MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING – January 23, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in Adjourned Regular Session at 6:01 p.m., Monday, January 23, 2023, in the Council Chamber located at 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720, Mayor Doby presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Present: Council Members: Hasselbrink, Hibard, Murphy, M Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda, Mayor Doby
Absent: Council Members: None
Present: Staff: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Michael Claborn, Chief of Police
Craig Covey, Orange County Fire Authority Division 1 Chief Michael Daudt, City Attorney
Craig Koehler, Finance Director
Emeline Noda, Recreation & Community Services Director
Ron Noda, Development Services Director
Tom Oliver, Associate Planner
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
Chelsi Wilson, Administrative Services Manager
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Doby led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda gave the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Doby and the City Council presented the listed Presentations.
A. Presentation of Certificates to the Los Alamitos Girls Varsity Tennis Team in Recognition of Achieving the 2022 CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Semi- Finalists
B. Presentation of Certificates to the 2022 My City My Los Al Partnership Program Sponsors
C. Presentation of Commendations to Corporal Rodriguez and Police Officer Delgado in Recognition of Earning the Los Alamitos Police DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
January 23, 2023
Department Lifesaving Award
D. Presentations to Helen Akashi and Marie Kane as Recipients of the Los Alamitos Police Department' s Pink Patch Project
E. Presentations to Reserve Officer Dave Dorans in Recognition of his 31 Years of Service to the City of Los Alamitos
F. Presentations to Reserve Officer Harry Whited in Recognition of his 39 Years of Service to the City of Los Alamitos
G. Presentation by Seregant Krogman and School Resource Officer Brucki Regarding E-Bike Safety
H. Presentation by Division Chief Craig Covey, Orange County Fire Authority, Regarding Lithium-ion Battery Hazards
Division Chief Covey gave a PowerPoint presentations and answered questions from the City Council.
City Manager Simmons stated that item 12A would be continued to a later date. He advised the Public Hearing would be opened for public comment; however, there would be no staff report this evening.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
At this time, any individual in the audience may come forward to speak on any item within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Remarks are to be limited to not more than five minutes per speaker.
Mayor Doby opened Oral Communications.
Christine Arfwedson spoke in opposition to Council’s unwillingness to dialogue with speakers. She stated that she was unaware of the Housing Element until recently and spoke in opposition to the Lampson project and concern for parking and unsafe conditions on Lampson Ave . She stated the project as presented was not livable and urged Council to push the developers to make a livable project.
Patty Senecal requested Council delay the Lampson project for at least several months. She spoke regarding the following: opposition to the size of the project; lack of parking; deficient outreach; Planning Commission’s refusal to answer questions; traffic congestion and delays to emergency services; and, stated she did not feel her concerns were being listened to.
Jennifer Grgas spoke regarding the following: requested a longer delay regarding the Lampson project; concern for traffic and public safety; and, concern for developer trucks path of travel.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
January 23, 2023
Dan Brandt spoke regarding the following: requested a longer delay regarding the Lampson project; concern residents we not properly noticed; indicated Los Alamitos was a safe City with a good school district; opposed the high density Lampson project; spoke regarding opposition to upcoming projects in surrounding cities; indicated the Housing Element would effect surrounding cities as well; opposed to Superintendent’ s support for new students the project would bring; stated the project should be thought through thoroughly; and, indicated he was not opposed to development, but felt R2 would be a better fit.
Jeff Smith spoke regarding the following: appreciated the delay in voting; spoke in support for denying any rezoning off of Lampson; requested the project be modified to make it more palatable for neighbors; and, stated the number one concern is for safety.
Ricardo Ortiz spoke in opposition to affordable housing indicating it was not conducive to a nice community and brings a different element.
Dr. P spoke regarding the following: concern for increased accidents and/or fatalities on Lampson; concern for the upcoming reasoning in Rossmoor and Seal Beach; concern for delayed emergency response; works hard to afford to live in a City he loves; and, support for the police and fire that provide for a safe community.
Derek Foyer spoke regarding the following: stated R2 zoning made more sense; previously advised the only want to be heard at a Council meeting is to make noise and have signs; stated support for a back and forth discussion between Council and residents; and, stated support for delaying the decision.
Enea Ostrich spoke regarding the following: support for the safety of the neighborhood; stated concern for the inability to exit College Park East when emergency services had blocked the neighborhood; concern for increased crime and availability of emergency services; and, stated the project would present a big safety issue.
Lloyd Hannah spoke regarding support for hosting meetings in a larger venue and a question and answer forum for residents and Council.
Mayor Doby closed Oral Communications.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
At this time, Council Members may also report on items not specifically described on the Agenda that are of interest to the community, provided no action or discussion is taken except to provide Staff direction to report back or to place the item on a future Agenda.
Council Member Hibard spoke regarding attendance at the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Member training.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
January 23, 2023
Council Member Murphy spoke regarding attendance at the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Member training, Kurt Pringle’s Newly Elected Women Networking event; and Coffee with Supervisor Do.
Council Member Hasselbrink spoke regarding the following: attendance at Senator Janet Nguyen’s Swearing In; recent noise activity at the Joint Forces Training Base and encouraged residents to follow JFTB’s social media for announcements; and, support for having the JFTB in Los Alamitos.
Mayor Doby spoke regarding attendance at the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, Senator Janet Nguyen’s Swearing In; Coffee with Supervisor Do; and, the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Member training.
8. ITEMS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
None.
9. WARRANTS
A. Warrants ( Finance)
The attached Warrant Register contains checks and electronic funds transfers for the period from December 1 to December 31, 2022.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Nefulda
Unanimously Carried: The City Council ratified the Warrants for the period in the amount of $1,270,912.45
ROLL CALL
Mayor Doby Aye
Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda Aye
Council Member Hasselbrink Aye
Council Member Hibard Aye
Council Member Murphy Aye
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
All Consent Calendar items may be acted upon by one motion unless a Council Member requests separate action on a specific item.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Murphy
Unanimously Carried: The City Council approved the following Consent Calendar items:
A. Approval of Minutes ( Administration)
Approved the City Council minutes for the Special and Regular meeting of December 19, 2022, and the Special meeting of January 17, 2023.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
January 23, 2023
B. Findings Required by AB 361 for the Continued Use of Teleconferencing for Meetings (Administration)
For the City Council to continue to have the option to meet via teleconference during the pandemic, AB 361 requires the City Council make specific findings at least every thirty (30) days.
The following findings were made by a majority vote of the City Council:
1. A state of emergency has been proclaimed by California’s Governor due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to be in effect; and,
2. The City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency; and,
3. State and local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
C. 2023 Budget Calendar ( Finance)
This report sought to establish the 2023 budget calendar.
The City Council approved the recommended budget calendar for 2023.
D. Tobacco Grant Award (Police)
The Office of the Attorney General established the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program in 2017 to provide annual funds to local enforcement agencies throughout California. To date, the Tobacco Grant Program has distributed approximately $ 170 million in grant funding.
Grant funding supports local law enforcement efforts to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors through education and enforcement as appropriate. For the 2022-2023 grant cycle, the Department of Justice has awarded the City of Los Alamitos Police Department $ 436,361. This funding will be used to support Los Alamitos Police Offices working to address the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors.
The City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 2023-03 entitled " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF Los Alamitos, California,
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $436,361 FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM"; and,
2. Authorized the City Manager to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding for the Tobacco Grant Program ( DOJ-PROP56-2022- 23-1-020) with the California Department of Justice.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
January 23, 2023
11. DISCUSSION ITEM
A. Continuation of the Automated License Plate Reader Program Police)
The City of Los Alamitos has seen a significant increase in property crimes including catalytic converters and auto thefts. As a result, the Los Alamitos Police Department began looking at ways to improve its technology-based investigative capabilities utilizing Automated License Plate Readers ALPR). On August 16, 2021, the Los Alamitos City Council approved a one-year pilot program of twelve ALPR's that were installed at various entry and exit points in the city. The license plate data captured by the ALPR's has proven to be an invaluable investigative tool, helping our Detective Bureau identify suspect vehicles and stolen vehicles, resulting in an increase in arrests and solved crimes.
Captain Byerley summarized the staff report.
City Council and Staff discussed the benefits of the program and clarified the original contract amount was for $30,000 with an additional $3,600 for extended data retention.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Nefulda
Unanimously Carried: The City Council:
1. Approved the continuation of the Automated License Plate Reader Program; and,
2. Authorized the Mayor to enter into the Additional Services Agreement for Extended Data Retention for an additional amount of $3,600.00 per year.
B. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2023 Regional Conference and General Assembly (Administration)
The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) Regional Conference and General Assembly will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, CA on May 4-5, 2023. Each year, SCAG’s member cities select a Delegate and/or Alternate to represent their City and participate at the conference.
City Clerk Quintanar summarized the Staff report.
Mayor Doby and Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda expressed an interest in attending.
Motion/Second: Doby/Murphy
Unanimously Carried: The City Council:
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
January 23, 2023
1. Appointed Mayor Tanya Doby to attend and serve as the City’s Voting Delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments SCAG) General Assembly; and,
2. Appointed Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda to attend and serve as the City’s Alternate Voting Delegate in the event of the Voting Delegate’s absence.
12. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Comprehensive Update of the City’s Housing Element for the Reporting Period of 2021-2029 ( GPA 21-01) and General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22-02 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 22-03 Development Services)
The City Council will consider the revised draft of the comprehensive update of the City’s Housing Element for the reporting period of 2021 - 2029 ( GPA 21-01). Upon adoption of the Housing Element, the City Council will consider a resolution and an ordinance for 1) the creation of a higher-density R-4 Zoning District in Los Alamitos; 2) rezoning certain properties to the new R-4 District; and 3) modifying the Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU) Zoning District to allow higher density. These changes would be implemented to comply with the newly adopted Housing Element and would be made through General Plan Amendment (GPA) 22 -02 and Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 22-03.
City Attorney Daudt reiterated this item was being continued and advised Council since the item was noticed as a Public Hearing, it would be prudent to take public comment.
Mayor Doby opened the Public Hearing for public comment. There was no one present wishing to speak. Mayor Doby closed the Public Hearing for public comment.
Motion/Second: Murphy/Hibard
Unanimously Carried: The City Council continued the Public Hearing to February 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Tanya Doby, Mayor
Attest:
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3AC2DB7D- 62EB-47D9- 8700-D974E68FE9CF