MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
March 5, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem Waldman 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, with Mayor Goodman being absent.
CLOSED SESSION
CS-1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section54956.9) Name of Case: Tatarian vs. City of La Palma
Case No. OCSC 30-2024-01375931-CU-WM-CJC
CS-2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 paragraph (1) of subdivision (d):
Byer Claim [Claim No. CJP-3050857]
Mayor Pro Tem Waldman recessed to Closed Session at 5:31 p.m.
OPEN SESSION:
Mayor Pro Tem Waldman reconvened the City Council in Open Session at 6:32 p.m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind announced that there is no reportable action on Item CS-1. On Item CS-2, the City Council voted in favor of sending a rejection letter with late claim language to the claimant, on a 4-0 vote with Mayor Goodman being absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Patel
INVOCATION: Father Romero Ascan, St. Irenaeus Catholic Church City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
ROLL CALL: Council Members
Council Members present: Council Member Baker, Council Member Conklin, Council Member Patel, and Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
Council Members absent: Mayor Goodman
City Officials present: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Assistant to the City Manager
Belinda Deines, Planning Manager
Andy Ramirez, Public Works/Community Services
Director
Ron Wilkerson, Police Chief
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
Mike Matsumoto, Financial Consultant
PRESENTATIONS
1. On behalf of the City Council, Council Member Baker presented a Proclamation to Barb Raabe, Red Cross Regional Community Engagement and Partnership Manager, Brinda McCoy, Red Cross Disaster Volunteer, and Pari Shah, Youth Volunteer Leader, in Recognition of March as Red Cross Month.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kevin Sequira, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding a Korean Preacher at the corner of La Palma and Moody on Sundays, who uses an amplified bull horn; that he is opposed to the high volume and loudness of the preaching; that he appreciates the Police Department's involvement in getting the volume turned down; and asked about options available as a resident to stop this disruption of the neighborhood's peace.
Kimberly Rangel, introduced herself as the new La Palma District Representative for Senator Josh Newman's office.
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager McNamara announced a revision to Item 9, ensuring the amount in the Staff Report and the amount in contract are the exact same.
1. Waive the Reading of All Ordinances
City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
Waive the reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
2. Approval of Council Minutes
Minutes of the February 6, 2024, Special and Regular Meetings, and February 12, 2024, Special Meeting of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-06 approving the Register of Demands for February 20, 2024, and for March 5, 2024
4. 2023 Annual Housing Element Progress Report
Receive and file the 2023 Annual Housing Element Progress Report.
5. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending City Zoning Code (Chapter 44 of the La Palma Municipal Code) Section 44-1164 to 44-1170 to Limit Batch Applications to the Statutory Minimum. Recommendation that the City Council conduct the second reading and adopt an Ordinance Amending City Zoning Code Section 44-1164 to 44-1170 to Limit Batch Applications to the Statutory Minimum.
Conduct the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 2024-02 Amending City Zoning Code Section 44-1164 to 44-1170 to Limit Batch Applications to the Statutory Minimum.
6. 2024 Street Closures for Special Events
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-07 approving Street Closures for the following special events to be held by the City: the Every 15 Minutes campaign on Tuesday, April 9; the Festival of Nations Parade on Saturday, April 27; the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27; and the Fitness Run for Fun on Thursday, July 4.
7. Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work for the Water Main Interconnect Project (Houston Ave. & Moody St.), City Project No. 22-WTR-02 Accept the work and authorize the Public Works/Community Services Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Recorder for the Water Main Interconnect Project (Houston Ave. & Moody St.), City Project No. 22-WTR-02.
9. Award of Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management, Inspection and Labor Compliance Services for the Various Median Islands Project City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
Award a Professional Services Agreement with AKAL/SPS Consultants to provide construction management, inspection, and labor compliance services for the Various Median Islands Project, City Project No. ST-371 in the amount of $303,120; and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary documents.
10. Amendment to an Agreement with EDCO Disposal Corporation in compliance with SB 1383 to provide Education and Outreach, Container Contamination Minimization, and Procurement of Recovered Organic Waste Products.
Approve an Amendment to the Agreement with EDCO Disposal Corporation to comply with SB 1383 regulations which includes designating specific responsibilities to EDCO Disposal Corporation, including procurement and distribution of recovered organic waste products.
Council Member Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1-7, and 9-10.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Conklin,
Council Member Patel, and Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Goodman
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
8. Softball Field and Tennis Court Lighting Replacement Project Council Member Keo Conklin requested to have this item pulled from the Consent Calendar to inquire about the lighting upgrades in the tennis courts being a separate project from the pickleball court project.
1. Softball field lighting improvements in the amount of $191,128 for the purchase of materials, installation costs, bonds, and sale tax for new LED lighting; and
2. Tennis/Pickleball Court lighting improvements in the amount of $77,833 for the purchase of materials, installation costs, bonds, and sale tax for new LED lighting.
City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
Discussion ensued regarding this item being about the Court and Field Lighting upgrades altogether as a project, and not just tennis or pickleball court lighting; that the City has to do this regardless of whether pickleball was moving forward or not; that the intent was to use some of the park grant for the lighting upgrades; that there were only cost estimates for pickleball lighting in previous discussions, but this cost comes within that range estimated; that Council Member Keo Conklin does not feel comfortable with making a decision and requested to have the item tabled to when Mayor Goodman returns; that the park grant is due to expire and if the City does not use the grant, the City will not be able to use the funds for either lighting or the pickleball court project; and that Staff is following through with the City Council's direction.
Council Member Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Item 8.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Patel, and
Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
NOES: Council Member Conklin
ABSENT: Mayor Goodman
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS
11. Central Park Pickleball Fencing and Striping Award of Contract City Manager McNamara introduced the Item and Public Works/Community Services Director Ramirez gave the Staff Report.
Council Comments and Questions:
None
Public Input:
Teddy Lloyd, a Cerritos resident, thanked Director Ramirez and the City Clerk Kenney for all the information given to him prior; his support for pickleball; that Long Beach just completed the transition of tennis courts into pickleball courts; and City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
that is happy to be of service to La Palma in this transition or about the sport of pickleball.
1. Award a contract and authorize the Mayor to execute all documents with Trueline Construction & Surfacing, Inc., of Riverside, California for the Central Park Pickleball Fencing and Striping project’s base bid in the amount of $70,359.60;
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to direct staff to purchase four (4) Douglas PPS 22SQ Portable Pickleball System nets or similar item in an amount not to exceed $16,000; and
3. Due to adequate State park grant funding, approve bid alternates to replace worn black wind screening and install a 4-foot-high separation rolling gate or similar to keep pickleballs from entering the westerly tennis court from the easterly pickleball courts and vice-versa to Trueline Construction & Surfacing, Inc., of Riverside, California in the amount of $12,221.21.
Council Member Baker made a motion to Award a contract and authorize the Mayor to execute all documents with Trueline Construction & Surfacing, Inc., of Riverside, California for the Central Park Pickleball Fencing and Striping project’s base bid in the amount of $70,359.60; Authorize the City Manager or his designee to direct staff to purchase four (4) Douglas PPS 22SQ Portable Pickleball System nets or similar item in an amount not to exceed $16,000; and due to adequate State park grant funding, approve bid alternates to replace worn black wind screening and install a 4-foot-high separation rolling gate or similar to keep pickleballs from entering the westerly tennis court from the easterly pickleball courts and vice-versa to Trueline Construction & Surfacing, Inc., of Riverside, California in the amount of $12,221.21.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Conklin,
Council Member Patel, and Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Goodman
12. Mid-Year Budget Update and Adjustments and Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget
City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
City Manager McNamara introduced the Item and Financial Consultant Matsumoto gave the Staff Report.
Council Comments and Questions:
None.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposed additional $20 thousand for additional legal services; that this increase is due to Public Record Act requests and additional litigation and claims; and that the City Council understands the adjustments needed.
Council Member Conklin made a motion to receive and file the Mid-Year Budget report and adopt Resolution No. 2024-08 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Conklin,
Council Member Patel, and Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Goodman
COUNCILMEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin attended the Read Across America program at Los Coyotes Elementary School, and her goal is to encourage health and wellness in the La Palma community by working with staff, starting with an invitation to walk with her.
Council Member Baker attended the Orange County Sanitation District's (OCSD) Operations Committee meeting; the Orange County Older Adults Advisory Commission (OCOAAC) meeting; the League of California Cities (LOCC) City Leaders Summit Planning meeting; the one-on-one meeting with strategic planning consultant Jacob Green; the annual Goal Setting and Strategic Planning meeting; the LOCC Mayors and Council Members Round table; the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) Board of Trustees meeting; the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Councils of City Council Meeting
March 5, 2024
California (TAAAAC) meeting; the OCMVCD Building Property and Equipment committee meeting; the OCSD Board of Director's meeting; and wished everyone a happy Easter.
Council Member Patel attended the annual Goal Setting and Strategic Planning meeting; the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Budget and Finance Committee meeting; the first Economic Development/Land Use Advisory Ad Hoc Committee meeting; a meeting with Congresswoman Kim regarding support for La Palma Goals; the Cypress College Foundation Board meeting; and wished everyone a happy Easter and happy Maha Shivratri celebration.
Mayor Waldman attended the annual Goal Setting and Strategic Planning meeting.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager McNamara announced the first session of the Citizen's Academy that starts tomorrow night, and that there are still some seats available if any member of the public is interested in participating.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Waldman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 7:16 p.m.
________________________________
Mark I. Waldman
Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk