1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SA/HA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY, SUITE B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 7, 2025
5:00 PM
www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov
1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 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 COMMISSIONER FRAGA-SAENZ, BETTS
PRESENT: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Christina Fraga-Saenz, Dianne Betts.
ABSENT: Andrea Alarcón.
Councilmember Alarcón arrived at 5:01 pm.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
Councilmember Bishop led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The following observances were acknowledged for the month of October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Crime Prevention Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Code Enforcement Week, and Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt announced the meeting would be adjourned in honor of Frances Hernandez. Councilmember Loa shared a few words about Mrs. Hernandez and her community activism. Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt, on behalf of the entire Council, spoke condolences to Mr. Hernandez.
4) PRESENTATIONS
4.1) California Voting Rights Act Presentation.
Councilmember Alarcón made a motion and suggested t hat Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt allow public comments on this item and allow general response to the public. Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt allowed two minutes for public comments.
2 Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt made an announcement regarding
free
vaccinations through L.A. Care.
Attorney Shenkman of Shenkman and Hughes delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the California Voting Rights Act.
Public comments were provided by Michelley, Colleen, Jason Zink, Yul Gevargis, Jasper, Louie Murad, Roger Soderstedt, Rich Gallego, Michael Ross, and Felix Menendez.
There was additional discussion regarding the five
-
district election system,
providing
service to the community, the importance of enabling the minority community to elect candidates of their
choice, immigrant populations, and
ensuring the most accurate and comprehensive information to inform future Council decisions
.
4.2)
Homelessness Report.
Director of Housing Reyes delivered a PowerPoint presentation.
A discussion was held among Councilmembers, staff, and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Coordinator
Varden
regarding the allocation
of
Measures A and H funds, the homeless census, access to Metrolink services, the Hope the Mission project, a domestic violence shelter, housing insecurity issues, mental health challenges within the unhoused community, the cleanup of desert encampments, and the efforts of community
partners.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt recessed the meeting at 6:50 pm -
7:00 pm.
The following individuals contributed public comments: Jason Zink, Jasper, Rich
Gallego, Adel Mikhail, and an unnamed individual.
5)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments for Section 6.
6)
JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR CITY COUNCIL
AND HOUSING AUTHORITY
6.1)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
068, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale declaring certain Property Surplus Land pursuant to
Government Code Sections 54420 et seq; and Adopt Resolution No. HA 2025
-
003, a Resolution of the Housing Authority of the City of Palmdale declaring APN 3009
-
021
-
903 Exempt Surplus Land under the Surplus Land
Act
as
amended.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
068, a Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palmdale declaring certain Property Surplus Land pursuant to Government Code Sections 54420 et seq
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Austin Bishop.
3 Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Dianne Betts.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. HA 2025
-
003, a Resolution of the Housing
Authority of the City of Palmdale declaring APN 3009
-
021
-
903 Exempt Surplus
Land under the Surplus Land Act as amended
Moved by Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, seconded by Dianne Betts.
Vote: Motion carried (7
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen,
Andrea
Alarcón, Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, Dianne Betts.
6.2)
Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (7
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón, Christina Fraga
-
Saenz, Dianne Betts.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt adjourned the Housing Authority meeting.
Councilmember
Alarcón
pulled items 7.4, 7.5, and 7.9, and Councilmember
Bishop pulled item 7.6 for discussion.
Public comments were provided by the following individuals: Jason Zink
addressed items 7.4 and 7.12; Rich Gallego commented on various items; and
Matthew Gaines, Mark Bozigian, Ben Gocke, Suzy Ghazarossian, Michelle Royal, Kathy MacLaren, David Smith, and
Yul
Gevargis expressed support for
item 7.4.
Additionally, Councilmember
Alarcón
asked that item 7.3 also be pulled for
discussion.
7)
CONSENT
CALENDAR
7.1)
Waive full reading of the Resolution(s) and/or Ordinance(s) to be considered and voted on at this meeting. (This allows for reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text).
7.2)
Receive and file the Monthly Investment Activity Reports for August
2025.
7.3)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
072, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale adopting a revised Publicly Available Pay Schedule to ensure pensionable compensation requirements for general positions.
4 Councilmember
Alarcón
referenced the revised attachment.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
072, a Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palmdale adopting a revised Publicly Available Pay Schedule to ensure compliance with the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) pensionable compensation requirements for general positions.
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.
7.4)
Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Palmdale and
Antelope
Valley
Economic Development and Growth Enterprise
(AV
EDGE)
for a total not to exceed amount of $300,000 for a term of one (1) year.
Director of Economic and Community Development Taggart presented the staff report. There was Council and staff discussion regarding the deliverables, operating budget, list of board members, future quarterly reports, local businesses, and bringing private enterprise to the Antelope Valley.
Motion: Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Palmdale and Antelope
Valley
Economic Development and Growth Enterprise
(AV
EDGE) for a total not to exceed amount of $300,000 for a term of one (1) year.
Moved by Eric Ohlsen, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón
.
7.5)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
010, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale approving the updated Palmdale Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP).
Emergency Services Administrator Shadkamyan provided a PowerPoint presentation. The Council expressed support for the Emergency Operations Plan. A discussion followed regarding the various components of the
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), including the importance of engaging the
AV
Fair Authority regarding the Multi
-
Agency Regional Resilience
Center
(MARRC) to ensure that residents of Palmdale have assured access to shelter beds.
Motion: Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
010, a Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Palmdale approving the updated Palmdale Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
5 Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón
.
7.6)
Approve
design services agreement with Duke Engineering for PN
524,
Maintenance
Yard
Fleet Building and Utility Upgrade, for a total not to
exceed
amount of $248,946.25 for a term of 120 calendar days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
Councilmember Bishop recused himself from this item
and stepped away from
the dais
for having done business with Duke Engineering in the past.
Motion: Approve design services agreement with Duke Engineering for PN
524, Maintenance
Yard
Fleet Building and Utility Upgrade, for a total not
to
exceed amount of $248,946.25 for a term of 120 calendar days from the date of
the Notice to Proceed.
Moved by Eric Ohlsen, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (4
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón.
Councilmember Bishop returned to the dais.
7.7)
Approve Project Authorizations A and B under Master Services Agreement with DXP Enterprises, Inc., for pump maintenance and repair services for a
combined total not to exceed amount of $1,251,800, each for a term of three years with an option to extend for two additional one
-
year terms.
7.8)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
071, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale authorizing the execution of a grant deed for City -
owned
land
to the Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 for Parcel of
recorded Lot Line Adjustment No.
703.
7.9)
Approve Construction Agreement with All American Building Services for PN 839, McAdam Park Pavilion Rehabilitation Project for a total not to exceed
amount of $234,564 for a term of 30 working days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
Councilmember
Alarcón
highlighted the renovations that are being done at
McAdam Park. Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt spoke about the
Together
California project. Councilmember Loa noted that the improvements for McAdam Park are being funded by Measure
AV
funds.
Motion: Approve Construction Agreement with All American Building Services for PN 839, McAdam Park Pavilion Rehabilitation Project for a total not to exceed amount of $234,564 for a term of 30 working days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
6 Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
7.10)
Approve First Amendment to Agreement with All American Building Services for PN 862, Marie Kerr Park Swim Deck Expansion Project, increasing the
agreement by $5,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $436,695 with an
extension of 15 working days for a total of 65 working days.
7.11)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025
-
070, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
City of Palmdale setting aside portions of City
-
Owned land (APNs 3001
-
026
-
918,
-
923,
-
924,
-
925), for right
-
of
-
way and bikeway requirements along 25th
Street West and Avenue O
-
12 for public road and highway
purposes.
7.12)
Approve the nomination to name the futsal courts at Sam Yellen
Park in
Policy.
Motion: Approve the item
s
listed on the Consent Calendar except items 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, and 7.9.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón.
8)
APPOINTMENTS
8.1)
City Council nomination and appointment of two (2) Housing Authority Tenant Member Commissioners.
City Clerk Scott presented the staff report.
The applicants shared their professional backgrounds and relevant experience.
Motion: Appoint Betts and Fraga
-
Saenz as Housing Authority Tenant Member
Commissioners.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Laura Bettencourt, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea Alarcón.
9)
NEW BUSINESS
9.1)
Approve Employment Agreement between the City of Palmdale and Salvador Mendez.
Director of Operations Samson presented the staff report.
The following individuals provided public comments: Jason Zink, Rich Gallego, 7 Michael Ross, and David Harris.
There was
a
Council and staff discussion on Section 2(C) of the agreement, directing staff to conduct a search for a City Manager, the positive performance of Interim City Manager Mendez,
the
stability of the organization, and the
process
of
transparency.
Motion: Bring back a Closed Session discussion regarding the City Manager position.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote:
Motion Failed (2
-
3)
Yes:
Austin Bishop, Eric Ohlsen.
No:
Laura Bettencourt, Richard J. Loa, Andrea
Alarcón.
Motion:
Issue a directive to staff to initiate a search for a City Manager and allow Salvador Mendez to maintain the position of Interim City
Manager.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote:
Motion carried (4
-
1)
Yes:
Laura Bettencourt, Richard J. Loa, Eric Ohlsen, Andrea
Alarcón.
No:
Austin Bishop.
10)
REPORT
Interim City Manager Mendez provided an update on several upcoming community events, including the Farmer's Market at Oasis Park on October 10, Kaleidoscope at the Palmdale Amphitheater on October 10 and 11, a
p
et
microc
hipping Event at
Poncitlan Square on October 11, Fall Movie Night on October 17, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at the Palmdale Amphitheater on October 25, the Neighborhood Improvement Project scheduled for October 25, Halloween with Houdini at the Palmdale Playhouse on October 31, and the Día de los Muertos celebration at the Palmdale Playhouse on November 2.
Captain Bardon extended an invitation to the community and Council to attend the Faith and Blue event at Legacy Commons on October 9, as well as the Haunted Jail and Open House at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station on October 11 and 12.
11)
NON
-
AGENDA PUBLIC
COMMENTS:
The following individuals provided public input: Eugene Hernandez thanked the
Yul
Gevargis thanked Mayor Pro
Tem
Bettencourt for
the informative
Town
Hall meeting, raised concerns about the local wetland
and
street repairs, and spoke in support of the PFC; Jason Zink questioned city priorities, annexing land into the
city; Steven Lee shared experiences of racism
and
discrimination, defended PFC, and criticized the process of selecting the mayor; Carolina Ulloa requested help securing park space for youth sports; Michael Ross, 8 Mark Maldonado, Adriana Gallo, and two unnamed speakers defended PFC, and
expressed disappointment with past comments made by Councilmember Ohlsen; Brian Uribe emphasized the importance of child safety due to predators in our valley; SALVA,
advocated
for
funding to support mental health, assistance with housing, and food banks; Rich Gallego spoke regarding closed session information being disclosed publicly; Marsha Furman promoted the Making Strides Breast Cancer Awareness walk; and George
event.
12)
COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE
AGENDA
ITEMS
12.1) Council Reports.
Councilmember Ohlsen addressed public comments directed toward him and offered clarification regarding his previous statements.
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt recessed the meeting from 9:55 pm -
10:04 pm.
Councilmember
Alarcón
requested that two items be added to a future agenda: a status update on the investigation involving the City Manager and a review of the she offered her condolences to Mr. Eugene Hernandez and commended his late
13)
PRESENTATION
BY CITY
ATTORNEY
13.1)
CONFERENCE
WITH
LEGAL
COUNSEL
-
ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
(Paragraph
(4)
of
subdivision
(d)
of
Gov.
Code
§
54956.9) Initiation of litigation: (2 cases)
14)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY CITY
ATTORNEY
Closed Session was held from 10:04 pm
-
11:22 pm.
City Attorney Severino announced the following for item 13.1:
Councilmember Loa
investigation
-
This is a multifaceted investigation in regards to
the criminal violations pertaining to the tow incident.
The district attorney has reviewed
the materials and declined to file charges. The municipal code violations from this incident and the remaining allegations are pending investigation and review. There is no other reportable action for the second item.
Councilmember
-
The City Council initiated an investigation in
2024
. T
he City Council removed Councilmember
Alarcón
from the boards based on
that investigation
. The City
Council is monitoring additional alleged incidents being investigated by other agencies.
There is no other reportable action.
9 15)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Bettencourt adjourned the meeting at 11:23 pm, in honor of Frances Hernandez, to October 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 October 2025
Laura Bettencourt, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk