City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
April 4, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Baker 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 LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: One potential case, possible hostile work environment claim.
CS-2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
Property: South of Orangethorpe Avenue, 42 feet east of the centerline of Alexander Avenue
Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Assistant to the City Manager
Negotiating parties: Crown Castle Fiber, LLC
Under negotiations: Price and terms of payment
CS-3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
Property: 5062 La Palma Avenue, La Palma, California
APN: 262-081-04
Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Negotiating parties: Esoteric Homes, Inc
Under negotiations: Price and terms of payment
City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
CS-4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6.
Agency Designated Representatives: Conal McNamara, City Manager Ryan Hallett, Administrative
Services Director
Steve Filarsky, Labor Attorney
Employee Organizations: La Palma General Employees
Association
La Palma Professional
Employees Association
La Palma Police Association
Unrepresented Employees: Executive Management
Mayor Baked recessed to Closed Session at 5:31 p.m.
OPEN SESSION (To Begin at 6:30 p.m.)
Mayor Baker reconvened in Open Session at 6:30 p.m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind announced that there are no reportable actions out of Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Waldman
INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Agosto, City Church
ROLL CALL: Council Members
Councilmembers present: Mayor Baker, Council Member Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council Member Patel, and Council
Member Waldman
Councilmembers absent: None
City Officials present: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
Joseph Cisneros, Assistant to the City Manager
Ryan Hallett, Administrative Services Director
Terry Kim, Police Chief
Andy Ramirez, Public Works/Community Services
Director
Robert Zubiate, Management Analyst
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Baker introduced the demonstration by the La Palma “Jumping Coyotes” Jump Rope Team and after, issued Certificates of Recognition to the team for Jump Rope Excellence.
Benjamin Montelongo, representing Senator Janet Nguyen's Office, and Triston Mendez representing Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's Office, issued Certificates of Recognition to the Jumping Coyotes for Jump Rope Excellence.
2. Mayor Baker presented a Certificate of Recognition to Kean Lim, a the La Palma Recreation Center Martial Arts Student, for achieving Black Belt Status.
Benjamin Montelongo, representing Senator Janet Nguyen's Office, and Triston Mendez representing Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's Office, issued Certificates of Recognition to Kean Lim for achieving Black Belt status.
3. Mayor Baker presentation a proclamation to Donate Life Ambassador Rita Jackson in recognition of April as Donate Life Month.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kevin Sequeira, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding his opposition to the preacher at La Palma and Moody, who uses a bullhorn to preach on Sundays; wanted to know how to address the nuisance with respect to freedom of speech; and condition of roads in his neighborhood.
Gary MacNamara, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding his opposition to the difficulties encountered by a recent Southern California Edison power outage; the response by the Police Department regarding a fraud case he filed; the recent uptick in catalytic converter thefts and opposition to the Police Department's response; concerns about earthquake preparedness at the municipal level; opposition to uptick in graffiti; concerns about gang activity and narcotics; and opposition to the Police Department's response to his son while under the influence of fentanyl.
City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
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 March 7, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
Resolution No. 2023-12 approving the Registers of Demands for March 21, 2023, and April 4, 2023.
4. Award of Contract to Universal Coating, Inc. for the Community Center Roof Project, City Project No. 22-BLDG-02
a) Award a Contract in the amount of $191,000.00, inclusive of all bid items to the low bidder, Universal Coating, Inc. for the Community Center Roof Project, City Project No. 22-BLDG-02; and
b) Appropriate an additional $100,550 from the Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (COR) to fully fund the project.
5. New National Opioid Settlement
a) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-13 authorizing participation in the New National Opioid Settlement; and
b) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any related documents Council Member Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 5.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Council Member Conklin, Mayor Pro
Tem Goodman, Council Member Patel, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
6. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING: REQUEST TO CONTINUE
Consideration of Adopting New Fee Schedules for Certain Fees TO THE JUNE 6, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING
a) Mayor Baker opened the Public Hearing at 7:26 p.m.
b) City Manager McNamara introduced the Item and Assistant to the City Manager Cisneros gave the Staff Report
c) Council Member Comments and Questions:
None.
d) Public Input:
No member of the public wished to speak.
e) Mayor Baker continued the Public Hearing
f) APPROVE REQUEST TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING ON
Consideration of Adopting New Fee Schedules for Certain Fees TO THE JUNE 6, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING.
Council Member Patel made a motion to approve the continuation of the Public Hearing to consider the Adoption of New Fee Schedules for Certain Fees to the June 6, 2023, City Council meeting.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Council Member Conklin, Mayor Pro
Tem Goodman, Council Member Patel, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
REGULAR ITEMS
7. Council Chambers Audio Improvement
City Manager McNamara introduced the item and Assistant to the City Manager Cisneros gave the Staff Report.
City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
Discussion ensued regarding the reason for not going back to the original contractor for fixing the work done just a couple of years ago during the Chambers renovations; that the contractor used is no longer in business and the Chamber upgrade was their last project; that some of the equipment needed had to be ordered separately due to supply chain issues resulting in an inadequate system; that some patches were made in November of last year; whether it was the contractor's work or equipment failure that has led to substandard audio; that according to the reviews made, it is necessary to upgrade the Chamber’s mixer and replace the surface mounted microphones with gooseneck microphones; that the ongoing maintenance costs should be around $15 - $20 thousand a year, but only if the system is having significant issues; that the new system should be plug and play with a plan in place should there be any difficulties; whether value or cost was the reason for Staff's recommendation; that the contract chosen is the most comprehensive when reviewing technology equipment provided and support; that gooseneck mics will achieve a better audio result; breakdown of the cost for equipment, programming, and technical support; and that the warranties are for up to five years.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
Council Member Patel made a motion to approve the upgrades to the Council Chambers audio by Western Audio Visual as recommended by Staff.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Keo Conklin and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Council Member Conklin, Mayor Pro
Tem Goodman, Council Member Patel, and Council
Member Waldman
NOES: None
COUNCILMEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin attended a Cambodian Business Network meeting; a Women of Distinction luncheon; a festival called Sabaidee Fest by a Laotian group; a meeting regarding School Curriculum reflecting on Cambodian and Laos history; a meeting for a Garden Grove City Mayoral candidate; the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) luncheon; the Women’s History Month Association of AsianPacific Islander (AAPI) Elected Women Celebration; received the Woman of Distinction City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
award from Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva; the Fullerton State of the City; and the Cambodian 15th annual New Year parade and celebration in Long Beach.
Council Member Waldman had nothing to report.
Council Member Patel attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Budget and Finance Committee meeting; outgoing Community Services Director Belknap’s Retirement celebration; a meeting with John F. Kennedy High School faculty regarding graduation banners; the Ace of Spades for the Cypress Boys and Girls club fundraising event; the OCFA Board meeting; the Kennedy Capstone Project event; and announced the OCFA Chair appointed him to the Human Resource committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodman attended outgoing Community Services Director Belknap’s Retirement celebration; the Cypress College Foundation's Americana Awards; the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) Board Member orientation; the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Executive Committee meeting; the OCCOG 2023 General Assembly and has been elected to the Board for the 18th District and as such, will be serving on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council a result of that; and the Fullerton State of the City Luncheon.
Mayor Baker attended outgoing Community Services Director Belknap’s Retirement celebration; the Orange County Women in Leadership Summit; the Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards; a meeting with John F. Kennedy High School faculty regarding graduation banners; the OCSD Board Member orientation; Congresswoman Michelle Steel’s Mayors Roundtable; the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) Board of Trustees meeting; the Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee meeting; the Swearing-in/Badge Pinning Ceremony for Officer Lazaro Perez; OCSD Board of Directors meeting; OCCOG 2023 General Assembly Meeting; the Women’s History Month AAPI Elected Women Celebration; Fullerton’s State of the City; and Senator Janet Nguyen’s District Office Grand Opening.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager McNamara welcomed new Public Works/Community Services Director Ramirez; announced that after ten contractors walked through the restriping of the basketball courts, the City did not receive any bids on the court restriping project; and that the pickle ball court design is in progress.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Baker welcomed Public Works/Community Services Ramirez to the La Palma family and wished everyone a Happy Easter. She adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:53 p.m.
________________________________
Debbie S. Baker
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk