MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
October 7, 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.
CLOSED SESSION
CS- 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph ( 1) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9)
Name of Case: 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
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 Mayor Waldman recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at 5: 30 p. m. Mayor Waldman adjourned Closed Session at 6: 00 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 for Items C- 1 and C- 2. He reported the City Council directed a letter be sent rejecting the claim due to not being timely filed.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Keo Conklin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Pastor Steve Bland, La Palma Police Department Chaplain, conducted the Invocation.
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Council Members Present: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo, Council Member V.
Patel, and Mayor Waldman
Council Members Absent: Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel
City Council Meeting
October 7, 2025
City Officials Present: Mike Egan, Interim City Manager Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
Belinda Deines, Community Development & Public Works Director Jake Chavira, Public Work Manager
Joe Guerrero, Police Chief
Jesse Amend, Police Captain
Trang Huynh, Building Official
Norma Alley, City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
Presentations were heard out of order of the Agenda.
Council Member Keo Conklin presented a proclamation recognizing Taekwondo Day.
Council Member V. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing Hindu Heritage Month.
Council Member Baker presented a proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week. Orange County Fire Authority ( OCFA) Chief Schuetz provided a brief update on OCFA matters.
City Council presented a proclamation and City tile in recognition of Police Chief Joe Guerrero' s dedicated service to the City of La Palma and congratulated him on his retirement.
Police Chief Guerrero introduced the Police Department Chaplains Matthew Agosto and Stephen Bland.
Interim City Manager introduced new City of La Palma Employees Alisha Farnell and Laura Castillo.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, 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 September 2, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Approval of Register of Demands: Adopt Resolution No. 2025- 41 approving the Registers of Demands for September 16, 2025, and October 7, 2025.
4. Traffic Signal Maintenance and Repairs Award of Contract: Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement with Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc. for traffic signal maintenance and repair services.
City Council Meeting
October 7, 2025
5. La Palma Avenue Slurry Seal Project ( ST- 367) Notice of Completion: 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 La Palma Avenue Slurry Seal Improvements, City Project No. ST- 367.
6. Residential Zone 4 Slurry Seal Project ( ST- 372) Notice of Completion: 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: 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.
Council Member Baker made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items. The motion was seconded by Council Member Keo Conklin and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Introduction of an Ordinance and Resolution for the 2025 Building Code Update Mayor Waldman opened the public hearing. Interim City Manager Egan introduced the item and Building Official Trang Huynh presented the staff report, accompanied by a PowerPoint, highlighting the amendments and legislative needs. Mr. Huynh recommended introduction of the resolution and ordinance and set a meeting date for November 4, 2025, for adoption of the resolution and ordinance.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Waldman closed public comment and closed the public hearing.
Council Member Keo Conklin made a motion acknowledging the public hearing was conducted, accepting the introduction of the ordinance and resolution, and set a meeting date for November 4, 2025, for adoption of the resolution and ordinance. The motion was seconded by Council Member V.
Patel and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel
9. Introduction of an Ordinance and Resolution for the 2025 Fire Code Update Mayor Waldman opened the public hearing. Interim City Manager Egan introduced the item and Orange County Fire Authority Fire Marshal Tony Arnone presented the staff report highlighting the amendments and legislative needs. Mr. Arnone recommended introduction of the resolution and ordinance and set a meeting date for November 4, 2025, for adoption of the resolution and ordinance.
City Council Meeting
October 7, 2025
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Waldman closed public comment and closed the public hearing.
Council Member V. Patel made a motion acknowledging the public hearing was conducted, accepting the introduction of the ordinance and resolution, and set a meeting date for November 4, 2025, for adoption of the resolution and ordinance. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel
10. Consideration of Adopting New Fee Schedules
Mayor Waldman opened the public hearing. Deputy City Manager Cisneros presented the staff report highlighting the amendments and legislative need. Mr. Cisneros recommended approval of the resolution adopting a new City of La Palma Fee Schedule.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Waldman closed public comment and closed the public hearing.
Council Member V. Patel made a motion approving a resolution adopting a new Fee Schedule. The motion was seconded by Council Member Keo Conklin and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel
REGULAR ITEMS
11. Council Member Request — Discuss Moving La Palma' s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Date Council Member Baker introduced the item and requested the City Council consideration of the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to be scheduled to the first Tuesday in December and requested directing staff to research the impacts of this change.
Pursue and direct the city staff to research holding the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the first Tuesday in December.
Mayor Waldman called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Waldman closed public comment.
Council Member V. Patel made a motion directing City staff to research holding the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the first Tuesday in December. The motion was seconded by Council Member Baker and carried on the following vote:
City Council Meeting
October 7, 2025
AYES: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Mayor Waldman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Nitesh Patel
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY -AFFILIATED COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member V. Patel reported he attended the Festival of Nations and the 10/ 1 Orange County Sanitation Districts Operations Committee Meeting, welcomed the new staff, congratulated Chief Guerrero on his retirement and thanked him for his guidance and support.
Council Member Baker 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) Orange County Division Quarterly Meeting; Association of California Cities -Orange County ( ACC- OC) Better Opportunities for Learning and Development BOLD) Program OCTA Express Lanes Tour; OCFA/ 9 11 Remembrance Ceremony; Mobility 21 VIP Reception, Mobility 21 Summit; La Palma Prayer Breakfast; Funeral for Efrain Ramirez, EDCO Senior Vice President; Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District ( OCMVCD) Board of Trustees Meeting; Festival of Nations and Parade; Regional Military Affairs Committee ( RMAC) Meeting; OC San Board of Directors Meeting; Orange County Council of Governments ( OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting; Economic Development and Land Use Ad Hoc Meeting; California Joint Powers Insurance Authority ( CJPIA) Annual Risk Management Educational Forum; ACC- OC BOLD Program: Broadband 101 with Charter Communications; and Community Forum with Senator Tony Strickland. She congratulated Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel' s daughter Krishna Patel for receiving an award where she was one of 63, 000 applicants. She requested to formally recognize Krishna at a future Council Meeting for this achievement, which was supported by Council Member V. Patel. She welcomed the new employees, congratulated Chief Guerrero on his retirement, announced upcoming City events, and encouraged civil discussions amongst all of us in light of a recent national occurrence.
Council Member Keo Conklin congratulated all the recipients of the proclamations, thanked Chief Guerrero for his service, and welcomed the new employees. She reported she attended the Cal Cities Vision Meeting, 9/ 11 Memorial, and Festival of Nations.
Mayor Waldman congratulated Chief Guerrero and wished him well in his retirement and welcomed the new employees.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
Interim City Manager Egan had nothing to report.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
City Council Meeting
October 7, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Waldman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council at 7: 38 p. m. in memory of Efrain Ramirez, EDCO Vice President, for his dedication, leadership, and mentorship to the La Palma community.
Mark I. Waldman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Norma I. Alley, MMC, Ci erk
City Council Meeting
October 7, 2025