CC Minutes – 10/18/2023 – 5pm
1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY, SUITE B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 18, 2023
1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
*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
PRESENT: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
ABSENT: None.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
Councilmember Ohlsen led the pledge of allegiance.
4) PRESENTATION
4.1) Update on Public Works.
Director of Public Works Glidden provided a detailed PowerPoint on the different divisions of the Public Works Department.
There was Council and staff discussion regarding the maintenance of streetlights on Palmdale Blvd. /Highway 138 ; and cost recovery of engineering fees and replacement of streetlight poles from vehicular incidents . There was additional discussion on City fiber deployment; timeframe for reimbursement of damages due to Tropical Storm Hilary; graffiti tracking; tree planting; pol icy for homeless encampment clean up; and adding the street resurfacing list to the city website for the public.
Mayor Bettencourt requested a future presentation from the Graffiti Detective.
Councilmember Ohlsen discussed the Urban Forest Grant, homeless encampments and the assistance provided by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and illegal dumping.
The Council thanked the Public Works Department.
CC Minutes – 10/18/2023 – 5pm
2 Public Comments: Eugene Hernandez discussed an open ditch on Avenue R from Sierra Highway to 20th Street East and EV charging stations, and Roger Soderstedt commented regarding the importance of Public Works.
Mayor Bettencourt closed Public Comments.
Assemblyman Carrillo reported the following: 1) H is plan to provide a future legislative presentation to the City Council and residents to inform them of what his office has been working on and the forecast for the next legislative year; 2) working on an assembly bill related to taking possession of Palmdale Blvd.; 3) updates on their first legislative year, nine bills were submitted to the Governor for review , and six of them were signed. Also, they were successful in bringing $5.5M that was distributed across the entire district from the Antelope Valley to Victorville; and 4) their success in bein g able to continue to have an allocation of DMV fees for hydrogen infrastructure.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón congratulated Assemblyman Carrillo on his accomplishment in the first year. She also announced she is working to bring the first hydrogen fueling station to the east side of Palmdale.
5) PUBLIC COMMENT RULES
6) PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Public Comment: Eugene Hernandez discussed work on Avenue R, items 7.3, 7.5, and
13.1. Mayor Bettencourt closed the Public Comments.
7) CONSENT CALENDAR
7.1) Waive full reading of the Resolution (s) and/or Ordinance(s) to be considered and voted on at this meeting. (This permits reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text.)
7.2) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2023 -062, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale of intention to annex territory to the City of Palmdale Community Facilities District No. 93 -1 (Ritter Ranch), authorizing the levy of special taxes therein and submitting levy of the special taxes to qualified electors; and Adopt Resolution No. CC 2023 -061, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale of consideration to alter the Rate and Method of Special Tax for the City of Palmdale Community Facilities District No. 93-1 (Ritter Ranch).
7.3) Approve Agreement for Legal Services between the City of Palmdale and Kane, Ballmer & Berkman, LLC for a not -to-exceed amount of $350,000 for a term of three (3) years.
7.4) Accept grant provid ed by Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) in the amount of $233,506 and approve agreement with Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) for purchase and installation of charging stations in the amount of $233,506.
CC Minutes – 10/18/2023 – 5pm
3 7.5) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2023-063, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale authorizing the Director of Public Works to apply for and receive grant funds from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CALRECYCLE).
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón pulled this item for discussion.
Innovation and Environmental Manager Lucha presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón spoke regarding utilizing funds received through grants and the benefits to the residents.
Councilmember Bishop asked about mattress recycling. Innovation and Environmental Manager Lucha discussed the recycling program.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2023 -063, a Resolution of t he City Council of the City of Palmdale authorizing the Director of Public Works to apply for and receive grant funds from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CALRECYCLE).
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
7.6) Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement between the City of Palmdale and California High-Speed Rail Authority.
7.7) Award construction agreement with Comet Electric, Inc. for PN 849, The Rancho Vista Boulevard at Armfield Avenue Traffic Signal Upgrade Project, in the amount of $733,131 for a term of 60 working days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
7.8) Approve Requis ition No. 00240393 for Purchase Order with SiteOne Landscape Supply, LLC for landscape aggregate, boulders, and materials in an amount not to exceed $137,000 for FY2023-24.
7.9) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2023 -066, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale extending the Director of Emergency Services’ Proclamation of a Local Emergency resulting from Tropical Storm Hilary.
7.10) Approve the minutes from the previous meetings.
CC - July 31, 2023 Joint Palmdale/Lancaster
CC - August 28, 2023
CC/SA - October 4, 2023
Motion: Approve all items listed under the Consent Calendar except 7.5 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.
CC Minutes – 10/18/2023 – 5pm
4 8) APPOINTMENT
8.1) City Council Nomination and Appointment of one (1) Member to the Board of Library Trustees.
Mayor Bettencourt made a motion to appoint Stephanie Orellano to the Board of Library Trustees, Councilmember Bishop seconded the motion. There was no vote taken at this time.
The Council called on Stephanie Orellano to speak, but there was no response.
The Council called on Ronald Chatters III to speak. Ronald Chatters III spoke regarding his experience and background.
The Council discussed adding an alternate to the Board of Library Trustees and directed staff to explore the option. Interim City Attorney Curley encouraged the Council to follow the standard process for appointing members for this appointment.
Councilmember Bishop requested that this item be tabled for thirty days.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón commented on the applicants' experience. She directed the City Attorney and the City Manager to report back on a revised ordinance to incorporate an alternate position on the Librar y Board. Discussion ensued regarding tabling the item.
Stephanie Orellana spoke regarding her experience and background.
Councilmember Loa made a motion to vote on the current selected member for the Library Board and discuss the issue regarding an alternate in the future.
Councilmember Bishop seconded the motion. There was no vote taken at this time. The Council went back to the original motion to appoint Ms. Stephanie Orellano.
Motion: Appoint Stephanie Orellano to the Board of Library Trustees Moved by Laura Bettencourt, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
9) PUBLIC HEARING
9.1) Approve a service agreement for a lighting fixture retrofit project with Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc. in the amount of $285,000 for a term of one year.
Innovation and Environmental Manager Lucha presented the staff report.
The Council asked about the new lighting technology and location to be retrofitted.
Public Comment: Eugene Hernandez spoke regarding the broken window theory.
Mayor Bettencourt closed the Public Comments.
CC Minutes – 10/18/2023 – 5pm
5 Motion: Approve a service agreement for a lighting fixture retrofit project with Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc. in the amount of $285,000 for a term of one year.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
9.2) Approve Amendment No. 1 to the design -build agreement with Schneider Electric for added energy project services for $6,172,270.
Innovation and Environmental Manager Lucha presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón thanked Schneider Electric and questioned the difference between Phase I and Phase II. Innovation and Environmental Manager Lucha provided clarification.
Mayor Bettencourt asked about the life expectancy. Mark Starkey, Schneider Electric, spoke about life expectancy, energy reduction, and cost savings.
Councilmember Loa and Councilmember Ohlsen expressed concerns regarding the lighting at Domenic Massari Park.
Mayor Bettencourt called for Public Comments.
Public Comments: None.
Mayor Bettencourt closed the Public Comments.
Motion: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the design-build agreement with Schneider Electric for added energy project services for $6,172,270 Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa.
10) NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public comments: Eugene Hernandez commented regarding the Human Rights Advisory Committee meeting; and Jacqueline Fontana, “Erick A. Garcia You Are Enough Foundation ” thanked the Council for supporting the mental health awareness event.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón commented in support of the Erick A. Garcia You Are Enough Foundation event.
Mayor Bettencourt closed the Public Comments.
CC Minutes – 10/18/2023 – 5pm
6 11) CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS
Mayor Bettencourt announced the Domestic Violenc e event, hosted by Zonta Club of Antelope Valley, “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes,” would be held on October 28, 2023, in Poncitlan Square starting at 8 am.
Councilmember Bishop announced the Trunk or Treat event and encouraged the public to attend.
Councilmember Ohlsen encouraged the public to have a safe experience at the Halloween-related activities. He also announced the nomination process for Hometown Heroes on the City's website and urged the public to submit their applications.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón made two requests: 1) she requested that City Manager Perez schedule a date for Dr. O’Hara, U.C. Berkeley, and Pueblo Y Salud to provide a presentation to the Council and report on potential recommendations for addressing specific issues, which include s a possible moratorium on the issuance of additional alcohol licenses near schools and other sensitive uses, while the issue is properly assessed; 2) that City Manager Perez explore the City offering financial or other incentives to newly sworn deputies t o come to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station and bring back any viable options or incentives to Council for consideration.
Interim City Attorney Curley and Council disc ussed the process for adding future agenda items.
Mayor Bettencourt announced that the Council would go into Closed Session at this time.
12) CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Deputy City Manager Lopez reported on the following: Kaleidoscope events; Family Movie Nights; Mental Health Walk; Pumpkin Walk Neighborhood event; Breast Cancer Walk; Children's Bu reau Family Resource Center grand opening; Red Ribbon Week kickoff event; Youth Challenge; Palmdale Dream Village ground breaking; Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event; Halloween Bike Parade; Plaque Dedication Ceremony coordinated by the family of Jacob Taylor; Palmdale Sheriff's Booster Trunk or Treat and Car Show; Business Watch Virtual Presentations; and the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Survey Results.
Councilmember Loa thanked Deputy City Manager Lopez for stepping in for City Manager Perez at the City Council meeting.
Mayor Bettencourt stated there would be two adjournments for the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Alarcón adjourned the meeting in honor of Chad Swanson, Manhattan Beach Police, and Kimble Goodman.
13) PRESENTATION BY CITY ATTORNEY
13.1) PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Title: City Attorney
CC
Minutes
-
10 /
18 /
2023
-
5 pm
14 )
ANNOUNCEMENT
BY
CITY
ATTORNEY
13.1 -
Deputy
City
Manager
Lopez
announced
that
the
City
Council
has
directed
the
City
Manager
to
negotiate
an
agreement
with
Harper
Burns
,
LLP
,
William
"
Bill
"
Curley
,
to
retain
their
services
for
permanent
City
Attorney
Services
and
report
to
the
next
City
Council
meeting
.
Interim
City
Attorney
Curley
thanked
the
City
Council
for
being
appointed
.
15 )
ADJOURN
Councilmember
Ohlsen
adjourned
the
meeting
in
honor
of
Kimble
Goodman
to
November
1 ,
2023
,
at
5 :
00 p
.
m
.
in
the
City
Hall
Council
Chamber
located
at
38300
Sierra
Highway
,
Suite
B
,
Palmdale
,
California
.
PASSED
,
APPROVED
,
and
ADOPTED
this
1 st
day
of
November
2023
.
QUW
(
Laura
Bettencourt
,
Mayor
ATT
.
Rochelle
Scott
,
Acting
City
Cler
7