MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
May 5, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor N. Patel called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 5: 30 p. min the Council Chambers ofLa Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker Street, La Palma, California. Council Member Keo Conklin arrived at 5:31 p. m. CLOSED
SESSION CS1. 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 CS2. 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 CS3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph ( 1) of subdivision ( d) of California Government Code Section 54956. 9) Name
of Case: Misty Torres v. City of La Palma Case
No. OCSC 30-2026- 01561451- CU-OE- NJC Mayor
N. Patel recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at5:30 p.m. Mayor N. Patel adjourned Closed Session at 5:59 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 areport out of Closed Session. City Attorney Thind reported there were no reportable actions for Items CS-1, CS- 2, or CS-3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor
Pro Tern Baker led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION King
of the Nations Ministries Reverend Nader Hanna conducted the Invocation. City Council Meeting Minutes May
5, 2026 Page
1 ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tern Debbie Baker, Council Member Janet Keo Conklin, Mayor Nitesh Patel, Council Member Vikesh Patel, and Council Member Mark Waldman
City Officials Present: Peter Kim, City Manager
Ajit Thind, City Attorney
Joe Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
Todd Mattern, Interim Police Chief
Jake Chavira, Acting Community Development & Public Works Director Norma I. Alley, MMC, City Clerk
Alan Rivera, Management Analyst
PRESENTATIONS
Acting Community Development & Public Works Director Chavira introduced the new Water Service Worker II Daniel Perez and Water Service Worker I Stacy Weems.
Mayor N. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Mayor N. Patel presented a proclamation recognizing May through August as Drowning Prevention Awareness months.
Community Activities and Beautification Committee Chair Mary Paningsoro presented a certificate recognizing Jim and Rossana Teeples as the recipient of the Home Spotlight Award.
Mayor N. Patel presented certificates to the John F. Kennedy High School Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Wrestling student athletes and coaches for their achievement in League Championships.
Mayor N. Patel presented certificates to the John F. Kennedy High School Color Guard student athletes and coaches for their Competition accomplishments.
Mayor N. Patel presented certificates to " Every 15 Minutes" Program to John F. Kennedy High School students and faculty, Police Department School Resource Officer, La Palma Community Foundation Board Members, and Partners for their dedication and volunteerism. He also presented a proclamation to the La Palma Community Foundation.
Mayor N. Patel presented certificates to the SoCal Channel volunteers for their community leadership.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment.
LaTrice James provided comments regarding air quality concerns near and in her home.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor N. Patel closed public comment.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Waived the reading of all ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
2. Approved the Minutes of April 7, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 16 approving the Registers of Demands for April 21, 2026, and May 5, 2026.
4. Received and filed the Third Quarter Operating Report, Fiscal Year 2025- 26.
5. Received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2025- 26.
6. Received and filed the Single Audit Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025.
7. Approved and authorized the City Manager to approve payment to Able Services for citywide janitorial services.
8. Approved and authorized the City Manager to award a contract with Ferguson Waterworks for Water Meter Meter Interface Unit (MIU) equipment purchase.
9. Received and filed the report regarding the rate adjustment for residential and commercial waste and recycling services, effective July 1, 2026.
10. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute a one- year extension agreement with All City Management Services ( ACMS), Inc. to provide school crossing guard services, commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
11. Adopted Resolution No. 2026- 17 designating Thais P. Alves as Assistant City Attorney.
12. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( NPDES) Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement between the County of Orange, Orange County Flood Control District, and participating Orange County cities, including the City of La Palma.
Mayor Pro Tern Baker made a motion to approve Consent Calendar Items. The motion was seconded by Council Member V. Patel 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
There were no Public Hearing items to be heard.
REGULAR ITEMS
13. Presentation on the Long -Term Fiscal Status and Draft Fiscal Year 2026- 27 Budget Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.
Deputy City Manager Cisneros introduced the item and provided a summary of the staff report regarding the long- term fiscal status and provided an overview of the Draft Fiscal Year 2026- 27 Budget. He recommended approval of the transfer of $2. 1 million from General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance to the Cash Flow Reserve ($ 1 million), Vehicle Maintenance & Replacement Fund ($ 538, 000), and Emergency Reserve Fund ($ 525, 000) for the purchase of vehicles.
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed public comment.
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Baker made a motion to transfer of $2. 1 million from General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance to the Cash Flow Reserve ($ 1 million), Vehicle Maintenance & Replacement Fund ($ 538, 000), and Emergency Reserve Fund ($ 525,000). 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
14. Authorization the Purchase of Four Replacement Vehicles for the Police, Public Works, and Community Services Departments.
Acting Community Development and Public Works Director Chavira provided a brief summary of the staff report.
Mayor Patel called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed public comment.
Council Member Keo Conklin made a motion to authorize the purchase of four replacement vehicles for the Police, Public Works and Community Services Departments. 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
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS REPORTS FROM CITY -AFFILIATED COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member V. Patel reported he attended the John F. Kennedy High School Scholarship Foundation Dinner, Arbor Day Event, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District Board Meeting, " Every 15 Minutes" Program, OC SAN Board of Directors Meeting, LAB Executive Committee Meeting, Festival of Nations, and Pepe' s Mexican Food Grand Opening. He congratulated all the award recipients and welcomed the new employees.
Council Member Keo Conklin reported she attended the John F. Kennedy High School Scholarship Foundation Dinner, Arbor Day Event, " Every 15 Minutes" Program, Festival of Nations, and Pepe' s Mexican Food Grand Opening, and the Police Interaction with Youth ( PIY) Graduation at Luther Elementary. She congratulated all the award recipients and welcomed the new employees.
Council Member Waldman reported he attended the Festival of Nations parade.
Mayor Pro Tern Baker reported she attended the Orange County Sanitation District ( OC San) Administration 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 Board of Directors Meeting, John F. Kennedy High School Scholarship Foundation Dinner, 2026- 27 Budget Review Meeting; Arbor Day Celebration and coloring contest; Cal Cities City Leaders Summit Run of Show Meeting; Orange County Women in Leadership Summit; Cal Cities Orange County Division City Leaders Summit Pre -Event Briefing; Orange County Women' s Business Chamber Board Installation City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
Luncheon; Every 15 Minutes; Cal Cities City Leaders Summit: facilitated three roundtable discussions, moderated a session, and moderated the last session and closing remarks to end the summit; Festival of Nations and Parade; Recorded video for Business Spotlight Award, Maxwell Chicken; Pepe' s Finest Mexican Food Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting; California Joint Powers Insurance Authority ( CJPIA) Elected Officials Summit; Assemblyman Phillip Chen' s office to receive a Resolution; Police Interaction with Youth ( PIY) Graduation at Luther Elementary; Tour and game with Assemblyman Phillip Chen at Angels Stadium. She congratulated all the award recipients and welcomed the new employees.
Mayor N. Patel reported he attended the OCFA Budget Committee Meeting and chaired the meeting, AUHSD School Board Meeting and was recognized, Hope School' s Hope Cup, John F. Kennedy High School Scholarship Foundation Dinner, Arbor Day Celebration, City 2026-27 Budget Review Meeting, OCFA agenda review meeting, Local 3631 OC Fire Fighters Meeting, " Every 15 Minutes" Program, OCFA Board of Directors Meeting, OCFA Executive Team Meeting, Festival of Nations, video recording for the Business Spotlight Award Recipient Maxwell Chicken, Pepe' s Finest Mexican Food Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting, OCFA Meeting with Chief, and Chaired the AUHSD Measure K Bond Committee Meeting. He congratulated all the award recipients and welcomed the new employees.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Kim requested Acting Community Development and Public Works Director Chavira provide an update on the watermain break on La Palma Avenue and Rose Street. He recognized the Public Works and Police Staff for all their hard work to mitigate the issue. He also recognized the Community Services staff for their hard work on the Festival of Nations and to Officer Perez for his work on the " Every 15 Minutes" Program and the Police Interaction with Youth Program.
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 8: 19 p. m.
ATTEST:
U
Norma I. Alley, MMC, C' y Clerk
yu d, &
itesh P. Ffatel, Mayor
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026