1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SA/HA/IDA/PAA/PCA/PFA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY, SUITE B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
MAY 6, 2025
www.cityofpalmdale.org
1)
CALL MEETING
TO
ORDER
Mayor Loa called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.
Note: All City Council memberships are reflected in their City Council titles.
2)
ROLL CALL
MAYOR
LOA,
MAYOR PRO
TEM
BETTENCOURT,
COUNCILMEMBERS
BISHOP,
OHLSEN, ALARCÓN
COMMISSIONERS
FRAGA
-
SAENZ, BETTS
PRESENT: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón, Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, Dianne Betts.
ABSENT:
None.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF
SILENCE
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt led the
Pledge of Allegiance
.
C
ity Manager Pro Tem Mendez pulled items 4.2 and 8.1 and announced they would be
heard at a later date.
4)
PRESENTATIONS
4.1)
Parks and Recreation Summer Highlights.
Director of Parks and
Recreation Smith provided highlights and updates on the Summer programs.
4.2)
Update on Fight Fentanyl Antelope
Valley
Campaign and Recognition
of
Palmdale High School Fentanyl Awareness
PSA.
This item was pulled from the agenda
and
was not heard.
5)
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
None.
Councilmember
Bishop
pulled
items
6.3,
6.11,
and
6.13. Mayor Loa pulled
items
6.10 and 6.12.
2 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 and Quarterly Investment Reports for March 2025.
6.3)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
036, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale approving the Palmdale Film Incentive Program; and
Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Visit
Palmdale.
Director of Economic and Community Development
Taggart
presented the staff
report and spoke about the film incentive program.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt and Councilmember Bishop expressed
their
support for the item and the
FAM
(familiarization) tours in Palmdale.
David Halver, Film Liaison, spoke about the filming reputation that has been developed in Palmdale.
Councilmember
Alarcón
discussed the current permitting process and
suggested exploring the implementation of an electronic permitting system.
Councilmember Ohlsen discussed the challenges filmmakers face related to insurance requirements, and Mrs.
Taggart
provided additional information
on
the
matter.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
036, a Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palmdale approving the Palmdale Film Incentive Program; and Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Visit Palmdale.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
6.4)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
038, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale to Restate the Authorized Signatory and Receive the State of
California Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program
Funds.
6.5)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
039, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale to accept the Los Angeles County Measure A Local Solutions Funds.
6.6)
Approve agreement with Henisey Electric to provide temporary electrical and
general services for Special Events for a total not to exceed amount
of
$535,000 for a term of three years with the option to extend two one -
year
terms.
3 6.7)
Approve the Second Amendment to Agreement with Applied Research Associates, Inc., for professional services for PN
711,
pavement management
program, increasing the ongoing Agreement by $150,000 for a total not to
exceed and not guaranteed amount of $650,000.
6.8)
Award agreement with All American Building Services for construction
services
for PN 862, Marie Kerr Park Swim Deck Expansion Project for a total not to exceed amount of $467,195 for a term of 50 working days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
6.9)
Approve agreement with RHA Landscape Architects
-
Planners, Inc., for design
services for PN 871, Oasis Park basin upgrades project for preliminary engineering/design for a total not to exceed amount of $306,597 for a term of
12 months from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
6.10)
Award agreement with JT Construction Group, Inc., for construction services for PN 887, Marie Kerr Park Best of the West Concession Stand Project for a total not to exceed amount of $321,193 for a term of 45 working days from
the date of the Notice to Proceed.
Director of Public Works
Torres
presented the staff
report.
Mayor Loa spoke about the Best of the West
project.
Motion: Award agreement with JT Construction Group, Inc., for construction services for PN 887, Marie Kerr Park Best of the West
Concession Stand
Project.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
6.11)
Award agreement with Manhole Adjusting, Inc., for construction services for
PN
911,
FY 2025
-
26 local street resurfacing project for a total not to
exceed
amount of $5,677,916 for a term of 90 working days from the date of the
Notice to Proceed.
Councilmember Bishop addressed resident complaints concerning the quality of work completed by the contractor on a past project. Director of Public Works Torres stated that the issue
would be addressed by assigning a full
-
time
inspector to the project. Council and staff discussed
penalties for contractors
failing to meet established standards.
Motion: Award agreement with Manhole Adjusting, Inc., for construction
services for PN
911,
FY 2025
-
26 local street resurfacing project.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Laura Bettencourt.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
4 6.12)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
037, a Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Palmdale adopting a list of projects for FY 2025 -
26 funded by Senate
Bill 1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of
2017.
Mayor Loa pointed out that Area 1 is Avenue R (25th Street East to 55th Street East) and Area 2 is Avenue R
-
8 (35th Street East to 45th Street East).
Director of Public Works Torres mentioned the project timeline.
Councilmember
Alarcón
and Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt inquired about the
public notification process, and the Director of Public Works provided an overview of the procedures involved. Discussion ensued regarding repairing roads.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
037, a Resolution of the City Council
of
the City of Palmdale adopting a list of projects for FY 2025 -
26 funded
by
Senate Bill 1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of
2017.
Moved by
Austin Bishop, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
6.13)
Award and approve agreement with Landscape Connection Group Inc., for turf removal and replacement projects at Marie Kerr and Desert Sands Parks
for a total not to exceed amount of $167,000 for a term of six months from the date of Notice to Proceed.
Councilmember Bishop recused himself and stepped away from the dais as he had done business with Landscape Connection Group Inc.
Motion: Award and approve agreement with Landscape Connection Group Inc.,
for turf removal and replacement projects at Marie Kerr and Desert Sands
Parks.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote: Motion carried (4
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
Councilmember Bishop returned to the dais.
6.14)
Accept Notice of Completion (NOC) for PN 869
-
Arterial Road Resurfacing
Project on Palmdale Boulevard between 70th Street East and 90th Street
East.
6.15)
Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve all items listed under the Consent Calendar except items 6.3, 6.10,
6.11, 6.12, and 6.13.
Moved by Eric Ohlsen, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
5 7)
JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
CC/SA/HA/IDA/PAA/PCA/PFA
7.1)
Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for the year ended June 30, 2024, for the City of Palmdale, the Housing Authority of the
City of Palmdale, the Palmdale Financing Authority, and the Palmdale Community Foundation.
Public Comments: None.
Director of Operations Samson presented the staff report.
Motion: Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for the year ended June 30, 2024, for the City of Palmdale, the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale, the Palmdale Financing Authority, and the Palmdale Community Foundation.
Moved by Laura Bettencourt, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (7
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón, Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, Dianne Betts.
8)
APPOINTMENTS
8.1)
Appoint seven (7) members and two (2) alternates to the Measure AV
Oversight Committee.
This item was pulled from the agenda
and
was not heard.
9)
PUBLIC HEARING
9.1) Public Hearing to
receive Public Comments on the Draft 2025
-
29 Consolidated Plan and 2025
-
26 Action Plan; Review and Adopt Resolution
No.
2025
-
035 A Resolution of the City Council of The City of Palmdale Approving the 2025
-
2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025
-
2026 Action Plan; Accepting
CDBG and Home Grant Funds for Fiscal
Year
2025
-
26; and Authorizing the
City Manager to submit and execute the application for Federal Assistance, required certifications, all related documents, and agreements with sub -
recipients.
Mayor Loa opened the Public Hearing
City Clerk Scott read the title of Resolution No. CC 2025 -
035.
Analyst Bartlett provided a detailed overview of the Consolidated Plan and 2025
-
26 Action Plan.
Testimony: None
Councilmember
Alarcón
asked questions about the carryover of CDBG and
HOME grant funds and geographic distributions. Analyst Bartlett explained the carryovers
,
and David Munoz, LDM associates, spoke
about
the geographic
distributions. Discussion ensued regarding the geographic distribution 6 restrictions.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt spoke regarding the
signature
authority
for
documents, Analyst Bartlett provided clarification on the guidelines for
signature.
Councilmember Ohlsen inquired about strategies for engaging citizens, and Analyst Bartlett outlined the process.
Councilmember Bishop spoke about the allocation and programming of CDBG
funds.
Mayor Loa discussed the increase in the number of unhoused individuals
and
the
allocation of CDBG funds. Director of Housing Reyes discussed the
percentage of CDBG funds that may be allocated to support unhoused populations and outlined additional available funding sources.
Further discussion took place regarding the unhoused population, mental health challenges, and the rental assistance program.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
035 A Resolution of the City Council of
The City of Palmdale Approving the 2025
-
2029 Consolidated Plan and the
2025
-
2026 Action Plan.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
Mayor Loa closed the Public Hearing.
10)
REPORT
City Manager Pro Tem Mendez introduced the Assistant Fire Chief, Chief Ghobani.
Chief Ghobani
addressed the Council, providing a brief introduction and remarks regarding the recently held Fire Service Day.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt inquired about the Fire Explorers Program, and Chief Ghobani shared information on how to access and participate in the program.
Councilmember Bishop spoke about Fire Service Day and the fire truck and
equipment.
Councilmember Ohlsen thanked Chief Ghobani for his service.
Councilmember
Alarcón
thanked Mr. Ghobani for his service and sent regards to a member who was injured at Station 129.
Chief Ghobani announced Firefighter Andrew Pontious would be added to the LA County Firefighter memorial wall on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
7 11)
NON
-
AGENDA PUBLIC
COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public input: David Harris requested that
the
City
allocate funding to the Measure
AV
budget to support nonprofit
organizations
and
other community
-
based entities; Eugene Hernandez discussed the history
of
Cinco
de Mayo, the Mexican Revolution, Cesar Chavez
Day,
celebrating
Latino
culture, and
the housing report; Robert Romo discussed banning fireworks; Roger
Soderstedt
requested a sidewalk in his neighborhood at Rancho Vista and Avenida
Vista
Verde;
Marsha Furman shared details of a graffiti incident involving her son in 1995,
the
options
presented
by
the
court,
and
spoke
about
his
retirement
after
30 years of
service in the Air Force. She also announced the weekly
breakfast on
Wednesdays at Scramblez.
12)
COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE
AGENDA
ITEMS
Councilmember Bishop reported on his attendance at the Neighborhood Watch
meeting in District 3, as well as his participation in the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Meeting.
Councilmember Ohlsen reported attending meetings of the Antelope Valley
Transit
Authority
(AVTA),
the North County Transportation Coalition (NCTC),
and
Metrolink.
He also discussed resident comments regarding budgetary concerns, the
financial
hardships faced by Palmdale citizens, and the importance of protecting the
residents
of Palmdale.
He also
thanked Marsha Furman and her son for
their
service to their
country.
Councilmember
Alarcón
volunteered to share information about City services
and
resources with veterans during their weekly breakfast meetings. She also discussed Alarcón
expressed
concern about the continued use of fireworks in the community and raised the
possibility of transitioning community organizations currently engaged in fireworks sales to a grant funding program under Measure
AV
or PD, with the goal of phasing
food
security and discussed matters related to a local food pantry in addition to SAVES
.
She inquired whether the Council had any interest in creating a legislative advocacy ad hoc committee.
S
he
also
announced that she will host an event at Albe's Ice
Cream on May 10, from
1 3 pm
.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt reported on her participation on the government panel for the iServe
Youth
Leadership Program and her attendance at the Los Angeles Academy.
She expressed
opposition
to
the use of fireworks and provided the reasons for her stance.
Additionally, she requested updates on the status of the Chimbole Cultural Center, inquired if
there
was interest from the Council in establishing a Recreation Center at Domenic Massari Park, and sought an update on the
SAVES
facility. She also
congratulated Matt Wilhelm, Sage
Academy,
on being voted
Teacher
of the
Year
and
for being
a
finalist for National
Teacher
of the
Year.
Mayor Loa reported on his participation on the government panel for the iServe Youth
Leadership Program, and attending the Antelope
Valley
Union High School District
(AVUHSD)
Oscar Night, and the Animal House Auction at the Antelope Valley
Fair.
He also made two requests for future agenda items: 1) A report from Captain Cartmill 8 on the law enforcement activities on fireworks for 2023 and 2024 and 2) Consideration by the Council of the directly elected
mayor.
13)
PRESENTATION
BY CITY
ATTORNEY
13.1)
CONFERENCE
WITH
LEGAL
COUNSEL
ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case
facts and circumstances unknown to
potential plaintiffs)
14)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY CITY
ATTORNEY
Closed Session was held from 6:55 pm
-
7:51 pm.
Acting City Attorney Halfman announced the following:
13.1 -
There were no reportable actions.
15)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Loa adjourned the meeting at 7:51 pm to May 21, 2025, 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 21st day of May 2025.
___________________________
Richard J. Loa, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk