MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
December 10, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Goodman called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 5:32 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, Assistant 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 LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) lame of Case: Sarkis Tatarian v. City of La Palma, et a ›ase No. OCSC 30-2024-01375931-CU-WM-CJ
CS-3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 5022 Crescent Avenue, La Palma, California
Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ryan Hallett, Assistant City Manager
Negotiating parties: George Adamian
Under negotiations: Price and/or terms of a purchase
CS-4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(2), (e)(3): (1 case - Unispec Notice of Potential Claim #1 - attached without enclosures)
CS-5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (2), (e)(2), (e)(3): (1 case - Unispec Notice of Potential Claim #1 - attached without enclosures)
City Clerk Kenney noted that Item CS-5 will not be heard in Closed Session due to scrivener's error.
Mayor Goodman recessed to Closed Session at 5:33 p.m.
Mayor Goodman adjourned Closed Session at 6:13 p.m.
OPEN SESSION TO BEGIN AT 6:30PM
Mayor Goodman reconvened the City Council in Open Session at 6:30p.m. and aske for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind noted that there were no reportable actions out of Closed Session and repeated that Item CS-5 was not heard in Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
INVOCATION: Pastor Steve Bland, La Palma Christian Center ROLL CALL: Council Members
Council Members present: Council Member Baker, Council Member Conklin, Mayor Goodman, Council Member Patel, and Mayor
Pro Tem Waldman
Council Members absent: None
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
•
City Officials present: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Belinda Deines, Community Development Manager
Ryan Hallett, Assistant City Manager
Andy Ramirez, Public Works & Community Services
Director
Joe Guerrero, Police Chief
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
PROCEDURAL ITEMS (2 ITEMS)
PI-1 Resolution Declaring Results of the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-47 reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, and declaring the results; adopt Initiative Ordinance 2024-03, affirming voter approved Measure W regarding limiting term limits of council members to three terms with a four-year cooling-off period and a sunset provision in the event that the City returns to at-large elections.
Council Member Patel made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-47 reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, and declaring the results; adopted Initiative Ordinance 2024-03, affirming voter approved Measure W regarding limiting term limits of Council Members to three terms with a four-year cooling-off period and sunset provision in the event that the City returns to at-large elections.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member
Conklin, Mayor Goodman, Council Member
Patel, and Mayor Pro Tem Waldman
NOES: None
2. Conduct presentations to outgoing Mayor Marshall Goodman Council Member Patel presented a plaque to outgoing Mayor Goodman in recognition for his 8 years of dedicated service and his role as Mayor for the City of La Palma.
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
Cerritos Mayor Pro Tem Vo presented a proclamation to outgoing Mayor Goodman in recognition of his 8 years of dedicated service.
Cal Cities Public Affairs Manager, Connor Medina, presented a joint resolution from the California Senate and Assembly to outgoing Mayor Goodman in recognition of his 8 years of dedicated service.
Outgoing Mayor Goodman thanked his family, City Council colleagues, City Staff for their support. He recognized and thanked the staff leadership and Boards from the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA), the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San); the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) for their support during his tenure.
City Clerk Kenney administered the official Oath of Office and Induction to newly elected Debbie S. Baker for District 1, Vikesh P. Patel for District 3, and Mark I. Waldman for District 5.
PI-2 City Council Reorganization
The City Council conducted its annual reorganization by selecting the positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
City Clerk Kenney opened the floor to nominations for Mayor.
Council Member Nitesh Patel nominated Mayor Pro Tem Waldman for Mayor.
The motion nominating Mayor Pro Tem Waldman for Mayor carried on the vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member
Conklin, Council Member Nitesh Patel, Council
Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Pro Tem
Waldman
NOES: None
City Clerk Kenney passed the nominations for Mayor Pro Tem over to newly appointed Mayor Waldman.
Mayor Waldman opened the floor to nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Waldman nominated Council Member Nitesh Patel for Mayor Pro Tem.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker.
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
Council Member Conklin nominated herself for Mayor Pro Tem. The motion failed for lack of a second.
The motion for Council Member Nitesh Patel as for Mayor Pro Tem carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Nitesh
Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor
Waldman
NOES: Council Member Conklin
PRESENTATIONS:
None Scheduled.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jack Amsell, a La Palma resident, noted his appreciation for the veteran's event hosted by Council Member Conklin; congratulated Mayor Waldman on his appointment; thanked the entire City Council for their service; asked the City Council for more support of the City's senior community.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Waive the Reading of All Ordinances
Waive the reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
Approval of Council Minutes
Minutes of the November 5, 2024, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-48 approving the Register of Demands for November 19, 2024, and December 3, 2024.
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
Contract Amendment for Grant Writing and Funding Advocacy Consulting Services
Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Townsend Public Affairs for grant writing and funding advocacy consulting services, extending the contract term through December 31, 2026.
Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work for Notice of Completion for Zone 7 Slurry Seal Improvements
Accept the work and authorize the Public Works and Community Services Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Recorder for the Zone 7 Slurry Seal Project, City Project No.
ST-373.
Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Portions of the City Zoning Code (Chapter 44 of the La Palma Municipal Code) for Parking, Signage, and Housing Definitions in Compliance with State Housing Laws and the City's Housing Element
Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2024-04 amending portions of the City Zoning Code (Chapter 44 of the La Palma Municipal Code) for parking, signage, and housing definitions in compliance with State Housing Laws and the City's Housing Element.
CEQA exempt pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b) (3) Water Staffing Augmentation Update
Authorize the City Manager to allocate up to an additional $50,000 for water staff augmentation services with Water Workforce.
Additional Budget Appropriation for the Various Median Islands Project
1. Appropriate additional construction funding in the amount $291,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary change order expenditures within the requested amount.
9. Request for City Clerk/Executive Assistant Position Overhire and Compensation and Classification Plan Adjustment
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
1. Approve an overhire for the City Clerk/Executive Assistant position; and
2. Adopt a Resolution amending the Memorandum of Understanding and Salary Schedule for the La Palma Professional Employees Association and the Management Employees Personnel Resolution; and
3. Adopt a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget to include a salary adjustment for the City Clerk/Executive Assistant position and funding for the temporary addition of a full-time equivalent.
City Manager McNamara announced that Item 9 is being tabled and will come back to the City Council at a future meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 8.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Conklin,
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh
Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS (1 ITEM)
10. Appointments to External Committees and Internal Subcommittees Mayor Waldman discussed the External Committee and Internal Committee appointments pursuant to revised Council Policy 1 - City Council Norms and appoint Representatives and Alternates, and drafted a list of appointments to the external committees as follows:
The representative to the CJPIA will be Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel and Mayor Waldman as the Alternate;
The representative to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board of Directors will be Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel with no Alternate; City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
The representative to the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) Will be Council Member Baker and Council Member Vikesh Patel as the Alternate; The representative to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) - a two year appointment - will be Council Member Baker; The representative to the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) will be Council Member Conklin and Mayor Waldman as the Alternate; The representative to the Orange County Library Advisory Board (OCLAB) Will be Council Member Vikesh Patel with no Alternate; and
The representative to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly will be Council Member Baker.
As to the Internal SubCommittees, Mayor Waldman drafted a list of appointments as follows:
The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will serve on the Business Task Force; The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will serve on the Public School Liaison Committee;
The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will serve on the Council Policy Subcommittee;
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel and Council Member Baker will serve on the Business Engagement Ad Hoc Committee;
Council Member Conklin will server on the Homeless SubCommittee (Bridges at Kraemer Place); and
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel and Council Member Baker will serve on the Economic Development/Land Use Advisory Ad Hoc Committee.
Council Member Vikesh Patel made a motion to approve the External Committee and Internal Committee appointments as drafted, excluding the appointment to the OCFA Board of Directors. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member
Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel, Council
Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
NOES: None
Council Member Baker made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2024-49 appointing Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel as the Representative to the OCFA Board of Directors and Mayor Waldman as the Alternate. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member
Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel, Council
Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin apologized to staff, that it was not her intention to offend Staff from the dais at the last meeting; that she nominated herself for Mayor Pro Tem because Measure W was passed and that traditionally all Council Members rotate; that the Mayor Pro Tem position is a learning position; that she's hosted an Asian-American Heritage month ceremony and Veteran's event; that with Measure W and now two brothers on the City Council, that transparency is key and since their names are so similar, it would be best to video this meeting while also being in compliance; that for our seniors, she proposed greater transparency with the addition of Video and Audio, and asked to get this matter on the next agenda; congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel on his appointment and Mayor Waldman on his appointment; congratulated Council Member Baker, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman on their successful election; and congratulated Congressman Derek Tran on his election.
Council Member Baker attended the OC San Operations Committee Meeting; Orange County Older Adults Advisory Commission (OC OAAC) Meeting; the OCMVCD Joint Committee Meeting (Budget & Finance Committee and Building, Property, and quipment Committee); The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Council of California (TACC); he Cal Cities Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting; the Cal Citie )epartment Orientation: OC San Board of Directors Meeting; Cal Cities League Leader Vorkshop Briefing; the OCMVCD Board of Trustees Meeting; the Cal Cities Leagu Leaders Workshop; the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon; congratulated Assistant City Manager Hallett and Deputy City Manager Cisneros for their awards they received at the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) Conference; thanked outgoing OCFA Chief Dohman for his years of service; and thanked outgoing Mayor Goodman for his dedicated 8 years of service.
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024
Council Member Vikesh Patel attended the Holiday Tree lighting ceremony; the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon; and thanked his family for their support during his election.
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel attended the Holiday Tree lighting ceremony; the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon; thanked the City Council for putting their trust in him for being nominated and appointed as Mayor Pro Tem; congratulated Mayor Waldman on his appointment; congratulated Assistant City Manager Hallett and Deputy City Manager Cisneros for their awards they received at the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) Conference; thanked OCFA Chief Dohman for his outstanding service and congratulated him on his retirement; and congratulated outgoing Mayor Goodman for his 8 years of dedicated service.
Mayor Waldman attended the Holiday Tree lighting; the annual Employee recognition luncheon; and thanked his family and friends for their support during the election.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager McNamara thanked outgoing Mayor Goodman for his dedicated 8 years of service; that he appreciates the friendship and leadership shown to him and the City; and wished everyone a happy holidays and new year.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind wished everyone a happy holiday season
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Waldman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 7:28 p.m. mal Wall
Mark I. Waldman
Mayor
ATTEST:
Yearly Yarney
Kimberly Kenney,
City Clerk
City Council Meeting
December 10, 2024