1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA
HIGHWAY,
SUITE
B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 19, 2025
5:00 PM
1)
CALL MEETING
TO
ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt called the meeting to order
5:00 pm
.
Note: All City Council memberships are reflected in their City Council titles.
2)
ROLL CALL
MAYOR
PRO TEM
BETTENCOURT,
COUNCILMEMBERS
BISHOP,
LOA, OHLSEN,
ALARCÓN
PRESENT: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
ABSENT:
None.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF
SILENCE
Councilmember Loa led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Deputy City Manager Lopez withdrew Item 4.2 from the agenda, and it was not discussed.
4)
PRESENTATIONS
4.1)
Commendation to Nuuvali Nuuvali in honor of his retirement from the City of Palmdale.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt and Director of Parks and Recreation
Smith
presented a commendation to Nuuvali Nuuvali.
4.2)
Update on Chimbole Cultural Center & Library Expansion Project.
This item was not heard.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt announced there would be an
agenda
change, Section
11,
Sheriff's Report was heard at this
time.
5)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt welcomed and encouraged public participation during the comment periods.
Public Comments: None.
2 Councilmember
Alarcón
pulled Items 6.2 and 6.3 for discussion.
6)
CONSENT
CALENDAR
6.1)
Waive full reading of the Resolution(s) and/or Ordinance(s) to be considered and voted on at this meeting. (This allows for reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text).
6.2)
Approve agreement with Community Effort Animal Rescue (CEAR) to expand -
related programs for a not to exceed amount of $900,000 for a three -
year
term
with the option to extend two additional one
-
year terms.
Supervising Coordinator German provided a brief overview of the spay and neuter program.
Ms. Cassandra O'Connell from Community Effort Animal Rescue ("CEAR") discussed their services and the positive impact they have on the community.
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt inquired about the application process
.
Ms.
O'Connell provided information on the application process.
Motion: Approve agreement with Community Effort Animal Rescue (CEAR) to expand the administration of the City's spay and neuter program and other animal
-
related programs for a not to exceed amount of $900,000 for a three -
year term with the option to extend two additional one
-
year terms.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
6.3)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
062, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale, authorizing the execution of Grant Agreement with the U.S.
Department of Transportation (USDOT) to receive Federal Funding for Safe
Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
project.
Director of Public Works Torres delivered a PowerPoint presentation.
Council thanked staffed, discussed road safety, grant funding, and addressed the project scheduling.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
062, a Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palmdale, authorizing the execution of Grant Agreement with the
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to receive Federal Funding for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) project.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Austin Bishop.
3 Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón.
6.4)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
061, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City
of
Palmdale
adopting
the
Joint
Resolution
of
the
Board
of
Supervisors
of the County of Los Angeles, acting on behalf of the County and other County entities, the Board of Directors of the Antelope
Valley
Cemetery District,
The
Board of Trustees of the Antelope
Valley
Mosquito and
Vector
Control District,
the Board of Directors of the County Sanitation District No. 14 of Los Angeles County,
the Board of Directors of the Antelope
Valley
Resource
Conservation
District, The City Council of the City of Palmdale, the City Council of the City of Lancaster, The Board of Directors of the Antelope Valley -
East Kern Water
Agency,
and the Board of Directors of the Quartz Hill Water District, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax revenues resulting from reorganization of property designated as Reorganization 40 -
169,
Local
Agency Formation Commission Designation 2024
-
02 between the Quartz
Hill
Water District and the Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40, Antelope
Valley.
6.5)
Approve agreement with Servicon Systems, Inc., to provide professional custodial services for a total not to exceed amount of $6,561,680 over a three
-
year term with two one
-
year options to extend.
6.6)
Award construction agreement with Empire Landscape, Inc., for PN 591 -
D,
Fiscal
Year
2025
-
26 Upper Amargosa Creek Recharge Habitat
Restoration/Mitigation
Program
(HRMP)
for
a
total
not
to
exceed
amount
of
$2,217,281 for a term of 240 working days from the date of the Notice to Proceed and post installation maintenance/monitoring for five (5) years.
6.7)
Award construction agreement with E2 Contracting, Inc., for PN 861, Amargosa Creek Trail Improvements for a total not to exceed amount
of
$774,977.02 for a term of 100 working days plus 90 days of maintenance post construction from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
6.8)
Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve item listed on the Consent Calendar except Items 6.2 and 6.3.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
4 7)
APPOINTMENTS
7.1)
City Council Committee
Appointments.
City Clerk Scott presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt spoke about the delay of the investigations.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bishop, to keep the Maddy Act as it stands;
the motion was withdrawn. There
was further discussion on tabling the appointments.
Motion: Table the City Council Committee Appointments.
Moved by Laura Bettencourt, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric
Ohlsen.
Abstain: Andrea
Alarcón.
7.2)
City Council nomination and appointment of four (4) members to the Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board
Item 7.2 was heard before Item 7.1.
City Clerk Scott presented the staff report.
Applicants introduced themselves and expressed their interest in serving the public.
Motion: Appoint
Jamar
Perkins,
Debra
McLaurin,
Adam
Sarabia, M
arilyn
Estrada to the Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
8)
PUBLIC HEARING
8.1) Adopt Ordinance No. 1659, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palmdale approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25
-
0002 to modify
commercial standards within the zoning ordinance and find that the project is consistent with Program Environmental Impact Report 22
-
002 prepared and
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt opened the Public Hearing
City Clerk Scott read the title of the Ordinance No. 1659.
5 A motion was made and carried to introduce Ordinance No. 1659.
Planning Manager Magana presented the staff report.
Public Testimony: None
Motion: Adopt Ordinance No. 1659, an Ordinance of the City Council of the
City of Palmdale approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25 -
0002 to
modify
commercial 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).
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
9)
NEW BUSINESS
9.1)
Adopt Ordinance No.1656, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of
Palmdale to adopt by reference the local responsibility area fire hazard severity
zones
map
to
designate
very
high,
high
and
moderate
severity
zones
for the City of Palmdale and amending Chapter 8.04 of the Palmdale Municipal Code to update the fire hazard severity zones regulations.
City Clerk Scott read the title Ordinance No. 1656.
A motion was made and carried to introduce Ordinance No. 1656.
Director of Economic and Community Development Taggart presented the staff report.
Councilmember Bishop discussed the necessity of the preventative measures.
Councilmember Loa inquired about the possibility of insurance rates going up
for those who live in fire zones
,
and Ms.
Taggart
responded.
The following individuals provided p
ublic
c
omment
s
: Roger Soderstedt
addressed concerns regarding increases in fire insurance premiums; Yul
Gevargis expressed concerns about a
dry
area off of 32nd Street East and
Avenue T8
,
and he opposed the truck stop at that location; and Michael Ross discussed the City charter health and
safety
section and
suggested using City
funds for fire suppression.
Councilmember Bishop provided homeowners with options to keep their
insurance from going up due to being in a fire zone.
Councilmember
Alarcón
spoke about the
intent for identifying the
high
fire severity zones and accessing federal and state grant funding. There was
additional Council discussion.
6 Assistant Fire Chief Ghorbani offered information to the public on
preparing
their homes for a fire hazard.
Motion: Adopt Ordinance No.1656, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Palmdale to adopt by reference the local responsibility area fire hazard severity zones map to designate very high, high and moderate severity zones for the City of Palmdale and amending Chapter 8.04 of the Palmdale Municipal Code to update the fire hazard severity zones regulations.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
9.2)
District Election Advisory
Subcommittee.
City Attorney Halfman presented the staff report.
Council and City Attorney Halfman discussed the committee's parameters ,
requesting declaratory relief
and clarification
from the courts
.
The conversation
also addressed the proposal to add a directly elected at -
large mayor to the
existing Council structure and involved a legal analysis of this approach.
Councilmember Ohlsen motioned for the City to contract with a California Voters Rights Act Consultant to conduct the analysis. Following additional discussion, the motion was not seconded and therefore did not pass.
Motion: Receive and file and table the matter until further consideration.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Laura
Bettencourt,
Austin
Bishop,
Richard
J.
Loa,
Andrea
Alarcón.
No:
Eric Ohlsen.
10)
REPORT
Deputy City Manager Lopez provided an update on several upcoming events, including: Farmer's Market at Oasis Park on Fridays through October 31, Palmdale Partners Academy on August 20, Generations Juried Art Exhibit Opening Reception at Palmdale Playhouse and Legacy Commons on August 22, Books and Barks at the
Library on August 26, The Prom Performance will be held at the Palmdale Playhouse on August 29, and District 4 Neighborhood Watch meeting at Domenic Massari Park
on September 9.
7 11)
REPORT
The Sheriff's report was heard after Item 4.1.
Captain Cartmill provided an update on response times for routine calls for service, the Public Safety partnership, Part 1 crimes, arrests, graffiti -
related arrests,
traffic
collisions and speed
enforcement,
July 4th illegal fireworks enforcement,
and
National Night Out. He announced the Palmdale station would have an event on
September 16 in memory of Deputy Clinkunbroomer, and there will be a two -
day
open house and haunted jail event at the Palmdale Sheriff's station on October 11 and 12.
Councilmember
Alarcón
inquired about federal enforcement activities within the City.
Captain Cartmill responded he has not been made aware of any federal activity for ICE operations for immigration purposes.
12)
NON
-
AGENDA PUBLIC
COMMENTS
The following individuals provided public input: Michael Ross discussed the
establishment of the Palmdale districts and requested the restoration of the at -
large
m
ayor; Mark Maldonado
discussed
incidents that transpired at the Lancaster
and
Palmdale meetings and the Multi
-
Agency Regional Recreation Center project;
Carol
Ross spoke in support of voting for a
m
ayor,
providing public comments, and the
behavior of the Lancaster mayor; Betsy Haslett commented on the conduct of
Councilmember
Alarcón
;
Rich Gallego expressed concerns regarding the conduct of the Lancaster mayor during the meeting
s
; Xavier Flores discussed the California
Voting
Rights Act protected classes and voting for an at
-
large mayor in Palmdale;
Roger Soderstedt advocated for the rotational mayor system. David Harris thanked staff for working with the American Red Cross to establish an emergency shelter at Marie Kerr Park during the recent King Fire; and Marcos Alvarez discussed immigration enforcement and the negative impacts on students.
13)
COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE
AGENDA
ITEMS
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt requested information on the Palmdale homeless count
at the next meeting.
She expressed disagreement with a statement made by
to get them out of
the
ir
city.
Additionally, she reminded residents of the District 3
Town
Hall meeting
scheduled for September 18 at 6:00
PM
at the Palmdale Playhouse, and she
extended birthday wishes to the City
of
Palmdale on August 24. She discussed
forming an Ad Hoc Committee to discuss moving forward with the Little Rock Dam renovation project.
Councilmember Ohlsen requested that the Council bring back an agenda item that
will authorize the Council to direct the City Attorney under the City Manager's authority to consult with a California
Voter Rights
Act Consultant
who
will let them
know what their viable paths are related to bringing back a directly elected mayor.
The vote was unanimous.
8 Councilmember
Alarcón
requested agenda items regarding the progress of city
investigations into the City Manager, City Attorney, and both herself and Councilmember Loa.
14)
CITY
REPORT
14.1)
Identification of Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") Agents.
City Attorney Halfman provided a status update on this item.
Councilmember
Alarcón
discussed the revised policy by the Sheriff's
Department and the actions taken by the Los County Board of Supervisors related to those impersonating ICE agents. She suggested that the Council adopt a resolution of solidarity with the County. Discussion ensued.
There was further discussion among
the Council regarding the policy that
was adopted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the constitutional rights of those who live within
the boundaries of the United
States, and the importance of individuals advocating for their loved ones.
The following individuals provided public input: Leilani Reveles and Bryan
Villagrana discussed safety concerns within the community; Rich Gallego expressed support for the Sheriff's Department, their protocols, and referenced the Supremacy Clause; David Villagrana advocated for ICE agents to
clearly
identify themselves; Napoleon Demison addressed
community safety concerns;
Yul
Gevargis expressed support for ICE agents;
Mikki Martinez supported
ICE
agents and recommended visible identification
and the use of body cameras;
Bertha De Alegria
requested that ICE agents
identify themselves and urged the support
of
elected officials; Ramon Caldera
opposed federal agents wearing masks; Estefania Caldera commented on ICE raids, proposed the creation of a City resolution, and suggested collaboration with the Sheriff's Department
to
produce a public service
announcement clarifying their procedures regarding immigration enforcement; Feliz Menendez emphasized community
support;
Marisela
spoke about protecting the community, mental health services, and
respecting citizens; Eduardo highlighted concerns about the immigrant community being targeted by ICE; Brandi Meyer supported ICE agents and
recommended that the Sheriff's Office verify agent identification prior to
entering
residences;
Marcos Alvarez addressed issues related to racially
rooted federal
laws; Xavier Flores discussed immigration enforcement; Betsy Haslett
discussed
human sex trafficking and complying with law enforcement; Adam
commented
in opposition to Assembly Bill 495 and
spoke about
immigration enforcement.
Councilmember Loa
responded in general
terms
regarding his
identification
as an American
of
Latino
descent
and s
tated that he was in favor of
the
entire
community.
9 Motion: Adopt a resolution of solidarity with the county, and its actions, both as an intervener in the federal action, and in its direction to the County Counsel to come up with an ordinance that will govern all of the cities in the county, and to include its support for the newly adopted July 11th protocol
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
15)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt adjourned the meeting at 9:27 pm to September 2, 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 2nd day of September 2025.
Laura Bettencourt, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk