MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
June 3, 2025
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Waldman called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 5: 31 p. m. in the Council Chambers of La Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, La Palma, California, with Council Member Keo Conklin being absent.
CLOSED SESSION
CS- 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph ( 1) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9)
Claim No. CJP- 3053039, regarding driver fatality
Claimant: David Casey, Sarah Miro, and Daniel White
CS- 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph ( 1) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9)
Claim No. CJP- 3054120, regarding vehicle damage
Claimant: Thoi Nguyen
CS- 3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION,
INITIATION OF LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9( d)( 4)): One case CS- 4. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT/ RECRUITMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957( B)( 1))
Position Title: City Manager
Mayor Waldman recessed to Closed Session at 5: 32 p. m.
Mayor Waldman adjourned Closed Session at 6: 17 p. m.
OPEN SESSION TO BEGIN AT 6: 30PM
Mayor Waldman reconvened in Open Session at 6. 30 p. m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind announced that on Item CS- 1, the City Council voted 4- 0 to reject the claim with Council Member Keo Conklin being absent; on item CS-2, the City Council voted 4- 0 to reject the claim with Council Member Keo Conklin being absent; and that there were no reportable actions on Items CS- 3 and CS- 4.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Sean Ho and Gabriel Sanchez, Troop 650 Eagle Scouts
INVOCATION: Pastor Steve Bland, La Palma Christian Center ROLL CALL- Council Members
Council Members present: Council Member Baker, Council Member V. Patel, Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel, and Mayor Waldman
Council Members absent: Council Member Keo Conklin
City Officials present: Joe Cisneros, Deputy City Manager Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Belinda Deines, Community Development & Public
Works Director
Joe Guerrero, Police Chief
Jake Chavira, Public Works Manager
Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented a Certificate of Recognition to Jacob Callos, Head Coach of Sakada Boxing Club in recognition of being La Palma' s " Business of the Quarter".
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented two Proclamations to Sean Ho and Gabriel Sanchez in Recognition of Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented a Proclamation to Pastor Steve Bland of La Palma Christian Center in Recognition of their 75th Anniversary.
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel presented a Proclamation to the Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce CEO Bobby McDonald in Recognition of Juneteenth.
Deputy City Manager Cisneros introduced Bayron Martinez as La Palma' s new Water Service Worker.
Mayor Waldman and the City Council presented a Proclamation and Plaque to outgoing City Clerk Kenney in recognition of her years of dedicated service.
Bonni Pomush, CEO of Working Wardrobes, gave a presentation on her company mission and services offered to the public.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Abe Waheed, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding the upgrades he' s made to his home; his opposition to the notice of violation that he received; and was opposed to the term " violation" when requesting residents to address issues on their property.
Karen Zigorski, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding her aerobics class being cancelled because of the notification of the floors in the Community Center room they were using needing to be cleaned; that upon returning, she noticed the floors had not been cleaned; and would like a response from the City Council.
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 May 6, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council. 3 Approval of Register of Demands
Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 28 approving the Registers of Demands for May 20, 2025, and June 3, 2025.
4. Resolution Authorizing Signatories for the Deposit, Investment, and Payment of Public Funds in the Local Agency Investment Fund ( LAIF) City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 29 that updates and authorizes the allowed signatories for the deposit, investment, and payment of public funds in the Local Agency Investment Fund ( LAIF).
5. Ratification of an Award of Contract to Big Ben Engineering for Emergency Water Infrastructure Repairs.
Authorize the Interim City Manager, or designee, to ratify the award of a contract in the amount of $60, 078.77 to Big Ben Engineering for the completion of emergency water infrastructure repairs.
6. 2025 Annual Water Quality Report
Receive and file the Draft 2025 Annual Water Quality Report and direct staff to distribute the report to the City of La Palma residents. 7 Award of Contract to JL Design, LLC, for SCADA Server Improvements.
Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute an Agreement with JDL Design, LLC, for the City Yard Water Production and Distribution Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system server upgrade including software engineering and commissioning services.
8. Annual Measure M2 Eligibility Submittal Package for Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Adopt the Measure M ( M2) Seven - Year Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2025- 26 through Fiscal Year 2031- 32),
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 30 for Circulation Element Consistency with the Master Plan of Arterial Highways ( MPAH), and Mitigation Fee Program for the Measure M ( M2) Program ( Attachment 1); and
3. Authorize the Community Development & Public Works Director to submit the City' s Measure M2 Eligibility Package to the Orange County Transportation Authority ( OCTA).
10. Award Agreement to Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc. for the City Project No. ST-367 La Palma Avenue Slurry Seal Improvements
Authorize the Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement award to the low bidder, Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc. for the ST- 367, La Palma Avenue Slurry Seal Improvements in the amount of $254, 208.
11. Amendment to Landscape Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for SR- 91 Right -of -Way at Walker Street (Digital Display Billboard at 6951 Walker Street) City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
Approve and authorize the execution of the amended Landscape Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans) for the maintenance of landscape and irrigation for a portion of SR- 91 Freeway Right - of -Way at Walker Street
Consideration of Anaheim Union High School District School Resource Officer
12. Agreement
Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager or their designee to execute all required documents to receive direct funding from the Anaheim Union High School District School, and execute the Agreement with the Anaheim Union High School District School to support the School Resource Officer program.
Council Member Baker made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1- 8 and 10- 12.
The motion was seconded by Council Member V. Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Pro Tern N.
Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Mayor
Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Keo Conklin
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
9. Award Agreement to Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc for Residential Zone 4 Slurry Seal Improvements, City Project No. ST-372
Council Member Baker requested to have this time pulled to have the matter voted on separately as she lives in Zone 4 and prefers to recuse herself to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.
Authorize the Interim City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement to award to the low bidder, Roy Allan Slurry Seal, Inc. for the ST- 372, Residential Maintenance Zone 4 Slurry Seal Improvements in the amount of $173, 446. 24; and appropriate $ 50, 000 of Gas Tax funds for cost savings from the La Palma Slurry Seal Project.
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Item 9.
The motion was seconded by Council Member V. Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel, Council Member V.
Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
RECUSED: Council Member Baker
ABSENT: Council Member Keo Conklin
PUBLIC HEARINGS
13. Report on City of La Palma' s Staff Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill ( AB) 2561 ( Gov. Code § 3502. 3) Deputy City Manager Cisneros gave the Staff Report.
Mayor Waldman opened the public hearing at 7: 35 p. m.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak.
Council Comments and Questions:
None.
Mayor Waldman closed the Public Hearing at 7: 36 p. m.
By consensus, the City Council agreed to receive and file the report on City of La Palma' s Staff Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill ( AB) 2561 ( Gov. Code § 3502. 3).
14. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budgets and Appropriations Limit.
Mayor Waldman opened the Public Hearing at 7: 37 p. m.
Deputy City Manager Cisneros introduced the item and Financial Consultant City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
Matsumoto gave the Staff Report.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak
Council Comments and Questions:
None
Mayor Waldman closed Public Hearing 7:40 p. m.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 31 approving the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Budget.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Pro Tern N.
Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Mayor
Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Keo Conklin
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 32 approving the Annual Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025- 26.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Pro Tem N.
Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Mayor
Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Keo Conklin
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
REGULAR ITEMS
15. Annual Military Equipment Report, Per Assembly Bill ( AB) 481 Police Captain Amend gave the Staff Report.
Public Input:
No members of the public wished to speak
Council Comments:
None.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 33 approving the renewal of the Annual Military Equipment Report pursuant to Ordinance 2022- 03 in compliance with Assembly Bill ( AB) 481.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Pro Tern N.
Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Mayor
Waldman
HowABSENT- Council Member Keo Conklin
16. Council Member Request - 4th Annual Festival of Nations Rescheduling Discussion
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel requested to bring this matter back to the City Council to review options as to evaluate the possibility of rescheduling this event.
Deputy City Manager Cisneros gave the Staff Report.
Discussion ensued regarding the cost of $ 50 thousand to reschedule this event; that the cost is a deterrent; that the City already paid $ 50 thousand and could not recoup its monies; that this is not a budgeted line item; that Mayor Pro Tern N.
Patel is in favor of it, but would like to hear from the other Council Members; that these funds would come from our surplus; that this is La Palma' s signature event and that the community would love to reschedule; that although it would use surplus funds, it is the City's 70th anniversary and garners Council Member Baker, City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel, and Mayor Waldman' s support; and that this event is for the residents and showcases the variety of cultures in La Palma.
Public Input:
Karen Zigorski, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council regarding her recommendation to simply reschedule the event for next year; that the time frame has passed; and that doing it next year would allow enough notice to the public.
Discussion further ensued regarding the time allotted to get notification out to the community; that Supervisor Adams responded that September is a hotter month and Santa Ana winds typically affect the air quality with potential fires; that those matters would need to be taken into consideration; and that staff received confirmation from the parade attendees that they would like to come back for the parade.
Abe Waheed, a La Palma resident, addressed the City Council in support of rescheduling the Festival of Nations to September of this year.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel made a motion to reschedule the Festival of Nations event to September, 2025.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Pro Tern N.
Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Mayor
Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Keo Conklin
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY -AFFILIATED COMMITTEES. AND COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member V. Patel attended the City Selection Committee Meeting; La Palma Christian Center' s 75th Anniversary Celebration; La Palma' s Memorial Day Ceremony; congratulated the Eagle Scouts on their achievements; and thanked City Clerk Kenney for her years of dedicated service.
Council Member Baker attended the Police Interaction with Youth ( PIY) graduation ceremony at Los Coyotes Elementary School; the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District ( OCMVCD) Joint Committee Meeting; the Orange County Sanitation District ( OC San) Operations Committee Meeting; the League of California Cities ( Cal Cities) Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting; OCMVCD Board of Trustees Meeting; La Palma Christian Center' s 75th Anniversary Celebration; the Cal Cities Sales Use Tax Webinar; the Orange County Council of Governments ( OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting, La Palma' s Memorial Day Ceremony; the Economic Development & Land Use Ad -Hoc Meeting; the OC San Board of Directors Meeting; Senator Tony Strickland' s District Office Open House; congratulated the Eagle Scouts for their achievements; congratulated Sakada Boxing Club for being La Palma' s business of the quarter; welcomed Water Worker Martinez; and thanked City Clerk Kenney for her years of dedicated service.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel attended the Orange County Fire Authority's ( OCFA) Budget and Finance Committee meeting; La Palma Christian Center' s 75th Anniversary Celebration; Orange County First District Supervisor Nguyen' s Asian American Pacific Islander ( AAPI) Award Ceremony where he was recognized; the OCFA Executive Committee Meeting; the OCFA Board of Directors meeting; the La Palma Memorial Day Ceremony; the Economic Development & Land Use Ad -Hoc Meeting;; congratulated the Eagle Scouts for their achievements; congratulated Sakada Boxing Club for being La Palma' s business of the quarter; welcomed Water Worker Martinez; and thanked City Clerk Kenney for her years of dedicated service.
Mayor Waldman attended the La Palma Memorial Day Ceremony.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
Deputy City Manager Cisneros reminded the City Council and the public that there will be no City Council meeting in July; that the next regular meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2025; announced the upcoming annual July 4th Run for Fun and Concerts in the Park following that event; and closed by thanking City Clerk Kenney for her years of dedicated service.
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Waldman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 8: 01 p. m.
ATTEST:
Norma I. Alley, MMC
City Clerk
Mark I. Waldman
Mayor
City Council Meeting
June 7, 2025