Eight applications were received before the deadline. One did not meet the residency requirements and was not considered further. The remaining seven were se nt to the Council for review. The table below lists the qualified applicants. District information is included for reference only.
FISCAL IMPACT
$0; There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal II: Ensure long-term fiscal health of the City and maintain funding for services.
C. Involve and expand engagement to enhance public oversight and transparency.
Prepared by: Roxanne Faber, City Clerk
Certified as to availability of Funds: Janelle Samson, Director of Operations Approved by: Salvador Mendez, City Manager Pro Tem
Approved as to form: Alexandra Halfman, Acting City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
Apps Redacted
From:
[email protected]
To:
City Clerk
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application Date:
Friday, June 27, 2025 10:56:07 AM
CAUTION:
This email originated from outside of the organization.
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application The Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 pm at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy located at 3300 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale.
Applications are due: by the deadline date of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, @ 6:00 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume.
Full Name
HEATHER G ARMIJO
Address
City
Palmdale
Zip Code
93552
Cell Phone
Email
Current Employer
Los Angeles Unified School District/Bertrand Ave Elementary Current Position
Teacher Education Specialist/Inclusion Lead Teacher
Experience
Please list any relevant
experience and/or
employment.
Over 25 years working with students with mild to severe disabilities in diverse educational settings. Skilled in developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to student needs. Experienced facilitator of IEP meetings, collaborating closely with families, educators, and support staff.
Proficient in behavior intervention strategies and crisis management to support student success
Strong track record of promoting inclusion and equity in the classroom and school community
Effective communicator and collaborator in multidisciplinary teams to solve complex challenges
Committed to ongoing professional growth, leadership
development, and student advocacy
Please list prior
experience serving as
a board member for
non-profit
organizations.
While I do not have direct experience working in nonprofit organizations, I bring over 25 years of experience in education working with diverse student populations, including those with special needs. Throughout my career, I have developed strong skills in collaboration, leadership, and advocacy, all of which are critical to effective nonprofit board service.
I have facilitated Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, which require thoughtful collaboration and decision-making with multiple stakeholders—skills that translate well to board governance. My passion for supporting equitable, inclusive education aligns deeply with Palmdale Space Academy’s mission to inspire students in STEM fields.
I am eager to bring my educational expertise and commitment to student success to the Board, and I am committed to learning about nonprofit operations to effectively support the
organization’s goals and growth.
Please check your
area(s) of expertise
and/or the contribution
you feel you can make
to further the mission of
TPAA.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Special Education Additional Information
Why are you interested
in serving as a board
member for TPAA?
I am interested in serving as a board member for TPAA because I am passionate about supporting educational programs that inspire and prepare students for success in STEM fields and beyond. I believe that the academy’s mission aligns closely with my commitment to equity, inclusion, and high-quality education for all students, including those with diverse learning needs.
With over two decades of experience working directly with students, families, and educators, I want to contribute my skills in collaboration, advocacy, and problem-solving to help guide TPAA’s growth and strengthen its impact in the community.
Serving on the board also offers me a valuable opportunity to expand my leadership experience and deepen my understanding of educational governance, which will support my professional goal of becoming an assistant principal.
Ultimately, I am excited to give back by helping shape policies and programs that foster a nurturing, innovative environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential What other volunteer
commitments do you
currently have?
I currently do not have any other volunteer commitments, which allows me to fully dedicate my time and energy to serving effectively as a board member for TPAA.
Please share any other
information you feel
important for
consideration of your
application to serve as
a TPAA board
member.
I have over 25 years of experience working with students with diverse learning needs, which has strengthened my skills in collaboration, advocacy, and communication. I’m passionate about supporting STEM education and equitable opportunities for all students.
Serving on the TPAA board would help me grow as a leader and gain valuable experience in school governance as I work toward becoming an assistant principal. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the academy’s success.
Thank you for considering my application.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
From:
[email protected]
To:
City Clerk
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application Date:
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 4:47:44 PM
CAUTION:
This email originated from outside of the organization.
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application The Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 pm at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy located at 3300 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale.
Applications are due: by the deadline date of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, @ 6:00 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume.
Full Name
Cynthia Nohemi Chavez
Address
City
Palmdale
Zip Code
93552
Cell Phone
Email
Current Employer
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy
Current Position
Science Teacher
Experience
Please list any relevant
experience and/or
employment.
I have been working in the field of education since 2021. My classroom experience began as a substitute teacher in
Lawndale, CA, where I served under the Centinela Valley Union High School District. Over the course of two years, I fulfilled both daily and long-term substitute roles across various subject areas.
During this time, I was accepted into the University of Southern California’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, from which I later earned my degree.
In 2023, I relocated to Palmdale and began working as a middle school science teacher at The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA). I have now been teaching at TPAA for two years. In my role as a science teacher, I am responsible for delivering engaging and standards-aligned instruction in life, earth, and
physical sciences. I design hands-on, inquiry-based lessons that promote critical thinking, scientific literacy, and a love for learning. I also regularly assess student progress and tailor instruction to meet the diverse academic and socio-emotional needs of my students.
In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I serve as a robotics advisor. In this capacity, I mentor students in the design, construction, and programming of competitive robots. I guide them through collaborative problem-solving, strategic planning, and engineering principles while fostering teamwork and perseverance. I also coordinate team participation in regional robotics competitions and promote STEM engagement through extracurricular activities.
Please list prior
experience serving as
a board member for
non-profit
organizations.
C.A.R.E. Coalition on Anti-Racism Education, Los Angeles, CA (Non-profit)
August 2021 – Present
• Help families, educators, and communities by connecting them to existing programs that aid in restorative justice and creating new programs related to education, housing, and prison reform. • Increase the awareness of social policies and diversity, and advocate for human and civil rights through collaboration with the founder and co-founder on the identification of talents, including artists, innovators, activists, and educators, in the community who infuse radical empathy into their personal and professional lives to F.I.R.E. Friday podcasts.
• Scheduled 10+ candidate interviews.
• Expanded social media engagement by managing and editing headshots and social media advertisements for Facebook and Instagram using Canva and Adobe Photoshop.
• Managed communication between guests and co-hosts and ensured the fulfillment of needs for both parties.
Breastfeed Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA May 2020 –May 2021 Intern
• Support the activities related to the promotion of breastfeeding locally and statewide of an organization committed to enhancing the well-being and health of infants and families, particularly underrepresented ones, through advocacy, education, and outreach.
• Collect, catalog, and analyze data from various Los Angeles County hospitals related to COVID-19 hospital resources and current breastfeeding and laboring standards.
• Involved in coalition meetings for supporting Baby Friendly initiatives.
• Advocate for Paid Leave and Worker Retention, AB 3216 with local state officials in a virtual setting and discuss the importance of passing the bill with the legislators.
• Assisted with preparing an approved grant proposal presented to the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Equity and UCLA Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Seed Grant Program.
• Developed multiple web pages for Breastfeed LA utilizing HTML.
Please check your
area(s) of expertise
and/or the contribution
you feel you can make
to further the mission of
TPAA.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Governance
Additional Information
Why are you interested
in serving as a board
member for TPAA?
I am interested in serving as a board member at The Palmdale Aerospace Academy because I am deeply committed to the
school’s mission of preparing students for success in STEM fields and beyond. As a current educator at TPAA, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the potential our students possess and the transformative impact our programs can have on their futures. Serving on the board would allow me to contribute to the strategic vision of the school, advocate for policies that support both student achievement and teacher growth, and help ensure that TPAA continues to thrive as a leader in innovative, high-quality education.
What other volunteer
commitments do you
currently have?
Robotics Advisor
Please share any other
information you feel
important for
consideration of your
application to serve as
a TPAA board
member.
I bring a unique perspective as both a classroom teacher and a community member who understands the day-to-day realities of our school environment. I want to help bridge the gap between instructional needs and long-term planning, always keeping student success at the forefront. I see this opportunity as a meaningful way to give back to a school that I believe in and to help shape a strong, inclusive future for all students and stakeholders.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
From:
[email protected]
To:
City Clerk
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application Date:
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 5:14:10 PM
CAUTION:
This email originated from outside of the organization.
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application The Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 pm at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy located at 3300 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale.
Applications are due: by the deadline date of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, @ 6:00 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume.
Full Name
Keisha Como
Address
City
Palmdale
Zip Code
93551
Cell Phone
Email
Current Employer
Change Lanes Youth Support Services
Current Position
Senior Program Coordinator
Experience
Please list any relevant
experience and/or
employment.
I currently serve as the Senior Program Coordinator at Change Lanes Youth Support Services, where I manage youth
development programming and oversee public health contracts focused on prevention education and leadership development. I work closely with the Fight Fentanyl AV committee, a local coalition dedicated to equipping students with drug resistance skills. As part of this work, I’ve led over 20 Narcan administration training sessions at teacher development days, on-campus student service days, teen summits, and even presented on behalf of the City of Palmdale at a national conference in 2024.
Please list prior
experience serving as
a board member for
I served for two years as a board member for This Is Girl Power, a Santa Clarita-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on
empowering young women through self-love, healthy
non-profit
organizations.
relationships, balanced nutrition, and career planning. These experiences, combined with my education in sociology and political science and my leadership roles in grant-funded programming, have deepened my commitment to student
advocacy, public health, and career-readiness initiatives.
My job position also gives a reports to the Change Lanes Board of Directors monthly for organizational updates.
Please check your
area(s) of expertise
and/or the contribution
you feel you can make
to further the mission of
TPAA.
Business Management, Curriculum, Instruction, and
Assessment, Governance
Additional Information
Why are you interested
in serving as a board
member for TPAA?
I was born in Palmdale and raised in the Antelope Valley, and after earning my master’s degree, I intentionally returned home to invest in my city—especially in our youth. As someone who personally benefited from the free programs offered by the City of Palmdale, including serving in Youth Court for six years and attending national conferences through the generous support of local leaders, I know the impact that meaningful opportunities can have on a young person’s life. Now, with over eight years of experience leading youth programs, securing public funding, and building partnerships with school districts and government agencies, I want to ensure that today’s students have the same, if not greater, access to success. Serving on the TPAA board would allow me to help shape career pathways and innovative learning experiences for the next generation of Antelope Valley leaders.
What other volunteer
commitments do you
currently have?
At this time, I do not have any active volunteer commitments outside of my professional responsibilities. This is intentional, as I am seeking an opportunity where I can dedicate my time and energy to making a meaningful impact.
Please share any other
information you feel
important for
consideration of your
application to serve as
a TPAA board
member.
I hold a bachelors degree in Government and politics and a Masters degree in Sociology.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
KEISHA COMO
P
ROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated non
-
profit professional with 8
years of experience aligning organizational goals
with effective implementation practices. Having provided direct services to youth
herself
,
she transitioned into leadership roles with a deep understanding of their challenges at the client level. As a collaborative leader, she is dedicated to fostering collective genius to achieve organizational success, consistently turning strategic visions
into tangible results.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Change Lanes Youth Support Services
Senior Program Coordinator
|
October
20 2
3 —
Current
•
Successfully
passed all
audits with no corrective actions
needed
for 3 years
, including
reviews of financial
, personnel and program
deliverables
with the
Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health.
•
Conducted
an
environmental scan
by surveying 1,000 Antelope Valley residents in
person which led to
a 23% increase in client enrollment into our programs. Over $25k in billable services was generated as a direct result of our environmental scan.
•
Began a partnership with the City of Palmdale
resulting in
co
-
presenting with the
deputy city manager at a statewide government conference attended by over 2 ,000
government
personnel
.
Program
Coordinator
|
June
2022
—
October 2023
•
Petitioned the
C
ounty of Los Angeles
and
receive
d
a 30%
budget
augmentation
resulting in a 40k increase in our grant award.
•
Oversaw the implementation of 2 grants and managed a $400k yearly budget for youth programming.
•
Created a strategic plan and p
itched new programming to the Antelope Valley Union
High School District Board of Director
s
which resulted in the successful execution of a
MOU allowing our organization to bring
its
services and curriculum to the 12 high
schools in the district.
R. Rex Parris for Mayor
–
Lancaster, CA
Assistant to the Campaign Manager |
2019
&
202
4 •
Called past donors to build rapport, provide updates on the goals of the current campaign and solicit donations.
•
Assisted in the planning and execution of
fundraising events and public information
forums that garnered the support of the community and over $20k in donations.
Power of Sight Foundation
Freelance Grant writer
|
October
20 23
—
February
20 24
•
Secured 2 grants that funded over $30k for the healthcare foundation to provide free glasses and eye exams to anyone who needs access to optometry services.
Volunteers of America
–
Los Angeles
Job Developer
|
January
201
9 —
J
anuary
20 2
2 •
Organized
career summits where leading professionals presented on their careers to low
-
income
students in the San Fernando Valley which resulted in over 100 high school
dropouts
enrolling in
to
a trade school
or re
-
enrolling in high school.
•
Established
partnerships with local businesses, enabling their staff to engage in community service as a team through service leadership projects conducted alongside our students on
-
site.
Case
Manager |
May
20 18
—
January
20 19
•
Awarded as a rising star in the company for retaining 90% of my clients for a 6 -
month
period
whereas the company average for retention was 60%.
EDUCATION
MASTER'S DEGREE,
SOCIOLOGY
Arizona State University, AZ
2020
–
Cum Laude
BACHELOR'S DEGREE,
POLITICAL SCIENCE
St. John’s University, NY
2018
SKILLS
Professional
-
Federal, State & County contract
compliance
-
Managing
grant reporting d
atabases
-
Grant writing
-
Data analysis
-
Community Engagement
-
Organizational Fundraising
-
Campaign Management
-
Public Speaking
Technical
-
Microsoft
365 Suite
-
Google Workspace
-
Adobe
-
Excel
CERTIFICATES
Project Management: Sustainability
/
In Progress
Medi
-
Cal Peer Support Specialist
Department of Health Care Services
/
November 2023
From:
[email protected]
To:
City Clerk
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application Date:
Monday, June 30, 2025 12:25:10 AM
CAUTION:
This email originated from outside of the organization.
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application The Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 pm at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy located at 3300 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale.
Applications are due: by the deadline date of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, @ 6:00 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume.
Full Name
Elizabeth Henriquez
Address
City
Palmdale
Zip Code
93550
Cell Phone
Email
Current Employer
Ladwp
Current Position
Senior administrative clerk
Experience
Please list any relevant
experience and/or
employment.
I am currently employed with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in a customer service and administrative capacity. My responsibilities include timekeeping, payroll processing, and operational support for large teams, giving me a strong foundation in communication, coordination, and
accountability.
Please list prior
experience serving as
a board member for
non-profit
organizations.
Field not completed.
Please check your
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Governance
area(s) of expertise
and/or the contribution
you feel you can make
to further the mission of
TPAA.
Additional Information
Why are you interested
in serving as a board
member for TPAA?
I am passionate about educational equity and student success, and I believe in the transformative power of STEM and
aerospace-focused learning. As a Palmdale resident and
community advocate, I am deeply invested in supporting
institutions like TPAA that prepare students for meaningful careers and civic engagement. Serving as a board member would allow me to contribute to a strong educational foundation for our youth while also bringing a community-centered
perspective to decision-making.
What other volunteer
commitments do you
currently have?
I served in the Human Rights Advisory Committee and
participate in various local initiatives that support youth, education, and underserved communities. I also assist with events and outreach efforts through my union and community- based organizations.
Please share any other
information you feel
important for
consideration of your
application to serve as
a TPAA board
member.
Field not completed.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
From:
[email protected]
To:
City Clerk
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application Date:
Monday, June 30, 2025 9:40:19 AM
CAUTION:
This email originated from outside of the organization.
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application The Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 pm at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy located at 3300 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale.
Applications are due: by the deadline date of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, @ 6:00 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume.
Full Name
David Lujan
Address
City
Palmdale
Zip Code
93551
Cell Phone
Email
Current Employer
Department of Veterans Affairs
Current Position
Program Application Analyst
Experience
Please list any relevant
experience and/or
employment.
I bring over 15 years of combined experience in public service, healthcare administration, and local government leadership.
Board President, The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA) - I currently serve as Board President, where I have helped lead the school through a successful 5-year charter renewal, championed academic excellence, and strengthened governance and
community engagement.
Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Greater Los Angeles - In my current role, I support operational improvement, data-driven decision-making, and veteran-centered care within one of the nation’s largest VA health systems.
Planning Commissioner, City of Palmdale - I serve on the
Planning Commission, contributing to responsible city growth by reviewing and approving land use, development, and
infrastructure projects. This experience has deepened my understanding of civic policy, regulatory oversight, and strategic planning.
U.S. Navy Veteran – Hospital Corpsman - I proudly served 13 years in the United States Navy, where I developed the
leadership, discipline, and resilience that continue to guide my work in both public service and education governance.
Each of these roles reflects a commitment to service,
accountability, and building systems that uplift individuals and communities, principles I bring to my continued work with TPAA.
Please list prior
experience serving as
a board member for
non-profit
organizations.
I currently serve as the Board President of The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA), a nonprofit public charter school serving over 1,600 students. I was first appointed to the TPAA Board in 2021 and elected President in 2023. During my tenure, I have helped lead the organization through a successful 5-year charter renewal, strengthened board governance practices, and supported initiatives that have improved academic performance, culture, and community engagement.
Additionally, I serve as the Homeowners Association (HOA) President for the Anaverde Community in Palmdale. In this capacity, I oversee community operations, work with vendors and management companies, and advocate for residents’ interests to maintain a safe, well-managed, and connected neighborhood.
Both roles reflect my commitment to responsible leadership, transparent governance, and fostering a sense of community values I bring to every board I serve on.
Please check your
area(s) of expertise
and/or the contribution
you feel you can make
to further the mission of
TPAA.
Business Management, Governance
Additional Information
Why are you interested
in serving as a board
member for TPAA?
As the current Board President of The Palmdale Aerospace Academy, I am proud of the progress we have made in
strengthening academic performance, governance, and
community partnerships. Under our board’s leadership, the Academy has seen a significant rise in academic achievement, including a 43.6% increase in English Language Arts (ELA) and a 38.5% increase in Mathematics on the CAASPP. Most recently, our successful 5-year charter renewal reflects a strong vote of confidence in the school’s mission, strategic vision, performance and signed two employee union contracts.
However, the work is far from done. My continued interest in serving on the board stems from a deep commitment to taking TPAA to the next level. I want to help position TPAA as the premier public school in California, where academic excellence, student wellness, and innovative opportunities are not just goals, but expectations. As both a public servant and a civic leader, I believe in the transformative power of education, especially one that builds character, fosters inclusion, and prepares students to lead in a rapidly evolving world.
What other volunteer
commitments do you
currently have?
Serving as Anaverde Board President.
Please share any other
information you feel
important for
consideration of your
application to serve as
a TPAA board
member.
As a parent, Veteran, public servant, and dedicated community leader, I bring a unique blend of lived experience, strategic insight, and a deep personal investment in the success of The Palmdale Aerospace Academy.
My leadership style is grounded in servant leadership,
transparency, and consistency principles that have guided my work on the TPAA Board, in my federal service with the VA, and in my role as Planning Commissioner for the City of Palmdale. I also serve as HOA President for the Anaverde Community, where I help foster a safe, well-connected neighborhood through responsive and inclusive leadership.
I believe continuity in leadership is essential to sustaining the momentum we’ve built, and I am prepared to continue showing up, listening, and working hard on behalf of our students, families, and staff.
It would be an honor to continue serving on the TPAA Board as we pursue our vision of becoming the premier educational institution in California.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
From:
[email protected]
To:
City Clerk
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application Date:
Monday, June 23, 2025 7:32:10 PM
CAUTION:
This email originated from outside of the organization.
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board Member Application The Board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 pm at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy located at 3300 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale.
Applications are due: by the deadline date of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, @ 6:00 p.m.
Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume.
Full Name
Gary Roberts
Address
City
Palmdale
Zip Code
93551-1114
Cell Phone
Email
Current Employer
retired
Current Position
retired
Experience
Please list any relevant
experience and/or
employment.
I was appointed by the City of Palmdale in January 2018 to represent the City of Palmdale as a Director of the Palmdale Aerospace Academy for the remainder of Mr. Ledford's
unexpired term. I was appointed by the Palmdale City Council in 2020 and served a full 3 year term being termed out in July 2023 I am a retired school teacher having taught for over 40 years. I have taught at the Devereux Foundation (Santa Barbara), Ocean View Jr. High School (Oxnard), Hueneme High School (Oxnard), and for the past 30 years Palmdale and Highland High School retiring in 2019. I have taught Special Ed. (Severe and RSP), World History, Civics, Economics, and Independent Study.
I hold Life credentials in Social Science and Learning Disabilities.
I hold a Masters of Education from the University of California at Santa Barbara
Please list prior
experience serving as
a board member for
non-profit
organizations.
Field not completed.
Please check your
area(s) of expertise
and/or the contribution
you feel you can make
to further the mission of
TPAA.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Finance, Governance, Special Education
Additional Information
Why are you interested
in serving as a board
member for TPAA?
First of all, I enjoyed representing the City of Palmdale as a Director to The Palmdale Aerospace Academy. In my 5 1/2 years on the Board, we standardized our Board Agenda, always
balance the budget and maintained an adequate reserve. I would like to see the Board be more inclusive for parents, students, and the community. One easy way of doing this is to have public comments at the beginning of the meeting rather than at the end.
I would like to see a student member on the Board. I would like to see a Board that isn't controlling but facilitates. A board that welcomes administrators, certificated, classified, parents and students.
What other volunteer
commitments do you
currently have?
Field not completed.
Please share any other
information you feel
important for
consideration of your
application to serve as
a TPAA board
member.
I will uphold the Board Bylaws and make sure that the Board of Directors follow the bylaws, unlike the numerous violations that happen in August thru September 2024, that I brought to the attention of the Palmdale School District which is the LEA for The Palmdale Aerospace Academy. At that time one of the violations by the Board President was her refusal to seat the Palmdale City Council appointee Nardy Lopez. The Board President also tried to arbitrarily change the Board Bylaws to decrease the number of Directors that Palmdale City would have on the Board.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
Firat
Taxpulat
Palmdale
,
CA
93551
Education
Georgia Institute of Technology
,
Atlanta
,
G
A
Aug
.
202
3 -
Present
M.S.
in Computer Science
; Concentration: Computational Perception and Robotics
GPA: 4.0
Stanford University
, Stanford, CA
Jan
.
202
2 –
Present
Robotics and Autonomous Systems Graduate Certificate
GPA:
4.0 07
University of California
–
Los Angeles
,
Los Angeles
, CA
Sep
.
20 17
–
Sep. 2021
B.S. in Applied Mathematics; Specialization: Computin
g
GPA:
3.56, Major GPA: 3.85
•
Dean’s Honors
:
M
ultiple quarters of
achieving
a GPA in the top percentage of
UCLA
students.
Research
Team Lead
&
Co
-
Founder
,
NASA RASC
-
AL
Research Competition
Team
–
Project
Swarm
Advised
by
Dr. Jay W. Summet
at Georgia Tech
Dec
.
202
3 -
Present
•
Led the
team
research and design
development of a
self
-
sustaining multi
-
robot swarm vehicle
focusing on AI
-
driven asteroid resource extraction
,
autonomous refueling and repair.
•
Authored sections
of
vehicle
technical proposal
on AI/ML, G
NC
, and Landing Mechanism
.
Research Assistant
& Image Processing Lead
,
Aquabots: Maritime Robotics VIP
Advised by Dr. Michael E. West at Georgia Tech
J
an
.
202
4 -
Present
•
Developed pipelines incorporating Gaussian filters, unsharp masking, and bilateral filters to denoise
and
deblur
underwater
training
footage
for
a YOLOv8 model tracking salmon
.
Used
for analyzing the ecological recovery of P
WS
, Alaska following the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Research Assistant,
Design Intelligence Laboratory
Advised by Dr.
Ashok K. Goel
at Georgia Tech
May
.
202
4 -
Present
•
Implemented an autoscoring system for Jill Watson, an AI teaching assistant, to
assess the
quality and relevance of Jill’s
generated answers to user questions
.
•
Enhanced CQA (Context
-
Question Answer)
, used to
generat
e question
-
answer pair training
data
derived from class materials,
by implementing a filtering system that eliminate
s
context
-
dependent questions
which
improv
es
the quality of training data for Jill Watson’s autoscoring.
Research Assistant,
Billi Research Lab
Advised by Dr.
Fabrizio
Billi
at
UCLA
Ma
r
.
20 19
–
Jun. 2019
•
Developed a Python GUI to control a Yocto
-
thermocouple sensor for knee surger
ies
,
record
temperature
s
,
graph temperature
data
real
-
time, and export to .txt and .png formats
.
Work
Experience
Software Engineer &
Senior Software Engineer
,
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Advanced Development Programs / Skunk Works,
Palmdale,
CA
Mar
.
202
2 -
Present
•
Engineering safety critical air vehicle software for an aircraft.
Implementing the aircraft’s flight
functions for automatic takeoff and landing, engine throttling, emergency runway stop, communication with ground stations, and flight maneuvering.
•
Designed and implemented the aircraft’s engine health monitoring system, including oil pressure monitoring, overheat temperature checks, and abnormal engine start detection.
•
Leading as
software
scrum master by facilitating meetings
&
creating
stories for build releases.
Sustainability Ambassador,
Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics
Env
ironment
, Safety, & Health
Group
,
Palmdale
,
CA
Jun.
202
4 -
Present
•
Tracking stories, events, and accomplishments
p
romotable
to
L
M
's sustainability initiative.
•
M
y article
on LM’s
Climate Impact Digital
Twin
, a carbon accounting tool,
was chosen by LM
C
orporate
to be
featured on LM's Sustainability Connects
& Space Social Impact
page
s
.
SDE Intern, Programmer I, & Computer Scientist I
,
JT4
Electrical
Instrumentation Team
,
Edwards Air Force Base
,
CA
Jun
.
2019
-
Feb
.
202
2 •
Replaced GPS and data storage devices used in sensor package worn by U.S. Air Force paratroopers with Xsens
™
MTi
-
G
-
710 GPS unit and DTS
™
Slice6 Air data storage device;
weight reduced by 90%.
Presented new sensor package to JT4 Edwards AFB range manager.
•
Implemented telemetry IRIG 106 Chapter 11
Standards into U.S. Air Force Py106 code
repository to parse Pulse Code Modulation data; eliminated need for specialized hardware.
Presentations F. Taxpulat, Z. Y. Chong, & H. Yoon, “Maritime Activity Detection from Time Series Data” in 2024 & Posters Lockheed Martin Exchange AI Summit, Oct. 2024 F. Taxpulat, “Enhancing Fish Detection with Bilateral Filtering, Unsharp Masking, and CLAHE: A Computer Vision Approach” in 2024 Georgia Tech Project Showcase, May 2024 F. Taxpulat, “Aerial Wildfire Detection Using Image Classification” in Stanford University CS 231N Poster Session, Jun. 2024
F. Taxpulat & P. Brophy “Integrating First-Year Mentors into a Veteran FRC Team” in 2024 FIRST Mentor Conference @ Google Mountain View, Aug. 2024
Community Leadership Committee Member, Volunteer Coordinator & Mentor , STEM-ED Org.
Engagement Aerospace Robotics Competition (ARC), Palmdale, CA Jan. 2023 - Present • Elected STEM-ED Leadership Committee Member overseeing the 2025 Aerospace Robotics Competition. Managing budget & schedule, writing rules, and creating educational materials. • Recruited volunteers for 2024 ARC West Regional Championship and 2024 ARC National Championship at Edwards AFB, CA. Managed volunteer schedules, trainings, and roles. • Mentored three different Palmdale High School teams with drone designs and autopilot code; awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for 2023 ARC West Regional Championship.
Lead Computer Vision Mentor , The Palmdale Aerospace Academy FIRST Robotics Competition Team 5012: Gryffingear, Palmdale, CA Nov. 2022 - Present • Mentoring high school students in integrating Limelight cameras and vision algorithms into robot's control system for robot’s distance estimation and automatic alignment for scoring. • Assisting students with using WPILib to fuse vision data with gyros and encoders to improve navigation. Guiding students with addressing motion blur and frame-rate optimization.
Technical Design Paper Judge, 2023 & 2024 SAE Aero Design East & West Competitions Technical Design Paper Judge, Palmdale, CA Jan. 2023 – Apr. 2024 • Evaluated technical design papers submitted by university teams. Assessed elements such as aerodynamic analysis, structural design, propulsion systems, and performance calculations.
Awards Lockheed Martin Advanced Technical Leadership Program (ATLP) Candidate & Honors Class of 2026 Candidate, Oct. 2024
• ATLP’s purpose is to accelerate technical, professional, and leadership development of intermediate career-level individuals. ATLP Candidates participate in stretch assignments, research projects, mentoring, and networking. ATLP accepts 15 applicants annually.
Lockheed Martin Voices of LM Recipient
Chosen by LM AeroCares, Jul. 2024
• Recognized for my community involvement, including STEM mentoring at high schools and spearheading LM volunteering efforts; my recognition is featured in an insideLM article.
Antelope Valley Bridge Award
Awarded by A.V. Union High School District Superintendent & Board of Trustees, Apr. 2024 • The Bridge Award is presented to individuals or organizations supporting career preparation district programs. Recognized for my leadership in the Aerospace Robotics Competition.
Lockheed Martin AI/ML Scholar
2024 Cohort, Mar. 2024
• Participated in LM AI/ML Fundamentals Program trainings, attended workshops led by LM AI/ML practitioners, and presented a capstone project on Maritime Activity Detection at the 2024 LM Exchange AI Summit. 1 of 50 selected as a LM AI/ML Scholar for the 2024 Cohort.
Antelope Valley STEM Expo 3rd Place Award in Reverse Engineering May 2017
• Repaired a local school's damaged computer parts, built a functioning computer from the repaired parts, and presented the computer along with other repaired parts to judges.
Skills Human Languages: English (Native), Uyghur (Fluent), Latin (Intermediate), Spanish (Intermediate) Programming Languages: C, C++, Python, Matlab, Java
City Council Staff Report
DATE: JULY 15, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR PRO TEM AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PLANNING DIVISION
DISTRICT: ALL
SUBJECT: ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1658, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE APPROVING ZONING
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 25 -0001 TO MODIFY RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS WITHIN THE ZONING ORDINANCE
AND FIND THAT THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPA CT REPORT 22 -002 PREPARED AND
CERTIFIED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY’S GENERAL PLAN
(PALMDALE 2045)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council:
1. Receive public testimony regarding proposed Ordinance No. 1658;
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 1658 approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 25- 0001 to modify residential development standards within the zoning ordinance ; and,
3. Find that the request is consistent with Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) 22-002 prepared and certified in conjunction with the City’s General Plan (Palmdale 2045).
BACKGROUND
On September 21, 2022, Palmdale 2045 was adopted by the City Council and replaced the previously adopted General Plan (1993). State law requires that the regulations governing the use and development of lands within the municipal limits of a city be consistent with the adopted General Plan for that city. ZOA 21 -007 was adopted by the City Council on March 15, 2023, which amended Title 17 of the Palmdale Municipal Code (PMC) to implement the vision of Palmdale 2045 as well as support new land use patterns and future development. Since then, staff have identified minor amendments to Title 17, Report to Mayor Pro Tem and City Council
Re: Adopt Ord No. 1658
July 15, 2025
which are necessary to address residential development standards for single -family residences and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as required by State law.
On June 12, 2 025, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. PC -2025-012 recommending City Council approval of ZOA 25-0001.
DISCUSSION
The Planning Commission recommends City Council approval of the proposed amendments to the detached single -family residential development standards to allow the use of foam trim around exterior doors, windows, and decorative features. Foam trim is a widely used decorative materi al in the construction of single -family homes, and this amendment will provide developers with additional flexibility in materials while ensuring high-quality aesthetics.
The proposed amendment also addresses ADUs within the multi -family residential standards to comply with State law. Local agencies cannot mandate replacement parking when an uncovered parking space is demolished during the construction or conversion of an ADU (Gov. Code § 66314, subdivisions (d)(11)). Additionally, Government Code Section 66313 has revised the definition of “livable space” to encompass any area in a dwelling intended for human habitation, including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation. Furthermore, the maximum number of allowed detached ADUs for lots with an existing multi-family dwelling has increased from two to eight, as long as the number of detached ADUs does not exceed the number of primary dwelling units on the lot.
Approval of the proposed amendments complies with Palmdale 2045, Chapter Five, Land Use and Community Design, Goal LUD -4, which emphasizes the need for high -quality architecture and site design in the renovation and construction of all buildings; and, LUD- 22, which encourages the development of n eighborhoods with a range of housing opportunities that allow people of all ages, abilities, socioeconomic status, and family size to live in Palmdale.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
PEIR 22-002 (State Clearinghouse # 2021060494) was prepared and certified by the City Council (Resolution No. CC 2022-096) on September 21, 2022, for approval of Palmdale 2045. As part of the environmental analysis, PEIR 22 -002 also considered the adoption and implementation of the Comprehensive Zoning Code and Map update. Staff review has determined that a subse quent or supplemental PEIR as described in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15162, 15163, or 15164, is not required because the proposed ZOA would not require major revisions to the PEIR, there are no significant changes in circumstances and there is no new information of substantial importance that will involve new significant environmental effects or increase the severity of previously identified significant effects. Any future projects would be required to go through separate environmental reviews, as this ZOA is only amending residential Report to Mayor Pro Tem and City Council
Re: Adopt Ord No. 1658
July 15, 2025
development standards. As such, staff concluded that the request is consistent with the previous PEIR in accordance with CEQA Guidelines and has determined that no additional environmental analysis is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
$0; T here are no proposed developments; therefore, this action has no fiscal impact ; however, it will facilitate the development of housing, which will increase property value.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal IV: Maintain a desirable community where everyone wants to live, work, and play.
A. Support opportunities to celebrate rich traditions and diverse cultures in the community.
Prepared by: Megan Taggart, Director of Economic and
Community Development
Certified as to availability of Funds: Janelle Samson, Director of Operations Approved by: Salvador Mendez, City Manager Pro Tem
Approved as to form: Alexandra Halfman, Acting City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
Ord. No. 1658
Exh A to Ord. No. 1658
Reso. No. PC-2025-012
CITY OF PALMDALE, A CHARTER CITY,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
ORDINANCE NO. 1658
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 25-0001 TO MODIFY
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS WITHIN THE ZONING
ORDINANCE AND FIND THAT THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH
PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT 22 -002 PREPARED
AND CERTIFIED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY’S GENERAL PLAN (PALMDALE 2045)
A. INTENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. The City of Palmdale (City) has filed an application that applies to the City and the City’s sphere of influence, requesting approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 25 -0001, to modify residential development standards within the Zoning Ordinance, to streamline review procedures for City projects, as indicated in Exhibit A (hereinafter referred to as “Application”); and,
2. State law requires that the regulations governing the use and development of land within the municipal limits of a city be consistent with the adopted General Plan for that city. On September 21, 2022, the City Council adopted a comprehensive update to the General Plan (Palmdale 2045), which required a comprehensive update to Title 17 of the Palmdale Municipal Code (PMC), and,
3. On March 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Pa lmdale adopted Ordinance No. 1603, a comprehensive Zoning Code and Map update; and,
4. On August 16, 2023, the City Council of the City of Palmdale adopted Ordinance Nos. 1613 and 1614 , which identified minor amendments to the PMC necessary to address inconsistencies, clarify review procedures, correct typographical errors and section references, as well as update the associated Zoning Map; and,
5. On December 6, 2023, the City Council of the City of Palmdale adopted Ordinance No. 1627, which identified minor amendments to Title 17 necessary to address inconsistencies and clarify review procedures; and,
6. On February 7, 2024, the City Council of the City of Palmdale adopted Ordinance No. 1639, which amended the Noise Element of the General Plan, the Development Standards for Mixed -Use zones, the Land Use map, and Zoning map to address inconsistencies and clarify review procedures; and,
Ordinance No. 1658
7. On December 22, 2024, the City Council of the City of Palmdale adopted Ordinance No. 1647 to address review procedures and streamline review processes for City projects; and,
8. On June 12, 2025, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. PC-2025- 012 recommending City Council approval of ZOA 25-0001, and,
9. On July 15, 2025, the City Council of the City of Palmdale conducted a duly noticed public hearing. All legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred.
B. ORDINANCE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby specifically find s that all the facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A of this Ordinance, are true and correct.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby finds as follows with respect to the environmental document:
A PEIR 22 -002 (State Clearinghouse #2021060494) was prepared and certified by the City Council (Resolution No. CC 2022 -096) on September 21, 2022, for approval of the City’s General Plan (Palmdale 2045). As part of the environmental analysis, PEIR 22 -002 also considered the adoption and implementation of the Compreh ensive Zoning Code and Map update. Staff review has determined that a subsequent or supplemental PEIR as described in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15162, 15163, or 15164, is not required because the proposed ZOA modifies language in the recently adopted General Plan and Title 17 of the PMC. The amendment is related to the residential development standards and would not require major revisions to the PEIR, there are no significant changes in circumstances and there is no ne w information of substantial importance that will involve new significant environmental effects or increase the severity of previously identified significant effects. Any future projects would be required to go through separate environmental reviews as this ZOA is only amending residential development standards . As such, staff concluded that the request is consistent with the previous PEIR in accordance with CEQA Guidelines and has determined that no additional environmental analysis is required.
B The cus todian of records for the environmental document and all other materials which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the City Council’s decision is based is the Planning Manager of the City of Palmdale.
Ordinance No. 1658
These documents are available for public re view in the Planning Division of the City of Palmdale, located at 38250 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, California 93550, telephone (661) 267-5200.
In addition, the Final PEIR is available at: https://palmdale2045gp.org/wp - content/uploads/2022/10/PalmdaleGP_FinalEIRAppendicesResponsetoCo mmentsFindingofFactandStatementofOverridingConsiderations.pdf.
SECTION 3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to the City Council during the above -referenced July 15, 2025, public hear ing, including public testimony, written and oral staff report, the City Council specifically finds as follows:
A The proposed ZOA conforms with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan.
B The proposed ZOA is necessary to implement the Ge neral Plan and to provide public safety, convenience and/or general welfare.
The approval of the proposed ZOA will provide greater flexibility for residential development standards and compliance with state law regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Furthermore, the proposed amendment aligns with the City’s General Plan, which emphasizes the importance of high -quality architecture and site design in both the renovation and construction of buildings. It also supports the development of neighborhoods that offer a variety of housing options, enabling individuals of all ages, abilit ies, socioeconomic statuses, and family sizes to live in Palmdale.
SECTION 4. Based on the findings and conclusions outlined in Sections 1, 2 and 3, this C ity Council approves ZOA 25-0001, as shown in Exhibit A , and finds that the project is consistent with PEIR 22-002 prepared and certified for Palmdale 2045.
SECTION 5 . Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, invalid, or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby decla res that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared unconstitut ional, or invalid, or ineffective, provided the basic purposes of this Ordinance and the benefits to the City and the public are not substantially impaired.
Ordinance No. 1658
SECTION 6. All legal prerequisites and pre -conditions to introducing, enacting, and adopting this Ordinance have occurred as required by law and policy.
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and shall cause this ordinance to be published or posted as required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 15th day of July, 2025.
________________________________
Laura Bettencourt, Mayor Pro Tem
Approved as to form: Attest:
________________________________ ________________________________ Alexandra Halfman, Acting City Attorney Rochelle Scott, City Clerk
I, Rochelle Scott, City Clerk of the City of Palmdale, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly introduced, passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Palmdale at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 15th day of July, 2025, effective on the 14th day of August, 2025, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:___________________________________________________________
ABSTAIN:______________________ABSENT:___________________________
Date:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
PMC Section 17.37.010 Detached single-family residential standards.
(8) Window Trim or Recess. Trim at least two inches in depth shall be provided around all windows, or windows shall be recessed at least two inches from the plane of the surrounding exterior wall (see Figure 17.37.010-2 (Window Trim or Recess)). Foam trim material shall be prohibited.
PMC Section 17.91.010.D.2.b: No more than twoeight ADUs that are detached from the multifamily dwelling, however the number of accessory dwelling units allowed shall not exceed the number of existing units on the lot; provided, that no such unit shall exceed the height limits as established in Subsection (F)(9) of this Section, and each such unit complies with the setbacks specified within Subsection (F)(4) of this Section. The maximum square footage of detached accessory dwelling units on lots with existing multifamily residential dwellings shall be 800 square feet each.
PMC Section 17.91.010.F.6.c: When a garage, carport, uncovered parking space , or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, the de molished or converted off-street parking spaces do not have to be replaced, and parking would be eliminated.