division's grant-funded General Child Care (CCTR) program;
B. Approve a total of $38,766 from the California Department of Social Services General Childcare Grant (CCTR) to fully fund the purchase of this vehicle; and,
C. Authorize staff to issue a purchase order to Ken Grody Ford in an amount not to exceed $38,766.
6. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENTS FOR ON -CALL GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING AND MATERIAL TESTING SERVICES FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
That the City Council:
A. Waive formal bidding requirements per the La Habra Municipal Code, Chapter 4.2.080 (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. 1 to the existing Agreements with (1) Twining, Inc., (2) MTGL, Inc., and (3) Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical and Environmental Sciences Consultants, Inc. for On-Call Geotechnical Engineering and Testing Services for Public Works Projects to extend term of the Agreements through June 30, 2027; and,
C. Authorize Staff to issue Purchase Orders to (1) Twining, Inc., (2) MTGL, Inc., and (3) Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical and Environmental Sciences Consultants, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000 per consultant, for a total not to exceed value of $225,000.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
7. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR ON -CALL ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
That the City Council:
A. Waive formal bidding requirements per the La Habra Municipal Code, Chapter 4.2.080 (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. 1 to the existing Agreements with SVA Architects, Inc., of Santa Ana, California, for On -Call Architectural & Engineering Design Services to extend term of the Agreement through June 30, 2027;
C. Authorize Staff to issue Purchase Order to SVA Architects, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000.
8. WARRANTS: APPROVE NOS. 9055 THROUGH 9253 TOTALING $2,624,817.62 That the City Council approve Nos. 9055 through 9253 totaling $ 2,624,817.62.
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:
January 20, 2026
February 2, 2026
February 17, 2026
March 2, 2026
March 16, 2026
April 6, 2026
April 20, 2026
May 4, 2026
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:
December 1, 2025
December 15, 2025
January 5, 2026
January 20, 2026
February 2, 2026
February 17, 2026
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
March 2, 2026
March 16, 2026
April 6, 2026
April 20, 2026
May 4, 2026
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:
February 2, 2026
February 17, 2026
March 2, 2026
March 16, 2026
April 6, 2026
April 20, 2026
May 4, 2026
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 20, 2026
May 4, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
CITY COUNCIL:
1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE CITY OF LA HABRA'S 2025
URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (UWMP) UPDATE, AND WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN (WSCP) UPDATE
Public Works Director Elias Saykali presented the staff report.
City Council discussio n included: infrastructure investment; utilization of three (3) independent water sources including active City wells; and community conservation.
Mayor Medrano opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Mayor Medrano closed the public hearing at 7:20 p.m.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
Moved by Councilmember Nigsarian, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
A. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING, AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, TO SOLICIT INPUT ON THE CITY OF LA HABRA'S 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (UWMP) UPDATE, AND WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN (WSCP) UPDATE;
B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026 -04 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA;
C. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026 -05 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2025 WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LA HABRA; AND,
D. DIRECT STAFF TO FILE THE UWMP/WSCP UPDATES WITH THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING ACT OF 1983.
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:
CITY COUNCIL:
1. CONSIDER AND APPROVE A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF
ORANGE FOR THE CITY-OWNED LA HABRA BRANCH LIBRARY BUILDING
Acting Community Services Director Kim Albarian presented the staff report.
County Librarian Samantha Smith discussed the upcoming renovations for the La Habra Branch Library building.
City Council discussion included : building aesthetics, the Mobile Library resources, and commending the County for its ongoing community partnership.
Mayor Medrano invited the public to testify at 7:35 p.m. There was no public testimony.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
Moved by Councilmember Lampkin , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gomez , and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A NEW LONG-TERM LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF LA HABRA AND THE COUNTY OF ORANGE FOR THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED LIBRARY
OPERATION AT THE CITY-OWNED LA HABRA BRANCH LIBRARY BUILDING LOCATED AT 221 EAST LA HABRA BOULEVARD.
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 & UTILITY AUTHORITY:
1. FINANCIAL REPORT ON UTILITY AUTHORITY WATER AND SEW ER FUND
REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND RATES, AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC PROTEST
HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED SEWER RATE ADJUSTMENTS
City Manager/Executive Director Sadro recommended that the City Council /Directors defer the staff report presentation, set the public hearing for July 20, 2026, and direct staff to mail public hearing notices to sewer customer-of-record.
There was no City Council/Director discussion.
Mayor/Chair Medrano invited the public to testify at 7:43 p.m. There was no public testimony.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem/ Vice Chair Gomez, seconded by Mayor/Chair Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AND UTILITY AUTHORITY:
B. SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED SEWER RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026; AND,
C. DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AND MAIL HEARING NOTICES TO SEWER CUSTOMER-OF-RECORD.
Said motion CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Gomez, Councilmember/Director Espinoza, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian, Councilmember/Director Lampkin
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Manager/Executive Director Sadro asked if the motion made by the City Council/Directors must also include receive and file reports from Raftelis Financial Consultants, Incorporated regarding Utility Authority revenue requirements and recommended changes to sewer rates.
City Council, Agency & Authorities
Monday, May 18, 2026
City Attorney/Legal Counsel Collins responded no.
(An additional motion relative to this item was made following Comments From Staff.)
MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Mayor/Chair Medrano announced upcoming community events and activities.
COMMENTS FROM STAFF: None at this time.
Regarding City Council & Utility Authority Consideration Item No. 1, City Attorney/Legal Counsel Collins reconsidered the City Council/Director motion made and indicated action must also be taken to receive and file reports from Raftelis Financial Consultants, Incorporated regarding Utility Authority Revenue requirements and recommended changes to sewer rates.
Moved by Councilmember/ Director Lampkin, seconded by Mayor/Chair Medrano, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5-0) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL & UTILITY AUTHORITY RECEIVE AND FILE
REPORTS FROM RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INCORPORATED REGARDING
UTILITY AUTHORITY REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO SEWER RATES.
Said motion CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor/Chair Medrano, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Gomez, Councilmember/Director Espinoza, Councilmember/Director Nigsarian, Councilmember/Director Lampkin
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: 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.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Gomez requested the meeting be adjo urned in memory of former La Habra Police Officer Michael Osornio.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair Medrano adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. to Monday, June 1, 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 June 1, 2026.