MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE LA PALMA CITY COUNCIL
August 4, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor N. Patel called the Regular Meeting of the La Palma City Council to order at 6:00 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: Misty Torres v. City of La Palma
Case No. OCSC 30-2026-01561451-CU-OE-NJC
CS-2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, INITIATION OF
LITIGATION
(Pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9)
Number of potential cases: 1
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed the public comment.
Mayor N. Patel recessed the Open Session and convened the Closed Session at 6:02 p.m. Mayor N.
Patel adjourned Closed Session at 6:11 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 were no reportable actions for Items CS-1 or CS-2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Waldman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Saint Irenaeus Catholic Church Father Mark Cruz conducted the Invocation.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem 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
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2026
Todd Mattern, Interim Police Chief
Jake Chavira, Acting Community Development & Public Works Director Alisha Farnell, Assistant to the City Manager
Norma I. Alley, MMC, City Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor N. Patel and the Community Activities and Beatification Committee Members presented a certificate recognizing Michael and LaTayna Darensburg as the Fall 2026 Home Spotlight Award Winners.
Mayor N. Patel presented a proclamation and certificates to the American Red Cross of Orange County and volunteers for their hard work during the Garden Grove Hazmat Incident.
Mayor N. Patel and Community Services Recreation Coordinator Colby Deterding presented certificates to the 2026 Summer Camp Volunteens.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment.
Ashley Castle spoke of the need of speed mediation on Crescent Avenue.
Luis Vizcaino spoke to the use of automatic license plate readers.
Seeing no further comments, Mayor N. Patel closed public comment.
RECESS CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF LA PALMA Mayor N. Patel recessed the Regular City Council Meeting to convene the Successor Agency at 7:08 p.m. The Regular City Council Meeting reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2: Apared the reading adine al or dirty Cosinieting and read by title only
3. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-28 approving the Register of Demands for June 16, July 7, and July 21, 2026.
4. Received and filed the Cash and Investment Report for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2025-26.
5. Authorized the Mayor to sign a response letter to the 2025-2026 Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home, and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
6. Authorized the Mayor to sign a response letter to the 2025-26 Grand Jury Report, California Housing Mandates, The Unintended Reshaping of Orange County Neighborhoods, and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
7. Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Cooperation Agreement with the County of Orange related to the Community Development Block Grant Program.
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2026
8. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the agreement with City Advisors, LLC, to increase the not-to-exceed amount from $50,000 to $58,000 for the period from November 4 , 2025 to June 30, 2026.
9. Authorized the City Manager to award a contract in the amount of $377,479.57 to West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA) of Anaheim, California, for Tree Maintenance Services for three years, with an option to extend the contract for two additional one-year terms with a maximum contract length of five years.
10. Received and filed the Emergency Purchase Order Report
11. Appointed Laura Franz to a term commencing on September 1, 2026, and expiring on December 31, 2028, to fill a position vacated due to the resignation of Irene Hesse, as recommended by Mayor N. Patel and Mayor Pro Tem Baker.
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed the public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem 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: Mayor Pro Tem 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 consider.
REGULAR ITEMS
12. League of California Cities Voting Delegates and Resolutions City Clerk Alley provided a brief summary of the staff report and recommended approval.
Mayor N. Patel called for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, he closed public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Baker made a motion to designate Mayor Pro Tem Debbie Baker as the City of La Palma's Voting Delegate at the League of California Cities' Annual Conference, designate Council Member Vikesh Patel as the City of La Palma's Alternate Voting Delegate at the League of California Cities' Annual Conference, and authorize the City of La Palma delegation the discretion to vote on any resolutions taking into consideration the information they receive at the conference. The motion was seconded by Council Member Waldman and carried on the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Baker, Mayor N. Patel, Council Member V. Patel, and Council Member Waldman
NOES: None
ABSTAINED: Council Member Keo Conklin
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2026
COUNCIL MEMBER AB1234 REPORTS, REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCIL REMARKS
Council Member Keo Conklin reported she attended the North Orange County Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony, Concerts in the Park, Orange County Transportation Authority Roundtable and Tour, and La Palma's Volunteer Recognition event. She congratulated all the award recipients.
Council Member Waldman reported he attended La Palma's Volunteer Recognition event. He expressed appreciation and sentiment to all the community volunteers.
Council Member V. Patel reported he attended the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District Board Meeting, Fourth of July Run 4 Fun, Concerts in the Park, Youth Action Committee Meeting, AAP! Lead Summit, and La Palma's Volunteer Recognition Event. He congratulated all the award recipients.
Mayor Pro Tem Baker reported she attended the Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG) Community, Economic, and Human Development Committee Meeting (CEHD) and Regional Council (RC) Meeting; League of California Cities (Cal Cities) Orange County Division Executive Committee Meeting; Flag Day event; Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) Administration Meeting; Cal Cities Orange County Division Quarterly Meeting; Cal Cities Orange County Division Board of Directors Meeting; Cal Cities Orange County Division event at the Magic Castle; La Palma Business Mixer; Business Engagement and Economic Development & Land Use Ad Hoc Meeting; OC San Board of Directors Meeting; SCAG CEHD Committee Meeting; RC Meeting; 4th of July Run for Fun; OC San Administration Committee Meeting; Cal Cities OC Division Board of Directors Meeting; Ribbon Cutting for Minuteman Press; Community Activities and Beautification (CAB) Committee Interviews with the Mayor; OC San Board of Directors Meeting; OC Fair Event for Government & Elected Officials; La Palma's Volunteer Recognition Event; and Concerts in the Park. She congratulated all the award recipients and thanked the community volunteers.
Mayor N. Patel reported he attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Chief Recruitment Meetings, Boys Republic Group, Dr. Pandya Gayatri Pariwar Program, OCFA Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meetings, Radio Korea World Cup Event, Flag Day Event, met with Assemblymember Phillip Chen, OCFA Graduation, La Palma Business Mixer Event, Business Engagement and Economic Development & Land Use Ad Hoc Meeting, ACC-OC Legislative and Regulation Committee Meeting, OCFA Board Meetings, Chugh Law Firm Youth Intern Program Event, Neighborhood Block Party, Youth Action Committee Meeting, Ribbon Cutting for Minuteman Press, ACC-OC Board Meeting, reception for the Indian Ambassador, tour of the Edward Life Sciences facility with Assemblyman Chen, CAB Committee interviews, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Annual Board Meeting, meeting with US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel, OC VIBE tour, Concerts in the Park, and La Palma's Volunteer Recognition Event. He congratulated all the award recipients and announced the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Recipient as Dickson Lew.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Kim announced upcoming events.
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2026
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 7:31 p.m.
Win I. Meth
Nitesh P. Patel, Mayor
ATTEST:
Misha Tamel
lisha Farnell. Actina Citv Cler
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2026