Los Alamitos City Council – August 19, 2019

It was a relatively simple and painless night for the Los Alamitos City Council, although it got a little testy on the evening’s final agenda item — a discussion on the “Fiscal Sustainability Pros and Cons List.”

The discussion came on the heels of a staff report presenting options available to the City to manage the City’s fiscal sustainability.  Without action, the City is expected to go broke over the next 5-10 years.  Mayor Warren Kusumoto seriously brought up the possibility of disincorporation or bankruptcy – options shot down by new “sustainability” staffer David D. Cain, who noted that Orange County would likely not approve the disincorporation and that few cities have been successful going the bankruptcy route.

Shelley Henderson has more details in her article in the OC-Breeze.

• Los Alamitos City Council confronts fiscal sustainability crisis (OC Breeze, Aug 20, 2019)
• Agenda – Aug. 19, 2019 (city of Los Alamitos website)

• CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL
• CLOSED SESSION A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
• INVOCATION
• PRESENTATIONS
  • Introduction of Newly Appointed Police Officer Evan Flynn
  • Presentation of a Commendation to Linda Kathleen Luher
• ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
• ITEMS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

WARRANTS

• • Approve the Warrants for August 19, 2019, in the amount of $43,284.42
  • ratify the Warrants for July 16, 2019 to August 18, 2019 in the amount of $2,552,433.

CONSENT CALENDAR

• • Approval of Minutes (City Clerk)
  • Approve the City Council minutes of the Regular and Special Meetings on July 15, 2019 and the Special Meeting on July 23, 2019.
  • Reject Bid for Community Center and Youth Center Re-Roof Project (CIP No. 18/19-08) (Development Services)
    • On July 15, 2019 construction bids were publicly opened. One bid was received.
    • The bid amount of $591,200 significantly exceeds the appropriated budget of $143,100;
    • Recommendation: 1. Reject bid and authorize Staff to again solicit bid proposals .
  • Reject Bids for Fenley Drive Storm Drain Pump Station (CIP No. 19/20- 01) (Development Services)
    • On July 23, 2019 construction bids were publicly for the Fenley Drive Storm Drain Pump Station (CIP No. 19/20-01). One bid was received.
    • bid amount of $1,510,000 significantly exceeds the appropriated budget of $100,000;
    • Recommendation: 1. Reject bid and authorize Staff to again solicit bid proposal
  • Memorandum of Understanding with Teamsters Local 911 (City Manager)
    • three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Teamsters Local 911, effective November 1, 2018 through October 31, 2021.
    • Recommendation: Adopt Resolution
  • Treasurer’s Quarterly Investment Report – June 2019 (Finance)
    • • Recommendation: Receive and file Report
  • Authorization of City Manager to attend The League of California Cities’ 2019 Annual Conference (City Manager)
    • Recommendation: Authorize attendamce, all associated expenses not to exceed $595.
  • Resolution No. 2019-29 – Support of Balanced Energy Solutions and Local Choice (City Manager)
    • Much new state legislation and regulations are eliminating energy choices and mandating solutions to fully electrify homes and businesses in the future. These mandates can eliminate local control and customer choice which suppresses innovation, reduces reliability, and unnecessarily increases costs for Los Alamitos residents and businesses.
    • Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2019-29

PUBLIC HEARING

• • First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 2019-02 – Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 18-03 Concerning Small Wireless Cellular Installations (Development Services)
    • On July 24, 2019, the Planning Commission recommended amending city code (Section 17.30.030) regarding location, standards, and general regulation of small wireless facilities within the City.
    •  Recommendation:
      • Open the Public Hearing and take public testimony;
      • Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance

• • ORDINANCE A. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 2019-01 – Purchasing Ordinance Amendment (City Attorney) increasing City Manager spending threshold from $10,000 to $20,000,
    • Recommendation: 1. Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 2019-01;
    • City Attorney Daudt to read title of Ordinance No. 2019-01, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.60 (PURCHASING SYSTEM) OF THE LOS ALAMITOS MUNICIPAL CODE.”

DISCUSSION ITEMS

• Approval of Amendment to Employment Agreement for Interim City Manager Services (City Attorney)
• Discussion on Video Recording and Broadcasting Traffic Commission Meetings (Finance)
• Fiscal Sustainability Pros and Cons List Report to Council (Finance)
  • This is a report from the Budget Standing Committee on the detailed pros and cons lists of potential ideas related to addressing fiscal sustainability challenges during the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget process.
  • Recommendation: Receive and file