CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
City Council
Regular Meeting
Joint Meeting with
Board of Library Trustees
Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency
Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk may be used also to indicate Mayor/Chair/President, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/Vice President, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, and City Clerk/Secretary ~Minutes~
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 6:00 PM City Council Chambers
INVOCATION
Councilmember Gibbs delivered the invocation.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Miranda called to order the Joint Regular Meeting of the City Council and Board of Library Trustees and Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency at 6:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Gibbs led the flag salute.
EXECUTIVE MEETING
This time has been set aside for Councilmembers to review the agenda and obtain any further information that may be needed. Council will also discuss each individual item during the course of the meeting with the exception of the Consent Calendar, which may be approved in its entirety by one motion, unless there is a request to pull an item for discussion. No action will be taken on public agenda items during the Executive Meeting.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Mayor Miranda spoke of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s principles, namely his call to serve others, and invited the community to the Annual Unity Walk on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Central Park. Mayor Miranda announced that the City proclaims January 20, 2025, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Santa Clarita and invited Drew Delahoussaye, ASB Secretary at Hart High School, to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo.
Councilmember Ayala announced that the City of Santa Clarita was honored with the Municipal Management Association of Southern California Organizational Excellence Award due to the City's outstanding track record of collaboration, innovation, and community engagement.
Councilmember Ayala then invited City staff from volunteers, graffiti removal, and environmental services teams to the dais to receive a certificate and take a photo.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Addressing the City Council were Linda Townsley regarding residential high occupancy permits; Ismael Jimenez regarding Southern California Edison; Jayne Heiber regarding Placerita Canyon; John Pramik regarding building a Santa Clarita River Lake; Di Zimmerman regarding smart meters and lithium batteries; Cindy Russo regarding street safety and fire safety measures; Santa (no last name provided) regarding urbanization and development concerns; Deborah Corcoran regarding Southern California Edison; Joseph Corcoran regarding Southern California Edison; and Alan Fernandez regarding Southern California Edison.
STAFF COMMENTS
City Manager Ken Striplin commented that he has communicated the community's concerns to Southern California Edison (Edison) on multiple occasions and reminded the members of the audience that California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) governs Edison; therefore, Edison is not subject to the City's jurisdiction. He further encouraged the public to voice their concerns directly to Edison and the CPUC.
Mayor Miranda requested that Mr. Striplin provide an update on the state of wildfire danger in the City, and Mr. Striplin responded that there were no immediate concerns regarding wildfires in Santa Clarita, and the City is fully prepared to address potential wildfire danger.
COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Weste commented that she wanted to ensure Edison is aware of the frustration and challenges residents have been facing due to the power outages and stated she is ready to partner with Edison to achieve the completion of a power circuit urgently needed by residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Weste also shared that she and Mayor Miranda have requested an immediate meeting with Edison.
Councilwoman McLean provided several resources available to the community to assist victims of the recent California wildfires.
Councilmember Gibbs thanked staff for the well-managed Frozen on Ice event at the Cube, the Holiday Lights Tour, and the community offerings by the Food Pantry. Councilmember Gibbs then requested City Manager Ken Striplin to look into the comments made regarding traffic circulation.
Councilmember Ayala commented that work was underway at the City of Lights Project; the grand opening of the Valencia Community Center; construction progress of the Rink Sports Pavilion; upgrade progress at David March Park; updates to Old Orchard Park; and the official
transfer of Hart Park to the City. Councilmember Ayala also mentioned the opening of the first permanent homelessness center in the City, operated by Family Promise.
Mayor Miranda commented upon possible water projects in Santa Clarita in an effort to prepare for future wildfire challenges and also announced he will be celebrating his 51st wedding anniversary at the Big I Do event taking place on Valentine's Day 2025.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ITEM 1
LOCAL APPOINTMENTS
As a result of the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election, vacancies exist on the Planning Commission; Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission; Arts Commission; and the Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel. This item considers nominations to each of these positions.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Councilmembers Ayala and Gibbs nominate and Council approve regular appointments to the Planning Commission; Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission; Arts Commission; and Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel for a full term of four years, ending December 31, 2028.
2. Mayor Miranda nominate and Council approve one unscheduled vacancy appointment to the Planning Commission for a partial term, ending December 31, 2026.
3. Direct the City Clerk to update and post the Local Appointments List, and designate all branches of the Santa Clarita Public Library to receive a copy of the list.
Council concurred to waive the presentation.
Addressing the Council was Cindy Josten.
Councilmember Ayala nominated Nathan Keith to the Planning Commission; Hugo Cherre to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission; Jeri Seratti to the Arts Commission; and David Hegg to the Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel.
Councilmember Gibbs nominated Jose Benito Martinez III to the Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel; Tracey Thompson to the Arts Commission; Dennis Sugasawara to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission; and Timothy Burkhart to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Miranda nominated Pamela Verner to the Planning Commission.
On roll call vote, Council approved all nominations and recommended actions.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bill Miranda, Mayor
SECONDER: Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Ayala, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 2
BURRTEC WASTE INDUSTRIES, INC. REQUEST TO USE AN ALTERNATIVE
DISPOSAL FACILITY
This item considers the authorization of Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. to enter into an agreement with an alternative disposal facility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council, in accordance with the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with Burrtec Waste Industries dated November 12, 2024, authorize the City Manager to execute such documents that may be required to confirm the City’s consent for Burrtec to utilize landfills other than the Chiquita Canyon Landfill for solid waste disposal.
Environmental Services Manager Darin Seegmiller provided the staff report.
Addressing the Council was Bruce Fortine.
Councilwoman McLean commented that none of this needed to happen, citing past meetings she attended with the Waste Management Task Force of Los Angeles County where solutions based on emerging waste control technologies were proposed to eliminate the need for landfills, but no action was ever taken. Councilwoman McLean proposed to move the item for a vote to accept the recommended action.
Councilmember Gibbs inquired about the documents that would be required to be executed, and Mr. Seegmiller responded that the recommended action was written in such a manner to permit Burrtec to enter into agreements as needed and that approval of the recommended action authorizes Burrtec to enter into those necessary agreements.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Marsha McLean, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Ayala, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
ITEM 3
MAYOR SELECTION PROCESS
At the December 10, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to bring back an agenda item to discuss and consider changes to the Mayor Selection Process.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council discuss the Mayor Selection Process and provide direction to staff.
City Manager Ken Striplin deferred the presentation of the item to Councilwoman McLean and discussion among the members of the City Council.
Councilwoman McLean stated that her desire in bringing this item forward is to depoliticize the mayor selection process by going back to an automatic mayor rotation, the way the founding fathers wanted to do.
Councilwoman McLean made a motion to go back to the original rotation of mayor and mayor pro tem.
Council discussed the change in the mayor selection and the make-up of Council and history of the votes affecting the change in 1999; the merits of the current selection process; and that the mayor position is an honorary one, holding no more power or authority than the other four members of the Council.
Mayor Miranda commented, as a gesture of good faith, he would support Councilwoman McLean as the next Mayor Pro Tem.
Councilwoman McLean's motion died without a second.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
CONSENT CALENDAR
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember
AYES: Ayala, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
ITEM 4
APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING-COUNCIL REORGANIZATION MINUTES – The minutes are submitted for approval.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the December 10, 2024, Special Meeting-Council Reorganization.
ITEM 5
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – The minutes are submitted for approval.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the December 10, 2024, Regular Meeting.
ITEM 6
CHECK REGISTER NO. 26
Check Register No. 26 for Period 11/15/24 through 11/28/24 and 12/05/24. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 11/18/24 through 11/29/24.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 26.
ITEM 7
FISCAL YEAR 2024 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROGRAM
The City of Santa Clarita has been awarded a grant for a total of $20,737 by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, through the Fiscal Year 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. The program allows state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and respond to crime, based on local needs and conditions.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Accept Fiscal Year 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
2. Appropriate funds in the amount of $20,737 to Justice Assistance Grant 2024 (Fund 206) Special Supplies account 2066107-511101 and increase BJA Law Enforcement Grant (Fund 206) revenue account 206-446125 by $20,737.
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all contracts and associated documents subject to City Attorney approval.
ITEM 8
FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR
SUBMITTAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Pursuant to HSC section 34177 (o)(1), Successor Agencies shall submit an Oversight Board approved annual Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule to the Department of Finance and the County Auditor-Controller by February 1, 2016, and each February 1 thereafter.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council acting as the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Recognized Obligation Payments Schedule for submittal to the Department of Finance.
Adopted Resolution No. SA25-1
ITEM 9
ANNUAL IMPACT FEE REPORT
The Mitigation Fee Act, as outlined in California Government Code Sections 66000 et seq., establishes certain legal and procedural parameters for the charging of development impact fees.
The Mitigation Fee Act requires local agencies prepare an annual and five-year report that provide specific information about those fees.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council adopt a resolution accepting and adopting the Annual Impact Fee Report.
Adopted Resolution No. 25-2
ITEM 10
RESOLUTION DECLARING PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
EXEMPT FROM THE SURPLUS LAND ACT AND APPROVAL OF A LOT LINE
ADJUSTMENT, LAND EXCHANGE, AND AN EASEMENT WITH VISTA CANYON, LLC This item considers adopting a resolution declaring a portion of City-owned property exempt from the Surplus Land Act and the approval of a lot line adjustment, land exchange, and an easement with Vista Canyon, LLC.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution declaring a portion of the Assessor’s Parcel Number 2840-029-901 as exempt surplus land under the Surplus Land Act.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the lot line adjustment and the property exchange with Vista Canyon, LLC.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to grant Vista Canyon, LLC, an easement for landscape improvements and maintenance.
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documentation to complete the property exchange, subject to City Attorney approval.
Adopted Resolution No. 25-3
ITEM 11
NORTH OAKS PARK POOL AND SANTA CLARITA PARK POOL DECK REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT P0027, AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
This item considers the plans, and specifications, and a construction contract for the North Oaks Park Pool and Santa Clarita Park Deck Repairs and Replacement projects.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the North Oaks Park and Santa Clarita Park Pool
Deck Repair and Replacement Project P0027.
2. Find the North Oaks Park and Santa Clarita Park Pool Deck Repair and Replacement Project exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Article 19, Section 15301.
3. Award the construction contract to Estate Design & Construction in the amount of $424,092 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $63,613, for a total contract amount not to exceed $487,705.
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
ITEM 12
THE RINK SPORTS PAVILION - CIVIC ART CONTRACT
This item considers the awarding of a contract for the Civic Art project included with The Rink Sports Pavilion.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Award a contract to Annette Coleman in the amount of $80,000 for the civic art piece, “Kaleidoscope Sound Hallway,” to be located at The Rink Sports Pavilion.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
ITEM 13
ARTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSULTANT CONTRACT
This item considers awarding a contract to Keen Independent Research, LLC, to provide consulting services for an Arts Development Plan.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Award a professional services agreement in the amount of $90,000 to Keen Independent Research, LLC, to prepare the City of Santa Clarita Arts Development Plan.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
ITEM 14
2024-25 CITYWIDE MAJOR THOROUGHFARE MEDIAN REFURBISHMENT, PLUM CANYON ROAD, PROJECT B4009 - PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT
This item considers awarding a construction contract for the 2024-25 Citywide Major Thoroughfare Median Refurbishment, Plum Canyon Road project. This project will improve existing landscape medians along Plum Canyon Road between Bouquet Canyon Road and Skyline Ranch Road.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the 2024-25 Citywide Major Thoroughfare Median Refurbishment, Plum Canyon Road, Project B4009.
2. Award the construction contract to SGD Enterprises DBA Four Seasons Landscaping, in the amount of $1,636,404 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $327,281, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,963,685.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
ITEM 15
ENCAMPMENT CLEAN-UP SERVICES CONTRACT
This item considers awarding a contract for Citywide encampment clean-up services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council:
1. Award a two-year contract for encampment clean-up services to Woods Maintenance Services, Inc., in the annual amount not to exceed $200,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to three additional one-year renewal options for an annual amount not to exceed $200,000.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, and modify the awards in the event impossibility of performance arises, and execute all documents subject to City Attorney approval.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II
Addressing the Council were Glenda (no last name provided) regarding the California wildfires and the lithium battery storage facility; Mandell Anthony regarding the public safety power shutoffs; and Pozas Wolf regarding fire prevention practices in the City.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Miranda adjourned the Regular Meeting in memory of Sammy Thurman-Brackenbury at 7:59 p.m.
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK