MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
March 1, 2022
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Steggell called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of La Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, La Palma, California.
CLOSED SESSION
CS-1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6.
Agency Designated Representatives: Conal McNamara, City Manager Ryan Hallett Hinton, Assistant to the City
Manager
Employee Organizations: La Palma General Employees
Association
La Palma Police Association
La Palma Professional Employees
Association
Unrepresented Employees: Executive Management
CS-2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
Property: Approximately a 900 square feet portion of 8441 Moody Street,
La Palma, California, 90623
Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Negotiating parties: Smartlink on behalf of AT & T
Under negotiations: Price and/or terms for a Lease Agreement Mayor Steggell recessed to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
OPEN SESSION:
Mayor Steggell reconvened in Open Session at 6:30 p.m. and asked for a report.
City Attorney Thind announced there were no reportable actions out of Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Baker
INVOCATION: Father Binh Nguyen, St. Irenaeus
ROLL CALL: Council and Commission Members
Council Members present: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman, Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
Council Members absent: None
City Officials present: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Mike Belknap, Community Services Director
Scott Hutter, Planning Manager
Terry Kim, Police Chief
Joe Cisneros, Management Analyst
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
Mike Matsumoto, Financial Consultant
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Steggell presented a proclamation to Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Mike Petro in recognition of his retirement.
Joe Pak, Field Representative for Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's office, presented outgoing Chief Petro with a Certificate of Recognition for his retirement.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
Joe Pak, representing Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's office, announced his support for the ADA accommodations being made for the City Council by having a new chair lift installed.
RECESS THE CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS THE CITY OF LA PALMA AS
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AT 6:45 P.M.
City Clerk Kenney stated, "The City Council will now recess and convene as the Successor Agency to the Dissolved Community Development Commission of the City of La Palma. Members of the La Palma City Council receive no compensation or stipend as a result of convening or participating in either the Successor Agency or otherwise as serving as members of the Successor Agency."
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Successor Agency Minutes
Minutes of the February 1, 2022, Regular Meeting of the Successor Agency.
Council Member Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Item A.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS
None Scheduled.
ADJOURN THE CITY OF LA PALMA AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL AT 6:46 P.M.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Waive the Reading of All Ordinances
Waive the reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
2. Approval of Council Minutes
Minutes of the February 1, 2022, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
Resolution No. 2022-12 approving the Registers of Demands for February 15, 2022, and March 1, 2022.
4. Second Quarter Operating Report, Fiscal Year 2021-22 Receive and file the Second Quarter Operating Report, Fiscal Year 2021-22.
5. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2021
Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) of the City of La Palma for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2021.
6. Destruction of Obsolete Departmental Records
Resolution No. 2022-13 authorizing the destruction of obsolete records pursuant to the California Government Code Section 34090.
7. Sponsorship for 2022 Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards, and Authorizing the Distribution of Tickets to Attend the Event Resolution No. 2022-14 approving Sponsorship of the 2022 Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards and authorize the distribution of tickets to attend the event.
8. 2022 Street Closures for City Special Events
Resolution No. 2022-15 approving Street Closures for four (4) 2022 City special events: Every 15 Minutes, Thursday, April 19; Festival of Nations Parade, Saturday, April 30; Memorial Day, Monday, May 30; and Fitness Run for Fun, Monday, July 4, 2022.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
9. Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work for the Moody Street, City Project No. ST-362 and Zone 3, City Project No. ST-363, Slurry Seal Improvements Accept the work and authorize the Community Services Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Recorder for the Moody Street, City Project No. ST-362 and Zone 3, City Project No. ST-363, Slurry Seal Improvements.
10. Adoption of a Resolution Opposing Initiative 21-0042A1 Resolution No. 2022-16 opposing State Ballot Measure 21-0042A1.
Council Member Waldman made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through
10. The motion was seconded by Council Member Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. Conditional Use Permit 388 to Permit On-site Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Under a Type 41 State Liquor License at 4891 La Palma Avenue in the La Palma Shopping Center (APN 263-312-63), in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Zone a) Mayor Steggell opened the Public Hearing at 6:47 p.m. b) Planning Manager Hutter gave the Staff Report.
c) Council Member Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding that in Sakai Sushi's five-year history, they've had no incidences involving Code Enforcement; that they have proven to be a good business and abide by the rules; and City Council support for the applicant. d) Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
e) Mayor Steggell closed the Public Hearing at 6:52 p.m.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
f) Adopt a Resolution of the City Council approving and authorizing the Applicant’s request for Conditional Use Permit 388 to permit on-site consumption of alcoholic beverages under a Type 41 State Liquor License at the Sakai Sushi Restaurant located at 4891 La Palma Avenue in the La Palma Shopping Center.
Council Member Waldman made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-17 of the City Council approving and authorizing the Applicant’s request for Conditional Use Permit 388 to permit on-site consumption of alcoholic beverages under a Type 41 State Liquor License at the Sakai Sushi Restaurant located at 4891 La Palma Avenue in the La Palma Shopping Center.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
REGULAR ITEMS
12. Adoption of 2022 City Council Goals
a) Receive & File “Consolidated 2020-21 Goals Completed” in Attachment 1 b) Approve “2022 Goals for Consideration” in Attachment 2 City Manager McNamara gave the Staff Report.
Council Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding a request to change the wording of number 8 to reword it so that there are no specifics, but examples of things to explore in City Departments to see if there are additional tools needed.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
Council Member Waldman made a motion to receive and file the “Consolidated 2020-21 Goals Completed” in Attachment 1 and approve the "2022 Goals for Consideration" in Attachment 2.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
13. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Consultant
Recommendation that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with TBWBH Props & Measures for public outreach services and ballot measure preparation.
City Manager McNamara gave the Staff Report.
Council Comments and Questions:
None.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
Council Member Waldman made a motion to approve and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with TBWBH Props & Measures for public outreach services and ballot measure preparation.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
14. Update the City Council on the Status of the Fee Study and Authorize an Agreement with Revenue & Cost Specialists, LLC (RCS) to Complete the Fee Study
a) Receive and file the update on the status of the Fee Study; and b) Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Revenue & Cost Specialists, LLC (RCS), of Fullerton, CA, to complete the Fee Study.
Management Analyst Cisneros gave the Staff Report.
Council Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding support for City Manager McNamara who initiated the fee study and a commendation for the work that Staff had put into this fee study review that lowered the cost for the Consultant; the anticipation of being able to see the allocation of variable versus fixed costs to help with decision making; that there will be areas that the City Council may choose not to increase costs, but that it's better to make a decision based on an in-depth and legally defensible analysis beyond Staff's ability.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
Council Member Patel made a motion to receive and file the update on the status of the Fee Study; and authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Revenue & Cost Specialists, LLC (RCS), of Fullerton, CA, to complete the Fee Study.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Steggell and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
15. Budget Adjustments Fiscal Year 2021-22
Recommendation that the City Council approve a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
City Manager McNamara introduced Financial Consultant Matsumoto who gave the Staff Report.
Council Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding appreciation for the Staff Report; explanation of the $118,181 transfer out components being from the General Fund to the Reserve Fund; details of the amounts transferred to the Capital Outlay Reserve (COR), the Emergency Reserve, and the Civic Center Replacement Fund; that the City Council has previously set the precedent to transfer money to COR; and that although it appears that the City is deficient at first glance, it’s because of the fiscally prudent measures the City Council takes to allocate those revenues into specific fund accounts instead of having it sit in the General Fund.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
Council Member Patel made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-18 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Goodman,
Council Member Patel, Mayor Steggell, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
COUNCILMEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Mayor Pro Tem Baker attended the Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee Meeting; the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) Budget and Finance Committee Meeting; the OCMVCD Joint Budget & Finance and Operations Committees; the OCMVCD Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Workshop; the Cal Cities Orange County (CCOC) Division General Membership Meeting; the "Random Acts of Kindness Day" event by Walker Junior High’s Kindness Club here at the Civic Center; the OCMVCD Board of Trustees Meeting; and the Orange County Public Library's Library Advisory Board (OCLAB) Meeting.
Council Member Goodman attended the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) Legislative and Public Affairs Committee; the League of California Cities - Orange County City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
(LOCC-OC) Executive Committee meeting; the OCSD Administration Committee meeting; the LOCC Housing Community and Economic Development Committee meeting and Full Committee meeting; the LOCC-OC Division General Membership meeting; the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Executive Committee meeting; and the OCSD Board of Directors meeting.
Council Member Patel attended the Business Engagement Subcommittee meeting; the event for honorable former Chief Minister of Gujarat; conducted video tapings for Johnnies Junior, Wellness Medical, and Popeye's for the "Shop Local" campaign; the Blue and Gold Ceremony for the Boy Scouts; visited Super One Mart, Boba Loca, and La Capilla businesses; and thanked Ivan San Pedro for all his efforts in getting these productions completed.
Council Member Waldman had nothing to report.
Mayor Steggell attended the "Random Acts of Kindness Day" event by Walker Junior High’s Kindness Club here at the Civic Center; attended the Business Engagement Subcommittee video tapings; the Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Ceremony; the OCFA Executive Committee meeting and Regular Board Meeting; conducted video tapings for the "Shop Local" campaign; and visited Super One Mart, Boba Loca, and La Capilla businesses. She asked Staff to look into incorporating into the budget, working with our local business, St. Nick's Christmas Lighting, to decorate palm trees in La Palma during the Christmas holiday.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager McNamara reported on the renovations in the Council Chambers being nearly completed with a fully functioning ADA Chair Lift; that the City's homeless point-intime count and was conducted safely and effectively; and announced the upcoming Coffee with the Mayor event at Central Park tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.
Police Chief Kim added that the point-in-time count was completed last week; that officers were assigned to work in conjunction with the County and did not experience any incidents; that the preliminary numbers are approximately 7 to 8 homeless individuals in La Palma; the update on the Police Department's social media project; that the department plans to launch the platform soon in an effort to meet one of the City Council goals; and that Officers attended a local Neighborhood Watch meeting to discuss issues and get some good feedback, in an effort to stay engaged with our residents.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Steggell adjourned the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council at 7:32 p.m.
Michele Steggell
Mayor
Attest:
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk