Apr 17, 2023 City Council

[ CALL TO ORDER: Council Chamber INVOCATION: City Attorney Jones PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Espinoza ROLL CALL: Mayor Gomez Mayor Pro Tem Nigsarian Councilmember Espinoza Councilmember Medrano Councilmember Simonian]

[00:00:06]

I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL, I'M SORRY, OF APRIL 17TH, 2023.

LET THE RECORD REFLECTED AT 6:30 PM AND ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.

THE INVOCATION BE LED BY, UH, CITY ATTORNEY RICHARD D. JONES, FOLLOWED BY PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, BY ROSA SPINOZA.

WHATEVER WE PLEASE STAND, ASK YOU TO PLEASE, UH, BOW YOUR HEADS.

UH, DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, OUR HEARTS ARE FULL OF GRATITUDE.

AS WE THINK OF THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS WE HAVE AS RESIDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS IN THIS COMMUNITY, UH, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, OUR EMPLOYEES, AND THOSE WHO SERVED THE, THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ASK YOU TO BLESS THEM WITH WISDOM AND INSIGHT THIS EVENING.

AS THEY DO THAT, WHICH IS BEST FOR ALL LAHABRA, WE SAY THESE THINGS IN THY NAME.

AMEN.

AMEN.

PLEASE TURN AND FACE OUR NATION'S FLAG.

BEGIN PLEDGES TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

JUSTICE.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH WITH THE CLERK.

PLEASE KNOW THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.

ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION? THERE ARE NONE.

OKAY.

WE WOULD LIKE

[1. INTRODUCTION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER TONY CARDENAS]

WELCOME, SIR.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR GOMEZ, MEMBERS OF THE HARBOR CITY COUNCIL.

UH, I'M TONY GARAS, AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AS YOUR NEW GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON.

UH, FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS, I SERVED CITIES IN ORANGE COUNTY UNDER THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES, AND I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW, UH, A FEW OF YOU UNDER THAT CAPACITY.

UM, BUT I'M VERY EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO SERVE CITIES IN ORANGE COUNTY, UH, UNDER THIS NEW CAPACITY WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON.

UM, EDISON IS THE OLDEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

AND WE HAVE A MONUMENTAL TASK OF DELIVERING SAFELY, DELIVERING ELECTRICITY TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

UM, SO TO THAT END, WE DO HAVE TO MODERNIZE OUR GRID.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY UPGRADES TO MAKE IT MORE RELIANT AND RE RELIABLE.

UM, SO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, WE DO HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE POWER, UM, AT TIMES.

UM, SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR, UH, PATIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.

BUT I PR I MAKE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO KEEP YOUR CITY INFORMED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AS MUCH AS I CAN, UH, WHEN, WHEN THOSE UPGRADES ARE, ARE NECESSARY.

UM, MY NEW CONTACT INFORMATION WAS ALREADY EMAILED TO YOU IN YOUR INBOX.

UH, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME.

IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH ME ONE-ON-ONE.

I'M HAPPY TO COORDINATE WITH YOUR TEAM AT CITY HALL AND MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

MAYOR GOMEZ, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT TO YOU TODAY THAT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON WILL BE SUPPORTING YOUR MAYOR'S BREAKFAST ON MAY THE FOURTH.

AND I'M WORKING WITH ALL, I'M WORKING WITH MR. BRIAN BURGESS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

UM, SO, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT.

AND, UH, THE CITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY, UH, SUPPORTIVE OF ME, UH, WHEN I WAS WITH THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITY'S MOST ESPECIALLY CITY MANAGER, I WON'T FORGET THAT.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DELIVERING FOR LAHABRA.

TONY CARDENAS, ON BEHALF OF THE TARA HARBOR CITY COUNCIL, WE LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP, GETTING TO KNOW YOU A LOT BETTER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

YOU VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

FAIR

[2. PROCLAIM APRIL 2023 AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH IN THE CITY OF LA HABRA]

SUSAN.

KIM, ARE YOU HERE? AND BRIANNA, WELL PRESENT THAT PROCLAMATION TO YOU.

OH, YOU'RE ALSO HERE AS WELL.

I'M SORRY.

I DIDN'T, I YOUR NAME WAS NOT ON MY LIST HERE, SUFFOLK.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

SO WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

I'M WITH THE FAIR HOUSING FOUNDATION.

WE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF LAHABRA TO PROVIDE FAIR HOUSING SERVICES AND VERY PROUD TO HAVE YOU PROCLAIM APRIL AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

BRIAN BURGESS, MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST.

COME ON TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE.

WE HAVE A BIG EVENT COMING UP THE FIRST THURSDAY IN MAY.

THANK YOU.

YES.

UH, THIS YEAR IT'S HELD ON MAY 4TH, AND, UH, BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND WE'RE BLESSED BY SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE, IT'S ALREADY SOLD OUT.

SO THE, THE, YEAH.

SO THERE'LL BE ABOUT 500 PEOPLE THERE.

AND THIS YEAR THAT WE ARE HEARING FROM, UM, BRETT BUTLER, BRETT WAS A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER FOR 17 YEARS AND ABOUT SEVEN YEARS WITH THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS.

AND HE HAD A, UH, TWO 90 BA BATTING AVERAGE A LIFETIME.

SO WE'RE EXCITED TO, UH, HEAR FROM HIM IN HIS STORY.

I WANTED TO READ ONE VERSE FOR YOU, AND THAT'S OUT OF, UH, THE OLD TESTAMENT.

AND PSALM 1 27, 1, WHICH SAYS, UNLESS THE LORD PROTECTS A CITY, GUARDING IT WITH CENTURIES WILL DO NO GOOD.

SO WE REALLY DO PUT OURSELF, OURSELVES IN THE HANDS OF A LOVING GOD.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE BREAKFAST IS ALL ABOUT.

[00:05:01]

I PROCLAIM.

AMEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

THANK YOU, BRIAN.

THANK OKAY.

ALL MATTERS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ACTED BY ONE.

I'M SORRY.

WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION.

OH, I'M SORRY.

WE GO AHEAD.

WHO'S THAT? WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE NO, THEY WILL NOT.

THEY'RE NOT HERE TONIGHT.

THEY'RE NOT HERE.

MY APOLOGIES.

OKAY.

ALL MATTERS ON CONSENT COUNT, AS I SAID, ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ACTED BY WHEN.

MOTION TO ENT TO COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY STAFF MEMBER, UH, MAYOR.

[ PUBLIC COMMENTS: When addressing the La Habra City Council, please complete a Speaker’s Card before leaving the Council Chamber. General Public Comments shall be received at the beginning of the governing body meeting and limited to three (3) minutes per individual, with a total time limit of 30 minutes for all public comments, unless otherwise modified by the Mayor or Chair. Speaking time may not be granted and/or loaned to another individual for purposes of extending available speaking time, and comments must be kept brief, non-repetitive, and professional in nature. The general Public Comment portion of the meeting allows the public to address any item of City business not appearing on the scheduled agenda. Per Government Code Section 54954.3(a), such comments shall not be responded to by the governing body during the meeting.]

I'M SORRY.

PUBLIC COMMENTS IS NEXT, PLEASE.

OKAY.

ANYBODY, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ THAT? ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

PUBLIC COMMENTS.

WHEN ADDRESSING THE LAW OR CITY COUNCIL, PLEASE COMPLETE A SPEAKER'S CARD BEFORE LEAVING THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL BE RECEIVED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GOVERNING BODY MEETING AND LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL WITH A TOTAL TIME LIMIT OF 30 MINUTES FOR ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS.

UNLESS OTHERWISE, MODIFIED BY THE MAYOR OR CHAIR.

SPEAKING TIME MAY NOT BE GRANTED AND OR LOANED TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL FOR PURPOSES OF EXTENDING AVAILABLE SPEAKING TIME AND COMMENTS MUST BE KEPT BRIEF, NON-REPETITIVE, AND PROFESSIONAL IN NATURE.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS ANY ITEM OF CITY BUSINESS NOT APPEARING ON THE SCHEDULED AGENDA.

PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 5 4 9 5 4 3 A SUCH COMMENTS SHALL NOT BE RESPONDED TO BY THE GOVERNING BODY DURING THE MEETING.

ANYBODY WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME.

A NON-AD AGENDAS ITEMS. HI, GOOD EVENING MAYOR, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND DISTINGUISHED CITY STAFF.

MY NAME IS FIDEL VASQUEZ AND I AM THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVE, UH, WITH THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR TOM HUMBERG.

AND I JUST WANTED TO COME AND PRESENT MYSELF BEFORE ALL OF YOU TODAY BECAUSE I AM THE DIRECT LIAISON FOR THE CITY OF LAHABRA.

AND I KNOW, SORRY, IT'S, IT'S BEEN KIND OF A LITTLE LATE, KIND OF A LITTLE BIT OF PERSONNEL THINGS GOING ON IN OUR OFFICE.

WE'VE ACTUALLY ONBOARDING TWO NEW FOLKS.

I RECENTLY STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, SO JUST WANTED TO JUST COME OUT HERE AND INTRODUCE MYSELF AS A RESOURCE AND A DIRECT POINT OF CONTACT FOR ANY STATE, UH, RELATED ISSUES, UH, MATTERS, STATE RESOURCES, UM, ANYTHING THAT THE, THE COUNCIL DEEMS AS IMPORTANT RELATING TO STATE ISSUES.

FEEL FREE TO, UH, REACH OUT TO ME.

I WILL LEAVE MY CARDS DIRECTLY WITH THE CITY CLERK OR WITH YOU ALL WITH MY PERSONAL CELL.

UH, JUST IN CASE THAT YOU ALL ARE FACED WITH PERHAPS AN, UH, AN ISSUE OR A QUICK QUESTION THAT YOU FEEL, UH, COULD BE ANSWERED BY A STATE REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT MYSELF.

UM, I ALSO WANNA OPEN UP THAT OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO IMMERSE MYSELF IN THE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THAT IS LAHABRA.

UM, I WOULD LOVE TO BE INVOLVED, ESPECIALLY WITH LIKE THE YOUTH.

UM, UH, ONE HUGE THING THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE COMING UP IN OUR OFFICE IS OUR ANNUAL, UH, YOUNG SENATORS PROGRAM.

AND WITH THAT, I KNOW LAHABRA HAS TWO HIGH SCHOOLS, IF, CORRECT ME IF I'M MISTAKEN.

UM, BUT I KNOW THAT WE ARE EXP WE ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, AND JUNIORS, UH, PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAM.

AND IT WOULD EXPOSE THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS TO JUST GOVERNMENT SERVICES ALL AROUND, UM, THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND ALSO JUST ALSO A, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO BECOME IMMERSED IN JUST BEING, UM, BEING INVOLVED AND JUST DEVELOPING THAT RESUME AND, AND, AND, AND, AND THAT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE.

AND SO, UH, AGAIN, MY NAME IS FIDEL.

I'M FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR TOM HUMBERG.

I'LL BE LEAVING MY CARDS WITH YOU SHORTLY.

THANK YOU.

GIVE OUR BEST TO SENATOR AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT.

OF COURSE.

MOST CERTAINLY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

A ANYBODY ELSE? HEY, UH, FIDEL.

CAN YOU ALSO THANK THE, UH, SENATOR? I KNOW HE'S, UH, MORE RECENTLY HAS DONE SOME THINGS, UH, TO PREVENT THE, UH, THE USE AND THE, UH, TRAFFICKING OF, UH, FENTANYL IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BECAUSE IT IS, UH, IT IS BECOMING A, UH, A VERY BAD ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

PLEASE THANK THEM ON OUR BEHALF.

AND THE SENATOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN ASSISTING THE CITY WITH THE, UM, UH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WITH OUR HOUSING ELEMENT, WHICH WE REALLY APPRECIATE.

OKAY.

ANYBODY ELSE? THE NEXT

[ CONSENT CALENDAR: All matters on Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion unless a Councilmember, City staff member, or member of the audience requests separate action or removal of an item. Removed items will be considered following the Consent Calendar portion of this agenda. Public comment shall be limited to three (3) minutes per individual, with a total time limit of 30 minutes per item that has been removed for separate discussion, unless otherwise modified by the Mayor. Speaking time may not be granted and/or loaned to another individual for purposes of extending available speaking time, and comments must be kept brief, non-repetitive, and professional in nature. ]

ALL MATTERS ON CONSENT CALENDAR ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY STAFF MEMBER OR MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE REQUEST SEPARATE ACTION OR REMOVAL OF AN ITEM REMOVED.

ITEMS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOLLOWING THE CONSENT CALENDAR PORTION OF THIS AGENDA.

PUBLIC COMMENT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL WITH A TOTAL TIME LIMIT OF 30 MINUTES PER ITEM THAT HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION, UNLESS OTHERWISE, MODIFIED BY THE MAYOR.

SPEAKING TIME MAY NOT BE GRANTED AND OR LOAN TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL FOR PURPOSES OF EXTENDING AVAILABLE SPEAKING TIME AND COMMENTS MUST BE KEPT BRIEF, NON-REPETITIVE, AND PROFESSIONAL IN NATURE.

THE CONSENT CALENDAR INCLUDES CITY COUNCIL ITEMS ONE THROUGH FOUR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

STAFF MEMBERS LIKE TO HAVE ANYTHING REMOVED? UM, NO.

MR. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, NO AUDIENCE MEMBERS.

ANYBODY? OKAY.

CALL FOR A MOTION.

MR. MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

ITEMS ONE THROUGH FOUR,

[00:10:01]

MOTION.

OKAY.

MOTION MADE BY SIMONIAN.

UH, SECONDED BY JOSE MADRANO.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSITIONS? SAY NO OR NO.

ANY ABSTENTIONS ITEM PASS THE UNANIMOUSLY FIVE ZERO.

WE ACTUALLY GO AHEAD, RHONDA.

YES.

NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC HEARINGS.

PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL WITH A TOTAL TIME LIMIT OF 60 MINUTES FOR ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS.

FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM ON THE AGENDA, UNLESS OTHERWISE MODIFIED BY THE MAYOR OR CHAIR.

COMMENTS MUST BE KEPT BRIEF, NON-REPETITIVE, AND PROFESSIONAL IN NATURE.

ITEM NUMBER ONE IS

[1. DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LA HABRA’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 That the City Council: A. Receive public comments; B. APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.___ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023; C. Consider and approve the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan for the City of La Habra Community Development Block Grant Program; and, D. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the City of La Habra’s annual application and certifications and submit the Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its Community Development Block Grant Funding Approval/Agreement in the amount of $595,411 of CDBG funds.]

WELCOME, MS. LOUIE STAFF REPORT, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS SUSAN LOUIE, HOUSING SPECIALIST.

THE PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT IS TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE C D B G PRO, A ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE C D B G ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2324.

THE FISCAL YEAR 2223 ACTION PLAN WAS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 18TH, 2022.

THE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION PLAN REQUIRES A CITY TO APPROVE BY RESOLUTION, A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.

WHENEVER A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IS PROPOSED, STAFF IS PROPOSING TO CANCEL FISCAL YEAR 2223 ALI IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $199,605 AND RELOCATING FUNDS TO FOUR PROJECTS, COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT, OLD RESERVOIR PARK, CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FISCAL YEAR 2021 ALLEY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

IT WILL INCREASE, UH, CONSTRUCTION FUNDING FOR THREE OF THE FOUR PROJECTS, TOTALLING $127,605 AND INCREASE FUNDS FOR WAGE COMPLIANCE FOR THREE OF THE FOUR PROJECTS TOTALLING 72,000.

TODAY CONCLUDES A FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENTS.

AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS.

ADDITIONALLY, STAFF IS REQUESTING COUNSEL APPROVE THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2324.

THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN OUTLINES PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR C D B G FUNDS ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2023.

THE COMMISSION MADE THEIR FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES FUNDING LEVELS AND NO PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED.

THE ACTION PLAN IS DUE TO HUD BY MAY 15TH OF EACH YEAR.

THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 2324 ACTION PLAN IS A GRAND ALLOCATION OF $595,411.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THE FUNDING OF 10 PROJECTS TOTALING $595,411 FROM THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES, ADMINISTRATION, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS, HOUSING, BLESS AND PUBLIC SERVICES.

WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AFTER AND AFTER CONDUCTING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY B CITY BG SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2223 AND APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2324 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE ACTION PLAN AND AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AND SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS AND AGREEMENTS TO HUD.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION QUESTIONS, COUNSEL HEARING.

CAN I ACTUALLY, MR. MAYOR, I'LL MAKE ONE COMMENT ON, UM, THE REALLOCATION OF FUNDING FROM THE 2223.

UM, ALI IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WILL NOT CANCEL THAT PROGRAM.

IT'LL JUST REALLOCATE THE CDBG FUNDS FROM THAT APPROVED PROGRAM TO THE, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE STAFF REPORT.

AND AT SUCH TIME AS WE COME FORWARD IN THE FUTURE WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FUND THAT, THAT YEAR'S WORTH VALUE IMPROVEMENTS.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

I'LL INVITE THE PUBLIC TO TESTIFY NOW.

ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC LIKE TO COME UP AND TESTIFY? LAST CALL.

LAST CALL.

ANYBODY? OKAY.

I'LL CALL FOR ACTION OR, UM, QUESTIONS OR DIRECTION OR WHATEVER YOU GUYS LIKE TO DO.

MOTION MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, UH, TO, UH, APPROVE, UH, DULY NOTICED, EXCUSE ME.

UH, TO APPROVE THE ADOPTED, UH, RESOLUTION ENTITLED THE RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAHABRA, CALIFORNIA

[00:15:01]

2023.

2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LAHABRA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, AS WELL AS TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CITY OF LA HABER'S ANNUAL APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATIONS AND SUBMIT THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING APPROVAL SLASH AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $595,411 OF C D B G FUNDS.

AND I'LL SECOND THAT.

THERE'S A MOTION TO SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS PASS C MANLEY FIVE ZERO CONSIDERATION.

MM-HMM.

.

NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDERATION ITEM.

ANY MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE MAY REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE LAHABRA CITY COUNCIL ON ANY CONSIDERATION ITEM PRIOR TO THE LAHABRA CITY COUNCIL TAKING A FINAL VOTE ON THE ITEM.

PUBLIC COMMENT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL WITH A TOTAL TIME LIMIT OF 30 MINUTES PER CONSIDERATION ITEM, UNLESS OTHERWISE MODIFIED BY THE MAYOR OR CHAIR.

SPEAKING TIME MAY NOT BE GRANTED AND OR LOAN TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL FOR PURPOSES OF EXTENDING AVAILABLE SPEAKING TIME AND COMMENTS MUST BE KEPT BRIEF, NON-REPETITIVE, AND PROFESSIONAL IN NATURE.

ITEM ONE IS REVIEW

[1. REVIEW OF LA HABRA SKATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS AND ENFORCEMENT OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT That the City Council consider skate park staffing options and direct staff to proceed with a recommendation to either: A. Remove security staffing at the La Habra Skate Park, and maintain signage requiring safety equipment and explaining the penalties for non-compliance; or, B. Maintain security staffing at the La Habra Skate Park and continue actively enforcing California Health and Safety Code Section 115800 requirements of full safety equipment for all visitors utilizing the skate park.]

KELLY FUO WELCOME STAFF REPORT, PLEASE.

THANK YOU MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS ITEM TO YOU TONIGHT REGARDING SAFETY EQUIPMENT AT THE SKATEBOARD PARK AT LA BONITA PARK.

SO, UH, MAY, UH, FEBRUARY 21ST, 2023, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, A FEW INDIVIDUALS CAME TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND ASKED THE CITY COUNCIL IF THEY WOULD CONSIDER ELIMINATING THE LAWS FOR OUR POLICY FOR REQUIRING SAFETY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING HELMETS, ELBOW, UH, PADS, AND KNEE PADS.

AT OUR SKATEBOARD PARK CITY COUNCIL ASKED STAFF TO PREPARE A REPORT, AND WHEN DOING SO, THE STAFF FOUND THAT CALIFORNIA'S HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 1 15 800 ACTUALLY REQUIRES ANY CITY GOVERNMENT THAT OPERATES A SKATEBOARD PARK TO HAVE THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

IN ADDITION TO HAVING THOSE REQUIREMENTS, WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE SIGNAGE THAT STATES THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL USING A SKATEBOARD PARK AT A MUNICIPALLY BASED SKATEBOARD PARK MUST WEAR FULL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING HEADGEAR, UH, ELBOW PADS AND KNEE PADS.

WHILE THE, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO SPOKE AT THE STATE COUNCIL MEETING, UM, SAID THAT OTHER CITIES DON'T HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS, AND WE ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO DOES SO, AND THEN OUR PEOPLE IN LAHABRA HAVE TO GO TO OTHER SKATEBOARD PARKS.

SO STAFF INVESTIGATED, AND IT'S TRUE THAT OTHER CITY SKATEBOARD PARKS, UM, MAY NOT, UM, MAY HAVE SKATERS THAT DON'T WEAR SAFETY EQUIPMENT, BUT THOSE CITIES LEAVE IT UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL'S VOLITION TO CHOOSE.

NOW, THOSE CITY GOVERNMENTS, THEY STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS AS IT RELATES TO THE SIGNAGE SAYING THAT SKATEBOARD PARK, UH, SKATEBOARDING IS DANGEROUS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED.

AND THEN THEY ALSO HAVE TO HAVE SIGNAGE THAT SAYS THAT, UM, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THEIR SAFETY EQUIPMENT ARE SUBJECT TO CITATION.

NOW, UM, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OTHER CITY SKATEBOARD PARKS AND THE CITY OF LA HARBORS IS WE CHOOSE TO STA STAFF OUR SKATEBOARD PARK WITH A SAFETY GUARD.

THAT SAFETY GUARD REQUIRES THEN EACH INDIVIDUAL THAT ENTERS OUR PARK TO HAVE THAT SAFETY GEAR.

CALIFORNIA STATE HEALTH CODE 1 1 5 800 ALSO PROVIDES QUALIFIED IMMUNITY TO ANY CITY GOVERNMENT WHO HA, WHO COMPLIES WITH THE LAW.

SO THAT MEANS THEY HAVE THE SIGNAGE, THEY HAVE THE REQUIREMENTS, THEN THAT PROTECTS US FROM ANY INJURIES THAT OCCUR, OR MOST INJURIES THAT OCCUR AT A PARK.

UM, THE OTHER CITIES THAT DON'T HAVE SAFETY GUARDS AT THEIR PARKS, OR THEY DON'T STAFF IT AS LONG AS THE SIGNAGE IS UP, THEN THEY ALSO, UM, OBTAIN THAT SAME QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

NOW, THE CITY OF LA HARBOR CHOOSES TO PAY PLACE A SAFETY GUARD AT THEIR PARK BECAUSE AS YOU RECALL DURING C O V D, WE DECIDED THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE WANTED TO HAVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR OUR KIDS, SO WE NEEDED TO, UM, ENFORCE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

AND LO AND BEHOLD, WITH THAT SAFETY GUARD AT THE PARK, IT ALSO ALLOWED THE YOUNGER SKATEBOARDER AND THE FAMILIES AND EVERYBODY ELSE TO COME OUT AND SKATE.

SO WE FOUND THAT WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO ENFORCE SOCIAL DISTANCING, WE DID FIND BETTER THINGS THAT HAPPENED AT THE SKATEBOARD PARK.

OUR SAFETY GUARD ALSO, UM, ASSISTS US WITH, UM, PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, UM, IN AND AROUND OUR PARK, JUST A LITTLE AREA AROUND THE SKATEBOARD PARK, NOT THE ENTIRE LA BONITA PARK.

SO THIS, UM, OUR, OUR, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN NOT REQUIRE SAFETY GEAR AT OUR PARK.

AND THAT'S AN ABSOLUTE NO, IT'S A STATE LAW.

IT'S NOT CHOICE.

WE HAVE TO REQUIRE THE SAFETY GEAR.

HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENCE IS WHETHER OR NOT IT'S ENFORCED.

THE SIGNAGE AT OTHER PARKS SAY THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL CITE

[00:20:01]

UM, OUR SIGN STILL SAYS THAT TOO, BUT WE CHOOSE TO STAFF OUR PARK, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND EVEN THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB THAT IS ADJACENT TO OUR, UM, PARK, ENJOY THE SAFETY GUARD AT OUR PARK AND HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO USE ONE.

SO THE CITY COUNCIL HAS TWO CHOICES.

WE CAN REMOVE THE SECURITY GUARD AND RELY SOLELY ON THE SIGNAGE THAT'S REQUIRED BY CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE.

UM, OR WE CAN MAINTAIN THE SECURITY GUARD OR SAFETY GUARD AT THE PARK, UM, TO ALLOW FOR THE YOUNGER AND FAMILIES, THE YOUNGER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO USE THE PARK SAFELY TOO.

THANK YOU.

QUESTIONS, SIR.

KELLY? OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OH, HOLD ON.

OKAY, GO AHEAD, KELLY.

UM, THE SAFETY GUARD IS THERE, HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK? THEY'RE THERE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

YEAH, EVERY DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

MM-HMM.

.

YEAH.

AND HOW MANY HOURS A DAY? UM, THEY'RE THERE FROM 1:00 PM TO 9:00 PM AND IF, OR EIGHT, I'M SORRY, IT'S EIGHT RIGHT NOW.

SUMMER, IT'LL GO NINE IF THAT PERSON CALLS IN SICK BE WELL, WE, WE USE A, A COMPANY, SO IF THEY CALL IN SICK, THEY JUST SEND ANOTHER GUARD.

OKAY.

LAST WEDNESDAY THERE WAS NO GUARD THERE.

WHAT TIME DO YOU THINK? UM, I'D SAY IT WAS ONE 30.

HMM.

WELL, WE CAN CHECK TO SEE WHAT THE, UM, THEIR TIME CARDS, AND WE DON'T FIND THAT IT HAPPENS OFTEN, BUT IT, IT CERTAINLY COULD OCCUR.

GENERALLY IT'S STAFFED FULL-TIME.

GENERALLY IT'S STAFFED.

THE PARK OPENS AT 10:00 AM SO THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE PARK ARE LEFT OF THEIR OWN VOLITION FROM 10 TO ONE.

AND, UH, WE JUST, UH, STAFF IT AROUND THAT TIME BECAUSE IT'S LUNCHTIME FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLERS AND, UM, AND UNTIL 8:00 PM WHEN IT CLOSES.

OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MM-HMM.

KELLY, UH, AND MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION EITHER FOR YOU OR FOR OUR CITY ATTORNEY, UH, WITHIN THE LEGAL REALM, UH, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY CITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT HAVE BEEN, UH, UH, SUED, UH, IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, UH, YOU KNOW, AT A SKATE PARK, UH, FOR LACK THEREOF OF ENFORCING, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, UH, THE, THE REQUIREMENTS? UH, HAS THERE BEEN ANY TYPE OF LEGAL ACTION? DO WE KNOW? I DON'T KNOW OF ANY, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, UM, HAVE THE REQUIREMENTS, THEN YOU'RE NOT PROTECTED BY STATE LAW.

AND I WOULDN'T GUESS THAT NO OTHER CITY PROBABLY HAS ONE.

I I WOULD SAY HISTORICALLY, MANY YEARS AGO, CITIES WERE FACING LITIGATION AND THERE WAS A LOT OF EXPOSURE WITH THE ADOPTION OF THIS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION.

IT NOW APPLIES, UH, MOST CITIES HAVE POSTED THE PARKS CONSISTENT WITH THE CODE SECTION, WHICH PROVIDES THAT IMMUNITY.

THANKS.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY.

I WILL NOW INVITE THE PUBLIC TO COME UP AND TESTIFY.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

ANYBODY WISHING TO COME UP? HEY, THERE'S SOME CARDS.

HI, ZACH.

WELCOME MAYOR MAY APPROACH HIM REST TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THANK YOU FOR, UH, TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER THIS ITEM.

UM, FOR THOSE OF THAT DON'T KNOW ME, MY NAME'S ZACK PRICE.

I OWN 88 SKATE SHOP, UH, 88 SKATE SUPPLY RIGHT THERE ON THE CORNER OF IDAHO AND LAHABRA.

ALRIGHT, SORRY.

WHITTIER BOULEVARD.

UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE BEING SINCE WE LAST SPOKE, I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE PARK A LOT MORE CONSISTENTLY SENDING KIDS THERE AND LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER SIMON HAD NOTICED THAT THE GUARD IS REALLY NEVER THERE.

OR HE MIGHT BE IN HIS CAR AWAY FROM THE PARK, NOT REALLY CONSIDERING IT.

EVEN THIS MORNING, ME, MYSELF, AND US, WE SKATED THE PARK FROM 10:00 AM TO 12 WHEN I OPENED THE SHOP.

UH, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WASN'T TRYING TO GET RID OF THE LAWS, I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET RID OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE HELLMAN RULE.

CONSIDERED WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON.

UM, I JUST HOPE THAT YOU GO IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THE PARK SAFE, BUT ALSO BEING OPEN TO THE REST OF THE SKATE COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU ZACH.

ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL? PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

UH, MY NAME IS GILBERT ROMAN.

UH, GIMME ONE SECOND, SORRY.

OKAY.

UM, MY NAME IS GIL ROMAN.

I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO CALL THE HARBOR MY HOME FOR THE PAST, UH, 28 YEARS.

I'M HERE TODAY NOT JUST REPRESENTING, UH, ADA SKATE SUPPLY, BUT UH, THE WHOLE SKATEBOARD COMMUNITY OF LAHABRA.

UM, SKATEBOARD HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.

[00:25:01]

UH, I'VE HELPED CLEAN IT UP, UH, EVEN WHEN THERE WAS NO SECURITY GUARD.

UH, AND I'VE FILLED CRACKS.

I'VE HAD, I'VE BUILT FRIENDSHIPS, LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS.

UM, SO IT'S JUST, IT BUNS ME OUT WHEN I SEE THE SKATE PARK NOW.

HOW THERE'S NO, NO KIDS GOING THERE.

NOBODY REALLY WANTS TO GO THERE ANYMORE.

UM, YOU HAVE KIDS GOING TO WHITTIER FOR, UH, LIKE ALL THE UPDATED SKATE PARKS.

UH, I JUST HOPE YOU GUYS CONSIDER THAT WE CAN, UH, WORK TOGETHER TO THINK OF SOLUTIONS FOR THE SKATE PARK.

NOT EVEN JUST THE HELMET ROAD, BUT ACTUALLY, UH, MAINTAINING THE SKATE PARK.

CUZ LIKE I SAID, I'VE PERSONALLY CLEANED UP GRAFFITI.

I'VE CLEANED UP THE SKATE PARK.

UH, I USED TO GO THERE ON THE WEEKENDS, BUT ESPECIALLY THIS PAST WEEKEND, I WENT OVER THERE AND IT WAS 10 41.

SKATE PARK WAS STILL LOCKED, SO I WASN'T ABLE TO GO IN AND CLEAN UP ANYTHING.

WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.

SO I JUST HOPE YOU GUYS CONSIDER THAT THE SKATE PARK IS A HOME.

IT WAS A HOME FOR ME FOR 14 YEARS AND I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE THAT FOR, NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, NOT JUST FOR THESE GUYS, BUT FOR THE YOUTH AND FOR, UH, THE REST OF THE SKATEBOARDERS AROUND THIS AREA.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

HI.

YES, WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR GOMEZ.

UM, AS YOU KNOW, MY NAME'S ELLI HANSEN, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF LAHABRA AS WELL AS A EMPLOYEE AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LAHABRA.

AND I JUST WANTED TO COME AND SPEAK ON, YOU KNOW, I REALLY, THE HELMET AND SAFETY OBVIOUSLY IS NUMBER ONE, BUT REALLY TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY, UM, HAVING THE SECURITY HAS NOT ELIMINATED, UM, THE RIFF RAFT THAT WE HAVE AROUND AT THE SKATE PARK.

UM, BUT IT HAS DECREASED AS FAR AS, UM, UH, PRIOR TO THE SECURITY, UM, GUARD THERE, WE, I WOULD DRIVE INTO WORK AND, UM, I WOULD PHYSICALLY SEE, UM, PEOPLE SITTING IN VEHICLES, UM, DOING DRUGS OR SELLING DRUGS TO THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL KIDS.

UM, ALSO, UM, JUST THE FIGHTS AND I FEEL THAT THE SECURITY GUARD THERE IS PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR FAMILIES WHO THE PARK IS INTENDED FOR.

A LOT OF TIMES I WILL SEE FAMILIES COME UP WITH A LOAD OF CHILDREN AND, AND GET OFF TO GO INTO THE SKATE PARK, AND TWO MINUTES LATER THEY'RE GETTING BACK INTO THEIR VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE'S, UH, TEENAGERS THERE THAT ARE CUSSING UP A STORM OR SMOKING CIGARETTES OR MARIJUANA.

SO I, I KNOW THAT THE, THE SECURITY GUARD'S PRESENCE HAS NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATED THE PROBLEMS CUZ WE CONTINUE TO HAVE, AS A YOUNG MAN SAID, GRAFFITI.

I MEAN, EVERY SINGLE DAY WE HAVE OUR STAFF MEMBERS OUT THERE CLEANING GRAFFITI OUT OF OUR, OUR PICNIC BENCHES BEHIND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB THAT OUR CHILDREN UTILIZE.

UM, SO I GUESS MY PLEA IS JUST TO HOPEFULLY THAT WE CAN FIND A WAY TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY PRESENCE THERE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, OPHELIA.

ANYBODY ELSE? LAST CALL? ANYBODY? ANYBODY? OKAY, I'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS, CALL FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION OR ACTION.

YES, MR. MAYOR.

UH, AND TO, UH, TO ADDRESS EVERYBODY THAT HAS SPOKEN, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHERE I'M COMING FROM ON THIS.

UH, FROM A RISK MANAGEMENT STANDPOINT, WE, UH, WE RUN THE RISK OF COSTING THE CITY MONEY, UH, IN, UH, IN ANY TYPE OF, UH, UH, A LEGAL ISSUE IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN.

NOW, AS WE KNOW, IT'S AN INSURANCE POLICY, UH, IN, IN MY EYES, IT'S, UH, IT'S A REASON WHY WE HAVE HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.

IT'S WHY YOU HAVE AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE.

YOU HOPE TO NEVER HAVE TO USE IT, BUT THERE MAY BE THAT ONE INSTANCE, UH, WHERE YOU NEED IT.

AND WHAT I DON'T WANT, AND WHAT'S, IF WE LOOK AT OUR STAFF REPORT, UH, IN ONE INSTANCE, AND WE'RE NOT SPEAKING TO THE, TO THE, UH, PRESENCE OF A SECURITY GUARD, BUT IT SAYS, A CITY'S INSURANCE BROKER HAS ADVISED THAT IF THE CITY WERE TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE USE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT AT THE SKATE PARK AS REQUIRED BY LAW, THE CITY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SECURE LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE PARK, LEAVING THE CITY UNINSURED, POTENTIALLY FULLY LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES THAT WERE TO OCCUR AT THE PARK.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT'S NOT REFERRING TO A SECURITY GUARD.

UH, BUT WHAT I DON'T WANT IS I DON'T WANT THE LEGAL LIABILITY, UH, FOR THE CITY.

UH, THINGS ARE SO EXPENSIVE NOWADAYS THAT, UH, SOMEBODY BY THE NAME OF GORDON GRAHAM, UH, SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT, IF YOU CAN PREDICT IT, THEN IT CAN HAPPEN.

IF IT'S PREDICTABLE, IT'LL HAPPEN.

UH, AND THAT'S WHAT I DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN.

ALL DUE RESPECT TO MR. UH, MR. UH, ROMAN, YOU ARE THE EXAMPLE OF WHY WE HAVE A SKATE PARK.

WHY WE HAVE ATHLETIC FACILITIES.

YOU REFER TO LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS.

THIS IS WHAT WE WANT.

NOW, I HATE TO SAY THAT WE'RE RESTRICTING YOU.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THAT, THAT

[00:30:01]

AND THIS IS NOT TO, YOU KNOW, FROM, TO KEEP YOU FROM USING THE SKATE PARK.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, UH, BECAUSE THE CITY COUNCIL BELIEVES IN YOUTH MENTORSHIP AND PROVIDING AVENUES FOR OUR YOUTH, UH, TO BE ABLE TO USE NOT ONLY ATHLETIC FACILITIES, LIBRARIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE IN A SAFE WAY.

I'M A LAW ENFORCEMENT GUY.

I'VE BEEN AT IT FOR 27 YEARS.

UH, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE SAFEST SKATE PARK AVAILABLE.

UM, I HAVE, UH, UH, BY VIRTUE OF WHAT I DO DURING MY DAY JOB, I'VE BEEN BY THE, UH, SKATE PARK OVER AT, UH, UH, I THINK IT'S, UH, IS IT LAKELAND PARK, UH, IN, UH, IN SANTA FE SPRINGS OR SOUTH WHITTIER IS WHAT IT IS.

MAY MAYBERRY.

MAYBERRY, YES.

UH, AND YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

NO SECURITY GUARD THERE.

UH, I'VE BEEN THERE PLENTY OF TIMES, UH, YOU KNOW, IN THE COURSE OF MY DUTY, UH, AND, UH, GREAT SKATE PARK AS WELL.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU GUYS ARE SAYING, UH, BUT IT'S, IT, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN EASILY, UH, UH, LET GO, SO TO SPEAK IN THAT REGARD.

AND, UH, ALL DUE RESPECT TO MR. PRICE, HE'S GOT A WONDERFUL BUSINESS, RIGHT? I MEAN, WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE SKATE PARK, WHAT'S THE ADDRESS OF YOUR SKATE PARK, I MEAN, OF YOUR BUSINESS? 1200 WEST WEEDER BOULEVARD, 1200 WEST SWEETER BOULEVARD, AND I SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS AS WELL AS THE CITY COUNCIL.

UH, WE DO, UH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HOPE THAT BY VIRTUE OF WHAT COMES TO THE SKATE PARK, GOES TO YOUR BUSINESS AND SO FORTH.

SO UNDERSTAND WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

UM, AND I THINK, UH, I, I CAN SOMEWHAT SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES IN THAT REGARD.

UH, BUT, UH, I, I AM A, UH, PROPONENT OF KEEPING THE SECURITY GUARD FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT AS WELL, UH, TO ACT AS A DETERRENT, UH, FOR ANY TYPE OF, UH, CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, DRUGS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

YOU JUST HEARD ME, UH, THANK, UH, FIDEL FROM, UH, FROM SENATOR BERG'S OFFICE.

FENTANYL.

I'M NOT SAYING FENTANYL IS BEING DEALT THERE, BUT THERE ARE DRUGS THAT HAPPEN.

WE NEED EYES AND EARS.

UH, THERE MOST RECENTLY, I THINK, WAS AN INCIDENT THIS YEAR AT THE SKATE PARK ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN THE FFA AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

IT'S CONCERNING TO ME, UH, WHAT I NEVER WANT TO HAPPEN, IF THAT SECURITY GUARD HONESTLY IS A DETERRENT FOR SOMEBODY TO, UH, TO DO SOMETHING CRIMINAL, UH, SOMETHING ABHORRENT AS A DRIVE-BY OR A STABBING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IF THAT DETERS SOMEBODY FROM DOING THAT, THERE, I, I, I HAVE TO, I HAVE TO KEEP THAT SECURITY GUARD THERE BECAUSE IT PROTECTS KIDS THAT ARE USING THE SKATE PARK KIDS AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE FFA.

UH, SO THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

YEAH.

LET ME GIVE YOU GUYS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY.

BACK IN THE DAY, UH, THIS BUILDING OF SKATE PARK WAS ACTUALLY CHAMPIONED BY STEVE SIMONIAN AND, AND ROSA SPINOZA.

I WAS A COMMISSIONER BACK THEN, AND FOR MANY, MANY YEARS IN THE HALLWAY, HERE WAS A PICTURE OF STEVE SIMONIAN, ALL THE SKATERS THERE, UH, BECAUSE HE WANTED THEM TO HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU GUYS SKATE.

VERY PRO SKATERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE THE SITUATION WHERE WE, WE, WE CAN'T JUST TURN OUR, OUR BACKS, UH, AND PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT LAWS WE'RE GOING TO ENFORCE AND WHAT WE'RE NOT GONNA ENFORCE.

THAT REALLY PUTS US IN, UH, YOU KNOW, SIGNIFICANT LIABILITIES.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, MADRANO ELOQUENTLY, UH, STATED.

SO THAT, THAT'S A SITUATION WE REALLY ARE, UH, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF SOME BAD APPLES, PROBABLY NOT EVEN HERE IN LAHABRA.

UM, THAT'S WHY THE LAW WAS MADE, BECAUSE THERE'S SOME KNUCKLEHEADS OUT THERE, AND YOU GUYS ARE FANTASTIC.

I COMMEND YOU GUYS FOR ALL WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

YOU GUYS ARE, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO COVER UP GRAFFITI, TAKING A PART IN OWNERSHIP IN IT.

UH, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU GOTTA SEE IT, UH, FROM OUR SIDES.

WE CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE.

I MEAN, WHAT, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEBODY COMES UP HERE AND SAYS, WELL, I GOT A SPEEDING TICKET.

YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU TURNED YOUR, YOUR BACK ON THIS LAW OR THAT LAW.

WE CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE, UNFORTUNATELY, UH, WHAT LOSS IS AS MUCH AS IN OUR HEART OF HEARTS.

WE WANNA, WE WANT TO SAY, OKAY, WELL TURN THE OTHER CHEEK AND LOOK, UH, WE, WE ARE JUST NOT IN THAT POSITION, UNFORTUNATELY.

I WANNA ADD THAT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY STILL EXISTS.

AND I HOPE WE'LL EVEN STRENGTHEN FROM THIS POINT FORWARD TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, THE QUALITY, THE VERY NATURE OF THAT SKATE PARK.

UH, WE ARE DOWN FOR THAT AND WE'LL DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO ASSIST YOU WITH THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAW.

YOU'VE JUST HEARD, WE'RE STUCK AND ALL WE CAN DO IS FIRE OUR SECURITY GUARD AND THEN HAVE A WINK AND NOD, LIKE SAYING, OKAY, BUT WE'RE GONNA TRUST ALL THESE KIDS TO, TO DO EXACTLY AS THE LAW REQUIRES.

AND THAT'S OBVIOUSLY AN UNREALISTIC HOWEVER, FUTURE IN, IN THE WORLD OF LAWS, THIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL SAY.

SO YOU CAN ALWAYS GO AND TALK TO YOUR STATE ASSEMBLYMAN OR, OR STATE SENATOR WELL, AND, AND MAKE THAT PLEA TO THEM BECAUSE IT IS, IS STATE LAW.

YEAH, THE STATE LAW.

NICE HANDOFF, HUH? NICE HANDOFF.

.

NO.

AND, AND IF I MAY ADD, WHEN I READ THE REPORT, I SAW THAT IT WOULD COME, UH, THERE WOULD BE $87,000 PER YEAR COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

AND I LOOKED, IS THAT TOO, IS THAT TOO MUCH MONEY THAT WE'RE SPENDING? FOR ME, AS I LOOKED AT THE REPORT, I SAID, NO, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT ANYWHERE NEAR OF WHAT THE PRICE COULD BE.

IF A PERSON GOT PERMANENTLY INJURED FOR LIFE, UH,

[00:35:01]

AND IT'S JUST SIMPLY, FOR ME, PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THERE ARE KIDS OUT THERE THAT ARE GONNA BE SAFE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

SO THAT, FOR ME IS AS, UH, A PRICE THAT I WOULD RATHER PAY TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, ALL THOSE THINGS ARE ARE NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY PERMANENTLY INJURED.

I MEAN, YOU, WE, SOME OF US ARE LUCKY AND SOME OF US ARE NOT.

UH, BUT TO HAVE A PERSON, A TEENAGER, OR A CHILD BE PERMANENTLY INJURED, UH, BECAUSE OF THAT ONE THING THAT COULD HAVE PROTECTED THEM, UM, IT, IT, IT CONCERNED ME A LOT.

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANTED, IS TO ENSURE, TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, EVERYONE IS SAFE.

EVERYONE HAS A, A SAFE ENVIRONMENT THERE, AND THEY ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER THEM AS A CITY.

MR. MAYOR ROSE, I MEAN, UH, STEVE, GO AHEAD.

YEAH, I, I THINK THE BIGGEST THING TONIGHT IS BEING OVERLOOKED.

AND THAT'S THAT ZACH, A BUSINESS OWNER, HAS BROUGHT IN A BUNCH OF HIS CLIENTS AND FRIENDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND LOBBY FOR WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AT THEIR SKATEBOARD PARK.

I THINK ZACH AND THE FOLKS THERE WITH HIM REALIZE WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM AND THAT OUR HANDS ARE TIED.

ZACH'S BEEN NAUGHT HIS HEAD.

YES.

EVERY TIME THERE'S A SPEAKER, THEY DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT.

WE'RE AS FRUSTRATED AS YOU ARE, BUT THE FACT THAT YOU DID THE RIGHT THING, TALK TO THE KIDS AT THE PARK, TALK TO YOUR CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS AND ASK THEM TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

SHOW UP AT A COUNCIL MEETING, SPEAK BEFORE THE COUNCIL IS SO MUCH CLASS.

YEAH.

SO COOL.

THAT I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

GREAT JOB.

THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY.

WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION OR DOES IT REQUIRE MOTION? YES, SIR.

YEAH, I THINK SO.

I'LL MOVE THAT.

WE, UM, MAINTAIN THE SECURITY STAFFING AT THE LAHABRA SKATE PARK IN CONTINUE ACTIVELY ENFORCING CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 11 5 800 REQUIREMENTS OF FULL SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR ALL VISITORS UTILIZING THE SKATE PARK.

THERE'S A MOTION.

DO I HEAR A SECOND? I WILL SECOND.

OKAY.

UM, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED, ANY ABSTENTIONS THAT PASS UNANIMOUSLY.

FIVE ZERO.

AND AGAIN, ZACH, JUST PLEASE KNOW THAT THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL'S HERE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO, UH, FROM THAT ANGLE? OKAY.

UH, UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE A FAMILY EVENT THAT I HAVE TO ATTEND.

THAT WAS, UH, PRIOR.

SO THAT, UH, MEETING WILL NOW BE CHAIRED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OR MAYOR PRO TEMS ERIAN.

AND I DO APOLOGIZE.

I, I, I DO HAVE AN EVENT WITH MY GODDAUGHTER.

I HAVE TO ATTEND.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

BUT I'M NOT CHANGING SEATS.

SO FOLKS, THE NEXT ITEM

[2. REPORT REGARDING THE LA HABRA BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE That the City Council receive and file this report and direct staff regarding any proposed changes.]

AND IF WE COULD KINDLY HAVE A STAFF REPORT ON THAT, PLEASE.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR PROTE ERIAN AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, UM, MAYOR GOMEZ AND MAYOR PROTEAN HAD ASKED CITY STAFF TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.

SO THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE STARTED IN MAY OF 2000, AND IT WAS A JOINT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAHABRA AND THE LAHABRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE MAKEUP OF THE COMMITTEE CONSISTED OF SEVEN MEMBERS, THREE FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THREE APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

THERE WAS ALSO ONE MEMBER THAT WAS APPOINTED BY THE CITY MANAGER, AND THAT LUCKY PERSON ENDED UP BECOMING A STAFF LIAISON TO THE COMMITTEE AND, UM, TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN TERMS OF OPERATING THE PROGRAM.