MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
October 3, 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 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
CS-2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) ofSection54956.9) Name of Case: Tatarian vs. City of La Palma
Case No. OCSC 30-2022-01294374-CU-WM-CJC
CS-3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of Case: Goo v. La Palma Police Department, et al.
Case No. OCSC 30-2022-01298828-CU-MC-CJC
CS-4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
Property: 5410-14 La Palma Avenue, La Palma, California Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
City Council Meeting
October 3, 2023
Negotiating parties: Victor Chung, Elite Taekwondo Center, LLC Under negotiations: Price and/or terms of Amended Lease CS-5. 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.
The City Council adjourned Closed Session at 6:09 p.m.
OPEN SESSION:
Mayor Baker reconvened in Open Session at 6:31 p.m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind announced that there were no reportable actions out of Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Goodman
INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Agosto, City Church
ROLL CALL: Council Members
Council Members present: Mayor Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem Goodman, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
Council Members absent: None
City Officials present: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Andy Ramirez, Public Works/Community Services
Director
Ron Wilkerson, Police Chief
Jeff Adams, Planning Consultant
Vanessa Alfajora, Management Assistant
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
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October 3, 2023
PRESENTATIONS
1. Senator Janet Nguyen gave a Legislative Update on the status of Senate Bills under consideration, her Senate Committee appointments, and the projects her Committees are pursuing for La Palma residents.
2. Noella Lew, La Palma Community Activities and Beautification Committee, Home Spotlight Committee Chair, recognized the home of Dan and Rosa Chavarin, 8021 Louise Lane, La Palma.
Senator Nguyen, Elizabeth Lavazzeri representing Senator Newman, and Triston Mendez representing Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva all presented Certificates of Recognition to Dan and Rosa Chavarin.
3. City Manager McNamara introduced Lauren Slaughter and Travis Krehbiel as the City’s new Administrative Services and General Government Interns as part of the Cal State Long Beach program brokered by Mayor Pro Tem Goodman.
4. City Manager McNamara introduced Angel Nguyen as the City’s new Accounting Supervisor.
5. Mayor Baker presented a proclamation to Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Dohman in Recognition of October 8-14 as “Fire Prevention Week”.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Eloisa Velasquez, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding the blighted property at 5782 Warwick Circle; thanked the City Council for addressing the vacant property with the assistance of Code Enforcement; and invited the City Council to a celebration of life on November 11, 2023, for the previous homeowners who had no family members.
Oren Shimshi, VP Racing Fuel's business owner, congratulated new Police Chief Wilkerson on his appointment; explained the situation with the company credit cards for city vehicle use; and asked the city to patronize his establishment.
Abe Waheed, a La Palma resident and Kiwani’s President, invited the City Council to the Kiwani’s upcoming new installation lunch on October 5, 2023, at the Community Center.
Keith Nelson, a La Palma resident, congratulated Police Chief Wilkerson on his appointment, announced the upcoming Kiwanis Club Red Ribbon Week breakfast; that a former Council Member's spouse, Mrs. Herman, has been hospitalized; and his opposition to the recent response from the City Council.
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October 3, 2023
Robert Carruth, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding his opposition to the response he received from the City Council, and his opposition to the City’s response to his last public records request.
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 September 5, 2023, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-36 approving the Registers of Demands for September 19, 2023, and October 3, 2023.
4. Modifications to Part-Time Salaries and Staffing
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-34 amending the salary schedule for part-time employees.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-35 modifying the FY 2023-24 Budget Staffing Plan transferring 0.30 FTE’s from the Police Per Diem Dispatchers position to Police Service Aides position.
5. Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work for the Central Park Basketball & Tennis Court Resurfacing Project
a. Accept the work as complete by Trueline Construction and Surfacing of Corona, California for the Central Park Basketball & Tennis Court Resurfacing, City Project No. 23-PRK-01; and
b. Authorize the Public Works and Community Services Director to file the Notice of Completion with the Orange County Recorder.
6. Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work for the Community Center Roof Project
a. Accept the work as complete by Universal Coating Incorporated of Fresno, California for the Community Center Roof Project, City Project No. 22- BLDG-02; and
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October 3, 2023
b. Authorize the Public Works and Community Services Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Recorder.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodman made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 6.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor
Pro Tem Goodman, Council Member Patel, and
Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS
7. Approve the Festival of Nations Date and Provide Direction City Manager McNamara introduced the Item and Public Works/Community Services Director Ramirez gave the Staff Report.
1. Approve the Festival of Nations event to be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:30am ? 4:30pm; and
2. Provide any additional input on the 2024 Festival of Nations event.
City Council Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding the City funding the staffing for this event; whether it's possible to have youth volunteers in 2024; that the Festival of Nations (FON) was very well planned; include more international flags for the event next year; investigate options to have "The Katina's" who have a Polynesian vibe as part of the FON programming; whether the City Council approves of the date for the event that is recommended by Staff; that there is enough lead time prior to FON to bring these ideas back to the City Council and make adjustments as needed; that the City Council agreed that staff doesn't need to return with anything additional as Staff ultimately City Council Meeting
October 3, 2023
decides on the music and entertainment programming; and that by consensus, the City Council agreed to have FON on April 27, 2024.
Public Input:
Keith Nelson, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding the expensive cost of the food from food trucks; that previously, community organizations have provided food; and asked the City Council to think about using local groups to provide food.
8. Pickleball Court Installation Options
City Manager McNamara introduced the item and Public Works/Community Services Director Ramirez gave the Staff Report.
City Council Comments and Questions:
Discussion ensued regarding whether a 12 foot fence wall needs to be installed between the tennis courts and proposed pickleball courts; that it is up to the City Council as to whether they want to proceed with installing a 12 foot fence wall; that Council Member Patel noted that although it’s not necessary, he is concerned that a beginning tennis player is going to hit pickleball players without the fence; that delaying the installation of the 12 foot fence wall could result in higher costs; that 12 foot fence wall would give tennis players the privacy as well as separating the two sports; that Council Member Goodman supports Option 3 - restriping the courts with the pickleball overlay; that he is concerned about noise mitigation; supports the 12 foot fence wall; would like to get additional feedback from current court users; that he supports the incremental transition over time; that Council Member Waldman is also in favor of Option 3 which allows more options to players; that the survey showed equal court use between tennis and pickleball; that during office hours, there is a higher count of people playing pickleball than tennis in these courts; that Council Member Keo Conklin noted her concern for noise mitigation and supports an adjacent neighborhood survey about the noise; that she supports a 12 foot fence wall and is supportive of Option 3; that tennis appears to be more popular on weekends; that Mayor Baker asked about investigating the 12 foot fence wall and just install the four pickleball courts; that this option satisfies both tennis and pickleball players; that Mayor Baker supports the "Open Play" process for pickleball as a respected and preferred option by users; that Mayor Baker opposes the confusion of striping overlays on existing courts; and that Public Works/Community Services Director Ramirez noted the cost estimates in the staff report were derived from the City Engineer and existing staff, and are accurate.
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October 3, 2023
Public Input:
Keith Nelson, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding his concern that the estimate made for Staff's recommendation is inaccurate; and his objections to the manner in which this project was proposed.
Public Works/Community Services Director Ramirez clarified that the cost estimates were received from similar recent projects and contractors in adjacent cities.
Joanne Tenney, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding her support for Option 3 as presented, a multi-purpose court; that she uses the courts for both tennis and pickleball; that Cypress pickleball courts will not be accessible due to construction; and that players will adjust to the striping overlay.
City Manager McNamara clarified that the interior is not a wall, but a fence - a barrier to prevent balls from crossing over the interior of the courts.
Further discussion ensued regarding Mayor Pro Tem Goodman's support for Option 3 without the interior fence, but include the sound barrier on the west side of the courts to allow for time to see how the residents respond to noise issues; whether trees can be planted on the west side to help mitigate noise; and that it is the City Council's discretion to plant trees where they'd like at any time of the year and not just on Arbor Day.
1. Review and select one of the following options with or without modifications to bid the conversion of an existing tennis court to pickleball courts at Central Park:
a. Remove the easterly tennis court and install 4 pickleball courts; b. Remove the easterly tennis court and install 3 pickleball courts; or c. Stripe the easterly tennis court and paint 4 pickleball courts on the existing surface
2. Based on the City Council’s selected option, authorize the City Manager or his designee to bid the project.
Mayor Baker made a motion to approve Staff Recommendation of Option 3 - stripe the easterly tennis courts and paint four pickleball courts on the existing surface
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City Manager McNamara asked for clarification that the motion does not include the interior fence and does include the enhanced, upgraded lighting, keeping the cost of the project at the $110,000 estimate as stated.
Mayor Baker clarified that her motion includes the enhanced lighting.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Conklin and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor
Pro Tem Goodman, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: Council Member Patel
COUNCILMEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin congratulated Chief Wilkerson on his new appointment as Police Chief; attended a ride along with the La Palma Police Department; attended a chamber meeting with a United Nations Ambassador; and announced the Police Chief's upcoming Swearing-in Ceremony.
Council Member Waldman attended the La Palma Community Foundation fundraising dinner and congratulated Chief Wilkerson on his appointment.
Council Member Patel attended the Orange County Fire Authority's (OCFA) Budget meeting; held a taco event to support local John F. Kennedy Teachers and Staff; attended the World Culture Festival in Washington D.C.; and participated in his non-profit event that supplied local students with shoes.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodman attended the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Executive and Administrative Committee meeting; the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) Operations Committee meeting; the SCAG Joint Policy Committee meeting; the California Association of Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CAJPIA) convention; the League of California Cities (LOCC) Annual Conference; the OCSD Steering Committee meeting; the OCSD Board of Directors meeting; welcomed new Accounting Supervisor Nguyen and two new interns; and congratulated both Police Chief Wilkerson and Captain Guerrero on their appointments.
Mayor Baker congratulated both Police Chief Wilkerson and Captain Guerrero on their appointments; attended the City of Hope Topping Off ceremony; the League of California Cities (LOCC) Mayors and City Council Members Department meeting; the Ranchos Palos Verdes 50th Anniversary celebration; the LOCC Resolutions Committee meeting; the LOCC Annual Conference; the La Palma Community Foundation fundraising dinner; City Council Meeting
October 3, 2023
the Placentia State of the City; the Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit; announced the upcoming Halloween Carnival on October 29th at Central Park; and welcomed new Accounting Supervisor Nguyen and two new interns.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager McNamara congratulated Police Chief Wilkerson and Captain Guerrero on their appointments and looks forward to their badge pinning ceremony.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Baker adjourned the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 8:25p.m. in memory of Norman Ishii, her father and former resident of La Palma. ____________________________________
Debbie S. Baker
Mayor
Attest:
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk