CC SA – March 6, 2024 – 5pm 1
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY, SUITE B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 6, 2024
www.cityofpalmdale.org
1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bishop 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 BISHOP, MAYOR PRO TEM LOA, COUNCILMEMBERS OHLSEN, BETTENCOURT, ALARCÓN
PRESENT: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
ABSENT: None.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Pro Tem Loa led the pledge of allegiance.
4) PRESENTATIONS
4.1) Declaring Women’s History Month.
Mayor Bishop declared Women's History Month. Councilmember Bettencourt spoke regarding the roles women fill in society.
4.2) Declaring Employee Appreciation Day.
Mayor Bishop declared Employee Appreciation Day, and expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the City employees.
Council thanked staff.
4.3) Wellbeing Lab Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology Program Update.
Deputy City Manager Lopez and Louis Alloro, Director of The Wellbeing Lab, provided a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Alloro shared information about the program tools, and strategies.
The following program participants spoke regarding their experience and impact projects: Jessica, Patty, and Tanisha.
CC SA – March 6, 2024 – 5pm 2
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CONSENT CALENDAR, APPOINTMENT(S), NEW BUSINESS, AND CLOSED SESSION:
The following individuals provided public input: David Harris spoke in favor of Item
6.8, The Wellbeing Lab; and Eugene Hernandez spoke regarding Women's History Month and recognized Chicana leaders.
Councilmember Alarcón thanked Mr. Hernandez for acknowledging her aunt, Eve Alarcón, who was the Co-Chair of the Cesar Chavez holiday committee and the reason why the State of California now recognizes the Cesar Chavez holiday.
Councilmember Bettencourt commented Women's History Month is not just for women involved in political office but for every single woman and all their struggles and successes.
Councilmember Alarcón pulled Item 6.5.
Motion: Approve the items as listed on the Consent Calendar except 6.5. Moved by Eric Ohlsen, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
6) CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1) Waive full reading of the Resolution(s) and/or Ordinance(s) to be considered and voted on at this meeting. (This allows for reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text).
6.2) Receive and file the Monthly Investment Activity Report for January 2024.
6.3) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024 -020, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale adopting the joint resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, acting on behalf of the Los Angeles County General Fund and the Los Angeles County Consolidated Fire Protection District, the Board of Directors of County Sanitation District No. 20 of Los Angeles County, and the governing bodies of the Antelope Valley Cemetery District, the Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, the Antelope Valley Resource Conservation District, the City of Palmdale, and the Palmdale Water District - Zone E, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax revenues resulting from Annexation 20 -104 to County Sanitation District No. 20.
6.4) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024 -021, a Resolution of the City Council adopting the Joint Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, acting on behalf of the Los Angeles County General Fund and the Los Angeles County Consolidated Fire Protection District, the Board of Directors of County Sanitation District No. 14 of Los Angeles County, and the Governing Bodies of the Antelope Valley Cemetery District, the Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, the City of Palmdale, and the Antelope Valley - East CC SA – March 6, 2024 – 5pm 3
Kern Water Agency, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax revenues resulting from Annexation 14 -451 to County Sanitation District No. 14.
6.5) Award Landscape Maintenance Services Agreement with Parkwood Landscape Maintenance, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $16,120,000 for the remaining three months of fiscal year 2023 -2024, and the subsequent four fiscal years for a total contract term of 51 months.
Director of Public Works Glidden presented an overview of the staff report.
Mayor Bishop asked if being local increases the bidder's score. Director of Public Works Glidden stated it does not increase the score. City Manager Perez clarified the City has a local preference in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
Councilmember Ohlsen asked how many jobs were local, and Director of Public Works Glidden said thirty-nine (39) full-time local staff.
Councilmember Alarcón thanked City staff and discussed negotiations with the contractor, the scope of work, and the Request for Proposal (RFP). Landscape Superintendent Wood provided clarification on the allowance that was made for the contractor to bring on a Traffic Control contractor to prepare the plans.
Councilmember Alarcón discussed and shared the drafted language that she prepared. She provided the revised language to City Attorney Curley and City Manager Perez. Councilmember Alarcón made a motion to approve the contract with the proposed revisions.
Mayor Pro Tem Loa made a substitute motion to approve the item as presented by staff. The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Ohlsen clarified the proposed amendment and confirmed that Landscape Superintendent Wood and the union preferred the amendment.
Councilmember Ohlsen seconded the motion presented by Councilmember Alarcón.
Councilmember Bettencourt asked for clarification regarding the need for another type of subcontractor, being limited, and general versus specific language. Mayor Pro Tem Loa asked City Attorney Curley how the added language affected things in the long term in terms of restricting the particular item being proposed. City Attorney Curley stated it narrows it down and limits future flexibility. Councilmember Bettencourt discussed training those being released from incarceration to reduce recidivism and asked whether or not they would be considered subcontractors if they were brought on, and City Manager Perez responded not if they were hired and put on payroll. There was further discussion among the Council and staff regarding the proposed amendment.
CC SA – March 6, 2024 – 5pm 4
Motion: Award Landscape Maintenance Services Agreement with Parkwood Landscape Maintenance, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $16,120,000 for the remaining three months of fiscal year 2023 -2024, and the subsequent four fiscal years for a total contract term of 51 months with the proposed revisions.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
6.6) Award Contract Services Agreement with ROMTEC, Inc. for PN 887, Marie Kerr Park Best of the West Concession Stand Project, in the amount of $239,557.
6.7) Approve the Second Amendment to the Legal Services Agreement with Civica Law Group, APC, to increase the agreement amount by $420,000, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,020,000 for a contract term through March 6, 2025.
6.8) Approve Agreement with The Wellbeing Lab dba Louis Alloro, LLC, to provide a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology Program in an amount not to exceed $275,000 for a term of one year.
6.9) Approve the minutes from the previous meetings.
CC/SA/IDA/PAA/PCA/PFA - February 21, 2024
7) PUBLIC HEARING
7.1) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024-017, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale; Denying Appeal 24 -0002 and upholding Planning Commission Resolution No. PC -2024-001 to deny General Plan Amendment 23 -0001, Zone Change 23-0002, and Specific Plan Amendment 22-001.
Mayor Bishop read the title of Resolution No. CC 2024-017 and requested a motion and second to continue the item.
Motion: Approve continuance of Item 7.1 - Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024-017, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale; Denying Appeal 24- 0002 and upholding Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-2024-001 to deny General Plan Amendment 23-0001, Zone Change 23-0002, and Specific Plan Amendment 22-001. Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
CC SA – March 6, 2024 – 5pm 5
8) COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS
8.1) Council reports, announcements, and requests for future agenda items.
Councilmember Alarcón reported on the following: Together California groundbreaking and requested adding two future Closed Session items to the agenda regarding: 1) Clinkunbroomer and 2) Car accident that took place in December.
Councilmember Ohlsen reported on the following: Met with U.S.
Representative Garcia's Office and Congresswoman Chu to discuss reopening the Little Rock Creek dam; and Together California groundbreaking; attended Coffee 4 Vets and Coffee with a Cop; and he stated Supervisor Barger gave $500K towards the Center of Transportation Excellence.
Mayor Pro Tem Loa reported on the following: SCAG Transportation Committee meeting; Palmdale School District Gala; Spanish Talk Radio; Together California groundbreaking; Palmdale Sheriff's Booster meeting; Swearing in of Palmdale Water District Board of Directors; Main Street Coalition meeting; AVAQMD Board of Directors meeting; Executive Committee of Regional Homeless Alignment meeting; met with Supervisor Barger and a representative of Palmdale Regional Medical Center to address the issue of mental health in a regional way; AVTA Board of Directors meeting; Desert Sands playground ribbon cutting; and AV Edge luncheon.
Councilmember Bettencourt reported on the following: Attended LA County Sanitation District 14 & 20 meetings; Skechers grand opening; Association Sister Cities fundraiser at Firehouse Subs; Love Rocks craft at Domenic Massari; met with constituents; donated to the Pony League to help replace stolen goods; desert clean up event; Season of Service; Books and Barks; Desert Sands playground ribbon cutting; and briefing on animal feasibility study.
Mayor Bishop reported on the following: attended the unveiling of the first low rider wall mural project painted in the Antelope Valley on Andy's Auto Parts; and Desert Sands playground ribbon cutting.
Mayor Bishop requested that City Manager Perez poll the Council offline for items requested for Closed Session.
City Attorney Curley provided the process for discussing Closed Session items.
There was further discussion.
9) CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perez reported on the following: Disaster Preparedness Expo held at Legacy Commons; upcoming Women's Symposium on March 9 at Legacy Commons; Season of Services on March 16; in partnership with AV BOGA hosting a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event on March 16; provided an update on the Chimbole Cultural Center, Library, and north end of the 38300 building; digital park signs for advertisement; Yellen Park; Ghetto Film School will use the film stage March 25 - 29; and three additional bodies were approved in the budget for graffiti clean-up.
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10) NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public input: Eugene Hernandez spoke regarding the public comment code of conduct, parking spaces at the City library, and City Attorney contract; Michael Ross applauded Council for the work they do, spoke regarding town hall meetings in each district, in support of City Attorney Curley, and in opposition to the Human Rights Advisory Committee; Vivian commented on being stalked and the Sheriff's Department; Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce, Vicky Ventura, announced and invited Council to a Women's History month event on March 13 at the Hellenic Center; and Marsha Furman spoke regarding the public comment rules and the opportunity for the public to speak.
11) PRESENTATION BY CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Curley confirmed the agendized items.
11.1) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Attorney
Name: William P. Curley, III
11.2) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Shanae Smith, Patricia Nevarez and Michael "Mike" Behen vs. City of Palmdale, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Case No. 22STCV18219
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
11.3) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Leona Valley Town Council vs. City of Palmdale, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 22STCP01932
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
11.4) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Donald Ross D'Angelo v. City of Palmdale, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Case No. 21AVCV00441
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
11.5) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION U-Haul v. City of Palmdale
Case No. 22AVCV00439
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9.
11 CONFERENCE
WITH
LEGAL
COUNSEL
EXISTING
LITIGATION
CV
Communities
,
LLC
et
al
.
v
.
Antelope
Valley
East
Kern
Water
Agency
et
al
.
Los
Angeles
County
Superior
Court
Case
Nos
.
BC
661107
and
20 STCV
10953
This
closed
session
is
being
held
pursuant
to
the
authority
of
California
Government
Code
Section
54956.9
(
d
)
(
1 )
.
12 )
ANNOUNCEMENT
BY
CITY
ATTORNEY
Closed
Session
was
held
from
6 :
33 pm
-
7 :
49 pm
.
City
Attorney
Curley
announced
the
following
:
11.1 Direction
was
given
,
and
there
was
no
reportable
action
;
and
11.2 through
11.6 Council
was
updated
,
and
there
were
no
reportable
actions
.
13 )
ADJOURN
Mayor
Bishop
adjourned
the
meeting
at
7 :
51 pm
to
March
20 ,
2024
,
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
20 th
day
of
March
2024
.
Austin
BishopTMayor
A
Rochelle
Scott
,
Acting
City
Clerk
7 CC
SA
-
March
6 ,
2024
-
5 pm