AGENDA
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
1225 North Hacienda Road
La Habra Heights, California 90631
To Follow Closed Session
06:30 p.m. Regular Business
February 10, 2025
The City of La Habra Heights complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require special assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk's office at (562) 694-6302.
Materials related to any items on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at the City Clerk's Office at 1225 N. Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, CA 90631 during normal business hours.
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS
Each member of the public may speak for a total of five minutes on any action item listed on the agenda or other matters within the Council's purview except with regard to items listed as public hearings. To speak in the Public Comment segment please complete and deliver a speaker's card to the Clerk prior to the call for public comments. You will be called to the podium by name when it is your turn to speak.
During a Public Hearing:
Each member of the public may also speak on each public hearing item. Please provide a speaker's card listing the public hearing by number and submit it to the Clerk before the hearing is opened by the Mayor. Your speaking time will be limited to the subject of the hearing. In general, speakers are given three minutes. However, the Mayor may limit speaking time during public hearings if several people wish to speak.
Should you need to provide written documentation, please give the Clerk a minimum of NINE (9)
copies prior to the start of the meeting so the information can be distributed to the Council.
NOTICE
If you challenge any action of the City Council in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. (Gov. Code 65009(b)(2).) VIEW THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING LIVE AT:
WWW.LHHCITY.ORG
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
A.
John Pespisa, Mayor
B.
Carol Engelhardt, Mayor Pro Tempore
C.
Brian Bergman, Council Member
D.
Greg Stefflre, Council Member
E.
Norm Zezula, Council Member
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. PRESENTATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
A.
La Habra Heights Improvement Association & Los Compadres check presentation to the La Habra Heights Fire Department for the purchasing of an automated CPR Lucas Machine B.
Recognize Diego Arballo - Eagle Scout project of sandbag filling rack
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
7. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
A.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
B.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
C.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
2025 02 10 ITEM #8C
D.
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
2025 02 10 ITEM #8D
E.
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT
2025 02 10 ITEM #8E
CONSENT CALENDAR
It is recommended that items 9 through 15 be acted on by one motion of the City Council unless a Council Member requests a separate discussion and/or action on an item.
9. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MEETING MINUTES ON THE AGENDA RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council waive the reading in full of all ordinances, resolutions, and meeting minutes on the agenda, and direct the City Manager to read by title only. 2025 02 10 ITEM #9
10. APPROVAL OF WARRANT REPORT FOR JANUARY 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve.
2025 02 10 ITEM #10
11. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve.
2025 02 10 ITEM #11
12. MINUTES: JANUARY 13, 2025 – REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECOMMENDATION:
Approve.
2025 02 10 ITEM #12
13. MINUTES: JANUARY 20, 2025 – ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECOMMENDATION:
Approve.
2025 02 10 ITEM #13
14. MINUTES: JANUARY 24, 2025 – SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECOMMENDATION:
Approve.
2025 02 10 ITEM #14
15. MINUTES: JANUARY 24, 2025 - ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECOMMENDATION:
Approve.
2025 02 10 ITEM #15
--------------------------------- END OF CONSENT CALENDAR --------------------------------
PUBLIC HEARING
16. ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENT AT THE PARK RESOLUTION NO. 2025-05: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF THE 51st YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
A.
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-05
B.
Direct staff to pursue the Accessibility Ramp and Parking Improvement project at The Park; AND C.
Direct staff to issue a Request for Proposals for Design Building engineering and construction services for this project. 2025 02 10 ITEM #16
17. PROTEST HEARING - UNPAID BRUSH CLEARANCE COSTS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-06: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING A REPORT OF COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CITY’S BRUSH CLEARANCE PROGRAM; CONFIRMING THE ASSESSMENTS AND LIENS SET FORTH IN SUCH REPORT; AND DIRECTING THAT SUCH ASSESSMENTS BE COLLECTED ON THE PROPERTY TAX ROLL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
A.
Overrule protests, if any, offered during protest hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2025-06 confirming the report of costs incurred by the city and authorizing the assessments as liens to be placed on the tax rolls effective February 10, 2025; OR B.
Amend the charges to be assessed and placed as liens as follows: _______________________, and adopt Resolution No. 2025-06. 2025 02 10 ITEM #17
18. VACATION OF LA HABRA ROAD WITHIN POWDER CANYON RESOLUTION NO. 2025-07: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING LA HABRA ROAD UNNECESSARY FOR PRESENT OR PROSPECTIVE PUBLIC USE AND VACATING THE SAME PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAY CODE RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-07 authorizing the vacation of La Habra Road and establishing the twenty-foot-wide emergency access easement. 2025 02 10 ITEM #18
------------------------------- END OF PUBLIC HEARING --------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
19. GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (GFOA) DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FOR FY 2024-25 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file. 2025 02 10 ITEM #19
20. FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 mid-year budget amendment. 2025 02 10 ITEM #20
21. MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM – CITY PROSECTOR PROPOSALS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
A.
Select the firm of Dapeer Rosenbilt Litvak to perform the City Prosecutor Services; AND B.
Direct the City Attorney to prepare the necessary contract for City Prosecutor Services and authorize City Manager to execute the contract. 2025 02 10 ITEM #21
22. RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT POSITIONS (CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 13, 2025) RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the request to reactivate the Deputy Fire Chief position and reclassify the Fire Marshal position from part-time to full-time, retroactively to January 13, 2025. 2025 02 10 ITEM #22
23. 2025 BRUSH CLEARANCE PROGRAM RESOLUTION NO. 2025-08: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THAT WEEDS, RUBBISH, REFUSE, OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS GROWING UPON OR IN FRONT OF PROPERTIES CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC NUISANCE. IN ADDITION, DIRT/DEBRIS RUNOFF FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY UPON PUBLIC ROADWAYS ALSO CONSTITUTES A PUBLIC NUISANCE. FURTHER DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF SUCH NUISANCE, AND SETTING A DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
A.
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-08 declaring that in addition to weeds, rubbish, refuse, or other combustible materials, dirt/debris runoff from private property upon public roadways in front of properties are a public nuisance; AND B.
Declare its intention to provide for the abatement of such nuisance; AND C.
Set the date as April 14, 2025, for the public hearing. 2025 02 10 ITEM #23
24. LA HABRA HEIGHTS WILDFIRE DEFENSIBLE SPACE DISCUSSION RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss. 2025 02 10 ITEM #24
25. HARMONIZING FUEL MODIFICATION REQUIREMENTS WITH LANDSCAPE SCREENING ORDINANCE RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss. 2025 02 10 ITEM #25
26. PLANNING COMMISSION REQUEST TO INITIATE A CODE AMENDMENT RELATED TO LANDSCAPING AND FENCING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss the items and provide direction to the Planning Commission and staff. 2025 02 10 ITEM #26
27. REGIONAL SAFE, CLEAN WATER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AT THE PARK IN LA HABRA HEIGHTS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-09: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE SAFE, CLEAN WATER REGIONAL PROGRAM BY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
A.
Adopt Resolution No 2025-09 approving the City’s participation in the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Water Regional Program; AND B.
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Safe, Clean Water Regional Program Transfer Agreement on behalf of the City. 2025 02 10 ITEM #27
28. WINTER STORM 2024: DIRT AND DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM VACANT LOT AT HACIENDA AND WEST ROAD RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
C.
Authorize the Finance Manager to amend the FY 2024-25 budget and increase account 101-450-PWD-6850 by $79,245 for the removal of dirt and debris from the Hacienda and West vacant lot; AND D.
Authorize a contingency in the amount of $11,886.75, or 15%; AND E.
Authorize the Finance Manager to amend the FY 2024-25 budget and increase account 101-450-PWD-6850 by $11,886.75 for the 15% contingency; AND F.
Authorize the City Manager to approve the Purchase Order per the City’s purchasing policy; AND G.
Authorize staff to schedule California Arborist Complete Tree Care, Inc. to complete the work. 2025 02 10 ITEM #28
29. FEBRUARY 2024 WINTER STORMS UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss. 2025 02 10 ITEM #29
30. THE PARK EQUESTRIAN ACCESS TRAIL AT THE INTERSECTION OF EAST ROAD AND HACIENDA ROAD RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss. 2025 02 10 ITEM #30
31. PROJECT UPDATES AND DEADLINES
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss. 2025 02 10 ITEM #31
-------------------------------- END OF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS --------------------------------
32. INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBER INFORMATION ITEMS AND/OR REQUIRED MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve meeting reports and receive general comments, announcements, and/or suggestions from Members of the City Council. 2025 02 10 ITEM #32
33. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (ONE MINUTE)
CLOSED SESSION
FOLLOWING REGULAR BUSINESS
1. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:
A.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1)
Case: State of California et al. v. City of La Habra Heights et al. LASC Case No. 24STCP03557
B.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(2) Potential Cases: One
C.
PERSONNEL – EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Gov. Code § 54957
Title: Interim Assistant City Manager
2. RECONVENE AND STATEMENT FROM CLOSED SESSION
-------------------------------- END OF CLOSED SESSION ------------------------------
ADJOURN MEETING
UPON ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING, PLEASE LEAVE THE ROOM PROMPTLY AND TAKE YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS WITH YOU TO ALLOW STAFF TO CLEAN UP AND CLOSE THE BUILDING. IF YOU ARE RECORDING, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE FROM THIS POINT FORWARD MAY BE PRIVATE AND ARE NOT PART OF THE PUBLIC MEETING, AND CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES TO THE CONVERSATION MAY BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO RECORDING.