Seal Beach, California
September 28, 2026
The City Council met in Regular Session at 7:03 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Council Member Senecal led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Landau
Council Members: Kalmick, Wong, Senecal, Steele
Absent: None
City Staff: Nicholas R. Ghirelli, City Attorney
Patrick Gallegos, City Manager
Michael Henderson, Police Chief
Iris Lee, Director of Public Works
Gloria D. Harper, City Clerk
Joe Bailey, Marine Safety Chief
Jason Fairchild, Orange County Fire Authority Division 1 Chief Mike Ezroj, Police Captain
Nick Nicholas, Police Captain
Tim Kelsey, Deputy Director of Community Services
Brandon DeCriscio, Deputy City Clerk
Michael Peterman, Human Resources Manager
Kathryne Cho, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jennifer Robles, Management Analyst
Lauren Barich, Management Analyst
Sara Holm, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
PRESENTATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
• San Gabriel River Trash Mitigation Update/ Recognition of Assembly Member Dixon
• Citizen-Council Olympic Advisory Ad Hoc Committee Update • Fire Prevention Week Presentation
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Landau opened oral communications. Speakers: Scott Newton, Daren DeLeon, Kay MacDonald, Bruce Bennett, Perla Mendoza, Matthew Terry, and Ken Seiff addressed the City Council. Mayor Landau closed oral communications.
Two (2) Supplemental Communications were received after posting the agenda; they were distributed to the City Council and made available to the public.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA & WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND
ORDINANCES
Council Member Steele pulled Item D for separate consideration.
Council Member Steele moved, second by Council Member Senecal, to approve the agenda.
AYES: Kalmick, Senecal, Steele, Wong, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Ghirelli had nothing to report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Gallegos reported his attendance at the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Additionally, City Manager Gallegos urged the public to prepare for the upcoming El Nino season by signing up for AlertOC and Nixle alert, creating an emergency kit, and getting to know their neighbors. He noted that sandbags are available at Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 48 and that additional information is available on the Seal Beach Police Department website.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Wong reported his attendance at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) San Diego Conference, the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) Water Inspection Trip, District 1 Candidate Forum, and the League of California Cities Annual Conference. He thanked Police Captain Ezroj for meeting with College Park West residents to discuss parking.
Council Member Senecal provided an overview of the League of California Cities 2026 General Assembly Resolution related to restoring and strengthening local authority over housing and land use matters.
Additionally, Council Member Senecal announced that the Seal Goes Pink Pier Memory Walk will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at Eisenhower Park.
Finally, Council Memebr Senecal announced that on October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. she will be providing an update to College Park East Residents regarding activities within the City.
Council Member Kalmick reported his attendance at the Watershed Conservation Authority meeting, the San Gabirel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy meeting, and District 1 Candidate Forum.
Council Member Steele reported his attendance at the Lague of California Cities Annual Conference.
Mayor Landau announced that Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently interviewing for a new Fire Chief.
Additionally, Mayor Landau noted that Orange County Sanitation District has been preparing for the upcoming El Nino season.
Finally, she reported her attendance at Orange County Around the Table in Fountain Valley.
COUNCIL ITEMS
There were no Council Items.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Kalmick moved, second by Council Member Senecal, to approve the recommended actions on the consent calendar with the exception of Item D.
A. Approval of the City Council Minutes – That the City Council approve the minutes of the Closed Session and Regular City Council Meetings held on September 14, 2026.
B. Demand on City Treasury (Fiscal Year 2027) – Ratification.
C. Monthly Investment Report (August 31, 2026) – Receive and file.
D. Awarding and Authorizing Execution of a Public Works Agreement with MDJ Management, LLC for the North Seal Beach Community Center Phase 2, CIP BG2505 – That the City Council adopt Resolution 7820: 1. Approving the scope of work for North Seal Beach Community Center Phase 2, CIP BG2505 (Project); and,
2. Approving and awarding a Public Works Agreement to MDJ Management, LLC in the not-to-exceed amount of $368,667.53 for the Project, utilizing the pricing of the Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement (ezIQC Contract CA-R8-GB-101723-MDJ); and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Public Works Agreement with MDJ Management, LLC for the Project; and, 4. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to approve up to $98,753.47 as allowance for contingency and inspection services for the renovation project and to fulfill the matching fund.
E. Approving and Awarding a Professional Services Agreement with BKF Engineers for Design and Construction Support Services for the 5th Street at Electric Avenue Stormwater Treatment Project, CIP SD2602 – That the City Council adopt Resolution 7821: 1. Approving and awarding a Professional Services Agreement to BKF Engineers for Professional Design and Construction Support Services for the 5th Street at Electric Avenue Stormwater Treatment Project, CIP SD2602 (Project) for a not-to-exceed amount of $74,922, and rejecting all other proposals; and, 2. Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreement with BKF Engineers on behalf of the City; and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to approve additional work requests for professional design and construction support services up to $15,000 (approximately 20%).
F. Approving and Awarding Agreement for Professional Services Agreement to Local Agency Engineering Associates, Inc. for Interagency Support Services – That the City Council adopt Resolution 7822: 1. Approving and awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Local Agency Engineering Associates, Inc. (LAE Associates, Inc.) for Interagency Support Services pursuant to the exemption from competitive bidding requirements set forth in Seal Beach Municipal Code (SBMC) Section 3.20.025(C) for professional services, for a oneyear term in the not-to-exceed amount of $30,000 pursuant to the Proposal submitted by LAE Associates, Inc. dated August 6, 2026; and, 2. Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to extend the original term by up to three one-year extensions for the not-to-exceed amount of $30,000 for each extension; and, 3.
Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Agreement with LAE Associates, Inc. on behalf of the City and any amendments or extensions thereafter; and, 4. Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to approve additional work requests for interagency support services up to $10,000 up to the cumulative not-to-exceed amount of $40,000 for original term and each of the three one-year extensions thereafter.
The vote below is for the Consent Calendar Items.
AYES: Kalmick, Senecal, Steele, Wong, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
D. Awarding and Authorizing Execution of a Public Works Agreement with MDJ Management, LLC for the North Seal Beach Community Center Phase 2, CIP BG2505 – That the City Council adopt Resolution 7820: 1. Approving the scope of work for North Seal Beach Community Center Phase 2, CIP BG2505 (Project); and,
2. Approving and awarding a Public Works Agreement to MDJ Management, LLC in the not-to-exceed amount of $368,667.53 for the Project, utilizing the pricing of the Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement (ezIQC Contract CA-R8-GB-101723-MDJ); and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Public Works Agreement with MDJ Management, LLC for the Project; and, 4. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to approve up to $98,753.47 as allowance for contingency and inspection services for the renovation project and to fulfill the matching fund.
Mayor Landau called upon Director of Public Works Lee to provide an overview of the staff report.
Council Member Steele’s questions and concerns were addressed by Director of Public Works Lee.
Council Member Senecal moved, second by Council Member Steele to adopt Resolution 7820: 1. Approving the scope of work for North Seal Beach Community Center Phase 2, CIP BG2505 (Project); and, 2. Approving and awarding a Public Works Agreement to MDJ Management, LLC in the not-to-exceed amount of $368,667.53 for the Project, utilizing the pricing of the Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement (ezIQC Contract CA-R8- GB-101723-MDJ); and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Public Works Agreement with MDJ Management, LLC for the Project; and, 4. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to approve up to $98,753.47 as allowance for contingency and inspection services for the renovation project and to fulfill the matching fund.
AYES: Kalmick, Senecal, Steele, Wong, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
PUBLIC HEARING
There was no public hearing item.
UNFINISHED/CONTINUED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished/continued business.
NEW BUSINESS
G. Ratification of Proclamation of Local Emergency for Developing 2026-2027 El Niño Event - That the City Council adopt Resolution 7823: 1. Ratifying the Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency issued by the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services on September 22, 2026, relating to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event; and, 2. Confirming that the local emergency applies throughout the City of Seal Beach; and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services to take actions reasonably necessary to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the emergency, including resource staging, interagency coordination, mutual aid, and emergency procurement and contracting as authorized by law; and, 4. Directing staff to document emergencyrelated costs and damages, pursue available reimbursement or assistance as appropriate, and return to the City Council at least every 60 days for review of the need to continue the local emergency.
Mayor Landau called upon City Manager Gallegos to provide an overview of the staff report.
A discussion ensued between Council Member Senecal, City Manager Gallegos, and Council Member Kalmick.
Council Member Steele moved, second by Council Member Senecal to adopt Resolution 7823: 1. Ratifying the Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency issued by the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services on September 22, 2026, relating to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event; and, 2. Confirming that the local emergency applies throughout the City of Seal Beach; and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services to take actions reasonably necessary to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the emergency, including resource staging, interagency coordination, mutual aid, and emergency procurement and contracting as authorized by law; and, 4.
Directing staff to document emergency-related costs and damages, pursue available reimbursement or assistance as appropriate, and return to the City Council at least every 60 days for review of the need to continue the local emergency.
AYES: Kalmick, Senecal, Steele, Wong, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Landau adjourned the City Council at 9:06 p.m. to Monday, October 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to meet in closed session, if deemed necessary. __________________________
Gloria D. Harper, City Clerk
City of Seal Beach
Approved:___________________________
Lisa Landau, Mayor