MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
August 5, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Waldman called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 6: 00 p. m. in the Council Chambers of La Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, La Palma, California.
CLOSED SESSION
CS- 1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT/ RECRUITMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957( b)( 1)
Position Title: City Manager
Mayor Waldman recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at 6:00 p. m. Mayor Waldman adjourned Closed Session at 6: 10 p. m.
OPEN SESSION TO BEGIN AT 6: 30 P. M.
Mayor Waldman reconvened in Open Session at 6:30 p. m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session. City Attorney Ajit Thind reported there was no reportable action.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member V. Patel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Pastor Nader Hanna, King of the Nations Ministries, conducted the Invocation.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo, Council Member V.
Patel, Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel, and Mayor Waldman
City Officials Present: Mike Egan, Interim City Manager Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
Belinda Deines, Community Development and Public Works Director Jesse Amend, Police Captain
Norma Alley, City Clerk
jaNell Adams, Recreation Supervisor
Colby Deterding, Recreation Specialist
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented certificates recognizing the John F. Kennedy High School' s Boys Varsity Volleyball Team for Achieving the CIF Champion Title.
City Council Meeting
August 5, 2025
Recreation Supervisor jaNell Adams and Recreation Specialist Colby Deterding presented certificates recognizing the 2025 Summer Camp Volunteens.
Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing the Kiwanis Club' s Dedication and Service to the La Palma Community.
Interim City Manager Egan introduced and welcomed the City of La Palma' s new Water Supervisor Malachi Berard and Malachi spoke a few words of welcome.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waldman called for public comment.
Keith Nelson spoke regarding his appointment to the Grand Jury, addressed matters on the agenda that pertained to the Grand Jury decisions, offered to answer any inquiries from the Council, as he investigated these matters while serving on the Grand Jury. He encouraged everyone' s participation on a Grand Jury. He commended the City and staff regarding the completion of the median dividers, success of the medians, and expressed appreciation for their beauty.
Brian O' Neil spoke to the safety of the students in all the schools, especially the JFK High School partnership between the City and the High School and acknowledged Chief Guerrero for his dedication to the successful partnership.
Adel Stefanos shared concerns for road conditions and the impact to his property during the slurry seal project occurring on his street. He noted the importance of sealing the street during the project.
Anonymous citizen introduced himself as a new member of the community and spoke to being a welcoming City that is safe for all to live in.
Keith Nelson spoke regarding the slurry seal schedule and urged the City to take into consideration school starting to avoid congestion during drop offs.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor Waldman closed public comment.
RECESS CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FO THE CITY OF LA PALMA Mayor Waldman recessed the Regular City Council Meeting to convene the Successor Agency at 7: 24 p. m. The Regular City Council Meeting reconvened at 7:27 p. m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under Consent Calendar will be acted upon by one motion affirming the action recommended on the Agenda. There will be no separate discussion on these items prior to voting unless members of the City Council, Staff, or the public request that specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Any member of the public who wishes to discuss a Consent Calendar item should come forward to the microphone and, upon recognition by the Mayor, state their name, address, and the item number.
City Council Meeting
August 5, 2025
1. Waive the Reading of All Ordinances: Waive the reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
2. Approval of Register of Demands: Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 36 approving the Registers of Demands for June 17, July 1, July 15, and August 5, 2025.
3. County of Orange Stormwater Management Program Shared Costs Budget for Fiscal Year 25-26:
1. Approve the County of Orange' s shared cost budget for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( NPDES) storm water quality permit compliance program; and
2. Authorize the Interim City Manager, or their designee, to execute payment upon invoice receipt not to exceed $ 29, 977. 01; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit a letter supporting the County of Orange' s Stormwater Management Program FY 2025- 26 budget.
4. Various Median Islands Project Notice of Completion: Accept the work and authorize the Community Development & Public Works Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Clerk -Recorder for the Various Median Islands Project ( City Project No. ST371).
5. Response to 2024- 25 Orange County Grand Jury Report entitled Long -Term Solutions to Short - Term Rentals: Authorize the Mayor to sign the attached response to the 2024- 25 Grand Jury Report, Long -Term Solutions to Short -Term Rentals, and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
6. City Yard Pump and Well Rehabilitation Phase I Notice of Completion: Accept the work and authorize the Community Development & Public Works Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Clerk -Recorder for the City Yard Pump and Well Rehabilitation Phase I, Project No. 22- WTR- 02.
7. Update to Statement of Investment Policy: Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 37 updating the Statement of Investment Policy.
8. Fourth Quarter Cash and Investment Report, Fiscal Year 2024-2025: Receive and file the Cash and Investment Report for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2024- 25.
Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel requested Item No. 2 be pulled and considered separately.
Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 3 thru 8. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo, Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel inquired on Item No. 2 regarding the PERS Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) payment. Interim City Manager Egan fielded the inquiry noting this was a required payment and the City opts to pay annually, in advance, to save approximately $75, 000. He further indicated this was not the discretionary pre -payment program offered by PERS, which would require separate Council action.
City Council Meeting
August 5, 2025
Mayor Waldman called for public comment.
Keith Nelson spoke to the balance on the unfunded liabilities. Interim City Manager noted he would look into the comments and could report back at a later date.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor Waldman closed public comment.
Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Item 2. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo, Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS
9. First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance on the Use of Electric Mobility Devices Police Captain Amend introduced the item, provided a brief summary of the staff report, and recommended waiving the full reading, read by title only, and introduce for first reading an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Palma, adopting an Electric Mobility Devices ordinance; and schedule the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance at the September 2, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment.
Keith Nelson spoke to the presentation, supported the adoption of the ordinance, the need for liability insurance coverage, and the campaign to get the word out.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor Waldman closed public comment.
City Council provided general comments regarding training for minors on bike safety, means of getting the word out about the new regulations, registration of electronic bikes, established bike lanes, and establishment of a fine schedule.
Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel made a motion to waive the full reading, read by title only, and introduce for first reading an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Palma, adopting an Electric Mobility Devices ordinance; and schedule the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance at the September 2, 2025, Regular Meeting of the City Council. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo, Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
City Council Meeting
August 5, 2025
10. League of California Cities Voting Delegates and Resolutions Interim City Manager Egan provided a brief summary of the staff report.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed public comment.
Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel made a motion to designate Council Member V. Patel as the City of La Palma' s Voting Delegate at the League of California Cities' Annual Conference; designate Council Member Baker as the City of La Palma' s Alternate Voting Delegate at the League of California Cities' Annual Conference; and authorize the City of La Palma delegation the discretion to vote on any resolutions taking into consideration the information they receive at the conference. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: Council Member Keo
11. Veteran' s Day Event
Deputy City Manager Cisneros provided a brief summary of the staff report.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed public comment.
Discussion commenced amongst the Council in support of the event and directed staff to research a taco truck catering the event, having commemorative give away items, utilize the high school to sing the National Anthem, and local veterans having priority to sign up and attend the event.
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY -AFFILIATED COMMITTEES AND
COUNCIL REMARKS
City Council Member V. Patel congratulated all the people that received certificates and proclamations, welcomed Malachi Berard, and provided a summary of meetings attended in June and July.
Council Member Baker congratulated all the people that received certificates and proclamations; welcomed Malachi Berard; reminded Council Members that when they sign up to attend conferences and events they need to attend, arrive on time, and engage as this is not a free vacation, a free meal, or photo op opportunity, because we are spending tax payer dollars; reminded the Council Members they are public officials and represent La Palma at all times and that there is no such thing as " personal time", as they are always in the public' s eye and need to present themselves accordingly. She reported she attended the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) Operations Committee Meeting; Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) Community, Economic, and Human Development CEHD) Policy Committee Meeting; SCAG Regional Council ( RC) Meeting; League of California Cities Cal Cities) Mayors and Council Members Roundtable; Association of California Cities -Orange County ACC- OC ) Annual Leadership Summit and Golden Hub of Innovation Awards; Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County ( WEROC) Incident Command System ( ICS)- 402 Executive/ Official Training; Cal Cities Orange County Division Quarterly Meeting; Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee Meeting; Cal Cities Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting; Cal Cities Mayors and Council Members Department Officers Pre Meeting; La Palma Police Department Awards Ceremony; Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control ( OCMVCD) Board of Trustees Meeting; Cerritos State of the City; Orange County Supervisor, District 1, Woman of City Council Meeting
August 5, 2025
Distinction event ( recognizing Kimberly Kenney); Orange County Council of Governments ( OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting; Fullerton State of the City; Good Bye Ice Cream Social for Kimberly Kenney; OC San Operations Committee Meeting; July 4th Fitness Run for Fun; Special City Council Meeting; Meeting to discuss details for a Cal Cities Annual Conference session; Concert in the Park; Economic Development and Land Use ( ED & LU) Ad Hoc Committee Meeting; OCMVCD Joint Committee ( Budget & Finance and Building, Property, & Equipment) Meeting; ACC- OC Summer Legislative Reception; Concert in the Park; Special Council Meeting to discuss the city manager position; OC San Board of Directors Meeting; Meeting with Senator Tony Strickland' s Chief of Staff and District Director with Mayor Pro Tem, Nitesh Patel and a few of our staff members; Concert in the Park; Cal Cities OC Division Board Briefing with Senator Tom Umberg; Orange County Fair' s Dinner for Government/ Elected Officials.
Council Member Keo commented on tolerance of one another in our community to make it a safe and welcoming place to live, welcomed Malachi Berard, congratulated all the people that received certificates and proclamations, and commended staff for the great job during the concerts.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel commended the Police Department for partnership and building relationships with the school district and for securing and keeping the school resource officer in place; congratulated all the people that received certificates and proclamations; welcomed Malachi Berard, provided a summary of meetings attended in June, July, and August; and commended staff for the great job during the concerts.
Mayor Waldman congratulated all the people that received certificates and proclamations, welcomed Malachi Berard, and provided a summary of meetings attended in June and July.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
Interim City Manager Egan had nothing to report.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Waldman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council at 8: 09 p. m.
Mirk I. Waldman, Mayor
ATTEST:
A WIN
RAV "
City Council Meeting
August 5, 2025