MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in Regular Session at 6:03 p.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in the Council Chamber located at 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720, Mayor Nefulda presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members: Hasselbrink, Hibard, Murphy
Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda, Mayor Doby
Absent: Council Members: None
Present: Staff: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Michael Claborn, Chief of Police
Michael Daudt, City Attorney
Kain Gallaguher, Police Chief
Craig Koehler, Finance Director
Emeline Noda, Recreation and Community Services Director Ron Noda, Development Services Director
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
Jennifer Sisoev, Recreation Manager
Luke South, Captain
Chelsi Wilson, Administrative Services Manager
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nefulda will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink will give the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Belinda Roma, Los Alamitos Police Department, Providing an Update regarding the Volunteer in Policing (VIP) Program
Chief Claborn introduced the item. Ms. Roma gave a presentation.
B. Oath of Office for Los Alamitos Police Officer Renteria Chief Claborn spoke briefly regarding Officer Renteria and swore Officer Renteria into office.
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C. Community Introduction for the Canine Program
Captain South gave an overview of the program and introduced Officer Marc Navarro and canine, Elvis.
D. Presentation of a Certificate to Bernie Martin and David Soto, Starbucks (Katella and Los Alamitos Blvd.), in Recognition of its Partnership with the Los Alamitos Police Department
Mayor Nefulda and the City Council presented a Certificate to Mr. Martin and Mr. Soto. Mr. Martin spoke briefly.
E. Presentation to Craig Koehler, Finance Director, in Recognition of Earning the Government Finance Officer Associations Award of Excellence
Mayor Nefulda and the City Council presented a Certificate to Director Koehler. Director Koehler spoke briefly.
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 Nefulda opened Oral Communications. There being no one present wishing to speak, Mayor Nefulda closed Oral Communications.
7. UPDATES FROM THE MAYOR
At this time, the Mayor may report on items not specifically described on the Agenda that are of interest to the community, provided no action or discussion is taken.
Mayor Nefulda encouraged the community to participate in the upcoming Weekend of Art, March 16-17, and the Race on the Base, April 13.
8. UPDATES FROM THE CITY STAFF
At this time, City Staff 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.
Chief Claborn provided a PowerPoint overview regarding Police staffing.
9. WARRANTS
A. Warrants (Finance)
The attached Warrant Register contains checks and electronic funds transfers for the period from December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
Council Member Murphy indicated she had several questions which she DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E225182-AA14-49AE-92D4-CECDEE68CFD8 City Council Regular Minutes
January 16, 2024
briefly listed.
City Manager Simmons stated there had been a slight misunderstanding and the warrant delivery had been delayed by two days. Staff would provide answers to the questions before the next Council meeting.
Council Member Hibard advised she had not had a chance to review the warrants.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Dony
Carried 3/2: The City Council ratified the Warrants from December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, in the amount of $1,324,048.35.
Roll Call
Mayor Nefulda Aye
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink Aye
Council Member Doby Aye
Council Member Hibard No
Council Member Murphy No, until corrected
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.
Council Member Murphy pulled item 10B.
Council Member Hibard pulled item 10E.
Motion/Second: Hibard/Doby
Unanimously Carried: The City Council approved the following Consent Calendar items:
A. Approval of Minutes (Administration)
The City Council approved the City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2023.
C. Personnel Polices and Procedures Manual Update (Administration) This report sought approval to update the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual ("Manual") to comply with current law, clarify and streamline the language, and make the Manual consistent with City practices.
The City Council adopted Resolution No.2024-01, entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS
ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA, REVISING THE CITY’S PERSONNEL
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL AND REPEALING
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-33".
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D. 2024 Budget Calendar (Finance)
This report sought to establish the 2024 budget calendar.
The City Council approved the recommended budget calendar for 2024.
F. Award of Plans and Specifications for the Bloomfield Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project (CIP No. 22/23-06) (Development Services)
This item recommended the award of a bid to begin the Bloomfield Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project (CIP No. 22/23-06). The City of Los Alamitos proposes to overlay a portion of Bloomfield Street from Katella Avenue to Florista Street. The total project cost is $330,000.
The City Council:
1. Awarded construction for the Bloomfield Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project (CIP No. 22/23-06) for $207,000.00 to Hardy & Harper, Inc.; and,
2. Authorized the Mayor to execute the contract with Hardy & Harper, Inc. for the Bloomfield Neighborhood Street
Rehabilitation Project (CIP No. 22/23-06); and,
3. Authorized the City Engineer to add work and execute change orders in an amount not to exceed the contingency reserve of 10% or $20,700.00.
G. Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Project V:
Community-Based Transit/Circulator Application Resolution (Development Services)
This item recommended the adoption of a Resolution authorizing Staff to submit the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 project application with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-02, entitled “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS
ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY’S (OCTA)
COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSIT/CIRCULATORS PROGRAM (PROJECT
V UNDER MEASURE M2)”.
End of Consent Calendar
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Items Pulled from Consent Calendar
B. City Council Travel Policy (Administration)
This item updates the Travel Policy specific to City Council and Appointed Officials.
Council Member Murphy questioned the legality of this policy with Charter Section 503 and Government Code Section 36516 and Ordinance No. 09-01.
City Attorney Daudt indicated there is a distinction between general law cities and charter cities and that typically compensation and mileage reimbursements are separate; however, would need additional time to provide a thorough legal analysis.
Council Member Murphy indicated she would be voting no.
Council Member Hibard questioned how much was spent on mileage reimbursements in 2023. City Manager Simmons estimated between $800-$1,500.
Council Member Hibard stated concern regarding the lack of Council training and the lack of value being placed on Council networking.
Council Member Murphy requested an itemized review of each Council Member’s expenses. City Manager Simmons advised the Council budget was not tracked by individual Council Member and pulling such information would be labor intensive review of paper invoices. Such a review could be done at the direction of the Council body.
Council Member Hibard asked if a report for the entire Council travel budget could be produced. City Manager Simmons reiterated yes and pointed out expenses would not show individual Council Members.
Motion/Second: Doby/Hasselbrink
Carried 3/2 (Hibard and Murphy voted No): The City Council adopted Revised Administrative Regulation 6.2 - City Council Travel Policy.
E. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Fiscal Year 2021-22 (Finance)
For the City Council to receive and file the fiscal year 2021-2022 audit reports.
Council Member Hibard expressed concerns and the importance of being transparent, lack of Council training, and lack of staff’s response to her DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E225182-AA14-49AE-92D4-CECDEE68CFD8 City Council Regular Minutes
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inquiries.
City Manager Simmons stated staff responds to requests as outlined in Council policies and added the lack of modernization in the Finance Department provides challenges in responding to certain requests. He committed to acknowledging all emails within 24 hours.
Council Member Hibard discussed her concerns the initial document took over a year to be corrected and brought back to staff.
City Manager Simmons stated the City is working towards modernization of records and simply cannot move any faster at this time.
Mayor Nefulda stated he has experienced quick information turnaround from Staff. He clarified City Staff works for the City Manager and questions should be directed to City Manager Simmons.
Finance Director Koehler explained the new auditing firm would review the entire report.
Motion/Second: Doby/Hasselbrink
Carried 3/2 (Hibard voted No. Murphy abstained): The City Council received and filed the annual audit reports for fiscal year 2021-2022, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and award of Financial Reporting Achievement issued by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States (GFOA).
11. 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.
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink thanked staff for the work in the center medians and spoke in support of the canine program.
Council Member Murphy reported attendance at the Chamber Breakfast.
Council Member Hibard wished the community a Happy New Year.
Council Member Doby reported attendance at the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control Board meeting, Orange County Council of Governments Committee meeting, and requested the homeless liaison information be pushed out to business owners.
Mayor Nefulda reported attendance at the Chamber Breakfast and encouraged DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E225182-AA14-49AE-92D4-CECDEE68CFD8 City Council Regular Minutes
January 16, 2024
the community to support local businesses.
12. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Daudt read the item aloud.
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: 4370 Farquhar Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Agency Negotiator: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Joint Forces Training Base and Los Alamitos Youth Baseball
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
RECESS
The City Council recessed into Closed Session at 7:35 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink recused herself for a potential conflict of interest.
RECONVENE
The City Council reconvened in Regular Session at 7:58 p.m.
City Attorney Daudt stated there was no reportable action.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Jordan B. Nefulda, Mayor
Attest:
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
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