MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
January 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Baker called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of La Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, La Palma, California.
CLOSED SESSION
CS-1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of Case:
Tartarian vs. City of La Palma Case No. OCSC 30-2022-01294374-CU-WM-CJC Mayor Baker recessed to Closed Session at 6:01 p.m.
OPEN SESSION to Begin at 6:30 PM
Mayor Baker reconvened in Open Session at 6:31 p.m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind responded that there is nothing to report out of Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Keo Conklin
INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Agosto, City Church
ROLL CALL: Council and Commission Members
Council Members present: Mayor Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
Council Members absent: None
City Officials present: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Mike Belknap, Community Services Director
Joe Cisneros, Assistant to the City Manager
City Council Meeting
January 10, 2023
Ryan Hallett Hinton, Administrative Services Director
Scott Hutter, Planning Manager
Terry Kim, Police Chief
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
Robert Zubiate, Management Analyst
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Baker presented a proclamation in recognition of Korean-American Day
2. Police Chief Kim introduced Gisselle Sifuentes as the Police Department’s new Records Clerk.
3. Mayor Baker presented a proclamation and stipend to Police Officer Gary Wilson in recognition of being named 2022 Employee of the Year.
Mayor Baker presented a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Congresswoman Steel to Police Officer Gary Wilson for being named 2022 Employee of the Year.
Triston Mendez representing Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva also presented a Certificate of Recognition for being named 2022 Employee of the Year.
4. Mayor Baker presented a proclamation and stipend to Police Sergeant Joshua Garcia in recognition of being named 2022 Supervisor/Professional Employee of the Year.
Mayor Baker presented a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Congresswoman Steel to Police Sergeant Joshua Garcia for being named 2022 Supervisor of the Year. Triston Mendez representing Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva also presented a Certificate of Recognition for being named 2022 Supervisor of the Year.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Larry Caballero, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding his opposition to not having the City Council meetings televised; and that he has difficulty hearing the audio when he is in the back of the Council Chambers.
RECESS THE CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS THE CITY OF LA PALMA AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT 6:46 P.M.
City Council Meeting
January 10, 2023
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 December 13, 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 Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council
Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS
None Scheduled.
ADJOURN THE CITY OF LA PALM AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL AT 6:47 P.M.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Waive the Reading of All Ordinances
Waive the reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
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January 10, 2023
2. Approval of Council Minutes
Minutes of the December 13, 2022, Regular Meeting, and December 20, 2022, Special Meeting of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
Resolution No. 2023-01 approving the Registers of Demands for December 20, 2022, and January 3, 2022.
4. First Quarter Operating Report for Fiscal Year 2022-23 Receive and file the First Quarter Operating Report, Fiscal Year 2022-23.
5. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022
Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) of the City of La Palma for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2022.
6. Resolution Designating the Appointment to the Orange County Fire Authority?s Board of Directors
Resolution No. 2023-02 designating the appointment of City Council Member Nitesh P. Patel as La Palma’s representative to the Orange County Fire Authority’s (OCFA) Board of Directors.
7. Resolution Authorizing Grant Applications for the Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program and all other grant and payment programs offered through CalRecycle
Resolution No. 2023-03 authorizing staff to file applications with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to receive grant funding from the Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program and all other grant and payment programs offered through CalRecycle for the next five years.
8. Resolution Accepting Fiscal Year 2021 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant
Resolution No. 2023-04 approving the acceptance of the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to complete and sign all necessary materials to facilitate the grant.
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January 10, 2023
9. 2023 Legislative Platform
Adopt the City of La Palma’s 2023 State and Federal Legislative Platform.
Council Member Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 9.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council
Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending City Municipal Code Chapter 42 (Water) Article II Pertaining to the Shutoff of Water Service due to Nonpayment
a) Mayor Baker opened the Public Hearing at 6:48 p.m.
b) City Manager introduced this item and Management Analyst Zubiate gave the Staff Report.
c) City Council Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding whether there are additional fees to turn water back on after it's been shut off; that the City has a reconnection fee; and that the City has to follow this procedure in order to be compliant with State Law.
d) Public Input:
Karen Zigorski, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding her water bill statement not having a clear due date on them, only that it's due within a 60-day period; that it should be clearly listed on the billing statement; and that there is no late period defined on the bill either.
Community Services Director Belknap responded that the bills are due within the 60-day time frame from the print date; that the bills should clearly state when bills are due; that there is a 12-day late period prior to the date City Council Meeting
January 10, 2023
for shut-off; and that Management Analyst Zubiate noted that the late period starts after the 60-day payment due date, but that the City will need to clarify that.
e) Mayor Baker closed the Public Hearing at 6:54 p.m.
f) Introduce an Ordinance amending City Municipal Code Chapter 42 (Water) Article II pertaining to the shutoff of water service due to nonpayment Council Member Patel made a motion to introduce an Ordinance amending City Municipal Code Chapter 42 (Water) Article II pertaining to the shutoff of water service due to nonpayment.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council
Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
11. First Reading And Introduction Of An Ordinance Amending City Municipal Code Chapter 44 (Zoning) Section 44-10 - Definitions And Division 4. - Parking And Loading, As It Pertains To Establishing An Expedited, Streamlined Permitting Process For Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
a) Mayor Baker opened the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m.
b) City Manager McNamara gave the Staff Report
c) Council Member Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding whether this process is for residential or commercial and that City Manager McNamara clarified that this does not apply to residential homes, but more for shopping centers and commercial sites.
d) Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
e) Mayor Baker closed the Public Hearing at 6:58 p.m.
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January 10, 2023
f) Introduce an Ordinance amending City Municipal Code Chapter 44 (Zoning) Section 44-10 - Definitions and Division 4. - Parking and Loading, as it pertains to establishing an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations.
Council Member Patel made a motion to introduce an Ordinance amending City Municipal Code Chapter 44 (Zoning) Section 44-10 - Definitions and Division 4. - Parking and Loading, as it pertains to establishing an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Keo Conklin and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council
Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
REGULAR ITEMS
12. Council Member Request - Discussion on installing Pickleball Courts at Central Park
City Manager McNamara gave a brief overview of this Council Member Request made by Mayor Baker.
Community Services Director Belknap added that Staff needs more direction in order to provide the proper information to move this item forward.
Discussion ensued regarding Council Member Patel support of the placement of a pickle ball court at Central Park; that if it's possible to place a court right behind the bathroom; that cost is going to be a determining factor in whether Council Member Patel moves the matter forward; that the City currently has a reservation system in place for tennis courts; that the City could do the same for the pickleball court; that the area on the back side of the tennis courts was already measured and is not big enough; that pickle ball is a noisy sport and could disrupt the adjacent neighborhood; that the only place to put them would be in front of the current tennis courts next to the restrooms; that those restrooms are used by the court players and field players; that Mayor Pro Tem Goodman supports researching this item as it appears pickle ball becoming a popular sport; that right across the street from the High School is a Cypress Park that residents use that has pickle ball courts that Cypress is planning to upgrade; that the City could look into a cooperative City Council Meeting
January 10, 2023
agreement with Cypress instead of installing their own; that costs for court installation and lighting are a factor; that this sport could not go too late as it's a noisy sport; that Mayor Pro Tem Goodman suggested that the City Council would need to look at other capital improvements that need to be considered first before installing a pickleball court; that Council Member Keo Conklin is concerned with funding; that we should look for other alternatives to improve before we spend the money on the installation; that the City Council needs to evaluate budget funding, noise level, and costs prior to making this decision; that Mayor Baker supports pickle ball as an investment into the community; that north of the tennis courts seems to be a prime location; that the electrical infrastructure is already there, but there is a cost to installing additional lights; that as the City is looking to upgrade the softball field lighting, they can add this into the review; and that Mayor Baker wants Staff to look into grants that are available.
Public Input:
Emmanuel Aparicio, a La Palma resident, asked what pickle ball is and how many players does it require.
Discussion ensued regarding explaining the sport to be like miniature tennis; that it's a cross between badminton, ping pong, with less running; that this has a hard paddle and hard ball; and that there are complaints about the noise in places where these are installed too close to residential homes.
City Manager McNamara noted that this detail gives Staff enough information in order to move forward with this project and possibly bring it back to Council in March.
COUNCILMEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin attended the Bridges at Kramer Place Advisory Board meeting; Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's swearing-in ceremony; Senator Janet Nguyen's swearing-in ceremony; the City Council's Special Meeting; the Orange County Board of Supervisor's Open House; Long Beach Mayor Richardson's swearing-in ceremony; a victory party for elected officials; the Los Angeles County Vietnamese Employee Association tech festival; a Royal Honor Consulate Meeting with the Cambodian Ambassador; and the swearing-in ceremony for recently elected Orange County Board of Supervisors Chaffee, Foley, and Sarmiento.
Council Member Waldman had nothing to report.
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January 10, 2023
Council Member Patel attended a meeting with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board Chief Fennessy; congratulated Officer Wilson and Sergeant Garcia on their recognition and welcomed Giselle Sifuentes to the La Palma family.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodman attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Executive Committee meeting; the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) Steering Committee meeting; the OCSD Board of Director's meeting; Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's swearing-in ceremony; the City Council Special Meeting; Long Beach Mayor Richardson's swearing-in ceremony; Senator Janet Nguyen's swearing-in ceremony; the Cal Cities Orange County Division Board meeting; congratulated both Officer Wilson and Sergeant Garcia on their recognition; and gave recognition to La Palma's Team Vision for coordinating the employee events through the year.
Mayor Baker attended the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) Board of Trustees Meeting; Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's swearingin ceremony; the City Council Special Meeting; Senator Janet Nguyen's swearing-in ceremony; and the swearing-in ceremony for recently elected Orange County Board of Supervisors Chaffee, Foley, and Sarmiento.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager McNamara welcomed the City Council back to the first meeting of the new year; updated the City Council on the status of the recent rains with no water damage to report except for minor flooding.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Baker adjourned the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 7:18 p.m. _____________________________
Debbie S. Baker
Mayor
City Council Meeting
January 10, 2023
Attest:
______________________
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk