CC 2
8/13/2024
TN
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/FINANCING/
POWER AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
LANCASTER
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Parris called the meeting of the Lancaster City Council/ Successor Agency/Financing /Power Authority to order at 1:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: City Council Members /Agency Directors/Authority Members: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Vice Mayor/Vice Chair Crist, Mayor/Chairman Parris STAFF MEMBERS:
City Manager/ Executive Director; Assistant City Manager/Deputy Executive Director; City Attorney/Agency/Authority Counsel; City Clerk/Agency/Authority Secretary; Assistant Director- Engineering; Director-Parks, Recreation, Arts, & Community Services; Senior Director-Finance, Technology, Human Resources, City Clerk; Assistant Chief of Police/Assistant Director of Public
INVOCATION
Council Member Hughes-Leslie
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Mann
PRESENTATIIONS
1. July is Parks Make Life Better Month Proclamation & Presentation Presented by: Sonya Patterson, Director-Parks, Arts, Recreation & Community Services
2. Antelope Valley College Presentation
Presented by: Dr. Jennifer Zellet, Superintendent/President of the Antelope Valley College
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Mann, the City Council approved the Consent Calendar as comprised pulling item number CC 6 for separate discussion, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris ; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None Addressing the Council at this time:
Richard Grueneberg discussed various issues with item number CC 6 such as accessibility, security and cloud servers. Richard Gruenberg also discussed whether the cameras are approved per the Lancaster Municipal Code.
Chris Roberts, Assistant Chief of Police responded to the concerns addressed by the public speaker on this item.
Allison Burns, City Attorney also addressed concerns regarding an update to the Lancaster Municipal Code.
Discussion among Council included the thirty-day storage limitation on camera footage and increasing the coverage area of the Flock tag readers.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Malhi, the City Council approved item number CC 6 as comprised, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris ; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None.
CC 1. ORDINANCE WAIVER
Waived further reading of any proposed ordinance. (This permits reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text.)
CC 2. MINUTES
Approved the City Council/Successor Agency/Financing/Power Authority Regular Meeting Minutes of July 09, 2024.
CC 3. СНЕСК REGISTERS - JUNE 22, 2024, THROUGH JULY 6, 2024 Approved the Check and Wire Registers for payments made June 22, 2024, through July 06, 2024, in the amount of $7,816,510.60 as presented.
CC 4. REVISED 2024-2025 ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) PROJECT LIST FOR SENATE BILL 1, THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
Adopted Resolution No. 24-48, declaring an intention to amend Resolution No. 24-22, approving Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) Revised Proposed Project List Form, and allocating funds 2 CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
in the fiscal year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Budget to clarify Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funded projects.
CC 5. INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT AND EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM FOR MEASURE R "HIGHWAY EQUITY" PROGRAM/PROJECT
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Approved increase in contract amount and extension of contract term for Measure R "Highway Equity" Program/Project Management Services with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., of Los Angeles, California, by $180,000.00 and an additional 2-year term. Authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to sign all documents.
CC6. RENEWAL OF FLOCK SAFETY AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER
CAMERA SUBSCRIPTION
The City Council approved the renewal of a subscription for 50 Automated License Plate Reader ("ALPR") cameras from Flock Safety ("Flock") in an amount $ 150,000. This project includes a one-year lease of the cameras at $3000 per camera and a onetime $350 per camera installation fee (should the city choose to install additional cameras.
Additional years will be at a cost of $3000 per camera per year. Cost includes license to access application to view cameras and camera footage, which will be stored in the cloud, all mounting equipment, installation, maintenance, upgrades, and no cost replacement of manufacturer faulty equipment. The City Council also granted authority to the Lancaster Chief of Police to execute future extensions, not to exceed five years, at the same rate.
CC 7. APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AUDIO AND VISUAL SYSTEMS FOR THE POLICE STATION.
Approved the purchase and installation of Audio and Visual systems for the Police Station.
CC 8. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - TIFFANY JOHNSON
1. Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Tiffany Johnson in an amount not to exceed $205,000 to cover work done in FY 2024 and FY 2025; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any amendments to the Agreement deemed necessary to complete the project in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
3. Found that this item is not a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
CC 9. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - FTI CONSULTING, INC.
1. The City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement with FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) in an amount not to exceed $250,000, and authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to sign all documents; and
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2. Authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any additional amendments to the Agreement deemed necessary to complete the project in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
3. Found that this item is not a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
CC 10.RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BALLOT DESCRIPTION AND CALLING
FOR THE HOLDING OF A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
Adopted Resolution No. 24-49, amending Resolution Nos. 24-34, 24-46, and 24-47 Relating to an ordinance to be submitted to the voters at a Special Municipal Election to be held on November 5, 2024, approving enacting an amendment to the City's Transactions and Use Tax.
PH 1. RESOLUTION APPROVING (1) AUTOMATIC ANNUAL INFLATIONARY
INCREASE TO SOLID WASTE HANDLING SERVICES FEE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND (2) COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE HANDLING SERVICES FEE
FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS ON THE TAX ROLL PURSUANT TO SECTION 5473 OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
Mayor Parris opened the public hearing at this time.
Council Member Mann stated that he would recuse himself from this item as he has a potential conflict.
Council Member Ken Mann left the dais at approximately 1:57 p.m.
Addressing the Council at this time:
Richard Grueneberg- spoke in opposition of this item.
Michael Rives- discussed postponing the item for two weeks so that staff can better explain the increase to solid waste handling services fee.
Ralph DeFilippo- spoke in opposition of this item.
Billy Wilkins -spoke in opposition of this item.
Mike Martinez-spoke in opposition of this item.
Allison Burns, City Attorney explained the required number of majority protests needed.
Josh, Waste Management Representative explained the senior citizen discount.
Troy Fike -spoke in opposition of this item.
Discussion among Council was regarding the rates in comparison to other cities.
CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
Allison Burns, City Attorney announced the last call to receive protests on this item.
Mayor Parris closed the public hearing at this time.
Andrea Alexander, City Clerk announced the results of the protests received. The City Clerk stated that all protests received for item number PH 1, totaled sixty-three (63).
There is no majority number of protests.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Malhi, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-50, approving (1) automatic annual inflationary increase to solid waste handling services tee for single-tamily dwellings for fiscal years 2024-2025 through fiscal year 2028-2029, and (2) collection of solid waste handling services fee for single-family dwellings on the tax roll pursuant to section 5473 of the Health and Safety Code, by the following vote: 3-1-1-0; AYES: Malhi, Crist, Parris; NOES: Hughes-Leslie; ABSTAIN: Mann; ABSENT: None
Council Member Mann returned to the dais at approximately 2:32 p.m.
PH 2. LANCASTER DRAINAGE BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Mayor Parris opened the public hearing at this time.
The City Council waived the staff report on this item seeing that there were not any public comments.
Mayor Parris closed the public hearing at this time.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Hughes-Leslie, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24- 51, confirming the diagram and assessments, and ordering the levy of an assessment in the Lancaster Drainage Benefit Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes- Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None PH 3. LANCASTER LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Mayor Parris opened the public hearing at this time.
The City Council waived the staff report on this item seeing that there were not any public comments.
Mayor Parris closed the public hearing at this time.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Mann, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-52, confirming the diagram and assessments, and ordering the levying of an assessment in the Lancaster Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 Levy of Annual Assessment for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, by the following vote: 5-0- 5 CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
PH 4. LANCASTER LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Mayor Parris opened the public hearing at this time.
The City Council waived the staff report on this item seeing that there were not any public comments.
Mayor Parris closed the public hearing at this time.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Hughes-Leslie, the City Council, adopted Resolution No. 24-53, confirming the diagram and assessments, and ordering the levy of an assessment in the Lancaster Lighting Maintenance District for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
PH 5. LEVYING LANCASTER SEWER SYSTEM SERVICE CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 2025
Mayor Parris opened the public hearing at this time.
The City Council waived the staff report on this item seeing that there were not any public comments.
Mayor Parris closed the public hearing at this time.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Malhi, the City Council, adopted Resolution No. 24-54, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Lancaster, California, levying Lancaster Sewer System Service Charges for maintenance and servicing of the Lancaster Sewer System for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
PH 6. LANCASTER MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS ANNEXATIONS 2024
Mayor Parris opened the public hearing at this time.
The City Council waived the staff report on this item seeing that there were not any public comments.
Mayor Parris closed the public hearing at this time.
Andrea Alexander, City Clerk opened and tallied the sealed ballots. 6 CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
Andrea Alexander, City Clerk announced the results of the ballots received for item number PH 6. The City Clerk stated that all ballots received have been opened and tallied with results being three (3) yes votes and one (1) no vote; the district carries.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Mann, the City Council adopted the attached Resolution, regarding the annexation of properties into the City's Maintenance Districts, and adopted Resolution No. 24-55, Announcing Results of an Assessment Ballot Procedure a Public Hearing, Ordering the Annexation of Territory and Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments Therein, by the following vote: 5- 0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Nonel
NB 1. DESIGNATING CITY OFFICIALS AUTHORIZED TO FILE APPLICATION(S)
TO THE FEDERAL MICRO-GRANT PROGRAM TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE RELATING TO IMPLEMENTING OF BODY-WORN CAMERA PROGRAM FOR SMALL, RURAL, & TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Chris Roberts, Assistant Chief of Police presented the staff report on this item.
Discussion among Council included camera monitoring and whether the body-worn cameras grant has any ties to the Department of Justice.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Crist and seconded by Council Member Hughes-Leslie, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-56, designating those officials authorized to file application(s) to the Federal Micro-Grant Program to obtain certain federal financial assistance with the caveat that there are no Department of Justice (DOJ ties, by the following vote: 5-0-0-0; AYES: Hughes-Leslie, Malhi, Mann, Crist, Parris; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
CR1. COUNCIL REPORTS
Vice Mayor Crist reported on the Antelope Valley Transit Authority meeting. Vice Mayor Crist also discussed the grand opening of the new building at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds on Thursday. Vice Mayor Crist also discussed the naming of the new building along with the available programs.
Staff provided a video recap of the grand opening of the Parris Center.
Council Member Hughes-Leslie reported on the VA Health Care open house event and the North Pointe groundbreaking.
Staff provided a video recap of the NorthPoint groundbreaking.
LANCASTER HOUSING AUTHORITY
No action required at this time.
CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
LANCASTER FINANCING AUTHORITY
No action required at this time.
LANCASTER POWER AUTHORITY
No action required at this time.
CITY MANAGER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENTS .
Trolis Niebla, City Manager announced new organizational staff changes to include Larissa De La Cruz as the Assistant City Manager and George Harris as the Senior Director.
The City Manager also announced upcoming events such as the National Night Out event on August 1, 2024; Monday Night Bitez; Cool Summer Nights, and the Back-Pack Giveaway.
CITY CLERK /AGENCY/AUTHORITY SECRETARY ANNOUNCEMENT
The City Clerk provided the public with the procedure to address the City Council/Successor Agency/Authority regarding non-agendized items.
PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Addressing the City Council at this time:
Fran Sereseres- discussed community healing event.
Doug McAllister-discussed issues with theft of stolen copper wires and the financial loss as a result.
David Paul- discussed various national political topics.
Marie Chappell-Battle- discussed the need for street resurfacing.
CITY COUNCIL/AGENCY/AUTHORITY COMMENTS
No Council comments at this time.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Parris announced that Council will go into closed session to discuss Closed Session Item Numbers one (1) through twelve (12)
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation: significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.9(d) (2) - four potential cases.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation: consideration of initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (4) - four potential cases.
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3. Conference Involving a Joint Powers Agency: Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.96 Discussion will concern: Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, et al. 9th Cir. Case No. 23- 1614 Name of local agency representative
on joint powers agency board: Marvin Crist, Ken Mann
4. Antelope Valley Groundwater Cases Included Action:
Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 v. Diamond Farming Co.
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC325201; Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 v. Diamond Farming Co.
Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Case No. S-1500-CV-254- 348; Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc. v. City of Lancaster, Diamond Farming Co. v.
City of Lancaster, Diamond Farming Co. v. Palmdale Water District Superior Court of California County of Riverside, consolidated actions; Case Nos. RIC 353 840, RIC 344 436, RIC 344 668
5. Brisa Mahoney, et al. v. City of Lancaster, et al., LASC Case No. 2 20STCV02556
6. Romines v. City of Lancaster, et al,, LASC Case No. 20AVCV00345
7. Moujan v. City of Lancaster et al., LASC Case No. 20AVCV00205
8. Lancaster v. Netflix, et al., LASC 21STCV01881
9. Castro v. Lancaster
10. Montenegro v. Green, LASC Case No. 22AVCV01050
11. Perez v. Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00577
12. City of Whittier v. Superior Court, LASC Case No. 23 STCP03579
RECONVENED
Mayor Parris reconvened the meeting at approximately 3:35 p.m.
Allison Burns, City Attorney announced that Council gave direction regarding closed session item numbers one (1) and two (2). No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Parris adjourned the meeting at 3:36 p.m. and stated the next City Council/Successor Agency/Financing/Power Authority meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
CC/SA/FA/PA Minutes-07/23/24
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 13* day of August 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
ANDREA ALEXANDER R. REX PARRIS
CITY CLERK MAYOR/CHAIRMAN
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES i ss
CITY OF LANCASTER
CERTIFICATION OF MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/FINANCING/ POWER AUTHORITY WITNESS MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER, CA on this day of
(seal)
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