MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
March 3, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor N. Patel 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 It was noted for the record that Council Member Keo Conklin arrived at 5: 32 p. m.
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: David Casey, et al. v. City of Buena Park, et al.
Case No. OCSC 30- 2025- 01497184- CU- PA- NJC
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: Ross Byer v. City of La Palma
Case No. OCSC 30- 2024- 01394359- CU- OE- CJC
CS- 3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, INITIATION OF
LITIGATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956, 9( d)( 4)): One case CS-4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph ( 1) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9)
Claim Received December 9, 2025, from Hoa Jessie Cao Regarding Bicycle Accident Mayor N. Patel recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at 5: 30 p. m.
OPEN SESSION TO BEGIN AT 6: 30 P. M.
Mayor N. Patel reconvened in Open Session at 6: 30 p. m. and asked for a report out of Closed Session.
City Attorney Thind reported there was no reportable action for Items CS- 1, CS- 2, and CS- 3. He reported the City Council voted 5 Yes/ 0 No to reject the claim regarding Item CS- 4.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member V. Patel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Father Mark Cruz, St. Irenaeus Catholic Parish, conducted the Invocation.
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tern Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor N.
Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Council Member Waldman City Officials Present: Peter Kim, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
Jesse Amend, Interim Police Chief
Jake Chavira, Acting Community Development & Public Works Director Stephanie Tomaino, Community Development Consultant
Norma I. Alley, MMC, City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
Deputy City Manager Cisneros introduced the new Accounting Technician Vianey Jimenez.
Cypress College Foundation Executive Director Howard Kummerman presented on the Cypress College Foundation 2026 Americana Awards. Mayor N. Patel presented a Citizen of the Year Proclamation to Jan Jensen.
Mayor N. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing March as Red Cross Month to Barb Raabe, Regional Community Engagement and Partnership Manager.
Mayor N. Patel presented certificates to High School Students for their participation in the Day of Service Event.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment.
Jan Jensen commended Acting Community Development and Public Works Director Jake Chavira for his outstanding service to the community.
Mayor N. Patel noted a letter was received from the Kennedy Commission regarding Item Number 6 and that it would be entered into the record.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor N. Patel closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approved the Minutes of February 3, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 08 approving the Registers of Demands for February 17, 2026, and March 3, 2026.
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
3. Reappointed Noella Lew, appointed Burapa Parkjitta, and appointed Valerie Bordeaux to four-year terms expiring December 31, 2029, to the Community Activities and Beautification Committee, as recommended by Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tern Baker.
4. Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 09 approving street closures for the following special events to be held by the City for the Festival of Nations Parade on Saturday, April 25; the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, and the Fitness Run for Fun on Saturday, July 4.
5. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with the Anaheim Family YMCA to include the administration and management of swim class registrations.
6. Received and filed the 2025 Annual Housing Element Progress Report 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 N. Patel, Council Member V.
Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Consideration of Conditional Use Permit ( CUP) No. 398 amending CUP No. 35 to allow for the operation of a State -licensed Adult Day Health Care ( ADHC) facility within the ground floor of the Wesley Center on the site of the United Methodist Church of La Palma, located at 8111 Walker Street
Mayor N. Patel opened the public hearing and called for the introduction and staff report of the item.
Acting Community Development and Public Works Director Chavira and Community Development Consultant Tomaino introduced the item, provided a summary of the staff report, and fielded inquiries from the City Council. It was noted the project was exempt from California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) Guidelines Section 15332, Class 32 In -fill Development. Community Development Consultant Tomaino recommended approval, subject to the conditions of approval.
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment.
Harold Ryan, Consultant and Facility Administrator, introduced his team, spoke in favor of the project, and requested the City Council approve the project.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor N. Patel closed public comment.
Mayor N. Patel closed the Public Hearing.
Council Member Keo Conklin made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026- 10 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 398 amending Conditional Use Permit No. 35. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Baker and carried on the following vote:
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor N. Patel, Council Member V.
Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
REGULAR ITEMS
8. Adoption of the 2026 City Council Goals and Objectives City Manager Kim provided a brief staff report and summarized the goals and objectives.
Council Member V. Patel made a motion to adopt the 2026 City Council Goals and Objectives. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor N. Patel, Council Member V.
Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
9. Interim Police Chief Employment Agreement
City Manager Kim provided a brief staff report and introduced Todd Mattern.
Mayor Pro Tem Baker made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026- 11 authorizing the City Manager to sign an Employment Agreement with Todd W. Mattern for Interim Police Chief services. The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor N. Patel, Council Member V.
Patel. and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
Todd W. Mattern thanked the City Council for their approval of his contract and noted he was looking forward to working with the La Palma Police Department.
This Item was heard out of order.
Interim Police Chief Amend introduced the new Police Officer Cody Henshaw. Police Office Cody Henshaw provided brief comments.
10. Mid -Year Budget Update and Adjustments and Adopting a Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Budget
Deputy City Manager Cisneros provided a staff report and recommended adoption of a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.
Council Member Waldman made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026- 12 amending the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Budget and receive and file the Mid -Year Budget report. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Baker and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Council Member Keo Conklin, Mayor N. Patel, Council Member V.
Patel, and Council Member Waldman
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
NOES: None
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS REPORTS FROM CITY -AFFILIATED COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin reported she attended the Emperor of Japan' s ( Naruhito) Birthday Celebration at the residence of Consul General Kosei Murota, Read Across America at Miller Elementary, and the Grand Re- Opening/ Ribbon Cutting for the center at 5501- 5511 Orangethorpe.
Council Member V. Patel reported he attended the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control Board Meeting, Cub Scout Pack 673 Blue and Gold Ceremony, and the Grand Re- Opening/ Ribbon Cutting for the center at 5501- 5511 Orangethorpe, and congratulated and welcomed the new employees.
Mayor Pro Tern Baker reported she attended the Southern California Association of Governments SCAG) Community, Economic, and Human Development ( CEHD) Policy Committee Meeting; Regional Council ( RC) Meeting; League of California Cities ( Cal Cities) Orange County Division Executive Committee Meeting; La Palma Community Foundation Meeting; Orange County Sanitation District ( OC San) Administration Committee Meeting; Cal Cities Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting; Assemblyman Phillip Chen Tour of the Ironworkers Training Center, La Palma; OC San Board of Directors Meeting; Community Activities and Beautification Committee Interviews; Police Interaction with Youth ( PIY) Graduation at Los Coyotes; Orange County Council of Governments OCCOG) Board of Directors Meeting; Emperor of Japan' s ( Naruhito) Birthday Celebration at the residence of Consul General Kosei Murota; Grand Re- Opening/ Ribbon Cutting for the center at 5501- 5511 Orangethorpe ( at Walker); thanked the students for their service to the City during the Service Day; congratulated Jan Jensen for being awarded the La Palma Citizen of the Year; and welcomed the new employees.
Council Member Waldman had nothing to report.
Mayor N. Patel reported he attended the Orange County Fire Association ( OCFA) Board Meeting and was appointed as Vice Chair, OCFA Committee Meeting, Chaired the OCFA Budget and Finance Committee Meeting, OCFA Division Chief' s Meetings, OCFA Special Meeting, Chaired a School Board Bond Oversight Meeting, Community Activities and Beautification Committee Interviews, OCFA Meeting with the Chief, Cub Scout Pack 673 Blue and Gold Ceremony, Police Interaction with Youth PIY) Graduation at Los Coyotes, OCFA Board Meeting, judged the Soap Box Speech Competition, and the Grand Re- Opening/ Ribbon Cutting for the center at 5501- 5511 Orangethorpe; welcomed new employees, congratulated Jan Jensen for being awarded the La Palma Citizen of the Year; and did a shout out to all the JFK High School students for their hard work on Service Day.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Kim did a shout out to the City's Management Team for getting things done and done well, expressed his gratitude to be working with a wonderful team, and thanked Mr. Mattern for his upcoming service.
CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS
City Attorney Thind had nothing to report.
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor N. Patel adjourned the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council at 7: 57 p. m. in memory of former Mayor Alan Priest, who passed away December 18, 2025. He added that Mayor Priest served La Palma faithfully from 1976- 1980 on the City Council and as Mayor from 1978- 1979. He will be remembered for his dedication and leadership to the La Palma community. The City Council shared their heartfelt condolences to his children Todd, Craig, and Kimberly and the family.
ATTEST:
Norma I. Alley, MMC, 4 Clerk
Ir /& - 2 w /
Nitesh P. 0/atel, Mayor
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026