1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SA/HA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY, SUITE B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 4, 2024
www.cityofpalmdale.org
1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Bishop called the meeting to order at 5:11 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
Members of Palmdale Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) led the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Bishop announced the meeting would be adjourned in memory of former City Manager Jim Purtee.
4) PRESENTATIONS
4.1) Update regarding Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) Program’s Third Cohort.
Deputy City Manager Lopez presented a PowerPoint and discussed a few of the Impact Projects that emerged from the CAPP Program. She also recognized the program participants.
The program participants made a presentation to the Council.
Council spoke in support of the CAPP Program.
5) PUBLIC COMMENTS
CONSENT CALENDAR, APPOINTMENT(S), NEW BUSINESS, AND CLOSED SESSION:
Public Comment: Rodger Soderstedt spoke about mental health and homeless programs.
2 6) HOUSING AUTHORITY CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1) Approve the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale’s 2023 -24 Annual Report prepared pursuant to California Health & Safety Code §34176.1; and direct staff to post the information on the City’s website.
6.2) Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve all items listed under the Housing Authority Consent Calendar.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Christina Fraga-Saenz.
Vote: Motion carried (7-0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón, Christina Fraga-Saenz, Dianne Betts.
Mayor Bishop adjourned the Housing Authority at 5:38 pm.
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 October 2024.
7.3) Approve Second Amendment to Agreement with The Wellbeing Lab dba Louis Alloro, LLC, to provide four additional one -day Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Summits and a fourth cohort of the Certificate In Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) Program, increasing the Agreement by $300,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $745,000 for a term of September 30, 2026.
7.4) Receive and file the Special Tax Annual Report for CFD 2003 -1 (Anaverde), CFD 05 -1 (Trade and Commerce), CFD 16 -1 (Joshua Ranch Water Supply and Maintenance Services), and CFD 2022 -1 (Citywide Maintenance and Services) in accordance with Senate Bill 165, Section 53411 of the California Government Code.
7.5) Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve all items listed under the Consent Calendar.
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.
3 8) NEW BUSINESS
8.1) Rotation of Incumbents serving as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
City Attorney Curley presented this item.
Council acknowledged and confirmed Councilmember Richard J. Loa as Mayor and Councilmember Laura Bettencourt as Mayor Pro Tem for the 2025 calendar year.
9) PRESENTATION OF A PLAQUE TO MAYOR BISHOP AND CEREMONIAL
PASSING OF THE GAVEL
City Manager Perez and the Councilmembers presented a plaque to Mayor Bishop and there was a ceremonial passing of the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Loa.
10) RESOLUTION RECITING ELECTION RESULTS
10.1) Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024 -088, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale California, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, declaring the result and such other matters as provided by law.
City Clerk Scott presented Resolution No. CC 2024 -088 declaring the election results.
Public Comments: None.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2024 -088, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale California, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, declaring the result and such other matters as provided by law.
Moved by Eric Ohlsen, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5-0)
Yes: Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
11) ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
City Clerk Faber administered the oath of office to Councilmembers Austin Bishop and Richard J. Loa.
12) CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perez announced there would be a Christmas Carol performance at the Palmdale Playhouse, Friday, December 6; a Jolly Holiday event at Marie Kerr Park Amphitheater Saturday, December 7; the Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Palmdale Boulevard on Saturday, December 14; Palmdale Boulevard off ramps will be closed beginning 9 am on Monday, December 9 through 6 am on Monday, December 16; and the City is taking reservations for Santa's Workshop.
4 13) COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Loa commented on the 2024 Election and thanked the voters for coming out to vote. He also spoke about his meeting with Assemblyman Carrillo to address the 5150 hold mental health issue and his conversations with Supervisor Barger and Senator Valladares.
Councilmember Ohlsen attended a ribbon cutting at Yellen Park for the youth soccer teams and the military balls that were held. He also congratulated the elected councilmembers and spoke about Measure PD.
Councilmember Alarcón congratulated Mayor Bishop on his election and thanked him for his year of service as mayor. She also congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Loa on his election. She spoke about the AV Alta ribbon cutting and the upcoming Kicks for Kids event on December 21 at McAdam Park.
Mayor Bishop spoke about attending the soccer field ribbon cutting and the Caltrans North Los Angeles County Safety and Mobility improvement scoping meeting for the 14 freeway.
14) NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public input: Eugene Hernandez commented on the Biden administration; David Harris spoke about the 5150 mental health hold, the tree lighting ceremony, and complimented Mayor Bishop on his service to the public; Ms. Jasmine spoke in opposition to AV Youth Build and requested that the City look into the funding provided to that organization; Rocio Castellanos of LA Care announced the Winter Family Festival on Saturday, December 21 at McAdams Park; Lou Walker, AV NAN, spoke regarding educational challenges in the Antelope Valley; Marsha Furman spoke regarding the election and requested review of the public speaking arrangements on the agenda ; Xavier Flores spoke regarding a breakfast meeting he attended held by LA Care for the Sheriff's Department to discuss immigration enforcement and asked if Council would be holding an educational forum on this topic; Christina Fraga -Saenz announced on November 30 Highland High School and Palmdale High School won their CIF Southern Section; and a veteran (no name) spoke regarding his partnership with AV BOGA and announced an event to be held by Vet Projects on Sunday, December 8.
Councilmember Ohlsen spoke about the Palmdale Knight’s Youth football teams winning their division.
Councilmember Alarcón announced the True Memories Car Club will host a toy drive at the Home Depot on 47th Street East.
Mayor Pro Tem Loa announced that the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) will host the 2024 Holiday Drive Thru Grocery and Toy Giveaway on December 21.
He encouraged coordination among organizations that host events.