October 7, 2025 | 1
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025
Mark I. Waldman
Mayor
Nitesh P. Patel
Mayor Pro Tem
Debbie S. Baker
Council Member
Janet Keo Conklin
Council Member
Vikesh P. Patel
Council Member
5:30 PM Closed Session
6:30 PM Open Session
La Palma City Hall
Council Chambers
7822 Walker Street, La Palma
CALL TO ORDER
CLOSED SESSION
CS-1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9)
June 2, 2025 Claim from Unispec Construction, Inc.
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
October 7, 2025 | 2
CS-3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9)
Claim from Suren N. Weerasuriya on behalf of Misty Torres OPEN SESSION TO BEGIN AT 6:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Keo Conklin
INVOCATION
Pastor Steve Bland, La Palma Christian Center
Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel
ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS
● Recognition of Police Chief Guerrero
● Proclamation Recognizing Taekwando Day
● Proclamation Recognizing Hindu Heritage Month
● Proclamation Recognizing Fire Prevention Week and a Presentation from Division Chief Schuetz
● Introduction of New Ctiy of La Palma Employees Alisha Farnell, as Assistant to the City Manager, and Laura Castillo, as Engineering Technician ● Introduction of Police Department Chaplains Matthew Agosto and Stephen Bland
October 7, 2025 | 3
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Time Limit: 5 Minutes Each)
Time has been reserved at this point in the Agenda for persons wishing to speak on any item that is not listed on the Agenda. By law, the City Council is prohibited from taking action on such oral comments. The matter will be automatically referred to staff for appropriate response or action or will be placed on the Agenda of a future meeting.
Matters listed on the Agenda may be addressed either at this time or at the time they are before the City Council for discussion.
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.
1. Waive the Reading of All Ordinances
It is recommended that the City Council waive the reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
2. Approval of Council Minutes
It is recommended the City Council approve the September 2, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Approval of Register of Demands
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the Registers of Demands for September 16, 2025, and October 7, 2025.
4. Traffic Signal Maintenance and Repairs Award of Contract It is recommended that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc. for traffic signal maintenance and repair services.
5. La Palma Avenue Slurry Seal Project (ST-367) Notice of Completion It is recommended that the City Council accept the work and authorize the Community Development and Public Works Director to file the Notice of October 7, 2025 | 4
Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder for the La Palma Avenue Slurry Seal Improvements, City Project No. ST-367.
6. Residential Zone 4 Slurry Seal Project (ST-372) Notice of Completion It is recommended that the City Council accept the work and authorize the Community Development and Public Works Director to file the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder for the Residential Maintenance Zone 4 Slurry Seal Improvements, City Project No. ST-372.
7. Legal Services Agreement Amendment
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an amendment to the Legal Services Agreement dated June 17, 2025, with Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation, a Professional Law Corporation, in an amount not to exceed $22,000.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Introduction of an Ordinance and Resolution for the 2025 Building Code Update
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Open Public Hearing
2. Receive Staff Report
3. Council Comments and Questions
4. Receive Public Input
5. Close the Public Hearing
6. Introduce a Resolution setting forth findings with respect to local climatic and geographic conditions within the City of La Palma to allow certain modifications and changes to the California Building Code, California Residential Code, and California Electric Code as amended by the State of California;
7. Introduce an Ordinance repealing Article III of Chapter 10 of the La Palma Municipal Code, and adding thereto a new Article III of Chapter 10 adopting by reference the 2025 Editions of the California Codes and related Model Codes which include the California Building, Residential, Energy, Green Building Standards, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Existing Building Codes, the International Property Maintenance Code, the Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Building, and the Wildland-Urban Interface Code with appendices and amendments thereto.; and
October 7, 2025 | 5
8. Set a meeting date for November 4, 2025, to adopt the Resolution and Ordinance.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b) (3) [14 C.C.R. § 15061(b)(3)].
9. Introduction of an Ordinance and Resolution to Adopt the 2025 Fire Code Update
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Open Public Hearing
2. Receive Staff Report
3. Council Comments and Questions
4. Receive Public Input
5. Close the Public Hearing
6. Introduce an Ordinance repealing Article II of Chapter 16 of the City of La Palma Municipal Code, and adding thereto a new Article II of Chapter 16 adopting by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code with appendices and amendments thereto
7. Introduce a Resolution setting forth findings with respect to local climatic, topographic and geographic conditions within the City of La Palma to allow certain modifications and changes to the California Fire Code; and,
8. Set a meeting date for November 4, 2025, to adopt the Ordinance and Resolution.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b) (3) [14 C.C.R. § 15061(b)(3)]
10. Consideration of Adopting New Fee Schedules
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
1. Open Public Hearing;
2. Receive Staff Report;
3. Receive Public Input;
4. Close Public Hearing;
5. Council Comments and Questions;
6. Adopt a Resolution Approving and Adopting the User Fee Schedule (Attachment 1).
October 7, 2025 | 6
REGULAR ITEMS
11. Council Member Request — Discuss Moving La Palma's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Date
It is recommended that the City Council consider Council Member Baker’s request and provide direction to staff.
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED
COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL REMARKS
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: As a general rule, staff reports or other written documentation have been prepared or organized with respect to each item of business listed on the agenda. Copies of these materials and other disclosable public records distributed to all or a majority of the members of the City Council in connection with an open session item on the agenda are on file and available for inspection with the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, during regular business hours 7:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M., Monday through Thursday. If such writings are distributed to members of the Council on the day of a City Council meeting, the writings will be available at the entrance to the City Council Chambers. If you have any questions regarding any item of business on the agenda for this meeting, any of the staff reports, or other documentation relating to any agenda item, please contact the City Clerk at (714) 690-3334.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, you should contact the City Clerk at (714) 690-3334. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable accommodations to ensure accessibility to this meeting.