MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
Monday, September 23, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in Adjourned Regular Session at 6:00 p.m., Monday, September 23, 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
Michael S. Daudt, City Attorney
Craig Koehler, Finance Director
Matthew Lightener, Management Analyst
Orange County Fire Authority
Emeline Noda, Recreation and Community Services Director Ron Noda, Development Services Director
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk/Dir. of Communications Chelsi Wilson, Administrative Services Manager
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Hibard led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. INVOCATION
Mayor Nefulda gave the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation by Senator Janet Nguyen Providing a Legislative Update Senator Nguyen provided a Legislative Update.
B. Presentation of a Proclamation to Malia Cary, Government & Public Affairs Manager of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, in Recognition of Hunger Action Month
Mayor Nefulda presented Ms. Cary with a Proclamation. Ms. Cary spoke briefly.
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C. Presentation by Chief Claborn Honoring the Late Phil McElroy, Retired Reserve Captain
Captain Claborn spoke regarding the life of Mr. McElroy.
D. Presentation of a Certificate to Ginny Ferguson, founder of Watersafe Swim School, in Recognition of Being Featured in the Mayor's Business Spotlight
Mayor Nefulda presented a certificate to Ms. Ferguson. Ms. Ferguson 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.
Teddy Lloyd, a Cerritos resident, spoke regarding the renovation of Laurel Park's tennis courts and stated support for additional pickleball courts.
Barbara McGuire, Precious Life Shelter Board Member, spoke regarding United Health Care's Honoree, Wendy Grose.
“Alaura”, resident, said a prayer for the City.
Ray Joseph, resident, and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commissioner, provided a brief background on himself and requested his name be removed from a police report.
Laura Tanner, Calvary Chapel, said a prayer for the City.
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 spoke regarding the upcoming events Trunk-or-Treat, Los Alamitos Community Center Grand Re-Opening, and Nites on Pine.
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.
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September 23, 2024
Chief Claborn spoke regarding an upcoming update regarding the canine update.
Recreation and Community Services Director Noda recapped the Serve Los Al and Celebrate Los Al events and spoke about the upcoming Elevate Women’s conference.
Development Services Director Noda provided an update regarding the Economic Development Revive program and an overview of ongoing construction projects:
Sterns Park, Labourdette Park, and Soroptimist Park renovation, resurfacing of City streets, Los Alamitos Blvd. striping, Lexington striping, Los Angeles Sanitation, and the Southern California Edison vault project on Los Alamitos Blvd. and Green St.
City Manager Simmons spoke regarding the grant funding of $11 million secured.
Staff collaborated. $2.5 million Janet Nguyen and Tanya Doby, multi $580k Bloomfield, access to school with crosswalks and safe pathways to school, local agencies, 1 million for fire station by MPT Hasselbrink, $5 million to redo Pine Street. SCAG/OCTA $1.9million project V, Council Member Doby. A collaborative effort, receiving funds, tracking, and expanding properly.
9. WARRANTS
A. Warrants (Finance)
The attached Warrant Register contains checks and electronic funds transfers from August 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024.
Council Member Hibard stated concerns regarding the current policies. City Attorney Daudt cautioned the item for Council’s consideration were the submitted warrants.
Council Member Hibard received the following clarification regarding the timeline for Tripepi Smith was at Council’s direction and the Los Alamitos Municipal Code allowed for sole source award of contract for Griffin Structure.
Motion: Hibard
“In an effort to show the residents of Los Alamitos that this Council values financial transparency and accountability, I move to direct staff to electronically deliver any and all financial information and legal invoices, unredacted, to any Member of Council, upon request.”
City Attorney Daudt stated the motion was outside the scope of the item.
For consideration were the warrants. He explained the agenda policy and two-step process to have an item added to the agenda.
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September 23, 2024
Motion/Second: Hibard/Murphy
Carried 3-1-1 (Hasselbrink voted no. Doby abstained): To place an item on the next meeting for discussion regarding Council Member Hibard’s motion. “In an effort to show the residents of Los Alamitos that this Council values financial transparency and accountability, I move to direct staff to electronically deliver any and all financial information and legal invoices, unredacted, to any Member of Council, upon request”.
Council Member Murphy questioned why she could not scan the paper copies herself.
Mayor Nefulda clarified there was not a transparency issue, and the information was available to the public. He pointed out the concern was the use of staff time and the volume of requests being made seeking immediate attention.
City Manager Simmons explained the current effort to modernize the Finance processes.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Doby
Unanimously Carried: The City Council ratified the Warrants from August 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024, for $3,013,555.58.
Roll Call
Mayor Nefulda Aye
Mayor Pro Tem Hasselbrink Aye
Council Member Doby 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: Hibard/Hasselbrink
Unanimously Carried: The City Council approved the following Consent Calendar Items:
A. Approval of Minutes (Administration)
Approved the City Council Regular Minutes of August 19, 2024.
B. Support to Strengthen and Stabilize California’s Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance Market (Recreation)
The insurance market in California is experiencing significant turmoil. Major carriers have stopped issuing new homeowners and commercial property Docusign Envelope ID: 18D1EB28-A5CF-4013-9B9B-5C9AA96636D0 City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
September 23, 2024
insurance policies, reducing coverage options for consumers. This trend is negatively affecting homeowners and business owners throughout Orange County and the State.
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-38, entitled, "A
RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS,
CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE CALIFORNIA INSURANCE
COMMISSIONER, STATE LEGISLATURE, AND THE GOVERNOR TAKE
EMERGENCY ACTION TO STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZE
CALIFORNIA’S MARKETPLACE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE".
C. Notice of Completion (NOC) for the Community Center Divider Wall Replacement Project (RFB No. 22/23-07) (Development Services) Following a competitive bidding process, the City of Los Alamitos hired a contractor to purchase and install a new divider wall for the Community Center Divider Wall Replacement Project (RFB No. 22/23-07). Staff recommended that the Council accept the work as completed and direct filing of the Notice of Completion.
The City Council:
1. Accepted as complete the construction by 3M Construction Corporation for the Community Center Divider Wall Replacement Project (RFB No. 22/23-07); and,
2. Authorized the City Clerk to record the Notice of Completion/Final Report with the County Recorder’s Office.
D. Approval of the Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2025-02 for the Installation/Upgrade of the City’s Access Control System (Development Services)
This item facilitated the solicitation of proposals to provide services for the installation and/or upgrade of an existing access control system for specified City facilities (RFP No. 2025-02).
The City Council:
1. Approved the Request for Proposals (RFP No. 2025-02) for the installation/upgrade of the City’s Access Control System; and,
2. Authorized Staff to advertise and solicit proposals.
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September 23, 2024
E. Approval of the Request for Proposals (RFP) 2025-03 and Authorization to Bid for Citywide Traffic Signal Maintenance Services (Development Services)
This item recommended actions to facilitate soliciting of bids for contractual services for Citywide Traffic Signal Maintenance Services.
The City Council:
1. Approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) 2025-03 for Citywide Traffic Signal Maintenance; and,
2. Authorized Staff to advertise and solicit bid proposals.
F. Approval of Plans and Specifications - Authorization to Bid for Labourdette Park Project (CIP 24/25-02) (Development Services) This item facilitated soliciting bids for the contractual demolition and construction services for the Labourdette Park Project (CIP 24/25-02) at 4401 Howard Avenue.
The City Council:
1. Approved the solicitation for Request for Proposals (RFP) of plans and specifications and authorization to bid for Labourdette Park Project (CIP 24/25-02); and,
2. Authorized Staff to advertise and solicit bid proposals.
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 spoke regarding attendance at the Senior Exposition, Cal Cities Orange County Division Meeting, Kenny Brandyberry’s 86th Birthday Celebration, Casa Youth Shelter’s Texas Holdem Tournament, Celebrate Los Al with the Veterans Recognition, and, the Chamber’s Heros Appreciation. She spoke in support of the Los Al and provided an update regarding the Orange County Fire Authority.
Council Member Murphy spoke regarding attendance at Representative Steel’s Senior of Distinction Ceremony, Casa Youth Shelter’s Texas Holdem Tournament, Women of Character of Award Ceremony, Serve Los Al, Celebrate Los Al with the Veteran Recognition, the Chamber Heros Luncheon, Farm to Table fundraise and the Youth Center’s Crystal Hearts Ball. She questioned why speed humps were removed without Traffic Commission consideration. City Manager Simmons Docusign Envelope ID: 18D1EB28-A5CF-4013-9B9B-5C9AA96636D0 City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes
September 23, 2024
advised a memo could be provided to Council.
Council Member Hibard looked forward to additional details regarding speed humps and thanked her colleagues for their tenure. She spoke regarding attendance at the Chamber’s Heros Lunch, Los Alamitos High School Football game, Welcome Home Ceremony for the 40th Infantry division, Celebrate Los Al with the Veterans Recognition, Las Vegas Themed Food Finders event, and upcoming St. Hedwig’s Autumfest.
Council Member Doby spoke regarding attendance at Congresswomen Steele’s Seniors of Distinction, Orange County Council of Government’s Board meeting, Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC) Executive Board meeting, ACC-OC Falk Emergency Response Training, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Committee meeting, SCAG Legislative Committee, Celebrate Los Al with the Veteran’s Recognition, Working Wardrobes Presentation, ACC-OC Advocacy Trip in Washington, and stated the City had won the Most Supportive Small Cities Award from the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Mayor Nefudla spoke regarding attendance at the Nites on Pine and encouraged the community to attend.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Jordan B. Nefulda, Mayor
Attest:
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
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