City Council/SA/HA – 09/06/2023 – 5pm
1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SA/HA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY, SUITE B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
SEPTEMBER 6, 2023
www.cityofpalmdale.org
1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
*Note: All City Council memberships are reflected in their City Council titles.
2) ROLL CALL MAYOR BETTENCOURT, MAYOR PRO TEM ALARCÓN,
COUNCILMEMBERS BISHOP, LOA, OHLSEN COMMISSIONERS FRAGA-
SAENZ, BETTS
PRESENT: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa, Christina Fraga -Saenz, Dianne Betts.
ABSENT: None.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
4) PRESENTATIONS
4. 1) Mayor Bettencourt presented a Proclamation to Jacqueline Fontana, You Are Enough Foundation, declaring September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in the City of Palmdale.
4. 2) Mayor Bettencourt presented Certificates of Recognition to the Quartz Hill Fury girls ’ soccer team for winning the 11U Girls Extra championship at the 2023 AYSO National Games.
4. 3) Mayor Bettencourt, Congressman Garcia’s Office, Assemblyman Lackey’s Office, Assemblyman Carrillo’s Office, and Kathryn Barger’s Office made presentations to Mike Miller in honor of his retirement from the City of Palmdale.
5) WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTION(S) and ORDINANCE(S)
Motion: Move to waive full reading of the Resolution (s) and/or Ordinance(s) to be considered and voted on at this meeting.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
City Council/SA/HA – 09/06/2023 – 5pm
2 Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencou rt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J.
Loa.
6) PUBLIC COMMENT RULES
7) PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
Mayor Bettencourt closed the Public Comments.
8) HOUSING CONSENT CALENDAR
8. 1) Approval of the Housing Authority of The City of Palmdale's Annual Report prepared and submitted per the Health and Safety Code Section 34328 and 34328.1 and authorize the Executive Director or their designee to submit the report to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Management Analyst II Bartlett provided a brief overview of the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón commended staff for their hard work.
Motion: Approve all items as listed on the Housing Authority Consent Calendar Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Christina Fraga -Saenz.
Vote: Motion carried (7-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa, Christina Fraga -Saenz, Dianne Betts.
9) CONSENT CALENDAR
9.1) Receive and file the Monthly Investment Activity Reports for July 2023.
9.2) Approval of the City Council's Discretionary Funds Policy and Procedures.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón pulled this item for discussion.
City Council Chief of Staff Zayas presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued regarding a dedicated email address for funding requests, utilization of funds by Councilmembers to support community events, and flexibility in using the discretionary funds. City Manager Perez and Interim City Attorney Curley provided clarification on the use of discretionary funds.
There was Council consensus to bring this item back at a later date.
City Council/SA/HA – 09/06/2023 – 5pm
3 9.3) Approve Third Amendment with Universal Electronic Alarms, Inc. to increase contract price by $90,000 in an amount not to exceed $190 ,000, for the remainder of the term through June 2024.
9.4) Approve Second Amendment with NBS Government Finance Group to increase the total amount of the agreement by $78,000 for an amount not to exceed $208,000 and extend the agreement through March 2025.
9.5) Approve Lease Agreement with the American Legion, Post 348, for a City- owned building located at 1002 East Avenue Q -12, Palmdale, CA 93550.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón pulled this item for discussion.
Economic and Community Development Director Garibay provi ded a brief overview of the item.
Ralph Velador, Vice Commander of the Palmdale American Legion Post 348, spoke regarding the organization and the services provided to the community.
Councilmember Loa requested that City Manager Perez and Economic and Community Development Garibay find a location for the American Legion to occupy until they take up residence at 1002 East Avenue Q -12.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón requested an amendment to Paragraph 4 regarding the lease rate. Discussion ensued.
Motion: Approve Lease Agreement with the American Legion, Post 348, for a City-owned building located at 1002 East Avenue Q -12, Palmdale, CA 93550 with amendment to lease rate.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
9.6) Approve Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice (EPIC) 2022 Power Content Label and Attestation.
Public Works
Motion: Approve all items as listed on the Consent Calendar exce pt Items 9.2 and
9.5. Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J.
Loa.
City Council/SA/HA – 09/06/2023 – 5pm
4 10) PUBLIC HEARING
10.1) Public Hearing to receive feedback on the Draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Fiscal Year 2022 -2023; review and approve the 2022 -2023 CAPER; and authorize the City Manager or their designee to make necessary changes and submit the CAPER report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by September 28, 2023 in compliance with HUD Regulations
Management Analyst II Bartlett presented the staff report.
There were Council questions regarding the services for the unhoused, use and carryover of unused funds, and public outreach. Neighborhood Services Director Reyes provided clarification on the available programs and the allocation of grant funds.
Public Comment: Jason Zink spoke regarding the support of seniors and disabled veterans.
Mayor Bettencourt closed the Public Comments.
Motion: Approve the findings as listed on the staff report.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.1) Presentation on Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Homeless Count.
Heather Varden, Community Relations Coordinator of LAHSA, provided a detailed PowerPoint on the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Discussion ensued regarding the homeless count for Palmdale, response time for the Los Angeles County Homeless Outreach Portal, outreach to the unhoused in remote areas, migration study and funding of communities, mental health and safety, and a domestic violence shelter.
Council thanked Ms. Varden for her service.
City Council/SA/HA – 09/06/2023 – 5pm
5 12) NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public comments: Todd Davis, Toys for Tots, thanked Council for locating a facility for their organization; Bryant Kline updated Council regarding the Amazon strike; Breela spoke in support of Toys for Tots; Pastor Duncan commented in support of Toys for Tots and the unhoused; Gigi Speaks encouraged individuals to attend Gracefest and spoke regarding outreach to the homeless; Selina Baraza, Palmdale Food Park, commented in support of food truck vendors; Luis Navarro, Trinity Harvest Food Bank, spoke regarding recognition of Hisp anic Heritage Month; Jason Zink commented regarding digital signs, City website, and the creation of a HUD district in the Antelope Valley; citizen (no name provided) spoke regarding the rotational mayor; Marsha commented regarding the unhoused, outreach p rograms, human trafficking, and safety; Marcos Alavarez, Roger Soderstedt, and citizen (no name provided) spoke regarding the unhoused and providing a solution; citizen (no name provided) spoke regarding the unhoused and providing solutions, and the City's code of conduct for Councilmembers; and Jesus Gutierrez commented regarding corporations paying reasonable wages.
13) INFORMATIONAL REPORT FROM MAYOR AND / OR COUNCILMEMBERS ON
THEIR VARIOUS COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS AND MEETINGS ATTENDED AT
PUBLIC EXPENSE
13. 1) Council Reports on Committee Memberships and Meetings Attended at Public Expense.
Council reports were posted with the agenda.
14) CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR NEW AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón reported the following: Metrolink announced they will increase the service lines in the Antelope Valley in October starting as early as 4:00 am and returning as late as 11 pm; stated September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and requested a formal pro clamation to commemorate; and announced that she would be hosting an event at a local salon donating ten inches of her hair to Locks of Love.
Mayor Bettencourt expressed the importance of cancer patients having hair and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón for donating her hair to Locks of Love.
15) CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perez reported on the following: 9th Annual Generations Art Contest; Palmdale Partners Academy; Gracefest to be held on September 8th and 9th; Kiwanis Duck Race to be held on September 8th @ Dry Town; Fallen Heroes Memorial Remembrance Ceremony to be held at the mall on Monday September 11th @ 9am; AV Fair and Alfalfa Festival to be held September 22nd through October 1st; Movie Nights at the Amphitheatre for Halloween; the City received the Earl F Sayre Excellence in Safety Award; and grand openings of Xevichez , Handel’s , Farmer's Insurance, Hair by Mariam, and Jersey Mike Subs.
City
Council
/
SA
/
HA
-
09 /
06 /
2023
-
5 pm
16 )
PRESENTATION
BY
CITY
ATTORNEY
Interim
City
Attorney
Curley
confirmed
the
Closed
Session
items
.
16.1 )
CONFERENCE
WITH
REAL
PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS
Property
:
Vacant
land
located
at
the
Northeast
quadrant
of
the
Antelope
Valley
(
State
Route
14 )
Freeway
and
West
Palmdale
Boulevard
(
APN
3008
-
041
-
001
,
002
,
003
,
004
,
005
,
007
,
008
,
009
,
010
)
.
City
Negotiator
:
Ronda
Perez
,
City
Manager
and
Michael
Miller
,
Assistant
City
Manager
Negotiating
Parties
:
Royal
and
Aframian
,
LLC
;
Royal
Investors
Group
,
LLC
;
26 Maple
,
LLC
;
JAZ
Investment
Corporation
;
and
K
Land
Associates
.
Linder
Negotiation
:
Price
and
terms
of
payment
162
)
CONFERENCE
WITH
REAL
PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS
Property
Address
:
Vacant
land
VIC
of
Avenue
O
and
Sierra
Highway
(
APN
3006
-
003
-
036
;
3006
-
003
-
036
;
3006
-
003
-
040
;
3006
-
003
-
044
)
City
Negotiator
:
Luis
Garibay
,
Director
of
Economic
&
Community
Development
Negotiating
parties
:
Sierra
Gateway
Resolution
,
LLC
Linder
negotiation
:
Price
and
terms
17 )
ANNOUNCEMENT
BY
CITY
ATTORNEY
Closed
Session
was
held
from
8 :
14 pm
-
8 :
58 pm
Interim
City
Attorney
announced
there
were
two
properly
agendized
items
,
the
Council
was
updated
,
provided
direction
to
staff
,
and
there
was
no
reportable
action
.
Mayor
Bettencourt
announced
that
the
State
of
the
City
would
be
held
on
September
13 ,
2023
at
11 am
,
and
tickets
are
available
for
purchase
.
18 )
ADJOURN
Mayor
Bettencourt
adjourned
the
meeting
at
9 :
00 pm
to
October
4 ,
2023
at
5 :
00 pm
in
the
City
Hall
Council
Chamber
located
at
38300
Sierra
Highway
,
Suite
B
,
Palmdale
,
California
.
PASSED
,
APPROVED
,
and
ADOPTED
this
4 th
day
of
October
2023
.
QL
\
rVik
5 P
t
Laura
Bettencourt
,
Mayor
ATTEST
?
/
£
Rochelle
Scott
,
Acting
City
Clerk
6