NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC – This Agenda contains a brief general description of each item to be considered. Except as provided by law, action or discussion shall not be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda. Supporting documents, including staff reports, are available for review at City Hall in the City Clerk’s Office or on the City’s website at www.cityoflosalamitos.org once the agenda has been publicly posted.
Each matter on the agenda, no matter how described, shall be deemed to include any appropriate motion, whether to adopt a minute motion, resolution, payment of any bill, approval of any matter or action, or any other action. Items listed as “for information” or “for discussion” may also be the subject of an “action” taken by the City Council at the same meeting.
Agenda-related documents provided to a majority of the City Council after distribution of the City Council agenda packet (GC §54957.5) will be made available for public inspection at the meeting. Such documents will also be available at the City Clerk's office, 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Assistive Listening headphones are available and can be checked out from the City Clerk. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (562) 431-3538, ext. 220. Notification at least 42 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II]. Language translation services are available for this meeting by calling the City Clerk’s Office least 42 hours in advance If you are unable to attend this meeting in person, you may submit comments on any agenda item or on any item not on the agenda by email to [email protected] with the subject line “COUNCIL PUBLIC COMMENT”. Comments received by 3:00 p.m. they day of the meeting will be compiled, provided to the City Council, and made available to the public before the start of the meeting. Staff will not read email comments at the meeting. You may also view the meeting live on local cable channel 3.
If, as an attendee, or a participant at this meeting, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 431-3538, extension 220, 48 hours prior to the meeting so that reasonable arrangements may be made.
CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
Council Chamber
3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos CA 90720
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Special MEETING
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – 5:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Mayor Hasselbrink
Mayor Pro Tem Doby
Council Member Hibard
Council Member Loe
Council Member Nefulda
3. 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.
City Council Special Agenda
February 18, 2025
4. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
A. Interviews and Appointments for City Commissions
This report provides relevant information by which the City Council may interview and appoint members to City Commissions.
Recommendation:
1. Interview the following Commission applicants listed in alphabetical order by Commission:
Personnel Appeals Commission
Catherine Manning Donisha Quiller Cathie Salai (incumbent) Melinda Tolmosoff
Planning Commission
Mary Anne Cuilty (incumbent) Shannon Griego Dean Grose
Linda Heichman Donisha Quiller Melinda Tolmosoff
2. Consider Commission Incumbent applications in lieu of an interview; and,
Personnel Appeals Commission
Bruce Murphy (Traffic incumbent) Elvester Richardson (incumbent)
3. Make appointments to City Commissions.
5. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the California Government Code: Los Alamitos Luxury Apartments v. City of Los Alamitos, Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2023- 01309111-CU-BC-CJC.
6. ADJOURNMENT
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing Agenda was posted at the Los Alamitos City Hall, 3191 Katella Ave. and online at www.cityoflosalamitos.org not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
Dated: February 13, 2025
City of Los Alamitos
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: February 18, 2025 ITEM NUMBER: 4A
To: Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink & Members of the City Council Presented By: Eleanor Granflor, Deputy City Clerk
Subject: Interviews and Appointments for City Commissions
SUMMARY
This report provides relevant information by which the City Council may interview and appoint members to City Commissions.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Interview the following Commission applicants listed in alphabetical order by Commission:
Personnel Appeals Commission
Catherine Manning Donisha Quiller Cathie Salai (incumbent) Melinda Tolmosoff Planning Commission
Mary Anne Cuilty (incumbent) Shannon Griego Dean Grose Linda Heichman Donisha Quiller Melinda Tolmosoff
2. Consider Commission Incumbent applications in lieu of an interview; and, Personnel Appeals Commission
Bruce Murphy (Traffic incumbent) Elvester Richardson (incumbent)
3. Make appointments to City Commissions.
BACKGROUND
The Los Alamitos Municipal Code provides for the appointment of residents to City Boards and Commissions. City Council policy has determined interested parties, including incumbents, need to submit an application for consideration by the Council.
Vacancies have occurred on the Personnel Appeals and Planning Commissions. Availability Notices were posted at City facilities, on the City’s website, and on social media sites, inviting residents to apply for these positions.
DISCUSSION
In November 2024, Staff began recruiting for the annual scheduled vacancies on City Commissions. Due to a low number of applications received, the deadline was postponed to January 31, 2025. New applicants and incumbents have been invited to interview this evening
and were provided interview questions in advance. New applicants for Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission were asked if they had an interest in any other Commissions.
Donisha Quiller and Melinda Tolmosoff both advised they are willing to serve on another Commission.
At the January 21, 2025 Regular meeting, Council adopted Ordinance 2025-04 which will reduce the membership of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts, Planning, and Traffic Commissions to five members to be consistent with the makeup of the City Council and Personnel Appeals Commission. This change will be effective March 18, 2025; therefore, staff has recommended only appointing enough applicants to fill five seats.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
(No appointments - Two Applicants)
New applicants include Donisha Quiller and Melinda Tolmosoff.
Two applications have been received both applicants have expressed a desire to be considered for all Commissions. Due to the reduced membership to five members, there are no vacancies for this Commission. Recruitment will begin in November for term ending December 2025.
Personnel Appeals Commission
(Appoint four full terms expiring December 2028 - Six Applicants) Incumbents Elvester Richardson and Cathie Salai have reapplied. Incumbents William Bandak and Chuck Landon did not reapply. New applicants include Catherine Manning, Bruce Murphy (Traffic incumbent), Donisha Quiller, and Melinda Tolmosoff.
Six applications have been received for four positions. Appointees would begin service in March 2024 and serve a full four-year term ending December 2028. Personnel Appeals Commission is the only commission that allows dual service by an applicant.
The City Clerk's office has received notification from incumbents Elvester Richardson and Bruce Murphy that they are unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. They have been asked to submit answers to the interview questions to the City Clerk's office, which the Council may consider in lieu of an interview.
Planning Commission
(Appoint three full terms expiring December 2027 - Six Applicants) Incumbent Mary Anne Cuilty has reapplied. Incumbents Art DeBolt, Wendy Grose, and Davis Zellmer did not reapply. New applicants include Shannon Griego, Dean Grose, Linda Heichman, Donisha Quiller, and Melinda Tolmosoff.
Six applications have been received for three positions. Appointees would begin service in March 2025, with a full three-year term ending December 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
Attachment: 1. Interview Questions Form
2. Commission Applications - Redacted
3. Local Appointments List
February 18, 2025
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR
CITY COMMISSIONS
1. What special traits, characteristics or experience do you bring to Commission?
2. Why do you want to serve on the Commission?
3. What do you think is/are the most significant issue(s) facing the Commission?
4. In your own words, what do you feel is the role of the Commission in Los Alamitos?
5. When considering actions by the Commission, how do you balance the best interest of the entire community against the likes/dislikes of yourself, your friends or your neighbors?
CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
3191 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
LOCAL APPOINTMENTS LIST
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Los Alamitos encourages residents to apply for positions on City Commissions, Boards and Committees. At the end of each year, the City releases a list of expiring appointed terms for the coming year, names of incumbents, and the dates of their appointments. The following is a complete list. Interested residents may contact the Office of the City Clerk for applications and additional information, (562) 431-3538, Ext. 220.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Members of the following Commissions and Boards shall be appointed, and shall be subject to removal, by motion of the City Council adopted by a majority vote.
The members thereof shall be appointed from the qualified electors of the City for a term of three years, none of who shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government and shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. If a member of a Board or Commission is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings of such Board or Commission, unless by permission of such Board or Commission expressed in its official minutes, or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be a qualified elector of the City, his/her office shall become vacant and shall be so declared by the City Council.
Planning Commissioners are designated “code filers” under California Government Code Section 87200.
All other Boards/Commissions are designated “code filers” under the City’s Conflict of Interest Code (COIC).
Financial disclosure must be made periodically on specific forms and become documents of public record.
PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION - This is a seven-member Commission, which meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 3191 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos. It is responsible for advising the City Council in all matters pertaining to public recreation and parks, including problems of development of recreation areas, facilities, programs and services and formulating policies on recreational services, and also programming yearly events within the community that promote fine arts.
Members First Appointed Exp. Date Residential Area District Vacant December 2025
Janet Gallagher April 2022 December 2025 Royal Oak Park 1 Ray Joseph January 2021 December 2025 Apartment Row 1
William Bandak January 2020 December 2026 Apartment Row 1 Morgan Beck January 2021 December 2026 Highlands 5
Elliott Singer February 2024 December 2026 Highlands 5
Richard Wright December 2023 December 2026 Royal Oak Park 1 PERSONNEL APPEALS COMMISSION - This is a five-member Commission is appointed for a four-year term and meets on an as-needed basis. The Personnel Appeals Commission receives and hears appeals on personnel matters.
Members First Appointed Exp. Date Residential Area District William Bandak January 2021 December 2024 Apartment Row 1 Chuck Landon August 2014 December 2024 Greenbrook 2
Elvester Richardson January 2021 December 2024 Old Town West 1 Cathie Salai August 2008 August 2024 Greenbrook 2
Lisa Tekolian December 2022 December 2026 Apartment Row 3
PLANNING COMMISSION - This is a seven-member Commission that meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Los Alamitos Council Chamber, 3191 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos. The Planning Commission is responsible for recommendations and implementation of the City's General Plan and zoning ordinances, as well as review of development proposals.
Members First Appointed Exp. Date Residential Area District Mary Anne Cuilty December 2013 December 2024 Highlands 5 Art DeBolt January 2013 December 2024 Suburbia 3
Wendy Grose January 2010 December 2024 Old Town West 1
Gary Loe January 2010 December 2024 Greenbrook 2
Davis Zellmer February 2022 December 2024 Suburbia 3
Joseph Hastie December 2023 December 2026 Carrier Row 4 Jean Legere December 2023 December 2026 Highlands 5
TRAFFIC COMMISSION - This is a seven-member Commission that meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Los Alamitos Council Chamber, 3191 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos. The Traffic Commission is responsible for reviewing complaints, requests or suggestions concerning traffic safety conditions and making recommendations to the City Council.
Members First Appointed Exp. Date Residential Area District Randall Hill December 2016 December 2025 Highlands 5
Maggie Marchese December 2022 December 2025 Carrier Row 4 Javier Mejia January 2013 December 2025 Apartment Row 2 Bruce Murphy January 2020 December 2025 Old Town West 1 Daniel Patz January 2013 December 2025 Greenbrook 2
Dean Hill January 2021 December 2026 Highlands 5
Joel Rojas December 2023 December 2026 Highlands 5
GC 54972
(2/21/24 eg)