CC
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21, 2024
5p
m
1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/HA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA
HIGHWAY,
SUITE
B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 21, 2024
www.cityofpalmdale.org
1)
CALL MEETING
TO
ORDER
Mayor Bishop called the meeting to order at 5:02 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 COMMISSIONERS
FRAGA
-
SAENZ,
BETTS
PRESENT: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, Dianne Betts.
ABSENT: None.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF
SILENCE
Mayor Pro
Tem
Loa led the pledge of
allegiance.
Mayor Bishop announced the meeting would be adjourned in honor of Danny Bazzell, Army veteran and Air Force employee and Dustin Roberto, Firefighter -
Paramedic of
Station 93.
4)
PRESENTATIONS
4.1)
Antelope
Valley
College
update.
Mr. Shami Brar, Vice President of Administrative Services at Antelope Valley College, introduced staff and provided updates on the educational programs offered by Antelope Valley College, enrollment, and upgrades to the Palmdale campus.
Councilmember Bettencourt shared some fun facts and history on the Antelope Valley College and suggested bringing back the cooking class and Sheriff's Academy.
The Council
spoke in favor of Antelope Valley College.
4.2)
Illegal Dumping Plan update.
Innovation and Environmental Manager Lucha provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation on illegal dumping and shared the services offered by Waste
Management
.
Discussion ensued among Council and staff regarding illegal dumping, use of technology, and partnership with Caltrans.
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2 5)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
CONSENT CALENDAR, APPOINTMENT(S), NEW BUSINESS, AND CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Curley asked the Council to consider adding a late agenda item and provided the background and reason for adopting the Caltrans protocol. He stated to add the item, it required a 4/5's vote and two findings: 1) The need came up after the posting of the agenda; and 2) There is a need to take immediate action.
There was Council and City Attorney discussion regarding the addition of the item
and modifications to the document.
Motion: Add Emergency Item 6.8 to the agenda.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura
Bettencourt.
No:
Andrea Alarcón.
Mayor Bishop requested that copies of the added document be provided to the public and called for a recess from 6:10 p
.
m
.
-
6:25 p
.
m.
The following individuals provided public comment on Item 6.8: Eugene Hernandez spoke regarding the unhoused and engaging community agencies that deal with homelessness; Marcos Alvarez suggested providing solutions for the unhoused; Marsha Furman suggested engaging citizens in the conversation for solutions; Anna
Haynes expressed concerns on shelter for the unhoused; City Attorney Curley provided detailed information on the document protocols; David Harris spoke about
safety concerns related
to
this item; and Roger Soderstedt spoke regarding fires
in
homeless encampments.
Items 6.3, 6.6, and 6.8 were pulled for discussion.
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)
Approve and Adopt Ordinance No. 1645, an Ordinance of the City Council of
the City of Palmdale to promote Public Health,
Safety,
and Welfare
by
deleting, amending, and adding select provisions of the Palmdale Municipal Code related to procedures and policies governing construction of Public
Works Projects and Professional Services in order to streamline and ensure
consistency with State
Law.
6.3)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024
-
075, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale to apply for and accept the Los Angeles County Council of Governments Interim Housing (IH) Service Fund.
Director of Neighborhood Services Reyes presented the staff report.
Councilmember
Alarcón
asked questions about the
applicant's selection
process. Discussion ensued among Council and staff regarding the selection process and in support of the applicant. City Manager Perez provided CC
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3 clarification on the applicant's selection process
.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024
-
075
Moved by Eric Ohlsen, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura
Bettencourt.
No:
Andrea Alarcón.
6.4)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024
-
076, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale declaring its intention to renew the Palmdale Tourism
Improvement District, establish the time and place of a public meeting and a
public hearing and giving notice of such public meeting and public hearing.
6.5)
Notice of Completion
-
Accept Public Street and Landscape Improvements for
Tract 73068 located at Palmdale Boulevard and Oak
Street.
6.6)
Approve pre
-
qualified list of consultants to perform on
-
call
professional
engineering and architectural services with a not to exceed total aggregate amount of $12,000,000 for a three
-
year term with the option to extend two
one
-
year terms.
Councilmember
Alarcón
asked for clarification on the $500K threshold for on
-
call services. City Manager Perez responded.
Motion: Approve pre
-
qualified list of consultants to perform on
-
call professional
engineering and architectural services with a not to exceed total aggregate amount of $12,000,000 for a three
-
year term with the option to extend two one
-
year terms.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
6.7)
Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
6.8)
Adopt Caltrans and
mandates regarding management of unhoused individuals.
Mayor Bishop read a message from Chair Jung, Human Rights Advisory Committee, in favor of adding the emergency item related to the unhoused.
Mayor Bishop requested that the document be brought back to a future meeting
for adjusting. He clarified that the document being adopted was a living document and just mirrors what the State and other local agencies have done.
There was further discussion among Council and City Attorney Curley
regarding
modifications to the language of the document. Mayor Bishop suggested that
the Council move forward and support the item.
Motion: Adopt Caltrans and Governor's approach to ensure compliance with state mandates regarding management of unhoused individuals.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
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4 Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura
Bettencourt.
No:
Andrea Alarcón.
Motion: Approve all items listed under the Consent Calendar except 6.3, 6.6, and
6.8. Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón.
7)
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING
AUTHORITY
7.1) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024
-
074, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale approving an Affordable Housing Agreement between the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale and Advancing Communities Together,
Approving and Authorizing the Conveyance of Property located at
5th Street East and East Avenue Q
-
2 APN 3008
-
010
-
904 from the Housing
Authority of the City of Palmdale to Advancing Communities Together,
Approving a Permanent Local Housing Allocation Loan Agreement between
the City of Palmdale and Advancing Communities
Together,
and
making
certain findings; and Adopt Resolution No. HA 2024
-
006, a Resolution of
the
Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale Approving an Affordable Housing Agreement between the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale and Advancing Communities
Together,
Approving and Authorizing the Conveyance
of Property from the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale to Advancing Communities
Together
located at 5th Street East and East Avenue Q
-
2 APN
3008
-
010
-
904 and making certain findings
City Clerk Scott read the title of Resolution Nos. CC 2024 -
074 and HA
2024
-
006 into the record.
Director of Neighborhood Services Reyes
presented the staff report.
Council and staff discussed the project's location, cost, construction timeline, tenant selection plan, marketing, and
competitive process.
Public Testimony was received by the following individuals: Eugene Hernandez commented in opposition
to approving the contract; Marsha spoke about the
location and the new development; and Rossie Cherry, founder of Advancing Communities Together, spoke regarding the
organization and expressed
concerns regarding a tenant lottery.
Mayor Bishop closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember
Alarcón
distributed a letter to the City Manager, City Attorney, and Council expressing her concerns regarding the city's fiduciary responsibility
.
Mayor Bishop asked City Attorney Curley if everything was done properly. City Attorney Curley and City Manager Perez responded.
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5 Motion: Adopt Resolution No. HA 2024
-
006 and Approve A
-
8908
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote:
Motion carried (6
-
1)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric
Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt,
Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, Dianne Betts.
No:
Andrea Alarcón.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024
-
074 and Approve Agreement Nos. A
-
8909
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura
Bettencourt.
No:
Andrea Alarcón.
Mayor Bishop adjourned the Housing Authority at 7:41 pm.
8)
REPORT
City Manager Perez reported on the following: Farmers Market; Family Movie Nights; Juried Art Exhibit and unveiling of Small Mural Mentor Program; SAVES
client
backpack distribution event August 24; Palmdale
Youth
Soccer opening on August
24; Assemblyman Lackey is hosting a Public Safety Form on August 24 at the
Doubletree at
11 am
;
Summer Concert Series August 24; State of the City on August 27 at the Palmdale Playhouse; Books and Barks on August 27 at the Library; Family
openings.
9)
COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE
AGENDA
ITEMS
Councilmember Ohlsen commented on the partnership with the California High
-
Speed
Rail and their
work on the designing of the transportation area
and
requested
that a representative from Edison attend a future meeting to discuss
billing.
Councilmember
Alarcón
reported on the District 5 Neighborhood Watch event and thanked staff and community partners.
Mayor Bishop spoke regarding addressing issues, community engagement, and hard work from staff.
10)
NON
-
AGENDA PUBLIC
COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public comments: Eugene Hernandez discussed the allocation of City funds and appointments to City Boards, Commissions, and
Committees; Leah
Taylor,
Palmdale Aerospace
Teachers
Association
(PATA),
Carla
Hubler, Renee Kimbrough, and Alyson Montez commented on animal euthanasia rates, spay and neuter help from the
City,
and stray dogs; Kristina Rivas discussed
placement for her family who is unhoused, requested a report from the City on
provided assistance, and safe and sane fireworks; Anessa Rivas spoke about the
loss of her family home due to a fire caused by fireworks and future safety measures; Doug Schmidt thanked Council for their service, requested a protected bike lane off of Avenue R, and discussed lawn parking; Roger Soderstedt suggested displaying CC
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21, 2024
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6 more puppy pictures to help with adoption; and Marsha discussed the different
Measures that were assigned the letters
AV
(i.e. City of Palmdale and
AV
College).
11)
ADJOURN
Mayor Bishop adjourned the meeting at 8:04 pm in honor of Danny Bazzell, Army veteran and Dustin Roberto, Firefighter
-
Paramedic Station 93, to August 27, 2024, at
2:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Playhouse located at 38334 10th Street East, Palmdale,
California.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 4th day of September 2024.
Austin Bishop, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk