MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
December 9, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tern N. Patel called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 5: 32 p. m. in the Council Chambers of La Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, La Palma, California.
CLOSED SESSION
CS- 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Designated Representative: Peter Kim, City Manager Employee Organizations: La Palma General Employees Association La Palma Police Association
La Palma Professional Employees Association
Unrepresented Employees: Executive Management
CS- 2. PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957( b)( 1)) Position Title: City Attorney
CS- 3. 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- 4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT
EXPOSURE
Pursuant to paragraph ( 2) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9)
Demand Letter from Suren N. Weerasuriya on behalf of Asharie Cooks ( available upon request)
CS- 5. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 8)
Property: 8415 Meadowlark, La Palma, California 90623
Agency Negotiator: Peter Kim, City Manager
Joseph Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
Negotiating Parties: AT&T
Under Negotiations: Price and/ or terms of a lease
CS- 6 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, INITIATION OF
LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. 9( D)( 4)): One case City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at 5: 32 p. m.
Mayor Waldman adjourned Closed Session at 6: 09 p. m. It was noted for the record that Mayor Waldman arrived at 5: 35 p. m.
PEN 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 CS- 1, CS- 2, CS- 3, CS- 5 and CS- 6. He reported on Item CS- 4, the City Council voted 5 Yes/0 No to authorize an issuance of a rejection letter due to failure of a timely notice to the City.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANC
Council Member V. Patel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
La Palma Police Department Chaplain Steve Bland conducted the Invocation. e
Council Members Present: Council Member Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Mayor Waldman ( arrived at 5: 35 p. m.)
City Officials Present: Peter Kim, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
Jake Chavira, Acting Community Development & Public Works Director Jesse Amend, Interim Police Chief
Norma I. Alley, City Clerk
PROCEDURAL ITEMS
PI- 1 City Council Reorganization
The City Council conducted its annual reorganization by selecting the positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
City Clerk Alley opened the floor to nominations for Mayor.
Council Member Baker nominated Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel for Mayor.
The motion nominating Mayor Pro Tem N. Patel for Mayor 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
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
City Clerk Alley passed the nominations for Mayor Pro Tem over to newly appointed Mayor N. Patel.
Mayor N. Patel opened the floor to nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Waldman nominated Council Member Debbie Baker for Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Keo Conklin nominated herself for Mayor Pro Tem.
The motion for Council Member Debbie Baker for Mayor Pro Tem carried on the following vote AYES: Council Member Baker, Mayor Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: Council Member Keo Conklin
PI- 2 Presentations to Mayor Mark I. Waldman for his Service in 2024-2025 Mayor N. Patel presented outgoing Mayor Waldman with a gavel and street sign to honor his service as Mayor during 2024-2025 and spoke of Mayor Waldman' s highlights and accomplishments under his leadership and tenure on the Council and as Mayor. Mayor N. Patel also expressed appreciation to Linda Waldman' s support and contributions to the City and community.
Mayor N. Patel presented Certificates of Recognition from Senator Strickland' s Office.
Assemblywoman Quirk- Silva' s Field Representative Anthony Monroy presented a Certificate of Recognition.
Mr. Jack Amsell spoke highlighting Mayor Waldman' s great service to the City of La Palma and expressed his appreciation of his dedication, hard work, and accomplishments during his tenure on the Council and as Mayor.
Mayor N. Patel called a recess for a light reception and celebrations.
PRESENTATIONS
There were no presentations.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor N. Patel closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approve Council Minutes: Approved the Minutes of November 4, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Approve Register of Demands: Adopted Resolution No_ 2025- 51 approving the Registers of Demands for November 18, 2025, and December 2, 2025.
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to extend the contract with Greentech Landscape, Inc.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to extend the contract with Sierra Analytical Labs, Inc., for water analysis services.
Mayor Pro Tern Baker made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items. The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no Public Hearing items for consideration.
REGULAR ITEMS
5. Appointments to External Committees and Internal Subcommittees Mayor N. Patel called for Council discussion regarding the Committee appointments pursuant to Council Policy 1: City Council Code of Conduct. Discussion ensued amongst the Council and appointments to the committees were as follows:
The Orange County Fire Authority ( OCFA) Board of Directors representative to be Mayor N. Patel with no alternate.
Council Member Waldman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2025- 52 designating and appointing Mayor N. Patel as a Director to the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors for 2026. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District ( OCMVCD) Board of Trustees representative with no alternate for a two-year appointment to serve 2026- 2027.
Council Member V. Patel and Council Member Keo Conklin expressed their interest in serving as the representative for the OCMVCD Board of Trustees.
Mayor N. Patel called for a vote on the nominations. City Clerk Alley conducted a roll call vote by order nominations were received with note that the first Council Member receiving the majority of votes would be appointment and voting would cease. First vote was taken for Council Member V. Patel. The vote carried on the following vote:
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Baker, Mayor Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: Council Member Keo Conklin
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) Board of Trustees representative to be Council Member V. Patel for a two- year appointment to serve 2026- 2027, with no alternate.
The Orange County Sanitation District ( OC San) Board of Directors representative to be Mayor Pro Tern Baker and Council Member Vikesh Patel as the alternate.
The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority ( CJPIA) Board of Directors representative to be Mayor N. Patel and Council Member Waldman as the alternate.
The Bridges at Kraemer Place Community Advisory Board ( BCAB) representative to be Mayor N. Patel, with no alternate, to finish serving out the remaining two-year term to end in December 2026.
The Municipal Water District of Orange County ( MWDOC) Elected Officials Forum representative to be Council Member Keo Conklin and Council Member Waldman as the alternate.
The Orange County Library Advisory Board ( OCLAB) representative to be Council Member V. Patel, with no alternate.
The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) Regional Conference and General Assembly representative to be Mayor Pro Tern Baker, with no alternate. City Manager Kim noted Mayor Pro Tem' s appointment was by default due to her election to serve as the Regional Council Member, The Business Task Force representatives to be Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker; The Public School Liaison representatives to be Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker; The Council Policy Subcommittee representatives to be Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker, - The Business Engagement Ad Hoc Committee representatives to be Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker; and
The Economic Development/ Land Use Advisory Ad Hoc Committee representatives to be Mayor N.
Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker.
Council Member V. Patel made a motion to approve the committee appointments as discussed. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY -AFFILIATED COMMITTEES, AN
COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member V. Patel reported he attended the Scouting America Scout- O- Rama, Veterans Day Ceremony, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, OCSAN Operations Committee Meeting, Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon; recognized staff for their hard work for the year; congratulated the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern for their appointments; and expressed appreciation to Council Member Waldman for his service as Mayor.
Council Member Waldman reported he attended the Veterans Day Ceremony, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon; and congratulated the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern for their appointments.
Council Member Keo Conklin provided accolades to all involved with the accomplishments of the City over the last year, thanked Council Member Waldman for approving the Veterans Day Ceremony during his tenure as Mayor, reported she attended the Veteran' s Celebration and the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, noted her favor of installation of an audio/ visual system in the Council Chambers for future meetings, congratulated the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern for their appointments, and expressed appreciation to Council Member Waldman for his service as Mayor.
Mayor Pro Tern 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 and Regional Council ( RC) Meeting, Veterans Event; League of California Cities ( Cal Cities) Mayors and Council Members Department Officers Orientation; Cal Cities League Leaders Webinar; Cal Cities Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting; Cal Cities M/ CM Roundtable; Association of California Cities - Orange County ( ACC-OC) Annual Business Meeting; OC San Board of Directors Meeting; Orange County Council of Governments ( OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting; Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District ( OCMVCD) Board of Trustees Meeting; Regional Military Affairs Committee RMAC) Meeting; Cal Cities League Leaders Workshop and Board of Directors Meeting; Cal Cities Orange County Division Executive Committee Meeting; and the Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. She congratulated Mayor N. Patel for his election to the Association of California Cities Orange County ( ACC- OC) Board' s 1st District Representative; congratulated the employees that were recognized, provided service awards, and selected as Employee of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards; congratulated Mayor N. Patel for being appointed as Mayor; thanks the Council for their support appointing her as Mayor Pro Tem; expressed appreciation and thanked Council Member Waldman for his service as Mayor; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Holiday Season.
Mayor N. Patel reported he attended the Veterans Day Ceremony, La Palma Community Foundation Meeting, OCFA Budget and Finance Audit Meeting, OC City Selection Committee Meeting, ACC- OC Annual Business Meeting, Iron Workers Training Facilities Tour, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, attended a meeting with Assembly Member Chen, and the Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon; noted his family provided meals and gifts to 50 homeless families from JFK High School and shared the need to help others in our community; thanked Mayor Pro Tern for her support at the ACC-OC Business Meeting regarding his election to 15t District Representative; expressed appreciation and thanked Council Member Waldman for his service as Mayor; provided kudos to the Community Activities and Beautification Committee and staff for their hard work with the Polar Express and Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony; and congratulated staff for their awards and recognitions received at the Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Kim thanked Council Member Waldman for his service as Mayor, congratulated Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker for their appointments, announced there was a giving tree set- up at City Hall if anyone would like to participate, announced the Holiday Closure schedule, and wished everyone a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor N. Patel adjourned the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council at 7: 32 p. m.
Nitesh P. Patel, Mayor
ATTEST:
lenrw / a'b
Norma I. Alley, MMC, City
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025