MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
SPECIAL MEETING
March 23, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in Special Session at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2026, in the Council Chamber located at 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720, Mayor Doby presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members: Hasselbrink, Hibard, Loe
Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda, Mayor Doby
Absent: Council Members: None
Present: Staff: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Barbara Biscocho, Finance Manager
Michael Claborn, Chief of Police
Kyle Kain, Captain Orange County Fire Authority
Michael S. Daudt, City Attorney
Craig Koehler, Finance Director
Ron Noda, Assistant City Manager/Dev. Services Director Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk/Director of Communications Chelsi Wilson, Administrative Services Manager
3. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Daudt read the items aloud.
RECESS
The City Council recessed into Closed Session at 5:31 p.m.
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: Police Officers Association
Employees Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
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C. Conference with Labor Negotiator
City Negotiator: Chet Simmons, City Manager
Employee Organization: Executive Management, Non-Represented Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
D. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Title: City Manager
Authority: Government Code Section 54957
E. Conference with Labor Negotiator
City Negotiator: Michael S. Daudt, City Attorney
Employee: City Manager
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
RECONVENE
The City Council reconvened in Special Session at 6:09 p.m.
City Attorney Daudt stated there was no reportable action.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Hasselbrink led the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. INVOCATION
Council Member Hibard gave the Invocation.
6. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Doby presented the listed recognitions.
A. Recognition of Evo Studio's for Being Featured as the February 2026 Mayor's Business Spotlight
B. Recognition of Max Muscle for Being Featured as the March 2026 Mayor's Business Spotlight
C. Presentation of a Proclamation to the Finance Department in Recognition of Government Finance Professionals Week
D. Presentation by Townsend Public Affairs Providing an Update on City Grants and Federal Funding
City Manager Simmons introduced the item. Anastasia Heaton, Senior Associate, gave a PowerPoint presentation. Assistant City Manager Noda summarized the process in Los Alamitos.
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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 Doby opened Oral Communications. There being no one present wishing to speak, Mayor Doby closed 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 Doby spoke regarding social media resharing of information, interest in a Business Watch Program, and requested information be pushed out to the community regarding the storm drains and catch basin program.
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 to provide direction to Staff to place an item on a future agenda.
Chief Claborn provided an update on the Police Department Bicycle Unit.
Recreation and Community Services Director Noda spoke regarding the upcoming Weekend of Art and Spring Carnival events.
Assistant City Manager Noda spoke regarding Paws for the Planet and provided an update on the City-wide Sign Replacement Project.
10. WARRANTS
A. Warrants (Finance)
The attached Warrant Register contains checks and electronic funds transfers for the period from January 27, 2026, to February 28, 2026.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Nefulda
Unanimously Carried: The City Council ratified the Warrants from January 27, 2026, to February 28, 2026, for $2,882,020.76.
Roll Call
Mayor Doby
Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda
Council Member Hasselbrink
Council Member Hibard
Council Member Loe
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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 pulled item 11B and 11E.
Motion/Second: Hibard/Nefulda
Unanimously Carried: The City Council approved the following Consent Calendar.
A. Approval of Minutes (Administration)
Approved the City Council Adjourned Regular Minutes of
February 9, 2026.
C. Mid-Year General Fund Budget Review and Financial Update for Fiscal Year 2025-26 (Finance)
This report provides the City Council with a review of the Mid-Year General Fund budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 and a projection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
The City Council received and filed the Mid-Year General Fund budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-26, projection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and approve the additional appropriations of $650,000 to the SelfInsurance (Fund 54).
D. Approve the Auction of City Vehicles and Equipment (Development Services)
This item recommended authorizing the auction of surplus vehicles and equipment that are no longer operable or cost-effective to repair.
The City Council authorized the listed vehicles and equipment to be declared surplus and approve their auction and disposal in accordance with Resolution No. 2025-26, Fleet Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Policy.
F. Approve Agreement with the County of Orange for Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE) (Development Services) City Staff requested City Council approval of the Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE) Agreement with the County of Orange for municipal solid waste disposal services and rates. Under the WISE Agreement, participating cities and districts receive priority access to County landfills, a disposal rate of at least 10% below the public rate (and no higher than the waste importation rate), and a share of revenue from the County’s waste importation agreements, in exchange for directing all non-recycled waste collected by franchise haulers to County landfills.
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The City Council authorized the City Manager to execute the WISE Agreement with the County of Orange for municipal solid waste disposal rates and services, with any minor modifications as necessary, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
G. Notice of Completion (NOC) for Labourdette Park Project (CIP 24/25- 02) (Development Services)
This item recommended the City Council accept the Labourdette Park Project (CIP 24/25-02) located at 4401 Howard Avenue, as complete.
The City Council:
1. Approved the City Engineer's Notice of Completion (NOC) for the Labourdette Park Project (CIP 24/25-02) as completed by Marjani Builders, Inc.; and,
2. Authorized the City Clerk to record the Notice of Completion with the Orange County Recorder's Office; and,
3. Authorized City Staff to release the Project retention to Marjani Builders, Inc. in the amount of $37,727.36, up to thirty-five (35) days after recording of the Notice of Completion.
H. Professional Services Agreement with Bordin Semmer LLP (Administration)
The purpose of this report was to seek approval for a Professional Services Agreement with Bordin Semmer LLP to provide on-call and asneeded legal defense services to the City.
The City Council authorized the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Bordin Semmer LLP to represent the City in connection with future defense lawsuits.
End of Consent Calendar
Items Pulled from Consent Calendar
Motion/Second: Hibard/Nefulda
Unanimously Carried: the City Council approved items 11B and 11E.
B. Considerations Regarding SB 707: Brown Act Modernization (Administration)
Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), signed into law in October 2025 and effective July 1, 2026, represents a substantial modernization of the Ralph M.
Brown Act. The legislation introduces new requirements aimed at Docusign Envelope ID: 1F9F4BC5-E85F-8EE4-83C9-19A5988366D7 City Council Special Agenda
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enhancing public access, transparency, and accessibility to local government meetings. As a result, the City will be required to implement several operational and procedural changes to ensure full compliance with the updated law.
City Manager Simmons introduced the item. City Clerk Quintanar provided an overview.
The City Council:
1. Directed staff to move forward with a two-way audiovisual platform and bring forward a Disruption Policy for adoption in compliance with SB 707; and,
2. Directed staff to place a community posting board at City Hall and bring forward a Community Posting Policy for adoption; and,
3. Directed Staff to collaborate with local community organizations to identify and implement strategies that encourage greater participation from underrepresented groups in City Council meetings.
E. Approval of Plans and Specifications — Authorization to Bid for 100KW Emergency Generator Project (CIP 24/25-13) (Development Services)
This item facilitates soliciting bids for purchase and installation of a new portable 100KW emergency generator (CIP 24/25-13).
City Council and Staff discussed the specifications of the generator and the history of outages.
The City Council:
1. Approved the plans and specifications bid for the 100KW Emergency Generator Project (CIP 24/25-13); and,
2. Authorized City Staff to advertise and solicit bid proposals for the Project (CIP 24/25-13).
12. ORDINANCE
A. Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-02 - Adding Chapter 9.28 to Title 9 of the Los Alamitos Municipal Code Relating to the Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products (Administration)
Consideration of a proposed ordinance to restrict the sale, distribution, and advertisement for sale of products containing any part of the leaf of Docusign Envelope ID: 1F9F4BC5-E85F-8EE4-83C9-19A5988366D7 City Council Special Agenda
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the plant Mitragyna speciosa (more commonly known as the kratom plant), including a ban on products with a level of 7-hydroxymitragynine that is greater than 2 percent of the total alkaloids in the product. The purpose of the ordinance is to protect the public health and welfare against the sale and distribution of products which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified as having opioid-like characteristics, and which pose a threat to the public health and safety.
City Attorney Daudt provided summarized the Staff report.
Motion/Second: Hasselbrink/Hibard
Unanimously Carried: The City Council:
1. Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 2026-02; and,
2. City Attorney Daudt to read the title of Ordinance No. 2026-02, entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 9.28 TO
TITLE 9 OF THE LOS ALAMITOS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM PRODUCTS”.
13. 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 visiting Rossmoor Highland residents and the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Council Member Loe spoke regarding support for the Police Department, participation in a ride-along with Officer Perez, and attendance at the Orange County recycling event.
Council Member Hasselbrink spoke regarding attendance at the Cal Cities Orange County Board meeting, Cal Cities Small Cities Committee, Orange County Fire Authority Board meeting and Executive Committee meeting, Los Alamitos Community Foundation Board meeting, Budget Standing Committee meeting, Airport Land Use Commission Board meeting, Los Alamitos Education Foundation Night Out, Precious Life Shelter Gala, and Americana Awards. She requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Dave and Diana Appling.
Mayor Pro Tem Nefulda spoke regarding attendance at the Orange County Sanitation District Board meeting.
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Mayor Doby spoke regarding attendance at the Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC) Executive Board meeting, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District Board meeting, Mayors Roundtable with Tri Ta, Orange County Council of Governments Board meeting, Race on the Base, Los Alamitos Education Foundation Night Out, filming of the inaugural Mayor’s Minute, Southern California’s Association of Governments (SCAG) Policy Committee meeting, ACC-OC Legislative trip, Cal Cities Division meeting, SCAG legislative trip, and Americana Awards.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 7:14 p.m. in memory of Dave and Diana Appling.
Tanya Doby, Mayor
Attest:
Windmera Quintanar, MMC, City Clerk
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