ACTION MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA
March 22, 2022
Regular Meeting
CLOSED SESSION
5:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL - Mayor Zimmerman called the Closed Session to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation. Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (One Case).
GENERAL SESSION
6:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL - Mayor Zimmerman called the General Session to order at 6:30 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS
PRESENT: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman ABSENT: None
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Sessiotorney Todd Liftin advised there were no reportable actions from the Closed
INVOCATION/DEDICATION
Ali Zimmerman opened the meeting with quotes from women in honor of Women's History Month.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - The Pledge of Allegiance was led a member of the Boy Scout Group 850.
PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL MEETING REPORTS • Villa Park Distinguished Citizen - Pam Dunn
March 22, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Zimmerman recognized Pam Dunn and provided a brief overview of her history, accomplishments, and volunteer service to the City.
Ms. Dunn thanked the City Council and residents for the recognition.
Councilmember Pitts thanked Mr. Dunn for being an amazing friend and mentor. • Eagle Scout Presentation
Jack Cleary, Board Member of the Friends of the Villa Park Library, reported they are working closely with Boy Scout Group 850. Austin San Pedro provided a brief overview of his Eagle Scout project to install Free Library Kits in four locations around the City. He advised the kits will be installed on March 26, 2022. He requested funding in the amount of the $1800 to his Go Fund Me account at https://gofund.me/4d8ab8dc. Mr. Cleary advised the Friends of the Villa Park Library will bridge the gap between what is donated and what is needed so the project can be successful.
Councilmember Pitts inquired if the Library Kits are waterproof. Mr. San Pedro clarified the kits are not waterproof. Mr. Cleary advised they are not waterproof but are extremely well built and noted maintenance will be handled by Friends of the Villa Park Library and Boy Scout Group 850.
Councilmember Miles expressed support for the project and inquired how the sites were chosen. Mr. Cleary advised residents have contacted him to offer their property as a location. He explained he is looking for a volunteer property on Charter Road or James Road to house the 4th Library Kit.
Mayor Zimmerman encouraged residents to donate to the project. • Orange County Sheriff's Department
A representative from the Orange County Sheriffs Department (OCSD) noted since Daylight Savings Time (DST) has occurred residents need to exercise caution when out walking alone. He reported the total number of calls for service in February 2022 was 197, including one grand theft, one petty theft incident, two burglaries, three narcotics violations, and one assault and battery. He reported three parking citations and 13 patrol deputy traffic citations were issued. He advised a new motor officer is patrolling Villa Park and are working to get him acclimated. He acknowledges there is a parking issue at Featherhill Drive and is conducting enforcement to encourage voluntary compliance. • Orange County Sheriff's Department Crime Comparison
March 22, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Sergeant Christensen provided a crime comparison for the last three years in Villa Park and provided statistics. He reported overall, the analysis indicates there is not a lot of crime in the City.
Mayor Zimmerman inquired how this data compares with other cities. He advised that Crime Analysis Team can put a detailed comparison against a similar city but does not have that available this evening. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rossini's inquiry, the drop-off observed was probably pandemic related.
Sergeant Christensen provided a brief overview of overall crime in Villa Park broken down by crime type by month. He advised the peak crime day for Villa Park in 2021 was Tuesday. He reported the City had a decrease in petty theft, stolen vehicles, and residential burglaries in 2021 compared to 2021 but experienced an increase in vandalism. He provided statistics on assaults with deadly weapon cases, grand theft cases, vandalism cases, commercial burglaries, residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries, traffic citations, and traffic collisions in the City.
Councilmember Pitts inquired if it is possible to correlate residential burglaries compared to new construction. Sergeant Christensen advised he did not have the information but has seen reports all over the County for cases such as the one Councilmember Pitts was describing.
Councilmember Collacott advised the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee did work with the Orange County Sheriff's Department to address construction thefts. He explained tracers were placed in the tools and law enforcement was able to catch the thief. He noted construction theft dropped quickly as a result.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini inquired if the deputies assigned to Villa Park are traffic trained and noted some months were light on traffic citations. Sergeant Christensen advised that is being addressed internally by Captain Knutson and staff. He acknowledged deputies are being encouraged to enforce traffic and are all traffic trained.
Councilmember Pitts inquired about drug citations and Fentanyl use in the City. Sergeant Christensen advised he can provide statistics at a future meeting. • Orange County Fire Authority
Fire Captain Brett Culp reported since February 22, 2022, there have been 47 calls for service in Villa Park which were all medical-related. He encouraged residents to practice safety when cooking and provided tips on how to prevent the fires and the spread of fires in the event one occurs. He encouraged residents to call for assistance should they need assistance. He reported the OCFA Girls Empowerment Camp will take place on May 14th and 15th and encouraged residents to sign up at https://www.joinocfa.org/gec.
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• Villa Park Library
Library Director Sandra Hill reported the Library now offers a new program called Books by Mail for residents who are unable to visit the library due to health or transportation challenges. She noted residents will be required to apply, but once approved, materials will be mailed to residents, and return postage will be provided. She advised the Library has received a grant for the Zip Books program that provides library users with access to books that are not available at the Library. She advised Family Storytime resumed on March 12th and all ages are welcome for Stories, Song, and Movement on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. She advised a Book Chat will be held on March 30th and The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner will be discussed. She reported the Library System is celebrating National Poetry Month in April and hopes will add to the poem being posted on the wall in the Library. She advised Federal and State Tax forms are available for the residents. She advised the Library Tip of the month is that Linkedin Learning is available for use.
• Councilmember meeting attendance reports:
• Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District
• Councilmember Miles reported meeting on March 17'h to discuss the year in review.
• Orange County Sanitation District
• Mayor Zimmerman reported attendance at the February and March meetings.
• He reported they discussed a Vendor Outreach Program to increase business opportunities for local companies and firms. He advised the first of five workshops was held on March 1, 2022.
• He reported OCSD discussed their Biosolids Compost Program and the OCSAN Sewer Construction Project with no impact to Villa Park. • Orange County Fire Authority
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini reported the meeting was held on February 22nd and advised the majority of the meeting was held in closed session.
Orange County Library Advisory Board
• Councilmember Pitts reported the meeting was postponed until February 24*. He advised new officers and a new board were elected. He reported there is an early learning and homework help initiative underway. He obtained the annual report and will share it with the City Manager and the City Council.
• City Schools Advisory
• Mayor Zimmerman reported no meeting was held.
Law Enforcement Advisory
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini reported no meeting was held.
Villa Park Community Services Foundation
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• Councilmember Miles reported meeting on February 23d. She reported August 8, 2022 will be National Night Out and July 8'h will be a Concert in the Park. She also advised National Cleanup Day will be held April 23° from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• She reported there was strong support for the discussion regarding Winter Wonderland and CSF taking over. She advised CSF will budget $5500 for the event and will advised if it is adopted in their budget. She advised the return of the Villa Park Picnic has not been determined.
• Housing Legislative Committee
• Councilmember Collacott reported there was nothing to report • Bridges at Kraemer Place Advisory Committee
• Councilmember Miles reported the meeting will be held on March 23rd
• Senior Citizens Advisory Committee
• Councilmember Miles reported meeting on March 11th and discussed elder care, internet safety, cyber safety, and internet scams.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Zimmerman reviewed the rules of decorum.
Mayor Zimmerman opened public comments.
Marcy Roney reported she is a volunteer for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association working to try to get Proposition 58 back on the ballot. She explained Proposition 58 allowed parents to leave their homes to their children at the current property tax the parents had been paying. She noted that Proposition 19 replaced Proposition 58 and requires higher property taxes to be paid in the event the home is left to the children. She advised a petition signing will be held on March 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in front of the Villa Park Library and encouraged residents to call or text her at 714-310-9272.
Kathy Tracy reported this is her eighth meeting regarding the total street surface repair of Churchill Lane and Squires Circle. She noted that City streets are more important than funding the Winter Wonderland and other City events.
Councilmember Miles called for a point of clarification. Mayor Zimmerman approved.
Councilmember Miles asked City Manager Franks clarified Churchill Lane and Squires Circle were on the FY 21-22 Slurry Seal. City Manager Franks confirmed Churchill Lane and Squires Circle were on the list but the City Council asked they be removed so they could be considered in the budget process in the next few months for street repair.
Councilmember Miles reiterated residents of Churchill Lane and Squires Circle were not forgotten and those streets would be considered through a different structure.
March 22, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Zimmerman closed public comments.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda.
City Manager Franks presented a brief staff report.
Mayor Zimmerman opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, seconded by Councilmember Pitts, and approved by the following roll call vote, to waive the reading in full of all ordinances, resolutions, and meeting minutes on the agenda, and direct the City Clerk to read by title only.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CONSENT CALENDAR (ITEMS # 3 - 7)
City Manager Franks reported the public has asked to pull Item No. 08.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, seconded by Councilmember Miles, and approved by the following roll call vote, to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3. January's Cash and Investment Transparency.
The City Council received and filed the January Cash and Investment Transparency reports.
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4. Financial Report.
The City Council received and filed the Financial Report.
5. Request approval of City Council Minutes of February 22, 2022 The City Council approved the City Council Minutes of February 22, 2022.
AQMD Audit Report
The City Council received and filed the AQMD Audit Report.
7. 2021 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
The City Council received and filed APR for calendar year 2021 and authorize City staff to submit the APR to HCD, and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR).
8. Change Order No. 1 / Villa Park Knowles Project, and Approval of a contract with Armor Fence Concepts.
City Manager Franks advised the item is the change order for the Villa Park Knowles Project and approves a contract with Armor Fence Concept. He explained the project originally called for the City to work with residents along Villa Park Knowles to paint the fencing but many of them are in disrepair. The City decided to go a different route and place screening in front of those fences to hold the placards. He noted the cost of fencing is much higher than originally anticipated. He reported that 5 bids were received for the fencing and there will be an increase to the project to $35,000 for both the fencing and landscaping. He advised staff recommends the City Council approve the item.
Mayor Zimmerman opened public comments.
Kathy Tracy expressed concern about the significant increase for the project and inquired where the funding will come from. She encouraged the City Council to prioritize the City's streets before funding this project.
Mayor Zimmerman closed public comments.
Councilmember Miles requested staff explain where the additional $35,000 will come from.
City Manager Franks explained there are savings in the budget being held along with $120,000 that was held for projects. He clarified the funds will not come from the reserves.
March 22, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Zimmerman advised the street resurfacing will be discussed during the budget review.
A motion was made by Councilmember Pitts, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, and approved by the following roll call vote, to approve Change Order No. 1, in the amount of $12,654, to Marina Landscape contract for additional landscaping for the Villa Park Knowles project to be installed along the proposed wrought iron fence installed by Armor Fence Concept; approved a contract with Armor Fence Concept, in the amount of $22,346, to install wrought iron fencing against the easterly wall of Villa Park Knowles; and, authorize the Finance Director to pay the additional $35,000 over the original approved budget.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of a Resolution Establishing. a Historic and Public Art Committee.
City Manager Franks reported there was a discussion at the last City Council meeting about a public art competition and a suggestion was made to consider a Public Art Committee. He advised the item is for the City Council to discuss the establishment of the committee.
Mayor Zimmerman expressed support for celebrating the art and the history of the City.
He expressed support for establishing a Historic and Public Art Committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini inquired how often the committee would meet and who would be appointed to the committee.
Mayor Zimmerman opened public comments.
Stephanie George, a resident of Villa Park, noted the Resolution includes a charge of making recommendations for historic preservation. She explained historical preservation is typically building sites or the built environment. She believes it is more aligned with bringing out the history of Villa Park to create an archive of its history. She offered to hold discussions to flesh out exactly what the City Council is trying to establish. She believes March 22, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
it opens the opportunity to create additional types of history such as oral history and public history.
Councilmember Collacott inquired how much the committee would cost the City. City Manager Franks noted the cost would depend on how often the committee meets. He expressed concern for the space an archive would take and advised there is limited storage space in the City, especially for historical items.
Councilmember Collacott noted when the City historian passed away a few years ago, many of the items were put in the County archives. City Manager Franks advised a lot of the materials were replications. He explained there would be some costs.
Ms. George noted one of the issues she addressed was space and the storage location.
She advised the City could transfer their inactive record to the County archives and would still be able to contribute to them. She explained many things will need to be considered in developing this type of committee.
Councilmember Miles expressed support for the concept but does not believe it belongs with the City Council. She recommended she and Mayor Zimmerman present this concept to the CSF.
Councilmember Pitts expressed support for Councilmember Miles's recommendation and believes CSF would do a great job. He advised the work Ms. George is referencing would take a lot of work. He recommends continuing the item and talking with other agencies.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini expressed support for continuing the item to speak with other agencies.
Ms. George recommended taking out the historical preservation piece from the resolution and continuing the discussion.
Councilmember Pitts expressed support for Ms. George's input and recommendations.
He agreed it does not belong with the City.
Mr. George recommended passing the Resolution but removing the historic conservation because it changes the charge of the committee.
City Manager Franks reported one of the more common requests the City receives is inquiring about the original floorplans of homes in the City. He advised the City is working to digitize them but it is a very slow process.
Councilmember Miles inquired if Ms. George was familiar with CSF and she advised she was familiar but had never had this conversation with them. Councilmember Miles inquired if Ms. George would consider speaking with someone from the CSF. Ms. George March 22, 2022 Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
agreed. She noted there could also be overlapping materials with other groups such as the Rotary Club.
Mayor Zimmerman noted he sees a role the City has in maintaining historic records and bringing together organizations such as CSF, Rotary Club, and the Women's League. He noted it would be helpful to centralize those records. He believes at the very least there should be one representative from the City Council that is on board to represent the City's desire and needs. He believes that City staff involvement would be minimal. He expressed support for continuing the conversation.
Councilmember Pitts noted the dais supports continuing the item for further discussion with other organizations within the City.
Mayor Zimmerman explained the monthly art contest was simply to have residents participate and what would happen once the City took possession of a resident's picture or historical item.
Councilmember Miles cautioned to not put the cart before the horse and believes it needs more fleshing out.
A motion was made by Councilmember Pitts, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, and approved by the following roll call vote, to continue the item to a later date.
AYES: Collacott, Miles, Pitts, Rossini, and Zimmerman
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY MANAGER REPORT
10. Information from City Manager and/or City Staff.
City Manager Franks reported the first budget hearing for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 will take place on April 18th.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER MATTERS
18. Individual Councilmember Information Items.
Councilmember Pitts reported he will be attending the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) conference in Palm Springs in May.
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Mayor Pro Tem Rossini encouraged residents to be careful while driving through the City now that the students are back in school and outdoor activities have resumed.
Councilmember Miles thanked Councilmember Pitts for attending the SCAG conference due to her absence.
Councilmember Collacott reported he participates in the Association of California Cities - Orange County (ACC-OC) Committee and noted at the last meeting the Poseidon Desalinization Plant was discussed and explained the process. He noted it would be the most expensive water supply source in Orange County. He proposed a pilot project for recycling utility poles into other treated wood products such as landscape timbers, etc., and hopes this will help keep them out of landfills.
Mayor Zimmerman reported attendance at the bi-weekly Mayor's meeting and reported attendance at Opening Day of Little League and wished them the best of luck.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. to the next regular Council meeting to be held whether in person or via teleconference on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Chool
Chad Zimmerman, Mayor
City of Villa Park
ATTEST:
Steve Franks, City Clerk
City of Villa Park
Note: The above minutes are a summary of actions. A DVD recording of this meeting additionally serves as an official record and is available upon request from City Hall.