* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:01] YEAH, . NO WORRIES. ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING. [ CALL TO ORDER: Council Chamber INVOCATION: Assistant City Attorney Collins PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Espinoza ROLL CALL: Mayor Espinoza Mayor Pro Tem Medrano Councilmember Gomez Councilmember Lampkin Councilmember Nigsarian] I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HARBOR OF JANUARY 21ST, 2, 20, 25. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT IT IS 6:30 PM AND THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. PLEASE NOTE THAT A SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THIS MEETING. THE INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY COLIN, FOLLOWED BY THE FLAGS TO DO, LED BY LED BY ME, IF YOU WOULD ALL PLEASE RISE. YES, SIR. DEAR GOD, WE HUMBLY PRAY THAT YOU'LL GRANT WISDOM TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS IT CONSIDERS CITY BUSINESS SET FORTH IN THE MEETING AGENDA TONIGHT. WE ASK THAT YOU PROVIDE THE CITY COUNCIL WITH INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES CONFRONTING OUR COUNCIL, STAFF, AND CITIZENS, SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN STRIVE TO SOLVE THESE ISSUES WITH COMMUNITY, SPIRIT AND PARTNERSHIP IN MIND. PLEASE BLESS THE COUNCIL IN ITS DECISION MAKING TONIGHT SO THAT WE MAY ACT PRUDENTLY AND RESPONSIBLY FOR THE GOOD OF THE LAHABRA COMMUNITY. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. PLEASE TURN AND FACE OUR FLAG. BEGIN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FROM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WILL THE CITY CLERK PLEASE CALL RO? THANK YOU MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER NICK IAN HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER LAMPKIN. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER GOMEZ. HERE. MAYOR PRO TEM MADANO HERE. MAYOR ESPINOZA HERE. ALL IN ATTENDANCE. THERE WAS NO CLOSED SESSION HELD. [1. PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF LA HABRA'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION] SO THE NEXT ITEM IS A PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION. IF THE COUNCIL WILL ALL MEET ME DOWN AT THE, WHAT DO THEY CALL IT? THE PIT . OKAY. WOULD YOU PLEASE GET THIS? ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. SO WE ARE HERE AS A COUNCIL TO RECEIVE A PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNITION OF THE LA HARBOR'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. IT SAYS, WHEREAS BASED ON THE YES VOTE OF 311 RESIDENTS, LA HARBOR WAS FORMALLY INCORPORATED INTO A CITY ON JANUARY 20TH, 1925. THE FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE CITY INCLUDED GE SUTTON, LATER REPLACED BY ALBERT LAUNER, CHOSEN AS THE CITY'S FIRST MAYOR, WALTER COOLEY, DR. ES BOCE AND ELLIE SMITH. THE CITY'S POLICE FORCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1926. ITS FIRE DEPARTMENT 1930, FOLLOWED BY THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST CITY HALL IN 1935. NOW THEREFORE BE A PROCLAIM THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HARBOR DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE 100 ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF LA HARBOR. ITS CENTENNIAL FOR ITS RICH HISTORY, VIBRANT, PRESENT, AND BRIGHT FUTURE, AND EXPRESSES DEEP APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CITY'S CITY'S LEGACY FOR OF EXCELLENCE IN SHARING A CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WILL, WE'LL HAVE A PHOTO UP OR DO YOU THE MIDDLE. THE MIDDLE. THERE YOU GO. RIGHT THERE. THERE YOU GO. LIKE US TO GLARE OFF A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, DO YOU, WAIT A MINUTE. I THINK THEY WANNA DO A PRESENTATION. WE'LL JUST DO IT NOW. YEAH. PRESENTATION. COME ON UP. COME ON UP. I CAN GO HERE. THERE YOU GO. I'M JUST, COME ON UP HERE. WHY DON'T YOU GUYS JUST COME UP HERE? WE'VE GOT A MIC HERE. OKAY. GOT A MIC HERE. WE'LL JUST BRING GUYS UP HERE RIGHT NOW. SORRY. COME ON OUT. THERE YOU GO. I HERE. HI. GIVE IT TO THE MAYOR. OKAY. NO, NO, I STAND THERE. YOU LOOK THAT WAY SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT. OKAY. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ALEJANDRA AYA. I AM THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE FOR SENATOR TOM BERG. ON BEHALF OF THE SENATOR, WE WANTED TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION FROM THE STATE SENATE, UM, TO THE CITY OF LA HABA FOR THEIR A HUNDRED YEAR CELEBRATION. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE CITY AND LET THIS, UH, RECOGNITION CONTINUE THE SUCCESS FOR THE CITY. THANK YOU. WE PUT THAT IN A PLACE OF HONOR FOR SURE. A PHOTO HERE, AJARA, COME RIGHT HERE. RIGHT HERE. RIGHT HERE. HERE. HEY, REALLY QUICK. THANK YOU. YES, [00:05:01] CHRIS, COME ON UP. YES, RIGHT HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREAT TO SEE ALLALL AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN. AND ON BEHALF OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY AND THE OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYWOMAN BLANCA PACHECO, WE'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE CITY, THE COUNCIL, AND THE RESIDENTS ON 100 YEARS OF INCORPORATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY, BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM I'M ON. THE AGENDA IS 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 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. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK DURING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION? IF SO, WOULD YOU PLEASE APPROACH THE, THE PODIUM AND PROVIDE US WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS? NOW, I KNOW JIM SADRO SAID . I'M NOT GONNA SAY IT. HE SAID IF ANYONE WHO COMES UP THAT IS NOT LA HARBOR RESIDENT, THEY'RE NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK , BUT I SAY YOU ARE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP PLEASE? JOSIE. JOSIE, COME ON UP. THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO MY WIFE WHO'S IN THE BACK ROW, , AND SHE JUST NEEDS TO STAY IN THE BACK ROW. THANK YOU THOUGH, MAYOR MADAM MAYOR. SO THERE'S NO ONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION. ALRIGHT THEN WE [ CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Bill 1439 ("SB 1439") amended Government Code Section 84308 to expand the regulation of campaign contributions in excess of $250 from donors involved in certain matters before the legislative body. If the donor has a matter pending before the agency, and the official received a campaign contribution from the donor in excess of $250 in the prior 12 months, the official must publicly disclose the contribution and cannot in any way participate in the decision of the matter. The donor also has a duty to disclose the contribution on the record. In the 12 months following the decision, a local official cannot receive campaign contributions in excess of $250 from a donor with an economic interest in the governmental decision. Public officials are encouraged to closely track all campaign contributions which collectively exceed $250 in any 12-month period from any single source. 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. ] WILL NOW PROCEED TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THANK YOU MAYOR. 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 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 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. THE CONSENT CALENDAR INCLUDES CITY COUNCIL ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY ITEM THAT STAFF WOULD WISH REMOVED? NO. MADAM MAYOR. UH, IS THERE ANY ITEM THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD WISH REMOVED? NO. MADAM MAYOR, IS THERE AN ITEM THAT THE AUDIENCE WOULD WISH REMOVED? UH, THAT I WILL CALL FOR ACTION? MADAM MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS LISTED. I'LL SECOND. WOULD THE COUNCIL PLEASE VOTE? IS THAT MINE? THAT'S YOURS. I CAN VOTE FOR YOU. . I'M KIDDING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL NOW PUT, THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS TIME. WE [1. CONSIDER EXPIRING TERMS AND VACANCIES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION, AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF That the City Council: A. Reappoint eligible and interested Planning Commissioners and/or Community Services Commissioners who have expiring terms; or, B. Direct staff to advertise vacancies on the Planning Commission and Community Services Commission that will occur due to expiring terms or resignations, and schedule interviews with eligible candidates.] WILL PROCEED WITH CONSIDERATION ITEMS. YES. THANK YOU MAYOR. 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 LOANED TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL FOR PURPOSES OF EXTENDING AVAILABLE SPEAKING TIME AND COMMENTS MUST BE KEPT BRIEF, NON-REPETITIVE AND PROFESSIONAL IN NATURE. THE ONLY CONSIDERATION ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS TITLED CONSIDER EXPIRING TERMS AND VACANCIES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF AND MAYOR. [00:10:01] I WILL BE PROVIDING THE REPORT ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. SO AS DONE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, CITY COUNCIL IS ASKED TO PROVIDE STAFF DIRECTION ON EXPIRING TERMS AND VACANCIES OF CITY COMMISSIONS AS ALL COMMISSION TERMS EXPIRE ON MARCH 31ST THIS YEAR. THERE IS AN UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION DUE TO THE RESIGNATION OF MINERVA GOMEZ. ALTHOUGH PLANNING COMMISSIONERS MAY SERVE TWO FOUR YEAR CONSECUTIVE TERMS OR A MAXIMUM OF 10 YEARS, THIS PARTICULAR FOUR YEAR COMMISSION SEAT HAS BEEN FILLED TWICE SINCE THE INITIAL VACANCY IN 2023. THEREFORE, APPOINTMENT OF THE CURRENT UNSCHEDULED VACANCY WOULD FILL THE REMAINING TWO YEARS OF THE TERM ENDING MARCH 31ST, 2027. THERE IS AL THERE ARE ALSO TWO SCHEDULED VACANCIES ON THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION DUE TO THE EXPIRING TERMS OF GABRIELA GARCIA AND DENISE SCHMIDT. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS MAY SERVE THREE, THREE YEAR CONSECUTIVE TERMS OR A MAXIMUM OF 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, GABRIELA GARCIA SUBMITTED HER RESIGNATION FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION EFFECTIVE MARCH 31ST, 2025, WHICH IS THE END OF HER CURRENT TERM. INCUMBENT COMMISSIONER DENISE SCHMIDT IS ELIGIBLE, ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT HAVING SERVED ON THE COMMISSION SINCE APRIL, 2019. A RECRUITMENT PROCESS WOULD INCLUDE APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED BY THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WITH A RECOMMENDED APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE OF THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH AT 6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEWS WOULD TENTATIVELY BE SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 3RD AND MONDAY MARCH 17TH AS NEEDED. COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS WOULD THEN BE CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL AT ITS REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 7TH. THIS CONCLUDES MY REPORT. I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. SO JUST TO RECAP, THERE'S ONE PLANNING COMMISSION, UNSCHEDULED VACANCY, AND TWO SCHEDULED COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION VACANCIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO I ASK ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? NO. MADAM MAYOR? NO, MA'AM. ALL RIGHT. UM, THEN I WILL INVITE THE PUBLIC TO TESTIFY. IF SO, PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. THEN I WILL CALL FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION. MADAM MAYOR, I THINK IT'S WISE THAT WE GO AHEAD. I CAN'T BELIEVE WE WENT THROUGH ALL THAT WHOLE LIST OF ALTERNATES ALREADY. I THINK IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA JUST TO GO OUT AND INTERVIEW EVERYBODY AGAIN AND, UH, MAYBE BUILD UP A NEW POOL OF THOSE, UH, INTERESTED. IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE WHO'S OUT THERE AND INTERESTED. SO WITH THAT, NOBODY HAS ANY, ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO ADVERTISE VACANCIES ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, COMMISSION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION THAT WILL OCCUR DUE TO EXPIRING TERMS OR RESIGNATIONS AND SCHEDULE INTERVIEWS FOR, FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES. IS THERE A SECOND? OKAY. I'M SORRY. COUNCIL MEMBER NICK HEARING THAT WAS THE SECOND. YES. YES. THANK YOU. WOULD THE COUNCIL PLEASE VOTE? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU. WE WILL [ MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR:] NOW PROCEED TO THE MAYOR'S COMMUNITY CALENDAR. WE HAVE THE RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE. THE RED CR RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29TH AT 9:00 AM UNTIL 3:00 PM AT THE LA HARBOR COMMUNITY CENTER. 1 0 1 WEST LAHABRA BOULEVARD. TO SCHEDULE YOUR LIFESAVING APPOINTMENT, PLEASE VISIT THE RED CROSS BLOOD.ORG AND USE SPONSOR CODE CITY LAHABRA OR CALL 1 807 3 3 2 7 6 7. NEXT IS A SENIOR DANCE. JOIN US FOR THE FIRST SENIOR DANCE OF THE YEAR ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH FROM 2:00 PM UNTIL 4:00 PM AT THE LA HARBOR COMMUNITY CENTER. 1 0 1 WEST LA HARBOR BOULEVARD. JOIN, UH, ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF LIVE MUSIC, DANCING, RAFFLES AND DINNER. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND THE COST TO ATTEND IS $8 PER PERSON. RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN PERSON AT THE LA HARBOR COMMUNITY CENTER OR BY PHONE BY CALLING (563) 383-4200 KIDS NIGHT OUT VALENTINE'S PARTY. DROP OFF YOUR KIDS WITH US AND ENJOY AN EVENING TO YOURSELF ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH FROM 6:00 PM UNTIL 10:30 PM AT THE LA HARBOR COMMUNITY CENTER. 1 0 1 WEST LA HARBOR BOULEVARD. COST IS $25 PER CHILD AGES FOUR THROUGH 12. THERE WILL BE GAMES, CRAFT A MOVIE, SNACKS AND DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED. REGISTER YOUR CHILD ONLINE IN PERSON AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER OR BY PHONE BY CALLING (562) 383-4200 THE 2025 LA HARBOR RACES. CELEBRATE THE LA HARBOR'S 100TH [00:15:01] BIRTHDAY BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CENTENNIAL RUN AT THE LA HARBO MARKETPLACE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH, BEGINNING AT 7:30 AM THE EVENT WILL FEATURE A 5K WALK RUN, A ONE K KITTY RUN, AND A 50 YARD DIAPER DASH. HELP US KEEP THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION GOING BY DRESSING IN YOUR FAVORITE BIRTHDAY ATTIRE FOR LA HARBOR'S 100TH BIRTHDAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL COMMUNITY SERVICES AT (562) 383-4200. AND THEN WE HAVE THE CERTS BASIC TRAINING. INTERESTED IN A FREE IN-PERSON COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING. THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL HOST A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING CONDUCTED OVER THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS BEGINNING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL CONTACT JENNIFER DW AT (562) 383-4310 COMMISSION MEETINGS. THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMISSION MEETS ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER. WATER CONSERVATION CALIFORNIANS ARE STILL BEING ASKED TO CONSERVE WATER IRRIGATION IS LIMITED TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK WITH NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES WATERING PER STATION AND NO RUNOFF OR TURN OFF IRRIGATION PRIOR TO AND FOLLOWING RAIN. PLEASE NOTE THAT LAWN AND IRRIGATION IS PROHIBITED BETWEEN 10:00 AM AND 4:00 PM AS IS THE WASHING OF HARD SURFACES SUCH AS SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS. DO YOUR PART TO HELP US CONSERVE OUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN CONSERVE WATER DURING THE DROUGHT, PLEASE CONTACT THE LA HARBOR PUBLIC WORKS AT 5 6 2 3 8 3 4 1 7 0. AND [ COMMENTS FROM STAFF:] ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM STAFF? YES, MADAM MAYOR. JUST WANTED TO START OFF BY WISHING THE CITY HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY. UM, AND TO COMMEND STAFF, OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES STAFF, UH, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ALL THE OTHER CITY STAFF THAT HELPED PUT TOGETHER OUR KICKOFF EVENT TONIGHT IN THE ATRIUM. UM, AND ALSO TO THANK THE, UH, CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THEY DID ON PULLING TOGETHER A GREAT FIRST EVENT TO START THE YEAR OFF. IT WAS PHENOMENAL. THE ATRIUM, AS YOU KNOW, WAS PACKED WITH FOLKS AND IT WAS A REALLY WELL DONE EVENT AND NONE OF THAT HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT. IT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK BY A LOT OF FOLKS FOR A LONG TIME AND, AND IT REALLY SHOWED TONIGHT. SO I JUST WANTED TO, UH, TELL EVERYBODY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATED THE WORK THEY DID AND TO WISH THE CITY A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THANK YOU. UH, [ COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS:] COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER? WE'LL BEGIN WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER NAZARIAN. THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THIS MIGHT HOT RHONDA DON'T, BUT TESTIMONY. I CAN JUST, UH, WELL, NO, I'LL JUST USE YOU MIC. IT'S A SIGN FROM GOD. THERE WE GO. YEAH, I, WELL, I, I, EXACTLY. I THINK FOLKS HAVE HEARD ENOUGH FROM ME. LOOK, I I, WE SAID A LOT ABOUT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION TONIGHT, WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT. A GREAT KICKOFF TO WHAT'S GONNA BE A GREAT YEAR, BUT UNSUNG HEROES, UH, NEED TO BE MENTIONED. AND THAT'S REALLY KELLY AND KIM AND KATIE AND SAL BACK THERE. I HAD A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT HOW HARD THEY SCRAMBLED TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND HAVE IT HAVE THE PRODUCTION VALUES THAT IT DID. SO, A TREMENDOUS THANKS TO STAFF FOR PUTTING IT TOGETHER. IT WAS A JUST A MONUMENTAL KICKOFF. UH, AND I, SO MANY PEOPLE CAME UP TO ME AFTERWARDS SAYING, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A WONDERFUL POSH AFFAIR THAT REALLY WAS VERY EMOTIONAL. SO AGAIN, THANKS TO STAFF FOR THAT. AND, UM, LIKE I SAID, WE'VE, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF TALKING TONIGHT. SO THAT'S IT FOR ME. , YES, COUNCIL, UH, MAYOR PRO, TAM NANO, I'M GONNA SAY DITTO TO WHAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER NICK IAN SAID, UH, KELLY AND, UH, KIM AND YOUR, UH, YOUR, WHAT I CALL YOUR CREW OVER THERE. UH, YOU GUYS ARE PHENOMENAL. YOU GUYS DO THIS ALL THE TIME. CONCERTS IN THE PARK, WHATEVER SPECIAL EVENTS. YOU HIT IT OUTTA THE PARK AGAIN THIS EVENING. UM, THIS IS, UH, MY FIRST 100 YEAR CELEBRATION FOR THE CITY OF LAHABRA. UH, I WON'T BE AROUND FOR THE NEXT ONE, SO, UH, MAYBE YOU NEVER KNOW. HEY, BUT, UH, GREAT JOB. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, UH, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND, UH, THE REST OF OUR CITY STAFF AGAIN FOR, UH, PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. UH, MADAM MAYOR ALSO WANTED TO, UH, I I KNOW IT'S BEEN, UH, GEEZ, ALMOST A MONTH SINCE WE LAST CONVENED, UH, FOR REOR, BUT A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER, UH, A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER OUR LAST MEETING, UH, A, UH, YOUNG LADY, UH, WAS KILLED HERE IN LAHABRA, IN LAHABRA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, UH, A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THAT HAD OCCURRED AT, UH, WHITTIER AND BEACH BOULEVARD. SO I WANTED TO, UH, UH, AND, UH, DURING THIS, UH, MEETING IN HER MEMORY, SIENNA MARRE, UH, AND, UH, EXTEND OUR, UH, OUR CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND THE CITY COUNCIL. UH, AND, UH, MAY SHE REST IN PEACE, I MEAN, GUN GUN WAY, WAY TOO YOUNG, UNFORTUNATELY. AND, UH, OUR, OUR [00:20:01] HEARTS AND, AND OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO OUR FAMILY. I THINK THEY'RE HAVING SOME SORT OF A MEMORIAL SERVICE, UH, THIS COMING SATURDAY AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. SO THAT'S CORRECT. YEAH. 1:00 PM 1:00 PM ALRIGHT. AND THAT'S IT FOR ME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER GOMEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, AGAIN, UH, SINCE OUR CHIEF IS HERE, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THOSE FIREFIGHTERS THAT JUST DID A TREMENDOUS JOB FIGHTING ALL THOSE FIRES. ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL, PLEASE EXTEND OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK, PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND SO GLAD WE'RE WITH LA COUNTY FIRE. UH, BACK IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY, WE HAVE JOSIE ANDERSON. JOSIE, WE STAND PLEASE. JOSIE, PLEASE STAND. AND, AND CAN YOU COME TO THE FRONT? JOSIE, PLEASE, COME ON. I COULDN'T MAKE YOU WHAT DO COME UP HERE REAL QUICK. COME ON. COME ON, COME ON. JOSIE, PLEASE. COME ON DOWN. CYNTHIA, COME ON DOWN. I COULDN'T BOSS YOU WHEN YOU WERE HERE BEFORE NOW. STAY RIGHT THERE. RIGHT THERE, RIGHT THERE AT THE MICROPHONE. ANYWAY, I, I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY. LAST WEEK WAS THE ANNIVERSARY THAT STEVE PASSED AWAY. IT WAS 17 YEARS AGO THAT WE GOT THAT PHONE CALL. AND IT WAS EARLY MORNING THAT DON HANNAH CALLED ME, THAT STEVE HAD PASSED AWAY OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK. AND IT CAUGHT US ALL. UH, WE WERE ALL SHOCKED BY IT, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THAT HE MADE TO THIS COMMUNITY AND THE LEGACY LIVES ON AND ON AND ON, AND DON'T EVER TAKE IT LIGHTLY, UM, WHAT HE DID. AND HE WILL LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER. SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO YOU HOW MUCH STEVE MEANT TO US AND CONTINUES TO MEAN TO US. AND, UM, UH, ONE, ONE FINAL THING IS, I'M GLAD YOU CAME ALL THE WAY FROM ARIZONA TO BE HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, EVERYONE. THANK YOU. UM, YEAH, WITH THAT, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE CALVARY CHAPEL. HA UH, THE DAY AFTER THE FIRE STARTED, THEY WENT OUT THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY TO THE FIRES AND, AND, AND, UM, PROVIDED FOOD. AND THEY'RE STILL OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. FIRST DAY OF THE FIRE, THEY WENT AND GOT SEVEN, UH, GENERATORS AND THEY POWERED UP IN MONROVIA CHURCH THERE, CALVARY MONROVIA. AND OUT OF THERE, THEY SERVED JUST FOOD EVERY SINGLE DAY. THEY'RE STILL DOING IT TODAY. SO I WANNA RECOGNIZE THEM. AND ALSO NORTHGATE MARKET, AND SO MANY OF OUR BUSINESSES THAT CALLED AND I KNOW ROSE AND I GOT A CALL FROM A LOCAL HOTEL OWNER OFFERING, UH, FOR PEOPLE TO STAY THERE AT HIS HOTEL FOR FREE. SO I THANK JAY PATEL AS WELL. UH, IT'S WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE LOST A LEGEND IN OUR COMMUNITY RECENTLY. UH, MONSIGNOR JUSTIN MCCARTHY AND I LIKE TO ADJOURN IN HIS MEMORY. HE SERVED AT THE, AS A PASTOR OF, UM, OUR LADY GUADALUPE CHURCH FOR OVER 35 YEARS. AND HE LOVED LAHABRA WITH SO MUCH PRIDE. AND, UM, I JUST GOT TO SEE THE, THE LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT COMES OUT. AND HE WAS OUT. THE PICTURES ARE GONNA SHOW US WITH HIM HOLDING UP THE PLAQUES THAT WE GAVE HIM HERE, HONORING HIM AT THE LAHABRA CITY COUNCIL. AND HE LOVED, LOVED, LOVED LAHABRA. HE LOVED THE PEOPLE OF LAHABRA. AND THIS IS A TREMENDOUS LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY. HE, UH, SERVED AS A, UM, CHAPLAIN FOR US FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. EVEN IN, WHEN HE WAS IN HIS SEVENTIES, HE STILL RESPONDED IN THE MIDDLE, MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO GO TO SOME KIND OF EMERGENCY, WHEREAS THE FAMILY NEEDING PRAYER, IF THERE WAS A TRAGEDY, HE WENT OUT THERE AND RESPONDED. AND HE WAS JUST THE EPITOME OF A PUBLIC SERVANT AND SOMEBODY THAT SERVED THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH ALL HIS HEART, ALL HIS MIGHT AND ALL HIS SOUL. SO, WITH THAT, I WANT TO ADJOURN WITH, UH, IN MEMORY OF HIM. AND ON A FINAL NOTE, I WANNA THANK KIM AND KELLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, UH, WITH THE CENTENNIAL, UH, COMMITTEE. JUST THINK OF WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE WITH $200,000. I MEAN, I'M JUST SAYING IT WAS FANTASTIC WHAT YOU DID, AND I, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE IT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU GUYS HAVE STEPPED UP THE BAR BY REMAINING OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, NOT MISSING A BEAT. THOSE SENIORS, UH, THEY WERE, UH, NOWHERE TO GO. EVEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS. YOU GUYS STILL SERVE LUNCHES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. IT WAS AMAZING. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU LADIES FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. AND, UH, JOSIE, I FORGOT WHEN I WAS SAYING ON FEBRUARY 22ND, WE'RE ALSO GONNA REMEMBER STEVE ANDERSON'S BIRTHDAY WHO ALL DEAR TO OUR HEART. SO THANK YOU ALL THE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS OF, AND THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE MEETING FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK WITH THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. IT'S A YEAR ON YEAR LONG, YEAR LONG CELEBRATION. SO IF WE DIDN'T MENTION YOU, UH, WE COULDN'T MENTION POSSIBLY EVERYBODY IN THAT PROGRAM. WE WILL DEFINITELY BE MENTIONING A LOT MORE PEOPLE. THERE'LL BE A LOT MORE PICTURES. WE HAVE ANOTHER 300 PLUS DAYS TO CELEBRATE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND NOW, COUNCIL MEMBER LAKIN. THANK YOU, MA'AM. I, I WANT TO FIRST SAY, UH, WE HAVEN'T BEEN HERE SOMETIME, SO HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE LA HABRA RESIDENTS [00:25:01] AND, UH, HAPPY CENTENNIAL. UM, I WANNA START OFF MY COMMENTS BY, UH, THANKING THE CITY STAFF AND, UH, AND, AND THE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT YOU MADE INTO ME IN THESE LAST TWO MONTHS. UM, DURING MY ONBOARDING, MY ORIENTATION, UH, SOME OF YOU'RE SITTING HERE, UH, KELLY, UH, UH, KIM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INVESTMENT YOU MADE INTO ME AND TRYING TO GET ME CAUGHT UP TO SPEED ON EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY FROM THAT ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL. UM, I NEXT WANT TO THANK, UH, OR JOIN, UH, UH, JAMES GOMEZ IN NOT JUST CONGRATULATING, UH, CALVARY CHAPEL IN THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP WITH THE FIRES, BUT ALSO NEXT LEVEL FITNESS, UH, FOR MAKING THEIR DONATIONS. THERE ARE SO MANY RESIDENTS AND SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY OF LA HABRA THAT HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO HELP WITH THOSE FIRES. UM, HOW DO I KNOW THIS? BECAUSE MANY OF YOU MAY BE AWARE THAT I DO WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND, UH, WITH RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. AND SO I'VE BEEN UP THERE TO THOSE, UH, AT THOSE FIRES. I'VE BEEN UP THERE THE LAST 10 DAYS AND I'LL BE GOING THERE TONIGHT. AND I'M SEEING THE FRUITS OF WHAT YOU ARE PROVIDING TO THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. PART OF BEING A CARING COMMUNITY. IT'S NOT JUST TAKING CARE OF US WITHIN OUR OWN COMMUNITY, BUT TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE HELPED YOU HAVE BEEN THAT GOOD NEIGHBOR. AND SO I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. UM, LASTLY, I WANNA THANK THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE STAFF FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE. UM, THE, THAT EVENT WAS AMAZING. UM, MANY MUCH FEEDBACK FROM THE RESIDENTS ON HOW WELL, UH, WELL TOGETHER WAS PUT. BUT NOT ONLY THAT, UM, AS A RESULT OF THAT EVENT, MANY RESIDENTS WERE COMING UP TO MYSELF AND I'M PRETTY SURE TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS SHARING THEIR OWN, UM, EXPERIENCE WITHIN EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE CITY AND EVEN SOME OF THE HISTORY THAT THEY SHARE WITH THE CITY. AND WITH THAT, IT'S GIVEN ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THE RESIDENTS, WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT FOR ME, UH, ESPECIALLY COMING IN AS A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER. SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES, IS THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WELL SAID. UH, I KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO, GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP SIENNA. UM, IT'S A TRAGEDY, A YOUNG GIRL, SO YOUNG. I KNOW PRINCIPAL GARCIA FROM LA HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL AT THE ROTARY CLUB SAID HE WAS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO ALL THE CITY THAT HAD PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY AND FOR THE STUDENTS AT LA HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND WANTED ME TO CONVEY THAT MESSAGE TO THE COUNCIL AS WELL. UM, AND OF COURSE, UH, THE CENTENNIAL AND EVERYTHING, UH, MONSIGNOR MCCARTHY, I KNOW HIS ROSARY WILL BE FRIDAY AND HIS FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE SATURDAY. UM, THAT, THAT'S THE ONLY PERSON I GREW UP WITH, WITH OTHER THAN FATHER COLEMAN, I THINK IT WAS. UM, SO HE'S THE PERSON, ROWAN COLE, COLE COLEMAN. COLEMAN FIRST, AND THEN ROWAN. YEAH. AND THEN, UH, MONSIGNOR MCCARTHY. UH, BUT, UM, THAT'S WHERE MY SON WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL. SO HE GREW UP WITH, UH, WITH FATHER MCCART BACK THEN, FATHER MCCARTHY. MM-HMM . UM, SO I WILL DEFINITELY BE THERE SUPPORTING, UM, HIM AS WELL. I, UM, WANTED TO SAY THAT THE CENTENNIAL WAS AWESOME. I REMEMBER, I I RECALL THAT, UM, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IN THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS BROUGHT UP FOR THE CANDIDATES THAT WERE GOING TO TAKE THE POSITION OF, UH, THE, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES WAS ASKED IF THEY HAD EVER HAD A PAR HAD, UH, ORGANIZED OR, OR HAD PLANNED A CENTENNIAL. UH, BECAUSE THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO JIM SADRO. HE KNEW THAT WE WERE GONNA HAVE THE, THE CENTENNIAL COMING UP AND HE WANTED THE RIGHT CANDIDATE WHO COULD REALLY HAVE A CELEBRATION THAT WOULD REALLY SHOW THE STRENGTH AND THE COMMUNITY AND ALL THAT OF LA HAR. AND, UH, HE, THEY PICKED A PERFECT CANDIDATE AND IT WAS KELLY. SO I'M GRATEFUL, I'M GRATEFUL TO KELLY AND KATIE AND KIM, AND I CALL HIM CHAVA SAL, UH, FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE MA HAVE, HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL KICKOFF. UH, YOU COULD SEE CLEARLY FROM, THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE I HADN'T SEEN IN LA HARBOR. I USUALLY SEE 'EM AT THE GROCERY STORE OR AT THE GAS STATION OR SOMEWHERE. BUT TO SEE THEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME, AND RAUL, I MEAN, I SEE RAUL HERE TOO, AND IT IS JUST, IT'S JUST HEARTWARMING TO SEE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THAT HAVE WALKED YOUR PATH AND YOU'VE WALKED ALONG THE JOURNEY OF LIFE HERE IN LA HARVA. SO I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE HAD THIS CELEBRATION. I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE HADN'T SEEN FOR A LONG TIME. UM, SO GREAT. I, I CAN'T, LIKE I SAID, WE'RE GONNA PARTY LIKE IT'S 1925 , THE VIGOR, THE EXCITEMENT, THE OPTIMISM, THE CELEBRATION THAT THEY HAD. WE'RE GOING TO MATCH IT AT THIS THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE YEAR. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE GREAT KICKOFF THAT WE HAD. AND SO NOW THE MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED IN MEMORY OF SIENNA MAREZ TO MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2025 AT 5:30 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL. [00:30:01] CLOSED SESSION ROOM 1 1 2 C 100 EAST LA HARBOR BOULEVARD PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER. I WILL AND I WILL NOW CHAIR THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.