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1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SA/HA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA
HIGHWAY,
SUITE
B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
www.cityofpalmdale.org
1)
CALL MEETING
TO
ORDER
Mayor Bishop 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
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, Dianne Betts.
ABSENT:
Christina Fraga
-
Saenz.
Motion: Excuse the absence of Commissioner Fraga
-
Saenz
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote:
Motion carried (6
-
0)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Dianne Betts.
Absent: Christina Fraga
-
Saenz.
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 Stephen Wood.
The following observances were acknowledged for
September: Child Cancer
Awareness Month, National Preparedness Month, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month,
and National Recovery Month.
4)
PRESENTATION
4.1)
Presentation by Matthew Perry Foundation on Grassroots Recovery Grant to
the Fentanyl Campaign.
A representative from the Matthew Perry Foundation spoke about the fentanyl epidemic and the work that is being done in the City of Palmdale.
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2 Councilmember Ohlsen thanked the Matthew Perry Foundation for the
$10,000
donation.
Mayor Bishop presented a certificate to the Matthew Perry Foundation.
5)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
CONSENT CALENDAR, APPOINTMENT(S), NEW BUSINESS, AND CLOSED SESSION:
Eugene Hernandez discussed
Antelope Valley Transit Authority
(
AVTA
)
bus benches
and the appointment process for City boards, commissions, and committees.
Item 6.1 was pulled for discussion by Councilmember
Alarcón
.
6)
HOUSING AUTHORITY CONSENT
CALENDAR
6.1)
Health and Safety Code Section 34328 and 34328.1 and authorize the
Executive Director or her Designee to submit the report to the State of
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Supervising Coordinator Nichols presented the Staff Report.
Councilmember
Alarcón
asked for line
-
item details, an update on
the
improvements for the Mobile Home Parks, and additional information on
SB1069 legislation. Supervising Coordinator Nichols stated they are in the
process of preparing the memo outlining suggestions. City Manager Perez and
City Attorney Curley discussed the legislation on Accessory Dwelling Units
(ADU's). Discussion ensued on the restriction on the number of
animals
allowed.
Motion: Approve the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale's Annual Report.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote:
Motion carried (6
-
0)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón, Dianne Betts.
Absent: Christina Fraga
-
Saenz.
6.2)
Approve the minutes from the previous meetings.
Motion: Approve all items as listed on the Housing Authority Consent Calendar except for
item 6.1.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote:
Motion carried (6
-
0)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Dianne Betts.
Absent: Christina Fraga
-
Saenz.
The Housing Authority was adjourned at 5:25 pm.
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3 Items 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 were pulled for discussion.
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
allows
for
reading
the
title
only
in
lieu
of
reciting the entire text).
7.2)
Receive and File the Monthly Investment Activity Reports for July
2024.
7.3)
Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with Patriot Environmental Services, Inc. for as
-
needed biohazard clean
-
up and removal services,
increasing
the
Agreement
by
$360,000
for
a
total
not
to
exceed
amount
of
$445,000 for the remainder of the contract term through June 2027.
Deputy Director of Public Works Hashemian presented the staff report.
There was Council and staff discussion on the encampment clean -
up process,
public and staff safety, and leading with compassion.
Motion: Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with Patriot Environmental Services, Inc. for as
-
needed biohazard clean
-
up and removal services.
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
.
7.4)
Approve Agreement with Monarch Landscape Holdings, LLC dba Terracare
Associates for maintenance services at parks, facility grounds, and transit sites in an amount not to exceed $14,802,990 for the remaining nine months
of Fiscal
Year
2024
-
2025 and the subsequent four fiscal years for a
total
contract term of fifty
-
seven months.
Deputy Director of Public Works Hashemian presented the staff report.
Council and staff discussed the bidding process, local hire, the number of trees
in the LMAD, graffiti, vandalism, and quality of life.
Motion: Approve Agreement with Monarch Landscape Holdings, LLC dba Terracare Associates for maintenance services at parks, facility grounds, and transit sites.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
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4 7.5)
Approve a budget amendment of $601,718 for Antelope
Valley
Transit
Authority operating costs for Fiscal
Year
2024
-
2025.
Mayor Bishop recused himself
since
he has done business with AVTA.
Deputy Director of Public Works Hashemian presented the staff report.
Council and staff discussed the increase in contributed funds by JPA participants, inventory of bus stops and amenities, and ridership. Mr. Tompkins, Executive Director of AVTA, provided clarification on the increase in
contributed funds by
JPA
participants and bus stop
amenities.
Motion: Approve a budget amendment of $601,718 for Antelope Valley
Transit
Authority operating costs for Fiscal
Year
2024
-
2025.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote: Motion carried (4
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
Mayor Bishop returned to the dais.
7.6)
Approve the First Amendment to the agreement with Paragon Partners Consultants, Inc. for PN 653, SR 138 Widening 5th to 10th East Project, to
increase
the
agreement
by
$25,420
for
the
total
not
to
exceed
the
amount
of
$204,270 with an extension of 722 calendar days for a total of 1,357 calendar days.
7.7)
Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve all items listed under the Consent Calendar except for
items 7.3, 7.4,
and 7.5.
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.
8)
PUBLIC HEARING
8.1)
Public Hearing to receive Public Comments on the Draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Fiscal Year 2023 -
2024; Review,
approve and authorize the City Manager or her Designee to make necessary changes and submit the CAPER report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by September 28, 2024, in compliance with HUD Regulations.
Supervising Coordinator Nichols presented the staff
report.
Mayor Bishop opened the Public Hearing.
Testimony: None.
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5 Mayor Bishop closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember
Alarcón
asked questions regarding the unexpended funds
for
the
tenant
-
based rental assistance program, public facilities, and infrastructure, the racial
and ethnic composition of families assisted, the outreach program, and the
action
plan for targeting and informing Latino communities. Supervising Coordinator Nichols provided clarification. There was further discussion among
th
e
Council and staff
regarding
the
information requested on the application
and qualifications for
the
program. Mayor Pro
Tem
Loa requested a report
back.
Motion: Approve the recommendations and findings as listed in the staff report 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.
9)
APPOINTMENTS
9 . 1 )
City Council Nomination and Appointment of One (1) Member to the Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board.
Councilmember
Alarcón
asked Council to allow the applicants to speak.
Ms. Love introduced herself and spoke regarding her qualifications.
Councilmember
Alarcón
nominated Ms.
Love;
the
motion died for lack of a
second.
Motion:
Appoint Ebonni Bernstein to the Mobile Home Park Rental Review
Board
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura
Bettencourt.
No:
Andrea Alarcón.
9 . 2 )
City Council Reappointment of Six (6) Commissioners to the Public Art
Commission and Nomination and Appointment of One (1) Commissioner to fill
the vacant seat for a Professional
Artist.
The Public Art Commissioners came up and shared their experience while serving on the Commission and thanked staff.
Mayor Bishop thanked the Public Art Commission for their leadership.
Mayor Pro Tem Loa pointed out that artist, Michael De Medina created the sculpture of Larry Chimbole, the first mayor of Palmdale.
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6 Motion: Reappoint Nathaniel Ancheta, Doug Grove, Ayeasha Jones, Lisa
Sarno, Warren Scherich, Edwin
Vasquez
as Commissioners to the Public Art
Commission. Appoint Michael De Medina as a
Commissioner.
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.
10)
REPORT
City Manager Perez reported on the following: State of the City 2024; 19th Annual
Kiwanis Duck Race September 6; GraceFest at the Palmdale Amphitheater
September 6 and 7; Erick A. Garcia
"You
Are Enough" Foundation Candlelight Vigil
at
Poncitlan Square on September 10; Antelope
Valley
Wellness Expo at the Mall on
September 14; Palmdale Playhouse 30th Anniversary on September 14; Tequila
&
Taco
Festival September 21 and 22; and State Route 14 North L.A. County Safety & Mobility Improvement Project Scoping Meeting at Oasis Park on September 12.
11)
REPORT
Captain Bardon reported on the following and announced upcoming events:
Response times for routine calls for service; Partnership with the City's Public Safety staff; Part 1 Crimes; Arrests; Firearm recovery; graffiti arrests; traffic enforcement and collision prevention; upcoming event honoring Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer with a 24 -
hour vigil on the one year anniversary of his death on September 16; Gun
buyback event on September 20 in Poncitlan Square; Haunted House on October 19;
and invited members of the community to participate in the Palmdale Sheriff's
Department
survey.
Council and Captain Bardon discussed the Code Enforcement partnership, the status
of the virtual deputy, community engagement, and the haunted house hosted at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.
12)
COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE
AGENDA
ITEMS
Council Member
Alarcón
reported on the following:
conversations between Palmdale
Regional Medical Center and Palmdale High School; the 1st Annual National Latina Day Celebration
The Antelope Valley Women's Empowerment Conference on
August 30th.
Councilmember Ohlsen reported on the following: Homes4Families veteran housing key ceremony; meeting with High
-
Speed Rail Authority; Albe's Ice Cream grand
opening; State of the City 2024; and spoke about the Palmdale Youth Soccer League donation of $5,600 from the City of Palmdale.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Loa reported on the following: Spanish
Talk
Radio; Homes4Families
veteran housing key ceremony; Summer Concerts; IBEW NECA barbecue in City of
Commerce; Generations Juried Art Exhibit Award ceremony; celebration of life for
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7 Alisha Semchuck;
Dr.
Smith hosted a reception honoring and welcoming the
new
commanders and directors for Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base; State of the City 2024; and Sav
-
on Drug Store on Tierra Subida will provide a vaccination program at
SAVES.
Councilmember Bettencourt reported on the following: Generations Juried Art Exhibit Award ceremony; State of the City 2024; Avigilon United Systems Training that provides safety on City property; and Citizen Advisory Committee meeting on August 29th.
Mayor Bishop reported on the following: Family Movie Nights and Concerts; Ribbon cutting for Community Self Determination Institute Charter School; Homes4Families veteran housing key ceremony; Big Momma's Chicken & Waffles ribbon cutting ceremony; Auto Mall Dine & Drive;
SAVES
backpack distribution; Palmdale
Youth
Soccer League opening ceremony; State of the City 2024; Dinner with a Deputy;
Coffee with a Cop; Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting; Movie nights; and spoke with residents regarding new street sweeping
policy.
City Manager Perez spoke regarding the street sweeping policy and meetings with the public.
Council and City Manager Perez discussed
the street sweeping
policy,
street sweeping signage, and communicating information to the
community.
Mayor Pro Tem Loa announced the upcoming release of a convicted sexual predator in Pearblossom
and stated that the
District Attorney is requesting victims of sexual
assault and
members of the public submit comments to
[email protected]
by September 17, 2024. Additionally,
Councilmember
Alarcón
stated to locate offenders near residents, check the Megan's Law website. There was further Council and City Attorney discussion regarding the release.
13)
NON
-
AGENDA PUBLIC
COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public input: Eugene Hernandez commented on
the CAPER report and an investigation on the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in
Texas;
Iris Rios and Oscar Carrasco spoke about fatalities and accidents occurring at R
-
8 and 20th Street East and requested the installation of a stop sign. Councilmember
Alarcón
requested a traffic
assessment
study
at
R
-
8 and
20th Street East; Marcos Alvarez spoke about the conduct of Council and a solution for working
together; Roger
Soderstedt
commented
on
Section 8
tenants; Marsha
Furman commented regarding distributing the Palmdale Magazine in
Spanish,
changing the typeset, and street sweeping.
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8 14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bishop adjourned the meeting at 7:15 pm in honor of Stephen Wood, Alisha
Semchuck, and Ronaldo Rios. He stated
that
the next meeting will be held
on
Wednesday,
September 18,
2024,
at 5:00 pm in the City Hall Council
Chamber
located at 38300 Sierra
Highway,
Suite B, Palmdale,
California.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 18th day of September 2024.
Austin Bishop, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk