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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12 - MINUTES - REGCITY OF SANTA CLARITA City Council Regular Meeting Joint Meeting with Board of Library Trustees Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Mayor Pro Tent, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk may be used also to indicate Mayor/Chair/President, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/Vice President, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, and City Clerk/Secretary —Minutes— Tuesday, May 12, 2026 6:00 PM City Council Chambers INVOCATION Mayor Pro Tern Ayala delivered the invocation. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Weste called to order the Joint Regular Meeting of the City Council and Board of Library Trustees at 6:20 p.m. ROLL CALL All Councihnembers were present. FLAG SALUTE Mayor Pro Tern Ayala led the flag salute. EXECUTIVE MEETING This time has been set aside for Councihnembers to review the agenda and obtain any further information that may be needed. Council will also discuss each individual item during the course of the meeting with the exception of the Consent Calendar, which may be approved in its entirety by one motion, unless there is a request to pull an item for discussion. No action will be taken on public agenda items during the Executive Meeting. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Mayor Weste recognized the students participating in the City's Youth in Government program, which gives local high school students the opportunity to learn about and engage in local government through tours, presentations and hands-on activities. The students were invited to the dais to be recognized for their participation and to take a group photo. Mayor Pro Tent Ayala announced that the City proclaims May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Mayor Pro Tern Ayala noted the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by Chinese immigrant laborers. The City reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and encouraged residents to celebrate and honor the lasting impact of these communities. Cindy Uypitching, Chamber of Commerce API Chair, was invited to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo. Councilmember Gibbs announced that the City proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of mental health and the need to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. The City acknowledged the vital work of local organizations, including the Child and Family Center and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, for providing critical mental health services and support to the community. Nikki Buckstead and representatives from these organizations were invited to the dais to accept the proclamation and take a photo. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Addressing the Council were Jason Hole, regarding safety issues; Laura Smith, regarding e- bikes; Keith Lobert, regarding e-bikes; Peter Gaehler, regarding e-bikes; Mitchell Landau, regarding The Master's University; David Swett, regarding e-bikes; Becca Rillo, regarding e- bikes; Sonny Morper, regarding fire mitigation grants; Glenda (no last name provided), regarding battery storage facilities; and Amy Hovsepian, regarding e-bikes. One written commented was received regarding e-bikes. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager Ken Striphn commented that staff are as frustrated as residents and the City is utilizing the enforcement measures that are available, and is exploring greater measures of accountability, beginning with the parents. Regarding Mr. Hole, Mr. Striplin stated it is a County jurisdiction issue and directed him to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office, and regarding Mr. Marper, he commented that staff will meet with him to hear his ideas. Council discussed the current enforcement and impound fees the City is using to address a -bike violations and assaults, the state mandates that allow a -bikes on non -motorized trails, and possible solutions staff can research. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilwoman McLean commented on attending FestAbility celebrating the special needs community. She commented on attending the special budget study session and complimented the City for having a balanced and on -time budget. Councilwoman McLean commented on the City's receipt of a check from Congressman Whitesides for improvements to Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway intersection. She also commented on the bylaws amendment passing at Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) in order for the City to have permanent membership on the Regional Council. Councilmember Gibbs commented his congratulations to Councilwoman McLean regarding the bylaws amendment with SCAG; and spoke of the SCV Man and Woman of the Year event and congratulated both winners. Councilmember Gibbs commented on attending the May the Fourth n event and stated that it was a great event. Page 2 Mayor Pro Tern Ayala congratulated William S. Hart District for their 80th anniversary event; spoke of attending the May the Fourth event, transforming Central Park into a galaxy far, far away; and commented attending several Cinco de Mayo events. Councilmember Miranda commented on receiving a federal funding check from Congressman Whitesides for $1.2 million to support traffic circulation improvement projects in the City. Mayor Weste commented on attending a development committee meeting to discuss design standards and the Rio Vista intake pump station ribbon cutting, and that the City's water agencies are moving forward on removing PFAS to keep our well water safe and healthy. Mayor Weste mentioned that she had a lot of fun at the May the Fourth event; congratulated Melody Bardette for her new City Clerk position; and spoke of the David Much Park expansion project. PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEM 1 2026-27 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2024-25 AND 2025-26 ANNUAL ACTION PLANS Public Hearing regarding the approval of the 2026-27 Annual Action Plan and Substantial Amendment to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Annual Action Plans for the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Act Program. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ..� City Council approve the 2026-27 Annual Action Plan and Substantial Amendment to the 2024- 25 and 2025-26 Annual Action Plans for the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Act Programs. Councilmember Gibbs recused himself from participating on this item due to his board membership on several of the agencies receiving recommended funding and left the dais. Mayor Weste opened the Public Hearing. Deputy City Clerk Angelica Aguirre reported all notices required by law have been provided. Mayor Weste waived the staff report. No requests to speak were received. Mayor Weste closed the public comment period. Mayor Pro Tern Ayala asked how can we ensure the effectiveness of the program and Interim Assistant to the City Manager, Tracy Sullivan, stated there is an annual audit and preparation of a consolidated performance and evaluation report that is available on the City website. Mayor Weste commented that it is an effective program. Page 3 RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 01 MOVER: Bill Miranda, Councilmember SECONDER: Marsha McLean, Councilwoman AYES: Lauren Weste, Patsy Ayala, Marsha McLean, Bill Miranda RECUSED: Jason Gibbs NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2 MEASURE ER: THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES RESTORATION ACT FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY The Essential Services Restoration Act for Los Angeles County (Measure ER) is a one-half percent (0.5%) general sales tax that will appear on the June 2, 2026, ballot. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council discuss and provide direction to staff. Councilmember Gibbs returned to the dais. Interim Assistant to the City Manager Masis Hagobian provided the staff report. No requests to speak were received. Mayor Pro Tern Ayala commented that this is not the right time to raise taxes for residents or businesses. Councilmember Miranda agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Ayala and commented that California has money and he is against increasing taxes. He encouraged residents to research issues and vote in the upcoming election. Councilwoman McLean commented that the rhetoric of this measure is used to gain public sympathy but they are going into the County's General Fund. She commented that the current sales tax in Santa Clarita is 9.75 percent, and if the measure passes it will be 10.25 percent, a higher sales tax rate compared to neighboring cities. Councilwoman McLean commented people will shop in other cities to save money, which will hurt local businesses and that there is a lack of accountability in how taxes are actually spent; there is no guarantee that the money will be spent the way the County reports or that the need will be solved. Councilwoman McLean made a motion to oppose Measure ER and Councilmember Ayala seconded. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Marsha McLean, Councilwoman SECONDER: Patsy Ayala, Mayor Pro Tent AYES: Weste, Ayala, Gibbs, McLean, Miranda 11 Page 4 ITEM 3 ^ SANTA CLARITA VALLEY FOURTH OF JULY PARADE This item considers the transfer of responsibility for administering the Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade to the City of Santa Clarita. This item also authorizes the City Manager or designee to execute an agreement with SCVTV whereby SCVTV retains responsibility to determine the line-up order, designate the grant and division marshals, develop the script for the television broadcast, and administer the judging process. RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1. Approve the transfer of ownership and responsibility for administering the Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade from SCVTV to the City of Santa Clarita, effective with the 2026 Parade and continuing thereafter. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into an agreement with SCVTV whereby SCVTV retains responsibility to determine the line-up order, designate the grand and division marshals, develop the script for the television broadcast, and administer the judging process, at no cost to the City. Interne Assistant to the City Manager Tracy Sullivan provided the staff report. No requests to speak were received. Councilwoman McLean requested any changes to the Fourth of July Parade be brought back to r� the Council for consideration. City Manager Ken StripM commented staff would proceed with the provided direction. r� RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bill Miranda, Councilmember SECONDER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember AYES: Weste, Ayala, Gibbs, McLean, Miranda CONSENT CALENDAR councilwoman McLean moved to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding item 12 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Marsha McLean, Councilwoman SECONDER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember AYES: Weste, Ayala, Gibbs, McLean, Miranda ITEM 4 APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES — The minutes are submitted for approval. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the April 28, 2026, Special Meeting. Page 5 ITEM 5 APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES —The minutes are submitted for approval. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting. CHECK REGISTER NO. 10 Check Register No. 10 for Period 04/03/26 through 04/16/26 and 04/23/26. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 04/06/26 through 04/17/26. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 10. STATE LEGISLATION: ASSEMBLY BILL 748 AND ASSEMBLY BILL 1621 The following state legislative items were presented to the City Council Legislative Committee on April 28, 2026, and are being presented to the City Council for consideration to adopt a position: AB 748 (Harbedian) and AB 1621 (Wilson). RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Oppose AB 748 (Harabedian), and AB 1621 (Wilson). 2. Transmit position statements to the authors of the bills, Santa Clarita's state legislative delegation, appropriate legislative committees, Governor Newsom, and other stakeholder organizations. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS AGENCY FOR SUPPORT OF SECTOR REPRESENTATIVE This item considers approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency to enable the City of Santa Clarita to receive and utilize sector representative support fonds. - RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Authorize City Manager or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency for the use of sector representative support funds, subject to approval of any further minor modifications by the City Manager and City Attorney. 2. Appropriate grant funding from Measure A LACAHSA Sector Support to Miscellaneous Revenue Account 277-462101 in the amount of $75,000 and appropriate the same amount to Expenditure Account 2773209-500201 for Fiscal Year 2025-26, $155,000 for Fiscal Year n 2026-27, and $160,000 to Fiscal Year 2027-28. Page 6 ITEM 9 ^ GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 3, 2026 The City of Santa Clarita will hold its General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, to elect three members of the City Council for four-year terms: one seat in District 2, one seat in District 4, and one seat in District 5. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Adopt a resolution calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held November 3, 2026, and requesting consolidation with Los Angeles County's General Election. 2. Adopt a resolution for candidate statement regulations. 3. Authorize the City Manager to reimburse Los Angeles County for costs of services performed. Adopted Resolution Nos. 26-12 and 26-13 ITEM 10 RECREATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONTRACT City Council consideration to award a new contract to CivicPlus, LLC to continue using the CivicRec Recreation Management System to provide reliable online customer registration service, leverage existing user data and configurations, and ensure continuity of recreational programming. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve the use of a cooperative agreement through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) Contract #220105. 2. Award a three-year contract to CivicPlus, LLC for the use of its CivicRec Recreation Management System in the amount of $157,193; authorize a contingency in the amount of $15,719 for additional Point of Sale devices and related service costs; and approve credit cud processing fees in the amount of $640,991 based on estimated transaction revenue increasing ten percent each fiscal year, for a total amount not to exceed $813,903. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to two additional one-year renewal options beginning in year four, each not to exceed the annual contract amount, inclusive of contingency and credit card processing fees, and contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such fiscal year. 4. Authorize a net decrease in appropriations within the General Fund (Fund 100), consisting of r, a decrease of $155,151 from Expenditure Account 1002200-516101 in Fiscal Year 2026-27 and a corresponding increase of $7,753 to Expenditure Account 1002102-516132; beginning in Fiscal Year 2027-28, increase the ongoing base budget in Expenditure Account 1002200- Page 7 516101 by five percent annually for the Recreation Management System and increase the ongoing base budget in Expenditure Account 1002102-516132 by ten percent annually for credit cud processing fees, contingent upon the appropriation of funds in the annual budget for such fiscal years, as detailed in Exhibit A. 5. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review. I1Em 11 VALENCIA HERITAGE PARK TENNIS/PICKLEBALL COURT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT P1021-PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT This item considers awarding a construction contract for the Valencia Heritage Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Improvements project. Improvements include resurfacing the three existing tennis courts and construction of an additional tennis court with pickleball overlay. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Valencia Heritage Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Improvement Project P1021. 2. Award a construction contract to R.C. Becker, Inc., for the Valencia Heritage Tennis/Pickleball Court Improvement Project P1021 in the amount of $637,853 and authorize a contingency of $63,786, for a total contract amount not to exceed $701,639. n 3. Award a professional services contract to Hirsch & Associates, Inc., to provide construction support services in the amount of $15,510 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $1,550, for a total contract amount not to exceed $17,060. 4. Authorize the transferof project savings in the amount of $134,865 from the General Fund Capital Projects (Fund 601) in the North Oaks Sewer Replacement Project P3038, expenditure account P3038601-516101, to the Valencia Heritage Tennis/Pickleball Court Improvements Project P1021, expenditure account P1021601-516101. 5. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review. 6. Find the Valencia Heritage Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Improvement Project P1021 exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Article 19, Section 15301 and 15303. ITEM 12 WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FOR A SEPARATE VOTE n Page 8 ITEM 13 ^" CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH DRILTEK, INC. This item considers amending the current contract for the Needham Ranch Open Space Oil Wells Plugging and Abandonment Project. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Authorize an amendment to the existing contract with Driltek, Inc., for the plugging and abandonment of six oil wells at Needham Ranch Open Space, increasing expenditure authority in the amount of $98,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed-$1,893,690. 2. Authorize the transfer of project savings in the amount of $98,000 from the North Oaks Park Sewer Project P3038 (Fund 601), expenditure account P3038601-516101, to the Needham Ranch Oil Wells Plug and Abandonment Project P2025, expenditure account p2025601- 516101. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review. ITEMS PULLED FOR SEPARATE VOTE ITEM 12 r� LEASE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT WITH SANTA CLARITA STUDIOS CORPORATION Lease Agreement Amendment with Santa Clarita Studios Corporation for the purpose of parking. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Authorize an amendment to the existing lease agreement with Santa Clarim Studios Corporation to provide a three-month rent deduction during the first year of the five-year renewal term. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review. Councilmember Gibbs recused himself from voting on this item due to the Levine Act. RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 01 MOVER: Marsha McLean, Councilwoman SECONDER: Patsy Ayala, Mayor Pro Tem AYES: Laurene Weste, Patsy Ayala, Marsha McLean, Bill Miranda RECUSED: Jason Gibbs PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II No additional requests to speak were received. Page 9 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Weste adjourned the Regular Meeting at 7:59 p.m. MAYOR ATTBST: CITY CLERK n f Page 10