MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, April 15, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in Regular Session at 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 15, 2024, in the Council Chamber located at 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720, Mayor Nefulda presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members: Doby, Hibard, Murphy
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink, Mayor Nefulda
Absent: Council Members: None
Present: Staff: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Michael Claborn, Chief of Police
Craig Covey, OCFA Division Chief
Michael Daudt, City Attorney
Eleanor Granflor, Deputy City Clerk
Craig Koehler, Finance Director
Matthew Lightener, Management Analyst
Emeline Noda, Recreation and Community Services Director Ron Noda, Development Services Director
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
Jennifer Sisoev, Recreation Manager
Chelsi Wilson, Administrative Services Manager
3. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Daudt read the items aloud.
A. Conference with Labor Negotiator
City Negotiator: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Employee Organization: Teamsters Local 911
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
B. Conference with Labor Negotiator
City Negotiator: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Employee Organization: Executive Management, Non-Represented Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
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C. Conference with Labor Negotiator
City Negotiator: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Employee Organization: Police Officers Association
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
RECESS
The City Council recessed into Closed Session at 5:00 p.m.
RECONVENE
The City Council reconvened in Regular Session at 6:00 p.m.
City Attorney Daudt stated there was no reportable action.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Hibard led the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. INVOCATION
Council Member Murphy gave the Invocation.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Oath of Office for Los Alamitos Police Officer Lissette Sanchez Chief Claborn gave the Oath of Office to Officer Sanchez. Officer Sanchez spoke briefly.
B. Presentation to Council Member Doby in Recognition of Being Honored as Assembly District 70’s Woman of the Year
Michelle Schuletz, Field Representative for Assembly Member Tri Ta, presented a Commendation to Council Member Doby.
C. Presentation of a Certificate to Marina Mitri, owner of Marina Skin Care, in Recognition of Being Featured in the Mayor's Business Spotlight
Mayor Nefulda presented a Certificate to Ms. Mitri. Ms. Mitri spoke briefly.
D. Presentation of Proclamation to Orange County Fire Authority and West- Comm Dispatchers in Recognition of National
Telecommunicators Week
Mayor Nefulda presented a Proclamation to Orange County Fire Authority and West Cities Communications Center. Representatives spoke briefly.
E. Presentation by John Kennedy, General Manager, of Orange County Water District
Mr. Kennedy gave a PowerPoint presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
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7. 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 the meeting for Oral Communications. There being no one present wishing to speak, Mayor Nefulda closed the meeting for Oral Communications.
8. 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 spoke regarding the upcoming Senior Prom.
9. 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.
Development Services Director Noda spoke regarding Arbor Day Celebration, Neighborhood Clean Up Event, Party on Pine, and the ongoing Revive Program.
Chief Claborn spoke regarding the Police Department’s successful arrest regarding a fraud and elder abuse investigation. City Manager Simmons spoke regarding using this instance as an educational campaign for our senior citizens.
City Manager Simmons spoke regarding the Mayor and City Manager’s Roundtable with Congresswoman Michelle Steele and collaboration with Los Angeles County cities regarding the upcoming partnership with the Joint Forces Training Base and possible Emergency Operations Center.
10. WARRANTS
A. Warrants (Finance)
The attached Warrant Register contains checks and electronic funds transfers for the period from March 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024.
Council and Staff discussed the accelerated warrant policy, the amount of resources required to research requests, and the ongoing efforts to digitize the City’s work flows and records management.
Motion/Second: Doby/Hibard
Unanimously Carried: The City Council ratified the Warrants from March 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024, for $4,197,696.06
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ROLL CALL
Mayor Nefulda Aye
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink Aye
Council Member Doby Aye
Council Member Hibard Aye
Council Member Murphy Aye
11. 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 Hibard requested a summary of all items. City Manager Simmons provided summaries.
Motion/Second: Doby/Hasselbrink
Carried 3/2 (Hibard and Murphy voted no): The City Council approved the following Consent Calendar items:
A. Approval of Minutes (Administration)
Approved the City Council Regular minutes of March 18, 2024.
City Manager Simmons summarized the minutes.
B. Approval of the Request for Proposals (RFP) 2024-02 and Authorization to Bid for Laurel Park Tennis Court Fence Replacement Project (Development Services)
This item facilitated the solicitation of bids to provide services for the installation and/or replacement of an existing chain link fence at the Laurel Park Tennis Courts.
City Manager Simmons stated the RFP allows for the replacement of the chain link fence at Laurel Park
The City Council:
1. Approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) 2024-02 for the installation and/or replacement of an existing chain link fence at the Laurel Park Tennis Courts Project; and,
2. Authorized staff to advertise and solicit bid proposals.
C. Approval of the Request for Proposals (RFP) 2024-03 and Authorization to Bid for Laurel Park Tennis Court Resurfacing Project (Development Services)
This item facilitated the solicitation of bids to provide services for the resurfacing of the Laurel Park Tennis Courts.
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City Manager Simmons stated the RFP allows for resurfacing of the Laurel Park Tennis Courts including the transition of one tennis court into two pickle ball courts.
The City Council:
1. Approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) 2024-03 for the Laurel Park Tennis Court Resurfacing Project; and,
2. Authorized staff to advertise and solicit bid proposals.
D. Approval of Request for Bids and Authorization to Bid for Los Alamitos Police Department Vehicle Canopy Project for FY 2023-2024 (CIP No. 23/24-07) (Development Services)
This item facilitated the solicitation of bids to provide services for the furnishing and installation of the vehicle canopy for the Los Alamitos Police Department patrol vehicles.
City Manager Simmons stated this item was for the installation of shade covering for the Police Department parking lot where the City houses the Police and canine vehicle. The included plan specifications meet California building standards.
The City Council:
1. Approved the Request for Bids for the Los Alamitos Police Department Vehicle Canopy Project (CIP No. 23/24-07); and,
2. Authorized staff to advertise and solicit bid proposals.
E. Community Center Renovation Project (Development Services) The roof of the Community Center building incurred significant damage from storms at the beginning of 2023. At the March 2023 Council meeting, $500,000 was appropriated, with an additional $1,290,952 appropriated at the October 2023 meeting for a total of $1,790,952 to repair damages caused by the storm. During the planning process for this project, a number of building issues were identified, and repair recommendations were made.
This item recommended action to facilitate the renovation of the Community Center.
City Manager Simmons stated Community Center 1 and 2 are under construction with the assistance of grant funding. The project is anticipated to be complete by summer. Essentially the City would be receiving to completely remodeled buildings for $250,000.
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The City Council:
1. Appropriated $1,147,610 from General Fund for the Community Center Rehabilitation Project; and,
2. Authorized the City Manager to execute a construction contract with the KYA Group for the Community Center Rehabilitation Project, in a form approved by the City Attorney, in the amount not to exceed $1,377,132.
F. Considerations for the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election (Administration)
The City of Los Alamitos General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. It is the City's policy to consolidate the local election with the County of Orange. Council Member seats for Districts 1, 2, and 3 will be up for election this year. As one of the City's recommended goals for 2024, the Budget Standing Committee considered including a charter amendment on the November 5, 2024 ballot at it’s February 12, 2024 Special meeting and recommended approval by City Council. A Request for Proposals was released on March 28, 2024 soliciting bids for Ballot Measure Polling & Outreach Consultant Services.
Cit Manager Simmons stated this item was in consideration of a potential charter amendment. He briefly explained the process and advised this was the first step in the information gathering process.
The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a Consulting Services Agreement for Ballot Measure Polling & Outreach Consultant Services in a form approved by the City Attorney.
12. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
A. Council Member Requested Agenda Item: Council Member Compensation and Reimbursement (Administration)
During the January 16, 2024, regular meeting, Council Member Murphy raised concerns regarding City Council salary/compensation and reimbursement for Council Member expenses. This informational staff report has been prepared in response to Council Member Murphy’s request and is the first step in the two-step process for placing items on the Agenda for consideration by the Council.
City Attorney Daudt summarized the Staff report.
In accordance with the City Council’s adopted Agenda Policy, this informational staff report did not request action, but sought Council’s direction. Council may receive the report without further action. If further DocuSign Envelope ID: DA345CB1-ADF0-4B32-8BBC-3A2811E0819A City Council Regular Minutes
April 15, 2024
discussion and action is desired, by a majority vote of the City Council Members present, staff may be directed to place this item on a future Agenda for consideration.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Hibard
Unanimously Carried: The City Council received and filed the report.
13. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Ordinance 2024-01 – Noise Standard Exemptions Associated with Construction and Property Maintenance Activities (Development Services)
Consideration of a draft Ordinance concerning noise standard exemptions associated with construction and property maintenance activities.
Development Services Director Noda summarized the Staff report.
Mayor Nefulda opened the Public Hearing for comments. There being no one present wishing to speak, Mayor Nefulda closed the Public Hearing for comments.
City Council and staff discussed the following:
Concern regarding the level on enforcement during non-permitted hours
Clarification between construction and maintenance was previously lacking and has now been added
Support for an 8 a.m. start on Saturday
Construction that falls outside of Code Enforcement’s normal operating hours can be difficult to enforce
Community encouraged to report noise complaints to the nonemergency Police line and/or the MyLosAl app Goal to provide an education campaign regarding noise standards to the community
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Doby
Unanimously Carried: The City Council:
1. Opened the Public Hearing; and,
2. Introduced for first reading, read by title only, waive further reading of Ordinance No. 2024-01, and set for adoption; and,
3. City Attorney Daudt read the title of Ordinance No. 2024-01 entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS
ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING
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SECTION 17.20.020 OF THE LOS ALAMITOS MUNICIPAL CODE
CONCERNING NOISE STANDARD EXEMPTIONS ASSOCIATED
WITH CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
ACTIVITIES (ZOA 23-05) (CITY INITIATED) with the modification of 8:00 a.m. start time on Saturday for all types of noise.
14. 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 Nefulda spoke regarding attendance at the Race on the Base and reminded the public UCI Health has taken over Los Alamitos Medical Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink spoke regarding attendance at the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors and Budget and Finance Committee meetings, Senior Advisory Committee, Los Alamitos Community Foundation upcoming 4th of July Fireworks, District Jazz Festival, and Senator Nguyen’s Women of Distinction honoring Anna Billick and Council Member Doby.
Council Member Murphy spoke regarding attendance at Rotary Club, Youth Center’s Casino Fiesta, California Parks and Recreation Society District 10 Awards Banquet, Spring Carnival, UCI Health Grand Opening, VIP Recognition, and Chamber Lunch. She requested a presentation regarding Alzheimer’s from UCI be done at the June Council meeting. Council Member Hibard seconded her request.
Council Member Murphy thanked staff for painting the discolored wall in College Park Neighborhood.
Council Member Hibard spoke regarding attendance at the Race on the Base, Chamber Lunch, Seal Beach Speed Networking Chamber event, and going door to door in her neighborhood and provided her number.
Council Member Doby spoke regarding attendance at the Association of California Cities, Orange County (ACC-OC) Board of Directors meeting and Mayoral Roundtable, meeting with UCI regarding the Senior Master Plan, League of California Cities Polic Committee meetings, Youth Center’s Casino Fiesta, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Operations Center, Spring Carnival, Good Morning Los Alamitos breakfast, Orange County Council of Governments Annual Conference, UCI Health Grand Opening, ACC-OC Sacramento Advocacy Conference, and the Chamber Lunch.
Mayor Nefulda added he attended the California Parks and Recreation Society District 10 Awards Banquet where he accepted an award on behalf of the City. He stated the service we provide to our community is fantastic.
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April 15, 2024
15. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 8:04 p.m. to Monday, April 29, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Jordan B. Nefulda, Mayor
Attest:
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
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