[ CALL TO ORDER: Council Chamber INVOCATION: City Attorney Jones PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Espinoza ROLL CALL: Mayor Nigsarian Mayor Pro Tem Espinoza Councilmember Gomez Councilmember Medrano Councilmember Simonian]
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I'LL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA.
LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT IT IS NOW 6:30 PM AND THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
THE INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY CITY ATTORNEY JONES, FOLLOWED BY THE FLAG SALUTE, LED BY MAYOR PRO TEM ESPINOZA.
PLEASE RISE, ASK YOU TO PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS.
UH, DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING WITH GRATITUDE FOR THIS RAIN AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE, TO BENEFIT FROM IT.
UH, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR OUR, OUR CREWS AND OUR STAFFS THAT GO OUT THERE AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE CAUSED BY THE RAIN.
WE ASK YOU TO BLESS OUR CITY COUNCIL THIS EVENING, ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBER SIMONON RETURNS, AND WE BLESS HIM WITH HEALTH AND STRENGTH AS HE GOES FORWARD.
WE ASK THE SPECIAL BLESSING, THIS BLESSING THIS EVENING ON THE FAMILY OF RICHARD HERMAN, OUR FORMER SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS WHO PASSED AWAY THIS DAY.
WE ASK YOU TO WATCH OVER HIS FAMILY AND STRENGTHEN THEM, AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE THERE FOR THEM DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
WE ASK YOU TO BLESS THE CITY COUNCIL WITH WISDOM AND INSIGHT.
WE SAY THESE THINGS IN THY NAME.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTE ESPINOZA.
AND THANK YOU CITY ATTORNEY JONES.
AND LET THE RECORD AGAIN REFLECT THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR, AND WE MOVE FORWARD TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
MAYOR, CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT.
ARE THERE ANY CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS? UH, MR. CITY ATTORNEY? NO, MA, NO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
PROCEEDING TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WHEN ADDRESSING THE LA HABER 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, 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 0.3 A SUCH COMMENTS SHALL NOT BE RESPONDED TO BY THE GOVERNING BODY DURING THE MEETING.
IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO, UH, INDULGE IN A PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT? I DO NOT SEE A QUEUE FORMING, SO SEEING NONE.
[ 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. ]
CONSENT CALENDAR, PLEASE.NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSENT CALENDAR.
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 10.
WOULD THE STAFF LIKE TO PULL A CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM? NONE.
MR. MAYOR, ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES? NO.
MR. MAYOR, WOULD ANY MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO PULL A CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM? SEEING NONE, THEN I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.
MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
ARE WE WORKING TONIGHT? UH, ELECTRONICALLY? YES, WE ARE.
SO, AS IT IS TONIGHT, WE HAVE A EXTREMELY LIGHT AGENDA.
WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS, UH, SCHEDULED, AND WE ALSO HAVE NO CONSIDERATION ITEMS SCHEDULED.
[ MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:]
TO THE MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR FOR THEN PROCEEDING TO COMMENTS FROM STAFF AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.DO WE HAVE OUR CPR UP? YES, WE DO.
ALRIGHT, SO CPR AND FIRST AID CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED ON SELECT SATURDAYS FROM 9:00 AM UNTIL 12:00 PM AT THE LA HABER COMMUNITY CENTER, WITH THE FIRST CLASS TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH.
THE COST IS $32 PER PERSON FOR AGES 12 AND UP.
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CALL 5 6 2 3 8 3 4 2 0 0.I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT SENIOR DANCES ARE BACK.
JOIN US ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH FROM 2:00 PM UNTIL 4:30 PM AT THE LA HABER COMMUNITY CENTER FOR A SUNDAY AFTERNOON OF LIVE MUSIC, DANCING, AND DINNER.
COST IS $8 PER PERSON AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN PERSON AT THE LA HABER COMMUNITY CENTER OR BY PHONE BY CALLING (562) 383-4200.
PLEASE NOTE THAT OBSERVANCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S DAY HOLIDAY CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH AND REOPENED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH.
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL 5 6 2 3 8 3 4 0 1 0.
KIDS NIGHT OUT SWEETHEARTS, DROP YOUR KIDS OFF WITH US TO ENJOY AN EVENING TO YOURSELF ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH FROM 6:00 PM UNTIL 10:30 PM AT THE LAHABRA COMMUNITY CENTER.
THE COST IS $20 PER CHILD, AGES FOUR THROUGH 12 AND INCLUDES GAMES, CRAFTS, A MOVIE, SNACKS AND DINNER.
REGISTER YOUR CHILD ONLINE, IN PERSON AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER OR BY PHONE FOR BY CALLING (562) 383-4200 A GREAT, UH, PRE VALENTINE'S DAY IDEA.
ALSO, WE HAVE THE VALENTINE'S PAINT AND SIP.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON OF LOVE WITH A FAMILY ACTIVITY.
VALENTINE'S PAIN AND SIP WILL BE HELD AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AT LAHABRA ON SUNDAY, SATURDAY, SORRY, FEBRUARY 10TH FROM 10:30 AM UNTIL 12:00 PM OR FROM 1:00 PM UNTIL 2:30 PM COST IS $10 PER PERSON FOR MEMBERS AND $25 PER PERSON FOR NON-MEMBERS.
TICKETS INCLUDE MUSEUM ADMISSION, SNACKS AND SUPPLIES REGISTERED BY PHONE BY CALLING (562) 383-4236 OR ONLINE@LHC.ORG.
AND WE HAVE THE LA HABER RACES COMING.
THE LA HABER RACES ARE BACK, AND WE'LL BE HELD AT THE LA HABER MARKETPLACE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH, BEGINNING AT 7:30 AM THE EVENT WILL FEATURE A 5K WALK, RUN, A ONE K KITTY, RUN A 50 YARD DIAPER DASH, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL COMMUNITY SERVICES AT (562) 383-4200 OR VISIT US ONLINE@LAHAKA.GOV.
PLEASE REMEMBER, THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETS ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETS ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER.
UH, THE THE NEXT SLIDE IS, IS KIND OF A, A, A DIFFICULT ONE FOR ME TO ADDRESS WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF DELUGE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
BUT NONETHELESS, IT IS TRUE THAT THIS STORM SHALL PASS AND EFFORTS THAT CONSERVATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTANT.
SO JUST PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FACT THAT CURRENT CITY ORDINANCE PROHIBITS, UH, IRRIGATION BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10 AND 4:00 PM AS IS THE WASHING OF HARD SERVICES, SUCH AS SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS.
SO PLEASE, LET'S ALL DO OUR PART AND HELP US CONSERVE BECAUSE, UH, AGAIN, UH, THE, THE WATERSHED MOMENT WE HAVE TODAY WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.
NEXT IS JOIN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT LA HABER'S FIRE 9 1 1 AND QUALITY OF LIFE SERVICES.
THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE FROM THE PUBLIC AS WE CONSIDER A 2024 BUDGET WHERE FUNDING CUTS ARE ANTICIPATED.
PLEASE TELL US WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU BY COMPLETING A COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SURVEY BY SCANNING THE QR CODE OR VISITING THE HARBOR CO.GOV/JOIN THE CONVERSATION.
VERY IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT.
[ COMMENTS FROM STAFF:]
ANY COMMENTS FROM STAFF THIS EVENING? UH, JUST ONE, MR. MAYOR.I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE ONE OF OUR NEWEST EMPLOYEES AND THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR CITY'S EXECUTIVE TEAM.
UM, GABRIELA YAPP IS OUR NEWEST AS OUR CITY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
SO WE, UH, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO GET GABRIELA FROM THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS, AND SHE IS COMING IN, UH, WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OVERSEEING THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
I'VE ALSO TASKED HER TO HANDLE MANAGING OUR FIRE CONTRACT AMBULANCE CONTRACT, AND ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER THINGS SHE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT YET.
BUT, UH, VERY, VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HER BOARD, UH, TO HELP US WITH ON THE EXECUTIVE TEAM AND BE, UH, UH, HELPFUL TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND A, A NEW RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
ALRIGHT, HOW ABOUT MAYOR PRO TEM ESPOSA? OH, IF YOU'RE READY.
UH, ON JANUARY THE, THE 24TH, I WAS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND, UH, BAB, BRIDGES OF KRAMER'S, A PLACE, A MEETING.
BUT, UH, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THAT I COULDN'T RESIST, AND THAT WAS TO JOIN, UH, THE CITY STAFF TO HAVE A POINT IN TIME TO COUNT THE HOMELESS.
UH, I HAD NEVER DONE THAT BECAUSE IT NORMALLY, IN MY UNDERSTANDING, WAS IN SANTA ANA WHERE YOU HAD TO GO REGISTER, AND I DIDN'T WANNA GO ALL THE WAY OVER THERE AT FOUR IN THE MORNING.
SO WHEN I HEARD IT WAS IN FULLERTON, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE
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OPPORTUNITY.UH, KIM WAS THERE, UH, DAVID AGAR WAS THERE, SOME OTHER STAFF WAS THERE.
UM, GOT THERE AT FOUR IN THE MORNING AND MADE SURE THAT I WAS READY.
IT WILL NOT BE THE LAST TIME I WILL DO IT.
I WILL DO IT, UH, EVERY TWO YEARS.
AND, UH, IT GOT, GOT, I GOT TO SEE THE HOMELESS AND, UM, IT WAS INTERESTING TO MEET THEM AND SEE WHERE THEY WERE AT.
AND, UM, UH, I GOT THE TRAINING THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET BEFORE I, UH, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GO OUT THERE.
AND I KNOW THE CITY MANAGER WENT, UH, FROM SIX 30 TO 11 THAT EVENING, UH, TO DO THE COUNT, POINT AND COUNT.
SO, UH, I DON'T KNOW WHO ALL DID WITH YOU, BUT, UH, I THINK, UH, IN OUR, OUR SHIFT, I THINK WE FOUND 13.
UH, AND, UH, IT WAS INTERESTING FOR US.
BUT, UH, I'M GLAD THAT I GOT IN, IN THE 11TH HOUR.
UM, AND I WILL CERTAINLY DO IT AGAIN.
I DON'T, I'M NOT A MORNING PERSON, BUT FOR THAT I WILL BE A MORNING PERSON,
AND THEN ON FEBRUARY THE FIRST, LAST WEEK I ATTENDED THE, UH, LET SCAG MEETING.
UH, IT WAS VIA ZOOM, UH, BECAUSE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY NOW INSTEAD OF GOING ALL THE WAY TO DOWNTOWN WILSHIRE IN LA.
UM, BUT THEY DID, UH, GIVE A REPORT THAT THE ONE, THE GOVERNOR HAD CUT 1.2 BILLION, UH, CUT IN HOUSING PROGRAMS. AND OF THAT 300 MILLION WAS CUT FROM THE REAP PROGRAM.
AND SO ALL THOSE THAT RECEIVED ANY GRANTS FOR THEIR PRO PROJECTS, UM, WERE PUT ON PAUSE NOW.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING TIME WITH REGARDS TO ALL THAT AS WELL.
UM, BUT THAT WOULD CONCLUDE MY REPORT.
[ COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS:]
MEMBER MADANO.WANTED TO WELCOME, UH, GABRIELA YAP.
WELCOME TO, UH, LAHABRA OUR CARING COMMUNITY, AND, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
SO GOOD THINGS TO COME, UH, WANTED TO REPORT OUT MR. MAYOR.
UH, ACTUALLY, YOU AND I ATTENDED, UH, INDEPENDENT CITIES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, UH, THIS, UH, PAST WEEKEND.
UH, AND THE, UH, FOCUS WAS ON, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, A FEW INTERESTING COURSES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ATTEND AND, UH, MEET NEW PEOPLE AS WELL, UH, FROM, UH, FROM OTHER CITIES.
I'LL TELL YOU, UH, THE, UH, THE TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCEMENT THAT, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY IS USING IN OTHER CITIES AND IN OUR CITY AS WELL WITH THE USE OF DRONES, ROBOTS, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
UH, SO LOOKING FORWARD, UH, TO THE FUTURE CHIEF, UH, AS YOU, UH, UH, UNROLL YOUR, YOUR, YOUR TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE AS FAR AS DRONES AND OTHER THINGS ARE CONCERNED.
UH, THE, UH, THE OTHER CLASS THAT WAS, UH, THEY WERE ALL VERY IMPORTANT, BUT, UH, THAT I TOOK NOTE OF, UH, THE, UH, OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND, UH, THE DISCUSSION THAT WENT AROUND WITH A PANEL OF, UH, THREE DOCTORS, ONE OF THEM BEING, UH, A, UH, UH, CELEBRITY OF SORTS.
DREW PINSKY WAS THERE AND, UH, SPOKE ABOUT THE, UH, OPIOID EPIDEMIC.
UH, IT'S ONE THAT, UH, MYSELF AND MAYBE TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES UP HERE CAN, UH, CAN RELATE TO IN THAT.
UH, I HAVE, UH, HAVE FOUGHT THE, THE WAR ON DRUGS AND, AND WORKED NARCOTICS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND UNDERCOVER CAPACITY, AND HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND WHAT, UH, THE O OPIOID EPIDEMIC HAS DONE AND HOW IT'S RAVAGED, UH, OUR, UH, OUR COUNTRY, OUR YOUTH.
AND, UH, REALLY WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WAS FENTANYL, A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS DRUG.
UH, AND, UH, I HOPE THAT, UH, PARENTS ARE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON AND AROUND BECAUSE, UH, FENTANYL IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT'S, UH, THAT'S AFFECTING, UH, OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND IT'S ALSO AFFECTING THE, UH, THE HOMELESS POPULATION, UH, AS WELL.
SO, INTERESTING COURSES, UH, HAD A GREAT TIME, UH, AND, UH, MISSED THE RAIN FORTUNATELY.
UH, AND, UH, THAT WAS, IT ALSO, UH, TENDED A, UH, RIBBON CUTTING FOR, SEE IF I GET THE NAME HERE RIGHT? I DON'T WANT TO BUTCHER IT HERE FOR AMERICANA TAX PLANNING, UH, NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO, UH, WITH MY COLLEAGUES, UH, UH, MAYOR, UH, ERIAN AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER GOMEZ, UH, NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN.
UH, WE WERE THERE CITY COUNCIL TO, UH, GREET THEM AND DO, UH, DO THE RIBBON CUTTING.
THEY'RE LOCATED AT 800 SOUTH BEACH BOULEVARD HERE IN LA HABRA.
AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY COUNCIL ACTIVELY SUPPORTS ANY AND ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WITH TAX SEASON COMING UP, WE'VE GOT ANOTHER, UH, TAX, UH, SERVICE HERE IN THE CITY.
SO, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, THEM DOING GREAT THINGS IN THE CITY AS WELL.
I WENT THE DAY AFTER THINKING IT WAS THE DAY AFTER
WELL, LIKE, I, I, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, AND THAT BRINGS ABOUT GOOD CONVERSATION THAT THEY KNOW THAT THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS OUR BUSINESSES.
I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF WHEN YOU GO BY, UH, AND, UH, COUNCIL.
AND, UH, BUSINESSES ARE, BUSINESSES ARE QUITE RECEPTIVE AND SOME OF 'EM ARE QUITE SURPRISED, UH, WHEN THEY MOVE INTO OUR CITY THAT, UH, WE HAVE SUCH A RESPONSIVE CITY COUNCIL, NOT JUST TO OUR RESIDENTS, BUT TO OUR BUSINESSES.
COUNCIL MEMBER GOMEZ, UH, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME GABRIELA YAP.
YOU WENT FROM, UH, 9 0 2 1 OH TO 9 0 6 3 1
I THINK YOU'LL HAVE A LOT MORE FUN HERE.
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I'VE HEARD A LOT OF GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOU.SO, UH, REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO, TO WORKING WITH YOU.
I'D LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES WHO WERE OUT THERE BRINGING THE HOMELESS IN OUT OF THE RAIN AND WORKING THE STORM.
UH, I WAS OUT THERE, UH, YESTERDAY AND EARLY THIS MORNING OUT THERE, AND JUST, WHAT A FANTASTIC JOB OUT THERE.
THEY WERE CLEANING THE STORM DRAINS AND DOING A WHOLE LOT OF WORK OUT THERE.
SO THANK YOU TO ALL OUR STAFF WHO WERE ALL POINTS ON, UH, PREPARED.
SO THIS PREPAREDNESS REALLY SHOWED, WE, I THINK WE WEATHER OUT PRETTY GOOD COMPARED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES.
UM, WITH ALL THE RAIN BEING ON THE ORANGE COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL, I WANNA REMIND YOU GUYS, UH, AFTER THE RAIN STOPS, GO AROUND AND GET RID OF YOUR SITTING WATER OUT THERE.
'CAUSE THOSE ARE IDEAL BREEDING SOURCES FOR, FOR MOSQUITOES.
AND YOU'D BE SURPRISED, UH, IN SUCH LITTLE AMOUNT OF WATER HOW, UH, MOSQUITOES CAN BREED.
UM, I'D LIKE TO ASK, UH, UH, MY COLLEAGUES, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE STAFF, UH, PROVIDE, UH, THE CITY COUNCIL, PARTICULARLY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON SAFETY MEASURES THAT WILL BE TAKEN, UH, LOOK INTO THE SAFETY MEASURES FOR THE CITRUS FAIR.
WE HAD A, UM, TERRIBLE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED LAST CITRUS FAIR.
AND I WANNA ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE AND ENSURE THAT, UH, THE PEOPLE WHO PUT ON THAT EVENT ARE TAKING EVERY MEASURE NECESSARY TO KEEP OUR PUBLIC SAFE IN THAT.
UM, SO, UM, IF I COULD GET MAYBE A SECOND, I'D APPRECIATE THAT.
AND FINALLY, I'D LIKE US TO ADJOURN.
I'D LIKE US TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF RICH HERMAN.
UH, I, UH, POSTED YESTERDAY THAT HE HAD, HE HAD PASSED AWAY AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE FOR, FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
NORMALLY YOU HEAR CONDOLENCES, PRAYERS, STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT I MEAN, PEOPLE REALLY TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE SPECIAL MESSAGES ABOUT WHAT A GENTLE GIANT HE WAS.
UH, HOW CARING HE WAS FOR THE COMMUNITY, WHAT A BIG ADVOCATE HE WAS FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I MEAN, PEOPLE REALLY SAT DOWN AND TOOK A QUITE A BIT OF TIME TO, TO PLAY TRIBUTE TO HIM.
I KNOW HE WORKED ON THE, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BOARD WITH, UH, BOTH STEVE AND AND OUR MAYOR.
AND HE WILL SORELY BE MISSED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, I'VE KNOWN HIM FOR, OH, PROBABLY ABOUT 50 YEARS.
UH, JUST A TREMENDOUS INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS THERE WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL.
OF COURSE, MY MOM WORKED FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 40 YEARS AND, UH, FOR SOME REASON HE AND I, ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HAPPENED TO BE IN VI ON VACATION IN HAWAII AT THE SAME TIME.
SO GOT TO MEET UP WITH HIM, UH, OUT IN HAWAII ON THREE SEPARATE, SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
AND WHAT A TRUE GIANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO NICE TO SEE COUNCIL MEMBER SIMONIAN ON THE DEUS, UH, FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO, UH, SAY TONIGHT? WELL, A COUPLE THINGS.
NUMBER ONE, WELCOME GABRIELA FOR MAKING THE TREK FROM BEVERLY HILLS TO LA HABRA.
UH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SHE HAS SOME SPECIAL THINGS GOING FOR HER.
SHE WAS BORN IN THE CITY OF MONTEBELLO, SO
I KNOW YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME.
THERE'S SOME GOOD FOLKS OUT HERE.
SO, AND PEOPLE THAT KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN.
UH, WOULD LIKE TO ALSO ENJOIN THE COUNCIL ON THEIR RESPECTS TO, UH, DR. HERMAN, WHO WAS A VERY SPECIAL MAN AND CARED A LOT ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY AND CONTINUED TO SERVE, UH, IN VOLUNTARY ROLES.
WELL AFTER HE WAS OFF THE, UH, BOARD FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I WANT TO TAKE A SPECIAL MOMENT TO, UH, ANNOUNCE MY RESIGNATION FROM THE, UH, COUNCIL.
UM, MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE THAT I HAVE HAD SOME MEDICAL ISSUES OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS.
UH, THEY'RE NOT MONUMENTAL, THEY'RE NOT LIFE-THREATENING, UM, NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ANYTHING TERMINAL, BUT JUST A LOT OF SMALL THINGS THAT NEED MY ATTENTION.
I WENT ON VACATION, UH, IN EARLY JANUARY TO HAWAII AND WOUND UP IN THE HOSPITAL THERE FOR 12 DAYS.
AND, UH, UH, THERE WAS A POINT IN TIME WHERE I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT I'D BE COMING OUT OF THAT HOSPITAL, BUT I HAVE, UH, ASTHMA AND, UM, ALSO, UH, SOME HEART ISSUES.
I'M 78 YEARS OLD AND THIS YEAR WILL BE 79.
AND, UH, I CAUGHT, UH, WITH MY LUCK, THE, UH, RESPIRATORY VIRUS,
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RSV AND, UH, MUST HAVE CAUGHT IT ON THE AIRPLANE, GOING OVER AND SPENT AGAIN, 12 DAYS OF MY VACATION IN THE HOSPITAL.UH, GREAT LITTLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, NOT WITH A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY, BUT A LOT OF LOVE AND THE OUTPOURING FROM THOSE EMPLOYEES AND THAT HOSPITAL WAS WHAT I THINK BROUGHT ME A HOME AGAIN.
UM, I INTEND TO MAKE MY RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE, UH, APRIL THE FIFTH, WHICH I BELIEVE MAKES IT EASIER FOR STAFF 'CAUSE IT COINCIDES WITH A PAY PERIOD.
UM, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE IT APRIL 1ST AND WE'LL JUST SAY IT WAS A JOKE,
UH, AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, I HAVE SPENT A FEW YEARS ON THIS COUNCIL.
I BELIEVE IT'LL BE OVER 16 YEARS.
UM, I LOVED, UH, MY TIME WITH THE COUNCIL, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH THIS GROUP WHO IS JUST THE BEST THAT I'VE EVER WORKED WITH ON A COUNCIL.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU MAKES IT TREMENDOUS DIFFERENT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WHO LIVE HERE.
UH, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS FUNNY TO ME WHEN PEOPLE COME UP TO THE DEUS AND CRITICIZE THE COUNCIL AND ACT AS THOUGH WE DON'T LIVE HERE.
EVERYTHING WE DO IMPACTS OUR LIVES AND LIVES OF OUR FAMILIES.
SO, UM, IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE A PART OF MAKING LA HABRA A PLACE WHERE I CONTINUE TO WANT TO LIVE AND DO LIVE.
AND, UH, THE PEOPLE UP HERE, UH, ARE SMART, HARDWORKING, BUT MOST OF ALL REALLY, REALLY CARE ABOUT, UH, THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE REST OF US WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE.
CITY STAFF WAS HANDPICKED OVER THE YEARS AND BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.
BUT, UH, THAT'S THE KIND OF FOLKS WE HAVE.
UM, LONG TENURED, HARDWORKING, AND VERY TALENTED.
UH, I WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN TOWN.
I WILL CONTINUE TO REACH OUT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS, DO WHATEVER'S NECESSARY TO BE HELPFUL.
BUT AGAIN, I INTEND TO CONCENTRATE ON THESE SMALL HEALTH ISSUES AS MY FAMILY HAS ASKED, UH, THAT I DO THAT.
UM, AND I WILL HONOR THEIR REQUEST AS I SPENT THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE DOING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS NECESSARY FOR MY CAREER.
UH, NOW I WILL DO WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR THEIR PEACE OF MIND.
I LOVE MY WIFE AND MY KIDS AND MY FIVE GRANDKIDS.
AND I WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES, UH, TO MAKE THEM HAPPY AND PROUD.
SO THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME OVER THE 16 YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY LIFE.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR EVERYBODY IN THIS COMMUNITY.
JIM SADRO, TREMENDOUS, UH, GUY.
GREAT BACKGROUND, GOOD LEADER.
AND I HAVE NO DOUBTS THAT THIS COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.
YOU, UH, YOU NOTICE YOU DIDN'T HEAR A SECOND
YOU NOTICE THAT I DIDN'T ASK FOR ONE
YOU KNOW, ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, WE KNOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY PERSONAL DECISION.
WE UNDERSTAND ALSO THAT IT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS MADE VERY RECENTLY.
SO WORDS CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DEFINE YOUR LEGACY ON THIS COUNCIL AND THE ENORMOUS GOOD THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS CITY AND EVERYBODY WHO LIVES HERE, UH, THAT WILL COME IN THE ENSUING, WE STILL HAVE YOU FOR TWO MONTHS.
BUT WE JUST, I WANT YOU TO KNOW, AT LEAST FROM MY PART, AND I THINK EVERYONE ELSE SHARES THIS, WHAT IS PARAMOUNT IN TERMS OF OUR CONCERN IS YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF YOUR FAMILY.
AND ALREADY WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW CAN WE DESCRIBE AND DEFINE THE INCREDIBLE IMPORT THAT YOU'VE HAD ON THE CITY OF LA HABRA.
IT'S, IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE POSSIBLE, BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU SAID TONIGHT.
AND I CANNOT, I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST GROUPS OF PEOPLE I'VE EVER WORKED IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION WITH BEFORE IN MY LIFE.
[00:25:01]
LET'S FINISH THIS UP THOUGH.UH, I'LL SAY THAT, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER GOMEZ AND I WENT TO THE COUNTRY HILLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING, UH, THAT WAS BACK ON JANUARY 18TH, WHICH IS HOAS GO AS A BIG DEAL.
THERE IS PROBABLY 60, 70 PEOPLE THERE.
WHAT REALLY STANDS OUT ABOUT THIS EVENT IS THE TREMENDOUS EFFORT AND RESOURCES THAT STAFF PUTS INTO GIVING THESE FOLKS A REALLY GOOD OVERVIEW OF WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WHERE WE ARE, AND WHERE WE'RE GOING AS A CITY.
AND WE HAD DEPARTMENT HEADS THERE.
WE HAD THE CHIEF WAS THERE, CITY MANAGER SADRA WAS THERE.
WHO ALSO SUSAN WAS THERE EXACTLY.
AND THEY ALL GAVE GREAT POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS.
ROSE WAS THERE AND ROSE WAS THERE.
YOU WERE ACTUALLY THERE THAT NIGHT, WEREN'T YOU? OKAY, THE KIDS, I WENT THE NEXT DAY.
IT'S A WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, ANOTHER THING I DID FOR THE SECOND TIME IS I DID THE SPELLING BEE AS A JUDGE AT IMPERIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND I DID THIS LAST YEAR AND I THOUGHT THAT'S GONNA BE ABOUT AN HOUR LONG DEAL.
THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S THE ANTICIPATED LENGTH.
WELL THESE KIDS, THE PROBLEM IS THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE EXCELLING TO THE POINT WHERE THE KIDS KNOW HOW TO SPELL EVERYTHING.
SO WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN HOUR LONG SPELLING BEE WAS ACTUALLY CLOSER TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS.
AND THE GUY, THE MODERATOR SAYS, AH, WE GOT THIS FIGURED OUT NOW WE'VE GOTTA WAIT.
SO WE WINNOW, WE, WE CALL THE HERD A LITTLE MORE QUICKLY, SO WE'RE NOT GONNA BE THERE FOR, FOR THREE HOURS LIKE WE WERE.
OKAY, NO, GOT DOWN TO TWO KIDS.
THEY GOT EVERY SINGLE WORD RIGHT FOR AN HOUR.
AND, UH, FINALLY WE HAD A VICTOR.
SO I JUST WANNA SAY, HEY, THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.
THESE SCHOOLS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
THESE KIDS CAN SPELL ANYTHING ALL NIGHT LONG.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE KIDS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED.
I DID LEARN A LOT ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEW TECHNOLOGY.
UM, AND AGAIN, WELCOME TO GABBY.
YEAH, IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU.
WE HAD LUNCH AT ONE POINT, GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER, AND I KNOW SHE'S GONNA BE JUST A PERFECT ADDITION TO THE, UH, LAHABRA FAMILY.
SO I'LL SAY NOW THAT THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED TO TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH, 2024 AT 5:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL.
CLOSED SESSION ROOM 1 1 2 C 100 EAST LA HARBOR BOULEVARD, FOLLOWED BY THE REGULAR MEETING AT 6:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER.
AND IT'S NOW, WHAT IS IT? 6 58.