MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
September 2, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor 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.
LOSED SESSION
CS- 1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT/ RECRUITMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957( b)( 1)
Position Title: City Manager
CS- 2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph ( 1) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9)
Name of Case: David Casey, et al. v. City of Buena Park, et al.
Case No. OCSC 30- 2025- 01497184- CU- PA- NJC
Mayor Waldman recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at 5: 30 p. m. Mayor Waldman adjourned Closed Session at 5: 39 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 Baker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Pastor Matthew Agosto, La Palma Police Department Chaplain, conducted the Invocation.
R() l I C'. AI I
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
Jake Chavira, Public Work Supervisor
Joe Guerrero, Police Chief
Jesse Amend, Police Captain
Norma Alley, City Clerk
City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented certificates recognizing the John F. Kennedy High School' s Boys Tennis Team for achieving the Division 6 CIF Southern Section Champion Title.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing September as Hunger Action Month.
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing September 17- 23, 2025, as Constitution Week.
Communities and Activities Beatification Committee Member Irene Hesse presented the Home Spotlight Award to Doug & Mary Scholten.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waldman called for public comment.
David Pinen spoke to general matters regarding the Coyote Creek Bridge Project.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor Waldman closed public comment.
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: approve the Minutes of July 9, 2025, July 21, 2025, August 5, 2025, August 8, 2025, and August 12, 2025, Meetings of the City Council.
3. Approval of Register of Demands: Adopt a Resolution No. 2025- 38 approving the Registers of Demands for August 19, 2025, and September 2, 2025.
4. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Regarding the Use of Electric Mobility Devices. - Conducted a second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 2025- 01 regarding the use of Electric Mobility Devices.
5. 2025 Urban Water Management Plan ( UWMP) Cost Sharing Agreement with Metropolitan Water District of Orange County ( MWDOC): Approve a cost -sharing agreement with the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County ( MWDOC) for the completion and submission of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan ( UWMP) and authorize the Interim City Manager to sign the agreement.
6. Geographic Information Systems ( GIS)/ Asset Management Award of Contract to Nobel Systems Inc.: Award a Contract for GIS/Asset Management to Nobel Systems Inc. and authorize the Interim City Manager to sign the agreement.
7. Award of Contract to Transtech Engineers, Inc. for City Engineering Services: Authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into a three- year Professional Services Agreement, with two additional oneyear extensions, with Transtech Engineers, Inc. to provide professional city engineering services.
City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
8. Approve an Agreement with ClearGov for Budgeting Software Services: Authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into a three-year agreement with ClearGov for budgeting software services totaling $ 89, 304.
9. Extension of the ACMS Crossing Guard Professional Services Agreement: Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a one- year extension agreement with All City Management Services (ACMS), Inc. to provide school crossing guard services for one year, commencing July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Council Member Baker requested Item No. 2 be pulled and considered separately.
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 3 thru 9. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
Council Member Baker inquired on Item No. 2 requesting listings of Council Meetings attended under their AB1234 Report outs.
Council Member Baker made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Item 2, as amended. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None Scheduled.
REGULAR ITEMS
10. Approval of City Manager Employment Agreement
City Attorney Thind provided a brief summary of the staff report and recommended approval of the three recommendations presented,
Mayor Waldman called for public comment.
Gerard Goedhart spoke in favor of the appointment and complimented Council on their decision.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor Waldman closed public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel made a motion to:
1. Appoint Peter L. Kim to serve as City Manager for the City of La Palma effective October 27, 2025;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 39 authorizing the Mayor to sign the proposed Employment Agreement with Peter L. Kim; and
City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 40 amending the City' s salary schedule for the City Manager consistent with the proposed Employment Agreement.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Keo Conklin and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
Peter Kim thanked the Council, stated he was honored to serve, and provided heartfelt comments to his appointments. He introduced his family standing in support of his appointment.
11. Water and Sewer Rate Study and Approval to Initiate Proposition 218 Process Deputy City Manager Cisneros provided a brief staff report and introduced Mr. Chris Fishe, Willdan Financial Services Vice President.
Mr. Fishe outlined the process, presented the research, methodology and projections, and provided recommendations, which was accompanied by a PowerPoint.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel made a motion directing staff to initiate the Proposition 218 process, based on Scenario 1, for a public hearing to be held on November 4, 2025, and to consider implementation of rate adjustments on January 1, 2026. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Pro Tern 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 welcomed Peter Kim, congratulated the tennis team, and reminded everyone to be compassionate with one another as we do not know what one is going through.
Council Member Baker congratulated and welcomed Peter Kim; reported she attended National Night Out/ Hometown Heroes and Concert, Special Council Meeting to interview city manager candidates, League of California Cities ( Cal Cities) Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting, Special Council Meeting regarding the city manager recruitment, moderated the Cal Cities Mayors and Council Members Department Roundtable, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District ( OCMVCD) Board of Trustees Meeting, Association of California Cities -Orange County ( ACC- OC) BOLD ( Better Opportunities for Learning and Development) program webinar, Regional Military Affairs Committee RMAC) meeting, Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) Board of Directors Meeting, and Orange County Council of Governments ( OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting in August; and congratulated the tennis team and the Home Spotlight Award winners.
City Council Member V. Patel congratulated Peter Kim, all the people that received certificates, and provided a summary of meetings attended in August.
City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel provided a summary of meetings attended in August; announced highlights of a shoe drive event he hosted; provided highlights of an event with the local Fire Department; and welcomed Peter Kim.
Mayor Waldman congratulated all the people that received certificates, provided a summary of meetings attended in August, and welcomed Peter Kim.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
Interim City Manager Egan acknowledged Public Works Supervisor Chavira for his hard work covering during the time the City was short staffed.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Waldman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council at 7: 38 p. m.
Mark I. Waldman, Ma or
ATTEST:
A /. dAZ2 -
Norma I. Alley, MMC, i Clerk
City Council Meeting
September 2, 2025