1 MINUTES
CITY
COUNCIL/SA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA
HIGHWAY,
SUITE
B
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 13,
2026
5:00 PM
1)
CALL MEETING
TO
ORDER
Mayor Ohlsen 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
OHLSEN,
MAYOR
PRO TEM
BISHOP,
COUNCILMEMBERS
LOA,
BETTENCOURT,
ALARCÓN
PRESENT: Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
ABSENT:
None.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF
SILENCE
Mayor Ohlsen led the
Pledge of Allegiance
.
Interim City Manager Mendez requested that item 12.1 be withdrawn from the agenda.
4)
PRESENTATIONS
4.1)
Presentation recognizing City staff for their exceptional efforts, reliability, and
unwavering commitment to keeping our roads, utilities, and public spaces safe
and operational during severe weather events.
A video
and certif
icate
s
w
ere
presented to acknowledge and commend City staff
for their service
.
4.2)
Presentation on Formal Procurement Methods.
Director of Operations Samson provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation on this item.
Councilmember
Alarcón
thanked staff for the presentation and asked about the
criteria for awarding the
contract
, and
questioned the legality of providing the
information to the
Council and the public.
City Attorney Severino provided clarification regarding the Request for
Qualifications for engineer/architect services and stated the information for the
contract award.
2 Further discussion ensued between Council and staff regarding the bidding process.
Motion: Require future staff reports to include all procurement processes allowed, the bidder
name, ranking, headquarters, and the amount of their
proposals.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
Councilmember Alarcón issued a statement addressing a personal incident that occurred several months ago
.
5)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
Jason Zink spoke in favor of the sidewalk gap closure project, requested additional sidewalks and a trail around the flood basin, and opposed the California Choice Energy item.
5.1)
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).
5.2)
Receive and file the Monthly Investment Activity Reports for November
2025.
5.3)
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2026
-
001, a Resolution of the City Council of
the
Resolution No. CC 2025
-
004, and adopt Resolution No. CC 2026
-
002,
a
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale restating the Investment Policy for the City contributions to the Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plan and the Retiree Health Premium Supplement (HPS)
plan and repealing Resolution No. CC 2025
-
005.
5.4)
Review and approve the amended Palmdale Aerospace Incentive Program Guidelines and Application in accordance with development milestones for
new construction projects.
Director of Economic and Community Development Taggart introduced Interim Economic Development Manager Glynn, who presented the staff report.
Councilmember Loa questioned the number of applicants in the two years since the program began.
Interim Economic Development Manager Glynn
responded that one application had been
received,
and one award had been
granted.
Discussion ensued between Council and staff regarding increasing incentives, funding, and advertising.
3 Councilmembers Bettencourt and
Alarcón
spoke in support of the program.
Motion: Approve the amended Palmdale Aerospace Incentive Program Guidelines and Application in accordance with development milestones for new construction projects.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes: Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
5.5)
Approve Construction Agreement with Azas Engineering, Inc., for PN 916, 3rd
Street East ADA Improvements and Sidewalk Gap Closure Project for a total
not to exceed amount of $435,065 for a term of 45 working days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
Councilmember Loa questioned the bid
ding
sheets and asked
if
an AI
application
is used
. Director of Public Works Torres stated that an AI
application is not used
and that the department uses its
own matrix.
Motion: Approve Construction Agreement with Azas Engineering, Inc., for PN 916, 3rd Street East ADA Improvements and Sidewalk Gap Closure Project.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Austin Bishop.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón.
5.6)
Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with RHA Landscape Architects -
Planners, Inc., for design services for PN 871, Oasis Park Basin Upgrades Project, increasing the agreement by $57,607 for a total not to exceed amount of $364,205 for a term of 12 months from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
5.7)
Approve
Second Amendment to Agreement for administrative services with California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice) in the amount of $1,823,978 for a term of one
year.
5.8)
Approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve the items listed on the Consent Calendar with the exception of items 5.4 and 5.5.
Moved by Austin Bishop, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
6)
PUBLIC HEARING
4 6.1)
Continue item to February 3, 2026
-
Adopt Ordinance No. 1665, an Ordinance
of the City Council of the City of Palmdale amending Title 8, Health, Safety,
and
Technical
Construction Codes of the Palmdale Municipal Code regarding eligibility requirements for organizations obtaining safe and sane firework permits and finding the ordinance exempt from environmental
review.
7)
APPOINTMENTS
7.1)
Review and provide direction on changes to existing committee appointments.
Mayor Ohlsen made a statement regarding Council unity for the city and the restoration of all council members to the boards and committees.
Public Comment:
Jason Zink spoke about the appointments,
the restoration of
Councilmembers Loa and
Alarcón
to boards and committees.
Mayor Ohlsen announced the following:
Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD):
Delegate: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
Delegate: Mayor Ohlsen
Alternate: Councilmember Bettencourt
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Authority:
Delegate: Councilmember Loa
Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA):
Delegate: Mayor Ohlsen
Delegate: Councilmember Loa
Alternate: Councilmember Bettencourt
California Contract Cities Association (CCCA):
Delegate: Councilmember Alarcón
Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
City of Palmdale Audit Committee:
Delegate: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
Delegate: Councilmember Bettencourt
Alternate: Councilmember Loa
City of Palmdale Investment Oversight Committee:
Member: Mayor Ohlsen
Member: Councilmember Loa
5 Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) Public Financing Authority (PFA):
Member: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
Member: Councilmember Loa
High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Authority (HDC JPA):
Director: Mayor Ohlsen
Alternate: Councilmember Loa
Cal Cities Desert Mountain Division (DMD):
Delegate: Councilmember Alarcón
Alternate: Councilmember Bettencourt
Second Alternate: Councilmember Loa
Los Angeles County City Selection Committee:
Delegate: Councilmember Loa
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts No. 14 and 20:
District No. 14
Delegate: Mayor Ohlsen
Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
District No. 20
Delegate: Mayor Ohlsen
Second Director: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
Alternate Director: Councilmember Loa
North Los Angeles County Transportation Coalition (NCTC):
Delegate: Mayor Ohlsen
Alternate: Interim City Manager Mendez
Business Rep: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
At
-
Large Rep: Councilmember Loa
Palmdale Recycled Water Authority (PRWA)
Director: Councilmember Bettencourt
Director: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
Alternate: Councilmember Loa
Palmdale Tourism Improvement District (PTID)
Director: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
6 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly:
Delegate: Mayor Ohlsen
Alternate: Councilmember Loa
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council District 43:
Delegate: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
Palmdale Sister City Association:
Delegate: Councilmember Alarcón
Delegate: Councilmember Loa
Alternate: Councilmember Bettencourt
Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Bishop
California State Prison
Los Angeles County, Citizens Advisory Committee:
Delegate: Councilmember Bettencourt
Alternate: Councilmember Loa
Motion: Approve Council recommendations regarding committee appointments.
Moved by Laura Bettencourt, seconded by Richard J. Loa.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón.
Motion:
Approve Council recommendations regarding committee appointments as
amended
,
adding League of Cities
appointments
.
Moved by Laura Bettencourt, seconded by Richard J.
Loa.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón.
Following the closed session,
City Attorney Severino and
Deputy City Manager
Lopez provided clarification regarding the Cal Cities
name change and
appointment.
Motion:
Approve Council recommendations regarding committee
appointments
,
amending Cal Cities DMD
as follows:
Delegate: Councilmember Alarcón
,
Alternate: Councilmember Bettencourt
, and
Second Alternate: Councilmember
Loa
.
Moved by Laura Bettencourt, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote:
Motion carried (5
-
0)
7 Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea Alarcón.
8)
REPORT
Interim City Manager Mendez announced the following: Journey USA at the
Palmdale Playhouse on January 16 and 17; Season of Service at SAVES;
Martin
Luther
King
celebration on January 19; Justice Sunday Performance at 4 pm at the Palmdale Playhouse on January 24; New
Year,
New Cheer at the Palmdale
Playhouse at 7 pm on January 31.
9)
REPORT
Captain Bardon provided a recap of the year
and
an update on
response times for
routine calls for service,
working with t
he Partners Against Crime
Team
,
p
roperty
crimes
,
gang
-
related
shootings,
the number of
firearms
recovered
, collisions,
and
the
Virtual
deputy
.
He announced
the
Spanish
-
speaking
Virtual deputy is live and at nine
sheriff's department stations. He took a moment to spotlight over 100 coordinated community events, including the Haunted Jail and
the
Interfaith
Prayer
Breakfast,
and
is
looking
forward to increasing that number in 2026.
Councilmember Loa asked about
the
number of catalytic converters
that had been
stolen
. Sheriff Bardon
responded
.
Councilmembers Alarcón and Bettencourt thanked the Sheriff for the report and
spoke highly of the virtual
deputy.
10)
NON
-
AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Eugene Hernandez spoke about city staff, the Chimbole Cultural Center, the needs of the Chicano Community, and AV Edge.
Roger thanked Parks and Recreation for the trash cans at Arnie Quinones Park and requested a picnic table and a sidewalk in front of his house.
Rich Gallego spoke about stolen catalytic converters, the conduct of Councilmember Alarcón
and committee assignments, and the
Council
code of conduct.
Marcos Alvarez spoke about
events
happening nationally, regionally, and locally,
thanked Councilmember Bettencourt for getting a light in the neighborhood fixed, and requested an investment into improving drains
,
and spoke in support of
small
businesses
.
Jason Zink spoke about accountability and
the
violation of rights related to elections
and
districts.
11)
COUNCIL REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE
AGENDA
ITEMS
11.1)
Council Reports
8 Councilmember
Alarcón
filed her Council report, complimented the holiday
display at Poncitlan Square, and spoke about the Kicks for Kids event at McAdam Park. She requested a follow
-
up on the motion made at a previous
meeting regarding ICE and the Sheriff's
Department and
requested
an update
on new laws and the ongoing litigation related to them.
Mayor Pro Tem Bishop attended various events
, including
Jolly Holiday,
the
opening of San Fernando Coffee Company, Pines & Presents at the Auto Mall, the
SAVES giveaway, and the
Dr
yTown
groundbreaking for the new slides.
Councilmember Bettencourt filed
her
report and spoke about various
gift
-
giving
events.
Councilmember Loa spoke about the Christmas tree lighting at Poncitlan Square, attended the AVTA holiday event, and requested
a review of
the
City
Manager
applications received to evaluate all potential candidates.
Mayor Ohlsen attended various events throughout
December, especially
food
giveaways, and spoke about affordability
and
community safety
.
Motion:
Discuss
her motion from a past meeting
Department, and provide an update on ongoing litigation, the new laws SB 805 and SB
response.
Moved by Andrea Alarcón, seconded by Eric Ohlsen.
Vote: Motion carried (4
-
0)
Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón.
Abstain: Austin
Bishop.
Motion: Receive a status update on the selection of City Manager.
Moved by Richard J. Loa, seconded by Andrea Alarcón.
Vote: Motion carried (5
-
0)
Yes:
Eric Ohlsen, Austin Bishop, Richard J. Loa, Laura Bettencourt, Andrea
Alarcón.
12)
CLOSED SESSION
Public Comments: None.
City Attorney Severino confirmed items 12.2 and 12.3 would be heard as listed.
12.1)
CONFERENCE
WITH
LEGAL
COUNSEL
EXISTING
LITIGATION
Concerning CV Communities, LLC
v.
Antelope Valley
-
East
Kern
Water
Agency,
et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court 20STCV10953
This
closed
session is being held pursuant to the authority of California
Government
Code
Section 54956.9(d)(1).
9 12.2)
CONFERENCE
WITH
LEGAL
COUNSEL
ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation: (1 potential case
facts and circumstances
unknown to potential plaintiffs)
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9, paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
12.3)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION
Title:
City
Attorney
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54957.
13)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY CITY
ATTORNEY
Closed Session was held from 6:40 p.m. to 7:52 p.m.
City Attorney Severino announced the following:
12.2 -
There was no reportable
action.
12.3 -
There was no reportable
action.
14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ohlson adjourned the meeting at 7:53 pm to February 3, 2026, at 5:00 pm in the City Hall Council Chamber located at 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite B, Palmdale, California.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 3rd day of February 2026.
Eric Ohlsen, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk